By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to translate their intensive training into operational victories as they deploy to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The Army Chief described Exercise Restore Hope as a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, aimed at building a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating effectively in joint and multi-agency environments.

According to him, the advanced infantry training provided during the exercise enhanced the troops’ marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical skills and mental resilience required for sustained, high-tempo operations across different theatres.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also underscored the importance of professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability, noting that ethical conduct is essential for maintaining public confidence and ensuring operational legitimacy.
He commended the instructors and training establishments for upholding high standards, adding that graduates from previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope have continued to distinguish themselves in ongoing operations nationwide.

Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General VU Okoro, said Exercise Restore Hope, now in its ninth series, remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most important post-basic training platforms for sharpening combat skills, building resilience and preparing soldiers for contemporary operational realities.

At the end of the ceremony, the COAS declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves as instructors during the exercise.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, on Thursday decorated 265 newly promoted officers of the command who passed the 2025 promotion examination.

The Commandant of the Corps in the state, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, while speaking at the event held at the command’s headquarters in Kano, described the promotion as a significant milestone in the officers’ careers.

The commandant described promotion as coming from the Almighty God.

“It is a testament to commitment to duty; integrity and unwavering loyalty to constituted authority; and the protection of our great nation,” Hassan-Agalama said.

He noted that the promoted personnel had demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism and competence in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The commandant congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to see their elevation as a call to higher responsibility, while stressing the need for them to uphold the core values of the corps.

“You are expected to continue to uphold courage, diligence and professionalism.

“Your actions and decisions will now carry even greater weight as you assume higher responsibilities within the command,” he said.

Hassan-Agalama also called on the officers to embrace the new phase of their careers with humility and renewed determination to excel in service delivery.

He commended the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, and the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their commitment to personnel welfare and career progression.

He also appreciated the support of stakeholders and security agencies in the state, particularly members of sister security agencies, captains of industry and special guests who graced the occasion.

He thanked the Member representing Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency, Rep. Abdulhakim Kamilu-Ado, for his unwavering support to the corps and for honouring the invitation despite his busy schedule.

Kamilu-Ado, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, described promotion as a reflection of dedication, service and commitment to peace and security.

“Promotion means dedication and service.

“It means giving your time, energy and expertise to the promotion of peace and security in Kano State and Nigeria at large,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, ACC Shitu Muhammad-Dangora, expressed appreciation to the management of the NSCDC for finding them worthy of promotion.

The event was attended by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Others were the Nigeria Customs Service, other security agencies, as well as family members and friends of the officers. (NAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has implicated a new generation bank, six Fintechs and microfinance banks in major financial scams by allowing fraudsters to launder huge sums of money.

Director of public Affairs of the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, made this known at a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, the compromised institutions allegedly allowed cryptocurrency transactions worth N162 billion to pass through without proper due diligence within the 2024/2025 financial year.

He said that the financial institutions clearly compromised banking procedures and allowed the fraudsters to safely change their ill-gotten gains into digital assets and move them to safe destinations.

“A total sum of N18.1 billion was moved through the financial system without due diligence of customers by the banks.

“It is worrisome that investigations by the commission showed that cryptocurrency transactions to the tune of N162 billion passed through a new generation bank without any due diligence.

“Investigations showed that a single customer maintained 960 accounts in another new bank and all the accounts were used for fraudulent purposes.

“That is bad news but the good news is that following our intervention the commission has been able to recover N33.62 million, which has been returned to some of the victims.”

He explained that the scams were in two categories, adding that the first was a syndicate of fraudsters that employed an airline discount scheme to lure their victims.

He said that they advertised a discount system for the purchase of flight tickets of a particular foreign carrier.

“The payment module is designed in such a way that the victims’ payment is actually made into the account of the airline.

“After payment is made the passenger’s entire funds in his bank account are emptied.

“Investigations showed that more than 700 victims have been scammed so far, with a loss of N651 million,” he said.

According to him, investigations show that the scheme is being masterminded by a foreign national; the commission has so far recovered and released N33 million to victims of the fraud.

He said that another scheme involved a company named Fred and Farid Investment Limited, simply called FF investment, which lured Nigerians into a bogus investment arrangement.

“More than 200, 000 victims have been defrauded in this regard. A total sum of N18 billion was raked in through nine companies offering diverse investment packages.

“The companies are: Credio Banco Limited; Deliberty Rock Limited; Liam Chumeks Global Service; Ngwuoke Daniels Technology; and Icons Autos and Import Merchant.

“Others are : Newpace Technology Services Limited, Primepath Ways Ventures Limited, Kaka Synergy Network Limited and Sunlight Tech Hub Services Limited.”

He said that foreign nationals were behind the schemes, while there are three Nigerian accomplices who have been arrested and charged to court.

He said that the masterminds were on the run and efforts are being made to bring them to book.

“The Commission is calling on regulatory bodies to bring financial institutions to compulsory compliance with regulations in the areas of Know Your Customers (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and others.

“Deposit Money Banks, Fintechs, Micro Finance Banks found to be aiding and abetting fraudsters should be suspended and referred to the EFCC for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

“Negligence and failure to monitor suspicious and structured transactions by banks should no longer be allowed,” he said.

While cautioning members of the public to be wary of these actors, he said that the EFCC would continue its works against money laundering by fraudulent actors.

Uwujaren urged financial institutions to firm up their operational dynamics and save the nation leakages and compromises bleeding the economy.(NAN)