The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, has constituted a committee to investigate the cause of the death of a volunteer operative, Halifa Abdullahi.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

The deceased, who was attached to the Fagge Divisional Office in Kano, reportedly took ill on Jan.

According to the statement, the State Commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, “ordered a discreet and impartial investigation into the unfortunate incident to ensure justice for the deceased and his family”.

He assured the bereaved family and the general public that “no staff found culpable would be shielded”, stressing that anyone found wanting would face the full weight of the law.

 “There is no sacred cow. We are all equal before the law.

“Justice and fairness will be allowed to take their full course, as the Nigeria Police Force is actively involved in the investigation,” the statement added.

Hassan-Agalama expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased and prayed for the repose of his soul.

He also appealed to the public to remain calm, law-abiding and peaceful, and to allow due process and the justice system to take their course in the matter.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have intercepted the wife of a notorious criminal kingpin, John Gata, and neutralised a major arms cache in Amadu Village, Takum Local Government Area, Taraba.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that actionable intelligence indicated the suspect’s wife was moving from Amadu Village through Wukari, Kyado, and Zaki-Biam toward Gboko.

The source said the troops of Sub Sector 1A promptly established a snap roadblock at Zaki-Biam, successfully intercepting the woman without incident.

He said the suspect later led troops to the criminal’s hidden armoury, where they recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 38 magazines, 690 rounds of 7.

According to him, the facility was subsequently destroyed to deny further use by the criminal network.

He confirmed that troops returned safely to base and noted that the security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, with civil-military relations cordial.

“Troops’ morale and operational readiness continue to remain high as fighting and confidence-building patrols persist in the region,” he said.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded significant gains against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft across the country in 2025, neutralizing several high-profile terrorist commanders, arresting thousands of suspects and rescuing more than 2,300 kidnapped victims, according to a year-end operational briefing released on December 31.

In the comprehensive summary covering January to December 2025, the Defence Headquarters said troops operating alongside other security agencies neutralized dozens of notorious terrorist and bandit leaders, arrested 4,375 suspects and received the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and their family members.

A total of 2,336 kidnapped hostages were rescued nationwide during the period.

Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the results reflected the resilience and professionalism of Nigerian troops amid complex security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry, oil theft and other criminal activities.

In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, troops sustained pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements, neutralizing key commanders, arresting 1,323 suspects, securing the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and rescuing 498 hostages.

The military said these efforts helped restore farming, commerce and the return of displaced persons to their communities.

Operations in the North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA focused on banditry, kidnapping and terrorist infiltration across porous borders. Troops neutralized scores of fighters, arrested 669 suspects and rescued 966 hostages.

The year also saw precision air strikes, conducted with international partners, against Islamic State enclaves in Sokoto State, aimed at disrupting transnational terror networks operating along the Sahel corridor.

In the North Central zone, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE addressed terrorism, banditry, arms trafficking and farmer-herder violence.

Combined, troops arrested more than 1,260 suspects, rescued over 750 kidnapped victims and recovered caches of illegal arms and ammunition across states including Benue, Kogi, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.

The South-South recorded major successes against oil theft and pipeline vandalism under Operation DELTA SAFE.

Troops foiled crude oil theft valued at about ₦8.9 billion, recovered millions of litres of stolen petroleum products and destroyed 503 illegal refining sites, while arresting 778 suspects.

In the South East, Operation UDO KA intensified operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The military said arrests, court actions against group leaders and intelligence-led operations significantly degraded the groups’ capabilities, leading to reduced criminal activity.

Troops arrested 324 suspects and rescued at least 64 kidnapped persons.

The Defence Headquarters noted that some terrorist elements are attempting to relocate in response to sustained military pressure, assuring Nigerians that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets are actively tracking such movements. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

As the country heads into 2026, the military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations nationwide, prioritizing troop welfare and sustaining efforts to safeguard lives, property and Nigeria’s sovereignty.