DEFENCE
Army Launches Novel Strategies, Tactics to Surmount Insurgency – COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has said that the Nigerian Army must, “by the necessity of the changing nature of the battle space, sit up and develop novel processes, strategy and tactics to overwhelm the enemy in kinetic and non-kinetic battles”.
Gen.
Yahaya stated this yesterday at a lecture entitled: “The Implementation of the CIMIC Policy of the Nigerian Army and the Conduct of non-kinetic operations in the Northeast: Issues, Challenges and Lessons”.He delivered the lecture to participants of Senior Executive Course 43 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru near Jos.
He said that the Nigerian Army had been directly involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East since 2009.
The COAS said that although its initial focus was on kinetic operations, the Nigerian Army and her strategic partners now applied a mixture of kinetic and non-kinetic approach in addressing insurgency and other security operations.
He emphasised the importance of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) as a policy of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria which constituted a significant dimension of the non-kinetic approach.
He defined kinetic operations as the use of military force or “hard power” to defeat terrorism and insurgency.
While the non-kinetic operations, he said, involved the use of non-military approach or “soft power” to address the root causes of terrorism and insurgency.
Yahaya also defined CIMIC as the coordination and cooperation between military and civilian actors with a view to achieving mission success.
According to him, it entail tasks such as coordination between the military units/formations and all the civilian actors in the general area of operation, provision of palliative support to the civilian environment to ease tension and win hearts and minds.
He disclosed that both Civil Military Relations and CIMIC were aimed at bridging the “civil-military gap and resolving real or potential conflicts between both segments of the populace.”
The chief of army staff said that the Nigerian Army was investing in building the capacity of its officers and men in all aspects of CIMIC.
He further revealed that he had approved that CIMIC be included in the curricula of all the army’s training institutions.
He called for the establishment of a National CIMIC Doctrine and Strategy, stating that the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed Forces required a sound document outlining the broad strategic and doctrinal parameters of CIMIC.
“At the moment, our CIMIC activities are executed in silos and virtually on the basis of impulse by the services.
“Also, Quick Impact Projects are executed without collaboration with the lead civil agencies.
“The proposed document should outline the broad strategic and doctrinal foundation of CIMIC at national level, areas of intervention and budgetary framework,” he said. (NAN)
…In Liaison with Agencies to Improve Plateau Security Situation
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen .Farouk Yahaya, has said that the Army is liaising with Plateau Government and agencies to improve the security situation in the state.
Faruk stated this during a courtesy visit to Gov. Simon Lalong on Wednesday at Government House in Jos.
He said that the 3 Div. of the Nigerian Army and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) were working assiduously to put an end to insecurity in Plateau through kinectic and non kinetic measures.
He explained that kinetic measures which involved the use of military force or “hard power” to defeat terrorism and insurgency must be complimented with non kinetic measures to yield lasting solutions.
The COAS thanked Gov. Lalong for his efforts at addressing the spate of security challenges in the state, describing the security situation in the state as fluid and dicey but that it was being handled by the governor to prevent its escalation.
“I want to appreciate all the efforts you are putting in to enhance security in the state, and request that you should not be deterred.
“I want to urge you not to rest on your oars, but continue and even improve in what you do to bring peace and security , which is the only facilitator of development and would create enabling environment for others to do their job,” he said.
He thanked the governor for the immense support given to the army in the state to discharge their duties diligently, explaining that the motorcycles provided by the State Government would help them in exposing hideouts of criminals and for other operations.
Gen. Yahaya commiserated with the governor for the loss of the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery,Maj. Gen . Abraham Dusu, who was from Plateau and his course mate.
In his remarks, Lalong congratulated Yahaya on his appointment as COAS, and pledged that as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, the region would give him the necessary support to discharge his duties.
He thanked him for his prompt approach through the GOC and OPSH to enable the state government contain the security situation experienced in the state, over the past months.
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.
The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.
“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.
“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.
The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.
According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.
He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.
“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.
“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.
“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.
He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.
“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.
“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.
“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.
“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.
Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.
The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.
He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the Special Anti–Cultism Squad (SPACS) have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .
38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)