The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Anthony Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer.

The outgoing FPRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the appointment in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Hundeyin described Placid as “a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping”.

Placid was born on Dec. 2, 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

He holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo and a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos.

He also obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the National Open University of Nigeria.

 “He joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998,” Hundeyin said.

Placid has attended several professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training.

He holds certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.

He previously served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa and at the Police Staff College, Jos.

Placid also served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.

He worked as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu.

He also served as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State and as African Union Election Security Adviser.

His other roles include ACP Operations in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states and ACP, Intelligence Department, Abia.

Placid also served as Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights trainer.

He also served as a trainer on International Humanitarian Law for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Placid is a graduate of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

He was inducted as a Member of the National Institute on Dec. 13, 2025 before his redeployment to Cross River.

Hundeyin said the new police spokesperson “can be reached on 07031179186”.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified nationwide military operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft, and separatist activities, recording significant successes across multiple theatres between February 28 and March 6, 2026.

At a press briefing on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said sustained kinetic and non-kinetic actions by troops have dealt major blows to criminal networks while strengthening security and community confidence across the country.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI maintained pressure on remnants of terrorist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

During the period, troops neutralized several fighters, arrested 20 suspects, rescued 24 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents along with their families.

Security forces also arrested two suspected collaborators in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State who admitted assisting terrorists by selling rustled cattle and supplying fuel and logistics. In a separate operation in Yobe State, a suspected kidnapper linked to a five-man syndicate that collected a ₦3 million ransom was apprehended.

Troops also repelled a terrorist attack in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several attackers and recovering weapons.

In Nganzai LGA, terrorists deploying armed drones were engaged in a gun battle that resulted in additional casualties and the seizure of explosives, locally made mortar bombs, and drone equipment.

In a major strike, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted a precision attack on terrorist structures in Sambisa Forest. Battle damage assessments confirmed the elimination of several senior commanders, including Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago, and Ba Alayi Benbem, along with other fighters.

Intelligence sources indicate that more than 18 ring leaders and 42 fighters may have been killed in the March 2 airstrike.
In the North-West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized several terrorists, arrested eight suspects and rescued five hostages.

Operations included the arrest of a suspected terrorist in Zamfara State found with military-related items and the interception of a vehicle carrying weapons and 542 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of rice.

Elsewhere in Kaduna State, troops acting on intelligence arrested two suspects seeking treatment for injuries sustained during previous clashes with soldiers.

During subsequent operations, the suspects attempted to escape but were killed along with other fighters in an ambush.

Operations in the North-Central theatre also recorded significant gains. Under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops neutralized over 17 terrorists in an intense firefight in Roguwa Forest in Niger State, following intelligence provided by local communities.

Security forces also intercepted a vehicle transporting ammonium chloride—a key component used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices—along the Eruku-Egbe road in Kwara State.

In Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops arrested suspected gunrunners in Kaduna and Plateau states, recovering fabricated rifles and other weapons during raids on criminal hideouts.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested 12 suspected terrorists in Lokoja, Kogi State. Although the suspects claimed affiliation with the Miyetti Allah association, investigators discovered suspicious coded contacts on their mobile phones indicating possible links to criminal networks. An AK-47 rifle, ammunition and ₦645,000 were recovered during the operation.

In the South-South region, Operation DELTA SAFE targeted crude oil theft and illegal refining activities. Troops destroyed four illegal refining sites and intercepted about 50,970 litres of stolen crude oil and petroleum products in Rivers and Abia states. Seven suspects were arrested during the operations, which also led to the dismantling of refining equipment and pipelines used by oil thieves.

In the South-East, Operation UDO KA intensified operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Troops arrested five suspects and recovered weapons and foreign currency from a building believed to serve as an administrative office for the group in Imo State. Additional operations in Cross River and Abia states led to the seizure of locally fabricated pistols and other ammunition.

Overall, the military said its coordinated operations across multiple theatres resulted in the neutralization of scores of terrorists, arrest of dozens of suspects, rescue of over 50 kidnapped victims, and recovery of sophisticated weapons including armed drones. Security forces also dismantled illegal refining sites and intercepted nearly 51,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and courage in confronting complex security threats. He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to the welfare of personnel and their families.

The armed forces urged Nigerians to continue supporting security operations by providing credible intelligence and avoiding the spread of misinformation that could aid criminal groups.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has deployed a new battalion to Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State to reinforce ongoing military operations aimed at restoring peace, law and order in the state.

Shaibu disclosed this yesterday during a courtesy visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security collaboration.

The army chief said the deployment formed part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Army to tackle insecurity in the state and the wider North-Central region.

According to him, beyond kinetic operations, the military is also adopting non-kinetic approaches, including increased engagement with traditional rulers and community leaders to enhance intelligence gathering and cooperation.

Shaibu further revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the recruitment and training of more than 28,000 additional troops within one year to boost the nation’s security architecture.

He also disclosed plans to strengthen air operations by expanding the army’s aviation assets, including the provision of helicopters to support Operation Whirl Stroke and improve response time to security threats.

The COAS commended the Benue State Government for its support to security operations, noting that the provision of drones, motorcycles and operational vehicles had improved troop mobility and effectiveness.

He also praised the governor for providing educational support to families of fallen soldiers.

Shaibu described his visit as both official and personal, noting that it marked a return to a state that played a role in his childhood education.

He said the trip included operational visits to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, the 401 Special Brigade and other military formations to assess operational readiness and address challenges faced by troops.

In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to end insecurity in the state.

He assured the army chief that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support and resources to enable security agencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

The governor commended the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government for their continued assistance in improving security in the state.

Alia said the close collaboration between his administration and security agencies had significantly reduced insecurity in Benue.

According to him, when he assumed office in 2023, about 17 of the state’s 23 local government areas were heavily affected by insecurity, but sustained efforts had reduced the number of high-risk areas to three.

He also disclosed that his administration had recently engaged with Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas to strengthen cross-border collaboration in addressing security challenges along the boundary communities.

Alia further recalled that during a previous security crisis in the state, the Federal Government responded swiftly to his request by deploying three battalions within 24 hours.