By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has announced plans by the Nigerian Army to recruit and train an additional 28,000 soldiers as part of efforts to strengthen its operational capacity in tackling insecurity across the country.

The announcement was made on Friday during a press briefing at the Army Headquarters in Abuja to herald the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), which marks the Army’s 163rd anniversary.

According to the COAS, the recruitment drive follows the establishment of a third training depot at Amasiri Edda, aimed at expanding the Army’s manpower and improving its readiness to confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Shaibu said the Army has also established additional brigades and units, while reviewing its force structure to address emerging security challenges nationwide. He added that the service has continued to induct modern combat platforms and strengthen strategic partnerships to enhance operational effectiveness.

The Army Chief noted that since assuming office seven months ago as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has recorded progress in operations, infrastructure development, personnel welfare, professionalism and civil-military relations.

He said his command philosophy is focused on transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

Highlighting the “Soldier-First” initiative, the COAS said the Army is prioritising the welfare of personnel and their families, describing it as a key factor in achieving operational success.

Shaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining law and order, while respecting human rights and operating in accordance with the Constitution and international standards.

He said the theme for this year’s celebration is “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army,” adding that it reflects the Army’s dedication to national security and public service.

The COAS announced that NADCEL 2026 activities commenced on June 26 with Juma’at prayers across Army formations and will feature interdenominational church services, public lectures in secondary schools, a literary competition award ceremony, media interaction, charity and medical outreach programmes, and the commissioning of civil-military cooperation projects in Port Harcourt.

The week-long celebration will culminate on July 6 with a grand parade, commendation awards, equipment displays and a research and development exhibition.

A major highlight of the celebration, he said, will be the hosting of the African Land Forces Forum (AFRILAFF) 2026 under the theme, “Securing Africa: Advanced Defense, United Efforts.” The forum is expected to bring together African army chiefs, defence industry stakeholders, policymakers and security experts to promote regional collaboration and showcase emerging defence technologies.

The Army Chief called on the media to continue supporting national security efforts through objective reporting, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, law-abiding and supportive of the Armed Forces.

“The Nigerian Army belongs to the people. Let us all demonstrate patriotism and commitment to the ideals of peace and unity for national development,” he said.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Nigerian Government has reiterated its commitment to securing the freedom of all Nigerians held in captivity, assuring citizens that every necessary effort is being made to facilitate their safe return.

The assurance was given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume (CON) on Friday while playing host to the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), led by its National Amirah, Dr.

He underscored the critical role of faith-based organisations in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the country, while urging them to sustain their prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

Akume also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening national security, noting that protecting the lives and property of Nigerians remains a top priority.

The SGF expressed optimism that ongoing security operations and coordinated interventions would yield positive results in the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“Our mission on earth, our goal on earth is to promote, to preserve, and to prolong life. It’s not to shorten it. The government is doing everything to secure the release of all who are captured,” he said.

The SGF commended FOMWAN for its steadfast contributions to national development, describing the association as a vital partner in promoting peace, unity and social progress.

He noted that the organisation, made up of mothers, sisters and wives, occupies a strategic position in society and has consistently complemented government efforts through advocacy, humanitarian services and moral guidance.

Akume acknowledged the association’s commendation of the Tinubu administration, admitting that governance is often challenging regardless of a country’s level of development.

He, however, stressed that effective leadership is measured by its ability to respond decisively to emerging challenges. He added that the Federal Government places great importance on the contributions of faith-based organisations in fostering national cohesion, tackling insecurity and advancing development, while noting that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on women’s empowerment.

FOMWAN National Amirah, Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza, said the association remained committed to promoting the values of Islam through Da’awah, while advancing the socio-economic development of women, youths and children through quality education, healthcare, humanitarian services, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and advocacy.

She hailed the Federal Government for its efforts in nation-building, particularly in the areas of security, education, humanitarian response, social protection and women’s development.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of security agencies in tackling insecurity, Hamza urged the government to further strengthen the nation’s security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, greater community engagement, enhanced protection of vulnerable communities and measures to address the socio-economic factors driving insecurity.

The FOMWAN leader reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding, family strengthening, youth development and civic responsibility across the country.

She noted that for more than four decades, the association has contributed to national development through women empowerment, education, literacy programmes, health interventions, humanitarian services and social welfare initiatives.

Hamza also appealed for stronger institutional collaboration with the Federal Government to enable FOMWAN expand its impact.

She requested support for the renovation of the association’s national secretariat, the establishment of additional skills acquisition and women empowerment centres, provision of an official operational vehicle, strengthening of state-level operations, and assistance for its forthcoming National Annual Conference scheduled for August in Abia State.

She further proposed the establishment of a sustainable partnership framework between the government and the group in key areas including women’s empowerment, education, literacy, youth development, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, community development and family welfare programmes.

According to her, such collaboration would leverage the association’s extensive grassroots network to complement government efforts in delivering sustainable development across Nigeria.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs Administration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen trade facilitation, border security, capacity building and the fight against transnational organised crime.

The declaration was signed in Brussels on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Director-General of Netherlands Customs, Mrs Nanette Van Schelven.

The agreement followed a series of high-level engagements between the two customs administrations on customs modernisation, intelligence sharing, compliance management and enforcement cooperation.

It also builds on the NCS bilateral working visit to the Netherlands in October 2025 and the visit of a Netherlands Customs delegation to Nigeria in March 2026.

During the engagements, both administrations explored areas of cooperation in risk management, cargo clearance systems, trade facilitation, border control, supply chain security, capacity development and the fight against illicit trade.

The Joint Declaration recognised Nigeria’s strategic position as one of West Africa’s leading economies and an important trading partner of the Netherlands.

Both parties noted that stronger customs cooperation and institutional capacity building were necessary to facilitate legitimate trade and combat illegal cross-border activities.

The declaration also raised concerns over the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, counterfeit goods, wildlife products and weapons, stressing the need for coordinated international responses.

During the signing ceremony, Adeniyi said Netherlands Customs had shown the value of international cooperation in addressing emerging trade and border management challenges.

He said the partnership would strengthen intelligence sharing, improve capacity building, enhance enforcement effectiveness and support efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade.

According to him, the declaration represents a major milestone in the NCS international cooperation agenda and reflects the strong relationship developed between both customs administrations over the years.

“The partnership will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance capacity building, improve enforcement effectiveness and support collective efforts to secure international supply chains while facilitating legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said.

Van Schelven said both administrations faced similar challenges in an increasingly interconnected global trading environment.

She said closer cooperation would promote mutual learning, strengthen operational capabilities and improve efforts to combat transnational organised crime, while supporting transparent and efficient trade processes.

The declaration commits both parties to deepen collaboration through the exchange of expertise, training, knowledge sharing and the development of structured cooperation frameworks.

It also provides a basis for developing a joint work plan and future cooperation mechanisms to improve border efficiency, promote fair trade practices, strengthen supply chain security and address challenges associated with legal and illegal cross-border movement of goods.

The agreement is expected to support Nigeria’s customs modernisation drive and reinforce international efforts to secure global trade routes and tackle organised criminal networks.