The National Defence College (NDC) has urged the outgoing course -34 participants to seek moral guidance and maintain spiritual strength in the discharge of national service.

The NDC commandant, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed gave the charge on Sunday in Abuja, at the college interdenominational church service in respect of the graduating course -34 participants.

Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Commandant, Maj.

-Gen. Ken Chigbu, said that the need for spiritual strength, support, and moral guidance in the midst of professional and intellectual pursuits could not be over-emphasised.

He also said that faith reminded humanity the importance of humility, compassion, service and dependence on God.

He noted that these were very important attributes that every leader must have in order to be able to discharge their duties fairly and efficiently.

“As leaders, we must never become so confident in our abilities that we forget the need to seek and utilise divine wisdom and spiritual guidance.

“May God grant us the wisdom, courage and selflessness required to make decisions that will promote peace and unity, attain justice and security, and achieve prosperity for all,” he said.

The commandant further urged the participants to continue in their noble commitment to excellence as the college sustained its important role in developing strategic leaders for Nigeria, Africa, and the international community.

“We thank Almighty God for bringing Course-34 to this important milestone and we celebrate the achievement of the participants.

“Above all, we look forward to the contributions that our graduates will make in the years ahead with hope and confidence.

“Their journey at the college was one of intellectual engagement, personal sacrifice, professional development, and shared experiences.

“Over the course of the programme, they were exposed to rigorous academic activities, strategic studies, leadership development, research exercises, and other activities designed to broaden their understanding of national and international security issues.

“They have also had the opportunity to interact, exchange ideas and build relationships across professional, cultural, and national boundaries,” he also said.

Earlier the college Protestant Chaplain, Capt. James Saidu, in his sermon urged the outgoing participants to continue to abide in the faith that had brought them thus far in order to go further.

He also urged them to remain thankful to God in every situation, noting that every circumstance they found themselves was an opportunity to grow and do better.

Saidu admonished them to lead by example and be leaders with high morals and transparency in their distinct places of service after their imminent graduation.(NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have disrupted an alleged kidnappers’ roadblock in Benue State, neutralised one suspected bandit and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations.

According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the operations were conducted on August 19, 2026, following credible intelligence on criminal activities in the state.

In the first operation, troops were deployed to the Jortar–Atume axis after receiving information about a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates allegedly operating an illegal checkpoint in the area.

The troops reportedly engaged the group in a firefight on arrival, during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised. Other members of the group fled, abandoning a motorcycle that was subsequently recovered by the troops.

In a separate operation in Logo Local Government Area on the same day, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.

The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel. According to the military, the suspects confessed to an alleged attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.

Items recovered from them included a locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.

The two suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across its area of operation and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued at least 48 abducted persons, neutralised several terrorists and arrested suspected criminals across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026, as troops intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.

According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations recorded successes across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued three kidnapped victims from Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, while five others escaped their captors and reunited with their families.

Two victims, however, were killed before troops intervened.

Troops also rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis and recovered weapons, including an abandoned AK-47 rifle.

The military said 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops in Borno State between August 16 and 20. Six terrorist fighters also surrendered during the period, with the military attributing the defections to hunger, insecurity and internal factional clashes within terrorist enclaves.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 28 abducted victims across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states. Several terrorists were also neutralised, while troops arrested suspects linked to kidnapping and the movement of explosives and supplies to terrorist groups.

The military said one suspect was arrested while transporting 180 units of explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zamfara State, allegedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State. Further operations led to the arrest of suspected terrorist informants and collaborators.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State. Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers and terrorists in Nasarawa and Benue states and arrested suspected arms traffickers and kidnappers.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State recovered firearms and ammunition during operations following an attack on Mwar community in Mangu Local Government Area.
In Kwara State, Operation Savannah Shield troops rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in bushes around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area and neutralised a terrorist in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest from a suspect in Delta State.
The military also reported the disruption of three illegal refining sites in Rivers State, where about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered from dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.

In the South East, Operation Udo Ka troops dismantled illegal bunkering operations, arrested suspected criminal elements and recovered firearms and ammunition. Troops also discovered and safely disarmed multiple improvised explosive devices in Imo State and cleared 11 IEDs during operations in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The military said its operations were complemented by civil-military cooperation initiatives. During the week under review, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, to improve access to potable water.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their operational successes and expressed sympathy to families of civilians killed during the operations. He also wished injured security personnel a speedy recovery.

Oluyede further urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing security agencies with useful information, while assuring citizens that the military would sustain its operations until peace and stability are restored across the country.