DEFENCE
COAS Death: Security Experts Seek Review of Military Aviation
Some security experts have expressed sadness over the death of top military personnel in a plane crash and called for a thorough review of the military aviation sector.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen.
Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other personnel, died in a military plane crash on Friday in Kaduna.The security experts told NAN in separate interviews on Sunday that the development was a setback to the advancement of the country’s security architecture in its fight against insurgency.
The Managing Director of Strict Guard Security Limited, Mr Chinye Bones, said that there was a need for a review of the military aviation sector to prevent such an ill-fated occurrence in the future.
Bones recalled that there was a drop in air crashes in the civil aviation sector after a review was done during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.
“It is becoming worrisome with the number of crashes being recorded in the military sector and unfortunate that a top military officer just lost his life like that in the crash that occurred on Friday.
“This shows the level of decadence in the fleet of our military aircraft to the extent that an aircraft transporting the serving COAS and his entourage could crash and go up in flames.
“Attahiru just died as a result of carelessness or sabotage by some unscrupulous people,’’ Bone alleged.
He, therefore, called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash involving the aircraft so that such occurrence would not repeat itself in future.
“I express my condolences to the families of the deceased and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear their losses.’’
Also, Mr Dennis Amachree, another security expert, said that the development happened when Nigerians were looking forward to new strategies that the new service chief would introduce in the fight against insurgency.
Amachree said that Attahiru’s death was unfortunate because he had just reached the peak of his career after spending many years serving his country.
“He died in active service and this is a big blow to the Armed Forces, especially in its fight against terrorism.
“He will be greatly missed by the entire Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Armed Forces as a whole.
“My condolences go to his family,’’ he said.
Similarly, Ben Okezie, also a security expert said that government should endeavour to take care of the families left behind by the deceased military officers.
“They died while actively serving the country and the nation must honour their contributions and dedication to the development of the Nigerian Army,’’ Okezie said.
He also eulogised the late COAS, who, he said, showed leadership which was cherished by Nigerians.
“His name will go down in history as a gallant soldier who died in the service to his country.
“May his soul rest in peace and may God give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.’’
A former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, commiserated with the family of the deceased COAS, adding that his death from the military plane crash was a sad incident.
“What else is there to say than saying this is a sad incident, a great loss to his family and Nigeria.
“I pray that Almighty God will grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss,’’ Owoseni said.
Mr Benjamin Esegine, a security expert, also described the incident as an unfortunate one.
Esegine advised that Nigeria should pay more attention to the maintenance of both military and civil aircraft.
“This is an unfortunate incident and I am deeply pained because it is an avoidable death.
“May the soul of the departed rest in peace.
“But, this goes beyond prayers but actions as we need not wait till this same calamity shifts to commercial aeroplanes.
“Aircraft maintenance is important as life has no duplicate. This is sad,’’ he said.
NAN reports that several military officers had lost their lives in the last three months in crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets.
On Sunday, Feb. 21, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft en route Minna in Niger crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure.
Also, on Wednesday, March 31, an Alpha-Jet aircraft, involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, lost radar contact in Borno.
The most recent is the fatal accident of a NAF Beachcraft 350 aircraft on Friday, May 21, which had the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru on board.
Attahiru and 10 others on board the military aircraft died in the crash near the Kaduna International Airport. (NAN).
Other officers who died in the COAS entourage are Brig.-Gen. MI Abdulkadir, Brig.-Gen. Olayinka, Brig.-Gen. Kuliya, Maj. LA Hayat, Maj. Hamza and Sgt. Umar.
The crew were Flt.-Lt.TO Asaniyi, Flt.-Lt. AA Olufade, Sgt. Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
NAN also recalls that a total of four Service Chiefs (three serving and a former) had died in air crashes.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Col. Joseph Akahan (May 1968); Chief of Air Staff, Lt. Shittu Alao (Oct. 15, 1969, at Uzebba, near Benin); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Andrew Azazi (Dec. 15, 2012, in Bayelsa) and Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (May 2021) (NAN).
DEFENCE
Police Nab 32 Suspects, Recover 10 Firearms, 43 Vehicles in September
The Police Command in Lagos State says it apprehended 32 suspects and recovered 10 firearms, 43 vehicles and N2.5 million during various operations across the state in September.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police(CP), Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievements for the month at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
Tijani said the command also impounded 43 vehicles during an early-morning enforcement operation on Monday against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, adding that further checks were ongoing.
He said the command arrested the suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing, breaking and entering, public disturbance and other violent crimes.
The CP said the command recovered 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.
He added that the firearms comprised five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols.
Tijani said a 32-year-old suspect was arrested during a routine patrol along Oko Oba Road after some suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting the police.
“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools,” he said.
The commissioner said a 29-year-old suspected armed robber was also arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.
“The suspect was arrested at the Toll Gate, Lagos-Ogun boundary, following investigation into the Sept. 26 incident, in which armed men allegedly robbed the victim of his gold wrist chain and rings.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining exhibits,” he said.
He said police also arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged conspiracy and stealing case involving a gang that reportedly travelled from Idi-Oro, Mushin, to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.
According to him, the suspect led operatives to a hotel room in Idi-Oro, where N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered.
The CP said three suspected robbers were also arrested in Idi-Oro, while intelligence obtained during investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges at Igbogbo, Ikorodu.
He added that another suspect was arrested in Olorunsogo, Mushin, where a locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition were recovered.
Tijani said the suspect allegedly confessed to membership of the Eiye Confraternity, while two other suspected cultists, aged 27 and 35, were arrested at Ganyigbo Beach Yard.
He said 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were also arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered.
According to him, seven of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigation continued to apprehend other members and recover additional arms.
The commissioner further disclosed that police arrested a 15-year-old suspected arms courier at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.
He said a locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from the suspect, while further investigation led to the recovery of an additional cut-to-size gun and 11 cartridges.
Tijani said the command also arrested a 53-year-old man in Ojo for alleged unlawful possession of a locally made pistol and six suspected hoodlums over alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property along Ejigbo–Idimu Road.
He said another suspect was arrested in Badagry for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance, adding that two victims had so far made statements against him.
Tijani said the command would continue to protect police personnel lawfully carrying out their duties while holding accountable officers whose conduct fell below expected standards.
He commended the officers and operatives for the breakthroughs and appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and timely provision of credible information. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Troops Foil Two Abduction Attempts, Rescue 10 Victims in Zamfara
By David Torough, Abuja
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 people in operations across Zamfara State.
The military said the incidents occurred on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.
In Maru, troops of Sector 2 responded to information that terrorists had abducted villagers at Kade Daba Village in Kanoma District.
The troops engaged the attackers and rescued three victims, while a subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the total rescued at the location to four.In a separate incident along the Tsafe-Funtua road, troops conducting a picketing operation near Kwanoni heard sporadic gunshots and moved towards the area. They encountered terrorists withdrawing through surrounding high ground and engaged them, forcing the attackers to flee.
According to the military, the terrorists had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. The occupants escaped before the vehicle was completely consumed by fire.
Six other people were rescued from another vehicle that reportedly lost control as a result of the gunfire. The vehicle was later towed away from the road to restore traffic flow.
The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response, saying their actions helped protect civilians along major roads and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.
The commander also reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustained operations against terrorists in the North West and urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities to security agencies through official channels.
DEFENCE
COAS Operationalises 28 Armoured Brigade in Kebbi, Assures Residents of Enhanced Security
The Nigerian Army has operationalised 28 Armoured Brigade and Garrison in Birnin Kebbi, alongside 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje, as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and protect vulnerable communities across Kebbi State.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the deployment was part of the Army’s strategy to optimise its force structure, expand its operational presence, strengthen command and control, and improve response times to security threats across the North-West.
Shaibu, represented by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, charged the Acting Commander of 28 Brigade, Colonel Abdullahi Umar, to ensure that the new formation provides effective fire support and contributes to ongoing security operations within the division’s area of responsibility.
Koughna said the deployment was particularly aimed at addressing threats posed by criminal elements and other security challenges in Kebbi State.
He urged troops to maintain discipline, professionalism and tactical focus while adhering strictly to the Rules of Engagement and protecting law-abiding citizens in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The GOC also stressed the importance of cooperation among security agencies and other stakeholders, noting that sustained peace would require effective coordination and synergy.
During the visit, Koughna commiserated with residents of Jandutse community over the recent death of a resident in a bandit attack. He assured the community of an increased military presence to enhance the safety of residents.
The residents expressed appreciation for the Army’s continued efforts to improve security in Jandutse and across Kebbi State.


