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Military Eliminates 6,260 Terrorists in Two Years,  Says DHQ

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…Rescues 5,365 Civilians 

…COAS Hails 542 New Military Retirees over Selfless Service

By David Torough, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 6,260 terrorists have been killed while 14,138 terrorists and other criminals were apprehended in joint military operations across the country in the past two years.

The Deputy Director Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, revealed this while giving an overview of military operations in two years, at the Expanded Parley with Media Executives yesterday in Abuja.

The parley was being held to mark the two years in office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and other service chiefs.

Abu-Mawashi said the troops of the armed forces also rescued 5,365 kidnapped victims and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in different operations within the period.

Giving details of military successes in each of the region, he said the troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region recovered N83 billion worth of stolen crude oil.

Abu-Mawashi said the troops also killed 103 criminals, apprehended 2,760 others and rescued 266 civilians from the kidnappers’ den.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified operations resulting in the killing of 1,246 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, while 2,467 of them were arrested within the period.

According to him, the troops rescued 1,920 civilians, recovered 982 arms and 2,153 ammunition in the Northeast.

In the North West, Abu-Mawashi said the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma killed 1,374 bandits, including their top commanders in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto State.

“They also arrested 2,160 bandits and rescued 3,288 hostages from bandits enclaves.

“The arms and ammunition recovered are 947 weapons and 25,802 rounds, respectively,” he added.

The defence spokesman said troops on operations in the North-Central, killed 730 terrorists, bandits and violent extremists, and arrested 7,153 violent extremists.

He said that a total of 1,510 civilians were rescued, while 1,065 weapons and 19,709 rounds were recovered.

In the South East, Abu-Mawashi said the troops of operation UDO KA had in the past two years eliminated 440 terrorists while 1,677 criminals were arrested.

According to him, the troops also rescued 294 civilians and recovered 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition.

“Finally, Joint Task Force South West killed 80 criminals and arrested 1,763 others, while they rescued 89 kidnap victims.

“Troops recovered 143 weapons, and 177,904 rounds of ammunition,” he added.

In his remarks, the Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the event marked a significant milestone in their collective efforts to address and mitigate the complex security challenges confronting the nation.

Gusau said the programme was conceived in alignment with one of the leadership philosophies of the CDS, which is “leading a people-centric armed forces”.

He pledged the commitment of the military to ensuring that the Nigerian public remains accurately and adequately informed about the activities, achievements and sacrifices of the armed forces.

COAS Hails 542 New Military Retirees over Selfless Service

The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Thursday hailed the sacrifices and efforts of 542 military personnel who retired from active service.

Oluyede made the commendation at the passing out event of Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Course 1/2025 in Lagos.

Oluyede was represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe.

The COAS said that the occasion was a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, discipline, resilience, selflessness and unwavering commitment of the retirees to the service of the country.

“As you transit from the battlefield to civil life, I pray you will enjoy your post-service life and apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired.

“You will from now on take full charge of your time as planners and executors of your personal daily activities.

“This may sound exciting and promising but be aware that you need to properly manage your new vocations in order to be successful,” he said.

Oluyede further urged them to maintain their honour before the civil populace, adding that the society would expect a high ethical standard and discipline from them.

“You will also have to prove in your social and business interactions that you passed through a highly disciplined system.

“I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavours and will positively influence your environment by contributing to the security and development of your various communities,” he said.

According to him, communities will look up to them to support safety and security initiatives as well as agencies to tackle community-based crimes and security challenges.

“Please, be an advocate of peace and make yourselves available in providing such assistance within the ambit of the law,” Oluyede said.

He, however, reminded them that post-service life has its peculiar pitfalls and challenges at individual level as such there was the need for extra care.

“Some of these challenges you might encounter include; inadequate resources, misuse of retirement benefits, negative influences and deceit from fraudulent persons.

“Others are poor management of physical and mental health as well as life devoid of regimentation and uniform-induced immunity to mention but a few.

“It is therefore unwise to embark on an extravagant lifestyle that is above your means or engage in non-familiar business ventures,” he said.

The COAS also said the essence of the training was to expose them to several vocational opportunities and management skills to have a meaningful life in retirement.

“On this wise, I enjoin you to employ the experience and skills you have acquired for a productive economic life as you reintegrate into the society.

“Continue to inspire, continue to lead and never forget that you are, and will always remain, heroes of our land,” he said.

He thanked NAFRC and urged them to sustain the high quality human resource development training  for retiring personnel and the society at large.

“On our part, the Armed Forces leadership will continue to ensure that personnel welfare at all levels are given prime attention in line with our various command philosophies.

“We will also sustain support for the advancement of this centre with a view to transforming it into an international centre of excellence for vocational training,” he said.

The COAS commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa for his exceptional leadership and guidance.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for his support towards capacity development of the Armed Forces and the welfare for serving and retired personnel,’’ he said. 

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DEFENCE

NAF Names Crew, Passengers on Board ill-fated Flight

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The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has released the names of personnel and passengers in the crashed NAF 931 aircraft.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The crew members and passengers lost their lives in the crash involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

Ejodame listed the crew members as Sqn. Ldr MI Aburime (Flight Captain), Sqn. Ldr AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot), Flt.-Lt. IS Bako (Co-pilot), Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician) and Cpl.

Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician).

He said the passengers included Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus, Flt.-Lt. M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.

Others he said were Sgt. Ani AE, Sgt. Izibenikien SI, Sgt. Alafuka C, Sgt. Mbadugha AN, Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC, Lance Cpl. Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.

The NAF director of public relations and information also said that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke had expressed condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

He quoted Aneke as describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.

The CAS expressed heartfelt sympathies to families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives.

He assured the bereaved families of the service’s full support during the difficult period, while also directing a comprehensive investigation to establish circumstances surrounding the accident.

He also assured that the NAF would continue to provide timely and verified updates as investigation progresses and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information, while respecting privacy and dignity of affected families.

“A condolence register has been opened at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay respects and convey messages of sympathy to families of the deceased and the NAF,” he said.

25 persons comprising five crew members and 20 passengers were onboard the aircraft which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.

It was reported that search and rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board.(NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Nab 32 Suspects, Recover 10 Firearms, 43 Vehicles in September

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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)

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DEFENCE

Troops Foil Two Abduction Attempts, Rescue 10 Victims in Zamfara

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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.

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