DEFENCE
No Secret Graveyards: Army Breaks Down Details of Heroes burial at The Frontlines

RE: SECRET MILITARY CEMETERY CONCEALS TOLL OF ISLAMIST INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA
The Nigerian Army has debunked a statement attributed to Joe Parkinson and released on 31 Jul 19 in “The Wall Street Journal” that the Nigerian Army has a secret cemetery that conceal toll of Islamist Insurgency.
The statement that was released by Deputy Director, Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Colonel AD Isa stated that:
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a mischievous Article titled, Secret Military Cemetery Conceals Toll of Islamist Insurgency in Nigeria, was written by Joe Parkinson and released on 31 Jul 19 in “The Wall Street Journal”.
The writer alleged that the bodies of dead soldiers are covertly transported from a mortuary, delivered by truck and laid by flashlights into trenches dug by infantry or local villagers paid a few dollars by shift.
It also alleged that soldiers were buried in unmarked graves at night in secret graves.
Similarly, it alleged that Nigerian Government last summer stopped reporting the deaths of soldiers in its fight against Boko Haram. Likewise, it claimed that the operational command holds the bodies of 1000 soldiers killed since the terror groups began offensive last summer.
Additionally, it reported on one Mercy Tamuno, who demanded to see where her husband was buried, and she was led to a spot marked with a plastic bottle with her husbands name written on it.
It further claimed that 2 soldiers from the late soldiers unit said the bottle was prepared to appease his wife.
Furthermore, the writer made some derogatory comments on rotation of troops, gruesome punishments to suspected jihadists and declining morale of own troops.
Having critically studied the allegations, it was obvious that the writer’s claims were baseless and intended to smear the good image of the NA and lower the moral component of troops in the ongoing Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations.
In this light, I wish to respond on behalf of the NA as follows:
Maimalari Military Cemetery is the only recognized place where burials are held in the Theatre.
The stretch of land where the cemetery is located and produce beyond belongs to the NA and not taken over from any person or group of persons as claimed.
This area like in other armies is secured to honour and give recognition to the sacrifices of officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price by laying down their lives for the peace, security and unity of the country.
In our own case, a hall of fame was also built in the cemetery to honour the fallen heroes and act as reference point for posterity.
Burial procedure in the NA is entrenched in the NA Administrative Policies and procedures.
The procedures is triggered by first notifying the higher headquarters and NOKs of the deceased personnel for coordination.
It is a command responsibility and attended by officers and soldiers of the unit within the Theatre of operations.
The timings for all burials in the Theatre have always been before the flags are lowered in the evening.
Maimalari cemetery is partitioned into 2 to accommodate Christians and Islam faithfuls.
The graves are also partitioned, and grave pegs placed to mark each grave. Hence, the claims that soldiers were buried in unmarked graves at night in secret graves is unfounded.
Suffice to state that all deceased are also honoured with the 21 gun salute in line with the ethics and traditions of the NA.
As such, one wonder how the firing could be done in secret contrary to NA traditions.
Certainly, commanders on their own cannot carry the corpses to the cemetery without the knowledge and support of the troops.
If this is done with the awareness of the troops, certainly it would not have been a secret.
Likewise, if not done with their knowledge, the commander on his own would not be able to drive the vehicle, carry the corpses, dig the graves and also bury the bodies without any support.
Thus, this allegation is not only worrisome but also questionable. More especially when we have the Governor, Service Chief, Principal Staff Officers from Service Headquarters, Commanders, NOKs, families and members of the press that did attend funeral ceremonies of fallen heroes.
On the allegation that Nigerian Government last summer stopped reporting the deaths of soldiers in its fight against Boko Haram is also disturbing.
Generally, events and lessons learnt from battles have shown that death in combat is inevitable.
In as much as the NA tries to reduce casualties in the battle against the insurgents, it still happens as one of the hazards of war fighting.
Obviously, when such occurrences happen, it is made known to higher headquarters to trigger burial procedures and processing of benefits.
This is also done with the consent of the NOKs and not in the secret. Soldiers also move in pairs or in groups, as such one wonder how the corpses could be isolated without the knowledge of their colleagues, which would have dampened their morale to fight or take orders from their superiors.
The claim that the operational command holds the bodies of 1000 soldiers killed since the terror groups began offensive last summer is just unbelievable.
The questions are where, when, why and for what reason would 1,000 bodies be kept in the hide without anyone seeing it or perceiving the smell.
Curtaining, this allegation further buttress the fact that the writer intends to smear the good image of the NA and the Government.
The report that one Mercy Tamuno, who demanded to see where her husband was buried, and she was led to a spot marked with a plastic bottle with her husbands name written on it is again unbelievable.
Interestingly, 13NA/70/9866 LCpl Adah Tamuno, whose wife; Mrs Mercy Tamuno claimed her husband was buried in the secret grave gave false report.
The late gallant (soldier was serving with 119 TF Bn at Metele and died during combat.
He was officially buried on 29 Nov 18 at the Maimalari Military Cemetery with proper military honour by daylight with the grave well marked, not with a plastic bottle, alongside his colleagues.
The last burial in the Theatre was that of Capt A Mohammed who was killed on 17 Jul 19 in an ambush alongside with Col EE Elemele and 5 others along Jakana-Benisheik MSR.
The Capt was buried on 18 Jul 19 at the Maimalari Military Cemetery in accordance with Islamic rites.
The burial was attended by the families of the deceased and other sympathizers.
The writer made some derogatory comments on rotation of troops, gruesome punishments to suspected jihadists and declining morale of own troops.
Suffice to state that the NA has a standing policy on the rotation of troops in the Theatre.
The last rotation of de-inducted troops was conducted on 28 Jul 19 and the troops are currently at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji undergoing de-induction training.
The next batch of troops to be inducted are already at the Nigeria Army Special Forces Training School at Buni Yadi for induction training, after which they would be moved to the Theatre for deployment.
The pictures of the rotated troops are also available and hereby attached. In terms of the gruesome punishments to captured insurgents, one wonders why the writer decided to contradict himself in the article by reporting the immoral activities of the insurgents.
The NA is a professional Army and captured insurgents are treated in line with global best practices and in accordance with International Humanitarian Laws.
Above all, the morale of troops in the theatre remains high and not as reported.
It is obvious that the essence of the report is to distract own troops from maintaining the tempo in the ongoing operations.
The public is hereby advised to disregard the allegations as written by Joe Parkinson and released on 31 Jul 19 in The Wall Street Journal.
The NA remain resolute in its fight against the insurgents and will never be distracted by media propaganda.
The threat to the national security of our beloved country require that all hands are on deck to win the war against terrorism and insurgency.
Governor, Service Chief, Principal Staff Officers from Service Headquarters, Commanders, Next of kins, families as well as members of the Press attend befitting funeral ceremonies of fallen heroes with Gun Salute.
CRIME
Police Arrest 53 Suspects over Benue, Plateau Killings – IGP

By David Torough, Abuja
Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.
Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.
He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.
Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.
Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.
The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.
Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
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DEFENCE
Malete Imposes Nighttime Restrictions to Curb Robbery Attacks on KWASU Students

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
In a move to stem the tide of rising robbery attacks targeting students in Malete, authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on movement and nighttime activities within the university host community.
The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the management of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, on Monday with the agreement of all key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, members of the University’s extended management team, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, traditional leaders, security agencies, the alumni association, and the Student Union body.
As part of the new security measures Motorcycle operations are now restricted from 10:00PM, all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11:00PM while generator sets are to be switched off by midnight and night parties banned outright.
The stakeholders also agreed on the formation of a Joint Security Committee, comprising representatives from the University, Malete community, Students Union, and security agencies.
In addition, all private hostels in the community are mandated to engage security personnel, while trained vigilantes will be employed to support formal security efforts.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh reiterated the University’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students.
Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, disclosed that the Council would initiate the legal framework to enact a bye-law formalizing the agreed restrictions.
She also announced the deployment of 10 additional vigilantes equipped with necessary security tools to bolster the area’s night patrol.
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DEFENCE
Troops Arrest Eight Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Others in Kwara

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Patigi, Kwara State, have arrested eight kidnap suspects and rescued two victims from captivity. The operation, carried out on Saturday, June 21, 2025, was the result of a tactical strike based on credible intelligence, according to the Nigerian Army.
The operation targeted a known hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area of the State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops launched a swift and coordinated assault, catching the suspected criminals off guard. The successful rescue underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the region.In a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Brigade, the suspects attempted to resist the troops but were quickly overpowered by superior firepower. “During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance but swiftly subdued the criminals,” Lt. Nwankwo stated.
The operation led to the safe rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael. Both individuals were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. Their rescue brought relief to the local community, which has grappled with a rise in cases of abduction in recent months.
During the operation, one individual, identified as Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds in the crossfire. He was promptly evacuated to Bachita Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His role in the incident, whether as a suspect or otherwise, has not been officially clarified.
Military personnel also recovered two motorcycles and two expended cartridges from the scene, items believed to have been used by the kidnappers during their operations. The recovered materials are currently in the custody of the military and will aid ongoing investigations.
All eight suspects are now in military custody pending preliminary investigations. Lt. Nwankwo confirmed that they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional security, the Nigerian Army assured residents of Patigi and its environs that operations will continue to root out criminal elements, urging the public to continue supporting security efforts with timely information. The Kwara North senatorial district has, in recent months, witnessed a wave of terrorism and banditry with the presence of “Mahmuda”, believed to be a splinter group from Boko Haram around Kiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state, around Kainji National Park. The public outcry over the havoc being wreaked necessitated the visit of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on the 22nd of April, 2025, to rally the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Ilorin. The visit has yielded positive results, as the criminals have since the operation got under way.