The Police Command in Rivers says it has rescued a kidnapped woman, and apprehended a suspected kidnapper during a raid on a kidnappers’ camp in Rivers.

The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

A resident of Rivers, simply identified as Loveth, was abducted on Sept.

Agabe said that armed men reportedly fired shots into the air, forcefully abducted Loveth, and took her away in a vehicle.

She said that following the incident, operatives of the Eleme Police Division commenced intelligence-led operations to track down the suspected kidnappers.

“The operation led police operatives to the criminal hideout where officers engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle.

“Subsequently, operatives overpowered the suspected kidnappers and successfully rescued Loveth,” she said.

Agabe said that a suspected member of the gang, aged 35, was apprehended during the operation.

She further said that during the operation, police recovered a silver-coloured minibus with registration number RBC 992 XE, Abuja, and two locally made pistols.

She further said that live ammunition, mobile phone, two identity cards, two black gowns and a vehicle number plate marked KRK 528 HG were recovered during the operation.

The spokesperson said that the command had intensified intelligence gathering and surveillance operations to identify and apprehend other members of the gang.

Agabe said that the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s determination to protect lives and property, and bring criminal elements to justice.

She warned criminal elements operating in the state that there was no safe haven for them.

“The command will continue to deploy all lawful and available resources to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes,” he said.

The commissioner advised residents to be more vigilant due to possible heightening of crime during the ember period.

He also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to assist the police in combating crime in the state. (NAN)

The Association of African Air Forces has intensified efforts to deepen cooperation among African air forces and strengthen the continent’s collective response to shared air and security challenges.

The Association disclosed this in a statement by its Public Affairs Officer, Squadron Leader Olayinka Lawal, on Wednesday, following a high-level Planning Conference held from August 31 to September 4, 2026, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

According to the statement, the conference brought together members of the AAAF Permanent Secretariat, AAAF Exercise 2027 planners, liaison officers, working-group representatives and subject-matter experts from the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces and USAFE-AFAFRICA.

The statement said the deliberations focused on developing the AAAF as a more effective, sustainable and responsive platform for cooperation among African Air Forces.

“The Association of African Air Forces has taken significant steps towards strengthening continental airpower cooperation, institutional continuity and strategic engagement following a high-level Planning Conference held from 31 August to 4 September 2026 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Hosted by USAFE-AFAFRICA, the conference brought together members of the AAAF Permanent Secretariat (PS), AAAF Exercise (AAAFEX) 2027 planners, Liaison Officers, working-group representatives and invited subject-matter experts, including representatives from the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces (SICOFAA) and USAFE-AFAFRICA.

At the core of the deliberations was the need to further develop AAAF as a more effective, sustainable and responsive platform for cooperation among African Air Forces. Participants reviewed and advanced updates to the AAAF Procedures Manual and Strategic Plan 2027–2034, while developing a three-year roadmap to guide the Association’s activities towards AAAFEX 2029.

“A major focus of the conference was the strengthening of the Association’s strategic communication capability. Deliberations examined how AAAF can establish a coordinated digital presence, develop a consistent narrative and messaging framework, strengthen multilingual communication in English, French and Portuguese, and improve engagement with member Air Forces, governments, strategic partners, media and other stakeholders, “the statement partly read.

The statement said the measures were aimed at improving engagement with “member Air Forces, governments, strategic partners, media and other stakeholders.”

It added that representatives of the Women, Peace and Security and Senior Enlisted forums also engaged with the Permanent Secretariat to strengthen communication and collaboration among the various working groups.

On institutional continuity, the Association said the introduction of dedicated Public Affairs and Continuity Manager positions within the Permanent Secretariat would help in “preserving institutional knowledge, improving coordination and ensuring that AAAF initiatives remain sustainable beyond individual office holders.”

The participation of SICOFAA representatives further enabled the African Air Forces to examine established practices in multilateral military cooperation and identify those that could be adapted to the African context.

The statement said the exchanges reinforced “the value of institutional learning and the Association’s commitment to developing practical, African-led mechanisms for enhanced cooperation.”(PUNCH)

By David Torough, Abuja

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, redeploying generals and brigadier generals to critical operational, command, training and strategic appointments across the Service.

The shake-up, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and repositioning the Army’s command structure to meet Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

At the centre of the latest changes is Major General IA Ajose, who has been moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to take over as Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s key command responsible for counter-insurgency operations in the region.

Ajose takes over the strategic theatre as the Army continues its campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operating across parts of the North-East.

His predecessor, Major General AE Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

The Army said the latest postings were designed to ensure that the “right leadership, experience and expertise” were deployed to critical operational and strategic positions.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the new arrangement, Major General AM Alechenu has moved from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

Major General AM Umar is moving from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant. He is replaced at the Department of Civil-Military Affairs by Major General UM Alkali, who moves from the Army War College.

Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.

Major General JE Osifo, formerly of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, moves to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.

The changes also extend to several operational formations at the brigadier general level.

Brigadier General AA Bello has moved from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

Brigadier General MS Adamu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade after leaving the Nigerian Army Women Command, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to command 27 Task Force Brigade.

Brigadier General I Sule has also been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.

Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to command 2 Division Garrison, with Brigadier General AS Bugaje taking over at the simulation centre as Director of Administration.

Shaibu charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.

He urged them to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Army said the latest exercise was part of its continuing effort to maintain a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework capable of improving operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination, and responding decisively to contemporary and emerging security threats.

The reshuffle comes less than a year after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a sweeping change in the country’s military leadership, leading to Shaibu’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff in October 2025.

Shaibu assumed office on November 5, 2025, as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff.

His emergence came amid mounting pressure on the military to improve its response to multiple security theatres, including the long-running insurgency in the North-East and the growing threats of banditry and kidnapping across parts of the North-West and North-Central.

Since assuming office, Shaibu has placed renewed emphasis on offensive operations and improving the Army’s capacity to confront terrorist and other criminal threats.

During his first operational visit to Borno in November 2025, the Army chief told troops that the campaign against terrorists had to be conducted differently and declared that failure was not an option.

The latest command changes therefore represent another significant attempt by the Army leadership to align personnel, operational experience and command responsibilities with the demands of Nigeria’s increasingly complex security environment.