By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s most innovative-driven and largest non-interest bank (NIB) by assets, has sustained its frontline position in the nation’s ethical banking space with its Profit Before Tax (PBT) surging year-on-year by74% to N31.

562 billion in FY2025, from N18. 166 billion recorded in FY2024.

The latest data from the bank’s audited FY2025 financial statements reflected that its total assets grew to N1.34 trillion from N953 billion in the preceding year, while the non-interest lender’s total equity grew to N149.230 billion, reflecting 144% growth over the N61.

250 billion recorded in the preceding year among other positive Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of its operations during the year.

To reward the shareholders for their commitment to the sustainable growth of the bank as Nigeria’s largest ethical bank by assets, the Board at the bank’s just concluded virtual 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) approved 20 kobo dividend per share for the investors, one of the highest dividends per share ratio in the nation’s banking industry.

Commenting on the Board’s decision on the dividend payment during a brief chat with journalists on decisions taken during the AGM, the Board Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna, said: “The Board rewarded the shareholders for their contributions to the growth of TAJBank as we have been doing over the years.”  

In his remarks, the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda, described the improving financial performance of TAJBank “as a clear demonstration of the management’s adoption of prudential financial approach in our operations and this is already helping to grow investor confidence in the bank.

“I am using this opportunity to thank the shareholders and to assure them that come rain or shine, their funds are secured and will continue to yield sustainable good returns to them on a yearly basis.”

Also, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Sheriff Idi, enthused: “We greatly value our shareholders and customers because their interest is why we are in business and we will always prioritize them in our operations.”

After five years of operations in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving non-interest banking (NIB) space, TAJBank Limited was recently rated by the regulatory authorities as the biggest player in the NIB subsector based on its approved financial statements for the half year 2025, in terms of total assets and gross earnings values.

It would be recalled that TAJBank had in 2021, 2022 and 2023 won the BusinessDay’s awards and before then, bagged the Leadership Newspapers’ 2020 ‘Bank Of The Year’ award.

In recognition of the non-interest lender’s strict compliance with global best practices, particularly in information security standards in its operations, TAJBank had between year 2022  and 2023 bagged the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification, and three International Standards Organisation (ISO) certifications by the Certification Partner Global (CPG), namely ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 20000 on Information Security, Business Continuity, and IT Service Management Systems

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Terrorists suspected to be herdsmen have attacked communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing three residents and injuring four others.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Mbaterem, Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen communities of Mbazun Ward.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying three persons were killed while four others sustained varying degrees of machete injuries.

The injured victims were rescued and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, initially confirmed that an attack had occurred in Ukum, while a subsequent statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, provided further details.

According to the command, additional tactical and patrol teams have been deployed to the affected communities, while security operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

Reacting to the attack, Governor Hyacinth Alia commended security agencies for their prompt response and expressed condolences to the families of those killed, while wishing the injured residents a speedy recovery.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said the attackers were terrorists “masquerading as herdsmen” and vowed that his administration would continue to support security agencies in protecting residents.

Alia warned those seeking to undermine the peace process in the state, declaring that attacks would not force Benue residents to abandon their ancestral lands.

“Benue lands are for Benue people. Anyone who thinks that attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake,” the governor said.

He added: “I took an oath to protect our people, and I will not relent.”

The governor also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government in efforts to tackle terrorism and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security authorities.

He further directed security agencies to maintain a strong presence in strategic locations across the state to counter what he described as unrelenting attacks by “enemies of the state.”

The Ukum attack comes amid a recent wave of violence and abductions in parts of Benue.

On Thursday night, gunmen reportedly abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area. Police subsequently confirmed that five victims, including a four-year-old boy, had been rescued, while nine others remained in captivity as of Friday.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in the state, with authorities again calling for vigilance and cooperation between residents and security agencies.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its troops killed scores of terrorists, rescued dozens of kidnapped victims and arrested suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers during operations across the country between August 7 and 13, 2026.

The military said the operations, conducted under various joint task forces, also disrupted terrorist supply networks, recovered weapons and ammunition, and targeted crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI reported the neutralisation of terrorists in Borno and Adamawa states, the arrest of suspected logistics facilitators and collaborators, and the surrender of 19 terrorists and their associates.

Five female abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains were also rescued in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said troops also intercepted a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai, killing one terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and a communication radio.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded several encounters with terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

The military said 18 terrorists were killed during an operation at Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It added that two suspected foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device experts were arrested in Zurmi, Zamfara State.

Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, including one suspect from whom ₦5.3 million allegedly intended for terrorist associates was recovered.

In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 25 kidnap victims in Kogi State in two separate operations. Sixteen victims—six men, six women and four children—were rescued along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes, while nine others were rescued along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road.

The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected associates of a wanted kidnap kingpin in Benue State and the recovery of locally fabricated rifles, motorcycles and mobile phones.

Operation ENDURING PEACE also rescued a woman abducted from Dong Village in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State after sustained pressure forced her kidnappers to abandon her.

In Niger State, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga Local Government Area, while troops in Kwara State arrested four suspected terrorist collaborators.

The military’s account of air operations in Niger State included a major strike against terrorists in the Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas of Mariga. It said initial reports indicated that about 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles were recovered following the August 9 air operation, although assessment of the strike was still ongoing.

The Air Component also reported another operation on August 13 in the Maburya area of Mariga, where terrorists were reportedly sighted fleeing with rustled cattle. The military said the targets were engaged, resulting in the reported neutralisation of 46 terrorists.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE rescued a kidnapped farmer in Edo State and killed one of his abductors during a covert operation. Troops also recovered ₦1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.
Military operations in Rivers State targeted oil theft, with troops recovering about 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, discovering an illegal refining site and intercepting a speedboat carrying approximately 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Additional operations along the Oteghele axis uncovered concealed storage facilities containing about 105,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA intensified efforts against a kidnap syndicate operating in Enugu and neighbouring states. The military said one syndicate commander was killed during an August 9 ambush, while another suspect was wounded. A subsequent arrest led troops to a forest hideout where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said the reported successes demonstrated the military’s sustained offensive against terrorism, kidnapping, criminality and economic sabotage.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops and other security agencies for their cooperation and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property and restoring peace across the country.