Nigerian Army

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has announced a significant expansion of its operational structure with the establishment of four additional divisions, following presidential approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has appointed seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the new formations, which form part of a comprehensive reorganisation aimed at addressing the nation’s evolving security challenges.

The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee security operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger States. The 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will handle border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States, and 83 Division in Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later this year.

Under the new structure, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Operation WHIRL STROKE to command 5 Division, while Major General Yakubu Yahaya takes charge of 9 Division in Ilorin. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moves from 2 Division in Ibadan to command 10 Division in Jalingo.

The reorganisation also affects existing divisions, with Major General Auwalu Mahmuda appointed as GOC of 2 Division in Ibadan. The army has simultaneously activated three new brigades in Gboko, Kainji and Lafia to strengthen the new divisions.

The COAS stated that the expansion would enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security and enable faster troop deployment across the country. The new divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with measures underway to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as a “historic milestone” in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, emphasising that the expanded force structure would significantly bolster national security.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior Nigerian Army officer, Col. Abdussalam A. Ude, has been killed after suspected kidnappers attacked his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attack occurred on Monday night in the border community near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Initial reports had incorrectly suggested that the incident took place in Abuja.

According to sources in the community, the gunmen stormed the officer’s residence during a heavy downpour and attempted to abduct him. The officer reportedly resisted the attackers before they shot him several times.

A resident, who is a journalist, and a community leader confirmed the incident.

“They came during the rain. They wanted to kidnap him, but he resisted. He was shot multiple times,” one of the sources said.

The source added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kurudu visited the scene on Tuesday and evacuated the deceased’s body to a morgue.

“The DPO of Kurudu was there earlier today. He took the corpse to a morgue,” the source added.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident did not occur within the command’s jurisdiction.

“This didn’t happen under our jurisdiction. It happened in Nasarawa. Contact the Nasarawa command,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, also said he was unaware of the incident when contacted.

However, the FCT Police Command later released a statement confirming that its investigation established that the attack took place in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and not within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, ordered an investigation immediately after reports of the attack circulated online.

“Investigations revealed that the incident occurred in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and not within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command as falsely portrayed in the circulating publications,” the statement read.

The command criticised reports that placed the incident in Abuja. It said the inaccurate reports created unnecessary panic among residents of the nation’s capital.

“The command is concerned that some blogs and media outlets, in an attempt to gain traction, have deliberately attributed the incident to the FCT, thereby creating unnecessary panic, heightening public anxiety, and misinforming residents of the nation’s capital,” it stated.

The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to communities bordering Nasarawa State to prevent criminal elements from entering the FCT.

“The CP FCT command has proactively ordered the immediate deployment of operational and intelligence assets to border communities adjoining the FCT with Nasarawa State, to prevent any attempt by criminal elements to infiltrate the Federal Capital Territory or perpetrate any criminal activity within the nation’s capital,” the statement added.

The command urged media organisations and members of the public to verify security-related information before publication. It warned that inaccurate reports could erode public confidence and create unnecessary fear.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said a statement on the incident was being prepared.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Lagos has directed the Nigerian Army to reinstate 70 soldiers who were convicted by courts-martial in 2014 but later received an unconditional presidential pardon from the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justice Sanda Yelwa delivered the judgment on July 20. The court held that the presidential pardon granted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution nullified the soldiers’ convictions, prison sentences and dismissals from service. The ruling stated that the pardon restored their legal status and entitled them to return to the Nigerian Army.

The judgment followed a suit filed by the 70 soldiers against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The case, marked NICN/LA/54/2023, challenged the military authorities’ failure to reinstate them despite the presidential pardon.

A statement issued on Monday by Tayo Soyemi of Falana & Falana Chambers, counsel to the claimants, said the soldiers sought declarations that the pardon invalidated their convictions and dismissals. They also asked the court to compel the Nigerian Army to reinstate them and pay their outstanding salaries and allowances from December 17, 2014.

The soldiers had faced trial before different courts-martial in 2014 over allegations of conspiracy and mutiny. They were initially sentenced to death, but the sentences were later reduced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

After completing their prison terms, Buhari granted them an unconditional presidential pardon through the Instrument of Grant of Pardon, 2022, which appeared in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dated July 29, 2022.

According to the statement, Falana & Falana Chambers wrote to the Chief of Army Staff on November 7, 2022, to request the soldiers’ reinstatement and payment of their entitlements. The legal firm said the letter was acknowledged, but the Army did not act on the request.

Funmi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued on behalf of the claimants that the presidential pardon removed every legal consequence of the convictions, including their dismissal from service.

The Federal Government, represented by Omobolanle Aina, opposed the suit. It argued that although a presidential pardon forgives an offence and restores civil rights, it does not erase the fact that a conviction occurred or automatically qualify a beneficiary for reinstatement.

The statement also noted that the Chief of Army Staff neither entered an appearance nor filed a defence before the court.

In his judgment, Justice Yelwa held that the official gazette was sufficient proof that all 70 soldiers benefited from the presidential pardon. He also ruled that the Nigerian Army failed to challenge the evidence presented or explain why the request for reinstatement was ignored.

The court found that the soldiers’ dismissal resulted directly from their convictions by the courts-martial. It held that the dismissals could no longer stand after the presidential pardon.

Justice Yelwa stated that although the process of reinstatement remained an administrative responsibility of the Nigerian Army, the soldiers had acquired an enforceable legal right to return to service because the constitutional obstacle to their employment no longer existed.

However, the court rejected the claim for salaries covering the period between December 17, 2014, and July 17, 2022. It ruled that the soldiers could not claim salaries for the period they were imprisoned because they did not perform official duties. The judge also noted that the instrument granting the presidential pardon did not provide for retrospective salary payments.

The court subsequently ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 70 soldiers with effect from July 18, 2022. It also directed the defendants to pay all salaries, allowances and other entitlements due to the soldiers from that date until they are formally reinstated.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a soldier who was declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for allegedly supplying military equipment to terrorist groups.

Private Mohammed Yusuf, 23, who served at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory in Lagos, was apprehended at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while reportedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.

The suspect had been declared wanted by the military on July 23 over allegations of supplying military accoutrements to terrorist and criminal elements, according to a statement from the Joint Task Force.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Yusuf deserted his unit on July 7 and relocated to Maiduguri, where he went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with assistance from an associate.

Military officials said the arrest was made possible through credible human intelligence and demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations.

The suspect is currently in custody at 7 Provost Group, where investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of his activities and identify any accomplices.

“We reiterate that there is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status,” said Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force.

The military has urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts toward restoring lasting peace and security in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have stopped a kidnap attempt by suspected terrorists in Surimi, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, a community close to the Sokoto State border.

The operation led to the rescue of four abducted persons, while no soldier was injured during the mission.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account. It explained that the operation followed credible intelligence that armed terrorists were carrying out kidnapping activities in the area.

The statement said troops at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Unashi responded immediately and moved to the location to block the suspects’ escape routes. The soldiers later confronted the terrorists and overpowered them with superior firepower.

“Faced with the troops’ overwhelming response, the terrorists abandoned the four kidnapped individuals and fled into the nearby bush,” the statement elaborated.

“The rescued individuals were later reunited with their families.”

Military authorities also confirmed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded no casualties during the operation. They described the successful rescue as another indication of the troops’ commitment to protecting lives and tackling insecurity across Nigeria’s North-West region.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has officially commenced the training of 5,300 newly recruited soldiers at the Depot Nigerian Army in Osogbo, Osun State, marking a significant boost to the nation’s military manpower.

Major General IM Abdullahi, Chief of Administration (Army), formally handed over the recruits to Brigadier General BM Madaki, Commandant of the Depot, signalling the start of their basic military instruction. The recruits, part of the 91 Regular Recruit Intake, will undergo an intensive six-month training programme aimed at instilling discipline, physical fitness, leadership skills, and combat readiness.

“This intake represents our commitment to strengthening the Nigerian Army’s capacity to meet the nation’s evolving security challenges,” Major General Abdullahi stated during the handover ceremony.

Receiving the recruits, Brigadier General Madaki assured that the training would produce highly disciplined, mission-ready soldiers capable of supporting the Army’s operational responsibilities. “Through rigorous military instruction and character development, we will transform these recruits into professional soldiers,” he said.

The exercise underscores the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its operational effectiveness as the country continues to confront diverse security threats across various regions. Upon completion of their training, the new soldiers are expected to be deployed in support of ongoing security operations nationwide.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has commissioned a new fleet of armoured vehicles and security equipment in Sokoto State, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s internal security.

At the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his proactive leadership and investment in security assets, noting that peace remains the foundation for sustainable development.

General Musa stated that the newly deployed combat assets would enhance force protection, mobility, and rapid response capabilities for security personnel in the region.

“While modern equipment is essential, it must be driven by professionalism, discipline, and seamless inter-agency coordination,” the Minister said, commending the state government for complementing military operations with community-based intelligence.

He urged frontline troops to utilise the equipment responsibly and in strict adherence to the rule of law, charging them to justify public investment through selfless service and decisive action against criminal elements.

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguarding lives and fostering an environment for economic prosperity.

By Uzair Adam 

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing factory allegedly linked to terrorist activities in Kebbi State, arresting two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers.

The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 2 following credible intelligence, which led security personnel to a secluded compound allegedly being used as a covert production and distribution centre for locally fabricated firearms.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles during a thorough search of the premises.

He described the operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and dismantle criminal networks operating across the North-West.

“The successful operation represents another major step in the ongoing campaign against the proliferation of illicit weapons, which have continued to fuel insecurity and violent activities in parts of the region,” Danja said.

He added that the suspects are currently in military custody and undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, uncover its sponsors and collaborators, and dismantle the wider arms supply chain.

The Theatre Command commended the professionalism and commitment of the troops and partner security agencies involved in the operation.

It also urged residents across the North-West to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that public support remains essential to sustaining security operations and eliminating criminal elements threatening peace and security in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI under the Joint Task Force, North East, have rescued more than 47 people, mostly women and children, from suspected Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters in Borno State.

The victims regained freedom during a military operation carried out in Kangarwa area of Kukawa Local Government Area.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday.

According to the military, the rescue operation took place on June 20, 2026, after troops intensified attacks against terrorist hideouts around the Lake Chad region.

The statement explained that coordinated land and air assaults forced the insurgents to flee their camps, which created an opportunity for the captives to escape.

“The successful rescue operation was made possible through sustained aggressive pressure and relentless offensive operations conducted by OPHK troops against ISWAP enclaves in the Lake Chad region,” the statement said.

Military authorities stated that the continuous offensive weakened activities within the terrorist camps and helped the victims regain freedom.

“The unrelenting ground and air offensives forced the terrorists to abandon their positions in confusion, enabling the victims to escape from prolonged captivity,” the statement added.

The military also confirmed that the rescued individuals have been relocated to a secure facility, where they are currently receiving medical care and humanitarian assistance.

Authorities added that relevant agencies are already working on plans to reunite the victims with their communities.

“This rescue further highlights the commitment of OPHK troops to not only degrade terrorist capabilities but also to secure the release of innocent civilians held against their will,” the statement said.

Operation HADIN KAI further reaffirmed its resolve to continue military offensives across the North-East until terrorist groups operating in the region are dismantled and peace is restored in affected communities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have destroyed terrorist camps during a military operation in Sambisa Forest within Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation took place around 8:26 a.m. on June 19. Troops attached to the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison carried it out during a raid on suspected terrorist enclaves in the forest.

According to sources quoted by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the joint security team targeted locations believed to serve as hideouts for terrorists operating within the Sambisa axis.

The troops reportedly encountered suspected fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Disa and Balangaje villages. The suspects fled after sighting the advancing troops.

Security operatives later destroyed camps and logistics facilities allegedly used by the insurgents for shelter and operational planning.

Military authorities said the mission forms part of ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist networks and restrict their movement within the Sambisa Forest area.

No casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.