Nigerian Army

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has opened an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse involving a serving officer, Cap Etim Essien, attached to the Headquarters 3 Division in Jos, Plateau State.

The investigation followed reports of the alleged incident that circulated online, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Division, Lt. Col. Olumide Olukoya.

Olukoya said the Army had begun efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the allegation, stressing that cases involving sexual abuse, particularly those involving minors and other vulnerable persons, were taken seriously by the military.

“The Nigerian Army takes all allegations of sexual abuse, particularly those involving minors and other vulnerable persons, with utmost seriousness. Accordingly, appropriate steps have been initiated to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the reported incident.

“As the allegation is currently under process of investigation, it would be inappropriate to make definitive comments on the culpability or otherwise of any individual at this stage. The Nigerian Army remains committed to due process, fairness and the protection of the rights and dignity of all parties involved,” he said.

The Army spokesperson further stated that relevant civil authorities were also investigating the matter and assured that the military would work with them to ensure a comprehensive investigation in line with the law.

“The Nigerian Army is also aware that the relevant civil authorities are looking into the matter and will cooperate fully with them to ensure that the allegation is thoroughly and transparently investigated in accordance with extant laws and regulations,” he added.

Olukoya said the Army maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards actions that contravened the law or military regulations.

He added that any personnel found culpable after the investigation would face appropriate disciplinary measures.

“The Nigerian Army places a high premium on discipline, professionalism and respect for human dignity. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, any personnel found to have acted contrary to the law or established service regulations will be dealt with appropriately,” he stated.

The Army also called on members of the public to avoid speculation or the circulation of unverified information that could interfere with the investigation or expose those involved to further harm.

The military specifically urged the public to exercise caution in discussions concerning minors, stressing the need to safeguard their privacy and welfare throughout the investigation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly arrested a 50-year-old woman in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State for allegedly transporting 300 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag.

According to preliminary military findings, the woman travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia in Nasarawa State, where she allegedly collected the ammunition before heading towards Kaduna State. The Army said the ammunition was allegedly being transported for delivery to suspected bandits operating in the Birnin Gwari forest area of Kaduna State.

The suspect was reportedly arrested during a military operation, while the ammunition was recovered from her possession. She is currently in custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement of the ammunition and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged operation.

The arrest comes amid ongoing military operations against banditry and other security threats in parts of the North-West.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed two terrorists and recovered weapons and motorcycles during an encounter in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation took place after security forces received intelligence in the early hours of 28 August 2026 about the movement of terrorists who were reportedly transporting hundreds of rustled cattle through the Maikujera general area of Rabah LGA.

Acting on the information, troops from Sector 2 moved to the area to intercept the suspected terrorists. The troops, however, came under attack after encountering an ambush laid by the terrorists.

The soldiers responded with superior firepower and fought their way through the ambush. Two terrorists were killed, while others fled into nearby bushes.

A subsequent search of the area resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The gun battle caused the rustled cattle to scatter into the surrounding bushes. The military said efforts were underway with the support of local vigilantes to trace and recover the livestock.

According to the Joint Task Force, the area remained calm after the operation as troops continued to maintain a strong presence and monitor the surroundings to prevent further attacks.

The force said its personnel remained committed to sustaining operations against terrorist and criminal groups while protecting lives and property within its area of responsibility.

The statement was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on 28 August 2026.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have killed a suspected kidnapper and apprehended two others in separate operations across Benue State.

The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.

According to Zubairu, troops received credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, about a suspected bandit leader and his associates who were operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis.

He said the troops moved to the location and engaged the suspects in a gun battle.

The statement read, “On arrival, the troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname ‘Cool Nigga’, was neutralised.

“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.”

Zubairu further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected kidnappers during another operation at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32.

According to the military, the two men confessed to an alleged attempt to abduct a resident of Gou village, Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.

Items recovered from the suspects included a locally manufactured pistol, one cartridge, five TECNO torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, several SIM cards and charms.

Zubairu said the suspects remained in military custody while investigations continued.

Operation Whirl Stroke also reassured residents across its operational areas in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states of its commitment to protecting lives and property.

The force called on residents to continue to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist efforts to combat criminal activities in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have thwarted an attempted mass abduction in Unguwar Rogo village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.

The incident occurred on August 16 after security personnel received a distress call about an attack on civilians travelling along a local route in the community.

Aliyu Danja, media information officer of the Joint Task Force (North-West), Operation Fansan Yamma, said preliminary intelligence suggested that the terrorists were led by a suspected kingpin identified as Mallam Shuaibu.

According to the statement, the attack may have been carried out in retaliation for the arrest of suspected collaborators who were allegedly connected to the terrorist network.

“The suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in support of the terrorists’ activities,” the statement reads.

The statement said the attackers later hid inside a millet farm along the route and opened fire on vehicles in an apparent attempt to abduct civilians. The gunfire reportedly caused some drivers to lose control of their vehicles and leave the road.

“In an apparent attempt to retaliate and abduct civilians, the terrorists concealed themselves within a millet farm along the route and opened fire on passing vehicles, causing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.

“Responding swiftly to the distress call, troops of Sector 2 moved to the area and decisively engaged the terrorists, denying them the opportunity to carry out the abduction.

“Faced with the troops’ superior response, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into the surrounding forest.

“Following the engagement, troops rescued nine civilians, including an infant.”

The military further disclosed that two women sustained gunshot wounds during the attack. They were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Operation Fansan Yamma, the army said, would continue its operations against terrorist and criminal groups across the North-West.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and restoring peace and security in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected explosives courier with 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was intercepted on Friday, August 14, 2026, during routine snap checks on vehicles by troops of Sector 2.

The Nigerian Army said Umar was allegedly transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorist elements in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to a statement posted by the Army on X on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the explosives were discovered after troops searched Umar’s vehicle.

“The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation,” the military said.

The interception took place as troops carried out separate offensive operations against terrorist elements in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

The Army said troops engaged terrorists in a firefight around Garin Kaso, where two suspected terrorists were killed.

The operation also led to the recovery of two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles, according to the military.

The Army said another group of terrorists later tried to attack the troops from concealed positions but the soldiers repelled the assault.

The troops reportedly inflicted additional casualties on the terrorists and forced the surviving fighters to escape from the area.

The exact number of casualties from the second encounter was not immediately established. However, the military said information from residents indicated that the fleeing terrorists evacuated several wounded members as well as the bodies of some of those killed.

The Army said the operations reflect the continued offensive activities of Operation FANSAN YAMMA against terrorist camps and the supply routes used to move weapons and explosives to the groups.

The Theatre Command said it would sustain the operations to disrupt terrorist activities and “deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace, have prevented a suspected bandit attack on Manja community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 2:10pm on Friday after security personnel received information about the movement of armed men from the mountain ranges towards the community.

According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the suspects were dressed in black outfits and red berets and moved with cattle towards the community.

Troops stationed at Manja Forest responded to the report and advanced towards the area, where they made contact with the suspected bandits.

The encounter reportedly forced the armed men to retreat into the bushes with their cattle.

The troops, with support from members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, maintained a presence in the area and monitored the situation to forestall any further security breach.

Troops Repel Militia Attack In Bassa

In a separate incident, troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace, repelled an attack by suspected militias on Ariri community in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

Zagazola Makama reported that the incident occurred at about 11:30pm on Saturday after troops received a distress call and moved to the community.

The arrival of the troops forced the attackers to flee the area.

A subsequent search of the community led to the recovery of the body of a man identified as Maianguwa Ishe.

Another victim, identified as Joseph Ezekiel, was found with gunshot wounds sustained during the attack.

Ezekiel was evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The troops have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing attackers. They are also conducting fighting patrols in the area as part of efforts to prevent further attacks and apprehend those responsible.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Nigerian Army colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has said his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration was motivated by patriotism and concern over the country’s worsening condition, rather than a quest for personal power.

Ma’aji, who has been accused of spearheading the alleged coup plot, cited economic difficulties, poor governance and concerns over the welfare of Nigerians and military personnel as factors that influenced his actions.

“What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country,” Premium Times quoted Ma’aji as saying.

“What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country,” he said.

“As we are all sitting down here, we have our biases and our thoughts and concerns on what was going on in our country from a state of gradual decline up to now, and we are almost at the point of collapse.”

The colonel also pointed to his personal financial difficulties as part of what shaped his concerns about the country.

“Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise 5 children with my meager salary, I get worried,” he said.

“I attended Army Day Secondary School, but today, how many of us afford to take our children to these schools, and for one reason or the other, which is connected to the bad governance.”

Ma’aji further raised concerns about the treatment of military personnel, particularly soldiers who suffered injuries during combat.

He alleged that some wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna were not getting adequate care. He said the situation reflected wider challenges within the armed forces.

According to the colonel, his concerns convinced him that significant changes were necessary to prevent further deterioration in the country.

“The summary of all this is that this action was driven by the desire to have a prosperous nation and country that we all can be proud of. It got to a point that I was worried that if nothing is done, we may not have a country to call our own in the near future,” he said.

Ma’aji said the alleged plan was still at the mobilisation stage when he was arrested. He explained that the intention was to bring together military officers who shared similar concerns about the state of the nation.

“Nigeria was turning into a banana republic right before our eyes. We know that during the era of the military regime, the country was functioning better. I believe that, as it is now, we are on a dangerous trajectory,” he added.

“The plan was to get enough officers of like minds who could participate. We were still at the stage of mobilizing to get more officers involved.

“This team has not been fully formed because there were supposed to be other meetings. There was no D-Day. We were waiting for the availability of resources and more officers and soldiers.”

He claimed that he personally financed a significant portion of the alleged plan, while Timipre Silva was said to have provided about N400 million.

Ma’aji denied any foreign involvement in the alleged plot and said no specific date had been fixed for its execution.

He also denied contacting some senior military officers. However, he said dissatisfaction among members of the armed forces and his unsuccessful promotion attempts were among the factors that contributed to the revival of the movement.

The colonel called for the establishment of a formal avenue through which military officers could present their grievances to the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, without fear of punishment.

He also advocated better salaries, improved welfare packages, stronger pension benefits and better educational opportunities for military personnel. He called for stronger measures against corruption within the country and the armed forces.

Ma’aji also criticised the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy should have been phased out gradually.

Following his arrest and subsequent interaction with the panel investigating the matter, the colonel said he had reconsidered his approach and appealed for leniency.

“From the time I have been arrested till now, If I were to be released and these issues in the country persist, I will consider a different approach,” he said.

“We are pleading for leniency and pardon as first offenders. The system should take a deep breath and pardon us. They should give us a chance to mend our ways. We have no other country than Nigeria and no other job.

“This incident has really opened our eyes and has changed our mindset forever. It was not intended to destabilize the country at all.

“Everything we planned was born out of patriotism, love of country, and the desire to have a prosperous Nigeria that we all can be proud of.”

The alleged coup plot, which was uncovered in late September 2025, led to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade and changes within the military hierarchy.

The development also resulted in the removal of Christopher Musa as Chief of Army Staff at the time.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has declared 38 senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted as part of efforts to intensify operations against the terrorist group in the North-East.

The declaration followed intelligence gathered during recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State. According to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, troops recovered a camcorder and other intelligence materials during the offensive.

The military said forensic examination of the recovered devices helped security operatives identify several key ISWAP leaders and trace their locations within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Among those on the wanted list is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, who the army identified as the Wali (governor) of ISWAP and one of the group’s most wanted leaders in the Lake Chad Basin.

The list also includes Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man,” who was identified as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish. Another suspect is Hamad Abu Hanifa, whom the military identified as ISWAP’s Amirul-Fiya.

Operation HADIN KAI announced that a financial reward would be offered to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa.

The military assured members of the public that all information received would be handled with strict confidentiality. It also said the identities of informants would be protected.

The army appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations by supplying timely and credible intelligence through established security channels or by calling 07084988859.

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.