Nigerian Army

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.

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.