BANNER NEWS

Category: Defence

  • Navy Recovers Stolen Engines, Destroys Kidnappers’ Dens in Cross River Creeks

    Navy Recovers Stolen Engines, Destroys Kidnappers’ Dens in Cross River Creeks

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on criminal networks in the southern creeks of Cross River State, uncovering stolen outboard engines and destroying suspected kidnappers’ dens.

    The latest operation, conducted along the Calabar waterways, saw naval operatives recover 10 outboard boat engines hidden in nearby bushes and inside a structure close to a residence earlier demolished during a raid.

    The building was reportedly linked to a suspected militant identified simply as “Juju,” believed to be a key figure in the area’s criminal network.

    Naval forces also seized boats at Dayspring Island as part of the ongoing offensive targeting militants’ logistics and mobility assets.

    In a statement, the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, described the development as fresh operational gains in the sustained campaign against maritime crime.

    He explained that the latest कार्रवाई followed an earlier offensive by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Victory and the Forward Operating Base Ibaka, which led to the destruction of a major militant hideout in the area.

    According to him, troops maintained pressure on suspected enclaves after establishing a forward security outpost at Idung 1, also known as Peacock Crossing, and arresting a suspected collaborator linked to the network.

    Folorunsho added that all recovered items were immediately secured for further investigation.

    In a separate intelligence-led operation near Akpamfi Creek, suspected militants reportedly fled on sighting advancing naval troops, abandoning two fibre boats and a 200-horsepower outboard engine.

    The equipment was subsequently confiscated and moved to the naval security outpost.

    The Navy said the operations were aimed at dismantling the logistics network sustaining kidnapping and militant activities, noting that fibre boats and high-powered engines remain critical tools for criminal elements in riverine communities.

    It added that the sustained offensive has significantly degraded the militants’ operational capacity, restricted their movement, and denied them safe havens.

    The service reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing follow-up operations until all criminal elements are flushed out and the waterways fully secured, while urging residents to provide credible information to support security efforts.

  • Security Forces Record Breakthrough, Kill 11 Terrorists in Border Raids

    Security Forces Record Breakthrough, Kill 11 Terrorists in Border Raids

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Damaturu

    Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (North East), have neutralised 11 terrorists in coordinated offensives along the Borno–Yobe border.

    The Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists.

    Uba said the insurgents were eliminated during clearance operations under Operation Desert Sanity V targeting enclaves in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti, Yaro Shuwari, and surrounding areas of the Bulabulin Forest and the Kamadogu Yobe corridor.

    He explained that the mission was executed by troops of Sector 2 in conjunction with the Stabilisation Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force, with close air support from the Air Component.

    According to him, sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) by the Air Component enabled precise targeting and seamless coordination with ground troops.

    “On the Bulabulin Forest axis, troops made contact at Malam Shiri village and engaged the terrorists with coordinated tactical manoeuvres. Eleven were neutralised, while others fled with gunshot wounds,” he said.

    He added that troops destroyed the terrorists’ logistics base and recovered nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT anti-aircraft machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials for improvised explosive devices.

    In a related operation along the Timbuktu axis of the Wajiroko–Sabongari corridor, Uba said troops engaged insurgents in another encounter.

    He said seven terrorists were killed in the exchange, with blood trails indicating additional casualties.

    Recovered items from the scene included AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, a cache of ammunition, bandoliers, and communication equipment.

    The Nigerian Air Force also conducted precision airstrikes on identified hideouts and fleeing fighters, further degrading the terrorists’ capabilities.

    Uba said troops, supported by local volunteer forces, are conducting follow-up operations along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to prevent regrouping and track fleeing insurgents.

  • Army Seizes 130,000 Litres of Stolen Crude, Arrests Nine Oil Thieves in Niger Delta

    Army Seizes 130,000 Litres of Stolen Crude, Arrests Nine Oil Thieves in Niger Delta

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Port Harcourt

    Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have confiscated over 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and more than 26,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), valued at over N250 million, across the Niger Delta region.

    The operations, conducted between April 1 and 26, 2026, also led to the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves and the deactivation of 10 illegal refining sites in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

    Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    He said troops, working with other security agencies, sustained operations across creeks, forests and hinterlands to dismantle illegal bunkering camps and disrupt crude oil theft networks.

    In Rivers State, troops intercepted an abandoned truck with registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano at Ukpeye Community along the East-West Road in Ahoada East LGA, loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen products.

    At Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA, they uncovered a massive reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil and another holding more than 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, alongside pipes used for siphoning the products.

    At Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops recovered 266 sacks containing 17,760 litres of stolen products, while in Abessa Forest, they destroyed four drum ovens, 50 sacks with over 3,000 litres of crude oil and two waste pits.

    In Delta State, a tapping point linked to a dugout storage pit containing over 2,700 litres of stolen products was uncovered at Obazogbe Community in Ethiope LGA.

    In Akwa Ibom State, troops recovered 45 bags containing about 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO at Ikot Ekpene LGA, while suspects fled on sighting security personnel.

    The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the crackdown against economic saboteurs across the Niger Delta.

  • Defence Minister Plans Deployment of 2,000 Navy Personnel to Tackle Zamfara Insecurity

    Defence Minister Plans Deployment of 2,000 Navy Personnel to Tackle Zamfara Insecurity

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Gusau

    The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has vowed to intensify efforts to confront the persistent security challenges troubling Zamfara State, announcing plans to deploy 2,000 armed naval personnel to strategic locations in the state.

    Matawalle made the disclosure during an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the Zamfara State Government House in Gusau, where security dominated discussions among party leaders and government officials.

    He identified the major obstacle in the fight against banditry as the difficult terrain surrounding criminal hideouts located behind the Bakarori Dam, describing the area as a major operational base for armed groups terrorising communities.

    According to him, the bandits have continued to exploit the area because of its water access and rich grazing fields, which provide shelter and sustenance for their livestock and operations.

    To counter the threat, Matawalle said the Federal Government had resolved to deploy 2,000 armed Navy personnel to Ruga in Maradun Local Government Area as part of renewed efforts to flush out the criminals.

    “We have resolved to deploy 2,000 armed Navy personnel to the Ruga location in Maradun,” he said.

    He explained that previous operations targeting camps located at “Bayan Ruwa” had significantly weakened the bandits’ capacity to launch attacks on surrounding communities.

    “Whenever we destroyed their camps at Bayan Ruwa, we weakened their strength of attacking communities because they lacked a hidden place,” Matawalle stated.

    The minister further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to ending insecurity and restoring peaceful coexistence across Zamfara State and the country at large.

  • Musa Leads Security Review in Borno as Troops Repel Fresh Attacks

    Musa Leads Security Review in Borno as Troops Repel Fresh Attacks

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, have arrived in Maiduguri on an assessment visit following renewed security concerns in the North-East.

    The ministers were received at the Air Force Base by the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, alongside the General Officer Commanding and Sector One Commander, Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and other senior military officers.

    The visit marks Gen. Musa’s first official trip to Borno since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2025.

    Their visit comes amid heightened security challenges in the region, including a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

    In recent months, troops under Operation HADIN KAI have intensified operations to curb insurgent activities. On Monday, soldiers foiled a planned abduction of about 150 travellers along the Buratai–Kamuya axis in Biu Local Government Area.

    Earlier, troops repelled a coordinated attack on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau village, killing at least 38 suspected ISWAP fighters during a fierce overnight battle.

    During the visit, the ministers also met with the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, to commiserate with the state over recent bomb blasts linked to insurgents.

    Gen. Musa condemned the attacks, stressing that violence does not represent any religion or legitimate cause. He said President Tinubu had directed the delegation to sympathise with victims and assess the situation.

    He assured residents of the Federal Government’s resolve to prevent further attacks, noting that the visit would help review current strategies and strengthen security responses.

    Minister Matawalle also reaffirmed government’s commitment to ending insecurity nationwide, while commending the Shehu of Borno for his leadership and support in sustaining peace in the state.

  • Nigerian Soldiers Must Stand United, Disciplined, Resilient — COAS

    Nigerian Soldiers Must Stand United, Disciplined, Resilient — COAS

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Kano

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to remain united, disciplined, and resilient in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

    He made the call during Eid-el-Fitr luncheons held with frontline troops across operational theatres, including the 8 Division Area of Responsibility in the North-West and the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Epe, Lagos.

    Speaking through senior commanders at the events, the Army Chief stressed that the core values of sacrifice, loyalty, and professionalism must continue to define the conduct of personnel, particularly in ongoing security operations nationwide.

    At the 8 Division event, the COAS, represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps and Centre, Major General Godwin Mutkut, noted that the spiritual discipline observed during Ramadan reflects the ethos of military service.

    He highlighted the significance of this year’s observance, which coincided with the Christian Lenten season, allowing personnel of both faiths to engage in simultaneous reflection and renewal.

    “Although the forms of worship may differ, the essence remains sacrifice, humility, self-restraint, compassion, and renewal,” he said.

    The Army Chief also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, describing their courage and patriotism as enduring legacies that continue to inspire the force.

    At the FOB Epe in Lagos, where he was represented by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Major General O.S. Abai, the COAS reaffirmed that troop welfare remains central to his command philosophy.

    He assured that efforts to improve living conditions, enhance professional development, and strengthen support systems for personnel and their families would be sustained.

    Shaibu further stressed that the strength of the Nigerian Army lies not only in its operational capabilities but also in the morale and wellbeing of its personnel.

    He commended the resilience of troops deployed across theatres, many of whom marked the festive period away from their families, and urged them to remain steadfast and committed.

    The COAS also acknowledged the collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security and intelligence agencies, noting that synergy remains critical to sustaining operational success and national stability.

    He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces, particularly in enhancing operational effectiveness and welfare.

    In separate remarks, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Major General Paul Koughna, and GOC 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, described the luncheons as morale-boosting initiatives aligned with the COAS’s directive.

    They commended troops for their sacrifices in combating insecurity and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.

  • Senate Decries Increasing Assaults On Military Formations, Mourns Fallen Soldiers

    Senate Decries Increasing Assaults On Military Formations, Mourns Fallen Soldiers

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Senate on Wednesday decried the increasing attacks on Nigerian military formations and mourned soldiers killed in a recent assault in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    During plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC–Borno North) moved a motion to honour the fallen troops and drew attention to what he described as the growing frequency of insurgent attacks on army positions in the North-East.

    The Senate thereafter observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased soldiers.

    Monguno told lawmakers that suspected insurgents launched a coordinated attack on troops stationed in Kukawa in the early hours of March 9, advancing from several directions and engaging soldiers in a fierce battle that reportedly lasted nearly 24 hours.

    Despite the intensity of the attack, he said the troops resisted bravely but lost several personnel, including Lt. Col. Umar Farouq, whom he described as instrumental in restoring stability to Kukawa after insurgents previously ransacked the town.

    According to the senator, the late officer also played a key role in facilitating the return of displaced residents to the area.

    He expressed concern that the attack occurred despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at dismantling extremist networks in the North-East.

    Monguno further disclosed that another community, Doro in Kukawa Local Government Area, was attacked by insurgents on Wednesday morning, leading to the death of one soldier.

    Seconding the motion, Senator Shehu Lawal (APC–Borno Central) warned that the resurgence of insurgency in Borno had reached an alarming level and required urgent intervention.

    The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and logistical support to strengthen ongoing operations against insurgents.

    Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured that President Bola Tinubu was working tirelessly to address the country’s security challenges.

  • Assistance by U.S. Military to Nigeria Comes at No Cost — High Command

    Assistance by U.S. Military to Nigeria Comes at No Cost — High Command

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Nigerian military high command has clarified that assistance currently being provided by the United States military to Nigeria is at no financial cost to the Federal Government.
    The clarification followed public concerns over the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and associated equipment in the country on February 17, 2026.
    Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the deployment should not be misinterpreted, stressing that Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully intact.
    He urged critics and stakeholders to avoid viewing the presence of U.S. troops as unusual, noting that military cooperation between nations is a normal global practice.
    According to Onoja, the support from the U.S. government is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to tackle insecurity and terrorism through professional collaboration and training.
    “The assistance being provided by the United States government to help Nigeria address insecurity is free and intended to create a peaceful environment where citizens can live without threats,” he said.
    He explained that the collaboration aligns with America’s global counter-terrorism policy, which focuses on confronting terrorist threats wherever they exist in order to safeguard international security interests.
    The senior military officer noted that U.S. personnel in Nigeria are mainly engaged in training programmes, similar to arrangements under which Nigerian military officers regularly travel abroad for capacity development.
    Onoja added that early outcomes from the cooperation over the past two months have already shown positive operational impact, with further improvements expected in the coming weeks.
    He dismissed concerns about the number of foreign personnel deployed, insisting that attention should instead be placed on the operational value and expertise being transferred to Nigerian forces.
    Reaffirming Nigeria’s independence, he stressed that no aspect of the country’s sovereignty had been compromised, describing the engagement strictly as a professional training partnership.
    Onoja also called on the media to report security issues responsibly, warning that excessive publicity of terrorist activities could unintentionally promote fear and serve the objectives of insurgent groups, while assuring Nigerians that military commanders remain firmly in control of ongoing security operations nationwide.

  • OEP Confirms Killing of Two Teenage Herders, Three Cattle in Fresh Plateau Attack

    OEP Confirms Killing of Two Teenage Herders, Three Cattle in Fresh Plateau Attack

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Nigerian Army’s Operation Enduring Peace (OEP) has confirmed the killing of two teenage herders and three cattle in a fresh attack in Plateau State.

    The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday around Jol village in Riyom Local Government Area, where suspected assailants attacked the victims while they were grazing cattle.

    OEP spokesperson, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the command had been informed of the incident and had deployed troops to the area. He added that investigations were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.

    “We will investigate and find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) is not happy about what is happening and will do everything possible to ensure peace in Plateau despite the efforts of bad elements bent on creating confusion,” he said, warning criminal elements to stay away from the state.

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) alleged that members of the Berom community were behind the attack. However, the Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, denied the allegation, stating that the group was unaware of any such incident.

    Chairman of MACBAN in the state said the victims were killed while grazing, adding that three cattle were also shot dead during the attack. He described the incident as unprovoked.

    According to him, the latest attack came less than 48 hours after another incident along the Dorowa–Jong road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where three herders were reportedly killed.

    He identified the victims in the Riyom attack as Muhammad Sani and Furuk Bilyaminu, alleging that they were buried in shallow graves. He said one body had been recovered with the help of security agencies, while efforts were ongoing to locate the second.

    MACBAN said it had reported the matter to security authorities, including the DSS, police and Operation Enduring Peace, and urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding while investigations continue.

    The fresh violence highlights persistent security challenges in parts of Plateau State, despite ongoing peace efforts by security agencies and community stakeholders.

  • Nigerian Army Launches “Operation Forest Flush,” Dislodges Terrorist Camps in Kwara.

    Nigerian Army Launches “Operation Forest Flush,” Dislodges Terrorist Camps in Kwara.

     

    *Troops Neutralize Fighters, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Sustained Offensive

    The Nigerian Army’s 2 Division has launched a major security operation, “Operation Igbo Danu” (Operation Forest Flush), targeting terrorist hideouts across Kwara State. Between January 23 and 29, 2026, troops from the 22 Armoured Brigade—supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser—conducted coordinated assaults on bandit enclaves in forested areas, including Garin Dandi in Ifelodun Local Government.

    Under the command of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, and Brigadier General Nicholas Rume of 22 Brigade, the operation resulted in the neutralization of terrorists, destruction of multiple camps, and the rescue of kidnap victims.

    Several suspects were also apprehended while attempting to flee.The army reported that bandits had received early warnings from collaborators within nearby communities, allowing some to escape with gunshot wounds. Despite challenging terrain, troops maintained aggressive patrols and blocking positions, significantly degrading the insurgents’ logistics and freedom of movement.

    Major General Nnebife has called on the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks within the state.