Category: Security

Nigerian Army rescues 11 kidnap victims, foils terrorist escape after 92 days

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bold display of tactical precision, the Nigerian Army on 26 January 2026 rescued eleven (11) Nigerians who had been held captive for 92 days, successfully thwarted a terrorist attempt to move the victims along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. Troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Doka, using high-definition long-range CCTV surveillance, detected the armed kidnappers attempting to transport the hostages through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under cover of darkness. A swift, coordinated response involving tactical vehicles and motorcycles forced the criminals to abandon the captives and flee into…

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho appointed new Director of Naval Information, takes over as Nigerian Navy Spokesperson

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has a new voice. Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho has officially assumed duty as the Director of Naval Information and Spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, following the approval of the appointment by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. He succeeds Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who served in the role for over two years and has now been redeployed as Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT. Born on 27 December 1979 in Benin City, Captain Folorunsho is an accomplished naval officer with an impressive academic and…

Inside Operation FANSAN YANMA: How Nigeria’s Troops Are Restoring Peace in the North-West By Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lukman Laleye Babalola

At FOB Faskari in Katsina State, the rumble of military vehicles mixes with the laughter of children now safely returning to school. This is one of the frontline bases of Operation FANSAN YANMA, the Nigerian Armed Forces’ campaign to restore security across the North-West. Recently, a team of Defence Correspondents from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, led by Commander Godwin Egbunu, visited FOB Faskari and other key formations to witness firsthand how troops are reclaiming communities from insurgents and armed bandits. FOB Faskari: Securing Communities, One Operation at a Time Major Hassan…

CDS reaffirms AFN’s commitment to human security as Gender Advisers training kicks off in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to a people-centric, ethically grounded, and professionally accountable military. He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course, held on Monday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Asokoro, Abuja. Represented by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, General Oluyede commended the British Defence staff for their continuous support in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the AFN, particularly in civil-military…

Defence Headquarters confirms disciplinary action against sixteen officers after indiscipline probe

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that sixteen Nigerian military officers under investigation for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations will face formal disciplinary action. The officers were initially arrested in October 2025, following concerns over violations of military ethics and professional standards. In a statement released today, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has concluded a comprehensive investigation into the matter. “The Defence Headquarters, in line with established procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the…

Naval War College inaugurates Naval Warfare Course 10, inducts 34 Senior Officers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN) has inaugurated its Naval Warfare Course 10, aimed at strengthening operational-level capacity in maritime and joint warfare among senior military officers. The inauguration ceremony, which took place on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the NWCN Auditorium, marked the commencement of an intensive programme designed to prepare selected officers for higher command, managerial and leadership responsibilities. A total of 34 Senior Officers were inducted into the course, including 26 officers from the Nigerian Navy, two each from the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force, as…

Military pounds terrorists, rescues victims in nationwide security offensive

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded major successes in coordinated security operations across the country, neutralising terrorists, arrested criminal elements and rescued kidnapped victims between 19 and 23 January 2026. This was disclosed on Monday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja,at a press briefing in Abuja. According to the military, the operations were carried out in synergy with other security agencies and local security groups, using intelligence-driven strategies to dismantle terrorist, bandit and criminal networks threatening national peace and stability. Major General Onoja said troops…

Troops foil bandits’ attack, neutralise terrorist in Kaduna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Division/Sector 1 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully foiled a bandit attack and neutralised one suspected terrorist during a snap ambush operation in the Maraban Rido general area of Kaduna State. The operation followed a distress call received late on January 22, 2026, alerted security forces to the presence of armed bandits who had rustled livestock from Anguwan Fulan village in the Rido area. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops deployed to the location and laid a hasty ambush to intercept the fleeing…

Military reassures Kurmin Wali residents of ongoing efforts to rescue kidnap victims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has reassured displaced residents of Kurmin Wali of its sustained commitment to the safe rescue of persons abducted from the community, amid concerns over the pace of ongoing rescue operations. In a release signed by Director of Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military acknowledged the anxiety and distress of affected families, stressing that the safe recovery and reintegration of all kidnapped victims remain a top operational priority. The AFN dismissed claims of diminished security response, explained that troops, in collaboration with other…

DAPR charges NASPRI students to rise to greater responsibilities as 2026 courses begin

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Appolonia Anele, has charged students of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) to rise to greater responsibilities as they commence their First Quarter 2026 professional courses. Colonel Anele gave the charge during the formal inauguration ceremony held at the Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja Auditorium, Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja. Represented by the Acting Commandant of NASPRI, Lieutenant Colonel Shuaib Umar, the DAPR emphasized that contemporary counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria are increasingly information-driven. He explained that…