By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army has recorded major operational gains across the country in the past three days, neutralising scores of terrorists, and apprehending no fewer than 17 criminal suspects.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the breakthroughs followed a series of coordinated raids, ambushes, and targeted strikes in Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Plateau, Taraba, and the South-East.

The source revealed that a total of 25 family members of Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters surrendered to troops in the North-East.

According to the source, they surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion, operating in Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno, on Aug. 11.

He said the 25 family members comprised 12 adult females and 13 children who surrendered from the Zalmari, Gazuwa, and Alafa axis.

“The surrendered persons are currently undergoing detailed profiling by the 21 Special Armoured Brigade.

“On the same day in Yobe State, troops of 233 Battalion, in conjunction with the Civilian JTF, conducted an ambush along the Sassawa–Kaburu route in Damaturu LGA, engaging terrorists, neutralising one, and recovering an AK-47 rifle,” he said.

In Zamfara, the source revealed that troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 5 foiled a planned terrorist attack on FOB Galadi in Shinkafi LGA, killing one terrorist and seizing a mobile phone used for operational coordination.

The source added that troops on Aug. 12, acting on intelligence from a rescued kidnap victim, stormed Gremasa Mountain in Shanga LGA of Kebbi and apprehended eight suspected kidnappers believed to be behind several recent abductions in the area.

In Plateau, he said the troops of Sector 4, Operation Safe Haven, nabbed five suspected pipeline vandals at Kassa Village in Barkin Ladi LGA.

He said the suspects were caught with government-owned pipes and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.

“Similarly, in Taraba, troops of Sector 3 FOB Wukari, under Operation Whirl Stroke, apprehended two suspected kidnap collaborators.

“Items recovered from them included POS machines, ATM cards, and cash believed to be linked to ransom transactions.

On Aug. 13, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade launched a coordinated offensive on an IPOB/ESN camp at Ndeji Community, a border area between Anambra, Abia, and Imo States.

“One armed member was neutralised, and troops recovered a pistol with ammunition, cartridges, handheld radios, components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mobile phones, and other operational equipment.

“Two IEDs planted by the criminals were safely destroyed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

“These sustained operations demonstrate the Nigerian Army’s resolve to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics, and deny them safe havens, while safeguarding farmers and communities,” the source said.

He reaffirmed that the army would maintain relentless pressure on terrorists, bandits, separatists, and other criminal groups until peace and stability are fully restored across all regions of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, on Friday warned that officers who neglect their duties would face strict sanctions.

Nwakuche gave the warning at the decoration ceremony of the 30 newly promoted Assistant Controllers-General of Corrections (ACGs) in Abuja.

The NCoS boss expressed disappointment over what he described as the “lackadaisical attitude” of some personnel, which he said had led to recent security breaches in custodial centres.

“It is obvious that our Zonal Coordinators, State Controllers and Officers In-Charge Custodial Centres have abdicated their duties.

“This is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. Any further abdication of responsibilities will surely attract the big stick,” he declared.

Nwakuche, however, charged the newly promoted ACGs to take full control of their respective zones, states and custodial centres, stressing that leadership at their level was about service, not titles.

He said that the elevation of the officers was not merely a change of insignia but formal recognition of years of diligence, sacrifice and unyielding commitment to duty.

Describing the rank as the zenith of career progression, he said ACGs were not only managers but strategic leaders whose influence shaped the policies and future direction of the service.

Quoting leadership expert John C. Maxwell, he reminded them that “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

He urged them to embody the ideals of the NCoS Act 2019, which promoted a shift from punitive imprisonment to correctional and rehabilitative approaches.

This, he emphasised, was rooted in the belief that every offender was redeemable.

He reaffirmed the service’s vision to be a credible correctional service that secures, reforms, rehabilitates and re-integrates offenders back into the society.

The C-G reiterated the service mission to provide excellent custodial and non-custodial services for the provision and promotion of public protection in accordance with global best practices.

Nwakuche also commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to the service, and Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his advocacy on staff welfare, institutional reforms and infrastructural improvement.

He thanked the families of the newly promoted officers for their sacrifices, describing them as the “silent strength” behind the success of the officers.

“As we pin these new ranks on your shoulders, let them not be seen as ornaments, but as symbols of trust, accountability, and higher responsibility.

“We pray for wisdom, courage, strength and grace for the officers to succeed in their new roles.

“Our nation is watching. The next generation of officers is watching. And history itself will judge how well we lead,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted senior officers, ACG Sylvanus Yakubu pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them through dedicated service to the nation.

Yakubu described the C-G, as a “game changer” whose leadership had brought joy to the officers.

“We appreciate the game changer for allowing God to use him and for putting smiles on our faces. The God that uses you to put a smile on our faces will continue to bless you,” he prayed.

Yakubu assured the C-G that the promotion would serve as motivation for greater service, adding that for the officers, elevation meant more work and responsibility to the country.

“We promise, we will not disappoint you,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and Grey Child Foundation have inaugurated a nationwide programme aimed at tackling the root causes of violence and fostering peace across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said at the inauguration in Abuja, that the initiative would strengthen communities, promote resilience, and prevent the conditions that breed violence.

According to him, peace and security are not the sole responsibilities of government or security agencies; they are shared outcomes of sustained partnerships with communities, civil society, and development actors.

Laka noted that while Nigeria continued to grapple with terrorism, insurgency, banditry and violent extremism, a collective approach was critical in addressing such threats.

He said the programme, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18, would promote positive narratives, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and provide evidence-based data to guide decisions by stakeholders.

According to him, kinetic measures provide only temporary relief; the lasting path to peace lies in non-kinetic strategies that address the drivers of violence and create opportunities for peaceful coexistence.

The National Coordinator urged government institutions, the private sector, and development partners to sustain support for community-led peacebuilding.

He said that it was only through collective action that we could build the Nigeria we all desired.

In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the initiative as a “game-changer” in ensuring inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to peace and security.

According to her, the family remains the first line of defence, adding that it aligned with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

“By equipping them with the right values and resources, we can break the cycle of violence from the ground up,” she said,

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru, warned that violence was becoming a dangerous norm in Nigerian communities.

Badaru, who was represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Ministry of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Umar Bichi, urged the adoption of non-kinetic approaches to resolving conflicts.

He commended stakeholders, including Rotary and SEAL, for their role in advancing grassroots peacebuilding, stressing that the ministry looked forward to seeing the programme implemented in communities across the country.

“In military strategy, the best way to win a war is to avoid it altogether. When conflict happens, non-violent solutions remain the best,” he stated.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Abdulateef Shittu, pledged the support of state governments through logistics aid, community-based policing, and a Security Community of Practice to strengthen non-kinetic responses.

He said that state governments recognised the urgency of a whole-of-society, community-driven approach to tackling violent crimes, militancy, terrorism, ethno-religious intolerance, and related threats to national stability.

“The alarming rates of local crimes with national security implications are undermining our stability, development, and social cohesion.

“This programme could not have come at a better time,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Gray Child Foundation, Dr Pietro Macleo, described the CVR programme as a “home-grown, community-rooted solution” that combines innovation, evidence-based interventions and active involvement of traditional, faith-based, private sector and civil society actors.

He said the solution must be grown from the ground up; rooted in shared values and sustained by trust, participation, and good governance.

According to him, the CVR programme will revalidate and establish grassroots peace and security baselines, dismantle push and pull factors of violence, and reinforce national security frameworks.

The programme launch, supported by Rotary International and other partners, marks a major step in Nigeria’s shift towards sustainable, locally driven peacebuilding efforts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) on Thursday inaugurated its Alumni Association to build powerful strategic networks that will enhance national and regional security.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the inauguration of the Army War College Nigeria Alumni Association (AWCNAA), marked a new chapter in the history of the college.

Oluyede was represented by the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. William Dangana.

He said the inauguration was also a reaffirmation of the Nigerian Army’s enduring commitment to operational excellence, professional military education, and strategic leadership development.

According to him, AWCN had since its establishment in 2017, steadily evolved into a true centre of excellence for operational-level leadership development, campaign planning, and joint operational art.

“The College has produced capable leaders who have gone on to serve with distinction in critical command, control, staff, and policy positions across the Nigerian Army, sister services, relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, and even in allied nations.

“The alumni form a reservoir of strategic knowledge, operational experience, and institutional wisdom that must be harnessed for national development and regional stability.

“The formation of this Alumni Association is therefore a welcome and timely initiative.

“Such a structured platform will stimulate continuous interaction among graduates; foster enduring professional networks; strengthen inter-agency and civil–military cooperation and contribute meaningfully to our collective national defence architecture,” he said.

The COAS said the theme of the event, “Building Strategic Networks for Operational Excellence and National Defence”, was both apt and urgent.

He said that Nigeria’s evolving security environment was characterised by multidimensional threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency to cyber warfare, transnational organised crime, and disinformation campaigns.

According to him, addressing these challenges effectively requires not only well-trained personnel but also strong strategic networks that promote unity of effort across all levels of security and governance.

“Alumni associations such as this serve as strategic enablers promoting shared learning, joint problem-solving, and the cross-fertilisation of ideas essential for success in today’s complex operational environment,” he added.

Oluyede commended the Commandant and Governing Council of the College for their foresight in establishing the association.

He urged the newly formed alumni body to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and service.

The Commandant of AWCN, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, said the association, with 596 members, would serve as a platform for continuous learning, mentorship and strategic collaboration across military, security and civil sectors.

Alkali said the alumni was a strategic step to institutionalise the lifelong bonds formed in the college, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, and extend our influence in national and international security.

He noted that the initiative aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy of consolidating the Nigerian Army’s transformation into a well-motivated and combat-ready force.

The inauguration lecture, themed “Building Strategic Networks for Operational Excellence and National Defence”, featured insights from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, the National Defence College, and the U.S. National Defense University.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the alumni, the inauguration of the Interim Executive Committee, and the activation of mentorship and knowledge-sharing platforms. (NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba