IED explosion injures four in Monguno, Borno State

By: Zagazola Makama

Four persons sustained injuries after a truck conveying bags of onions reportedly triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Lingir Village, Guzamala LGA, while en route from Baga Village, Kukawa LGA to Maiduguri.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred at about 1030 hours, involved the driver, Umar Isah (25), and three passengers Suleiman Isa (22), Ibrahim Bala (25), and Umar Hassan (22), all residents of Maiduguri.

The truck with registration number XA 504 GSH Yobe was significantly damaged in the explosion.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI and other security teams responded promptly, cordoning the area, photographing the scene, and searching for additional devices, but none were found.

The injured were initially taken to General Hospital Monguno and later referred to State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, where they remain hospitalized and are responding to treatment.

The attack was suspected to have been orchestrated by ISWAP terrorists.

IED explosion injures four in Monguno, Borno State

COAS charges newly promoted generals on regional security, professionalism and strategic foresight

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army to embrace strategic foresight, deepen inter-agency collaboration and strengthen Nigeria’s security posture across the West African sub-region.

Shaibu gave the charge in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of newly promoted Major-Generals and Brigadiers at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Mess, where he delivered a far-reaching and reflective address on the responsibilities that come with elevation to the strategic tier of military leadership.

The COAS, who began by calling for a minute’s silence in honour of Nigeria’s fallen heroes, described the ceremony as a celebration of “years of hard work, sacrifice, and exemplary service” by officers whose careers he said had been shaped by discipline, dedication and integrity.

He noted that the promotions were taking place at a time when Nigeria continued to grapple with a complex security environment marked by terrorism, violent extremism, secessionist agitations and other asymmetric threats demanding innovative thinking and adaptive operational leadership.

“Our nation is confronted with diverse and evolving threats that require us to be forward-looking, strategically prepared and operationally decisive,” Shaibu said. “We must all embrace a culture of strategic foresight and preparedness that enhances our professional posture in dealing with uncertainties and adversaries.”

Reiterates Nigeria’s Role in West African Security, Shaibu underscored Nigeria’s central role in safeguarding the stability of the West African region.

He stressed that the Army must continue to support efforts that strengthen shared border security, promote democratic governance and deepen regional cooperation.

“I wish to reiterate that our role in the security of the West African sub-region is vital,” he said. “We must continue to support general efforts to deepen our lived experiences, secure our shared borders and uphold democratic governance as the key to stability across our region.”

He described the Nigerian Army as the “foundation of national stability and constitutional order” whose loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and the Constitution must remain unwavering.

The COAS reminded the newly promoted officers that attaining senior ranks in the Army was not a reward but a call to greater service.

“Promotion in the Nigerian Army is a systemic journey filled with challenges,” he said. “It is earned through merit, diligence, loyalty, integrity and courage. You must remain focused, committed and ready to provide the leadership required at this critical turning point in global and regional security.”

He urged them to carry their new ranks with humility and to deploy their expanded authority in the service of national security and institutional advancement.

Shaibu paid special tribute to the families of the promoted officers, acknowledging the sacrifices, long separations and emotional support that underpin military service.

“Behind every dedicated officer is a family that endures long waits, silent sacrifices and countless uncertainties. We thank you for your strength and support,” he said.

He also commended the men and women of the Nigerian Army for their resilience and commitment, emphasizing the need for cooperation with intelligence agencies, the police, paramilitary organisations and civilian stakeholders.

“No single service can address Nigeria’s security challenges alone,” he said. “Collaboration, information sharing and coordinated efforts are essential to safeguarding our nation.”

The COAS charged the senior officers to raise the bar of operational effectiveness, leadership and public trust.

“Our expectations are high. Nigerians must see and trust the Army as a force of stability, unity and national prosperity,” he said. “This promotion is a call to renewed service, loyalty and professionalism.”

He closed by urging the officers to use their new ranks to advance the interests of the Nigerian Army and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

“Carry this honour with humility, act with pride, and remain steadfast in defending our nation,” he said.

The ceremony, held at the Nigerian Army Officers Mess, attracted senior Service chiefs, both serving and retired, Minister of defence, heads strategic institutions, family members and representatives of allied agencies.

In his remarks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the newly promoted Major Generals of the Nigerian Army, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a more capable, well-resourced and operationally efficient Armed Forces.

Delivering the President’s message at the decoration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), said Mr President remained fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and strengthening its defence architecture.

He commended the Armed Forces for their professionalism during the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic, saying Nigeria’s swift response contributed to stabilising the situation.

“Our prompt response ensured that the coup failed. The Armed Forces must remain ready 24/7 to respond to threats against us or our allies,” he said.

The minister urged the newly promoted officers to lead with integrity, wisdom and compassion, stressing that the welfare and administration of troops under their command must remain a priority.

“Remember that your men are critical to your success. Their welfare and well-being are central to effective command,” he said.

He also praised the Chief of Army Staff and the Army leadership for upholding the integrity of the promotion process and selecting officers whose service records exemplify excellence.

The minister reiterated that joint operations and enhanced intelligence-sharing were essential to defeating terrorism, banditry and other emerging threats.

“As Nigerians, the challenge is a collective one. We must work together with clarity of purpose,” he said.

The ceremony, attracted Service chiefs, both serving and retired, Minister of defence, heads of strategic institutions, family members and representatives of allied agencies.

COAS charges newly promoted generals on regional security, professionalism and strategic foresight

VP SHETTIMA TO NISS COURSE 18: President Tinubu Acting Decisively To Frontally Address Nigeria’s Security Challenges

• Says president determined to advance security establishment in the country and beyond

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained steadfast in tackling security challenges in the country, and is acting quickly and decisively to frontally address the concerns.

According to him, the Tinubu administration is determined to support the security establishment in Nigeria and beyond to discharge their responsibilities to the nation.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when the faculty and participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Led by the NISS Commandant, Mr Joseph Odama, representatives of the 78 participants were at the Presidential Villa to present the executive brief of their end-of-course report to the Vice President who received the report on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, which had participants drawn from MDAs within Nigeria and beyond, the Vice President said he was impressed with the composition of the EIMC 18, noting that “the security of Africa is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders given the peculiarity of the situation.”

He said, “President Tinubu is working round the clock to address concerns in the security sector. It is absolutely essential that we fuse as one to address these issues and all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation.”

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the report titled, “Non-state Actors in Security Management in Africa: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Peace and Development” by representatives of the EIMC 18 participants.

Among recommendations made by the participants was the formal harmonisation and integration of a country-base security initiative as part of a broad strategy to strengthen the existing legal framework for peace and conflict resolution across Nigeria and Africa.

Earlier, the Commandant of the NISS, Joseph Odama, told the Vice President that the 18th edition of the flagship programme, EMIC 18 commenced on February 19, 2025, pointing out that it had “been a ten-month journey of intense intellectual discovery, strategic broadening and unparalleled professional fellowship.”

Noting that this year’s team was composed of 78 distinguished participants of the rank of Deputy Directors and above, Odama said they “were meticulously drawn from the military, para-military, law enforcement agencies and strategic ministries, departments and agencies of both federal and state governments.

“In significant testament to our pan-African mandate, we were privileged to host five African countries, which had earlier been mentioned. With the graduation of the AIMC 18, the institute has proudly graduated 1,130 strategic leaders.

“These are men and women who have been rigorously equipped to think critically and act decisively, as well as proffer innovative solutions to the most complex security and developmental challenges facing our nation and the continent at large.”

The Commandant expressed the institute’s deepest appreciation to President Tinubu and the Vice President for their visionary and pragmatic leadership, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda under the President’s stewardship was already manifesting in tangible progress across the nation.

VP SHETTIMA TO NISS COURSE 18: President Tinubu Acting Decisively To Frontally Address Nigeria’s Security Challenges