News
CDS urges Borno, Yobe residents to take ownership of fight against terror, says enemy operating from within
CDS urges Borno, Yobe residents to take ownership of fight against terror, says enemy operating from within
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has raised fresh concerns over internal complicity in the protracted insurgency in the North-East, urging residents of Borno and Yobe to take ownership of the fight against terrorism.
Oluyede’s position, articulated after a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri, signals a strategic shift in emphasis from purely kinetic military operations to community-driven counterinsurgency, as Nigeria battles the enduring threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The meeting, which lasted about four hours, brought together top military commanders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and other top military officials.
At the heart of the CDS’s message is a troubling reality: the insurgency is being sustained, in part, by individuals that sometimes embedded within affected communities.
According to Oluyede, intelligence reports indicate that many of those responsible for attacks over the past 15 years originate from the same communities bearing the brunt of the violence.
This assertion reinforces long-standing concerns within security circles that local knowledge terrain familiarity, social networks, and community cover has continued to provide operational advantages to insurgents.
He cited a recent example in Kukawa, where troops discovered wounded terrorists hiding within the community during post-attack clearance operations, pointing to the challenge of distinguishing between civilians and collaborators.
The dynamics complicate military efforts, as insurgents exploit familial and social ties to evade detection, making intelligence gathering more difficult despite sustained offensives.
The CDS’s call for residents to “take ownership” reflects a recognition that military القوة alone cannot decisively end the insurgency without active civilian cooperation.
Oluyede’s remarks suggest a push to recalibrate this dynamic by encouraging residents to see the fight as a collective responsibility rather than solely a government burden.
The CDS also acknowledged the evolving tactics of insurgents, particularly the increasing use of drones and other technological in attacks.
Oluyede disclosed that the Nigerian military is adapting, including the deployment of advanced drone systems to enhance surveillance, targeting, and battlefield coordination.
CDS urges Borno, Yobe residents to take ownership of fight against terror, says enemy operating from within
COAS Welfare Flight Airlifts 348 Personnel, Total Beneficiaries Reach 33,774
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has continued to strengthen personnel welfare and operational efficiency with the successful conduct of the first welfare flight for July 2026, facilitating the movement of hundreds of military personnel into and out of the North East theatre of operations.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the welfare flight was conducted on July 2 using a chartered ValueJet aircraft as part of the Nigerian Army’s sustained welfare initiative designed to ease the movement of troops serving under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).
According to the sources, a total of 174 personnel were airlifted into the theatre, while another 174 personnel were transported out, bringing the total number of beneficiaries on the flight to 348.
The sources disclosed that the movement was completed without any operational or logistical challenges.
They added that with the latest rotation, the cumulative number of military personnel transported into and out of the Operation HADIN KAI theatre under the COAS Welfare Flight Initiative has risen to 33,774.
The welfare flight programme, introduced by the Chief of Army Staff, is aimed at improving the welfare of troops by providing safe, timely and efficient transportation for personnel proceeding on leave, returning from leave, or rotating in and out of operational deployments.
Military authorities have consistently described the initiative as one of the key welfare interventions designed to boost troop morale, reduce the burden of long-distance road travel and enhance operational readiness in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The hitch-free execution of the latest flight further underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining personnel welfare while maintaining the operational tempo of troops engaged in the fight against terrorism and other security threats across the theatre.
COAS Welfare Flight Airlifts 348 Personnel, Total Beneficiaries Reach 33,774
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during a raid on a suspected gunrunners’ hideout in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 12:15 a.m. on June 30 by troops of the 20 Model Battalion deployed in Gassol, in collaboration with a team from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The sources said the joint team conducted the intelligence-led raid on a suspected gunrunners’ hideout at Kwatan Nanido Village following credible information on illegal arms activities in the area.
Although no suspect was arrested during the operation, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition abandoned at the location.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend members of the suspected gunrunning syndicate as operations continue to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and enhance security across the state.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Fulani community leader, Alhaji Risku Muhammad, in Ohimini Local Government Area, urging residents to remain calm as investigations into his killing continue.
The condolence visit took place on Tuesday and was led by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, who represented Gov. Hyacinth Alia.
The delegation included the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), other security agencies and relatives of the deceased from different parts of the country.
During the visit, the delegation sympathised with the bereaved family and appealed to them and members of the Fulani community not to resort to self-help or reprisals.
They urged them to allow security agencies to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The delegation assured the family that the government and security agencies were committed to ensuring that those responsible for the homicide are identified and brought to justice.
Police authorities said the case was under active investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), adding that efforts were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Benue State Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state and called on all residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that could aid the investigation.
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
COAS Welfare Flight Airlifts 348 Personnel, Total Beneficiaries Reach 33,774
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle in Raid on Suspected Gunrunners’ Hideout in Taraba
Benue Deputy Gov. Visit family Slain MACBAN Leader, Urges Calm as Police Probe Killing
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