Military
CoAS urges troops to eradicate economic saboteurs and vandals

CoAS urges troops to eradicate economic saboteurs and vandals
By: Michael Mike
In a recent address to the troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), issued a resounding directive to pursue and completely eliminate economic saboteurs. General Lagbaja delivered this charge during his inaugural working tour to the 6 Division Area of Responsibility on Friday, April 13, 2023.
According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, General Lagbaja emphasized that the Federal Government’s primary focus lies in economic recovery, security, and infrastructural development.
He underscored the critical importance of safeguarding the nation’s oil industry as a cornerstone of economic stability, with the troops playing a pivotal role in ensuring its security. General Lagbaja urged the troops to uphold loyalty, discipline, and dedication to their constitutional responsibilities, emphasizing their foremost allegiance to the Constitution and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Furthermore, he implored the troops to adhere to the established codes of conduct, emphasizing that their operations must prioritize the safety and security of society. He expressed his desire to receive continuous positive feedback regarding the performance of the 6 Division troops throughout the Exercise STILL WATERS III.
During his visit, General Lagbaja inaugurated landmark projects and critical operational platforms vital for reinforcing amphibious operations in the Niger Delta region. He noted that the acquisition of the initial set of 10 Gunboats represents the first phase, with ongoing efforts to procure additional platforms aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities in the riverine domain.
The CoAS also paid a visit to the 6 Division Step Up Headquarters at Ahoada, where he highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration. General Lagbaja stated the objective of bringing together personnel from various security agencies was to foster a collaborative multi-agency environment, thus consolidating existing interagency cooperation. He stressed the necessity of harmonious teamwork among these agencies.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, expressed his gratitude to the CoAS for the strategic, moral, and financial support provided to the Division.
He elaborated on the upcoming Exercise STILL WATERS III, which aims to facilitate effective operational planning, logistics preparation, Military Operations Other than War (MOOW), and tactical amphibious operations. The exercise will also focus on civil-military activities aimed at winning the support and trust of the local populace.
A key highlight of the visit was the official launch of Exercise STILL WATERS III in Rivers State.
The visit also included a courtesy call on the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the commissioning of numerous projects, among them, 10 Gunboats, a remodeled 6 Division Headquarters Complex reception, twin Regimental Sergeant Majors quarters, an Ordnance tailoring factory, a renovated Corpers’ Lodge, and a new office complex to accommodate the Headquarters of the 26 Support Engineer Regiment, among other developments.
CoAS urges troops to eradicate economic saboteurs and vandals
Military
Army troops, DSS operatives eliminate 45 bandits in Niger raid, foil attack on Kuchi

Army troops, DSS operatives eliminate 45 bandits in Niger raid, foil attack on Kuchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security forces have neutralised at least 45 armed bandits in a coordinated security operation near Kuchi town in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which took place in the early hours of Monday, was jointly executed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and military tactical units acting on actionable intelligence.
The bandits, believed to be loyal to notorious kingpin Dogo Gide, were en route to launch coordinated attacks on communities around Kuchi before they were intercepted.
The source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the insurgents estimated to be over 100 in number had mobilised from Bilbis forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara and other hideouts in Kaduna State.
“The intelligence we received showed that these fighters had assembled in numbers and were planning a large-scale assault on several villages in Munya LGA,” the source said. “The operatives moved in under cover of darkness and intercepted them before they could reach their targets.”
He added that the security forces engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle at the outskirts of Kuchi, resulting in the elimination of no fewer than 45 of the assailants, with several others escaping with gunshot wounds.
The operation also led to the recovery of multiple motorcycles, arms, and ammunition. However, five DSS operatives sustained injuries during the exchange and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
The successful operation is the latest in a string of offensives targeting criminal enclaves linked to Dogo Gide, whose network has suffered repeated blows in recent months.
Security agencies have pledged to sustain the momentum and intensify pressure on armed groups threatening peace in the North Central and North West regions.
“The terrain is difficult, but the results are encouraging. We will not relent until these threats are neutralised,” the source added.
Army troops, DSS operatives eliminate 45 bandits in Niger raid, foil attack on Kuchi
Military
Nigeria Army’s new strategy shields NYSC members, commuters from kidnappers in North West – GOC

Nigeria Army’s new strategy shields NYSC members, commuters from kidnappers in North West – GOC
By: Zagazola Makama
For many young Nigerians participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the prospect of being deployed to the north-western states once synonymous with banditry and highway attacks had once triggered apprehension. But now, a sweeping change in the security landscape is restoring hope and confidence among corps members and the traveling public alike.
This transformation is being spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose. Under his leadership, a robust security framework has been instituted to safeguard critical infrastructure, secure highways, and most significantly, protect the lives of NYSC members and civilian commuters traversing the region.
Ajose who disclosed this while interacting with a team journalists, said that since January, no corps member has been abducted or harmed within the division’s operational area, a feat he attributed to deliberate planning and synergy with other security agencies.
“We understand that corps members are a very vulnerable group,” Ajose said. “That’s why we initiated what we call the Secure Main Supply Route strategy not only to secure major supply routes but to ensure that our young patriots serving the nation are given topmost protection.”
The Secure Main Supply Route initiative, according to the GOC, includes the establishment of military checkpoints and forward operating bases along major routes in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states. Corps members are mandated to report to the nearest base by 1700 hours if traveling. Thereafter, military escorts ensure their safe passage to their destination.
To facilitate coordination, dedicated WhatsApp groups have been set up across states where soldiers, corps members and NYSC officials maintain real-time communication. The initiative has also been extended to provide timely travel advisories and emergency responses.
“We’ve made it a point of duty. Once a corps member calls in, the nearest unit will respond. It’s part of our commitment to restoring public confidence and enhancing civil-military relations,” Ajose added.
Miss Joy Onoh, a corps member from Enugu State, shared her experience, saying she was initially scared about her deployment to the North-West but changed her mind after the journey.
“When we got to Gusau, the bus driver said we had to stop at a military checkpoint. They checked our manifest and asked if there were corps members. Immediately they arranged an escort vehicle for me and other corps members. I felt so safe. It was like a convoy,” she said with a smile.
Another corps member, Jide Akinjide from Osun State, described the presence of soldiers on the highway as “reassuring.”
“You don’t know what it means until you’re traveling through a bushy stretch and suddenly you see soldiers waving you down to confirm your identity and ensure your vehicle is okay. That alone gives you peace of mind,” Sule said.
He also praised the military for their respectful engagement with civilians, saying: “They don’t harass you. In fact, they give you cold water and even help if your vehicle breaks down.”
Beyond corps members, commercial drivers and ordinary travelers have also begun to enjoy the dividends of restored security on highways once plagued by ambushes and banditry.
Alhaji Usman Garba, a commercial driver who plies the Gusau-Sokoto route, said that road travel had significantly improved.
“Before, we used to fear that stretch near Isa. But since this operation started, the roads has become relatively safe. We did not heard of a single attack in the past two months. Soldiers are everywhere, and they even patrol at night,” he said. We thank the Nigerian Army for their support in ensuring safety of commuters on the road.
The protection of NYSC members and highways has emerged as a shining example of civil-military cooperation. The Army’s initiative is gradually transforming the narrative in the north-west.
Ajose has earlier disclosed that a special task force battalion comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, and others was constituted to protect the critical Sokoto-Kebbi Superhighway Project. This includes the 120km stretch in Sokoto and the 288km section in Kebbi State. We have not had any hitch since commencement. All project schedules have been met. Security of workers, engineers, and equipment has been 100% effective,” he noted.
In December 2024, the Minister of Works and Housing flagged off the Illelah–Bagagry stretch of the road, and the military immediately deployed to guarantee its uninterrupted progress.
The 1,068-kilometre Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway was designed to enhance Trade, Transport and Security as well as open route traversing Sokoto state through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and terminating in Lagos State.
“Not a single disruption has occurred on that project since inception. All schedules have been met on time,” he said.
Ajose further revealed that the welfare of troops had been enhanced under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. Troop feeding allowances were recently increased from ₦1,000 to ₦3,000 daily, and new equipment including drones and protective gear continue to flow into the theatre.
“Like Napoleon said, ‘armies march on their stomachs.’ We’re ensuring our men are fed and equipped, so they can protect others,” Ajose emphasized.
“We believe safety should not be a luxury,” he said. “It’s the right of every Nigerian corps member or civilian. And we will continue to pursue the enemies of peace until the north-west becomes safe for all.”he said.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad.
Nigeria Army’s new strategy shields NYSC members, commuters from kidnappers in North West – GOC
Military
Army troops ISWAP Attack Repelled in Gajiram

Army troops ISWAP Attack Repelled in Gajiram
By: Zagazola Mamama.
Troops of the Nigerian military, late Monday night, repelled an attempted attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola Makama gathered from security sources that the insurgents launched the attack at about 2200 hours but met stiff resistance from troops stationed in the area.
According to the sources, ISWAP fighters were unable to gain access into Gajiram town as they were engaged in a gun duel by security forces, leading to the foiling of the assault.
However, the attackers reportedly fired projectiles during the encounter, one of which landed in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp within the vicinity, triggering an inferno.
Army troops ISWAP Attack Repelled in Gajiram
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