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Defence Minister urges unity, actionable strategies at COAS 10th annual conference to consolidate Nigeria’s security gains

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Defence Minister urges unity, actionable strategies at COAS 10th annual conference to consolidate Nigeria’s security gains

By: Zagazola Makama

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has called for a decisive shift from discussion to action in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges, stressing that the country’s gains against terrorism, banditry, and other criminal networks can only be sustained through joint operations, inter-agency collaboration, and collective national effort.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2025 in Lagos, on Monday, General Musa described the gathering as a critical forum for assessing the operational posture, readiness, and professionalism of the Nigerian Army while aligning the service’s priorities with the nation’s strategic security objectives.

“The importance of this conference cannot be overstated,” General Musa said. “Nigeria continues to face a combination of terrorism, banditry, criminality, and other asymmetric threats that demand sustained focus, strategic clarity, and adaptive leadership. The Army, together with other security agencies and the society at large, must operate in unison to confront these threats effectively.”

The Minister highlighted that the operational capacity of terrorist groups, insurgents, and criminal networks has been significantly degraded across multiple theatres, attributing these gains to the courage and professionalism of the troops, improved planning, education, and coordinated joint operations conducted within a multi-agency framework.

“The truth of the matter is that no single service, no single individual, can achieve this alone,” he said. “Success in today’s security environment requires the whole of society working together in synergy.”

General Musa emphasized that inter-service cooperation and intelligence sharing are no longer optional but fundamental to effective national defense. He urged the Army leadership to ensure that the recommendations from the conference are implemented through concrete operational actions, stressing that strategic discussions must translate into measurable tactical outcomes.

“While we celebrate our successes, we must never lose sight of the human dimension of service,” he added, paying tribute to fallen soldiers, wounded personnel, and the families who bear the enduring cost of national service.

He commended the families of the late Lieutenant General Tariq Lagbajan and Brigadier General Oba for their sacrifices and underscored the government’s continued commitment to the welfare, medical care, and long-term support of personnel and their families.

General Musa also lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his professional trajectory, from battalion and brigade commands in the North East to theatre command, culminating in his appointment as the Army Chief. “Your leadership exemplifies operational excellence and a deep understanding of the challenges on the ground. The challenge before all senior commanders is to evolve new strategies to defeat the enemies of the state,” he said.

He further highlighted that security remains central to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Armed Forces.

According to the Defence Minister, strategic direction, policy support, and capability development provided by the Ministry of Defence will ensure that the Armed Forces remain professional, responsive, and future-ready, while reinforcing institutional accountability and operational effectiveness.

“The Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces have stabilized this country and will continue to do so. We must take these security challenges as our own and contribute individually and collectively to winning this war,” General Musa stated.

The 10th COAS Annual Conference, themed “Examine the Correct Landscape of Terrorism Through the Lengths of Diplomatic and Military Action: Strategies for Long-Term Prevention and Stabilization,”brings together senior commanders, security stakeholders, and resource persons to reflect on lessons learned, examine emerging threats, and propose practical measures to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness in the year ahead.

The Defence Minister concluded by thanking Nigerians for their support and the Governor of Lagos State for hosting the conference, noting that collaborative engagement between the government, security agencies, and citizens is key to sustaining national peace, security, and stability.

Defence Minister urges unity, actionable strategies at COAS 10th annual conference to consolidate Nigeria’s security gains

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing offensive operations against armed criminal networks in Plateau State, neutralising two notorious terrorist leaders, critically wounding another and recovering six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The latest developments followed sustained military offensives at Dajin Madam in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 8, 2026.

Security sources disclosed that HUMINT reports received at about 8:53 a.m. on November 9 indicated that the intensity of the military operation had resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorist leaders identified as Haruna Balatoni and Black.

Another notorious figure, identified as Dogo Mai Kunkuru, was reportedly shot in the chest and left in a critical condition, with sources indicating that his chances of survival were slim.

In a significant development on November 10, the sustained military pressure reportedly compelled the terrorist network, through an intermediary identified as Ali-Kwara, to return six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The recovered weapons are currently in military custody.
In a related operation, troops of 173 Battalion deployed at Mansur rescued a kidnapped mother and her daughter and recovered 39 cattle.

The developments represent a significant disruption of the criminal network’s leadership, weapons stockpile and capacity to sustain operations in the Wase axis.
The recovery of the six rifles is particularly important as it restores weapons previously lost to the criminal network and provides an opportunity for further intelligence exploitation.

The latest successes underscore the impact of sustained offensive pressure, intelligence-driven operations and military presence in dismantling armed groups operating across Plateau State.

The reported deaths of the terrorist leaders and the condition of Dogo Mai Kunkuru are based on preliminary HUMINT assessments and remain subject to independent military confirmation

Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 114 Battalion (Reinforcement) have dislodged suspected terrorists from their hideouts during a fighting patrol in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, conducted under Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), commenced at about 7:30 a.m. on November 8, 2026, with troops advancing towards Komodoro village, where they made contact with suspected terrorists.

Security sources said the criminals fled upon sighting the advancing troops, prompting the patrol team to extend its operation to Mashigin Kirya village within the same local government area.

At Mashigin Kirya, the troops encountered suspected terrorists believed to have been hibernating in the general area and engaged them, forcing the armed elements to retreat.
The troops subsequently recovered five motorcycles suspected to have been used by the criminal group for mobility and logistics.

To further disrupt the fleeing terrorists, the troops conducted a fire mission using an 81mm mortar along their withdrawal route.
The operation was ongoing as troops sustained pressure on suspected criminal hideouts and movement corridors in the area.

The development point to the military’s determination to deny armed groups safe havens and restrict their freedom of movement across Taraba State.

Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS), have launched an investigation into an attack on Fulani herdsmen in Obelagu Umuamba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left two herders and 16 cattle dead.

The incident came to light at about 11:00 a.m. on November 10, 2026, when a joint patrol team comprising troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion (Reinforcement), alongside police and DSS operatives, visited the community to assess the cause and extent of damage from the recent attack by suspected hoodlums.

On arrival, the security team discovered that two Fulani herdsmen and 16 cows had been killed, while two other persons sustained injuries.

Following the discovery, the troops convened a joint peace and security meeting involving community leaders, representatives of the Fulani herders, neighbourhood watch groups and other key stakeholders.

During the meeting, security officials cautioned all parties against taking the law into their hands, warning that reprisals could escalate tensions and further threaten peaceful coexistence.

The troops subsequently recovered the corpses and handed them over to the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, security agencies have commenced efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack, including suspected local collaborators.

The intervention is aimed at preventing retaliatory violence, restoring confidence among residents and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

Authorities have urged both farming and herding communities to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and pursue grievances through lawful channels.

Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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