Military
FC MNJTF CONCLUDES FAREWELL VISIT BY VISITING SECTOR 4 DIFFA

FC MNJTF CONCLUDES FAREWELL VISIT BY VISITING SECTOR 4 DIFFA
….. says Sector 4 Diffa is strategic to MNJTF’s mission.
- The outgoing Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim accompanied by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) Brig Gen Assoualai Blama and other senior officers of the MNJTF today Thursday 13 April 2023 concluded the last leg of his farewell visit that had seen him visit sectors 1, 2 and 3 earlier.
The FC and his entourage were received on arrival at Diffa airport by Commander Sector 4 , Col Maj Mamman Sani Kiaou, Commander Zone 5 and other senior officers of the Sector. After the welcome ceremony, the FC was briefed by the Sector Commander who confirmed the relative peace being enjoyed within his general area of responsibility but said that the main purpose of the interaction today is to appreciate , thank and pay tribute to the outgoing FC. He described the outgoing FC as a courageous and determined General who wanted stability in the Lake Chad Basin region, he said he is proud to have served under him, He reiterated the commitment of the FC at restoring peace in the Lake Chad Basin region and confirmed that the terrorists potency has been greatly diminished and lack the courage to face the troops except sneaky attacks.Speaking further, he said the Sector had always gotten the required support from HQ MNJTF and especially the FC personally. He assured the FC that Sector 4 will continue to partner with other sectors to carry out the mission of the MNJTF which is total eradication of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin region. Finally, he said on behalf of the Nigerien Military he extend his best wishes to the FC in his new assignment. - The FC while responding, first congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigerien Armed Forces , Lt Gen Salifou Mody who was recently promoted to his new rank. The FC paid tribute to him for his outstanding leadership and the guidance he gave to the FC during his tenure. The FC then thanked the Commander Sector 4 for his loyalty, courage and superb leadership of the Sector, he described Sector 4 of MNJTF as a strategic part of the MNJTF mission since it is the Tactical Headquarters of the Force, he said there has been a lot of infrastructure development in the Sector and the collaboration with partners as also improved the operational efficiency of the Sector. He implored the Sector to continue to cooperate with other sectors in other to completely rout out the remnants of the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region. He said it made him proud that the Sector is capable of carrying out Special Forces operation behind enemy lines. He appreciated the Sector for their recent Special Joint operations with Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria) which has further degraded the adversary and induced the surrender of thousands of BHTs, their families and collaborators in the last two months. He said the work of Sector 4 has led to the return of internally Displaced persons to Nguimi, Baroua, Bosso among other places. He pointed out that Agriculture and Commercial activities is picking up in the areas and life is gradually returning to normal.
- He also praised the Sector for the tremendous Civil -Military Cooperation activities that are going in the areas that has brought the civil populace closer to the Security Forces and urged them to sustain this. He enjoined them to put more pressure on the BHTs until they are finally defeated. Continuing further ,he praised the Republic of Niger for the stabilizing role in the sub-region. As part of the farewell visit, The FC and his entourage also visited Sector 4 military cemetery where they paid their respects to the fallen heroes , the FC described them as Heroes of Freedom who will never be forgotten. Prayers were offered for the repose of their souls. Highlights of the visit was exchange of gifts to formally end the visit. The FC and his entourage have returned to the the MNJTF headquarters in N’Djamena Chad. See attached photographs
KAMARUDEEN ADEGOKE
Lieutenant Colonel
Chief Military Public Information Officer MNJTF
13 April 2023
FC MNJTF CONCLUDES FAREWELL VISIT BY VISITING SECTOR 4 DIFFA
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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