Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Forest in Kwara, Reunite Them With Families

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued three kidnapped persons who escaped from their abductors in Lema–Ndeji Forest, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Security sources said the rescue took place at about 7:40 a.m. on November 3, 2026, when troops of 22 Brigade, operating from Patrol Base Dabanlema, sighted three persons wandering in the forest during a fighting patrol.

Upon approaching them, the troops discovered that they were victims of kidnapping who had managed to escape from their captors.

The rescued victims were evacuated to Hamdala Hospital, Gbugbu, for medical attention.

They were subsequently reunited with their families after receiving the necessary assistance.

The rescue highlights ongoing military efforts to secure forest corridors and protect residents from kidnapping and other criminal activities in Kwara State.

Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Forest in Kwara, Reunite Them With Families

Military Mortar Strikes Kill Several ISWAP Fighters, Including Three Foreigners, at Dumba

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian army troops of Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI have killed several suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including three foreign fighters, in an offensive operation targeting a terrorist enclave at Dumba.

Security sources said the operation was conducted on November 1, 2026, by a fire team comprising troops of the Nigerian Army’s Lake Chad Basin operations and 403 Amphibious Brigade.

The sources said troops initially observed that the terrorists had relocated northwards, beyond the effective range of their 60mm mortar weapons, prompting the soldiers to manoeuvre to a more favourable firing position.

At about 5:00 p.m., following extensive reconnaissance of the terrorist hideouts, troops located the fighters at a new position in Dumba, where some foreign fighters were sighted.

The troops subsequently engaged the targets with 60mm mortar fire, recording effective hits on the terrorist position.

Human intelligence sources later confirmed the impact of the bombardment, reporting that several terrorist casualties were evacuated from the area using wheelbarrows.

Further intelligence indicated that three foreign fighters were among those killed in the bombardment.

Mire battle damage assessment and follow-on operations were ongoing to determine the full impact of the strikes and sustain pressure on the terrorist group.

Attached below is Exclusive Photo of Terrorists position before the strikes obtained by Zagazola

Military Mortar Strikes Kill Several ISWAP Fighters, Including Three Foreigners, at Dumba

Ikpeazu Seeks Spanish Technology Transfer to Modernise Nigeria’s Footwear Industry

…Nigerian envoy engages Alicante footwear manufacturers, explores training, investment and business partnerships to boost local production

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has begun exploring strategic partnerships with Spain’s established footwear industry to modernise local shoe manufacturing, improve production standards and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers in domestic and international markets.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Dr Victor Ikpeazu, made the move during a visit to Alicante Province on Monday, November 2, where he held discussions with leading Spanish footwear industry stakeholders on technology transfer, technical training, innovation and business-to-business partnerships.

According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Ikpeazu met with the President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), Vicente Pastor Perez, as well as representatives of the footwear technology centre, INESCOP, and manufacturers Pikolinos and Hispanitas.

The engagement is part of efforts by the Nigerian Mission to connect local footwear manufacturers with Spain’s established manufacturing ecosystem and create opportunities for skills development, industrial cooperation and investment.

At INESCOP, a footwear technology and innovation centre based in Elda, Alicante, the ambassador was received by its Director of Technologies and Materials, Elena Orgilés Calpena, who conducted him round the facility to showcase its technological capabilities, research activities and manufacturing standards.

INESCOP works with more than 400 member companies across different countries, providing support for advances in footwear design, materials and manufacturing processes.

Discussions focused on how its technical expertise could be adapted to strengthen Nigeria’s footwear industry, particularly through specialised training, technology transfer, quality management, certification and innovation.

The parties also explored capacity-building programmes for Nigerian technicians, manufacturers and industry-support organisations, with emphasis on sustainability, improved productivity and compliance with international quality standards.

Speaking during the engagements, Ikpeazu highlighted the entrepreneurial capacity and ingenuity of Nigerian footwear manufacturers, noting that many had continued to produce different categories of shoes manually despite limited access to modern technology and advanced manufacturing equipment.

He said the Nigerian Embassy was prepared to facilitate direct engagements between interested Nigerian entrepreneurs and their Spanish counterparts to encourage partnerships and business-to-business matchmaking.

At his meeting with AVECAL, Pikolinos and Hispanitas, the ambassador explored opportunities for structured collaboration, including knowledge-sharing platforms, technical exchanges, joint programmes and exposure to modern production processes.

The visit to Pikolinos provided an opportunity to examine practical aspects of industrial footwear production, while discussions with Hispanitas centred on strengthening commercial and technical relationships between manufacturers in both countries.

Pastor Perez assured the ambassador of AVECAL’s willingness to work with the Nigerian Embassy to establish the necessary arrangements for sustained engagement between Spanish footwear businesses and Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The association also expressed readiness to explore practical cooperation that could facilitate access to industry expertise, training opportunities and potential business partnerships.

Ikpeazu said closer engagement with Spain’s footwear manufacturing cluster, particularly in the Valencia region and Alicante Province, could offer Nigerian manufacturers opportunities to upgrade their production capabilities, improve product quality and expand their access to international markets.

He identified technology transfer, specialised training and sustained industry dialogue as important elements in building a more competitive Nigerian footwear sector.

The Spanish industry representatives also expressed willingness to explore concrete cooperation mechanisms, including technical exchanges, training attachments and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The ambassador was accompanied on the visit by the Senior Counsellor, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, and First Secretary, Mr Likson Dadi.

The engagement forms part of the Nigerian Mission’s broader economic diplomacy initiative aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, promoting industrial partnerships and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to stimulate manufacturing and economic development under President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms.

Ikpeazu Seeks Spanish Technology Transfer to Modernise Nigeria’s Footwear Industry