Military
KUDOS TO OUR GALLANT MILITARY AS WE MARK THIS YEAR’S ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION

KUDOS TO OUR GALLANT MILITARY AS WE MARK THIS YEAR’S ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION
By: Zagazola Makama
January 15 of every year is set aside in Nigeria as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration. On this day, the gallantry, patriotism, loyalty, and sacrifices of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces are reflected upon and celebrated by the Nigerian people.
The day, no doubt, is worth the while considering that since its institutionalization, the Nigerian Armed Forces establishment has remained an indispensable institution that has played an unquantifiable role in the preservation of Nigeria’s corporate entity.
From its role in projecting Nigeria as a key contributor to world peace through participation in peacekeeping operations across the world to its patriotism in waging a civil war to keep the country one and keeping to its constitutional obligation of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection, the Nigerian Armed Forces has remained true to its nationalistic calling.
As of today, many countries across the world are battling with serious internal security challenges, mostly in the form of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of violent crimes. Unfortunately, our dear country is having a heavy dose of this global malady and, worse still, is being assailed in many fronts by vicious insurgents backed by international terrorist organizations and unrelenting cross-border bandits, kidnappers, and plunderers wreaking havoc in our communities and impairing our citizens.
Never in history has Nigeria been so buffeted with the multiplicity of internal security challenges, ranging from terrorism to armed banditry, herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery, separatist agitation, cult and ritual killings, etc., as is happening now.
In all of these serious security challenges that have posed threats to national security, who else but the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces are called upon to protect Nigerians and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria? Who else is on the harm’s way taking bullets on our behalf if not our gallant troops? Never in its history, not even during the civil war, has our Armed Forces been so stretched with the task of providing internal security assistance to the point of deploying troops to 36 of the 36 states in the country, as is the case today.
Thanks to the Nigerian military for being able to contend with the relentless, hydra-headed monster of insecurity that is so determined to destroy the peace and stability of our country. Thanks to our brave officers and men who have laid down their lives in defense of our country from fierce enemies and brutal adversaries.
Thanks to our patriotic military that recognizes their constitutional obligation of protecting our democracy and defending our sovereignty. Thanks to our gallant military for not shirking their onerous responsibility right from the commencement of the offensive against the Nigerian state by the Boko Haram terrorists and other enemies of our country.
Many members of the Armed Forces have laid down their lives in pursuit of global peace; many paid the ultimate price in the fight against terrorism in the North East and in defending our country from other violent criminals.
Many others have lost their limbs or have been maimed for life; many young families of military personnel have been thrown into mourning and sorrow; and many more soldiers are still in harm’s way, doing all they could to defend and protect us from those who seek to destroy us.
To these, Nigerian people owe them a world of debt, a debt of gratitude, and on this occasion, we are called upon to celebrate and honor our departed heroes and heroines and to pray for the repose of their souls. We are called to remember families, relations, loved ones, and those who daily bear the pain and deprivation of their absence.
The solemnity of this day compels us to reflect on the fact that the war against enemies of our country is not a battle for our soldiers alone. All of us men and women of goodwill have a role to play in the defense of our dear country. What our military and all other agencies that are engaged in the war against terror and other internal security operations across the country need at this moment are unflinching solidarity, support, and cooperation.
As citizens, we must ensure that their morale is boosted and their fighting spirit is up at all times. That is the least we owe our patriotic and dutiful members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
End
Military
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno

Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by ISWAP terrorists on their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola Makama reports that the attack occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday.
A reinforcement team joined the operation and engaged the insurgents in a clearance operation.
Sources told Zagazola that one Wednesday that several terrorists were killed while one soldier paid the supreme price in action, while another sustained injuries.
The injured personnel has since been evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the fallen hero were moved to the 7 Division Military Morgue in Maiduguri.
Items recovered from the terrorists during exploitation include AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Baofeng radios, and belted ammunition for a machine gun.
The sources added that the terrorists, who withdrew in disarray, were believed to have suffered several casualties, though the exact figure was not confirmed.
They explained that the general security situation in the area remains calm but unpredictable.
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno
Military
CDS: African Defence Chiefs’ Summit will produce homegrown solutions to insecurity

CDS: African Defence Chiefs’ Summit will produce homegrown solutions to insecurity
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the forthcoming African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit is designed to unite African militaries and provide indigenous solutions to the continent’s security challenges.
Musa disclosed this in an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the summit would be the first time African defence leaders would sit together, as brothers, to openly discuss Africa’s problems and chart practical ways forward without relying on external prescriptions.
“For too long we have been seeking solutions from outside, and that has prolonged our issues. The reality is that our challenges are within us, and it is only within us that we will create the solutions,” Musa said.
According to him, the success recorded in West Africa through engagements among ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence informed the decision to scale up the initiative across the continent.
He noted that the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, which has faced delays due to challenges of doctrine, strategy and funding, would receive fresh impetus during the summit.
“This meeting gives us the opportunity to look at it holistically and get the buy-in of all Africans,” he added.
The CDS stressed that terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism were common threats across the regions, and only collective action could address them effectively.
He further emphasised the need for a “whole-of-society” approach, noting that insecurity was worsened by unproductive populations and widespread illiteracy that made youths vulnerable to extremist ideologies.
“We must go back to the African culture of brotherliness, of a community raising a child, of not allowing anything to harm your neighbour. That is the kind of solution we must revive,” Musa said.
On the level of participation, the CDS disclosed that about 90 per cent of invited countries had confirmed attendance, describing the response as overwhelmingly positive.
He said the summit would also feature dignitaries from within and outside the continent, including senior UN officials, retired service chiefs and security experts.
“The end state is a better Africa, a more secure Africa, and an Africa where we project and work for our own development. Nobody can love you more than yourself,” he said.
CDS: African Defence Chiefs’ Summit will produce homegrown solutions to insecurity
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
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