Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures

By: Zagazola Makama

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. K.M. Gara, on Friday visited the boundary area between Nasarawa and Kaduna States to assess the security situation and strengthen operational coordination along the Akwanga–Kaduna highway corridor.

Security sources said the visit, which took place at about 12:42 p.m. on June 5, also included the Commander of the Garrison, Brig.-Gen. D.C. Nwakonobi, and the Nasarawa State Police Area Commander, DCP S. Alli.

According to the sources, the team inspected operational deployments and received briefings on the security situation and combat readiness of troops from the Sub-Sector 71 Commander under Operation Safe Haven.

The sources added that the visit was aimed at assessing the highway axis between Akwanga and the boundary between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, with a view to strengthening measures against persistent kidnapping incidents along the route.

They noted that the exercise also sought to enhance synergy between Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke in addressing insecurity in the general area.

“The visit was part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping along major highways and improve inter-agency coordination,” the sources said.

The sources further confirmed that the visit was conducted peacefully without any security incident.

They added that routine patrols were ongoing across the Joint Operations Area to protect schools, churches and other critical national infrastructure.

Troops’ morale and operational efficiency, the sources said, remained satisfactory across the theatre.

Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures

Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday commenced the 2026 Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a call for enhanced adaptability, resilience and indigenous innovation to strengthen operational effectiveness.

The event, hosted by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), was held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo Local Government Area and brought together senior military officers, government officials and other stakeholders.

The theme of the training week is: “Strengthening Combat Support Arms Adaptability and Resilience Through Indigenous Innovation for Integrated Operational Support Within a Joint and Multi-agency Framework.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, participants underscored the importance of leveraging local innovation and inter-agency collaboration to address evolving security challenges and enhance operational support capabilities.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Capt. Iniobong Ekon (Rtd), attended the event alongside top military officials and invited guests.

Also present were the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. A.A. Adekeye; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.E. Emekah; and the Chief Host and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Maj.-Gen. R.E. Hedima.

Other attendees included corps commanders, senior serving and retired military officers, the Commander 2 Brigade/Sector 4 Operation Delta Safe, as well as representatives of various security agencies and organisations.

Activities conducted during the opening ceremony included professional lectures, static displays by combat support corps and the presentation of souvenirs.

The training week is expected to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development and the exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to provide effective combat support within joint and multi-agency operations.

The event was conducted without any security or logistical incidents.

Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo

Military Air Strikes Neutralise Key Terrorist Commanders, Over 50 Insurgents in Lake Chad Region

By: Zagazola Makama

Sustained air offensives by the Armed Forces of Nigeria under Operation HADIN KAI have yielded another major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East, with intelligence assessments confirming the neutralisation of several high-profile terrorist commanders and scores of fighters during precision air strikes in the Lake Chad region.

Military sources revealed that the strikes, conducted on May 31 around the Kirta and Arina Ciki general areas, targeted known terrorist enclaves and logistical hubs following actionable intelligence on insurgent activities within the region.

Post-strike battle damage assessments indicated that among those neutralised were Khalifa Umar, a prominent member of the terrorists’ Shura Council from Sigir, alongside two other field commanders identified as Abdallah and Abduljalil.

The sources disclosed that the operation resulted in the elimination of more than 50 terrorists.

In addition to the loss of key personnel, several logistics facilities, supply depots and life-support structures used by the terrorists were destroyed during the strikes, further degrading their ability to sustain operations across the Lake Chad Basin.

According to findings, the persistent and coordinated aerial bombardments have continued to exert tremendous pressure on the insurgents, forcing many of them to abandon their traditional island sanctuaries and relocate to more exposed dry-land locations in a desperate attempt to evade detection and targeting.

The operation is part of the broader campaign by Operation Hadin Kai aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting their logistics architecture and denying them freedom of movement across the North-East.

Security sources noted that although the overall situation across the theatre remains calm, it is still fluid and requires sustained vigilance. They, however, expressed confidence in the combat readiness, morale and operational effectiveness of troops engaged in the campaign.

The latest success is expected to further consolidate recent gains recorded by the US-and Nigeria Armed Forces and reinforce ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.

Military Air Strikes Neutralise Key Terrorist Commanders, Over 50 Insurgents in Lake Chad Region