Troops neutralise kidnappers, recover weapons in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army under Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Plateau State, neutralising suspects and recovering weapons during the operation.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers operating at Lantom village in Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area.

According to the sources, the troops carried out the raid on Jan. 6, during which four suspected criminals were arrested at the hideout.

Items recovered from the suspects included one locally fabricated rifle, one axe and one machete.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are responsible for several kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in Kadarko District and its environs,” the source said.

The source added that two members of the criminal gang escaped during the initial raid with an AK-47 rifle belonging to the group.

It was further disclosed that during interrogation, the arrested suspects volunteered information on the location of their arms and ammunition cache and offered to lead troops to the hideout on the outskirts of Kadarko for recovery.

However, while leading the troops to the location, the suspects reportedly made desperate attempts to disarm one of the guards in an effort to escape.

“The troops acted decisively and neutralised the kidnappers in the process,” the source said.

All recovered items, it was gathered, are currently in the custody of the troops.

The military said follow-up operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and recover their weapons.

Troops neutralise kidnappers, recover weapons in Plateau

Six killed, nine injured in fatal auto crash in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Six persons were killed and nine others injured in a fatal motor accident involving a trailer truck at Shendam Road junction in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said that the accident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 when a trailer conveying about 400 bags of unprocessed rice from Yelwa-Shendam en route Kano State lost control and fell off the road.

The deceased were identified as Samaila Dahiru, from Katsina State; Sanusi Ladan Yelwa, from Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State; Abubakar Sa’id, from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State; and Zaradeen Makama, from Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State.

Police said two other victims died in the crash but were yet to be identified as at the time of filing this report.

They added that nine persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“On receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, Langtang North, mobilised and led a team of policemen to the scene and cordoned off the area,” the sources said.

They said the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Langtang North, with the assistance of personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and members of the public for medical attention.

According to the sources , the identified corpses were released to their relatives for burial in line with Islamic rites.

Six killed, nine injured in fatal auto crash in Plateau

Realistic training key to winning modern battles, says Army Chief as he declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated that realistic, mission-oriented and doctrine-driven training remains the most critical enabler for superior operational outcomes across Nigeria’s diverse theatres of operation.

Shaibu made this assertion while delivering his opening remarks at the 2026 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Conference, which formally commenced the Nigerian Army’s training activities for the year.

The Army Chief warned that failure to adequately and realistically prepare officers and soldiers for assigned missions would inevitably undermine operational effectiveness, noting that the evolving and increasingly complex security environment demands a force that is professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient.

According to him, the conference was convened to promote robust and forward-looking deliberations aimed at aligning training, doctrine and operational concepts with contemporary and emerging security challenges confronting the nation.

Shaibu said Army Headquarters remained firmly focused on sound policy formulation and holistic, mission-specific training, in line with his Command Philosophy.

He charged commandants and leaders of training institutions to internalise this philosophy and translate it into practical outcomes by producing combat-ready, resilient and adaptable troops capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.

The COAS described the theme of the conference, “Enhancing Nigerian Army Operational Outcomes Through Effective Training and Doctrine Implementation,” as apt and timely, stressing that doctrine must continue to guide training, planning and the execution of operations across all formations.

He urged participants to relate conference presentations to real operational experiences, with a view to strengthening the Army’s capacity to counter terrorism, insurgency and other contemporary security threats.

Shaibu placed particular emphasis on Exercise MUGUN BUGU, describing it as the hallmark of Nigerian Army training activities. He said the exercise remained central to validating doctrinal principles and assessing operational readiness.

The Army Chief called for greater realism in training scenarios, including the integration of improvised explosive device (IED) threats, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) procedures and the expanded use of simulators to enhance proficiency and cost-effectiveness.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel in safeguarding national security, Shaibu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening fighting power, improving welfare and administration, and providing purposeful leadership to confront threats to peace and security.

He also commended past commanders of the Training and Doctrine Command, retired senior officers and the current TRADOC leadership for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army.

The COAS appreciated the conference resource persons for their insights, which he said would help shape the Army’s training and doctrinal direction in the year ahead.

Shaibu further expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, while reaffirming the unalloyed loyalty of the Service to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his welcome remarks, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla, described the conference as a critical intellectual platform for setting the tone for Nigerian Army training activities in 2026.

Malla said the conference underscored the Army’s unwavering commitment to doctrine-driven, realistic and mission-focused training as the foundation for operational effectiveness, particularly in an increasingly complex and adaptive security environment.

He noted that Nigeria’s prolonged engagements in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations had consistently highlighted the vital link between sound doctrine, effective training and operational success.

The TRADOC commander reaffirmed the command’s commitment to Nigerian Army Doctrine as the professional blueprint guiding operations, stressing the need for doctrine to remain dynamic and responsive to emerging threats.

He urged participants to actively engage in deliberations, challenge assumptions and propose practical solutions aimed at enhancing training effectiveness and strengthening the Army’s collective operational competence.

The COAS later formally declared the Training and Doctrine Command Conference 2026 open

Realistic training key to winning modern battles, says Army Chief as he declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open