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Nigeria Army’s new strategy shields NYSC members, commuters from kidnappers in North West – GOC

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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

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Sudanese War Could Spiral Across Africa, Envoy Warns Nigeria, Others

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Sudanese War Could Spiral Across Africa, Envoy Warns Nigeria, Others

By: Michael Mike

The Sudanese authorities have called on Nigeria and other African countries to support the ongoing efforts at ending the war in Sudan, warning that the war is a siege and could spiral across Africa if actions are not taken to halt it.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Sudanese Charge d’ Affairs in Nigeria, Ambassador Ahmed Omer Taboul said no one should be deceived that the war is between two generals or among Sudanese ethic groups, but rather it is a proxy war for the resources of Sudan.

He appealed that there must be conscientious efforts by the international community to stop the onging Rapid Support Forces (RSF) genocide against the people, adding that the international community must pressure United Arab Emirates to end the war.

The envoy alleged that UAE are the major sponsor of the RSF, insisting that it is scramble for Sudan’s gold and rich mineral deposits.

Taboul, who was speaking ahead of the United Nations Security Council meeting on Sudan, said the war is about scavenging for resources by identified external forces.

He stressed that the war in Sudan is nothing but a proxy war, “It is a proxy war. This militia is fighting on behalf of others. On behalf of some Arab countries like UAE. On behalf of Israel. On behalf of some other Western countries.”

He said: “The main pressure the international committee can do is to stop the support and the feed of the United Arab Emirates. If they stop them, the war will stop in no time,” warning that it might affect the peace and security of the entire continent.

He stressed that “it will not stop only in very close neighbouring countries. This will go deep to the western part of Africa, through the Sahel and Sahara states.”

The envoy therefore urged Nigeria and other friendly countries to stand up for them.

He said the international community must endeavour to push for the implementations of resolutions of the UN Security Council.

“So what we need actually is full support from our brothers to be with us, to be very close to us. And to support the people of Sudan. They need a lot of things, we need a lot of things in Sudan.

“And we need the support of our brothers like Nigeria. We need the support of them in the international organisations, in the EU, in the United Nations. tomorrow or the day after tomorrow there will be a meeting for the Security Council on Sudan issues.

“We need the support there. Because I’m quite sure they are going, they are trying to adopt something against Sudan. They are trying to mandate themselves and others to come to Sudan”.

He said previous resolutions were never implemented by the RSF and that is why the war is still going on.

He said: “I have told you this just about the resolution adopted by the Security Council last year. Asking the militia to lift the siege on al-Fashir. But nobody imposed this, nobody pushed the militia to do so. Then after two years the militia invaded the city and killed within two days 3,000 women and children.”

He emphasised that the people of Sudan are not waiting for others to fight their battles but only needed their understanding and support.

He said: “Actually what we do, really, and this is very clear to everybody. We are fighting our own war. We don’t need anybody to fight with us. We don’t need any troops, we don’t need anything from anybody. We are able to do this ourselves. Our National Defence Army with the people of the Sudanese.

“Because now, if you see the news, the government of Sudan are mobilising the people. And now they are fighting with the National Defence Army. thousands of young Sudanese people are fighting and defending themselves, their families, their places, their entities, their everything. We are able to do this with ourselves.

“And we don’t want to involve any sisters or brothers or foreigners in our own war. What we need from our brother, for example, Nigeria is to know well what is going on in Sudan. And to accept our narrative. Because we are telling the truth. We are saying the truth, what is going on in Sudan. We told this to our brother in Nigeria, frankly.”

He also gave reason for the expulsion of two United Nations officials from Sudan. He said

the UN officials were given false report about happenings in Sudan.

“And yesterday (Wednesday) we expelled two of the United Nations officials from Sudan. Because unfortunately, they were reporting about the situation in Sudan. I mean, they were giving very, very false report and it was not real at all.

“So we expelled them out and we said, still, we have a good relation with the United Nations agencies. They are able to work, but these two people, we don’t like them in our country. They have to go bring any other instead of them.”

Sudanese War Could Spiral Across Africa, Envoy Warns Nigeria, Others

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Troops neutralise four ISWAP logistics suppliers in multiple ambushes in Borno

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Troops neutralise four ISWAP logistics suppliers in multiple ambushes in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised four Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics suppliers in a series of coordinated ambush operations conducted across multiple locations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources revealed on Monday, that the ambushes were part of Operation Desert Sanity IV/Diligent Search.

The sources said that the troops carried out three separate ambushes on October 25, 2025, at different terrorist crossing points around Kukauku, Delta Company Kawuri, and Alou Dam, all within Konduga axis.

“At about 11:35 a.m., troops of 222 Battalion conducted an ambush at Kuka Uku crossing point in Delta Company Kawuri, where one terrorist logistics supplier was neutralised,” the report stated.

It added that another ambush team positioned ahead of Charlie Company in Konduga LGA successfully neutralised one more terrorist logistics supplier.

“In a separate operation, an ambush team lying in wait at a crossing point in Alpha Company, Alou Dam, neutralised two additional terrorist logistics suppliers,” the sources said.

The operations were conducted without any casualties on the part of the troops, while the four neutralised suspects were confirmed to be affiliated with Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The sources added that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, with troops maintaining high morale and combat readiness.

The sources further noted that the coordinated ambushes were part of ongoing clearance and interdiction operations aimed at cutting off terrorists’ supply routes and denying them freedom of movement within the North-East theatre.

Troops neutralise four ISWAP logistics suppliers in multiple ambushes in Borno

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Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation

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Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN YANMA in a joint operation with other security forces, have eliminated a notorious bandit identified as Abu A. K and several of his gang members in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased bandit, who was linked to the infamous warlord Ado Aleiro, was intercepted after sneaking into Tsafe town to attend the weekly Friday cattle market, his first visit to the town in about five years.

According to the sources, Abu A. K had been among the most wanted bandits terrorising the Tsafe axis and surrounding forests, notorious for killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. He was reportedly trailed and captured after arriving in the town through one of his female contacts, identified as Halima, who resides in the Gabbacin Tsafe area.

“Following credible intelligence, troops moved swiftly and apprehended him. He was later neutralised during an exchange of fire as he attempted to escape custody,” the source said.

In a related development, troops on joint patrol operations on Monday morning successfully ambushed and neutralised several other bandits in Tsafe forests, recovering a Boxer-type rifle and other arms.

The operation, which took place around 9 a.m., was described by security officials as a major success in the ongoing offensive against bandit groups operating in the area. The troops also launched another offensive deep into the North of Tsafe forests, killing an undisclosed number of bandits.

According to sources, the remains of Abu A. K were taken to Magazu, one of the forward operating bases under Tsafe LGA, where further identification was carried out.

Security officials also confirmed that the slain bandit was responsible for the killing of three construction workers attached to Setraco Construction Company two weeks ago at a site where the firm was excavating sand in Tsafe area.

Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation

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