Why Would the Military Ignore a Soldier Celebrating Convicted Terrorist Nnamdi Kanu?

By: Zagazola Makama

There is something profoundly disturbing about the argument being advanced by those demanding the intervention of Tarok military generals over the detention of Gabriel Lamdip, popularly known as the “Push Up King.”

The attempt to turn this matter into an ethnic solidarity campaign, while conveniently ignoring the gravity of the alleged conduct, is both misplaced and deeply troubling. The question is not whether Lamdip is Tarok, whether he enjoys the support of influential military officers or whether his family deserves compassion.

The real question is simple: Can a serving soldier publicly demonstrate solidarity with a separatist figure associated with violence against Nigerian security personnel and expect the military to look the other way?

Absolutely not!

Let us stop hiding behind sentiment and confront the issue squarely. A serving soldier is not an ordinary civilian. He wears the uniform of the Nigerian Armed Forces, carries the responsibility of defending the Constitution and has sworn allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His conduct, particularly on matters touching national security, separatist agitation and threats to national unity, must reflect the discipline and loyalty expected of a member of the military.

If the video in question shows Lamdip performing push-ups in apparent solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), then the matter deserves serious institutional attention. The explanation that Kanu shares a birthday with the soldier’s son does not automatically erase the implications of such an act.

Since when did a child’s birthday become a convenient excuse for a serving soldier to publicly associate himself with a figure whose movement has been linked by the Nigerian government to deadly attacks against members of the nation’s security forces?

This is not about denying anyone the right to hold personal opinions. It is about the special obligations that come with wearing a military uniform. The Armed Forces are not a social club where personnel can freely blur the line between personal admiration, political activism and institutional loyalty.

And those rushing to condemn the Army for investigating this matter should first remember the blood of Nigerian security personnel shed in the violence associated with IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The record is grim.

On May 3, 2022, Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus and Private Gloria Mathew were abducted while travelling in Imo State. They were brutally murdered and beheaded. In a statement issued the following day, the Presidency attributed the killings to IPOB and condemned the gruesome crime.

On July 13, 2021, an attack on troops at the Iggah/Asaba checkpoint in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State reportedly left two soldiers dead. The Nigerian Army attributed the attack to IPOB and its Eastern Security Network.

In November 2021, two police inspectors, identified as Akubo and Adamu, were abducted and murdered. Their bodies were reportedly decapitated, while footage of the killings was circulated. The Federal Government attributed the operation to IPOB members.

On May 30, 2024, armed men attacked a military checkpoint in Abia State. The Nigerian Army blamed IPOB for the attack, which reportedly killed five soldiers. Six civilians also died in the violence, according to an account cited in the UK government’s country report.

The figures announced by the Federal Government are equally alarming. In October 2021, the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, disclosed that a government committee had attributed 175 security personnel deaths between October 2020 and June 2021 to IPOB and ESN. The figure comprised 128 police officers, 37 military personnel and 10 other security operatives.

The committee also attributed 164 attacks on police stations and security formations to the group.
These were official government figures, and they paint a disturbing picture of the scale of violence confronting security institutions during that period.

Beyond attacks on security personnel, communities in the South-East have also endured killings, abductions, intimidation, attacks on public infrastructure and the violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders. Ordinary citizens, traders, transport operators, civil servants and other residents have paid a heavy price for the activities of armed groups operating under separatist banners. So, what exactly are the critics asking the Nigerian Army to do? Look away? Pretend that nothing happened.

The Army is not a private association belonging to any ethnic group. It is a national institution. Its loyalty is to Nigeria, not to ethnic pressure groups, political sympathisers or individuals who believe that connections and influence should place someone beyond scrutiny.

If Lamdip has done nothing wrong, he should have nothing to fear from a fair and transparent investigation. But if the evidence establishes a breach of military regulations, he must face the appropriate consequences under the law.

Why Would the Military Ignore a Soldier Celebrating Convicted Terrorist Nnamdi Kanu?

Borno: Biu residents commend Betara over construction of township roads

By Peter Uwumarogie

Some residents of Biu Local Government Area of Borno have commended Hon. Aliyu Betara, member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency for constructing township roads in Biu town.

They gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Biu town on Monday.

Malam Rabiu Aliyu, a resident, said that the roads had helped mitigate flooding in his community while providing seamless access to homes.

Aliyu said that the intervention addressed the critical needs of the people as some communities within the town were not properly connected by roads until Betara’s intervention.

“This is what representation should look like; directly meeting the needs of your people.

“We commend the Federal lawmaker for helping residents see the dividends of good representation.

“He (Betara) may not be around us every time but what he has done can be seen, used, touched and felt, that’s governance,” he said.

For Suleiman Isa, another resident, the roads have not only added to the beauty of the town but reduced the cost of transportation around the town.

He said some residents could easily use bicycles from their homes to market, schools, worship centres and other locations without needing to pay to enter tricycles.

Isa said the construction of the roads had made communities within Biu town more connected and “that’s why many people now buy rechargeable bicycles and move with ease.

“The roads have really helped students as they now use bicycles to school and the good roads reduce their travel time and stress,” he said.

Mrs Esther Daniel said the roads have helped improve economic activities in her community as shops have been built along the roads where women sell their goods near their homes.

Daniel also said the project has helped improve mobility especially during the rainy season when the roads used to be flooded and largely inaccessible.

“Now even if it rained, we don’t get stuck at home; we still go and do our normal activities and return safely.

“Betara has been representing us well and we will continue to pray for him. It is not difficult to please Nigerians, just represent us well and we will support and love you.

“This is why many people love Betara because he is doing what makes life easy for his constituents,” she said.

For Hauwa Ibrahim, a resident who lives adjacent to Biu main market, Betara has shown goodwill to his people and “we are proud of him.”
Ibrahim, however, urged the Federal lawmaker to complete other roads that he had earmarked for construction so that “we too can enjoy what others are enjoying.

“Some communities along Gombe road have been marked for construction but are yet to be done.

“So in the spirit of inclusive governance, we appeal for those roads to be constructed to make it easy for residents there to access their homes and businesses,” she appealed.

Borno: Biu residents commend Betara over construction of township roads

Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.

During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.

The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.

The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.

The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.

Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.

Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.

The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.

In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.

The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.

Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.

The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.

The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.

Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau