IPA commends Gov AbdulRahman and military on improved security efforts in Kwara

By: Bodunrin kayode

The Igbomina Professionals Association (IPA) of Kwara state have commended the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his sustained commitment to improving security across the state, particularly through recent decisive actions against criminal elements.

The Association made this known in a news release jointly signed by its National President, Olabode Iranloye, and the Assistant Secretary, Mustafa Abubakar, made available recently to newsmen in ilorin.

The statement applauded the government’s support for enhanced security architecture, the upgrade of traditional rulers (Obas) in Igbomina land to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th class status respectively.

They also commended the governor for the reopening of schools, and the relocation of the School of Nursing back to Oke Ode, which to them collectively demonstrates a renewed commitment to stability, development, and public confidence.

IPA also acknowledged the arrest of suspected criminal elements and urged relevant authorities to ensure that justice is fully and transparently dispensed, in line with the rule of law, to serve as a strong deterrent to criminality.

The Association further commended the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force, other Nigerian troops, forest guards, and local hunters for their courage and professionalism in ridding the general area of criminal elements.

The association particularly mentioned the outstanding performance of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army under Operation IGBO DANU ( Forest Flush), which has led to the dismantling of several terrorist enclaves, destruction of logistics bases, arrest of suspects, and the rescue of several kidnapped victims across the State.

IPA recognised the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, and Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, Commander 22 Armoured Brigade, as well as the strategic support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), whose coordinated efforts have significantly degraded terrorist operations in the state.

The Association called on the Kwara State Government and security agencies to sustain the tempo of these operations and assured them of the full support of the Igbomina Professionals Association in the ongoing drive to secure lives and property.

IPA also urged for intensified efforts to ensure the safe return of all residents still in captivity, stressing that the safety and dignity of citizens must remain paramount.

The Association further called on all Kwarans to cooperate with security agencies by exposing criminal collaborators within their communities, emphasising that “if you see something, say something.”

Collective vigilance, the association noted, remains critical to sustaining peace and security in Kwara State.

IPA commends Gov AbdulRahman and military on improved security efforts in Kwara

How DSS, ONSA, Army rescue remaining Kurmin Wali abducted worshippers in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

In the early hours of Thursday, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and backed by the Nigerian Army, recovered 88 captives from bandits’ hideouts in the Kajuru–Kachia axis. The victims included men, women and two toddlers.

It would be recalled that gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali on Jan. 18 and abducted about 167 worshippers. While 80 were released on Feb. 1, others remained in captivity until the latest rescue.

One member of the rescue team, who spoke with security analyst Zagazola after the mission, described the operation as “purely intelligence-led.

“There was no shooting, no drama. Everything depended on timing, trust, and pressure. We had to move quietly through insecure villages, meet the handlers, and wait in the bush until they produced the victims,” the operative said.

According to him, the convoy left Kaduna city at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday under DSS escort and proceeded through Kachia to Kajuru LGA, navigating narrow and insecure routes to reach Maro and Cibiya villages.

At 11:00 p.m., the team made contact with local intermediaries the kachallas men who sit between communities and criminal groups. Thirty minutes later, they were led to Cibiya village. There was no time for pleasantries. We told them straight: we are here for the victims,” the operative said. “Nothing else.” he said.

For reasons known only to the abductors, the captives were not brought to the meeting point. Instead, the rescue team was asked to wait. In the bush. For an hour and a half.

“Those 90 minutes felt like a lifetime,” the operative recalled. “You are in hostile terrain, with no guarantee of what comes next.”he said.

“At exactly 12:45 a.m., in a dark thicket outside Cibiya village, the waiting ended. From different corners of the bush, shadows began to move first a woman clutching a child, then a man limping, then another, and another. In silence, 88 kidnapped worshippers emerged from captivity. There were no sirens. No gunfire. No cheering. Just relief.

He added that one of the vehicles developed a flat tyre at Maro village, but the passengers were quickly redistributed among other vehicles, allowing the convoy to continue to Kaduna.

“We arrived safely and handed over the 88 rescued persons to the DSS headquarters at about 3:30 a.m. for documentation and profiling,” he said.

The source commended the support of the Army and Navy personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), Kachia, as well as the Garrison Commander, for providing escort and coordination during the operation.

Zagazola report that the Kajuru LGA has, for years, been a pressure point in Kaduna’s security map. Its forested terrain, poor road access and proximity to Kachia and parts of Niger State make it ideal for bandit transit and hostage warehousing.

The rescue marks more than just the end of a traumatic episode for dozens of families. It also offers a revealing window into Nigeria’s evolving counter-kidnapping architecture one increasingly driven by quiet inter-agency coordination rather than loud battlefield theatrics.

What stands out in the Kurmin Wali rescue is not just the outcome, but the method. Rather than a large-scale military assault, the operation relied on fusion intelligence, the blending of DSS human intelligence, ONSA strategic coordination, and Army/Navy tactical support from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), Kachia.

This reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s internal security playbook:DSS handles negotiations, penetration and tracking, ONSA provides strategic oversight and deconfliction, the military ensures area dominance and safe corridors.

Such layered coordination reduces the risk of civilian casualties and prevents kidnappers from scattering hostages during raids, a recurring problem in previous operations.

The initial police denial of the incident also exposed a familiar gap: the lag between ground reality and official acknowledgment, which often complicates response time and public trust.

The Kaduna State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the operation.

How DSS, ONSA, Army rescue remaining Kurmin Wali abducted worshippers in Kaduna

Marwa Charges Nigerian Youths on Skills Acquisition, Warns Against Drug Abuse

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) has urged Nigerian youths to prioritise skills acquisition and empowerment opportunities as a strategic defence against drug abuse, unemployment and other social vices threatening national stability.

Marwa gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation.

He described the initiative as a critical intervention that supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on youth empowerment, job creation, social inclusion and crime prevention. According to him, equipping young Nigerians with practical and employable skills is a sustainable approach to addressing poverty, drug dependency and insecurity.

The NDLEA boss commended Grassroots Bridge Builders for its plan to train and empower 10,000 youths, noting that such efforts go beyond charity to serve as long-term investments in national development. He stressed that empowering young people strengthens their resilience, builds character and reduces their vulnerability to drug abuse and criminal activities.

Marwa emphasised that the fight against drug abuse cannot be left to government alone, calling for stronger collaboration among non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, faith-based institutions, community leaders and the private sector. He encouraged stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in developing community-driven programmes that provide young people with skills, dignity and a sense of purpose.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Marwa described Nigerian youths as a vital asset to the country’s future rather than a burden to be managed. He urged them to take advantage of empowerment initiatives, reject drug use and invest in their talents to contribute meaningfully to national growth.

He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to supporting credible, non-partisan initiatives that promote youth development, skills acquisition and drug-free communities, describing youth empowerment as the most sustainable pathway to securing Nigeria’s future.

Marwa Charges Nigerian Youths on Skills Acquisition, Warns Against Drug Abuse