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Troops Record Major Breakthroughs as 1 Division Neutralises 24 Bandits, Rescues194 Hostages, in Kaduna Theatre
Troops Record Major Breakthroughs as 1 Division Neutralises 24 Bandits, Rescues
194 Hostages, in Kaduna Theatre
By Zagazola Makama
In a security environment marked by persistent threats from banditry, kidnapping, attacks on rural communities and attempts to sabotage critical national infrastructure, the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division and Sector 1 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have continued to assert their operational dominance across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.
The achievements of the formation during the first quarter of 2026 paint a picture of an aggressive, intelligence-driven and multidimensional military campaign aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action while simultaneously building public confidence through non-kinetic engagements.
These successes were highlighted during an interaction with defence correspondents by the Chief of Staff, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Brig.-Gen. Timothy Opurum, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Muhammed Wase,
According to the military hierarchy, the Division remains one of the most strategically significant formations of the Nigerian Army, overseeing a vast operational area that cuts across Kaduna, Kano and Niger States. The formation commands several combat and support units, including formations in Kano and Niger States, the 26 Armoured Brigade and the 24 Reconnaissance Battalion, while coordinating security operations through six operational subsectors.
At the forefront of the Division’s operational strategy is the sustained deployment of ground and air assets in coordinated operations against armed bandits and terrorist elements operating within its area of responsibility.
Throughout the period under review, troops of the Division maintained a high operational tempo through a combination of offensive and defensive actions designed to disrupt criminal activities and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
These operations included fighting patrols, ambushes, raids, clearance operations and targeted offensives against identified criminal enclaves.
The GOC noted that the primary objective was to deny bandits and terrorists freedom of movement, cut off their logistics routes, destroy their camps and prevent attacks against communities and strategic infrastructure.
The results, according to operational records presented during the briefing, were significant.
A total of 194 kidnapped victims were rescued through various military operations conducted across the Division’s area of responsibility. The rescued victims were freed from captivity following coordinated intelligence-led missions carried out by troops operating in difficult terrains and remote locations.
The successful rescue operations not only deprived criminal networks of financial gains but also restored hope to affected families and communities.
Beyond the rescue operations, troops arrested 36 suspected bandits and criminal collaborators, many of whom are believed to have provided logistics, intelligence and other forms of support to criminal groups operating within the region.
Wase explained that targeting support networks remains a critical component of ongoing counter-banditry operations, as criminal groups often rely heavily on informants, suppliers and local facilitators to sustain their activities.
The offensive operations also led to the neutralisation of 24 terrorists and violent extremists during engagements with troops. The elimination of these combatants was achieved during various combat encounters, ambushes and clearance operations conducted by units deployed across the operational theatre.
The neutralisation of these elements, military authorities noted, has significantly weakened the operational capabilities of criminal groups in several flashpoints within the Division’s area of responsibility.An equally important aspect of the Division’s achievements was the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition and military-related equipment.
During the period under review, troops recovered more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition, alongside 1,212 assorted ammunition cartridges and 28 magazines from criminal elements.
He noted that every weapon or ammunition recovered from the battlefield translates into reduced firepower available to criminal groups and potentially fewer attacks on innocent civilians.
The recoveries also illustrated the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and follow-up operations conducted after military engagements.
Military authorities believe that disrupting access to weapons and ammunition remains one of the most effective ways of degrading the combat capabilities of armed groups operating in the North-West and North-Central regions.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Division also achieved notable successes in disrupting the economic foundations of criminal enterprises.
Troops recovered livestock estimated at over 2,000 animals, many of which had been rustled from rural communities by bandits.
Cattle rustling has long remained a major driver of insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, providing criminal groups with a lucrative source of revenue. By recovering stolen livestock and returning them to their rightful owners, the military not only inflicted financial losses on criminal networks but also restored livelihoods to affected communities.
The Division also recovered N874,625 believed to be proceeds linked to criminal activities.
The military high command noted that attacking the financial lifelines of criminal organisations remains essential in reducing their operational capacity and limiting their ability to recruit, procure weapons and sustain their operations.
In addition, troops recovered numerous communication devices, motorcycles and other operational equipment used by criminal groups for coordination, mobility and logistics.
One of the most critical aspects of the Division’s mandate is the protection of strategic national infrastructure. The operational environment under 1 Division includes assets of immense national importance such as the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam, power generation facilities and the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor.
They revealed that troops maintained robust security coverage around these installations to prevent sabotage attempts by criminal and terrorist groups.
The protection of these assets remains vital not only for national security but also for economic stability, energy generation and transportation across the country.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Division has increasingly embraced non-kinetic approaches as part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of insecurity and build stronger relationships with local communities.
He explained that in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy, which emphasises strategic partnerships and cooperation, the Division has strengthened collaboration with sister services, intelligence agencies and other security stakeholders.
This approach has facilitated improved intelligence gathering, information sharing, joint planning and coordinated execution of operations.
A key component of these efforts was the organisation of the Second Edition of the Security Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Kaduna State, which brought together security agencies, traditional leaders, community representatives and other critical stakeholders to discuss emerging security threats and collective responses.
Military authorities believe such engagements have enhanced public trust and encouraged communities to provide actionable intelligence that has contributed significantly to operational successes.
Troops Record Major Breakthroughs as 1 Division Neutralises 24 Bandits, Rescues
194 Hostages, in Kaduna Theatre
Tegbe Unveils Reform Blueprint, Demands Shared Responsibility to Fix Nigeria’s Power Sector
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has unveiled a comprehensive action plan aimed at stabilising and transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector, insisting that meaningful reform will only succeed if every stakeholder in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) accepts collective responsibility for addressing the country’s longstanding power challenges.
Speaking at the second quarterly Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ Meeting convened by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja, Tegbe outlined a reform agenda centred on transparency, accountability, infrastructure protection and improved market governance.
The meeting, chaired by Dr. Musiliu Oseni, Chairman of NERC, brought together key industry players, including electricity generation companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), regulators and policymakers. Also in attendance were the Special Adviser to the President on Power, Rilwan Lanre Babalola, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman.
Delivering the keynote address, the minister stressed that Nigeria’s electricity crisis was a shared challenge requiring collective ownership across the entire power value chain.
“Nigeria’s power crisis was not built by one hand, and it will not be fixed by one hand,” Tegbe declared, urging operators, regulators and government institutions to work collaboratively in delivering sustainable reforms.
A major plank of the minister’s agenda is the protection of electricity infrastructure. He called for power installations across the country to be formally designated as Critical National Assets, warning that vandalism, grid sabotage and electricity theft amount to economic sabotage with direct consequences for millions of Nigerians.
According to him, safeguarding existing infrastructure must go hand in hand with improving operational efficiency. He disclosed that the ministry is already addressing transmission bottlenecks, strengthening spinning reserves and upgrading priority substation protection systems to improve grid stability and reliability.
On electricity metering and tariff reforms, Tegbe said estimated billing had unfairly burdened consumers for years while concealing inefficiencies within the sector. He explained that the ministry is accelerating nationwide metering deployment to eliminate estimated billing and reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.
The minister added that government is also developing a sustainable tariff transition framework that would shield vulnerable consumers from excessive cost increases while providing investors with the confidence and certainty required to commit long-term capital to the sector.
Addressing market governance, Tegbe maintained that tariff reforms could only achieve their objectives if all market participants complied with payment obligations. He called for greater transparency in the calculation of Derived Remittance Obligations (DRO), insisting that confidence in the electricity market depends on openness and credible financial reporting.
“Trust in the market begins with trust in the numbers,” he said.
As part of efforts to deepen accountability, the minister announced plans to publish key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance scorecards for electricity generation and distribution companies, enabling Nigerians to assess the performance of operators across the sector.
He reaffirmed his commitment to three guiding principles—transparency, speed and accountability.
According to him, the Ministry of Power will operate without hidden agendas, remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that delay reforms and ensure that individuals or organisations whose actions undermine the sector are held accountable.
“Reform is not a promise deferred,” Tegbe said. “It is a discipline being executed, every day.”
Tegbe Unveils Reform Blueprint, Demands Shared Responsibility to Fix Nigeria’s Power Sector
News
NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates
NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates
By:Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has formally taken custody of 6,778.5 kilogrammes (about 6.8 tonnes) of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos in what authorities describe as one of Nigeria’s biggest anti-narcotics seizures in recent years.
The seizure, made during joint examinations of two shipping containers by operatives of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies, is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against transnational drug trafficking and a testament to growing inter-agency and international intelligence cooperation.
Speaking during the formal handover ceremony at Apapa Port on Wednesday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, said the operation sends a strong warning to international drug cartels that Nigeria is closing its borders to illicit narcotics.
“Through two major seizures recorded on June 15 and June 24, 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders,” Marwa declared.
The seizure followed months of intelligence-driven investigations led by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit, working closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to Marwa, the traffickers employed sophisticated maritime routes spanning multiple continents in an attempt to evade law enforcement, but NDLEA operatives successfully tracked the consignments from Canada to Nigeria.
He explained that the first container, CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto on April 16, 2026, travelled by rail to Montreal before being loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express. It was later trans-shipped at Tangier Med, Morocco, onto Spartel Trader, arriving at Tin Can Island Port before being moved through the Global Bonded Terminal and eventually to Apapa Port, where it was intercepted on June 10 during a joint examination.
The second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on May 1 aboard Africa Express, was later trans-shipped onto Algeciras Express, arrived at Tin Can Island Port on June 4 and was transferred to Apapa Port on June 22, where NDLEA officers were waiting.
Marwa stressed that the agency’s strategy goes beyond intercepting illicit consignments, warning that investigators would pursue the financiers and beneficiaries behind the trafficking networks.
“We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation despite the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities.
“Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, confiscating their criminal assets, and ensuring they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise,” he said.
The NDLEA boss also commended the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for what he described as exemplary professionalism and collaboration.
“I commend, in the strongest terms, the dedication, professionalism and courage of the officers and men of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and all sister security agencies who refused to look away and allow these dangerous substances to flood our communities.
“This success was made possible by intelligence-sharing and operational synergy among all participating agencies. It is a powerful demonstration of what inter-agency collaboration, international cooperation and intelligence-driven operations can achieve in the fight against transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.
The latest seizure represents another significant milestone in the NDLEA’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking under Marwa’s leadership, as the agency continues to strengthen partnerships with international law enforcement organisations and deploy intelligence-led operations to intercept illicit drugs before they enter Nigerian communities.
NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates
Angwa Rukuba Killings: Court To Rule On Jurisdiction, As Suspects Remain In DSS Custody
By: Zagazola Makama
The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Wednesday, reserved ruling on a preliminary objection on jurisdiction filed by counsel to some suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), and standing trial for their roles in the Angwa Rukuba massacre of late March and early April of 2026.
At the resumed trial on Wednesday, the Plateau State Director of Civil Litigation, Sabo Longji, told the court that two of the defendants filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the the court’s jurisdiction, praying the court to strike out the case against them.
The prosecution, however, told the court presided over by Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, that it filed a counter-affidavit dated June 29, 2026, which had been served on the defendants.
When the defence counsel, led by M. I. Shaba (SAN), M. I. Salihu and S.M Danlami, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the counter affidavit was filed out of time, the prosecution made a fresh application for extension of time, which the court granted.
The judge adjourned the matter to 2nd July 2026 to hear the motion, while the substantive matter was adjourned to 15th July, 2026.
The defendants are to remain in the custody of the DSS.
On Palm Sunday of 2026, a number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the DSS arrested Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.
The Plateau State government charged the four suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.
Angwa Rukuba Killings: Court To Rule On Jurisdiction, As Suspects Remain In DSS Custody
Tegbe Unveils Reform Blueprint, Demands Shared Responsibility to Fix Nigeria’s Power Sector
NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates
Three Killed, Two Injured in Attack by Fulani Bandits Near Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
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