SR SahelReporters

By Our Reporter Years of legal battles and prolonged ucertainty, a group of military veterans as finally secured victory at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which ruled in their favour in a dispute involving landed property and the restoration of Major General Ibrahim Sani’s rank. The judgment brings to a close a long-standing case between the veterans and the Nigerian Army, ending a protracted legal contest that moved through several layers of the judicial system before reaching the nation’s apex court. At the heart of the dispute was a parcel of land — Plot 2303, Asokoro Cadastre A04, located behind Mogadishu Cantonment (formerly Sani Abacha Barracks) in Abuja — originally allocated to veterans who served the country in various military operations, including peacekeeping missions under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and other national assignments. The veterans argued that the property was intended to serve as part of their welfare and post-service entitlements in recog...

By Aviashima Toom, Toom Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have called on the Federal Government to scale up cancer prevention awareness, funding, and access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations affected by conflict and insecurity across the country. The call was made at a high-level symposium organised by Project Pink Blue to commemorate World Cancer Day, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The event brought together policymakers, health professionals, security agencies, advocates, and development partners to examine the growing cancer burden in Nigeria amid rising insecurity. The symposium, themed “Cancer, Conflict and Insecurity in Nigeria: What Can Be Done to Ensure Access to Cancer Care for Vulnerable Communities?”, focused on strategies to reduce cancer-related mortality among children, women, and men living in crisis-prone and displaced communities. Participants stressed that communities affected by conflict are disproportionately impact...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Communities across Abuja came together on World Cancer Day to amplify the call for cancer awareness, early detection, survivor support, and renewed hope for those currently battling the disease. The commemoration, spearheaded by Project Pink Blue, reinforced a powerful message: no one should fight cancer alone. Aligned with the global theme of collective action, participants turned out in large numbers to speak up, wear the message, share knowledge, and stand united to “Choke Cancer.” Families, friends, survivors, advocates, and supporters converged in a vibrant show of solidarity—walking, cycling, skating, running, and riding against cancer. The event kicked off at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and moved through key areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Blending fitness with advocacy, activities included aerobic sessions, health walks, races, cycling, skating, and marathon-style movements, all aimed at promoting ca...

By ZAKAA LAZARUS  The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has called for strengthened defence collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.  This appeal was made  during a high-level meeting at the British Parliament’s House of Lords. Ambassador Aduda, a former Governor of OPEC and now serving as Permanent Secretary, met with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), to discuss opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, security, and industrial development. The meeting was convened in light of increasing global security complexities and the pressing need for sustainable defence partnerships. Central to the discussions was the restructuring and revitalization of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the country’s premier defence manufacturing institution. Ambassador Aduda emphasized the Nigerian Gover...

A former campaign coordinator for President Bola Tinubu, Aliyu Saulawa, has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defection took place on Sunday in Katsina, during the inauguration of the ADC’s state chapter Saulawa, who once served as the Director of Media for the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation and National Coordinator of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Movement, said he could no longer continue with the ruling party due to its failure to address key issues, especially in the North. He pointed to insecurity, economic struggles, and unfulfilled promises as reasons for his decision. The event in Katsina saw hundreds of members from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also dump their parties to join the ADC. The gathering, held at the Continental Event Centre, was led by Dr Mustapha Inuwa and attracted defectors from all 34 local govern...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have announced significant breakthroughs in their ongoing military operations across the country, aimed at crushing insurgency, terrorism, oil theft, and other criminal activities. The operations, which spanned from 8 to 15 May 2025, are part of a heightened offensive as the rainy season approaches. According to Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, the intensified efforts are meant to create safe corridors for farmers and reinforce national food security as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Our troops, in synergy with hybrid forces and other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting our people from all threats,” Kangye stated. Key Achievements by Region: NORTH EAST – Operation HADIN KAI Numerous ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters, along with their families, surrendered. Operations in Borno State led to the rescue of 17 ...