SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the party will deploy its vast political structure and human resources to secure victory in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election. Speaking at the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, Yilwatda described the election as a crucial test of the party's preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the APC remains Nigeria's most resourceful political party, boasting an unrivalled pool of experienced politicians, including serving and former governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, and defectors from other political parties. "If there is any political party in Nigeria that has human resources in abundance, it is the APC. We have the experience, the structure and the capacity to win elections at every level," h...

Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Honourable Nura Umar Abdullahi, following a deadly attack on his residence by armed terrorists in the early hours of Friday. In a  statement  signed by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said  the attackers overpowered the Chairman's police and local vigilante security detail before abducting him alongside members of his family. The statement  said troops responded immediately after hearing gunshots and engaged the fleeing terrorists in a fierce gun battle. The swift response forced the attackers to abandon five members of the Chairman's family, including his wife, mother, two children and another relative, all of whom were rescued. However, the terrorists escaped into nearby bushes with the Chairman. The attack claim...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, working in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, have arrested five suspected kidnappers during an intelligence-led operation in Jegalari Village, Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State. The operation, conducted on July 23 by troops of the 233 Battalion deployed at the Damaturu Military Cantonment, was based on credible intelligence regarding the activities of the suspected criminal syndicate in the area. MOHAMMED GONI Captain  In a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer  Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni in Mauduguri said during the raid, security operatives recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, assorted ammunition, and four mobile phones believed to be connected to the suspects' alleged criminal activities. The military also said the suspects are currently in custody alongside...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for payment to 4,237 retirees, as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to improving the welfare of its retired personnel. Adeniyi disclosed this on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, during a dialogue with retirees of the NCS, where he said the funds had been disbursed to the PFAs for onward payment into the retirees’ individual accounts. According to the breakdown presented at the meeting, Access-ARM Pension Managers accounted for 1,223 beneficiaries, Premium Pension 2,268, Leadway Pensions 403, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11 and Fidelity Pension Managers four, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237. Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi said the Service must remain strong and financially capable of meeting its obligations to servin...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has commenced a four-day Skill Acquisition Training for Veterans (SAT-V) in the North Central Geopolitical Zone and the Federal Capital Territory as part of efforts to enhance the economic empowerment and self-reliance of retired personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The training, which runs from July 14 to 17, 2026, at the Headquarters 22 Brigade, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Kwara State, is being organised by the Veterans Affairs Directorate of the DHQ. The initiative is aimed at equipping veterans with practical entrepreneurial and technical skills to enable them establish sustainable businesses and secure alternative sources of income after active service. Declaring the training open, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, described the programme as a strategic investment in the welfare of veterans and a demonstration of the Armed Forces' enduring commitment to personnel who dedicated their...

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized that robust logistics training and efficient sustainment capabilities remain indispensable to the operational success of the Nigerian Army and the country's national security. Speaking on Friday at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Logistics Staff Officers Course and the Junior Leadership Logistics Staff Officers Course at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM) in Lagos, the Army Chief said no military operation can achieve decisive success without well-trained logistics personnel capable of delivering timely, coordinated and sustainable support to troops. According to Lieutenant General Shaibu, the evolving nature of contemporary security threats demands logistics officers who are professionally trained, innovative and adaptable to effectively sustain military operations within joint and multi-agency environments. He described logistics as a strategic enabler rather...