SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja As criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated and illicit trade continues to pose threats to national security, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is looking towards a new era of intelligence-led enforcement, institutional accountability and technology-driven policing. This formed the central message at the inaugural Customs Police Summit 2026, where the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, challenged officers of the Customs Police Unit (CPU) to embrace professionalism, strengthen internal discipline and reposition the unit to meet emerging security challenges. The three-day summit, themed “Reimagining Customs Policing: Learning from the Past, Responding to the Present, and Preparing for the Future,” brought together serving and former Provost Marshals, senior Customs officers and representatives of sister security agencies to examine the evolution of Customs policing and chart a sustainable path for its future. Beyond bei...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on state governments to expand their Orientation Camps to accommodate at least 5,000 Corps Members each, following a significant increase in the number of graduates mobilised annually for national service. Nafiu made the appeal while addressing Corps Members deployed to Lagos State for the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II service year at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. According to a statement by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the Director-General attributed the accommodation challenges facing the Scheme to the growing number of tertiary institutions and graduates in the country, as well as increased participation by Nigerians who obtained their qualifications from foreign institutions. He disclosed that the NYSC initially mobilised about 100,000 graduates annually when most of the ex...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja As Nigeria approaches another defining moment in its democratic journey, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is looking beyond its record in government to a new political proposition: a promise to translate ongoing economic reforms into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. This formed the central message at the media presentation of the party's 2027 Presidential Election Manifesto in Abuja on Tuesday, where senior government officials defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reform agenda, highlighted achievements recorded so far and outlined an ambitious development roadmap for the 2027–2031 period. At the heart of the presentation was a familiar but increasingly important question confronting the administration: Are Nigerians beginning to feel the benefits of the difficult economic decisions taken since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023? The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, believe...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Troops of the Nigerian Army's 18 Brigade have rescued 21 kidnapped victims following a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State. The rescue operation, which took place on Monday, November 9, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of terrorists in Abaha and Sabon Wuri villages in the area. In a statement on Tuesday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi, said troops swiftly deployed a fighting patrol to the affected communities to intercept the criminals. He explained that the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, overpowering them and forcing them to flee into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds. According to him, all 21 kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families after receiving first aid and undergo...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigerian Army has renamed Akim Barracks, headquarters of 13 Brigade in Calabar, Cross River State, after the late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, in recognition of his contributions to the military and his ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. The barracks, now known as Ibrahim Attahiru Barracks, was formally renamed on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, by the current COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Speaking at the ceremony during his operational visit to Cross River State, Shaibu described the gesture as a lasting tribute to the late military chief, whose leadership, courage, professionalism and dedication to duty left an enduring mark on the Nigerian Army. He said although Attahiru's tenure as Chief of Army Staff was relatively brief, his commitment to operational effectiveness, troop welfare, military professi...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged the Amphibious Training School (ATS), Calabar, Cross River State, to strengthen its specialised training programmes to meet the manpower and operational demands of the expanding Nigerian Army. Shaibu gave the charge on Monday, November 9, 2026, during an operational visit to the training institution, where he assessed its capacity to train personnel for military operations in aquatic, riverine and coastal environments. The Army Chief, who was received by the Commandant of the school, Brigadier General Mathias Ibawa Amatso, was briefed on its training programmes, facilities, achievements and operational challenges. He also interacted with instructors and trainees to assess the quality of training and the school's contribution to developing specialised military capabilities. Shaibu commended the institution for its role in equipping troops with the skills required to ope...