SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, has urged journalists to verify allegations against the board before publication, warning that unsubstantiated reports could undermine public confidence in the institution and jeopardise the welfare interests of military retirees. He also called on military veterans to unite under a common platform to strengthen their collective voice and improve their ability to influence government policies on pensions and other welfare-related matters. Abdulraheem made the call when he received members of the executive of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The MPB chairman urged journalists to seek clarification from the board whenever they receive negative reports about its operations, assuring them that the management remained open to providing relevant information. “Any time you hear something ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has conferred its patron title on the Chief of Civil-Military Relations of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening relations between the military and the media. The conferment took place on Monday, during the DECAN Conference on National Security and Awards held at the Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja. Gabkwet’s recognition reflects his record of engagement with defence correspondents, particularly during his tenure as the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) of the Nigerian Air Force. During his time as DOPRI, he served as a key link between the Air Force and the media, facilitating information sharing and professional engagement on the service’s operations, activities and institutional developments. His appointment as DECAN patron underscores the association’s appreciation of his ro...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The outgoing and incoming Chairmen of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) have called for sustained Nigerian support to strengthen regional security cooperation and address growing threats across West Africa. The two military chiefs made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The outgoing Chairman, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, who is Sierra Leone’s Chief of Defence Staff, expressed appreciation to Nigeria for its continued support for the ECOWAS defence framework and regional security initiatives throughout his tenure. Bangura disclosed that he and his successor had spent the previous two days conducting formal handover activities ahead of the transition in the leadership of the ECOWAS defence committee. He commended Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to peace and stability in West Africa, particularly its suppor...

By Aviashima Toom Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in Adamawa State, neutralising six insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition. The attack targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Garaha in Hong Local Government Area of the state at about 9:07 p.m., according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Theatre Command. The statement said the terrorists advanced on foot from the LAR axis in an attempt to overrun the military position but were forced to retreat following a response by troops. A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of six terrorist bodies, confirming the neutralisation of the attackers. Items recovered during the operation included one PKT machine gun with three ammunition belts containing 67 rounds, six AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 magazines, 157 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 120 rounds of 7...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Cross River State Police Command has begun strategic engagements with the newly appointed state chairman of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Dr. Prince Michael Nku Abuo, to strengthen efforts to combat cultism and other social vices across the state. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, disclosed this when he received Abuo and members of his campaign team at the Command Headquarters in Calabar on October 5, 2026. I'm a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the meeting, which was attended by members of the Command's management team and the POCACOV state coordinator, focused on preparations for the official statewide launch of the campaign. Abuo was appointed Cross River State POCACOV chairman at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on September 17, 2026. During the meeting, participants emphasised the need to strengt...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership in border security, trade facilitation, revenue generation and effective public communication. Adeniyi received the awards on behalf of the Service at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards Ceremony held in Abuja The recognition highlighted the NCS’s contributions to national security, economic protection and stakeholder engagement, particularly through its anti-smuggling operations, intelligence-driven enforcement and deployment of technology to facilitate legitimate trade. DECAN commended the Service for strengthening border security and combating trans-border crimes while supporting economic activities through improved trade processes and operational efficiency. The association also recognised the Customs Service’s efforts to promote transparency and public awareness through effe...