SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Army, through Headquarters Operation UDO KA, has described as illegal and provocative a directive reportedly issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), instructing churches across the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services for victims of the Nigerian Civil War. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, said the military empathises with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and recognises the sacrifices made in preserving Nigeria’s unity. According to the statement, the memories of those who died during the conflict remain “indelible in the nation’s consciousness,” but stressed that there are already established national events recognised by the Federal Government for honouring fallen heroes. The Army listed such occasions to include the Arm...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded fresh operational successes across the North-East theatre, neutralising terrorists, rescuing abducted victims, recovering arms and explosives, and arresting suspected criminal collaborators during coordinated operations under Operation DESERT SANITY. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) carried out offensive operations in Valle, Ashigashiya and Gakara general areas, where they engaged suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. The statement said two insurgents were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled towards the Ngoshe axis. Troops also intercepted suspected terrorists along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis, killing another insurgent and recovering a radio set and a mobile phone. In a related development, troops operating along the Ngoshe–Amuda c...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC) Operation Savannah Shield (OPSS) to intensify ongoing military operations aimed at decisively routing kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across the North Central region. The Army Chief gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of JTF North Central OPSS at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State. Addressing the troops, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain the operational momentum already achieved in denying criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area. He noted that the military remains determined to prevent criminals from terrorizing innocent citizens, infiltrating communities, or undermining national...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has urged Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, patriotism, patience, and national unity, saying the values symbolised by Eid-el-Kabir remain critical to national growth and stability. CGC Adeniyi made the call on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, shortly after observing Eid prayers at the Modakeke Eid Ground in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Speaking with journalists after the prayers, the CGC described Eid-el-Kabir as a solemn period that reminds Muslims of the virtues of obedience to Almighty Allah, sacrifice, and total submission to divine instruction, citing lessons from the story of Prophet Abraham. According to him, the essence of the celebration goes beyond festivities, stressing that Muslims are expected to reflect on the core lessons of faith, patience, and service to humanity. “We all know what Eid symbolises. It symbolises obedience to A...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja   The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda,, has congratulated Muslims across Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir celebration, urging them to support the ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda described Eid el-Kabir as a sacred festival that symbolises faith, sacrifice, obedience, love and devotion to Almighty Allah. He noted that the celebration remains one of the most significant events in Islam, reflecting the virtues of selflessness, unity, compassion, tolerance and complete submission to the will of God, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim. According to the APC chairman, the lessons of Eid el-Kabir are particularly relevant to Nigeria at a critical stage of its national development, stressing that sacrifice, patience, perseverance and collective...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s historic direct primary election. The results were officially announced at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja after a nationwide collation exercise supervised by the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim. Tinubu defeated fellow aspirant, Mr. Stanley Osifo, by a landslide margin after polling millions of votes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Tinubu Accepts Nomination In his acceptance speech, President Tinubu described the moment as “another proud chapter” in Nigeria’s democratic journey and thanked party members for renewing their confidence in his leadership. “I accept, with humility and profound gratitude, the nomination of our great party, the Al...