SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Nigerian Army troops have rescued a kidnapped victim and dismantled several terrorist camps during an ongoing military offensive in Katsina State, as security forces intensify efforts to combat insecurity across the North-West region. The operation, conducted under Operation CLEAN SWEEP, involved troops of the 17 Brigade Strike Group and Quick Response Force, supported by elements of the 8 Division Special Forces. The military said the offensive forms part of sustained, intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, disrupting criminal networks and restoring security in affected communities. On the fourth day of the operation, troops carried out a coordinated clearance mission targeting terrorist strongholds in and around Tuga, located in Matazu Local Government Area of the state. The operation was supported by real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets as well as precision air strikes provided b...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, has concluded a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA). The programme held from 1 to 12 June 2026 focused on strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices. Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs at the closing ceremony, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Tijjani Abe, reaffirmed the Service's commitment to strengthening Post Clearance Audit as a modern control mechanism for promoting voluntary compliance, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding government revenue. He noted that effective customs administration requires intelligence-driven, risk-based, and internationally compliant PCA systems. "The true measure of success ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade relations and addressing bottlenecks affecting business operations through sustained public-private sector engagement. The resolution was reached during the quarterly meeting held on 16 June 2026 at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, where discussions centred on improving trade facilitation, enhancing security, and promoting stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the United States. Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi stressed the importance of regular consultations with stakeholders, noting that the engagement would be institutionalised as a permanent feature of the Service's calendar. "It is our intention that we will institutionalise this as a permanent feature of the Customs calendar because of the importance we attach to...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced significant operational successes across various theatres of operation nationwide, including the rescue of hundreds of abducted civilians, the arrest of terrorist collaborators, the recovery of large caches of weapons and ammunition, and the disruption of illegal oil bunkering activities. The achievements were recorded during coordinated military operations conducted between June 5 and June 11, 2026, according to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The most significant breakthrough occurred on June 6 when troops executed a multi-directional assault on terrorist strongholds in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State. The operation resulted in the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who h...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) has praised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, for assuring Nigerians that the schoolchildren recently abducted in Oyo State will be rescued unharmed. The association described the assurance as a demonstration of the professionalism, confidence, and operational effectiveness that have characterized the current leadership of the Nigeria Police Force. In a statement jointly signed by CCAN Chairman, Festus Fifen, and Secretary, Peter Ireh, the association said the IGP’s pledge has renewed hope among the affected families and reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to protecting lives and tackling criminality across the country. According to CCAN, Disu’s confidence in the safe rescue of the pupils reflects the intelligence-driven and results-oriented policing strategy that has yielded significant successes in combating kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, cul...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have recorded another significant operational success in the ongoing campaign against terrorism and criminality in the North-East, arresting five suspected kidnappers and recovering arms and ammunition in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State. According to military sources, the operation was conducted following credible intelligence on the activities of a criminal syndicate operating along a known criminal corridor in Magumeri. Acting swiftly on the information, troops launched a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of five suspected members of the kidnapping network. During the operation, security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines, and ammunition, effectively disrupting the group's operational capability and preventing further criminal activities within the area. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are allegedly involved in kidnapping and othe...