SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting critical energy infrastructure and strengthening partnerships aimed at supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and national development. Shaibu made the commitment on Wednesday when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja. The Army Chief described energy security as a key component of national security, stressing that the protection of strategic energy assets was essential to sustaining industrial productivity, economic stability and national development. He assured the delegation of the Army’s continued support in securing critical national infrastructure and creating a safe environment for legitimate economic activities to thrive. Shaibu also emphasised the importance of sustained engagement betw...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has discovered approximately 182,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in Bethel Creeks, Rivers State. The discovery was made on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny during a follow-up operation based on actionable intelligence on suspicious activities in the area. The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday. According to him, the operatives uncovered eight dugout pits during the operation, five of which contained the suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining three were empty. The operation also led to the discovery of hoses believed to have been used to move crude oil. The Navy said the items were handled in accordance with established procedures. The latest discovery comes less than two weeks after FOB Bonny uncovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at four newly activated il...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has completed the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, following the conclusion of documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screenings for shortlisted candidates at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja. The two-week exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, 2026, and ended on Saturday, September 19, 2026, involved candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres. The screening was conducted in batches as part of measures to ensure an orderly process and minimise congestion at the centre. Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service had introduced measures to address challenges identified during the earlier phase of the exercise. “We have put measures in place to reduce c...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and the Nightingale Club at the 1 Women Battalion, Giri, Abuja, as part of efforts to enhance troops’ mobility, operational responsiveness and welfare. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday,  the COAS said the availability of serviceable mobility assets was critical to enabling troops to move personnel, equipment and logistics promptly in response to operational demands. Represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that military effectiveness was closely linked to the availability and serviceability of operational platforms. He said the refurbished vehicles would strengthen the formation’s capacity to respond efficiently to assigned tasks, while directing commanders and personnel entrusted with the assets to ensure proper maintenan...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday. In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC described Tinubu as a devoted wife, mother and public servant, while acknowledging her years of involvement in public service. The party highlighted her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State and her subsequent years in the Nigerian Senate, describing her record of public service as evidence of her commitment to the Nigerian people. The APC also cited the activities of the New Era Foundation and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through which the First Lady has been involved in programmes focused on women and youth empowerment, education, agriculture, healthcare and social welfare. The party further commended her support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting her role as his wife and political associate over the years, from his...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has disowned a recruitment notice circulating on social media, purportedly announcing the 2026 Batch 39 recruitment exercise. In a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, described the circulating notice as unofficial and unauthorised. According to the Navy, members of the public should disregard recruitment information obtained from unofficial social media accounts, websites and other unauthorised sources. The Navy said all official information concerning its recruitment exercise, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, timelines and available categories, would be communicated only through its authorised channels. It identified its official recruitment/enlistment website as www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng , while www.navy.mil.ng remains the official Nigerian Navy website. The Navy also warned prospective applicants against making ...