SR SahelReporters

By Bimpe Audu The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has renewed its commitment to boosting legitimate trade with China while clamping down on illicit economic activities. This effort centers on tightening enforcement and strengthening bilateral cooperation to create a more secure, streamlined economic partnership between both nations. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, stated this on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, while receiving the Ambassador-Designate to China, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd.), at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja. CGC Adeniyi said the envoy was not a stranger to the Service, considering his antecedents, military background, and distinguished career. He noted that Dambazau’s military training and leadership experience had prepared him for the diplomatic assignment and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen Nigeria’s mission in China. The CGC described China as Nigeria’s biggest trading partner, adding that ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged commanders across the Nigerian Army to strengthen operational effectiveness through accountability, professionalism and results-oriented leadership. This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, in Abuja. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Bi-Annual Conference 2026 held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, the Army Chief said the conference provided a strategic platform to review ongoing operations and develop new approaches to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. Lieutenant General Shaibu stated that discussions at the conference focused on enhancing operational responses, improving training structures and adapting to the realities of the contemporary security environment. According to him, the resolutions reached duri...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly refuted reports suggesting that terrorist groups have established operational bases in Nigeria’s South-West region, insisting that the recent attack and abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State was an isolated criminal incident and not evidence of an entrenched insurgency. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, expressed deep sympathy to the families of victims abducted during attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. General Oluyede described the abduction of innocent pupils and school staff as “callous and reprehensible,” assuring Nigerians that troops were fully committed to securing the safe and unconditional release of all victims. “The f...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Monday, 18 May 2026, officially launched the Simplified Customs Advanced Declaration System (SCADS) at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in a move aimed at improving passenger clearance, compliance and Customs operations. The platform, designed to simplify baggage declaration for inbound international passengers, is expected to reduce manual bottlenecks, improve transparency in revenue assessment and enhance operational efficiency at Nigeria’s international airports. Speaking at the official launch, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said the deployment marks another major step in the Service’s digital transformation agenda under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. DCG Adebakin said the initiative became necessary following operational challenges encoun...

“I tried to give my best at all times. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be”. “Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home”.

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigerian Army has announced plans to expand its operational formations across the country as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Sunday during the opening ceremony of the 2026 First Bi-Annual COAS Conference held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja. In a solemn moment during the event, the Army Chief presented Nigerian Army Personnel Insurance cheques to families of fallen soldiers and troops wounded in action, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel and the families of those who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation. The gesture underscored the Army’s resolve to honour the sacrifices of fallen heroes while supporting wounded personnel whose courage, the COAS said, continues to inspire the nation. Speaking at the conference, Lieutenant Ge...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has intensified coordinated military operations against ISIS-linked terrorists in Nigeria’s North-East, with fresh air strikes carried out in the Metele area of Borno State. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the latest operations targeted the movement and gathering of ISIS/ISWAP fighters within the region. According to the statement, multiple air strikes were conducted following intelligence reports indicating the convergence and migration of terrorist elements in the area. The DHQ disclosed that the strikes successfully eliminated more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters. The military noted that the operations are part of sustained counterterrorism efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, removing insurgents from the battlefield, and denying them safe haven anywhere...