SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 3 June 2026 hosted a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception in Abuja, bringing together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions, and senior government officials in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening international cooperation, trade relations, and institutional partnerships. The event, held at the rooftop of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, also attracted the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the Customs Management, and other senior officials from key security and government institutions. Welcoming the diplomatic community, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed appreciation for the sustained support of international partners in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation with Nigeria. “We recognize and appreciate your contributions to strengthening dip...

By LEETOLKS As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes, fresh calls have emerged for authorities to reconsider the role of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, a former Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), whose supporters insist his operational expertise remains unmatched within the Nigeria Police Force. In a strongly worded commentary circulating on social media, security analyst and commentator Leetoks argued that Nigeria has previously confronted security challenges as severe as, or even worse than, the current situation and that Kyari's leadership of the IRT was often instrumental in tackling some of the country's most difficult crime cases. According to the commentator, Kyari was known for adopting unconventional strategies during periods of heightened insecurity. One of such approaches, he claimed, involved recalling experienced operatives who had previously ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have recorded major operational successes across Benue and Taraba states, neutralising four criminals, rescuing two kidnapped victims, recovering arms and ammunition, and dismantling a notorious illicit drug network. The operations, conducted between May 24 and May 31, 2026, also led to the arrest of suspected criminals and the recovery of illicit substances and cash, according to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu. The statement disclosed that on May 24, troops responded to reports of an armed herder attack along the Gbajimba–Agasha Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Upon arrival, soldiers found two injured residents who were immediately evacuated to the Primary Health Centre in Gbajimba for medical treatment. A manhunt for the attackers is ongoing. On the same day in Taraba State, troops acting on an armed robbery alert along t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, has cited President Bola Tinubu’s public commendation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, as evidence of the confidence reposed in the Customs boss, describing his leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and impact on community development as a source of pride to the ancient Ife Kingdom and the Modakeke community. The monarch stated this on Thursday, 28 May 2026, during the annual Eid-el-Kabir gathering hosted by the Comptroller-General at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State. The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, senior Customs officers, community stakeholders, family members, friends, and associates. Oba Ogunwusi said President Tinubu’s public expression of satisfaction with Adeniyi’s performance reflected confidence in his leadership and the results being achieved by the Service. “We are very proud of him and the work he is doing. W...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has sparked an important national conversation on the growing role of citizen-generated content in policing and security operations. His recent call for responsible recording and sharing of police-related videos highlights the delicate balance between public accountability, media freedom, and operational security in an era dominated by smartphones and social media. Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) in Abuja, the IGP acknowledged the importance of transparency and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force but warned that indiscriminate filming and circulation of police-related content could have unintended consequences for security operations and officer welfare. Disu's remarks come at a time when digital technology has transformed ordinary citizens into real-time observers and reporters of public events. Across t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The  Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki to the National Chairman, All Progressive Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda has condemned what he described as a “deliberate campaign of calumny” being orchestrated in sections of the media following the recently concluded primary elections. In a statement made available to journalists, the Tooki said while it was normal in every democratic contest to have both winners and losers, it was unacceptable for some aggrieved individuals to resort to blackmail, misinformation and character assassination because the outcome of the exercise did not favour their political interests. According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had already established transparent and credible mechanisms through duly constituted appeal committees for dissatisfied aspirants to seek redress. “The NWC has assured all stakeholders that every petition and complaint arising from the primar...

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...