SR SahelReporters

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...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Troops of the 312 Artillery Regiment under 1 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 1 Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected military impostor in Kaduna State as part of ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the Armed Forces and curb fraudulent activities. The suspect, identified as a civilian, was apprehended at approximately 9:50 a.m. on June 11, 2026, by troops deployed at Strike Force Base Sabo. He was allegedly impersonating Major General AT Ibrahim (Rtd) at the time of his arrest. Military authorities disclosed that preliminary investigations into the matter are ongoing. Upon conclusion of the initial inquiry, the suspect will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution. The Nigerian Army stated that the arrest underscores its commitment to combating all forms of criminality, including impersonation and other acts capable of undermining public conf...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerians to safeguard the nation’s democratic achievements and support the ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. In a Democracy Day message issued on Friday, Yilwatda urged citizens to reflect on the significance of June 12 and recommit themselves to the ideals of unity, patriotism, good governance, and national development. Describing June 12 as a landmark in Nigeria’s democratic history, the APC chairman said the date symbolizes the courage and sacrifices of patriots who fought for justice, electoral integrity, and the sovereignty of the Nigerian people. “Democracy Day is not merely another public holiday; it is a solemn reminder of our collective struggle for freedom, representative government, and the right of every Nigerian to determine the destiny of our nation through democ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, have foiled an attempted abduction of pupils at Iluke Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, preventing what could have been a major kidnapping incident. A statement signed by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army noted that, the operation was carried out on Tuesday, following credible intelligence provided by vigilant members of the community, who alerted troops on patrol about the presence and activities of suspected terrorists in the area. According to the Army, the terrorists, disguised in military uniforms, had infiltrated the community and assembled pupils of Iluke Primary School with the intention of abducting them. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops immediately mobilised to the community and engaged the criminals on arrival. The terrorists were forced to ab...