SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Army and indigenous defence manufacturers to strengthen national security, accelerate military modernisation and enhance Nigeria's defence industrial capacity. The COAS made the call on Tuesday while receiving the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated Proforce Group on its remarkable growth and international recognition since its establishment in 2008, describing the company as "an institution that elicits national pride" and a reflection of Nigeria's growing defence manufacturing capability. He stressed that increased patronage of indigenous defence companies would not only improve the Nigerian Army's operational effectiveness but also drive local innovation, create ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered a cache of illegal weapons during an intelligence-led operation in Kaduna State. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday, July 13, 2026, followed credible intelligence indicating that a consignment of illicit weapons was being transported from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State. According to the Nigerian Army, troops mounted a targeted stop-and-search operation at the Samaru Checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, where they intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz suspected to be conveying the weapons. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs), which were carefully concealed inside the vehicle. During the operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to flee arrest and was shot while trying to escape. The suspect was immediately evacuated to ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the names of 3,852 successful candidates for its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, while unveiling plans to commence annual recruitment to ensure a more predictable and efficient manpower development process. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Service Headquarters in Abuja during the release of the final recruitment list. He said the Service had adopted a yearly recruitment cycle, ending the practice of conducting recruitment exercises at irregular intervals. "The Nigeria Customs Service is moving to an annual recruitment cycle. Recruitment will no longer be an occasional event undertaken every several years. It will be a standing, predictable, yearly process," Adeniyi said. According to him, the 2026 recruitment exercise will commence later this year and will be completed within the same calendar year—from advertisement to the publication of the f...

*As CP Nwogoh Decorates Five Police Aviators Who Earned Accelerated Promotion By Our Reporter The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has honoured 14 police officers for acts of exceptional bravery and gallantry during anti-banditry operations, while five police aviators received accelerated promotions in recognition of their professional qualifications and outstanding service. The honours were presented at the decoration of newly promoted officers and the presentation of letters of commendation to personnel of the Nigeria Police Air Wing, where the Commissioner of Police, Police Air Wing, Martin Nwogoh, said the recognition reflected the Force's commitment to rewarding courage, professionalism and operational excellence. Nwogoh disclosed that some of the honoured officers successfully completed critical missions despite sustaining gunshot wounds during operations. "Our personnel displayed extraordinary courage under hostile fire. Even after sustainin...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered what it describes as a chilling conspiracy behind the murder of Emmanuel Nwanneniya, a former Chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State, alleging that the victim was injected with a restricted veterinary sedative before he was killed. The breakthrough followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which led operatives of the Force Intelligence Department's Special Tactical Squad (STS) to arrest five suspects allegedly linked to the crime. Police investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly procured and used S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml, a restricted veterinary sedative, in carrying out the murder. Detectives also said evidence uncovered during the investigation points to a wider conspiracy rooted in a lingering dispute over the proceeds from the sale of community land in Ikem Nando. According to investigators, the crisis began ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovering about 61,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and dismantling three illegal refining sites in Rivers State. The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, targeted the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of the state, where criminal networks were attempting to reactivate illegal refining operations. According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation led to the discovery and deactivation of three newly established illegal refining sites linked to crude oil theft. The Navy said operatives recovered approximately 43,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The products were concealed in 12 dugout pits and reservoirs, bringi...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja With the inauguration of the Interim Executive Committee led by Joycelyn Ellakeche Ada, members have expressed renewed hope for a more inclusive, transparent and vibrant association. The call now is for all stakeholders, including the outgoing leadership, to embrace reconciliation, support a peaceful transition and work together to build a stronger EMCAN where unity, professionalism, institutional development and members' welfare remain the highest priorities. The recent leadership developments within the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) present not only a period of challenge but also a unique opportunity for renewal, reconciliation and institutional growth. The events that followed the Emergency Congress held in Abuja on July 31, 2026, have generated differing opinions among members over governance, procedure and the future direction of the association. Beyond these differing views, however, lies a common aspira...