SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling two illegal refining sites and recovering about 85,300 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in Rivers State. The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of Rivers State, resulted in the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities. According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said personnel uncovered approximately 85,300 litres of suspected stolen crude oil concealed in dugout pits and reservoirs during the operation. The latest development comes only days after security operatives uncovered and deactivated similar illegal refining facilities within the same area, indicating continued efforts by oil thieves to revive illicit operations despite intensified securi...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has attributed the agency's strong revenue performance to sustained institutional reforms and modernisation efforts rather than prevailing economic conditions or currency fluctuations, while calling for stronger legislative backing to sustain the transformation agenda. Adeniyi made the remarks at the opening of a two-day retreat for the Senate Committee on Customs with the theme, "Legislative Oversight in the Context of Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation and Reforms." He said the Service's achievements stem from deliberate reforms designed to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. According to him, the NCS generated N7.277 trillion in revenue in 2025, surpassing its annual target by 10.24 per cent. Between January and May 2026, the Service also recorded N3.35 trillion in revenue. He cautioned against attributing the revenue increase sole...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the private sector to enhance logistics support, improve fleet sustainment and boost operational efficiency. The COAS made the commitment on Tuesday while receiving the executive management of Elizade Nigeria Limited during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, Lieutenant General Shaibu described a reliable and mission-ready vehicle fleet as critical to sustaining combat effectiveness, facilitating rapid troop deployment and enhancing the Army's capacity to respond to emerging security challenges across the country. He said strategic collaboration with the private sector remains a key force multiplier in strengthening the Army's capabilities in fleet management, equipment maintenance, technical s...

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...