SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigerian Army has announced the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and improve the Service’s response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. The redeployments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, with the exercise focused on positioning officers with the requisite experience and expertise in critical operational theatres and strategic appointments. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the exercise is designed to enhance leadership, strengthen command structures and ensure the effective deployment of expertise in line with the country's changing security environment. Among the major changes, Major General IA Ajose has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Operations...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have intensified enforcement operations across the country as part of renewed efforts to tackle illegal mining and ensure compliance with regulations governing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The specialised unit said its teams, particularly in the South-West, have recorded significant progress in enforcing mining laws and regulations, reaffirming the Federal Government’s determination to curb illegal mining and protect the nation’s mineral resources. The Mining Marshals were established as a specialised enforcement mechanism to support ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector and combat illegal mining and other violations across the country. Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, warned mining operators against violating existing regulations, stressing that ignorance of the law would not exempt offenders from...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has confirmed the appointments of one Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) and five Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs) following its 65th Regular Meeting held on September 2, 2026. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwadain abuja. The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Professor Taiwo Oyedele, considered several matters relating to the administration, operations and performance of the Nigeria Customs Service. According to Maiwada, the newly confirmed Deputy Comptroller-General is Constantine Dim from the South-East, while the five confirmed Assistant Comptroller-Generals are Pascal Chibuoke and Ethelbert Nnaji, both from the South-East; Sani Yahaya from the North-Central; and Franklin Onyeka and Chibuzor Eyakwaire from the South-So...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The  Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been presented with the prestigious Times Heroes Award in recognition of his significant contributions to public service and national development. The honour was conferred on Thursday, 3 September 2026, at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja during the centenary celebration of the Daily Times newspaper. The event gathered prominent figures across government, commerce, and traditional institutions to celebrate key individuals and organisations shaping Nigeria’s growth. Speaking after receiving the award, Adeniyi described the accolade as an inspiration to serve with greater commitment. He credited the achievement to the collective effort of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and praised compliant citizens for driving higher standards in public service. "It’s very good when you do something, and you are recognised; this should be an inspiration to us to do much better," Adeniyi said. He d...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  ​The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has earned commendation from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for its groundbreaking revenue performance, strategic technology investments, and ongoing trade facilitation reforms. ​Speaking during his inaugural board meeting and facility tour at Customs Headquarters in Abuja on 2 September 2026, the Minister praised the Service's leadership and officers for their remarkable progress in modernising operations and boosting national revenue. According to him, ​Customs has demonstrated unprecedented operational strength in 2026, generating N4.03 trillion in the first half of the year alone, followed by N1.38 trillion across July and August. The agency, he says, remains firmly on track to achieve its ambitious N11 trillion annual target, a milestone driven by aggressive automation, intelligence-led reforms, and improved cargo processing strategies under Comptroller-Ge...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified military operations across the country, neutralising several terrorists, arresting suspected members of criminal and secessionist networks and rescuing at least 41 abducted civilians between August 31 and September 3, 2026. The operations, conducted across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East theatres, also led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, military uniforms and other items linked to terrorist and criminal activities. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops operating under various joint task forces sustained offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers and secessionist elements during the period. In Borno and Yobe states, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised terrorists and disrupted their logistics networks. On September 1, troops encountered a command-detonated improvised explosive device along the Miyanti-B...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has underscored the importance of strategic communication in driving institutional reforms, facilitating trade, boosting revenue generation and strengthening engagement with stakeholders. The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja. Maiwada said effective communication remained critical to the successful implementation of the Customs Service's mandate, particularly as the institution continues to adopt technology and innovative approaches to modernise its operations. “Our critical role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling cannot be effective without effecti...