SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has completed the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, following the conclusion of documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screenings for shortlisted candidates at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja. The two-week exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, 2026, and ended on Saturday, September 19, 2026, involved candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres. The screening was conducted in batches as part of measures to ensure an orderly process and minimise congestion at the centre. Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service had introduced measures to address challenges identified during the earlier phase of the exercise. “We have put measures in place to reduce c...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and the Nightingale Club at the 1 Women Battalion, Giri, Abuja, as part of efforts to enhance troops’ mobility, operational responsiveness and welfare. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday,  the COAS said the availability of serviceable mobility assets was critical to enabling troops to move personnel, equipment and logistics promptly in response to operational demands. Represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that military effectiveness was closely linked to the availability and serviceability of operational platforms. He said the refurbished vehicles would strengthen the formation’s capacity to respond efficiently to assigned tasks, while directing commanders and personnel entrusted with the assets to ensure proper maintenan...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday. In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC described Tinubu as a devoted wife, mother and public servant, while acknowledging her years of involvement in public service. The party highlighted her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State and her subsequent years in the Nigerian Senate, describing her record of public service as evidence of her commitment to the Nigerian people. The APC also cited the activities of the New Era Foundation and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through which the First Lady has been involved in programmes focused on women and youth empowerment, education, agriculture, healthcare and social welfare. The party further commended her support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting her role as his wife and political associate over the years, from his...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has disowned a recruitment notice circulating on social media, purportedly announcing the 2026 Batch 39 recruitment exercise. In a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, described the circulating notice as unofficial and unauthorised. According to the Navy, members of the public should disregard recruitment information obtained from unofficial social media accounts, websites and other unauthorised sources. The Navy said all official information concerning its recruitment exercise, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, timelines and available categories, would be communicated only through its authorised channels. It identified its official recruitment/enlistment website as www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng , while www.navy.mil.ng remains the official Nigerian Navy website. The Navy also warned prospective applicants against making ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has accepted an invitation to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), scheduled to hold in Abuja. Buratai disclosed this on Friday when he received a delegation from the DECAN Annual Lecture and Awards Committee, led by the association’s President, Comrade Odita Sunday, during a courtesy visit to his residence. The former Army chief was also nominated for the association’s Distinguished Leadership Award. The 2026 lecture is themed, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.” Buratai described the theme as timely and relevant to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. “This topic is quite contemporary, beyond kinetic warfare. Harnessing technology and intelligence-led operations for Nigeria’s national security. It's quite c...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Four terrorist bodies recovered, weapons seized as two JAS fighters, including commander, surrender in Borno Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled separate terrorist attacks on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Borno State, inflicting casualties on the attackers and recovering weapons and other military equipment. The military operation also resulted in the surrender of two Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, including a commander, who handed themselves over to troops along the Miyanti–Darel Jamel axis in Bama Local Government Area. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, the first attack occurred on September 17, when terrorists advanced towards FOB Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area. The terrorists were detected early by troops, with intelligence, surveil...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has commended British American Tobacco (BAT) for its high level of regulatory compliance and contribution to Nigeria’s economy, urging other investors to emulate the company’s business model. Adeniyi made the commendation on Monday, 14 September 2026, during a visit to BAT’s manufacturing facility in Ibadan, Oyo State. He described the facility as a good example of the type of investment needed to support Nigeria’s economic diversification and strengthen the non-oil sector. “As a customs officer, I cannot but notice the high level of commitment to compliance. So I'm indeed very, very grateful. And I would say that this is one investment that Nigeria got right, and I wish we could have so many companies giving this kind of opportunity and giving back this much to Nigeria,” he said. The Customs boss noted that BAT contributes to government revenue through multiple channels while creating ...