SR SahelReporters

COAS Seeks Stronger Diplomatic, Military Cooperation During Rwanda Visit By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger coordination between Nigeria's diplomatic missions and military institutions to advance defence cooperation and promote shared security interests across Africa. Shaibu made the call during a courtesy visit to Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, in Kigali, as part of his official working visit to the East African country. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, underscored the importance of diplomatic engagement in strengthening Nigeria's military partnerships and advancing bilateral defence relations. The engagement provided an opportunity to highlight the need for closer collaboration between Nigeria's diplomatic mission in Rwan...

Nigeria, Rwanda Strengthen Military Alliance Against Terrorism, Transnational Security Threats By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Army and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening African-led military cooperation to combat terrorism, violent extremism and other transnational security threats across the continent. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, General Mubarakh Muganga, in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of his ongoing official working visit to deepen bilateral military relations. The meeting focused on the need for African countries to take greater responsibility for addressing common security challenges through intelligence sharing, military cooperation, joint capacity development and coordinated responses to emerging threats. Shaibu emphasised the strategic importance of stronger militar...

Nigeria, Rwanda Deepen Military Ties, Plan Cadet Exchanges, Defence Production By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Nigeria and Rwanda are exploring expanded military cooperation in cadet training, counterterrorism operations, peacekeeping and indigenous defence production as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance regional security. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, announced the proposed initiatives on Monday, October 19, 2026, during his official working visit to Rwanda, where he held discussions with the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major General Vincent Nyakarundi. A major highlight of the proposed partnership is a plan to send two cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to the Rwanda Military Academy for a four-year training programme, alongside reciprocal training opportunities for Rwandan cadets. The Nigerian Army is expected to initiate arrangements for the proposed exchange programme to s...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have explored areas of mutual cooperation aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving operational efficiency and leveraging technology to support their respective mandates. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, October 16, 2026, when he received the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Segun Aina, and his delegation at the NCS Operational Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. Adeniyi commended JAMB for its transformation over the years, particularly its adoption of technology, timely release of examination results and improved placement of candidates into tertiary institutions. He described the Board's technological advancement as commendable, noting that its continued evolution had made its processes more efficient and enhanced access to tertiary education. The Customs boss also expressed confidence in the new Regist...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reportedly fixed November 16, 2026, for proceedings on the withdrawal of an appeal filed by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje over the leadership dispute in the Action Alliance (AA). According to a statement issued by the party’s Media Directorate on behalf of its National Chairman, Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze, Omoaje has filed a notice of withdrawal dated September 28, 2026, seeking to discontinue Appeal No. SC/CV/162/2024 before the apex court. The appeal challenged an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/922/2022, which, according to the statement, affirmed the validity of the National Executive Committee led by Udeze. The party said the planned withdrawal and subsequent dismissal of the appeal would mark a significant development in the protracted leadership dispute. It added that the Court of Appeal's judgment remained the basis for its position that the Udeze-led executive was t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Emmanuel Adoga, over allegations of rape and armed robbery in Ogoja Local Government Area of the state. The Command disclosed that the suspect was arrested on October 12, 2026, following a petition submitted by the father of the 22-year-old survivor on October, 9 According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Akata, the petition alleged that the suspect threatened the survivor with a dangerous object, sexually assaulted her and forcefully took her Infinix Smart 7 mobile phone. The petition also alleged that the suspect demanded an additional ₦15,000 from the survivor. The police said the stolen mobile phone had been recovered, while operatives had visited the reported scene and obtained relevant photographic and electronic evidence to aid the investigation. The Command further disclosed that investigators were examining allegations...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have intensified discussions on a regional border-modernisation programme aimed at facilitating cross-border trade, improving Customs operations and advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The discussions, held at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026, brought together representatives of the Customs administrations of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Cameroon, alongside the bank and technical partners. In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs noted that the engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, followed a joint benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessmen...