SR SahelReporters

UK, Nigeria Move to Deepen Defence and Security Cooperation By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation with Nigeria, with emphasis on military training, professional military education, technology transfer and institutional capacity building. The commitment was reiterated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Pete Vowles, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. During the visit, Vowles expressed appreciation for the longstanding political, diplomatic and military relations between both countries, describing defence and security cooperation as a critical pillar of the UK-Nigeria bilateral partnership. He reaffirmed the United Kingdom's determination to sustain existing security initiatives and explore new areas of collaboration to address evolving regional and global securi...

Customs Records Major Seizures in Joint Border Security Operation with Benin By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded six significant seizure cases involving narcotics, pharmaceuticals, rice, petroleum products and used clothing during a joint border security operation conducted along the Benin–Nigeria border corridor. The operation, code-named Operation GEOCONTROL, was conducted from June 29 to July 8, 2026, under the World Customs Organisation (WCO)–Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Joint Project, with the participation of the Customs administrations of Nigeria and Benin. The Service also disclosed that four suspects were detained during the operation, which targeted smuggling networks and other illicit activities threatening national security, legitimate trade and government revenue. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, Ph...

APC Campaign Council Denies Alleged Plot to Assassinate Atiku, Challenges Timi Frank By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations that the Nigerian government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and demanding that its author, Timi Frank, provide evidence to substantiate it. Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had alleged that the government was plotting to assassinate Atiku, who is the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. Reacting to the allegation in a statement on Tuesday, the APC Presidential Campaign Council urged security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence, stressing that any credible threat to life must be taken seriously, regardless of political affiliation. The statement, signed by the council's spokesperson, Dele Alake, categorically denied any involvement of President Bo...

COAS Pushes Modern Military Training, Cadet Exchange With Rwanda By Aviashima Toom The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger military training partnerships and cadet exchange programmes between Nigeria and Rwanda to enhance professional military education and prepare officers for the evolving demands of modern warfare. Shaibu made the call on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during a visit to the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA), Gako, as part of his official working visit to Rwanda aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between both countries. The Army Chief emphasised that modern military training, professional education and international exchanges were essential to developing combat-ready, adaptable and interoperable armed forces capable of responding effectively to emerging security threats. He commended the academy's training standards, discipline and professionalism, particularly the tactical proficiency displaye...

Military Neutralises 103 Terrorists in Eight-Day Air Campaign Across North-East By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised 103 terrorists and destroyed several logistics hubs and storage facilities in a sustained eight-day air campaign against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters across the North-East. The operations, conducted between October 10 and 18, 2026, involved coordinated intelligence-led precision air strikes by Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (NARPAS) Regiment and the Air Component. The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026. According to Goni, the air campaign comprised seven strikes targeting terrorist positions and facilities around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA), Badu in...

Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Recover Motorcycle in Katsina By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 27 kidnapped residents and recovered a motorcycle abandoned by fleeing terrorists during separate operations in Katsina State. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. According to Danja, troops of Sector 1 responded to a distress call on October 16, reporting terrorist activities in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State. He said the report indicated that the terrorists had abducted 27 residents, comprising 15 males and 12 females. “Troops responded swiftly, pursuing the terrorists along the Gangare–Kamba axis. On contact, troops engaged with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their victims and flee in disarray,” he stated. Danja e...

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...