SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  The Nigerian Navy has uncovered an estimated 132,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil concealed in 10 dugout pits in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. The discovery was made on October 22, 2026, by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence. The operation disrupted a suspected storage point within the illicit petroleum supply chain, in a move aimed at curbing crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products in the Niger Delta. In a press statement issued on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation highlighted the importance of intelligence-led efforts in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and dismantling infrastructure supporting oil theft. He said the Nigerian Navy would sustain operations to locate and dismantle illegal refining facilities and disrupt netw...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  A high-powered delegation of experts from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) recently completed a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the newly acquired Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment and Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) in China. The two-week exercise, led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in charge of the Information Communication and Technology/Modernisation Department, Oluyomi Adebakin, took place from 9 to 20 October 2026 at Nuctech Company Limited's facility in China, the manufacturer of the advanced systems. The delegation conducted comprehensive technical verification of the high-tech scanners and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, designed to work in synergy to enhance cargo examination and real-time monitoring from port to destination. During the test, DCG Adebakin reaffirmed Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi's commitment to using technol...

COAS, KAGAME STRENGTHEN NIGERIA-RWANDA DEFENCE COOPERATION By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Nigeria and Rwanda have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and tackling emerging security threats across Africa. The commitment was renewed when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, paid a courtesy visit to Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali on Thursday. During the meeting, Shaibu conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Army, while appreciating Kagame for receiving the delegation. The Army Chief commended Rwanda's transformation since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, noting that the country's experience offered important lessons in national reconstruction, institutional resilience and social cohesion. He also paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of approximately 600 personnel of the 3rd Battalion during Rwanda's liberation struggle, stressing the importance of leadership, di...

Court Warns Defence Lawyers Against Delaying Trial of Four Suspects in DSS Operative’s Killing Adjourns case to October 28 By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned lawyers representing four suspects accused of kidnapping and killing an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh, against taking steps capable of delaying the trial. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the warning on Wednesday after defence lawyers, Kelvin Ekwe and Geoffrey Uwadiegwu, requested an adjournment, citing their unpreparedness to proceed with the trial. The judge, however, described the case as crucial and said it must be determined expeditiously in the interest of justice. The prosecution counsel, Munirat Oladunjoye, told the court that the matter was scheduled for trial following the defendants’ plea of not guilty to the charges against them. She also sought the court’s permission to conceal the identities of prosecution witnesses under Section ...

Poland Seeks Stronger Defence Cooperation with Nigerian Armed Forces By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, has expressed his country's readiness to deepen defence cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in border security, technology transfer and operational effectiveness. Cygan stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The Polish envoy commended the professionalism, resilience and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, noting that Nigeria's strategic geographical position and sustained security engagements were crucial to maintaining peace and stability in West Africa and beyond. He described Nigeria as a key stabilising force in the sub-region, adding that both countries stood to benefit from increased collaboration and the exchange of expertise in various areas of defence and security. Acc...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The relationship between the military, government institutions and the media remains critical to promoting transparency, accountability and public understanding of national security issues. At a time when defence journalism continues to play an increasingly important role in informing Nigerians about security developments, recognising individuals who contribute to its growth is both significant and necessary. It is against this background that the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has conferred its patron title on Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The honour is not merely a ceremonial recognition of a senior public servant. Rather, it represents the association's appreciation of his contributions to defence journalism, institutional development and the strengthening of professional relationships between defence correspon...

Ex-DSS Officer Apologises to DG Over Leaked Internal Matter, Threatens Legal Action Against SaharaReporters By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  A retired officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has apologised to the agency’s Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, over the publication of an internal matter on an online news platform, SaharaReporters. The retired officer, who expressed regret over his decision to make the matter public, also asked the DSS chief to resolve the issue internally, while appealing for leniency. However, Ezeakolam, through his lawyer, Edmund C. Ben, Principal Partner of Lawminds Associates, has demanded the retraction of a SaharaReporters publication dated June 29, 2026, alleging that the report contained inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims. In a letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the online publication, the law firm demanded a formal response to the disputed report and called for the correction or...