Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have apprehended a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in the supply of military uniforms to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a statement posted on X.

Troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander arrested the suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility, NAOTF, Lagos at about 6:30pm on July 25, 2026, Makama said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the soldier absconded from his unit before he was declared wanted and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he allegedly went underground, he said.

The investigators also discovered that the soldier was concealed at Gomari Costain, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

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“The troops of the 7 Provost Group acted on credible intelligence and placed the suspect under 24 hours surveillance before he was intercepted and arrested at Jidari Bus Stop while allegedly trying to escape to Cameroon,” the security expert added.

“The suspect is presently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group and is being further investigated in relation to the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the potential involvement of other collaborators.

“The arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups. Investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplices,” Makama added.

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal has alleged that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari had intelligence reports on President Bola Tinubu’s upbringing, genealogy and educational background even before accepting his political support during the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lawal was said to have made the disclosure in an interview with Symfoni TV, saying Buhari had long held reservations about Tinubu’s background.

Lawal said whenever the late Buhari raised some complaints about Tinubu, he would tell him that they knew those things before they approached Tinubu for support.

“So whenever Buhari would complain about Tinubu, I bring up the history and Buhari, being a man of conscience, would agree,” he said.

On Buhari’s specific complaints against Tinubu, Babachir Lawal said: “The complaints everybody has. Buhari was a president before he became president again. He had intelligence of Tinubu’s upbringing, of his unclear genealogy, of his education. He knew everything and that was something I used against Buhari.

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Before we went into this merger, before we went looking for his support before the merger, I said, sir. Don’t you know these things?

“Buhari will say he does. Okay, I say. So but we asked him for his support and he gave it to us wholeheartedly and others. “So why now all of a sudden he has turned bad?”

He said he once told the late Buhari that it was morally wrong to turn against someone whose support he had taken despite existing concerns.

“I don’t think it’s Islamic but certainly for me as a Christian it is unChristian-like to bite the finger that fed you,” he said.

This you knew when you came looking for his support. You should have said, ‘I don’t want the support of a crook,’ but you didn’t.” So Buhari said, “Yes, thank you and changed.

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Military sources said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has destroyed a suspected terrorist hideout in Borno State in a precision air strike.

The operation was said to have been carried out in the early hours of Monday, July 20, after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets detected suspicious activities by suspected terrorists around KLA Balia in the Lake Chad region.

A renowned security expert monitoring security operations in the North-East, Zagazola Makama, was reported to have disclosed the development in a report.

The report said the air operation was launched after receiving intelligence that suspected terrorists were at the location.

The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform, codenamed GUARDIAN, began monitoring the area at about 5.35am before the target was confirmed, the report said.

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“The sources said the ISR platform codenamed GUARDIAN established overhead surveillance around 5:35 a.m. before confirming the target,” Makama said.

After identifying the target, the military aircraft carried out a precision strike on the suspected terrorist hideout, he added.

He said the aircraft made a precision strike on the suspected terrorist hideout after positive identification.

The report said an assessment after the air strike found the building had been destroyed completely.

“Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) immediately after the strike indicated that the building was completely destroyed and on fire with all suspected terrorists inside believed to have been neutralised,” Makama added.

It is reported that the aircraft remained in the area for a short time after the strike to observe the situation and check the outcome of the operation.

After completing the mission, it later came back to base.

Military sources said the air strike was part of the ongoing air interdiction operations to weaken the terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The operations were intended to destroy terrorist infrastructure and restrict the freedom of movement of insurgents across the region, the sources said.

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The Nigerian Army has stepped up the role of military aviation in its counter-terrorism campaign with the Chief of Army Staff directing personnel of the Army Aviation to intensify air operations against terrorists and armed groups.

The Army Chief, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, gave the charge at the unveiling of the Coordinator’s Residence for the Nigerian Army Aviation Command and newly completed accommodation for officers and soldiers at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.

Talking to the Army Aviation personnel, the COAS said air power was a decisive component of modern warfare particularly in counter-insurgency operations. He said the Aviation Command had become vital in intelligence, surveillance, troop mobility, medical evacuation and precision strikes against terrorist and bandit groups operating across the country.

The personnel were urged by Lieutenant General Shaibu to fully utilize the available aviation platforms to dominate the airspace and deny the criminal elements freedom of action, noting that the importance of sustained aerial superiority to degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring security to the affected regions cannot be over emphasised.

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He also tied the new accommodation to the Army’s Soldier-First philosophy, stating that better welfare directly enhances morale, operational focus and mission effectiveness. The COAS challenged Army Aviation personnel to justify the investment by enhanced professionalism and impactful operational results in all theatres.

The Army Headquarters reiterated its determination to build up the Aviation Command through continuous investments in modern equipment, infrastructure and operational capabilities.

The COAS appreciated the Directorate of Procurement for timely completion of accommodation project and called it another milestone in Service’s personnel welfare program.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation Command, Brigadier General Al-Amin Ibrahim, commended the COAS for his leadership and continuous investment in the welfare of personnel.

He said the project “is a reflection of the deliberate efforts to strengthen the Army Aviation and at the same time, to continue the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a professional, welfare-driven and combat-ready force capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, have successfully foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) in Monguno, Borno State.

The Nigerian military disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the attack occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Saturday when the suspected terrorists stormed the school premises. The FGGC facility is currently being used by the Borno State Government as a temporary hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

The military revealed that the attackers allegedly gained access to the school with the assistance of suspected collaborators, with the apparent aim of abducting students. However, vigilant security personnel on duty quickly detected the threat and responded with coordinated firepower, preventing the terrorists from carrying out their mission.

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Operation HADIN KAI said troops of the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) swiftly reinforced the security team, overwhelming the attackers with superior combat strength. Faced with fierce resistance from the combined military and police personnel, the terrorists abandoned their operation and fled the scene without abducting any student.

Although the exchange of gunfire caused damage to parts of the school infrastructure, security forces successfully contained the attack and secured the area.

Following the operation, all 46 students in the facility were safely rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received immediate medical examinations and appropriate care. The military confirmed that every rescued student was medically stable and that no abduction took place.

However, the operation was not without tragedy. The military disclosed that some students lost their lives after being struck by sporadic gunfire fired by the fleeing terrorists during the confrontation. It expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.

Operation HADIN KAI further stated that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators believed to have aided the attackers. Troops, supported by other security agencies, are also pursuing the fleeing terrorists to ensure they are brought to justice.

Reaffirming its commitment to restoring lasting peace across the North-East, the military pledged to sustain relentless operations against terrorist groups, dismantle their operational networks, and safeguard schools, public institutions, and communities from future attacks. It also assured residents that security agencies remain vigilant and determined to deny terrorists the freedom to threaten lives and disrupt education in the region.

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Former Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senatorial aspirant for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Aisha Yesufu has said any vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, is a vote for terrorists to continue in the country.
“Yesufu made the comment in a statement published on her verified X handle on Sunday.

This is as the rate of insecurity in the country has considerably increased with killings and abductions across the country.

The rights activist tasked every Nigerian above 18 years old to get their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.
They have more access to the miracle people have been praying for with their PVCs,” she said.

“Any vote for APC is vote for these terrorists to continue what they are doing,” the co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement said.

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Three Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed and several others injured after their patrol vehicle allegedly hit an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, near Babanna in Borgu Local Government Area.

Conflict and security journalist Bakatsine reported the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

The report stated that the explosion occurred Saturday morning between Machiyan Gyada and Baturen Daji in the Dekara axis as the troops were returning from a security patrol.

Local sources told Bakatsine that the suspected roadside bomb hit the patrol vehicle, resulting in the casualties, he said.

Three Nigerian soldiers have been reported killed and several others injured yesterday morning after their patrol vehicle allegedly ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) near Babanna in Borgu LGA of Niger State.

“The explosion was between Machiyan Gyada and Baturen Daji on the Dekara axis as the troops returned from a security patrol, local sources said,” Bakatsine wrote.

At the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Nigerian Armed Forces or the Niger State Government on the incident.

The blast was coming weeks after three separate IED incidents were recorded in Sokoto State, raising fresh concerns over rising use of roadside bombs against security personnel in parts of northern Nigeria, it was learnt.

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Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and foremost cleric, has defended President Bola Tinubu against growing criticism over the worsening insecurity across the country.

Speaking about the concerns over the increasing wave of terrorism, kidnappings and violent attacks across the country at the US-Nigeria faith heroes award gala organized by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C. on June 23, Adeboye said Tinubu should only give instructions on how to deal with insecurity in Nigeria and cannot be blamed for failing to personally confront terrorists on the battlefield.
“I have to be clear about this one: I am not on the side of those who are saying the president is not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has issued instructions to his subordinates he has performed his part. “You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and (fight),” he said.

Adeboye, in comparing with the United States, said President Donald Trump was an example of how the commander-in-chief takes military decisions without personally engaging in combat.

“When my friend Trump tells you to go bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House.

“He has done his part. “‘I order, bomb Iran,’ and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is up to the supporters.”

The cleric, while defending Tinubu, admitted that Nigeria’s security crisis had worsened considerably, revealing that terrorist activities had spread from northern Nigeria to the southern part of the country including areas close to him.

“Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came,” he said, referring to the United States bombing of Islamist terrorists last December.

Far, far worse… so bad that they say, ‘Where is your God?’ That’s how bad it is.
“The terrorism, kidnapping and all that which was in the north is now even at my doorstep. They’ve come all the way down to the south. And, of course, the sponsors, they are all known, and they are still walking about free.”

Adeboye said he had called President Tinubu and wife, Senator Oluremi, an RCCG pastor, personally to discuss Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

He said he pressed the president to give a stern ultimatum to military commanders across the armed forces.

I told them to tell all the military people: ‘You have 90 days. Get rid of this trash or leave.’ And then deal with the supporters, the sponsors.”

Adeboye said the real masterminds of terrorism were not the gunmen who perpetrated the attacks but the influential people who funded and armed them.

“You know them,” he said, referring to an earlier public appeal to the presidency.

Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go get them. Because if you do not go after those that are supplying these people with arms and ammunition, and most of the time when they go about they go about on motorcycles, if we do not go after the sponsors the problem will continue.”

Adeboye also called on the United States and other members of the international community to step up collaboration with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

Fighting insurgency, he said, was not fighting the fighters but targeting those bankrolling violent groups.

The post Tinubu Can’t Wear Military Uniform And Fight Terrorists, Says Analyst appeared first on TheNigerian.

The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government to do more in convincing Nigerians that it can handle the country’s security situation.

He made the appeal after students sitting for the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in the Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State were abducted by terrorists on Monday.

It was gathered that the terrorists who attacked the school, disguised themselves as members of the military and the newly established Forest Guard security outfit, and shot sporadically before abducting about 42 students and women selling food items within the school premises.

Reacting to the development in a statement, Ndume, however, called on the federal government to be proactive in its crusade against insurgency and banditry.

He said the federal government in partnership with the sub-nationals must do more to convince Nigerians that they were up and doing in respect of security emergencies.

“This fresh abduction is disturbing, coming at a time when we don’t know the fate of children of Mussa, who were kidnapped last month,” he said.

“I call on the security forces to intensify their efforts to ensure the safe return of the 42 students of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, those kidnapped in Ngoshe; those kidnapped along Buratai-Biu Road and those kidnapped today.

“The way to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that the terrorists are overwhelming the government and security personnel is to take the battle to their hideouts and assure Nigerians that they can conveniently sleep with their two eyes closed.

Ndume hailed the prompt intervention by security agencies on ground, who pursued and secured the release of some of the victims, in confronting the bandits. He called for more synergy among all security agencies to nipping further attacks in the bud.

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The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has debunked reports of its plan to recruit some repentant terrorists.

DIG Isyaku Mohammed, deputy inspector general of police, in charge of the North Central Zone, made the clarification during a stakeholders meeting with officers and men of the Kwara state police command, traditional institution, religious heads, transport unions among others in Ilorin, the state capital.

The police boss asked community leaders, religious leaders and security chiefs to stop signing recommendation letters for people of questionable characters and tasked the leaders to identify and expose criminals so they are not allowed into the system.

He said the fallout when such persons find their way into the system will be for the leaders who sign recommendation forms for such persons and their communities.

“Traditional rulers and DPOs do sign for those persons. And I don’t think they’ll recommend someone who has been involved in criminality in the name of “I have repented”.

“I was privileged to serve in the North East. In their own wisdom the military took de-radicalised members of Boko Haram, reoriented them and returned them to society.

“There was a town hall that I went to. When I was in DC operation in Yobe. “They came to sensitise the community and told the people to accept the deradicalised people because they’ve repented. But they were rejected by all members of the community. They said they should move them to another community where they don’t know them.

“They said, ‘I can’t see somebody who destroyed my parents’ businesses coming back with empowerment while my parents are still there, without assistance. So it becomes a subject of discussion. But it’s a federal government decision and the police can’t do anything about it.

“The only thing we can do is to protect our own territory and ensure that such repentant people do not find their way into the Nigeria Police. And we are doing everything we can to make sure that not only repented criminals, but also bad boys, we don’t allow them to find their way to the Nigeria police.”

So you, our stakeholders, community heads, etc., do not sign for them, do not identify them, do not expose them. We will not allow them to access the system. And if you do, after training, we are sending them back to you to come and police your places. So, you suffer the consequences.”

The development comes as Nigerian Army is expected to shortlist more than 40 “repentant” Boko Haram insurgents for the 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI 91), reports said.

The DIG said a joint border patrol would be launched to check crimes and criminality in Kwara state, as a border state.

“Kwara state shares boundaries with states like Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Niger and Benin Republic. “Thus, the joint border patrol would be carried out along its border corridors to prevent criminality and criminals.”

He said the IGP had directed all the DIGs to go round states within their zones and interact with stakeholders to get on the spot assessment, and proffer solutions to the security situation as well as challenges of the police command and its officers.

Community policing is a security strategy to fight the current security challenges in the country, he said.

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