In a renewed push to curb banditry and other criminal activities, the governments of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, on Monday, launched a joint security operation aimed at strengthening safety along major highways and urban centres across the South West zone. The collaborative operation, designed to protect commuters, residents and businesses, focused particularly on high-risk…
Two suspected fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested in Lagos State on Sunday, 21 December. The suspects—Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge—were apprehended by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS). A security source with direct knowledge of the arrests told PREMIUM TIMES that Messrs Gana and Dugge were arrested in Apapa,…
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has declared that bandits and other criminal elements would no longer find refuge in Nigeria’s forests, deserts or national parks, as he charged troops to intensify operations and flush them out of all hideouts. Shaibu gave the charge on Monday while addressing soldiers and officers…
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have arrested a notorious bandit leader linked to several cases of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Benue–Taraba axis. The arrest, according to a statement issued by the Brigade on Monday, was carried out on December 21, 2025, by…
Army troops Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised no fewer than 21 ISWAP terrorists during a fierce gun battle in Sojiri and Kayamla villages along the Damboa–Maiduguri Road in Borno. Sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency reporter that the encounter which took…
Nigerian troops killed several insurgents, including a key terrorist commander and his cameraman, as they foiled attempt by terrorists operating from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, in Borno State early Thursday morning. The troops recovered assorted arms, ammunition and logistics, including a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, handheld radios and 11 AK-47 magazines loaded with…
Nigeria is advancing a major military modernisation initiative with a landmark procurement of 24 Italian-built M‑346FA fighter jets from Italian aerospace and defence firm Leonardo S.p.A., marking the largest single military aircraft acquisition in West African history. The deal, valued at approximately €1.2 billion, includes long-term maintenance and support provisions through Leonardo and represents a strategic…
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy will resume from January 2, 2026, citing a surge in vehicle-related crimes. In a statement issued on Monday, Benjamin Hundeyin, police public relations officer (PPRO), said the decision “follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to…
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has executed a successful air interdiction operation against a major terrorist logistics hub at Dabar Masara in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, it Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Monday in Abuja. Ejodame said the operation…
A United States–based humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, has warned of an alleged plan by terrorists to launch coordinated attack on some northern Nigerian communities on Christmas Day. The Federal Government has, however, dismissed the alert, describing it as doubtful and capable of causing panic. The warning was issued by the group’s founder, Judd Saul,…
