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Nigeria Intensifies Counter-Terror Operations as Tinubu Approves Military Hardware

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria Intensifies Counter-Terror Operations as Tinubu Approves Military Hardware

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of additional military equipment to strengthen the Nigerian Armed Forces’ fight against terrorism and insurgency across the country.

The development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, after he led the Service Chiefs to a high-level security meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Musa, the meeting provided an opportunity for the military leadership to brief the President extensively on the current security situation in Nigeria, as well as the progress of ongoing military operations against terrorist groups and criminal networks.

He explained that the engagement enabled the President to gain direct insight into operational developments on the ground, noting that some media reports may not fully reflect the scope of activities currently being carried out by troops in different theatres of operation.

The defence minister acknowledged that Nigeria has experienced a number of recent terrorist attacks, but insisted that security forces have continued to respond decisively, inflicting significant losses on insurgent groups.

Musa disclosed that several senior terrorist commanders have been eliminated during recent military offensives, while troops also recovered weapons, vehicles, and other logistics belonging to insurgents during coordinated operations.

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Despite the progress recorded, the minister paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives while defending the country, describing their sacrifices as painful but heroic.

He said the losses were “highly regrettable” but emphasised that the determination of the Nigerian military to defeat terrorism remains strong and unwavering.

“The commitment of our Armed Forces to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians is unwavering,” Musa said.

The defence minister also appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of ongoing operations, explaining that terrorist groups often intensify their activities during the Ramadan period, which sometimes leads to temporary spikes in attacks.

He added that military commanders have already reviewed and adjusted operational strategies to counter the evolving tactics of insurgent groups.

Musa expressed optimism that with the approval of new military hardware by President Tinubu, combined with improved intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies, the military would eventually overcome the prolonged battle against terrorism.

“Our agencies are working in concert and are fully committed to winning this war,” he said.

Nigeria has battled insurgency for more than a decade, particularly in the North-East region where extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have carried out attacks on military formations and civilian communities.

Security analysts say the latest approval of additional military equipment is expected to boost troop mobility, surveillance capabilities, and combat efficiency, strengthening Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations across several parts of the country.

Nigeria Intensifies Counter-Terror Operations as Tinubu Approves Military Hardware

Related Topics:Counter-Terror Featured military hardware Nigeria

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Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

Published

15 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), just months after his appointment, in a major shake-up within Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership.

The President has also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to Senate confirmation.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken “in the public interest” and in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The statement explained that the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency and improving governance in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior officer in the NMDPRA will oversee the agency in an acting capacity.

The Presidency also thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

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Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, the newly nominated head of the agency, is described as a seasoned energy executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is noted for expertise in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

His nomination comes months after Tinubu initially submitted Mohammed’s name to the Senate for confirmation following leadership changes in key petroleum regulatory agencies. At the time, Mohammed had been expected to lead the NMDPRA, while another nominee was proposed for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Mohammed, a chemical engineer with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, previously served in senior positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) structure, including Managing Director roles at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company. He also participated in several national gas infrastructure projects.

The latest development is part of ongoing restructuring within Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework under the Petroleum Industry Act, which has seen changes in leadership across key agencies.

The Senate is expected to consider the nomination of Rabiu Umar in the coming days as part of its confirmation process.

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

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Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

Published

17 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

police officer kills handcuffed suspect in Delta

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as “criminal and unprofessional” and inconsistent with police standards of engagement.

Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the April 26 incident was unacceptable and reaffirmed that no officer has the authority to take the law into their own hands regardless of the circumstances.

The IGP confirmed that the principal suspect, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, along with other officers involved in the operation, have been transferred from the Delta State Command to Abuja to face disciplinary proceedings. He added that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) has already taken up the case.

He further disclosed that three inspectors who were part of the operation have been subjected to an Orderly Room Trial as part of internal disciplinary procedures to determine their individual levels of involvement.

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Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

According to the police leadership, investigations established that ASP Usman violated Force Order 247, which governs the use of firearms, as well as other standard operational procedures regulating police conduct during arrests and engagements with suspects.

The Force has recommended the immediate dismissal of all officers found culpable in the incident. It also directed that they be handed over to appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over unlawful homicide after their removal from service. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final approval.

The Inspector-General distanced the institution from the actions of the officers, stressing that they acted outside official rules and the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force. He stated firmly that “no uniform is a licence to kill” and reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on abuse of power and extrajudicial conduct.

He also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured Nigerians that justice would be served transparently. The IGP urged residents of Delta State and the general public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while investigations and disciplinary actions continue.

The police leadership said the case reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability within the Force and ensure that officers who violate professional standards face appropriate sanctions.

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

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Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

Published

46 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

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Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai

Lagos Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Elijah Emmanuel and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega, in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate, Thompson Omokhafe Adams. The case has also exposed an alleged wider criminal network linked to kidnapping and murder.

Police said the suspects were arrested during coordinated intelligence-led operations in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The operation followed days of surveillance after the killing of the teenager, who was reportedly targeted after returning from an examination centre.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, the arrests are part of broader security operations that led to the detention of 118 suspects in one month for offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.

Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to killing the 17-year-old to cover up another crime. Police sources said the victim had reportedly identified one of the suspects before his abduction and killing.

A police source further disclosed that the suspects lured the teenager before attacking him. He was reportedly tied up and strangled after being taken to a secluded location. Investigators said both suspects took turns in carrying out the act.

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The police also linked the duo to an earlier kidnapping and murder case in November 2025, in which a female victim was abducted and killed after a ransom of ₦300,000 was collected from her family.

Authorities said the pattern of operations suggests involvement in organised kidnapping activities targeting victims for ransom and later eliminating them to avoid identification.

The Lagos Police Command also revealed that during the wider operation, officers recovered several weapons and incriminating items, including locally made pistols, a Beretta pistol, dane guns, cutlasses, knives, telecom batteries, suspected cannabis, and charms.

CP Jimoh said the arrests demonstrate the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and ensuring public safety across Lagos State. He added that investigations are ongoing to track down other accomplices linked to the crimes.

The suspects remain in custody and are expected to be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.