Nigeria, Türkiye Seal Deal to Train 200 Elite Special Forces Troops

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has announced that Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have reached an agreement for the immediate training of 200 Nigerian Special Forces personnel in Türkiye.

Musa disclosed this during an interview on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026) held in Antalya, Türkiye, after bilateral discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler.

The high-level forum, themed “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” brought together world leaders, defence ministers, diplomats, and security experts from about 150 countries to discuss global security, politics, and economic cooperation.

According to the minister, the agreement will see 200 Nigerian Special Forces personnel deployed to Türkiye for advanced military training as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and internal security operations.

“We have a Special Forces training agreement. Türkiye has agreed to give us 200 Special Forces training, so as soon as I return, we are sending them here for training,” Musa said.

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He added that both countries also agreed to expand cooperation through joint military exercises, with the first expected to take place later in the year.

Musa further revealed that discussions also covered joint defence equipment production and military technology transfer, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s local defence capabilities.

He noted that Türkiye’s advancement in defence manufacturing presents an opportunity for Nigeria to deepen its defence industrial development through partnership and knowledge exchange.

“Türkiye has improved dramatically with regard to the production of military hardware. Nigeria is still developing, and we have agreed to partner together so that we have co-production of some of these items,” he said.

The Defence Minister also highlighted the shared security challenges between both countries, noting that while Nigeria has battled insurgency and asymmetric warfare for about 17 years, Türkiye has confronted terrorism for over four decades.

According to him, the collaboration will extend beyond training to include officer exchanges, joint operations, and capacity building in defence production.

“Because of that, we will move into training, production and improving on our defence industrial production, and exchange of officers and soldiers,” he added.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum featured panel discussions on global security, economic stability, environmental challenges, and emerging technologies, with participation from over 20 heads of state and government, 40 foreign ministers, and thousands of delegates.

Nigeria, Türkiye Seal Deal to Train 200 Elite Special Forces Troops

How NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, busted an illegal baby factory in the Okuju area of Ilado, Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children.

The operation, which took place between late Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday, followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the command.

The facility was reportedly operated by two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, who were arrested during the raid. Investigations revealed that the suspects ran a network where pregnant women were recruited and made to agree to sell their babies after delivery.

Speaking after the operation, the Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the victims were promised payments ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1.8 million once they gave birth, while some women allegedly brought infants to the centre for sale.

NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

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“They were operating a baby factory where victims were made pregnant. When the babies were delivered, they were sold. The suspects enticed pregnant victims to negotiate with them, and once the babies were born, they were taken and sold while the mothers were paid off,” Keshinro said.

He added that among the rescued victims, one had suffered a miscarriage, while others were still pregnant at the time of the raid. Some children already born were also reportedly being negotiated for sale before the facility was uncovered.

Keshinro described the operation as exposing a “grievous crime against humanity,” stressing that the NSCDC remained committed to tackling human trafficking and child exploitation.

The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution, while the rescued victims were transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.

The NSCDC also said the facility would be handed over to the Lagos State Government for possible demolition as part of efforts to curb the spread of illegal baby factories in Nigeria.

The raid adds to a series of crackdowns on child trafficking syndicates across the country in recent months.

How NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

Troops Intercept 569 Rounds of Ammunition, IED Components on Kaduna–Jos Road

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, in a major security breakthrough aimed at curbing violent attacks in the region.

The operation, carried out at about 11:45am on Thursday, took place near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos axis in Kaduna State. The troops, supported by a special forces tactical team, were conducting a routine stop-and-search when they flagged down a suspicious commercial vehicle.

According to the Nigerian Army, the vehicle—a navy-blue Opel wagon with registration number NSR 154 TA Kano—was conveying seven passengers at the time of interception.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of concealed military-grade items, including 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition and several high-velocity warheads. Troops also recovered 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, raising further suspicion about the intended use of the materials.

In addition, security personnel found disused GSM handsets, which are believed to be components commonly adapted for remotely detonated IEDs, pointing to possible links with planned attacks or insurgent activity.

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The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the recovered items, claiming that the consignment was a “waybill” handed over to him by an unidentified individual. He also stated that he had no knowledge of either the sender or the intended recipient.

All occupants of the vehicle have since been taken into custody for further interrogation, while the vehicle and recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue.

Military authorities disclosed that efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the shipment and dismantle the network behind it, noting that such interceptions are critical in preventing potential attacks and disrupting the supply chain of weapons to criminal groups.

The Kaduna–Jos corridor, linking Kaduna and Jos, has remained a strategic but vulnerable route due to recurring security threats, including banditry and insurgent activities.

Security analysts say the interception highlights the increasing use of civilian transport systems for moving illicit arms, as well as the evolving tactics of criminal elements deploying improvised explosive devices.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations and sustained patrols to secure highways and protect lives, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Troops Intercept 569 Rounds of Ammunition, IED Components on Kaduna–Jos Road