Military Personnel Begin Receiving FG-Approved Salary Increase

Personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have begun receiving their September salaries with the Federal Government-approved salary increase reflected in their payments, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying the implementation marked the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and conditions of service of military personnel.

The revised military salary structure followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval in August and took effect from September 1, 2026.

Under the approved arrangement, personnel from the rank of Private to Sergeant are entitled to an 80 per cent salary increase, while those from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive a 50 per cent increase.

Officers from the rank of Brigadier-General and above are to receive a 30 per cent increase.

The Federal Government had said the adjustment would raise the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from about ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, representing an additional ₦264 billion in personnel expenditure.

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The implementation comes as the military continues operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats across the country.

The government has linked the salary review to broader efforts to improve troop welfare and conditions of service, alongside investments in military infrastructure, equipment and manpower.

The Defence Headquarters’ confirmation also comes amid the Federal Government’s wider expansion of the Armed Forces. The Nigerian Army is being expanded from eight to 12 divisions, while additional personnel are being recruited to strengthen the military’s operational capacity.

In a related development, the Federal Government is also implementing infrastructure projects aimed at improving accommodation and living conditions for military personnel and their families.

The revised pay structure is expected to provide increased remuneration for serving personnel according to their ranks, while further implementation details will determine how the new salary package is reflected across the different services and categories of personnel.

The Army, Navy and Air Force remain covered by the revised salary arrangement as the government continues its broader military welfare programme.

Military Personnel Begin Receiving FG-Approved Salary Increase

2027 Hajj: Nigeria Secures 10,000 Extra Slots, Allocation Hits 60,000

Nigeria has secured an additional 10,000 Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia, raising the country’s total allocation for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the development on Thursday, October 1, 2026, saying the additional allocation followed sustained engagements between the Federal Government and Saudi Arabian authorities.

Of the additional 10,000 slots, 7,500 have been allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while the remaining 2,500 slots have been assigned to seven lead licensed private tour operator companies.

The additional allocation represents a 20 per cent increase over Nigeria’s previously approved 50,000-slot quota for the 2027 Hajj.

Before the increase, Nigeria’s allocation stood at 50,000 pilgrims, comprising 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed private tour operators.

The latest approval followed an earlier decision by Saudi Arabia to reject Nigeria’s request for additional slots. NAHCON had announced in September that the request was turned down due to capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of adhering to approved country quotas.

Further engagements between Nigerian officials and the Saudi authorities subsequently resulted in the additional allocation.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and Saudi authorities for the additional slots.

Yusuf also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and Deputy Minister Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, for the Kingdom’s cooperation.

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The NAHCON chairman said the development reflected the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly their cooperation in facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.

He assured intending pilgrims and other stakeholders that the additional slots would be administered transparently and judiciously, in line with Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations and operational requirements.

NAHCON also reiterated its commitment to making Hajj accessible and affordable to Nigerians, while maintaining standards in service delivery, accountability and operational efficiency.

The commission said it would work with state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and commissions, as well as licensed private tour operators, to implement the expanded allocation.

The increase comes as preparations for the 2027 Hajj are already underway. NAHCON had earlier required the biometric data of intending pilgrims to be uploaded to the designated Nusuk-Masar platform in line with requirements from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The additional allocation means NAHCON and relevant state and private pilgrimage operators will now have to incorporate the extra beneficiaries into the existing operational arrangements.

The precise breakdown of the additional 7,500 state-controlled slots among individual states was not contained in the commission’s announcement.

The new allocation is expected to provide additional places for Nigerian Muslims seeking to undertake the 2027 Hajj, following strong demand from intending pilgrims and requests for increased allocations.

NAHCON said it would continue working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a well-coordinated 2027 Hajj exercise and protect the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

With the latest approval, Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj allocation now stands at 60,000 pilgrims, comprising the original 50,000 slots and the newly approved 10,000 additional places.

2027 Hajj: Nigeria Secures 10,000 Extra Slots, Allocation Hits 60,000

[UPDATED] Imo Highway Attack: 10 Rescued after Gunmen Abducted NYSC Prospective Members

The Imo Police Command says 10 victims have been rescued and two passenger buses attacked by gunmen on Thursday recovered. It also disclosed that the rescued victims were safe and receiving attention.

Two buses carrying prospective NYSC members and other passengers from Ibadan, Oyo State, were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, with some passengers abducted.

The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, according to the Imo State Police Command.

The buses were travelling from Ibadan to different destinations in the South-East and South-South when they were intercepted by the suspected attackers.

One bus was travelling towards Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while the other was heading to Bende, Abia State. The passengers included prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camps, as well as other travellers.

The attack prompted a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by the police and other security agencies.

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However, the police said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified and would be made public after confirmation.

This clarification by the police late Thursday became important because several figures were circulated in early reports about the incident. Some reports initially stated that 20 NYSC members had been abducted, while other accounts gave different figures. The Imo Police Command has not confirmed any specific number of abducted persons.

The police added said the rescue operation was continuing to locate the remaining victims and apprehend the suspected abductors.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, alongside other security commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and provided operational direction.

Tactical teams and other operational assets were deployed as part of the search operation, while security personnel remained in the area to protect commuters.

The police also said the affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway had been reopened to traffic after the incident.

The command is working with the NYSC Directorate to establish contact with the families of affected prospective corps members and provide updates as the operation progresses.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of prospective NYSC members travelling by road to orientation camps, particularly those travelling long distances across states.

It also comes weeks after another highway attack in Kogi State, in which NYSC members were among passengers abducted before a joint security operation led to their rescue.

As of the latest police update, 10 victims have been rescued, both buses have been recovered, and the total number of people still missing has not been officially established.

[UPDATED] Imo Highway Attack: 10 Rescued after Gunmen Abducted NYSC Prospective Members