Nigerian Army named Africa’s best national force in counter-terrorism operations

The Nigerian Army has been recognised as Africa’s Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch, following its sustained efforts against terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism across Nigeria.

The continental security organisation said the recognition was based on the Nigerian Army’s achievements in counter-terrorism operations, including intelligence-driven campaigns, coordinated military operations, civil-military cooperation, force development and capacity-building initiatives.

The award was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The recognition had earlier been received on behalf of the Nigerian Army by Major General Teriworie Gagariga during the African Security Watch Awards Ceremony held in Banjul, The Gambia.

Receiving the award, Shaibu described the honour as a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of Nigerian Army personnel deployed across different operational theatres.

He said the recognition reflected the effectiveness of the Army’s evolving strategies in combating terrorism and insurgency while strengthening national and regional security.

“This recognition is a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of Nigerian Army personnel engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country,” the Chief of Army Staff said.

Shaibu dedicated the award to officers and soldiers who lost their lives while defending Nigeria, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would continue to be remembered.

He also commended the families of fallen personnel and serving troops for their support and resilience despite the risks and demands associated with military service.

The Army chief said the recognition would encourage the Nigerian Army to sustain its operations against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), armed bandit groups, kidnappers and other criminal networks.

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He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to improving operational effectiveness through intelligence-led operations, stronger collaboration with other security agencies, continuous training, improved personnel welfare and the acquisition of modern military equipment.

Shaibu added that the Nigerian Army would continue its transformation into a more professional, adaptive and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to African Security Watch, the Nigerian Army distinguished itself through coordinated joint operations, intelligence-based campaigns and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation between military personnel and local communities.

The organisation said the Army’s operations had contributed to weakening terrorist networks, improving security in affected communities and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional counter-terrorism efforts.

The recognition comes as the Federal Government moves to expand the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army in response to persistent security challenges across the country.

President Bola Tinubu recently approved an increase in the Army’s operational structure from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

The expansion is expected to improve troop deployment, strengthen military presence across the country and enhance the ability of the Armed Forces to respond more quickly to security threats.

Under the restructuring plan, the new divisions are expected to bring military formations closer to areas that currently depend on neighbouring commands for operational support.

The first phase of the expansion, involving the establishment of the 5 Division, 9 Division and 10 Division, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further restructuring, is projected for completion by December 2026.

The recruitment of additional personnel is also expected to strengthen ongoing military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities.

The recognition is expected to boost the morale of Nigerian troops serving in different parts of the country and reinforce the Army’s commitment to protecting communities and supporting national security.

Despite the continental recognition, the Nigerian Army continues to face complex security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in parts of the North-West, communal violence in the North-Central and other emerging threats.

Military authorities have maintained that sustained intelligence gathering, modern equipment, improved troop welfare, stronger inter-agency cooperation and community support remain important to achieving lasting peace and security.

Nigerian Army named Africa’s best national force in counter-terrorism operations

Leaked DSS memo warns of planned Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings in Adamawa, Borno

A leaked intelligence memo reportedly issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) has raised fresh concerns over an alleged plan by Boko Haram terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks and kidnappings in parts of Adamawa and Borno states.

The intelligence communication, dated July 27, 2026, was reportedly addressed to the Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Yola, Adamawa State.

The document, referenced 0.211/3827, was signed on behalf of the Adamawa State Director of Security by Ben Osifor.

According to the leaked memo, intelligence available to the DSS indicated that suspected Boko Haram operatives were planning major operations in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The document reportedly linked the planned operations to the alleged collapse of a ceasefire arrangement between the insurgents and the governments of the affected states.

The memo stated that the suspected terrorists intended to carry out attacks to demonstrate the breakdown of the reported ceasefire and renew pressure on communities in the North-East.

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The intelligence report further warned that the suspected insurgents were allegedly planning to abduct government officials, councillors, traditional leaders, religious leaders and residents during the proposed attacks.

The District Head of Michika and his son were also reportedly identified as possible targets in the alleged kidnapping plot.

According to the memo, suspected Boko Haram members had already deployed surveillance teams to monitor potential targets and gather information ahead of the planned operations.

The DSS reportedly advised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and improve security around vulnerable communities in the affected local government areas.

The agency also recommended closer collaboration between military personnel and local security groups, including forest guards, hunters and community-based security volunteers, to improve intelligence gathering and prevent the alleged attacks.

The intelligence alert was reportedly forwarded to the Nigerian Army for necessary action as security agencies stepped up efforts to monitor possible threats in the affected areas.

The development comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of the North-East, where Boko Haram and other armed groups have continued to pose threats to communities, public facilities and transportation routes.

Security agencies have relied increasingly on intelligence-led operations, surveillance and cooperation with local security networks to identify threats and prevent attacks before they are carried out.

The reported DSS warning has heightened concerns among residents of Michika and Askira/Uba, particularly because the alleged targets include community leaders, public officials, religious figures and other residents.

However, the leaked memo did not indicate that the alleged attacks had already taken place.

Security intelligence alerts are generally issued to enable relevant agencies to assess threats, increase security presence and take preventive action.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no public statement from the DSS, the Nigerian Army, or the governments of Adamawa and Borno states confirming whether additional security measures had been deployed in response to the reported intelligence.

Residents in the affected communities are expected to remain alert and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies while avoiding the spread of unverified information that could cause panic or interfere with security operations.

The situation remains under close watch as authorities continue to assess the reported threat and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

Leaked DSS memo warns of planned Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings in Adamawa, Borno

Court Orders 10 Strokes of Cane for Bus Conductor Who Slapped Female Passenger

• Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel handed down the corporal punishment after the 20-year-old conductor, Abubakar Shehu, pleaded guilty to assaulting Hadiza Rabiu in a dispute over transportation fare.

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 20-year-old bus conductor, Abubakar Shehu, to 10 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to slapping a female passenger twice during an argument over transportation fare. Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, held that the conductor should receive the corporal punishment after admitting to the charge of assault. The magistrate explained that the court was lenient with the convict because he did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty to the offence. In addition to the caning, Magistrate Emmanuel ordered Shehu to write an undertaking to be of good behaviour henceforth. He also warned the convict to desist from such acts, stating that the court would not take it lightly with him if he appeared before it again for a similar offence.

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Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on July 24, 2026, at Kawo in Kaduna. Leo said that the convict had an altercation with the complainant, Hadiza Rabiu, over transportation fare and slapped her twice on the face. The prosecutor informed the court that the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

This sentencing follows a pattern of Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel taking firm action against offenders who plead guilty to minor offences. The magistrate has previously imposed similar corporal punishments in several cases. In February 2025, the same magistrate sentenced a trader, Jibrin Yusuf, to 10 strokes of the cane for assaulting his friend over a N3,000 debt and also ordered him to pay N230,000 in restitution. In October 2024, Magistrate Emmanuel ordered a 21-year-old scavenger, Ibrahim Usman, to receive eight strokes of the cane for stealing a she-goat. He also sentenced a 30-year-old mason to 10 strokes of the cane for stealing four bags of cement worth N15,000. In November 2025, the magistrate sentenced Kingsley Timothy to 15 strokes of the cane for stealing two phones valued at N650,000 from a church. Magistrate Emmanuel has also handled cases where bus conductors were involved in transport-related violence. In May 2024, he admitted a bus conductor, Saminu Illiyasu, to bail after he was charged with beating a tricycle rider with a log of wood. In another case, he admitted a conductor, Salisu Mohammed, to bail for allegedly beating up a motorcyclist.

Court Orders 10 Strokes of Cane for Bus Conductor Who Slapped Female Passenger