By Our Correspondent

In an effort to rid the country of forms of insurgency ,Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) has said that troops neutralized 317 terrorists , arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped victims in their various theaters of operations across the country in the 2nd quarter of the year.

This was disclosed by the Director of Media Operations, (DMO) Major General Micheal Onoja on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the armed forces saying that troops maintained a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is completely restored.

Major General Onoja said in the North East, no fewer than 73 insurgent was killed, 159 suspects arrested, 112 kidnapped victims rescued while 18 repented terrorists surrendered to the troops .

According to him, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP remnants across Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, and Yobe States, recording a compelling succession of operational successes during the period.

He said the period between 15th – 25th May 2026, troops witnessed a marked acceleration in clearance operations and an unprecedented wave of voluntary terrorist surrenders, powerfully demonstrating the irreversible erosion of insurgent morale under relentless military pressure.

Also, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained engagements against armed terrorists across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States throughout the period, severely degrading hostile networks through aggressive offensive action and precision intelligence operations.

He added that in all, 24 insurgents were neutralized, 13 were arrested, while 22 civilians were rescued.

On Operation ENDURING PEACE, he said troops demonstrated relentless operational drive across Plateau and parts of Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna and Nasarawa States during the period, recording landmark results in the neutralisation of kidnapping networks and the elimination of dangerous criminal infrastructure embedded within civilian communities.

He mentioned that no fewer than 9 terrorists were neutralized, 36 were arrested while 15 civilians were rescued.

He noted that following the the arrest of two kidnappers in Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State on 29 April, a targeted follow-up operation neutralised four additional gang members in their hideout.

Similarly, a suspect was apprehended along the Abaji-Kwali road in Abuja, found to have concealed 250 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition within a vehicle’s engine compartment.

He stressed that the arrest exposed the calculated mechanisms through which illegal arms are trafficked within the country.

“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained a multi-domain offensive across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States throughout the period, dismantling kidnapping networks and criminal economic saboteurs targeting Nigeria’s petroleum infrastructure.

“In all, 14 criminals were arrested, 3 illegal refining sites were destroyed while 21, 910 litres of assorted petroleum products were recovered.

“Complementing these humanitarian efforts, on 13 May 2026, the Nigerian Army, through Operation FANSAN YAMMA, donated 400 bags of fertilizer to farming communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara State in a timely and impactful intervention aimed at boosting food production and reinforcing civil-military relations ahead of the 2026 farming season.

“ At a distribution ceremony held at the palace of the Emir of Maru, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to improving community livelihoods through non-kinetic initiatives that run parallel with active security operations,” he stated.

Troops were commended for their gallantry and urged Nigerians to provide timely intelligence information to sustain the gains.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

A total of 6,410 Police personnel will be deployed to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free Eid-Kabir celebration across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Niger State,CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman made the disclosure while speaking with Journalists in his office in Minna in preparation for the Sallah celebration.
He stated that 1,922 Senior officers,2,720 Inspectors,and 1,768 Rank and file officers making a total of 6,410 already deployed to various strategic places to ensure security of lives and property during and after the yuletide celeberation
He maintained that patrol operational vehicles will be stationed in every hook and crannies especially in the mosques, idi praying grounds, relaxation centres, super markets, recreation centres, major highways, motor parks, critical infrastructures, and other vulnerable points across the State to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The Commissioner of Police wishes to assure members of the public that adequate security measures and strategic deployments with operational assets have been emplaced across the State to guarantee peaceful celebrations before, during and after the Sallah period.
CP Adamu Elleman, however urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel throughout the festive period and beyond, while assuring residents of the Police Command’s readiness to respond swiftly to any security threat or emergency.
The Commissioner of Police called on members of the public to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies with credible information that will aid proactive policing and crime prevention across the11à
He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and warns criminal elements to have a rethink and repent or face the full wrath of the law. This in line with the Command’s constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The Niger State Police Command extends warm felicitations to all Muslim faithful across Niger State ahead of the 2026 Eid-El-Kabir celebrations and wishes all residents a qpeaceful, joyous, and hitch-free festivity.
The CP advised the general public to promptly report suspicious movements, abandoned items, or strange persons to the nearest Police station or security formation. While parents and guardians are advised to monitor their children and wards during the festivities, as anyone who attempt to foment trouble will definitely be made to face the consequences of his action

By Our Correspondent

To end incessant insecurity situation in parts of the country, a Middle Belt group under the platform of the Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Associations (CONEACDA) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, warning that continued attacks, political tensions and alleged threats to indigenous rights could further destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CONAECDA raised the alarm while speaking to newsmen in Jos on pressing national issues affecting indigenous communities and Nigerians in general.

According to the Secretary General of CONAECDA, Suleiman Sukukum, the recent attacks in states including Niger, Kwara and Kogi represented “a new frontier” of violence, while noting that insecurity persists in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

Sukukum also raised concerns over what he described as the “massive influx” of herders into remote areas of the Federal Capital Territory, warning that the development portent a serious security threat to residents.

“Reports suggest that several forests and grazing reserves across the country now allegedly harbor sleeper cells and active terrorist groups”, Sukukum state.

CONAECDA scribe further revealed that the killing of the second-in-command of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to what it described as Nigeria’s growing relevance in global jihadist activities.

On the recurring violence in Plateau State, particularly following the recent attack in Angwan Rukuba in Jos, CONAECDA said conflicting narratives surrounding the crisis continue to deepen divisions among communities.

The group identified issues such as farmer-herder clashes, land disputes, religious persecution, indigene-settler tensions and political exclusion as some of the factors often associated with the violence.

However, Sukukum maintained that regardless of the narratives, “all lives are sacred and should never be trifled with.”

CONEACDA also revisited the longstanding debate surrounding indigene and settler rights, arguing that colonial administrative structures had historically recognized native tribes, native lands and indigenous authorities.

The association defended the rights of indigenous communities to preserve what it described as their constitutional and historical identity, particularly in Plateau and other Middle Belt communities.

While acknowledging that all Nigerian citizens have constitutional rights to contest political offices anywhere in the country, the group stated that political leadership should ultimately be determined through democratic processes and the confidence of voters.

The association called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections across the country and urged marginalized native communities to organize politically to pursue their aspirations democratically.

On insecurity, CONAECDA expressed solidarity with Nigerian security agencies while urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify efforts toward rehabilitating victims, rebuilding destroyed communities and ensuring the safe return of displaced persons.

The group also urged the Federal Government to acknowledge the existence of terrorist groups allegedly pursuing religious persecution and genocidal objectives.

As part of its resolutions, CONAECDA declared the last Thursday of every month as “Black Thursday,” a symbolic day aimed at promoting the sanctity of human life irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status.

The association further condemned what it described as the conversion of sacred hills and groves into grazing areas across parts of the Middle Belt, calling on local and state governments to halt the practice and preserve historic and cultural sites.

On religious freedom, the group decried cases of alleged forced conversion, abduction and child marriages involving minors, describing the trend as alarming.

CONAECDA commended the efforts of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and states that have domesticated the Child Rights Act, while renewing its call for the establishment of a religious rights and equities commission.

Speaking on preparations for the 2027 general elections, the association warned against what it called rising anti-democratic conduct among political actors and parties.

It urged politicians to adhere to democratic principles and appealed to community leaders to actively participate in voter education, candidate selection, town hall engagements and election monitoring.