Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Defence Headquarters

  • Intelligence Agencies Uncover Major Conspiracy Against Presidential Administration

    Intelligence Agencies Uncover Major Conspiracy Against Presidential Administration

    In an update published by Premium Times on February 1st, 2026, Nigerian security forces have concluded an extensive investigation into a suspected coup plot aimed at toppling the current administration. A total of 40 suspects, including high-ranking military officers and several civilians, have been identified and detained for their alleged roles in reconnaissance, funding, and the spread of anti-government propaganda.

    Figures cited by Channels TV indicate that the suspects were allegedly planning to seize strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The report clarifies that the Defence Headquarters has already forwarded the case files to the appropriate superior authorities for court-martial proceedings. “We remain committed to the sanctity of our democracy and will ensure that any element attempting to truncate it faces the full weight of the law,” a military source told the outlet.

    Reporting by The Nation further validates the development, revealing that some of the suspects were tracked through encrypted communication channels. The publication quoted a senior SSS official who said, “The level of sophistication in the planning was alarming, but our intelligence apparatus was three steps ahead to ensure stability.”

    Echotitbits take: The revelation of a coup plot involving “high-ranking officers” is a serious security concern that underscores internal tensions within the defense architecture. While the government has successfully neutralized the threat, the focus now shifts to the transparency of the trials and whether this will lead to a wider shake-up of the military top brass.

    Source: Legit.ng – https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1694779-popular-nollywood-actor-reportedly-implicated-alleged-plot-tinubu-arrested/, February 1, 2026

    Photo credit: Legit.ng

  • Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    Troops arrest eight suspects tied to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing network

    According to ThisDay, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested eight suspected terrorists linked to the suicide bombing at the Gamboru market mosque, describing the suspects as part of the network behind the attack.

    The report says two of those held are described as key facilitators, with the arrests following weeks of intelligence work and surveillance that led to targeted operations.

    Recovered items listed include cash, phones, IDs, ATM cards, and jewelry, with forensic examination expected to support ongoing investigations.

    The military says the suspects remain in custody for interrogation and intelligence extraction, with eventual handover for further investigation.

    BusinessDay also reported the Army “dismantled [a] suicide bombing network” tied to the Gamboru incident. Leadership echoed the same development, reporting troops “arrest 8 terrorists linked to Gamboru market mosque suicide bombing.”

    Echotitbits take: The key is prosecution quality. Track whether suspects are arraigned publicly and whether evidence handling and inter-agency coordination hold up in court.

    Source: ThisDayLive – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/07/troops-arrest-eight-terrorists-linked-to-gamboru-market-mosque-suicide-bombing/  January 7, 2026
    ThisDayLive January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: ThisDayLive

  • Northern Communities Face Retaliatory Surge Following U.S. Strikes on Terrorist Cells

    Northern Communities Face Retaliatory Surge Following U.S. Strikes on Terrorist Cells

    Reporting by BusinessDay indicates a sharp rise in attacks across northern Nigeria following recent United States-backed airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State. Between late December 2025 and the first days of 2026, at least 47 deaths and 35 abductions have been documented.

    The violence has spread across Adamawa, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, with local leaders reporting nighttime raids on vulnerable villages. Despite the tactical success of the airstrikes, the immediate aftermath has seen bandit groups and Boko Haram remnants intensify their operations against civilian targets.

    The Cable confirmed these developments, reporting that ‘attacks intensify across northern Nigeria after U.S. strikes’ as insurgents regroup. In response, the Defence Headquarters issued a warning to civilians, stating: ‘We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,’ referring to unexploded ordnance found at strike sites.

    Echotitbits take: While international military support provides a technological edge, it often triggers ‘asymmetric’ retaliation. The Nigerian military must pivot from strike-based operations to ground-level community protection to prevent these ‘revenge’ cycles from displacing more thousands.

    Source: Chosun — https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2025/12/27/PNB7UGLHP5AQVEOKNB6ZTUFITE/
    Chosun January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Chosun

  • Nigerian Army flags fake DSSC 2026 recruitment form and warns against online scammers

    Nigerian Army flags fake DSSC 2026 recruitment form and warns against online scammers

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    In a statement reported by Vanguard, the Nigerian Army asked the public to ignore a circulating advert claiming the Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29 application form for 2026 is available.

    The Army said the message is fraudulent and warned Nigerians not to fall victim to scammers who often demand payments, personal data, or bank details under the guise of “recruitment processing.”

    Security officials urged citizens to rely only on official Army communication channels for recruitment notices and to report suspicious posts to relevant authorities.

    Echotitbits take:
    Recruitment scams spike during festive periods and economic stress. A practical next step for readers is to verify announcements on official military platforms before sharing—and to treat any “payment request” as a red flag.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/army-disowns-fake-recruitment-advertisement/)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • Nigerian Troops Kill Armed Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Victim

    Nigerian Troops Kill Armed Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Victim

    In continuation of aggressive clearance operation to stamp out banditry and sundry crimes in North-West zone of the country, troops of Operation ACCORD have recorded significant successes.

    Troops of Operation ACCORD on Sunday 15 November 2020 while on Night patrol at Yar Tasha village made contact with armed bandits and engaged them in firefight, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche said in a statement on Monday.

    “During the encounter, 3 armed bandits were neutralised while others escaped with various degree of gunshot wounds. Equally, 3 AK 47 rifles were recovered during the operation.

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    In another development, the defence chief said: “following credible intelligence on movement of bandits, troops conducted fighting patrol to Natsinta and Dawanna villages in Jibia Local Government Area along Katsina-Jibia road.

    “In the course of operation, 10 suspected bandits migrating with rustled livestock were arrested. Upon interrogation, suspects claimed that they migrated from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Niger Republic.

    “Suspects were arrested with 88 cows and uncomfirmed number of sheep.

    “Suspects are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.”

    Similarly, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka on 15 November 2020, rescued one kidnapped victim named Adamu Yahaya.

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    According to General Enenche, preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was kidnapped at Unguwar Sa’ida village in Faskari Local Government Area.

    “The victim has been reunited with his family. Currently, the gallant troops have continued to dominate the general area with patrols to provide security for locals and deny bandits freedom of action”, General Enenche stated.

    He added that the Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their professionalism and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against the criminal elements in the country.

  • Nigerian troops thwart Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Kukawa community – DHQ

    Nigerian troops thwart Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Kukawa community – DHQ

    The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHq) says military troops had successfully thwarted an attempt by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to scuttle the resettlement of Kukawa community in Borno on Tuesday.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who on Thursday said the troops eliminated eight terrorists while several others escaped with gunshot wounds during the encounter.

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    Enenche also revealed that three soldiers were killed in the attack while two others sustained various degrees of injuries.

    The DHq media coordinator added that the wounded soldiers were currently receiving treatment at the military medical station.

    Recalling that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum had flagged off the re-opening of Munguno-Cross Kauwa-Kukawa Road, followed almost immediately with the resettlement of some of the displaced people from Kukawa, Enenche said: “life was already picking up in the town.

    “The attack by the terrorists was, therefore, a deliberate attempt to reverse the milestone achievements recorded regarding IDPs in the areas of peacebuilding, reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts by the government.

    “The situation in Kukawa is now calm with troops in full control“, the General said.

    While reiterating the commitment of the military, Enenche assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces would ensure the success of its struggle to see to the rebuilding and resettlement of the displaced people.

    He noted that the futile attempt by the terrorists to thwart it only spurred the gallant troops to more decisive action.

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    Advising the people of Kukawa to go about their normal lawful businesses without any hindrance, General Eneche said:

    “They are also enjoined to always avail the troops and other security agencies with credible information about the terrorists and any suspicious persons accordingly”.

  • Nigeria’s Air Task Force hits terrorists’ camp with devastating airstrikes in Borno

    Nigeria’s Air Task Force hits terrorists’ camp with devastating airstrikes in Borno

    The Air Task Force of Nigerian Military Operation Lafiya Dole yesterday July 15, 2020 destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) Camp and killing several fighters belonging to the group during massive air strikes executed at Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria.

    The air strike operation was on Tuesday disclosed in a statement by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General, John Enenche, who stated that the operation was carried out after receiving human intelligence reports that confirmed the raided settlement was one of the locations used by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) to launch attacks against Nigerian troops and villages around Kumshe area.

    According to the defence chief noted that aerial surveillance missions also confirmed the heavy presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement, some of whom were seen slinging their rifles.

    “The Air Task Force therefore launched coordinated attacks on the various targets within the settlement, employing an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships. 

    “The attack aircraft took turns in engaging the designated locations within the settlement, scoring devastating hits which led to the destruction of several structures, including the Communication Centres, as well as the neutralization of several terrorists”, Major General Enenche said.

    Enenche further disclosed that  the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commended the Air Task Force team for their dedication, dexterity and professionalism. 

    “The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country”, Major General Enenche added. 

    Defence Headquarters believes that the successful air strike operation is In continuation of the sustained offensive against terrorist elements in the North-East of the Country.

    Photos:

    Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
    Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
    Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.

    By Tobiloba Kolawole