Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops Neutralize 20 Terrorists in Fierce Northern Encounter

    Troops say they killed 20 terrorists during a clearance operation in the North-West, though several soldiers were also lost in the engagement.

    Further reporting across multiple outlets indicates the development is drawing heightened attention, with stakeholders watching for next steps from relevant authorities and institutions.

    Echotitbits take: While the military is scoring tactical wins, the loss of personnel remains a heavy burden. The focus must now shift from clearing forests to holding the liberated territories to prevent the ‘recycled’ presence of bandits.

    Source: ThisDay – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/21/troops-eliminate-20-terrorists-as-soldiers-pay-supreme-price-during-fierce-encounter/ (2026-01-21)

    Photo credit: ThisDay

    2026-01-21 16:00:00

     

     

  • Nigerian Army Secures Surrender of 80 Militants in Cross River

    Nigerian Army Secures Surrender of 80 Militants in Cross River

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State, under a state-backed amnesty program. The group reportedly emerged from two camps in Akpabuyo LGA and handed over assorted arms and ammunition.

    Media reports attribute the outcome to “Operation OKWOK,” combining kinetic and non-kinetic engagement, with surrendered individuals undergoing profiling and preparation for de-radicalization and reintegration.

    Echotitbits take: Amnesty can reduce violence when paired with credible reintegration pathways. The decisive variable will be post-surrender livelihoods—without economic off-ramps, recidivism risk remains high.

    Source: Vanguard – vanguardngr.com/2026/01/army-announces-surrender-of-80-militants-in-cross-river/ (January 17, 2026)

    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader Linked to Plateau Miners Attack

    Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader Linked to Plateau Miners Attack

    According to Daily Post, Nigerian Army troops under “Operation Enduring Peace” killed a suspected bandit leader, Sadiq Isah, during a raid in Plateau State. Isah was reportedly linked to a December 16, 2025 attack on illegal miners in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    The operation in the Yolan Gboka–Yama Da Lahdi axis followed intelligence-led tracking. Troops reportedly came under heavy fire but neutralized Isah, while other gang members escaped with gunshot wounds.

    After the encounter, the military reportedly recovered two AK-47 rifles and 162 rounds of ammunition. Security analyst Zagazola Makama also referenced the development and said follow-up operations were underway to track fleeing suspects.

    Leadership and Vanguard carried related reports, including reactions from locals and statements on continued operations.

    Echotitbits take: Neutralizing a key figure is a tactical win, but surviving cohorts can regroup. Expect intensified patrols and follow-up raids around Plateau’s mineral corridors.

    Source: Daily Post — https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/09/plateau-troops-neutralise-bandit-linked-to-miners-attack-recover-arms/ 2026-01-09

    Photo Credit: Daily Post

  • Police free six vigilantes after Army arrest on Edo road amid banditry fears

    Police free six vigilantes after Army arrest on Edo road amid banditry fears

    In a report by Punch, police in Kwara said they received and released six vigilante members earlier arrested by the Army, amid tensions over community security efforts around the Auchi–Ikpeshi road axis.

    The case highlights a recurring friction point: informal security groups often fill protection gaps, but can be viewed by formal forces as unauthorized or prone to abuse—triggering clampdowns and community backlash.

    Punch’s account suggests the police framed the release as procedural, but the underlying pressure remains as communities seek quick protection amid insecurity.

    Expect the debate to expand: who supervises vigilantes, what rules govern their operations, and how communities support security without creating parallel armed structures.

    Daily Post also reported police “freed six vigilantes arrested by Army,” while Radio Nigeria similarly carried the update that police “free six vigilante members arrested by Army.”

    Echotitbits take: Vigilante frameworks need clarity—registration, training, reporting lines, and accountability. Otherwise, every incident becomes a turf war and criminals exploit the confusion. Watch for states formalising community policing units with enforceable oversight.

    Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/banditry-police-free-six-vigilantes-arrested-by-army/ January 7, 2026
    Punch January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers

  • Army chief vows to contain terrorism as calls grow for state policing and forest guards

    Army chief vows to contain terrorism as calls grow for state policing and forest guards

    In an update published by The Guardian Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the Army is committed to containing the terror threat while reviewing doctrine and training for 2026 operations.

    The remarks were delivered around the Army’s doctrine and training conference, framed as an annual reset to adapt to a more complex security environment.

    Alongside the military messaging, a public-policy think tank urged deeper reforms, arguing lasting results require reclaiming ungoverned spaces through state policing and institutional forest guards.

    The broader signal is that Abuja’s security conversation is moving beyond deployments to governance design—who polices what, how forests are secured, and how accountability is shared.

    Vanguard separately reported the COAS “promises enhanced security” during engagements in Niger State. ThisDay also carried the operational push, reporting the Army would “deploy more troops… to crush terrorist attacks.”

    Echotitbits take: The test is coordination—intelligence fusion, forest control, and prosecution pipelines. Watch whether state-level security structures gain clear legal backing or remain ad-hoc.

    Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/army-will-curb-terrorists-attacks-in-niger-nationwide-coas/ January 7, 2026
    Punch Nigeria January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: Punch

  • Military Arrests Eight Suspects Linked to Market Suicide Bombing Network

    Military Arrests Eight Suspects Linked to Market Suicide Bombing Network

    Reporting by TVC News (as cited in Channels TV feeds) indicates that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully apprehended eight individuals in Adamawa State linked to the network behind the Gamboru Market Mosque suicide bombing. The operation, conducted in Mubi South Local Government Area, led to the capture of two principal suspects believed to be the primary facilitators of the attack. During the raid, security forces recovered cash, mobile phones, and identification documents currently undergoing forensic analysis. Military sources confirmed that an earlier suspect in custody provided the intelligence that led to the identification of these individuals as the suppliers of materials for the improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The counter-terrorism breakthrough was also reported by Daily Post and The Punch. Daily Post noted that ‘Troops seize terror supplies,’ while The Punch reported that ‘Sokoto strikes provide momentum’ for the military to expand operations across the North-East and North-West.

    Echotitbits take: The arrest of facilitators is often more critical than neutralizing foot soldiers, as it disrupts the supply chain for IEDs. This success in Adamawa suggests improved intelligence-sharing between captured insurgents and the military. The focus will now shift to the forensic analysis of the seized mobile phones to track further cells.

    Source: TheCable – https://www.thecable.ng/troops-arrest-eight-suspects-linked-to-borno-mosque-bombing/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: TheCable

  • Troops Neutralize Eight Terrorists in Borno and Kogi Operations

    Troops Neutralize Eight Terrorists in Borno and Kogi Operations

    According to The Punch, the Nigerian Army has successfully neutralized eight terrorists during coordinated raids in Borno and Kogi states. In Borno, troops ambushed a Boko Haram supply route, killing five insurgents, while a separate operation in Kogi led to the death of three kidnappers who had been terrorizing travelers along the Lokoja-Abuja highway. Three civilians were also rescued during these operations.

    Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the raids were based on actionable intelligence from local communities. He noted that a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was recovered from the scenes. The military has vowed to maintain the ‘offensive momentum’ as the dry season provides better mobility for ground troops.

    Validation of these victories was reported by Channels TV and Daily Post. Channels TV noted that ‘air support played a crucial role in the Borno operation,’ while Daily Post quoted a resident: ‘We feel a bit safer seeing the soldiers actively patrolling the highway again.’

    Echotitbits take: Neutralizing eight terrorists is a tactical win, but the geographical spread—from Borno to Kogi—shows that the insurgency and banditry remain decentralized. The rescue of three civilians is the real highlight here, as it boosts public confidence in military ‘intelligence-led’ operations.
    Source: Zagazola – https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/troops-kill-8-boko-haram-terrorists-including-2-commanders-in-borno-clash January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: Zagazola

  • Military reports arrest of suspected suicide bomber; 189 AK-47s recovered in NW ops

    Military reports arrest of suspected suicide bomber; 189 AK-47s recovered in NW ops

    2025-12-31 08:56:00

    In an update published by PUNCH, the Nigerian military says operations led to the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber in Borno and the recovery of 189 AK-47 rifles in the North-West, alongside ammunition seizures and kidnapping-rescue outcomes.

    The report says troops also intercepted materials described as precursors for improvised explosive device production, framing the actions as intelligence-led efforts to disrupt planning and logistics.

    In the North-West claim-set, the military also highlighted wider results under Operation Fasanyama, including recovered weapons and rescued victims across multiple states.

    Validation: Voice of Nigeria said “a potential terror attack was averted in Borno State as troops… arrested a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted materials.” and HQ Nigerian Army reported “TROOPS APPREHEND SUSPECTED SUICIDE BOMBER, INTERCEPT IED MATERIALS IN BORNO.”

    Echotitbits take: Counterterrorism reporting is increasingly contested—note the competing institutional claims and the need for independent verification. Watch for official follow-up briefings, prosecutions, and community-level impact in affected areas.

    Source: The Punch — 31 December 2025 (https://punchng.com/military-arrests-suicide-bomber-recovers-189-ak-47-rifles/)

    The Punch 31 December 2025

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • 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

  • Borno ambush: Operation Hadin Kai disrupts insurgent logistics in Konduga corridor

    Borno ambush: Operation Hadin Kai disrupts insurgent logistics in Konduga corridor

    Photo credit: Vanguard

    2025-12-22 09:00:00

    According to *Vanguard*, troops under Operation Hadin Kai, working with local vigilantes, carried out a coordinated long-range ambush in Borno State that disrupted insurgent logistics and led to multiple fatalities among the attackers.

    The report says the action took place around movement routes between communities in Konduga LGA, a corridor often linked to insurgent resupply and tactical repositioning.

    Security sources frame the operation as part of continuing “kinetic” efforts to degrade logistics chains—targeting movement, not just fixed camps.

    While claims of battlefield success are frequent, residents and humanitarian watchers typically look for what follows: reduced attacks, safer roads, and sustained presence after the headlines.

    Channels TV reported the operation “successfully disrupted a terrorist logistics operation,” while AllAfrica’s recap also described a “well-coordinated ambush” that neutralised insurgents—echoing the operational account carried by Vanguard.

    **Echotitbits take:** Tactical wins matter, but civilians measure security by continuity. Watch whether follow-on operations clear and hold the corridor, whether displaced communities can return safely, and whether authorities communicate transparently about casualties and recovery.

    Source: Vanguard — December 22, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/again-troops-of-operation-hadin-kai-kill-17-terrorists-in-coordinated-ambush/)