General News
Army Expresses Worry Over Deploying ‘repentant’ Terrorists in Military Operations
By Michael Lim, Jos
Nigerian soldiers involved in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East are getting increasingly worried over an alleged directive to work alongside former Boko Haram members who were recently reintegrated into society under the Borno state Government’s deradicalisation programme.
Military sources anonymously said the development is generating unease among troops deployed across parts of Borno State, with fears that the arrangement could further expose military operations to intelligence leaks and compromise ongoing efforts against insurgent groups.
The fears stem from involvement of some Boko Haram fighters’ public denouncement of violence, pledging allegiance to the Nigerian state during recent reintegration exercises, and their being hastily attached to local security groups supporting military operations in the state.
The development, the concerned soldiers allege, forms part of the Borno State Government’s aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of its rehabilitation and reintegration initiative. But the move faces criticism from victims of insurgency, members of the public and security operatives.
The concerns emerged weeks after Borno State Government reintegrated 720 former insurgents, alongside 992 spouses and 2,050 children, into various communities under its “Borno Model” deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme.
The beneficiaries had surrendered to security forces and accepted rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri before being returned to their communities.
But source of worry, partly, is the sincerity of former insurgents despite their participation in rehabilitation programmes.
One soldier said without wanting to be identified that:
“The government wants to prove that the reintegration programme is working, so some of these ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members are being attached to security groups that work with troops in operations.
“But many of us are uncomfortable with the arrangement because there have been cases in the past where information leaked and operations were compromised. Trust is a major issue.”
Another military source added that troops have continued to exercise caution around some of the former fighters because of fears that they could still maintain ties with active terrorist networks.
“We don’t trust them completely.
There have been too many incidents in the past. That is why they are often given separate accommodation. Yet now there is pressure for us to work closely with them during our missions,” the source said.
The suspicion is heightened by recurring attacks on military commanders by insurgents allegedly due to possible information leaks.
“You can see how these Boko Haram fighters have been killing our commanders. That should tell you there is a leak in information about their movements. Yet the government is asking us to trust these people and work with them. It won’t work,” the source added.
The Federal Government, they advise, should concentrate on supplying improved equipment, intelligence support and welfare packages for troops rather than compelling them to collaborate with former insurgents.
Speaking during the reintegration ceremony, retired Brigadier-General Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum and a member of the state’s Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Committee, described the programme as a key component of the state’s non-kinetic approach to tackling insurgency.
He said the initiative, launched in July 2021, is based on forgiveness, rehabilitation and community acceptance of former insurgents willing to abandon violence.
According to Ishaq, more than 350,000 individuals have left insurgent camps and surrendered since the programme began, with 9,680 persons reintegrated through nine batches.
He stated that participants undergo vocational training, counselling, religious and behavioural reorientation, as well as skills acquisition programmes before being reintegrated into society.
Despite these efforts, the programme has remained controversial, with critics questioning whether former insurgents can be fully trusted and whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent their return to extremist activities.
The latest concerns from serving soldiers underscore the continuing debate surrounding the reintegration policy and its implications for security operations in the North-East.
Official response from the Nigerian Army about field operators’ views proved unsuccessful as at time of publishing.
General News
101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested For Selling Cannabis in Ogun, NDLEA Nabs N4.4BN ‘Loud’ in Lagos Ports
By Felix Umande
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State, even as the agency intercepted more than 1.49 tonnes of “Loud” worth over N4.4 billion at Lagos ports.
The arrest and seizures were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday as part of the agency’s latest nationwide crackdown.
Ogunmabo was arrested on August 15, 2026, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
According to the NDLEA, she admitted selling the substance in small quantities.
The centenarian reportedly told investigators that she resorted to drug dealing after a fire destroyed her provisions shop. She also disclosed that her daughter, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and subjected to counselling because of her advanced age. Her daughter was subsequently arrested.
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly heading towards fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested with about 42.622 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.
The seizure included about 42.06kg of skunk, alongside other quantities of cannabis and 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.
The agency also announced what it described as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Two containers containing cannabis indica, popularly known as “Loud,” were intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.
One container, declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries, was found to contain 1,090.5kg of the illicit substance.
A second container yielded another 400kg, bringing the combined quantity to more than 1.49 tonnes with an estimated street value exceeding N4.4bn.
The NDLEA said its operatives also recovered methamphetamine, skunk, opioids and other illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Seme in Lagos State, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency said the operations highlight the increasingly varied methods allegedly used by traffickers to move narcotics, including concealing cocaine in food items and disguising large consignments in containers declared as legitimate goods.
The NDLEA said it would continue to intensify operations against drug trafficking networks across the country, targeting both street-level dealers and larger supply chains involved in importing and distributing illicit substances.
By Nick Ibe
As another fake government agency, National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has been exposed, Anambra State Government has revealed how they erroneously got involved with it.
According to Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Anambra was planning to host a fair in collaboration with the recently exposed fake Made-in-Nigeria Agency.
Mrs Nnake stated that the agency had tricked the government into hosting its maiden fair, which was billed to hold in December.
She further revealed how she was nominated as the state Focal Person for the agency, by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to represent the state in the fake agency.
The SSG was had to state her side of the story after her photograph went viral as the state Focal Person for the agency.
Nnake said:
“I wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the trending news concerning the purported ‘Made-in-Nigeria Agency,’ in which my photograph has been displayed and I have been identified as one of the State Coordinators.
“In January 2026, the Governor received a letter from the Made-in-Nigeria Office, said to be under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting the nomination of a State Focal Person. In response, the Governor, in February 2026, nominated me as the State Focal Person for Anambra State.
“Following the nominations, Focal Persons from the 36 states have been in a WhatsApp group engaging on issues relating to the activities of the office.
“More recently, the same office wrote to the State requesting that Anambra host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair. The request was approved, and an inaugural meeting was held about two weeks ago, with the National Coordinator in attendance.
“Since then, the State Committee has been working on preparations for the fair, which is scheduled to take place from December 2 to 5, 2026.
“Beyond these official interactions and engagements, I have no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims, or developments attributed to the said office.
“I, therefore, wish to make it clear that anything beyond the above-mentioned official interactions is entirely outside my knowledge and involvement.”
General News
Alia Swears In 7 New Commissioners, Charges Them To Deliver ‘Results, NOT Rhetoric’ For Benue
By Felix Umande
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Thursday, August 21, 2026, swore in seven new commissioners, charging them to prioritize competence, integrity and service delivery over personal or political interests.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.
The newly confirmed commissioners are: Hon. Chief Solomon Terver Iorpev; Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Onma Ogenyi; Hon. Kuma Aii Yenge; Hon. Roy Ashirga Terna; Hon. Angwa Egbe Monday; Hon. Nick Eworo; and Hon. Amo Ankwa.
Addressing the appointees, Governor Alia said their emergence was “not merely an elevation to public office. It is a call to service; a solemn trust; and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development, stability and prosperity of our dear State.”
He reminded them that the oath of office was a commitment to the people of Benue, not to friends or interest groups.
“The people expect competence. They expect integrity. They expect fairness, accountability and diligence. Above all, they expect a government that listens to them, understands their challenges and works tirelessly to improve their lives,” the Governor said.
Alia urged the new commissioners to work as a cohesive team, stressing that government cannot function when Ministries, Departments and Agencies operate in silos.
“Your ministries may differ in mandate, but our destination is one, whether you are responsible for industries, sports, humanitarian, science, works, information or any other sector, your work must ultimately contribute to the same objective: a stronger, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable Benue State,” he said.
He charged them to communicate, cooperate and share ideas, warning that “the success of one ministry strengthens the entire government, while the failure of one sector can affect the credibility of our whole administration.”
The Governor acknowledged that the task ahead would be difficult, with competing demands and limited resources. He urged them to remain focused, consult widely, and “always put the public interest first.”
Alia assured them of his administration’s support but stressed that it comes with expectations.
“I expect you to be accessible to the people. Listen to their concerns. Visit your villages and interact with electorates… Our people deserve results, give us results,” he said.
He also called for innovation in governance, urging the use of technology, data and modern management to make public service more efficient.
Governor Alia reminded the commissioners that public office is temporary but legacies endure.
“Be ministers of service, not merely holders of office. Be accessible without compromising authority. Be firm without being arrogant. Be compassionate without compromising standards. Be ambitious for Benue, but humble in your service to her people,” he stated.
He concluded that at the end of their tenure, what should matter is “not the number of meetings you attended or the length of your speeches, but the difference your ministry made in the lives of ordinary Benue people.”
The appointments are part of Governor Alia’s administration’s drive anchored on “renewed hope, responsible governance, development and service to the people.”
101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested For Selling Cannabis in Ogun, NDLEA Nabs N4.4BN ‘Loud’ in Lagos Ports
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Alia Swears In 7 New Commissioners, Charges Them To Deliver ‘Results, NOT Rhetoric’ For Benue
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