Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 24,202 senior officers across four paramilitary agencies, as announced by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja. This promotion, which is the second batch in 2025, affects the Nigerian Correctional Service (11,426 officers), Nigeria Immigration Service (4,336), Federal Fire Service (2,581), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (5,859). The Minister stated that promotions were based on factors like national spread, performance, and availability of vacancies, aimed at boosting personnel morale and enhancing service delivery. This follows a similar promotion of 20,867 senior officers in 2024, as part of ongoing efforts to address delays in career progression and improve staff welfare, especially after a period of stagnation in promotions.

During a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, clarified that the military does not have the authority to grant amnesty to surrendered terrorists and bandits. Responding to reports of bandit commanders surrendering in Katsina State, Kangye explained that while these surrenders show the success of military operations, decisions regarding amnesty rest strictly with other relevant government agencies. Additionally, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, addressed the ongoing detention of community leaders in Okuama, Delta State, following a tragic March 2024 ambush that killed seventeen soldiers. Gusau stated that the Defence Headquarters had not received any court orders or official requests for visits regarding the detainees, noting that the military would respond appropriately once proper legal procedures are followed. Highlighting recent operational successes, Kangye revealed that troops rescued over five hundred kidnapped victims, arrested over one thousand suspects, and witnessed the surrender of hundreds of terrorists and their families. He noted the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, Nwachi Eze, and Yellow Danbokkolo, alongside the arrest of wanted criminals like Buhari Umar, Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, and Shittu Muazu Bakassi. Finally, under Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, security forces successfully protected national resources by destroying over one hundred illegal refining sites and recovering stolen crude oil and petroleum products valued at more than 3.5 billion Naira.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the federal government have publicly disagreed over a resurgence of violent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. During a security meeting in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum warned that the state is losing ground due to continuous killings, abductions, and the dislodgment of military bases by terrorists. In response, the federal government through the Minister of Information and National Orientation maintained that security agencies are working tirelessly around the clock and that massive investments in military hardware are successfully returning the nation to normalcy. Military authorities echoed these assurances, stating the heavy sacrifices made by troops on the front lines and urging public support, while security experts and traditional leaders emphasized the urgent need for enhanced border security and decisive action against the renewed insurgency.