Category Nigeria News

The Nigerian Navy has taken action to reassure citizens that the country’s waterways will remain secure, secure, and fully protected as the holiday season draws near and travel activity is steadily rising.

During a major sea operation under Exercise Di Mingi, a three-day maritime security drill known as “Safe Waters” in the Ibani language, this confidence was at its peak.

Officers and operatives simulated real-time threats that frequently afflict the maritime domain aboard naval vessels that cut through the Atlantic off Eastern Command.

During the course of the operation, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga addressed journalists and expressed deep confidence in the Navy’s readiness for the holiday season.

“We anticipate travelers, holidaymakers, and maritime operators.” Our waterways will be used by them all. He said, “I want to make sure Nigerians are safe.

This is a warning for criminals, too. Avoid illegal behavior or you’ll suffer consequences.

Joint Agency Operations and Real-Time Interdictions

Exercise Din Mingi demonstrates the Navy’s ability to respond while mimicking real-world threats.

The Navy, the Army, the Air Force, NDLEA, and other organizations participated in numerous coordinated operations throughout the exercise.

An important highlight was a major success of a drug-related interception that was initiated by information that a ship was passing psychoactive substances along the coast of Nigeria.

25 nautical miles offshore, where NDLEA agents confirmed the presence of cocaine and other hard drugs, were naval ships that were monitoring the vessel. The vessel’s vessel was immediately searched.

In another situation, the Navy responded to a rumored pirate attack.

While Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos stormed the vessel, overpowered the pirates, and secured the crew before safely escorting the ship to harbor, air surveillance equipment was deployed to assess the threat.

Rear Admiral Oguntuga praised what he called “seamless coordination” between the various agencies, citing the rapid development of special forces, accurate air support, and communication flow as evidence that Nigeria’s maritime security system is improving.

He claimed that the exercise exemplifies the operational pillars of the Command, which are professionalism, readiness, welfare, and interagency collaboration.

Regional Command Reaffirms commitment

Rear Admiral Okehie, the flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, kicked off the operation aboard NNS SHERE, stating that the Navy fully supports the Chief of Naval Staff’s plan to deploy a motivated, professional force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests.

Each security company has its advantages, according to the statement. Synergy is necessary to address maritime security issues, he remarked.

A Secure Yuletide for Maritime Travelers

The Navy says Exercise Di Mingi sends a strong message to the public that criminal elements won’t be allowed to operate as the shipping industry, passenger movement, and tourism grow in the coming weeks.

The incident, which occurred in the Papiri neighborhood of Agwara Local Government Area, is “deeply saddening and avoidable,” according to the Niger State Government.

The government confirmed that the precise number of abducted pupils has not yet been determined in a statement signed by SSG Secretary Abubakar Usman because security agencies are still conducting assessments and gathering reliable data.

The government was informed in the statement that it had previously been informed of reliable information that indicated increased security threats in some of the Niger North Senatorial District.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Students From Schools in Nigeria State

According to these reports, the State Government ordered the state government to halt all construction activities and temporarily close boarding schools in the affected areas as a preventative safety precaution.

St. Mary’s School allegedly reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or obtaining government approval, a practice that, according to the SSG, put students and staff at a high risk.

Since then, security forces have expanded search-and-rescue operations and begun a comprehensive investigation to ensure the return of the kidnapped pupils.

The Niger State Government says it keeps in touch with security personnel and will continue to update them as the situation develops.

“This unfortunate incident occurs despite the government’s prior intelligence report showing an increased threat level in some areas of the Niger North Senatorial District.

The State Government had earlier issued a clear directive directing the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected area in response to these credible security alerts.

Regrettably, St. Mary’s School resumed its academic activities without notifying or obtaining state government approval, exposing both students and staff to unfavorable risks. Since then, security services have begun a comprehensive investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the pupils’ safe return, the statement said in part.

In order to protect public safety, the government made an appeal to school owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the state to strictly adhere to all security advisories.

It once more stated that the administration’s top priority is the protection of lives, especially those of children.

Citizens were urged to support security forces with credible information that might aid ongoing rescue efforts.

In an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, gunmen reportedly kidnapped an undisclosed number of students, according to Channels Television.

The school, which is alleged to be a private Catholic school in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, was taken on Friday morning by the attackers.

The gunmen were reportedly accompanied by a van and riding on over 60 motorcycles.

Temigbe Jamiu, 35, allegedly posed as a member of the Nigerian Army during his arrest, according to Ondo State Police Command agents.

Olusola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made this known to journalists in Akure, the state capital, in a statement.

Ayanlade claims that the suspect extorted one Mr. Temiloluwa for $1, 200, 000.

He claimed that the funds represent the mother’s hard-earned retirement benefits, which had been invested in real estate.

READ MORE: Police Arrest Man Fleeing With “Wife’s Corpse” On Motorcycle In Ogun.

Ayanlade explained that the victim had engaged the suspect to help with the retirement benefits by providing more information about the arrest.

However, Jamiu abused the victim’s trust, collected it, and used it for personal gain while working with accomplices who are still at large.

The suspect, who had previously served at the 82 Divison, Enugu, admitted to the fraud after being arrested. He reportedly admitted to the fraud.

Ayanlade added that investigations are ongoing to find and prosecute the other suspects in the scheme.

“The suspect is currently being held in legal custody and will be taken into custody in court after the investigations are finished. According to him, efforts to apprehend the remaining accomplices are still being made, which shows how committed the Command is to bring all those responsible for criminal activity to justice.

Nnamdi Kanu, the self-declared leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, was found guilty of terrorism against the Federal Government by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

Instead of a death sentence, Justice Omotosho sentenced Kanu to life in prison for counts one, four, five, and six.

Additionally, he imposed a 20-year sentence for the IPOB leader on Count Seven, as well as a 5-year sentence without imposing a fine.

Nnamdi Kanu To Life Imprisonment, Court Sentences, READ ALSO

He stated that the sentence would continue concurrently.

The judge stated in his judgment that Kanu’s prosecution had beyond a doubt established its case against him.

Following a lengthy legal battle, the decision was made.

Since his arrest in October 2015, his trial has taken place in a number of significant events, as follows:

2015

The Department of State Services (DSS) detained Kanu on October 14 on suspicion of treason and terrorism in Lagos.

On suspicion of criminal conspiracy, intimidation, and membership in an unlawful society, he was arraigned on November 23 in Abuja Magistrates’ Court. His case was later transferred for treasonable felony to the Federal High Court.

2017

The Federal High Court in Abuja appoints a 100 million dollar bond and strict conditions, including refraining from interviews and gatherings in public on health grounds on April 25.

He was released from Kuje Prison on April 28 after fulfilling the bail requirements.

August: In response to alleged violations, the Federal Government moved to revoke his bail.

His disappearance occurred in Abia State as a result of a military operation in September at his Umuahia home. The government accused him of jumping bail, despite his claims that he feigned safety. His arrest warrant was issued on his behalf and his bail was voided.

2022

February 10: A Kenyan government affidavit confirms that Kanu was a British citizen who entered Kenya on May 12, 2021, without an official departure history. This strengthened his allegations of unlawful rendition of Nigeria.

2023

December 15: The Supreme Court overturned a judicial ruling acquitting him and quashing charges relating to terrorism. The trial was ordered to continue, along with the resumption of the terrorism-related charges.

2025

Kanu’s continued DSS custody has been confirmed on February 8th thanks to an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to resume the case on February 10.

Justice James Omotosho’s trial resumed on March 21. Kanu entered a new arraignment on seven terrorism-related charges.

His 2021 arrest and transfer to Nigeria were ruled unlawful by the Kenyan High Court on June 24 and gave damages.

In response to concerns about Kanu’s health, the Federal High Court held an advanced hearing on his request for release or improved medical access on September 26.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was given the order to set up a medical panel on September 26 to examine his condition and suitability for trial.

October 26: The court denied his request for hospital transfer after NMA’s report determined him to be medically fit. Trial sessions were set for October 23, 27, 28, 29, and 30 as a result of the adjournment of proceedings to October 23 for the defense to begin.

Justice Omotosho gave Kanu until November 5 to file a lawsuit against terrorism charges or forgo his option.

The court’s terrorism trial in Kanu was scheduled for November 20.

On November 12, Kanu requested that Justice Omotosho’s Court of Appeal in Abuja forbid further proceedings in his trial.

The attack on the government girls’ school, Maga in Kebbi State, where schoolgirls were kidnapped and the vice principal was killed, has been condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its minister of education, Maruf Alausa.

The Minister described the incident as heartbreaking and assured that the Kebbi State Government and the Federal Ministry of Education will work together to secure the safe return of the abducted students and prosecute those responsible.

Dr. Alausa expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in a statement made available on the Ministry’s official X handle, and condolences to the Kebbi State population, the school community, and the families of the abducted schoolgirls.

He claimed that no teacher should lose their life while carrying out the noble duty of teaching Nigerian children. No parent should experience this arousal.

We Have a Fair Idea Where Schoolgirls Are, Senator Maidoki, and Kebbi Abduction, READ ALSO.

The Minister referred to the incident as a “cruel and senseless act,” stressing that the assault was intended to harm both the victims and the nation’s future. He added that the attack underscored the need for ongoing efforts to protect schools, particularly in troubled areas.

According to him, the Ministry is already collaborating with Kebbi State authorities, security, and intelligence agencies, to get the abducted students released.

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to bolstering national initiatives promoting school safety.

He said, “This agonizing moment strengthens our resolve.” Our children are entitled to safe education. Without fear, our teachers should be serving. We won’t give up until every Nigerian school offers hope and protection.

Image from the press release twitter.com/6Sr9g2rZMd

During the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing clemency charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a member of the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha has pleaded for clemency. &nbsp,

Following Kanu’s conviction on seven terrorism counts, Aguocha, a lawyer for the Abia State Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, addressed a court hearing on Thursday.

My Lord, I ask for peace and stability, not just in the South-East, but also in Nigeria. I also ask for mercy, clemency, and pleading for leniency. We must find common solutions to our common issues because Nigeria is bleeding, Aguocha told Justice James Omotosho.

“My Lord, I represent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu directly,” my lord. You almost always see me here, demonstrating my presence and solidarity with him.

READ MORE: FG Demands Death for Nnamdi Kanu Following His Conviction

He continued, “I ask the Lord to show mercy and temper justice with mercy.” I appreciate the chance to address you because I am a court friend.

Watch the federal prosecutor’s video below for Kanu: