News

PHOTOS: Army pulls out 10 retired generals in Lagos

Published

4 hours ago

February 7, 2026

The Nigerian Army Finance Corps on Friday, held a valedictory parade to honour 10 retired senior officers. The event celebrated their years of service and contributions to the Corps.

The retirees include Major Generals KI Yusuf, AA Fayemiwo, J Mohammed, RN Ochei, MO Ihanuwaze, M Galadima, SA Gumel, and Brigadier Generals EA Obona, AS Maikano, and MK Baba-Mallam.

According to a statement on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 81 Division, the parade took place at the Nigerian Army School of Signals Parade Ground in Apapa, Lagos.

Scenes from the parade in Lagos. Photo: Nigerian Army

The Special Guest of Honour, Major General Kamal Ishola Yusuf (retd.) described the ceremony as “one of the most colourful and dignified parades he had witnessed.”

“In his valedictory speech, Major General Yusuf noted that the military remains one of the few institutions that steadfastly uphold tradition, stressing that such customs form the backbone of its identity and shape its discipline, ethos, and collective sense of purpose.

“He affirmed that the pulling-out parade was a clear testament that the Nigerian Army and the Finance Corps continue to flourish by preserving and honouring their noble heritage,” the statement read.

Major General Yusuf thanked God for preserving the lives of the retirees and appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu NAM, for his support.

“Major General Yusuf expressed gratitude to God Almighty for preserving their lives throughout their years of service and thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu NAM, for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Army Finance Corps.

“He also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General TT Sidick, whose tireless efforts ensured the success of the event,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the parade drew serving and retired officers, former Chiefs of Army Staff, Corps Commanders, commandants of defence institutions, formation commanders, captains of industry, heads of financial institutions, and families of the retirees.

“Highlights of the ceremony included the pulling-out parade, a ceremonial march-past, and group photographs. Dignitaries were later treated to a reception at the Command Finance Office with musical interludes, comedy show, live band, and cultural troupe display with sumptuous meals and assorted drinks,” the statement concluded.

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Destabilising Nigeria will empower terrorists, says US lawmaker

Published

5 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

US lawmaker Riley Moore has warned that efforts to encourage separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and put Christians at greater risk across the country and the continent.

In a statement via his official X (Formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Moore revealed that he conducted a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to better understand the situation of alleged Christian persecution.

Speaking on his visit, he said he engaged with Nigerian officials, church leaders, aid groups, and internally displaced persons across the country to grasp the challenges facing Christians, particularly in the North and Middle Belt.

“I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and IDPs, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that discussions about dividing the country had not emerged in any serious way during his visit.

“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way. Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria — especially in the North and Middle Belt,” Moore said.

The lawmaker warned that destabilising Nigeria could embolden terrorists and put Christians at greater risk.

“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.

Moore also highlighted recent security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria as a key step in tackling violence. “The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to supporting Nigerians affected by terrorism. “I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ — and for that matter, all Nigerians — suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria. God bless you all,” Moore added.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Moore met with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, where both leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Moore reaffirmed his commitment to working with the Nigerian government to tackle insecurity and the persecution of Christians, particularly in the Middle Belt. He described the discussion with the governor as “both substantive and forward-looking,” noting its focus on enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

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Details Of Nigeria‑US Military Partnership After CPC Redesignation

Published

6 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Details have emerged surrounding the scope of Nigeria’s evolving military partnership with the United States, following a series of strategic engagements and operations sparked by rising security concerns and international attention.

The intensified collaboration gained momentum after US President, Donald Trump, re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in October over alleged Christian persecution, a move the Nigerian government repeatedly denied.

A month later, Trump threatened to send American troops into Nigeria to “wipe out the terrorists killing Christians,” raising concerns over international law and sovereignty.

In response, President Bola Tinubu dispatched National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to Washington for a high-level meeting with US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth.

Following the meeting, Hegseth revealed the US was “working aggressively” with Nigeria to end religiously motivated violence by jihadist groups, though no specifics were provided.

Soon after, contractor-operated US surveillance flights began operating from Ghana into Nigerian airspace. While initially unclear, the flights preceded a Christmas Day missile strike on terrorist camps in Bauni forest, Sokoto State, executed with US drone technology, not Tomahawk cruise missiles as earlier speculated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the operation was the result of coordinated intelligence sharing and described it as in line with “established international practice and bilateral understanding.”

Communities in Sokoto and Kwara States reported explosions during the airstrikes. The federal government later confirmed that debris from US-fired precision-guided munitions (PGMs) had landed in Kwara.

Drone Refuelling Station Proposed In Nigeria

According to insiders who spoke with The Cable, the US has proposed setting up a drone refuelling station in Nigeria to extend surveillance and strike capabilities beyond Ghana. While Lagos and Abuja were suggested, Nigeria opted for a north-eastern state already housing local drone operations.

A top government source said, “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. They are only going to support Nigeria either in equipment or intelligence… not in a fighting capacity.

“It would possibly be an advisory capacity, maybe training, which are already ongoing.”

The planned station would allow US military logistics teams to fly into Nigeria from Ghana to coordinate with Nigerian forces.

On Tuesday, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) General Dagvin Anderson confirmed the deployment of a “small team” of US troops to Nigeria, marking the first public acknowledgement of such presence since the Christmas Day operation.

While the announcement sparked debate, a Nigerian official clarified that AFRICOM has maintained a presence in Nigeria, with only a shift in the scope of its assignment.

The new scope, TheCable learned, falls under the mandate of the US 3rd Special Forces Group, which specialises in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defence, information operations, and security force assistance.

Defence Minister Confirms Advisory Role

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, affirmed the presence of US personnel but emphasised they are not combat troops.

“It’s a small advisory team supporting intelligence gathering and training,” Musa said, without disclosing details of size, base location, or duration of stay.

A government source confirmed the team’s involvement in coordinating the Christmas Day airstrikes, further signalling a deeper operational alignment between US and Nigerian forces.

Bilateral discussions between officials, such as NSA Ribadu and US Under-Secretary of State Allison Hooker, are ongoing as both countries fine-tune the scope of their military collaboration to tackle terrorism.

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PHOTOS: Sanwolu, others extol Murtala Muhammed

Published

7 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

L-R: Major-General Ahmed Taiwo, Rtd., representing the family of Late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo; Hon. Bola Oladunjoye, Chairman, Ikoyi-Obanlende LCDA; Senator Daisy Danjuma; His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor; Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF); and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (MFR), Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lafarge Africa Plc, during the Official Wreath-Laying Ceremony in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of late General Murtala Muhammed, GCFR, at his cenotaph in Ikoyi… on Friday.

It was a solemn moment of national reflection as the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside members of the family of the late former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, gathered at the official Wreath-Laying and Remembrance Ceremony, to commemorate 50 years of his passing.

The memorial ceremony, which held at the General Murtala Ramat Muhammed Cenotaph, Ikoyi, the site where General Muhammed was killed, brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Nigerian Army, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, daughter of the late General and Chief Executive Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), reflected emotionally on the personal loss her family endured, noting that the pain of losing her father at the age of 12 still resurfaces five decades later.

“We stand here not just to lay a wreath, but to lay down our gratitude. Fifty years is a long time in the life of a nation, and also in the lives of the children who lost their father that day. This moment is about gratitude,” she said.

His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, with the family of the Late General Murtala Muhammed, during the Official Wreath-Laying Ceremony in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of late General Murtala Muhammed, GCFR, at his cenotaph in Ikoyi… on Friday.

Dr. Muhammed-Oyebode further described the late General as a timeless symbol of principled and courageous leadership, a man who believed firmly that leadership is a sacred duty.

“General Murtala Muhammed stood for courage, decisive leadership and an unshakeable belief in Nigeria’s potential. Today’s remembrance is not only about honoring his memory, but about recommitting ourselves to the ideals he lived and died for — service, integrity and national unity,” she said.

Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Dr. Muhammed-Oyebode spoke of her father’s lasting influence across Africa, particularly in Angola, where Nigeria played a key role in supporting the country’s independence struggle under General Muhammed’s leadership.

In his tribute, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the late General as a rare and exceptional Pan-Africanist whose leadership helped reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape.

“He was a leader who governed with courage, compassion, dignity, and an unwavering sense of purpose, always putting Nigeria first. We lost one of Africa’s finest Pan-Africanists and a leader who achieved so much within an incredibly short time,” Sanwo-Olu said.

L-R: Daugthers of the Late General Murtala Muhammed, Iman Adeosun-Awopeju, Fatima Murtala Muhammed, and Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, the CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF); His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor; Senator Daisy Danjuma; Mrs Nike Olujembola; and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (MFR), Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lafarge Africa Plc, during the Official Wreath-Laying Ceremony in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of late General Murtala Muhammed, GCFR, at his cenotaph in Ikoyi… on Friday.

Also speaking, Major General (Rtd.) Ahmed Taiwo, representing the family of the late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, described him as a fearless and principled leader who dismissed warnings about threats to his life.

“When he was told that some people were planning against him, he waved it aside and said, ‘Let them plan; good luck if they can run the country.’ These were men in a hurry to make an impact—and they did, in just 200 days,” he said.

The Remembrance and Honour Ceremony concluded with renewed calls for Nigerians — particularly leaders at all levels — to draw inspiration from General Murtala Muhammed’s life of service, patriotism and sacrifice, and to uphold the values of integrity, discipline and national unity that he championed.