The Federal Government has reiterated the need for stronger collaboration among federal agencies, border states, traditional institutions and neighbouring countries to improve border security and address cross-border threats.

The position was highlighted at a one-day national workshop on “Border Security, Resilience and Cross-Border Cooperation” organised by the National Boundary Commission in Abuja.

Representing the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, at the event, the Special Adviser to the Minister, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole (retd.), said effective border management remains critical to national security and economic development.

He noted that Nigeria’s borders serve as important channels for trade, interaction and shared heritage, but also remain vulnerable to transnational crimes, irregular migration, smuggling and other security challenges.

Bankole said there was a need to move beyond traditional security approaches by adopting proactive measures such as early warning systems, technology-driven surveillance and stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms with neighbouring countries.

According to him, “resilient borders are not only secured, but they are adaptive, inclusive and capable of withstanding security threats, climate change and economic disruptions.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji, said border management requires coordinated action among multiple stakeholders. He noted that Nigeria shares about 4,454 kilometres of land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, in addition to an approximately 853-kilometre coastline.

Adaji said the commission had established cross-border cooperation platforms involving border communities, traditional rulers, local authorities, security agencies and civil society organisations to support dialogue, information gathering and conflict prevention.

The workshop featured presentations on cross-border cooperation, maritime governance and the blue economy, as well as drone technology, border resilience and peacebuilding initiatives aimed at strengthening national security.

The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, called for greater cooperation among countries, noting that border-related challenges cannot be effectively managed in isolation.

Deputy governors and chairmen of State Boundary Committees from Nigeria’s border states also commended the National Boundary Commission’s advocacy efforts and pledged support for initiatives aimed at improving border security and tackling transboundary crimes.

Traditional rulers from communities along Nigeria’s international borders urged the government to deepen engagement with traditional institutions. They described traditional rulers as the “first eyes and ears” of border communities and called for their inclusion in security coordination efforts.

The workshop concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening border security, improving resilience and promoting economic activities in border communities.

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The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a coordinated enforcement exercise across the country, targeting vehicles operating with covered, obscured, altered, defaced or unregistered number plates as part of efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities.

The exercise, which follows a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is aimed at enhancing public safety, improving vehicle identification and preventing criminals from using untraceable vehicles to evade detection.

In Kogi State, the police command said it had begun a statewide operation against vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or missing registration number plates.

A statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Afusat Oyiza, said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and traffic personnel to ensure full compliance across the state.

She warned that vehicles found in violation would be impounded and subjected to investigation in accordance with extant laws.

Oyiza urged motorists, transport operators and fleet owners to ensure that their vehicles display valid and clearly visible number plates at all times and that all relevant documents are up to date and available for inspection.

She described the exercise as a proactive security measure designed to improve crime prevention and strengthen security operations across the state.

Similarly, the Delta State Police Command announced the commencement of a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles without registration number plates and those with concealed, altered, defaced or unreadable plates.

In a statement signed by the PPRO, SP Bright Edafe, the command said the operation was intended to enhance public safety and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to identify vehicles, prevent crime and apprehend offenders.

“The command notes that vehicles without registration number plates or those deliberately concealed pose a significant security risk, as they are often difficult to trace and may be exploited by criminal elements to evade detection,” the statement said.

It advised motorists to remove any device, sticker, frame or cover obstructing the visibility of their number plates and immediately regularise vehicles operating without valid registration.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Oyeniyi, directed Area Commanders, DPOs, Tactical Commanders and patrol teams to ensure strict enforcement across the state.

He warned that vehicles without approved registration plates or with tampered registration details would be impounded and subjected to legal processes.

In Rivers State, the CP, Olugbenga Adepoju, personally led enforcement operations in Port Harcourt and its environs.

Accompanied by officers of the State Traffic Department and members of the command’s management team, Adepoju monitored compliance at strategic locations, including GRA Junction along Aba Road and Ikwerre Road.

Several offenders were arrested and arraigned before a mobile court sitting at the Police Traffic Section, Mile 1 Divisional Police Headquarters.

Speaking during the exercise, Adepoju said intelligence reports indicated that vehicles with obscured or unregistered number plates were frequently used in criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and the transportation of illegal arms.

“Vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered or obscured number plates will be impounded and their owners sanctioned accordingly,” he said.

He explained that visible registration plates remain critical to crime detection, vehicle recovery and the identification of suspects involved in criminal activities and hit-and-run incidents.

The Rivers police commissioner also cautioned officers against extorting motorists during the enforcement exercise and directed that the operation be carried out professionally.

Adepoju further clarified that the existing restriction on the operations of tricycles and motorcycles between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. did not apply to minibuses, popularly known as Keke buses.

According to him, security data showed that tricycles and motorcycles were frequently used by “one-chance” robbery syndicates, necessitating the restriction.

“We do not want to inconvenience members of the public. Therefore, Keke buses are allowed to operate after 10 p.m., although they will be closely monitored by security personnel. The restriction applies only to tricycles and motorcycles,” he said.

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Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, on Monday, rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the late General’s wife, late Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted by bandits alongside her husband several weeks ago.

The Defence Headquarters announced the rescue on Monday, saying the operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.

A statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said troops made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained offensive operations against criminal elements in the area.

According to the military, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing in the face of advancing troops.

“The rescue operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma. During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village, leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar.

“In the course of the encounter, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops,” the statement said.

The military said the rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

“Mrs Abubakar was immediately evacuated and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment,” Uba stated.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured that it would provide all necessary support to ensure her recovery and assist her family during the period.

“The leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to ensuring her full recovery and is providing all necessary support to her family during this difficult period,” the statement added.

The military also vowed to sustain operations aimed at apprehending those responsible for the abduction and other criminal activities.

The late Maj Gen Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died in captivity after he and his wife were abducted by bandits in Katsina State.

The rescue came as troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, launched a major offensive against terrorists and bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The troops destroyed several criminal hideouts and logistics bases during the clearance operations.

The military said the operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, commenced on June 14, 2026, following the killing of Maj Gen Abubakar (retd), who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, troops had been carrying out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves within the joint operations area.

Danja said troops recorded significant successes in the Dikkawa Hills area and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist hideouts were discovered and destroyed.

“Since the commencement of the operation on 14 June 2026, troops have conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

He added that clearance operations were conducted in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities, leading to the destruction of terrorists’ support structures.

“During the operations, terrorists’ life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, further degrading the criminals’ ability to operate within the area,” Danja stated.

The military spokesman noted that the operation was being carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security efforts across Katsina State.

“The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders whose support continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at improving security within the state,” he said.

He reassured residents of Matazu and surrounding communities of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property and preventing terrorists and bandits from operating freely in the region.

Troops displace Lakurawa terrorists

Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have overpowered suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State, recovering a cache of high-calibre weapons, improvised explosive devices and other equipment during a major offensive operation.

The operation was carried out on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in the Dogon Daji area of Dandi Local Government Area, as part of ongoing military efforts to eliminate terrorist and criminal elements operating across the North-West region.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter and forced them to abandon their camp and flee under sustained military pressure.

Osoba said the troops deployed superior firepower against the terrorists, overwhelming them and compelling them to retreat from their positions.

“The gallant troops brought superior firepower to bear on the Lakurawa terrorist group, decisively overwhelming the terrorists and forcing them to flee,” he said.

He explained that troops immediately launched an aggressive pursuit operation along the terrorists’ escape routes, leading to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, explosives, and logistics equipment abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

Items recovered during the operation included rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, several RPG warheads, multiple improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles used by the terrorists for mobility, battery chargers, and other personal belongings.

“The follow-on aggressive pursuit along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, explosives and logistics equipment abandoned by the fleeing elements,” Osoba stated.

He added that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.

“The troops emerged from the engagement unscathed, with zero casualties recorded,” he said.