News

Military pounds terrorists, kills commanders

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2026

Military pounds terrorists, kills commanders

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised several terrorists and foiled a complex drone-assisted attack during intensified operations in the North-East.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while giving an update on military operations from March 13 to March 19.

Onoja said troops repelled a major terrorist assault in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno, killing dozens of fighters, including senior commanders.

He said follow-up exploitation operations led to the recovery of 74 terrorist bodies and a cache of arms, including 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns and an RPG tube.

“Troops also thwarted multiple infiltration attempts across Bama, Gujba and Kaga Local Government Areas, while key logistics suppliers and informants were arrested.

“Coordinated air and ground operations also repelled attacks in Baga, Damboa, Buratai and Njimtilo, degrading ISWAP capabilities,” he said.

Onoja added that troops intercepted suspected gunrunners in Taraba, recovering ammunition, cash and motorcycles.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists and restoring stability in the region.

In the North West, Onoja, said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recorded major breakthroughs in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states, rescuing kidnapped victims and disrupting criminal networks.

He said troops neutralised terrorists in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara and recovered arms and motorcycles.

“In Katsina State, troops rescued four kidnapped victims, while in Kaduna, they foiled the abduction of a cleric, forcing the attackers to flee,” he said.

Onoja added that a female ammunition courier intercepted in Kano with 884 rounds of ammunition highlighted ongoing efforts to dismantle logistics networks.

In the North-Central, he said troops of Operations Savannah Shield and Enduring Peace arrested suspected terrorists and ammunition couriers in Kwara, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

He said troops also rescued abducted victims in Plateau and Benue, while illegal mining activities were disrupted in the FCT and adjoining areas.

“These operations demonstrate the Armed Forces’ resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and ensure the safety of citizens,” he said.

In the Niger Delta, Onoja said the military intensified its crackdown on oil theft and criminal activities in the region, recording multiple arrests and recoveries.

He said troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered illegal oil bunkering sites and intercepted large quantities of stolen petroleum products.

He said operations in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states led to the arrest of suspects involved in kidnapping, illegal refining and drug trafficking.

“Troops dismantled illegal refining sites, seized over 3,000 litres of illegally refined products and intercepted vehicles and boats conveying stolen fuel,” he said.

Onoja added that anti-drug operations resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of illicit substances.

In the South-East, he said troops of Operation Udo Ka neutralised suspected terrorists and recovered improvised explosive devices in Imo.

He added that clearance operations also led to the arrest of suspected cultists and the recovery of weapons in Ebonyi and Cross River.

According to him, the successes underscore the military’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining law and order nationwide.

News

We’ re not leaving PDP, but…— Dickson

Published

12 hours ago

March 24, 2026

The Exclusives

Former governor of Bayelsa State and a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, says he is unhappy with the ‘death’ of the once biggest party in Africa, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Dickson, sensing the collapse of the PDP, has defected to the NDC.

The NDC is currently gaining traction with many bigwig politicians joining the party.

The former Bayelsa governor speaking yesterday during an interview on Channels Television said he was sad with on goings in the PDP.

He further disclosed that former Nigerian president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, “must be sad” that the party, which produced three presidents since the return of democracy in 1999, has been “killed and buried”.

When asked if he consulted Jonathan before the move, Dickson, who is from the same state as the ex-president, said, “What I can say is that President Jonathan, while I’m not his spokesman, must be very sad.

“I know that if I’m sad, having been this attached to the PDP, you can imagine how sad he will be, having been governor, deputy governor, vice president, and president of Nigeria on that platform, and right before your eyes, that platform is evaporating.”

He used the opportunity to introduce his new party to Nigerian saying, “So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it had started some years or months back; we don’t control INEC and their processes. They delayed. We also don’t control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived.”

The PDP is currently embroiled in a deep crisis and may not produce a presidential candidate for the next election.

Despite accusations that the major players in the PDP, like Dickson, are leaving the party, the lawmaker said, “It wouldn’t be correct to say that we are leaving the PDP or that I have left the PDP.

“The PDP, rather unfortunately, has left us, has left me, because the platform has evaporated and ceased to exist.”

News

POWER OUTAGES: I’m sorry, power minister, tells Nigerians

Published

13 hours ago

March 24, 2026

The Exclusives

The Nigerian Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, clarified the cause of the country’s power supply drop.

For over a week, there have been outages in many parts of the country.

This situation has prompted many to ask: when will it be resolved?

The national grid has collapsed over 100 times despite the trillions of naira invested in the sector. Power failures inflict high economic and social costs, with outages estimated to cost Nigeria around $1billion annually

Recognising what many are passing through in the country as a result of epileptic power supply, Adelabu, on Tuesday, during a press conference, apologised to Nigerians over the current power situation, promising improvements across the country in the coming days.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians, officially now, coming from me as the minister of power, for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced, especially during this dry season, where there is so much heat everywhere,” he said.

“Businesses are being affected, schools have been affected, and industries have been affected. It is not our wish to find ourselves in this situation, but it is due to some factors that are actually beyond our control.”

The minister explained that the current problem was a result of shortfalls to the generation companies due to the huge amounts of money owed to gas suppliers.

As expected, the current war in the Middle East could further worsen the problems.

The country’s power sector relies on gas-fired plants. But they have continued to face disruptions largely due to inadequate gas supply, pipeline maintenance issues, ageing infrastructure, and liquidity constraints.

“These issues collectively impact both the quantity and quality of gas delivered to power plants, leading to underutilisation of installed generation capacity, increased outages, and inefficiencies in power production,” Adelabu said.

To address this challenge, the minister suggested “scaling up renewable energy solutions, particularly off-grid and mini-grid systems..

“Renewable energy offers a cost-effective and sustainable pathway to expand access without overburdening the national grid,” he said.

He also called for the integration of additional renewable energy into the grid. The minister said this will help diversify energy sources and reduce overall generation costs, particularly by lowering dependence on gas-fired power.

“Integrating utility-scale solar, hydro, and other renewables will also enhance energy security and support climate objectives,” he said.

“This will require investments in grid monitoring and control systems and system planning to effectively manage intermittency while maintaining grid stability.”

News

‘How Satan controlled my life without me even knowing’

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2026

The Exclusives

In a nation grappling with complex security challenges, deep religious sensitivities and growing calls for justice, the voice of the church continues to resonate across communities. For Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a cleric with the Church of Christ in Nations, the story is both deeply personal and profoundly national.

In his recent interview with Ryan Miller, which was monitored by The Nation, Dachomo recalled his turbulent past marked by crime and addiction to a life of faith, leadership and advocacy, a journey which reflects a dramatic transformation. Yet, beyond his personal testimony lies a broader narrative—one that speaks to the struggles of many communities, particularly in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

Dachomo’s early years were marked by hardship and instability. Losing his father at the age of six, he drifted through life without direction, eventually falling into crime and substance abuse.

“I lost my mother at the age of six and began living recklessly. I was sleeping on the streets and was an associate of a group of robbers. I lived without God, smoking and drinking heavily. I even remember removing pages of the Bible to wrap Indian hemp. Satan was controlling my life without me even knowing it.”

However, in 1985, he experienced what he described as a life-changing spiritual encounter.

“That moment changed everything. I could no longer go back to my old ways. I turned my life to Christ and began a new journey,” he said.

Despite initial skepticism from those around him, Dachomo said he found acceptance within the church and gradually grew into ministry, focusing on evangelism and youth outreach. Over the years, he rose to leadership, overseeing multiple congregations.

Beyond his personal transformation, Rev. Dachomo has become an outspoken voice on the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in regions such as Plateau State and Southern Kaduna.

According to him, the challenges facing Christian communities are longstanding and deeply rooted.

“This did not start today. There are historical tensions that go back decades. Many communities have faced repeated violence, displacement and marginalisation,” he said.

He described a pattern of attacks that have disrupted lives and livelihoods, forcing many to flee ancestral homes.

Complex web of violence

Dachomo pointed to the activities of multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as other factions operating across northern Nigeria.

“There are different groups, and sometimes they even fight among themselves. But ordinary people are the ones suffering the consequences,” he explained.

He noted that the impact is particularly severe in rural communities, where access to security is limited, and attacks often go unreported.

While official figures vary, Rev. Dachomo believes the scale of violence is significantly underreported. “Thousands have been killed, and many more are missing. What you hear publicly is only a fraction,” he said.

He also raised concerns about ongoing abductions and the lack of consistent media coverage. “There are incidents happening even now that many people do not hear about,” he added.

The cleric also expressed concern over what he described as systemic challenges within governance and national institutions.

“Sometimes, it feels like the truth is not fully told. There are issues around representation and trust that need to be addressed,” he said.

He called for greater transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in national systems, particularly within security structures.

Personal loss and pain

In an emotional account, Rev. Dachomo shared his own experiences of loss.

“My grandmother was killed. My uncle, too. My friend’s entire family was burned in their home,” he said.

He described visiting affected communities and witnessing the aftermath of attacks, scenes he said remain deeply etched in his memory. “These are experiences you carry with you for life,” he added.

Despite these painful experiences, Dachomo emphasised the importance of faith and forgiveness.

In one instance, he recounted sheltering individuals from another faith during a crisis. “They came to me for safety, and I protected them. That is what my faith teaches,” he said.

He stressed that the situation should not be reduced to a simplistic narrative of religion alone. “There are good and bad people in every group. What we need is understanding and humanity,” he noted.

Call for unity and global attention

Dachomo urged both Nigerians and the international community to pay closer attention to the situation and support efforts toward peace and rebuilding. “We need unity, justice and sincere leadership. Violence will not solve our problems,” he said.

He also called for humanitarian support for displaced persons and communities seeking to rebuild their lives. “Many people have lost everything. They need help to start again,” he added.

Despite the challenges, Dachomo remains hopeful about Nigeria’s future. “No matter how difficult things are, I believe change is possible. Nigeria can still find peace if we commit to truth and fairness,” he said.

Even in the face of personal risk, he insists on standing firm. “My faith gives me strength. I will continue to speak and stand for what is right,” he declared.

For him, the message is clear: “We have not lost our faith. What we ask is simple—do not ignore us.”