Daily Digest Online

In a solemn visit, Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), OFR, has paid his respects to the family of the late Brigadier General M. Uba, honoring the fallen officer's service and sacrifice for the nation. During the condolence visit on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Minister delivered a tribute praising Brigadier General Uba's "exceptional bravery, uncommon dedication, and selfless service." He described the late officer as a "consummate professional" whose sacrifice embodied the highest ideals of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Reaffirmation of Security Commitment General Musa used the occasion to reaffirm the government's unwavering resolve in its security operations.  He emphasized his steadfast commitment to strengthening the fight against terrorism and confronting all threats to national stability. The Minister assured that the Federal Government remains resolute in honoring th...

A retired Nigerian Army general has reignited one of the nation's most shocking and mysterious tragedies, calling on President Bola Tinubu to reopen the investigation into the 2021 plane crash that killed Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and ten others, and alleging a possible link to terrorist sponsors. In a bombshell interview, retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, who was the senior officer on the ground to receive General Attahiru in Kaduna, laid out a series of alarming inconsistencies surrounding the fatal flight, suggesting it was more than a simple weather-related accident. He described a chain of suspicious events, from last-minute schedule changes to alleged aircraft sabotage, that he believes point toward a deliberate plot to eliminate the military's top leader. The Fateful Flight: A Timeline of Suspicion The tragedy unfolded on May 21, 2021. General Attahiru, along with senior aides and crew, was en route from Abuja to Kaduna ...

In a significant escalation of counter-insurgency efforts, Nigerian Army troops have conducted coordinated operations across multiple theaters, neutralizing 18 terrorists, rescuing 14 kidnapped civilians, and arresting dozens of suspects in a sweeping 48-hour offensive. The operations, which spanned from the restive Northeast to the Northwest and other regions, underscore the military's sustained push to dismantle terrorist networks and reclaim territory from armed groups. Decisive Blow in Borno: 15 ISWAP Fighters Killed, Bomb Vehicles Destroyed The most consequential engagement occurred in Borno State, the epicenter of the long-running conflict with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'adati wal-Jihad (JAS). On Saturday morning, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, supported by precise air strikes, repelled a major ISWAP/JAS attack around Dutsen Nonu in the Biu Local Government Area. Military sources confi...

ABUJA, Nigeria — A high-level United States Congressional delegation concluded meetings in Abuja this weekend, marking a significant step in a deepening security partnership aimed at tackling Nigeria's escalating insurgency and banditry. The talks, which centered on counter-terrorism cooperation and regional stability, come amid reports of expanded technical and intelligence support from the U.S. and its allies. The delegation, including Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani, and Riley Moore, met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, at the NSA's office. U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, also attended the session, underscoring the strategic importance Washington places on the relationship. Following the meeting, NSA Ribadu stated that discussions focused on "counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and efforts to strengthen the Nigeria–U.S. strategic security partnership."...

ISIOKWE, Anambra State — A violent Sunday morning attack on St. Andrew's Anglican Church in the Lilu community has left two worshippers dead, including the wife of the church's priest, and marked a distressing escalation of insecurity in Nigeria's southeastern region. The assault, which occurred in the early hours of December 7, 2025, saw heavily armed assailants invade the church premises in Isiokwe, Ihiala Local Government Area, as congregants were preparing for service. Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror where the gunmen opened fire before setting buildings ablaze. The wife of the parish priest, Venerable Obiese, was among those killed. While the priest escaped unharmed, his residence (the parsonage) was completely razed, along with at least two vehicles and a motorcycle. The main church building was also partially burnt. Another victim, whose identity remains unknown, was also killed in the attack. Official Condemnation and Police Response The Anambra...

A palpable wave of apprehension is sweeping through communities across southern Nigeria, transforming the once-familiar landscape of local forests and farmlands into a source of deep unease. The catalyst is a southward expansion of bandit activity from the northern regions, pushing criminal elements toward new frontiers and compelling state governments to adopt unprecedented local security measures. Residents like Bamidele, a cassava farmer in Olorunsogo, Oyo State, articulate the daily fear. "We cannot sleep with both eyes closed anymore," he confesses. "We see strange faces in the bush that we don't recognize. These are not regular hunters or herders. Something is clearly changing." This sentiment echoes from the dense Oke-Ogun forests to the riverine areas of the Niger Delta, as bandit groups test the boundaries of southern states. Mapping the Southern Frontier of a Northern Crisis Investigations indicate that the movement ...

The statistics read like a wartime bulletin, yet they describe daily life in Nigeria. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, 465 violent incidents claimed 1,201 lives and saw 791 people kidnapped. Behind this relentless tide of terror, banditry, and communal violence lies a singular, enabling force: the uncontrolled flood of illicit firearms into the hands of non-state actors. Nigeria is now the epicenter of West Africa's arms crisis, accounting for a staggering 70% of the region's estimated 11 million illegal small arms and light weapons (SALW).  A 2021 survey by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) revealed over six million illegal weapons in circulation within the country, with about 70% of them in the hands of criminals and terrorists. This proliferation has created a "quiet but deadly emergency" that threatens the very fabric of the state. How did Africa's most populous nation become so saturated w...

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has accused unnamed foreign nations of supporting terrorist groups in Nigeria, citing a sudden reversal of security gains in recent months as evidence of external interference. In a significant and provocative claim, Nigerian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has alleged that international actors are providing backing to terrorists operating within the country. During an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Sheikh Gumi pointed to deteriorating security in areas that had shown marked improvement. He specifically highlighted the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which had become safer for travelers, and the farmlands around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where farmers had cautiously returned to their fields after years of abandonment. "The situation on the ground contradicts earlier signs of improvement," Gumi stated, arguing that the recent surge in attacks suggests renewed support for armed groups. "This sudden rever...