The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) to intensify ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements in the North-West, stressing that Nigeria must be made safe at all costs.

Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, over a span of three months, have dismantled terrorists’ logistics supply networks within the operational environment.

This was as bandits, who attacked the Ariko community in Kachia Local Council of Kaduna State on Easter Sunday, demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the release of residents abducted during the assault.

Also, after releasing a chilling video, Boko Haram terrorists gave the Federal Government a 72-hour ultimatum to meet their demands or lose 416 captives forever.

Meanwhile, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said President Bola Tinubu is rattled by the growing influence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), despite defections to the ruling party.

Oluyede gave the charge during his operational visit to the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North-West, OPFY, in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The visit was aimed at assessing operational readiness, addressing challenges confronting troops and boosting their morale in the ongoing campaign to restore peace and security in the region.

Oluyede commended the troops’ resilience, courage and sacrifices in the defence of the nation, urging them to remain disciplined, professional and relentless in the fight against banditry and terrorism.

IN an operation, troops deployed along Jamata–Owara Road in Lokoja Local Council on March 29, 2026, intercepted a suspected terrorist logistics courier riding a motorcycle.

According to Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt Hassan Abdullahi, an intensive search on the motorcycle revealed it had been specially modified with a concealed compartment for the covert conveyance of ammunition, in addition to other items.

Preliminary findings, he added, further established links between the suspect and known terrorist elements, leading to follow-on operations.

Following the arrest of high-profile terrorist ammunition courier, Matthew Elisha (alias Nasara), who had been on the security watchlist, troops of the Brigade intercepted two suspected logistics couriers and recovered a large cache of ammunition in Kogi State.

CONCERNED Ariko Youths (CAY), a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Linus Audu, and Secretary, Kefas Likita, described the incident as a tragic attack on innocent worshippers during a solemn period of reflection.

According to the group, those abducted include vulnerable members of the community, such as two elderly blind men, women, children and entire families.

“In the course of what should have been a solemn period of worship and reflection, armed bandits invaded our community, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the abduction of many residents,” the statement read.

The group lamented that the incident created a humanitarian crisis, leaving families traumatised and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

It added that the demand for N1 billion ransom by the abductors was outrageous and beyond the reach of the rural community.

THE Boko Haram video, which surfaced in the early hours of yesterday, shows the terrorists claiming to be battle-ready.

Speaking in Hausa with English subtitles, the group’s spokesperson identified them as members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad under the command of one Imam Abu. He stated that the April 19, 2026, message served as their final warning before the victims, including women and children, were moved to unknown locations.
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“Today, April 19, 2026, we are issuing a new message to the Borno South Youths Alliance (BOSYA) and to the Nigerian government, which we do not recognise as our government. This is our first and final message. We are giving you 72 hours.

​“If our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations. You have made your decision, and we have made ours. We instruct you, in the name of Allah, not to exceed the given time,” they added.

The terrorists dared the government to rescue them by force, if it could, adding that they depended on Allah.

BOSYA confirmed that a N5 billion ransom was demanded. The President, Samaila Kaigama, urged President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum to act before the deadline.
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HE ex-SGF insisted that the President’s recent remarks reflected deep concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lawal, who also serves as ADC National Deputy Chairman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Inside Sources’ on Sunday, stated the coalition was committed to rescuing Nigeria from “the hardship the APC placed” on Nigerians.

He said, “Now, ADC means we need to rescue Nigeria because Nigeria is in dire straits. Nigeria is facing insecurity of unimaginable proportions. Nigerians are facing an economic crisis of unimaginable proportions. It is difficult now to feed and to pay school fees. It is difficult to go to work, to the extent that civil servants or workers generally do shifts because you cannot fuel your car from Nyanya to Abuja and back and still have something left in your salary to pay rent, to eat, to pay medical bills, to pay school fees for your children, let alone clothe.

“So, the position we find ourselves in Nigeria is that we are all in danger of losing our lives to all manner of insecurity, to all sorts of people. Some call them bandits, others call them Boko Haram, and the rest call them insurgents. Whatever you call them, there is one knocking behind your door to harm you.”