Nigerian troops, in a wide-scale assault on criminal networks, refused a N13.7m bribe from terrorists in Plateau State, killed two bandits during a firefight, and apprehended suspected arms couriers, including members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, in Borno State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Maj Gen Markus Kangye, revealed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, detailing military activities across Nigeria between July 9 and 16, 2025.

He explained that troops from Operation Safe Haven responded to a call concerning terrorist activity and intercepted a bullet-riddled vehicle along the Jos–Sanga Road.

According to Kangye, the suspects in the vehicle offered N13,742,000 to secure their release.

The troops turned down the bribe, seizing weapons, ammunition, and cash during the operation.

“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road.

“Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, but they declined.

“Troops arrested the two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000 from them. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody,” he said.

He stated that troops also executed offensive maneuvers and responded to multiple emergency calls in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom, and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs in Kaduna State.

Routine patrols led to the capture of seven suspected militias and criminals across Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGs in Plateau, and Wamba and Sanga LGs in Nasarawa and Kaduna States.

Confiscated items included additional weapons, ammo, motorcycles, and illegal drugs.

In another action, troops set up an ambush in Nteng, Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State, acting on solid intelligence about a potential attack, and eliminated two bandits.

“Within the period July 9-16, 2025, troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga local government areas of Kaduna State.

“While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued three kidnapped victims.

“Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.

“Similarly, troops of Operation Safe Haven, while on routine patrol, arrested seven militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Wamba and Sanga LGs of Nasarawa and Kaduna states, respectively. Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunition and motorcycles as well as illicit drugs.”

Maj Samson Zhakom, spokesman for the Military Special Taskforce, confirmed the Plateau operation, noting that troops engaged the bandits in a gunfight after setting a trap.

Two bandits were killed, and others escaped with potential injuries. Dangerous weapons and ammunition were seized and are now in military custody, while efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects continue.

Elsewhere, two members of the NURTW were caught in Biu, Borno State, allegedly transporting military gear to terrorists.

Another major logistics handler was captured in Yobe State, while an IPOB levy collector was apprehended in Anambra with N1.5m.

Kangye said the NURTW members, identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed, were arrested in Liya, Biu LGA of Borno State while accepting a waybill from a truck driver, based on previously gathered intelligence.

“Two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed were arrested in Liya, Biu LG of Borno State, while receiving waybills from a truck driver, which corresponded with intelligence received earlier on the said consignment.

“The items include 13 pairs of military uniforms and some high-voltage batteries amongst others,” he said.

Kangye added that 65-year-old Shaibu Bulama, another terrorist logistics operator, was detained at Damasak Motor Park in Yobe State on July 13, 2025.

“Some quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered. They also retrieved and safely detonated some IEDs, while the sum of N17,150,000 was also recovered,” he said.

According to him, 16 relatives of terrorists — four adult women and 12 children — surrendered to troops in Bama LGA of Borno State due to intensified military pressure.

“As a result of sustained military operations in the Northeast theatre, 16 family members of terrorists, including four adult females and 12 children, surrendered to troops in Bama LG on July 14, 2025.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the group surrendered from Bakura Jega village,” he added.

Kangye also detailed progress in fighting oil theft, stating that Operation Delta Safe troops arrested 42 suspected oil thieves and recovered large volumes of stolen and illegally refined petroleum products in the past week.

Troops reportedly recovered 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegal AGO, and 1,759 litres of DPK.

In addition, they discovered and destroyed 18 illegal refining ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums, and 19 refining sites.

“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 13 vehicles.

“Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives were also recovered,” he said.

In another development, troops apprehended a feared cult leader named Prince Johnson Ishirim, also called Commander Junior, along with 13 other criminal and kidnapping suspects in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers, as well as Oshimiri, Warri South and Ukwani LGAs in Delta.

Troops also raided a criminal base in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa on July 10, capturing 28 oil thieves and drug dealers.

In the South East, Kangye said troops arrested an IPOB tax collector in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

The suspect was believed to have been assigned by the separatist group to collect levies from locals.

Troops recovered N1.5m from the apprehended individual.

President Bola Tinubu has given approval to rename the University of Maiduguri in Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

May we now adopt the University of the Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University, Tinubu announced at the end of a special Federal Executive Council session held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Earlier, the President offered a heartfelt tribute to Buhari, portraying him as a good man, a decent man, an honourable man, whose legacy of discipline, patriotism, and strong moral values would be remembered for generations.

Tinubu acknowledged that although Buhari had imperfections, his steadfast dedication to serving the nation distinguished him.

President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God, he added.

Looking back at Buhari’s leadership and long career in both military and civil service, Tinubu highlighted his humility, modesty, and resistance to the temptations of power.

He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism was lived more in action than in words.

Tinubu also reflected on their political partnership, which led to the historic 2015 elections, marking Nigeria’s first peaceful transition of power between political parties.

We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint, he said.

The President admired Buhari’s life after leaving office, saying he chose to live quietly in Daura rather than influence politics from behind the scenes.

When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns, he added.

Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for putting together a state funeral in less than 48 hours, calling it a profound honour to lead the burial ceremony in Daura.

He ended his tribute with a final message: Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.

Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

In a live interview earlier today on AIT, political analyst and committed Buharist Chief Okoi Obono-Obla —former member of the National Executive Committee and Secretary of the defunct CPC Merger Committee—addressed recent speculation regarding the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc and Buharists within the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the transition of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Responding to reports that certain former government officials are considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or aligning with a so-called coalition, Okoi stated firmly:

“These individuals do not represent the leadership or the collective will of the CPC bloc. As a Buharist and one who participated in the foundational merger, I can confirm that the CPC bloc remains solidly within the APC and stands fully behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He emphasized that suggestions to defect run contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy and enduring support for the APC:

“If those advocating a move to the ADC were genuine followers of President Buhari, they would respect his clear position. Our leader has declared he remains a member of the APC and deeply appreciates the platform the party provided for his presidency from 2015 to 2023.”

Okoi also conveyed a strong demand from the CPC bloc regarding the future leadership of the APC:

> “The CPC bloc is earnestly calling for the position of the next APC National Chairman to be conceded to our bloc. We are united in our clamour for Senator Tanko Umaru Al-Makura—our respected leader and a committed party stalwart—to assume this vital role.”

This reaffirmation not only signals loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC, but also outlines the CPC bloc’s expectations for inclusive party leadership, rooted in shared history and trust.

@ Okoi Obono-Obla#

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