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FG to Deploy 7,000 Forest Guards to Kwara, Sokoto, Others

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The federal government has concluded plans to immediately deploy the 7,000 forest guards, who completed an intensive three-month training programme.

This information was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim.

It was disclosed that the forest guards were drawn from seven frontline states comprising Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, was quoted as saying that, “There will be no delay between graduation and deployment. Salaries and allowances will commence immediately, and every certified guard will proceed directly to assigned duty posts.”

The personnel are indigenous to their respective local government areas, enabling them to leverage terrain familiarity and community trust in countering banditry, kidnapping, and the illegal exploitation of forest resources.

The programme is under the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025. It represents a coordinated Federal–State security intervention aimed at reclaiming Nigeria’s forests from criminal exploitation.

The scheme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture by denying terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups sanctuary within forested and hard-to-reach terrains.

The training was deliberately intensive, structured, and demanding, designed to transform loyal and committed Nigerians into agile, disciplined, and capable field operatives. The curriculum integrated environmental conservation principles with advanced security competencies, ensuring a balanced, professional, and mission-ready force.

Trainees underwent extensive physical and mental conditioning, including endurance exercises, obstacle-crossing drills, and long-range patrol simulations to prepare them for sustained forest operations.

They were also trained in tactical fieldcraft, including movement techniques, enemy-contact drills, ambush response, rescue operations, and coordinated offensive actions—equipping them to deny criminal elements any form of sanctuary within Nigeria’s forest spaces.

Equally central to the programme was a strong emphasis on ethics, legality, and professionalism. The curriculum placed significant focus on human rights, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), gender rights, and the protection of civilians.

Arms handling and use-of-force protocols were strictly regulated in line with an Arms Management Manual jointly agreed upon by all participating agencies.

“These Forest Guards are not just uniformed personnel. They are first responders, community protectors, and a critical layer of Nigeria’s security architecture. They will hold ground, gather intelligence, and support security agencies in reclaiming territories previously overtaken by criminal elements,” Mr Ribadu added.

The training recorded a 98.2 per cent completion rate. A total of 81 trainees were disqualified on disciplinary grounds, while two trainees passed away due to pre-existing medical conditions. All successful participants have been fully certified and cleared for operational service.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Power Supply Has Improved in Two Weeks as Promised—Adelabu

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, says that electricity generation has improved between March 28 and April 10, 2026, following increased gas supply to thermal power plants.

In a statement via his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mr Bolaji Tunji, the Minister said the improvement fulfilled his pledge at the Power Sector Working Group that electricity supply would improve within two weeks.

He said data from the period showed that actual power generation rose from about 3,951 megawatts on March 28 to over 4,300 MW on April 10.

He added that gas supply to thermal power plants increased from approximately 605 million standard cubic feet per day to over 704 million standard cubic feet per day within the same timeframe.

He also stated that mechanical availability remained stable, peaking at over 7,796MW in early April, while operational availability rose from about 4,208MW to a peak of over 4,694MW.

“Despite minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” Mr Tunji said.

The spokesperson added that the correlation between gas availability and generation output underscored the need for sustained interventions in the gas-to-power value chain.

He disclosed that the minister recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee to ensure improved coordination, real-time monitoring, and sustained gas supply to generating companies.

“The committee is expected to address bottlenecks in gas delivery, enhance synergy between gas producers and power generation companies, and ultimately guarantee a more stable and reliable electricity supply across the country.

“The Honourable Minister remains committed to ensuring that the modest gains recorded are not only sustained but significantly improved upon in the coming weeks,” Mr Tunji added.

The Minister assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms and targeted interventions in the sector would continue to yield measurable improvements, saying, “We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements.”

Adelabu urged the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to improve its internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on government appropriation.

He also called for the establishment of more meter testing centres across the country and reiterated the need for collaboration between the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NPTIN) and NEMSA to address manpower shortages.

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NAF Launches Probe into Civilian Casualties During Jilli Market Operation

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is investigating the reported fatal civilian casualties during airstrikes while pursuing Islamist militants around Jilli Market, around the Borno-Yobe border near Fuchimiram village in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said it “treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy.”

According to eye witnesses and local government official accounts, at least 200 people are feared dead after Nigerian military jets struck the village market.

“In line with this commitment, the CAS has directed an immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation,” the statement read.

NAF maintained that it remained “firmly committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the conduct of its missions.”

In an earlier statement, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed mop-up air strikes in the Jilli axis, but did not state whether any civilian casualties were recorded.

“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” NAF said.

However, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, a military adviser to the Yobe state government, said, “Some people from Geidam LGA (local government area) bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.”

Several persons were feared killed and others wounded after the suspected accidental airstrikes at Jilli Market in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Jilli, a border community with Damasak in Borno State, is located over 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, the councillor and traditional head of Fuchimeram ward in Yobe’s Geidam district, told Reuters that those injured were being taken to hospitals in Yobe and Borno.

“It’s a very devastating incident at Jilli Market. As I’m speaking to you, over 200 ​people have lost their lives ​from the air strike ⁠at the market,” he told Reuters.

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Waka TV Delivers Best Premium Streaming Experience

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Waka TV

Waka TV delivers the best premium streaming experience, access to 20,000+ live channels in Full HD & 4K, 140,000+ movies and series, and follow live sports from around the world.

It is compatible with all your devices. Enjoy smooth, buffer-free streaming with zero interruptions and 24/7 support.

Waka TV installs in just a few clicks on all your devices, Smart TV, smartphone, tablet or PC. Your access is activated within 10 minutes, and streaming starts immediately with zero hassle.

Waka TV offers a service focused on quality, reliability and the best value for money. Rugby, Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Football, and all live sports are included in your premium IPTV subscription.

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