General
Troops Rescue 318 Hostages, Foil N217.6m Oil Theft
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Defence Headquarters has said Nigerian troops recorded significant progress across all theatres of operation in November, rescuing 318 kidnapped persons and foiling oil theft valued at N217,664,618.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations across the country.
He said November witnessed intensified pressure on criminal elements as several terrorists, bandits, extremists and other offenders were arrested, scores neutralised, while more than 69 fighters and their family members surrendered.
Mr Onoja said the achievements were made possible through the courage and professionalism of Armed Forces personnel, working alongside the Nigeria Police, other security agencies and with the support of citizens who continue to provide timely and actionable information.
Giving an update on Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, he explained that troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested their informants and logistics suppliers, recovered weapons and dismantled networks across the region.
He said between November 27 and December 3, 2025, troops carried out operations in Mafa, Ngala, Ngazai, Konduga, Bama, Askira Uba and Chibok LGAs of Borno State, as well as Madagali and Song LGAs in Adamawa State.
“Scores of terrorists were neutralised. Six collaborators, informants and spies were arrested, while five kidnapped victims were rescued. Significant quantities of arms, ammunition, vehicles and motorcycles were recovered, and several camps destroyed,” he stated.
In the North West known as Operation Fansan Yamma, troops conducted operations in Wurno and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State; Batsari, Kankara and Kankiya in Katsina State; Shanono and Tsanyawa in Kano State; and Birnin Kudu and Jahun in Jigawa State.
Operations were also intensified in Danko Wasagu, Dandi, Kebbe, Zuru and Bagudu LGAs of Kebbi State.
During these missions, several terrorists were neutralised, 13 arrested, and 9 kidnapped victims rescued. Troops also recovered weapons, vehicles, livestock and other items.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recorded notable successes across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States. Between November 27 and December 2, 2025, troops conducted cordon-and-search operations at the residence of a suspected extremist, dismantled life-support structures, and cleared various hideouts.
Operations extended to Sardauna, Lau, Donga, Karim Lamido and Takum LGAs of Taraba State, and Gwer West and Katsina Ala LGAs of Benue State. Several extremists were neutralised, 20 suspects arrested, and 6 kidnapped victims rescued, with weapons and livestock recovered.
In adjoining operations between 27 November and 3 December, troops also operated in Lokoja, Kabba Bunu, Yagba West and Ijumu LGAs of Kogi State, as well as Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kwali in the FCT, neutralising extremists, arresting 12 suspects and rescuing 14 victims.
Mr Onoja said South-South troops in Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth N12,120,020, seizing 11,850 litres of crude oil and 540 litres of AGO, destroying four illegal refining sites and arresting 25 suspects.
Between November 27 and 29, troops conducted further offensive and air reconnaissance missions across Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers States, neutralising criminals and making three additional arrests.
Troops maintained an offensive posture throughout the week in Operation Udo Ka, conducting operations in Udenu and Oji River LGAs of Enugu State; Ikwo in Ebonyi State; and Bende and Biase in Abia and Cross River States.
Several terrorists were neutralised, four arrested, and four kidnapped victims rescued, with arms, vehicles and IED-making materials recovered.
Between November 28 and December 2, the Air Component carried out air interdiction missions at terrorist locations in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State, striking targets with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment confirmed multiple terrorists neutralised and logistics destroyed.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
For the second consecutive month, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has become the largest supplier of jet fuel to Europe, outpacing the United States of America (USA).
Data from Kpler showed that in July 2026, the Lagos-based oil facility, which has the capacity to refine 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, produced more than 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel.
In June 2026, the private refinery, owned by Mr Aliko Dangote, exported 466,000 tonnes to Europe, underscoring its growing influence on international fuel markets and highlighting Nigeria’s emergence as a strategic player in global refined petroleum trade.
The latest data indicated that Dangote Refinery accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Europe’s total jet fuel imports last month.
The sustained export performance marks a significant milestone for the refinery, demonstrating its ability to consistently supply one of the world’s most demanding fuel markets with aviation fuel that meets stringent international quality specifications. Europe imported approximately 2.06 million tonnes of jet fuel in July, with Dangote accounting for the single largest share of those imports, ahead of traditional suppliers from the United States and the Middle East.
Industry observers say the refinery is rapidly reshaping established Atlantic Basin fuel trade flows by offering a competitive alternative to long-standing suppliers. While European buyers have traditionally relied on refiners in the United States, the Middle East and Asia, Dangote’s strategic location on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, combined with its scale, modern technology and export capability, has enabled it to become an increasingly important source of aviation fuel for European markets.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the court ordering the freezing of the bank account of the Osun Srate government.
In a statement today by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President said he’s “deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order” because of its timing, which is just a few days to the governorship election in the state next Saturday.
According to him, actions of an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference. I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law.
“As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers. While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene.
“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.
“Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the statement stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained why it initiated a move to freeze the bank account of the Osun State government.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke, claimed that the anti-money laundering agency asked one of its bankers, First Bank, not to release funds to the state government.
According to the Governor, this was part of the strategies to frustrate his administration ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in the state.
Reacting to the issue on Wednesday night, the EFCC, in a statement, said it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over an alleged “fraudulent handling of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) account to the tune of N11.0 billion.
The organisation noted that some officials of the state government, especially the Accountant General of the State, have had interview sessions with investigators of the EFCC.
“These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026.
“The commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” parts of the statement said.
In the disclosure, the agency noted that its preventive mandate is a public-inclined framework of safeguarding public funds, assets and resources, stressing that it cannot “watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged.”
“While the commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of the funds of the state. It will be uncharitable for the commission to allow an excuse of an upcoming election to fold its arms to perform its legally-assigned functions,” it pointed out.
The EFCC disclosed that it is “keeping watch over the finances of other states like Osun State. Many of these states are on the investigative radar of the commission to ensure accountability and probity. The commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians. The Osun State government account was frozen to save public funds from being looted.”
The organisation urged the public “to ignore false narratives and deliberate demonisation of the works of the EFCC. The interests of all Nigerians are greater and will always be protected by the commission.”
