The Federal Government has attributed the capture of wanted terrorist Mamuda and his chief of staff to improved coordination and intelligence sharing among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while responding to questions on the country’s security situation at a world press conference ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Idris said the development demonstrated improved cooperation among the country’s security agencies under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the suspects, who he said had attracted bounties from the United States and European countries, were arrested without any gunfire.

“During the time of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have seen greater coordination between security agencies and intelligence services.

This, indeed, has led to the capture of one of the world’s most wanted terrorists, the so-called Mamuda and his chief of staff. Today, Mamuda and his chief of staff are having their day in court,” Idris said.

He added that the arrest reflected the growing effectiveness of intelligence sharing between the armed forces and intelligence services.

“These are people that even nations like the United States and Europe have placed bounties on their heads to capture them. But today, they have been captured without one shot fired,” the minister said.

Idris, however, acknowledged that Nigeria’s security challenges had not been completely resolved, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities remained concerns.

He said the Federal Government was strengthening the military through the provision of additional equipment and platforms while also bringing troops closer to areas where security operations were required.

The minister disclosed that the Tinubu administration had increased the number of Nigerian Army divisions from eight to 12.

He said the expansion was designed to reduce the distance troops have to cover before responding to security threats.

“All this is to ensure that the armed forces are being brought closer to areas of operation so that they don’t have to travel far and wide to confront these criminal elements and the sergeants who are making life difficult for people,” he said.

Idris further disclosed that the Federal Government had approved funding for additional military platforms and equipment for the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.

According to him, some of the equipment, including attack helicopters and other military hardware, were only recently delivered after being ordered under the previous administration, explaining that military procurement processes often take considerable time.

The minister also said the government had approved improved welfare and salaries for members of the armed forces, describing the measures as important for boosting the morale of personnel.

He said security agencies and intelligence services had also intensified collaboration in an effort to restore normalcy to communities affected by insecurity.

Idris stressed that the government was not claiming to have completely eliminated the country’s security problems.

“Now, this is not to say that we have solved all the security challenges. The government has never said that. It has been completely resolved.

But we are on a march towards exterminating this once and for all,” he said.

As an example of what he described as progress, the minister cited improved movement between Abuja and Kaduna, saying travel along the route had become easier compared with previous years.

He nevertheless acknowledged that more work was required to tackle insecurity across the country.

“Do we need to do more? Yes, indeed, we need to do more. But are we where we were? Not at all. I think that we are moving towards solving this problem,” Idris said.

He urged Nigerians and the media to recognise the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies while continuing to report security incidents and the government’s responses.

Selected commanders of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) from different formations across Nigeria have completed a month-long intensive training focused on weapon handling, combat manoeuvring, leadership and other specialised policing skills.

The training was conducted at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, with 11 PMF commanders participating in the exercise.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony for the trainees on Tuesday, the Commandant of the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Anietie Eyoh, urged the officers to apply the skills acquired during the programme professionally and effectively in their respective areas of assignment.

Eyoh said the training was designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the commanders and equip them to respond effectively to contemporary security challenges.

He explained that the participants underwent intensive instruction in weapon handling, combat manoeuvres and professional leadership development, among other areas.

“We have given them training on weapon handling, combat manoeuvres and the tactics that will make them approach the enemy inside the forest,” Eyoh said.

According to him, the course also covered drill and discipline, leadership and team command, operational communication and reporting, clearance and stability patrol concepts, contemporary operational challenges, law and human rights, conflict management and de-escalation.

The officers were also trained in emergency response, first aid, casualty management, physical conditioning, endurance activities, jungle and forest survival principles and relevant field exercises.

Eyoh said the objective of the training went beyond improving the physical strength of the officers, stressing that emphasis was also placed on discipline, professional judgement, teamwork and respect for lawful authority.

“The objective was not merely to make them physically stronger.

We sought to develop disciplined police officers who can think professionally, communicate effectively, work as a team, respect lawful authority, exercise sound judgement and understand the responsibility that accompanies police powers,” he stated.

The commandant said the training formed part of institutional reforms being implemented by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to improve service delivery and strengthen the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking on behalf of the 11 PMF commanders who participated in the programme, Kayode Ajayi said the training had deepened their understanding of the demands of service in the Police Mobile Force and prepared them for greater responsibilities.

Ajayi described the exercise as physically, mentally and professionally challenging, adding that it reinforced important values required for effective policing.

“It taught us discipline, perseverance, teamwork, obedience to lawful authority, leadership, responsibility and commitment to duty,” he said.

He added that the participants came from different police formations with varying professional experiences but left the training with a stronger understanding of the discipline, responsibilities and expectations associated with service in the Police Mobile Force.

“We came to this College as police officers drawn from different formations, with different experiences and backgrounds, but we leave here with a stronger understanding of the responsibilities, discipline and professional expectations associated with service in the Police Mobile Force,” Ajayi said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Oragun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, described the training programme as important to the advancement of policing and security in Nigeria.

He said the initiative would contribute to the development and enthusiasm needed to strengthen the country’s security forces.

“What they have come here to do will have a great impact on Nigeria security,” the traditional ruler said.

The training comes amid the Nigeria Police Force’s broader efforts to strengthen the capacity of its specialised units to respond to insurgency, banditry and other security threats.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had previously expressed confidence in the ability of the Police Mobile Force to contribute significantly to efforts to tackle insurgency and banditry across the country.

Disu made the remarks while declaring open a training course for trainers and instructors of the Mobile Police Force at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.

The IGP stressed that the specialised training and tactical capabilities of Mobile Police officers positioned them to play an important role in combating insurgency and other complex security threats.

He noted that the success of the Federal Government’s efforts to address insurgency and banditry would depend significantly on the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Police Mobile Force.

The latest training therefore forms part of ongoing efforts to improve the preparedness, discipline and professional capacity of PMF personnel deployed to security operations across the country.

The Nigerian Army has charged young soldiers of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) to uphold discipline, professionalism and commitment to continuous training as they proceed to their respective units and formations.

The charge was given by the Chief of Training, Nigerian Army (COT(A)), Major General Valentine Okoro, during the graduation ceremony of Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026 held at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

Okoro, who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Chief of Training, Linkages and Integration, Brigadier General Ukeagbu Igbokwe, described Exercise Shining Star as timely and relevant to the Nigerian Army’s efforts to develop disciplined, competent and combat-ready personnel capable of operating effectively in contemporary security environments.

In a post shared on its X handle on Saturday, the Nigerian Army said the exercise provided the young soldiers with an opportunity to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired during their recruit training and apply them under realistic field conditions.

According to Okoro, the training also exposed the participants to key military attributes, including teamwork, leadership, endurance, initiative and sound decision-making.

He urged the soldiers to remain committed to the values and standards of the Nigerian Army as they begin their assignments in various units and formations.

“Remain physically fit, mentally alert, professionally competent and loyal to constituted authority,” he charged.

The Army chief further stressed the importance of discipline and professionalism, noting that the soldiers’ conduct both on and off duty must reflect positively on the Service.

He reminded the young personnel that their individual actions could influence public perception of the Nigerian Army and urged them to conduct themselves in a manner that would help sustain the confidence Nigerians repose in the military.

Okoro also emphasised the need for continuous training, urging the soldiers to see professional development as an ongoing responsibility rather than something that ends with their graduation from the course.

The Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Training, Army Headquarters Garrison Training School, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adamu, disclosed that 45 young soldiers from the 90 RRI participated in Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026.

Adamu said the participants were drawn from various departments, establishments and commands within Abuja.

He explained that the course covered several areas considered essential to the soldiers’ effectiveness in their respective assignments.

The areas included unit regimentation, basic infantry tactics, physical fitness, weapon handling, map reading and night operations, among other military skills.

According to him, the progress of the participants was monitored and assessed throughout the training through weekly examinations, practical exercises and other activities.

The assessment, he said, was designed to determine the soldiers’ understanding of the skills taught during the exercise and their ability to apply them in practical situations.

The completion of Exercise Shining Star Course 12/2026 marks another stage in the professional development of the young soldiers as they proceed to their respective units and formations.

The Nigerian Army has continued to emphasise discipline, operational readiness and continuous training as important components of preparing its personnel for the demands of contemporary security operations