News Security March 11, 2026 Terrorists suffer heavier losses, troops intensifying operations — Defence Minister

 

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Wednesday said terrorists and bandits operating across Nigeria have suffered heavier losses than government troops, saying that the Armed Forces are intensifying operations across various theatres.

Speaking after a brief strategy meeting with service chiefs in Abuja, Musa assured Nigerians that the military remains fully committed to restoring peace and security nationwide.

He said the meeting was convened to review ongoing military strategies across different operational areas in the country.

“We had a quick, short meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country. We’re all aware of the issues on the ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the armed forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” he said.

The minister acknowledged that the military had recorded casualties in recent engagements but stressed that the terrorists were suffering greater losses.

“We are aware that we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We’re taking more commanders out, we’re taking more of their assets out, and we will continue to do that,” he added.

Musa urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by misinformation circulating on social media, noting that false narratives could undermine the morale of troops.

“We know because of the issue of social media, there are a lot of falsehoods being spread. The Armed Forces are on top of their game and we are putting in every effort to ensure the country is secured,” he said.

He called on citizens to support security agencies by providing credible information and reporting suspicious activities.

“This challenge is a Nigerian challenge; it is not only the armed forces’ challenge. Other security agencies are also working in synergy with us,” he noted.

The minister also congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assuring him of the military’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the police to tackle insecurity.

Musa further appealed to the media to exercise caution in reporting security-related issues, warning that the circulation of terrorists’ videos and propaganda materials could aid their objectives.

“Please do not allow your platforms to be used to spread terrorism. When you circulate their videos and messages, you allow them to shine and use them as propaganda against our troops,” he said.

He thanked Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and state governors for their continued support to the armed forces, expressing confidence that the country would ultimately overcome its security challenges.

“We want to assure Nigerians that they should remain confident and determined. When you see something going wrong, do not hesitate to report it. Action will be taken as quickly as possible,” he added.

The defence minister also warned individuals providing logistics or intelligence to terrorists that they would be treated as accomplices.

“A friend of a thief is always a thief. Those supporting these criminals with information or logistics will be dealt with the same way we deal with the terrorists,” he said.

In recent weeks, terrorists have launched coordinated assaults on several military bases, leading to the deaths of soldiers and commanding officers who paid the supreme price while confronting the attackers.

In one such incident in Katsina State, Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were reportedly killed during an attack by terrorists.

Earlier, on March 3, fighters linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province invaded the resettled community of Ngoshe shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan.

The insurgents were said to have overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns and drones.

The assault reportedly left at least 14 soldiers dead across the Ngoshe and Pulka military bases—nine in Ngoshe and five in Pulka, including a commanding officer.

National News March 11, 2026 FG approves employment of 50 doctors, 100 nurses across correctional centres

 

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says President Bola Tinubu has approved the employment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses across the nation’s correctional centres’ hospitals.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed this on Tuesday when the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The minister said that the president’s approval followed the dearth of medical personnel in some correctional centres.

He said that the hospital in the correctional centre in Rivers had no medical doctor to render service to the inmates.

According to him, the equipment in some of the correctional centres, like Kuje, can offer major surgery.

“The President understands that he is the President of all Nigerians, including those inmates. And as father to all, he has always shown that he cares,” he said.

The minister said that the Federal Government had been training inmates via train-the-trainer programmes.

“We have been able to build capacity through what we call train the trainer. We did what we call inmate skills audits. We went to our correctional centres, tried to know the skills these inmates had.

“We now empower you to be able to train other people. Those people who graduate, we empower them.

“We have been able to sanitise. And the president has done too well by increasing their feeding allowance by 50 per cent,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo underscored the need for the Ministry of Information and National Reorientation to showcase and communicate the achievements recorded by the Ministry of Interior to the Nigerian public.

“We want you to come and see some of the things we have been able to achieve.

“And, in terms of our national security strategy, we want to collaborate more with you, so that there can be a coordinated communication strategy.

“In NSCDC, we’ve created what we call the mine marshals in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals. Now securing our minefields.

“And you can see that the effect is there. There is a reduction in criminality and violence within this sector. And also, protection of critical national assets,” he said. (NAN)

News March 11, 2026 Tinubu approves fiscal incentive to unlock $20b Bonga deepwater project

 

President Bola Tinubu has approved a targeted fiscal incentive designed to unlock the long-awaited Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Bonga Southwest Aparo (BSWA) deepwater project.

This is marking a milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing drive to attract strategic investments and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

The project is estimated to attract about $20 billion in Foreign Direct Investment and position Nigeria for a new era of deepwater production.

The approval followed months of intensive technical and commercial negotiations involving NNPC Limited as the concessionaire, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, and the Shell CEO, Mr Wael Sawan.

The development is a culmination of the president’s directive issued during a courtesy visit by Shell CEO, Mr Wael Sawan, to fast-track the enablers required to move this strategic national asset to FID.

Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr Bashir Ojulari, said it signalled renewed confidence in Nigeria’s policy direction.

”This development will translate reform momentum into tangible investment outcomes.

“This approval is a testament to the president’s leadership, NNPC’s disciplined execution and our ability to structure complex, bankable transactions that deliver value for Nigeria.

“For nearly two decades, the Bonga Southwest project remained stalled. Today, under President Tinubu’s reform-driven leadership and through NNPC’s sustained advocacy, we have broken that logjam.

“This is what partnership, persistence and policy clarity can achieve.”

“This milestone further affirms NNPC’s commitment, under the President’s leadership, to unlocking Nigeria’s vast energy potential through partnerships, disciplined innovation and execution excellence,” he said.

Ojulari said the Bonga Southwest project would be the first FID on a Nigerian deepwater Production Sharing Contract asset since 2008, re-establishing Nigeria as a premier deepwater investment destination.

He said the fiscal package approved by President Tinubu included an enhanced Production Tax Credit and resolution of the 2021 dispute settlement agreement, creating a competitive framework that balances national value with investor returns.

He said the NNPC Limited, as concessionaire, worked closely with SNEPCo and the broader contractor party to develop alternative fiscal solutions that address structural constraints while protecting Nigeria’s long-term interests.

According to him, the approval was granted after a rigorous evaluation by the NRS and submission of recommendations to the Presidency.

“This milestone reinforces NNPC’s strategic pivot toward partnership-driven growth.

“By aligning with global majors like Shell and securing the enabling fiscal environment, NNPC Ltd is translating the President’s investment reform agenda into tangible outcomes—jobs, revenues, and energy security for Nigerians.

“With Presidential approval secured, NNPC Limited and its partners will now progress toward FID, triggering the multi-billion-dollar capital commitment that will transform Nigeria’s deepwater landscape and deliver enduring value to the nation,” Ojulari said.

The NNPC boss said the Bonga Southwest Aparo project, operated by Shell with all International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria as partners, would create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He said it would also deliver 150,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 140 million standard cubic feet per day of gas upon completion.  (NAN)

News March 11, 2026 BREAKING: Defence minister summons service chiefs over rising attacks

 

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has summoned all the Service Chiefs to his office for a crucial meeting over recent attacks on different military bases in the North East.

Those currently attending the meeting at the Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, Abuja, include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.

Others include the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, an Air Marshal; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abass, a Vice Admiral; representatives of National Intelligence Agency among others.

PlatinumPost reports that no fewer than three Commanding Officers who were on the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel were recently killed by terrorists in Borno.

Apart from Commanding Officers who were killed, scores of soldiers also paid the supreme price while hundreds of civilians, who were abducted are still in captivity.

Speaking before the meeting entered a closed-door, Defence Minister revealed that they had agreed to review the strategies on how to harder with the terrorists despite military recording some casualties.

“We know we have recorded some casualties but it is more on the side of terrorists,” the retired four-star General explained during the brief meeting.

More to follow..

(DailyTrust)

News March 11, 2026 FG suspends Petrol imports amid rising local production

 

The Federal Government has halted the issuance of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit – PMS) import licences for the second consecutive month, as domestic refining capacity continues to grow.

The move reflects the government’s renewed commitment to supporting local refineries and strengthening domestic production. It is also seen as a major boost for the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.

According to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), no petrol import licences were issued in February. The Crude Oil Refineries Association of Nigeria (CORAN) also confirmed that none had been granted so far in March, indicating a clear policy shift towards prioritising locally refined fuel.

Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), regulators are permitted to approve petrol imports only when local production cannot meet national demand.

The policy change follows long-standing concerns by local refiners, including the Dangote Refinery, which previously took legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over continued fuel imports.

Despite concerns that limiting import licences could reduce market competition, regulators say domestic supply is currently sufficient.

Meanwhile, petrol prices have surged by more than 54% following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which has pushed global oil prices upward.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority attributed the spike in fuel prices to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Nigeria’s average daily petrol consumption also declined to 56.9 million litres in February 2026, down from 60.2 million litres in January.

During the same period, the Dangote Refinery supplied 36.5 million litres of petrol and 8 million litres of diesel to the domestic market.

Regulators say these volumes were sufficient to meet demand, which informed the decision to withhold import licences.

Reacting to the development, CORAN spokesperson Eche Idoko described the move as a positive step toward strengthening local refining.

“For us, anything that protects local production is a good move. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum,” he said.

News March 11, 2026 Gov Yusuf sacks head of service, says decision part of efforts to reposition service

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has relieved the State Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, of his appointment with immediate effect.

This is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday evening.

Dawakin Tofa said the decision is part of the ongoing efforts by the present administration to reposition the state civil service for greater efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across all government institutions.

He said Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of Service for his contributions and dedication to the service of Kano State during his tenure.

“We wish him the best in his future endeavours and pray for his continued success in all aspects of life,” the statement said.

The Governor directed Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, the Permanent Secretary, Admin and General Services at the Cabinet Office, to serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Service.

“By this announcement, the outgoing Head of Service is directed to handover the affairs of the office to the Ag. Head of Service latest tomorrow, Wednesday 11th March, 2026,” the statement added.

News March 11, 2026 FG commences evacuation of Nigerians in Iran

 

The Federal Government has begun the evacuation of willing Nigerians in Iran, escorting them across the Armenian border to ensure their safety amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The evacuation follows the growing crisis that began on February 28 after coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, which triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the region and raised fears of a wider conflict.

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abike Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this in a post on her X handle on Tuesday.

According to the statement, officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation of Nigerians who wish to leave the country and are facilitating their safe passage into Armenia.

It also reassured that no Nigerian in Iran has so far been affected by the ongoing tensions, noting that embassy officials remain stationed at the border to receive and assist evacuees.

The post read, “Willing Nigerians being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”

The development comes as tensions in parts of the Middle East continue to raise concerns over the safety of foreign nationals residing in affected areas.