…. 18 Soldiers, 15 Policemen, Traditional Ruler Caught Selling Arms To Terrorists In 11 States
… Military Arrests Four Pakistanis Over Alleged Terror Links In North-East
President Bola Tinubu yesterday marked his two-year milestone in office with a bold declaration of major strides in Nigeria’s security and economy under his administration.
Addressing the nation in a statement to commemorate his mid-term, Tinubu said his government’s bold reforms have stabilized the economy and strengthened national security, setting the country on a path toward sustained growth and improved livelihoods.
President Tinubu highlighted a remarkable recovery in Nigeria’s external reserves, which surged nearly 500 percent — from $4 billion in 2023 to over $23 billion by the end of 2024.
He attributed this to prudent fiscal policies and economic reforms, including the controversial removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, measures he insists were necessary to halt Nigeria’s economic free-fall.
“We had to dismantle decades-long fuel subsidies and the corrupt, multiple foreign exchange windows,” Tinubu explained. “These were choking our nation’s future and strangling government viability.”
He also noted significant improvements in inflation rates, with prices of staples like rice easing, and lauded over $8 billion in fresh investments committed to reviving the oil and gas sector, which has seen rig counts rise by over 400% compared to 2021.
The president pointed to a narrowing fiscal deficit—from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3% in 2024—and revenue gains exceeding N6 trillion in the first quarter of 2025.
He credited these achievements to enhanced transparency, the end of wasteful financing practices, and a robust tax reform agenda that lifted the tax-to-GDP ratio from 10% to 13.5% within a year.
“This is not just about revenue,” Tinubu emphasized. “It’s about fairness, inclusiveness, and economic justice that supports low-income households, empowers small businesses, and fuels sustainable growth.”
Turning to security, Tinubu underscored his administration’s commitment to protecting Nigerians and restoring peace to troubled regions.
“Through enhanced inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven operations, we have reclaimed parts of the North-West from bandit control,” he said.
“Farmers are returning to their fields, highways are safer, and security forces have rescued many abducted citizens.”
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, the president pledged continued vigilance and resolute action, saluting the sacrifices of the military, police, and intelligence personnel.
Beyond security and economy, Tinubu highlighted investments in health and education, including the revitalization of over 1,000 Primary Health Centres and the expansion of health insurance coverage to 20 million Nigerians.
He also pointed to the government’s ambitious infrastructure projects spanning major roads, bridges, and electricity upgrades across the country.
Youth empowerment remains a cornerstone, with initiatives such as Innovate Naija and skills development programs aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s demographic dividend.
Looking ahead, the president announced preparations for the upcoming Motherland Festival—a global showcase of Nigeria’s culture, tourism, and innovation—and new policies to deepen engagement with the Nigerian diaspora.
However, Tinubu’s optimistic assessment drew swift condemnation from opposition parties.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) dismissed the administration as the “worst government Nigeria has ever produced,” accusing it of mismanaging the economy and failing to improve security for ordinary citizens.
PDP spokesperson lamented, “Despite grandiose claims, Nigerians continue to suffer from inflation, insecurity, and unemployment under Tinubu’s watch.”
The opposition vowed to hold the government accountable and push for policies that genuinely address Nigerians’ pressing needs.
Meanwhile ,the Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of 18 soldiers, 15 police officers, and a traditional ruler, among others, over an expansive arms trafficking syndicate supplying weapons to terrorists and other criminal networks across the country.
The shocking revelations came during a press briefing held on Wednesday by Major Ademola Owolana, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), who disclosed that the arrests were made during Operation Snowball, a covert exercise launched in August 2024 to dismantle internal arms rackets.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that this latest development is one of the most damning internal security breaches in recent years.
“The operation was carried out across 11 states — Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and the FCT. So far, 18 soldiers, 15 mobile police officers, 8 civilians, and a traditional ruler have been arrested for their roles in arms trafficking,” Owolana revealed.
Investigators said over N200 million has been traced and recovered from various bank accounts linked to the suspects, including active military and police personnel.
Among the most prominent suspects is Ameh Raphael, an armourer with the 7th Division Garrison, who reportedly had N45 million in his account and has been involved in illegal arms deals since 2018.
Also, the Nigerian military has arrested four Pakistani nationals in the North-East over alleged links to terrorist groups, including involvement in arms trafficking and providing tactical training to insurgents.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing defence correspondents at the operation’s headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to Abubakar, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were aiding terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with weapons and advanced training methods.
He stated, “The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS.
The recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, whose initial investigation suggests that they deal in arms running with terrorists, is instructive.”
The commander expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of terrorist tactics in the region, attributing much of the advancement to foreign expertise.
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