Babangida Advocates Better Funding, Welfare for Military Veterans,  Fallen Heroes’ Families

By Haruna Musa

Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has urged the Federal Government to strengthen financial support and welfare programmes for retired military personnel and families of soldiers who died while serving the nation.

Babangida made the appeal when the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Morenike Henry, led members of the organisation’s leadership on a courtesy visit to his residence in Minna.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Legion’s Media Officer, Oloriegbe David.

During the meeting, Babangida acknowledged the difficulties confronting military veterans and assured the delegation that he would engage relevant government authorities to explore possible solutions aimed at improving their welfare.

He also praised the leadership of the Nigerian Legion for its continued advocacy and commitment to safeguarding the dignity and wellbeing of retired servicemen and women.

According to him, the sacrifices made by those who defended Nigeria during their years of service should never be forgotten, stressing that veterans deserve sustained support from the nation they served.

Earlier, Henry outlined several pressing challenges affecting ex-servicemen and women. She cited inadequate access to medical care, insufficient funding for healthcare services, and the economic struggles faced by widows of soldiers who lost their lives in active duty.

She appealed for financial assistance that could amount to about five to six months’ salary for widows of fallen soldiers, explaining that such support would help them establish small-scale businesses and sustain their families.

Henry further noted that many military personnel enlist at a young age and often face significant financial and social challenges after retirement or in the event of death during service.

The Legion chairman also renewed calls for the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Veterans Affairs, saying such an institution would ensure a structured and lasting support system for former members of the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, advised the leadership of the Legion to avoid protests while pursuing their demands.

Undiandeye commended the proposal to establish a Ministry of Veterans Affairs and stressed the need for accountability and transparency in managing funds meant for veterans’ welfare.

He encouraged the organisation to focus on programmes that directly benefit retired soldiers and their families, adding that constructive dialogue with government authorities remained the most effective path to achieving policy reforms and improved funding.

Responding, Henry expressed gratitude to the defence intelligence chief for his support in facilitating the successful hosting of the Nigerian Legion Council meeting.

Troops Foil Coordinated Terrorist Assaults on Azir Bridge, Banki Bases in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), operating under Operation Hadin Kai, have thwarted coordinated attacks launched by suspected terrorists on military formations at Azir Bridge and Banki in Borno State.

The successful defence of the positions was confirmed in a statement released on Friday in Maiduguri by the Media Information Officer of the operation, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba.

According to him, the attempted assaults occurred in the early hours of Friday when a large number of insurgents advanced toward the military locations in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to overwhelm the troops.

Uba explained that the first wave of the attack targeted the troops stationed at Azir Bridge under Sector 2 at about 2:00 a.m., while another group of terrorists struck a military base in Banki, located in Sector 1, at approximately 3:40 a.m.

He noted that the soldiers swiftly responded to the incursions with strong defensive actions, preventing the attackers from breaching their positions.

The officer stated that the troops displayed high levels of tactical alertness and combat preparedness during the confrontation, executing well-planned counter-moves that disrupted the insurgents’ formations and forced them to retreat.

He further revealed that air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai played a crucial role during the encounter, providing close air assistance that strengthened the ground troops’ response and helped repel the attackers.

Uba also dismissed reports circulating on certain online platforms suggesting otherwise, describing them as misleading narratives aimed at undermining ongoing military operations in the region.

He stressed that the troops remain firmly in charge of the affected areas and continue to maintain operational dominance across the theatre.

“The troops are fully committed and remain highly motivated to sustain offensive operations against terrorist elements and ensure lasting security in the region,” he said.

The military authorities reaffirmed their determination to neutralise insurgent threats and restore lasting peace across the North-East.

CoAS Orders Fresh Offensive Against Boko Haram, ISWAP in Northeast

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has directed troops under the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), to intensify offensive operations against remnants of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating across the region.

The army chief gave the directive on Saturday during an operational assessment visit to the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The visit, according to military sources, was aimed at reviewing the current security situation in the theatre and evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing operations, while strengthening strategic collaboration with other security agencies and key stakeholders.

Addressing troops at the theatre command headquarters, Shuaibu praised the courage, resilience and sacrifices displayed by personnel of Operation Hadin Kai in safeguarding civilians and weakening terrorist networks across the Northeast theatre covering Borno State, Adamawa State and Yobe State.

He urged soldiers to remain vigilant and sustain the momentum of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts to bring an end to the insurgency that has plagued the region for nearly 17 years.

“The troops must remain steadfast, maintain a high level of situational awareness and continue to push forward with ongoing operations until the remaining terrorist elements are completely neutralised,” he said.

The army chief also stressed the need for stronger coordination among operational sectors and units, supported by improved intelligence gathering to enhance military posture and consolidate the gains already recorded on the battlefield.

Shuaibu further instructed troops to maintain sustained operational pressure on insurgents, particularly during the closing phase of the Ramadan fasting period and beyond.

He emphasised that the era of remaining on the defensive was over, noting that soldiers must continue to pursue terrorists into their strongholds.

According to him, troops should intensify operations in notorious insurgent hideouts including the Sambisa Forest, the Lake Chad Basin, and the Mandara Mountains which stretches into parts of Adamawa and Taraba states.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the army chief on recent military operations, successes recorded by troops and the challenges currently confronting forces in the theatre.

Abubakar assured the Chief of Army Staff of the unwavering professionalism and commitment of troops in the ongoing campaign to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.

He noted that despite isolated setbacks recorded in some locations, the morale and combat readiness of soldiers remain high across the theatre of operations.