Peace returning, Nigeria‘ll never break up – Defence minister

Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd) has assured the people of Benue state, and indeed the entire North Central that the federal government is doing everything within its power to sustain the fledgling peace in the area.

The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) also dismissed the prediction by the United States that the country would break up, stressing that evidences point to a resolve by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration on leveraging the peace process through the recently established Army Divisions at strategic flashpoints of insecurity across the country.

General Musa gave the assurance Sunday while speaking at the naming ceremony of King David Emmanuel Ogewu Jnr., organised by the family of the member representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. David Agada Ogewu, at the Assemblies of God Church (AGC), Gbazango-Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

“I’m happy the child’s name is David. He will be great. Nigeria is surely a great country. We are rich in everything, from human to material resources. People should not fear about negative predictions. The United States predicted that the country will break but today, Nigeria is waxing strong in the midst of challenges, which we are overcoming.

“As we move close to the 2027 general elections, I appeal to you all not to get discouraged; peace is happening. I want to assure you: Igede, Benue and all parts of Nigeria will be peaceful.

“Go out and vote; and don’t deny yourself the opportunity to elect your leaders. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured of free, fair and credible elections. He recently established Army Divisions cross Nigeria to sustain peace, and the military operatives are doing their best every day that we have peace.

“As citizens, your civic duty is to cooperate with the government and security agencies. Report any breach around you so that together we can tackle the challenges confronting us,” he said.

In a vote of thanks, Hon Ogewu, who is the Vice Chairman House Committee on the Army, thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by his wife, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, serving and past National Assembly lawmakers who thronged the cathedral, friends, family members and associates for the warm honour accorded the Ogewu family.

Conducting the dedication, the Senior Minister of AGC, Gbazango, Reverend Sunday Asuata, JP, who read from Psalm 127:3, admonished parents to train their children in the fear of God, neither sparing the rod nor employing preferential treatment on male and female sexes.

 …Troops disrupt illegal arms-trafficking   

Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force, North-Central Operation Enduring Peace, have uncovered, tracked and disrupted an illegal arms-trafficking network in the North-central region, particularly in Plateau state.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, stated this during his weekly update on the operational activities of troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) across the country.

Onoja said troops of the Joint Task Force, North-West Operation Fansan Yamma, apprehended a suspect identified as Yusuf Iliya Sani at Maraban Kakini over his alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state.

 “Troops of Operation Enduring Peace maintained operations to disrupt illegal arms trafficking identify suspected perpetrators of violent crime and dismantle kidnapping networks in Plateau State.

“To this end, troops conducted a covert operation in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State and arrested a suspected arms fabricator at Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA. Three other suspects were also arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking. Troops recovered one locally fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, one fabricated AK-47 barrel, one AK-47 magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62mm × 54mm rimmed ammunition.

“On 10 October 2026, troops arrested a suspect, Yusuf Suleiman, at Barkin Ladi Main Market. He was allegedly linked to the attack on Kassa community on 24 September 2026, as well as kidnapping, armed robbery and the killing of a resident, Mr Gyang, on 16 April 2026.

“Also, on 14 October 2026, troops raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Ruga in Methodist Kisahyip, Agingin, Bassa LGA of Plateau State, and arrested two suspects,” he said.

On the operational activities of troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on 9 October 2026, he said troops operating around the Galadimawa area sighted three suspected terrorists fleeing with a kidnapped person.

“Troops engaged the suspects and forced them to abandon the victim.  On 10 October, troops responded to reports that a local resident travelling from Dogon Dawa to Takama Village in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State was under attack by an unknown armed group. On arrival, the responding troops engaged the assailants and recovered an AK-47 rifle with 15 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

“Following continued tracking and monitoring, troops apprehended a suspect identified as Yusuf Iliya Sani at Maraban Kakini on 10 October 2026 over his alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State,” Onoja added.