In fulfilment of his promise, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday, approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel with effect from September 1, 2026.

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had last week hinted of a rise in the pay of military personnel to boost their morale.

He specifically said it would take effect from September, 1, 2026.

About 250,000 personnel are to benefit from the new deal, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has said.

He said under the new arrangement, officers above the rank of Colonel will enjoy a 30 per cent salary increase – this applies to Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals.

He said personnel from Colonel down to Warrant Officer will have a 50 per cent increase, while Private to Staff Sergeant will have an 80 per cent increase.

He said the pay package will increase the yearly salary bill for the country’s armed forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion.

According to him, President Tinubu has always praised the courage and sacrifices of members of the armed forces as they confront the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in some parts of the country.

“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation. Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties.

“Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies’ intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” he quoted President Tinubu as saying.

 …Explosion kills ISWAP bomb experts, others

Meanwhile, five suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including an alleged medical officer and four Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs specialists, were said to have been killed in a premature explosion while assembling explosives in Marte local government area of Borno state.

Intelligence sources including security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed this Tuesday, saying the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

The explosion, said the sources, killed Usman Dan Fulani, described as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab IED technicians and two ISWAP bomb-making experts.

The incident, according to the sources,  occurred while the terrorists were allegedly preparing improvised explosive devices for deployment, suggesting the group was planning further attacks along key military supply routes in the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

Security analysts believe the loss of experienced bomb-makers is a significant setback to ISWAP’s IED network and could temporarily weaken the group’s capability to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the Marte-Monguno axis.

Military sources disclosed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been directed to exploit the development by intensifying patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and precision offensive actions around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.

…Bandit leader duped N95m 

 In a related development, many residents in Katsina, Katsina state, now live in fear following the duping of  a popular bandit leader, Mohammed Kachalla, the sum of N95 million in an arms deal that went awry.

Blueprint.ng gathered that the suspected gunrunner disappeared after collecting the sum with a promise to procure and deliver high-grade firearms.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in Matazu local government area, where the intermediary was said to have received the money before bolting away with the money.

A member of the House of Representatives,  Hon Abdullahi Aliyu, popularly known as General, representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, disclosed this Tuesday  an interview with newsmen.

He said the failed arms deal had heightened security concerns, linking the incident to rising tension across the Matazu axis, adding that Kachalla pulled out of the existing peace agreements following the failed transaction.

The lawmaker said the bandits have since intensified pressure on nearby communities by imposing heavy levies and livestock-based extortion on vulnerable villages, worsening security concerns in the area.

The lawmaker’s account has fuelled fresh discussions about the illegal arms trade and its role in sustaining banditry across Nigeria’s North-West.

…Mixed reactions trail report

The report has generated mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing surprise that a suspected criminal figure was defrauded in an illicit transaction.

Others, however, questioned the authenticity of the claims, noting that security agencies have yet to issue an official statement confirming the alleged N95 million scam or the disappearance of the suspected intermediary.

Katsina state government was said to have postponed its road commissioning scheduled for Tuesday in Rimaye village for fear of possible attack from the bandits who, before now, had ceased fire in line with the peace deal with the communities.