Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has attributed the persistence of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency in the country to the activities of local collaborators and financiers who provide support to criminal groups. Speaking at the 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria, a national discourse organised as part of Democracy Day celebrations, Musa said security forces face significant challenges because criminal elements continue to receive assistance from members of the communities in which they operate.

*Thanks President Tinubu for Supporting States To Fight Insecurity Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Friday commended the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police for their commitment to securing Nigeria and the Southeast geopolitical zone in particular.

The Department of State Services (DSS), with support from troops of the Nigerian Army's 82 Division, has foiled an alleged plot by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to attack security checkpoints and carry out mass kidnappings across states in the Southeast. A security source disclosed that acting on intelligence gathered by the DSS, two ESN field commanders who were coordinating the planned attacks were arrested on Monday in Garki, Enugu State.

As worries about bandit assaults grew, schools in certain regions of the nation shuttered early on Wednesday. After bandits attacked the UBE Secondary/Primary School in Iluke, Kogi State, and threatened to invade educational facilities in Edo and Niger States, the schools were quickly closed.

The Nigerian Army has confirmed reports of an unauthorised incursion by personnel of the Cameroonian Armed Forces into Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on June 9, 2026. In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan, the Army said troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Danare responded immediately after receiving reports of the foreign military presence.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the critical role of public support in the success of military operations, urging officers of the Nigerian Army Public Relations Corps to adopt effective communication strategies that would strengthen public trust and confidence in the Armed Forces. Speaking at the opening of the combined first and second quarters' media workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, the Army Chief said public backing had become indispensable to achieving military objectives in the country's evolving security landscape.