Category: Daily Trust

Nigeria faces a food security paradox. With over 84 million hectares of arable land and a youth population of more than 60%, the country should feed itself and export to others. However, Nigeria spent N3.53 trillion on raw materials imports in the first half of 2025 alone, while post-harvest losses consumed up to 40% of staple crops annually. The naira weakens under the weight of imported food and machinery. Rural unemployment persists, and climate shocks expose the fragility of rain-fed, hoe-and-cutlass agriculture.

These are the gaps which the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is currently bridging through its indigenous technology and local contents. Tasked with promoting science, engineering, and technological infrastructure, NASENI has moved from research on shelves to factory floors with a clear mandate: mechanised agriculture, localised production, and to cut the chain of import dependence that threatens Nigeria’s food security.

Under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman/CEO NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Agency is aggressively leveraging technology to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. By treating engineering as the backbone of food security, NASENI is transforming the country’s agricultural architecture from subsistence farming into a highly mechanised, year-round commercial ecosystem. This initiative on mechanised agriculture is yielding results for Nigerian farmers.

Restoring the Fleet: The Tractor Recovery Initiative

At the heart of any successful agricultural mechanization drive sits the tractor-a tool historically scarce and prohibitively expensive for the average Nigerian smallholder. Recognizing that importing new fleets strains foreign exchange reserves, NASENI adopted a smarter, highly pragmatic approach-The National Tractor Recovery Programme. Partnering with the Mechanisation Equipment Company of Africa (MECA), NASENI set an ambitious target to refurbish and breathe new life into thousands of abandoned, disused tractors littered across the country.

In states like Borno and Niger, this asset restoration model has already restored over 1,000 abandoned tractors. By fixing hydraulic systems, rebuilding engines, and repurposing local scrap metal, NASENI is providing smallholders and cooperatives with affordable access to heavy machinery. This direct deployment of engineering logistics effectively slashes land preparation times, boosts rural incomes, and rapidly expands total cultivated land mass.

The NASENI Tractor Recovery Programme, launched by the Agency in Borno and Niger state is a government initiative focused on recovering, repairing, and redeploying abandoned, obsolete, or broken-down agricultural machinery. Instead of buying all new tractors at high import cost, disused and abandoned tractors were overhauled – engines rebuilt, parts replaced, hydraulics fixed to working condition. In Borno and Niger States, many farmers now have access to mechanized farming, thus having higher yields, shorter planting windows, and reduced farmer dependence on manual labour.

Domesticating Supply Chains

True self-reliance requires local manufacturing. Rather than remaining a perpetual consumer of foreign technology, NASENI is utilizing its specialized hubs-such as the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia, Nasarawa State-to build domestic production value chains.

By utilizing AMEDI’s existing world-class facilities, NASENI is circumventing the bureaucratic delays and is creating thousands of industrial jobs for Nigerian youths while simultaneously generating a steady supply of customized, locally assembled tractors and implements tailored specifically for Nigeria’s unique soil topography. At AMEDI Lafia, research is moving rapidly toward precision agriculture, greenhouse automation, and hydroponics (soilless cultivation). These high-yields, space-optimized methodologies maximize resource efficiency, ensuring high crop output with minimal water and fertilizer footprints.

Solar-powered Irrigation Revolution

Beyond tilling the soil, mechanisation means insulating agriculture from the volatile shocks of climate change. For generations, Nigerian farming has been strictly rain-dependent. Despite possessing over 3 million hectares of irrigation potential, less than 10 per cent has historically been utilized. To confront this vulnerability, NASENI launched the Irrigate Nigeria Project in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).

The cornerstone of this project is the national rollout of NASENI’s proprietary, solar-powered irrigation pumps. Strongly endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC), the smart solar irrigation pumps are engineered to replace expensive, emission-heavy gasoline generators. By eliminating fuel overheads, the solar irrigation pumps significantly lower operational costs for farmers. This allows for seamless, smart, dry-season farming, effectively doubling annual harvests and capping volatile seasonal food prices.

Smart Tech and Organic fertilizers

Through international bilateral agreements-such as partnerships with Brazil’s CAMPO and also Indonesia’s PT Saputra Global Harvest, NASENI is actively working to commercialize coal-based organic fertilizers and advanced agro-processing machinery. This ensures that post-harvest losses, which historically claim up to 40 per cent of Nigeria’s perishable produce, are significantly mitigated through localized processing solutions.

NASENI and Whitefog are also in partnership for production of liquid fertilizer in Nigeria which aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape in line with President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point Agenda on food security, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

The coal fertilizer, an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fertilizers, with its 26 additional mineral concentrates and activation technology, is poised to address the challenges of low quality soil which is a major problem to Nigerian farmers. The project will have a profound impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring improved soil quality and fertility, increased crop yields and better harvests for farmers.’

As NASENI continues to drive innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria, the coal and liquid fertilizer projects stand as shining examples of the Agency’s commitment to transforming the country’s agricultural landscape. With its potential to revolutionize farming practices and improve food security, the two projects will create 2,000 direct jobs and over 20 million indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain stimulating economic growth and transforming the lives of millions of Nigerians.

NASENI’s Agricultural Incubation Centre

The Agency has commenced the construction of NASENI Agricultural Incubation Centres at the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada and Bayero University of Kano (BUK) respectively. The project which represents a strategic attempt to re-engineer Nigeria’s agricultural sector through science, technology and innovation (STI), would be replicated in one federal university in each geo-political zone.

While global agriculture has embraced precision farming, biotechnologies, climate-smart agriculture and data-driven production systems, Nigeria still relies largely on traditional methods. Research outputs from universities and institutes rarely translate into practical solutions on farms, creating a wide gap between knowledge generation and real-world application.

It is within this context that NASENI’s Agricultural Incubation Centre initiative becomes significant. Situated on a 10-hectare parcel of land within the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, the Centre is designed as a technology-driven, commercially viable agricultural hub. The NASENI Agricultural Incubation Centre integrates poultry production, aquaculture, crop cultivation, greenhouse farming and cutting-edge research facilities, including a tissue culture laboratory.

Mechanization Pipeline: From R and D to Rural Fields

NASENI’s strategy hinges on one principle: Nigeria cannot achieve food security by importing the machines needed to grow, process, and store food. Under its current leadership, the Agency has expanded efforts to commercialize research outputs and collaborate with industries to scale production of locally developed technologies.

NASENI’s 2030 targets directly address this gap. The Agency projects a 25% reduction in the import bill to $34.7 billion by 2030 by locally manufacturing the top 10 imported items. It also projects over three million jobs through focused technology transfer to more than 300,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and aims to lift 2.5 million people out of poverty in five years.

The Path Ahead: Scaling Beyond Pilots

Food security is a critical pillar of national security. As NASENI scales its manufacturing footprints and deep-tech initiatives across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the Agency is proving that the path to feeding the nation does not lie in food imports or agricultural subsidies, but in technological self-reliance. By coupling public-private partnerships with homegrown engineering ingenuity, NASENI is successfully building an industrialised agricultural foundation capable of feeding Nigeria today and anchoring its economic stability tomorrow.

Experts argue that Nigeria’s industrial growth can only become sustainable through deliberate support for local manufacturing and homegrown technologies. For NASENI, the next step is scale. That means: Financing models that let farmers acquire equipment through cooperatives and pay-as-you-use schemes. Training 300,000+ SME operators on maintenance and fabrication to ensure machines don’t fail after one season.

Food security is not just about seeds and rainfall. It is about who owns the machines that plant, harvest, and process. For decades, Nigeria exported raw cocoa and imported chocolate, grew tomatoes and imported paste, raised the world’s largest yam output and imported starch. NASENI’s agric mechanization drive reverses that equation.

By building solar pumps instead of importing diesel ones, fabricating rice mills instead of buying them, and training technicians instead of hiring expatriates, NASENI is engineering a new link in Nigeria’s industrial chain. If Nigeria must feed 400 million people by 2050, it will not happen with hoes and imported tractors. It will happen when innovation meets the soil, and when the tools of prosperity are made-in-Nigeria, for Nigerians and by Nigerians.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the 122-kilometre Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road project on Tuesday, in fulfilment of his campaign promise as the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) over three years ago.

Represented by Governor Uba Sani, he recalled that on the 22nd December , 2022, Tinubu came to Kaduna during the campaign and visited Birnin Gwari in defiance to security advice.

He said that at that time, Birnin Gwari was the epicentre of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, but Tinubu had argued that ”as someone who was aspiring to be president of Nigeria, he must visit Birnin Gwari.”

According to the Governor, the then ”GOC of One Mechnised Division, the late General Lagbaja, gave us 21 Armoured Vehicles with military personnel, to Birnin Gwari.”

”We left Kaduna at about 4pm, we arrived Birnin Gwari after four and half hours because the road was bad and we got there around 8:30pm. At the Emir’s palace, His Royal Highness graciously honoured the presidential candidate with a traditional title.

Governor Uba Sani disclosed that Asiwaju had ”promised that he will reconstruct the road from Mando in Kaduna, to Birnin Gwari. He also promised that he will do everything to ensure that security and normalcy return to Birnin Gwari.”

”Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled all the two promises he made to the people of Birnin Gwari. I’m happy that we are here for the ground breaking of this very important road,” he added.

The Governor further said that the road is very critical because it connects the whole North West to the South west, cutting across five states up to Lagos, adding that N178 billion has been approved for the project.

Describing the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi as a go-getter and a detribalised Nigerian, he disclosed that they worked together to ensure that the money was approved for the project.

Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the president that people can now travel from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari and within the town, without a police escort.

He disclosed that Birnin Gwari did not benefit from even one kilometre of road project in the last 20 years until the present administration came into office about three years ago.

”Today, Kaduna State Government is constructing 36 kilometres of asphaltic roads, cutting across 72 farming communities in Birnin Gwari local government area,” he added.

The Governor pointed out that the flag off of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and the various road projects within Birnin Gwari local government, represent the dividends of peace.

According to him, President Tinubu has a special love for Kaduna State that is why, ”on the 8th of July, he approved $865 million for the construction of the Light Rail project in Kaduna metropolis.”

”The Western bye-pass project is ongoing, from Abuja junction down to Kawo motor park. This project is being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works under the able leadership of the President.

”We are also talking about resuming the construction of the Eastern bye-pass, which is very critical to our people. I have no doubt that project will be resumed, according my conversation with the Minister, in a few month’s time.

”We are grateful to Mr President. We will continue to support him and I have no doubt in my mind that the 2027 election has been concluded. We are giving Mr President, at least 95% of our votes,” he added.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had described President Tinubu as ”a promise keeper, a man that rewards loyalty. He is a man that is fair to every section of the country.”

The Minister said that he is not surprised at Governor Uba Sani’s developmental strides in Kaduna State because he is ”a man who fought along side with our president during the days of NADECO, who was unjustly put in cell.”

”You understand the meaning of democracy . You understand the meaning of welfare to the people. You have united the entire Kaduna people. You are delivering a lot of infrastructure for the people,” he added.

Senator Umahi recalled that when he last visited Kaduna State on a site inspection tour, ”I said that you are magical like your father, the president. I commended you very highly and I thanked you for uniting the entire Kaduna people.”

The Federal Government has issued a compliance circular to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on data protection law.

The compliance directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74, dated 27 July 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, a statement by the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said on Tuesday.

The Circular drew the attention of MDAs to the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which states that, ‘Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared. I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).’

The Federal Government Circular directs MDAs to ensure ‘full compliance with the NDP Act, Regulations, Guidelines, and Directives issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in relation to the processing of personal data.’

The government said this to promote public trust through data-driven governance.

The circular directs MDAs to designate suitably qualified officers as Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to oversee data protection compliance and advise management on all matters relating to the lawful processing of personal data.

It also said MDAs must ensure that the names and contact details of their designated DPOs are communicated to the NDPC for registration and official records; engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), where required, to facilitate compliance with the NDP Act and support the conduct of statutory compliance audits.

They should also provide adequate budgetary allocation for data protection compliance activities, including capacity building, awareness programmes, deployment of appropriate technical safeguards, and periodic compliance audits.

Similarly they should submit all mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory returns to the NDPC within the timelines prescribed by law.

The circular further states that ‘Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of all MDAs shall be personally responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with the Circular and the provisions of the NDP Act.’

While applauding the legal and political will demonstrated by the administration of president Tinubu in protecting the privacy and fundamental freedoms of data subjects in Nigeria, the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, expressed the Commission’s commitment to supporting data-driven governance.

Olatunji maintained that data accountability is pivotal to achieving the eight Presidential Priorities.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election has charged its members to set aside festivities and focus strictly on delivering victory for the party at the upcoming polls.

Addressing members on Monday during a key campaign council meeting in Abuja ahead of the August 15, 2026 election, the Chairman of the National Campaign Council and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, emphasized that the assembly was purely business-oriented, urging all subcommittees to expedite work and submit concrete proposals immediately.

He said all subcommittees have been mandated to meet without delay and submit their action plans and resolutions to the National Secretary of the campaign council between now and Thursday. He also directed the Finance Subcommittee to begin collecting contributions from willing members and non-members eager to support the campaign effort.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the National Campaign Council and Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, called on members to channel all energy toward winning the governorship election, leaving all secondary matters until after voting is concluded.

With election day drawing close, Jibrin noted that the ruling party is tightening its structure and ensuring all operational arms are fully aligned to secure the Osun State governorship.

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen of Rogo, Bebeji and Bagwai local government councils over alleged financial misappropriation, abuse of office and other administrative irregularities.

The affected chairmen are Abubakar Mustapha (Rogo), Dr Alhassan Salisu (Bebeji) and Bello Gadanya (Bagwai).

The suspension followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, the Assembly said the committee acted on separate petitions submitted by residents of the three local government areas.

Presenting the committee’s report, Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala said the petitions alleged financial misappropriation, abuse of office, breach of public trust and other administrative infractions.

He said the committee reviewed relevant documents and records obtained from the affected councils and held interactive sessions with officials of the respective local governments before making its recommendation.

According to the statement, the recommendation was made pursuant to Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower state Houses of Assembly to conduct investigations and oversight functions.

The Assembly directed that its resolution be communicated to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for immediate implementation.

It also directed the vice chairmen of the affected councils to assume leadership of their respective local governments pending the outcome of the Assembly committee’s final investigation.

Nine people were burnt beyond recognition while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a multiple road crash near Zangoro village along the Bauchi-Maiduguri Federal Highway.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS12.1 Bauchi Sector Command, confirmed the incident in a First Information Report (FIR) issued on Tuesday by Senior Road Marshal Assistant Suleiman Adamu Toro.

According to the report, the crash occurred at about 11:20pm on Monday and was reported to the FRSC five minutes later.

Toro said FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at about 11:40pm, recording a response time of 15 minutes.

He said the crash involved a commercial Toyota bus with registration number DRZ 133 LG and a MAN Diesel tipper without a registration number, which was being used for sand transportation.

According to him, 17 male adults were involved in the crash, with nine confirmed dead and burnt beyond recognition, while eight others sustained injuries.

The FRSC identified a tyre burst while the vehicle was in motion as the probable cause of the crash.

Toro said the vehicles and other property recovered from the scene were handed over to the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) of the State Police Command for further investigation.

He added that the FRSC rescue team worked to establish the identities of the victims, who were later identified on Tuesday.

The injured victims were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical attention, while the remains of those who died were deposited at the morgue.

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bala Wakili, has been killed during a gun battle between security operatives and suspected bandits in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The late officer was attached to the Kebbe Police Division.

Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers invaded Girkau and Zugu villages at about 4 p.m. on Monday, where they rustled an unspecified number of livestock.

According to one of the sources, a joint security team comprising police officers, soldiers and members of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps mounted an ambush for the bandits as they were leaving Zugu village.

The source said the ensuing gun battle lasted for more than one hour.

‘The security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, but the attackers were in large numbers. They eventually overpowered the team, killed ASP Bala Wakili and set ablaze two patrol vehicles – one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps,’ the source said.

A security operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and said the body of the slain officer was recovered and buried on Tuesday.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, also confirmed the attack, stating that a police officer ‘paid the supreme price’ in the line of duty.

He said additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities and assured residents that the situation had been brought under control.

Rufa’i added that security agencies were working to track down the attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations of political victimisation made by Governor Ademola Adeleke against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC described the governor’s allegations as unfounded and urged him to focus on issues surrounding the forthcoming election.

Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, had at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday accused Tinubu and Oyetola of being behind what he described as political persecution against him.

The governor also raised concerns about the conduct of the police and warned against any attempt to undermine the credibility of the August 15 election.

Adeleke said, ‘Mr. President, I am passing this message directly to you. We have publicly endorsed you for the 2027 presidential election. What more do you want from us? Why then are our people being killed?

‘The police have been compromised. They should concentrate on tackling the kidnappers and other criminals troubling your administration instead of intimidating innocent people.

‘As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I am telling you that our people will come out en masse to vote, and we will protect our votes.’

Responding, the APC said Adeleke had not provided sufficient evidence to substantiate his allegations against Tinubu and Oyetola.

‘The allegations of political victimisation against President Tinubu and Oyetola are misplaced and frivolous,’ the party said.

The APC also questioned Adeleke’s reference to his endorsement of President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the endorsement should not have any bearing on the conduct of the Osun governorship poll.

‘We want to remind Governor Adeleke that his endorsement of President Tinubu as his presidential candidate in the 2027 election wasn’t forced on him,’ the statement said.

The party added that the August 15 election would provide Osun residents with an opportunity to assess the performance of Adeleke’s administration.

‘Why the worry if it is true that Governor Adeleke has done well for his state, as the forthcoming 15th August, 2026 governorship election will be a yardstick to measure his claim in this regard?’ the APC said.

The party also responded to Adeleke’s assertion that, as governor, he remained the Chief Security Officer of the state, saying the focus should be on ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

It further dismissed suggestions that Adeleke was being politically targeted because of the approaching election and expressed confidence in the chances of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).

According to the APC, its candidate has worked towards securing the support of voters ahead of the poll.

The party urged political actors in the state to concentrate on campaigning and allow the electorate to determine the outcome of the election on August 15.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has commenced a five-day intensive training programme for its Senior Protocol Officers in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity in governance, security and protocol management.

The workshop, which runs from August 3 to August 7, 2026, is focused on key areas including protocol, etiquette, precedence, synergy and convoy management. It is being facilitated by Platinum Protocol and Verity Consultants Limited and sponsored by the NRS.

Declaring the programme open on Monday, the Chief Consultant of Platinum Protocol and Verity Consultants, Ambassador Ibrahim Mohammed Bashir (OFR), described protocol as a strategic management function that extends beyond ceremonial responsibilities.

‘Many people mistakenly associate protocol with airport receptions and hotel bookings. While these are visible, they are only a fraction of the responsibility,’ he said.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience in intelligence and national security, Bashir said he had coordinated high-level engagements involving Heads of State, Prime Ministers, ministers and diplomatic delegations.

He noted that effective protocol plays a critical role in safeguarding institutional reputation, supporting security operations, enhancing diplomacy and ensuring the seamless execution of official engagements.

According to him, although revenue generation remains the core mandate of the Nigeria Revenue Service, the professional handling of dignitaries and official visitors is essential to sustaining the institution’s credibility.

‘Every interaction shapes institutional reputation. Excellent protocol demonstrates professionalism, efficiency and discipline,’ Bashir said.

He urged participants to fully understand the responsibilities of the Protocol Directorate before, during and after VIP engagements.

‘Protocol creates order. Security creates confidence. Together, they create institutional credibility,’ he added.

Bashir also commended the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zach Adedeji, and the Special Adviser on Protocol, Mr. Adedamola Ipadeola Adetoyese, for supporting the initiative.

In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Executive Chairman and the Office of the Special Adviser on Protocol, participants were encouraged to take full advantage of the training, which combines classroom instruction with practical exercises aimed at strengthening operational efficiency.

The organisers said the programme is designed to address identified operational gaps within the Protocol Directorate, enhance service delivery and equip officers with the skills required to effectively manage official engagements and support the agency’s institutional objectives.

Participants were also urged to remain committed throughout the five-day programme to maximise the opportunity for professional development and improved service delivery.

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on maritime crimes in the South-South, destroying a suspected militant hideout in Cross River State while rescuing three passengers from suspected sea robbers in Akwa Ibom.

The separate operations, carried out by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka under the Eastern Naval Command, were aimed at sustaining security along Nigeria’s coastal waterways and denying criminal elements freedom of operation.

In Cross River, troops of NNS Victory raided Ine Ikoridung coastal settlement in Bakassi Local Government Area and destroyed a suspected militant camp located along the Dayspring axis.

The Navy said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that militants, displaced from their former camps on Dayspring Island by sustained military pressure, had relocated to the remote coastal settlement where they were attempting to regroup.

Briefing journalists in Calabar, the Base Information Officer of NNS Victory, Lieutenant Commander Sulaiman Bala, said the operation was intelligence-driven and executed without delay.

According to him, naval patrol gunboats stormed the settlement, cordoned off the area and conducted a thorough search of huts believed to be occupied by the suspected militants. However, the suspects fled on sighting the approaching naval boats.

Bala said the search led to the recovery of five empty cartridges, a military camouflage vest, a police camouflage vest, a military pullover, a military jungle hat and a notebook containing records of suspected militant fighters previously arrested and the correctional facilities where they are serving prison terms.

He said the identified hideouts were subsequently destroyed to prevent the criminals from returning, adding that continuous operational pressure had significantly restricted the activities of militant groups operating within the maritime environment.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, personnel of FOB Ibaka rescued three passengers from suspected sea robbers during a routine patrol following a distress call from a passing boat reporting an attack around Mbendoro waters.

In a statement issued by the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, the Navy said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, when the patrol team swiftly mobilised to the area after receiving the emergency alert.

The Navy said the operatives successfully rescued a passenger boat conveying tomatoes and its three occupants, identified as David Okon, Anietie Friday and David Edet, who were travelling from Cameroon to Oron in Akwa Ibom State when they came under attack.

The rescued passengers were safely escorted to FOB Ibaka without any casualty, while the Eastern Naval Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustained patrols, rapid response to distress situations and the continued fight against piracy, sea robbery and other maritime crimes within its area of responsibility.