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13 hostages rescued during counter-terrorism operations: Military
The Nigerian Army says troops have rescued 13 hostages, intercepted 300 rounds of ammunition and killed a suspected kidnapper in separate operations nationwide.
The military operational update on Thursday covered significant occurrences between Wednesday and Thursday.
The report said the operations also disrupted illegal bunkering, recovered suspected illegally refined petroleum products, and intercepted a trailer carrying illegally mined ilmenite.
Under Operation MESA, it said the troops of 195 Battalion rescued 10 kidnapped victims and recovered the corpse of another victim in Elon/Ikakumo Forest, Akoko-Edo council area of Edo.
The report added that the rescued victims and recovered corpse were handed over to the police at Ibilolo Division for further action. Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, it said the troops of Sector 6 neutralised a suspected kidnapper at Angwan Boka, Riyom council area of Plateau.
According to the report, other suspected kidnappers fled following the engagement, while troops recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and six rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
“In another operation, troops responded to sporadic shootings by suspected kidnappers along the Jos-Makurdi road in Riyom. The intervention forced the criminals to abandon three abducted persons who sustained gunshot wounds, while the kidnappers fled with two other victims.
“The rescued victims were evacuated to the Primary Health Centre, Riyom, for medical attention, while efforts continued to rescue the two remaining abductees,” it said.
The report further revealed that troops of Sector 8 conducted a fighting patrol to Kogul village, Mangu council area, where they engaged suspected militias. It said the troops forced the suspected militias to withdraw, while one soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to General Hospital, Mangu, for treatment.
According to the report, troops intercepted four cattle found grazing on farmland without a herder in Manja community, Mangu, while the cattle were taken into military custody for further action.
Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the report said troops apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in Buruku town, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna. According to the report, the female suspect was apprehended with 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed in her bag.
The suspect travelled from Zamfara to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition for onward delivery to Birnin Gwari.
“Under Joint Task Force South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, troops of 6 Division Garrison arrested a suspected illegal bunkerer at Omoku, Rivers. The suspect was intercepted with a vehicle conveying eight 200-litre gallons containing substance suspected to be illegally refined automotive gas oil.
“In another operation, troops discovered three illegal refining sites in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers. The sites contained crude oil, suspected illegally refined AGO, reservoirs, ovens, pipes and other equipment used for illegal refining activities.
“The troops recovered about 320 litres of stolen crude oil in six sacks and 1,080 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO,” the report said.
It added that troops of 246 Battalion intercepted a trailer carrying illegally mined ilmenite along the Tuomo-Bomadi road in Bomadi council area of Delta. It said the trailer was subsequently moved to Headquarters Sector 1, JTF South South, for further action.
According to the report, the operation also recorded the recovery and burial of the corpse of a soldier who accidentally fell into the waters from a houseboat at Agoubiri, Southern Ijaw council area of Bayelsa, on Sunday.
“In another development, troops of 63 Brigade Garrison arrested three suspected impostors wearing woodland camouflage and carrying plastic rifles along Infant Jesus Road, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta.
“The suspects claimed to be artists filming comedy skits, while 63 Provost Company commenced an investigation into the source of the military kits. “The suspects are expected to be handed over to the police for further action,” it added.
(NAN)
The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Plateau State, in collaboration with the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, has organised a free medical outreach for persons aged 60 and above in Jos.
The outreach, held to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Older Persons, featured free medical consultations, health talks, eye and ear examinations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, general health screening and provision of basic medications.
The programme was held on October 2, a day after the official International Day of Older Persons, which is observed globally every October 1.
The 2026 celebration is themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.”
Speaking during the event, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Stephen Bishmang, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health system and ensuring access to healthcare regardless of age, status or circumstance.
Bishmang commended MWAN and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital for organising the outreach, noting that collaboration between government, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations could help improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of older persons.
State President of MWAN, Sekyen Sana, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of older persons and helping them live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
She noted that ageing is a natural process and should not necessarily be associated with sickness, stress or emotional difficulties.
Sana said MWAN wants older persons to remain healthy, happy and able to enjoy their lives while encouraging them to pay greater attention to their health.
The Chief Medical Director of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Professor Christopher Yilgwan, represented by Barnabas Saidu, welcomed the beneficiaries and encouraged them to take advantage of available healthcare services.
He also urged retirees and older persons who had not been enrolled in the state health insurance programme to make enquiries and register so they could access available medical services.
Saidu stressed the importance of regular health checks, noting that medical conditions can be identified and treated more effectively when detected early.
Also speaking, the Plateau State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Shainan Andrew, pledged continued collaboration with MWAN and other stakeholders to expand healthcare interventions for older persons.
Andrew encouraged the beneficiaries to seek medical advice, ask questions about their health and take advantage of available healthcare services.
One of the beneficiaries, Da Samuel Davou, expressed appreciation to the organisers for providing the free medical services.
The organisers appealed to government agencies, non-governmental organisations, companies and other stakeholders to support similar initiatives to enable more older persons to access healthcare and enjoy healthier lives.
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Alaba Olabiyi Helps Bayelsa Queens Secure First Win at Governor Diri Women’s Preseason Tournament
Bayelsa Queens secured their first victory of the ongoing Governor Diri Women’s Preseason Tournament after defeating Imo Striker Queens 2–0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, with the Flamingos winger Alaba Olabiyi showcasing a huge performance in the game.
Sports247 reports that the Prosperity Girls produced a composed performance to claim all three points, with goals from Alaba Olabiyi and Ramata Kareem proving decisive in the encounter.
Olabiyi opened the scoring with a 45th-minute effort, giving Bayelsa Queens the advantage heading into the interval and providing the Prosperity Girls with the perfect platform to build on after a competitive opening half.
Bayelsa Queens continued to press after the restart and were rewarded seven minutes into the second half when Ramata Kareem found the back of the net in the 52nd minute to double their advantage.
The two-goal cushion gave the Prosperity Girls greater control of the contest as they managed the remainder of the game to secure a valuable victory over Imo Striker Queens.
The result represents Bayelsa Queens’ first win at the Governor Diri Women’s Preseason Tournament and provides an encouraging start as the team continues preparations for the new competitive campaign.
The tournament is providing participating clubs with an important opportunity to assess their squads, build match fitness and test new combinations ahead of the season.
For Bayelsa Queens, attention will now turn to a demanding run of fixtures against three different opponents.
The Prosperity Girls are scheduled to face Delta Queens and Edo Queens, two familiar names within Nigeria’s women’s football landscape, before taking on C2E Sports Academy, the recently crowned NWFL Nationwide Champions who have secured promotion to the second tier of the women’s league.
The upcoming fixtures will offer Bayelsa Queens further opportunities to assess their squad against varying styles of opposition while continuing their preparations.
Following the victory over Imo Striker Queens, the Prosperity Girls will be hoping to maintain their momentum and build on the confidence generated by their first win of the tournament.
With Olabiyi and Kareem already on the scoresheet, Bayelsa Queens will now look to their next fixtures as the Governor Diri Women’s Preseason Tournament continues at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
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