By Patrick Idowu

An abducted medical doctor, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, has been released by his captors after his family paid a N50 million ransom.

Dr. Tahir was kidnapped alongside his younger brother on January 2 at their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Edo State, while opening the gate to their compound.

Tragically, the younger brother was later killed by the kidnappers, and his body was discovered on January 5 near Orley River, off City Pride Road.

The victim’s father said the ransom was paid in two tranches of N20 million and N30 million, leading to Dr. Tahir’s release at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

He added that funds were raised through contributions from family members, friends, non-governmental organisations and well-wishers.

He also disclosed that Dr. Tahir sustained a bullet injury to his leg and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Vigilantes and hunters involved in efforts to secure his release reportedly told the family that one of the kidnappers was also shot during an ambush.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said the victim has regained his freedom.

By Omoniyi David 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has cautioned that the growing reliance on soldiers for internal security operations across Nigeria is weakening the capacity and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force and other civilian security agencies.

Buratai made the remark on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day lecture in Abuja.

He noted that although the deployment of military personnel across the country provides short-term stability, it has created a dependency that undermines civilian-led security institutions and overstretches the Armed Forces.

According to him, the trend diverts defence resources to routine policing duties and reduces the military’s preparedness to respond to external threats, contrary to its constitutional mandate.

Buratai stressed that internal security should be intelligence-driven and led by civilian agencies, particularly the police and state security services, while the military should only provide support when necessary.

He warned that prolonged internal security roles could compromise the Armed Forces’ core responsibility of defending the nation and called for a clear and time-bound strategy to return internal security duties to civilian authorities.

By Onyeanya Immaculata

The Nigerian Armed Forces have warned that anyone found aiding or associating with bandits, insurgents or other criminal elements during military operations will be treated as an enemy and face the same consequences.

The warning was issued on Saturday during activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

In a video shared on Sunday on X, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), said President Bola Tinubu has continued to support and encourage the Armed Forces, giving them a clear mandate to restore peace across the country.

Musa cautioned Nigerians against providing direct or indirect support to criminal groups, stressing that such actions carry grave consequences.

He said individuals found in the company of terrorists or bandits on the battlefield would be treated as combatants.

He urged law-abiding citizens to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, assuring that the military remains ready to act swiftly on actionable information.

In a separate statement, the Defence Headquarters quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending officers and men of the Armed Forces for their professionalism and sacrifices in ongoing operations nationwide.

Oluyede also called for stronger civil military cooperation and national unity as the military intensifies counter terrorism and anti banditry operations across the country.