Most dangerous countries see Nigerian troops recover arms cache from Sokoto bandits
Military operations in most dangerous countries across multiple global conflict zones have produced tactical gains against insurgent and terrorist networks, including Nigerian forces disrupting Boko Haram and bandit logistics while repelling attacks in Sokoto, Ukrainian troops turning back 237 Russian assaults in one day, a deadly clash between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank, and Iranian forces claiming to target a US unmanned vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
Nigeria Disrupts Terrorist Funding and Logistics
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), has revealed that a major component of the military's updated strategy is focused on choking the logistical and financial lifelines sustaining asymmetric warfare in the country. [1] The minister also asserted that the days of brazen terrorist attacks on vulnerable communities and military formations are over, as the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working with partner intelligence agencies, have disrupted the operational momentum of major terrorist networks, including Boko Haram and ISWAP. [1] He said the conflict has consequently shifted from a structured insurgency towards desperate, isolated criminal cells. [1] In a statement by minister's Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister cautioned villagers against spying on troop movements or supplying logistics to terrorist fighters, warning that such activities were prolonging the insurgency and its unintended consequences. [1] He said the military high command had confirmed that aggressive offensive operations conducted directly within insurgent enclaves had significantly degraded the adversary's capacity to launch large-scale and brazen attacks on communities. [1] "We don't have those brazen attacks that used to be," Musa stated. [1] "Before now, Boko Haram would go to places, attack areas and go. You don't hear of that anymore. The trajectory has moved from insurgency back downwards towards terrorism, abductions and kidnapping because that is the easiest way for desperate networks to try and raise money." [1] The minister of defence also highlighted that the recent uptick in security incidents followed a historical and consistent pattern observed ahead of major political cycles. [1] With political campaigns for the upcoming elections scheduled to commence in January, Musa questioned whether the recent spikes in insecurity were being deliberately weaponised by political actors to stir negative sentiments against the government's performance. [1] Musa further disclosed that working in tandem with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), security forces had successfully tracked and intercepted illicit funding networks using proxy accounts, social media crowdfunding and cryptocurrency. [1] "Following a high-level summit with the United States State Department, Nigeria is now deploying advanced international counter-funding tools to isolate foreign influences like ISIS from local affiliates," he said. [1] Musa emphasised that the military was also confronting the deep-seated ideological radicalisation driving asymmetric warfare. [1] He said increased military pressure was prompting mass surrenders, as low-level fighters realised they had been deceived, adding that tactical forces had, through daily operations, successfully rescued more than 700 abducted persons from captivity and sustain the current operational momentum. [1] The minister said President Bola Tinubu has directed an upward review of the salaries and pensions of serving troops and military veterans. [1] "General Musa, a military pensioner himself, addressed previous concerns over delays in veterans' pension payments, confirming that presidential orders had secured the next harmonised disbursements for the end of September 2026," the statement added. [1] In a stern warning to local informants and logisticians, Musa said individuals supplying fuel, food and water to terrorist cells were directly prolonging the conflict and its unintended consequences. [1] The minister also confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were finalising an extensive investigation into a foiled plot by individuals allegedly seeking to disrupt the nation's democracy out of nostalgia for past military regimes. [1] On the issue of porous borders, Musa said the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service had activated specialised control hubs equipped with real-time cameras and supported by continuous drone reconnaissance to tackle illegal activities along the volatile 1,500-kilometre border shared with Niger. [1] "To back this technology with physical manpower, the military has expanded its footprint to 12 active divisions, adding four new divisions for localised monitoring," the minister concluded. [1]
Troops Clear Bandit Hideouts in Sokoto
Troops of the COAS Special Intervention Battalion 7, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have dislodged terrorist elements in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State and recovered a cache of high-calibre weapons and mobility assets during a series of clearance operations in the North West. [2] The offensive, which formed part of the military's ongoing campaign to clear identified terrorist enclaves, saw soldiers advance through multiple flashpoints in the border LGA. [2] A statement by acting Army Public Relations, Lt colonel Olaniyi Osoba, said in the operation, troops moved through Manu, Alkasim, and Kandam villages before pushing into the Magarya forest axis, a location described by security sources as one of the major hideouts used by terrorists in Tangaza and adjoining communities. [2] Osoba said contact was made with the terrorists inside the Magarya forest. [2] The troops engaged the insurgents with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their positions and flee deeper into the forest in disarray. [2] Following the encounter, the troops conducted follow-up sweeps and a thorough search of the general area. [2] The exercise led to the recovery of significant arms and equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. [2] Items recovered include one PKT general-purpose machine gun, AK-47 rifles, and a large quantity of 7.62 x 54mm belted ammunition. [2] The troops also recovered motorcycles and assorted logistical and miscellaneous items used to support the group's operations in the area. [2] He said the recovery of the heavy weapon and ammunition would degrade the capacity of the terrorists to carry out attacks on nearby villages and to move freely along border routes into Sokoto and neighboring states. [2] Operation FANSAN YAMMA was launched to consolidate gains against banditry and terrorism across the North West. [2] Sector 2 has in recent weeks intensified patrols and clearance missions aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement in Sokoto, Zamafara, and Katsina axis. [2] Local residents in Tangaza have for months raised concerns over attacks and movement of armed men around forest corridors. [2] The latest operation is expected to ease pressure on communities in Manu, Alkasim, Kandam and other agrarian settlements that have borne the brunt of the insecurity. [2] The military authorities said troops have maintained a strong operational posture in the general area and are continuing to dominate the terrain to ensure total security for surrounding communities. [2] Surveillance and fighting patrols are also being sustained to prevent a return of the dislodged elements. [2] With the latest recoveries, security officials said the focus will now shift to mopping-up operations and intelligence-driven raids aimed at tracking the fleeing terrorists. [2]
Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Assaults
A total of 237 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield over the past day, with the Russians being most active on the Pokrovsk front, where 43 Russian attacks were repelled. [3] On the North Slobozhanshchyna front and in the operational zone in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces repelled one Russian assault towards the village of Velykyi Prykil. [3] On the South Slobozhanshchyna front, Ukrainian forces repelled 10 Russian attacks. [3] The Russians attempted to advance near the settlements of Izbytske and Starytsia and towards Ustynivka and Khatnie. [3] On the Kupiansk front, the Russians conducted seven attacks near the settlements of Hlushkivka, Kurylivka and Kivsharivka and towards Novoplatonivka. [3] On the Lyman front, Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defences were repelled. [3] The Russians conducted seven attacks near the settlements of Dibrova, Stavky and Lyman and towards Novoserhiivka and Novoselivka. [3] On the Sloviansk front, the Russians conducted five assaults near the settlements of Ozerne and Kryva Luka and towards Rai-Oleksandrivka. [3] On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians conducted one attack towards the village of Fedorivka. [3] On the Kostiantynivka front, 12 Russian attacks were recorded. [3] The Russians conducted assaults near the city of Kostiantynivka and towards the settlements of Novoselivka and Toretske. [3] On the Pokrovsk front, the highest number of Russian assaults was recorded, with Ukrainian forces repelling 43 attacks. [3] The Russians were active near the settlements of Bilytske, Serhiivka, Udachne and Molodetske and conducted assaults towards Toretsk, Sofiivka, Vilne, Dorozhnie, Novyi Donbas, Matiasheve, Shevchenko, Chernihivka, Dobropillia, Myrne, Vasylivka, Novoserhiivka and Novopavlivka. [3] On the Oleksandrivka front, the Russians conducted one attack towards the village of Rybne. [3] On the Huliaipole front, the Russians conducted seven attacks. [3] The Russians attempted to advance towards the settlements of Vozdvyzhivka, Kosivtseve, Verkhnia Tersa and Tsvitkove. [3]
Broader Context of Global Conflict Activity in most dangerous countries
The incidents described above illustrate concurrent examples of ongoing asymmetric and conventional conflicts. [1] [3] [4] The minister highlighted that the recent uptick in security incidents followed a historical and consistent pattern observed ahead of major political cycles. [1] A total of 237 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield over the past day. [3] A Palestinian was killed by IDF fire during overnight clashes with extreme right-wing activists in the village of Hajja, located near Kalkilya in the West Bank. [4]
What to watch next: The military has expanded its footprint to 12 active divisions, adding four new divisions for localised monitoring along the border with Niger. [1] Surveillance and fighting patrols are also being sustained to prevent a return of the dislodged elements in Sokoto. [2] The U.S. military had not immediately commented on Iran’s claim. [5]
