ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

…say army expansion will strengthen border security

By Gloria Ikibah

Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr Abdulrazak Namdas, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving an upward review of salaries and allowances for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the move as a major boost to troop morale and national security.

Namdas also welcomed the President’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, saying the decision would significantly enhance security across Nigeria’s border communities.

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Army said the expansion would improve military presence in many underserved areas, particularly the country’s border settlements.

He noted that the initiative would benefit more than 3,000 border communities spread across 105 local government areas in 21 states, many of which currently have little or no military presence.

Describing the President’s decisions as timely and far-reaching, Namdas said they reflected a strong commitment to the welfare of military personnel and the country’s security.

“This salary hike sends a strong message to our troops on the frontlines and in barracks across the country that their service is seen, valued, and appreciated. Increasing the take-home pay of our officers and men will not only enhance welfare but also strengthen operational efficiency, retention, and patriotism within the Armed Forces.

“I equally commend Mr President for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions; and in addition the directive for the recruitment of 28,000 personnel. This is a bold and courageous investment that can reset the nation’s Armed Forces,” he said.

Namdas stressed that a motivated and adequately equipped military remains crucial to tackling insecurity and delivering on the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also expressed confidence in the ability of the Ministry of Defence, the military high command and other relevant agencies to ensure the smooth implementation of the new welfare package.

The BCDA Director-General urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces through prayers and public goodwill, while encouraging military personnel to remain disciplined, professional and committed to their constitutional responsibilities.

“I salute our gallant men and women in uniform. I believe Mr President’s gesture will go a long way in boosting morale and enhancing the war against insecurity in the country. May God continue to protect and strengthen our Armed Forces,” Namdas added.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigerian military has unmasked several senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following what it described as a major intelligence breakthrough during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State, placing a combined ₦60 million bounty on two of the group’s most wanted leaders.

The development came after troops of the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, recorded a series of successful offensives against ISWAP terrorists operating in northern Borno, leading to the recovery of critical intelligence materials that exposed the identities, operational locations and command structure of several high-ranking insurgent leaders.

Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops recovered several technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by the terrorists to produce propaganda videos and document their operations.

According to him, forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled security forces to identify terrorist hideouts and several senior ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

The military subsequently released photographs of dozens of identified ISWAP leaders and field commanders in a public appeal for information capable of leading to their arrest.

A large intelligence poster bears the inscription: “Most Wanted ISWAP Leaders – We Know Them. You Can Stop Them. These are known ISWAP terrorists and commanders operating in our communities. Your information can save lives and help restore peace.”

The poster contains photographs and aliases of at least 38 suspected ISWAP commanders and fighters believed to be active across northern Borno and the Lake Chad region.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

A Nigerian author Jerry Falade has lost a publishing deal worth more than $2 million after concerns emerged that artificial intelligence may have been used in writing or editing his debut crime novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body.

The novel, scheduled for publication in 2028, sparked a bidding war involving 14 publishing houses, with Macmillan U.S.‘s Minotaur imprint reportedly securing the rights.

However, Falade’s literary agents later withdrew the manuscript, saying they could no longer verify that AI was not involved in its creation.

In an email to publishers, the agents said they initially trusted Falade’s assurance that the manuscript was written and edited without AI, but later concluded they could no longer authenticate how it evolved from its original draft to the final version.

Marc Gerald of Europa Content, which handled the U.S. auction, said an editor first raised concerns about possible AI use. Although the agency initially accepted Falade’s explanation without using AI-detection software, it cut ties with the author on July 29 after saying aspects of his account had changed.

Falade has denied using AI, arguing that Black authors are unfairly subjected to such allegations when their work gains international attention. He noted that some white authors have openly acknowledged using AI without facing similar consequences.

He also referenced U.S.-based Black authors Mia Ballard and HM Wolfe, who lost publishing deals earlier this year over similar claims. Falade added that AI-detection tools are known to produce false positives and maintained that publishing professionals who reviewed the manuscript would have identified any genuine misuse of AI.