‎* Northern senators hail action

‎* Bomb attacks decline, five ISWAP explosive experts die assembling bombs

‎By Teddy Nwanunobi

‎The Federal Government is not leaving anybody in doubt in its resolve to fight terrorism in Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu boosting military morale with pay rise.

‎Northern Senators Forum (NS) has commended the new salary structure for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the decision as a timely morale booster for troops battling insecurity across the country.

‎Under the new arrangement, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President

‎(Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, “about 250,000 personnel are to benefit from the new deal.”

‎Titled ‘Tinubu increases armed forces salary,’ the statement revealed that Tinubu has approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel.

‎”Under the new arrangement, which becomes effective from September 1, officers above the rank of colonel will enjoy a 30 per cent salary increase. This applies to Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals.

‎”Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will have a 50 per cent increase, while Private to Staff Sergeant will have an 80 per cent increase.

‎”The pay package will increase the yearly salary bill for the country’s armed forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion,” it said.

‎It noted that Tinubu has always praised the courage and sacrifices of members of the armed forces as they confront the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in some parts of the country.

‎“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation.

‎“Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties.

‎“Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians

‎“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” it added.

‎Reacting to the pay rise approval, the Northern Senators Forum said the pay increase would strengthen the fighting spirit of military personnel confronting banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to troop welfare.

‎Chairman of the NSF, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, in a statement issued on Tuesday, thanked the President for what he described as a demonstration of appreciation for the sacrifices of officers and soldiers serving in different theatres of operation.

‎He said, “I heartily thank President Bola Tinubu for approving significant salary increases of between 30 per cent and 80 per cent for our gallant men and women in uniform.

‎“This timely intervention, effective from September 1, 2026, and covering about 250,000 personnel across all ranks, is a clear demonstration of Mr. President’s deep appreciation for the courage, patriotism, and sacrifices of those who keep our nation safe.

‎“At a time when our troops are confronting the scourge of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism in different parts of the country, this welfare package will boost morale, restore dignity, and reaffirm that their service does not go unnoticed. Increasing the annual personnel wage bill from N660bn to N924bn shows the seriousness of this administration in prioritising the welfare and modernisation of our Armed Forces.”

‎Yar’Adua, who is also the Senate Committee on Army chairman, also linked the salary increase to the recent expansion of Army divisions, saying both initiatives reflected the government’s determination to strengthen national security.

‎He said, “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, I also congratulate the Nigerian Army on this landmark gesture, coming on the heels of the recent expansion of Divisions to strengthen operational reach and effectiveness nationwide.

‎“To our officers and soldiers on the frontlines: Your sacrifices in the trenches, forests, and communities are not in vain. From the North East to the North West, and other theatres of operation, you continue to pay the supreme price to keep Nigeria united and secure. We see, appreciate and stand with you.

‎“The Senate Committee on Army will continue to work with the Executive to ensure full implementation of this welfare package, improved equipment, and better conditions of service for all ranks.

‎“Thank you for standing for Nigeria. Together, we shall prevail over every enemy intent on destroying the fabric of our nation.”

‎Also reacting, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan, described the salary review as a compassionate and strategic intervention that would significantly improve the morale of military personnel.

‎“This decisive executive action, which raises the emoluments of our military personnel by between 30 and 80 per cent effective from September 1, is a masterstroke of compassionate and strategic leadership.

‎“By this singular policy, the Commander-in-Chief has demonstrated that the welfare of the men and women who stand in the line of fire to protect our sovereignty is a top priority of this administration,” he stated.

‎Lawan said the graduated salary structure recognised the contributions of personnel across all ranks while providing greater incentives for junior officers and soldiers who bear the burden of frontline operations.

‎He said, “The details of this package are both thorough and fair.”

‎The former Senate President, however, urged the military to reciprocate the government’s gesture through greater professionalism and stronger collaboration among the armed services.

‎“I, therefore, urge the Nigerian Armed Forces to respond to this gesture with an intensified rededication and commitment to operational efficiency.

‎“As the resources and support for our military improve, so must the synergy among the various agencies of our security architecture. The old era of inter-service rivalry and operational compartmentalization must give way to an unprecedented level of collaboration.

‎“The Army, Navy, and Air Force must seamlessly integrate their operations and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. The complex nature of today’s threats demands that we do not just fight as individual services, but as one unified, lethal, and professional force.

‎“Let this wage increase serve as the catalyst for a final, coordinated onslaught that restores total peace to every troubled corner of our beloved country. The Senate Committee on Defence, on its part, will continue to ensure that appropriations for security remain robust and that no legislative obstacle hinders the total defeat of the enemies of the state,” he added.

‎The Presidency had earlier announced that the new salary package would benefit approximately 250,000 personnel and take effect from September 1, 2026.

‎According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, personnel from the rank of private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent salary increase, those from colonel to warrant officer will get a 50 per cent increase, while officers above the rank of colonel, including generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.

‎The new remuneration package will raise the Armed Forces’ annual wage bill from N660bn to N924bn, representing an additional N264 billion.

‎Tinubu said the salary increase was in recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, adding that his administration would continue to prioritise troop welfare and the modernisation of the armed forces.

‎In a related development, alleged explosives experts of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have lost their lives while assembling Improvise Explosive Devices (IEDs).

‎Five such ISWAP terrorists, including: an alleged medical officer and four IED specialists reportedly lost their lives in the course of a premature explosion.

‎According to reports, the accident occurred in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

‎Intelligence sources, including security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed on Tuesday that the incident occurred at Maina Daya Village, located between Sabon Tumbu and Jubilaram, about 29 kilometres east of Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

‎According to the sources, the explosion killed Usman Dan Fulani, described as an ISWAP medical officer, alongside two foreign Arab IED technicians and two ISWAP bomb-making experts.

‎The sources said the incident occurred while the terrorists were allegedly preparing improvised explosive devices for deployment, suggesting the group was planning further attacks along key military supply routes in the Sector 1 area of Operation HADIN KAI.

‎Security analysts believe the loss of experienced bombmakers is a significant setback to ISWAP’s IED network and could temporarily weaken the group’s capability to carry out roadside bomb attacks in the Marte-Monguno axis.

‎Military sources disclosed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been directed to exploit the development by intensifying patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and precision offensive actions around Monguno, Marte, and Gamboru Ngala to prevent the terrorist group from regrouping or rebuilding its IED capability.

‎Meanwhile, incidents involving IEDs have declined, while civilian casualties linked to explosives have also dropped dramatically.

‎This is according to a new United Nations report.

‎The report is contained in the 2026 Second Quarter Humanitarian Access Snapshot released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which assessed humanitarian conditions across the three insurgency-hit states, namely: Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states between April and June 2026.

‎According to OCHA, 60 explosive ordnance incidents were recorded during the quarter, down from 67 during the same period in 2025. Incidents involving IEDs also declined from 65 to 54, while civilian casualties linked to explosives dropped dramatically from 163 to 54.

‎The UN attributed the improvement to sustained joint military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and United States forces, particularly in northern and central Borno State, as well as reduced civilian movement in high-risk areas.

‎It would be recalled that Tinubu has said his administration would not pay ransom to terrorists, insisting that the government would deploy strategic measures to defeat criminal elements across the country.

‎Tinubu stated on Thursday last week while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland and members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

‎The President, who commended the armed forces for the successful rescue operation in Oyo State, said security challenges had continued to compel the government to review its strategies and operations.

‎“Congratulations on the Oyo State’s rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers, I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance.

‎“On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same thing, the same message on,” Tinubu said.

‎The President said every security incident provided lessons for improving the country’s security architecture.

‎“As we emphasise the question of security, each event teaches us new methods, opens our eyes, challenges us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategy, our map and operations,” he said.

‎Tinubu said the government had adopted a new approach to tackling terrorism and kidnapping, stressing that ransom payments would not be part of its strategy.

‎“And you will have seen, we will give them a geographical and numerical answer to the challenges. We refuse to pay ransom; we have the geography of the forest, we know what it is, and an answer to it,” the President stated.

‎He disclosed that the Nigerian Army was being expanded from eight divisions to 12 divisions to improve response time and strengthen the fight against terrorism.

‎“You’ve seen that from eight divisions now, we are now moving to 12 divisions, to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism. It is very necessary and we are doing so,” Tinubu said.

‎The President also announced that the Federal Government would establish state police to address security gaps at the local level.

‎“We have equally embarked upon what was missing. Several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected.

‎“There will be state police. And as state police, we have a guardrail from abuses; we will protect it from abuses,” he said.