CAS Says “Protection Of Civilians Now Central To Air Operations”

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, says civilian protection has become a central consideration in the planning and execution of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations.

Mr Aneke stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for strategic-level officers, organised by the Civil Military Relations Branch.

He called for improved target verification and operational discipline in complex security environments.

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Mr Aneke said that modern warfare required a shift in mindset, stressing that success in operations was no longer defined only by battlefield outcomes but also by the protection of civilian lives.

“The environment we operate in is dynamic and complex. We must adapt continuously if we are to remain effective,” he said.

The CAS said personnel must strengthen intelligence validation, planning processes, and post-operation assessments to reduce avoidable civilian harm.

He added that civilian harm mitigation was not a limitation to operational effectiveness but a strategic enabler that improves precision, accountability and decision-making.

According to him, incidents arising from military operations—whether confirmed or alleged—have significant implications for public trust and institutional legitimacy.

Mr Aneke said the seminar was designed to deepen strategic-level understanding of civilian harm mitigation principles and equip senior officers with practical tools for decision-making in fast-changing operational contexts.

He urged participants to embrace continuous learning and accountability, noting that the operational environment remains unpredictable and demands professionalism under pressure.

Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the seminar marked a significant milestone in strengthening professionalism, accountability, and the protection of civilians in air and joint operations.

Mr Gabkwet described the forum as the first of its kind in the NAF at the strategic level, aimed at deepening institutional understanding of civilian harm mitigation and response.

CAS

He noted that contemporary security operations were increasingly complex, with civilians often present in operational environments, making it imperative for personnel to adopt deliberate measures to minimise harm.

According to him, effective civilian harm mitigation requires collaboration among military, paramilitary and civilian stakeholders, stressing that it cannot be achieved in isolation.

“This seminar provides a platform for reflection, learning and honest conversations on how we conduct operations in civilian-populated environments,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflected the NAF’s commitment to evolving in line with modern operational realities and global best practices.

The seminar brought together senior military officers, security stakeholders and subject matter experts to discuss strategies for minimising civilian harm while enhancing operational effectiveness. Eereporter.com

SEC: Nigeria’s Assets Under Management Now N10 Trillion

Nigeria’s Assets Under Management increased from N3.2 trillion to N10 trillion within the last two years, the Securities and Exchange Commission has said.

SEC’s director-general, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos during an event marking Nigeria’s transition to the T+1 settlement cycle.

Mr Agama said the growth reflected rising investor confidence and the positive impact of ongoing reforms in the Nigerian capital market. He noted that the market had achieved several historic milestones in recent months, including record growth in market capitalisation.

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“The Nigerian capital market has recorded historic milestones. Within two years, the nation’s AUM grew from N3.2 trillion to N10 trillion. In February 2026 alone, market capitalisation expanded by N17.6 trillion, representing the highest single-month gain in the market’s history,” he said.

Mr Agama said domestic and foreign portfolio investments on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd rose to N1.803 trillion in April 2026.

“This represents a 3.35 per cent month-on-month increase and a remarkable 274.05 per cent year-on-year rise from N482 billion in April 2025. For the first four months of 2026, total market transactions reached N5.952 trillion, more than double the N2.714 trillion recorded in 2025,” he said.

The SEC chief described the figures as unprecedented and evidence of the growing strength of Nigeria’s capital market. He added that the market’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product had increased significantly.

According to him, the market’s contribution to GDP rose to 33 per cent in 2025. He said market capitalisation also recorded a 125 per cent increase from about N55 trillion in April 2024.

Mr Agama noted that, despite the strong performance, there remained considerable room for improvement. He disclosed that foreign participation in Nigerian equities increased from 9.9 per cent in 2023 to 22.2 per cent in 2025. He described the increase as a meaningful recovery for the market.

“However, there is still significant room to close the gap, and T+1 is one of the most important tools available to achieve that,” he said.

Mr Agama expressed confidence that the T+1 settlement cycle would improve efficiency, boost liquidity, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a global investment destination.

He said the transition represented a milestone for the market but also imposed new responsibilities on operators. According to him, the shorter settlement cycle would place greater pressure on smaller market participants to automate operations and strengthen back-office processes.

SEC

He said that stockbrokers, custodians, and registrars relying on legacy systems and manual workflows could no longer afford the delays tolerated under the T+2 regime.

Mr Agama stressed that trade confirmations, reconciliations and funding decisions must now be completed more quickly. He added that the entire industry must adapt to the demands of a faster and more efficient settlement environment.

The SEC boss also announced that the commission would launch the Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan 2.0 between June and July.
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Nigerian Navy Drone Surveillance Leads To Arrests Of Suspected Terrorists Collaborator In Lake Chad

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North East following the arrest of a suspected terrorist collaborator by personnel of Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC).

The arrest was made on 1 June 2026 during an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission conducted by NBLC personnel using a tactical drone within the Lake Chad area of operations.
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During the surveillance mission, naval personnel observed a suspicious individual later identified as Baba Saidu Abdullahi moving from a location where terrorist elements had earlier been sighted. Further monitoring revealed interactions between the suspect and armed terrorists before he departed the area. Consequently, the suspect was tracked in real time from the Dumba axis to the vicinity of Charlie Company, 196 Amphibious Battalion, where he was subsequently apprehended.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect frequently moved between Dumba and Baga Town and allegedly maintained contact with terrorist elements operating within the area. Initial findings further suggested that he was involved in providing logistical support to the terrorists through the procurement and movement of essential supplies.

A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of personal effects and other items considered relevant to ongoing investigations.

Following preliminary interrogation, the suspect was handed over to the appropriate military authorities for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with established procedures.

The operation underscores the growing role of intelligence, surveillance, and technology-driven operations in enhancing situational awareness and supporting ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the Lake Chad region.

Nigerian Navy

The Nigerian Navy remains committed to supporting joint operations under Operation HADIN KAI and will continue to deploy available assets and capabilities to deny terrorist elements freedom of action while contributing to the restoration of peace and security in the North East.
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Signed

AA FOLORUNSHO

Captain (Nigerian Navy)