Category: Defence/Security

Troops

By Yakubu Uba

Maiduguri, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has described the performance of troops in the recent operations to clear the remnants of terrorists in the North-East as outstanding.

Lagbaja made this known in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, where he celebrated Eid-el Kabir with the troops of the North East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai.

Lagbaja assured the troops of sustained support to continue delivering on their assigned tasks of restoring peace and security in the region and Nigeria in general.

“My visit to the Theatre Command this afternoon is to come and say thank you to the troops for their wonderful performances during the just-concluded phases of ‘Operation Desert Sanity 3,’ ‘Lake Sanity 2,’ and ‘Mountain Sanity 2,’” Lagbaja said.

“My assessment of how the troops have performed is drawn from the report I have there from Army headquarters indicating the number of terrorists neutralised, victims rescued, and weapons and other physical equipment recovered.

“You can see the display of these materials, including weapons that were recovered by the troops at the parade ground, which drive home the performance of the troops,” he added.

The COAS lauded the ingenuity of the theatre command through its mechanical and electrical engineering unit for repairing most of the damaged equipment recovered from the terrorists.

This, he noted, were particularly vehicles that could be used to further enhance operations of units and formations in the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while in Maiduguri, the COAS, who had lunch with the troops, inaugurated office complexes and road projects at the Maimalari Cantonment.

He was also taken on a guided tour of items recovered from terrorists in recent operations. (NAN)

YMU/AWA
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Killing
Idowu Ariwodola
Ado-Ekiti, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Ekiti has confirmed the killing of a man in the early hours of Tuesday by two men riding on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada in Ado-Ekiti.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the middle-aged man, whose identity had yet to be known, was shot dead in broad daylight by the unidentified gunmen around the popular Okesa roundabout in Ado-Ekiti.
He was said to have been shot, moments after he asked to know if the gunmen had obtained ticket for the day.
Witnesses who knew the victim before his death said that he was one of the officers engaged to issue tickets to commercial motorcyclists around Okesa roundabout.
The witnesses said that the killers immediately sped off upon realising that their plan had been successfully achieved.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Okada Riders’ Association in the state, Mr Kunle Asaolu, said that the deceased was one of those working with the association.
Also reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the development, saying that investigation had begun to unravel the perpetrators of the act and their motives.
NAN reports that the incident led to people around the ever-busy area to scamper for safety, as many hurriedly closed shops and offices for fear of reprisals by members of the okada union.
NAN also reports that the copse of the victim had been deposited at the mogue of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ARIS/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Killing
By Monday Ajogun
Nnewi (Anambra), June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Anambra has condemned the killing of a vigilante commander and two others as well as the abduction of one person by unidentified gunmen in Nnewi Hotel on Monday.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ikechukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Onitsha, said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, had ordered immediate manhunt for the fleeing armed men.
Ikenga said that the gunmen operated in a red Highlander SUV and abducted a resident in Nnewi at about 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
He said that the police trailed the gunmen to Nnobi, in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle.
Ikenga said that during the gun duel, one of the security operatives was fatally hit by a bullet from the hoodlums.
“In an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.
“The police response team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital.
“Regrettably, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old lady, were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty, while two others are currently receiving treatment,” he said.
The spokesman said that the commissioner of police condemned the killing in strong terms, describing the killers as cowards who had murdered sleep.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and vowed to get justice for the heroic act of the murdered vigilante operative and innocent bystanders at the scene.
The police commissioner also called on members of the public, especially eyewitnesses, to assist the police with information on the ongoing operation.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said that the hoodlums, who carried out the act, were enforcing the Monday sit-at-home order.
The source also said that the gunmen collected cell phones and other valuables from their victims in the hotel.
The development, according to the source, forced many people who disobeyed the sit-at-home order to quickly close their stalls and run home. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AJOM/CHOM/WAS
Edited by Chioma Ugboma and ‘Wale Sadeeq

NSCDC vows to arrest attackers of its headquarters in Lafia

Investigation

By Sunday John

Lafia, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence  Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa,  says it has commenced investigation to unravel those behind the attack on its headquarters in Lafia.

Mr Jerry Victor,  the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state said  this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lafia.

NAN recalls that unspecified number of suspected bandits attacked the NSCDC Lafia office in  the early hours of  June 17,  but were repelled by the personnel of the command.

Victor said that the state commandant of the corps, Ismaila Abdullahi, had  directed the Intelligent unit to get to the root of the attack with a view of apprehending the attackers, collaborators and sponsors.

He said  that those behind the attack would not escape justice as the command would go after them, no matter their status in the country.

Victor said that preliminary investigation  revealed that the bandits wanted to set some of their members at their custody free.

“They came in large numbers with iron rods and attempted to break some part of the command’s fence to gain entry into the facility.

“Our personnel swiftly responded by opening fire on the hoodlums, whose mission was to release some high-profile suspected criminals including informants of kidnappers in our custody,” he said.

Victor  said that the command had beefed up surveillance in and around their office to forestall future occurrence.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

SDJ/VE/JPE

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Edited by Victor Adeoti/Joseph Edeh

Terrorist

By Ahmed Abba

Damaturu, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The  Police Command in Yobe announced on Monday it had captured Haruna Mohammed, 40, who is believed to be a leader of a “notorious terrorist gang”.

Mr Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesperson, told newsmen in Damaturu that the suspect was apprehended by the State Intelligent Department (SID).

“He has been involved in terrorising towns, villages and neighbouring states through menacing phone calls, demanding money and valuables from victims.

“The command has been on the trail of Mohammed for his criminal activities.

“A victim from Siminti village reported that Mohammed demanded N3 million and threatened to kill him and his family.

“In an intensive intelligent operation on June 16, detectives from the SID arrested Mohammed at Nangillam, a village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

“The suspect has confessed to the crime and even named other members of the syndicate who are currently being trailed,” he said.

Abdulkarim advised communities to promptly report security breaches in their areas and reaffirmed the command’s readiness to stamp out criminal tendencies in Yobe. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIA/ISHO/ETS

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Ephraims Sheyin

Troops

By Hamza Suleiman

Maiduguri, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has charged troops to show greater sacrifice and dedication to end security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

He stated this on Monday during the Eid-el Kabir feast with troops of the North-East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Lagbaja said that, “as an army, it has been a year of unquantifiable sacrifice in blood and treasure.

“We have lost gallant warriors and precious equipment to our ongoing fight against insurgency, terrorism, banditry, secessionist agitations, oil-related economic crimes, amongst others.

“Our troops have displayed uncommon courage and faith in our dear country in the face of grave danger and, like the good soldiers that they are, you came out victorious for our nation.”

According to him, many bear the badge of courage and bravery in the form of battle scars and deformities, while others are lucky to only have memories and stories to tell of their sacrifices to the country.

He noted that there was no doubt that the “Feast of Sacrifice,” as it is known, is one of the significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar during which Muslims demonstrate their obedience to Allah by sacrificing animals.

“This year’s Eid-el Kabir celebration particularly calls for introspection on how we have fared as individuals and an army.

“This past year, as it comes just six days to my completing one year in office as Chief of Army Staff.

“It is thus a period to reflect on the past year and show gratitude to God for the gift of life, relative peace that we have been able to restore to most parts of our country, and above all, hope for a better Nigeria.

“I am not unacquainted with the economic realities of our times and how that might have impacted the scale of this year’s Eid-el Kabir celebration and our standard of living in general.

“This reality is not peculiar to our dear country but a global economic issue that the government of the day is sincerely and carefully managing,” he said.

He said the government deserves understanding, support, and unflinching loyalty at this critical period to implement necessary reforms to reset the system and restore the desured economic prosperity.

The COAS enjoined Nigerian Army personnel and their family members to use the Eid celebration, to renew their commitments to personal sacrifice for the growth and development of the country.

According to him, such sacrifices, seen and unseen, are the bedrock of the nation’s security and prosperity.

While acknowledging their dedication, Lagbaja, reiterated commitment to providing the required leadership  to train, live and fight well.

“I salute your courage and resilience. Your efforts are crucial to our national security, and I assure you that your sacrifices will not go unnoticed”.

Lagbaja further lauded President Bola Tinubu for his support and focused leadership.

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theartre Commander, OPHK, said that Lagbaja’s visit marked the gradually winding down of dry season operation in the North-East.

Shuaibu said the items displayed at the event highlighted the efficiency of its operational engagements through doggedness and bravery of the troops.

According to Shuaibu, the surrendered women and children, neutralised and captured terrorists as well as recovered equipment are not mere symbols of victory but a significant representation of the sacrifices of the gallant troops.

He said that some of the gallant officers and soldiers wounded in action during the operations that recovered the platforms attended the Sallah feast.

“To the wounded in action, you have our utmost respect and commitment at ensuring your full recovery.

“We also pray that Almighty God continues to grant eternal rest to the souls of those that paid the supreme price during the various operations,” he said.

Shuaibu said the event availed the troops the previlege to celebrate the season with the COAS, adding that the gesture would boost their morale to be more dedicated towards peace restoration in the region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

HMS/KOO/RSA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Rabiu Sani-Ali

NAF airstrikes neutralise over 80 terrorists in Katsina

Airstrikes

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, has eliminated more than 80 terrorists in recent air strikes at Gidan Kare Village of Ruwan Godiya Ward in Faskare Local Government Area of Katsina State.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Monday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the air strikes carried out on the night of June 15 killed the terrorists and burnt more than 45 motorcycles.

He said the strikes became necessary following intelligence that terrorists numbering over 100 were reportedly burning houses at a settlement about five kilometers away from Gidan Kare Village.

According to him, overhead the village at about 8.30pm, several houses were observed to be on fire with the entire Village in pandemonium.

“Moments later, 12 motor cycles were seen departing the Village and trailed along a footpath out of the village to a location near Gidan Kare Village and Kuka Shidda Camp, where they joined a large number of their cohorts.

“Other terrorists were also observed arriving the location from different directions, an indication that the location was a mass up point with the terrorists likely planning to further attack nearby villages.

“Having been presented such a rare opportunity, authorization was sought, obtained and the location was immediately struck at exactly 9:40pm, with over 80 terrorists confirmed eliminated and about 45 motorcycles burnt down, while few surviving terrorists were observed fleeing or limping off.

“Further intelligence received after the strike also revealed  that the terrorists were closely linked with notorious terrorists kingpin, Yusuf Yellow and his close associate Rabe Imani.

“These strikes, along with others before now, have no doubt  disrupted terrorists activities in the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had commended the efforts of the air component as well as other security agencies in diminishing the capabilities of terrorist elements in the North West.

The CAS made the commendation when he fête the air component at 213 Forward Operating Base, Katsina on Monday.

He said the successes by the air component in synergy with other security agencies had continued to contribute to security within the region.

He urged them not to relent in their efforts and dedication to the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.

Abubakar had inaugurated some airfield facilities such as the new taxiway link, operations and engineering building, and the new sports complex.

He said the airfield facilities would no doubt ensure air operations, especially within the Northwest, are more effective and efficient. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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