Counter-Terrorism: Nigeria To Deepen Collaboration With UNODC

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni has commended the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on their Counter- Terrorism Project work with Nigerian Armed Forces. The Minister made the commendation when he received the Representative of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Oliver Stolpe, in his office at Ship House, Abuja.  Badaru stated that Nigeria welcomes any effort that would help in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. “Thank you for doing a good job in Maiduguri. We will give you maximum cooperation needed to sustain the fight against Boko Haram and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria. On the rehabilitation of the repentant Boko Haram members, the Minister said in addition to what they have done, there was the need for Tracking Mechanism to ensure that the released Boko Haram members are fully integrated back to the society. Badaru expressed gratitude for UNODC’s continuous support in enhancing Nigeria’s capabilities to combat terrorism.  In his remark, Mr. Stolpe pointed out that the UNODC is collaborating with Nigerian Armed Forces in area of counter- terrorism and Maritime security. He said UNODC in partnership with Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Maiduguri, Borno State has successfully reviewed over 2,900 case files leading to 2,400 prisoners released.

How Troops Foiled Attack On Yobe Governor’s Convoy –DHQ

The Defence Headquarters said troops of 29 Task Force Brigade foiled the attack by terrorists on the convoy of Yobe Governor along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on Saturday. A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Monday in Abuja, said the troops also recovered the two vehicles affected in the incident. He said one military truck driver, four police escorts and one DSS operative wounded in the attack were in stable condition. According to him, one of the injured police escorts died shortly on arrival at the Specialists Hospital Damaturu. “Reinforcement of troops from 29 Task Force Brigade led by the Brigade Commander are conducting fighting patrol in the area to locate the terrorists who carried out the dastardly act. “The two vehicles affected in the incident include one military MRAP and one civilian escort vehicle whose tyres were shot at during the incident, have been safely recovered to the military camp at Benisheikh. “Operations are ongoing to hunt and destroy the terrorists that perpetrated the attack,” he said. The governor’s convoy was ambushed by terrorists while returning to Damaturu from Maiduguri, about 6 kilometers from Benesheikh town on Saturday. The governor was not in the convoy when it was ambushed. The Secretary to the State Government and some other top government officials who were in the convoy were unhurt. 

Troops eliminate 817 terrorists, arrest 1,326 criminals –DHQ

*Says 721 hostages recued across Nigeria The Defence Headquarters has said that troops of the armed forces of Nigeria have in the last three months neutralised 817 terrorists, apprehended 1,326 criminals and rescued 721 hostages in different operations across the country. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja. Buba said those apprehended include 42 kidnappers, 231 terrorists’ collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners and 191 suspected oil thieves. He added that a total of 4,560 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the North East during the period. He said that troops also recovered 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition and 674 other equipment within the period under review. In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 240 terrorists, arrested 276 terrorists and collaborators, and rescued 147 kidnapped hostages as well as surrender of 4,560 combatant fighters with their families to troops. He said the troops also recovered 169 assorted weapons, 1,195 assorted ammunitions and 199 other equipment, comprising 57 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, 2 HK21 rifles, one FN rifle, one G3 rifle, one pistol, 22 dane guns, one double barrel, 73 AK47 magazines and three hand grenades. “It also includes two LMG magazines, one RPG tube, two tear gas launchers, 674 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 500 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 20 PKM rounds, one cartridge, two vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 47 bicycles, 18 mobile phones, 13 steering rod and pumps, five gear boxes and four boafeng radios and 158 livestock,” he said. In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 94 terrorists, arrested 477 suspects and rescued 76 kidnaped hostages as well as recovered 82 assorted weapons and 760 assorted ammunition. The breakdown, according to him, includes 20 AK47 rifles, five revolvers, 27 fabricated rifles, six fabricated pistols, 13 dane guns, five pistols, two pump actions, six Ak47 magazines, 523 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 31 rounds 9mm ammo, 18 cartridges and 1,722 livestock. He said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 104 suspects and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages and also recovered 37 weapons, 68 assorted ammunition and 127 items. “Breakdown as follows: two AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, five locally fabricated pistols, two dane guns, one pistols, 15 AK47 magazines, two G3 magazines, two FN magazines, one GPMG barrel, one Ak47 barrels, three rifle butts and one locally fabricated bullet. “In addition, troops recovered four woodland camouflage, 15 motorcycles, nine mobile phones, six vehicles, five cutlasses, two pairs of black boots, one fragmental jackets, one generator set, three knives, two machetes and one saw and metal,” he said. In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 248 terrorists, arrested 116 suspected terrorists and rescued 359 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a total of 67 assorted weapons, 926 assorted ammunition and 160 other incriminating items. In the South-South, he said the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 69 combatants, arrested 191 oil theft collaborators and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Baba said the troops also intercepted 6.6 million litres of stolen crude oil, 3.5 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 188,650 kerosine and 65,600 litres of petrol. He said the troops also discovered and destroyed 249 boats, 28 pumping machines, and three vessels as well as recovered a total of 51 assorted weapons, In the South East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 80 combatants, arrested 162 IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued 109 kidnapped hostages. He said the troops also recovered 63 assorted weapons, 320 assorted ammunitions and 166 other incriminating items within the period under review. According to him,it is clear from the operations that the terrorists and their cohorts have sustained a significant number of casualties and will continue to sustain even more casualties, as we move forward. “The illusion by these groups to embark on terrorism or insurgency is laughable. “Increasingly, they have become more of a criminal organization which is the reason they fight. They fight so that, they can keep profiting from criminal activities such as illegal mining, kidnapping, cattle rustling, illegal levies on fishing and farming communities and all other unholy forms of criminal inclinations. “Indeed, if these groups don’t come to the table in peace, we will ceaselessly punish them with overwhelming military force and for those supporting them, they have picked the wrong side and will face similar fate as these criminals and murders,” he said. 

Military taskforce apprehends 39 suspects linked to Plateau attacks, banditry

Over the course of one week, troops from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the military taskforce responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, have apprehended 39 suspects involved in cases of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. According to Captain James Oya, the Media Officer of OPSH, the arrests took place between August 14 and August 21 in various locations. The troops, during their operations, successfully recovered illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition from the suspects. Among the detained individuals, two were long-sought individuals connected to multiple armed robberies and kidnappings. The recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action Magnum gun, an AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm “special” ammunition, and a mobile phone. One of the arrested suspects was identified as both a kidnapper and an arms dealer, apprehended in Kuba village within the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau. Additionally, two members of the militia group responsible for an attack that led to the death of 21 individuals in Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau on August 10 were also among the detainees. These individuals were found to be in possession of two AK-47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles, and four pump-action cartridges. A drug syndicate operating in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau was also targeted in a sting operation, leading to the arrest of seven drug peddlers and the confiscation of a significant amount of drugs. The troops also addressed issues related to grazing, impounding 307 cows that were grazing on farmlands owned by locals in the Kubat and Mabel communities of Mangu and Bokkos local government areas, respectively. During the same time frame, the taskforce responded to 37 distress calls, successfully rescuing 17 kidnap victims. It also thwarted numerous attempts of cattle rustling and repelled attacks on vulnerable communities, with a focus on areas such as Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom in Plateau. Captain Oya reiterated OPSH’s dedication to reinstating sustainable peace across all parts of Plateau. He assured that the operation’s officers and personnel would remain swift in their response to threats against the safety and property of citizens. The ongoing efforts of OPSH underscore the commitment of the military to curbing criminal activities, ensuring the safety of residents, and fostering a more secure environment within the region.