Northern Rulers Pledge Support for Security in South-South, South-East

Northern traditional rulers have pledged to support security agencies and state governments through intelligence sharing and community cooperation to address security challenges in the South-South and South-East regions.

NAF Airstrikes Eliminate Terrorists, Destroy Gun Trucks In Borno, Zamfara

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Components of Operations Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji, have eliminated scores of terrorists in stream of air strikes in their enclaves across the theatres. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the Air component in the early hours of Saturday, carried out air interdiction missions at a newly identified terrorists’ hideout at Bukar Meram, near the Lake Chad region in Borno. He said the strikes became necessary after it was established that recent relocation of terrorists from Suwa to Bukar Meram general area, was to for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops and innocent civilians. According to him, air strikes were authorised at the location in Bukar Meram to decimate the terrorists. “Feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralised while over 40 motorcycles and six gun trucks were destroyed,” he said. NAF spokesman said that similar air strikes were carried out on terrorists on Oct. 11 by the Air Component of Operation Haradin Daji around Sangeko axis of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. He said the terrorists, who were in a convoy of about 70 motorcycles on the road track from Kabaro towards Sangeko, were subsequently engaged with several neutralised, their motorcycles destroyed, and others injured. Gabkwet said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has commended the professionalism and dedication of the Air Components. He quoted Abubakar as saying, “your efforts and support to the ground troops is commendable. Stay focused and do not be complacent as we must continue to give our citizens the confidence they deserve to thrive”. 

NSCDC Apprehends 7 Suspects For Energy Theft, N13m Fraud

The Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended six individuals on charges of energy theft. The command, in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Kehinde Adeleke, disclosed that the suspects were captured during a collaborative operation between the command and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Osogbo. According to Mr. Sunday Agboola, the NSCDC’s state commandant, the suspects were apprehended in the Ota-Efun area of Osogbo and have allegedly confessed to their involvement in the theft of energy. Agboola urged the public to actively participate in the command’s renewed efforts to safeguard critical national assets in their communities by promptly reporting any suspicious activities of vandals to the corps. In addition to the energy theft suspects, the command also arrested a 40-year-old individual named Sodiq Ayanleye on charges of perpetrating N13 million fraud. Ayanleye purportedly collected the money from a victim, falsely claiming that he intended to purchase five plots of land in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on the victim’s behalf. The NSCDC’s state commandant clarified that obtaining money under false pretences is a violation of Section 419 of the criminal code of conduct and Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. He assured the public that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders in the future.

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. 

Troops neutralise 23 terrorists, apprehend 137 suspects, rescue 41 hostages

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the armed forces have within nine weeks, neutralised 23 terrorists, arrested 109 criminals, and five kidnappers. It also said that one informant and 22 suspected oil thieves were arrested within the period across the country. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement at the weekend, added that the troops also rescued 41 kidnapped hostages. Buba said that 231 terrorists and their families comprising 25 adult males, 63 adult females and 143 children surrendered to troops in the North East. He added that the troops recovered 41 weapons and 300 assorted weapons comprising 14 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, two AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammo and one PKT gun. Others according to him, included one LMG, two pump action guns, two locally fabricated pistols, three locally fabricated rifles, two dane guns, one pistol, and two locally made long barrel guns. “Additionally, troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 AK47 magazine, one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 239 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five rounds of 7.62 NATO, 44 rounds of PKT, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo and 6 cartridges. “Furthermore, troops recovered 13 motorcycle, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machete, a pair of camouflage.” He added that the operations in South-South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 23,250 litres of DPK. “All amounting to an estimated sum of N414.3 million denied to the oil thieves,” the defence spokesman said. Buba said the military would continue to relentlessly pursue the violent groups instigating insecurity and instability in the country. He assured that troops would continue to make improvements towards ensuring safety of citizens and restoring security nationwide.

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.

Troops counter Boko Haram attack in Borno, eliminate insurgents

A successful counter-operation by the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has resulted in the thwarting of a Boko Haram terrorist attack, leading to the neutralization of two militants in Konduga LGA, Borno State. In an official statement released to journalists, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the army spokesman, provided insights into the operation. The ambush was meticulously executed at a known crossing point for the terrorists called Kuka. General Nwachukwu highlighted the troops’ strategically advantageous position, enabling them to engage the unsuspecting Boko Haram members in a fierce firefight. A swift and coordinated action led to the neutralization of two terrorists, causing the others to disperse in panic. The aftermath of the operation yielded substantial gains for the troops. They successfully secured 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, an improvised explosive device (IED) shell, five Pento injections, and a cash sum of Nineteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Naira. In a closely linked incident that underscores the mounting pressure on Boko Haram, a notorious member of the group surrendered to the 222 Battalion stationed at Geizuwa, also in Konduga LGA. The surrendered insurgent relinquished an AK47 rifle, a magazine, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Currently undergoing detailed profiling, the surrendered individual’s actions and affiliations will be further scrutinized. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, lauded the troops for their unwavering vigilance and remarkable combat spirit. He urged them to sustain their current momentum, emphasizing the vital objective of completely eradicating any remnants of terrorists and bandits within their operational jurisdiction.

Plateau Crisis: Troops eliminate 3 bandits in Mangu, recover weapons

Troops of the Nigerian Army 3 Division, who were deployed to quell the crisis in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, on Wednesday neutralised three bandits in the area. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja. Nwachukwu said the troops obliterated the criminals when they gallantly fought through an ambush staged by the bandits, while responding to a distress call in Mangu general area. He said the troops recovered three AK 47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62 mm special rounds, one motorcycle and a Constabulary Police Identity card after successfully clearing the ambush. According to him, the troops are currently on the trail of some of the bandits who escaped with gunshot wounds during the fire fight.