September 18, 2024

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General News

Military neutralises 1,166 terrorists, apprehends 1,096 suspects –DHQ

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated 1,166 terrorists and apprehended 1,096 suspects in 29 days across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said that the troops also rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.

He said the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo within the month.

Others, according to him, are 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm
NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.

He said that several  terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of military onslaught during the month.

According to him, those in the North East include: Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.

“Those in the North West include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.

“Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive.

“The situation experienced mostly these days are low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.

“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.

“Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.

“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.

“Accordingly, the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators,’’ he said.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadin Kai, neutralised 292 terrorists, apprehended 254 suspects and rescued 213 kidnapped hostages during the month.

He added that a total of 2,742 Boka Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families, surrendered to troops as well as recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 50 violent extremist, apprehended 290 and rescued 121 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 94 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 153 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects and rescued 186 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.

Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops neutralised 63 terrorists, apprehended 291 suspects and rescued 62 kidnap hostages, with recovery of cache of arms and ammunition.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day in August.

He said the troops apprehended 71 persons involved in crude oil theft and impounded 5,047,150 litres of crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 194 assorted ammunition and destroyed 125 wooden boats as well as 458 illegal refining sites.

“Nevertheless, troops are urging for more transparency by the IOCs, accurate metering, cooperation of stakeholders in the sector and well cooperation from the local communities.

“Troops are also monitoring the prosecution of culprits perpetrating crude oil theft,’’ he added.

In the South  East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group and neutralised 34 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 26 kidnap hostages. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr Solomon Arase
Defence/Security

Insecurity: Arase urges police to activate platform for tracking criminals

By Monday Ijeh

The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr Solomon Arase, has called on the Nigeria Police to activate its platform for tracking kidnappers and other criminals using mobile phones to demand for ransom.

Arase made the call while addressing personnel of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) during his working visit to the center on Thursday in Abuja.

He said it was a shame for a country to have people demanding for ransom with phone without making them to face the consequences of crime.

The chairman said the platform used during his tenure as the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) in 2015, was still available with the Nigeria Police and called for its activation.

“We established the platform about eight years ago, I understand that they have not been paying the subscription.

“If you have a platform, you must subscribe to it on a yearly basis, there should be budgetary provision for such subscription.

“Once we are able to subscribe to it, it will be potent and I expect to see that soon. During my time as I-G, you cannot touch your phone to ask for ransom without being caught,” he said.

He said he used the platform during his tenure to secure the release of Chief Olu Falaye, when he was kidnapped in his farm in Ondo State.

Arase said the kidnappers started negotiation within a space of three hours after the kidnap, demanding for N5 million ransom.

According to him, they got the money, treated it and gave it to the negotiators who dropped it in Suleja Junction in Abuja.

He said the kidnappers removed the SIM card from the phone immediately they picked up the money.

“With the platform in my office, I could see the location of the kidnappers.

“The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) personnel were already around the area but I requested that they follow the criminals without arresting them because I wanted to know their destination.

“With the platform, we discovered they were moving towards Minna, so I had called our personnel in Minna to create an artificial road block after giving them the description of their vehicle.

“When they were finally intercepted, the driver was told to come down and open his boot where the ransom collected was kept,” he said.

In his remark, Mr Uche Ifeanyi, the Director of the centre said NPF-NCC had recorded tremendous successes in its fight against cybercrime.

Ifeanyi said the invitation of Arase to the centre was to tap from his wealth of experience in delivering effective policing in the country, especially in the area of intelligence.

He said the activities of the centre were intelligence-based especially in its investigation.

“We don’t just go out to arrest suspects, we do our profiling, look at fact, figures and available evidences before making arrest.

“The motive of cyber criminals is to make money, so what we do is to work with banks and other financial institutions to get information of their financial flows.

“After that, we do our profiling before going after the suspects, and once we get the suspects, it means we are ready for prosecution,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Troops of the Nigerian Army
Defence/Security

Military eliminates 6880 terrorists, criminals, apprehends 6970 in 2023 – DHQ

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the military eliminated no fewer than 6,880 terrorists and other criminals and apprehended 6,970 others from January till date.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while giving an update on the operations of the military in 2023 on Friday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also rescued 4,488 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 3,320 assorted weapons and 39,075 assorted ammunition during the year.

He added that troops recovered 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK and 3.5 million litres of PMS within the year.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 1,759 terrorists, apprehended 953 suspects and rescued 826 hostages while 11,015 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered.

According to him, 259 AK47 rifles, mine FN rifles, 681 assorted arms, 7,097 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5,773 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 495,336 assorted ammunitions and 2,059 livestock were recovered.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 1,522 terrorists, apprehended 645 suspects and rescued 1,101 hostages.

Items recovered, according to him, are 53 AK47 rifles, 426 assorted arms, 2,342 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6,900 assorted ammunitions and 5,084 livestock.

Buba added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch in the North West also neutralised 992 terrorists, apprehended 345 suspects and rescued 538 rescued hostages during the year.

He said the troops also recovered 34 AK47 rifles, 346 assorted arms, 4,792 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5,127 assorted ammunitions and 830 livestock.

“Some of the features recorded by troops in the North Central in Operation Safe Haven are 2,094 terrorists neutralised, 2,316 arrested and 630 hostages rescued.

“Items recovered are 78 AK47 rifles, 666 assorted arms, 4,772 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7357 assorted ammunitions and 4,734 livestock.

”Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised 977 terrorists, arrested 722 and rescued 571 hostages during the year.

“Items recovered were 45 AK47 rifles, 198 assorted arms, 952 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,666 assorted ammunitions and 338 livestock,” he said.

In the South South, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 448 criminals, apprehended 1,090 oil thieves and other criminals and rescued 309 hostages.

“Also, oil thieves were denied 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK and 3.5 million litres of PMS.

“Additionally, troops recovered 321 assorted weapons and destroyed 1,016 wooden boats, 16 barges/vessels and destroyed 1,374 illegal refining sites,” he added.

In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 464 terrorists, apprehended 907 suspects and rescued 518 hostages.

He added that the troops recovered 65 AK47 rifles, 150 pump action guns, 53 dane guns, 85 pistols, 684 assorted arms, 1,082 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4,371 live cartridges, 5,825 assorted ammunitions and 630 other equipment.

According to him, the security situation in year 2023 has remained fluid, complex and dynamic with the threat morphing in form and scale.

“This unpredictable nature of the threat and the attendant demands for stability have continued to pose significant challenges for security forces.

“Consequently, various forces have continued to evolve tactics, techniques and procedures to professionally respond to these threats.

“The armed forces has been developing the desired enablers to overcome the country’s numerous threats.

“Notably, the application of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in collaboration with other Services and security agencies has continued to shape the operating environment, in which we are in a dominant position,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

===============
Edited by Chidinma Agu/Salif Atojoko

Troops of the Nigerian Army
Defence/Security

Military neutralise 28 terrorists, apprehend 113 others, rescue 82 hostages – DHQ

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had in the last two weeks neutralised 28 terrorists, apprehended 113 and rescued 82 victims in various operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the apprehended suspects comprised 92 terrorists, six gunrunners, three kidnappers, six collaborators and seven perpetrators of oil theft.

He said the troops also recovered 108 weapons and 564 ammunition comprising 22 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, six pump action guns, four dane guns, one fabricated rifle, one galil ace rifle, one RGP bomb, one RPG tube and 44 hand grenades.

“Also recovered are 322 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 12 rounds of 5.6mm ammo, 33 AK47 magazines, one empty case of 7.62mm special and 3 empty magazines.

“Other items include; 14 motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, 3 motorolla radio, one boafeng radio, 2 motorcycle tyres, 5 torch lights, 2 solar panels, 104 livestock and the sum of N2.8 million,” he said.

Buba said the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle and 75 cooking ovens during the period.

He added that the troops also impounded four pumping machines, five outboard engines and 33 illegal refining sites, as well as recovery of 1,166,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,491,250 litres of illegally refined AGO, 54,750 litres of DPK and 800 litres of PMS.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated seven terrorists, arrested five and rescued 31 hostages while 28 family members of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists comprising of nine adult females and 19 children were also rescued and taken into custody.

He said the troops recovered; 20 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one galileo rifle, three dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special, 154 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, among others.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven eliminated two gunmen, rescued two hostages and arrested six kidnappers as well as recovered arms and ammunitions during the period.

He said the troops apprehended a notorious kidnapper gang leader and other foot soldiers at Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau.

In the North West, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had continued to degrade the terrorists in Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

He said the troops neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested seven, two informants and two collaborators as well as rescued 16 hostages and recovery of seven AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, one AK47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62mm special, five AK47 magazines and 20 rounds of 7.62mm special.

“Others include; six motorcycles, three mobile phones, three motorolla radios, one radio charger, two solar panel, one old sewing machine, a par of woodland camouflage and the sum of N2.4 million,” he said.

In the South East, he said the troops of Operation UDO KA eliminated three IPOB/ESN terrorists recovered four pump action guns, one single barrel loaded with 100 live cartridges, one locally fabricated rifle and three live cartridges.

“Troops also arrested 18 terrorists and rescued two kidnapped hostages.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

“The operations as enumerated is indicative of the professionalism of men and women of the armed forces, their courage and bravery.

“Troops will continue to use superior military force to eliminate any group or groups that constitutes a threat to the safety of citizens and own forces alike,” Buba said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

Defence/Security

Oyetola urges residents to volunteer information on criminals

By Olajide Idowu

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, on Saturday, said war against insecurity could only be won if the people of the state were ready to volunteer information on criminals living in their communities.

Oyetola, who spoke at the Fourth Annual Siyan Oyeweso Colloquium, with the theme: “Security and Insecurity in Nigeria” in Ede, Osun, said criminals were not ghosts but members of various communities.

He said that Nigerians should be sensitised, encouraged and mobilised to provide information on criminals living among them for security agents, with an assurance of safety to their lives.

“To ensure improved performance in the quality of intelligence gathering that is available to our security operatives, we must ensure that we further sensitise our people, mobilise them and work towards bringing them on board.

“Since these delinquents are members of our various communities, it is possible to have citizens volunteering information on them.

“I believe it is possible to win the battle against insecurity in this country if we will all join hands, volunteer and provide the requisite support, as may be necessary,” he said.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Wole Oyebamiji, however, warned against ethnic profiling of criminals and crimes, saying criminality did not have religious or ethic colouration.

“We must stop ethnic profiling of criminals and bandits; criminality has no religious or ethnic colouration.

“The truth also is that criminality is what it is, and it has to be treated as such,” he said.

Oyetola also called on security operatives to do what was right and go after criminals, not minding the ethnic group they belonged, and prosecute conscientiously.

The two lecturers at the colloquium, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi and Prof. Surajudeen Mudashiru, called on government to get more serious about finding solutions to the issue of insecurity in the country.

They called for the establishment of an inter-regional collaboration with neighbouring countries in order to control the influx of foreign criminals and firearms coming into Nigeria.

The scholars urged government to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

They further tasked government to work with religious bodies to instill moral values in Nigerians, especially the youth, as well as provide enabling environment for businesses to grow.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colloquium was organised to mark the 60th birthday of Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, a renowned professor of History.

NAN also reports that Oyeweso used the occasion to launch two new books: “Ede Mapo Arogun (Creating a City, its History, Monarchy and People)” and “Ede Icons and the Making of Modern Nigeria.” (NAN)

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