News
Pirates Kill Two Soldiers In Bayelsa Waterways
Two soldiers attached to the Joint Military Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, died in a gun duel with sea pirates last Wednesday, an official has confirmed.
The soldiers were part of a team dispatched in response to a distress call on an attack by pirates operating in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Spokesman for JTF, Maj. Abubakar Abdulahi, confirmed, yesterday.
Three members of the team also sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, Abdulahi told newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He described the incident as sad but added that efforts were on to bring the perpetrators to book.
“Sadly, our troops deployed at Creek 6 Houseboat in Cawthorne Channel while responding to a distress call of sea robbers’ attack around Ijawkiri general area, engaged heavily armed sea robbers.
“Unfortunately, two gallant soldiers exhibited highest point of patriotism by paying the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot injuries.
“Effort is on-going by the JTF to track and apprehend the criminals,” Abubakar said.
He also said that troops of Joint Operation Delta Safe on patrol around Iyalama Adama axis of Rivers State last Wednesday discovered and destroyed 13 illegal refineries.
He said that no arrest was made as the operators fled before the troops got to the site.
The attack on the military is coming barely 72 hours after last Tuesday’s attacks on a police check point and a patrol team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) along the Kolo Creek area of Bayelsa State.
The suspected armed bandits had killed one NSCDC operative, and cart away some riffles belonging to the men of the police force in the twin attacks.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba, has met with heads of other sister security agencies in the state, to brainstorm on ways to create new synergy to prevent crime in the state.
Present at the meeting held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Yenagoa, were heads of the various security outfits, including the Air force, Operation Delta Safe, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), and Department of State Service (DSS).
Speaking at the meeting, Amba called on the sister security outfits to work as a team to reduce crime and consolidate on the gains so far recorded in the state.
He also appealed to the sister agencies to complement one another in the course of policing the state.
Amba said by collaborating, the sister agencies would help promote peace, unity and progress.
He noted that through effective synergy among the security organisations, crime rate has decreased in the state.
He lauded the security chiefs for sustaining peace and unity in the state, and called for greater cooperation to secure the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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