News
Army Uncovers Skulls, Arms Cache In Omoku
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has crushed a criminal hideout in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State and arrested some suspects.
Military sources said the hideout is the palatial multi-million naira estate of the notorious ex-militant, repentant cultist, kidnapper, armed robber and illegal oil thief, Johnson Igwedibia, alias Don Waney at his home town, Aligwu, Omoku in Rivers State
A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Iliyasu, also confirmed the recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, military uniforms, including hard drugs and human skulls.
In the statement, Iliyasu said, “In the early hours of Monday, 20th November, 2017, as part of their continued efforts to rid the Niger Delta of criminals and acts of criminality, troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, based on a tip-off by some patriotic citizens, raided the camp and shrines of a notorious militant, cultist, kidnapper and ardent illegal oil bunkerer, Mr. Igwedibia Johnson (aka “Don Waney”), who has been terrorising the peace-loving Omoku community in particular, as well as the entire people of Rivers and Bayelsa states.
“After about an hour of gun fight, the gallant troops overpowered the criminal elements. Some of them scampered in disarray, and are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds through River Orashe in Omoku.
“The troops, however, arrested seven others, including two ladies while they were trying to escape during the encounter.
“It is believed that the main kingpin, Igwedibia Johnson (aka “Don Waney”), was not at the location during the encounter as concerted efforts are on by security agencies to track, arrest and bring him to justice,” Iliyasu explained.
He further emphasised that “The troops recovered quite a number of items at both the camp and the shrines, which include; 10 human skulls, various human bones, two AK-47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), and 18 AK-47 rifle magazines.”
The statement stressed that the Army also recovered, “Four pairs of military camouflage, five camouflage T-Shirts, three Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle magazines, 39 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition and one round of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
“Others are two bags weighing about 25kg containing substances believed to be Cannabis (Marijuana), three ICOM Hand-held Radios and two MAG ONE Hand-held Radios,” it added.
The statement quoted the Headquarters of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, as thanking the good people of Omoku and Rivers State, for the timely information and understanding while also soliciting for their continued support in the Army’s determined effort to rid the area of militants, cultists, illegal oil bunkerers and kidnappers.
Community sources said that the ex-militant leader and repentant cultist, was reportedly shot in the wee hours of Monday alongside other of his lieutenants by the local security task force during a joint operation in the area.
It would be recalled that in October, last year, the militant leader and cultist embraced the Rivers State Government amnesty programme, and surrendered some arms and ammunition, with a pledge to completely retrace his steps in perpetuating crimes and criminality.
He had been accused in some quarters of being responsible for most of the criminal activities, violent killings, among others, in the Omoku and Ahoada areas, including the East-West Road and Bayelsa State.
Sources said that the cult leader had continued in his criminal enterprise even after receiving the state pardon from the Rivers State Government.
However, conflicting reports have emerged since the Monday gun duel, with his whereabouts yet unknown.
Meanwhile, speculations are rift that the ex-militant leader was killed in the gun battle.
His death has not been confirmed by the authorities.
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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