News
Powerful Forces Responsible For Benue Attacks -Army …Hoodlums Invade Gombe, Destroy Radio Station
The military has said that certain powerful forces in Benue State were responsible for recent attacks on communities in the state.
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj-Gen Adeyemi Yekini, made the statement at a press briefing yesterday in Makurdi.
Yekini also said such individuals were instigating violence as could be seen in the recent attacks on communities preceding major elections in the country.
“It is obvious that some forces are instigating violence in Benue; it is not a coincidence that there was an attack on Agatu community a week to the presidential election and now there is another attack on Gwer West a week to the governorship election,” he said.
OPWS was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 to tackle cases of armed banditry on communities in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
The force commander said the military outfit had intensified operations along Loko-Agatu, Kwande and other border communities in Benue to prevent recurrence of the attacks.
He condemned the preference to cattle over human lives by those who retaliated because of cattle theft.
Flt Officer Mohammed Abubakar, the Sector Commander, OPWS in Gwer West Local Government Area, said some people were using military uniforms to rustle cattle.
“Those people who did this are suspected to be Livestock Guards, according to our local sources,” he said.
Abubakar said seven corpses had already been recovered.
According to him, the council chairman of Gwer West, Mr Francis Ayaga and the Divisional Police Officer of the local government area have already submitted seven names of the suspects to him.
Meanwhile, Some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs have attacked Lafiyawo community in Gombe State, destroying a private radio station, Progress FM, located along Gombe Airport Road.
Our source, who visited the scene, yesterday, reports that eight shops were burnt down in the community.
The source also confirmed that two vehicles were also set ablaze in Jekadafari Quarters of the state capital.
When contacted, yesterday, the Gombe State Police Commissioner (CP), Mr Bello Makwashi, confirmed the incident.
The commissioner, who confirmed this through the command’s spokesperson, Mary Malum, said investigation into the attack, which occurred on Saturday evening, was still ongoing.
A resident of the community, Malam Nuhu Usman told newsmen that the attackers started stoning them on their way back from airport before setting eight shops on fire.
According to him, many people sustained various degrees of injury, while one of them is currently hospitalised.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the radio station, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, has alleged that the attack was caused by some thugs attached to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
“Yesterday evening, thugs following the governor’s convoy from the airport attacked our office with weapons.
“They were throwing stones and making attempts to gain entrance into the compound.
“`So, I quickly called the commissioner of police and the director of State Security Service who responded swiftly.
“In the attack, one of our security men was wounded. It was very scary but we thank the security for their swift response,” he said.
However, the Director of Media of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the state, Mr Dahiru Kera said the thugs that attacked the community and the radio station were not from PDP.
Kera said the thugs had initially attacked the governor’s convoy on his way from the airport, adding that two cars in the entourage were burnt.
He disclosed that the development was why the governor cancelled a rally organised to welcome him back to 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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