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Troops Kill Insurgents, Recover Arms In Borno …As Adeboye Cautions Against Abrupt Sack Of Service Chiefs
The Nigerian Army, yesterday, said its troops of 121 and 192 battalions engaged in Operation Lafiya Dole, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, have killed unspecified number of Boko Haram terrorists during clearance operations in Borno State.
Similarly, the Army said five villages which harboured the terrorists, were cleared during a simultaneous operation code named, “Operation Hard Strike”, last Friday.
It further said troops of 212 Tank Battalion under the operational command of 7 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operation Base in Gajigana town of the state, ambushed and exterminated unconfirmed number of terrorists attempting to infiltrate Gajigana town and troops’ location.
A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, said, “Two soldiers were wounded during the encounter, are stable and receiving treatment in a military hospital”.
The Army, in the statement, said particularly: “At Ranwa 11, contact was made with the terrorists, three of them were neutralized, while many were obviously wounded and others escaped.”
The statement said items recovered during the operations included one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one magazine bandolier.
The statement read in full: “Troops of 121 and 192 Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in collaboration with Civilian JTF and local vigilantes, had on the 10th of May, 2019, continued with clearance operations to end Boko Haram terrorism.
“Consequently, the troops effectively cleared Surdewalla, Ranwa, Baladayo, Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages of Borno State in a simultaneous operation code named, “Operation Hard Strike.
“At Ranwa 11, contact was made with the terrorists, three of them were neutralized, while many were obviously wounded and others escaped.
“Simultaneously, troops of 192 Battalion advanced along Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages where they cleared a scout of Boko Haram terrorists. A make up shift shelter for suspected insurgents was destroyed.
“Similarly, on the same Friday, the 10th of May, 2019, based on credible intelligence, troops of 212 Tank Battalion under the operational command of 7 Division Garrison deployed at Forward Operation Base Gajigana ambushed terrorists attempting to infiltrate Gajigana town/troops’ location.
“Unconfirmed number of terrorists was exterminated. Two soldiers were wounded during the encounter, are stable and receiving treatment in a military hospital.
“Additionally, 177 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with the Civilian JTF cleared Mboa, Mboa-Kura, Yarchida, Bombula, Tshata and Bamzir villages.
“At Furfur village, troops had exchanged fire with BHTs which led to the death of 1 terrorist and the underlisted items were recovered: a. 1 x AK 47 Rifle b. 3 x Magazines c. 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition d. 1x Magazine Bandolier. There was no casualty on the troops or the Civilian JTF.
“The General Officer Commanding 7 Division Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, while on assessment visit to FOB Gajigana, enjoined the troops to remain decisive and intensify efforts in eliminating the remnants of the terrorists.
He also conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Army Staff to them and the entire troops of the Theatre Command for the latest successes in the fight against terrorism.
“Nigerian Army used this medium to thank those who provided the information that led to the recent successes achieved so far, and urged members of the public to continue to be more forthcoming with useful information about the terrorists in their respective localities to the nearest army location or security agency for necessary action,” the statement added.
Musa thanked people who provided information that led to recent successes of the troops, pleading with the public to continue to report terrorists in their localities to Army locations or other security agencies.
It would be recalled that Boko Haram fighters have waged a decade long war on Nigeria in a bid to carve out some areas of the country to enforce strict Islamic code.
The war has claimed at least 28,000 people, with millions forced to flee.
Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has been cautioned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government against the abrupt sack of the nation’s security chiefs.
Adeboye, who handed this warning, yesterday, said that sacking security chiefs at this moment was not the panacea to the insecurity in the country.
The highly respected cleric gave this advice while speaking at the headquarters of RCCG at The Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta in Lagos, during a thanksgiving service with the theme, ‘Victory Over Marital Storm’.
He told journalists shortly after the service through the Assistant General Overseer, Administration and Personnel, RCCG, Pastor Johnson Odesola.
He said: “I believe the security chiefs are working and aside from those that have attained their retirement age, they have been studying the situation of the country in terms of security and would have some plans they are working on.
“If they are just changed, the new security chiefs would have to start all over again.
“I believe in good succession plan whereby those to replace the current security chiefs would learn from the incumbents and only need to continue from where they stop.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
