Nation
Soldiers Kill, Arrest 87 Bandits, Terrorists, Kidnappers In One Week –DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that military operations conducted in the last week across the country have led to the arrests and killings of 87 suspected bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves, with several of their strongholds in the North-East and other parts of the country destroyed.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Organisation, Major General John Enenche, who made the announcement, yesterday, said soldiers also recovered several arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons from the criminals.
He stated that the soldiers recovered several barrels of stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta region, and destroyed illegal refineries and wooden boats used to convey the stolen products.
The DMO spokesman, while giving a breakdown of military operations conducted between November 26 and December 2, in various parts of the country, at a media briefing in Abuja, said that during the week under review, the soldiers arrested wanted bandit collaborators, pirates, vandals and kidnappers.
He said the terrorists and criminals no longer have a conducive environment in which to carry out their attacks as they used to a result of a campaign of continuous air bombardment of their strongholds, aggressive air and ground patrols, clearance operations, among other operations, to curb their activities.
Enenche, assuring Nigerians of the determination the armed forces towards securing the country, called on the public to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action.
The full statement reads, “Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and other subsidiary operations have sustained their operations in the North-West zone of the country progressively. The gallant troops within the period carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and aerial patrols.
“Notably, on November 26, 2020, troops of Operation Accord intercepted and arrested two suspected bandits named Ibrahim Umar and Ibrahim Sani. Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects have affiliation with bandit’s leader called Turji.
“The suspects are in custody for further investigations. Similarly, on November 27, 2020, troops while on routine patrol arrested two suspected bandits named Iro Ibrahim and Umaru Abdullahi from Daba village.
“During preliminary investigation, pictures of Iro Ibrahim where he was holding two rifles were found on his phone.
“The suspects are in custody for further actions. Relatedly, still, on same November 27, 2020, troops of Forward Operating Base, Nasarawa, while on routine patrol around Mashayar Zaki received intelligence reports that some wanted bandits’ collaborators were seen around Girkau village of Anka Local Government Area.
“Troops swiftly moved to the village and arrested 4 suspects named Mohammed Farida, Usman Bawa, Umar Bawa and Umar Boyi. The suspects are in custody for further investigation.
“Equally, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji has sustained air operations against armed bandits with the obliteration of another camp and neutralisation of scores of their fighters at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State. Airstrikes executed by the Air Component also resulted in the destruction of some structures at a camp in Dunya Forest in Katsina State.
“The air raids were conducted on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports indicating that the two camps, with their clusters of huts, were among the locations being used by the terrorists-affiliated armed bandits to store their sophisticated weapons and plan attacks. Aerial surveillance missions also established pattern-of-life evidence of the presence of black attire-wearing terrorists at the two locations.
“Consequently, the Air Component dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships, which engaged the two locations in successive passes, destroying portions of the camps, including their storage facilities, which were seen engulfed in flames. Human Intelligence sources later confirmed that no fewer than 37 bandits were neutralized at Dunya while many more were killed at Birnin Kogo.
‘In the North-East zone, several land and air operations were conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies. The gallant troops adopted sustained vigilance and offensive postures through comprehensive ground and air operations. Within the period in focus, troops of Army Super Camp II Gamboru-Ngala conducted clearance operations at some suspected BHT/ISWAP criminals hideout at Garal village and Bulankesa village.
“The gallant troops made contact with the terrorists and effectively engaged and dominated them with rapid firepower. During the encounter, two BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralised. Relatedly, on November 27, 2020, troops of Strong Response Area Pulka conducted a robust clearance patrol at Ashigashiya area.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals at their logistics base. In the ensuing gun battle, two terrorists were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Several bags of assorted grains and other food items were recovered. Thereafter the logistics warehouse was destroyed.
‘Furthermore, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade laid in wait for some suspected BHT/ISWAP criminals around Doksa general area. Troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them with superior gunfire forcing the terrorists to flee into the Bush in disarray.
“In the aftermath of the encounter, one BHT/ISWAP criminal was neutralised. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, two mobile phones, one bow and arrow and one Boko Haram terrorists pass slip (identification pass).
“In the same vein, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole neutralised several ISWAP elements and destroyed their hideouts at Ngwuri Gana, along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe axis, as well as at Tumbuma Baba on the fringes of Lake Chad, both in the Northern part of Borno State.
“This was achieved through airstrikes executed on November 27, 2020, as part of a new subsidiary Operation, tagged “Wutar Tabki II”, after series of aerial surveillance missions had indicated that the two locations, with structures and logistics items camouflaged under dense vegetation, were being used as staging areas where some ISWAP leaders and their fighters meet to plan and launch attacks. The coordinated attacks launched by the Air Task Force, employing an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships, resulted in the destruction of some of the terrorists’ structures as well as the neutralisation of several ISWAP fighters.
“In continuation of intensive kinetic operations against armed bandits and other criminals in the North Central zone, troops of Operations Safe Haven, Whirl Stroke and other subsidiary operations conducted raids at identified criminals’ hideouts.
“Notably, within this period, troops of Operation Nut Cracker II in conjunction with local vigilante members while on clearance operations engaged armed bandits at Dutse Magaji in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State. During the Operation, three bandits were neutralised while one AK-47 rifle and 38 rustled cattle were recovered.
“Equally, following credible intelligence on persistent banditry activities at Agwan Mada in Nasarawa State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on November 27, 2020, swiftly mobilised to the general area and carried out an overnight raid operation on a bandits’ camp. In the course of the encounter, three armed bandits were neutralised while, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one locally made rifle, three AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and some cash.
“The hideout was subsequently destroyed. Relatedly, troops of Sector 3 carried out a dawn raid on the residence of some herdsmen said to be behind recent clashes between herders and farmers at Atiyagiso community in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. During the operation, troops successfully apprehended two suspects namely Mr Abdulkareem and Mohammed Sani, who confessed their involvement in the crime following which they were handed over to the police for further action.
“Furthermore, on November 29, 2020, Operation Safe Haven arrested three suspected kidnappers in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State. Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one Barreta pistol, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one pair of military camouflage uniform and nine SIM cards. The suspects and items have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further action.
“As part of non-kinetic activities of the Defence Headquarters, on November 26, 2020, the Commander Operation Safe Haven presented TVs, DSTVs, tables and chairs to Government Secondary School Gidan Waya in Jama’a Local Government Area. Similarly, on November 27, 2020, the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, commissioned a renovated clinic at Sabon Kaura village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State as part of CIMIC activities.
“In a related development, stakeholders’ peace meeting was held at Headquarters Sector 3 in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 28, 2020, as part of measures to curtail incessant kidnapping, illegal mining, and farm encroachment among other security challenges. Members were urged to avail timely and credible information on activities of criminal elements to Operation Safe Haven. In attendance were various leaders and other stakeholders of Irigwe, Rukuba, Berom, Afisere, Fulanis and Jarawa.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained the fight against economic sabotage to secure critical oil infrastructure in the zone. Notably, on November 26, 2020, gunboats of Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, while on routine patrol around Mbo river, intercepted and arrested one large wooden boat laden with 229 drums of 300 litres of product suspected to be PMS with two suspects, outboard engines and pumping machines. Items and suspects are currently in custody to be handed over to the relevant security agency.
“Additionally, within the period under review, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilised two reactivated illegal refining sites containing four boilers, six storage tanks and one wooden boat laden with illegally refined oil products around Oputumbi in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. Furthermore, troops of Operation Delta Safe immobilised two reactivated illegal refining sites containing three boilers and five storage tanks laden with crude oil around Orutoru in same local government area.
“In another development, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilised four illegal refineries containing seven boilers, seven hoses, pumping machines, three reservoirs, eight storage tanks as well as a wooden boat loaded with illegally refined oil products around Alakiri, Cowthorne Channel 3, Asarama-Toru and Oputumbi in Okrika and Bonny Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Relatedly, troops of 103 Battalion immobilised a wooden boat loaded with illegally refined AGO around KM 45 in Degema Local Government Area of the state.
“Meanwhile, Operations Calm Waters II and Swift Response recorded successes. Within the period under review, about 130 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice, as well as 10 suspects, were arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Other items intercepted were three wooden boats with 34,800 litres of PMS with five outboard engines and two pumping machines recovered.
‘In the South-West zone, troops of Operation Awatse have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the zone. Within the period under review, troops of Operation Awatse while on routine patrol intercepted six trucks fully loaded with stolen petroleum products at Arepo.
“The operation was conducted after an intensified surveillance was carried out by troops within the general area. Accordingly, troops moved swiftly to the area and met vandals loading their trucks with the fuel. Troops arrested 10 of the vandals and six trucks loaded products”.
The Head of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Port Harcourt’s College of Health Sciences, Prof Gabriel Sunday Oladipo, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to develop a comprehensive forensic science infrastructure, warning that the nation’s ability to investigate and solve crime is being hampered by lack of scientific data and systems.
In his inaugural lecture titled, “Man: Fearfully Different, Wonderfully Made,” delivered as part of the 207th Inaugural Lecture Series of the university, Prof Oladipo highlighted that while no two individuals are exactly the same, the country currently lacks the robust systems needed to collect and manage biological and anthropometric data that could support criminal investigations.
He explained that the natural variations among humans — from fingerprints to physical measurements — form the foundation of personal identification in forensic work. These biological differences, he said, are essential for distinguishing one person from another, especially in the context of criminal investigations where clarity of identity can mean the difference between justice and impunity. Without this scientific foundation, he argued, law enforcement agencies lack a critical tool in the fight against crime.
Experts have noted that Nigeria’s forensic science capacity has historically lagged behind needs, with only a few forensic facilities available and many law enforcement agencies struggling to access or use scientific evidence effectively. One review of the state of forensic investigation in Nigeria found that outdated facilities and limited adoption of modern forensic methods have left many cases unsolved or poorly investigated, even as crime rates rise across the country.
In Lagos, efforts to improve forensic capabilities have focused on DNA analysis, with the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre — the first of its kind in West Africa — providing critical support for criminal investigations and helping to identify human remains, link related cases, and assist with paternity testing. However, such initiatives are yet to be replicated at a national scale, leaving many regions without access to these vital scientific tools.
Prof Oladipo’s lecture went beyond academic theory to propose concrete actions. He called for the establishment of a National Institute of Forensic Science responsible for creating and managing a nationwide anthropometric and forensic data bank. This repository, he stressed, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to track crime, assist law enforcement agencies, and improve the administration of justice by providing reliable scientific evidence for investigative and legal processes.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening research and training in forensic science. Many Nigerian universities currently lack the funding and infrastructure to offer complete undergraduate or postgraduate programs in areas such as forensic anthropology, DNA analysis, and crime scene investigation, a gap that forces aspiring experts to rely on collaborations with institutions abroad. By fostering a research-friendly environment and securing greater support from both government and private sectors, Nigerian institutions could produce homegrown experts capable of advancing forensic science in the country.
Awareness of forensic science’s role in criminal justice remains low among the general public and even among some security professionals. Studies have shown that a significant portion of Nigerians are unfamiliar with basic forensic concepts or the existence of tools such as DNA profiling and national forensic databases — tools that are common features of criminal justice systems in countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Prof Oladipo also urged regular training and retraining programs to keep forensic practitioners updated with evolving scientific methods. According to him, continuous professional development is critical in a field where technological advances — from biometric databases to digital forensic tools — are transforming how crimes are investigated and solved.
The lecture was attended by academics, students, and professionals drawn to the intersection of science, identity, and justice, all of whom heard the professor make a compelling case for scientific innovation and institutional reform as central to Nigeria’s effort to contain crime and strengthen its justice system.
The event not only showcased Prof Oladipo’s expertise in human anatomy and forensic psychology but also positioned forensic science as a strategic national priority — one that could bring clarity to investigations, support victims and their families, and ultimately enhance public safety across Nigeria.
The University of Port Harcourt Women Association (UPWA) on Thursday staged a vibrant and memorable edition of its Annual Inter-House Sports Competition at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Village, drawing an impressive turnout of pupils, parents, staff and invited guests.
The event, organised by the UPWA International Group of Schools, brought together children from the pre-nursery, nursery and secondary sections in a colourful celebration of youth athleticism, discipline and teamwork. The arena came alive with cheers and excitement as pupils, clad in their various house colours, marched in a ceremonial parade before proceeding to compete in a wide range of track and field events, relays, novelty races and other team-based activities designed to promote physical fitness and healthy competition.
Declaring the competition open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, commended UPWA for sustaining a tradition that continues to nurture young talents beyond the classroom. He noted that sports remain a critical component of holistic education, helping to build resilience, confidence, leadership skills and social interaction among children.
In her remarks, the President of UPWA, Professor Udeme Georgewill, expressed appreciation to parents, teachers and members of the organising committee for their dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the success of the programme despite prevailing economic challenges. She described the event as a reflection of unity and collective effort within the school community.
“This is the first time White House is emerging overall winner, and that shows remarkable improvement and great sportsmanship,” she said. “We all had fun. It is not easy putting an event like this together considering the economic situation, but we are grateful to the parents for being part of this journey. The excitement everywhere is truly heartwarming.”
The competition featured spirited participation from the various houses, including Purple House, San Chicago Red House and White House, with pupils demonstrating strength, speed, coordination and teamwork. Parents and supporters filled the stands, cheering enthusiastically and adding colour to the spectacle, while teachers ensured orderliness and safety throughout the proceedings.
Professor Georgewill emphasized that the true essence of sports lies not merely in winning trophies but in participation and personal growth. “Sports is not just about winning. It is an avenue for growth, discipline and opportunity. The fact that a child is able to participate is already a win. Losing this year does not mean you cannot win next year. Keep trying,” she encouraged, urging pupils to see both victory and defeat as stepping stones to greater achievements.
She further observed that while there are many competing interests in the Nigerian sports sector, consistent grassroots investment remains essential for discovering and nurturing future champions.
The colourful ceremony culminated in medal presentations, trophy awards and group photographs, with UPWA executives, including Vice President I, Professor Adedamola Onyeaso, joining the participating teams to celebrate the day’s achievements.
The annual inter-house sports competition continues to stand as one of UPWA’s flagship events, reinforcing its commitment to balanced education, character formation and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among its pupils.
