News
Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers, Raze Station In Delta
Three policemen have reportedly been shot dead after gunmen allegedly attacked Nsukwa Police Station in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, and razed the only police station in the remote agrarian community.
Sources told The Tide that three policemen were set ablaze by the gun-trotters, who launched the surprise attack from the back of the station, which is located at the edge of the town.
“The attackers stormed the station at about 2:00am, early hours of Sunday, May 16, 2021, shooting sporadically to ward off any challengers.
“It was the sporadic and intense shooting that woke many of us up from sleep. We were afraid because of the shooting. On our checks at dawn, we realized that the police station was attacked and burnt”, a resident in the agrarian community, who claimed anonymity, said.
The three deceased officers, whose names are yet to be released, are said to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), an Inspector of Police and a Police Corporal.
A source, who craved anonymity, said that the ASP hails from Kogi State, and was transferred to the station just two weeks ago, while the Inspector is from Orogun in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.
Another source, an Okada rider, who plies between Nsukwa junction through Isheagu to Ogwashi-Ukwu on the Asaba-Ughelli Expressway, alleged that the station may have been attacked for reportedly giving tacit support to Fulani herdsmen, who had invaded the community’s forests in the last couple of years.
It was gathered that the Fulani herders literarily used Nsukwa forests as artery to access thousands of vast stretch of forests in Ossissa and Isheagu.
The Tide learnt that tension is reportedly high in Nsukwa and the adjoining communities over the incident, just as Delta State Police Command has sent reinforcement to the area while security operatives are now patrolling the town to curtail further attacks.
The South-East and South-South regions have been under siege in recent months with incessant attacks on security agencies and personnel.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the report.
According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali, has called for calm, and was also taking measures to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
He assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book in no distant time.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
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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