News
Troops Neutralise 95 Terrorists
Troops of the Nigerian military, in joint air raids and land mop up operations, have neutralised a high profile ISWAP Commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure, who is also believed to be the ISWAP leader of Sambisa forest that took over the leadership after the demise of AbubakarShekau.
He was killed together with 37 other terrorist’s in the North-East Theatre.
Also neutralised in joint operations are scores of terrorists in Niger, Plateau and Kaduna states while 58 terrorists suspects were arrested and 20 kidnapped victims rescued from terrorist’s hideouts.
In the FCT, troops of the Presidential Guard’s Brigade raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Dei-Dei and Gwagwalada communities, arrested eight terrorists and recovered five AK-47 rifles andthree pump action guns.
In Kogi State, troops arrested a wanted gunrunner and arms supplier to kidnappers, Naziru Mohammed; and recovered 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and other dangerous weapons from his hideout.
Furthermore, troops battling against economic sabotage successfully denied oil thieves and illegal oil bunkerer’s, the stealing and siphoning of crude oil/products worth more than N3.7billion while also destroying scores of illegal refineries and storage facilities in the Niger Delta.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Dan Madami, made these known, yesterday, in Abuja, at a briefing on activities of the military and security agencies against criminal elements in the country.
Madami said, “Troops in the North-East theatre of operation conducted several operations in Gwashiri, Pulka-Kirawa axis, Amanwa village, Tungushe, Bama town, Mulgwai village, Kwatara, Gubio, Kekeno, DogonChuku, Miringa Market and Monguno town all in Borno State as well as, BuniYadi – JauroBashin in Yobe State.
“During the operations, troops neutralized 12 terrorists, recovered 18 AK-47 rifles, one RGP, two FN rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 bicycles, oneGolf car, large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, bags of maize, three grenades, four mobile phones, 47 rustled cattle, six donkeys, 20 cartons of super cereal, 51 Jerricans of groundnut oil, two cartons of cigarettes, medical suppliers, food stuffs and 40 pairs of male and female clothing.
“Troops also arrested eight suspected terrorists, four logistic suppliers, rescued four civilians and the sum of N1, 005, 360.00 cash. Also as troops of Operation Hadin Kai continue to consolidates on their success against the terrorists more of them surrendered to own troops within the period under review, a total of 1, 652 BHT members and their families have surrendered to own troops at different location. The number comprises of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children.
“In a related development, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai on August 20, 2022 carried out air strikes on terrorist’s enclaves in Sambisa forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with various degree of success recorded.
“Acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top ranking commander, believed to be the Islamic State of West Africa Province leader of Sambisa forest who took over the leadership after the demise of AbubakarShekau.
“Consequently, the air strikes were carried out on the enclave. Feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded. Among those neutralize was a high profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure.
“Similar air strikes were also conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists. Report gathered revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes. All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authorities while the surrendered Boko Haram terrorist members and their families were profiled for further action.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch sustained the momentum to deny terrorists freedom of action in their Joint Operation Area. Consequently, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air interdiction operations at a terrorist’s enclave in Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, thereby neutralising several terrorists who had assembled for a meeting hosted by a notorious terrorist leader,AminuDuniya.
“In a related development, troops of Guards Brigade raided some suspected terrorist hideout at Deidei Abattoir in Abuja Municipal Area Council and Dupka village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. During the raid operation 8 suspected terrorist were arrested, five AK-47 rifles and three pump action gun were recovered, while large quantities of items suspected to be cannabis sativa, three machetes, knives among other items were also recovered.
“Similarly, troops of Operation Safe Haven in conjunction with vigilantes and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps conducted operational activities at Mum village, Garga District, in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, as well as Mariri Town, Kauru Local Government Area and ZangoKataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“During the operations, 21 suspected terrorist, seven suspected kidnappers and three suspected vandals were arrested at different locations, while seven terrorists were neutralised with 12 civilians rescued from the kidnapper’s den. Items recovered from the suspects include three motorcycles, eight mobile phones, some quantity of illicit drugs and the sum of N60,000.00.
“Furthermore, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in conjunction with the Department of State Service conducted raid operation at bandit’s camps at Ankya Village, ZakiBiam town in Ukum Local Government Area, Mahaga Community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, as well as Jamata in KotonKarfe Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“During the operation a notorious bandit identified as Timothy Nwagaga (aka Ambiju) was arrested at ZakiBiam town in Benue State. It was revealed that the suspect is a gang member of a notorious bandit known as Anhie (aka short man) who has been on troops wanted list.
“In the same vein, a wanted gun runner known as Naziru Mohammed was arrested at Murtala Mohammed Bridge, in KotonKarfe Local Government Area of Kogi State. items recovered during the operation include 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, large sum of money, two mobile phones, one tricycle and one motorcycle. All recovered items have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action
“In the North-West, troops of Operation HadarinDaji, engaged terrorists in their enclaves in a coordinated joint operation by the land and air component around Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State were engaged.
“Intelligence had revealed that the terrorists planned to attack villages within the vicinity where there were operating. Consequently, own troops leveraged on the report and conducted clearance operation against the terrorists that resulted in the neutralization of several of the terrorists while others fled with severe gunshot wound.
“Items recovered include two GPMGs, three AK-47 rifles and seven motorcycles. Furthermore, troops raided terrorist hideout at Bida village market in Chikun Local Government Area, Zaria-Ikara road around Kwari village in Ikara Local Government Area, Kaya-Giwa in Giwa Local Government Area, Kabode forest in Kachia Local Government Area all in Kaduna State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 37 suspected terrorists, recovered 11 motorcycles, eight cutlasses, three mobile phones and rescued eight civilians.
“In a related development, the air component of Operation HadarinDaji conducted air interdiction operations at Rugu Forest in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State and within Zamfara State as well as Dukura, Ungushi and Umbutu villages in Kebbi Local Government Area of Sokoto State on terrorist hideouts and enclaves.
“The air interdiction operation was in response to intelligence report on the gathering of terrorists in the forest. Consequently, the hideouts and enclaves were bombarded and several of the terrorists were neutralized. While troops on patrol engaged terrorist along Magani road within Zamfara State and neutralized a notorious terrorist’s commander identified as SojanMadagwal who was responsible for various attacks and road blocks along Gusau road and also on the wanted list of security agencies with members of his gang.
“During the operation troops recovered large quantity of different calibers of ammunitions and two motorcycles.
“Similarly, the air component conducted another air interdiction operation on terrorist hideouts around Damba at Kaso Hills, Kajuru, and various locations within its environs in Kaduna State. During the operation troops sighted terrorists with large herds of cattle trying to escape on sighting own troop. Subsequently, they were struck with scores of the terrorists neutralized.
“Also, the air component responded to a distress call on the activities of several terrorists on motorcycles convoy moving from Udawa to Kurebe in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The terrorists were engaged in an airstrike while those who fled to nearby bushes were mopped up by the land component. All recovered items were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
“In the South-South, troops of Delta Safe, Dakatar Da Barawo, and Octopus Grip during several operations, discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, which includes, 493 dugout pits, 512 storage tanks, 413 cooking ovens and 59 wooden boats.
“Also, troops recovered four tankers, two speed boats, one generator, one outboard engine, 14 pumping machines, 3 AK47 rifles, 25,977.15 Barrels of crude oil, over 3.2million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 26,575 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene. Troops also arrested 21 pipelines vandals. All recovered items and apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“Cumulatively, a total value of products denied oil thieves were N3.7billion worth made up of N1,313,020,242.00 only of crude oil and N2,374,607,471.00 only of AGO.
“Others are N4,650,625.00 only of PMS and N15,981,000.00 only of DPK. Consequently, a grand total of N3,708,259,338.00.
“In the South-East, troops fighting to curb the illegal activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in the South-East zone and restore normalcy to the region carried out raid and clearance operations in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Anambra State and Abia State and suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network militia camps.
“During the operations troops arrested one member of the group and recovered one AK-42 assault rifle, six pump action guns, one locally made berretta gun, five locally fabricated doubled barrel guns, 98 live cartridges, two machetes, two axe, 20 motorcycles, a pair of police camouflage uniform, one military camouflage uniform and a ballistics vest.”
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.