The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Troops kill 15 bandits in Zamfara

    Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed 15 bandits terrorising innocent citizens in Dansadau District of Zamfara State.

    This came hours after the troops announced on Thursday, the killing of 29 bandits in an encounter in Moriki general area in the state.

    The Acting Force Information Officer, Lt. Ayobami Oni-Orisan said in a statement that the bandits were overpowered at their camps in Madada forest under Dansadau District in Magami, Maru Local Government area.

    “The troops maintaining an aggressive posture, encountered heavy resistance from the heavily armed bandits who were eventually overpowered and ran away with bullet wounds,” Oni-Orisan said.

    “The gallant troops effectively neutralized 15 bandits and destroyed all their camps and logistics.”

    He however stated that one soldier was killed and a vigilance member seriously injured in the encounter.

    Oni-Orisan maintained that the troops had continued the pursuit of the fleeing bandits “with the explicit orders to destroy all camps and neutralize any resistance.”

    He noted that Madada forest had become too notorious for harboring heavily fortified bandits camps in the state.

    He recalled that, “earlier, on 26 June, 2019, the troops, acting on actionable intelligence, apprehended two suspected bandits’ informants at Bagega notorious for spring on troops’ movement and deployments for onward relay to the bandits.

    “The troops also in Wanke and Kanoma of Maru local government recovered about 100 cattle from armed bandits who earlier rustled them from Kanoma district.

    “On sighting the troops, the severely demoralised and destabilised bandits fled the encounter and abandoned their mission in the area with gunshot wounds.

    “Furthermore, troops deployed at Faru equally recovered 14 cows at Tungar Hako forest abandoned by bandits afraid of the troops.”

    Read Also: Troops rescue women, children in major Boko Haram onslaught

    In a related development, Nigerian troops also eliminated more terrorists in Borno and Yobe states as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, spent a whole week in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

    Their latest exploits came barely 24 hours after a similar offensive against terrorists in Goniri, Yobe State resulted in the death of scores of them.

    Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement, said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists.

    The statement reads: “Following reinvigorated operational strategies and robust, aggressive and dynamic counter-terrorism operations injected into the Theatre Command, Operation LAFIYA DOLE by the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen T. Y. Buratai, troops have continued to successfully sustain aggressive long range mobile fighting patrols, raids, searches and ambushes which resulted in the recent successes recorded.

    “Recall the devastating ambush of terrorists yesterday at Goniri Yobe State by the indefatigable and patriotic troops, as well as the resultant recovery of 5 gun trucks and 1 VBL among others.

    “Today, the 26 of June, 2019, as part of the ongoing Operation HALAKA DODO under 7 Division purview, soldiers of 152 Task Force Battalion, under 21 Special Armoured Brigade, in conjunction with some Civilian Joint Task Force members, embarked on intensive patrols and clearance operations to Nbaga and Gero villages where troops came in contact with the terrorists at Ngaba village.

    “The sudden attack on terrorists’ camps, simultaneous and swift employment of voluminous coordinated fire power bombardments led to serious destruction of the terrorists’ camps, which forced the criminals to flee their hideouts in disarray, while an unconfirmed number of the bandits were effectively extirpated.

    “Accordingly, 8 women and 6 children were extricated and freed from the terrorists, while their (terrorists) makeshift camps were totally destroyed.

    “The following items were captured: 3 Ak 47 rifles, 5 bicycles and 1 terrorists’ flag.

    “The liberated women and children will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further necessary action.

    “Similarly, on Wednesday 26 June 2019, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade located in Gwoza, while on clearance operation from  Southern Borno axis to Agapalwa village and surrounding localities, came in contact with some terrorists which led to an exchange of fire that caused the decimation of one terrorist and the destruction of some terrorists’ camps.”

  • Kidnappers seize bank manager in Yola, kill eyewitness

    Gunmen have taken away the manager of a bank in Yola after killing a Keke NAPEP (tricycle) operator who witnessed the act and tried to draw attention to it.

    A source said the gunmen were on the trail of the manager of the Yola branch of the Bank of Agriculture, Ahmed Inuwa, who was in his farm on Yola-Bole Road, Yola South Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday when the incident occurred.

    “When the gunmen struck the farm, an unknown Keke NAPEP operator tried to raise the alarm to attract people, but the gunmen immediately opened fire on him, leading to his death,” the source said.

    The source added that after killing the Keke NAPEP operator, the gunmen whisked the bank manager away.

    His abductors later called to demand N5 million ransom, but after some negotiations, the ransom was reduced to N1.5 million.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill female undergraduate in Ekiti

    At press time, negotiation was still on for further reduction of the sum demanded, according to a family source.

    The source said: “We were able to beat the price tag to N1.5 million while further negotiations are still going on as family members, friends and colleagues task themselves to produce the money.”

    The State Police Command confirmed the kidnapping but said nothing about the ransom demanded or the negotiations.

    The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Sulaiman Yahaya, said the command was pursuing the kidnappers with the aim of arresting them and rescuing the bank manager.

  • Osinbajo’s office not supervising ‘Ruga’ settlements, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Friday explained that the establishment of Ruga settlements is not being supervised by the Office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, contrary to claims reported in sections of the media.

    The Ruga initiative, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, is different from the National Livestock Transformation Plan approved by State governors under the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He said that NEC on January 17, 2019, approved the plan based on the recommendations of a Technical Committee of the Council chaired by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, with State Governors of Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Oyo & Zamfara as members.

    Read Also: Ruga settlements: Youths protest in Benue

    Laolu said “The National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019-2028 is a programme to be implemented in 7 pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara (as decided by NEC in January), being States in the front-lines of the Farmer-Herder crises. Afterwards, six other States have indicated readiness to also implement the plan. They are Katsina, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, and Edo states.

    “The plan has six pillars through which it aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria along market oriented value chain while ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.

    “The six key pillars include:

    • Economic investment
    • Conflict resolution
    • Justice and peace
    • Humanitarian relief and early recovery
    • Human capital development and
    • Cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, research and information and strategic communication.

    “In all the Federal Government will not impose on any State government regarding its land.” he added

  • NUJ President urges FG to tackle insecurity

    Mr Chris Isiguzo, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle the challenge of insecurity across the nation.

    He made the call during the National Executive Council Meeting of NUJ in Umuahia, the Abia capital, on Friday.

    Isiguzo said that the Union was so much worried and therefore charged the government to rise to the occasion.

    According to him, the primary responsibility of a responsible government is to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

    “The insurgency in the North-East, the armed banditry in the North-West, the herdsmen menace in the North-Central which is overlapping to South-South and South-East, are not good signs that we are making progress.

    “On our part, we give assurance of our assistance and support at all times,” he said

    He pointed that the most excruciating challenge facing journalism today was the safety and impunity of offence committed against journalists.

    He emphasized that safety also extended to the workers’ welfare, adding that an employee that was not well remunerated would be exposed to all sorts of hazards.

    Isiguzo said that the NUJ had put in place several measures including National Monitoring Network on Safety of Journalists, which efforts were being complemented at the state councils’ level.

    Read Also: PANDEF: cattle colonies will worsen insecurity

    He commended the Abia Government for the efforts deployed so far towards ensuring the safety of the citizenry.

    The NUJ boss, however, called for collaboration between the state and security apparatus, particularly in the area of intelligence information gathering.

    While declaring the conference open, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu thanked newsmen for doing their jobs equitably to safeguard the country.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Ude Okochukwu, urged newsmen to continue to do their best by reporting on those areas that would bring about national unity and integration.

    “Let’s try as much as possible to de-emphasize those areas that will tear us apart as a people,” he implored.

    He said that the state government, on its part, would continue to do its best towards the safety and security of the citizenry.

    The governor noted that the state had a wonderful collaboration with the security agencies.

    According to him, Abia is rated as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr John Emejor, the Chairman of NUJ, Abia council, appealed to the state government to help facilitate the completion of the council’s permanent secretariat.

    He said that Abia was the only council in the country with no befitting secretariat.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was chaired by Mr Raph Egbu, former Secretary to Abia Government.

    (NAN)

  • Man fakes own kidnap in Bauchi

    Operatives of the Bauchi Police Command have arrested 41-year-old Abdullahi Mohammed, who allegedly faked his own kidnap to defraud his family.

    Also arrested was his accomplice, Haruna Saidu, 35.

    The Nation gathered that Mohammed’s brother, Tijanni of Sabon Fegi Lafia in Nassarawa state, had reported at the Police Area Command in Nassarawa  that his elder brother had left home to Kano state  for business, only  for him to call and informed them that he has been kidnapped along with others while on business trip to Zamfara.

    Mohammed was said to have told Tijjani that his abductors demanded N10 million for his release.

    The demand was later reduced to N1 million after negotiations.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: Nasarawa businessman planned own kidnap

    Parading the duo at the Bauchi command headquarters, police spokesman Kamal Datti Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said: “On May 12, Tijjani Mohammed reported at the Police Area Command, Nasarawa that his elder brother, Abdullahi called that he was kidnapped along with others while on a business trip to Zamfara.

    Abubakar said: “The abductors demanded N10 million for his release, however, after negotiation with the alleged kidnappers, it was reduced to N1 million. Mohammed directed his family to bring the ransom to Bauchi state.

    “On receipt of the information, the Bauchi Police Command swung into action and arrested Haruna Saidu of Gamawa Local Government Area in Bauchi, who came to collect the ransom. It was discovered that the alleged hostage and victim, Abdullahi Mohammed was at the resident of Saidu.

    “Investigation revealed that Abdullahi Mohammed, whose vegetable business had collapsed, conspired with his friend to stage false kidnapping in order to force his family to pay the ransom.”

  • Police arrest corporal for ‘killing man’

    The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a cop for allegedly killing a middle-aged man at Inyi community in Oji River Local Government Area of the state.

    Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu, a Superintendent (SP) said the incident happened on Tuesday.

    Amaraizu said the Commissioner of Police (CP) Sulaiman Balarabe, expressed displeasure on the unfortunate incident.

    “Corporal Peter Anor on duty at a commercial bank located at Inyi community had hit one Sunday Arinze, 28, from Umuchime Village in Inyi Community with a stick. Arinze became unconscious and was rushed to Genesis Foundation Hospital, Inyi, where he was confirmed dead,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Police arrest 53 suspected cultists in Anambra

    He said the commissioner had directed an investigation into the incident to ensure that justice prevailed, as he promised during his visit to the area shortly after the unfortunate incident.

    “Corporal Anor is helping the operatives of the homicide unit of the state Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in their investigations,’’ he said.

  • UI to replace bikes with tricycles on campus

    The management of University of Ibadan is set to prohibit activities of commercial motorcycle transport popularly known as “Okada” on campus.

    This latest development was affirmed in a special meeting convened by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Idowu Olayinka, some members of the university management with student leaders.

    It was learnt the stakeholders considered prohibition of motorcycles for commercial transport (Okada) on campus amongst other issues at the boardroom of the Vice Chancellor’s Office.

    In a background report to explain the reason for the ban placed on bikes, the school’s position was centered on how to consolidate the commercial transport system of the University with the best practices in service delivery.

    It was further learnt the development followed serious security concerns to lives and property, accidents and fatality due to non-usage of helmet or other safety kits by passengers, illegal operation by unregistered bike riders leading to loss of revenue by the university, over-speeding and disobedience to rules.

    Read Also: UI matriculates 6,000 students

    It was gathered alternative has been provided through the University Micro-finance scheme for current motorcycle operators who want to continue operations with commercial tricycles.

    However, the student representatives at the meeting made a case for the reversal of the impending ban of commercial motorcycle transport on campus but there was affirmation from the management’s end that was a direct correlation between the presence of commercial motorcycle transport and prevalence of criminal activities on campus.

    The school said commercial motorcycle transport was already banned in many cities, towns, estates, universities, institutions, etc. in Nigeria due to its apparent negative tendencies hence commercial motorcycle transport remained prohibited on campus with effect from 1 July, 2019.

  • Ambode’s ex-aide robbed in traffic

    An aide to former Lagos State governor Ekene Okoro on Wednesday night fell victim of some traffic robbers on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    Okoro, who served as a press officer in the office of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, said he was robbed around Cele Bus Stop on his way to his Ago Palace home at about 9:35pm.

    The hoodlums took away his wristwatch, handsets, and cash.

    Okoro, who described the experience as “traumatizing” said the hoodlums descended on other motorists after finishing with him.

    “Done with me, they ordered me to move. At this point, I felt they wanted to use me as a bait to raid other vehicles behind.

    Read Also: Two suspected robbers mobbed to death in Delta

    “As soon as I saw that they were distracted with their next victim, I zoomed off. The first thought was to run far away from the scene, second thought was to head back to my car and zoom off.

    “I listened to the second thought. I sneaked back to my car, approaching from the front and hoped to jump in and zoom off. Alas! they had taken my key as collateral damage,” Okoro said.

    Speaking with The Nation after retrieving his line at MTN office, Okoro said the person on the desk told him that he was the fourth person that came to retrieve his line yesterday.

    “Do you know what? All of us were robbed around that place. I hope our security agencies will focus on that area,” Okoro added.

  • YCE suspends Olajide as secretary

    The crisis rocking the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) got a new twist on Thursday as members suspended its Secretary-General, Dr. Kunle Olajide indefinitely.

    The suspension was part of the decisions taken at the YCE Joint Meeting of Senior Elders’ Forum and chairmen of state chapters at the council’s national secretariat, Old Bodija, Ibadan.

    In a communique issued by the council’s President, Dansaaki Col. Sam Ade Agbede (retd), after the meeting, Olajide was suspended for “gross misconduct and insubordination”.

    The statement urged him “to surrender the council’s properties and documents in his custody to the president immediately.”

    Read Also: Yoruba groups to rally against killings, kidnapping in Southwest

    The meeting also resolved that Comrade Sam Agbetuyi should with immediate effect take up the position of Assistant Secretary-General 1 in an acting capacity.

    At the meeting, a vote of confidence was unanimously passed on Agbede as the president of the council, also known as ‘Egbe Igbimo Agba Yoruba’.

    Some of the elders at the meeting where the decisions were taken include Chiefs Mike Omoleye, Jibade Oyekan, Adegboye Onigbinde, Anthony Meraiyebu, Dr. Rasaki Shiyanbola, Prof. Adetoun Ogunsheye, Akin Akinremi and Agbetuyi.

  • Air Force, troops kill scores of insurgents in Borno, Yobe

    The Air Force has launched Operation Green Sweep II against Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, killing several insurgents in the first day of the operation.

    It came as the Army said the troops of 120 Task Force Battalion have eliminated several Boko Haram terrorists at Goniri in Yobe State and recovered arms, including five gun trucks.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who has been leading operations in the war for sometimes, hailed the efforts and successes of the troops in recent encounters with the terrorists

    Buratai, who urged the troops to sustain and upscale the tempo of the operation, also enjoined them to be more vigilant.

    In line with the extant military traditions, customs and ethics, he spoke while holding a durbar with the troops at the Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    About 300 troops drawn from the various units and formations across the Theatre Command attended the occasion, where, as a rare privilege, the troops freely interacted one-on-one with the Chief of Army Staff.

    At the event, the troops were allowed to bare their minds on issues bothering them either as a group or individually, especially on professional matters like administration, welfare, logistics and general operational situation, including progress and challenges.

    He assured them of continuous support to ensure the looming defeat of the dying Boko Haram terrorists and the eventual destruction of the Islamic State West Africa Province battling to establish a dominant presence in Nigeria.

    Also, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who announced the launch of Operation Green Sweep II in a statement, said structures of the insurgents were destroyed, following the air interdiction carried out with two Alpha Jet aircraft.

    The statement reads: “The Air Interdiction Operation, which commenced on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, will target selected locations within the Northeast to further degrade the remnants of the terrorists as well as deny them safe havens and freedom of action.

    Read Also: ‘Air Force didn’t drop weapons for herdsmen’

    “In the morning of Day One of the operation, air strikes by NAF aircraft resulted in the obliteration of an Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) tactical headquarters and neutralization of several terrorists at Kollaram in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was executed following a series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that showed the presence of a significant number of ISWAP fighters in buildings under trees spread across the settlement along with communication facilities with roof-mounted solar panels, defensive parapets around the settlement as well as suspected tunnels at various locations.

    “Consequently, the ATF dispatched two NAF Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location recording accurate hits in the target area, leading to the destruction of some of the structures and equipment as well as the killing of several terrorists.”

    Army’s spokesman Col. Sagir Musa said in a statement that the terrorists were clinically dealt with by troops as they approached the location of the soldiers at Goniri in Yobe State with fighters on motorcycles and seven gun trucks.

    Col. Musa said: “Following aborted attempt by terrorists to infiltrate 120 Task Force Battalion location at Goniri, Yobe State, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, at about 1833 hours on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, troops of the Battalion, in a professional manner, tactically waited for the terrorists to close into the killing range and opened a heavy volume of fire on the criminals who came with seven gun trucks and several other fighters on motorcycles.

    “Consequently, this encounter/ambush resulted in the annihilation of dozens of terrorists, many fled with some levels of injuries and the following equipment were captured, five gun trucks, one Vehicule Blinde Leger (VBL) – a French wheeled 4×4 all-terrain vehicle built by Panhard, assorted quantity of ammunition and an unconfirmed number of motorcycles were destroyed.

    “Generally, in comparable terms, the security situation within the Northeast zone is relatively calm and under control, as troops remain committed and resolute to conducting robust multiple aggressive operations to end the insurgency,” the statement said.