The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos socialite Ashogbon charged with perjury

    By Robert Egbe

    The police have brought a Lagos socialite, Otunba Olusegun Ashogbon (also known Titilayo Oladimeji), before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for alleged perjury.

    The Zone 2 Command, Onikan, arraigned Ashogbon, 57, on Friday, before Magistrate O. O. Otitoloju on a one-count charge of supplying the police false information against one Aderemi Remi-Louis.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. M. Aruna, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), alleged that the Owo, Ondo State-born defendant committed the offence on November 12, 2015, at Are Avenue, off Sawyer Street, Dopemu, Lagos.

    He said the offence contravened Section 85 and was punishable under Section 86(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Ashogbon pleaded not guilty.

    His counsel Mr Bagbenga Balogun applied for bail “on the most liberal terms” because the offence “is a bailable one.”
    But Aruna opposed him.

    “It took the police a long time to arrest the defendant and bring him before this court,” the prosecutor said.

    He conceded, however, that bail was at the court’s discretion and prayed that if the Magistrate exercised that discretion in Ashogbon’s favour, it should be on terms that would ensure his attendance for trial.

    In a bench ruling, Mrs Otitoloju upheld Ashogbon’s application.

    She admitted him to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in the like sum, among other terms.
    Magistrate Otitoloju remanded the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Home and adjourned till November 4, for trial.

    Read Also: Declare me NUJ president, Odusile urges court

    This arraignment is the latest in a series of conflicts between Remi-Louis and Ashogbon.

    In November 2015, the police arraigned Ashogbon at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly threatening to kill Remi-Louis, the husband of his alleged lover, Mrs, Abiola Remi-Loius.

    Ashogbon was alleged to have sent a message to Remi-Loius on June 16, 2015, telling him to leave his wife or pay with his life.

    A divorce suit between the estranged couple was pending at the Igbosere High Court at the time.

    On September 4, 2016, Mrs Remi-Louis and her mother Alhaja Modinat Olusesan, were remanded by an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, for alleged forgery and perjury in a related matter.

  • Five feared dead others including Abia LG TC chairman hospitalized in a ghastly accident

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

    Five persons were feared dead in a motor accident that involved the Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyatonwu.

    According to information gathered by our reporter, the accident occurred along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    Though the cause of the accident is yet-to-be made known by the Abia State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), many had speculated that the cause of the accident could be associated with overspending.

    Our reporter gathered that the chairman of Isiala Ngwa South and many others are receiving medical attention in some hospitals in the state where they are said to be recuperating.

    Reacting to the development, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed profound grief and sadness at the news of the ghastly motor accident.

    The Governor, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ememanka has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji to mobilize all resources available to the Ministry including the State Emergency Ambulance Services to provide all necessary medical assistance to survivors of the accident.

    Read Also: 17 die in Benue road accident

    “The Governor further directs the Commissioner for Health to identify the hospitals where the survivors were rushed to and ensure that they are receiving the best available treatment with a further assurance that the State Government will settle the bills for their treatment. The directive of the Governor also includes the possible evacuation of the survivors to better hospitals should the need arise.

    “In addition, Governor Ikpeazu has directed the General Manager of the Abia State Passengers Insurance Manifest Scheme (ASPIMS) to immediately reevaluate the state of the Ambulances owned by the Agency with a view to getting them ready for the heavy traffic that is associated with the ember months.

    “While thanking God for the survivors which include the Transition Committee Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Chief Ike Anyatonwu, and sincerely condoling with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, Governor Ikpeazu cautions road users to exercise utmost discretion and extreme care while driving, especially in these ember months.

    “Governor Ikpeazu prays for the repose of the souls of the dead and wishes the good people of Abia State accident free ember months,” the release read.

  • Bayelsa poll: Oshiomhole raising false alarm, says PDP

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has derided the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, following his allegations that the PDP was stockpiling arms ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    The State Chairman of the PDP, Moses Cleopas, said in a statement on Sunday that Oshiomhole and other leaders of the APC were making allegations as a plot to justify deployment of soldiers to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

    Cleopas said that the people of the state would resist any attempt by the APC to deploy soldiers to rig the gubernatorial election.

    The PDP Chairman called on Nigerians to ignore the APC allegation which according to him, were inspired by the desperation of the party to cause mischief.

    Cleopas, said that it was absurd and ridiculous for the National Chairman of the ruling party, Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Yekini Nabena, to make wild allegations about arms stockpiling against the PDP.

    Read Also: Edo polls: PDP, Ize-Iyamu head for Supreme Court

    Cleopas said that Oshiomhole would recall how he was hurried out of Bayelsa State to avoid being kidnapped by the leaders of the APC during their primaries in 2015.

    Cleopas said that the botched attempt to kidnap the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Mr. Kola Okunola, by APC militia in Brass for refusing to rig election in February showed clearly that the APC’s politics in Bayelsa was anchored on violence.

    The Party Chairman alleged that the APC colluded with compromised soldiers to kill Government House Photographer, Mr. Reginald Dei and a PDP Ward Leader at Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, in February, this year without any arrest or prosecution.

    He challenged Oshiomhole to disclose to the well meaning Nigeria public where the said arms were imported from, who imported them and the armoury.

  • Ekiti offsets N4bn UBEC counterpart funds

    By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, says his government has paid the N4billion counterpart funds arrears to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    The governor disclosed this in Ido Ekiti while commissioning a block of six classrooms at Ekiti Parapo College as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration in office.

    Fayemi, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, disclosed that payment of the counterpart funds to the UBEC will turn around the parlous state of basic education in the state.

    According to a statement on Sunday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, other projects commissioned were a police station in Igogo Ekiti, Town Halls in Obada Ekiti and Isan Ekiti.

    The Governor said basic education experienced hitches after his first tenure when the succeeding administration did not pay UBEC counterpart funds for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    “In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, no counterpart fund was laid to the Federal Government so we could not access money to build schools.

    “But when Fayemi came, he paid all the arrears of counterpart funds and before the year runs out, we will give out contracts.”

    The Governor promised the competent local contractors will be engaged to execute the jobs to shore up the economy in the grassroots.

    Read Also: Oyo gets $6 million World Bank education grant

    Fayemi further urged people in the communities to always monitor projects in their domains and take ownership of them to prevent vandalism.

    The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Francisca Aladejana, disclosed that over 300 schools are being rehabilitated to provide environment conducive to learning.

    She said: “We are touching over 300 schools in Ekiti State; apart from renovation, we are building fences and providing new buildings.

    “We now have money because the Governor has paid N4 billion counterpart funds to UBEC in Abuja.”

    The Ekiti SUBEB boss pointed out that education is now free in the state and it is now an offence for parents to keep their wards at home during school hours.

    She said the Fayemi administration is paying teachers salaries up to date, providing instructional materials, furniture and other facilities to motivate teachers and pupils.

  • JUST IN: Assistant Commissioner of Police kidnapped in Kaduna

    By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

    Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Musa Rambo has been kidnapped along Kaduna -Jos road.

    The Nation learnt ACP Rambo, serving in Niger State as the incumbent Area Commander of Suleja, was abducted on Saturday.

    Kaduna state police command has confirmed the incident, saying it was working round the clock to secure his relaese and arrest the culprits.

    Though, it was silent about the amount, the command said contact has been established with the kidnappers who were already requesting for ransom.

    The Nation however gathered that the kidnappers were demanding N50 million ransom.

    In a statement by the command’s PPRO, DSP Yakubu Sabo, he said on 19/10/2019 at about 1530hrs a team of Operation Safe Heaven along Barde – Jos reported that, a Nissan Murano with Reg No. KRD 753 BT ash in color with a Police I.D. Card bearing ACP I Musa Rambo, the incumbent Area Commander Suleja was found.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct popular Makurdi eatery operator

    “The vehicle was found abandoned around Kanock Bridge a Boarder area between Kaduna and Nasarawa States which occupant was suspected to have been kidnapped along Barde to Jos Road by Kanock Forest.

    “Contact has been established with the kidnappers requesting for ransom. Efforts Are on top gear towards rescuing the victim and arresting the culprits.

    “The Commissioner of Police CP Ali Aji Janga psc assures members of the public that, the Command is doing everything possible to secure the release of the victim.

    “He also enjoins the good people of Kaduna State to continue to support the Police with relevant information that will help the Command to overcome the recent security problems.”

  • Bayelsa 2019: APC alleged diversion of N17.5bn for vote-buying

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called in anti-corruption agencies to freeze Bayelsa accounts following alleged suspicious withdrawal of N17.5bn by government proxies recently.

    Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Yekini Nabena, instatement on Sunday in Abuja, also called for arrest of Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, for allegedly overseeing the said ‘illegal withdrawals’.

    Nabena categorically called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to take on the task of unraveling the whereabouts of the said funds, which he alleged were withdrawn on the orders of the state governor, Chief Seriake Dickson.

    According to the party spokesman, who is also an indigene of Bayelsa state, the state government, under the watch of Governor Seriake Dickson, had engaged in the alleged illegal disbursement of the said sum with the intention of using same to prosecute the upcoming governorship election.

    “In the last two weeks the Bayelsa state government has, in highly suspicious circumstances, made several withdrawals to the tune of N17.5 billion, without any corresponding project to justify the withdrawals. Insider reports we received stated that Governor Seriake Dickson approved the illegal withdrawals to fund the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.

    “The EFCC and the NFIU must urgently freeze the state government accounts to stop further illegal withdrawals. They must also track down the already withdrawn N17.5 billion and arrest the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai who oversaw the illegal withdrawals.

    Read Also: Bayelsa poll: APC, PDP disagree on alleged assassination attempt

    “Our sources reported that some of the cash is stashed in the Governor’s Toru-Orua country home. Others have been laundered by the Commissioner for Finance, through the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC).

    “When I spoke to journalists last week, I had raised alarm over the Governor openly boasting that he has the money to pay the police and army, including their retirement benefits, if they work for him in the elections.

    “It is now clear that Governor Dickson is bent on using the federal allocation meant for Bayelsans to rig the election and install his stooge.

    “He also plans to use public funds to sponsor new militant camps and the illegal activities of the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, which he is using to harass political opponents in his party PDP and APC members, supporters and leaders in the state ahead of the governorship election”, he said.

  • AfDB wants banks held accountable for women financing

    By Agency Reporter

    President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi Adesina, wants banks and financial institutions “fully held accountable’’ for lending to women.

    In an interview with newsmen in Washington, Adesina said he strongly believed Africa would get it right if it got the issue of women right.

    To this end, he announced plans by AfDB to provide “more resources at a more discounted rate’’ to banks that prioritise lending to women.

    “I will like to see financial institutions in Africa being held fully accountable when it comes to financing women.

    “The bank will be launching what we called the Women Financing Index (WFI) for Africa in which all financial institutions in Africa will be rated based on their lending to women.

    “Both in terms of the volume of lending and its development impact for women.

    “So, those who lend more to women will get more resources at a more discounted rate from the bank,’’ he said.

    Adesina said the bank was also providing financing for women through an initiative called Affirmative Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA).

    Read Also: Adesina, Onu, Awosika, eight others get role model awards

    He explained that AFAWA would see the mobilisation of three billion dollars for businesses for women on the continent.

    “We also supported another fund, which is called the Alitheia Identity Fund (AIF).

    “AIF has just closed at $75 million, and that is to support growth capital for the businesses for women.

    “In other words, the small, medium and the large businesses for women are what we are supporting.

    “We are focused on how we can drive investments for women.

    “We raised $251 million from the G7 leaders when I was in Beria with President Macron.’’ (NAN)

  • FG sets aside $1.61bn for 24 hour power supply – TCN

    By Agency Reporter

    The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Alhaji Usman Gur says the Federal Government in collaboration with international donor agencies has set aside over 1.61 billion dollars to ensure constant power supply in the country.

    Gur, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the TCN revealed this on Sunday in Kano while briefing newsmen at the Kumbotso power sub-station.

    According to him, the project will be carried out under the Transmission Rehabilitation Expansion Programme.
    “We are rehabilitating and expanding to degree 20, 000 Mega Watts by 2022 across the country,” he said.

    He noted that, the federal government has already earmarked about N32 billion to compensate Nigerians whose lands, houses and farms could be affected by the Righ-Of-Way to create Power Lines for the execution of the project.

    “The total amount that we are going to pay for compensation across the country is about N32 billion. And the total project cost is 1.61 billion dollars. The project will be supported by various international donors.

    “The compensation for right-of-way from Kumbotso sub-station to Rimi Zagara will cost about N3 billion. We have not completely validated it. The total cost for compensation across the country being provided by the Federal Government, ” he said.

    Gur who is also the chairman of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) Committee Executive Board stated that he led the TCN team to Kano to validate and look at the route that ran from the Kumbotso Transmission sub-station to Rimi Zakara.

    “You know we are going to connect Rimi Zakara to this sub-station (Kumbotso). Rimi Zakara is the place we are putting another 330 KV Sub-station, just like this one in Kumbotso.”

    “The mistake that happened in the past is that we normally award contract for line without doing the study. You know the study will establish who are the people under the right-of-way; and who are those people that are going to be affected by the lines.

    “So, we are supposed to have come up with those people and pay them their compensation.

    “Unfortunately, this contract was awarded many years, even before I came. It is not only this one, many of them are like that. They awarded the contracts without the payment of compensation.

    “That is why now, we are trying to pay the compensation, we are validating it, but we also need to tell people that this takes time, because right now, we have over 1000 people who need to be compensated within Kano alone.

    “That is why I am here, I will go through the routes and see exactly what are in the right-of-way. We are actually collaborating with Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje because some people who have land on the right-of-way are seeking for relocation.

    “We are going to request to the governor to relocate them and give them land in some other places so that we can build the line,” he said.

    According to him, “what we are doing for Kano state, actually is that we are trying to change the game. It is what you call game changer. Right now, the only line that supplies Kano is the 330 Single-Sighted Line that run from Kaduna to Kano.

    “We are bringing a Code Line from Kaduna to Kano. Now, you know we need to get a source of supply to transport the line from Kaduna to Kano. When I came newly in February, 2017, the line between Jos and Kaduna was funded only 10 per cent, but today the line is 98 per cent completed.

    “That means we have bulk power at the double-sighted line apart from the Single-sighted line from Jos to Kaduna. Then from Shiroro to Kaduna, we have two Single-sighted lines; none of them can carry more than 300 Mega Watts.

    “We are taking one of them and we are going to construct it into a Code Line, ” he said.

    He further explained that those projects, particularly, the one from Shiroro to Kaduna, the procurement of that line is about 80 Per Cent completed and it is funded by French Development Agency.

    Gur added that from Kaduna to Kano, TCN is building a Code Line, adding that the public information, this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that TCN is doing 330 Code Line.

    He said this mean it is going to carry, four Conductors per pair, which is expected to bring 2,400 Mega Watts of power.

    Read Also: TCN, Eko Atlantic seal deal on 1000Mw power supply

    “Now, I will also want to tell you that we want to change the game here completely. So, there is a line we are building from Kainji to Birnin Kebbi, Benin Kebbi to Sokoto; and also from Katsina to Daura, Daura to Gwiwa and from Gwiwa to Jogana. That line is also funded by AFD that is French Development Agency.

    “In fact, the line from Katsina to Daura, Daura to Gwiwa, Gwiwa to Jogana is going to evacuate the Solar IPP in Gwiwa which is going to be the like of the Marrakech Solar IPP in Morocco”, Gur assured.

    According to him, on that line, the European Union gave the TCN a grant, which is free money for the Nigerian government, worth about 25 million Euros.

    “Now we are working to close the link between Sokoto to Kaura Namoda, and Kaura Namoda to Katsina. Now, if you complete this line from Kumbotso Sub-station to Rimi Zakara, that line also went to Katsina; which means from Kainji, you can feed Kano through Sokoto, Katsina, Daura and Gwiwa.

    “We also have another line that is coming from Kaduna to Kano. I also want to tell you that we sent a proposal to the West African Power Pool, and it was approved by the Committee of Heads of State and Government on Dec. 22, 2018 where President Muhammadu Buhari chaired that meeting.

    “We have approved another line that will come from Calabar. It will come from Ikon to Ogoja to Kasimbula, to Mambilla,bto Jalingo, down to Yola, and move to Hong, to Biu, to Damaturu, Potiskum, Azare, to Dutse, and then to Jogana in Kano.

    “This is another 330 Double-sighted line. This very line is under what we call multi-national project. This project is under the ECOWAS project.

    He explained that government is working towards launching the study.
    “This is what I have pre-planned before I left Abuja to Kumbotso sub-station here in Kano.

    “This means we are going to have another Double-sighted line that will come to Kano, which means Kano will be supplied from three sources: through Sokoto, through Kaduna, and then through Calabar.

    “When this is done, it then means that we have solved the problem of bulk electricity supply to Kano, and this is what we are doing. And that will place Kano on a status we call MNS2, meaning if 2, 330KV Double-sighted line goes out, Kano will still receive supply of electricity,” he said.

    He added:“however, I will require the support of the people of Kano because all these things we are doing need some level of sacrifices from the good people of Kano state, because definitely, those lines will pass through people’s houses, lands, and farms.

    “Therefore, people have to make sacrifice. When you don’t make sacrifice, there is no way we can solve the problem of electricity.

    “I can tell you that the difference between development and lack of development or the difference between poverty and prosperity in any part of the world is actually electricity; and that is why we are doing all these so that we can solve the problem of electricity in Kano,” he said. (NAN)

  • Onitsha tanker fire: Six discharged as PDP chieftain provides ambulance

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    Six of the casualties of the Onitsha tanker fire disaster in Anambra state have been discharged from the Toronto hospital while two others are responding to treatment.

    Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Emeka Ezeh, stated this on Sunday when a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Obiorah Okonkwo, visited the victims.

    Ezeh, who is the Chief Executive Officer CEO of the big hospital, said two other dead bodies were still at the hospital’s morgue waiting for identification from their people.

    He said the two casualties remaining at the hospital were responding to treatment, adding that they had severe burns when they were rushed to the hospital on the day of the incident

    Okonkwo, who was in tears on citing the remaining two patients, Blessing Egbugo from Imo and Ani Onuchukwu, prayed God to grant His grace on them

    When he got at the destroyed Ochanja market, two kilometres from the hospital, the traders were still sober and still counting their losses.

    Addressing the traders in their hundreds, led by their Vice Chairman, Nwabueze Umeh, the PDP Governorship hopeful, sympathized with them, describing the incident as sad, unfortunate and avoidable

    He however, promised to send a good fire fighting ambulance to Ochanja market, adding that it was wrong and pure negligence to allow such a place to function without such equipment

    Okonkwo, announced that his Foundation, Pro -life Foundation would make sure those affected by the inferno would participate in the rehabilitation of the victims, even though the government had taken responsibility of such.

    Okonkwo called for immediate removal of all the bumps towards the Upper Works expressway, close to the Toronto hospital, saying they were the major reason for such accidents.

    According to him: “Anambra is a Godly State, otherwise what happened on Wednesday would have been more than what we are seeing today.

    Read Also: Onitsha tanker explosion: Nwodo in tears as market fire rages

    “Our markets deserve the best attention from any government because they are the places that pay major taxes and generate enough Internally Generated Revenues IGR for the state

    “What happened could have been avoided. It was pure negligence. We can not continue to weep all the time because we have abandoned our duties and responsibilities ”

    “This market should be re designed and fire fighting equipment provided the way they are in other climes. What happened here few days ago is pathetic and should not be allowed to happen again.”

    Okonkwo said those bumps along the expressway close to Upper Iweka, had to go off, to allow free flow of vehicular movements and to also, avoid further calamitous situations ”

    The two remaining victims at the hospital, Blessing Egbugo and Ani Onuchukwu, told The Nation they believed in God

    The duo, who expressed appreciation to the people for their prayers and concerns, thanked Okonkwo for visiting them with lots of goodies while equally, promising to off set their bills

  • Seven Boko Haram fighters killed, others crippled by self-inflicted IED

    By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja

    In what could be best described as boomerang, seven Boko Haram fighters were killed while eight others were crippled after their vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they had planted for troops in Lamba’a forest in Borno State.

    The Nigerian Army has launched renewed offensive against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

    According to the statement, “as the artillery bombardment and ground assault by troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) intensify across Operation LAFIYA DOLE Theatre, more Boko Haram casualties are being recorded.

    “In a clear case that can be best described as a tactical boomerang, on Friday, 18 October 2019, some marauding Boko Haram criminals elements who were escaping the unbearable battle heat turned on them by NA troops met their waterloo as one of their vehicles, a Toyota Sam Sahara Model, stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) laid by them against NA troops at Lamba’a Forest along Jakana – Mainok Road in Borno State.

    “The self-inflicted destruction consumed 7 Boko Haram criminals while 8 others suffered severe injuries. Consequently, troops have mobilized to the general area for route clearance and mop-up operation”.

    The statement added: “In another development, a syndicate that specializes in the smuggling of smoked fish from the Lake Chad region for sale in some parts of Nigeria have been busted by the diligent troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Reliable information available revealed that Boko Haram criminals/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their collaborators are using the fish business to finance and sustain their heinous activities.

    “The proceeds from the sales are believed to be channelled into the procurement of food stuff, groceries, drugs, toiletries, vehicle spare parts and other items for the sustenance of their criminal activities.

    “Relatedly, troops of Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE while acting on a reliable intelligence, raided the residence of some suspected illegal fish smugglers near Water Board Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Monguno LGA of Borno State. Four suspects were arrested and 16 sacks of smoked fish concealed in a room were recovered. In a similar operation conducted by troops of Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 10 October 2019, 9 vehicles loaded with illegal smoked fish consignments were equally intercepted at Bukarti in Geidam LGA of Yobe State en-route Hadejia in Jigawa State. Consequently, 18 suspects including drivers, conductors, mechanics and agents were also apprehended.

    “In another development, troops deployed at a Check Point along Baga Road in Borno State while on Operation POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION arrested one Musa Ishaku while in possession of a fake Nigeria Customs ID card which he has been using to deceive security agencies. Additionally, troops of 1 Division also rescued 4 kidnapped students from bandits at Gurmi Village in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State after a brief fire fight with criminals. In Rivers State, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison (Main) raided a suspected Sea Pirates Camp at Tingibibi Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State.

    Read Also: ‘Hungry’ Boko Haram fighters surrender to Nigerian Army

    “The suspected sea pirates, who obviously could not withstand the overwhelming fire power of the troops, fled the enclave in disarray. Items recovered from the camp include one AK 47 Rifle magazine, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 cartridges, one binocular and 3 para red rocket. In the same vein, troops neutralised one armed robber during an anti-robbery operation at Adipet Filling Station along Rukuba Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. Others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Similarly, following confessional statements made by an arrested notorious bandit/kidnap kingpin named Yellow, troops of 3 Brigade tracked and arrested one of his gang members, Dahiru Dogo in Falgore Forest in Kano State.

    “The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai wishes to reassure the general public on the resolve of the Nigerian Army to rid the society of criminal elements for a secured environment”.