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Tag: John Agim

  • Troops arrest 20 suspects, recover arms, ammunition in Kogi

    The combined forces of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have arrested 20 suspected notorious criminals that have been terrorizing the people of Kogi State.

    Brig-Gen. John Agim, the Acting Director Defence Information (DDI), made this known on Saturday in Lokoja, while briefing newsmen  on the activities of the Clearance Operation which was launched on Oct.  8, to combat criminal activities across the country.

    Agim said the forces also recovered some illegal arms and ammunition across

    “The recovered arms included: seven locally fabricated guns, one AK47 Rifle, two Magazines, 45 Rounds of Assorted ammunition.

    “During the period under review, 20 notorious criminals were arrested, which included Mr Eleme Salihu, the kidnapper kingpin at Itobe in Ofu LGA of Kogi.

    “The troops also foiled several kidnapping attempts and intensified continuous confidence building through patrols, show of force, blocking operations, as well as cordon and search.

    “This strategy has yielded positive results with arrest-of high profile suspects and recovering of weapons.

    “There are eight-operation sectors within the operation and each sector covers two to three local government areas and each sector has established Sector Headquarters and two sub- sectors for administrative expediency.

    “For effective coordination of this exercise, all sectors were collapsed and a Battalion established in each of the senatorial zones, while a Brigade HQs is located at Central zone which oversees the Battalions.

    “91 Brigade located at Irepene. 911 Battalion at Odo Ape and 912 Battalion at Oku Obayin, while 913 Battalion is at Bassa,” Agim said.

    He said that the relative peace and security being witnessed was made possible through joint operations and synergy of efforts by the security agencies and cooperative posture of the State Government, locals and other well meaning citizens.

    “Through the renewed vigor and determination of the troops in this special operation, relative peace have been restored, troops dominating the environment, creating safe and conducive atmosphere for socio economic activities to thrive,” he added.

    Agim, therefore, reassured the general public of their determination to protect the lives and property of law abiding citizens.

    He enjoined the public to be security conscious and desist from any act that could breach peace and security, while commending the media for their cooperation and support.

    Read Also: Kogi distributes relief items to flood victims at Omala

    He urged people to always give timely information to security agencies for prompt action, adding, “Our troops will continue to be professional in the discharge of their duties”.

    In his remarks, Capt. Nick Ejeh, the Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, Army Records, told newsmen that the three kidnapped expartrates of a Contruction Company at Itakpe on the Okene-Lokoja road, had been freed.

    Ejeh said that they regained their freedom at about 8. 35 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 2.

     

    NAN

  • Banditry: Over 6000 IDPs return home in Zamfara

    The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, says over 6000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned home in Zamfara.

    Agim disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Gusau on Friday.

    He said that the return of peace and security in Maradu, Shinkafi and Zurmi local government areas led to the massive return of the IDPs to their respective villages.

    Agim said farming and other economic activities had picked up again as bandits no longer had freedom to operate in such areas.

    He said that Zamfara which was once bedeviled by incessant killings due to banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings and armed robbery was now assured of safety of lives and property.

    He said that with the support of Air Task Force (ATF), the Operation Sharan Daji (OPSD) had recently launched series of air strikes against bandits’ hideouts and camps in SUBUBU and RUGU forest.

    Read Also: Zamfara SSG: we lost 3,000 to banditry

    The acting director of defence information said the attacks had successfully neutralised a large number of armed bandits and destroyed their camps.

    He said the momentum would be sustained, and that the tempo in the fight to wipe out criminalities in the state would also be increased.

  • Troops kill 36 Militia Herdsmen in Benue, Others, Says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday said troops have eliminated 36 militia herdsmen at the weekend with the commencement of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states.

    The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim said in a statement that a soldier was killed during the operation, while two others were wounded. He added that the wounded soldiers have been treated and discharged from the Hospital.

    Brig. Gen Agim said in Taraba 8 bandits were arrested and handed over to officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) for further interrogation, adding that different categories of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the militia gang.

    Brig. Gen Agim said: “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states conducted a four prong clearance operations during the weekend.  At Umaisha and Toto Villages, troops ambushed the militia following a tipoff of a planned attack on the two villages.

    “On the ensuing melee 1 x G3 rifle, 193 x 17.62 mm NATO, 81xG3 rifle ammunition, a locally made pistol and 1 FN magazine filled with round were recovered and 1 militia was killed.  In another development, one Adamu Abdullahi, a suspected herdsman at Rukubi in Doma LGA of Nasarawa state was arrested in possession of an ID card of the vigilante group of Nigeria, Nasarawa state command and a photograph in which he posed with an AK47 rifle.

    “The suspect is still under interrogation and will be handed over to the police for prosecution after preliminary investigation.

    “Similarly, clearance operation across Gwer West, Logo and Guma LGA’s of Benue State was conducted during the weekend.  Troops made contact with heavily armed herdsmen around lower Benue and a militia camp at chetarer village.

    “The troops engaged the militia and followed the pursuit with M135 Helicopter of their air component.  This led to a large member of them being neutralized.  In all, 35 herdsmen were neutralized and a large number of them escaped with gunshot injuries.

    “However, a soldier was killed in action (KIA), 2 sustained slight injuries but have been treated and discharged.  Also, 1 soldier is still missing in action.

    “Furthermore, OPWS in Nasarawa State arrested one Musa Habu (aged 32 years) at Kolo close to Umiasha in Toto Local Government Council.  Items recovered from the suspect include; 1 locally made pistol, 2 x cartridges, 1 Techno phone and hundred and thirty naira only.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked with some suspected militia in that locality.  He has been handed over to the DSS for further necessary action.

    “In the same vein, troops of OPWS sector 3 Taraba, on patrol through Kwesati, Manya-Garagun axis made contact with 8 bandits who were arrested and were armed with 2 AK47 rifle, 1 x K2 rifle and 2 x locally made gun.

    “Ammunitions recovered from them include 56 rounds of 7.6mm, 25 rounds of k2, 3x cartridge, charms, phones amongst other items.  Suspects and items are to be handed over to DSS for further investigation”.

  • DHQ Tackles Ekweremadu over Comments on Coup de ‘tat

    DHQ Tackles Ekweremadu over Comments on Coup de ‘tat

    The Defence Headquarters on Thursday responded to the comments credited to the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on the floor of the National Assembly to the effects that “the problem in Nigeria is that our democracy is receding. Who says army cannot take over, let us not joke with our democracy that is the issue”.

    The Defence Headquarters said the apprehension created by the statement should be disregarded by Nigerians, and therefore assured the International Community, Nigerian democratic institutions and the public of the unalloyed loyalty of the armed forces the President, Commander in Chief of Nigeria.

    A statement signed by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen John Agim, noted that the comments of Senator Ekweremade ” may appear cautionary and sincere in the atmosphere of discourse, it is however derogatory to the Army used in the expression and by extension to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

    The statement reads: “The Defence Headquarters wish to respond to a comment by the Deputy President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu on Wednesday 7 March 2018, regarding the Nigerian Military, while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Ogembe, representing Kogi Central.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu tours constituency projects

    “In his comments among others, the Distinguished Deputy President of the Senate stated “The Problem in Nigeria is that our democracy is receding. Who says army cannot take over, let us not joke with our democracy that is the issue”.

    “This statement may appear cautionary and sincere in the atmosphere of discourse, it is however derogatory to the Army used in the expression and by extension to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    “The statement in the true sense has the capacity to denigrate the Nigerian Military in every ramification including its loyalty to the President Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the confidence of the general public to defend Nigeria’s democracy.

    “In the light of this; the Defence Headquarters wish to state clearly that, the Nigerian Military has come of age and is in tune with best international military practices of complete and total subordination to democratic governance.

    “In this regard, it is worthy to remind the general public about some key measures among others that guaranteed the present sustainable status of politically unambitious members of the Armed Forces:

    “Shortly, after the transition from a military to a democratically elected government in 1999, officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, who were quasi-political, were honourably eased out of service.  This was done to avoid indoctrination of other officers in the Military in order to enable the democratic government commence a re-professionalisation process of the Armed Forces.

    “The process commenced in collaboration with international organisations such as the United States Armed Forces and the British Military.  By 2009, from the basic military training institutions through units and formation reorientation programmes to top management workshops and seminars for the military, it became clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been re-professionalised to be totally subordinate to political leadership and democracy in the Country.

    “In addition, the Nigerian Military began to take the lead at ensuring that the West African Sub Region is stable democratically through military diplomacy and physical actions where it is highly desirable and supported by ECOWAS.

    “The case of the Gambia last year is still fresh in our memories, where democracy was enforced by an ECOWAS Military Coalition led by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the focused and abled leadership of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General AG Olonisakin (NAM).

    “Furthermore, the present crop of personnel in the Armed Forces of Nigeria right from the Service Chiefs to the men; are made up of the balance of re-professionalised officers and fresh intakes from 1999, who do not nurse political ambitions.  They are fully committed to their oaths of allegiance to serve their fatherland Nigeria, with total submission to our democratic government.

    “Defence Headquarters hereby assures the international community, Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the general public, of its unalloyed loyalty to the President Commander in Chief, provision of all necessary support for the sustenance of our democracy and carrying out our constitutional roles.  Therefore, the apprehension by the Deputy President of the Senate should be totally disregarded.”