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Tag: military

  • Military gives militia December decline to vacate Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa

    Authorities of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have given all militia groups terrorising residents of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states up till December to vacate the states or risk forcible eviction.

    The military operation is responsible for maintaining peace and order in the three states currently facing threats of insurgency.

    The commander of the military operation, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, announced the deadline when he addressed reporters yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    Yekini said insurgents still hiding in areas currently inaccessible in the three states due to rough terrain would be flushed out before December.

    According to him, the rains and the bad roads have halted military advances into the hinterlands where pockets of the insurgents are still hiding.

    He assured the residents that with the dry season fast approaching, there would be no limits to advances and attacks on the insurgents.

    Yekini said: “So far, we have facilitated 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes in Benue State.”

    The commander also assured the people that the IDPs would be protected in their villages.

    He said that the herdsmen militia and other militia groups in the state, especially the Gana gang, must vacate the states or risk forceful eviction.

    Yekini attributed the delay in the return of some IDPs to their homes to security and socio-economic challenges.

    The commander urged state governments to support efforts to resettle the displaced persons.

    He said: “It’s not because of security challenges alone that IDPs are not returning home. People are there as economic IDPs because the resources to actually go back on their own without some form of assistance are not available to them.

    “So, I think that the state government should be looking at the model that was adopted by Nasarawa State whereby when the people were going back home, the government provided some seedlings.

    “The government also gave them building materials, and even cash, to enable them go back home.

    “Even those who have returned home, many of them still return to the camps to eat in the day time.

    “They’re not permanently in the camp; many of them are just there because of lack of resources for them to return to their homes and not because of security.”

    Yekini confirmed the killing of the wife of Gana and 12 members of his gang, saying the operation had neutralised at least 100 criminal elements in the state.

     

  • CAN urges DSS, police, military, others to shun partisanship

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged security operatives involved in the conduct of elections not to be biased.

    It said if the advice was taken, it would be for the development of the country.

    CAN enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure eligible voters were allowed to register, adding: “They should go and study how elections are conducted in a country like Ghana under a free and fair atmosphere that is better than ours. We frown at the vote-buying culture, which has characterised recently-conducted elections. It is a shame of international proportion.”

    A statement by the Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said CAN rejoiced with Muslims on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. It said: “We wish to caution the Police, Department of Security Services, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies involved in the conduct of election to shun partisanship. They should remain apolitical for the sake of the country. After all, leaders will come and go, but Nigeria will remain.

    “As we are in another election year, we enjoin our politicians to stop vote buying, violence, blood-letting and other evils associated with campaign and election. It is regrettable to note that many of our politicians are not aspiring to serve, but to amass wealth at our expense. This is why election has become a do-or-die affair. If a party fulfils what was promised, violence, force and intimidation will not be needed to retain the seat.”

  • Police deny assassination attempt on Dino Melaye, summon him

    …Indicts police, military

    …Guards shot sergeant

    The Kogi State Police Command has summoned Senator Dino Melaye to report at the State Criminal and Investigation Department after his armed guards fired on a team of policemen on patrol duties in the state.

    A police sergeant was the victim of the shooting, the police said and is recuperating in the hospital.

    The Kogi Police Command asked Melaye to report at the SCIID office in the state capital, in the company of his armed guards, as investigation began on the shooting.

    the policeman shot by Melaye’s guards recuperating in hospital

    According to the police, their statement, signed by  DSP William Ovye Aya, the PRO, was partly to refute Melaye’s allegation that he was shot at by the police.

    On the contrary, the police said that Melaye’s guards opened fire first, with the police responding.

    Dino Melaye, right, commissioning a transformer in Mopa after the encounter with the police

    In posts on Instagram, Melaye did not mention any shooting incident. However, he claimed the police tried to block his convoy with a grader, parked on a bridge, while he was on his way to Yagba east to commission some projects. According to him, his convoy avoided the blockade.

    In another Instagram post, the senator representing Kogi West said the state government barricaded the road to stop his movement.

    It was on Twitter that the senator claimed an attempt was made on his life during the visit to his state.

    He claimed over 20 bullets were fired at his jeep by a combination of policemen, men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the military.

    ”I thank God for spearing(sic) my life once again. Over 20 bullets holes on my jeep. Combination of police,SARS and military. God I thank you.

    The police statement reproduced below contradicted his account:

    “Today, at about 1530hours, a team of policemen from the Command was on a routine Anti – Robbery/Kidnapping patrol along Aiyetoro Gbede – Mopa Road.

    “During the patrol, and as it is often the practice, the team pinned down at a point at Iyah Gbede Junction, where they were observing the highway and occasionally conducting Stop and Search.

    Melaye: claims this grader was used to block a bridge to prevent his passage

    “It was in this process a long convoy of vehicles coming from Mopa towards Aiyetoro Gbede approached the Point. Officers of the Command at the Point flagged down the convoy. While the lead vehicle, a Toyota Hilux van, which was later discovered to be conveying officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, stopped to introduce themselves, other vehicles in the convoy dangerously zoomed off without regards to the safety of the officers on ground.

    “Surprisingly, some plain clothed armed men, occupying a white Toyota Hilux van, without registration number, without provocation fired gunshots at the officers of the Anti-Robbery /Kidnapping Patrol Team.

    “One of the officers, a Sergeant, was hit by bullet on the right part of his chest as a result of which he sustained grievous injury.

    “The Officer is currently lying critically ill in the hospital where he has undergone a live threatening surgery and currently recuperating.

    “Expectedly, the policemen in self defence responded by firing back to repel the unexpected attack. Vehicles in the convoy nevertheless, drove away from the scene. It was not until the officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were questioned that it was realised that the convoy was that of Senator Dino Melaye.

    “It is rather unfortunate that the Senator could after this dastardly act by his aides, be going around with armed men, unknown to the Command who could launch such a lethal attack on police officers in the course of their normal duty.

    “It is more saddening that the Senator could turn around to issue misleading statements to cover up the heinous crime committed by his hired aides.

    “While, the command has instituted a high powered investigation panel into the incident, Senator Melaye is hereby advised to report with people in his convoy to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Lokoja to assist in the investigation.”

  • Boko Haram attacks military base in Borno/ Yobe village

    An unknown number of soldiers have been allegedly killed in a on Saturday night in a Boko Haram attack on a military base in Borno/Yobe villages.
    The insurgents according to eyewitness took the soldiers unawares and lunched a dastardly attack on them.
    Jilli is a boarder  settlement   from Futchimiram ward in Borno State  about 60 kilometers away from Geidam Local Government of Yobe State .
    The Nation checks revealed that the  base was about 800 troops strong before it was attacked.
     A security  source revealed that many casualties were recorded by the military adding  that some dislodged soldiers were sighted trying to reach Gaidam town this morning.
    The military are yet to comment on the attack as no official statement has been released.

  • Military to retire 320 soldiers next week

    Three hundred and twenty soldiers comprising 262 from the Army, 44 from the Navy and 14 from the Air Force will be retired from service next week, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, said yesterday.

    NAFRC’s Commandant Air Vice Marshal  (AVM) Ajibola Jekenu stated this during a news briefing ahead of the graduation of the personnel, who underwent a six-month course preparatory to their retirement.

    He said the initiative was to enable the beneficiaries adjust and appropriately blend with the peculiarities of retirement as well as contribute actively to national economy as worthy civilians.

    Jekenu, who noted that the retiring soldiers have been trained in various skills for self-reliance, said the centre was looking towards introducing managerial courses for other ranks.

    He said the development was necessitated by the fact that most other ranks in the military were educated, adding that they have seen a lot of soldiers with doctorate degrees.

    Aside plans to introduce managerial courses for soldiers, Jekenu said the centre was still on course with moves to be upgraded to a higher institution and to also commence trainings for officers.

    He said: “A total of 320 personnel will be graduating, retiring on June 22 having undergone intensive skills acquisition trainings to help them earn meaningful livelihood after retirement.

    “The centre graduates two courses annually and it is on record that we have trained over 41, 000 ex-servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces since its inception.

    “What we offer here are basics, fundamentals and so, it is not out of place for our trainees or ex-servicemen to improve themselves further outside. But that does not mean we cannot accommodate refresher courses for some of our ex-servicemen, particularly in the area of security management.”

  • Boko Haram: ‘Military won’t shield errant officers, men’

    The Acting  Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Agim has  said that Boko Haram insurgents  do not control any local government area in the North-East.

    He also said the military is doing its best to curtail Boko Haram despite the huge cache of arms and ammunitions at the disposal of the insurgents.

    He admitted that the insurgents had taken porous borders and free movement treaty to recruit members.

    He said the proliferation of the arms from Libya and Mali has caused a lot of problems for Nigeria.

    On alleged abuse by some troops, he said the military would not shield errant officers and men.

    Agim made the clarifications at a session with reporters in Abuja.

    He said: “Currently there is no local government under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East. Concerning alleged collection of taxes in some of the areas where their cells are located, I think they resort to desperate means to survive as they move from one area or the other to hide from troops.

    “But Boko Haram is not running government anywhere. They always subject people living within their cells to intimidation and extortion to survive.”

    Agim explained that the campaign against the insurgents in Sambisa Forest had been continuous because “the Forest is a vast area, it is 10 times the size of Lagos State.”

    He picked holes in a recent report by the Amnesty International on the activities of the military in the North-East and alleged abuses by troops.

    He  said the military had its mechanism for disciplining any soldier who misbehaved during an operation.

    He said no errant military officers and men will be spared of misbehaviour.

    He added: “When there is  an operation going on, the military puts some things in place to check  anybody who misbehaves. For example in the North -East, there is a standing court martial that is trying anybody  (officer or soldier) who misbehaves.

    “There is no way we have a military such as ours and you will not see one person misbehaving.

    “While I was in Maiduguri, I saw  some of the cases that had been decided by court martial there.  A  soldier who shot and killed five rescued civilians without any just cause was tried and sentenced to death. If anybody does anything that is against the law, report that person.”

    Agim said the porous nature of Nigerian borders and free movement treaty had made it possible for Boko Haram to recruit members from many countries.

    He said: “We have those people that come into the country. The Immigration complained of the porous borders and all that. People come in and go out and our country is something different.

    “When people are here, nobody even cares to check anybody. In Nigeria, people will do things they want to do freely in our country and nobody checks them, nobody says anything.

    “Go to Chad and Niger, there is somebody who monitors you and you will know that you are being monitored. Only here, nobody talks to you. You are free to do anything you need to do, may be because of the size of the country or something.

    “The porous borders are actually causing a lot of problems. And the proliferation of the arms from Libya and Mali has caused a lot of problems.

    “It surprises us that the kind of weapons these people are having. That is something that should worry all of us. They don’t run short of arms. They don’t have problem of arms.

    Agim urged Nigerian media to deny Boko Haram publicity which he said was the fuel the insurgents needed to perpetrate  terrorism.

    “The only way you can check them is to reduce the way you  talk about their activities,”, he said.

  • Military to clear Lake Chad for fishing, farming

    The military has said it will clear the Lake Chad Basin of Boko Haram remnants to ensure the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the resumption of fishing and farming.

    The Commander Operation Last hold of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko, addressed a news conference yesterday.

    It was coordinated by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas.

    According to Dikko, the operation will be used as part of the 2018 Army Day Celebration, and to facilitate the return of displaced persons. He added that the operation will last for four months.

    He said: “Undeterred by the mutating posture of the Boko Haram, the Army is determined to consolidate on its recent gains in the ongoing push, especially in the Northern part of Borno.

    “Accordingly, this year’s Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of Operation Last Hold in Northern Borno within the Northeast Theatre.

    “The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the Army’s combat efficiency, and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin general area.

    “Operation Last Hold is expected to last for four months, and it will entail deployment of additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State.

    “The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels. It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin general area.

    “The operation will facilitate the rescue of hostages. The end-state of Operation Last Hold is the total defeat of the Boko Haram terrorist sect in northern Borno. This will pave way for the return of local administration and people to their responsibilities and communities.

    “Strategically, Operation Last Hold will restore fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. It will also facilitate the return of IDPs to their communities.

    “Operation Last Hold is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve civil-military relations in the Northeast.

  • Boko Haram: Military to clear Lake Chad for framing activities

    The military has announced its resolve to clear the Lake Chad Basin of Boko Haram remnants to pave way for the return of IDPs and the resumption of fishing and farming activities in the area.

    The Commander Operation Last hold of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Abba Dikko stated this at press briefing in Maiduguri.

    The briefing which was coordinated by the The Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Rogers Nicholas had in attendance all security agencies working in the theatre as well as International Non Governmental Organisations.

    According to Maj. Gen Dikko, the operation will be used as part of the Army Day Celebration for 2018 and would be used to facilitate the return of displaced people from the area to return to their farms and continue their normal lives.

    He informed that the operation will last for four months.

    While giving the details and objectives of the operation, Maj. Gen. Dikko said;

    “Undeterred by the mutating posture of the Boko Haram, the Nigerian Army is determined to consolidate on its recent gains in the ongoing push especially in the Northern most part of Borno. Accordingly, this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of an operation tagged Operation LAST HOLD in Northern Borno within the North East Theatre. The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the combat efficiency of the NA and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin general area.

    “Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State. The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels. It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram Terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin general area. The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages. The end-state of Operation LAST HOLD is the total defeat of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect in northern Borno. This will pave way for the return of local administration and people to their responsibilities and communities. Strategically, the conduct of Operation LAST HOLD will facilitate the restoration of fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, it will facilitate the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons from IDP camps back to their communities.

    “Operation LAST HOLD is conceptualized to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve Civil-Military relations in the North East region. In this regard, law abiding members of the public in Northern Borno State are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the operation. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected insurgents may be fleeing from military operations in the North East and finding safe haven amidst our communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action;” Maj. Gen. Dikko explained.

    Read Also: Army in final push against Boko Haram

    Speaking on the Civil Military aspect of the operation, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angbazo said the operation will be embedded with sensitization workshops, medical outreach services, moulding blocks for the local people to rebuild their houses etc, stressing that it is aimed at highlighting the humanitarian commitment of the Army to the civilian population.

    “It is designed to feature Nigerian Army’s humanitarian commitment and showcase the combat capability and equipment of the Nigerian Army and subsequently conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram Terrorist locations in the LAKE CHAD Basin.
    Accordingly, Civil Military Cooperation activities are embedded in OP LAST HOLD which will commence from 1 May – 8 Jul 18. Activities for NADCEL 2018 will include COAS Press Conference, combined Church Service/Juma’at Prayer in all Formations, Sanitation Exercises and Seminars/Workshops. There will be robust Civil Military Cooperation activities such as medical outreach, sanitation exercises, renovation/const of boreholes and town hall meetings tailored towards winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace within the theatre as well as facilitate the safe relocation of Internally Displaced
    Persons back to their homes.

    Additionally, the Nigerian Army Engineers will mould blocks using compressor machines and assist in building new homes for returnees at their various towns. The Nigerian Army will also cooperate with state governments and ministry of agriculture to assist in land clearing for planting during the planting season. It will provide protection throughout planting and harvest periods with patrols and escorts to ensure food sufficiency. The Nigerian Army Medical Corps will equally deploy medical resources fully to cover the period of the operation. Sanitation exercises in selected locations with large presence of civilians as well as town hall, security meetings and sensitization workshops with traditional rulers, religious leaders, village heads etc will also be held in the following locations:
    a. Monguno.
    b. Gajiran.
    c. Baga.
    d. Dapchi.
    e. Kukawa.
    f. Mallam Fatori.
    g. Gashage.
    h. Arege.
    i. Jilil.’, Gen Angbazo explained.

    He also announced that the state governments of Borno andb Yobe have shown interests to ensure the success of the operation.

    “Already, consultations have commenced with visits to the Borno and Yobe State Governments whom have shown enthusiastic interest in the activities lined up for this operation.
    A mini water project has also been commissioned in Gelengu, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State. Similarly, consultations with Federal ministry of Agriculture and other relevant ministries are ongoing with the view to eliciting their active involvement in the rehabilitation and location of Internally Displaced Persons back to their communities.

    “The Nigerian Army recognizes the importance and role of the media not just in information dissemination but also for the crucial roles it plays in winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace. To ensure that the general public is carried along, and kept abreast with the activities of the Nigerian Army as regards NADCEL 2018 and OP LAST HOLD, the Nigerian Army has established a Media Operation Centre. The aim of this media centre is to ensure that clear information regarding Nigerian Army operations is passed across to the general public. To achieve this, there will be daily briefings and press releases throughout the duration of OP LAST HOLD leading to the NADCEL 2018 in line with operational objectives.

    “It is important for me at this point to inform the general public that the NADCEL 2018 is planned to be very unique and as such different from previous Celebration. Therefore, the activities to be carried out will very robust in line with the achievement of the operational endstate. Various activities will be simultaneously conducted at different locations as earlier stated and will culminate on the 6 Jul 18 with the grand finale of NADCEL 2018. I want to therefore assure you once again that the media will be carried along on these activities even as we draw nearer to 6 Jul 18. We therefore call on all well meaning Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and its activities throughout this period.

    “The planned Civil Military Cooperation activities for OP LAST HOLD/NADCEL 2018 are expected to achieve both strategic and operational end states and are geared towards facilitating the quick return of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes as well as winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace in support of Nigerian Army operations. Let me also use this medium to call on all well-meaning Nigerians, Civil Society Organisation, International Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector to support the Nigerian Army to ensure the successful return of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes,” he explained.

    In his remarks, the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj Gen Roggers Nicholas called on the INGOs to take advantage of the operation and step up their activities and reach out to areas hitherto inaccessible.

    Maj. Gen Roggers also appeal to the INGOs and government to provide agricultural inputs for returnees to enable them carry out their farming activities.

  • Group commends military over arrest of mastermind of Benue attack

    The Good Governance and Transparency Initative has reacted to the arrest of Aminu Yaminu, otherwise known as Tarshaku, who was believed to have masterminded the recent killings in Benue State.

    The group commended the army for swinging into action by fishing out the suspect.

    Mrs. Jaiyeola Mohammed, the Executive Director of the group, while speaking at a commendation rally held around Abuja in reaction to the arrest , urged security agents to bring those behind the killings to book.

    Mohammed said the group commended the military for arresting Tarshaku, who also goes by the name Aminu Yaminu, a Boko Haram commander serving in a state government.

    He said, “We understand he has provided useful information that indicate that his evil acts were not primarily motivated by his ethnicity or religion. Rather, he was executing the instructions of political patrons that are not even of the same ethnic stock as himself.

    “The stories about “herdsmen reprisal” were apparently promoted by these Tashaku’s sponsors to divert attention from whatever their true intentions are. Hopefully, our superb military intelligence will at some point uncover what these intentions are.

    “The Coalition for Good Governance had earlier hinted that the killings and destruction in Benue State that were credited to herdsmen have political undertones as they are nothing compared to the friction between herdsmen and farmers like we used to know.

    ” The gruesome killings have the trappings of killers that have instruction to dispense as much terror as they can.

    “Much as there are confirmations that Tashaku is a Boko Haram kingpin, these should not rule out investigating the assertions that have been made repeatedly that some Governors like Samuel Ortom of Benue deliberately armed these elements to cause chaos, havoc and destroy lives in order to divert attention from the real issues confronting the country, which is that state governors are raping their states’ treasuries; they are taking loans in the name of the their states that is ending up in private accounts while no viable projects are executed neither are staff salaries paid.

    “The arrest of Tashaku and others like gunmen arrested in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state, Abubakar Umaru, Adamu Likita, and Yusufa Alhaji Yaro point to the fact that they were recruited to act out well-crafted scripts that would pitch ethnic configurations against each other while creating a widespread sense of terror that have allowed someone like the Benue state governor to escape scrutiny about his ineffectual handling of the state’s affairs through the active sponsorship of known terrorists.

    “Now that key suspects are in custody, we charge the military to squeeze them for all the information they have so that security and law enforcement agents can go after all the sponsors without fear or favour. This will ensure that the efforts of the military to make Nigeria safe is not wasted because of a few individuals. We warn that a failure to go after the sponsors of the violence in Benue and neighboring states would be similar to attempt killing a snake without cutting the head off – cutting off the head of the monster in Benue state will be faster and more effective in providing a final solution.

    “We understand that a desperation to conceal the true identity of the persons behind the killings was responsible for the murder of a soldier in Benue state just last month. The military authorities must investigate this and also find out the level of collaboration that exist between community youths and the killers.

    “Even with his immunity, it is time the whole country bring the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom to justice. Several months ago it was revealed that Tashaku, the head of the militia he set up under the pretext of Livestock Guards, is a known Boko Haram member. Yet, Ortom kept this killer on the payroll, financing the killing of innocent Nigerians with Benue money. No wonder repeated military efforts to flush out the killers faced obstacles because the head of Benue Security is the enemy they did not realize they were fighting against. This is nothing but a ridicule of our collective sensibility since Ortom and Tashaku watched Nigerians mourn daily while playing the victims.

    “Our coalition commends President Muhammadu Buhari for not relenting in his support for the military to tackle insecurity in Benue state and the nation in general despite the treasonable sabotage of the likes of Governor Ortom. We urge Mr. President to leverage his position as his party leader to sanction Ortom and ensure he is not rewarded with another four years to continue killing Nigerians. Pending when this happens, we request that Mr. President mandate law enforcement agencies to go after the governor’s aides and appointees who might have collaborated with him in carrying out these killings through the apprehended terrorists and the ones still at large.

    “While we have been vindicated by our earlier stance that our military is equal to the task and just need to be given the needed the support, we nonetheless call on Nigerians to support the institution at this critical time to ensure that the remaining terrorists hiding under the respectability of government appointments are identified and prosecuted. We therefore call on the military to sustain its manhunt for all those indicted in the killings until the Middle Belt can again be a safe haven for citizens. As we say our thanks to the military, we appeal to them to be swift in bringing closure so that these terrorists’ sponsors do not have time to strategize and entrench themselves as they had done in the Northeast.

    “Our march today honour the Nigerian Military for the valiant role in unmasking the bloodsucking demon that Samuel Ortom is. We commend our troops. But we may subsequently have a rally for recrimination to deal with the governor and his minions if he fails to find honour even in his pevert soul to do the needful.”

  • Military kills one insurgent, repels others

    One insurgent has been killed in an operation to repel rampaging Boko Haram at Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said yesterday that several others fled in the operation.

    A soldier however died during the operation.

    Chukwu said the troops recovered one Rocket Propelled gun, one anti-aircraft gun, two AK 47 rifles and two empty magazines.

    The army spokesman called on the people to cooperate with troops, provide useful and timely information to security agencies.