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Tag: operatives

  • Fleeing killers of operatives will be arrested, say defence ministers

    Fleeing killers of operatives will be arrested, say defence ministers

    The Defence Ministry yesterday assured that the military would not fail to arrest the killers of the officers and soldiers as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

    Like Tinubu, the ministry condemned the killings as unacceptable and warned that no threat to the nation’s stability would be tolerated..

    Defence Ministry’s spokesman,  Henshaw Ogubike, said in a statement that Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru and Minister of Defence( state), Bello Matawalle saw the killings as a matter of grave concern.     

    “The tragic incident underscores the immense sacrifices made by our servicemen and women in the defence of our nation.

    “Their unwavering dedication and courage in the face of danger exemplify the highest ideals of patriotism and duty.

    “President Bola Tinubu has directed the Chief of Defence Staff, to investigate the incident to ensure that those responsible for the attack face the full force of the law,’’  Ogubike said in the statement.

    He quoted Badaru as restating the commitment of the ministry to safeguard the security and well-being of all Nigerians.

    He said: “We assure the Nigerian people that every effort will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “We remain resolute in our pursuit of peace and tranquillity across the nation in line with the `Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Tinubu.

    “Our unwavering support for the armed forces and their efforts to maintain peace and stability across the country is not negotiable.

    Read Also: Tantita, NSCDC operatives set ablaze crude oil storage facility in Ondo

    “We will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving lasting peace and tranquillity in every region of our dear country.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the fallen soldiers, as well as with the entire nation mourning this irreparable loss.

    “We stand united in grief with all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces during this difficult time,’’ 

    *Senate. : AbdulRazaq, Rep, groups   condemn  killing 

    The Senate, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a member of the House of Representatives, Francis Waive and the  Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR),  also decried the killings of the security operatives.

    They welcomed President Tinubu’s directive for the arrest of the killers.

    The Senate, through the Chairman of its    Committee on Media and Public Affairs,   Yemi Adaramodu,   described the killing as “a perfidious height of a barbaric and heinous crime..”

    A statement of the incident by Adaramodu,     reads partly: “The   Senate leadership and all distinguished Senators of the 10th Senate condemn this attack and convey their deepest condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, officers and men of Operation Delta Safe as well as the families of all the personnel who have lost their lives.

    “We consequently support the President, the Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge to the security authorities to smoke out the undesirable outlaws who put off the glowing lights of those promising officers and men.”

    Governor AbdulRazaq praised   Tinubu for his swift directive to the military to fish out the perpetrators.

    He said: “What happened is unacceptable, and I sympathise with the Nigerian Army for what happened in Delta state. It is annoying to the government and Nigeria as a nation.

    “How can you just kill people like that? And we align with what President Bola Tinubu said that we must apprehend them (killers). It’s very unfortunate.

    “We sympathise with the military and the families affected, and we pray that such a thing never happens again,” he added.

    Waive, who represents  Ughelli North, South and Udu federal constituency in the National Assembly,   urged all parties to the crisis to “ceasefire and allow peace to reign”.

    He called for an unbiased investigation of the incident, saying all the perpetrators must be brought to book.

    IPCR Director- General. Joseph Ochogwu, also said that the President and the military deserved support in their efforts to arrest the killers of the operatives. 

    “The  killing of our trained officers and soldiers, who were on a peace mission has portrayed the country in a bad light at a point when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is using all within his power to wage war against insecurity.”

    “We are calling for thorough investigation into the incident and urge the military to remain very professional at all times no matter the provocation,” Ochogwu added.

  • Navy to operatives: Shun drugs, embrace regular exercise

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Saturday warned its personnel to stay away from drugs in order to perform their assigned tasks optimally.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Stanfford Enoch gave the warning after the quarterly 10km route march designed to test the physical and mental fitness of officers and ratings of the NN.

    The FOC who was represented by the command’s Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Rear Admiral Idowu Yusuf said the warning was necessary giving the scourge of drug abuse the country was currently battling.

    According to him, the navy must not wait until a became a problem in the service before warning its personnel, reminding them of the peculiarity of the naval force and the need to be psychologically, physically and mentally alert at all times.

    Read Also: Navy unveils first indigenous maritime chart

    Enoch also warned the operatives to avoid practices, actions that could bring the navy to disrepute including flaunting traffic laws in any part of the country especially Lagos.

    He said the command would not hesitate to sanction any of its operatives caught disobeying traffic laws, reminding them that the military uniform does not give them immunity from punishment if they commit any crime.

    On the route march, the FOC said the exercise which brings all units and formations under the command together once a quarter was in line with directives from the naval headquarters.

    He said the aim was to assess their physical fitness, mental alertness, stamina and psychological disposition, applauding the about 1,000 personnel who partook in it for exhibiting combat readiness. The Western Naval Command (WNC) also had its quarterly route march inside Navy Town Ojo which was led by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Rear Admiral Oladele Daji.

  • ‘Operatives of Neighbourhood Watch can’t bear arms’

    The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) has said that it is illegal for operatives of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike’s Neighbourhood Watch Corps to bear arms.

    It said its members would resort to self-defence by mobilising a counter group, Neighbourhood Defenders, if the Neighbourhood Watch Corps. was not proscribed and the law enabling it repealed.

    INCRA, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through a member of its Interim Management Team, Godspower Amaefule, declared that Wike’s unconstitutional law would not be allowed to stand.

    It said: “The law enabling the setting up of the Neighbourhood Watch Corps is not only defective, but  inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the supreme document of the land, and is to the extent of its inconsistency, null and void. It is illegal for the operatives of the Neighbourhood Watch Corps to bear arms or continue to exist.

    “The Nigerian Firearms Act (1990) provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control, any firearm or ammunition, except such person has a licence from the President or from the Inspector-General of Police. Evidently, the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch is illegal and cannot stand. The public may wish to know that the Rivers State House of Assembly acted ultra vires in the Neighbourhood Watch Corps bill and this jurisdictional error renders the bill a nullity.

    “We are aware of the machinations and political artifices of Wike and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have sufficient reasons to believe that the Neighbourhood Watch is not a legal, but a political creation, with a predetermined end to gag, intimidate, maim and kill people who dare to have dissenting views and political interest from the PDP. Never again shall we idly watch criminal elements kill innocent citizens for belonging to a political party opposed to their paymaster. The Neighbourhood Watch cannot guarantee our security or solve the security problems of the state.

    “Presently, submission and collation of names of PDP members and thugs friendly to the PDP for enlistment into the  Neighbourhood Watch Corps is ongoing across the  23 local government areas of the state, in a most clandestine manner, indicative of the fact that only PDP members are drafted into the corps.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Navy trains 41 special operatives

    Navy trains 41 special operatives

    The Special Boat Service (SBS) of the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday certified 41 officers and soldiers attached to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) fit for tougher, more dangerous operations.

    Their certification followed an 11-week intensive training on watermanship, air assault, counter terrorism, tactical combats, among others, at the SBS camp in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

    Congratulating the personnel for withstanding the rigours of the training, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile said he was confident they would succeed in whatever mission the DHQ assigned them to.

    Ofodile said: “These graduands have been equipped with the ability to infiltrate hostile terrain from sea and air whenever the need arise. They have acquired requisite skills to enhance their performance in different theatres of operations and I have no doubt they would deliver positively whenever duty calls.”

    “We do not know where they would be deployed to but we do know that the country is faced with many security challenges and so, the DHQ would deploy the personnel as deemed fit.

    “Ours was to train them because we have the expertise, which we have done. There is no doubt that they will perform and help in no small measure, in tackling security challenges including terrorism of all kinds.

  • Gunmen kill three NDLEA operatives

    Gunmen kill three NDLEA operatives

    Gunmen in Okene, Kogi State, have shot dead three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    NDLEA Commandant Alhaji Idris Bello told reporters yesterday in Lokoja that the operatives were gunned down while on patrol.

    He said they were killed about 8:30 p.m. on October 13 by the gunmen, “who emerged from nowhere.’’

    Bello said the hoodlums came on foot, adding that the incident occurred close to the main gate of the Federal College of Education, Okene.

    He identified the operatives killed as Nicholas Onwumere, Ebun Peters and Abdulrahman Musa.

    The commandant said the NDLEA officers were on duty alongside their three other colleagues when the gunmen struck.

    He said they died on the spot, and their colleagues escaped unhurt.

    Bello said the gunmen snatched the rifles of the officers and escaped.

    He said other security agencies had been contacted, adding that efforts were on to arrest the killers.

    The government in August established a Forward Operation Base in Okene in partnership with the Army to check kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.

    The initiative is yet to yield result, according to observers.

     

  • Security operatives, others killed in Niger attack

    A Police inspector, a superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and six others were killed by suspected herdsmen in Rafin Gona and Gbagyi villages in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The attack left 6,000 people displaced and property, including farm produce, houses and belongings worth N700 million destroyed.

    Sources said the officers went on a rescue mission.

    Chairman of Bosso council Isah Wakili said after killing the villagers, the herdsmen set their farm produce ablaze.

    Wakili, who visited the area with Senator David Umaru (Niger East) and House of Representatives member, Salihu Shandafi, said more bodies were still being recovered from a nearby bush.

    “I can tell you that almost all the houses in the villages, including yam and corn barns, were completely burnt in the attack. We put the estimate of all damaged properties to over N700 million,” he said.

    Senator Umaru described the attack as barbaric, inhuman and a dastardly act.

    “What I have seen is heart breaking, it is an act of wickedness and complete disregard to human live. This is a very serious problem; a lot of people have been displaced. Most of them have fled from their houses and even if they were here, they would not have anywhere to stay because their houses have been burnt, including cloths and food barns. This kind of situation is not acceptable,” he lamented.

    Umaru called on the state government to take decisive action to stop a recurrence, adding that government should also provide relief materials to the victims.

  • N310m robbery: DSS arrests operatives

    N310m robbery: DSS arrests operatives

    •Army detains officer for alleged role
    •N66.4 million, $6,200 recovered

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of two of its five operatives over alleged involvement in robbery and sharing of N310 million belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja.

    In a statement issued by Tony Opuiyo yesterday, the intelligence-gathering organisation said military authorities have also arrested one Captain Hussein Ishaku Mshelia for allegedly leading four other military personnel to participate in the crime.

    DSS said it was conducting further investigation with military authorities to apprehend the three operatives and four military personnel still at large.

    The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the general public that the service has arrested two out of five of its staff involved in the robbery and sharing, on November 20, of N310 million belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja.

    “While three of the DSS staff are now at large, the military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in the crime.

    “Preliminary investigations have revealed that Abdulrasheed Ahmadu Maigari of the DSS conspired with four other colleagues of his namely: Solomon Inusa, Peter Okoye, Patrick Ishaya and George Mwatapwa Ibbi, to carry out this reprehensible act.

    “The five military personnel were led by one Capt. Hussein Ishaku Mshelia.

    “Meanwhile, the service has arrested Maigari and Ibbi; and Mshelia was equally arrested by the Army authorities.

    “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those still at large. A total of N66,437,445.00 and $6,200 have so far been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amounts.”

    The statement added that both the DSS and military authorities were collaborating under the inter-agency cooperation principles outlined few years ago and that they required inputs from the public to succeed.

  • Security operatives kill suspected hoodlum

    Security operatives yesterday killed a suspected hoodlum in a gun battle in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The suspect, believed to be in his 30s, was said to be a policeman from Okene, Kogi State.

    The incident occurred at Anifowoshe community, Pakata, Ilorin.

    The gun duel was said to have started about 2am and  lasted till 11am.

    Police Commissioner  Salihu Garba confirmed that there was an operation in the area. In the gun battle, a member of the security team, it was learnt, sustained bullet wounds in his arm.

    A team of the Kwara State special security operative code-named: ‘Operation Armony’, was drafted to join in the operation.

    Residents were held hostage for hours. The main road near Government Girls Day Secondary School was blocked by the security team, thus preventing vehicular movement.

    When our correspondent arrived at the scene about 12:30pm, the building was riddled with bullets.

    A source said the security operatives had been on the trail of the suspect for three days.

    He was said to be hiding in the apartment he rented for his mother and wife at Anifowoshe annex when the security operatives, comprising soldiers and Air Force personnel, swooped on him.

    A resident, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that the suspect was believed to be a terrorist.

    When the exchange of fire became fierce, the suspect was said to have hidden in the roof, while security agents were unrelenting.

    The security men reportedly took away the suspect’s body.

    A source said: “We started hearing sporadic gunshots about 2am. We thought political thugs fighting.

    “Later, we discovered it was an Ebira man, who rented an apartment for his mother and wife in the area, who engaged security men in a gun duel. Among them were soldiers and Air Force officers.

    “I think they have been on his trail for three days because they were about evicting him from the house. I knew him (the suspect) to be a policeman.

    “Before the operation started, they evacuated every occupant and seized their phones. The suspect went into hiding. Later, it was discovered that he was hiding in the roof. They overpowered him, although he shot a soldier in the arm.”

  • EFCC operatives storm Imo to probe Ohakim, Okorocha

    EFCC operatives storm Imo to probe Ohakim, Okorocha

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed a team of operatives in Imo State as part of the ongoing probe of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim for alleged mismanagement of N18.5billion out of the N40bilion bond secured in June, 2007.

    The team is also probing Governor Rochas Okorocha over alleged abuse of the Joint state and Local Government Account.

    The details of the allegations against Okorocha have not been made available.

    The EFCC has so far quizzed three former commissioners and two special advisers in the Ohakim administration.

    According to a top EFCC source, the operatives have been in Imo State since Monday, looking into the records of the past and present administration.

    It was learnt that out of the bond sum, N201m was spent on Christmas Rice in 2007 by the Ohakim administration.

    The investigation weighs heavily on Ohakim’s administration because of the inability of some state officials to account for N18.5billion out of the N40billion bond applied for the state under the ex-governor.

    The source said: “The EFCC stormed Owerri as investigation into the case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds and money laundering against Former Governor Ohakim.

    “The operatives of the anti- graft agency have been poring through files and had by yesterday quizzed some ranking officers of the Ohakim administration and carted away vital documents.

    “Among those quizzed are former permanent secretaries of the ministries of finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as a former Chairman of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (IMOPADEC).

    “Apart from these officials, other officials of the Ohakim administration have been quizzed in the last few months by the anti-graft agency and released on administrative bail.

    “Some of those earlier quizzed are former Commissioner of Finance, George Irechukwu; former Special Adviser to Ohakim on Project Monitoring and Implementation; Ben Ekwueme; former Commissioner for Works, Ralph Nwosu Obioha; and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogaziechi Kezie.

    “They are being probed for their alleged roles in the mismanagement of the N18.5billion secured out of the N40bilion bond applied for by the Imo State Government in June 2009. The bond was supposedly secured to finance the following projects: (1) Rehabilitation of 37 water scheme at a cost of N1.3bilion; (2) Construction of 16 critical roads at a cost of N3.7billion; and (3) Cconstruction of Phase 1 of the Imo Wonder Lake Resort and Conference Centre, Oguta at a cost of N12.5billion.

    “From preliminary findings, we have a strong lead that the proceeds of the bond were misappropriated as the Ohakim administration and the lead Issuing House (UBA Capital) never bothered to file the mandatory quarterly report on utilization of the bond proceeds to SEC. This prompted the capital market regulator to slam a fine of N1.2million on the state. The fine was paid by the Okorocha administration.

    “The Ohakim Government in July 2007 had secured a loan of N10billion from UBA as a bridging facility prior to floating the bond but did not disclose this information to SEC. “From this money, N1.6billion was diverted and misappropriated through mundane expenditure such as the N201m paid for Christmas Rice in 2007, N50m for SSG as logistics for festival, N500m for purchase of Zenith Bank shares, N55m as DTA to Permanent Secretary Governor’s Office, N50m as professional fees to Nwoko

    “Some of the water projects listed for execution with the Bond proceed had been funded and executed under the State’s Millennium Development Goals, MDG

    “The Ohakim administration also allegedly withdrew N6.7billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) Escrow Account without the approval of members of the Committee

    “Above all, in March 2011, barely two months before his exit from Government House Owerri, Ohakim took another loan of N6billion from UBA Plc Mbari Branch Owerri and disbursed it within four weeks.

    “Records available to the EFCC have shown that the disbursement was supervised by the ex- governor’s brother and Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Ohakim.

    “Some of the suspects have made useful statements and volunteered document that will assist the ongoing investigation.

    “Governor Okorocha, Ohakim’s successor, is equally being probed by the EFCC over allegation bordering on abuse of the Joint state and local government account.”