The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Security operatives

  • Biafran activists, security operatives clash in Anambra

    Biafran activists, security operatives clash in Anambra

    Three persons are feared dead and over 20 others injured in a clash between security operatives and members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOD) in Onitsha, Anambra State, at the weekend.

    It was gathered that the group was on its routine evangelism on the need to embrace the Biafran struggle when the clash happened.

    A survivor Chinwendu Ikechukwu alleged that it was a combined team of Navy officers and policemen that attacked the group.

    “On reaching Okpoko junction, we were accosted by a detachment of policemen who fired tear gas at us.

    “They later allowed us to go because we were not violent but on reaching Uga junction, before the Niger Bridge Head, the Naval men opened fire on us.

    “Three people died while about 20 sustained injuries. The police, who initially allowed us to go, later joined in the shooting,” Ikechukwu said.

    But the police has denied involvement. Spokesman Okechukwu Ali said the police were in a Show of Force operation as at the time of the incident but never shot at the group, though the law had outlawed all pro-Biafran groups.

    A Naval officer, who pleaded for anonymity, described the allegation as false. “They are liars, if they insist that their members were killed, let them produce one of the bodies,” he said.

     

  • North’s governors donate N100m to families of slain security operatives

    THE Northern Governors Forum (NGF) yesterday donated N100 million to widows of police and security officers, who were ambushed and killed by suspected cultists at Lakyo, Nasarawa State.

    Forum Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, announced the donation at the Government House, Lafia, the state capital.

    Aliyu led his counterparts from Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina states to commiserate with the families of the slain officers, the government and people of Nasarawa state on the incident.

    He said: “We are in the state to condole with and express our support to our counterpart in the quest to find the killers of the security operatives who died on active service.

    “There is no state in the country that is not presently experiencing one form of security challenge or the other.

    “What happened in Nasarawa is pathetic because those that were chosen to protect the citizens were the ones attacked.

    “In other countries, no one dare kill anyone with authority and go scot free. When nations allow that to happen, then, they are questioning the foundation of governance.”

    He commended his host, Governor Umaru al-Makura for setting up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the killings.

    He urged the governor to do everything necessary to ensure that the culprits were brought to book, saying it remained the only way to ensure that the soul of the departed did not die in vain.

    His words: “The NGF delegated us to condole with the families of the slain officers, the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident.

    “We are also asked to talk to you and also encourage you to continue with the good work you are doing for your people.

    “So, we implore you not to do anything because of the next election, but for the good of the people of the state.”

    He urged his Nasarawa counterpart to use the powers vested on him by the Constitution to ban any organisation that undermines the security of the state.

    He also urged residents to join hands with the government to confront the menace, saying, “evil only triumphs when good people keep quite…”

  • Security operatives bust terrorists hide-out in Bauchi

    Security operatives bust terrorists hide-out in Bauchi

    A combined team of the army and the State Security Services [SSS] yesterday in Bauchi burst a suspected hideout of terrorists. The house, located behind Federal Government Girls College, Abujan Kwata area of the town was, until yesterday, occupied by men believed to be terrorists.

    Abujan Kwata is populated by low income earners, civil servants, some retired uniformed men with their families and several jobless youth and school drop-outs.

    A senior security source confirmed the operation, saying:”We had a joint operation of the Army and the SSS based on intelligence we received about the criminals whom we traced to the place. When we got there we cordoned off the area at about 1. 30 am on Friday.

    “When the hoodlums saw our men, they started shooting and throwing explosives at us. We could not enter the compound immediately because it was walled round so we had to demolish part of the fence to enter, but by then, they had escaped.

    “We, however, succeeded in impounding some Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs] and mobilising our men to pursue the fleeing suspects.”

    Residents confirmed sighting two Armoured Personnel Carriers [APCs] in the area.

    “We were advised to remain calm and later in the night we heard gun shots and sounds of explosives. We were afraid and could not go out to find out what was happening until this morning,” a resident who did not want to be named said.

    Other residents claimed ignorance of the incident but one said some people living in the house never interacted with others.