The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Soldier

  • Kidnappers kill solider, abduct two expatriates in Bayelsa

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, Tuesday, killed a soldier and abducted two expatriates along Ogbia – Nembe Road, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the soldier was killed in gun duel between security operatives attached to the expatriates and the gunmen.

    The operatives were said to have tried to stop the abduction but were overpowered by the gunmen.

    The incident, which occurred at about 8am was said to have caused pandemonium on the road.

    A source who spoke in confidence said the expatriates and the security operatives ran into an ambush laid by the kidnappers.

    The security operatives were attached as security details to the expatriates working with Setraco Construction Company. They came under heavy fire from the bushes. It was an ambush but they did not notice,” he said.

    Some of the Indigenes of Nembe kingdom, who were returning to Yenagoa by road reportedly, witnessed the incident.

    A driver who identified himself simple as Monday, said: “it was a movie scene. The soldiers were shooting and the armed men were shooting. We later saw signs of blood everywhere when the soldiers removed the blood soaked colleague and some expatriates.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, could not be reached for confirmation at the time of filing the report.

     

  • Major, soldier killed in Rivers’ shootout

    Major, soldier killed in Rivers’ shootout

    AN army officer simply identified as Major Luke and a soldier were yesterday shot dead on the waterways of Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State by people described as thugs.

    The thugs reportedly opened fire on the soldiers, injuring five others. The attack came ahead of tomorrow’s legislative rerun across the 23 local government areas of the volatile Niger Delta state.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Capt. Eli Lazarus, who confirmed the “barbaric act”, which heightened tension in the state, revealed that the soldiers were in pursuit of the criminals, who he said would surely be apprehended.

    Capt. Lazarus said: “At 11 am on March 17, 2016, troops on patrol along the waterways in the general area of Abonnema had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates.

    “Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry during the encounter. Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier, who sustained various degree of injury, lost their lives.

    “We are in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely get them. All law-abiding citizens are urged to go about their lawful activities. The army will continue to make necessary sacrifices to ensure sustainable peace, security of lives and property of all.”

    Also yesterday, gunmen stormed Mgbuitanwo in Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, where the Rivers East senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Andrew Uchendu, hails from, killing and beheading a 28-year-old man, identified as Ukeoma.

    The gunmen, who laid siege to the community, according to sources, abducted another resident.

    In a broadcast in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declared that the reign of terror across Rivers State, leading to senseless killings, would no longer be tolerated, admonishing the electorate to vote for all the APC’s candidates.

    Amaechi, a former Rivers State Governor, noted that the security agencies had been directed to ensure the safety of everybody before, during and after the elections. He urged residents to come out and exercise their rights to vote.

    He reiterated that the last time the elections were held,  members of the APC were “brazenly, crudely and violently” prevented from exercising their inalienable right to elect the persons they wanted.

    The minister said: “The same characters and forces that stole our votes, by violently denying us the right to vote the last time, are at it again. In the months and weeks leading to this Saturday’s elections, they have employed the use of violence and threats to lives as tools of intimidation and harassment, all aimed at preventing us from coming out to vote.

    “They have turned our hitherto peaceful state into a haven of brazen criminality, culminating in killings and maiming of innocent citizens.

    “It is gratifying to note that the Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the elections. Mr. President has graciously provided adequate security through the length and breadth of the state.”

     Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), described as “illegal”, the public holidays declared by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike on yesterday and today, which also affected banks and schools, both private and public.

     The minister called on all Rivers people not to submit to any form of intimidation and threat, maintaining that coming out to elect candidates of their choice on March 19 is their constitutional right and civic responsibility.

    The former governor declared that no one could stop the people from exercising their right to vote, assuring them that their safety would be guaranteed.

    The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone, said Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, declared the work-free/non-banking days for the polls, to deceive members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Finebone said: “As part of Wike’s ploy to woo voters across Rivers State, he had repeatedly announced that N2 billion had been set aside for disbursement to beneficiaries of the state’s microfinance loans, in support of PDP candidates in the rerun elections.

    “With no fund available for the purpose, the Rivers governor ordered the 23 local government caretaker chairmen to deposit N4.5 million each to the Chairman of Rivers State Microfinance Agency last week.

    “Considering the paltry nature of the total amount collected, compared to what is required, the governor and his men instead decided to announce Thursday and Friday as work-free days, going into Saturday rerun elections.

    “The idea is that prospective beneficiaries of the loans, who already have been notified, will be persuaded to still vote for PDP candidates, believing that after the elections, they will begin to collect their loans from Monday.

    “However, the government of Nyesom Wike has other plans for them. There will be no loan to be disbursed to anyone, as fresh stories will be advanced after Saturday’s elections and that will be the end of the loan arrangement.”

    The APC’s spokesman also asked all the PDP members and others, who had been promised the loans to forget the deceit and massively vote for candidates of the APC.

    Wike raised the alarm about alleged attempt by the police to arrest the state’s Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, before the rerun, which he described as politically motivated and aimed at giving advantage to the APC. This, he said, would be resisted.

    Wike said by declaring wanted the caretaker chairman of  Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Sabomabo Jackrich, aka Egberipapa, who is a militant “General”  the police might have  been influenced  by  political considerations.

    The ex-minister of state for Education claimed that his  administration  had uncovered  plans by some politically-motivated  individuals  to ensure  that  card readers fail in parts of the state, especially  in  his Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

  • US to conduct first penis transplant on injured soldier

    The United States is set to conduct its first penis transplant on a U.S. soldier who was wounded in an explosion.

    The operation which would take place at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, could open the way for about 60 other servicemen with genital injuries to have their surgery.

    The recipient, who was not identified, lost most of his penis and had substantial groin injuries in a bomb explosion during his deployment overseas.

    Media reports however said that he was wounded in Afghanistan.

    Surgeons hope that a donated organ from a recently deceased man would provide full function including urination, sensation and sex.

    The surgery required joining of nerves and blood vessels under a microscope.

    The surgery which could occur in the coming weeks already had doctors looking for a donor who is a good match in terms of age and skin color.

    The donor’s family would give permission for the penis to be removed.

    Doctors and advocates who worked with wounded soldiers noted that the loss of the penis was one of the most emotionally traumatic injuries.

    This is because it affected a sense of identity and manhood, especially for men hoping to become fathers.

    Dr Richard Redett, a plastic surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital who would help perform the operation, said that it made a lot of sense considering the sacrifice that the soldiers had made for the country.

    “A veteran suffering from a blast injury could need to have not just his penis replaced,, but also the scrotum, part of the abdominal wall, groin tissue and part of the inner thigh.

    “We have sorted out how to take that block of tissue from a donor and give it to a recipient,’’ Redett said.

    There have been two penis transplants in the world.

    The first one which was in China in 2006 was unsuccessful.

    The second penis transplant took place in South Africa in 2014 and it was a success.

    Commenting, Thor Wold, who served as a Marine medic in the Iraq war, said that after suffering genital injuries servicemen immediately wanted to know if they would still have sexual function.

    Experts said that the penis transplant did not involve the testes, where sperm are produced.

    If a man with a transplanted penis fathered a child, the baby would be his genetic offspring, not the donor’s.

    While for now, only wounded veterans are being considered for penis transplants, the surgery could eventually be performed on men with birth defects and transgender men and women.

     

  • Retired soldier, siblings lose house to fire

    Retired soldier, siblings lose house to fire

    Fire yesterday razed two buildings in Ajegunle near Ikorodu in Lagos, destroying properties worth millions of naira.

    Nineteen rooms and two shops were affected.

    One of the buildings was inherited by a retired soldier, Master Warrant Officer Moses Dadeowo, and his siblings from their parents, the late Pa and Mrs Ebenezer Dadeowo.

    The fire, which started around 1pm from House 2 on Church Street spread to House 4 and affected some shops in House 70.

    Most occupants were in church when the incident occurred.

    The timely arrival of Lagos State Fire Service men from Alausa Station saved House 70 from being razed. They battled the fire till about 3pm when it was put out. Also on the scene were Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials and Ajegunle Police Station operatives.

    Occupants of House 70 quickly evacuated their belongings to the road side as the fire ravaged the attached shops.

    A  downcast Dadeowo told The Nation that he was called from the church that his house was on fire, adding that on getting home, he promptly woke up the children and evacuated them from the house.

    He said he and others lost all their possessions to the fire.

    Dadeowo said the fire might have been caused by epileptic electricity supply.

    He pleaded with the government to come to the aid of his family and other occupants, stressing that he has nothing again except for the dress he wore to the church.

    Another victim, Mrs Blessing Oladunni whose shop was at the back of House 70, said she learnt of the fire while in the church.

    “By the time I rushed back from the church, I was lucky that my neighbours had assisted to evacuate most of my wares; I am grateful to God my goods were rescued,” she said.

    LASEMA General Manager Michael Akindele said nobody was injured, adding that the cause of the fire was electric surge.

    Akindele urged Lagosians to always switch off all appliances when not in use and also ensure that all electrical apparatus are of good standard.

  • Soldier, man arraigned for alleged anal sex

    Soldier, man arraigned for alleged anal sex

    Two men including a soldier were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged sodomy.

    The soldier, Innocent Egbuna, 33, and Jide Ajayi, 21 allegedly had anal sex inside a Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked KSF 914 AC, on Ajao Road, Ikeja

    The defendants are standing trial on three counts of conspiracy and act of gross indecency under Sections 136, 166 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

    While Egbuna claimed to be a resident of 22, Support Regiment, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State; Ajayi, who is unemployed, resides on 28, Owodunni Street, Onipanu, Lagos.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Joseph Ajebe said the offences were committed on January 18, adding that the defendants were caught by an anti-crime patrol team at Ikeja.

    “They were found inside a parked Nissan SUV with registration number KSF914AC having anal sexual intercourse. Ajayi said Egbuna accosted him and told him to have sex with him, promising to give him substantial amount of money and that he will also take him to the club to have a nice time. Ajayi agreed because he was frustrated and did not have money to fend for himself,” Ajebe said.

    The defendants however pleaded not guilty and were granted N100,000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum by Chief Magistrate Alexander Komolafe.

    He adjourned the case till March 7.

     

  • SUNNY NNEJI: MY FATHER WANTED ME TO BE A SOLDIER

    SUNNY NNEJI: MY FATHER WANTED ME TO BE A SOLDIER

    His name surely rings a bell in the Nigerian music industry. A veteran in his own right, Sunny Nneji, whose late 90s hit single, Mr Fantastic still rocks the airwaves, speaks with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI about his latest moves, acting career, as well as his soon to be released album.

    What has Sunny Nneji been up to?        

    I have actually been recording. I’m just taking my time to make sure that whatever album I release now will be worth the wait and will stand out. You know a lot has been happening in the industry, so I’m just taking my time so I bring out the best. As we speak, we are recording and compiling all the songs for the album.

    People say that you are not as visible as you once were…

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we just know that we are working. Eventually, we have works out there that our fans are longing for.

    You were born to a military father. What was it like growing up under him?

    Unfortunately, I never experienced that side of him because I am the youngest. A few months after I was born he retired from the army, so I never really experienced things.

    Did you consider following your father’s footsteps? 

    At some point, my father was actually pushing me to be a soldier but I wasn’t cut out to be one. We all have our destiny regardless of what you push your children to do. Your children will only excel in their area of calling. So, I realised since I was a little boy that there is no soldier in me.

    Why did your dad choose you of all his children to be a soldier?

    Honestly, I don’t know if he tried to push my other siblings too. But in my own case, he was deliberate and, honestly, my father didn’t live long enough for me to ask him so many questions. He was already gone by the time I became man enough to sit him down and ask questions.

    As one who studied fashion designing, have you at anytime delved into that industry?

    No, I never did. The only fashion I did was when I did my industrial training. That was the only time I practiced. Even all that while, music was burning so much in me that I just couldn’t wait to face it. Every human being has a calling, so no matter where we find ourselves, there is a calling. And when that calling is very strong, you will never get that internal satisfaction until you yield to it.

    What was your parents’ reaction when you decided to go into music?

    There wasn’t any opposition, really, because I had everyone’s cooperation. I grew up with my elder brother. In fact, it was in his house that I started to launch myself out and that gave me the opportunity to become exposed to contemporary music. I got all the encouragement I needed.

    What exactly is your attraction to highlife music?

    When I started breaking fort, I was exposed to several genres, not just highlife music. Highlife was there, RnB was there, jazz, calypso, juju, apala, fuji, country music, reggae music was there too. I was exposed to every genre but somehow I became so connected to highlife spiritually. Of course if you listen to me, you will hear me delve into some other genres of music, but, predominantly with highlife, I am able to express myself, and I am able to connect too with my fans. So that’s why when my fans hear me do another genre, most of them complain.

    What challenges did you face when you started out?

    Well, it used to be very challenging those days because you couldn’t just walk into a studio, record and release your music like it’s done today. There was a process. We used to have proper recording companies then.

    You record a demo, there was a department of the company that would listen to the demo, like it, sign you on, then you go to the studio to record properly and then they release you. That process was used to separate the chaff from the wheat because if you were not truly talented, then it would be very difficult for you to be heard. So, those were some of the challenges we used to have those days because those were not the days of CDs. Now you can just go to the studio, record and cut to CDs. Back then, it wasn’t like that. To record a master tape wasn’t something easy.

    How did you get money to fund your career?

    That’s the point; you don’t fund your career, and all you do is find the money to record a demo. That wasn’t too expensive. By the time you harass your relations they can pull little money for you and you can record a demo tape. You take the demo tape to recording labels; they need to sign you up before your career can kick off. If the demo is not good, you are not going anywhere. But if the demo is good, they might sign you and tell you, ‘wait, we are not promoting highlife now we are promoting reggae but wait for another one year before we start promoting highlife.’ So, there were processes then, unlike now.

    Comparing the past to the present, which would you say is better?

    To everything, there is a positive and negative part. Some people will argue that it helps to maintain sanity. People were not hearing songs that they were complaining about but that too could have also prevented people who were genuinely talented in some other genre of music from being heard. So, it has its positive and negative sides.

    What is happening to your acting career?

    These days, I’m delving into acting a little bit because people have been approaching me to come and act. Time is the problem, but if I like a script and I can find the time I will do it. I did a movie last year, I think they will release it soon because it’s a Christmas movie, but I am not fully into acting.

    Your song, Mr. Fantastic, shot you into limelight, making you somewhat a sex symbol. What were some of those experiences you had?

    The truth of the matter is that if you are a pop artiste, if you are someone who has a song out there that people are crazy about, it is normal for ladies to fantasise about you because ladies constitute more than seventy percent of our fan base. If you have a concert and you don’t have more ladies in that concert you will not enjoy it because ladies are very emotional and they tend to support more than men. My female fans are my female fans; I need them as much as I need my male fans. And luckily, they tend to be more supportive when it comes to music and art generally.

    We learnt they fight over you sometimes…

    It was a normal thing but it’s not a physical fight. It’s just that women love to show their appreciation when they love what you are doing.

    How did you meet your wife amidst all those women?

    I just walked into my bank then; I think she had just started working at that branch of the bank. Someone introduced her to me and instantly I knew she was the one. At that time, marriage wasn’t on my mind but immediately I saw her I started thinking of marriage.

    You hardly went to church before you met your wife…

    Yes, that is true. That is why there is a man for every woman. When you meet that woman that God has predestined to be your wife, you will know. She will set you straight; she helps you organise your life, gives your entire life more meaning, makes you more responsible, and gives you more direction. That is why she is your wife; she comes there and helps to correct certain things that are wrong.

    We learnt you proposed to her in the banking hall?

    Immediately we were introduced, I asked her, ‘will you be my wife?’ she was shocked she didn’t even know when she said yes because that was how it was destined to be.

    It is believed that you married her because she was a banker and you thought she had money…

    Well, that is very funny to say, but, you see in life, I have come to understand one thing; not to really engage people. People will always talk. I have a song titled Them go Talk. It doesn’t matter what you do, someone will always have a contrary opinion. But, of course, you know why you do what you are doing. I married my wife because I fell in love with her instantly.

    How have you been able to abstain from smoking and alcohol?

    Drinking and smoking don’t do anything for me, so I wonder why I should do it. I will rather eat my pounded yam and afang soup and drink my water or take juice if I can. I don’t take too much of it anyway, because of the sugar content. I am a very natural person. I try to be as natural as possible and I watch TV, I read my bible, I don’t have a particular routine for relaxing.

    As an entertainer, you hardly go out. Why is that?

    To a large extent, I am an introvert. I do not go out as other people in the industry do. I only go to places when I have things to do.

    As one who neither smokes nor drinks, how do you face the crowd?

    I think everybody has some degree of stage fright but that should not bother you because this is what you do. You sing because you want people to hear it, so that’s my kick. Once I’m performing and my audience is enjoying what I’m doing, it gives me the kick. People only manage their stage fright because there is a spirit on stage and once that spirit takes over you then everything becomes fun.

    Can you share with us the highest and lowest parts of your career?

    Over the years, I have come to understand that everything that happens to a man needs to happen to him. We all have our parts that God created us to follow. So, everything you experience opens the door for another experience. Life is full of different experiences until the day we are called back to the father.

  • Army arrests soldier training militants in Rivers

    •12 others held •Illegal arms seized •11 killed in shoot-out

    A soldier (names withheld), who specialises in training Niger Delta militants, has been arrested in Rivers State by the Army. He was arrested with 12 others; the illegal arms and ammunition were seized.

    The discovery and arrests were made yesterday during the mop-up operation in Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

    Some of the arms and ammunition were moved by the militants before the arrival of the troops at the Kalabari community.

    The 12 suspects, including the arms and ammunition, were handed over to the state headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation and prosecution.

    The Commanding Officer of 2 Brigade Lt.-Col. Timothy Opurum spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Opurum said the soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002, was a member of 13-man gang that had terrorised many communities in the state.

    The commanding officer said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a sting operation, where we captured a 13-man militant gang, including its notorious leader, Kenneth.

    “We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002 and specialised in training militants in weapons’ handling and operational tactics.

    “The soldier, who is a Private, joined the Army in 1998 and served in the 331 Artillery Regiment, Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna, before he was declared missing in 2002.

    “The soldier, who is related to the leader of the militant group, is in our custody and will be released to prosecuting agencies, after formal dismissal from the Nigerian Army.”

    Opurum, who described the operation as “highly successful,” said the troops raided the community on account of incessant  militancy, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism, pipeline vandalism and killings.

    He noted that reports showed that the community was not only serving as a hideout for criminals, but as a  warehouse for arms and ammunition.

    The commanding officer, who led the operation, denied the allegation that troops opened fire on innocent fishermen, traders and destroyed their wares, adding that no innocent civilian was assaulted during the operation.

    The traditional ruler of Opu-Kula, King Hope Opusingi, earlier alleged that soldiers battered his people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

    The monarch insisted that the raid by the soldiers was an abuse of power and a gross violation of the rights of his people.

    Eight suspected kidnappers and three robbery suspects were killed in a shootout with men of the state police command,  Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo has said.

    Kimo, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Port Harcourt, said six robbery suspects were arrested in the state between September 8 and 22.

    He said seven suspected kidnappers were arrested, while six kidnapped persons were rescued.

    Kimo added that six suspected cultists were arrested and 32 firearms recovered from criminal gangs.

    He said the firearms, included three AK 47 assault rifles, 11 pump action guns, 10 locally-made pistols, three double barrel guns and three single barrel guns as well as 101 assorted ammunition and nine vehicles.

    Kimo said some of the vehicles included BMW X 5 J, Toyota Lexus saloon, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Xterra, among others.

    He attributed the achievements to proactive measures and professionalism displayed by officers and men of the command, warning criminals to desist from their acts or be prepared to face the law.

     

  • Body of slain soldier recovered in Bayelsa

    Body of slain soldier recovered in Bayelsa

    The body of one of the soldiers killed by gunmen in last Thursday’s attack on a military base of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, in Nembe, Bayelsa State, has been recovered.

    This came as the JTF said it has arrested six suspects for the attack.

    The body was said to be floating on the waterway.

    This increased the number of the dead to six – five soldiers and one policeman – instead of the five earlier reported.

    The recovered body was that of a soldier, who was declared missing, following the attack.

    Gunmen, in a coordinated land and waterway operation, which lasted about 30 minutes, attacked the military base in Ogbolomabiri on Friday night, killing the soldiers and the policeman.

    The hoodlums came in five speedboats, armed with sophisticated weapons.

    They ransacked the base, stole arms and fled on an army gunboat.

    Sources said the missing soldier was found yesterday morning by some drivers, who alerted the community leaders.

    “When the attention of some Nembe chiefs were drawn to the floating body, they immediately called the attention of the JTF,” a source said last night.

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson condemned the attack and condoled with the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the families of the slain security operatives.

    Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Markson-Iworiso, regretted the incident.

    He assured that his administration would partner security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    Dickson said: “No stone will be left unturned to bring the killers to justice.”

    The governor described the attack on security agencies as mindless and barbaric.

    He said he had written to the Chief of Army Staff on the condolences of his administration and people of the state.

    Dickson also assured the families of the slain officers that their loved ones and benefactors would not die in vain, adding that they were gallant officers who died in active service to their fatherland.

    He said: “We urged Bayelsans not despair as we will continue to do everything within our powers to stem the new wave of insecurity being orchestrated by a click of mindless and disgruntled politicians, who want to wrest power by all means from a performing governor in the person of Dickson.

    “All these acts of insecurity and brigandage are intended to put fears in the minds of the people, ahead of the December governorship election, and we call on Bayelsans to remain steadfast and law-abiding as well as go about their legitimate businesses.

    “As a government, we worked so hard and committed a lot of our state’s resources to achieve the peace we have been enjoying. It is sad to observe that because of their political ambitions, some persons want to perpetuate violence, brigandage and insecurity across the state.”

    Dickson urged Bayelsans to condemn violence and insecurity in the state, adding that if not checked, the people would pay for it.

    The JTF said it arrested six suspected pirates who allegedly attacked and killed five of its soldiers and a policeman at Nembe in Bayelsa State.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that suspected pirates attacked the JTF base at Nembe on Friday night.

    A statement by its spokesman Lt.-Col. Isa Ado and made available to NAN in Yenagoa yesterday, said soldiers raided and destroyed a militants’ camp at Ke community in Degema in a reprisal attack.

    Ado said: “In a swift reaction to the August 7 attack on our troops in Nembe community in Bayelsa State, JTF carried out Cordon and Search Operation on a suspected militants’ camp responsible for the attack at Ke community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “The camp was destroyed by JTF troops while six suspects, comprising four male and two female, were arrested. Large quantities of arms were recovered from the camp.

    “The suspects are in the custody of the JTF and are helping the task force in the investigation that will lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects and their sponsors.”

    Ado said other items recovered from the militants’ camp included three speed boats, communication gadgets and generators.

  • Making a soldier a democrat

    SIR: Discipline of a soldier could help move Nigeria from era of impunity.  Military regimen is built on structures.  The foundation of the nation’s governance is collapsed by leaderships who did not have resistance to unruly factors.  Democracy could borrow strict adherence to orderliness of the military occasionally to strengthen its institutions.  This is by no means to suggest the superiority of a military regime to democratic dispensation.

    Nigerians who are politically aware sensed the leadership disaster in the country prior to the last presidential election.  Call of duty prompted them to favour a retired General.  Opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy in the last election were mostly operating from the standpoint of the horrific past military leadership experience repeating itself.  Like deja vu, some recent actions of the president are giving them jittery feelings.  One may choose to look at these unfortunate decisions and utterances by the president as part of the floundering of making a soldier a democrat.  Luckily, the lack of leadership tools that made military regime dark are suffused with the broad canvas and colorful palette offered by democracy for the president to paint with.

    It is a common saying that old soldier never dies.  However, one will beg the president to bury some of the intractable qualities that make military system unappealing.  He should consult extensively within the confines of democracy before embarking on policy decisions.  Democracy is not a one man’s show but rather a drama encompassing of different frameworks.  It will behove him to consider many factors in the Nigerian context before formulating a policy decision.  It is not enough to appoint someone to an office, for example, based on his sentiment alone.

    The qualities that made him an astute soldier could wind up causing his undoing as a democratically elected president.  The love of his people and followers could hamper his realization that he is the president of a nation of many tribal and religious groups.  Resoluteness of attempting to live up to the expectations of his zealous supporters could derail his focus of executing a fair governance.

    Welcome to democracy!  It will not take long before the president exhausts his grace period.  There will not be military shield to protect him from the firing shots of opponents.  It is either he has the constitution on his side or he will face a hostile battle to complete his tenure.

    Nigeria is fortunate at this point in history to have President Buhari who is worldly acclaimed to be a man of integrity.  That, in itself, is a saving grace for the mess made of the country by previous leaderships.  He can only be better by allowing the forces of democracy to carry him along.  One believes he cares enough for the country to make the change.

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Alleged armed robbery: Army to discipline soldier

    Modalities have been put in place to discipline a soldier who allegedly robbed a 21 year-old boy of N250,000 in Aba, Abia State, the Nigerian Army has said.

    Lance Corporal Itugbu Omorodion serving at the 14 Brigade located in Ohafia was arrested by the Police after he allegedly dispossessed his victim of the said cash.

    Omorodion was alleged to have attacked his victim identified as Ebuka with a dagger and robbed him of N250,000 which he was going to deposit for his boss in one of the commercial banks on Faulks road in the city.

    It was gathered that the victim after being robbed, raised the alarm which attracted passers-by who alerted policemen on patrol in the area. This  led to the soldier’s arrest.

    Frowning at the news,  the army has stated that Omorodion had no business being at Aba at the time he was arrested because he was granted five days pass to see his family in Edo State.

    A statement by the Brigade’s spokesman, Captain Sydney Mgbemena said that relevant offices have been notified to investigate and take appropriate actions.

    “The Brigade condemns the alleged action of the soldier in its entirety. It is wrong for personnel who has the constitutional powers of protecting the citizenry to turn against them.

    “The soldier had no business being in Aba at the time he was alleged to have committed the crime. He was granted five days pass to visit his family in Benin prior to the incident. Instead of proceeding to Benin he diverted to Aba allegedly to hatch the crime.

    “The brigade views the conduct of the soldier as a serious offence and passionately urged the public not to allow actions of the soldier affect their earlier impression considering the track record the army has established over the years with regards to the overall security of Aba and Abia State.”