The Nation Newspaper

Tag: soldiers

  • Cameroonian soldiers block highway, demand salary payment

    No fewer than fifty armed Cameroonian soldiers demanding unpaid salaries briefly blocked off a major highway in the north of Cameroon on Sunday morning, an army source and the government said.

    The soldiers, who were at the end of a tour near the border with Chad in Cameroon’s Far North region, demanded two years’ worth of salaries and expenses that they said they were owed.

    “Soldiers from the air force…took up arms against the advice of their military hierarchy and blocked national route 1 after dismantling their posts at the frontier,” said an army source in the regional capital of Maroua.

    The source said soldiers returned to barracks later on Sunday after discussions took place with army generals, said the army source.

    It was not clear how much money the soldiers demanded.

    Soldiers in northern Cameroon operate in one of the region’s most dangerous areas.

    Suicide attacks carried out by Boko Haram have become less frequent this year due to military successes against the militants, the threat remains.

    Boko Haram killed nine soldiers in Chad last month.

    A government spokesman declined to comment on the amount of the salaries or if they will be paid. He said that negotiations with the soldiers will be led by the Defence Minister, who is currently out of the country.

    “The agitation has been quickly curbed and calm reigns,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Two soldiers arrested for sacking mobile Court in Edo

    Two soldiers arrested for sacking mobile Court in Edo

    Two soldiers have been arrested in Edo State for disrupting the sitting of a mobile court at the Oba Ovoranmen Square.

     

    The mobile court was set up to prosecute traders caught selling on the walk ways and in the streets around the Oba Ovoranmen Square.

     

    It was learnt that five soldiers stormed the mobile court after a retired failed to secure the release of his wife who was arrested and about to be arraigned before the mobile court.

     

    Sources said policemen attached to the mobile court resisted the soldiers and there was exchange of gunfire.

     

    The source said the soldiers overpowered the policemen and scattered the mobile court.

     

    All the seats and canopies were over turned while arrested suspects were set free.

     

    Acting Managing Director of Edo State Waste Management Board, Prince Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, said several persons were injured in the melee.

     

    Prince Akonofua said the presiding Magistrate, Ihenyen Aigbediofe, was whisked away to safety.

     

    Akonofua stated that two out of the five soldiers were arrested and that the state Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, has assured them that the law would take its course.

     

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, confirmed the arrest of the soldiers adding that the state Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the investigation.

     

    “It is true. The soldiers went to the mobile court to free some suspects. Our policemen resisted them.”

  • JTF kills militants’ kingpin in Ondo

    JTF kills militants’ kingpin in Ondo

    …One soldier killed, three injured

     

    Soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe, a Joint TaskForce (JTF) at the wee hours of Monday killed a suspected leader of the militant group terrorising Ishawo and neighbouring creeks.

    The suspect identified as Ossy Ibori was gunned down around 3am, at Ajakpa in Ondo State, when he led his gang in an attack of military men deployed to safeguard the area.

    It was gathered that a soldier was killed and three others injured in the operation.

    However, the security forces retaliated and in the process, Ibori was killed, while other members of his gang jumped into the river.

    According to sources, the troop recovered weapons from the fleeing criminals.

    Another account stated that the notorious Ossy (Ibori) was lured out of Ishawo creek to Ajakpa wirh the help of his lover, where the soldiers eventually trailed him to.

    Ossy, said to have been the kingpin and among the masterminds of high profile murders and kidnappings within Lagos and Ogun, allegedly opened fire upon sighting military men.

    Confirming his death, Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said efforts were on to apprehend other members of his gang.

    Owoseni noted that most of the militants, who fled Lagos creeks as a result of ongoing operations, retreated to Ondo, their base.

    Owoseni said: “Around 3am today (Monday), a squad of soldiers posted to dislodge the militants that have been wrecking havoc in some parts of Lagos engaged the criminals in a shootout at Ajakpa. During which the suspected leader of the gang known as OC was killed. Efforts is ongoing to arrest other gang members”

    Contacted, the spokesman for the JTF, Major Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed the incident.

    He said: “Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in line with its mandate to rid Niger Delta of all criminal acts of militancy and kidnappings in a special operation repelled an attack on troops location around Ajakpa community in the creeks of Southern Ondo State last night.

    “The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori with a hideout at Ajakpa, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The leader was gunned down during the gun duel, along with some of his gang members. His body was identified by some of the locals in the area.

    “While search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops had recovered one AK-47 rifle and four Magazines.

    “Criminal gangs led by late Ossy Ibori have been terrorising parts of Lagos,Ogun and Ondo states prior to this operation. They committed many atrocities threatening the peace and  security of the general areas.

    “Last month, the gang killed an army captain and four Policemen at Ikorodu. Also late last year, abducted students and staff of a secondary school. The criminals in addition, carried out several attacks at Ese-Odo community around Ajakpa,Safarogbo and Balowo areas.

    “The need to flush them out from their hudeout became necessary to ensure peace and security in Ondo state. Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot wounds. They have since been moved to military hospital for proper medical attention.

    “While the operation is ongoing, let me appeal to law abiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm, vigilant and support our troops with valuable information on whereabouts of other criminals.”

     

  • Five soldiers killed in suicide car bomb attack

    Five soldiers killed in suicide car bomb attack

    Five soldiers have been killed when a Boko Haram suicide car bomber attacked a military convoy in the Northeast.

    About 40 others were injured in the Thursday attack at Manguzum village.

    The attacker targeted the convoy said to be conducting clearance operations between Yobe and Borno states,even as the Defence headquarters insisted yesterday that there is no ‘resurgence of insurgency’in the North East, particularly in Borno in spite of pockets of attacks and suicide bombings there.

    Security sources said the suicide bomber, riding in a van loaded with explosives, rammed into the military convoy.

    A military officer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak about the incident,confirmed the incident

    The Defence Headquarters, however,reassured Nigerians yesterday that there was no ‘resurgence of insurgency’ in the North East, particularly in Borno in spite of pockets of attacks and suicide bombings in the area.

    The Director Defence Information, Maj-Gen. John Enenche said in Abuja that the military, particularly the Nigerian army had re-strategized to deal with those attacks.

    “The general public has a feeling which I have been made to understand that there seems to be like there is resurgence of the Boko haram activities in the North East, particularly in Borno State,” he said.

    “I stand here this morning to tell you categorically that it is not true.

    “Let me also remind you that the Boko Haram groups, I called them groups because it is not one. They vary in their characteristics and behaviour.

    “They are not professional, they do not know what we armed forces of Nigeria, know.

    “It is not that we have become docile or dormant, no.

    “The apprehension from the public is becoming much from the dossier I get, but I am assuring them that the new tactics adopted by the military in eliminating the terrorists is working.”

    The defence spokesman said some of the terrorists were willingly giving up themselves, but vowed that the die-hard among them would sooner than later meet their waterloo.

  • Gambia soldiers, regional forces clash outside Jammeh’s home

    West African forces clashed with Gambian soldiers loyal to former leader Yahya Jammeh, shooting and injuring three who were guarding graves at his home, the soldiers said yesterday.

    Modou Mbye said he and his colleagues were guarding graves at the property Thursday and refused when the troops asked to enter. They then entered by force in an armored personnel carrier, firing their guns, Mbye said.

    “We did  not fire back as we were commanded not to,” Mbye said.

    The conflict was caused by a misunderstanding between the two forces and investigations have begun into the incident, Gambia Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Omar B. Bojang said.

    Tensions remain in the village where Jammeh once said he would return after he lost December elections to President Adama Barrow.

    Jammeh flew into exile in Equatorial Guinea as regional countries threatened a military intervention.

    Thousands of the West African forces,most of them from Nigeria, are now providing security in Gambia as the new government settles in.

    Barrow has promised to reverse many of the actions taken by Jammeh, who was accused by human rights groups of leading a government that arrested, tortured and killed opponents during his more than two-decade rule.

  • Soldiers feed inmates, motherless babies in Aba

    Soldiers from 144 Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and friends of the Battalion’s Officers Mess have visited inmates of the Aba Prisons and Ngwa Road Motherless Babies home. They did not go empty-handed; they took food items and other daily needs along.

    Some of the items donated at the Aba correctional facility were two bags of rice, 22 tubers of yam, two cartons of malt, two cartons of tissue paper, a carton of detergent soap and about N13, 000 cash. At the Ngwa road Motherless Babies Home, they delivered two cartons of tissue paper, two bags of rice, three cartons of diapers, two cartons of malt and milk products, sweets, one carton of toilet soap, cartons of biscuits and a cash donation of N10,000.

    At the home the babies relished a rare opportunity to interact with soldiers, while for the prison inmates it was a chance to view their uniformed benefactors in another light considering that they may well have been the ones who once arrested and handed them over to the police. Some may even be thankful to the visitors for sparing their lives.

    Speaking to newsmen, Lt. Col. Umar Kasim Sidi, the 144 Battalion Commander said that they embarked on the project as part of their humanitarian obligation to touch the lives of indigent members of the public and to also show love to the needy with help from other members of the 144 Battalion Mess.

    Sidi who stated that the visit was to further foster military-civilian relationship in their host community, said that the military while fighting crime in Aba and its environs are also aware that the needs of the people living in their immediate community must be met.

    He warned those who because of economic challenges took to crime to retrace their steps, stressing that the weight of the law would not hesitate to befall anyone that took to crime instead of exploring opportunities provided for by the abundant legitimate businesses in the country.

    “We are aware that the economy is bad and people are not finding it easy to feed well. The federal government cannot be left alone to carter for the needs of the people and that’s why we decided to in our own little way see how we can come in and assist the less privileged in the country.

    “In military mess, we have officers and civilian members. That is why what we have donated to the two homes came from our men and other members of the mess.

    “I want to use this opportunity to assure the inmates of Aba Prisons that there is still hope for them regardless of their present conditions, while I want to say that I am optimistic that children of motherless babies’ homes in Aba will continue to benefit from this exercise because we want to make it more regular.”

    The Civilian President, Mess Committee, Mr. Sunny Mgbemena, an engineer, said the exercise was laudable, adding that he was touched by the plight of the inmates.

    Mgbemena who said that they would always assist the army and other security agencies in the state to touch the lives of the poor also stated that they would encourage members of the public to provide useful information to army and other agencies of government with useful information that will help them fight crime in the commercial city and above.

    A Chief Superintendent of Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), J.O. Nzerem who represented the Aba Prison chiet, DCP Stephen Ugbah thanked the 144 Battalion Officer’s Mess for coming.

    Ugbah promised that the items would be judiciously used.

  • Two soldiers killed as Army destroys 13 illegal refineries

    Two soldiers killed as Army destroys 13 illegal refineries

    Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE on patrol around Iyalama Adama axis of Rivers State, have discovered and destroyed 13 illegal refineries.
    However, while no arrests were made, troops deployed at Creek 6 Houseboat Cawthorne Channel during a responce to a distress call of sea robbers attack around Ijawkiri general area engaged heavily armed sea robbers.
    According to a statement by the media coordinator, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, two soldiers were shot dead while three others sustained gunshot injuries.
    He said effort is ongoing by the Joint Task Force (JTF) to track and apprehend the suspects.
  • Militants kill five policemen, two soldiers in Lagos

    Militants kill five policemen, two soldiers in Lagos

    No fewer than five policemen and two soldiers, including an army captain were killed by suspected militants early Sunday morning in Ikorodu Area of Lagos.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bodies of the victims had been removed.

    The slain Captain was simply identified as Muhammad. There has been no official confirmation of the killings yet.

    NAN gathered that the existing presence of the Joint Task Force called Operation Awatse did not deter the militants from operating in the area they were driven away from about a year ago by members of the same task force.

    NAN also gathered that the militants had struck at Woodland Estate close to Ishawo Creeks and engaged the security personnel, soldiers and the police, in a gun duel.

    “At the end of the gun duel, five policemen and two soldiers were reportedly gunned down by the militants,” the source told NAN.

    It was unclear if there were any casualties on the part of the militants, although security forces were said to have reinforced and stormed the area for reconnaissance and possible counter-action.

    When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP. Olarinde Famous-Cole, said he was still gathering information on the matter adding that a statement would soon be issued.

    Also, the spokesperson of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olaolu Daudu said that a statement would be released on the incident later.

    NAN recalled that, on March 13, 2017, it reported the return of the militants to the area.

    Residents said they lived in palpable fear.

    The militants, whose stocks in trade are kidnapping and oil theft, were chased out of the area in Aug. 2016 by the Task Force, after several bloody clashes in the community.

    Scores of people were killed during the clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community before the joint military task force was deployed in the area.

    Famous-Cole told NAN in March that the command was re-strategising the security arrangements in the state, including Ikorodu area.

    He said more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, and urged residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, told NAN: “I don’t have any report yet to suggest that militants are back in those areas.

    “But Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in those areas to enable the security forces carry out in-depth patrols.

    The swamp buggy is a motor vehicle used to traverse swampy terrain.

    Buggies are able to move about on dry land, shallow mud, sand, shallow water and deep mud.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016 visited Isawo creeks and was briefed about the activities of the militants.

  • Three soldiers, five policemen shot in Lagos

    Three soldiers, five policemen shot in Lagos

    Gunmen suspected to be militants on Saturday night stormed Ishawo in Ikorodu, a Lagos district and shot three soldiers and five policemen.
    It was yet to be ascertained if the security operatives were dead or alive.
    It was gathered that the militants stormed Woodland Estate and engaged personnel of Operation Awatse in a fierce gun battle.
    The gunmen, who took the operatives by surprise, allegedly fled into neighbouring creeks after the attack.
    It was gathered that residents of the Estate have been apprehensive since the incident, with many calling for another military raid of the surrounding creeks.
    Spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
    Details later

  • One officer, three soldiers killed chase of terrorists

    One officer, three soldiers killed chase of terrorists

    One officer and three soldiers have died after troops from the Nigerian Army on Operation Lafiya Dole chased fleeing Boko Haram terrorists to five villages in northern Borno.

    The terrorists had earlier attempted to infiltrate Magumeri village but were repelled by a strong force from the Nigerian Army. The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman later accused the villagers of conniving   with the terrorists.

    According to him, after  hot pursuit and mop up  the troops were able to neutralize an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists  and recovered one  Gun truck, two Anti-Aircraft Guns, two Extra Barrels,   two Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm Bombs, one  roll of Nitrogen cable and a  60mm Mortar bomb.

    Others are:  Assorted General Purpose Machine Gun and Anti-Aircraft ammunition and their links, 3 spare vehicle tyres with rims, one  vulcanising machine, one  Qlink Motorcycle,  foodstuffs and  three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

    Meanwhile troops of 22 Brigade Nigerian Army during a fighting patrol cleared Boko Haram out of Gujari village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. This followed information about the convergence of the terrorists at area aiming to launch attack on some of the nearby communities.

    The Army spokesman said during the operation, the troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while an unspecified number escaped with gunshot wounds into thick forest.

    At the location however, the troops discovered and destroyed a tailoring shed while they also recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, three DaneGuns, one  Double Barrel Pump Action Gun, two Bandoliers, 23 Empty cases of Shilka Gun Ammunition, two Initiation water container and one Motorcycle battery among other items.