The Nation Newspaper

Tag: soldiers

  • Soldiers shoot two policemen, three others dead

    Soldiers shoot two policemen, three others dead

    TWO policemen and their driver were reportedly killed yesterday when soldiers opened fire on their bus at Festac Town in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    A motorist driving an Honda Accord car and a security guard also fell to the soldiers’ bullets.

    But the police claimed that their men were not killed, but injured.

    The incident occurred at the 7th Avenue via T Close/4th Avenue, where the soldiers have been stationed since Monday’s gun battle with pipeline vandals.

    The guard, Mohammed Idris, was hit in the eye as he dashed back to his duty post from where he went to buy noodles on hearing sounds of gunshots.

    The Nation learnt that the officers were led by Inspector Muhammed Adamu Area ‘E’ Command, FESTAC Town.

    They were said to be chasing the Honda Accord driver, who they mistook for a robber.

    They fired at him to stop but he drove on.

    The Nation learnt that the soldiers returned fire, thinking that they were being attacked.

    Many fled as guns boomed. Some hurriedly closed their shops; others remained indoors.

    An eyewitness said the policemen were trailing  a man who went to a bank on 23 Road.

    “The guy drove a green Honda Accord marked AAA354DW coming from the bank where he went to exchange hard currency. The policemen I learnt were tracing him from the bank in a shuttle bus. Some people said the officers are fond of using shuttle bus to operate.

    “On getting to where the soldiers mounted a road block due to Monday’s gun duel with some vandals, the policemen shot. They traced the man into the soldiers’ barricade, shooting sporadically. The soldiers returned fire, killing the two policemen inside the shuttle bus and the driver,” he said.

    The driver identified as Murphy drove a FESTAC Shuttle bus marked JJJ602XM.

    Another eyewitness said the late Idris went to buy noodles from a nearby makeshift shop.

    “The shop is close to his security post. When the people there heard gunshot, some ran away, the shop owner laid down to avoid being hit. Idris was trying to rush back to his duty post when he was hit by the stray bullet on the right eye. He died on the spot,” he said.

    According to the witness, the policemen were in mufti and police jacket.

    The Nation learnt that officers from Area ‘E’ came to evacuate the bodies.

    Police spokesman, Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), described the incident as an act of omission.

    He denied that the policemen were dead, saying they are in hospital.

    Offor said: “At FESTAC Town, a man was attacked after he had withdrawn money from a commercial bank. As he was leaving the bank with the money, two men on motorcycle accosted him and made away with the money.

    “Some sympathisers alerted the police at FESTAC Division. By the time the police got there, the robbers had fled.

    “Somehow, some mischievous guys in the area saw a moving Honda Accord and started shouting that he was the thief.

    “Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda did not know he was the one they were talking about and was still moving at his own pace.

    “When he got to the checkpoint mounted by the soldiers, who were stationed along 7th Avenue because of pipeline vandals, he made to drive through.

    “But the soldiers thinking that the driver was truly a robber, who was trying to escape, opened fire on the moving vehicle. The bullet hit two of our men and the civilian.

    “Contrary to rumours making the rounds, our men didn’t die. They were injured and they are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”

  • Two feared dead in soldiers’, vandals’ gun battle

    Two feared dead in soldiers’, vandals’ gun battle

    Two persons were yesterday feared killed and five others injured during a gun battle between security operatives and pipeline vandals in Lagos.

    Residents of Seventh Avenue in Festac Town and environs were woken up by the booming guns.

    Many thought it was another robbery. Last month, robbers raided two banks and wreaked havoc on the area. A woman and her daughter were killed by stray bullets.

    To avoid being hit by stray bullets, the residents were said to have laid on the floor.

    But, a motorcyclist, Stephen Manga, and his roommate, Joseph Zira, were but on their legs by a stray bullet inside their apartment.

    Three soldiers also sustained leg injuries; a vandal was killed and several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    The Nation learnt that a Mobile Policeman was killed by some of the fleeing hoodlums around Alakija, after they snatched a commercial bus and forced the driver to whisk them away.

    Manga, who said they were held hostage by the vandals until soldiers arrived, claimed that the shooting lasted over four hours.

    He said the vandals were up to 50 and hooded. Some, he added, dressed in Army camouflage.

    “We stay in that Pako near where those people usually steal fuel beside Elcee events Centre, Fourth Avenue by Seventh Avenue. Our house is built with stick and many of us live there.

    “We started hearing gunshots around 4:41am. We did not know what was happening and we could not come out. Everyone was in their own room and I was in my room with my friend, Joseph. We were lying down beside each other with our legs facing the road.

    “The shooting continued with the vandals talking to themselves.  I don’t think the army was there at that time.

    “But around 7am, some army people ran to our place and the next thing, bullet hit my leg, came out from the other side and entered my friend’s leg too and came out.

    “We were bleeding and the army people directed us to a hospital. Our brothers, who also live in the place, saw the bullet. They picked it and gave it to the soldiers. The bullet looks white and not very big.

    “So, as they told us to go to the hospital, they also chased everyone from the place. They helped us live so that those people won’t kill us all.

    “At first I was taken to Mercy Gate Hospital but they refused to treat me until the army people called and spoke with them on phone and my people also went and brought police report from Area E Command.

    “The hospital did not treat my brother because of money. My brother went to another place where he was treated,” said Manga.

    Another resident, who gave his name as Munyale Kwada, said the hoodlums initially overpowered the army.

    Kwada said the army went for reinforcement, brought in three armoured tanks and engaged the bandits who were already chanting victory songs.

    He said: “We were trapped in the shooting by the criminals until the army came and rescued us.

    “The thieves were shooting for about two hours. When the army came, they told us to remain inside and that no one should come out.

    “The boys were many. I heard army people telling their colleagues that they should go because the boys were many and three soldiers have been injured.

    “When the army left, the criminals started singing. They were singing and shooting. They covered everywhere up to W Close on Seventh Avenue. They blocked the entire road and were shooting continuously.

    “So, army came back reinforced and with three armoured tanks. The shooting continued till about 8am when the vandals ran away.

    “Since the time the vandals left, army and police have taken over the entire area. They have put road blocks and they do not allow people to come near that area again because of danger.

    “I know they arrested someone but I don’t know who the person is. I heard the army shouting at someone to enter the vehicle.

    “Also we later heard that the vandals hijacked a Danfo bus, forced the driver and one passenger to carry 10 of them who were in military camouflage and they ran away.

    “We also heard that the bus killed a Mobile Police man around Alakija. And that the vandals also hijacked a Sienna space bus from the owner.”

    One Ife Igwebuike told The Nation that the hoodlums arrived in the area around 3am and were siphoning petroleum products.

    She said the police alerted the military and requested assistance because they could not face the vandals.

    “One vandal was shot dead and the rest ran away with barrels of crude oil and some gun wounds. The army men tried a lot and none of the soldiers was killed,” she said.

    Another resident, Andre Ogodo said, a stray bullet entered his apartment.

    “I started hearing gunshots just before 7am. I ignored them, thinking they were sounds of fireworks. Five minutes later, I heard sirens and more gun fire.

    “On my way to the bathroom, I saw a hole in the window blinds covering the window at the stairwell.

    “That’s when I realised it really was gun fire. The hole was most likely made by a stray bullet. The wall directly opposite the window blinds had a crack as well, in tandem with the hole in the blinds.

    “I promptly returned to my room and laid low till the shooting died down. The streets were unusually quiet,” he said.

    Lagos State Police Command spokesman Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said there were no casualties.

    He said there was heavy deployment of soldiers and police, assuring the residents of their safety.

    “Following sporadic shooting by the hoodlums in the creek of FESTAC early hours of Tuesday November 17, residents of the area are advised not to panic as there has been heavy deployment of soldiers and the police.

    ‘’No policeman was killed. No vandal was shot dead. No one, soldiers or residents sustained any form of injury. Nothing like that happened.

    “Within the period, some exercises may be going on in readiness for any untoward attack from the hoodlums.

    “Residents are advised to go about their lawful businesses without any fear as the command and sister security agencies are on top of the situation,” Offor said.

  • 11 killed as soldiers smash Boko Haram attacks in Borno

    11 killed as soldiers smash Boko Haram attacks in Borno

    A fresh attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to  attack a military base in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State  yesterday crashed  after soldiers  repelled the invaders.

    Seven of the terrorists were killed in the early morning raid, which came on the heels of  the killing of another four terrorists and rescue of 61 people held captive by the sect in the Nwalemer, Mallemiri and Bale axis of the state.

    Gwoza is about 200 kilometers from Maiduguri, the state capital.

    It was once under the control of the sect but was retaken this year by soldiers.

    Briefing newsmen yesterday on the aborted raid, the Media Coordinator  of Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Tukur Gusau said, although details were  being collated, seven  terrorists were killed.

    A Toyota Hilux vehicle, 11 AK-47 rifles, 1 Shilka Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 6 Hand Grenades and  Shilka Gun and Machine Gun ammunitions were recovered.

    He said troops were continuing  their  raid  and aerial bombardment of the Sambisa forest  with a view to smoking out the remnants of the terrorists.

    Col Gusau also said that troops  from  7 Division Garrison and 112 Task Force Battalion yesterday recovered the following weapons in Busheshe village in Mafa axis: two Hilux vans, two anti-aircraft guns, three 81 milimetre bombs, 101 units of 60 milimetre bombs, 20 ammunition boxes, 21 Rocket Propelled Guns (RPGs) and a large quantity of 7.62 milimeter special ammunition.

    The army also announced in Abuja yesterday that troops of 28 Task Force Brigade, backed by the Nigerian Air Force,  rescued 61 persons from Boko Haram captivity.

    In addition, the troops cleared more Boko Haram camps, recovered two dane guns and detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by insurgents.

    In a statement issued, Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, disclosed that four Boko Haram men were killed while one was captured, adding that the 61 rescued persons have been evacuated to a safe location.

    He said: “The fight against Boko Haram terrorists is continuing to maintain its momentum with the discovery and destruction of terrorists’ camps, weapons and equipment, while the terrorists have been fleeing and abandoning their bases.

  • Soldiers allegedly beat father of five to death in Ogun

    A father of five, Kamoru Balogun, has died after he was allegedly beaten by soldiers following an altercation with a woman in Isara-Remo, Ogun State.

    The incident occurred in Ikamoshe Street in the Isale Oja area of Isara, where the wife of the deceased, Yetunde, sells fried meat.

    The deceased was said to be on a visit to his wife’s shop on October 24, 2015, when a female customer, Yemisi, touched the meat indiscriminately.

    The late Balogun was said to have admonished the woman to desist from dipping her hands into the bowl of meat.

    Balogun’s comment allegedly drew the ire of Yemisi, who rowed with him and threatened to deal with the deceased for insulting her.

    The 40-year-old musical instrument engineer and disc jockey left the shop for a show not knowing that evil stalked him.

    Yemisi was said to have invited some soldiers stationed at Ogere-Remo to protect petroleum pipelines from vandals.

    It was learnt that the soldiers were led to the venue of a party where the late Balogun was engaged to entertain guests. They arrived in two trucks and battered Balogun on the orders of Yemisi until he bled from the mouth .

    Our correspondent learnt that Balogun was rushed to Isara General Hospital where he died from injuries sustained during the brutality visited on him by the soldiers.

    The incident was reported at Isara Police Division.

    Recalling the incident, one of the relatives of the deceased, who is also the Lagusen of Ode Ule, Oba (Dr) Adedayo Olushina Adekoya said: ”The brutal killing of Balogun was reckless on the part of the soldiers involved. On the day of the incident, his wife left for the market and he decided to stay in her shop until she returned. A few minutes later, a female customer called Yemisi wanted to buy some fried meat and was touching the meat with her fingers. The late Balogun then warned her to stop dipping her hands into the meat and his comment infuriated the woman, which made her to threaten Balogun during an altercation.

    “A few minutes later, Balogun left the shop to honour an engagement at a party in the community from where the female customer led soldiers to beat him up in public. The soldiers kicked, slapped and whipped him until he started bleeding from his mouth and collapsed on the floor. The soldiers left him for dead and hurriedly left the scene while bystanders rushed Balogun to Isara General Hospital, where he died a few minutes later.”

    It was learnt that Yemisi has since gone into hiding.

    Another relative of Balogun, Yeye Taye Ayodabo said: ”I was away in Ikorodu, Lagos, when I received the news of my brother’s death. I was told that a woman he reprimanded for messing up with his wife’s fried meat brought soldiers to beat him up and that he bled to death.”

    It was learnt that some military police officers from the Army headquarters had visited the community on Friday, October 30, 2015, to investigate the matter, but nothing has been done about it to date.

    It was gathered that palpable fear has since taken over Isara community because of the matter.

    A resident simply identified as Olawale told The Nation that the residents are “now afraid to go out for fear of being harassed or humiliated following speculation that the soldiers might soon return to unleash further humiliation on those who condemned their indiscretions.”

    “We want justice because Balogun was an easy going man and did not deserve to be hacked to death by the very people that should protect his life. The soldiers who killed Balogun must face the wrath of law to serve as a lesson to their ilk in the society.”

    The aged parents of the deceased were too grieved to comment on the matter during the eight-day Fidau ceremony held on Sunday, November 1, 2015.

    The deputy spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, did not respond to inquiries by our correspondent at press time.

  • Soldiers destroy five more Boko Haram camps

    Soldiers destroy five more Boko Haram camps

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed five additional camps said to have been used by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

    In a statement yesterday night, Army spokesman Col.  Sani Kukasheka Usman said a woman, suspected to be an active member of the group, was arrested during the operation.

    According to Usman, the suspect is undergoing interrogation at an undisclosed location.

    The statement reads: “In efforts to continually dominate recovered territories and clear all Nigerian territory of Boko Haram vestiges, the advancing troops of 5 Brigade Task Group have today cleared five more terrorists camps at Hausari and Baranga in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops, during an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists at the camps, killed two terrorists and recovered two dane guns and a double barrel gun. Twelve motorcycles abandoned by some fleeing terrorists were destroyed.

    “It will be recalled that troops of 5 Brigade had some time last month cleared and destroyed 20 terrorist camps at Kerenowa general area.”

    “Troops of 28 Task Force  Brigade, on patrol between Bitta-Yamteke in Borno State to block Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from Lagaran Fulani to enter Sambisa forest, discovered two planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and successfully detonated them.

    “We wish to state here that, while striving to stamp out terrorists from Nigerian territory, the troops remain committed to ensuring that they clear and secure all known Boko Haram terrorist’ camps and enclaves  so that no terrorist can return to any of the recovered areas,” Usman stated.

  • Police, soldiers comb creeks for Sylva’s runningmate’s 105-yr-old kidnapped mother

    The police and troops of the Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) are combing the creeks of the Niger Delta region for the whereabouts of 105-year-old Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, who was abducted on Thursday by unknown gunmen.

    Dikoro, the mother of the running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wilberforce Igiri, was abducted from her home in Foropa community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Her kidnap came about a week after the governorship candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, formally presented Igiri as his running mate in the December 5 governorship election in the state.

    The kidnappers were said to have broken into her house at about 1am and whisked her away to an unknown place.

    The gunmen invaded the community on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean in two speedboats and shot sporadically into the air before fleeing with their target.

    According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Butswat Asinim, men of the police anti-kidnapping squad were combing the creeks to rescue the victim.

    Asinim, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said intelligence was also being deployed to track down the kidnappers and their victim.

    He confirmed that the troops of the OPS formally called the Joint Task Force (JTF) had joined in the search to free the centenarian.

    “We are searching for her and the hoodlums. Even as we speak, men of our anti-kidnapping unit are working round the clock.

    “But we are gathering intelligence also, that is very important, and the Joint Task Force (JTF) is collaborating with the police  to rescue the victim and apprehend the culprits,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in a related development, unknown gunmen on Friday abducted a medical doctor in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The kidnap of the doctor, identified simply as Ekwueme, has further heightened tension in the state ahead of the December 5 governorship election in the state.

    Ahead of the elections, the activities of criminals have increased in the state, especially kidnappers who reportedly carry out their operations unhindered on daily basis.

    Many traditional rulers and women were said to have been kidnapped with the two main political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading blames.

    It was learnt that Ekwuem,e who works in a clinic in Korokorosei, the community of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, was abducted in the community.

    He was reportedly kidnapped from his home at about 3am by unidentified gunmen who operated in speedboats.

  • Soldiers pray for wounded troops

    Officers of the Army Medical Corps, Abalti Barracks Surulere Lagos, last week celebrated this year’s Medical Sunday with the theme accessing divine intervention.

    It provided the officers an opportunity to offer prayers for all Colleges of Medicine and other tertiary institutions, commanders and principal officers as well as all medical students and handicapped.

    They also prayed for wounded soldiers and medical personnel treating them at the ongoing war against terrorism in the northeast.

    Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major General Sina Ogunbiyi, said: “The Chief of Army staff has graciously approved that a day is set aside every year for the medical Sunday.

    “Even in the bible we had Saint Luke the physician.”

    He reassured wounded soldiers and civilians in the north east that the terrorists will soon be flushed out.

    According to him: “Many officers and civilians have also been wounded but we want to send a message to them to have hope that this insurgency will soon be defeated.

    “We are all aware of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise that by December, the insurgents will be brought to book.

    “We have also been assured by the Service Chiefs that by God’s Grace, it will come to an end.”

    He said the troops in the northeast have received better medical attention since the first Medical Sunday held last year.

  • Suspect killed as soldiers foil suicide attempt at barracks

    Soldiers yesterday shot dead a suspected suicide bomber outside a military base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, detonating explosives concealed in her handbag, a civilian vigilante and a military source told French News Agency, the AFP.

    Her target was thought to be the Maimalari army barracks — the main military base in Maiduguri, which has been hit repeatedly by Boko Haram Islamists.

    “Soldiers at Maimalari army barracks this morning (yesterday) foiled a suicide attack by a female bomber,” said Babakura Kolo, from the civilian volunteer force assisting troops against the rebels.

    The woman approached the barracks around 7am and headed towards the gates, he said. Military guards at the gates shouted at her to stop for security checks but she ignored them and continued walking towards the gates, he added.

    “She continued walking with her handbag slung on her shoulder, despite repeated shouts from the soldiers asking herto  stop.

    “One of the soldiers opened fire on the woman and the handbag exploded, blowing the woman to pieces.”

    There were no other casualties in the explosion, which a military officer described as an “attempted suicide attack by Boko Haram terrorists”.

    Boko Haram has intensified its use of multiple suicide bombers to inflict maximum casualties, with secondary explosions detonated as people rush to help victims of the initial blast.

    Thirty-four people were killed in a wave of attacks on Thursday night and Friday morning on the outskirts of Maiduguri, 117 died last month in explosions in the Ajilari Cross area of the Borno state capital.

    Of the six suicide attacks in Nigeria this month, four have been in Maiduguri, killing at least 48 and injuring 99.

    The military source, who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to talk to the media, said the use of human bombs was a sign of the group’s desperation and frustration at the fight-back by troops.

    “They are looking for every opportunity to hit back, which is why they have resorted to soft-target attacks on mosques and markets and such attacks on a military base is intended to show the terrorists are still strong,” the officer added.

  • Soldiers bust illegal babies’ home in Abia

    Soldiers from the 144 Batallion, 14 Brigade in Ohafia, Abia State, have arrested the operators of an illegal maternity and motherless’ babies home in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

    The home, located in the Ogbor Hill area of the town, it was gathered was allegedly being used by the operator, one Mrs. Love Nwokocha, for child-trafficking business.

    The Nation gathered that four pregnant young girls and nine other teenagers were rescued from the home during the raid.

    Mrs. Nwokocha and ten other persons, including two staff members and eight members of her family were allegedly involved in the illegal business.

    According to a source who pleaded not to be named, the soldiers, working on a tip-off, caught the syndicate unaware when they stormed the building, leading to the arrest of the operators, while the victims were rescued.

    According to sources, Mrs Nwokocha had earlier been arrested for a similar offence, but was left off the hook after she allegedly showed remorse.

    A source told The Nation that she was arrested by security agencies at the Forward Operation Base near Ngwa High School.

    A security source alleged that most of the maternity and babies home in the area are involved in the illegal activity.

    “Most of these people hide under the pretence of running licensed maternity and motherless babies’ homes. But what they do is that they admit pregnant teenagers to deliver their babies without the knowledge of the girl’s parents, guardian, relations or even government agencies. The babies are then sold soon after they are delivered without proper documentation for easy follow-up.”

    The source also alleged that some of the homes engage the services of unemployed young men who help to impregnate the girls.

    “It is now a common practice that young girls don’t see getting pregnant as anything. They do that with impunity because they know that they have a place where they can sell their children to prospective buyers.

    “The business is growing like wildfire. People no longer patronize government-approved maternity and motherless babies’ homes. But security agencies are not relenting to end this ignoble business.

    “It can be reduced drastically if the public supports security agencies in the state by providing us with information about the activities of operators of illegal maternity and motherless babies’ homes.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO DSP Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu, confirmed the arrest of 13 persons, including Mr. and Mrs. Nwokocha, owners of the home, who he said were handed over to the Osisioma Police division.

    Udeviotu said seven of the arrested suspects are relations of the owner of the home, adding while two men, who claimed to be husbands to two of the pregnant girls, claimed that they were at the home for prayers.

    He said that the suspects were released on bail to enable them get medical attention, adding that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

  • Israel deploys soldiers to cities

    Israeli authorities on Wednesday deployed hundreds of troops nationwide following a series of shooting and stabbing attacks by Palestinians.

    Peter Lerner, Spokesman for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), in a statement said in addition to the deployment, it would engage six companies to reinforce the police.

    The exact number of soldiers was not disclosed, but the move follows a security cabinet meeting that ended early Wednesday.

    The cabinet also decided that police will seal off Arab neighbourhoods in east Jerusalem, and demolish the homes of suspected terrorists as well as revoke their permanent residency.

    On Tuesday, Palestinian attackers went after Israelis with knives and – in one instance – a gun, leaving three Israelis dead and 22 injured in separate assaults on a “Day of Rage” declared by Palestinian groups.

    Two of the attackers were killed and three injured.

    Seven Israelis have been killed and many injured in a wave of Palestinian knife attacks this month, while 18 Palestinians from the West Bank and Jerusalem have been killed.

    More than half of the 18 Palestinians were either shot dead after or during attempts to stab Israelis.