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Tag: soldiers

  • Gunmen kill three soldiers, two guards in Nasarawa

    Gunmen kill three soldiers, two guards in Nasarawa

    Three soldiers and two members of the Vigilante group have died in an alleged ambush by a militia group in Nasarawa State.

    The ambush happened Tuesday afternoon at Katakpa community, Toto Local Government Area.

    Chairman of Toto coucnil,  Abdullahi Tashas, confirmed the attack and the numner of casualties.

    According to him, soldiers deployed in the area were allegedly attacked by the Bassa militia.

    “Bassa people attacked four communities in Katakpa village and so the soldiers were drafted to maintain law and order.

    “While the soldiers were on patrol, the people laid ambush on them and killed three on Tuesday afternoon,” he alleged.

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    Tashas said the bodies had been recovered and handed over to representatives of the military authority who visited the area over the attack.

    “As I speak now, I am standing with the ambulance that is conveying the bodies of the soldiers that were killed in the ambush,” he said.

    The development comes barely a week after armed men killed three persons and destroyed properties worth millions of naira during the attack on the community.

    About three weeks ago, suspected militia also attacked neighbouring Okudud community killing seven peope.

    Scores of people were also injured with many houses razed in the January attack.

  • Abia residents commend soldiers for embarking on sanitation exercise

    Abia residents commend soldiers for embarking on sanitation exercise

    Residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State have commended soldiers of 14 Brigade, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, Ohafia, attached to the 144 Battalion Headquarters, Ukwa West local government area of the state for embarking on a sanitation exercise within Aba and its environs.

    Our correspondent gathered that the residents, who were initially worried at the sight of the personnel of the Nigerian Army on the streets, were however stunned when the soldiers in their numbers, alighted from their various operational vans and started cleaning up the streets.

    The sanitation exercise took the soldiers through major parts of the cities including Aba Main Park, Shopping Center, St. Michael’s Road by ASA Road, Cemetery/Eziukwu Market, and among other parts of the commercial city, where they evacuated refuse littering the roads and some designated dumpsites.

    A personnel of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, who would not want his name mentioned, said it was in line with their Civil Military Corporation Activities (CIMIC) visions of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

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    According to the military source who noted that the importance of cleanliness cannot be overemphasised in a city like Aba and its environs, said the sanitation exercise was aimed at bringing the military closer to the people while rendering what the source described as humanitarian assistance to the people.

    “You know that cleanliness is next to godliness.”

    Speaking to our correspondent over the action of the soldiers, some residents of Aba lauded the military for such a gesture.

    They commended the heads of the army in the state and national for such initiative, adding that such action would go a long way in promoting good hygiene and sanitation among residents of the state.

  • Soldiers rescue nine kidnap victims, arrests two suspects in Benue

    Soldiers rescue nine kidnap victims, arrests two suspects in Benue

    Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in collaboration with the police and other security agencies, have rescued 9 kidnap victims and arrested two suspects in Benue .

    The Force Commander, OPWS, Maj.Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi .

    He said that troops rescued the victims and arrested the  suspects during an operation  on Tuesday  at Owukpa forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.

    Igbinomwanhia added that the rescued victims comprised  eight females  and a male.

    He said the operation followed the kidnap of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpo – Enugu Road on Jan 11.

    “During the firefight, the kidnappers fled their hideout due to our superior fire power, abandoning their victims in the process.

    “Some of the items recovered at the scene, include one AK 47 rifle and 10 mobile phones.

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    “The rescued victims were immediately moved to the Sector Headquarters for First Aid attention, “he said

    He added that the victims  were later  allowed to proceed to their respective destinations after debriefing.

    Igbinomwahia said the suspects and all items recovered during the raid  had been handed over to the police for further action.

    The Commander thanked residents  for providing the  information that led to the discovery of the hideout of the criminals and  subsequent rescue of the victims.

    He also urged  residents of  neighbouring states of Nasarawa  State and Taraba ,to continue to make use of the emergency numbers provided by the command towards providing credible information on suspicious criminal activities for action.

    (NAN)

  • Gunmen kill four soldiers, two drivers, abduct Koreans in Rivers

    Gunmen kill four soldiers, two drivers, abduct Koreans in Rivers

    Gunmen have ambushed a convoy of an engineering company at  the Ahoada/Abua axis of the East-West road in Rivers state, killing four soldiers, two drivers and abducting two expatriates identified as Koreans.

    The incident was said to have occurred at about 9.30am while the company was conveying its workers to a camp in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.

    The incident was said to have caused panic and traffic gridlock around the area.

    A security source, who spoke in confidence, said the suspected kidnappers ambushed the convoy and immediately opened fire on the occupants.

    He said: “During the attack, the assailants opened fire on the convoy killing 4 soldiers and 2 civilians’ drivers and subsequently abducted two Koreans in the process.

    “Details are still sketchy but efforts are ongoing to get more details from the units. Further details will be forwarded  as soon as possible.”

    The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident, described it as unwarranted and vowed that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to book.

    The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Officer, Maj. Danjuma Danjuma in a statement said it was carried out by suspected militants.

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    The statement said: “Troops of 5 Battalion on routine escort duty for an oil servicing company at Enweh West manifold,  Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants, at Emesu junction, along Amungboro -Emuphan road. Unfortunately, 4 soldiers were killed in action, with 2 other oil workers unaccounted for.

    “The suspects allegedly escaped through the Emesu waterside, using Orashi River. Troops are currently combing the general area to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the unaccounted oil workers are found.

    “The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while acknowledging the supreme sacrifice paid by the gallant soldiers, strongly condenmed this unwarranted attack.

    “He reassured that efforts are ongoing to track down these criminals to pay for their crimes. Consequently, members of the general public are kindly requested to provide credible and actionable intelligence that could lead to the arrest of these criminals.

    “The public is also assured that troops will not relent until all forms of criminalities, such as militancy, oil theft, and pipeline vandalism, are effectively eliminated within the Niger Delta the region.”

  • Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast

    Tempers flare as Tompolo’s Tantita, soldiers foil oil theft off Ondo coast

    • Allegations by Navy defamatory, says company

    Pipeline surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited has alerted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, on the activities of an unmarked vessel purportedly involved in illegal bunkering activities off Ondo State coast 

    TSSL, which is owned by Chief (Dr) Government Ekpemupolo, said the unknown oil tanker was moored at an oil well jacket around the Oil Mining Leases (OML) 110 and 103 operated by Cavendish Petroleum Limited, and Consolidated Oil respectively.

    In its report to NNPCL that was made available to The Nation, TSSL said its  operatives in Igbokoda axis of Ondo State were tipped off by its intelligence sources on the plot by a syndicate to steal crude oil from a well jacket in between the two OMLs.

    “The loading of the ship was to commence just before 2200hrs local time on the 6th of December 2023. Tantita Security Operatives got confirmation that the unknown ship is on location and had made fast to the Well Jacket and that loading has commenced.

    “At about 0300hrs, Tantita Security Operatives set out to secure the scene of the crime via two boats. While underway, information reached us that the ship had four AK-47 rifles and ammunition and we should proceed with caution.”

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    The firm also expressed concerns about possible collusion between the criminals, bad eggs within the NNPCL, and officials of the Nigerian Navy’s FOB around the vicinity of the crime.

    The letter signed by Captain Waredi Enisuoh identified a suspected oil dealer, who is currently facing charges of illegal bunkering (names withheld) as the mastermind of the plot.

    The statement said the gang is working in league with an illegal bunkering and well jacket vandalism suspect based in Benin, Edo State, and appealed to the Nigerian Navy to allow its operative to bring the suspect to face the law 

    “As daylight, we approached the ship to have a clearer view. It was discovered that it had already connected hoses from the Wellhead to its deck and loading had commenced.

    “By this time, an update also got to us that the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base has sent out gunboats in the direction of the crime scene as well. Their mission was to rescue the ship from the Tantita Operatives laying siege in the area and securing it from being boarded.”

    Enisuoh said the two Navy gunboats and a speedboat donated to the Nigerian Navy by the Ondo State government stormed the area and started firing warning shots at its operatives forcing them abandon mission and wait for backup.

    A video of the confrontation between the navy on one hand, and tteam comprising soldiers of the Nigerian Army and TSSL operatives, on the other hand showed the naval officers directing the TSSL team to backoff, saying, “we have authority to secure the area “

    The group lamented that they were drawing fire from the navy, who should join them in protecting oil assets from theft.

    Meanwhile the TSSL has denied a statement linking the organization to  illegalities around Awoye riverine area  by the Nigerian Navy.

    Reacting to the allegation  in a statement signed by the Executive Director – Operations and Technical Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, TSSL said: “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory and libellous statement made by the Nigerian Navy against our organisation, Tantita Security Services Limited. In the statement made on Thursday the7th of December, 2023 by the Director of

    Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, he informed the general public that the Nigerian Navy had detected and arrested a 77 meter long motor tanker for crude oil theft with her 17 crew members.

    “He further added and we quote “it is believed that Tantita Security Services is involved in these illegalities because Awoye riverine area which is close to the place of arrest is covered by TSS.

    Again it was upon the arrest of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy that TSS began to raise false alarm, totally unfounded and indeed mischievous.”

    “We are indeed saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation knowing same to be false.

    “Perhaps they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between the Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy at the scene exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities. We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.”

  • Soldiers, NAPTIP rescue seven expectant mothers, nine babies

    Soldiers, NAPTIP rescue seven expectant mothers, nine babies

    Soldiers of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, in Ohafia Local Government of Abia State have reportedly rescued seven expectant mothers at a yet-to-be named maternity home.

    The operation, our correspondent gathered, was carried out by personnel of 14 Brigade attached to 144 Battalion, in conjunction with officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

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    Our correspondent learnt that the operation took place in Osisioma Local Government.

    Sources within the 14 Brigade, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the personnel and NAPTIP officials during the raid rescued seven expectant mothers at the maternity home suspected to be part of a child-trafficking syndicate.

    It was gathered that the team also rescued nine children and arrested three personnel: 33-year-old Ebere Daniel (male) and two females, 60-year-old Mrs. Ebere Chibuzor Margaret and 26-year-old Esther Madu, said to be a worker of the home accused of engaging in human trafficking.

  • JUST IN: Thugs invade polling units, hijack materials in Bayelsa

    JUST IN: Thugs invade polling units, hijack materials in Bayelsa

    Hoodlums have invaded polling units in Sagbama local Government area with heavy gunshots and hijacked election materials.

    Around 9 am at Agorogbene in units 6, 7 and 8 in Ward 11 of the Local Government, suspected thugs from Southern Ijaw allegedly escorted by a certain politician chased away voters and destroyed election materials.

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    Attempts by the electorate to challenge the armed men were replied with heavy gunshots.

    Also around 9 am, the armed thugs stormed the RAC center and carted away election materials for five out of the seven units. 

    The ward 11 leader of one of the parties was alleged to have led the armed thugs.

    At Ogiadiama ward 9 in Unit 14 of the Southern Ijaw Local Government area, gunmen stormed the unit but were repelled after an emergency call to security men.

    Sporadic gunshots were also reported to have been heard around the Imbikiri area of Brass Ward 2 around 3.30 am on Saturday.

    At Famgbe in Yenagoa local Government, thugs were engaged in gun-duel with security agents, with some recorded casualties.

  • BREAKING: Soldiers intercept, arrest three strange security vehicles in Okene

    BREAKING: Soldiers intercept, arrest three strange security vehicles in Okene

    Soldiers on election duty in Okene, Kogi State have intercepted and arrested three ‘strange’ black colored security vehicles. 

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    The arrest was effected by soldiers that mounted a barricade at Itakpe Junction shortly before Okene main town.

    Details Shortly…

  • Soldiers rescue woman who plunged into Lagos Lagoon

    Soldiers rescue woman who plunged into Lagos Lagoon

    Soldiers of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) have saved the life of one Mrs Francesca Spark, who plunged into the Lagos Lagoon around 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Marina, in an attempt to take her own life.

    This was made known on Monday, November 6, in a statement signed by Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni.

    He said: “Nigerian Army (NA) soldiers operating under 81 Division NA have gallantly prevented a suicide attempt by one Mrs Francesca Spark who plunged into the Lagos Lagoon around 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Marina Lagos in an attempt to take her own life,” the statement read.

    “The troops of 65 Battalion NA deployed at the Officers’ Mess, who sighted Mrs Spark quickly used their military riverine skills and ingenuity to rescue her. She was given first aid and stabilized by the battalion medical team.”

    It said after she was stabilised, “the family was contacted and she was handed over to her husband, one Mr. Spark Oghene Ovie residing at Awoyaya Lagos.”

    Read Also: Soldiers reportedly storm Uwazuruike’s country home, arrest four

    In the wake of the rescue, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division NA, Major General Muhammed Usman lauded the soldiers for their gallantry in rescuing the lady.

    The Army added: “The GOC said he is pleased that soldiers brought their training in disaster management to bear in such a critical situation that could have claimed the life of a fellow citizen.

    “Maj Gen Usman who said such an operation is a military operation other than war conducted during emergencies or natural disasters affirmed that troops have been trained to support leading agencies during emergencies.”

    The GOC assured residents of the Army’s resolve to protect lives and properties even during emergencies.

  • Soldiers reportedly storm Uwazuruike’s country home, arrest four

    Soldiers reportedly storm Uwazuruike’s country home, arrest four

    Leader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has alleged some soldiers stormed his Okwe country home in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State and ‘abducted’ four of his security guards.

    In a statement on Monday, Uwazuruike said the incident occurred on Sunday around 7:25pm.

    “Some Nigerian soldiers stormed my Okwe Country home and abducted four of my security details guarding the MASSOB Freedom House in Onuimo local government area of Imo state.

    “No provocation led to the abduction and no explanation was offered by the soldiers to his arrested security details,” Uwazuruike said in a statement by the Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha.

    Uwazuruike, who is also the founder of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) urged the Commander of 32 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, near Owerri to ensure the early release of his security men.

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    Uwazuruike, who demanded for their immediate release or hand over to any Police station nearest to them, identified those arrested as Comrades Enoch Chukwuemeka, Joseph Ekpeyong, Sunday Osulor and Goodluck Chukwuemeka.

    Contacted, the Army Public Relations Officer, Joseph Akubo, said soldiers don’t abduct but only arrest people who have questions to answer.

    However, he said that other sister agencies, Navy and Air Force wear the same Army uniform.

    According to him: “Soldiers don’t abduct people, soldiers dont just arrest people except those who have questions to answer. You should also know that Navy and Air Force wear the same uniform like that of the Army that wear but I will however verify and get back to you.”