Tag: troops

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its troops deployed at Durbunde in the Takai local government area of Kano state have arrested a 35-year-old high-profile kidnapper, Isah Abdul.

It said Abdul was arrested at about 6:30 pm on February 19, after a well-coordinated operation.

NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, February 20.

Gabkwet said Abdul was arrested “following credible intelligence on the hideout of the notorious kidnapper and his boys who were responsible for several kidnapping incidents in the area.”

According to him, the preliminary investigation had since revealed that Abdul and his gang were responsible for the abduction of one Yakubu Ibrahim Tagaho, popularly known as “Sarkin Noman Gaya,” on April 6, from his residence in Tagaho Village in Takai Local Government Area.

He said Tagaho was, however, released a month later after a ransom of three million was paid to the kidnappers.

Read Also: Troops neutralise 254 terrorists, apprehend 368 others in one week

Gabkwet said: “In December 2023, the same criminal abducted two sisters and three others in the same village and released them after collecting a huge ransom.

“He is also responsible for several other kidnapping activities as he has strong ties to other known kidnapping gangs like the Danbul Fulaku gang that also operates in the Takai local government area.”

The NAF’s spokesperson said that Abdul is at present undergoing investigation in the custody of the NAF personnel, and would soon be handed over to “appropriate authorities for further proceedings.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops have in the last one week eliminated no fewer than 254 terrorists and apprehended 368 others in different theatres of operation across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while giving update on the operations of the armed forces, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations had prevented terrorist elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.

According to him, the armed forces will continue to degrade the ability of the criminals to carry out small scale attacks which are intended to create panic in localities across operational theatres in the country.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 254 and arrested 264 of them including 104 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 73 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops also recovered 378 assorted weapons and 4,705 assorted ammunition comorising 131 AK47 rifles, two FN rifles, two G3 rifle, three SMGs, 69 locally fabricated guns and 57 pump action guns.

“They also include seven pistols, 14 locally fabricated pistols, five revolver rifles, four revolver pistols, 45 dane guns, four locally made single barrel, and two hand grenades, seven RPG Launchers, one RPG bomb, one locally made double barrel gun, 17 dane gun double barrel and IEDs.

“Others are: 2,444 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,712 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 80 rounds of 9mm ammo, 61 rounds of 5.45 x 39mm ammo, 6 rounds of 0.44 inch ammo, 415 live cartridges, 10 empty cases of cartridges, 11 magazines, 18 vehicles, 40 motorcycles, 74 mobile phones, four baofeng radios and the sum of N748,430 amongst other items,” he said.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 63 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, arrested 13 and recovered 47 AK47 rifles, among large cache of arms and ammunition.

Read Also: Troops uncover rifle factory, recover firearms, ammunition

He added that a total of 81 terrorists fighters and their family members comprising 28 adult males, 78 adult female and 147 children surrendered to troops in Bama and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno during the week.

In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eliminated 35 insurgents, arrested 72 others and rescued five kidnapped hostage across Benue, Plateau and Taraba States within the week.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 128 insurgents, arrested 27 and rescued 65 kidnapped hostages in different encounters in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States.

He said the troops also recovered 124 AK47 rifles, 30 locally fabricated guns, six pump action guns, 1,233 rounds of 7.62mm special, 986 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 54 rounds of 9mm ammo, 99 live cartridges amongst other items.

Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 42 suspected illegal miners and insurgents from a mining site in Kwali Area Council of FCT Abuja during the week.

He said the troops also neutralised 14 insurgents and arrested 54 others in parts of Kaduna State and the FCT.

In the Niger Delta area, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 67 illegal refining sites with 131 dugout pits, 70 boats, 125 storage tanks and 12 vehicles.

“Other items recovered include 43 cooking ovens, 12 pump machines, six speed boats and one outboard engine.

“Troops also recovered 3.28 million litres of stolen crude oil, 224,050 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,925 litres of DPK,” he said.

In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA, neutralised 28 insurgents, arrested two violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage as well as recovered arms and ammunition.

In the South West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE, successfully conducted cordon and search operation and apprehended nine suspected terrorists and rescued four kidnapped hostages in Badagry and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State.

(NAN)

The Defence Headquarters says troops on operations across the country have killed 185 terrorists and arrested 212 others in the past week.

It said that troops also arrested 44 oil thieves and rescued 71 kidnapped hostages.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this in a statement on Friday, February 2.

He said troops recovered 815,980 litres of stolen crude oil, 163,675 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 1,750 litres of kerosene.

Read Also: Troops arrest bandit’s kingpin, neutralised 10 others in N/West

According to the defence spokesperson, roops in the Niger Delta region also discovered and destroyed 12 dugout pits, 61 boats, 56 storage tanks, and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered included 78 cooking ovens, four pump machines, and 51 illegal refining sites.

He said: “Furthermore, troops recovered 224 assorted weapons and 2,337 assorted ammunition, comprising 113 AK47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT gun, 44 locally fabricated guns, 4 pump action guns, two pistols, two locally fabricated pistols, one berretta pistol, 25 Dane guns, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, one locally fabricated revolver gun and 7 IEDs primed.

“Others are 1,382 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 387 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 74 rounds of 9mm ammo, 23 K2 rounds ammo, 111 live cartridges, 5,410 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 6 empty cases of cartridges, 2 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 magazines, one pistol magazine, 2 bandoliers, 2 vehicles, 22 motorcycles, 47 mobile phones, 11 HH radios and the sum of N2,369,670. 00 amongst other items.”

The Nigerian Army said its troops have neutralised 10 terrorists and arrested a bandit’s kingpin in clearance operations at bandits’ enclaves in the North-West region.

The troops also apprehended arms smugglers and recovered ammunition during the raids in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina States.

Capt. Yagata Ibrahim, the Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji, said this in a statement on Saturday in Gusau.

Ibrahim said the troops recorded tremendous successes in coordinated dry season clearance operations in the affected states.

“In a recent clearance operation conducted on Jan. 26, the troops cleared and destroyed terrorists’ enclaves at Pada, Matso-Matso and Yurlumu villages in Batsari Local  Government Area of Katsina State.

“During the operation, seven terrorists were neutralised while others escaped with severe gunshot wounds.

“In the same day, OPHD troops in Zamfara on fighting patrol neutralised two terrorists at Getso and Ubaka villages under Maru LGA.

“The troops recovered one AK47 Fifle, one magazine and 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles,” he said.

The spokesman said the troops also responded to intelligence report on sighting terrorists movement along Sheme – Dandume road in Katsina State. The troops engaged the terrorists, killed one and forced them to flee.

Meanwhile, the troops arrested one Usman Abubakar also called (Harinde), a notorious bandits’ leader in Zamfara.

Read Also: Troops storm ESN/IPOB camps recover arms, bodies in Imo

The army spokesman said the troops arrested the suspect on Jan. 26, following an intelligence report.

“Abubakar, 35, has been terrorising Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs, and other villages in Sokoto state.

“The troops also acted on credible intelligence on a group of notorious gunrunners with intentions to smuggle weapons in to the state which led to the arrest of three suspects in Shinkafi.

“The sum of N2.5 million, one Volkswagen wagon car, three mobile phones were recovered from the suspects”.

He said that a combined troops and personnel of Department of State Security Service (DSS), arrested a terrorists’ collaborator, one Ibrahim Atiku at Amawara village in Danmusa LGA of Katsina state.

According to him, all suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before handing over to the appropriate security agencies for further actions.

(NAN)

The troops of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, Friday night engaged in a fierce battle with bandits in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba, and recoverd some weapons in the process.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Jalingo by Lt. Olabodunde Oni, Public Relations Officer of the brigade.

It stated that the attack occurred following the sound of gunshots near a disputed land along Tsukundi Road.

“Upon receiving the information, the troops of 93 Battalion, under 6 Brigade, swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“They discovered two individuals dead, presumably shot by unknown persons. Additionally, one person sustained a gunshot wound and was immediately given medical attention by the soldiers.

“In a display of bravery and professionalism, the gallant troops combed the surrounding bushes near the incident area.

Read Also: Troops storm ESN/IPOB camps recover arms, bodies in Imo

“And upon encountering the armed groups, the troops effectively deployed their superior firepower, compelling the militias to abandon their positions and flee“, he said.

He said the troops exploited the area and recovered a cache of weapons.

“They include 2 AK 47 Rifles with 36 Rounds of 7.62 MM Special ammunition, 10 empty cases of 7.62 MM, 1 Double Barrel Rifle and 1 Single Barrel Rifle with 14 live cartridges,” he stated.

He also said the encounter served as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the military in maintaining peace and security in the state.  

(NAN)

Troops of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes rescued four hostages abducted by bandits in Sabon Birni village in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi on Monday.

Malam Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser to Gov. Nasir Idris on Media and Publicity, stated in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the three- male and one-female hostage were rescued in good condition had been reunited with their families.

Troops of 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, in conjunction with vigilantes raided  Sabon Birni village in Shanga LGA of Kebbi State, on Monday.

Read Also: Troops rescue kidnapped victims in Benue community

“The team dislodged and neutralised some bandits as well as destroyed their camp.

“Items recovered include; three AK-47 rifles mounted with magazines, three extra magazines, 142 rounds of ammunition and pairs of military uniform, among other items.

“The gallant troops rescued four kidnapped victims named Alhaji Hakimi Rumbu and Amina Dikko of Sangara village in Shanga LGA and Alhaji Abdullahi, and Bello Abdullahi of Tungan Namuna in Koko/Besse LGA,” he said.

Sarki commended the gallant troops and reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to supporting security agencies in the state.

(NAN)