The Nation Newspaper

Tag: troops

  • Troops arrest ‘abductors’ in Ondo forest

    Troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade at Owena Barracks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have conducted a five-day clearance operation at various flash points in Ajowa, Akunu, Ise, Auga, Isua and Ikakumo-Akoko forests.

    During the operation, suspected kidnappers’ camps were destroyed and some suspected abductors arrested.

    The suspects, who confessed to several kidnappings, have been handed over to appropriate security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

    The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Major Ojo Adenegan, urged the public to provide useful information that would assist in arresting other collaborators on the run.

    The brigade headquarters, according to Adenegan, could be reached for emergency through 09030002151 and 09030002161.

  • Troops arrest five suspected robbers

    •One killed

    Soldiers have arrested five robbery suspects at Felele, on Lokoja-Okene Highway.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu said in a statement the suspects were caught wearing military camouflage and robbing commuters.

    He said three of them, Saviour Dennis, 39, Isaac Donald, 35 and Joseph Isah, 35, were nabbed. Another, Atsen, was killed during an exchange of gunshots with the troops.

    Chukwu said two women accomplices, Janet Isah and Oyinoye Ochefije, were arrested during the encounter.

    He said the suspects were being interrogated and would be handed over to the appropriate authority for action.

    The spokesman listed items recovered from them as AK 47 rifle, AK 47 rifle magazine loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition and four pairs of military camouflage uniform.

    Others are a pair of police pullover, three pairs of berets, a pair of black boot, two machetes, plier and 22 phones.

    Chukwu said N16,980 was recovered from the suspects.

     

  • Troops neutralise 16 insurgents in Borno

    Troops at the weekend neutralised 16 Boko Haram terrorists during its clearance operation in Mairari, Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

    A statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said two gun trucks were also recovered.

    The statement reads: “Troops at the formation were alerted that insurgents in three vehicles, including gun trucks, had infiltrated the community.

    “The troops, supported by the Air Task Force, swiftly responded to the attack, killed 16 insurgents and captured two trucks loaded with guns, which was abandoned by the insurgents while trying to escape.

    “The troops also recovered 163 rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun Ammunition in the encounter.”

    Col. Nwachukwu added that four civilians and a soldier were injured and have been evacuated to a Military hospital for treatment.

    “The Forward Operation Base (FOB) has been reinforced with additional troops, while fighting patrols are on the trail of the fleeing insurgents.

    “Normalcy has been restored and the people are enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious person(s) or activities as they go about their normal business,” he added.

  • Troops kill 15 insurgents in Borno

    The Army yesterday said troops killed 15 Boko Haram terrorists in an encounter at Arege, Borno State.

    A statement by the spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said: “Troops of 7 Brigade, Sector 3 of Multinational Joint Task Force encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Arege, Borno State.

    “Fifteen terrorists were neutralised while some fled into the bush with injuries. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

    “Items recovered include one anti-aircraft gun; five AK-47 rifles; one light machine gun.

    “Unfortunately, one soldier was injured and is receiving attention at the military medical facility.”

    Troops also rescued a girl abandoned by Boko Haram terrorists who fled on sighting them, Gen. Chukwu added.

    According to him, the troops were on clearance operation. He added that three AK-47 riffle magazines, one FN rifle magazine; one suicide vest; one dry cell battery; one 36 hand grenade; two nine volt batteries; one pressure plate; wire for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and two grinding machines were recovered from them.

    The Army also arrested 10 people in Biliri and Shongom Local Government Areas of Gombe State after averting a clash over land.

    A statement yesterday by Gen. Chukwu said troops immediately mobilised to the troubled spots after receiving information on the crisis.

    According to him, those arrested were “believed to be the masterminds of trouble” that would have snowballed into a clash.

    He added that items recovered from them were one AK-47 rifle loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition and one G3 rifle, loaded with 21 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition; a double barrel gun; 10 locally-fabricated guns; 39 cartridges; three knives; four knock out bangers and one round of 9mm ammunition.

    Bottles of gun powder and assorted charms were also recovered from the suspects.

  • Troops kill eight Boko Haram terrorists

    •32 insurgents surrender

    The Army at the weekend said three Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised by troops during a joint operation in Borno State.

    A soldier was injured in the encounter and is being treated in a military hospital.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said: “On June 28, troops of 242 Battalion deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with troops of Operation Last Hold, encountered Boko Haram terrorists while on patrol at Mallam Kafari, Goni, Alkari, Burburna and Kantanna in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “Three terrorists were neutralised in the encounter and items recovered include two AK-47 rifles; 51 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition; four magazines and one 36 hand grenade.

    “However, one soldier was injured in the operation and is currently receiving medical attention.

    “The public is hereby reminded to always report suspicious activities to the nearest military formation or any security agent for prompt action.”

    Troops of 112 Taskforce Battalion deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday killed five suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Anadawa, Borno State.

    The operatives acted on a tip off.

    Thirty-two suspected insurgents also surrendered to the Army at different locations in Borno.

    According to the Army, an AK-47 rifle; a magazine; four rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and four Dane guns were recovered.

    Gen. Texas Chukwu said troops also repelled an attack on Bama.

    He said: “Unfortunately, two civilians died while three others sustained injuries. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from the terrorists during the encounter.”

    Gen. Chukwu said one the terrorists who surrendered, Ibrahim Lawal, handed over an AK-47 rifle with two magazines containing 59 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.

    “The repentant insurgents are currently undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authority thereafter,” he added.

  • Plateau youths demand for more troops

    More troops, more surveillance helicopters, more operational vehicles and other logistics support are needed in Plateau State to sustain the relative peace that has returned to the troubled state in the past few days, a youth group based in Plateau state pleaded with the Defence Headquarters.
    The group however lauded the Chef of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin for ordering the immediate deployment of Special Forces to Plateau State following the invasion of 11 villages in three local governments by yet to be identified militia men.
    Acting under the aegis of Association of Concerned Plateau  Indigenous  Youths  Group, it called on the military high command to do more in the areas of manpower release , more surveillance helicopters, operational vehicles and power bikes to the military task force known as Operation Safe Haven.
    In a statement, the group said its appeal to the DHQ was necessitated by the difficult terrain in Plateau State, especially the crisis prone areas where it noted troops of the military task force were finding it difficult to penetrate.
    According to the statement signed by the convener of the group, Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat and Secretary, Dr Pam Davou, the youth group warned political actors against politicizing the crisis in the state.
    It advised  them to avoid blame games and work together for a quick and peaceful resolution of the unfortunate development.
    The statement reads in part : “We  are particularly worried with the attitude of political players in the state who are making desperate attempts to politicize our current misfortune.
    “This unfortunate development has been demonstrated in the recent mixed crowds that stage protest at the government house, obviously to embarrass the government of Plateau state thus threatening our national security and mutual coexistence.
    “We are saddened and worried that in times of trouble such as this,  where  political players are expected to rally around authorities to find a lasting solution,  it is rather paradoxically nauseating for some people to seek negative political gains out of our common misfortune.
    “We are determined to note that,  politics is not practicable in the face of glaring insecurity,  hence it behooves on political players to ensure that peace remains the foundation of our state.
    “The state of Plateau belongs to all of us,  as opposed to the notion that it belongs to a particular individual,  government,  political party,  religion or group of persons.  It is in appreciation of this fact that we are assembled here to encourage and chastise accordingly going forward.
    “It is the considered view of the organization that,  we would not live any stone unturned to expose the roots of every known source or agent of destabilization on the Plateau.
    ” It is our resolve to keep plateau state one and united both now and in future,  and this,  we will do with every instrument at our disposal until peace and stability returns to our villages.”

  • Troops neutralise six insurgents in Borno

    •33 victims rescued

    Troops on clearance operations in Damboa and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno State have neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 33 persons. Those rescued are eight men, 12 women and 13 children.

    A statement by Army spokesman Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, said those rescued had been profiled and handed over to the appropriate authority.

    According to him, six AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 52 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, one 36 hand grenade and three locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered from the insurgents.

    Two magazines, 22 rounds of 7.62 mm (special), 26 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, three improvised rounds of ammunition, three pairs of military uniform and one solar panel were recovered in other locations.

  • Troops parade three Plateau massacre suspects

    The Special Military Task Force (STF), “Operation Save Haven”, yesterday paraded three suspects in connection with last weekend’s killings in Plateau  State that sparked a national outrage.

    The three men were captured at Gashish District Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    They were paraded in Jos alongside 14 others, who were arrested over the killings in which gunmen, described as herdsmen, massacred scores of people, mainly locals and farmers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 11 villages in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and its environs were attacked and property worth billions of naira were  destroyed.

    Parading the suspects, STF spokesman Maj. Umar Adams told reporters that they were clutching sophisticated riffles.

    Adams said that two of the suspects were Fulani herdsmen and one Berom– one of the minority ethnic groups in Plateau currently at odds with Fulani herdsmen over grazing rights.

    The deadly activities of the herdsmen have raised concerns over the future of agriculture in the North Central because of the penchant of the marauders to kill farmers.

    Analysts describe Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states, the hotbeds of the killings, as the food basket of Nigeria.

    Maj. Adams said the suspects were arrested in the course of the attacks.

    “We all know that some days back, some villages in Barkin Ladi were attacked and these three suspects were arrested in connection with that.

    “As our men were repelling the attacks in those areas, we arrested these suspects with four riffles, three locally made guns and one AK47.

    “The other 14 people were arrested in connection with civil unrest recently experienced in the state.”

    Maj. Adams said that the suspects were still being investigated and that more arrests would be made.

  • Troops arrest militia gang members

    The Army said yesterday that troops have arrested two suspected members of a militia gang that have been terrorising residents of Katsina-Ala in Benue State.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.- Gen. Texas Chukwu, said investigations showed that the suspects were members of a notorious gang led by Gana who is now at large.

    He said: “Troops of 72 and 93 Battalions have arrested two suspected members of a militia gang terrorising residents of Katsina-Ala in Benue State and its environs following a tip off.

    “Items recovered include a locally-made gun, one pistol; seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and mine rounds of 9mm ammunition.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that they belong to a notorious militia gang, led by one Mr Gana, who is now at large.

    Efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang, including their leader.”

  • Air Force Chief, Senators, others celebrate with troops

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Air Force, Senator Duro Faseyi and other top NAF officers marked the Eid-il-Fitr with the troops fighting against insurgents in the Northeast.

    A statement by NAF Public Relations and Information Director, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the visit was in line with the tradition already established by the present leadership.

    AVM Adesanya said the multipurpose hall built by the NAF leadership in honour of the late AVM Emmanuel Edem inaugurated by the Air Force Chief.

    The statement reads: “Senator Faseyi praised the CAS and the rest of the NAF leadership for their unflinching commitment, which had resulted in the repositioning of the NAF for better service delivery. He stated that the nation appreciates their daily sacrifices and urged them to remain committed in the interest of the nation.

    “In his remarks, the CAS said he had come with other senior NAF officers to appreciate their efforts towards ensuring that Nigerians are secured and are able to pursue their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.

    “He recollected his promise in the preceding year that the troops would no longer have to eat under the hot sun while collectively celebrating festive seasons. Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his delight that the promise had been fulfilled with the opening of the hall, which had created a more conducive environment for the troops to celebrate.”