The Nation Newspaper

Tag: troops

  • Troops arrest militia gang leader in Nasarawa

    The Nigerian Army said Tuesday that a militia camp has been destroyed during a raid at Ugya village in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State, while the spiritual leader of the gang has been arrested by troops.

    Its Director of public relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the operation was carried out by troops of the 177 Guards battalion.

    Gen Chukwu said: “Troops of 177 Guards Battalion   while on raid operation at Ugya village in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State destroyed some armed militia camp.

    “The Spiritual Head of the militia group, one Angulu Idaku was also arrested.

    “Items recovered include: Seven locally made guns, twelve cartridges, 200 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition and 76 rounds of 7.62MM NATO special ammunition.

    Others are; four knives, fifteen cutlasses, 6 mobile phones, One DSTV decoder set, and 4 solar panel sets.”

    He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the security agents.

    Read Also: Troops arrest culprits in Benue raid

  • Troops kill 10 bandits in Adamawa

    The Nigerian Army said on Friday that 10 armed bandits have been killed in Numan, Adamawa state by troops who were on clearance operations in the general area.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that one of the bandits was capture alive and he is currently being interrogated by the police.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu said: “Troops conducting clearance operation in Numan  general area of Adamawa State has neutralized 10 armed bandits following an encounter.

    “The ten bandits were neutralised during an operation which lasted for one hour.

    “Items recovered include:  18 motorcycles,   two Dane guns, one Sub Machine Gun,  one double barrel,  four cartridges,  thirteen rounds of 7.62mm ammunition NATO special, and  one cutlass.

    “Also, one of the bandits, Adamu Umar was captured during the operation.

    “Preliminary investigation is ongoing meanwhile, the suspect and the remains of the 10 bandits neutralized have been handed over to the Nigeria Police.

    “The general public is hereby advised once again to always report any suspicious activities to the law enforcement agents from prompt action”.

    Read Also: Troops rescue 1,000 Boko Haram hostages

  • Troops kill 10 bandits in Adamawa

    Troops in Adamawa have killed 10 armed bandits and captured one other in an hour encounter with them in the Numan general area of the state.

    According to a statement by Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations on Friday, the lone captured bandit and corpses of the neutralised ones had been handed over to the police.

    He named the captured suspect as Adamu Umar.

    Read Also: Troops arrest five ‘militias’, recover arms in Nasarawa

     Chukwu listed items recovered from them as 18 motorcycles, two dane guns, one sub machine gun, one double barrel, four cartridges, 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition NATO special and one cutlass.

    NAN

  • Buratai to troops: act decisively

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has urged troops deployed in operations across the country not to only display a show of force, but act decisively in crisis situations.

    Buratai, who spoke when he visited 73 Battalion, Janguza Barracks in Kano State, urged troops to bear in mind that their basic responsibility is the protection of citizens

    He said: “When there is a breach of security in your area of operation, if you remain aloof and indifferent, then you are not doing justice to your country to protect the citizens. This must be known to all of you, as well as all the officers.

    “Elections are around the corner and I expect you to remain apolitical, continue to perform your duties and apply the rules of engagement where you are deployed. I have been briefed on Operation Mensah and others, like Operation Sallama, which you conducted in some other states.

    “Your presence will deter people from crime but in the event of any, you must act according to the rules of engagement. You must act decisively in any case of arson or murder, or any attempt to harm any of your colleagues or civilians.

    “I want you to continue with the inter-agency and inter-service cooperation within your areas of operation to synergise and achieve a common goal of securing.”

     

  • Troops rescue 1,000 Boko Haram hostages

    The Army said yesterday that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have rescued over 1,000 Boko Haram hostages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said: “Troops of 22 Brigade deployed on Operation Lafiya Dole rescued over 1,000 hostages from the Boko Haram enclave.

    “The operation, which was conducted in conjunction with allies of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), rescued the hostages from Malamkari, Amchaka, Walasa and Gora villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The hostages consisted mainly of women, children and young men forced to become Boko Haram fighters. They are receiving treatment in military medical facility.

    “One of the rescued victims, Alhaji Gambo Gulumba, from Amchaka village, thanked the military for showing them love and care.

    “The Army wishes to remind the public of its resolve to root out Boko Haram and rescue all hostages.

    “The public is also advised to report any suspicious character to the appropriate authority for prompt action.”

  • Troops capture militia herdsman

    The Army said yesterday a militia herdsman was captured by troops in Adagu, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, identified the herdsman as Idi Gemu.

    The statement reads: “Troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion deployed in operation MESA, while on patrol to Adagu village in Guma Local council of Benue State, arrested a militia herdsman, Idi Gemu.

    “Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

    “Efforts are on to arrest other members of the group who fled the area following the superior fire power of the troops.

    “The public is once again reminded to report any suspicious activities to security agents.”

  • Troops arrest five ‘militias’, recover arms in Nasarawa

    Troops of 177 Guards Battalion have arrested five suspected militias at Ugyi, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu said the troops recovered arms during a raid.

    Chukwu said a Daihatsu Sport Utility Vehicle; seven motorcycles; six dane guns and locally-made revolver were recovered.

    Others are four 9mm rounds of ammunition and cartridge; 26 daggers and a list containing phone numbers, sword, 40 pieces of customised regalia; N1,205; and assorted charms.

    Chukwu added that preliminary investigation is on and the suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, has called for peace among farmers and herdsmen.

    Ogah spoke yesterday in Doma during a peace talk with CAN officials.

    According to him, peaceful co-existence among communities would boost food production.

    He said: “When farmers and herdsmen co-exist peacefully, the situation will enhance food security and socio-economic well being of the people and the economic development of the state.

    “Peace is priceless and non-negotiable, that is why I am suing for peace among my people, especially among farmers and herdsmen so that both of them will enjoy the fruits of their labour.

    “Peace is also a necessary requirement for the development of any society, hence the need for all of us to see ourselves as our brothers’ keeper in the interest of development.

    “More so, no society will develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.”

    The monarch, who lamented the crisis in some parts of the state, advised communities against retaliation.

    CAN Chairman Rev. Joseph Anzaku said the visit was aimed at partnering the Emirate Council to promote peace in the state.

    Anzaku advised communities affected by the mayhem against reprisal attacks, saying all religion preached peace and unity.

    He assured the monarch that he will continue to advocate peaceful co-existence among religious groups for sustainable development.

  • Troops arrest culprits in Benue raid

    A patrol team of 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi yesterday raided a suspected militia camp at Tomatar community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and arrested one suspected militia.

    Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, broke the news in a statement he signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

    Col. Musa said that the troops raided the camp at about 6am following a tip-off.

    According to him, during the operation, one militia was wounded, another neutralised and one arrested.

    The army spokesperson said the troop recovered two AK 47 rifles, 250 round of 7.62 mm ammunition and three machetes.

    He said that the arrested people were  being interrogated by the Military Police.

    Col. Musa warned members of the public, especially, communities on the fringes of Benue and Nasarawa states to be more vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the security outpost nearer to them.

     

  • Troops kill terrorists, rescue five hostages

    •Police foil suicide attack in Bama

    The Army said yesterday that troops neutralised some Boko Haram terrorists and rescued five hostages.

    A statement by the Army Director of Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said the troops also destroyed a bunker and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory belonging to the terrorists.

    The statement reads: “Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with the Air Force and Civilian Joint Task Force, while on clearance operation on April 22, destroyed another Boko Haram enclave at Buk in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “During the operation, some of the terrorists were neutralised while others fled the scene following the superior fire power of own troops.

    “Items recovered include a truck; one gun truck; three motorcycles and one tricycle. A bunker and an IED factory were destroyed.

    “Five aged women were rescued and two soldiers, who sustained injuries, are receiving treatment at the military facility.”

    The police in Borno State said it foiled a suicide attack in Bama, Bama Local Government Area.

    A statement yesterday by the spokesman, Edet Okon , said: “On Monday April 23, about 10 pm, three suicide bombers who attempted to infiltrate Bama through Ajilari area were sighted and challenged by security operatives at a guard location.

    “The bombers hurriedly detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), killing themselves only.”

    Okon added that the Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team has sanitised the area, with normalcy restored.

    According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, urged the people to go about their lawful activities without fear.

  • Troops kill four herdsmen in Benue

    The Nigerian Army Tuesday said troops of the 72 Special Forces Battalion have killed four militia herdsmen in Benue state following an encounter with the militia herdsmen.

    The Director of Army Public relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chuchu, said in a statement that some of the militia herdsmen fled as a result of the superior fire power of the troops.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu said: “Troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion on 16 April 18 on Operation MESA at Yogbo in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state encountered about 20 militia herdsmen at Teguma village while on patrol.

    “Four of the militia herdsmen were neutralized during the encounter while others fled following superior gun power.

    “Items recovered include four AK 47 rifles, five 7.62mm rounds of ammunition and 28 rounds of 7.62 police special ammunition.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to restate its commitment and determination to rid the country of criminals and enemies of state”.

    Read Also: Troops rescue 149 persons, kill 3 Boko Haram insurgents