The Nation Newspaper

Tag: troops

  • Troops rescue 85 hostages near Lake Chad

    Troops of 7 Division of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Brig-General Victor Ezugwu, have rescued 85 Boko Haram hostages, mostly women and children, in Chukungudu, on the fringe of Lake Chad.

    The troops neutralised five insurgents in an encounter where several terrorists ran into the Lake Chad waters.

    Four rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, double-barrel gun, 349 packets containing ammunition, three magazines, link belt of machine gun ammunition and AK-47 rifle were recovered.

    An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory was found at Geram, with several already-primed suicide vests.

    A well-equipped vehicle and motorcycle workshop as well as spare parts warehouse were discovered at Chukungudu, with three vehicles and motorcycles found.

    A soldier died during the encounter.

    Acting Army Director of Public Relations Col. Sani Usman said in line with the Rules of Engagement, the IED factory, vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed.

  • Troop rescues 85 hostages near Lake Chad

    Troop rescues 85 hostages near Lake Chad

    At least 85 Boko Haram hostages mostly women and children have been rescued in Chukungudu on the fringe of Lake Chad by troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, led by the General Officer Commanding of the Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

    Chukungudu on the southern fringes of Lake Chad Region in the northern part of Borno state is a strategic hub town from where Boko Haram conducts it’s strategic operations. However the maneuvering Brigade led by 3 Battalion of 22 Brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu.

    The  troops neutralized five Boko Haram terrorists fighters in a fierce encounter that made several of the terrorists running into the Lake Chad waters.

    The troops recovered 4 rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, 1 Double Barrel Gun, 349 packets containing various rounds of ammunitions, 3 Magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and 1 AK-47 rifle magazine.

    During the clearance operations, the troops made spectacular discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Geram. In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests. They also discovered a well equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts warehouse at Chukungudu village.

    The troops recovered 3 vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles. ‎However, a soldier died during the encounter.

  • 5 terrorists, 1 soldier die in failed suicide attack in Borno

    Troops have foiled two suicide bomb attempts targeted at a military location in Yamtakei in Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno on Thursday and killed five terrorists involved in the attempts.

    One soldier also died in the failed attempts.

    According to a statement by the army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, issued in Abuja on Friday, at about 9.45 p.m. a suspected female suicide bomber attempted to enter the military location in Yamtake, but a vigilant sentry on duty gunned her down and she died instantly.

    Usman explained that the failed attack was followed up with another attempt by terrorists, but “was decisively dealt with by troops”.

    “The troops killed all the four attackers, including two suicide bombers and recovered two AK-47, three magazines, 109 rounds of 7.62mm (Special), one torchlight, one water bottle, three magazine carriers, one illuminator pyrotecnic  and some quantity of drugs.

    “Unfortunately, we lost a soldier in the process,” Usman said. (NAN)

  • Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    Troops of 8 Task Force Division, Nigerian Army, on Thursday intercepted a group of suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly on a mission to loot logistics supplies in surrounding villages.

    Col. Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations Department, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri.

    He said that the troops were patrolling the Monguno-Brimari road when the incident occurred.

    “On sighting the patrol, the insurgents engaged the troops in a shootout that lasted for about fifteen minutes before they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the patrol.

    “In the encounter, 2 insurgents were neutralised and their weapons including one FN rifle loaded with a magazine of 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK 47 rifle with 3 magazines were captured.

    “Also recovered from the insurgents were 2 motorcycles, drugs, wrappers and clothes,” the statement said. 

  • Troops to bomb militants in Ogun, Lagos creeks

    •Recovers over 53,000 jerrycans from Ishawo creek

    Plans are underway by the Nigerian military to launch a major offensive against militants at Ijedodo, Warewa and other new enclaves.

    It was gathered that the miscreants who were in July dislodged from Ishawo, Elepete and Arepo creeks relocated to those new enclaves from where they kidnap and rob residents of Lagos and Ogun states.

    As the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would soon resume pumping of petroleum product from Atlas Cove to Mosimi, Chairman, Operation AWATSE, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, said nothing would be left to chance.

    During an on-the-spot assessment of the jerrycans evacuation exercise being coordinated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) at Ishawo creek, Bobai said the military would also embark on  aggressive patrols of the waterways.

    Aside the planned operation, Bobai said the swam buggies were also opening up the waters around Festac for easy access of the small boats newly acquired by the Chief of the Naval Staff  (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.

    He said: “As of Friday evening, we had on record 53,000 of 50 litres jerrycan from creeks around Ishawo. That was made possible by the grace of the governor, who provided swam buggies to clear the creeks

    to enable LASEMA pull out these jerrycans.

    “As you saw when we got here, there were about three or four waves of jerrycans coming in under the protection of army, navy and other security forces. There are a lot of jerrycans all over the place.”

    On new militants’ hideout in the state, Bobai said the military was aware and ready to take them on.

    “We are aware that the militants are returning and we are ready to take them on. Very soon, petroleum products would be pumped from Atlas

    Cove to Mosimi. That would pose new challenge for us because when we

    embarked on this operation at that time, petroleum products were not

    being pumped and some of them who were out of business started kidnapping.

    “We are going to come in massively to ensure these miscreants are kept at bay. We are making progress to dislodge the miscreants from Ijedodo. We have sought permission from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to deploy the might we used to clear Ishawo and Elepete at Ijedodo and we are awaiting his response.

    “Once he gives the go ahead, an offensive would be launched in that area to keep the miscreants away.

    “We are aware some of the gas stations patronise these vandals and we have recommended to the government that the appropriate agency should deal with those filling stations. You can see the lineup of jerrycans here. If you begin to talk about 53,000 50 litre kegs by 50 by 145 by 20 years they have been thriving in the business, that’s a lot of money. So, we have done our own and would continue to do our best.

    “As a military officer, I was instructed by the CDS, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, to remove the shanties and dislodge the miscreants, which we have done and handed over to LASEMA.

    “Honestly, LASEMA has not seen sleep in the last two months. With the swam buggies provided by the governor, they have been working here day and night to mop up the jerrycans and other items left here by the vandals. We are just supporting LASEMA to ensure that they clean up the area.”

    On what the government would do with the jerrycans, LASEMA’s General Manager, Adeniyi Tiamiyu, said they would be sold to recycling companies.

    He supported the residents’ call for a link bridge and active maritime environment, noting that it would be impossible for criminals to hide in the swarms if the waterways were accessible.

    He said: “We would dispose the jerrycans for recycling. It would be dangerous and unethical to burn them around here. So, we have been given the mandate to take them out of here, which is what we would do.

    We would sell them to recycling companies.

    “Our concern is to bring out all remnant of their equipment inside thecreeks. I have gone into the creeks for three hours and I have observed that there are quite a lot of jerrycans still inside the place, all stringed together. Our job is to ensure the job we have been given is done.

    “We do not have the capacity of the terrain to do it, so we engaged the locals. Quite a lot of them are inside the creeks and everyday they bring out kegs and we puncture them.

    “As a government, we would ensure the vandals don’t return. I am sure the military won’t leave here until they are sure the vandals won’t return. We must commend the Nigerian military for doing a great job here.

    “We spoke to some of the community members and they attested that they were under siege before. That they saw young boys carrying guns but couldn’t do anything. Some of the residents were killed, others maimed. So, to them, it’s a big relief the military came in.

    “Another important thing I must tell you is that the whole place is ruined. There are a lot of security check points here too. The bombardment was done without a single member of the community dying.

    It was done with military precision.

    “The community has requested for a link bridge between here and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, they have also requested that the state should open up the waterways for marine activities. I am sure if it is opened up, it would be difficult for anyone to stay here and carryout nefarious activity. So, our plan is that at the end of the exercise, we would do a report to government, state our observation and make recommendations.”

  • Troops stop ex-militants from blocking East-West Road

    Troops stop ex-militants from blocking East-West Road

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), yesterday foiled attempts by hundreds of former militants to block the East-West Road to protest their unpaid amnesty stipends.

    It was learnt that the ex-militants started gathering at the Mbiama axis of the busy road at 6.30 a.m in preparation for the demonstration.

    The plan by the former agitators, it was learnt, was to seize the road, create traffic gridlock and hold travellers to ransom for hours to mount pressure on the Federal Government to pay them.

    But the troops, who got wind of the plan, took strategic positions in the bushes around the area before the protesters arrived.

    “Immediately we blocked the road and started mobilising for the protest, we saw the soldiers emerging from different parts of the bush with horse whips and started flogging us. We were jolted because they took us by surprise. We had to run for our lives,” one of the ex-militants, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter.

    “Some of the soldiers were shooting in the air. Some of us were injured while we were running for our lives. We don’t know how they did it but they thwarted our plans,” he said.

    It was also learnt that two additional military patrol vans stormed the scene to disperse the ex-militants.

    A former militant Elliot Seimiebo said the soldiers dispersed the peaceful protest, which aimed at drawing the attention of the authorities the neglect of their welfare.

    He said: “We have renounced violence and remained peaceful in all our approaches. Our intention was to draw attention to the non-payment of our stipends for four months.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram militants in Maiduguri

    Troops on Thursday arrested several suspected Boko Haram militants in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the arrested persons had been handed over to  the military investigation committee for further action.

    He added that 18 cows recovered from the insurgents had been handed over to the cattle market committee for screening, identification and subsequent return to their rightful owners.

    Usman said while some of the suspected terrorists were arrested at cattle market, others were apprehended at check points.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those arrested are – Abur Modu Magaji, Ibrahim Chari, Bulama Magaji, Nde Ngude, Mustafa Fannami, Abubakakar Modu, Mohammed Merai and Abur Mustafa.

    Others are – Bakura Agwala, Jatau Yaga, Umar Modu, Abacha Umar and Umar Babagana.

  • JTF foils kidnap attempt, arrests five militant suspects

    JTF foils kidnap attempt, arrests five militant suspects

    Troops of the Joint Military Force (JTF) deployed to the Niger Delta Operation Delta Safe, have foiled a kidnap attempt, freed two victims and arrested five suspected militants in multiple operations, according to a statement.

    The statement, signed by Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Otuji, Deputy Spokesman, JTF, issued on Friday in Yenagoa, stated that five suspected militants were arrested in the operations by several components of the force in the past 10 days.

    Otuji attributed the successes recorded to distress calls from members of the public.

    ‘’Several illegal refineries were also destroyed during the operations. Troops immediately swung into action and rescued the victims.

    “One Mrs Vanessa Ilepi and Mrs Tega Okoro were kidnapped at gunpoint at Amukpe community in Warri.

    “Effort is ongoing to apprehend the suspected kidnappers who escaped.

    ‘’A locally made single barrel gun was recovered from the arrested suspected kidnapper,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1, Operation DELTA SAFE, have also raided and destroyed illegal refinery sites at Opumami and Okogho creeks in Warri, Otuji stated.

    The spokesman stated that the operators of the illegal refinery abandoned the sites and fled on sighting the patrol boats.

    He said that JTF members found and destroyed 16 cooking pots, two Cotonou boats filled with crude oil and four wooden shelters at the sites.

    ‘’Also one carton of 70 mm ammunition, three pumping machines, two deep freezers, one generator and a 55 Horse-power speed boat were found and destroyed at the site.’’

    According to him, troops on Oct. 4, also discovered and destroyed illegal bunkering sites along Bille creek, Bonny Local Government Area in River during a routine patrol.

    He said that special boat services had been deployed to degrade and fish out elements of Bakassi Strike Force militants tormenting innocent citizens at Bakassi and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas in Cross River.

    “Meanwhile, troops of Sector 4 of Operation DELTA SAFE, while on patrol, apprehended two suspected militants who stole two high-powered boats with outboard engines from boat operators.

    “They were about selling the engines at Aqua Beach when our troops arrested the suspects and handed them to the Nigeria Police for further action.’’

    He further said that the troops had launched an operation at a hideout in Okon Mkpa Community of Efut Esighi, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River.

    Otuji said that the operation was prompted by a tip-off indicating the presence of some militants in the area.

    “Troops, in company of the special boat services, immediately raided the criminals’ hideouts and apprehended three suspected militants.

    “The following items were recovered at the scene: a Toyota Camry vehicle belonging to one of the suspected militants, sentry duty rosters and 73 wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

    ‘’A book containing over 30 names of suspected militants’ nominal roll for the scheduled payment of allowances was also found in the car.

    “Preliminary investigation to ascertain the names in the book has commenced,’’ he said.

  • Troops avert suicide attack on Maiduguri

    Troops avert suicide attack on Maiduguri

    Troops of Operation LAFIA DOLE Friday intercepted a suicide bomber attempting to enter Maiduguri and unleash havoc in an unidentified location.

    According a statement issued by the Army Spokesman Col. Sani Usman, the male suicide bomber came in from Alidawari Village from the Polo general area about 4km on the outskirts of Maiduguri but was sighted and gunned down by some eagle eyed security operatives after he resisted attempts to be stopped and checked by vigilante.

    The statement reads in part: “Today at about 6.30am, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE intercepted and neutralized a male suicide bomber at the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “The terrorist  who attempted to infiltrate through the troops forward defences at Jidari Polo general area, came in through Alidawari village  about 4 kilometres ahead of Jidari strapped with heavy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest.

    “The vigilant troops on sighting him laid in wait for the intruder when vehemently refused to stop despite several warnings and challenges. A marksman neutralized the suicide bomber.

    “The combined team of Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) safely detonated the IED laden vest on the suicide bomber,” the statement reads.

    The Nation reports that Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful without any incident of an attack from the Boko Haram insurgents since the ambush of the UN convoy by the insurgents along Bama road and the last ambush which claimed the lives of an officer and some soldiers.

  • Troops foil another suicide attack 

    Troops stationed at Jidari Polo General Area on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State yesterday foiled another suicide attack by neutralising a male suicide bomber.

    Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman said the unidentified man, who attempted to infiltrate the troops at 6.30am, came in through Alidawari village, about four kilometres of Jidari, strapped with an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest.

    “The vigilant troops, on sighting the intruder, laid in wait for him when he vehemently refused to stop despite several warnings and challenges. A marksman neutralised him.

    “A combined team of the Army and Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) safely detonated the IED-laden vest on the would-be suicide bomber,” Usman said.