The Nation Newspaper

Tag: troops

  • Troops kill seven in gun battle with Niger Delta militants

    • Destroy camps, recover weapons
    • Arrest two suspected vandals

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), yesterday, killed seven militants during a gun battle in the creeks of Cross River State.

    It was gathered that the ODS troops of Sector 4 encountered the militants, identified as members of the notorious Bakassi Strike Force (BSF), when they raided their hideouts at Ekpere Effiong creeks, in Akpabuyo area of the state.

    The militants, who were dressed in military camouflage with charms and amulets, reportedly engaged the troops in a gun battle that lasted for about two hours.

    On September 24, the militant group attacked a military location in Efut Isighi waterfront in Southern Cross River and reportedly killed two soldiers.

    Confirming the development, the Deputy Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Thomas Otuji, said troops deployed in Efut Isighi encountered the militants again on September 30.

    He said: “Troops of Sector 4 Operation DELTA SAFE deployed at Efut Isighi at about 1:00am on 30 September 2016 engaged the Bakassi Strike Force in gun battle that lasted for more than 2 hours.

    “The militants, who were in military camouflage uniforms and carrying charms and amulets, were spotted at Ekpere Effiong creek in Akpabuyo during a special operation by own troops.

    “The operation led to the killing of seven members of Bakassi Strike force militants and recovering of several arms and ammunition.

    “Items recovered include, Grenade Launcher, 7.62mm NATO belted GPMG ammunition and non disintegrating MG links.

    “It should be noted that this latest reprisal attack on own troop position was sequel to ongoing operations and destruction of several militant camps, vehicles, power bike and other household items”.

    Otuji, the operation that led to the killing of the militants was in line with the mandate of ODS to protect oil and gas infrastructure, prevent and deter militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the Niger Delta region.

    In another development, he said the Sector 1 of ODS foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to breach  a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

    He identified the oil installation as the OML 30, a 16-inch trans-Forcado pipeline running from Ughelli pumping station to Focados terminal at Agbowhiame, community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

    He said two suspected vandals, Thomas Okoro and Maselk Boyi, were arrested for further investigations.

    He said: “On interrogation, eight other suspects mentioned by the two arrested suspects are being trailed.

    “Several items including; gas cylinder tubes with accessories, hacksaw, pipe wrench and personal effects were recovered at the scene.

    “Operation Delta Safe wishes to assure the general public of its determination to degrade and flush out criminal elements in our communities.

    “Members of the public are therefore requested to provide timely information to Operation Delta Safe detachments and other security agencies in order to apprehend these criminals from the hideouts.”

  • Troops battle terrorists in Borno

    Troops battle terrorists in Borno

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have captured Mallam Fatori in northern most part of Borno after a fierce battle closely covered by air operations.

    According to a statement signed by Col. Sani Usman, the acting Director, Army Public Relations and issued on Wednesday, the town was captured under “Operation Gama Aiki” of the Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Usman said that the troops killed several of the Boko Haram terrorists in the resulting encounter, who subsequently withdrew “to a vantage position”.

    ‪”However, the terrorists reinforced around the border with Niger Republic.

    ‪”This was while the troops were consolidating on this success.

    ‪”The Operation is continuing,” the army spokesman said.

  • Troops kill bandits in Kaduna

    Troops kill bandits in Kaduna

    Troops of 1 Division  on Sunday arrested a cattle rustler, Isak Fulani, at Marrrabar Jos, Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State.

    Leader of a livestock and banditry gang, Guruguru Magaji, was also killed at Tashar Nakau, Ikara council, and a revolver pistol and six-locally fabricated 9mm rounds of ammunition were recovered from him.

    Army spokesman Sani Usman said the operation was aimed at dealing with livestock rustling, banditry and other forms of crimes.

    Usman added that troops at Anchau, Kubau Local Government also arrested two persons – Hamza Hare and Sani Abdul-Aziz, for parading as members of a non-existent vigilance group, and extorting money from unsuspecting people.

    According to him, Hare and Abdul-Aziz also posed as liaison officers to security officers, and duping people.

    He added that troops also arrested a notorious bandit, Mohammed, also known as “Abedariwa”, who terrorised the people on the Kaduna/Katsina link road, through Birnin Gwari-Funtua.

    “The troops in Zamfara State are also doing well; they raided two bandits’ camp and recovered 209 cows, 1,062 goats and sheep at Dumburum forest general area in Zurmi Local Government,” Usman said.

  • Troops arrest suspected soldiers’ killers in Bayelsa

    Troops arrest suspected soldiers’ killers in Bayelsa

    The military has arrested three of the militants who killed four soldiers at a checkpoint in Nembe, Bayelsa State, 16 days ago.

    Others were said to have been killed when operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) stormed the militants’ hideout at Saraba creek, near Okiama community, Okigbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    The military gunboat and cache of arms and ammunition, including weapons carted away by the militants on August 8, were recovered.

    ODS Commander Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie yesterday paraded the suspects and the recovered items at the ODS’ Headquarters in Igbogene.

    He said the militants’ hideout was located on August 13, stating that several items including military materials were recovered from there. Following the discoveries, he said, the troops relaunched another operation on August 22 at about 2pm.

    Some of the militants, Okojie said, were believed to have been killed during a shootout with the troops, but three of them were arrested.

    The Commander said: “On Monday 8 August 2016, at about 0930hours, a group suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers disguised as people going for a burial party, ambushed and killed four of our soldiers at their duty post in Nembe.

    “They absconded with a gunboat and some ammunition. Since then, our troops stepped up operations in the areas hitherto inhabited by these bandits. Consequently, on 13 August 2016, our troops located and raided their hideout in a camp at Saraba creek near Okiama community in Okigbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    “Several items including military accoutrements were recovered from them. In pursuit of these discoveries, a coordinated patrol was further launched.

    “On Monday 22 August 2016, troops at about 1400 hours (2pm) located and engaged these criminals in a shootout in which some of them were believed to have been killed, three suspects arrested and large quantities of arms, ammunition and the gunboat that was taken from Nembe on 8 August 2016 recovered”.

    He said during mop-up operation on the militants’ camp, weapons and some military items were recovered.

    The recovered weapons and items are 9 x AK 47 rifles, 1 x FN rifle, 4 x HK 21 MGs, 1 x G3 MG, 3 x GPMGs, 20 x AK 47 magazines, 2 x G3 magazines and1 x FN magazine, 1 x container of gun powder, 1 x Epenal  gun boat, 1,145 rounds x 7.62mm metal link, 2,485 rounds x 7.62mm ball cartons! 370 rounds x 7.62mm special ammunition and1,356 rounds x 7.62mm NATO.

    Okojie said: “The Joint Task Force conducted this operation professionally and avoided collateral damage. We shall continue to sustain this approach which is in line with global best practices.

    “No criminal would go free, wherever they are, be rest assured we will get them and ensure they face justice. Let me re-affirm the commitment of the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE of its resolve to ensure peace and economic stability in the region.

    “Fortunately there are windows of opportunity provided by the Federal Government for amicable resolution of grievances by any aggrieved groups. Rather than engage in heinous crimes or self help, they should seize the opportunity and embrace peace or face the full wrath of the law.

    “In the same vein, those misguided elements that bear the unachievable and unfortunate message of disunity through declaration of imaginary independence must have a rethink.”

     

    The Joint Task Force believes these unscrupulous elements have ample time and opportunities to channel their grievances properly”.

    The Commander praised his troops for their gallantry during the operation and asked law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses.

    ODS, Okojie said, was set up by the Federal Government to ensure that Niger Delta is safe for economic prosperity and peace to thrive.

    A Nembe chief Wilfred Ogbotobo, yesterday hailed the gallantry, professionalism and competence displayed by the military in arresting “the demoniacs who attacked and killed troops in Nembe”.

    He said: “This spectacular feat is an indisputable evidence of the capability and  preparedness of the Armed Forces to call the bluffs and, deal decisively with the brazen, nonsensical criminality thriving mainly in Ijaw parts of the Niger Delta.

    “It is hoped that the Federal Government would now fully appreciate the urgency for a massive deployment of maximum force to confront the murderous madness peddled by the Ijaws. This is a precondition for any form of meaningful and lasting  establishment of law and order, peace and security in the Niger Delta”.

     

  • 88 persons rescued as troops kill three insurgents in Borno

    88 persons rescued as troops kill three insurgents in Borno

    Troops on clearance operations in the Northeast have rescued 88 people in Bama Local Government of Borno State. Three insurgents were killed in the encounter.

    A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said of the number, 28, comprising two men, nine women and 17 children, claimed they escaped from Bula Musa village.

    “They have been taken to Bama for screening, profiling and possible handover to emergency management and humanitarian agencies,” Usman said.

    He added that another 23, comprising a man, five women and 17 children, were intercepted by troops deployed in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Bama. This was after they escaped from terrorists in Bula Musa general area on Sunday.

    “In Dikwa, the troops also recorded an influx of 37 IDPs, comprising two men, 12 women and 22 children, from Gulumba Gana village, which is about 45km astride Gulumba-Kumshe Road axis in Bama.

    “They were screened by the troops and the Civilian JTF, who later handed them over to the Dikwa IDPs camp management for further registration and rehabilitation,” Usman said.

    The spokesman further hinted that those deployed in the Nigeria-Cameroon border, in conjunction with the Civilian JTF, arrested two escaping insurgents, Mohammed Mundilga and Ahmed Ali.

    “On preliminary investigation, the terrorists, who hail from Gamboru Ngala council, confessed to be Boko Haram fighters. They said they sneaked into Gamboru from Abbaganaram village in Marte council because they were tired of staying in the bush.

    “They tried to disguise as IDPs but were found out. They have been handed over to the Joint Investigation Centre for further interrogation,” he said.

    Usman added that the troops also carried out clearance operation at Wadama, Izakah, Gelemari and Kalizaram villages.

    He said following tips that terrorists were extorting residents of Zankari, troops stationed in Monguno responded and killed two of them, while one sustained injuries.

    One AK-45 rifle and three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

    Usman said the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) team, led by Adam Zanna Karamma, visited the IDPs camp in Bama.

    He said the team registered IDPs below 17 years to get non-food items, as well as skill acquisition and construction of temporary shelter.

  • Troops kill 16 insurgents in Borno attack

    Troops kill 16 insurgents in Borno attack

    •Arrest youth corps member, three others

    TroopS of Operation LAFIYA DOLE at harbour in Kangarwa, Borno State, on Sunday, killed 16 suspected insurgents and repelled others.

    According to the Army spokesman Sani Usman, the attack was launched by the terrorists about 5.30pm.

    “The troops received an alert and rose to the occasion. They dealt a decisive on the insurgents, killing 16, and recovered arms and ammunition.

    “Weapons recovered include one Rocket-Propelled Grenade 7 tube, one Rocket-Propelled Grenade bomb, 11 AK-47 rifles, a 60mm Mortar tube, five AK-47 rifle magazines, one Gionee mobile phone and a Bandolier.

    ‘’Unfortunately, an officer and 11 soldiers were injured in the encounter,” he said.

    Usman added that the injured were treated at the unit’s medical facility and are  in stable condition.

    The troops also arrested four persons – a member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Aliyu Jibrin, 24, and Ismaila Baba, 22, a student of Ramat Polythechnic, Mohammed Suleiman, 25, a driver and his assistant Mohammed Bukar, 15, for attempting to steal armoured cables belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Col Usman said the suspects were arrested at 1.20 am yesterday.

    “The patrol team intercepted Aliyu Jubril, 24, a youth corps. member, Ismail Baba, 22, a student of Ramat Polytechnic, at Silo on Maiduguri-Damboa road while attempting to cart steal armoured cables belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    He said the suspects were being interrogated and would soon be handed over to the appropriate security agency.

     

  • Troops clear IED, mines, arrest fleeing Boko Haram members

    Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested four suspected members of Boko Haram who claimed they were about to surrender.

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspects were arrested by soldiers acting on information from another  arrested member, Lawan Abbai, cleared out landmines and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along military supply routes at Gombori, Borno State.

    Troops also rescued five women and a baby from Boko Haram terrorists in the same area.

  • Troops swoop on creeks for soldiers’ killers

    Troops swoop on creeks for soldiers’ killers

    The military swung into action yesterday, combing some creeks and waterways in Bayelsa State for the militants who killed three soldiers at a checkpoint near Nembe Jetty on Monday.

    War-kitted troops moved into the creeks and waterways hours after the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe (ODS) Commander Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie vowed “to go on the offensive” over the killing of his men.

    In Shendam, Plateau State, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai warned that killing of soldiers and airmen in line of duty was unacceptable.

    There was massive deployment of troops in Nembe and its surrounding creeks early in the day. Many fled on sighting the soldiers.

    Fighter jets hovered in the air as the soldiers took strategic positions, cordoning off the waterways.

    A resident, who spoke in confidence with The Nation, described Nembe as a “ghost town” after it was deserted.

    He said: “The town is deserted. People who ran away are yet to return. Stores and shops are closed. We can’t even find anything to buy. Some ran into the mangroves, others into smaller communities and Yenagoa.

    “Some of us are only able to stay because the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, and the JTF commander held a town hall meeting with us and assured us of our safety. But people who ran away have not come back”.

    Jonah, who led a government delegation and Rear Admiral Okojie, were said to have met with the residents.

    The deputy governor commiserated with the military over the soldiers’ death.

    At the meeting held at the King Koko Square, Nembe, Jonah described the soldiers’ killing as senseless, barbaric and not in the best interest of Nembe and the state.

    He described the incident as painful and unfortunate, recalling that a similar one occurred in July, last year.

    His visit, Jonah said was to console and engage the military to douse the tension in the community.

    The deputy governor urged those who fled to return home. He called on youths and other stakeholders to help the military fish out the killers.

    He urged the clergy to continue to pray for lasting peace in the community.

    Rear Admiral Okojie was said to have promised that the troops would not molest people.

    He said the killers would be made to account for their action.

    According to him, troops are on the trail of the criminals and will soon arrest and bring them to justice.

    Rear Admiral Okojie urged the community to volunteer information to the military, appealing that people should not be scared of the soldiers’ presence.

    Some community leaders were said to have condemned the soldiers’ killing.

    A member of the House of Assembly from Nembe, Ebi Ben-Ololo, Vice-Chairman, Nembe Council, Chief Bright Erewari-Iweka and Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain said since the coming of JTF, Nembe had known peace.

    They said the community would cooperate with the military to ensure that  the killers were brought to justice.

    Chief Wilfred Ogbotobo was said to have called on the government to use “maximum force” instead of pampering and indulging the militants.

    According to him, the militants have become emboldened because they are treated with kid gloves.

    He said: “All the peace-loving people of Nembe condemn in the strongest terms this latest and all forms of criminality perpetrated in Ijaw territories under the guise of Niger Delta struggle.

    “We want to sound it loud and clear that these indolent, cowardly and dastardly acts of terrorism with no head or tail would only compound and diminish the genuine struggle for the wellbeing and uplifting of the people and the region”.

     

    Ogbotobo said the militants’ action did not represent the ideals of Ijaw heroes such as King Koko of Nembe Kingdom and Isaac Adaka Boro.

    “Hence, if the motive is the prevalent delusion that every piracy, kidnapping and destruction means a rational continuation of the Boro militancy, it is warped and unacceptable.

    “The Niger Delta comprises different nationalities and cultures, hence, we must be careful about the image with which we brand our identity.”

     

     

    “Any attempt, under a warped and distorted delusion to make the region ungovernable for President Muhammad Buhari would only isolate the Ijaw further.

    “Boro certainly would have opted to build a national political party to project the interests of the Ijaw and pursue the aspirations of the people of the region.

    “This should not be a period of militancy rather it should be a period of reflection considering the unprecedented corruption and ineptitude of the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw man.”

    The Nembe chief said under the present circumstance the people should hold their traditional, local and state governments accountable.

    He said: “It is abundantly clear that the youths spearheading these dangerous ventures have not been adequately cautioned about the full implications and wrath associated with the kind of things they are doing.

    “The Federal Government should, therefore, declare a state of emergency in the affected areas and apply maximum force to dislodge ever criminal tendency and restore the region back to safety to fast-track development”.

  • Troops recover Arepo militants’ bank tellers, others

    Troops recover Arepo militants’ bank tellers, others

    More items, including documents on financial transactions of suspected militants, have been recovered at the creeks of the Lagos-Ogun States boundary communities.

    Ground troops combing the creeks since last Tuesday after air raids, have found bank tellers and other items, showing financial transactions conducted by the militants.

    The ground troops led by Operation AWATSE Commander Col. Julius Ogbobe on Sunday penetrated the Ibafo creeks and recovered nine bank deposit slips, four laptops, nine police and six military uniforms.

    It was reliably gathered that the security forces also recovered 570 live cartridges, two parts of AK47, metal link of GPMG and over 45 rounds of AK47 live ammunition.

    Also recovered from Maware camp are three pistols and over 3000 live cartridges, seven security radio and police uniforms.

    Five of the deposit slips found at Ibafo are of the United Bank of Africa (UBA); First Bank, Diamond Bank and Skye Bank.

    The FBN account number 3053344277 belongs to Sofiyegha Keikobemini, where a certain Ugbozua .S. Pere paid N500,000 on August 4, 2014.

    Another FBN account 3053344271 with account name Sofiyegha Keikpobemini Bozha had another deposit of N350,000 lodged on August 14, 2014, by Ugboziu Pere.

    For the Diamond Bank account number 0056664279, belonging to Olowu Ebimore Omobola, N100,000 was paid in on March 26, 2015 by one Okoro Princewill.

    On March 26, last year, Okoro Pricewill made a N30,000 deposit into a UBA account number 2071982076, belonging to Iganboh Tombra Saviour.

    Only N1,000 was lodged into a Skye Bank account number 1130500267, belonging to Semidiaru Frank Destiny on May 11, by one Semidiaru Precious, who also paid N6,000 on June 12, into a UBA account 2056194799 belonging to Semidiaru Gloria G.

    Another UBA account 2049370120 belonging to Victor Kowei was credited with N5,000 by one Hope on May 19.

    N5,000 was lodged into another UBA account 2046385602 belonging to kigilillu Wonikkiebi Lucky on March 4, last year by one Riggy, while a certain Wonder paid N10,000 into Thompson Charity Akinah’s UBA account 2081267152 on January 13.

    Chairman of Operation AWATSE and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command  (WNC) Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, confirmed the recoveries, adding that the military was optimistic that the details will enable security agencies unmask those behind the crimes.

  • Troops recover militants’ pictures, register in Arepo creeks

    Troops recover militants’ pictures, register in Arepo creeks

    •Ground forces destroy 97 camps

    The military at the weekend made major recoveries in its ongoing operations to flush out militants from Lagos and Ogun Creeks from where communities are being attacked.

    The ground forces which moved into the creeks after the Air Force bombardments, have recovered pictures and a register containing names of suspected militants.

    It was gathered that the ground forces also destroyed about 97 camps in the enclave.

    A source close to the operation, who didn’t want to be quoted because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said stench of decomposing bodies filled some of the camps, although no bodies were found.  He described this as an indication that many of the militants might have been killed from the air strikes, noting that the fleeing militants might have taken the bodies of their men.

    Other items found there are three laptops, expended magazines, an AK47 rifle and police and military uniforms.

    “The recovered items will aid the investigation by the DSS and enable them to go after and apprehend the suspects,” said the source who added that the recovery of the pictures and names of the suspects in a register; shows that they are organised and that they usually signed in and out. “In one of the registers there are about 450 names on it.”

    He added that “the police and army uniforms found had no names on them. We saw a lot of personal effects and I can tell you that the militants suffered casualties because of the stench coming out of the camps.”

    it was also learnt that the profiling of the arrested 11 suspects is ongoing. One of the revelations is that four of them have been identified as Ilaje, a development that corroborates claims from certain quarters that the gunmen were not from any particular ethnic group.