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Tag: troops

  • Army destroy bandits’ camps in Zamfara

    Army destroy bandits’ camps in Zamfara

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed camps belonging to cattle rustlers and bandits’ in Zamfara.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Kukasheka said that Troops of 1 Division of Nigerian Army involved in anti-cattle rustling and anti-banditry operations on Aug. 1, carried out clearance operations on suspected bandits’ hideouts in some forests in Zamfara State.

    He said the troops carried out raids at Batara and Ajah forests in Birnin Magaji and Gusau Local Government Areas of the state.

    “Although the armed bandits fled the camps, the troops destroyed the camps, recovered 3 motorcycles and 2 cell phones,’’ It said.

    He said the troops further raided Rimawa forest in Gusau Local Government Area where they arrested 2 wanted armed bandits – Aliyu Abubakar and Umar Ibrahim.

    Kukasheka also said that in Bini village forest, Maru Local Government, the troops had arrested a notorious and wanted armed bandits collaborator, Umar Dan Bilbili.

  • Troops recover arms, ammunition in Gamboru

    Troops recover arms, ammunition in Gamboru

    The Army has recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Gamboru, Col. Sani Usman, Ag. Director, Army Public Relations Officer, has said.

    In a statement on Sunday, he said troops conducted raids at Gamboru town early on Sunday morning following a tip off.

    “The troops recovered 3 AK-56 rifles and 2 AK-L rifles, with registration numbers; AK-L-AGB 1172, AK-L PU2879, AK-56-2556688, AK-56-22622832 and AK-56-22622315.

    “They also recovered 235 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 7 AK-56 rifle magazines.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to commend those citizens that alerted the military for the information that led to this recovery.

    “This is the type of cooperation and support we always require from citizens to enable us clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

    “We wish to reiterate the need for all to be more vigilant, security-conscious and report any suspicious movements or persons to the nearest security agency,” it said.

    The statement said troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE on Saturday night carried out successful ambush against Boko Haram terrorists at a crossing point off Damboa road.

    “The ambush party decisively dealt with the terrorists riding on bicycles at a crossing point off Damboa-Kubwa road towards Multe village axis.

    “The team killed one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops recovered 1 AK-47 rifle with registration number 565907530 and14 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a wooden Dane Gun shaped to the resemblance of an AK-47rifle, 1 fabricated double-barrelled pistol and 4 bicycles,” it said.

     

  • Troops arrest suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram

    Troops arrest suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram

    Troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

    A statement by Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman, said the suspect was arrested at about 8am Tuesday at Molai check point on the outskirt of Maiduguri, with a truck loaded with 25 kegs of petrol and other goods.

    Usman said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had been in the business for long.

    His words: “The Quick Response Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, on routine checks arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of PMS and other goods. They were cleverly concealed in the truck.

    “The driver, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo, to explain. He also denied supplying fuel to the terrorists’ and claimed to be a trader, supplying goods to customers in Damboa, according to demand.

    “However, preliminary investigation showed that he has been sending PMS and other goods at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa. Though investigations are still on, it is suspected it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest.”

    Usman added that authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers in Borno and environs. He said both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to the Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigation.

  • Troops kill nine bandits in Zamfara

    Troops of 223 Battalion, at the weekend, killed nine bandits around Madaka village in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State.

    Three AK-47, two AK-47 magazines, three rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, machete and 24 motorcycles were recovered.

    Army spokesman Sani Usman said this was part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebrations (NADCEL) 2016.

    He said troops involved in training, codenamed “Exercise HARBIN KUNAMA”, have intensified patrol of forests in Zamfara.

    Usman noted that local vigilantes at Yargada village in Gusau council, apprehended a bandit and handed him over to troops deployed at Magami.

    “In a related development, troops have raided a bandit camp at Gangamai village in Dansadau council. During the raid, there was an exchange of fire and the bandits escaped with wounds.

    “The troops recovered two dane gun bags containing marijuana. Another team raided cattle rustlers and  bandits camp at Gidan Mai Jaja in Dansadau. The culprits fled on sighting the troops, abandoning 85 cows, 37 sheep and a donkey,” he said.

    Usman said another patrol team raided a bandit and cattle rustler’s camp at Gobirawan Kwacha, where they killed two and recovered a machete.

  • Troops kill 16 Boko Haram fighters, injure several others

    Troops kill 16 Boko Haram fighters, injure several others

    Boko Haram fighters yesterday attacked troops stationed at Rann in Kala Balge local government area of Borno State.

    The terrorists, who were with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), Anti-Aircraft Guns and other weapons, launched the attack at about 5.00pm.

    The ensuing exchange of fire that lasted for hours left 16 of the terrorists dead.

    Several others were seriously wounded in the exchange that also left two soldiers dead and three with minor injuries.

    The Nigerian Army spokesman Sani Usman said the troops killed seven of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gunshot wounds.

    During clearance operations, the troops discovered nine more Boko Haram terrorists in the surrounding areas.

    Usman said the troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions and captured two of the terrorists alive.

    He explained: “The bodies of the two fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala”.

    He said that in a related development, troops also discovered and safely detonated 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road.

    “It is believed that the IEDs were planted to prevent troops’ reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted,” Usman stated.

    He further revealed that the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion has visited the troops and held Durbar with them.

  • Troops clear armed bandits in Gobirawan Kwacha

    Troops of the Nigerian Army 1 Division yesterday cleared armed bandits in Gobirawan Kwacha, Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    According to the Acting Director of Public Relations, Sani Usman, the troops killed three of the bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

    Unfortunately, the troops’ vehicle was damaged but none of them was injured.

  • Troops kill armed bandits in Northwest

    Two armed bandits have been killed in a gun battle between troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, armed bandits and cattle rustlers in the Northwest.

    Deputy Director of Public Relations of the Division, Colonel Usman Abdul, who revealed this in a statement in Kaduna yesterday, said the bandits were killed in various spots within the region.

    The Army also said it has apprehended a suspected bandit who is believed to be an errand boy, few of them escaped with injuries.

    His words: “In a follow up operations being conducted by 1 Division of the Nigerian Army against armed bandits, cattle rustling and other criminal activities, troops of 223 tank battalion on Friday, June 24, while on patrol along KUSA BAYAN DUTSE in Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State, encountered pockets of armed bandits. Although, no casualty was recorded, few of them escaped with injuries.

    “Some of the items recovered include one Ak-47 riffle, one magazine, quantity 13 rounds of 7.62mm special and two motorcycles, which were burnt at the scene.

    “A suspected bandit, who is believed to be their errand boy, was apprehended at Gusami market and he is presently undergoing interrogation.

    “Similarly, on Saturday, June 25, the troops, while patrolling Maganawa village in Maru Local Government Area, also encountered some bandits. One of them was killed.

    “Some of the items recovered include a locally-made dane gun with some rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

    “Similarly, troops of II battalion in Kaduna, while on patrol along DOGON DAWA-MAIDARO road engaged some armed bandits who attempted to kidnap an innocent person in his farm. The suspect, on sighting the troops fired but was gunned down.

    “Items recovered include one Ak-47 riffle, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special, two ammunition carrying magazines and two mobile phones.”

  • NAF to deploy troops in Maiduguri for mop-up

    NAF to deploy troops in Maiduguri for mop-up

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will deploy additional troops to the multinational Joint Task Force to complement military operations in the Northeast to rid the region of insurgency, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar, has said.

    He said the Air force had deployed soldiers for internal security operations in the troubled Niger Delta to decimate the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, stressing that the force will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities to secure the air space, as well as support ground operations.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the officers accommodation in Kano, Kano State, the Chief of Air Staff explained that the additional deployment of troops to the theater of war is to accelerate the mop-up of military operations on insurgency in the Northern part of Borno State.

    He hinted that the military was not taking chances to combat crime, noting that the Air Force had been repositioned to carry out the Federal Government’s mandate of ensuring maximum defence against internal and external aggression.

    Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the provision of befitting accommodation was part of the commitment of the Air Force towards improving the welfare of personnel and their families.

  • Troops arrest sect’s commander, engineer

    Troops arrest sect’s commander, engineer

    Troops of 3 Division, Sector 5 and 27 Task Force Brigade of Nigerian Army arrested a Boko Haram commander who doubles as an engineer at Gishiwa Dabua and Garejin Audu areas of Potiskum in Yobe State in the early hours of Thursday.

    Other arrested suspects include Ibrahim Jagwal (38) and Audu Ahmadu a.k.a. Condemned (45), who specialises in repairs of automobiles for the terrorist group.

    Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, disclosed this yesterday in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri.

    The statement reads in part: “The suspected terrorist who turned out to be the Ameer (commander) of the Boko Haram Terrorists at Tumbin Gini, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, also led the team to Garejin Audu in Potiskum, where another terror suspect, Audu Ahmadu, is a Boko Haram engineer who specializes in repairs of automobiles for the Boko Haram terrorist group.”

    The vehicles, according to Usman, were recovered by the troops while the suspects were taken into custody for onward movement to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC).

    Usman further disclosed that troops of 29 and 156 Task Force Battalion and Brigade also carried out “clearance and rescue military operations” near Abalam and South West of Alagarno forest of Sambisa.

    He said that when the troops engaged the terrorists, they fled, but the soldiers pursued them and recovered three bows and five packs of quivers stocked with 144 arrows.

    The terrorists’ camp of Gemri village, he added, was destroyed, while the 47 rescued hostages were moved to Maiduguri Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp for screening and resettlement.

    Explaining how 47 hostages were rescued, Usman said: “The troops pursued the fleeing terrorists and discovered that they left behind seven men, 13  women and 27 children that were held hostage at Gemri village in Sambisa Forest.”

  • Troops kill 10 Boko Haram terrorists, arrest two

    Troops kill 10 Boko Haram terrorists, arrest two

    Soldiers battling Boko Haram in Borno State have killed 10 of the terrorists, captured two alive and freed a woman and her baby held captive. This was during a sweep of the insurgents’ den in Gamboru Ngala Local Government area.

    Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman said troops also recovered six  AK-47 rifle magazines, 56 rounds of 7.62m (Special) rounds of ammunitions, one bundle of detonating cord, a manual on how to prepare Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),  two rifle magazine pouches, a Techno IPad, a Nokia mobile telephone handset and 1 Gionee mobile telephone handset.

    Also seized were one Digital Multimetre, six SIM cards, three Memory cards and one Airtel Modem.

    He said that the arrested suspects are undergoing preliminary interrogation while the rescued woman and her child are receiving attention pending onward movement to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp.

    He added: “Similarly, another element of the Battalion also conducted another fighting patrol to Wumbi village based on received information on the presence of remnants of  Boko Haram terrorists in the area. The patrol team recovered 157 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 37 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

    “Also, troops of 22 Brigade Garrison intercepted 15 IDPs, all male adults, approaching Dikwa from Mudu Kasa village. They revealed that some Boko Haram terrorists occasionally visit and terrorise their village and forcefully collect food and valuables. They further alleged that   the terrorists came   in numbers with some of them holding AK-47 rifles, while others wielded machetes.”