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Troops eliminate 857 terrorists, apprehend 1,638 suspects in June – SCIPC
The Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) said the armed forces of Nigeria have in June, neutralised 857 terrorists, arrested 1,638 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements and rescued 921 kidnapped hostages.
SCIPC is a committee of the spokespersons of the military, police, intelligence and response agencies set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The update was presented at the news conference by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday in Abuja.
Adejobi said the troops recovered 894 weapons, 21,538 ammunition and denied the oil thieves of an estimated sum over N5 billion during the month.
He gave the breakdown of recovered arms and ammunition to include 313 AK47 rifles, 76 locally fabricated guns, 92 dane guns, and 14,243 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
According to him, 4,209 rounds of 7.62mm NΑΤΟ, 222 assorted arms and 3,369 assorted ammunition were also recovered.
“Others are 3,994,080 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,879,630 litres of illegally refined AGO, 29,275 litres of DPK and 26,900 litres of PMS amongst other items,’’ he said.
Adejobi said that the security agencies had demonstrated unwavering dedication to maintaining and preserving Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
He said the resolve and fighting spirit of armed forces remained unshaken, leading to numerous successes across various theatres of operation.
According to him, the Nigerian military reportedly eliminated 2,245 terrorists and apprehended 3,682 others in the past three months, showcasing the sustained and effective operations against insurgent elements.
“In a notable victory, a notorious terrorist was captured in Yobe on June 13.
“Further demonstrating the proactive stance of the security agencies, the army announced on June 15 the deployment of 5,937 new soldiers to combat banditry, secessionist agitation, and other threats.
“The MNJTF also eliminated 70 terrorists in on-going Operation Lake Sanity 2 in the Lake Chad Basin in recent airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in Cameroon and Nigeria.
“The operation resulted in the killing of many terrorists and forcing others to flee into Chad.
“The operation also destroyed eight vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) near Arinna Ciki and ammunition bunkers northeast of Malam Fatori,’’ he added.
The force spokesman said the military also recorded several operational breakthroughs in Kogi with the rescue of abducted Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) students.
He said that the maritime security had been a focal point, with the Nigerian Navy taking significant steps to combat oil theft, destroying illegal refining sites and interception of N10 billion worth of stolen crude oil.
This according to him highlighted the scale of the issue and the navy’s determination to safeguard national assets.
“During the time under review, the Nigerian Army also took delivery of two Bell UH-1″Huey” helicopters to strengthen its ability to provide air cover for troops battling insecurity across the country.
“The first batch of those two Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopters, each equipped with advanced sensors to conduct various missions including reconnaissance, rescue, and medical evacuations, was received in June.
“The unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives and maintaining national security is evident in the successes achieved in recent operations, reaffirming our resolve to protect the nation,’’ he added. (NAN
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.