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Anti-terrorism- troops neutralise 624 terrorists, apprehend 1,051 in May
The Defence Headquarters has said that troops have neutralised no fewer than 640 terrorists, apprehended 1,051 suspects and rescued 563 kidnapped hostages in the month of May.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Nigerian military on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that some senior terrorist commanders and fighters have degraded the potency of the terrorists, as a result of intense pressure from the troops across theatres of operations.
Buba further said that the troops apprehended some suspects including their logistic suppliers and informants.
He added that the troops also recovered 707 assorted weapons, 16,487 assorted ammunitions comprising 411 AK47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns and 43 pump action guns, amongst others.
In the North East, Buba said the Operation Hadin Kai, had recorded huge operational successes by neutralising some key terrorists which included one Malam Mohammed, a leader of IED cell in Sambisa Forest.
He, however, revealed that the troops had rescued 386 hostages, who had been in captivity for over 10 years, adding the victims had been handed them over to the Borno State Government.
“During the month, troops neutralised 306 terrorist, arrested 199 suspects and rescued additional 219 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recorded 1,099 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families as they recovered 200 AK47 rifles and 53 fabricated rifles among others,” he said.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted several offensive operations leading to the killing of 39 terrorist violent extremists, while 140 suspects were apprehended with 77 kidnap hostages rescued.
“The troops also recovered nine AK47 rifles among others,’’ he said.
According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, have conducted several operations against terrorists and violent extremist strongholds and arrested violent extremists, their collaborators and several gunrunners.
Buba also said the troops had neutralised 41 terrorist, arrested 184 suspects and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 27 assorted arms, with 2,237 rounds of 7.62mm special.
In the North West, Buba disclosed that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, the troops operations had instigated rival clash among the terrorist groups, which led to the elimination of a notorious terrorist commander, Usman Modi Modi.
“The troops killed the terrorist commander hitherto terrorised communities around Danmusa, Kankara and Safana LGAs of Katsina State.
“In Overall, the troops neutralised 262 terrorist, arrested 204 suspects and rescued 243 kidnap hostages, “Buba said.
He further explained that the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has recorded significant air strikes to acquire terrorist camps in Faskari, Bayan Ruwa Maradun and Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara.
“Some of the terrorist leaders targeted Jammo Smally and Kachalla Halilu, additionally terrorist enclaves at Tungar Daji in Zamfara State and Rugu Forest in Safana (LGA) were also engaged,” he said.
The Director said Under Operation Whirl Punch, the troops neutralised 56 terrorist, arrested 150 suspects and rescued 80 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of 23 AK47 rifles.
According to him, the air component have destroyed terrorists training camp in Kuduru, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and enclaves at Kabago, Alawa Forest, Katarma and Kwaki general areas in Shiroro and Chikun Local Government Areas of Niger and Kaduna States.
Others successful operations recorded by the Army troops include, Operations Delta Safe in the South-South, where troops denied the stealing of 4.12 million litres of crude oil, 793,796 litres of AGO and 4,480 litres of PMS.
“The troops also recovered 73 assorted weapons, destroyed 129 wooden boats, 686 assorted ammunitions and 223 illegal refining sites as well as neutralised five violent extremists and arrested 81 suspected oil thieves.
“The air component destroyed several illegal refining sites in different locations in Rivers,’’ Buba said.
While South East UDO KA Operation had frustrated the activities of the terrorist group and restore peace to troubled areas across the zone.
“The troops have in the month of May, neutralised 69 terrorist, arrested 115 suspects and rescued 32 kidnap hostages, and recovered eight AK47 rifles and 13 pump action guns.
“Overall, troops operations have denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive and has significantly diminished their offensive capability,” he said. (NAN)
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Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), to halt what it called unjust persecution of socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, OFR
This is also as the group faulted the manner of the raid carried out by the commission on the socialite’s residential house in Abuja.
It could be recalled that a video went viral, which showed officials of the commission, reportedly in the family home of the Achimugus.
This came after she was declared wanted by the EFCC.
Her 80-year-old mother was also said to have been forced to sit on the bare floor, tortured and refused to give her water when she pleaded for it
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the action of the EFCC for declaring the national honour’s recipient wanted barely some days after she was invited by the commission as gross
Okwu said enquiry by the Igbo group showed that some days after Achimugu was informed of the invitation by her lawyer, the commission rushed to the media declaring her wanted even when their letter in the public domain stated that everything accused her of is ALLEGEDLY and she is presently not in the country
“This development clearly smarks of a premeditated agenda to embarrass and discredit her personality. What else could justify the haste for an alleged crime to warrant being declared wanted just some days after she was invited by the commission?
“Mrs Achimugu is a global figure, not a politician and a national honours recipient, as well as a recipient of the US President’s award. This calibre of a person can never go under hiding.
“The fact that she is currently out of the country when the EFCC extended an invitation to her does not warrant their hasty declaration on alleged case without a competent court sanctioning such action.
“This is utterly reprehensible, and we urge that the EFCC should not continue to be used as a tool for political witch-hunting.
“Mrs Achimugu is an established, decent, and well to do businesswoman who respects the laws and humanity and from a respected family. Her source of wealth has never been a source of controversy or hidden.
“We want to declare that her rights should be respected; her contributions to the growth of citizens and the nation should not be ignored. The EFCC should withdraw the wanted tag on her.
While quoting Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 36 of the Nigerian Police Act, the Youth President said the relevant laws prohibit arrest by proxy.
He said, “the reported invitation and declaration of Mrs. Achimugu is unlawful and a gross violation of the provisions of Nigeria’s relevant laws. We had waited to see whether the commission would make a turn, but its silence means that they are bent on tarnishing her image for someone who is private and law abiding.
“This is worrisome and should be condemned in all totality. There is no justification for their actions. This is a gross illegality.
“We recall that the EFCC did announce that it would stop this kind of raid, but it appears that nothing has changed. This crude method of arrest defies all logic and legality.
“All these go to show that there is more to this than meets the eye. It is albeit political is pure harassment to satisfy certain interests.
“Having said this, we urge the Chairman of the EFCC, who pledged before now to reform the commission, to direct the operatives to act right and let the law take it due course without further delay or embarrassment”