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Military neutralises 1,166 terrorists, apprehends 1,096 suspects –DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated 1,166 terrorists and apprehended 1,096 suspects in 29 days across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops also rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.
He said the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo within the month.
Others, according to him, are 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm
NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.
He said that several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of military onslaught during the month. #
According to him, those in the North Eeast include: Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.
“Those in the North West include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.
“Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive.
“The situation experienced mostly these days are low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.
“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.
“Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.
“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.
“Accordingly, the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators,’’ he said.
In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadin Kai, nutralised 292 terrorists, apprehended 254 suspects and rescued 213 kidnapped hostages during the month.
He added a total of 2,742 Boka Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families, surrendered to troops as well as recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 50 violent extremist, apprehended 290 and rescued 121 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 94 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.
In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 153 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects and rescued 186 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops neutralised 63 terrorists, apprehended 291 suspects and rescued 62 kidnap hostages, with recovery of cache of arms and ammunition.
In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day in August.
He said the troops apprehended 71 persons involved in crude oil theft and impounded 5,047,150 litres of crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 194 assorted ammunition and destroyed 125 wooden boats as well as 458 illegal refining sites.
“Nevertheless, troops are urging for more transparency by the IOCs, accurate metering, cooperation of stakeholders in the sector and well cooperation from the local communities.
“Troops are also monitoring the prosecution of culprits perpetrating crude oil theft,’’ he added.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group and neutralised 34 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 26 kidnap hostages. (NAN)
The Minister of State for Works, Honourable Muhammad Bello Goronyo, has called on Nigerians to actively support and understand the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He made this appeal while receiving the leadership of the Youth Partnership for African Development (YOUPAD) in Abuja, where he was honoured with the Icon of Selfless and Innovative Leadership award.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Goronyo emphasised the need for collective efforts in driving national development, particularly in infrastructure. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to improving road networks across the country, stressing that good roads are essential for security and economic growth.
“So far, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has embarked on a massive rehabilitation of dilapidated roads nationwide. Insecurity sometimes thrives when roads are in poor condition, as non-state actors take advantage of the situation to cause disruptions,” he stated.
The minister urged Nigerians, regardless of tribe or religion, to support the government’s initiatives, noting that inclusive participation is key to achieving the administration’s goals.
Earlier, the President of YOUPAD, Mr Henry Nkem Nwankwo, commended Hon. Goronyo for his dedication to bridging the gap between the government and the people. He described the minister as a true ambassador of the Tinubu administration, whose efforts in the Ministry of Works and Housing have been instrumental in advancing national development.
The award was presented to Hon. Goronyo by Mr Nwankwo, alongside other YOUPAD representatives, including delegates from Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
ENDS.
By Abubakar Yunusa
A leading civil society organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida over his role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described Babangida’s recent self-incriminating remarks as a critical test for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He asserted that failure to hold the former leader accountable would undermine Tinubu’s moral and political legitimacy.
“We firmly assert that if President Tinubu fails to take decisive action against General Babangida and does not ensure that he faces the consequences of his actions—specifically, imprisonment, which is where he rightfully belongs—he will lack the moral and political legitimacy to govern effectively,” Zikirullahi stated.
The organisation argued that Babangida’s candid admission of his role in annulling the election paints him as a figure who has evaded justice for too long.
It warned that failure to prosecute him would further entrench a culture of impunity in Nigeria.
The statement also highlighted the tragic aftermath of the annulment, including the deaths of protesters and the imprisonment of pro-democracy activists.
Among those mentioned were Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, who was detained and later died under suspicious circumstances, as well as journalist Dele Giwa, whose unresolved murder remains a symbol of repression during Babangida’s regime.
“For decades, successive governments have claimed a lack of evidence to prosecute Babangida.
However, with his recent confessions and public statements, there is now compelling evidence for legal action,” CHRICED said.
The organisation also criticised the financial waste associated with the annulled election, arguing that resources used to conduct the poll could have been better utilised for national development.
The center blamed Babangida’s administration for fostering a political culture where power is acquired through manipulation rather than democratic means.
“The decisions made by Babangida and his associates have led to the infiltration of unqualified individuals into various positions of authority, undermining governance and eroding public trust,” the statement read.
CHRICED urged President Tinubu to take a stand for justice, insisting that addressing Babangida’s role in the June 12 annulment is crucial to restoring faith in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“This is not just about the past; it is about Nigeria’s future. If impunity is allowed to persist, the cycle of injustice and corruption will continue to plague our nation,” Zikirullahi warned.
Gunmen have abducted some female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue state.
The students, reportedly numbering up to four, were abducted on Tuesday evening at the university’s North Core campus.
The students were said to have been headed for “night class”, a practice of late-night studying in Nigerian campuses.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the hotel area of the campus before abducting the four students.
Some moments after the incident, operatives of the Nigerian army arrived at the school.
Sewuese Anene, Benue police spokesperson, told TheCable on Wednesday that a report received by the police indicated that only two students were kidnapped during the incident.
Anene added that the police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The Markurdi incident is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at Nigeria’s tertiary school students in recent years.
In August 2024, at least 20 medical and dental students were kidnapped in Benue State while travelling to a convention in Enugu.
In September 2023, gunmen abducted approximately 20 students from a university in Zamfara state.
At Greenfield University in Kaduna State, at least 20 students and two staff members were kidnapped in April 2021.
Tragically, five students were killed during captivity before the remaining hostages were released after a month.