Security
Securing Benue: COAS Affirms Governor Alia Of Troops’ Steadfast To Resolve Security Challenges
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja assured Governor Reverend Father (Dr) Hyacinth Alia of the Nigerian Army’s steadfastness in addressing security challenges in Benue and surrounding states.
The pledge, reiterated on Nov 29, 2023, during a courtesy visit to the Benue State Government House, underscores the military’s dedication to tackling regional security concerns.
During the visit, General Lagbaja expressed gratitude for the harmonious relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Benue State Government.
The cooperation and support extended to the troops by the state were acknowledged, signifying the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of the populace.
Governor Dr Hyacinth Alia, in response, acknowledged the significant contributions of the Nigerian Army in maintaining peace within Benue State.
The governor pledged continued support from his administration, emphasizing the pivotal role troops play in safeguarding lives and property.
This mutual commitment highlights the synergy between civil leadership and the military.
As part of his agenda, COAS Lagbaja conducted a working visit to the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State.
Commending the resilience and selflessness of the troops, the Army Chief urged them to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism in fulfilling their duties.
The visit aimed to reinforce the sense of duty among the troops and recognize their invaluable service to the nation.
While inspecting facilities at the Nigerian Army Barracks in Doma, General Lagbaja assured the troops of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and the Army High Command to enhance infrastructure and provide necessary combat enablers.
The commitment to improving amenities underscores the importance of ensuring optimal conditions for troops to fulfill their roles effectively.
In his address to the troops, COAS Lagbaja emphasized the need for discipline and unwavering dedication to duty.
Encouraging the soldiers to give their best in service to their fatherland, the Army Chief reinforced the value of maintaining a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their statutory duties.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Kaduna state Police Command has debunked reports of a bomb explosion in the Abakpa area of the metropolis, which reportedly killed two children.
The spokesman of the Command, Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
According to the police, the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 am on Tuesday at Josawa Road in the Abakpa area, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road, while seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement stated that a combined team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, all visited the scene following a distress call, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
Police disclosed that further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command equally assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.