Security
Troops eliminate 8 IPOB, ESN members in Imo, Anambra, Abia
Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDOKA have eliminated at least eight members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Spokesman for the task force, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Umuahia.
Unuakhalu explained that the suspects were neutralised in separate operations carried out in Abia, Imo and Anambra.
According to him, four of them were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds during the operations on Sunday in Umudi and Imuezeosuru Forest in Umuaku, Umunneochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia.
Unuakhalu also stated that the troops recovered some items from the camp, including one motorcycle, 16 live cartridges, 29 rounds of 5.7mm ammunition with the magazine, one fragmental jacket and two metal plates for fragmental jackets.
Others were two long range shells, two Boafeng radios, one jack knife, two machetes, two pairs of Nigerian Police uniforms, Police identity cards, torch light, shovels and ATM cards.
Also recovered in the camp that was razed down by the troops were three mobile phones and two notebooks containing the minutes of their meeting.
He added that the troops neutralised two of them and arrested two female suspects at Ekeututu, Ihiteukwa, Edenta, Awo-Idemili and Isseke Communities in Orsumoghu LGA of Imo and Ihiala LGA of Anambra, respectively.
Unuakhalu stated that the troops came across multiple road blocks and obstacles emplaced by the irredentists to deter troops’ movement.
“The gallant troops were able to clear the route of the obstacles and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) that were destroyed immediately,” he explained.
He further stated that the two others were neutralised on November 21, during similar operations conducted in Ekeututu, Ihitenansa, Amaruru, Assah Ubirielem, Ihioma, Umuhu-Ikabia, Amanachi, Amanukwo and Awo-Idemili Communities in Orsu LGA of Imo.
Unuakhalu added that an IED production factory was also discovered with different IED-making equipment.
The statement read in part: “At the early hours of today, November 25, troops conducted a clearance operation in Imo River in Isiala-Ngwa North of Abia.
“During the operations, troops came in contact with the terrorist group, which fled in disarray and abandoned their camp due to superior fire power.
“Troops ransacked the camp and recovered a Toyota Hilux, three motorcycles, a dane gun, one sword, three pairs of Nigeria Police camouflage uniform, one fragmental jacket, and radio chargers.
“Other items include two six- kilogramme of gas cylinders, three registered number plates, three ATM cards, driver’s licence and food stuffs, while the camp was destroyed immediately.”
The statement quoted the task force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, to have urged well-meaning citizens to embrace peace and dialogue as a tool for maintaining peace and stability in the South-East.”
Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia north, says the federal government should urgently address the growing insecurity in many parts of the country.
In a video posted from China on his social media page on Monday, Kalu warned that terrorists may overrun the south-east region and Borno if no action is taken.
The senator said the worsening security situation requires decisive intervention devoid of politics.
Kalu, who chairs the senate committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), urged the federal government to commit more resources to security agencies to confront the threat.
He warned that insecurity in Nigeria is no longer a matter of political argument but a dire national crisis.
The senator was reacting to a recent warning by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, who said insurgents have regained control of parts of the state.
Kalu said the situation in Borno mirrors the growing threat in the south-east and called for immediate intervention to prevent a total collapse.
“I want to believe Professor Zulum that the security situation is deteriorating every day, so we need to step up, especially in the south-east,” the lawmaker said.
“Our south-east governors are doing their best to fight insurgency. I would like the federal government to step up security in the south-east because it’s a gateway for people transporting goods from the ports and refineries.”
Kalu also faulted the ongoing disagreement between Zulum and Mohammed Idris, minister of information, over the state of security, insisting the president must be told the truth.
“For me, Professor Zulum and the minister don’t need to argue. These are fundamental issues. If we don’t tell President Tinubu the truth, the place will be ungovernable,” he said.
“So, it is better we tell him the truth on the condition of the insecurity situation in Nigeria.”
He commended the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that they have shown commitment in the face of limited resources.
“Our Nigerian Army has been doing their best, and I congratulate them — especially the chief of army staff, the inspector-general of police, and other security chiefs — for all the efforts they have been putting in,” he said.
Kalu urged the federal government to channel more funds, equipment, and attention to Borno and the south-east.
“We cannot play politics with insecurity; we should take the art of governance very seriously,” he said.
The senator advised the minister of information to consult security chiefs before issuing public statements on security matters.
“No governor or president wants his people to die, so I urge the minister of information to step down some of the statements he is making about insecurity and should also consult the chief of army staff and the inspector-general of police,” he said.
“The national security adviser has also been on top of his game, but people should stop making statements without consulting the security agencies.”
Kalu expressed confidence in the security leadership, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), and called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in tackling insecurity and rebuilding the economy.
“The DSS will continue to provide information. I believe Tosin is very capable — he is a young lad who is capable,” he said.
“We can rid all these criminals away and build our economy to be strong. Let us stop politics and concentrate on the economy of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu has done his best; let’s support him to build our economy together.”
Zulum recently expressed concerns over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state.
He spoke on April 8 at a security meeting attended by military commanders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.
On Sunday, Mohammed Monguno, senator representing Borno north, said any government that fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens does not deserve to remain in power.
Speaking in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, after a security meeting, Monguno, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said security is the fundamental purpose of government.
The explosion followed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest.
According to several sources, the explosion happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.
The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened the road for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok and other LGAs in southern Borno with the help of a military convoy serving as security cover for the commuters.
The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IED by the military and this has been going on for over two years now.
The injured persons whose numbers are yet to be specified have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.