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Category: Security

  • Many killed as Nigerian troops raid ISWAP terrorists’ ‘Somalia’ hideout in Sambisa

    Many killed as Nigerian troops raid ISWAP terrorists’ ‘Somalia’ hideout in Sambisa

    Two Nigerian military Super Tucano fighter jets have killed scores of Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, terrorists in Somalia, near Sambisa Forest, which is thought to be where the terrorists treat wounded fighters.

    According to PRNigeria, in addition to killing many ISWAP fighters at the site, the airstrikes also raided Abdallari, a terrorist enclave located northeast of Maiduguri.

    A defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the bombardments also neutralised several terrorists and destroyed structures.

    According to the source, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch carried out onslaughts on the terrorists’ hideouts in Niger and Kaduna State.
    He said: “For instance, strikes were undertaken in Kaduna on 7 September 2022 following series of intelligence from various sources on terrorists’ hideouts at Gidan Waya, in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA).

    “There, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch discovered terrorists’ structures hidden under clusters of trees at the location with terrorists’ activities noticed within the vicinity.

    “Subsequently, the targets were acquired and attacked with bombs. Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) footage and feedback from locals, as well as Nigerian Army troops deployment within the location, revealed that the terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed, while several terrorists were neutralized or suffered varying degrees of injuries.”

    When contacted, NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes in all the operating theatres.

    Mr Gabwet said: “For the NAF, its ability to continually dominate troubled parts of the country in collaboration with the surface forces in order to eliminate terrorist elements and restore normalcy should never be in doubt.

    “Nigerians are enjoined to continue to provide security agencies with credible intelligence that will enable the agencies track and neutralize the terrorists and all criminal elements especially as schools across the nation prepare to resume.”

  • Tension heightens in Imo as gunmen abduct Monarch

    Tension heightens in Imo as gunmen abduct Monarch

    By
    Jude Aguguo Owuamanam

    There is concern in Owerri over the kidnapping of Eze Jewel Ndenkwo, a prominent traditional ruler in Imo state.

    He was kidnapped in front of one of his businesses in Owerri, the state capital, around 7 p.m. on Friday.

    The kidnapped monarch is the traditional ruler of Isiala Umudi Autonomous community in the state’s Nkwerre Local Government Area. He owns a number of businesses, including Udekings Nigeria Limited.

    He was allegedly kidnapped in front of his office in Tetlow, Owerri. His kidnappers have yet to make contact with his family.

    Though the police spokesperson, CSP Micheal Abattam, is yet to respond to the incident, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, has confirmed it, saying the government is making effort to curtail crime and criminality in the state.

    The monarch was abducted at a time when two of the wedding guests kidnapped in Isiala Mbano area of Imo two weeks ago, regained freedom.

    The victims are Collins Alaefula, Mmadu Promise and Victor Chibuike. They were said to have paid ransoms before they were left off the hook.

    Brother to one of the victims, Fortune, told newsmen on Saturday that his sibling, Promise, and one other were released on Friday.

  • Asari Dokubo sponsoring killings in South-East – IPOB alleges

    Asari Dokubo sponsoring killings in South-East – IPOB alleges

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Asari Dokubo, an ex-militant leader, of mobilising his alleged gangs to kill innocent indigenes of Imo State and other parts of the South-East.

    Emma Powerful, the secessionist group’s spokesperson, made the allegations in a statement on Thursday.

    IPOB warned that it was running out of patience and that it would retaliate against Dokubo and his alleged criminal gangs in the near future.

    The group claimed that the ex-militant leader lacked the authority to put a stop to the secessionists, claiming that even the Nigerian military was powerless to do so.
    He said, “Asari Dokubo being somebody who hates Ndigbo and Biafra agitation championed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members worldwide brought out his criminal gang to kill innocent Biafrans in Imo State in the name of chasing IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu.

    “We therefore, warn the Izon people to caution Asari Dokubo. If Nigeria Government with all their military arsenal can’t stop IPOB, Asari Dokubo and his criminal gangs from kalabari are small fry to IPOB.

    “Now that Asari Dokubo is displaying his ignorance and killing skills on our innocent citizens, nobody should blame IPOB when we lunch offensive attack against him and his Kalabari criminals in Imo State who followed him because we must get them

    It was reported that Asari Dokubo and the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu were in war of words prior to the rearrest of the latter by the Nigerian government.

  • Gov Bello inciting terrorism, should be placed on watchlist – PDP tells Buhari

    Gov Bello inciting terrorism, should be placed on watchlist – PDP tells Buhari

    By Seun Opejobi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has requested that President Muhammadu Buhari place Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on a security watchlist.

    The PDP claimed that Bello was inciting violence and terrorism in the country and should therefore be placed on a watchlist.

    Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s spokesperson, was responding to a video of the governor urging his supporters to burn down and wreak havoc on those opposed to the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the 2023 elections.

    “In the video, Governor Bello was heard issuing terrorism threats, saying: ‘I will personally light a fierce fire in my hand, whoever wants it, we shall use it to burn them, whoever survives it, will thank God… Whoever is against us we will make him or her join my mother and lie with her (my mother) in the grave.” said Ologunagba.
    “PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call Governor Bello to order and place him and his supporters on a security watchlist as threat to democracy ahead of the 2023 general elections.”

    Ologunagba said Bello had proven critics right that he armed thugs, as well as fake security operatives during the 2019 general elections.

    He also urged the Inspector General of Police to commence an investigation into the governor’s action.

    “Our party also charges the Inspector General of Police to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the activities of Governor Yahaya Bello with a view to nipping this ugly trend in the bud, as well as prosecuting him at the end of his tenure as Governor of Kogi State, ” he added.

  • Gunmen kill three policemen in Enugu

    Gunmen kill three policemen in Enugu

    Three police officers were reportedly killed by gunmen in the Enugu State capital’s New Haven area.

    The incident occurred on Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m. in front of Francis Supermarket at the block bus stop.

    According to sources, the gunmen, who are believed to be armed robbers, stormed the area and engaged the police officers on stop-and-search duty in a gun duel on Thursday morning.

    “Unfortunately, three police officers were overpowered and killed. “The hoodlums also took their guns,” one source said.

    “It happened at the block bus stop in front of Frank supermarket,” said a security alert sent out by nearby residents.
    “Three policemen down already. Guys for our information, incase we still dey outside avoid new Haven.

    “Two battered police men are still lying lifeless here.”

    The message was accompanied by a video which showed the dead policemen inside the gutter.

    Meanwhile, efforts to get reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccesful as he could not be reached as phone indicated switched off.

  • Boko Haram, banditry may end church in Nigeria, PFN president warns

    Boko Haram, banditry may end church in Nigeria, PFN president warns

    National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke has warned the church in Nigeria not to deviate from the mandate and task before them, saying that losing focus may end in disaster.

  • Terrorists invade mosque, gun down Chief Imam, three others, abduct worshipers

    Terrorists invade mosque, gun down Chief Imam, three others, abduct worshipers

    Terrorists suspected to be members of the Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Mosque in Borno State, killing the Chief Imam and three other worshipers.

    It was learnt that the incident occured on Friday during the Fajr prayers in the Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of the state.

    According to reports, the terrorists, numbering about 20, invaded the worship center and opened fire on worshippers, leading to the death of three persons on the spot, while another victim who sustained injury died in a hospital.

    The insurgents also reportedly looted livestock and foodstuff and set ablaze two vehicles belonging to members of the Ngulde community.

    The Councilor representing Ngulde Ward, Hon Bilyaminu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said the attack claimed four lives, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed by the terrorists.

    The Borno State Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Askira also confirmed the incident on Sunday.

    According to him, the terrorists invaded the community and asked the whereabouts of the chairman of the local hunters/vigilantes who were their prime target.

    He said when the insurgents were not satisfied with the response, they went straight to the Mosque and opened fire on the worshippers.

    Terrorists suspected to be members of the Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Mosque in Borno state, killing the Chief Imam and three other worshipers.

    It was learnt that the incident occured on Friday during the Fajir prayers in Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of the state.

    According to reports, the terrorists, numbering 20 invaded the worship center and opened fire on worshippers, killing three persons at a spot while the other victim died in a hospital.

    The insurgents also reportedly looted livestock and foodstuff and set ablaze two vehicles in Ngulde community, which is located at some part of Sambisa forest in the state.

    The Councilor representing Ngulde Ward, Hon Bilyaminu who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said the attack “claimed four (4) lives and left many with casualties, while properties and businesses worth millions of naira were also destroyed and carted away by the insurgents.”

    The Borno State Deputy Speaker, who is also representing Askira-Uba constituency, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident.

    According to him, the terrorists invaded the community and asked the whereabouts or house of the chairman of the local hunters/vigilantes.

    He said when the insurgents were not satisfied with the response, they went straight to the Mosque and opened fire on the worshippers.

  • Police rescue three kidnap victims in Bauchi

    Police rescue three kidnap victims in Bauchi

    Police operatives in Bauchi state have rescued three kidnapped persons.

    The victims included Alh. Alhassan Gambo (60) of Unguwan Bawa in Kaduna State, Badamasi Saadu and Abdullahi Sani.

    SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the Bauchi Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement, stated that the victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families after undergoing proper medical examination.

    He explained, “The suspects on August 26, 2022, kidnapped Alh Alhassan Gambo of Unguwan Bawa, Kaduna State and shot one Alh Mujitafa Usman of Funtua LGA in Katsina State who were on a business trip to Tulu village in Bauchi State.”

    The PPRO lamented the supreme price paid by a vigilante member in the gun duel led by Divisional Police Officer of Tulu Division while combing the kidnappers’ enclave.

    He further explained that on 27th August, 2022, at about 2100hrs, credible intelligence available at the disposal of Tulu Divisional Police headquarters showed that suspected kidnappers blocked Tulu-Rishi Road.

    After follow-up and intense surveillance in the area on 28th August, 2022, he explained that two suspects were apprehended who were found wandering aimlessly in the area, assuring that investigation was ongoing to establish their connection or otherwise with the suspected kidnappers.

    The statement explained that the State commissioner of police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda had commiserated with the family of the vigilante member who sacrificed his life while protecting life and property of the citizens.

    He disclosed that some group of notorious thugs armed with cutlasses, knives, sticks and other dangerous weapons last Tuesday attacked members of peace and security committee of Bakin Kura office and mercilessly inflicted serious injuries to two committee members, namely Danladi Suleiman (32) and Yakubu Ibrahim (42).

    According to him, a team of detectives led by Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) swiftly swung into action to the scene and succeeded in arresting twenty-two (22) male suspects namely Aliyu Adamu (15) of Bakaro quarters, Ukasha Abubakar of Kofar mukaddas, and Abdulmalik Abdullahi of Kandahar quarters in Bauchi metropolis.

    Others are Nura Inuwa (17) of Bakaro, Umar Abdullahi (18yrs) of Malan Goje, Mohammed Mohammed Koli (18), Umar Sulaiman (23), Ibrahim Idris (15), Kabiru Shehu (14), Musa Usman (14), Buhari Sani (18), Aliyu Yakubu alias (Ali luta), Isah Nuhu, Abdulsamat Aliyu, Muhammad Umar alias, Aliyu Adamu Aliyu, Abubakar Adamu, Mujahid Abdullahi (alias (James), Ibrahim Yunusa alias ‘Dan-mama’, Mubarak Ismail alias ‘Dangongo’ and Abdullahi Garba alias (Dan Alhaji).

    He confirmed that all the suspects confessed to the crime, saying that the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda directed that the suspects be charged to court.

  • Group seeks support traffic officer to reduce road crashes

    Group seeks support traffic officer to reduce road crashes

    Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI) has urged Mallam Muhammad Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to assist the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (FCT-DRTS), also known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), in improving road crash prevention in the territory.

    The group’s executive director, Prince Fidelis Nnadi, made the call in an interview in Abuja yesterday, saying such assistance could take the form of logistics and legislative approvals.

    Nnadi noted that there had been an improvement in traffic management and enforcement on road traffic regulations in the FCT through the various road traffic safety initiatives being implemented by the new director of FCT-DRTS, Dr Abdul-Lateef Bello.

    He pointed out that some of the initiatives include effective monitoring and enforcement on commercial motorcycle ban, sustenance of effective road traffic safety enforcement on FCT roads, elimination of the activities and operations of “One Chance” and ensuring zero tolerance to corruption in the directorate.

    Nnadi recalled that by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) index, the FCT had always remained on the highest ladder of road crashes, deaths and injuries compared to other states in Nigeria, stressing that with the current approach, administrative and operational restructured system in the directorate, there were great expectations that the FCT would move down the ladder of road crash index of the NBS.

  • 25,000 people, including 14,000 children, disappeared in Nigeria: Red Cross

    25,000 people, including 14,000 children, disappeared in Nigeria: Red Cross

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the latest figures for disappeared persons across Africa is 64,000 cases, with Nigeria recording over 25,000 missing people.
    Yann Bonzon, head of the delegation for the Red Cross in Nigeria, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared, observed every August 30.

    The statement was signed by Akpa Esther, spokeswoman for the Nigerian Red Cross in Abuja.

    Ms Bonzon said out of the over 25,000 reported missing in Nigeria, over 14,000 were children. According to him, there are over 35 active armed conflicts in Africa.

    He added that thousands of people, including children, cross borders, the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and better life each year.

    Mr Bonzon further stated that such movements often entailed great risk, including the risk of disappearance. He explained that documented cases of missing persons were on the rise as the society warned that the actual figures were much higher.

    “Sadly, the almost 14,000 children registered does not capture the full scope of this often-neglected and tragic humanitarian issue. There is no doubt that there are more children whose fate remains unknown,” Mr Bonzon added.

    He also noted that during displacement, children faced risks such as exploitation, violence, mental distress and disappearance as many also ended up alone, with no news of their families’ whereabouts.

    According to him, the Red Cross has more than 5,200 documented cases of unaccompanied children in Africa.

    Patrick Youssef, regional director for ICRC in Africa, said having the right policies could save lives and that it was an essential step to protect migrants and families of missing persons.

    Mr Youssef also mentioned that there was a question of humanity and human dignity and that families of the disappeared faced immense pain and obstacles that often transcend generations.

    “They are stuck in limbo, unable to move forward or grieve. The search for their loved ones never ends,” Mr Youssef said.

    He stressed that in 2022 from January to June, the ICRC, together with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), assisted in exchanging 1,250 Red Cross messages containing family news.

    Mr Youssef also stated that the Red Cross reunited 31 separated children and unaccompanied minors with their families, while 440 phone calls were provided to families to maintain family contact.

    “In addition, families of 377 persons received information about the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones. While 146 families of missing persons received psychosocial, economic, legal and administrative support through the Accompaniment Programme for Families of the Missing,’’ he said.