Metro

Kaduna Gov’t Confirms Killing Of Wanted Terrorist Leader Boderi

Published

9 months ago

February 23, 2024

In a heart-warming development and stemming from consistent support to security forces by Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, a major breakthrough has been recorded in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country.

The notorious bandit, insurgent and ruthless killer, Boderi Isyaku, has been neutralised in a gun duel alongside some of his fighters, by troops of the Nigerian Army, around Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi LGAs of Kaduna State.

A statement titled, ‘Target Acquired, Justice Served: Boderi Falls To Security Forces’, signed by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Thursday afternoon, said this feat was confirmed to the Kaduna State Government by security forces carrying out internal security operations and diligent checks from human intelligence sources.

“Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighboring Niger State, with a trademark of brutal attacks, mass abductions and cruel, relentless killing. His elimination comes as the culmination of tireless efforts by dedicated troops committed to restoring peace and security in the region. The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army (and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch) Major General VU Okoro, coordinated the operation through meticulous planning and intelligence.

“The troops on Wednesday night, came in contact with Boderi and his fighters around Bada general area of Chikun LGA. Despite the terrorists’ well-fortified position, the troops laid a successful ambush. Boderi and his associates walked into the trap, and were cornered,” he said.

Aruwan added that in the ensuing confrontation, Boderi chose to resist the troops and engaged them in a fierce firefight.

“He was ultimately subdued, and his reign of terror ended in a burst of bullets and eternal ignominy. Two of his associates were likewise neutralized. After the operation, the troops recovered two AK47 rifles, 300 rounds of ammunition, nine AK47 magazines, one magazine carrier, one Baofeng radio set and five motorcycles.

“The elimination of Boderi Isyaku, as a notable milestone in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry, demonstrates the effectiveness of determined and coordinated efforts by security forces in confronting those who seek to spread fear and chaos.

“Boderi, known for his ruthlessness and cunning, had long eluded the grasp of security forces, while orchestrating the kidnappings of prominent figures, innocent civilians, school children and students with impunity. His activities not only caused untold pain to thousands of victims and families, but also posed a stiff challenge to law enforcement agents, who, at various times were only a whisker away from apprehending this menace.

“Boderi was involved in a range of deadly attacks spanning Sabon Birni, Rigasa, Buruku, Gwagwada, Rijana and Kateri general areas, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as Shiroro, Alawa, and Mangoro general areas of neighbouring Niger State. His activities included vast and elaborate operations in cattle rustling and gunrunning.

He was also known to have built a close rapport with terrorist groups, collaborating with them towards establishing footholds in these areas. Recent intelligence reports revealed his plans to attack a school in his sphere of operation. Those plans have been thankfully truncated.

“It was Boderi who plotted and executed the 11th March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA. This high-profile kidnapping generated shock waves and massive panic around the country, as dozens of young students were whisked away and their families left to deal with unimaginable turmoil.

“On the 24th of August 2021, Boderi masterminded another deadly attack, this time on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Igabi LGA. Two officers were killed and another abducted. Weeks later, on 14th September 2021, Boderi led his gang of bandits in the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, around Dutse village, Chikun LGA. The Emir’s Police Detail was killed.

“These are a few highlights in the profile of a mindless monster, fueled by undiluted hate and evil, veiled underneath an apparently harmless, innocent and youthful exterior. Without a doubt, this baby-faced terror was one of the most dangerous individuals in the country, single-handedly tearing apart the lives of entire communities across several states,” he stated.

Receiving the report, Governor Sani expressed his elation at the development, which he described as a pointer to the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved.

The governor commended Major General Okoro, for his stellar leadership, and praised the troops for their assertive victory. Governor Sani went on to assure security forces in Kaduna State of his unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation, towards the successful achievement of their objectives.

Metro

Police recover stolen SUV after gun duel with robbers in Abuja

Published

2 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command says its operatives have recovered a black Toyota SUV stolen by armed robbers.

In a statement on Friday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said the vehicle was stolen on Thursday around the Lugbe area of the territory.

She explained that the Command received a distress call from a good Samaritan on Thursday evening reporting a carjacking incident in the area.

The PPRO said one Kemi H. Adidiru was driving from Lugbe to the city center when she was abruptly stopped and surrounded by six armed men under a pedestrian bridge along Alieta Road, Lugbe.

The robbers, according to the PPRO, forcefully ejected both the car owner and her driver from the 2012 black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Reg. No. ABJ 670 EY) and sped off with the car and her belongings.

The statement added that the witness, alarmed by the robbery, promptly notified the Command Control Room, providing crucial information about the vehicle and the suspects’ direction of escape.

“The Police acted quickly, alerting strategic checkpoints and deploying patrol teams across the FCT.

“At approximately 11:35 pm, Police operatives spotted the stolen vehicle at a checkpoint along Dantata Bridge, Galadimawa Road.

“When officers attempted to stop the suspects, they sped away, leading to a high-speed chase towards Airport Junction. Upon reaching another Police checkpoint at the Airport Junction, the suspects opened fire, engaging the Police in a fierce gun battle.

“Thanks to the superior firepower of the police, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and their firearm, fleeing into the surrounding bushes.

“The vehicle was successfully recovered, along with a bag containing an international passport belonging to Halimat Adediru, cash and other valuables.”

The PPRO said the recovered items have since been returned to their rightful owner, who expressed profound gratitude for the prompt response and professionalism of the Police.

Metro

BusinessDay Journalist Finally Regains Freedom From ‘One-Chance’ Kidnappers In Abuja

Published

2 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

A BusinessDay defence correspondent, Ojochenemi Onje, has regained her freedom from kidnappers commonly called “one chance operators” in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The female journalist’s freedom was confirmed on Saturday morning by some of her colleagues.

It is not clear whether any ransom was paid to secure her release.

The media had on Friday evening reported that Onje was abducted by kidnappers commonly called “one chance operators” according to several of her colleagues.

The media had learnt that the female journalist was kidnapped on her way from office.

One of the sources had said the kidnappers had contacted the victim’s workplace to demand the sum of N1million before releasing her from their custody.

“We need your prayers. The BusinessDay correspondent was kidnapped by one-chance operators and they are demanding for one million before they would release her,” one of her colleagues.

It was learnt that the incident was escalated to the Nigerian police and the military.

Metro

Court remands 113 foreigners over alleged cybercrime

Published

6 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded 113 foreign nationals at Kuje and Suleja correctional facilities.

The foreigners were arraigned before the court on Friday on the allegations of their involvement in high-level cybercrime and hacking activities said to be threatening Nigeria’s national security.

The accused persons comprising 87 men and 26 women from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia, as well as 17 Nigerian collaborators were facing six counts bordering on cybercrime, money laundering and unlawful residency in Nigeria.

Justice Akpan declared that the male defendants be remanded at Kuje prison while the females should be taken to Suleja prison.

The suspects were arrested on November 3, 2024, at Plot 1906, Cadestral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja. They were allegedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, the suspects were alleged to have accessed a computer network and input, altered, and deleted suppressed data, resulting in inauthentic data, with the intention that such inauthentic data would be considered or acted upon as if they were authentic or genuine.

They were also alleged to have removed “from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms.”

According to the charge sheet, the platforms are 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top.

The accused persons were also charged with entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed, or neglected to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit and remained in Nigeria without a valid resident permit or appropriate valid visa.”

At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, the arraignment of the suspects was also stalled because the defendants’ names were misrepresented on the charge sheet.

Counsel to some of the defendants, James Onoja (SAN) told the court that there was a need to have interpreters to interpret for those who do not understand English.

Onoja asked the court to adjourn the scheduled arraignment following an observation that there were discrepancies in the names of the defendants, arguing that some of the names given to the defendants were not their proper names.

The prosecution counsel, A. A. Egwu, who did not oppose the adjournment request, stated that the police lacked the facility to continue to keep the defendants, stating that he had earlier filed an ex-parte motion for the accused persons to be remanded in a correctional centre.

Egwu said most of the defendants were arrested without their papers, urging the court to remand them in a correctional centre pending their arraignment.

Following the submission of the counsel, the court ruled that the defendants should produce their travelling documents for their proper names and spellings to be gotten.

Meanwhile, counsel to the Brazilian accused persons, Eric Oba, asked the court to separate his clients from other defendants.

Oba appealed to the court to conduct separate trials for them, just as he prayed the court to allow his clients to stay back at the police facility.

He said the Brazilians were afraid that they could be harmed by the other defendants because they made extra-judicial statements to the police that others were not happy about.

Rejecting Oba’s appeal, Justice Akpan directed him to file a formal application for the separation of the trial of his clients.

He adjourned the case to Friday, November 29, for arraignment.