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How terrorists get arms, ammunition – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained how government weapons end up in the hands of terrorists.
It said terrorists get such arms when they attack military formations.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while addressing reporters on military operations across the country.
Last week, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had said a sizeable number of illicit arms being used by non-state actors originally belonged to the government.
Ribadu said the weapons ended up in the hands of non-state actors due to corrupt elements within the security agencies.
Echoing the NSA’s statement, Buba said: “When we talk about the proliferation of arms, first, you have to look at what happened in Libya years ago, in the Sahel.
“Now, this allowed arms to get into the wrong hands and then filtered into our country. This worsened the issue of insurgency and terrorism that we are faced with in the country.
“It is not a surprise. As we have seen, several of our troops have been ambushed or killed and their arms taken.
“But what we have done is that in every such instance, we have made the terrorists pay a greater price than we have been forced to pay in such circumstances.”
The DHQ also said troops on operations across the country arrested 135 terrorists, including two Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leaders, killed 140 terrorists and rescued 76 kidnap victims.
Buba said troops of Operation Udo Ka at Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State arrested an IPOB leader identified as Pius Iguh.
The suspect is said to be a founding father of Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Orsu general area of Imo State.
Buba said troops at FOB Amaruku arrested another IPOP leader, identified as Emmanuel Onwugu in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State.
The defence spokesman said troops, in collaboration with other security forces, arrested a “notorious cult leader” called Ifeanyi Rock with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu area of Abia State.
He said the troops within the period recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition, among others.
He gave a breakdown of recovered weapons as follows; 141 AK-47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, four locally-made pistols, one Barreta pistol, two bayonets and 42 AK-47 magazines.
Others include 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, two Baofeng radios, three vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only amongst other items.
Also, in the Niger Delta region, Buba said troops destroyed 47 illegal refining sites, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth N1,751,886,550.00.
The troops also destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, and 22 storage tanks.
The defence spokesman said troops also recovered 13 speedboats, one tricycle, four motorcycles, three vehicles, 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Also, troops of 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate said to be terrorising parts of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, and Lau Local Government Area of the state.
Acting on an intelligence report, the first two suspects, identified as Ali Idi and Haruna Umar, were apprehended on October 22 during a raid at a local hotel in Mayo Dassa area of Jalingo where they were reportedly hiding.
A search on their mobile phones revealed incriminating evidences, including a photograph showing Haruna Umar brandishing an AK-47 rifle alongside another individual at a yet to be identified location.
Further investigations led to the discovery that the gang’s hideout was at Kona Mountain in Jalingo Local Government Area, where additional members of the syndicate were believed to be camped.
Troops conducted a follow-up operation at Kona Mountain on October 23, and the suspected leader of the gang, identified as Dahiru Idi (aka Yellow), was apprehended.
Upon interrogation, he confessed to the recent kidnapping of three individuals, from whom a ransom of N6 million was extorted before their release.
The gang leader also said the two AK-47 rifles used in their operations had been taken to another location by another gang member, Yakubu Dogo, in preparation for an upcoming operation.
News
FG drops charges against journalists
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The federal government on Friday withdrew all six-count charges against an Abuja-based online newspaper, Order Paper, and nine officers of the media organization.
Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi advised the federal government to withdraw the charges.
It emerged Thursday that the Federal Government had sued the media house for allegedly publishing a false report that DSS operatives, on October 16, stormed the National Assembly on the basis of a rumoured plot to unseat Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Considering what the DSS said was the serious national security threats and local and international embarrassment the story caused, they sued Order Paper and its officials.
However, a credible source in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who filed the suit, disclosed that the charges were withdrawn after the DSS boss reached out to their office.
“The new DG, DSS, Mr. Ajayi, reached out to us. He told my boss that the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), which facilitated the early release of Order Paper’s admin officer, Ms. Edna Ulaeto, also played a key role. The people at Order Paper came to the DSS office, admitted their mistake, apologized, and promised to be more professional,” said the DPP officer.
From the visit of the Order Paper officials, the DSS boss further told my bosses, it was clear that the reporters were misled by less than credible sources in the National Assembly.
“Above all, added the DSS DG, the Order Paper management, on realizing their mistake, had quickly retracted the story. Being an adherent for civility, Mr. Tosin Ajayi therefore felt that the interventions by relevant professional bodies, including the IPI and Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the remorse by Order Paper, were sufficient to warrant the withdrawal of the charges,” the official of the Ministry of Justice declared.
News
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In recent years, the age-old tradition of marriage has undergone a myriad of transformations, reflecting societal changes, economic conditions, and shifting values. One particularly intriguing trend emerging in some communities is the concept of men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women. This practice, driven by a desire to evaluate potential marriage costs, raises several questions about tradition, love, and the commodification of relationships.
Marriage lists are essentially detailed accounts of the financial demands associated with a prospective marriage. These lists may include dowries, gifts, and other financial obligations that a groom or his family must meet. Traditionally, dowries were a way to secure the financial future of a bride and her family, but in contemporary settings, they can vary significantly based on cultural, regional, and individual factors.
Men requesting these lists from various women aims to assess which marriage would be the most economically feasible. This practice can stem from a combination of personal financial constraints, cultural expectations, and the desire to make informed decisions in an era where economic considerations are increasingly important.
In many cultures, marriage is not just a union of two individuals; it is a significant financial transaction involving families. While in some societies, love and companionship are the primary motivations for marriage, in others, financial considerations play a pivotal role. The practice of comparing marriage lists could be seen as a practical approach to ensuring financial stability, but it also risks reducing the complex institution of marriage to a mere transactional relationship.
The practice raises several ethical questions. First, is it fair to women to be evaluated based solely on financial demands? This approach can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate a culture where women’s worth is tied to monetary value. Additionally, it may lead to emotional detachment in relationships, prioritizing financial calculations over genuine compatibility and affection.
Moreover, this practice could create an environment of competition among women, fostering insecurities and undermining the foundational values of trust and love that are vital for a successful marriage.
On a practical level, the comparison of marriage costs can be influenced by economic realities. In times of financial uncertainty, individuals may feel compelled to prioritize financial security over emotional connection. This trend can also reflect broader societal changes, where economic factors increasingly dictate personal choices.
However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial considerations are valid, they should not overshadow the fundamental aspects of partnership—mutual respect, love, and shared goals.
While the practice of men requesting marriage lists from various women may appear to be a logical approach to navigating the complexities of modern relationships, it brings to light significant ethical, cultural, and emotional concerns. Marriage, at its core, is a partnership that thrives on connection and commitment, transcending financial considerations.
As society continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between practical realities and the deeper values that define successful and fulfilling relationships. Ultimately, a marriage built on love and mutual respect will likely yield a more rewarding and lasting partnership than one anchored solely in economic calculations.
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