Metro

Soldiers Arrest 18 Suspected Terrorists In Abuja

Published

11 months ago

February 23, 2024

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that soldiers of the Nigerian military arrested no fewer than 18 suspected terrorists in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Defence Headquarters which made this known on Thursday stated that the suspected terrorists were arrested during operations conducted on February 14 in the nation’s capital.

Abuja Municipal Area Council serves as the central hub of Nigeria’s capital, hosting the seat of power – Presidential Villa, embassies and various prominent government, private, and international entities.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, while speaking during a press briefing on the activities of the troops across the country in Abuja, said that charms and bulletproof vests were among other items recovered from the arrested suspected terrorists.

Buba said, “Arrest of Suspected Violent Extremists/Terrorists: On February 14, 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 18 suspected violent extremists in AMAC of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered a bulletproof vest, a substance suspected to be cannabis, assorted charms, and the sum of N9,000.00 amongst others.”

He said that in total, 244 terrorists were arrested while 286 were killed in operations conducted between February 13, and 22, of this year.

According to Buba, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 286 arrested 244 of them, and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows: 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 Dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, and 10 IEDs.

“Others are 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00 amongst other items.”

Buba added that in the operations against oil thieves in the country, crude oil worth N2.5 billion was recovered, while 83 suspects were arrested during the period under review.

He said that “In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N2,565,479,720.00 only. Troops also arrested 83 perpetrators of oil theft. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks.

“Other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles, and 74 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK, and 6,790 litres of PMS.”

Buba, who also highlighted the Nigerian military’s efforts in combating terrorists and bandits, stressed the need for good governance to contain the widespread insecurity in the country.

“We have eliminated several terrorists, their leaders and commanders. Troops are continually going after the terrorist and dislodging them from their hideouts. In spite of all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.

“Accordingly, we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for the government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance,” Buba said.

Recall that the Defence Headquarters in January said that troops of the Nigerian military killed 43 suspected terrorists and arrested 115 others during the operations conducted in the first week of the year.

The Defence Headquarters had also said that from January to December 2023, troops killed a total of 6,886 terrorists and other suspected criminals, while a total of 6,970 terrorists and other suspects were arrested.

Metro

State security operatives rescue three pastors, 13 others in Kogi

Published

18 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Naijablitznews

Kogi security operatives on Wednesday rescued three pastors and 13 other victims who had been kidnapped by hoodlums in the Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16 victims, including the three pastors, were abducted after a crusade in Ejule, Ofu LGA.

They regained their freedom following the intervention of a combined team of security personnel in the state.

The pastors, who were guest ministers at the crusade, were on their way to their guest house after the second day of the three-day event.

They were ambushed by hoodlums around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 20, on a street off the Ejule-Anyigba road.

Upon being alerted, the Nigerian Army quickly mobilised other security operatives, launching a thorough search that lasted two nights before locating the kidnappers in a forest.

After a two-hour gunfight, the kidnappers fled with varying degrees of injury, leaving behind the victims.

Kogi’s Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, on Wednesday lauded the bravery of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies involved in the rescue.

In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unubi, Salifu expressed his relief that the victims were safely freed and commended the security personnel for their efforts.

He also emphasised that under Gov. Ahmed Ododo, Kogi would not be a safe haven for criminals, noting the state’s commitment to maintaining security and protecting lives and property.(NAN)

Metro

EFCC arrests 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Awka

Published

22 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said they have arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters.

The commission stated that the all-male suspects were arrested in a sting operation at Commissioners’ Quarters, Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State.

According to a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, EFCC said that the development followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.

The commission listed the items recovered from them to include six exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones.

“They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement concluded.

Metro

Gov Alia locks out hundreds of Benue workers for late coming

Published

24 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Several hundred civil servants in Benue State who arrived late to work on Wednesday were locked out by stern-looking security personnel assigned to the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

At approximately 10:35 AM on Wednesday, the governor made an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat to inspect ongoing renovation work, including the installation of lighting.

As soon as the convoy of the governor drove into the secretariat, the gates were locked by security officers leading to hundreds of state civil servants locked out.

To the governor’s surprise, during his tour from one ministry to another, he found that several commissioners and other key officials were absent from work.

Angered by this situation, the governor later addressed a large crowd of workers gathered at the gate after his inspection.

He expressed deep concern about their attitudes towards government work and warned them against failing to fulfil their responsibilities for the salaries they receive.

According to the governor, “With what you are doing, you are creating a vicious circle for your families. You cannot get money and be uplifted because you are cheaters and because of the effect of what you are doing.

“The work I do is not for me, but for those who don’t know that am the governor and those who will see me and not recognize me.

“Am appealing to you because I have a quick way of getting your names and firing you as I have the power to do so. I am speaking to you as a priest and not as governor and telling you the dangers of what you are doing.

He added, “It is not about me, who is government? All of you here are the government. Even in the family, somebody governs the home and there are rules. And in every government; there are rules. Am not frustrated but I do not want you to be doomed.

“See what you can do if not for yourselves but for the people you are caring for and are behind you because they are the ones to take the heat”.