Headlines
MNJTF troops eliminate terrorists, rescue victims in Lake Chad region
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have eliminated scores of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued abducted victims in recent encounters in the Lake Chad Basin region.
The Chief of Military Public Information Office for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.
Adegoke said the troops of MNJTF Sector 4 in Niger, while on patrol along Kara–Diffa Road on Jan. 9, 2023, intercepted four persons suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP logisticians conveying about 1,000 litres of fuel.
He said the fuel was cleverly concealed in plastic bags inside a Toyota Highlander Jeep and was being transported from Maine Soroa to the Lake Chad Islands, possibly to suspected terrorists.
He added that the sum of N650,000 was also recovered hidden in the vehicle, saying that suspects and exhibits were in the custody of MNJTF Sector 4 for further investigations.
Adegoke said the troops of Sector 3 (Nigeria), had in another incident on Jan. 11, 2023, repelled an attempted infiltration by the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals due to superior firepower.
He said that two terrorists were killed at the end of the encounter and one Rocket Propelled Grenade, seven bombs, two 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven mortar chargers and two wooden canoes were recovered.
According to him, the canoes were promptly destroyed.
“Similarly, on Sunday, an unspecified number of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Monguno in MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) in the early hours of the morning but met the gallant and alert troops.
“Troops engaged the criminals in a firefight forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“The unrelenting troops pursued and engaged the criminals along their withdrawal routes neutralizing three criminals while many fled with gunshot wounds.
“The troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle and 2 magazines after the encounter.
“Regrettably, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in this encounter.
“Five young men suspected to have been abducted were rescued by the troops while five brand new boxer motorcycles were also captured from the terrorists during the encounter.
“Efforts are being made to ascertain the origin of the motorcycles and how they were smuggled into the Lake Chad Islands while the rescued young men are being profiled in the Sector Headquarters before further processing,” he said.
The MNJTF spokesman further said that a total of 70 terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger) and troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon).
He said the surrendered terrorists would be treated in line with standard procedures for such surrenders which would include interrogation and profiling by the relevant authorities.
MNJTF troops eliminate terrorists, rescue victims in Lake Chad region
Headlines
Nasarawa govt talks tough against perpetrators of Gender Based Violence
The Nasarawa State Government has vowed not spare anyone caught perpetrating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) irrespective of the relationship with the victim.
Hajjya Aisha Rufa’i-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development stated this at an event to mark the 16-day activism against GBV on Monday in Lafia.
The commissioner said that the action became imperative given the increasing cases of GBV in the state despite the efforts by the government and other stakeholders.
According to her, most times, perpetrators of this type of violence are either relations of the victims or neighbours as well as colleagues.
“When such perpetrators were arrested, oftentimes, family members, friends, and prominent people in the society will try to intervene to help save them from facing the law.
“The state government will be very hard on the perpetrators going forward to serve as a deterrent to others and ensure justice for the victims,” she said.
The Commissioner encouraged survivors and victims, as well as their family members, to always speak out to enable the government to take action against the perpetrators.
She noted that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration in the state had done a lot towards ensuring the protection of women and children against abuse of any kind.
“We have established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital as well as a Shelter Home for victims of GBV.
“We have also activated a free medical treatment for rape victims thereby removing barriers to accessing care and support,” she added.
The commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of traditional and religious leaders, community leaders as well as Non-Governmental Organisations towards the fight against GBV in the state.
She, however, said that more was still needed to be done to strengthen collaboration between the government and other stakeholders to tackle the menace.
Rufa’i-Ibrahim called on parents and guardians to empower the girl-child economically, educationally, and politically to reduce their vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
The commissioner also rolled out the series of activities outlined to create awareness about the danger of abusing and exploiting a person as a result of his or her gender.
“The ministry, in collaboration with partners, will hold community engagement campaigns, rallies, and school outreach programs, among others.
Headlines
Police rescue 14 passengers from bandits in Jibia
The police operatives in Katsina State have successfully rescued 14 passengers from kidnapping by bandits in Dan’arau village, in Magama-Jibia, Jibia local government area.
The police spokesperson of the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who stated this in a statement, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7:55 p.m.
Aliyu explained that suspected armed bandits attacked two commercial vehicles on the road with the intent of abducting the occupants.
“On Nov. 24, 2024, at about 7:55 p.m., suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked two commercial vehicles at Dan’arau village on Magama-Jibia road in Jibia, in an attempt to kidnap the occupants.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia, led a team of operatives to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.
“The team successfully foiled the kidnapping attempt, and rescued the 14 passengers,” he said.
Aliyu, however, said two rescued victims suffered gunshot injuries and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
“Unfortunately, one of the victim succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment,” Aliyu revealed.
He said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.
He further urged the public with useful information on suspected criminal activities to continue to
Aviation
NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist food depot, kill scores in Lake Chad
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said the NAF aircraft carried out the operations in Nov. 23 on the strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts.
He said the location served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters.
He added that intelligence had previously linked terrorists in the location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on Nov. 16.
According to him, the NAF fighter jets, in response, launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site.
“Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements.
“The operation’s success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.
“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralisation of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks,” he said.
Akinboyewa said the mission had demonstrated the NAF’s unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations.
He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustain robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.
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