Defence
Troops neutralise 147, apprehend 381 suspects in 1 week – DHQ
The Nigerian military in the last week eliminated 147 terrorists, apprehended 381 suspects and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 ammunition, comprising one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, and 13 Dane guns.
“Also recovered are one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio.
“Others are 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, and 112 rounds of 7.62x39mm.
“They also include 42 live cartridges, six vehicles, 32 motorcycles and eight mobile phones amongst other items.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 persons. Troops also arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages,’’ he said.
In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 81 terrorists, arrested 52 suspects, and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.
He said that a total of 94 terrorists comprising 19 adult males, 26 adult females, and 49 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
In the North Central, Buba said troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 17 insurgents, arrested 101 violent extremists, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages within the week.
In North West, he said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 39 terrorists, apprehended 192 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms.
In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of PMS.
He added that troops discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks as well as 84 illegal refining sites.
“Troops neutralised one terrorist and apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists and also recovered nine assorted weapons, 10 magazines, and 63 assorted ammunitions,’’ he said.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested eight violent extremists and rescued six kidnapped hostages as well as recovered weapons.
In the southwest, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE apprehended five violent extremists and recovered four AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, amongst others.
According to him, the recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has begun to yield a noticeable increase in the nation’s crude oil production.
“Though we are not yet where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production, troops will sustain the renewed vigour and momentum till the crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded.
“Overall, we are constantly assessing our actions, adjusting and amending our operations in order annihilate terrorists across.
“Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity, and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
“Citizens are urged to note that, winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons, and finances,’’ he said.
(NAN)
Africa
Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
Africa
Ann-Kio Briggs Faults Tinubu for Scrapping Niger Delta Ministry
Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.
Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.
President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.
Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.
She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”
Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.
Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.
“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.
Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”
Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.
Defence
BREAKING: COAS Lagbaja is dead
President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died at age 56.
According to a statement by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the Army Chief passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an illness.
In his message of condolence, President Tinubu extended heartfelt sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring his “significant contributions to the nation.”
The President wished the late General eternal peace and recognized his dedicated service during this difficult time for the military and the nation.
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