Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have uncovered a cache of improvised explosive devices kept under the bridge linking Marte and Dikwa in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

The Nigerian Army, which disclosed this on Friday on its official Facebook page @HQ Nigerian Army, said the discovery was made by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams deployed from both Marte and Dikwa Forward Operating Bases

According to the statement, 56 fully prepared IEDs have been safely recovered from the location, while efforts are still ongoing to render the remaining devices safe for complete recovery and disposal.

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The statement reads, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with members of the CJTF have uncovered a significant cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) emplaced by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the strategic bridge linking Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.

“The discovery was made by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams deployed from both Marte and Dikwa Forward Operating Bases during a targeted clearance operation.”

It added, “A total of 56 fully prepared IEDs have been safely recovered from the location. Controlled procedures are currently underway to render the remaining devices safe for complete recovery and disposal.”

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According to the statement, the successful operation has prevented a potentially catastrophic attack and reaffirms the vigilance, expertise, and commitment of Nigerian troops in safeguarding key infrastructure and civilian lives within the North East theatre

The PUNCH had reported a series of explosions on different highways across the state, leading to the death of many travellers.

A High Court sitting in Neni, Anambra State, presided over by Justice G.C Anulude, has sentenced one Nonso Anunuobi to life imprisonment for his involvement in a case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The defendant, was charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder contrary to Criminal Code Act and the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, alongside other relevant legislation.

The verdict, delivered by the judge of the Anambra State High Court 1, followed a painstaking trial process that lasted several years, during which damning evidence was presented against the convict.

According to details of the case (Charge No. NN/5C/2019), as obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the defendant, alongside his gang members, waylaid their victim, one Aloysius Obidinma, at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while he was returning to Onitsha from his hometown.

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It was gathered that the unsuspecting victim was ambushed, brutally assaulted, shot, and dragged into the criminals’ vehicle.

The hoodlums, it was further revealed, dispossessed the victim of his car, laptop, phones, and other personal effects, before demanding ransom from his family as a condition for his release.

Their dastardly acts, were however exposed when law enforcement officers, swung into action, tracked one of the stolen devices which eventually led them to apprehend the culprits.

The Prosecution, led by the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, provided substantial evidence linking the culprit to the heinous crime, and reminded the court that “under the law, a conviction for armed robbery ordinarily attracts a death sentence”.

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The defense counsel, however, passionately pleaded for leniency on behalf of the accused.

However, in his judgment, Justice Anulude, after careful consideration of the final addresses and the weight of evidence before the court, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The judge noted, “While the law stipulates death for armed robbery, the peculiar circumstances and the plea for mercy influenced the decision of the court.

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“The court finds the accused guilty as charged and the cruelty of the acts committed cannot be glossed over.

“This judgment will serve as a strong deterrent to other criminally-minded elements who may wish to terrorise law-abiding citizens in the society.”

Reacting, the Assistant Chief State Counsel, Fabian Okeke, while expressing satisfaction with the ruling, reiterated the need for continuous collaboration among the police, the judiciary, and the public to sustain the gains made in the fight against violent crimes in the state.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a suspect for allegedly stabbing a fellow student and demanding ransom from her family.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

According to Edafe, the suspect, armed with a kitchen knife, lured the victim, a 100-level student of the newly renamed Southern Delta University, Oleh, to the university auditorium, where he allegedly stabbed her twice in the neck and chest.

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After the attack, the suspect reportedly used the victim’s mobile phone to call her father and demand ransom.

Parading the suspect in a video shared on Friday, Edafe wrote, “It’s so sad that some of our boys, due to a lack of home training, are cutting short the lives of innocent girls. She is a 100-level student of the newly named Southern Delta University.

“The suspect, who was armed with a kitchen knife, asked her to meet him at the school auditorium where he stabbed her twice in her neck and chest. He later used the girl’s phone to call the father and demand ransom.”

Watch video below:

Source: PUNCH