Metro

Benue Killings: Troops Eliminate 40 Insurgents/Herders

Published

1 year ago

March 8, 2024

Following the refusal of herders, cultists and insurgents to heed its warning and put a stop to the wanton killings of indigenes of Benue state over issues of farmlands, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have charged through ambushes laid by armed herders and violent extremists in four Local government areas of Benue State, killing a total of 40 armed herders, violent extremists and insurgents after heavy gunfights.

The four local government involved are Apo Local government area, Katsinal Ala Local government area, Ukum Local government area and Ado local government area all in Benue state.

During the encounters, troops on while on patrol were ambushed by suspected violent extremists/armed herders in Apa LGA of Benue State an following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 insurgents and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 117 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 magazines and 4 mobile phones

In a separate operation, troops raided suspected violent extremists hideout and made contact in Katsina-Ala and Ado LGAs of Benue State resulting a fire fight, with troops neutralizing 12 insurgents and arresting 5 suspected cultists. During the operation, troops recovered 10 locally fabricated guns, 2 Dane guns, one fabricated pistol, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 234 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 112 rounds of 9mm ammo, 3 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones.

Similarly, troops while on fighting patrol made contact with violent extremists/insurgents in Ukum LGA of Benue State resulting in a fire fight, with troops liquidating 15 insurgents and recovering 10 AK47 rifles, 2 double barrel guns, Dane guns, one locally made pistol, 78 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo and substance suspected to be cannabis.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba made this known while giving details operations aimed at tackling insecurity in the country adding that troops of operation Whirl Stroke also arrested one suspected violent extremist/impostor in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and recovered military accoutrements and fake military ID cards among others from him.

“Troops with hybrid forces also raided suspected violent extremists/terrorists hideouts in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, made no contact, but recovered 22 rounds of 5.64mm ammo and one vehicle”.

Speaking further on operations in the last one week, Gen Buba said that, troops neutralized 210 terrorists, bandits and kidnappers and arrested 208 of them, including 66 perpetrators of oil theft as well as rescued 46 kidnapped hostages.

“In the Niger Delta, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of two billion, two hundred and eventy five million, four hundred and fifty one thousand and six hundred naira (N2, 275,451,600.00).

“Troops discovered and destroyed 81 illegal refining sites, 100 cooking ovens, 120 storage tanks, 63 dugout pits, 46 boats. 11 pumping machines, 23 vehicles, 2 tricycles, 6 mobile phones, one generator, 3 outboard engines.

“Troops recovered 1,932,245 liters of stolen crude oil, 432,150 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,500 liters of DPK.

“During the several engagements, troops recovered 243 assorted weapons and 5,453 assorted ammunition comprising 2 GPMGs, 3 G3 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, 42 locally fabricated guns, 16 pump action guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, 34 Dane guns, 2 pistols, 3 fabricated revolver gun, 3 automatic single barrel guns, 2 double barrel guns, 2 locally made short guns, 4 hand grenades, 2,699 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,558 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 339 rounds of 9mm ammo, 22 rounds of 5.64mm ammo, 121 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 468 live cartridges, 34 magazines, 5 HH boafeng radios, 18 vehicle, 26 motorcycles and 34 mobile phones amongst other items.
VANGUARD

Metro

Anambra Lady, Lover Arrested For Staging Own Kidnap

Published

5 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for faking a kidnap and recovered the sum of ₦1.2million, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the supposed kidnapped victim’s family members.

According to a statement released by the spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday, the suspects, identified as Nmesoma Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike (her boyfriend) to stage her own abduction.

Ikenga said that the suspects initially demanded ₦15million ransom, and after negotiation, ₦3million was transferred into the victim’s account.

He said following the arrest of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of moral decadence in the society, adding that the suspects were arrested by police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

The statement read, “The suspects identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike (her boyfriend) to stage her own abduction.

“The operatives also recovered the sum of ₦1,200,000, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the girl’s family members.

“Further information reveals that the suspects demanded ₦15million ransom, and after negotiation, ₦3million was transferred into the victim’s account.

“Reacting to the development, CP Orutugu described the incident as a reflection of the rising moral decay in the society, where young people are increasingly resorting to criminality for selfish gains.”

According to him, the CP urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to intensify efforts in inculcating discipline, integrity, and sound values in their children and wards.

“The CP also warned youths against engaging in self-destructive ventures, stressing that the long arm of the law will always catch up with criminals, no matter how cleverly disguised their schemes may be,” the statement added.

Metro

35-year-old Man Electrocuted In Ebonyi

Published

5 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

A 35-year-old man identified as Peter Ugochukwu Odom, a native of Oyinkwa village in Amachi Community, was reportedly electrocuted while erecting a pole at Nkwoagu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the State.

It was gathered that the deceased, who worked with Ibortic Concrete Investment Ltd, was part of a team contracted to install new poles in the area.

It was in the course of mounting the poles that he accidentally touched a live high-tension wire, leading to his instant electrocution.

Confirming the incident, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Peter Ibor Chukwuemeka, who also disclosed that the victim was his younger brother, expressed deep grief over the loss.

According to him, the team had been invited by a customer to deliver and mount a concrete pole near Nkwoagu.

“We were called for the job. The customer assured my boys that power had already been disconnected from the high-tension line in the area. Unfortunately, that information was false.

“While attempting to erect the pole, it mistakenly touched the high-tension wire, and my brother got electrocuted instantly,” he explained.

He said that the victim was first rushed to the military clinic within the cantonment before being transferred to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA II), where doctors confirmed him dead.

Mr. Chukwuemeka lamented that the deceased, who had worked with him for over three years, was a diligent staff and the breadwinner of his young family.

The victim’s uncle, Mr. Ezeode Samuel, confirmed the incident and described the incident as a great loss to the family, adding that burial arrangements would be decided after consultations.

Metro

Police Foil Robbery On Sagamu-Benin Expressway, Recover Stolen Tricycle In Ogun

Published

5 hours ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled an armed robbery attempt along the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, killing one suspect and rescuing passengers trapped in the attack.

The incident occurred when a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number ENU 371 XJ, driven by one Mba Kingsley Chukwuemeka, was ambushed by a gang of about ten armed robbers at Imere Junction.

Spokesman for the Command said a patrol team led by ASP Ayodele Ajao responded swiftly, engaging the hoodlums in a gun battle. One of the robbers was neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The rescued passengers and the driver were taken to safety, while the corpse of the deceased suspect was deposited at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital morgue for autopsy. The Command added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In a related development, the police recovered a suspected stolen tricycle at Itele during a routine stop-and-search.

The tricycle, with registration number APP 171 OM and chassis number MB6M14PA0N4L10498, was abandoned by its rider, who fled on sighting the operatives. It has since been taken to the station as the investigation continues to trace the rightful owner.

Also, two suspects, Adebayo Adeleke and Ibrahim Taiwo, were arrested in Idiroko for allegedly stealing a police exhibit. The duo, reportedly caught removing a revolving light from a Hilux vehicle parked at the station, were handed over by one Oyeyemi Omotayo.

Police disclosed that the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation, while the exhibit was recovered. The case is currently under investigation.