Metro

Benue Killings: Troops Eliminate 40 Insurgents/Herders

Published

2 years 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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.