The Nigerian Army and other agencies have arrested Godwin Nnamdi, a leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Nnamdi, described as “notorious” was apprehended in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

A statement on Sunday by Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said the troops of 82 Division led the operation.

Nnamdi was caught during the raid at a IPOB/ESN camp located at Akpowfu Forest in Nkanu East LGA.

The joint forces engaged the dissidents in a fire fight. They took to their heels, leaving behind their wanted leader.

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One AK 47 rifle, one magazine containing 21 rounds of 7. 62 mm Special, one handset among others, were recovered.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya has commended the government operatives for the success.

Yahaya charged them “to comb and clear all suspected hideouts of criminal elements in their area of responsibility”.

The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi that the Nigerian military was colluding with bandits responsible for various crimes and atrocities across the country.

The Islamic scholar made the allegations when he featured on ARISE TV Morning Show on Wednesday.

Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations in a statement condemned Gumi’s allegations.

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Nwachukwu said the military arm has conducted its constitutional responsibilities most professionally in line with global best practices of adherence to the rules of engagement and protection of fundamental human rights.

He noted that Gumi’s comment was a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.

“It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yawuri from kidnappers.

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“While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel, as provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are crystallised in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“It must also be pointed out, that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals.

“It is also necessary to reiterate that patriotism must be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state are brought to the barest minimum.”

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The Army advised opinion leaders to demonstrate patriotism in building peace, rather than being agents of destabilization and aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.

(DAILY POST)

The Edo State Police Command says the process of streamlining activities of vigilante groups in the state has begun.

The need to regulating the groups set up to complimenting effort of the police in fighting insecurity and other crimes in the state is coming after series of complaints of extortion and unprofessional conduct by the vigilante members.

This was disclosed by SP Bello Kontongs, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state while featuring on a local radio station programme which was monitored in Benin.

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According to the PPRO, police would soon begin training of the vigilante groups at the Police Training School which he said the state government was renovating to make training conducive.

“Very soon, their training will commence. The governor is still working at the Ogida Police Training School and very soon, maybe by next month, they will start their training. It is only the ones that have been confirmed, those ones that we are sure of their character that will be trained.(sic) That is what is in the pipeline now,” he said.

Kontongs said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police has directed that all vigilante members should be profiled by the Divisional Police Officers in their areas.

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He said: “We have directed their leaders to take them to the nearest Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for registration and profiling to ensure that those involved are not cultist and robbers who want to use the opportunity to bring their guns out and molest innocent people, we are not going to allow that.

“If any vigilante member commits any offence in a particular area, we will call the leader in that area to make enquiries, then such a person will be reported to the nearest DPO.

“We are calling on people with genuine intentions to join the vigilante groups and work with us, not those molesting people, not those carrying guns and hiding under the guise of vigilante to be robbing and molesting people, we don’t tolerate that. The essence of the vigilante is to work with the police and the police will supervise them.”