The Multi-National Joint Task Force said it had continued its on-slaught for the total defeat of the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists in the Lake Basin.

Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke, Chief Military Public Information Officer, in a statement on Thursday, said the troops, in conjunction with local vigilante groups, conducted ambush operations on BHT logistic suppliers in the general area of Maroua and recovered six bags of assorted foodstuffs and ten bicycles, adding that the recovered items were handed over to the local authorities for further action.

“Similarly, troops of Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria) deployed at Gajiram, while on patrol along Main Supply Route Monguno, rescued suspected BHT family members of nine women and eight children. The rescued persons are currently receiving medical treatment and profiling,” the statement said.

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Also, it said on 18 March 2023, troops, in conjunction with local vigilante (Civilian JTF), arrested a BHT collaborator at Federal Government Girls College Mongonu, adding that the collaborator named Umar Goni, who is an indigene of Kukawa, was arrested while trying to cast his vote in the recently held elections in Nigeria.

He said during the preliminary investigation, he confessed to being an errand boy for the terrorists in Kukawa.

He added that the Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger Republic) troops continued to dominate their Area of Operation, saying that between 12 and 13 March 2023, the troops intercepted 20 BHTs around Tegyessa.

He added that troops of the same sector, while on patrol, intercepted 36 BHT members in the southern zone of Tamour.

“During a joint operation named Operation KOUKOURI conducted by the Sector alongside Nigerian troops of Sector 3 dominated Kanama, Bula Buni, Maine, Tam Match 1 and Forest Matali 2.

“Other areas covered included Dutchi, Cetomani Forest, Alagurno Forest and Guma Saigala, where 20 terrorists were neutralized while 63 suspected BHTs were captured alive.

“Items recovered included three AK-47 rifles, one PKM Metal Link with 19 rounds of ammunition, two Improvised Explosive Devices making items, 121 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammunition, three military uniforms, one pair of Ranger kits and two magazines,” he said.

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“Items destroyed included two motorcycles, 60 solar panels, five motorcycle fuel tanks, among others were destroyed,” it added.

It will be recalled that the Force Commander, Maj Gen Abdul Kalifa Ibrahim, has charged the sectors to maintain their operational tempo and adopt an aggressive posture in dealing with the remaining insurgents to deny them freedom of action.

“The Force Commander commended the troops for this feat and reiterated his commitment in providing necessary supports to defeat the remnant of the BHT/ISWAP terrorists,” it said.

An Ogun State House of Assembly member-elect representing Sagamu constituency 1, Damilare Bello, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of Security Service.

Bello, a Peoples Democratic Party candidate is alleged of masterminding the Sagamu mayhem that left several banks vandalised during the naira scarcity protest.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspects had turned down several invitations by the DSS.

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Bello popularly known as Dre was said to have been on the run since the incident till his election on Saturday

A source at the DSS disclosed to our correspondent on Wednesday, that Bello’s arrest was carried out following the protest which took place on 20th February 2023 in Sagamu town, in Sagamu local government area of the state.

During the protest, some irate youths vandalised about 10 commercial banks and other public infrastructures.

A source in the DSS command said, “On March 21, 2023, at about 14:30 hours, the command apprehended one Oluwadamilare Bello over his alleged complicity in the act of economic sabotage.

“Preliminary investigation has commenced and the suspect may be prosecuted for a crime relating to arson and disturbing of the public peace, amongst others upon conclusion of an investigation.

“The suspect is being investigated on economic sabotage /crime of national security dimension, arson, and disruption of public peace among others.

“The arrest is not politically motivated as it was being reported.”

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Oladipupo Adebutu, has reportedly visited the state office of the service.

The source told our correspondent that the PDP had sent three different delegations led by its chairman, Sikirulah Ogundele and other chieftains to mend fences with the command.

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The source said the visit was used to clear misconceptions of the service over the invitation and the eventual arrest of the suspect.

The source said, “Adebutu himself visited the command Wednesday, with a view to mending fences with the service and as well clear the past misconceptions about the office and realised that the service is a credible institution that must be reckoned with.

When contacted for confirmation, Adebutu’s media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, said his boss was at the DSS office.

Orekoya, however, declined further comment on why his boss visited the command 24 hours after the party held a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Abeokuta.

A Benin-based ex-Boxer, Mr Scott Eguabor, has allegedly punched his brother-in-law, identified as Mr. Sunday Okoro to death, while trying to resolve marital crisis between his immediate younger sister and her husband.

The incident which occurred March 19, at Erie Street, off Sokponba Road, Benin City, according to multiple sources, is coming one week after the boxer allegedly assaulted a Pastor following a disagreement over security levy.

Eguabor, a Coach in charge of Boxing in Edo State Ministry of Sports Council and Head of the State Security Network in Erie and its environs, allegedly fled his home after committing the crime, barely one month after the victim’s wife put to bed.

Okoro, a father of three children, was said to have responded to an invitation by his younger sister who is a renowned Judoka in the same sports ministry with her husband, to settle a quarrel in his in-law’s house where Eguabor, allegedly inflicted severe injuries on Okoro’s eyes and nose.

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A witness, Mr Osahon Okoro-Obaraye, said that Sunday, wept bitterly over the attack before he proceeded to Esigie Police Division where he formally made the complaint and was advised by a policeman on duty to go and treat the injury.

The witness added that in the heat of his ordeal, Mr Sunday who is believed to be in his early 30’s, bleeding severely trekked to meet his in-law in First Erie Lane and demanded the whereabouts of Boxer, without the presence of the police who did not follow the injured victim to the scene of the crime.

He explained that suddenly, Mr Sunday who could barely mutter a word, allegedly slumped and gave up the ghost and upon sensing danger, the alleged murderer fled immediately.

Okoro-Obaraye recalled how Eguabor bracingly had terrorised residents of Erie and its environs with firearms under the toga of Edo State Vigilante Network, Aruosa Command near Igbesamwan street junction.

Distraught Okoro-Obaraye also revealed that he took Sunday in his vehicle to different hospitals in Benin after he (Sunday) fell for urgent medical attention, but was later doctors confirmed dead by the doctors.

He alleged that Eguabor also dealt with several persons in the neighbourhood including the Cleric who was rescued by his church members in the hands of the fugitive when he launched an attack on a Pastor (name withheld) at the peak of his contemptible rage.

Recalling how Mr Eguabor Scott’s wife, had informed her elder brother who lives in Upper Sokponba Road on a telephone to come to her rescue when she had a fracas with her husband late Saturday, March 18th 2023, Okoro-Obaraye alleged that Mr “Scott’s wife told her brother that her life was in danger.

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“Consequently, the elder brother called Mr Sunday who works in Erie street as a coffin maker but lives on Ski street in Benin intervenes.

“After Sunday who was in the church received a phone call from his elder brother, he left his church at about 2 p.m.

“He (Sunday) greeted me (the eyewitness) in Erie Street and thereafter proceeded to a place called “Mama Joy bar” where Scott was relaxing. After greeting his brother-in-law (Scott) and his sister.

“He asked the Couple, why are they always quarrelling? Why can’t they stop their incessant quarrel?

“Suddenly, Scott stood up and gave Sunday a direct punch on his nose and mouth.

“Immediately Sunday fell, Scott began to shout and ordered that Sunday’s life should be terminated.

“Consequently, some persons who were present at the scene were lifted Sunday from the floor. Momentarily, Sunday limped out of the scene and began to lament his ordeal.

“Esigie police immediately prepared an extract for Sunday to go and treat himself at the police Clinic in Benin before Sunday began to make his statement.

“They (sympathizers) wanted to bring Sunday’s corpse to the paternal home of his killer and I opposed it to avert further bloodshed.

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“I then took his body to the same police station where we were advised to take his body to one of the hospital mortuaries we took him to after the incident for preservation.

“Mr Sunday, a casket maker, had just finished paying over N300,000 debt he incurred after his wife (widow) delivered of a baby boy via a Caesarian Section (CS).

“Who will take of the young widow and his three children?”, Okoro-Obaraye queried, while demanding justice, and support for the family of the deceased from all forms of intrusion”, the eyewitness said.

As of the time of filing this report, police operatives were yet to visit the scene of the crime after the attack and death were reported, just as the spokesman of the Nigeria police Command in Edo State, SP. Chidi Nwabuzor is yet to respond to an inquiry from journalists.