Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai have killed 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in southern Lake Chad region of Borno State, close to the Nigerian-Cameroon border.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, Reuben Kovangiya.

According to Kovangiya, the troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition after the operation

The statement reads, “Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have launched a series of offensives aimed at ridding the North East of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Sokoto Kingpin Danbokklo After Gun Fuel

“In a recent coordinated operation in terrorists’ hideouts in the southern Lake Chad region of Borno State, scores of insurgents were neutralised, and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.”

The statement disclosed that the operation was conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala of Borno state, near the Cameroon border.

It said, “During the operation which was conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala, close to the Cameroon border at Manawaji, troops made contact with the terrorists.

“Following the intense firefight, the determined and well-equipped troops eliminated 10 terrorists who, according to intelligence, have been disrupting peace in the general area.

READ ALSO:PHOTOS: Troops Burst Crime, Ritual Syndicate’s Hideout In Edo, Arrest 31

“The gallant troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including anti-aircraft ammunition, suspected to have been looted from an earlier attack on Cameroonian Defence Force in Cameroon,” the statement added.

The statement reiterateed the Army’s commitment to sustaining the offensive in the North east region

“While the resilient troops have been commended for the great feat, they have vowed to totally deny the terrorists freedom of action in the general area, as well as sustain offensive against the terrorists in the entire North East Region, in line with the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff, in order to achieve the mandate of Operation HADIN KAI,” Kovangiya assured all.
(PUNCH)

Troops of Operation Fasan Yamma have eliminated a notorious terrorist, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, in a weeklong encounter in the North West.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye confirmed the killing in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kangye said the operation was conducted in conjunction with Hybrid Forces supported by air components and other security agencies, following credible intelligence on the movement of fleeing bandits and terrorists.

READ ALSO: Army Kills Two Suspected Bandits In Plateau

“During the encounter, a notorious terrorist kingpin, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, who for years has devastated residents of Eastern Sokoto, suffered serious gunshot wounds.

“He subsequently died on Monday from the injuries sustained during the fierce battle with our troops.

“It is believed that Yellow Danbokkolo was much more dreaded than Bello Turji, as he masterminded the December 2021 arson on travellers in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara, during which all the passengers were burnt to death,” he said.

READ ALSO: Four Soldiers Feared Killed As Army Battles Terrorists In Yobe

Kangye said the neutralised kingpin lived on endless bouts of pentazocine to sustain his cruelty and heinous activities.

He said the troops with the renewed resolve, were on the hunt for Bello Turji, who had been in hiding.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to restoring normalcy in all parts of the country and, therefore, call for the cooperation of all Nigerians in this drive,” he added.
(PUNCH)

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused to grant bail to three detained promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange accused of involvement in a fraud exceeding $1 billion.

In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite held that, based on the affidavit evidence presented by both parties, the case against the defendants appeared strong.

The judge, on April 24, had previously granted the application of the EFCC to arrest and detain six CBEX operators in connection with the alleged fraud.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC’s counsel, Yusuf, which sought detention pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.

READ ALSO:CBEX: Investors Will Get Their Money Back – EFCC Assures

The six defendants include Adefowora Abiodun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

In the motion ex parte, filed on April 23, the EFCC outlined four grounds for its application, including its statutory duty to prevent and detect financial crimes through investigation.

Yusuf argued that some defendants were at large, necessitating a warrant of arrest to enable proper investigation and prosecution.

According to the EFCC, the defendants, through their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted CBEX by advertising investment opportunities and luring members of the public to invest cryptocurrencies on the CBEX platform.

READ ALSO:CBEX: EFCC Declares Foreigner Wanted

The agency alleged that the defendants promised unrealistic returns of up to 100%, requiring victims to convert their digital assets into stablecoin (USDT) and deposit them into the suspects’ crypto wallets.

Initially, victims had full access to monitor their investments. However, once deposits surpassed $1 billion, the CBEX platform became inaccessible, and withdrawals were blocked.

Investigations revealed that the scheme was fraudulent and that ST Technologies International Limited, although registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, was not authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer investment services.

The EFCC further disclosed that the defendants had vacated their last known addresses in Lagos and Ogun States. A warrant of arrest was thus necessary to trace and apprehend them.

READ ALSO:CBEX Resumes Operations Despite SEC Ban, N1.2tn EFCC Probe

During a hearing on 11 June, counsel for the defendants, Babatunde Busari and Justice Otorudo, argued for bail, citing Section 35(1) and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

They sought to vary the court’s earlier order permitting the EFCC to detain their clients, requesting bail pending the conclusion of investigations, arraignment, and trial.

However, the EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendants were implicated in a fraud exceeding the budgets of several Nigerian states combined. The commission also noted that new petitions from victims continued to emerge.

READ ALSO:CBEX Fraud: EFCC Declares Two More Wanted

In delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite acknowledged that a formal charge had been filed against the defendants and was awaiting assignment to a court.

He rejected claims that the 1st defendant, Abiodun, required urgent medical attention, stating that the EFCC could provide necessary healthcare.

“In view of the foregoing, and considering the nature of the case, as well as the fact that a formal charge has been filed, I hold that the interest of justice will be best served by transferring this application to the court where the charge is pending for simultaneous arraignment and hearing of the bail application,” the judge declared.

The application was subsequently refused.