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Okuoma Ambush: Troops Recover Decomposing Hearts Of Killed Soldiers

Published

1 year ago

March 22, 2024

Troops of the Nigerian Military conducting search and rescue operations in Okuoma community in Ughelli LGA for the killers of 18 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, have recovered the “decomposing hearts of some of the killed soldiers” while the manhunt continues.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who made this known on Friday, stated that the body parts of the soldiers were recovered during clearance operations.

He said, “Troops have continued a manhunt for the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of 18 soldiers that occurred on 14 Mar 24.

“Accordingly, clearance operations as well as cordon and search were conducted to among other things recovered the weapons of the deceased soldiers.

“Some of the communities in which troops have operated include: Akugbene, Ukuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelii and Ugheli South of Delta State. Others are; Ukuama Amusamo, Akwagbe, Arhavwarien, Pirigbene and Igbomatoro Communities all in Delta State.

“The decomposing hearts of some of the killed soldiers were recovered during search, while the manhunt continues with no significant arrest yet made.

“Significantly, there is a viral video of person admitting to have perpetrated the killings of the soldier in Delta State.

“The video among other things helps to narrow investigations to persons of interest and their cohorts.

“Accordingly, the state governments and host communities of these personalities are required to assist investigation in flushing the out these culprits.

“There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of such dastardly act against our nation. This is a clarion call to duty by members of those communities and the state governments.”

Speaking on operations against insecurity across the country, Gen Buba said troops in the last one week neutralised 106 terrorist and arrested 103 terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements.

“Troops rescued a total of ,96 kidnapped hostages after several fire-fights and arrested 22 perpetrators of oil theft.

“In the Niger Delta, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N754.14million naira (Seven Hundred and Fifty Four Million One Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand and Six Hundred Naira).

“Troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 51 dugout pits, 17 boats, 15 storage tanks, 21 cooking ovens, 3 pumping machines and and 4 vehicles.

“Troops also recovered 772,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,530 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.”

He said troops recovered 171 assorted weapons and 2,452 assorted ammunition comprising 47 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 18 pump action rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 14 Dane guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, 81mm mortar bomb, one mortar tube, 14 magazines, 10 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, 4 baofeng radios, and the sum of N112,920.00 amongst other items.

Giving details of the operations, he said, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East neutralized 38 terrorists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered one PKT gun, 19 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action rifles, 374 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 210 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 240 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 15 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 76 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 empty case of 7.62mm NATO, 14 MG links, 6 magazines, 13 motorcycles, and the sum of N55,000.00 amongst others.

“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested 14 violent extremists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.

‘Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver, one mortar tube, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 52 rounds of 9mm ammo, 14 live cartridges and 2 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo amongst other items.

“On 18 March 2024, troops while on offensive operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Wase and Jos North LGAs of Plateau State.

“During the operation, troops arrested one person and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo.

“On 13 and 14 March 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 9 suspected violent extremists/illegal miners and kidnappers in Bokkos, Pankshin, Riyom and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State.

“On 14 and 15 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted routine patrols and arrested 4 suspected violent extremists/gunrunners and a notorious armed robber in Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State.

“During the operations, troops recovered one fabricated revolver pistol, 44 rounds of 9mm ammo, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 knives.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 7 violent extremists/terrorists, arrested 13 violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage.

“Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 156 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 27 live cartridges, 30 empty cases of cartridges, 4 magazines, 11 mobile phones, one motorcycle and the sum of N57,920.00 amongst others.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 31 terrorists, arrested 13 terrorists and rescued 56 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 7 locally fabricated guns, 7 dane guns, 4 locally made pistols, 7 pump action rifles, one hand grenade, 193 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 253 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 43 rounds of 9mm ammo, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 134 live cartridges, 72 empty shells of 7.62mm special, one 81mm mortar bomb, 10 magazines, 9 motorcycles, and 15 mobile phones amongst other items.

” Troops of operation whirl punch arrested 9 violent extremists/terrorists and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages.

“On 17 March 2024, troops on patrol responded to information on violent extremists/insurgents activities in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State.

“During the operation, troops rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Operations are still ongoing to rescue other kidnapped victims in the theatre.

“On 13 and 18 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols in Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja.

“During the operations, troops arrested 9 violent extremists/kidnappers and their collaborators including a high profile kidnap kingpin. Investigation ongoing.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 20 insurgents and apprehended 22 suspects for oil thefts and other violent extremists/insurgents.

“Troops recovered 28 weapons and 346 assorted ammunition’s. In the North East, troops of Operation Udoka destroyed IED factory. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

“On 19 March 2024, troops with hybrid forces while conducting offensive operations discovered and destroyed IED factory. The factory had ready made IED for deployment as well as other IED making materials. The factory was located in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

“On 16 Marach 2024, troops responded to information on kidnapping incident of one renowned urologist Dr Amu’s wife and 4 children in Enugu North LGA of Enugu State.

“During the operation, troops rescued the kidnapped hostages and recovered one vehicle.”
VANGUARD

News

Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

Published

35 minutes ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to companies attempting to exploit the lingering boundary dispute between Edo and Delta states.

Okpebholo cautioned the companies to desist from encroaching on Edo territory while the matter remains before the National Boundary Commission (NBC), for adjudication and adjustment.

The governor’s stance follows a recent reports of encroachment on Edo territory by the Delta State Government and companies allegedly attempting to establish operations on disputed lands.

Okpehbolo, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Salman-Dogo Garba, and other top security officials, spoke when he paid a fact-finding visit to the disputed areas.

The disputed territory lies between Urhonigbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, and Umutu community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo, while addressing residents of Urhonigbe community, assured them of his administration’s commitment to safeguarding their interests, but urged restraint.

He further urged the affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the dispute was being handled at the highest level of national authority.

“We are here at the boundary to see the disputed area and the actual demarcation. We are appealing to the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the NBC steps in and expedites action so that this dispute is resolved once and for all.

“This River Ethiope is a natural boundary. We don’t want any crisis in the South-South or between Edo and Delta states. We are brothers, having once been Bendel State before Delta was created. We want peace, and we want the right thing done quickly.”

“Please don’t take laws into your hands. As a government, we will protect the territorial integrity of Edo State. But we must maintain peace and harmony with our neighbors while this matter is before the NBC,” he pleaded.

Okpebholo emphasised that while his administration was committed to defending Edo territorial claims, it would do so with fairness, peace, and respect for due process.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure justice, preserve harmony, and protect the integrity of our people and our State,” he affirmed.

In his remarks, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba urged restraint, describing both Edo and Delta as inseparable partners in peace and development despite the dispute.

“I appeal to the communities, Edo and Delta are still brothers despite this land dispute. Be peaceful, avoid violence, don’t take up arms over this matter as it is already before the NBC,” he advised.

News

Release Nnamdi Kanu For Medical Treatment, Ohanaeze President Begs FG

Published

1 hour ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has called on the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to seek proper medical attention.

This is as Azuta-Mbata called on Igbos across the country to ensure they register in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and obtain their voter cards.

Azuta-Mbata said this in a short video message of himself speaking, which he sent to The PUNCH on Thursday.

Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious political and security issues in recent years. Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country.

He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 in a controversial operation by Nigerian security operatives and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He also urged the government to explore a political solution in handling the issue of the detained IPOB leader, saying the apex government does not have any advantage in the continuous detention of the IPOB leader.

Azuta-Mbata stated, “I’m calling upon Ndigbo-nine (Igbos in general) wherever you are in Nigeria to quickly go and take advantage of the voter registration exercise that is going on right now. Go and get your cards as quickly as possible.

“Secondly, I would like to call upon the federal government of Nigeria to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu. The Government has no serious advantage in keeping him. It is important that the government ensures his safety and his welfare, and that the Government must allow him to go and get medical treatment as quickly as possible.

“The Government must adopt a political solution to this situation. I do not believe that the Government has any serious advantage in keeping him any further.”

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

16 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.