Metro

Troops Arrest Several Terrorists, Kill Scores, Rescue Civilians

Published

3 years ago

September 22, 2022

The Defence Headquaters has revealed that the combined forces of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, in the past two weeks, have sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa Danmadami, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

He noted that in the North-Eastern region, troops of Operation Hadin Kai theatre, have sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action.

He adding that the force conducted fighting patrols, ambushes and clearance operations at communities, villages and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama and Guzamala Local Government Areas in Borno State.

Danmadami added that two key Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province commanders, Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida also known as, A Qaid, were neutralized on September 12 and 15, 2022, at Parisu and Sheruri general area in

“Sambisa forest respectively.
Within the period in review, Danmadami added that troops neutralized 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians, and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected logistic suppliers to the terrorists.”

The Defense Headquarters noted that exactly 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, four unexplosive ordinance store, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, one tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125, were recovered from the operation.

Also, a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists and ISWAP criminals and their families; comprising 53 adult males, 116 adult females, and 214 children, surrendered to troops at different locations.

All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists and their families were being profiled for further action.

He added that in a related development, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, on September 9, 2022, while acting on credible intelligence, conducted air interdiction operation at Somalia, in Sambisa Forest, and bombarded a terrorist critical facility.

“The air strike inflicted deadly casualty on the terrorists as feedback revealed that several of the terrorists were neutralized while several structures were destroyed after the strike.

“Similar operation was carried out on terrorist enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba, between September 10th and 14th. The airstrikes led to the neutralization of several terrorists with many of their structures destroyed in the strikes,” Danmadami said.

He noted that on September 16, 2022, following reports on activities of an outlawed cultist group known as Sara Suka boys, troops in conjunction with vigilantes carried out raid operation on their hideout at Rikkos and Nassarawa in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State, and arrested six suspects.

He added that three locally fabricated rifles, five mobile phones, four hammers, five cutlasses, six knives, and one fragmental jacket, among others, were recovered, as arrested suspects and recovered items were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.

He further stated that air components of Operation Whirl Punch, carried out onslaught against terrorists on September 8, during an air interdiction operation at an identified terrorists hideout at Gaude in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

On September 15, 2022, troops also arrested two suspected terrorists collaborators at Access Bank, PZ Branch, in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State ,while trying to withdraw the sum of N14 million deposited into the account of a suspected terrorist financier, Alhaji Abubakar.

16 suspected terrorists were also neutralized, while 10 notorious terrorists were arrested at different locations in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Subsequently, five AK47 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 17 mobile phones, two motorcycles, three locally made rifles, three pairs of woodland camouflage, 118 rustled sheep, four boafeng radio and N29,250.00 cash among other items were recovered, while 21 civilians were rescued. All recovered items, arrested terrorists and rescued civilians were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

Lastly, the director noted that air components of Operation Hadarin Daji, on September 13, conducted air interdiction operation at an identified terrorist hideout in Dutse Babare, in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Stating that the air strike led to the neutralization of a terrorist leader, identified as Ibrahim Dangawo, and other members of his gang. Similar, operation was carried out at Gidan Guga in Faskari Local Government Area also in Katsina State, at an identified terrorist enclave, which led to the neutralization of a terrorist kingpin, known as Babaru who has been on the wanted list of security agents.

He added that a large number of terrorists were also neutralized at Kawari in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Metro

Abductors Kill Seminary, Free One In Edo

Published

41 minutes ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

Kidnappers have killed Emmanuel Alabi a seminary of Immaculate Conception Minor, Ivianokpodi, Estako East Local Government Area, 95 days after he was abducted.

Late Alabi and two other seminaries, Japhet Jesse and Joshua Aleobua, were abducted on July 10, 2025.

In June this year, Peter Andrew, from the same Ivianokpodi seminary was abducted and killed.

Jesse escaped and regained freedom but others remained with the kidnappers.

Their plea for freedom and rescue did not yield any results even as the kidnappers placed them among their previous dead victims.

Aleobua regained freedom on November 4th but Alabi was shot dead while attempting to escape.

A statement by the Catholic Diocese of Auchi and signed by the Assistant Director of Communications, Fr. Linus Imoedemhe, was silent on how Alabi died.

The statement said Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, expressed deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian.

It said Bishop Dunia called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens and cautioned political leaders against turning a blind eye on the worsening insecurity situation in the nation.

Bishop Dunia urged them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi invites all the faithful and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.

“The Diocese of Auchi remains committed to the values of faith, peace, and justice, trusting in God’s infinite mercy to bring comfort to the bereaved family, the seminary community, and all those affected by this tragedy.

“May the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Metro

Amotekun Arrests 16 Illegal Immigrants, 22 Others In Ondo

Published

2 hours ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 16 illegal immigrants who were found wandering in some parts of the state.

The corps said it also arrested 22 persons who were allegedly involved in various criminal activities across the state.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Amotekun Corps, in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, the state Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects were arrested for allegedly breaching the law and order of the state.

According to the Amotekun boss, the illegal immigrants were allegedly brought into the state from the Republic of Togo and the Republic of Benin for unlawful motives.

He said, “We have unusual visitors amongst us. We have Mustafa, Steve, Alfosus, Tango Juntu, and Simon involved in bringing in illegal immigrants into the country for sinister motives.

“We equally have the 22 illegal immigrants that, upon interrogation, were not able to tell us how they came in from Benin Republic and Togo without any mission into the country. ‎

“We are right now going to hand them over to the immigration services for further scrutiny, to the extent that I believe once they find out that their stay is not healthy, they will be sent out of the country.”

On the other 16 suspects, Adeleye said they were allegedly involved in various crimes such as rape, stealing, vandalism, killing, kidnapping, among others.

“What we are saying is that Ondo State still remains one of the safest states, especially with the synergy that exists with all security agencies. As of today, we were able to arrest a syndicate that has consistently been vandalising state government machinery (SIC).

“Overnight, when our operatives caught up with them as a result of our diligent intelligence, they opened fire on our men, but we remained resolute. Rather than responding, we were able to apprehend them.

“We have one Aderemi, 35 years, who was arrested in relation to killing, murder, and suspected kidnapping. We equally have one Mr Etok, a 45-year-old man, who is suspected to be a spy for kidnappers,” he stated.

He added, “We have one Victor who was arrested in Ofosu on the allegation of murder, and we have Mwazu, Sani, Mosund, James, and Sehidu arrested in connection with the vandalisation of government property.”

Adeleye reiterated that the state remained safe, but unsafe for criminals.

“It is not a place for criminals to thrive. ‎Head or tail, Amotekun will catch you, so the best thing is not to be involved in criminal activities,” he declared.

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Militant, Hunt Fleeing Monarch In A’Ibom

Published

23 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with marine hunters, have arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, who allegedly specialises in sea piracy and kidnapping in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command has also launched a manhunt for a traditional ruler (name withheld) believed to be Geofrey’s collaborator and reportedly in possession of operational tools used by the militant.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Azare said the suspect was arrested on November 3, 2025, at about 11:45 am, while the traditional ruler fled when operatives stormed his residence.

He explained that a search of the monarch’s makeshift residence led to the recovery of several items allegedly used for sea piracy operations.

Recovered items included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; and three generators, among others.

According to the CP, “On November 3, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the command, in collaboration with marine hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

“Operatives immediately stormed the village, but the Village Head fled upon sighting the team. A search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.”

Items recovered included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; three generators; three brand-new toilet seats; two brand-new toilet sinks; one sewing machine; and a bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip.

Azare noted that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing traditional ruler.

He further disclosed that during the same period, the command arrested two suspects after raiding an illegal gun manufacturing factory in Ekriti Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area.

According to him, “Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on October 24, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekriti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi (39) and Ubong Udofia (35).

“Exhibits recovered include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, two flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, and one electric filing machine.”