Metro

Troops Neutralize 51 Terrorists, Bandits, ESN Militants In Fire-fights

Published

3 years ago

July 6, 2023

Troops fighting to rid the country of criminal elements, terrorists/bandits and economic saboteurs have eliminated 51 terrorists/bandits in several operations while also rescuing a total of 94 kidnapped civilians from captivity.

This is just as a total of 210 criminal elements including terrorists, their collaborators, armed bandits, perpetrators of oil theft; IPOB/ESN militants among others were arrested during various counter operations.

Also, troops in the Niger Delta discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 125 storage tanks, 227 ovens, 11 dugout pits and 21 wooden boats while denying oil thieves over N500million worth of stolen crude oil products.

Deputy Director, Coordination, in the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Abdullahi Hassan Ibrahim who made this known on behalf of the Director, Defence Media Operations on Thursday, also stated that troops recovered 1,675,700 liters of crude oil, 74,500 liters of Automotive Gas Oil, 10 vehicles, 20 motorcycles, 8 weapons and 330 assorted ammunitions from economic saboteurs.

Giving a insights of the operations, he said, “In the North East, troops neutralized 24 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, captured 10, apprehended 39 collaborators and logistics suppliers and rescued 35 kidnapped civilians.

“In the North West, troops neutralized 16 terrorists, arrested 38 suspected criminals, rescued 38 kidnapped civilians, 1 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist equally surrendered to the troops.

“Troops in the North Central neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 44 suspected criminals. Troops equally rescued 6 kidnapped civilians

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe while conducting Operation Octopus Grip equally denied perpetrators of oil theft crude oil products valued at N503.66million (N503, 660,500.00).

“In South East troops neutralized 4 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals and arrested 37 suspected criminals as well rescued 15 kidnapped civilians.

“Troops recovered 4 Ak47 rifles, 2 AK47 magazines, 5 pump action rifles, 2 locally made pistols, 1 Dane gun, 8 launcher tubes, 13 live cartridges, 2 locally made hand grenades, 1 bag of explosives, IED wires, 1 bow and arrow, 2 trucks loaded with vandalized railways sleepers, 4 vehicles, 6 motorcycle, 32 mobile phones, 1 tricycle and sum of N15,000.00 only.”

Continuing Brigadier General Ibrahim said, “In the North East, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction operation at Jango in Borno State. The location was observed to be active with terrorist’s activities.

Accordingly, the location was bombarded and feedback information revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structure destroyed in the air strike.

Also, between 22 and 26 June 2023, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction operation at terrorist’s hideout at Tumbun Shitu, Arina Chiki a known terrorist hideout in Southern Tumbuns of Borno State. In these operation, human intelligent reported movement of Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists to Arina Chiki due to fighting with the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’adati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction.

It was further revealed that the location serves as the ammunition dump, training ground and logistics hub for the Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists. Consequently, the location was bombarded with bombs, neutralized several terrorists and destroyed their structures in the air strike.

“A similar air interdiction operation was conducted at identified terrorist’s locations in Jango, Kundesana in Mandara mountains and AL Jabbari in Borno State.

“In these location, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance footage confirmed clusters of active structures with some terrorist’s activities. Accordingly, the target was bombarded. Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structures destroyed during the operation.

“In the North West troops recovered 80 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones, large quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis and illicit drugs, 1,260 rustled livestock, the sum of N1, 286,538.00 and 600 CFA only and other sundry items.

“The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction operation at identified terrorists leader Mamuda Doro’s enclave in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State after it was observed to be rife with terrorists activities. The location was subsequently engaged with rockets. Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized in the strike.

“In the South – South, the air component of operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction operation at Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The location was observed to be active with illegal refining sites, equipment, reservoirs and wooden boats loaded with illegal refining products.

“Accordingly, the location was engaged with rockets and the strikes destroyed the illegal refining sites, the products and the equipment. A similar air interdiction operation was conducted at Idama, Alakri and Samki general area of River State.

“The location was sighted with several bunkering equipment and reservoir loaded with suspected illegal refined products. Consequently, the location was bombarded with rockets. Credible information revealed that all the equipment and the illegal refined products were all destroyed in the air strikes”.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.