Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

Editor

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

Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

Published

6 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

Metro

Police Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims Along Benin-Lagos Road

Published

6 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

“Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.

Metro

Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

Published

6 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.