TheNewsGuru

Tag: JTF

  • JTF launch Operation Jagunlabi to counter pipeline vandalism in Lagos creeks

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the Nigeria Navy, Air Force and Army, on Thursday, launched ‘Operation Jagunlabi ’, to fight pipeline vandals around the creeks in Lagos.
    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Slyvanus Abbah, who flagged off the operation in Majidun, Ikorodu, told journalists that it was aimed at combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
    The new operation, which is an offshoot of the ongoing Operation AWATSE (an Hausa word for scatter), is to further solidify the gains of the joint task force.
    ”Operation AWATSE has been an on-going operation, and if you are in Lagos, I think this is the most peaceful festive period you have ever had in Lagos.
    “We have been working tirelessly. Before now, you know the criminals have been carrying out their nefarious act at the high sea; which is sea robbery,” he said.
    Abbah said that the components of Operation Awatse would partner Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta to tackle the influx of vandals and militants to Lagos waters from neighboring creeks.
    He said that the partnership with Operation Delta Safe would see the military raid the creeks and backwaters of the Niger Delta region to arrest the rampaging militants.
    “Although Lagos by itself is a peaceful place, the criminals come from elsewhere.
    “For instance, the last attack that happened on Lagos waters: we have arrested so many of them and all of them are not from Lagos.
    “The five of them that are in our custody are not from Lagos but have their accomplice in Lagos who gives them information. We are working on this to get rid of all those things,” Abbah said.
    He said the military was not resting on its oars in tackling the menace.
    “This period, you know nobody came around to kidnap, and we have to commend the soldiers because they are working very hard to ensure everything is fine peacefully,” the officer said.
    On Operation Jagunlabi, Abbah said it was an ongoing and continuous exercise.
    “Our presence here today is just to meet and interact with the soldiers.
    “We want them to share their problems and we will also address them.
    “Before now, you know Majidun was a no go area, but as you can see, everybody is feeling happy and operating freely.
    “This is why we want to make all those non-penetrable areas to be safe now for everyone to carry out their businesses,” he said.
    Talking about the military’s strategy, Abbah said that it would not be revealed, so that the enemies would not restrategise and strike.
    “This is a military exercise and the essence of this is to make sure we operate peacefully.
    “So, Operation Jagunlabi is a show of force to tell those boys (the militants) wherever they are, we are here for them.
    “This is a joint operation and you cannot do it alone, so that is why we need air support from the air force.
    “Therefore, it’s a joint operation between the army, navy and Air Force and even elements of the police, Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” he said.
    The operation is also aimed at battling vandalism and crude oil theft in Lagos creeks and backwaters.
    Abbah was joined by the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, AVM Ibrahim Yahaya; the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke and the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Rear Adm. Maurice Eno.
    The maritime operation kicked off from Majidun creek, with patrol of Ebute waterside, Ibeshe ferry jetty and then Oworonsoki jetty, before heading back to the base.
    The ground forces also took off from Majidun and went through the Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ibeshe junction, Ibeshe Ilaje, Imota, Ishawo before returning to the naval outpost.
    Abbah said that the joint patrol by the three arms of the military would pull resources and manpower together to tackle the menace.
    Harping on the importance of intelligence gathering, Abbah who addressed the troops before the operation began, said they were to mix up with civilians in order to get information from them

  • How JTF rescued two soldiers, 4 civilians in Rivers kidnappers den

    Troops of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, say they have rescued two abducted soldiers and four civilians from a kidnappers’ den.

    The OPDS, with headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, also said the troops found human skulls and bones during the raid on the kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, OPDS, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that the operation followed a report of the kidnap of two soldiers who were in transit for banking services in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

    He said after the report, the OPDS immediately swung into action by mobilising troops for the rescue operation.

    The outfit’s spokesman said when the suspected militants sighted the troops approaching their den, they engaged the troops in a gun battle.

    He, however, said during the gun duel, the troops overpowered the kidnappers with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the militants, while others escaped with gunshot injuries into the forest.

    Abdullahi said, “On September 18, 2017, at about 7.30am, OPDS headquarters received a report of the kidnap of two soldiers while in transit for banking services in ONELGA, Rivers State.

    “Troops were immediately mobilised into action. They discovered a militant camp with several shrines in a forest at Obiozimini community in Rivers State.

    “On approaching the forest, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops, who subsequently engaged them with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the suspected kidnappers, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries into an adjoining forest.

    “The operation successfully rescued the two abducted personnel. Further search of the campsite led to the rescue of four more civilians who were earlier kidnapped, including a lady.’’

    He said items found in the camp and shrines were three pump action guns, eight empty cartridges, human skulls and some bones.

    Abdullahi said the camp and shrines were subsequently destroyed, while the rescued victims were taken to one of the military’s medical facilities in the area.

    He said troops were trailing suspected perpetrators of the crime, who fled into the forest.

    He urged members of the public to provide any useful information to identify the criminals and their whereabouts in order to face justice.

  • Boko Haram insurgents kill 680 Civilian JTF

    Boko Haram insurgents kill 680 Civilian JTF

    Six hundred and eighty members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgency from 2014 till date in Borno State, the hotbed of the war.

    The Legal Adviser to the CJTF, Mr Jubril Gunda, who described the dead CJTF members as heroes, said they were killed in various operations in the state.

    He said that many members of the CJTF also sustained various degrees of injuries since the group joined the campaign to end insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.

    Gunda noted that the CJTF had made remarkable contributions in ensuring the return of peace to war-ravaged communities in Maiduguri and elsewhere.

    The legal adviser, who described himself as a staunch member of the CJTF, pleaded with the Federal Government to provide money and materials for the families of dead CJTF members.

    “Their families are left on their own with no compensation, except the token burial money given by the Borno State Government.

    “Their children cannot afford to go to school or pay house rent,” he said, describing the conditions of bereaved families as pathetic.

    Gunda revealed that 780 members of the group had been trained and exposed to combat operations to boost their combat readiness.

    “It is our sincere believe that the 780 trained CJTF members will make a great difference in the campaign against insurgency.”

    Gunda called on the Borno Government to pay allowances and provide vehicles for the group to motivate them.

    He also advocated closer collaboration between the military, police and the group to ensure smoother implementation of the anti-insurgency campaign.

     

    (NAN)

  • Gunmen storm Civilian JTF meeting in Benue, kill 10

    Gunmen storm Civilian JTF meeting in Benue, kill 10

     

    Some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed on Sunday by unknown gunmen at Abaji area of Kastina Ala local government area of Benue State.

    The CJTF members were having a meeting at Tse-Igber village in Abaji community when gunmen stormed the venue on a motorcycle and opened fire.

    Ten CJTF members were killed on the spot, while the eleventh person sustained serious injury from the gunshots, Daily Trust reports.

    The police, however, confirmed that nine persons lost their lives.

    Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command said the incident happened at about 1:30pm while CJTF members converged at a village in Kastina Ala LGA.

    Yamu reiterated eyewitness account that three armed men who rode on a motorcycle rained bullets on the gathering, killing nine of them instantly.

    He urged residents in the area to remain calm as policemen have been drafted to ensure law and order.

    The spokesman said the police would do everything possible to arrest the culprits.

    Meanwhile, bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a morgue in Kastina-Ala.