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Tag: Lucky Irabor

  • How we arrested those behind Owo church attack – General Irabor

    How we arrested those behind Owo church attack – General Irabor

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the masterminds of the June 5 massacre in Owo, Ondo State have been captured by security operatives.

    Recall that no fewer than 40 worshippers were massacred at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, in an incident that jolted Nigeria and the global community.

    Speaking at a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabo said that the terrorists were captured at different locations across the country.

    He said that the suspects, the majority of whom were arrested in various communities in Kogi, would be paraded before the public in due course.

    “We had wanted to present the suspects to the public immediately but couldn’t because certain investigations are still being carried out,” he said.

    He gave his assurance that in due course, the suspects and others who had been involved in some daring attacks in the past few months would be presented to the public.

    “Starting with the Owo church attack, it is my pleasure to let you know that we have arrested those behind that dastardly act.

    “On Aug. 7, one Idris Ojo (37) was apprehended at Aiyetorosi in Ondo State. He was one of the high-profile Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) members that escaped from Kuje Prison.

    “He was arrested along with one Jimoh Ibrahim, a 39-year-old criminal.

    “Ojo was not done with all the criminal activities which he undertook in the past, he was also planning other deadly attacks and he was perfecting those plans along with his cronies before he was captured,” he said.

    “Again, on Aug. 4,  the military in a combined operation with the Department of State Service (DSS) arrested four terrorists at Eika in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    “Others are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, otherwise known as Ibn Malik; Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi.

    “Now, Omeiza is one of the masterminds of the June 5 Catholic Church attack in Owo as well as the attack on the police station in Adavi also in Kogi State that led to the killing of a policeman as well as weapons being carried away,” the CDS said.

    On the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Irabor said that although some victims had been released, the military and other security agencies remained committed to ensuring safe rescue of the remaining victims in captivity.

    He said the military had intensified both air and ground operations to deal with criminals in all parts of the country, adding that several successes had been recorded in recent times.

    Irabo disclosed that based on military air operations, the military on Aug. 6, killed one Alhaji Abdulkareen, a bandits’ leader along with his fighters in Nigeria’s North West.

    “By the deeds of the surgical air operations that we have conducted, many of the bandits’ leaders have been killed,” he added.

    The CDS said the essence of the parley was to solicit understanding and support from the media in the fight against the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

    He, however, called for greater cooperation between the military and the media with a view to finding solution to the security challenges and disallow enemies from stoking fears in the minds of the public.

    The defence chief also urged Nigerians and political leaders to understand the distinction between military operations and politics, adding that the military remained undaunted in ensuring a safe and secured nation.

    Earlier, the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, said the essence of the parley was to build a sustainable trust between the media and members of the armed forces.

    Akpor said the meeting was in line with the leadership focus of Irabor toward fostering professional armed forces capable of meeting constitutional imperatives.

    The Chief Executive Officer of The Media Today, Mr Charles Odenigbo, said the military and media must be frank and open to each other in ensuring peace and security in the country.

    Odenigbo, the facilitator of the event, said that although military operations could not be discussed in the open, there was need to see how the media could fit into the activities of the military.

  • Owo massacre: Gov Akeredolu confirms arrest of attackers

    Owo massacre: Gov Akeredolu confirms arrest of attackers

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu confirmed the arrest shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Akeredolu further disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested

    He noted that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the horrendous attacks on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo.

    The Governor spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the Chairman of the Council, Prince Leke Adegbite.

    “Now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested.

    “We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing.

    “I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them,” Akeredolu said.

    “Governor Akeredolu has also called on leaders of the Ebira community in the state to warn their young ones not to copy the bad venture of kidnapping.

    The Governor said recent reports from victims of kidnap in the state have established that some Ebira indigenes are now involved in the unwholesome act.

    He noted that the Ebiras have lived together with the people of the state peacefully for several decades, adding that they have always been supportive and hardworking.

    “I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping.

    “We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants. We are not fighting them.

    “We have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them. Our brothers who were kidnapped on their way to Ikare, talk to them. They were taken to Ebira farmsteads.

    “For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues.

    “But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst, we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic,” Governor Akeredolu noted.

    The Governor, who thanked the NUJ in the state for the cooperation extended to his administration, assured them of sustained efforts at developing the state.

    On the issue of Security, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that aside the recent recruitment and training of new Amotekun personnel, 20 hunters and local vigilantes will be trained by the Amotekun corps in each of the eighteen local government areas in the state.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council thanked the Governor for his support for the management of OSRC and Owena Press PLC, adding that the upgrade of facilities in the two state-owned media outfits is commendable.

    He equally appreciated the Governor for the approval of the Weigh-in allowance for journalists and information officers working in the State and Local government service.

  • BREAKING: Terrorists behind Owo church terror attack arrested

    BREAKING: Terrorists behind Owo church terror attack arrested

    The terrorists behind the terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor confirmed the arrest on Tuesday at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    “We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo. The criminals were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies.

    “It was my intention to present them to the public, but because of the investigation still going on, I had to change my mind.

    “I will like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country,” General Irabor said.

    Recall that worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church were attacked and killed by gunmen during Sunday church service in June.

    No fewer than 40 persons out of the 127 involved in the attack were killed, leaving 61 survivors, who were admitted to different hospitals in the State.

     

    Details shortly…

  • REVEALED: Aircraft that killed Chief of Army Staff second to crash in fleet of 4

    REVEALED: Aircraft that killed Chief of Army Staff second to crash in fleet of 4

    …two crashes in less than 3 months

    …at least 20 killed as fear grips military

    It has been revealed that the aircraft that crashed, killing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru is the second in a fleet of four aircraft registered at same time to crash within a space of less than three months.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that the Chief of Army Staff died in a crashed King Air 350 aircraft, the same variant of aircraft that crashed in February, killing all seven Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers on board.

    The crash of the King Air 350 military aircraft that killed the Chief of Army Staff, and ten other persons has sent fear over the Nigerian military of possible fatal crashes occurring in the near future.

    The names of those who died along with the Chief of Army Staff were given as Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir, Brig Gen Olayinka, Brig Gen Kuliya, Major LA Hayat, Major Hamza, Sgt Umar.

    Others are pilot FLT LT Taiwo Olufemi Asaniyi, who is said to have plans to marry in a few weeks; co-pilot Flt. Lt Alfred Olufade, who had his wedding two months ago, and also Sergeant Adesina and ACM Oyedepo, among the crew.

    With the development, at least 20 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian military jets.

    Recall that in February, NAF confirmed the crash of a Beechcraft King Air 350 military aircraft, the same variant of aircraft that crashed killing Attahiru and the 10 others on Friday.

    The February incident occurred while the Beechcraft King Air 350 military aircraft was returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.

    The aircraft departed Abuja on a Sunday, in the morning, before it crashed, killing all the persons on board.

    According to the Twitter handle of Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, the aircraft reported engine failure at 10.39 a.m. and crashed landed on the final approach path of Abuja Runway 22.

    All the seven personnel on board died in the crash, and the then Chief of Air Staff, AVM Oladayo Amao directed an immediate investigation into the incident, but the outcome of the investigation was yet to be made public.

    The victims included: Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist) and Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).

    Others were: Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist), and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).

    Also, in March, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said an Alpha-Jet aircraft involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province lost radar contact in Borno State.

    Two officers were onboard the missing jet which was later declared crashed and the whereabouts of the two airmen unknown till date.

    The King Air 350 military aircraft

    TNG reports there are different variants of the King Air 350 aircraft designed and manufactured by Beechcraft Augsburg, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation.

    The King Air 350 aircraft was first manufactured by Beecrhcraft Aviation in 1963, and expanded in 2008 for multi-civility purposes.

    The multi-mission King Air 350ER aircraft is a derivative of King Air 350 and it is the most preferred because it is designed to fly a unique mission profile as it incorporates advanced technology and a unique and flexible mission package.

    The 350ER has a maximum takeoff weight of 16,500 pounds, 1,500 pounds higher than the standard King Air 350.

    That extra takeoff weight allows the 350ER to pack on another 1,581 pounds of fuel for a total capacity of 5,192 pounds.

    The King Air 350ER aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A engines, which each generate 1,050hp.

    The aircraft can fly at a maximum cruise speed of 578km/h, offers a maximum range of 4,361km and has a service ceiling of 10.66m.

    It has an overall length of 14.22m, height of 4.37m and wing span of 17.65m. It has a maximum ramp weight of 7,530kg, take-off / landing weight of 7,484kg and maximum zero fuel weight of 7,110kg.

    It can carry a maximum payload of 1,361kg and useful load of 2,903kg. The maximum fuel capacity is 2,355kg.

    The King Air 350ER features spacious cabin that offers superior comfort and convenience.

    The cabin is 5.94m long, 1.45m high and 1.37m wide. It can accommodate two crew and up to eleven passengers. It can be optionally fitted with two additional fold up seats.

    The 350ER is developed to perform a range of special missions for the military and law enforcement authorities.

    The aircraft can be deployed to conduct search and rescue, intelligence, reconnaissance, target acquisition, military transport/utility, aerial patrol, fishery inspection, training, pollution monitoring, seaway/shipping lane surveillance, law enforcement, air ambulance missions and other special operations.

    The standard price of a 350ER is about $7.2 million, which is about $1 million more than the standard King Air 350. The empty weight of the 350ER is higher than the regular 350, but the engines and wings are the same.

    An obvious special mission for an airplane with such fuel capacity is observation where loitering aloft with a big load of sensors is the goal. The 350ER can easily stay on station for more than 12 hours.

    Another reason people want a 350ER is to reach destinations where fuel supply is not available. The big turboprop can fly into rugged, out of the way runways to deliver or pickup people or cargo and have enough fuel to make the return trip.

    So, what is going wrong?

    With the death of the Chief of Army Staff on Friday and the death of seven naval officers in February, this is the second time two Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft in a fleet of four, acquired by the federal government of Nigeria, will crash.

    While many have asked why the aircraft keeps crashing, till date, the investigation directed by the former Chief of Air Staff on the crash of the Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft in February was yet to be made public.

    Beechcraft, maker of the King Air 350 had touted the special mission military aircraft as very reliable, and no words from the manufacturer of any defects, but there is apprehension in the air.

    Beechcraft received a contract from the Iraqi Air Force to deliver five King Air 350ER aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, in March 2007.

    In November 2008, the US Air Force (USAF) awarded a $171m order to Beechcraft for 23 King Air 350ER aircraft.

    In early 2014, the Mexican Navy Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) signed a contract with Beechcraft for the delivery of four aircrafts.

    The aircraft is also in service with the US Marine Corps.

    Nigeria has four of that aircraft, two that have crashed fatally, but what is going wrong is not known.

    TNG reports the four Beechcraft King Air 350 owned by the Nigerian military are tagged NAF201, NAF202, NAF203 and NAF204.

    In February, NAF201 crashed in Abuja and killed all seven Airforce men on board as reported. Now, NAF203 has crashed, killing everyone onboard, including Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff.

    Presently, there is fear in the military with the remaining aircraft, NAF202 and NAF204. Many have said it is time to ground NAF202 and NAF204 to avoid further fatal crashes from the fleet.

    Concerned Nigerians call for independent investigation

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.

    In a similar vein, a pro democracy and human rights group known as Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law initiative has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to employ the services of Independent Air Accident experts to investigate the cause of Nigerian Air Force jet that killed Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru and others.

    The group in a statement made available to newsmen said, the cause of the plane crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff and other military generals must be thoroughly investigated by independent Air Accident experts.

    The statement reads in part:

    “Our heartfelt condolences are with the families of the Chief of Army Staff, the Airforce crew and other generals who lost their lives in the ill-fated crash that occurred in Kaduna International Airport.

    “We call on the president to launch an inquest into the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of some of our finest officers by employing the services of an Independent Air Accident experts. It can not be a coincidence that three Nigerian Airforce jets have crashed in a space of 3 months. Something is fundamentally wrong somewhere and the onus is on the president to uncover this mysterious crashes”.

    The group through its convener, Deji Adeyanju also stated that it appears the various security agencies have been compromised.

    “We are worried that the security agencies may have been compromised. We have always condemned the idea of granting former Boko Haram fighters amnesty and the dire consequences of enlisting them into the army and other security forces.

    “The cabinet of the president and our security agencies are filled with terrorist sympathizers. Unless the president rids his administration of these unscrupulous elements that have infiltrated his cabinet, the war against insurgency will continue to be a mirage.

    “Moreover, we are calling on the president and his Vice to suspend every traveling activities by air pending the outcome of a comprehensive report on the numerous Airforce plane crashes by the Independent Air Accident experts earlier recommended,” the statement added.

    Adeyanju prays almighty God grant all the victims of the crash and galant officers who lost their lives fighting for Nigeria, eternal repose.

  • Nigerian troops rescue 605 hostages in raids

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday ground troops in different patrols rescued 605 people held hostage by Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest.

    Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, told a news conference in Maiduguri, the restive northeast Borno state capital, that 69 male adults, 180 females, 227 male children and 129 female children, were rescued during the operation between December 7 and December 14, 2016.

    “The victims are in our custody for further investigation and interrogation,” he added.

    Many areas have been cleared, while many hostages have been set free and scores of insurgents killed in different patrols conducted by Nigerian troops across the region.

    Nigeria’s northeast region has been a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram. Over past months, the Nigerian government has launched several military operations to eliminate the terrorist threat.