The Army General Court Martial in Borno State has sentenced a soldier to death for killing a suspected Boko Haram terrorist.
Lance Corporal Hillary Joel was said to have carried out the murder during a cordon and search operation by the army in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
He reportedly set the suspect ablaze.
Others who faced the court martial with him were handed different sanctions, including jail terms and demotions.
Details soon…
A Nigerian peacekeeper serving with the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has been killed in Darfur, the UNAMID said said on Thursday.
UNAMID, in a statement said the Nigerian soldier was killed by an unidentified group in a carjacking incident in Nyala, South Darfur State.
The Mission extended its condolences to the family of the late peacekeeper and the Government of Nigeria.
“UNAMID strongly condemns this attack, which constitutes a violation of international law.
“The incident has been reported to the relevant Sudanese authorities.
“UNAMID calls on the Government of Sudan to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“The Mission extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late peacekeeper, his colleagues, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The UN, at a press briefing by Mr Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, confirmed the death and extended its condolences to the family, colleagues and the Federal Government.
“We join the Mission in extending our deepest condolences to the family of the late peacekeeper, his colleagues, and the Federal Government of Nigeria”, Dujarric said.
NAN
The Nigerian Army in Lagos on Sunday confirmed the death of a soldier and four policemen in an ambush by suspected criminal gangs in Ishawo Community in Ikorodu.
The confirmation was made in a statement by 81 Division’s Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olaolu Saudi.
“At about 3 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, a patrol team led by a Nigerian Army officer responded to a distress call.
“The distress call was from the police requesting for reinforcement because some suspected criminals had invaded Yewa Community, Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State and abducted some persons.
“The combined team in a swift response was able to successfully foil the kidnap attempt and rescued all the abducted victims.
“Nine of the victims, including an infant of about two years old were rescued from the criminals.
“However, on their way back, they were ambushed by a suspected criminal gang.
“During the clearance of the ambush, unfortunately four policemen lost their lives while the army officer who led the operation sustained gunshot wounds and died on the way to the hospital.
“Similarly, four of the rescued victims of the kidnap, including the infant, sustained injuries during the encounter.
“They have all been evacuated to a hospital and are responding to treatment,” the statement said.
It added that the Commander, 9 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Elias Attu and Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, had assessed the situation and gave impetus to the pursuit of the fleeing criminals.
“Meanwhile, a combined team of the Police and military is in hot pursuit of the suspected kidnappers who fled the scene carrying the dead bodies of their colleagues and the wounded.
“The combined team is on their trail as they have vowed that the death of the gallant officer and men of the Nigerian Police who fought bravely for the success of the operation will not be in vain.
“We would like to use this medium to implore anyone with useful information to come forward.
“We are also reassuring the general public, especially the residents of Isawo community in Ikorodu, of their continued safety,” the statement said.
TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported that militants struck at Woodland Estate close to Ishawo Creeks and engaged security personnel in a gun duel.
It was unclear if there were any casualties on the part of the militants, although security forces were said to have reinforced and stormed the area for reconnaissance and possible counter-action.
It also reported on March 13 that the militants returned to the area, and the residents were living in fear.
The militants, whose trade are kidnapping and oil theft, were chased out of the area in Aug. 2016 by the state’s Task Force, after several bloody clashes in the community.
Alhaji Sule Audu, assemblyman representing Agatu constituency at the Benue House of Assembly, has vowed to fish out the youths involved in the clash that claimed the life of a soldier.
“On behalf of the people of Agatu Local Government, I condemn the act carried out by some Agatu boys in Olegadamkolo village, which led to the death of a soldier and left two others injured, on Feb 11.
“I promise that the people will do everything necessary to bring out those responsible,” he told the News agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Makurdi, while reacting to the incident.
He appealed to the Chief of Army Staff to take it calmly with the people of Agatu, and assured the Army that his people would cooperate with the soldiers by offering information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The lawmaker condoled with the family of the deceased, and wondered why anyone would seek to attack soldiers deployed to protect the people from insurgents.
He condemned the carrying of arms by youths not licensed to do that, and warned that anyone caught would not be spared.
Audu advised youths to take advantage of the amnesty programme by the Benue governor and submit weapons in their possession to avoid being arrested.
NAN reports that a fight broke out at Olegadamkolo village on Saturday, when soldiers sought to know what was happening at a social gathering.