TheNewsGuru

Tag: Troops

  • Troops recover rocket propeller, IEDs making materials from IPOB/ESN

    Troops recover rocket propeller, IEDs making materials from IPOB/ESN

    The troops of Joint Task Force South-East Operation, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA II’, has conducted clearance operations in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) affiliates hideouts in two council areas in Imo.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division of Nigerian Army, for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.

    The clearance operations, the army said, which took place simultaneously on Thursday was conducted on the Ihioma-Ihittenansa communities in Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe-Umulolo communities in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo respectively.

    Unuakhalu said that the clearance operations were aimed at identifying and destroying possible camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists, who are killing and maiming as well as extorting innocent citizens of the South-East in the name of agitation.

    According to him, during the simultaneous clearance operations, at Umulolo, one of the troops’ vehicles was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), however, no causality was recorded.

    “Troops also came in contact with the terrorists who fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds due to superior fire power.

    “Two suspects were arrested and items recovered at Umulolo included; two locally-made guns, ammunition, one PKT machine gun barrel, one big locally made Rocket Propelled Launcher (Ogbunigwe) and IEDs making materials.

    “Others included, three CCTV cameras, two laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage shorts, two motorcycles and a beret. Furthermore, three shrines used by the terrorists for fortification were destroyed.”

    The army spokesman said that in the clearance operations/fighting patrols along Road Ihioma -Ihittenansa in Orsu LGA; the troops also encountered IEDs, made close contact and engaged in gun duels with some IPOB/ESN terrorists around Eketutu Market.

    “The terrorists fled into the adjourning forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gunshot wounds on motorcycles.

    “Troops also recovered 2 X CCTV cameras carefully concealed at the highest point in the area and some IED making materials.

    “Troops successfully cleared the terrorists from the Eketutu market,” he said.

    The army spokesman noted that Operation UDO KA II would continue combating ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom and extortion of hardworking and law-abiding citizens in the South-East.

    “These terrorists, mostly the condemned criminals that escaped from Owerri Jail Breaks, are low lives that are being used by a criminal abroad to unleash mayhem on all of us.

    “All should join in the fight to ensure these terrorists do not determine how we live our lives.

    “Law abiding and good citizens of the South-East are enjoined to provide timely, credible and reliable information to end the insecurity in the region (Alaigbo),” he added.

  • Army dismisses allegation of diversion of troops’ allowances

    Army dismisses allegation of diversion of troops’ allowances

    Army headquarters on Monday dismissed reports of corruption and diversion of troops’ Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), allegedly made by troops providing security for Chinese nationals working on the Zungeru Hydroelectricity Dam project in Niger.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in Abuja that the allegation was published on some online platforms.

    He stated that the publication claimed that the troops alleged that their erstwhile General Officers Commanding, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi and Brig.-Gen. Jamiu Jimoh did not pay their RCAs for three months.

    “Contrary to insinuations made in the online report, troops deployed at the Chinese company in Niger have always been paid in tranches upon receipt of funds from the relevant institution.

    “The last tranche payment of RCA to the troops by the affected institution elapsed on Feb. 28.

    “The next tranche of payment is being processed.

    “Army Headquarters has paid the troops for March to June to ameliorate their operating conditions and to keep them at par with deployments elsewhere.

    “Additionally, to cushion the effect of the tranche mode of payment, provision was made to feed the troops daily and this has been a routine.

    “The troops’ RCA was, therefore, not diverted by any of the senior officers named in the publication or by anyone else, as wrongly portrayed,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

    He added that while the Nigerian Army understood concerns raised in the allegations, the army under Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja had remained committed to troops’ welfare.

    “Welfare of troops takes a premium place amongst other important schemes and considerations as it is one of the pillars of Lagbaja’s Command Philosophy, which is to provide `sound administration’ of personnel.

    “The Nigerian Army, therefore, has zero tolerance for any form of financial misappropriation and is strongly averse to any action inimical to the morale of troops,’’ Nwachukwu stressed.

    He added that the Nigerian army had remained committed to upholding integrity, transparency and accountability in the administration of the welfare of troops in all its operations and in other endeavours.

    This, according to him, is contained in the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff.

    The philosophy is: “to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our Constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.’’

    Nwachukwu stressed also that the Nigerian army does not only recognise the importance of welfare and well-being of its personnel, it also appreciates the positive impact of morale on their wellbeing.

  • Troops uncover illegal oil bunkering sites, intercepts stolen products in Delta

    Troops uncover illegal oil bunkering sites, intercepts stolen products in Delta

    Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have continued to crack down on saboteurs of Nigeria’s oil sector in Southern Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Monday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion had on Saturday,  cracked down on oil thieves’ camps in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    He said the troops discovered 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, six wooden boats laden with stolen crude and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camps.

    He said the same troops also intercepted a vehicle conveying 25 polytene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta.

    Nwachukwu said the troops of 3 Battalion, in a similar operation, intercepted two wooden boats ladened with stolen crude in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the troops also arrested two suspects in connection with the crime.

    “Both suspects and the illegal products have been handed over to NSCDC personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for further action.

    “Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,” he said.

  • Niger: Thousands rally to demand withdrawal of French troops

    Niger: Thousands rally to demand withdrawal of French troops

    Thousands rallied Saturday, in Niamey to demand that France withdraw its troops from Niger, as sought by the junta that seized power late June.

    The protesters gathered near a base housing French soldiers following a call by several civic organisations’ hostile to French military presence in the West African country.

    “We are here to express our determination, our commitment and our devotion to getting the French military force and all the military bases on our national territory out of the country,” explained protester Amidou Gourou.

    Niger’s military regime had fired a new verbal broadside at France on Friday, accusing Paris of “blatant interference” by backing the country’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.

    Early August, the regime announced the scrapping of military agreements with France, which has some 1,500 soldiers stationed in the country to help fight jihadism in the region.

    Paris ignored the move on grounds of legitimacy.

    The military rulers have also announced the immediate “expulsion” of the French ambassador Sylvain Itte and announced the withdrawal of his diplomatic immunity, stating his presence was a threat to public order.

    French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday hailed Itte’s work in Niger and said he will stay in the country, despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave Niger a week ago.

  • Fear of external invasion: Niger Junta orders troops to go on ‘maximum alert’

    Fear of external invasion: Niger Junta orders troops to go on ‘maximum alert’

    Apparently scared of external invasion the junta in Niger has ordered its armed forces to go on highest alert, citing an increased threat of attack, according to an internal document issued Friday by its defense chief that a security source in the country confirmed was authentic.

    The document, which was shared widely online Saturday, said the order to be on maximum alert would allow forces to respond adequately in case of any attack and “avoid a general surprise.”

    “Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said.

    The main West African bloc ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the leaders of the July 26 coup, but it has said it is ready to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail.

    On Friday, the bloc downplayed this threat and said it was “determined to bend backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts,” although an intervention remained one of the options on the table.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger, nor is there a plan, as it is being purported, to invade the country, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray told reporters.

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  • We’ll avenge killing of our Troops in Niger State – Defence Chief vows

    We’ll avenge killing of our Troops in Niger State – Defence Chief vows

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa has vowed that the death of soldiers killed by bandits in Niger State will not go unavenged.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (, TNG) reports Musa made this vow on Friday after laying wreaths on the graves of 20 deceased soldiers and presenting the national flags to their next of kin at the Military Cemetery, Abuja.

    The Defence Chief said the Nigerian Military will avenge the killing of its soldiers, stating that none of those involved in the massacre will go scot-free.

    Musa also joined the family members in their grief, adding that the deaths of their loved ones would not be in vain.

    He said: “Those that did this, and those that have continued our men, wherever they are, we will get them out, we will smoke them out and we will ensure that they never have any other opportunity to kill any other person, that I assure you.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) had earlier reported how soldiers engaging terrorists were shot dead while an aircraft on a rescue mission subsequently crashed in the Chukuba area of Shiroro, all in Niger State.

    Reacting to the development, the military had last week stated that a total of 36 personnel of the military died during the ambush.

  • Oil thieves flee as troops destroy illegal refinery in Delta

    Oil thieves flee as troops destroy illegal refinery in Delta

    Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army destroyed eight active ovens used for refining of stolen crude oil around Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta on Wednesday.

    The troops also destroyed 14 reservoirs containing an estimated 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of diesel, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Thursday in Abuja.

    He stated that the destruction was conducted in a swoop on the area by troops conducting anti-oil theft operations.

    Nwachukwu added that the oil thieves fled upon sighting the advancement of troops.

    “The illegal refining site was destroyed in line with extant guidelines of `Operation Delta Safe’. Investigation is on-going to arrest the fleeing criminals.

    “Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance on-going operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

  • Troops invade IPOB/ESN den in Enugu, nab gunrunner syndicate in Obudu

    Troops invade IPOB/ESN den in Enugu, nab gunrunner syndicate in Obudu

    The Nigerian Army troops of the 82 Division, operating in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies stormed den of IPOB/ESN, nab notorious gunrunner in Enugu and Cross River states.

    In the first operation, carried out under the banner of Operation UDO KA II, troops raided the hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The engagement resulted in the neutralization of two irredentist fighters, the recovery of three Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles, and a locally fabricated single barrel gun.

    Moreover, the collaborative efforts of troops and the DSS led to the arrest of a notorious ESN Commander, identified as Mr. Ezege, at Obinagu in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Mr. Ezege had recently issued threats of violence against Enugu state through viral videos and audio messages on social media platforms. He is currently in custody for further investigation.

    In a parallel operation, troops of the 130 Battalion within the 13 Brigade Area of Responsibility under the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, worked in tandem with the DSS to dismantle a gunrunner syndicate in Obudu motorcycle park, Cross River State.

    Acting on credible intelligence, the operation led to the apprehension of the syndicate leader and his associates, including two Nigerians and two Cameroonians.

    Preliminary investigations revealed a network where the accomplices procured firearms, which were then sold to a middleman responsible for supplying arms and ammunition to Ambazonian Separatists in the Republic of Cameroon.

    Subsequent actions resulted in the capture of the kingpin, Raphael, also known as Biajua, in Biajua community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The operation yielded four Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.

    The Nigerian Army in a statement by its spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies, bolstering ongoing operations to address security challenges.

    The people of Southeast Nigeria are encouraged to dismiss any illegal “sit-at-home” order and continue their daily activities, as the Army maintains unwavering efforts to counter unlawful enforcement.

  • Troops destroy more IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, Imo

    Troops destroy more IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, Imo

    Combined troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to the IPOB/ESN in Orsumoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the raid was in continuation of ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order declared by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the South East.

    He said the raid operation was carried out on Monday when troops were alerted of the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as at New Market in Enugu state.

    He said the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsumoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents during the operations.

    According to him, troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally-fabricated mortar tube.

    Nwachukwu said the valiant troops overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position and fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.

    “Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.

    “Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.

    “The Nigerian Army encourages all law-abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful two-week sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses.

    “The Nigerian army, in synergy with sister services and security agencies, will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement,” he said.

  • Troops clamp down on illegal oil refining site in Delta

    Troops clamp down on illegal oil refining site in Delta

    Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and those of a private security firm have jointly uncovered a major illegal refining site in Delta.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the operation was undertaken by troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion.

    The battalion operates in 6 Division Area of Responsibility at Owahwa community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    Nwachukwu stated that the operation was in continuation of the sustained effort to deny oil thieves the freedom of action and to protect the oil sector from economic saboteurs.

    He explained that the sting operation on Saturday followed a surveillance report on the activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.

    He explained that the troops stormed the site and discovered 35 modular ovens used for illegal oil refining; three fabricated reservoirs; 30 dugout reservoirs and 75 galvanised pipes.

    “The operatives have since clamped down on the illegal refining site.

    “The Nigerian Army enjoins all law-abiding citizens to continue to support on-going anti-oil theft operations by reporting suspected illicit refining and illegal bunkering in their areas to security agencies,’’  Nwachukwu stated.