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Tag: Troops

  • Plateau crisis: Troops eliminate 3 bandits in Mangu, recover weapons

    Plateau crisis: Troops eliminate 3 bandits in Mangu, recover weapons

    Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army deployed to quell the crisis in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, on Wednesday neutralised three bandits in the general area.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops obliterated the criminals when they gallantly fought through an ambush staged by the bandits, while responding to a distress call in Mangu general area.

    He said the troops recovered three AK 47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62 mm Special rounds, one motorcycle and a Constabulary Police Identity card after successfully clearing the ambush.

    According to him, troops are currently on the trail of bandits who escaped with gunshot wounds during the fire fight.

  • President Tinubu visits troops in Guinea-Bissau

    President Tinubu visits troops in Guinea-Bissau

    President Bola Tinubu has arrived Guinea-Bissau for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    This is Tinubu’s second foreign trip after his participation at the summit on “A New Global Financing Pact” in Paris, France, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

    Tinubu used the opportunity of the summit to visit the Nigerian contingent stationed in Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.

    In his address, the President commended the soldiers and their Commander, Gen. Al-hassan Grema, for their dedication and service to Nigeria and their host country, adding that Nigeria would continue to support democracy in West Africa and around the world.

    “I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to support peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world.

    “Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places. We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order.

    “I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry. We will continue to build a virile force.

    “We are proud of you. Proud of your loyalty. Nigeria depends on you. There will be peace and progress in our country,” Tinubu said.

    Grema expressed the appreciation of the troops to Tinubu for being the first Commander-in-Chief in Nigeria’s history to visit his soldiers outside the shore of the country.

    While in Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and have other engagements on the sidelines of the Summit.

    On the entourage of the President are National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Folashodun Shonubi; former governors Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa).

    The 63rd Ordinary Session Summit, which will open on Sunday, will be the first international engagement of the President within the African continent.

    The 16 regional leaders are expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues bordering on security, trade and democratic governance as it concerns Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

  • Eid-el-kabir: New Service Chiefs celebrate with troops in Maiduguri

    Eid-el-kabir: New Service Chiefs celebrate with troops in Maiduguri

    The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. T.A Lagbaja and Chief of Air Staff (CAS), AVM H.B Abubakar, on Wednesday marked the Eid-el-kabir celebration with troops in Maiduguri.

    Addressing them during a Sallah lunch at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Lagbaja said the visit was symbolic, being his first engagement outside Abuja since he assumed office as COAS.

    “My dear officers and soldiers,  I count it a thing of joy to be here with you this afternoon to felicitate with you on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid-el- Kabir feast of sacrifice.

    “Eid-el-kabir celebration teaches us about sacrifice and faith in the Almighty and I believe there is no better place to celebrate it than here in the northeast where our gallant troops have continued to give their all to restore peace to our dear country,” Lagbaja said.

    He lauded the courage and dedication of the troops deployed in the ongoing operations within and outside the country, and promised to provide the needed leadership that is result oriented.

    While reiterating his commitment to the numerous achievements of his predecessors, the new chief assured troops of improved welfare.

    “For me, I consider my appointment as COAS as a call to greater sacrifice towards engendering change and making a difference to our system.

    “To this end, I captured my Command Philosophy as, to transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.

    “I equally use this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in me to lead the NA at this point in time.

    “I reaffirm the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the NA to the Nigeria’s Constitution and the government of the day,” Lagbaja said.

    The Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. I.S Ali, congratulated the service chiefs for their new appointment and show of concern to troops in North East.

    “This Joint Sallah Luncheon avails the Special Guest of Honour and the Service Chiefs the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir with troops of Operation HADIN KAI, especially the Muslim faithful.

    “The gesture is also to appreciate the enormous efforts and immense sacrifices by troops in restoring peace and normalcy to the entire North East area.

    “We are indeed most thankful for the concern to the welfare of the troops deployed for operation Hadin Kai as visits such as this, spur the troops to strive for more successes,” Ali said.

    He expressed joy over the maiden visit to the theatre which he said came with benefits in terms of heightened troops morale, equipment support and provision of strategic guidance for operational activities.

    The commander noted that the troops performance had forced terrorists to keep surrendering in drove, as 99,936 terrorists and thier families so far surrendered.

    Ali reiterated the commitment of troops to sustain the tempo until every thing was over.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: CDS salutes troops, calls for loyalty and support to Tinubu’s administration

    Eid-el-Kabir: CDS salutes troops, calls for loyalty and support to Tinubu’s administration

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, felicitates with gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), and their families on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    A statement signed by Tukur Ismaila Gusau, Brigadier General
    Acting Director Defence Information, said the Chief of Defence staff appreciates the selfless sacrifice, committment, doggedness and determination towards dislodging existential threats to the unity, security, stability and peace of the country.

    “The symbolic values and virtues of unflinching faith and total sacrifice which the Eid-el-Kabir festival exemplifies also hold true for the supreme sacrifices which our defiant and courageous soldiers continue to make in the face of challenges to the peace, unity and sovereignty of the nation.

    “The CDS hereby assures of his unflinching support to officers and men of the Armed Forces as they continue to discarge their constitutional duties across the nation.

    “General Musa thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the Military and commitment towards repositiong the economy and reforms in the security sector.

    ” The CDS pledge unalloyed loyalty of the Armed Forces to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    ” The Chief of Defence Staff also uses this medium to felicitate with all Nigerians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival, and appreciate the support of all Nigerians to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and urge them to continue to show more faith in the zeal and ability of our troops to effectively combat threats to the security and stability of our dear nation.

    “Your trust and confidence in our Armed Forces as collective partners and stakeholders in securing our nation cannot be overemphasized. The security and stability of our nation is the sacred and collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

    “Once again, I wish you memorable Happy Sallah celebrations.”

     

  • Troops kill scores of bandits, seizes several weapons in Zamfara

    Troops kill scores of bandits, seizes several weapons in Zamfara

    Military troops operating under the umbrella of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have again unleashed their arsenal on several bandits in their dens as they were neutralized while several weapons were recovered in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    It was  gathered that several bandits were killed while others escaped with serious gunshot wounds and their camps destroyed and taken over by military troops.

    The  joint task force troops of the OPHD have again conducted operations and cleared popular bandits camps at Dawan Jiya and Tungar Daji Villages in Bagega District of Anka emirate in the state where they killed many bandits and recovered many weapons.

  • Troops ambush, neutralise bandits in Kaduna

    Troops ambush, neutralise bandits in Kaduna

    Acting on a tip-off from a human intelligence source, troops of Operation Forest Sanity under 1 Division Nigerian Army has again ambushed and successfully neutralised 2 bandits leaders capturing arms, ammunition and other equipment.

    This was contained in a statement by Lieutenant Col Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army.

    Earlier, intelligence source revealed that a bandit leader named Isiya Danwasa intended to send his errand boy Yunusa to purchase some arms and ammunition in Kaduna town.

    Subsequently, the errand boy was trailed and picked up by plain cloth soldiers and later used to lure two of the bandits’ leaders to a selected ammunition collection point. Upon their arrival, troops who had laid an ambush engaged the criminals with superior firepower and neutralised the two bandits leaders..

    Items recovered from the criminal elements include one motorcycle (destroyed institu), two AK 47 rifles, six AK 47 magazines, quantity two hundred and fifty rounds of 7.62 mm special, one power bank, two charm vests and the sum of two hundred thousand Naira.

    The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Punch Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops for their professional conduct and perfect execution of task.

    He further charged the troops to go after all bandits and show them no mercy.

    Again, the GOC appealed to the general public to continue to avail the troops and other security agencies with credible and actionable information so as to bring banditry, kidnapping and other crimes to a lasting end.

  • Military kill five bandits, recover arms in Kaduna state

    Military kill five bandits, recover arms in Kaduna state

     

    Nigerian Army troops operating under the One Division section  in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, on Friday, eliminated five bandits and recovered four AK-7 rifles, six AK-47 magazines and 24 rounds of 7.62mm from them.

    This revelation was made known by the via a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations One Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya, in Kaduna state on Friday.

    He npted  that the troops conducted a clearance operation on Kaso hills general area and Kanti-Tantatu in Kubusu forest in Kaduna state.

    He said the operation was, “to deprive bandits and criminals freedom of action so as to create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to strive.”

    According to Yahaya, the operation started on Thursday till the early hours of Friday, adding that the bandits suffered a heavy blow.

    He added that three motorcycles, two handsets, one matchet and some charms were also recovered.

  • Troops eliminate 46 terrorists, apprehend 50 in 2 weeks – DHQ

    Troops eliminate 46 terrorists, apprehend 50 in 2 weeks – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops have eliminated 46 terrorists, bandits and other criminals across North East, North Central and North West in the last two weeks.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said this during the biweekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

    Danmadami said the troops also apprehended more than 50 terrorists and other criminals as well as rescued 97 kidnapped victims within the period.

    In the North East, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) had sustained and continued to dominate the theatre of operation with commendable successes.

    He said the troops had within the weeks in focus, neutralised 18 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, arrested six logistics suppliers and rescued 119 abducted civilians.

    He added that a total of 1,506 terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females and 838 children, surrendered to troops at different location within the theatre of operation.

    According to him, troops also recovered 16 AK 47 rifles, one 60mm mortar bomb, 10 dane guns, 12 dummy rifles, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special, 118 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammo and 10 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm NATO ammo.

    “Also recovered are one round of 12.7mm NATO, 17 AK47 magazines, one firing pin, one mechanic tools box, two knives, six motorcycles, 24 mobile phones, 41 livestocks, assorted food items, one vehicle, four sim and other sundry items as well as the cash sum of N2.2 million.

    “All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while surrendered terrorists and members of their families are been profiled for further action,” he said.

    Danmadami said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorists enclaves and logistics in support of ground operations during the period.

    He said that several air interdictions operations were carried out in some forest in Borno and Yobe where several terrorists were neutralised in the airstrikes.

    According to him, the ground forces on mop up operations, recovered one gun truck, three AK 47 rifles, one PKM gun, one PKM metal link with 19 rounds, two Improvised Explosive Devices, 129 rounds of 7.62mm (39mm) ammunition, 60 solar panels among others.

    Danmadami added that two terrorists logistic depots were destroyed.

    In North Central, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, apprehended 28 bandits, criminals and political thugs during the March 18 election across the zone.

    He added that a total of eight bandits were eliminated in different operations while five kidnapped victims were rescued.

    Danmadami said the troops had on March 12, apprehended two suspected kidnappers while attempting to collect ransom at Gegu-Beki village in Kogi Local Government Area, Kogi

    According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was sent to collect the sum of N2 million.

    Danmadami said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, between March 16 and March 22 neutralised eight terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition, rescued five kidnapped civilians and arrested seven other criminals in Benue.

    “In another development, troops conducted fighting patrol to Independence National Electoral Commission office in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of Kwara on March 18 and intercepted some armed thugs.

    “Troops search the area where the thugs were seen and recovered two pump action guns, four locally made dane guns, two machetes, four mobile phones and one vehicle, as well as arrested six thugs,” he said.

    In North West, Danmadami said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji, within the period neutralised 14 terrorists, arrested 12 logistics supplier and rescued 16 abducted civilians.

    He added that the troops recovered large cache of arms, hard drugs, assorted food items and the sum of N9,670.

    According to him, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to relevant authority for further action.

  • How troops thwarted terrorists, thugs’ attempt to disrupt polls -DHQ

    How troops thwarted terrorists, thugs’ attempt to disrupt polls -DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said troops on operations in Kogi and Borno states foiled planned attacks by terrorists and political thugs aimed at disrupting the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in the states.

    According to the military high command, the terrorists planned to attack some locations in Kauwa, Gamboru, and Monguno in Borno but the troops carried out an air raid in the location following an intelligence report.

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the biweekly briefing on troop activities, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, also said troops on patrol at Okehi town in Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi on February 25 arrested 8 political thugs in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

    He said, “Notably, on February 24, 2023, an intelligent report revealed terrorist convergence with plans to attack some locations in Kauwa, Gamboru, and Monguno in Borno state in a bid to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

    “Consequently, a series of air interdiction operations were carried out at these identified locations. Feedback revealed that the airstrike dealt with terrorists, as several terrorists were neutralized with their logistics destroyed.

    Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 12 rounds of refilled 7.62mm special ammunition, one bandolier, 10 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition, 7 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and one mobile phone

    “Troops on patrol at Okehi town in Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi State on 25 February 2023 arrested 8 political thugs in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process. Troops recovered 3 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, 6 locally made assorted guns, and 2 daggers.”

    He said troops in Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Hadarin Daji neutralized 21 terrorists, arrested 35 terrorist logistics suppliers and rescued 36 civilians while a total of 1,332 terrorists and their family members comprising 222 males, 411 females, and 699 children surrendered at different locations within the theatre of operations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Danmadami also said troops acting on credible intelligence apprehended a terrorist commander alongside his wife and 4 children at Gwoza town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state.

    He said, “Based on credible intelligence, troops while on ambush position apprehended a Boko Haram Terrorists commander alongside his wife and 4 children at Gwoza town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 12 rounds of refilled 7.62mm special ammunition, one bandolier, 10 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition, 7 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and one mobile phone.”

    How troops thwarted terrorists, thugs’ attempt to disrupt polls -DHQ

    He added that between February 23 and 8 March 2023, troops ambushed terrorists as well as intercepted terrorists’ logistics suppliers in villages within Marte, Konduga, Bama, Biu, Monguno, and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno state.

    He said troops on patrol at Gusau in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state intercepted a female bandit collaborator who was en route to Taraba state with the sum of N1,093,000.00 only concealed in a cosmetic bag, adding that the recovered sum was said to be for the purchase of arms and ammunition in Taraba state.

    On February 26, he also said troops on patrol in Gusau town in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state arrested a suspected bandit collaborator with the sum of N9,500,000.00 naira only.

  • Troops rescue 14 kidnap victims, neutralise bandit in Kaduna

    Troops rescue 14 kidnap victims, neutralise bandit in Kaduna

    Troops of Sector Four of “Operation Whirl Punch’’, and Special Forces of the 167 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have cleared a bandits hideout in a fierce encounter in Kaduna State.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement he issued on Saturday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said the troops who embarked on a long-range fighting patrol to Tukurua general area of Chikun Local Government Area of the state, engaged and overpowered the criminals, neutralised one, while others fled in disarray.

    “The troops during the operation rescued 14 kidnap victims, comprising nine men and five women.

    “The victims were moved to a secure location for debriefing and examination, before being reunited with their families,’’ he stated.

    Aruwan added that the troops destroyed several camps in the course of the battle.

    “Two motorcycles were recovered during the operation,’’ he also stated.

    The commissioner stated that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, was elated at the troops’ successes and commended the leadership of Maj.-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, General Officer Commanding 1 Division and the Force Commander of the “Operation Whirl Punch’’.

    El-Rufai also extolled the prowess of the troops as all the kidnap victims were rescued alive, and unhurt, Aruwan stated.