DEFENCE
Armed Forces Neutralise Terrorist Kingpins in 3 Geo-political Zones – NAF Chief

The Nigerian armed forces have neutralised scores of terrorist kingpins in the Northeast, Northwest and North-Central geo-political zones.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, made the claim on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting on “Communicating government policies, programme and activities.
He said operations executed in recent weeks through various airstrikes and ground attacks, yielded results because of effective synergy and collaboration between security agencies.
Amao was represented at the meeting by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigeria Air Force.
The meeting was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
“We believe that effective synergy and collaborative efforts with sister services and other security agencies will go a long way in addressing the security threats bedevilling our nation.
“These collaborative efforts between security agencies have no doubt, yielded tremendous results.
“Scores of terrorist kingpins have been neutralised in various airstrikes and ground attacks in the last few weeks in the Northeast, Northwest and North central,’’ he said.
He added that NAF also conducted medical outreaches across the country to strengthen civilian-military relations with the host communities.
About 400,000 people benefitted, he said.
Also speaking at the event, NOA’s Director-General, Dr Garba Abari, urged stakeholders in the security sector to explore civilian-military relations to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful Nigeria.
Abari recalled that in December 2021, NOA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders held a two-day national summit on “Non-kinetic response to insecurity to complement kinetic efforts to stave insecurity.’’
“Today, we are here to explore areas of synergy aimed at deploying effective non-kinetic strategies to stave insecurity in Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, the aim is to instigate conversation that will produce ideas that will add value to the recommendations produced at the national summit.
In his remarks, Mr Chris Ngwodo, the Director-General, Centre for Early Warning, said non-kinetic response to insecurity played a critical role in complementing security operations.
He said that the centre would support the design and implementation of the strategies to achieve the desired results. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)