By David Torough, Abuja 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said consistent unprovoked attacks on military personnel in recent times by the civilian is capable of reducing the morale of soldiers in fighting terrorism.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this in a routine media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

He pointed out that the unwarranted killing of 17 personnel in Delta State and the recent assault on unarmed personnel in Abuja were “worrisome and counterproductive.

According to him, “the attacks  not only harm our soldiers but also undermine our national security and hinder our efforts to defeat terrorism”.

He urged citizens to remember that “our soldiers are sacrificing their lives to protect us, and we must support them in this fight.”

He explained that “unprovoked attacks on soldiers are unpatriotic and amount to self-sabotage. Instead, let us work together to defeat terrorism and ensure our nation’s prosperity,” he said.

Buba said the military has demonstrated professionalism in the face of these attacks, but it was crucial for citizens to realize that their support is also essential to winning the war.

“We urge the public to report any erring troops and trust in the military justice system to address such matters.

“Together, we can defeat terrorism and ensure our nation’s prosperity. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to this cause and will continue to fight until victory is achieved,” Buba said.

He maintained that jungle justice does not have a place in any sane society, stressing that any civilian who encountered any wrong doing with a security personnel should seek redress in the constituted authority,adding that an attack on security Operatives is a “shade of wrongs”.

On the ongoing operations in the country, the Director said, during the month of May, troops have successfully degraded the potency of terrorist groups, neutralizing 624 terrorists, arresting 1,051 others, and rescuing 563 hostages.

Additionally, he said troops recovered a substantial amount of weapons and ammunition, including 707 assorted weapons and 16,487 rounds of ammunition even as they prevented oil theft worth an estimated N705,836,036.00.

”Troops are making significant progress in the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country”.

He explained that a joint operational environment and synergy with other security and intelligence agencies have greatly contributed to the success of the operations.

The Nigerian Navy has impounded three barges laden with suspected stolen crude oil and refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) ,arresting seven, at Tunu Community Creek, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, Commodore Nanmar Lakan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that his command received an intelligence report on the illegal activities going on in the area and swung into action.

NAN reports that the seven suspects who were found on board the barges who claimed to be security working under Tunu leadership are kept under custody pending when the investigation is concluded.

According to Lakan, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has complained of the loss of 25 percent of their daily production in the area to oil thieves.

He said he swung into action by sending his men on both air and water surveillance in the area and their efforts paid off as the barges were impounded by his officers and men.

According to the Commander, two of the barges have the capacities of containing 637,000 litres of the products each while the third can contain 700,000 litres of the products.

Lakan added that investigation is ongoing to ascertain the owners of the barges and where the products were meant to be discharged.

He warned those who indulge in such illegal activities of oil theft to desist from such illegitimate business, as the Nigerian Navy will not allow them to find peace. (NAN)

The Police Command in Kaduna State, said Its operatives have rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested a notorious kidnapper in the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan confirmed the rescue and arrest in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

Hassan said,  “On May 21, at about 14:50hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kidandan Division received a distress call reporting that unknown  bandits had blocked the Kidandan-Dogon Dawa Road and kidnapped an unspecified number of individuals.

He said in  response, the DPO swiftly mobilized personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), who were attached to Operation Whirl Punch in Galadimawa, and proceeded to the scene in an Armored Personnel Vehicle (APV).

Hassan said, “Upon arrival, the police team engaged the bandits in a serious gun battle.

” Although the bandits managed to deflate two tires of the APV, the police team successfully rescued three kidnapped individuals.”

He identified the rescued victims as Ashiru Abubakar, male, 35 years old, from Batagarawa LGA, Katsina State, Ahmed Ibrahim, male, from Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State and Shehu Kabiru, male, 30 years old, from Kidandan.

According to him , on same Tuesday, at about 1900 hours, the Operation Yaki operatives, acting on technical intelligence provided by the Technical Intelligence Unit FHQ Abuja, successfully arrested one Muhammadu Bello, a 30-year-old resident of Yan Bokolo area, Malalin Gabas, Igabi LGA, Kaduna state.

 He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is an accomplice to Dogo Haliru, a notorious kidnapper known for terrorizing Zamfara, Katsina state, and the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi  applauded the officers for their gallantry and good use of intelligence.

He   ordered for intensified confidence building patrols to ensure the safety and security in the state.(NAN)