From Dan Amasingha,  Minna 

Gallant  Military personnel have repelled an attempt by some  bandits  to rustle  cows and  neutralized the criminal  gang leader .

Two of the Military Personnel who participated in the operation however, sustained gun shot injuries.

DAILY ASSET  gathered that, the incident  happened at the early  hours of Monday  at a military base in Tegina, Rafi local government area of Niger state.

During the early hours fire fight between the security personnel and the  criminals,  one of the bandits suspected to be their leader was killed in the process when they came under superior  fire power.

It was reliably gathered that the said criminals were allegedly crossing towards Mashegu and Wushishi local government areas of the state to rustle a targeted groups of cattle in those areas.

The Chairman of Rafi local government council, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako confirmed this in a telephone interview in Minna.

He said the two soldiers shot were responding to treatment at IBB Specialized Hospital Minna while one of the bandits suspected to be their leader was neutralized.

Ayuba Katako further revealed that the military, police and vigilantes are trying their best in ensuring peace and security of lives and properties in the state and deserved to be commended.

He decried the continuous  attacks on security personnel,  but called  on citizens for patience, support and prayers to overcome the menace of insecurity bedeviling the state and Nigeria at large.

The Niger state military cantonment in  Minna could not be reached at the time of filing in the report.

Niger East Senatorial District has been  bedeviled by  insecurity with bandits  targeting schools,  vulnerable farming communities and public institutions  in the last seven years. 

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)