DEFENCE
Human Trafficking: Anambra NAPTIP Launches Manhunt Over Missing 16-year-Old Mother, Baby

The Anambra Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons says it has launched a manhunt for the woman allegedly behind the missing of a 16-year-old mother and her three-month-old baby.
The State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, told newsmen in Awka on Monday that the suspect took the mother and baby to Ghana.
Ibadin said that the suspect engaged one Nzube Nwakamma, 22, to recruit a girl that could work in her restaurant in Ghana for N100,000 monthly pay.
She alleged that the suspect, who is said to be resident in Ghana, had successfully moved her victim from Anambra to Ghana for prostitution.
She said that Nwakamma, who facilitated the illicit travel, had been arrested and was assisting the agency in its investigation.
Ibadin said that the facilitator, in his statement, narrated how he recruited the 16-year-old from Awka Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area.
According to her, Nwakanma confessed that he took the lady, who was his girfriend, to Nnewi, where he handed her and her baby over to the suspect.
“They met in Nnewi where the woman paid Nwakamma N100,000 to recruit a girl who would work in her supposed restaurant in Ghana,” she further said.
The state NAPTIP boss also said that the transaction was done in May but was reported to NAPTIP by the police in August.
She said that the agency was working hard to track down the suspect with the information provided to it by Nwakamma.
She also gave assurance that the agency would leave no stone unturned to locate and rescue the victim and her baby.
She said that the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, had taken special interest in the matter.
“He has consequently ordered an intensive manhurt and immediate arrest of all those involved in the illicit trade,” Ibadin said.
She described the case as a transborder crime, saying that the agency had fully activated all the security apparatuses over the matter.
“We shared all information we have about the woman in Ghana with the relevant agencies for tracking and possible arrest,” she said.
She said that Nwakamma had been granted bail on the condition that he would report daily at the agency’s office.
“We want to assure the Awka Etiti people that if the suspect threatens them or becomes a threat, we shall revoke his bail and put him back in detention with court order,” she said. (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)