DEFENCE
Military Nabs Major Arms Dealer
By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Nigerian military has arrested one Usman Ibrahim, from Ryom in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state, said to be a major illegal arms dealer.
The suspect is alleged to be behind the supply of arms to bandits in the North – West.
He was caught with with 890 rounds of 7.
62mm special ammunition carefully concealed in his vehicle.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who revealed this at a news conference in Abuja, said the suspect’s arrest was sequel to credible intelligence reports.
According to him, other items seized from the illegal arms dealer include : 1 jack knife, 1 pistol grip, a Nigerian Police ID Card as well as the sum of two million, two hundred and thirty thousand naira (N2, 230,000).
While giving an update on military operations conducted across the country in the last one week, Enenche said there were killings and arrests of several terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements causing insecurity in the country.
He said the military operation has also led to the destruction of several bandits and terrorists camps, recovered several weapons as well as stolen crude.
Enenche also said troops acting on reliable intelligence arrested one male and female suspects namely ; kabiru Dauda and Hafsat Musa with nine parcels containing substances suspected to be cannabis and other illicit hard drugs.
He further said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were suppliers of hard drugs to bandits.
“Similarly, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested a wanted suspected bandit named Usman Gorjo at Ungwar Alhaji Danbuzu and a suspected bandit informant named Isah Bala at Daudawa village.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of the head of Daudawa vigilante group recently.
“In another development, troops of Operation Salama (an internal security outfit in Jigawa State), raided the residence of a suspected armed bandit at Kabaka Village in Gwiwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Enenche disclosd.
“During the raid, troops arrested his wife and 4 others while 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 magazines and 149 rounds of ammunitions were recovered”, Enenche disclosed.
Enenche, described the successes recorded by the operations within the period as the Force commitment to end banditry among others sundry crimes in the country .
In the south – south zone, the Coordinator said troops of Operation Delta Safe have continued with the aggressive fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the zone with attendant successes.
“Within the period under review, the patrol team of Forward Operating Base BONNY acting on credible intelligence on 13 September 2020, immobilized an illegal refinery containing tanks filled with about 307,300 litres of illegally refined AGO at Orutoro fishing camp in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. Relatedly, on same day, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team dismantled a reactivated illegal refinery containing tanks filled with about 595,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Banga Community in Delta State.
“Also, within this period, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team located and immobilized an illegal refining site at Mudukiri Creek, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The site had a metal reservoir laden with an estimated 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“In the same vein, Forward Operating Base BONNY patrol team discovered and dismantled an illegal refining site in Ataba, Andoni LGA of Rivers State. The team discovered 8 metal storage tanks and 4 dugout pits laden with about 1,289.45 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“In the same vein, Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE clearance operation team acting on credible intelligence on a suspected pirates and sea robber’s camp at Otoyo, Akwa-Ibom State, raided the camp.
” The patrol team came under fire. However, the overwhelming fire power of own personnel led to the forceful withdrawal of the pirates leading to their dislodgement and deactivation of the camp.
” The team recovered one AK 47 rifle with 2 magazines, 2 Pump Action Rifles, 20 rounds of 7.62 and 39mm ammunition, one Fishing Gun, one Tecno phone, a bag of hard drugs, one diving face mask and one hand held metal detector.
” In a related development, between 12 and 17 September 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team while on routine patrol around Utan Inyata Creek arrested 2 suspects and 2 small-sized wooden boats laden with 165 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon.
“The items and suspects are currently in custody of the Base and will be handed over to Nigeria Customs Service Component of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE for further action.
“Also, within the period under review, Forward Operating Base Ibaka patrol team arrested 5 suspects with 45 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“The suspects and items are currently in custody and will be handed over to NSCDC Uyo Command for further necessary action.
“Gleaning from these, it is clear that, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies working together remain committed to the fight against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes in the South-South zone of the country.
“In the South West zone, Troops of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements. Notably, on 11 September 2020, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT handed over MT SEA SUPPLY and her crew to NIMASA after proper documentation in line with the existing Standard Operating Procedure.
“Recall, that the vessel and her crew members were arrested on 31 Jul 2020 for sailing without obtaining requisite documents.
“Furthermore, on 12 September 2020, the patrol team of Forward Operating Base Igbokoda immobilized 3 illegal refineries containing 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Agbelemsema Zion 2, a border community between Ese Odo and Warri North Local Government Areas of Ondo and Delta States respectively”, he said
The troops of 6 Brigade, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have destroyed several bandits camps and recovered ammunition in Taraba.This is contained in a statement on Sunday in Jalingo signed by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations.It said the successes were recorded in a series of clearance operations under Commander of the Brigade, Brig.
Gen. Kingsley Uwa, across multiple bandits hideouts in Taraba. “The operation code named OP GOLDEN PEACE commenced after extensive confidence building patrols, clearance missions, and stakeholder engagements, which proved effective in the northern part of the state.“The latest phase of the operation began on 28 November 2024 in Takum Local Government Area (LGA), focusing on known bandit and terrorist hideouts around Lijam High Ground.”The statement indicated that during the operations, several bandit camps were destroyed, and troops recovered 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK 47 Magazine, one handheld Baofeng radio and 2 motorcycles.“To further solidify the safety of residents, troops projected force into the Akume and Ananum areas of Donga LGA on 30 November 2024, reinforcing the Brigade’s commitment to securing lives and property throughout Taraba State.”The statement quoted the Commander of the 6 Brigade who commended the troops, urging them to remain vigilant.“Together, we will ensure peace and security across Taraba State and beyond.“This is our determined effort to ensure a safe and secure environment for the ongoing farm harvest season and the forthcoming yuletide and to ensure that the state does not become a safe haven for criminals,” the commander is quoted as saying.(NAN)
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, says cybersecurity is the bedrock of operational readiness and the key to mission success of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Abubakar said this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the opening of NAF’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training.
He said the training was a vital initiative that would highlight the future of national security in the increasingly interconnected world, where artificial intelligence and advanced technologies play pivotal roles.
According to him, the integration of technology into warfare has ushered in a new era where digital bits and bytes are as formidable as physical bullets and bombs.
“The integrity of our nation’s defence systems, the security of our communications, and the sanctity of our data depend on the strength and resilience of our cybersecurity framework.
“For the NAF, which has distinguished itself as being more technological advanced than other services, cybersecurity is not just an IT concern; it is the bedrock of our operational readiness and the key to mission success.”
The CAS also said that the workshop would serve as a vital part of NAF’s efforts at ensuring that its personnel were equipped to meet the demands of securing the nation’s collective cyber environment.
He added that the recent global events had highlighted the severe consequences of cyberattacks, which could disrupt critical operations and undermine national security.
He disclosed that NAF’s platforms depended on secure digital communications, making them vulnerable to potential hijacking or operational disruptions.
According to him, these vulnerabilities emphasise the urgent need for a proactive and robust approach to cybersecurity within our ranks, which is precisely the focus of our gathering here today.
“Cybersecurity is a continuous journey that demands vigilance, ethical conduct, and a commitment to protecting our nation’s digital infrastructure.
“Let us continue to build a resilient cybersecurity posture that will enable us to stand ready against any threat, known or unknown that may arise in the digital age.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Communications and Information System, NAF, AVM Suleiman Usman, said the training was designed to equipped personnel with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect both physical borders and digital frontiers.
Usman explained that the training had dominated CAS’ strategic intent to develop and sustain optimal operational effectiveness in the NAF.
He said the cybersecurity training was an essential part of their collective mission to secure the integrity of NAF’s information networks.
“Cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever, hence the need for robust and resilient cybersecurity measures against evolving threats becomes ostensible.
“We are not just guarding the airspace but also protecting data, communications and systems that are integral to the success of every mission we undertake,” he said.
In his lecture titled, “Global Trends and Pillars of Cybersecurity for NAF”, Dr Asogbon Godwin, said that NAF must develop comprehensive cyber security policies and laws that addressed various types of cybercrimes.
He said that the cybercrimes include hacking, identity theft, phishing, and malware attacks.
Godwin urged the air force to invest in raising awareness about cybercrime risks and best practices for staying safe online and training investigators and prosecutors on digital forensics and other technical skills needed to investigate cybercrimes.
He also advised NAF to void ‘Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) police and also practice Zero Trust Principle.(NAN)
The Defence Headquarters says the Nigerian troops have in the last one week apprehended a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Sokoto and seven IPOB/ESN commanders in South-East.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Saturday, said that Habu Dogo was apprehended at Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to him, Habu Dogo is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities.
He said the alleged IPOB/ ESN terror operatives apprehended include; Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) who were nabbed in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
“Others are , Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia who were arrested in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia,”he said.
He said others are, Mr Ifeanyi Eze , Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba were arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia while, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.
“The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations has continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorists across the country,’’ he said. (NAN)
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