Troops of 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East (OPUK) have apprehended a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during clearance operations in Imo.

This was contained in an operational report on Monday in Abuja.

The reports said the suspect, identified as Onyebuchi Dara (28), from Etinasa community in Orsu Local Government Area, was arrested at Ehioma Junction following actionable intelligence linked to earlier attacks on security personnel.

The report said the suspect had previously benefitted from an amnesty programme but went underground after reportedly fearing attacks from a suspected armed group leader known as “Gentle the Yahoo”.

“Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly admitted being present during the killing of two soldiers, retired MWO Linus Musa and Pte Gloria Matthew, at Ubaha–Orsu in 2022.

“He is currently in custody as investigations continue to track other suspects and dismantle remaining cells in the area.

“In a related operation, troops conducting clearance operations along the Akwu–Udah axis discovered five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in an area abandoned for years.

“The devices were safely neutralised by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts at designated coordinates, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians.

“Troops also recovered military and vigilante uniforms, boots and other items suspected to be used for impersonation and operational support by criminal elements,” it said.

The report further revealed that operations in the area were ongoing as part of sustained efforts to degrade hostile networks and restore security in the South-East.

A retired Aeronautic Engineer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Taiwo Badru, has expressed confidence in the ability of the super puma helicopter discharging its duties in the fight against insurgency.

Badru, who spoke in Lagos on Monday, commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, for the innovation of the helicopter and vision for NAF.

The Nigerian Air Force reactivated the super puma helicopter in February, after three years.

The veteran said that many of the engineers were licensed engineers from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, providing them the needed knowledge and skill set, to maintain the aircraft overtime.

“I will refer to myself as one of the pioneer maintenance engineers of the helicopter because the helicopter was acquired in 1988, the same year I acquired training in France.

“I did my training and got my licence on the helicopter and gathered much experience when the helicopter was deployed to Sierra Leone for ECOMOG operation in 1990.

“I was also called upon to work on the helicopter before it was reactivated and gave the present engineers hands-on training; that is why I am confident in their abilities,” he said.

Badru urged officers to remain motivated and focused on their craft, adding that through local ingenuity, they would be able to handle and maintain the helicopter with little help from foreign partners.

The veteran said that in aviation, if one flew a particular piece of equipment for six months, the person would be required to go for a recurrence.

He defined a recurrency training (or recurrent training) as a mandatory, periodic instruction for professionals, particularly in aviation, to maintain skills, ensure safety compliance, and update knowledge on procedures.

“Pilots and cabin crew use this training to refresh knowledge on emergency procedures, aircraft systems, and regulations to stay current,” he said.

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 30 suspected kidnappers, four gunrunners and recovered five firearms with live ammunition during operations carried out across the state in April.

The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing on the command’s achievements for the month.

He said the command also arrested six suspected car thieves and recovered four stolen vehicles within the period under review.

According to him, the successes were recorded through sustained intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols and coordinated tactical operations against criminal elements.

Muhammad said among the recovered weapons was an anti-riot gun and other locally fabricated firearms.

He said on April 16, operatives of the Anti-Car Theft Unit, acting on intelligence, engaged suspected bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway near the toll gate.

The commissioner said the suspects fled into a nearby bush with gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of live ammunition.

He added that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Muhammad also said police rescued a seven-year-old kidnapped child, following a report by his father, Abdullahi Idris, of Anchau in Kubau Local Government Area.

He said the victim was abducted while returning from school, while the kidnappers demanded N40 million ransom.

According to him, swift action by the Divisional Police Officer in Anchau led to the rescue of the child in Maigana, Soba Local Government Area, while a suspect was later arrested in Malumfashi, Katsina State.

He said the suspect had confessed and was assisting police investigation.

The commissioner further said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department arrested a suspect in possession of a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla, while another suspected stolen Hyundai vehicle was also recovered.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of an accomplice in Kano State.

Muhammad said police operatives also arrested one suspect at Kurmin Zaki, in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle.

He said a patrol team from Kawo Division also recovered an anti-riot long-range gun, two short-range shells and one long-range shell abandoned by a fleeing suspect near Kawo Flyover.

The commissioner said in another operation, a surveillance team from Zaria Area Command arrested one suspect with 44 wraps of suspected cannabis.

He said the suspect was in custody while the investigation continued.

Muhammad said police also tracked and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla in Katsina State after it was allegedly stolen from a mechanic workshop in Zaria.

He said a suspect was found in possession of the vehicle and was being investigated.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kaduna State.

He appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Disu, Kaduna State Government and residents for their support and cooperation.

Muhammad urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.