DEFENCE
Security Forces Raid Terrorists Operational Base – Army
The Nigerian Army says a team of security forces led by troops of the Nigerian Army have raided the operational headquarters of terrorists in Awomama Village, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.
-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, announced this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.Yerima said that the early morning raid by troops of Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) was conducted on April 24.
He said the operation was sequel to a detailed intelligence report on the location of the terrorists’ operational headquarters and the movement of the overall commander popularly known as Ikonson Commander.
According to him, the IRT and DSS teams along with troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have been on the trail of the terror group since the attacks on the Imo Police Command and the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5.
“The said Ikonson Commander who was the mastermind of those attacks in addition to multiple attacks in the South-East and South- South regions, was neutralised along with six of his top commanders.
“The joint intelligence team had earlier interviewed several arrested IPOB/ESN members in connection with the April 5 attacks.
“They all confessed that Ikonson Commander was the one that mobilised men and resources as well as ordered and orchestrated the attacks on Owerri.
“They equally revealed that Ikonson was responsible for many other attacks on police stations across the two geo-political zones,“ he said.
Yerima said that the intelligence team later tracked the IPOB/ESN top leader to his exact location in Awomama village where he and his top commanders were hibernating and plotting attacks.
He said that the terrorists brought heavy volume of fire on the raiding team who swiftly responded and overwhelmed them with superior fire power that killed Ikonson and six of his top commanders.
Army spokesperson disclosed that a second lieutenant and three IRT operatives paid the supreme price in the fire fight that ensued.
He added that the four officers who fought gallantly had already been evacuated to a military facility in Owerri.
According to him, three AK 47 riffles, a Toyota Sienna van belonging to the terrorists and several other items of value, including drugs suspected to be psychotropic substances are recovered.
“The items are being processed by the intelligence team to assist in further investigations and operations in the area.
“The joint security team is already dominating the general area while preparations for further operations are in top gear.
“The neutralised Ikonson Commander had in several occasions posed for photographs with the fugitive leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
Yerima said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru had commended the troops, the Police IRT and DSS operatives for their determination in ensuring that the operation was a success.
He said that the COAS also prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers who lost their lives in the operation and assured that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
According to him, the Nigerian Army along with other security agencies will sustain intelligence-based kinetic operations in the South-East and South-South until the regions are free of terrorist activities.(NAN)
) The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN)
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)
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)
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