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Operation Accord: Troops kill 52 criminals, recover weapons and rescued scores of kidnap victims

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The Armed Forces of Nigeria says over 52 criminals have been killed across all its theatres of operation within the last one week in addition to the destruction and recovery of weapons and surrender by some active Boko Haram members since the commencement of Operation Accord.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Maj-Gen John Enenche while briefing newsmen at the weekly briefing of military operations at the Defence Headquarters said, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has intensified its offensives against the BHT/ISWAP terrorists through concerted and deliberate land and air operations in the North-East, in line with the operational mandate to decisively end all terrorists’ activities in this region.

“Significantly, between 11 – 18 June 2020, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE carried out several aggressive clearance operations at various locations within the theatre, including a daring counter-attack on Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Monguno town on 12 June 2020.

“The counter attack by own troops at Monguno resulted in the neutralization of 41 terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment, as well as the rescue of 33 captives, amongst others.”

On bandits’ activities in the North-West, General Enenche said troops have continued to build on recent successes against armed bandits operating in the region following intensive ground and air assaults on their identified bases, with scores of bandits killed.

“Within the period under review, the Land and Air components of Operations HADARIN DAJI, KATSINA and ACCORD, carried out aggressive Clearance Operations at several identified bandits’ enclaves.

“Most importantly was the attack on 3 camps operated by one “Adamu Aleiro” in a forest along Katsina – Zamfara boundary area. Scores of bandits were killed during that encounter, with several others injured.  In the process, troops also apprehended 3 suspected bandits, including one Ibrahim Isa clad in military camouflage while 6 kidnapped victims were rescued, amongst other recoveries.

“Furthermore, AFN troops under the auspices of Operation ACCORD carried out several Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities at various communities within the North-West theatre. These efforts include: Drilling and completion of 7 boreholes at Mazoji, Kururubai and Gabasawa B communities in Daura LGA, Tudun Matawalle, Rahamawa and Tudun-Dole and Natsinta communities of Katsina LGA. Presently, 2 additional boreholes are being drilled in Dangeza and Dunya villages in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.

“Plans are also underway to construct a Medical Dispensary in Mazoji community in Daura LGA, as well as renovate schools in the vicinity.” He added.

In a related development, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE on 14 Jun 2020 apprehended one militia leader popularly known as Alhaji Audu from Olegeje community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

“In the course of the operation, arms and ammunition were recovered. Alhaji Audu was suspected to be responsible for several attacks in the community and has been on the wanted list of security agencies for some time now. The arrest of Alhaji Audu has brought relative peace to the surrounding communities.”

Operation Long Reach: Scores including top Boko Haram Commanders Killed in air strikes at Garin Maloma, Borno State

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The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a compound housing some High Value Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) leaders and neutralized some of their fighters at Garin Maloma on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

This according to the Defence Headquarters was achieved through massive air strikes executed to mark the launch of Operation LONG REACH, a new subsidiary operation in the theatre, which commenced on 16 June 2020.

The attack at Garin Maloma, a major node in the BHT’s line of communication in the Sambisa Forest axis, was undertaken based on credible intelligence reports as well as days of surveillance missions indicating that the terrorists had begun using one of the compounds in the settlement for accommodation and training of their fighters.

Accordingly, the ATF dispatched an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and fighter jets to attack the location. Overhead the target area, many BHT fighters were observed in the vicinity of settlement, with a few around the solar panel-mounted, High Value Target (HVT) location.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets engaged the location in successive waves of attacks leading to significant damage to numerous structures as well as killing of several terrorists. Some terrorists, who survived the first few waves and converged around the rubble near the damaged HVT compound, were taken out in subsequent follow-on attacks.” General Enenche said.

 

Troops kill four militants, confiscate illegal refineries, arms in the Nigr-Delta

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Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces of Nigeria in the Niger-Delta have killed four militants and confiscated a total of 5 illegal refineries, 14 surface metal storage tanks, 9 coolers, 9 cooking ovens.

The site according to the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche has been earmarked for swamp buggy operations while about 2,640.5 barrels of stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 43,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit were seized.

General Enenche said troops also recovered arms and ammunition during clearance operations on pirates/militants’ camps at Ibokiri and New Jerusalem in Degema LGA of Rivers State.

Your best not good enough – Buhari tell Service Chiefs

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Pesident Muhammadu Buhari has told services chiefs that even though they were trying their best to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country, their best is not good enough.

He has therefore declared that excuses will no longer be tolerated, even as he said he expects everyone to live up to expectations going forward.

Buhari, gave this directive during a meeting, Thursday with the service chiefs.

Addressing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Mungonu (rtd), said the President also ordered him to meet with governors of the North-west states including that of Niger State, in other to know what the problems are and find solution.

The meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Buhari was briefed on how the increasing security challenges across the country are being tackled.

BREAKING: President Buhari in closed-door meeting with Service Chiefs

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President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with security chiefs behind closed doors at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It was gathered that the meeting is to deliberate on the spike in the level of insecurity and other issues affecting the north and in the country in general.

The Service Chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin arrived at Aso Rock at 08:50 GMT and proceeded straight to the Council Chambers.

President Buhari joined the meeting at 09:00 GMT and the meeting immediately went into a closed session.

The country has witnessed a rise in criminal activities of bandits, especially in the northwestern part of the country in the last few months.

This has, however, led to protests in some of the states and the protesters have called on the President to find a solution to the security challenges.

COVID-19: National Assembly shuts down

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The management of the National Assembly has shut down the complex for fumigation over fears of the COVID-19 outbreak.

TVN reports that this is the second time the National Assembly is being closed and fumigated over fears of Coronavirus.

In a circular with reference number NASS/HR/MSD/ClR/003/IV138 dated 17th June 2020 and signed by Titus Jatau, Deputy Director of Management Services in the House of Representatives, said the fumigation exercise will take place for two days.

He, however, asked all staff to stay away during this period of the exercise and to resume work on Monday, 22nd June, 2020.

It reads: “Approval has been granted for the 2nd quarter fumigation exercise to be carried out tomorrow Thursday, 18th and Friday, 19th June, 2020.

“In the light of the above, all staff are requested to stay away during this period of the exercise and to resume work on Monday, 22nd June, 2020.”

The Senate and House of Representatives are currently on recess for a week to mark one year since the Ninth Assembly was inaugurated. The lawmakers are expected to resume next Tuesday.

EFCC Arrests Social Media Influencer, Four others for Internet Fraud

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The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested five alleged internet fraudsters, including one Adedamola Adewale, a self-acclaimed social media influencer, for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.

The five suspects were apprehended in different areas of Lagos during a raid by EFCC operatives.

While Adewale, 20, and his accomplice, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola, were arrested at the Agungi area of Lekki, Lagos State, the trio of Israel Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Olayode and Valentine Nwokorie were picked up at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

The arrest of Adewale and Ajibola was sequel to intelligence linking them to online fraudulent activities with two brothers, Lasisi Wasiu Adeleke and Lasisi Riliwan Adeniyi, who are at large.

They were arrested in a four-bedroom duplex belonging to the two run-away fraudsters.

Intelligence also linked them with alleged flamboyant lifestyles.

During interrogation, Adewale, a self-acclaimed model, who goes by the username: @adeherself, on Instagram, confessed to being a “picker” in cyber crimes.

He usually poses as a lady to hoodwink her foreign “preys”.

Items recovered from the suspects included two Toyota Camry 2009 model cars and N9 million, which was found in Adewale’s account.

The other suspects: Onyebuchi, Olayode and Nwokorie, were arrested for their alleged involvement in a romance scam.

They were arrested during another raid, following a separate intelligence.

Investigation revealed that Nwokorie was posing as a female American citizen and sending photos as a porn star to defraud his victim, while Onyebuchi engaged in a love scam as well as forging foreign cheques.

Items recovered from the suspects included laptops and mobile phones.

All the suspects will soon be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded, the anti-graft agency said.

Zulum Meets Humanitarian Minister over Borno IDPs

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Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, met with the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk over humanitarian needs of Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) in the state.
Zulum, who was in company of his Special Adviser and Coordinator, Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Support, was at the Ministry in the Federal secretariat, Abuja.
Discussions, held behind closed doors, focused on humanitarian needs in Borno and supports for IDPs to start up economic activities for self reliance.

Do more to end violent attacks in Nigeria, bring sponsors to book – US urges FG

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The United States has urged the Nigerian government to increase its efforts towards ending the violent trend in the country by bringing the criminals to book, and securing human lives.

Secretary of States Mike Pompeo made the call in a press statement made available to Television Nigerian called attention to attacks of communities in Borno and Katsina states by suspected members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), a breakaway of Boko Haram.

”We condemn the recent  senseless and  brazen killings of civilians  in northern Nigeria.

”In recent weeks, suspected  ISIS West Africa  militants launched multiple attacks in  Borno  State, killing more than 120 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.  On June 9, unidentified armed  bandits  attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens.

”These horrific crimes follow the  shooting  of a  pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians  on June  5  in  the course of intercommunal violence in  Taraba State.

”Tens of thousands of civilians have  lost their lives  in Nigeria in recent years to  violent  attacks  by  terrorist groups  or  criminal gangs, in inter-communal violence, or due to their religious beliefs.

”The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable,  and protect  civilians.” – Pompeo said.

Top security and intelligence chiefs including the Inspector General of Police on Wednesday arrived Katsina state in an effort to reassure residents that efforts are ongoing to bring an end to the carnage.

 

FG’s New Strategy Will Bring an End to Armed Banditry, Kidnapping -Monguno

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The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno says the federal government will adopt a strategy that will bring an end to armed banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges bedeviling the Northwest zone of the country.

The NSA stated this in Katsina after a closed-door meeting with Governor Aminu Bello on the recent surge in cases of armed banditry in the state.

Monguno, who led heads of intelligence agencies on the visit, explained that the team was sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to receive briefings from Governor Aminu Bello Masari and heads of security agencies in the state and to strategize on practical ways to tackle armed banditry in Katsina and other affected states.

He explained that ”Our visit was prompted by recent happenings in Katsina State and other parts of the North-west zone that are troubled by the scourge of armed banditry and kidnapping.

”Mr. President directed that I come here along with the Inspector-General of Police and all heads of intelligence agencies, the DG SSS, DG NIA and the Chief of Defence Intelligence to receive briefings from the Governor of Katsina State with regards to the occurrences in the last couple of weeks.

”These incidences have become extremely intolerable and unacceptable, we will therefore identify gaps and determine how best to fill them, we will also identify the underlying causes of these security challenges and address them from a collective point of view.

”We had fruitful discussions with the governor, we have been able to identify where these gaps are, and it is our intention to work collectively not just as security agencies, law enforcement agencies, or intelligence agencies but also on a governmental basis, to work in partnership with the governments of the affected states to find lasting solutions” the NSA said.

He also noted that his office will coordinate greater collaboration between security agencies, state governments and the local community in the fight against armed banditry and kidnapping in the affected states.

The National Security Adviser urged local communities residing in areas that are haunted by armed banditry to provide relevant intelligence information to security agencies and avoid serving as informants for the bandits.

The NSA’s team also paid a visit to the emir of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumini Kabir Usman where he assured the emir that the federal government was doing everything possible to bring an end to armed banditry and other forms of violent crime in the state.

After an open session, the team held a closed-door meeting with the Emirs of Katsina and Daura and key officials of the two emirate councils.