Chioma

The Acting Inspector- General of Police Usman Baba has said there are critical security situations in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country. Baba disclosed this on Friday at the opening of a meeting with police strategic commanders in the zones held in Abuja, NAN reported. The newly-appointed police boss said the meeting was aimed at discussing security issues affecting the two regions of the country to resolve them. According to Baba, after the meeting, the commanders will go back to their zones to implement the outcome of the meeting. The Acting IGP said the challenges would require the Force to rejig its operational strategies to ensure that the issues were nipped in the bud immediately. “It is not like we do not have problems in other geopolitical zones of the country, but we have to address them one after the other,” he said. He said calling a larger meeting of all commissioners of police and other senior officers would not be right at the moment because of COVID-19 protocols. By SaharaReporters,New York Source:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/09/security-situation-south-east-south-south-critical-%E2%80%94-police-ig

Nigerian Army has revealed that one officer and 10 soldiers were killed in an attack on troops operating on a routine operational task in Benue State. This was contained in a statement issued by the Army Spokesperson, Mohammed Yeeima, on Thursday. According to him, the troops were initially declared missing and were later discovered dead in the Konshisha Local Government Area of the state by a rescue team. It read, “The troops comprising one officer and 10 soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke. “The search and rescue team, unfortunately, found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. “While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to justice. “The NA under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru remains resolute in ensuring stability in Benue State, as well as other parts of the country that are affected by the activities of criminal gangs. “The NA remains determined to ensure that this unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants.” It stated that following the unfortunate incident, the COAS had directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts in order to fish out and deal decisively with the bad elements who were threatening the peace in the area. The statement recalled that Benue State which was a hotbed for violent clashes had been enjoying relative peace following the successes achieved by the various security agencies that have been working tirelessly to safeguard law-abiding citizens and ensure they go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment by criminals. It appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act. SaharaReporters can recall that at least 50 unarmed civilians were killed by military men in the area following reports that two soldiers were missing in the community. It was learnt that troops of Operation Whirl-Stroke (OPWS) on Wednesday and Thursday morning invaded the community. The operation, which involved the deployment of military helicopters using missile launchers, left scores of unarmed civilians dead and property said to worth billions of naira destroyed. About 200 houses including the palace of Tyoor Unaha Kôkô in Agidi and several cars in the village, which is now deserted were set ablaze by the soldiers. By SaharaReporters,New York Source:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/09/10-soldiers-one-other-killed-gunmen-attack-benue-community

At least 50 unarmed civilians have been allegedly killed by military men in Shangev-Tiev, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State following reports that two soldiers were missing in the community, multiple sources told SaharaReporters on Thursday. SaharaReporters gathered that the soldiers went missing during a routine patrol in the community days after a communal crisis between towns in Konshisha and Oju LGAs. According to reports, three soldiers were initially missing but one of them was later found. It was learnt that troops of the Operation Whirl-Stroke (OPWS) on Wednesday and Thursday morning invaded the community. The operation, which involved deployment of military helicopters using missile launchers, left scores of unarmed civilians dead and property said to worth billions of naira destroyed. About 200 houses including the palace of Tyoor Unaha Kôkô in Agidi and several cars in village, which is now deserted were set ablaze by the soldiers. Narrating the dastard act to SaharaReporters, a youth leader said, “We have lost over 50 unarmed civilians, more than five of my family members have been killed by the Nigerian Army. There are no bandits in Shangev-Tiev, a military General in Makurdi is using the Army to support his tribe in an age-long war over boundary demarcation. “For over 3 days now, unarmed civilians have come under Nigeria military attack non-stop. Fulanis controlling the Armed Forces of Nigeria are assisting their numerous footsoldiers mobilised by Miyetti Allah in terrorising the civilians. They keep killing and destroying properties. How can you use fighter jet on harmless and armless citizens while negotiating ransom with bandit and terrorists? “As we talk now, most residents have deserted their homes and are taking refuge at Tse- Agbaragba.” Another resident asked the government to redeploy the soldiers ravaging the community to the various highways where the Boko Haram and herdsmen are presently terrorising and killing Nigerians. He said, “Its quite sad amidst insecurity in other parts of Benue, Konshisha will be targeted by security personnels. My village has been reduced to ashes for no reason. This is not a Boko Haram. There is massive destruction and killing spree going on. The aged, women and children are not left out, among those killed and displaced. What human sense would warrant such attack and destruction? “For days now, our people have been under flames, displaced and are massacred.“ Another resident said, “My grandfather's house is in ruins, I hear. 2001, the Army burnt my fathers village and murdered my people. 20 years later, the Army is burning down my mothers home. 20 years after Zaki Biam, the Army has returned to Benue in the same fashion. This is not the way to go.” Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has pledged to return peace to Konshisha and Oju while briefing journalists after an expanded Security Council Meeting with stakeholders from the two local government areas. Ortom, who reiterated the need for Benue people to support security agents deployed to end crisis in their areas, admonished the people against attacks on security agents, which would make the situation extremely difficult to contain. He explained that as part of measures to nip the land dispute between Konshisha and Oju in the bud, it was agreed that the boundary be demarcated and a day was fixed for the exercise. According to the governor, a few days to the agreed date, crisis erupted again and security agents were deployed to control its escalation when the troops sent to Konshisha came under attack with two military personnel still missing. Ortom condemned the practice of some communities engaging militia to fight their neighbours. He, however, vowed that such merchants of violence would be made to face the consequences of their actions. By SaharaReporters,New York Source:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/08/exclusive-nigerian-military-invade-benue-community-kill-over-30-villagers-set-ablaze

An item suspected to be an explosive has been found in primary school in Abia state. State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He said the government is currently working with relevant security agencies in the state to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices found at the Union Primary School, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area. The statement read, “While initial examination of the devices show evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era, we are awaiting definite official report from the EOD squad of the Nigeria Police who are currently investigating the incident. “Meanwhile, necessary measures have been taken to protect the pupils and staff of the school with security sweeps ongoing while the school is temporarily closed. “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations out of abundance of caution. “While we are grateful to God that there is no harm to life or property, we urge citizens and residents to continue to maintain vigilance and report suspicious situations to security agents.” The state government has revealed that it is also working with relevant security agencies in the state to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive found in the school. It said it was awaiting official report from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) squad of the Nigeria Police working to unravel the case. By SaharaReporters,New York Source:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/08/explosive-discovered-abia-primary-school

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari and others who argued that the Nigerian constitution does not assign any official role to the First Lady. Tinubu did this stylishly on Thursday at the public presentation of the biography of Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of the President at the Conference Centre, State House, Abuja. The book, “Aisha Buhari: Being different,” was written by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr Hajo Sani. The former Lagos State governor, who chaired the occasion described the President’s wife as a voice of conscience calling politicians to be their better selves. Though Tinubu didn’t mention any name, SaharaReporters recalled that Buhari, then APC presidential candidate in an interview he granted to Weekly Trust in December 2014, had said he would not have an office of the First Lady should he emerge as President. He gave as his reason the fact that the office is not provided for in the constitution, and suggested that the Ministry for Women Affairs should be allowed to play its role unhindered. “Given the First Lady’s achievement, no one can reasonably question the role of a First Lady any longer. Remember that there were those who argued that the constitution does not assign any official role to the First Lady. With Mrs Dr Aisha Buhari, their concerns have been forever laid to rest. “First Lady has played an uplifting, unifying role both in symbol and substance. She has been a voice of conscience calling us to be of our better self for the good of the nation and for the vulnerable among us,” Tinubu said. Aisha had a few weeks after the 2015 presidential election revealed that it was Tinubu who convinced her to join the campaign train of Buhari. The First Lady was absent at Buhari’s campaign rallies until January 13, 2015 when she was unveiled at an APC rally at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state. “It was my personal decision not to come out for campaign because I needed to take care of the home front while her husband was in the field campaigning,” she said. “It was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who talked me into it before I decided to join the train.” Meanwhile, the relationship between Buhari and Tinubu has been a subject of public discourse of late, especially as the 2023 presidential election gets closer. Political analysts have rumoured the presidential ambition of the former governor of Lagos State but some chieftains in the South-West tenaciously believe that Buhari will not hand over power to him. By Saharareporters,New York Source:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/08/apc-national-leader-tinubu-%E2%80%98mocks%E2%80%99-president-buhari-others-over-office-first-lady

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono, has reportedly married an 18-year-old secondary school leaver. The 74-year-old minister tied the knot with the young woman, identified simply as Rakiya, in a secret wedding held on Saturday, April 3, in Jere Town, Kaduna State. It was gathered that only three minister representatives attended the ceremony and that the young bride has already settled in his Tamandu close residence in Kano. "The minister only assigned three people and warned them against disclosing the details of the marriage to people," a family source, who preferred anonymity, told Daily Nigerian. The source said Nanono's family had kicked against the wedding but the minister insisted on marrying the girl despite the over 50 years age gap. "The minister is madly in love. He appeared unstoppable," the source added. BY SAHARAREPORTERS,NEW YORK SOURCE:https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/08/74-year-old-nigerias-agric-minister-nanono-secretly-marries-18-year-old-girl

A soldier of 145 Battalion, Damasak, Maiduguri in Borno state has alleged that the commander, Lieutenant Colonel SA Ochalla, has starved him and his colleagues for four days straight without offering an explanation. The soldier, who spoke with SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, said the soldiers, who are fighting insurgents regardless of the situation, are aggrieved as their two months’ cigarette allowance has not yet been paid. He stated that the Nigerian Army is symbolic of the deep-seated corruption in the polity. He said, “We the soldiers of 145 Battalion at Damasak, Maiduguri are dying of hunger. Our commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel SA Ochala, refused to feed us for four days now. He has also refused to give us our money for March and April cigarette allowance; the world should come to our aid. “We haven't seen water to drink since morning, plus we have not had food for four days now. We have to fight regardless because our life comes first even before food. We are still combating insurgents even in this condition. “This is the Nigerian system for you, everything is so corrupt. But the corruption is more pronounced in the Nigerian Army. I have been in the Nigerian Army for more than five years now and I think I can tell you this. Imagine, we are on deployment into the bush and we have not been fed yet. Our commanding officer gave no explanation for this. He has not held any meeting with anyone regarding this issue. We are starving, please help us.” Nigerian soldiers have complained that they are outgunned by Boko Haram and that they are often sent into battle without adequate supplies. In December 2014, an army court sentenced 54 soldiers to death for refusing to fight Boko Haram terrorists .The soldiers were charged with mutiny and cowardice after they refused orders in August to help retake three towns held by the Islamist militants in Borno. At least 356 soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East wrote to the former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, seeking voluntary retirement over "loss of interest" last year. The soldiers in a letter with reference number NA/COAS/001, quoting the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/rating/airmen (Revised) 2017, asked for approval to leave the Nigeria Army due to low morale. SaharaReporters had extensively reported how Nigerian troops suffer mass casualty in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists due to lack of a robust intelligence apparatus and also lack of equipment. BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK SOURCE:http://saharareporters.com/2021/04/07/weve-not-been-given-food-four-days%E2%80%93-nigerian-soldier-maiduguri-laments

There was panic among residents of the Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday as the military bombarded the Ikot Akpan forest in the area. The PUNCH learnt that the military operation was aimed at flushing out hoodlums who had been attacking police formations in the state. Residents, who share boundaries with hoodlums’ hideouts, told one of our correspondents that the bombing of the forest started at 8am and ended at 12 noon on Tuesday. The military exercise came barely 24 hours after gunmen attacked the Imo State police command headquarters and the Nigerian Correctional Service in Owerri, the state capital, where 1,844 inmates were freed. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday ordered security agencies to fully mobilise and go after gunmen that had been attacking security agencies. It was gathered that before the military exercise in Akwa State on Tuesday, residents had been asked to steer clear of the Ikot Akpan forest suspected to be a camp of gunmen. Residents said the operation began with the deployment of helicopters and drones for aerial surveillance and bombing before ground troops moved in to flush out criminal elements. The Essien Udim LGA, where the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, hails from, has been under attacks by gunmen, who have been killing cops and destroying their facilities. Recall that hoodlums, whom many suspected to be members of a cult group in February, this year attacked the police at the Ikpe Annang junction, where a police inspector was set ablaze inside a police van. Also in February, they attacked Ikot Afanga community and killed an inspector of police identified as Aniekan, while a divisional police station in the LGA was set ablaze by the hoodlums. They also burnt police vehicles. On March 31, 2021, three police officers, including a chief superintendent of police, Ben Ajide, were killed and four others declared missing in a failed reprisal carried out by the police against the hoodlums. On Tuesday morning, residents, who had not fled the area stayed indoors as the military bombarded the hideouts of the criminals. Fear gripped residents as fighter jets flew at low levels to ensure proper surveillance of the area. A resident of the Essien Udim LGA, Essien Sunday, who confirmed the bombardment in an interview with one of our correspondents, described the exercise as a fearful experience. It was a fearful experience, I told my children and wife to stay indoors – Resident He stated, “We were woken up this morning by sounds of gunshots and military helicopters hovering around the entire village with fearful sounds. Although we heard the information, nobody knew it was going to be that fearful. So, I instructed my wife and children to remain indoors throughout the exercise. “I don’t know how many people were arrested by the army but what I know is that they carried out an aerial surveillance of communities in the LGA.” Poly students could hear sounds of fighter jet and gunshots –Lecturer Another resident and lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, Dan Etokidem also confirmed the bombardment. He said “Well, the bombardment started in the early hours of today. I learnt they (the military) sent advance notification that the civilians should vacate the said areas before moving in this morning. So, the aerial bombardment and the support troops, moved in this morning around 8am or so. Most students from the polytechnic could hear the fighter jets and the gunshots. So, that is just It. “It was an offensive to flush out criminals within three major communities in the Essien Udim LGA, the communities are Uwa, Ikot Afanga, Ikot Akpan communities all in the local government area.” Also, another resident of the community, Godwin Akpan, said although people were afraid during the bombardment, it was a great relief to the communities who had experienced attacks against the police. “Yes, there had been cases of insecurity of late with the hoodlums targeting police officers and establishments and of course the military had to come in. Advanced notice was sent to the communities to vacate the areas.” The Defence headquarters did not respond to inquiries on the reported attack on the forest on Tuesday. But a top military officer, who confided in The PUNCH, said the exercise, was not a bombardment. He stated, “It was a joint military operation conducted by the Nigerian Army, Air force and other security agencies to flush out criminals elements in the Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, that have been terrorising the state. The operation was successful. For now, no arrest has been made.. During the visit, the ex-IG insisted that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra carried out the attacks. He, therefore, vowed that there would be no hiding place for members of the secessionist group. Recall that IPOB on Monday said it was not involved in the attacks. But the immediate past IGP, who spoke when he visited the state police command to inspect the damage done, said IPOB members were responsible for the Imo jailbreak and the razing of the state police command. Adamu, who urged officers to use their rifles against the IPOB members, said members of the group were among inmates set free on Monday. The ex-IG “This is an incident meant to discourage and demoralise you. If they had wanted to test your resolve, they wouldn’t have come in an ungodly hour. “Those who are attacking police officers and other security agents, as well as security facilities, should not think that they will get away with it. Never!. “I’m here to encourage you that this group of people that take delight in attacking security agents and security facilities, you should deal with them ruthlessly. You should never ever spare them. “You should use all the force available to you to ensure you incapacitate them; to make sure that you don’t give them space; to make sure that they don’t exist. These are criminals. They’re not covered in anyway by law. The law is against their activities. But you are covered by law. “You have facilities and weapons at your disposal that you can unleash against these people. So, your strategy should change. Let your strategy be the type that will counter the strategy of those people. “When criminals strike, it is a concern. This should be a concern of everybody in Imo State. The local authorities within the area where the police headquarters and Correctional Service are sited, should feel concerned that both facilities were attacked. If both facilities were attacked, the people of that area have been attacked. Therefore, they should feel concerned. “Some of the suspects that were released by the attackers belong to IPOB group. There will be no hiding place for them. They will re-arrested.” Defend yourselves against IPOB members, Uzodimma tells cops Also, the state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, called on the police in the state to defend themselves against IPOB members. The governor, who spoke at the state command headquarters when the ex-IG, visited the state, asked the cops to be vigilant He said, “If you can’t attack them, you can at least use your rifles to defend yourselves. Any attack on police formation is an insult on us as a government. It is also an attack on the integrity of the government. We must take charge, take control and ensure discipline.” “I have seen the quantum of destruction perpetrated on the security facilities by the hoodlums. Everyone in Imo State is unanimous on condemning this act.” Gunmen who attacked Imo prison, police command are cowards, says Osinbajo The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who also visited the state, described the attacks as cowardly. The Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government was adopting measures to stop further attacks on security formations in the state. He said that government would strengthen security at the correctional centres, police formations and the state at large to combat rising security challenges in the country. The Vice President spoke to journalists after inspecting the level of damage at the correctional service and the police headquarters. He stated, “This incident is cowardly. Any attack on institutions of law and order was an attack on the well being of the citizens” Also on Tuesday the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, after inspecting the correctional service attacked by hoodlums, said inmates who escaped would be pardoned if they returned voluntarily. By Patrick Odey and Chidiebube Okeoma Source:https://punchng.com/panic-as-bombs-hit-gunmens-hideouts-fg-goes-after-ipob/

The parents of the kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Kaduna State say they have neither met nor been told the identities of the five students who regained their freedom on Monday. The Kaduna State Government on Monday announced that five of the 39 students abducted from the school dormitory on March 11, 2021 had been recovered by the Nigerian Army. While the statement revealed that they were undergoing medical check-up at a military facility, it failed to offer the details of how the students were recovered. However, Daily Trust reported that the families of the students have stormed the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna with the hope of seeing the released students but were denied access. One of the parents, who is also the secretary of the parents’ group, Friday Sanni, said the parents had visited 1 Division Nigerian Army again on Tuesday morning but were urged to be patient. “We don’t know the identity of those released yet, we have visited the 1 Division and we were told that when they are done, they will let us know,” he said. The five students were rescued 25 days after gunmen accessed the school at Afaka, Igabi Local Government area of the state and abducted 39 students. BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK SOURCE:http://saharareporters.com/2021/04/06/we-don%E2%80%99t-know-identities-5-kidnapped-students-now-free-kaduna-%E2%80%93-parents