News
Troops nab five ISWAP collaborators, rescue kidnap victim
Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended five suspected terrorist collaborators and secured the surrender of an ISWAP fighter in Borno.
An operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said the operations also led to the arrest of additional suspected criminals in Plateau.
The report said troops also restored normalcy in a Delta community following a deadly clash between youths and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, raided Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno on Tuesday and arrested five suspected terrorist collaborators,” it said.
The report also revealed that troops recovered a dane gun, seven mobile phones and two locally made knives.
It added that the suspects and recovered items were in military custody for further investigation.
It further said that an ISWAP fighter surrendered to troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, in Monguno, Borno.
According to the report, preliminary investigations indicate that the fighter escaped from a terrorist camp in Tumbunma village, in the Lake Chad region near Bukar Meram in Marte Local Government Area.
“Items recovered from the surrendered fighter include an AK-47 rifle, 31 rounds of 5.56mm special ammunition, a camel bag, a small solar panel, an earpiece and two mobile phones.”
The report also said that in Kaduna, troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion rescued a female kidnap victim following an attack and the abduction of civilians in Kauyen Masaka village, Igabi Local Government Area.
“Troops responded to the incident at about 1:41 a.m. on Tuesday, rescuing the woman and recovering a motorcycle.
“The rescued victim was reunited with her family and disclosed that other captives fled during the military intervention,” it said.
The report further revealed that troops of Headquarters 24 Armoured Brigade arrested an additional suspect following the interrogation of three suspected criminals earlier apprehended in Sabon Gida-Pil Gani village, Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau.
It said troops subsequently raided the suspects’ residence, recovering two locally fabricated pistols and 10 cartridges.
The report added that investigations were ongoing to recover an alleged AK-47 rifle and other weapons believed to be in the suspects’ custody.
“In Rivers, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison, working with personnel of 5 Battalion, discovered an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Forest, Ahoada East Local Government Area.
“Items found at the site include two long cooking drums, another drum, two half drums and two long pipes. The items were handled in line with extant regulations.
“In Delta, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, working with Operation Delta Sweep and 3 Battalion (Reinforcement), restored normalcy in Okpara inland community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, following a deadly incident involving NDLEA operatives and youths.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that some NDLEA operatives encountered resistance from youths while attempting to arrest a suspected drug peddler, during which a youth sustained gunshot wounds and later died.
“The incident reportedly triggered attacks on the vigilante office and community town hall, with four vehicles, a motorcycle and the community leader’s residence burnt,” it said.
The report added that troops subsequently cleared and reopened blocked access routes, conducted patrols and maintained a presence in the community to prevent further violence.
It said normalcy had been restored, with residents returning to their normal activities, while troops continued to engage community leaders to sustain peace.
It also said efforts were ongoing to strengthen security and prevent a recurrence of the violence.
(NAN)
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated the Tinubu/Alia 2027 Campaign Council as the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue begins preparations for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia in the 2027 general elections.
Alia said Nigeria and Benue State had no reason to look elsewhere, insisting that he was steadily delivering on his promises while President Tinubu was also making progress and providing relentless support to the state to regain its lost glory.
The Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council, which has Hon Citizen Richard Asema as Director-General, was inaugurated by the governor at IBB Square on Thursday. The event was followed by the commissioning of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Office at Wurukum, Makurdi.
Speaking during the occasion, Governor Alia charged members of the council to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication, describing their appointments as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by the party leadership and the people of Benue State.
The governor also urged party members in the state to put aside personal grievances, embrace reconciliation and work collectively towards securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
He described the Director-General, Citizen Asema, as an experienced political leader with the capacity to coordinate the campaign and deliver the desired result.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Governor Alia attributed the successes recorded by his administration in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation to the cooperation and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government.
He particularly acknowledged federal interventions that had strengthened security operations and supported efforts to restore peace to previously troubled communities in the state.
The governor also listed the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, improvements in public school infrastructure, regular payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and the establishment of agricultural processing facilities among the achievements of his administration.
He noted that the partnership between the state and the federal government had contributed significantly to these developments.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that efforts to connect all 23 local government areas of the state through road networks were nearing completion, with approximately 25 per cent of the work remaining.
He also cited the revival and completion of previously abandoned projects, including Taraku Mills, the International Conference Centre at IBB Square and the Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of his administration's commitment to continuity.
He promised that, if re-elected, he would concentrate on consolidating existing achievements rather than starting new projects from scratch.
According to the governor, his administration remained committed to implementing its development blueprint since assuming office in 2023 and would focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, strengthening completed projects and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits if re-elected in 2027.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor further stated that industrialisation, agriculture and strategic investments in education, healthcare and commerce would remain central to his administration's determination to break the cycle of poverty and expand economic opportunities for the people.
He expressed confidence that Benue's enormous agricultural potential, coupled with its emerging oil and gas prospects, could provide the state with the resources needed to build a stronger economy and generate substantial internal revenue, thereby reducing its dependence on federal allocations.
Benue: Gov Alia inaugurates 2027 campaign council, says re-election will ensure sustainability
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