Defence and Security

Troops Destroy Notorious Terrorists’ Den, Exhume Victims Bodies In Imo

Published

1 year ago

March 31, 2024

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri, destroyed the den of notorious terrorists led by one Monday Ogu popularly called ‘B44’.

The troops also exhumed corpses believed to be the terrorist’s victims, buried in shallow graves near the den, at Ezioha Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the operation, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Usman Lawal said the exercise was carried out by his gallant officers following intelligence reports.

He said the camp, strategically located on the bank of the Njaba River overlapped three council areas of Imo, namely Njaba, Oru East and Mbaitoli where the criminals carried out attacks.

He listed the attacks to include kidnapping for ransom, robbery of kidnap victims’ valuables and burning of their vehicles as well as killing of the victims most of whom were buried in shallow graves.

The Commander added that the terrorists also vandalised vehicles belonging to their victims and sell off the vehicles’ parts while burning the vehicles beyond recognition.

He called on residents of the state to furnish security agencies with useful information that will lead to the location and decimation of terrorists and other criminal elements in their domain.

“Our aim is to clear camps of criminal, irredentist elements and restore peace to the communities so that the people can return to their communities and resume normal life.

“Following the clearance of the terrorists’ hideout by our gallant troops, we have exhumed the dead bodies of the victims for a thorough forensic assessment so that where possible, we can trace them to their families and hand them over for a befitting burial,“ he stated.

The Commander hailed his troops for their gallantry in the face of security challenges and urged them never to rest on their oars until peace is restored to the affected communities and Imo at large.

Brig Gen. Lawal, however, thanked the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma for their unflinching moral and logistics support which has created the enabling environment for the activities of the brigade.

He assured the Imo people of his continued commitment to the fight against terrorism to ensure lasting peace, security and socioeconomic development in the state and it’s environ.

Crime

Taskforce Storms Lagos, Nets 52 in Night Raid

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Oso Abidemi

In a sweeping overnight crackdown, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit arrested 52 suspects in a fresh move to curb crime and restore order across key parts of the city.

Led by the Agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, the operation kicked off around 12.35 a.m., targeting notorious hotspots such as Lekki, Ikoyi, Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel, and Ligali Ayorinde.

Acting on a flood of complaints about street urchins, hooligans, pickpockets, and other suspected criminals, the taskforce moved swiftly, rounding up 51 men and one woman in the early hours of Sunday.

Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that the operation was part of a broader strategy to conduct bi-weekly raids aimed at cleaning up the metropolis.

CSP Akerele, speaking after the raid, vowed the taskforce would not relent in its mission to keep Lagos safe.

“We will continue these enforcement drives until criminals have no hiding place. Anyone threatening the peace and security of residents should either stop or face the full force of the law,” he warned.

All suspects, he added, will be charged to court as the agency steps up efforts to safeguard law-abiding citizens and businesses.

Defence and Security

Flush Bandits Out of Kwara in 30 Days, Army Chief Orders troops

Published

6 days ago

April 24, 2025

ADMIN

By Oso Abidemi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has issued a firm directive to troops to flush out bandits terrorising parts of Kwara State within one month.

During a visit to the Sobi Military Barracks in Ilorin on Wednesday, the army chief charged his men to stamp out criminal elements from affected local government areas without delay, warning that Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of the Boko Haram crisis in any form.

“You are out here, and I know you can do it. Push them out of those forests. If they want to enter another country, that is their business, but they must leave that place for us,” Oluyede declared.

He pointed specifically to the Kainji Dam axis, saying, “In the next one month, I do not want to see any footprint of those criminals within that area.”

Describing the security threat in Kwara as isolated, the army boss said it must be dealt with swiftly before it spreads.

“What is happening in Kwara cannot threaten the sanity of Nigeria. We will handle it directly,” he assured.

His visit signals a renewed military push against insecurity, with the message loud and clear—there is zero tolerance for criminal enclaves anywhere in the country.

Defence and Security

NSCDC Boss Cracks Down on ₦5.2 Million Extortion Scandal

Published

1 week ago

April 23, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the detention and immediate transfer to Abuja of officers allegedly involved in a ₦5.2 million extortion case.

The officers, now facing disciplinary action, were caught in a viral video allegedly extorting a traveller journeying from Ado-Ekiti to Akure.

The footage, which sparked widespread outrage, prompted a swift directive from the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for a full investigation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Corps Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, Dr. Audi condemned the act, describing it as unethical, unprofessional, and a violation of the NSCDC’s Code of Ethics and Standard Operating Procedures.

“These actions stain the Corps’ image and will not be swept under the rug,” Dr. Audi stated.

He emphasized that the implicated officers will be held in detention at the NSCDC headquarters while a disciplinary committee probes the matter.

He reassured the public of the Corps’ dedication to transparency and accountability, vowing that any personnel found guilty would face the full consequences without protection or bias.

“No one is above the law. We must earn and maintain public trust through integrity,” he said.

Dr. Audi also encouraged Nigerians to report any misconduct, promising that harassment, extortion, and abuse of office will not be tolerated under his watch.