Army, DSS foil attack in Sokoto, kill seven terrorists

The Nigerian Army and Department of State Services troops effectively collaborated to foil a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, neutralizing seven militants and confiscating a cache of weapons.

Upon receiving a distress call in Modachi, located in the Isa Local Government Area of the state, the joint operation intercepted an armed group with malicious intent, as detailed in a statement on its X handle on Friday.

The synchronized endeavor led to the elimination of seven terrorists and the retrieval of seven AK-47 rifles, four motorbikes, two mobile phones, and four machetes.

The statement read, “Nigerian Army troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in the North West region in conjunction with a team from the Department of State Services in a swift and coordinated effort to avert a potential disaster to save lives in Sokoto State, responded to a distress call, which resulted in the interception of an armed terrorist group on a rampage to wreak havoc in the Modachi general area of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

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“The joint operation led to the elimination of some of the terrorists and the recovery of a significant cache of arms. The terrorists, who were in transit with several motorbikes, were met with strong resistance from the security forces, leading to the elimination of seven terrorists. The troops also recovered seven AK-47 rifles, four motorbikes, two mobile phones, and four machetes.”

According to the Army, the successful operation highlighted the commitment of security forces to combating terrorism and restoring peace in the region, averting a potential disaster and saving lives in the state.

“The successful operation is a testament to the dedication of the security forces in combating terrorism and restoring peace in troubled regions. The swift and decisive response by the troops and the DSS team undoubtedly averted a potential disaster and saved several lives in Sokoto State,” the Army added.

Army, DSS foil attack in Sokoto, kill seven terrorists

85 people killed in Boko Haram, ISWAP clashes

In Borno State, another series brutal clashes between the Islamic State of the West African Province, ISWAP, and Boko Haram have claimed the lives of nothing less than 85 terrorists.

The deadly clashes happened between April 24 and 25, 2024 as the two warring terrorist groups went for broke in a vicious battle of supremacy.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Friday,

Makama added that the development has led to the displacement of the Boko Haram rival faction from several Islands previously seized from the ISWAP groups.

“Impeccable sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that shortly after the terrorists encounter in Kukawa axis, on April 24, 2024, ISWAP mobilized to reinforce its fighters stationed at Tumbum Allura, recaptured recently from JAS elements who desire to carry out reprisals to recover the island.

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JUST IN: Many burnt to death, 100 vehicles destroyed in Rivers fuel tanker explosion

Not less than 100 vehicles and unknown number of persons have been roasted in multiple explosions that occurred from fuel tankers at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

It was learnt that a tanker laden with petroleum products exploded and burst into flames that spread to other tankers and many other vehicles trapped in a gridlock.

While some said more than 300 vehicles were burnt, others said they counted over 100.

Though the number of victims could not be ascertained, but sources said many people trapped in their vehicles were roasting by the inferno.

Sources blamed the incident on dangerous driving and the company handling the reconstruction of the Eleme section of the road.

The fire was said to have raged for hours but was later put out by many fire service trucks with support from the Indoroma Petrochemical.

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A source said he heard a deafening sound twice from his residence with voices shouting for help.

The source said: “I heard a very loud sound about 20 minutes ago, and people were shouting.

“The sound came from the Petro-Chemical company area. So when I came out I saw a tick smoke with fire from a distance.”

A resident of Port Harcourt, Segun Owolabi said: “I saw four dead bodies burnt. Some may have been in the bushes because many ran away. I saw a whole stretch of vehicles burnt down, trailer burnt down.

“There seems to be a truck carrying substances and it was as if it had collision with another vehicle that may have ignited the fire. Over 20 vehicles burnt down and several people trapped.

“There may be more bodies. Oh my God this is a tragedy. A stretch of vehicles burnt”.

JUST IN: Many burnt to death, 100 vehicles destroyed in Rivers fuel tanker explosion