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Soldiers kill 13 IPOB members, arrest 3 kidnappers in South-East
Soldiers kill 13 IPOB members, arrest 3 kidnappers in South-East
Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, codenamed “Operation UDO KA,” have successfully neutralized 13 armed members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and apprehended three kidnappers in the region.
The task force’s spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, announced the development in a statement on Monday in Enugu.
He noted that the operation was part of ongoing clearance efforts to ensure safety and peace across the South-East during the festive season.
“Remember, security is everybody’s business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.
“When you see something, say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA’s toll-free line -193 and press Option 2—to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA,” he said.
On operational details, Unuakhalu said that troops of Sector 1 of the task force on December 21, conducted an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, to deny kidnappers freedom of action.
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According to him, during the operation, troops came into contact with the kidnappers, and in the ensuing firefight, the troops neutralised one while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Items recovered at the scene were: one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 17 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition; two cell phones; one power bank; three ATM cards; one wristwatch; a bunch of keys; and the sum of N8,900,” he said.
The spokesman also said that on December 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general areas in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, where three IPOB members were neutralised.
“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazines, and three Dane guns, while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commanders and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed.
“The gallant troops had earlier recovered five water gel Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two batteries used for detonating the IEDs while on routine patrol along roads within Ihiala-Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu, and Orsumoghu general areas in Anambra State.”
He explained that on December 14, troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.
He said that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint to apprehend the suspects.
“The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U-turn but were apprehended.
“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally-made single-barrel pistol, 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 34 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, two AK-47 rifle magazines, two G3 rifle magazines, and one live cartridge.
“Other items recovered were: one mobile phone, the sum of N6,600, and two Knapsack bags used for concealing the weapons,” he said.
Soldiers kill 13 IPOB members, arrest 3 kidnappers in South-East
(NAN)
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Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea
Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea
There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja as a suspect begged to retake his plea after pleading guilty to the two-count charge read to him.
The suspect, Adun Adewale, also known as “Coachbanter,” was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on alleged cybercrime offence against Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2024, sued Adewale as sole defendant.
In the charge filed on Dec. 17 by A.A. Egwu, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, intentionally sent video recording by means of computer system and network through his Tiktok username: “@brodabanter_backup_page” and handle “CoachBanter.”
Adewale was alleged to have said in the said video, “Police IG Egbetokun busted for colluding with notorious cartel moving cash from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) vault via Abuja, Lagos airport.”
The statement he knew to be false, “for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.”
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The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count two, he was also alleged to have sent a video through his Tiktok username accusing Egbetokun of victimising police officers to shield members of a cartel notorious for hauling suspicious new bank notes from the CBN.
The statement, which was said to be false, was contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Upon resumed hearing, the I-G’s counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that the matter was slated for the arraignment of the defendant and that he was ready to proceed.
After count one was read to Adewale, he pleaded guilty.
When the registrar read count two, the defendant said: “I pleaded guilty with reason.”
“What is the reason?” Justice Nwite asked.
Adewale explained from the dock that he saw the post somewhere and he forwarded it to his page.
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His lawyer, O.A Olaleye, therefore, prayed the court for a stand down in order to confer with his client.
Although Okoye opposed the application, the judge stood down the matter in the interest of justice.
After the court reconvened, Adewale’s lawyer told the court that he had discussion with his client and Adewale told him that he (defendant) did not understand the charge read to him.
Based on this premise, the lawyer prayed the court for the charge to be read again for his client to take his plea.
But Okoye vehemently opposed the application.
He argued that before Adewale took his plea, he was asked if he understood English Language and he responded in affirmative.
The prosecutor said besides, the defendant was represented by a lawyer.
He said the law is clear that when a defendant understands the charge read to him, it does not behove on the lawyer to persuade the defendant to change his plea.
Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Dec. 30 for the parties to address the court on the position of law in such instance.
Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea
(NAN)
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Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia
Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia
Eight people have been confirmed dead while two others were injured in an accident involving a loaded trailer and Sharon Volkswagen vehicle along the Bende-Ohafia Road of Abia State.
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the crash involved a trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board in a statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia.
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According to FRSC, the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding.
Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia
(NAN)
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FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic
FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic
The federal government has successfully repatriated 403 Nigerian migrants stranded in the Niger Republic, according to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
The returnees arrived on Saturday, including 165 males, 56 females, and 182 children and infants. Their return was facilitated through a coordinated multi-agency effort involving the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This operation marks the second batch of voluntary returns from the Niger Republic within the week, following the repatriation of 310 individuals on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. In total, 713 Nigerians have been returned to the country in the past week.
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At the reception ceremony, Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, represented by the Kano State Coordinator, Mrs. Lubah Liman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reintegrating the returnees into various initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ahmed praised the seamless collaboration among agencies that ensured the operation’s success.
He highlighted the federal government’s dedication to the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad and stressed the importance of multi-agency cooperation in tackling migration challenges.
FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic
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