Air Force battles Zamfara terrorists, 50 bandits, soldiers killed – Newstrends
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Air Force battles Zamfara terrorists, 50 bandits, soldiers killed

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Nigerian Air Force

• Hoodlums kill 29 in Kaduna communities

Military raids involving Air Force officers have claimed the lives of no fewer than 40 bandits in Malele village, in the Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the Air Force, during a series of airstrikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, neutralised the terrorists at their hideouts in the village.

A report seen by one of our correspondents on Monday indicated that the military mobilised troops and airplanes for the attack on December 17, 2022.

The report read in part, “There are strong indications that strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji have recorded a major victory after hitting terrorists in Malele village in the Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“The security agencies, in particular, the military and the Air Force, have since Saturday, December 17, 2022, mobilised their troops and airplanes to launch attacks and airstrikes against those warring bandits coming from different parts of the country with several terrorists being eliminated.”

The report said the bandits, while attempting to escape from the airstrikes, ran into Mutunji village, adding that over 40 of them were killed.

Angered by the development, the hoodlums, in reprisal, laid a siege to a military convoy en-route to Malele and opened fire.

The report said, “Luckily, no life was lost except a soldier, who sustained an injury. The soldier is positively responding to treatment. Other sources have also confirmed that terrorists’ kingpins — Halilu Jan Buzu, Turji and Adamu Aleiru, are making efforts to reinforce their colleagues on the battlefield after the devastating airstrikes.

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“Halilu Buzu’s boys, in particular, were sighted along Dankurmi on their way to Malele, while those of Adamu Aleiru were seen at Yar Gada, a border between Dansadau and Gusau Emirates, waiting for sunrise to move to the battleground.”

However, an indigene of Mutunji village, in the Maru LGA of Zamfara State, Musa Abubakar, told one of our correspondents that the bandits killed 10 soldiers.

Abubakar said the soldiers were on their way to Mutunji to complement the Air Force in bombarding the bandits, adding that some bandits, who lurked at a spot on the road, ambushed them.

According to Abubakar, immediately the bandits sighted the soldiers, they came out of their hideout and opened fire, killing 10 of them on the spot.

He said, “The bandits, after killing the soldiers, and sighting the fighter jet, rushed to Mutunji village and hid in the market where many people were busy transacting their business.

“When the fighter jet arrived in the village, it dropped a bomb and 68 locals were killed while several others were seriously injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.”

Another resident, Sa’idu Ishaka, said he was in the market when the bomb was dropped by the fighter jet, adding that he narrowly escaped death.

Ishaka, who accompanied some injured persons to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, said bandits came to their village in large numbers.

“When the aircraft approached the village, we just heard a heavy sound in the market and many shops went in flames. I narrowly escaped being killed but I saw several dead bodies in front of me.

“I was among the people who took part in burying 68 persons who were killed by the bomb blast,” he added.

However, PUNCH Metro could not confirm the 68 civilian casualty figure as of press time.

One of our reporters, who visited the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, saw the dead bodies of the 10 soldiers being conveyed to a mortuary by the hospital staff.

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The dead bodies were brought in an ambulance by the military around 3pm on Monday.

The state Commissioner on Security, DIG Mamman Tsafe (retd), who visited the hospital to see the slain soldiers and the injured persons, described the incident as “most unfortunate”.

Tsafe sympathised with the families of the soldiers and those injured.

“The incident happened at the time when security situation is considered to be improving”.

Calls to the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, were not answered, as he did not respond to a text message sent to his line as well.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, could not also be reached to comment on the matter as of press time.

In a related development, hoodlums on Sunday reportedly killed 29 people in separate attacks on Malagum One and Sokwong communities of Kagoro Chiefdom in the Kaura LGA of Kaduna State.

The council Chairman, Mathias Siman, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Monday, said seven people were killed in Sokwong.

The attack is coming barely five days after an invasion in Malagum, which resulted in the killing of three persons.

According to Siman, all the houses in Sokwong were razed by the terrorists.

Siman urged residents to remain calm as security agencies were carrying out an investigation into the matter.

The Speaker of Kaura LGA, Stephen Atuk, said over 22 people were killed in Malagum One.

Atuk called on the state government and security agencies to redouble their effort in order to curtail renewed killings in the area.

“Attacks in our area have been consistent and multi-dimensional with efforts of security operatives and government not seen or felt,” he added.

The spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has said the state is saddened by the killings in the two communities.

The commissioner, who stated that several residents were killed in the attacks and houses razed, added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai had directed the State Emergency Agency to provide relief materials to the communities.

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Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

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December 21, 2024

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Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has successfully apprehended 19 individuals attempting to stow away on Europe-bound vessels.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, the ship’s Information Officer, Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed that 15 stowaways were intercepted on Dec. 19 aboard the European-bound Moto Tanker (MT) KRITI RUBY. Another four were caught on Dec. 21 aboard MT MCC YANBU.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe,” Ibrahim stated.

The Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT), operating from ATLAS COVE and using the Falcon Eye Alignment under the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, facilitated the interception of the 15 individuals near the Lagos fairway buoy.

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Ibrahim further explained that credible intelligence led to the interception of the additional four stowaways by Navy personnel deployed on escort duties aboard the vessel.

“The prompt response of the QRT saved the stowaways from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage,” he added.

The first group of 15 individuals has been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa, for further investigation and necessary action. The remaining four suspects will also be transferred in due course.

“The presence of stowaways poses serious security threats to maritime operations, including risks of smuggling, piracy, drug and human trafficking, among other maritime crimes,” Ibrahim noted.

He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, NNS BEECROFT will continue maintaining security along Lagos waterways and surrounding creeks to support safe maritime activities and economic growth.

 

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

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Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

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10 minutes ago

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December 21, 2024

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Nigerian military troops

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested four suspected members of Ambazonian rebels in Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambazonia is a rebel group operating in neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

A statement on Saturday in Jalingo by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, said the suspects were arrested at a hotel in Takum town.

The statement said that acting on credible intelligence, the suspects were tracked and apprehended.

According to the statement, during initial interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with their Nigerian collaborators.

It said that four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects now in detention undergoing further investigation.

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The statement also said that in another operation following actionable intelligence, troops deployed at Natilde community in Bantaji District of Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB, transporting 19 pieces of stolen pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

It said that further collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30.

“The recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and necessary action.

“The 6 Brigade Nigerian Army will remain resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance our collective efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the statement added.

 

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

(NAN)

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NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

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December 21, 2024

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NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) is entirely free of charge. The Commission emphasized that it neither charges nor authorizes its staff or Front End Partners (FEPs) to demand payment for NIN registration.

In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for extortion and pledged to take decisive action against offenders. To ensure compliance, the Commission has directed security agencies to identify and prosecute any staff or FEPs involved in such illegal activities.

“Anyone caught engaging in extortion will face sanctions in line with the provisions of the law, including the withdrawal of licenses for culpable FEPs,” the statement read.

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NIMC also urged the public to report any cases of extortion. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] or by calling 0700-2255-646. The Commission assured Nigerians that all reports would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures would be taken to address any violations.

Reaffirming its commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery, NIMC pledged to provide seamless and hassle-free enrollment processes for all Nigerians. The Commission expressed its determination to eliminate corruption and protect citizens from exploitation during NIN registration.

This announcement is a clear signal of NIMC’s dedication to upholding integrity and ensuring that the NIN enrollment process remains accessible and free for all. Nigerians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any attempts at extortion to help maintain the credibility of the system.

NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

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