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Scores killed as NAF jets hit terrorists’ hospital in Sambisa

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet

A hospital and other healthcare facilities in the Sambisa forest where wounded and sick terrorists and their family members are treated have been bombarded by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets.

The hospital located at ‘Somalia’ area of the Sambisa forest was razed by the air component of the Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence.

Many of the terrorists were said to have been killed in the air interdiction.

The attack at the Sambisa forest was followed by coordinated bombardment of identified terrorists enclaves across the Northeast.

A military source said intensive air and ground operations have persisted unabated across all the joint operating theatres interdiction, “despite the challenges that weather, as occasioned by rainstorms and low clouds, has continued to pose to the Nigerian military”.

According to the source: “In the Northeast, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, while acting on credible intelligence struck a target at Somalia in Sambisa Forest suspected to be a terrorist hospital and health care facility on 9 September 2022. Somalia, a location near SAMBISA Forest, was believed to be where the terrorists have a medical facility where wounded fighters as well as those critically ill were.

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“After the air strikes, several structures were observed destroyed and numerous terrorists neutralized. Air Interdiction missions were also carried out at Abdallari, a terrorist enclave located Northeast of Maiduguri on 10 September 2022. Several terrorists were also neutralized, and structures destroyed after the strike, hence degrading their capacity to attack troops.

“In Niger and Kaduna State, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has continued to carry out onslaught on the terrorists’ hideouts/safe havens to decimate, degrade and deny them freedom of action. For instance, strikes were undertaken in Kaduna on 7 September 2022 following series of intelligence from various sources on terrorists’ hideouts at Gidan Waya, in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA).

“There, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch discovered terrorists’ structures hidden under clusters of trees at the location with terrorists’ activities noticed within the vicinity. Subsequently, the targets were acquired and attacked with bombs. Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) footages and feedback from locals as well as Nigerian Army troops deployment within the location revealed that the terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed while several terrorists were neutralized or suffered varying degrees of injuries”.

It continued that, ‘Air Operations were also carried out on 8 Sep 22, at Gaude, a terrorists’ hideouts at Shiroro LGA after series of intelligence confirmed that terrorists usually gather at the location for planning of their nefarious activities. Intelligence also disclosed that most attacks around Shiroro axis were mostly being orchestrated from Gaude and Kurebe.

“Consequently, the target was acquired with several terrorists observed at the location. Sources revealed that the hideouts were destroyed while scores of terrorists feared killed.

“Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) has sustained its onslaught against terrorists’ locations in the Northwest region. These has led to the decimation of large numbers of terrorists led by a terrorist kingpin simply known Babaru at Gidan Guga axis in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

“Intelligence had revealed that the Babaru-led had reportedly dislodged the locals from the village and occupied it. Accordingly, ISR aircraft of the Air Component on 9 September 2022, were dispatched for confirmatory ISR and subsequent BDA over the location. Overhead the location, several terrorists were sighted within the buildings with lots of human activities. Consequently, the location was struck with bombs, rockets and cannons.

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“An assessment of the location afterwards revealed the settlement to be in ruins with no movement in sight. In Katsina State, similar successes were also recorded same day as the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji recorded major feat with the decimation of large number of terrorists at Kawari axis in Dan Musa LGA. The strikes became expedient after intelligence revealed plans by terrorists to plant improvised Explosive Devices for troops deployed at Dunya Village and along Dunya – Maidabino road in Dan Musa LGA of Katsina State.

“The intelligence further revealed that the terrorists are based West of Kawari village. Consequently, the strikes were authourized. The Battle Damage Assessment later revealed the location in flame with few surviving terrorists seen fleeing. Reports from several sources revealed that scores of terrorists were killed in the attack.

NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the strikes in all the operating theatres.

According to him, “for the NAF, its ability to continually dominate troubled parts of the country in collaboration with the surface forces in order to eliminate terrorist elements and restore normalcy should never be in doubt.

“Nigerians are enjoined to continue to provide security agencies with credible intelligence that will enable the agencies track and neutralize the terrorists and all criminal elements especially as schools across the nation prepare to resume”.

The Nation

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200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

Published

15 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that about 200,000 repentant terrorists have so far dropped their arms and surrendered to troops in the North East, noting that the twin strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic operations was responsible for this achievement.

The CDS made this known at the Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the British High Commission, which began at the National Counterterrorism Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.

He disclosed that the theme of the symposium, ”Securing Peace, Ensuring Justice, Protection, Conduct, and Accountability,” speaks volumes about the deluge of security challenges the armed forces and security agencies are facing.

His words, “All the challenges we are facing today have to do with fairness, equity, justice, and accountability.

“There will not be peace without justice, equity, fairness, and accountability. In our operations, we are conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, which have to a large extent yielded significant successes, and we want to particularly thank the National Security Adviser for his great support in this regard.

“Nigeria is going through so many challenges, and we feel we’re able to address this, and everybody has a sense of belonging. A lot of the security challenges we are having, we are sure, will go down. I want to thank the National Security Advisor for all the support he’s given us, both the kinetic and the non-kinetic.

“We have said it; the kinetic aspect is just less than 30%. The non-kinetic has a lot to play. The non-kinetic, because when you have democracy, people must have the evidence of democracy. As long as it tells people to sleep well and be peaceful, and they are hungry, their children cannot eat, and all this creates more problems.

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“The issue of informants. We have to look at how we tackle this issue of informants. Because these are the people who have created the issue.

“Those supporting the terrorists by giving them logistics, we have to look for the oxygen. Where is the funding coming from? How are they getting the logistics across?

For us in the Armed Forces during our operations, one of the challenges is IEDs. IEDs have been the major challenge since the beginning of the insurgency. So we are looking at aspects of how we handle this, what solutions, and what new things we can do.

“Because you have to be creative. To fight this insurgency, you have to be creative and innovative every day. Because they are not relenting.

“As the theatre commander in the Northeast, we found out that if we are able to deny them this logistics, this oxygen, they will not survive. We did that, and that’s why you have almost 200,000 that have surrendered.

“But through enhanced communications and non-kinetic activities, many of the terrorists are realising the fruitlessness of what they are doing and retracing their steps.

“I’ve observed that with the asymmetrical challenges we are facing if you don’t communicate, you might be doing the right thing, but the perception might be different. And the enemy is working on that. So it’s important that we get that part right.

“And then you cannot work in isolation as a country. We need our international partners working together with us. Our neighbours are very, very relevant to us. Nigeria, as we are all aware, is surrounded by Francophone countries. And so the challenges are there.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said, “The objective of the Security and Justice Symposium, a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration among our security and justice institutions, is clearly to delve into the successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth within the realms of security and justice.

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“As we embark on this journey of critical analysis and discussion, let us keep in mind the noble goals set before us, from analysing and strengthening the intricate relationship between military operations and law enforcement, to enhancing the protection of civilians, very important, and fostering a culture of justice and accountability, to promoting a unified approach in countering improvised explosive devices.

“Each objective is poised to make a significant impact. Our intended achievements are ambitious, of course, yet entirely within our reach.

“As we review and map existing frameworks, evaluate institutional practices, and establish collaborative mechanisms, our collective efforts will chart a course towards a safer and more just society for all.

“I am honoured to see such an esteemed gathering of key stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from the military, law enforcement agencies, legal authorities, human rights organisations, and civil society groups. Your presence here today underscores the importance of our shared commitment to security, justice, and the well-being of our communities.

On his part, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, said, “Both Nigeria and Britain have had a good dialogue on the fact that we all face really complex security challenges in many parts of the world, certainly in the West Africa region and even in Nigeria itself, and these complex challenges require a multifaceted approach.

Expressing delight that the CDS, General Musa, talked about the nexus between civil and military collaboration, between kinetic and non-kinetic action, he said this is an area where we’ve seen some really important lessons for us emerging from the Nigerian security architecture.

“At the heart of all this is a recognition of the importance of upholding the rule of law, human rights, humanitarian law, and international humanitarian law. The importance of these principles for the way in which we tackle security challenges, and our lawyers keep telling us, and we have lawyers in the British High Commission as well as the Nigerian government.

“We need to consider the different legal principles and frameworks that apply to criminal violence or to violent conflicts and how we deal with them in protracted conflict zones, and I think that there’s already been a productive dialogue in our security defence partnership.

“The UK knows only too well from our own experience, our own involvement in armed conflict, that incorporating human rights doctrine is quite challenging. The strategies needed are not without complexity, but we do. The UK strongly believes that our commitment to these legal principles and doctrines is because of the experience we’ve had.”

200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

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Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

The spokesperson for the police in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, has confirmed the death of two robbery suspects in the state.

Mr Edafe, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Warri, said that the deceased were killed from the bullets shot by their gang members.

According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Edafe explained that the deceased were leading the police surveillance team attached to the Ekpan Division to their hideout when they were caught during a shoot-out.

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“The suspects were arrested at Effurun roundabout with a bag containing 57 live cartridges and other items. They were leading the surveillance team to their hideout at Warri/Sapele road when their gang members, on sighting the vehicle of the police team, engaged them in a shootout.During the gun duel, the arrested suspects that were leading the police team were fatally wounded by the gun shot of their colleagues. The two injured suspects were taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Edafe said that items recovered from the hoodlums hideout included: one English pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges.

Others were: six iPhones, Smart phones and a Rolex wrist watch.

He said that the command had intensified manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang.

Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

(NAN)

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Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Dr. Samuel Ekerenam

Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured

Gunmen kidnapped a prominent businessman, Dr. Samuel Ekerenam and k!lled his driver in Eket town, the headquarter of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Ekerena, the owner of Hephzibah Mall, was abducted about 10:00pm on Saturday, 23 November, 2024.

It was gathered that the gunmen trailed the victim to the shopping complex, shooting sporadically to scare the passers-by away before whisking him away to an unknown destination.

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The body of Ekerenam’s driver was discovered in the pool of his blood, while his police orderly was severely wounded in the gun attack.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident on Monday, November 25, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo has deployed tactical operatives to comb for the abducted businessman.

The PPRO added that the police were on top of the game and very soon the kidnap victim would be rescued and the perpetrators made to face the full weight of the law.