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Soldiers killings: Aba under lockdown as reprisal, arrests continue

Published

6 months ago

June 9, 2024

Nigerian soldiers at checkpoint

Soldiers killings: Aba under lockdown as reprisal, arrests continue

Residents of Aba, Abia State are counting losses following the reprisal attacks by soldiers over the killing of five colleagues at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba, on Thursday, May 30.

Unknown gunmen had attacked the military checkpoint at the junction, killing the soldiers and burning two patrol vans as well as their checkpoint.

Angered by the attack, soldiers stormed Aba and its environs, assaulting and arresting motorists and residents.

The soldiers have continued to raid some areas to make arrests.

This has created fear in most residents who prefer to remain indoors.

The fear was heightened by the presence of two military helicopters which hovered over Aba three days after the incident.

Despite assurances by Gov Alex Otti, urging innocent residents to go about their normal duties without fear of molestation, residents are still afraid of attack and arrest by soldiers.

Nightlife, which was gradually returning to the city, especially at major junctions and hotels, has disappeared as residents, motorists and business owners are now seen racing to their homes as early as 6.30 pm daily.

One week after the attack, many businesses in the Ogbor Hill area are yet to fully reopen for fear of attack by the angry soldiers.

Even churches located at the Obikabia axis have not been able to hold their activities since the incident for fear of arrests by soldiers.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the soldiers also invaded the Cemetery, Ngwa Road, Ariaria, Ekeoha markets and other business centres in the city and ordered traders and business owners to leave.

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Shops around the Obikabia Junction area, which also leads to Ukaegbu, Umuola, Ehere, Ururuka and New Umuahia, were abandoned for fear of reprisal attacks by soldiers.

A restaurant owner at the Obikabia area, who gave her name as Mama Uche, said she lost over N200, 000 as food ingredients she bought got spoilt at her shop while she fled as soldiers stormed the area.
A trader at the Cemetery Market lamented that he lost a contract to supply some goods to a company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the abrupt closure of the market, even as the Abia – Rivers boundary was also allegedly shut by soldiers.

Sunday Vanguard also observed that two eateries, Chicken Republic and Crunchies, located near the Obikabia military checkpoint, are yet to reopen for business since the incident.

Hotels and other recreational spots were not left out as soldiers invaded some hotels, especially in Ogbor Hill and environs, arrested lodgers who were taken to their camps.

A laundry operator in one of the new hotels along Ukaegbu Road said soldiers invaded their hotel at about 2am, ransacked rooms and arrested all lodgers and staff members.

He stated that the lodgers and staff members were taken to a military camp in the city where some were profiled and released while others were still being detained.

He said: “Soldiers invaded our hotel around 2am, ransacked all the rooms and arrested all lodgers and members of staff.

“We were moved to a military camp in Aba where some people were screened and released.
“But some are still being detained. Since the invasion of the hotel by the soldiers, guests no longer visit for lodging and relaxation.

“At the moment, people are afraid, no business because there is fear everywhere.
“We pray that the situation will soon return to normal for business to start booming again.”

Humiliation

Reports of alleged humiliation of passengers by soldiers who barricaded the Aro Ngwa, Umuikaa, Isiala Ngwa and Ntigha Junctions along the Aba – Umuahia section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway also sent shivers down the spines of residents

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A motorist, who gave his name as Sunny, told Sunday Vanguard that the humiliation of passengers by soldiers had stopped, but there were cases where suspected persons were arrested while other passengers were allowed to continue their journey.

He said: “At the Aro Ngwa, Umuikaa, Isiala Ngwa and Ntigha Junctions on the expressway, passengers are ordered to alight and raise their hands before passing the barricade.

“The Aro Ngwa Junction was completely blocked, motorists passed through local routes.
“But the situation is gradually easing off except at Umuikaa Junction where soldiers are still forcing passengers to raise their hands.

“We condemn the killing of the five soldiers but the Army should ensure that innocent motorists should not be made to suffer for what they didn’t know.”

Missing persons

Some residents have also alleged cases of missing persons following raids of their homes by soldiers.
However, Gov Otti had, during his second visit to the 144 Battalion in Asa, Ukwa West council area, urged the military to release innocent persons who were still being detained in connection with the innocent.

Commenting on the situation, a human rights group, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, condemned the killing of the soldiers but frowned upon the alleged incidents of torture, illegal mass arrest, unlawful detention, invasion of homes and hotels, and enforced disappearances of persons allegedly being perpetrated by the military.

The Foundation also faulted the forced closure of markets and described it as overkill on the suffering residents of Aba.

It said: “Even during war times, there are rules of engagement. We call on the military top brass to see to it that rules of engagement are adhered to.

“We also urge Governor Alex Otti to ensure that calm is returned to the state in the coming days as insecurity or heavy military action could scare investors from the state.

“People are now afraid of venturing out of their homes for fear of reprisal attacks.
“Many business people can’t put food on the table with daily jobs.

“Therefore, soldiers shouldn’t be seen as humiliating the same innocent people they are meant to protect.
“Let them deploy more intelligence to apprehend the criminals.

“The military should exhibit the professionalism which they have been known for.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the military authorities through the spokesman, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lt. Innocent Omale, were unsuccessful as he didn’t respond to a message sent to his mobile phone.

Soldiers killings: Aba under lockdown as reprisal, arrests continue

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

Published

10 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

11 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

11 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.