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Wanted terrorist, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB leaders arrested – DHQ

Published

2 years ago

November 2, 2024

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba

Wanted terrorist, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB leaders arrested – DHQ

The Defence headquarters on Saturday disclosed that troops conducting counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations have arrested a notorious and wanted terrorist leader in the Northwest known as Abubakar Bawa Ibrahim aka Habu Dogo who is responsible for most of the terrorist attacks, killings and kidnappings, particularly in Sokoto State.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations said Habu Dogo was arrested in Rumji Village in Illela LGA of Sokoto.

“He (Habu Dogo) is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross-border nature of his terrorist activities”.

Buba added that troops in the South East arrested 7 IPOB /ESN terrorists commanders and operatives during the week naming the terror operatives arrested as Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (aka Chapet) arrested in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia arrested in Umuahia South LGA of Abia States.

Additional IPOB operatives arrested are Mr Ifeanyi Eze, Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. While Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu LGA of Imo State.

Major General Buba disclosed that during operations across the country in the last week, troops neutralised 187 terrorists and arrested 311 other criminal elements including perpetrators of oil theft, while a total of 147 kidnapped victims were rescued.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of one billion, two hundred and fifty-four million, nine hundred and forty-six thousand six hundred and thirty nairas (N1,254,946,630.00) only.

“Troops discovered and destroyed 98 illegal refining sites, 49 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 72 boats, 21 drums, and 30 storage tanks among others.

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“On 21 and 24 October 2024, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 5 violent extremists/kidnappers which included 2 kidnap ring leaders in Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau. Troops were also arrested in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 locally fabricated guns, one magazine, 196 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 46 live cartridges and 3 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 24 October 2024, troops while on patrol responded to activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. During the operations, troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one magazine amongst others.

“Between 23 and 28 October 2024, troops in separate counter/anti-kidnapping operations responded to information on kidnapping incidences. Troops made contact with violent extremists in Jos East, Jos South, Bokkos, Mikang, Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State.

“Troops also made contact with violent extremists in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 6 extremists/kidnappers, arrested 6 and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 5 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, one barrel pistol, 3 AK47 magazines, one pistol magazine, 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 20 rounds of 9mm ammo.

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Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 27 violent extremists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, one locally made pistol, one fabricated revolver rifle, 94 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 21 rounds of 54mm ammo, 9mm rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others.

“Between 21 and 26 October 2024, following reports, troops arrested 20 violent extremists/terrorists including armed robbers in Gassol, Ussa and Jalingo LGAs of Taraba State. Troops made similar arrests in Guma and Makurdi LGAs of Benue State. During the operations, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one locally made pistol, 94 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others.

“On 21 and 23 October 2024, troops in separate operations responded to distress calls on kidnapping incidents in Ussa and Jalingo LGAs of Taraba State. During the operations, troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages and apprehended one suspected kidnapper’s gang leader. Troops also recovered one fabricated revolver rifle and 21 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo.

“On 26 October 2024, troops in separate offensive operations raided suspected violent extremists/kidnappers hideouts in Makurdi and Ukum LGAs of Benue State. During the operations, troops arrested 2 suspects and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one fabricated gun and 21 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.

“On 25 and 28 October 2024, troops in separate counter/anti-kidnapping criminality operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Logo and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State as well as Gwer West LGA of Benue State respectively. During the operations, troops rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 51 terrorists, arrested 55 persons and rescued 81 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 26 AK47 rifles, 6 fabricated rifles, 3 Dane guns, 5 pump action guns, 3 locally made pistols, 414 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 297 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 210 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 51 rounds of 9mm ammo, 30 live cartridges, 6 magazines, 7 motorcycles and 6 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 21 October 2024, troops in separate fighting patrol operations made contact with terrorists in Maradun and Isa LGAs of Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns, 297 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 magazines, 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 23 October 2024, troops while conducting a fighting patrol responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists/kidnappers in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops rescued 4 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm special as well as one mobile phone.

“Between 22 and 28 October 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Rabah and Tsafe LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States as well as Wasagu and Batsari LGAs of Kebbi and Katsina States.

“Additionally, troops conducted operations in Giwa and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State. Following firefights, troops neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 11 and rescued one kidnapped hostage. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 6 fabricated rifles, 3 Dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 210 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 132 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 51 rounds of 9mm, 30 live cartridges, 2 magazines, 4 motorcycles and 9 mobile phones amongst others.

“Between 22 and 28 October 2024, troops in separate counter/anti-kidnapping operations responded to information on activities of suspected kidnappers in Danmusa and Jibia LGAs of Katsina State as well as Isa LGA of Sokoto State. During the operations, troops rescued 26 kidnapped hostages.

“On 20 October 2024, following confirmatory ISR, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorist leader Alhaji Layi’s Enclave in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their structures destroyed.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 32 suspects and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 locally made pistols, one Dane gun, 11 rounds of 9mm ammo, 33 live cartridges one motorcycle and 3 mobile phones amongst other items.

“Between 21 and 27 October 2024, following credible reports, troops on separate patrols intercepted and arrested 16 violent extremists/kidnappers in Borgu and Tafa LGAs of Niger State as well as Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.

“On 22 October 2024, following a tip-off, troops raided violent extremists/kidnappers hideout in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

“During the operations, troops arrested 6 violent extremists and recovered 2 locally made pistols, one Dane gun, 11 rounds of 9mm ammo, 33 live cartridges one motorcycle and 3 mobile phones amongst others.

In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 15 terrorists, arrested 20 violent extremists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one G3 rifle, 14 pump action guns, 2 pump action shotguns, 4 Dane guns, one DICON pistol, 17 locally made pistols, 3 double barrel guns, one locally made revolver pistol, 31 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 171 rounds of 9mm ammo, 430 live cartridges, 3 large pipe-borne IEDs, one vehicle, 3 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and amongst other items.

“On 22 and 27 October 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists in Orsu and Umunneochi LGAs of Imo and Abia States respectively. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and arrested 6 suspects. Troops also recovered 6 Dane guns, one locally made revolver pistol, 2 motorcycles, and 8 mobile phones amongst other items.

“On 22 October 2024, following credible reports troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested one suspected violent extremist in Uzo–Uwani LGA of Enugu State. Troops also recovered one pump action gun, 23 cartridges and one mobile phone.

“Between 22 and 27 October 2024, following a tip-off, troops intercepted and arrested 7 suspected IPOB/ESN/terrorists including a gunrunner in Aba South and Umuahia South LGAs of Abia as well as Ihiala and Owerri West LGAs of Anambra and Imo States. Additionally, troops conducted operations in Uwani and Ikwo LGAs Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively.

“During the operations, troops recovered 2 G3 rifles, 9 pump action guns, 3 double barrel guns, 17 locally fabricated pistols, 4 Dane guns, one DICON pistol, 286 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 171 rounds of 9mm ammo, 31 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 343 live cartridges, one motorcycle and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 21 and 22 October 2024, troops in separate fighting patrol operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ihiala and Aguata LGAs of Imo and Anambra States. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and recovered 4 pump action guns, 2 pump action shotguns, 64 live cartridges, one vehicle and 3 large pipe-borne IEDs amongst others.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued 4 kidnapped hostages and apprehended 39 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 7 assorted arms, 3 magazines and 96 assorted ammunition.

“Troops also arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted raid operations in Ndokwa East and West LGA of Delta State as well as Degema LGA of Rivers State respectively.

“Troops recovered 1,090,135 litres of stolen crude oil and 873,510 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 49 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 72 boats, 21 drums, 30 storage tanks and 98 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 pumping machines, one outboard engine, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among others.

“Between 23 and 27 October 2024, following credible reports troops in separate fighting patrols intercepted and arrested 5 suspected violent extremists/pipeline vandals including militant leader identified as Mr Eddy Edidiemokuma Korokoro in Ndokwa East and West of Delta State as well as Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State respectively.

Wanted terrorist, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB leaders arrested – DHQ

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Abdulsalami Opens Up on Secret Detention of MKO Abiola

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Chief MKO Abiola

Abdulsalami Opens Up on Secret Detention of MKO Abiola

Nearly three decades after the death of Chief MKO Abiola, former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has revealed that neither he nor the late Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya, knew where the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election was being held during the regime of late military ruler Gen. Sani Abacha.

Abdulsalami made the disclosure in his autobiography, Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, launched in Abuja during events marking his 84th birthday.

According to the former Head of State, MKO Abiola’s detention was shrouded in secrecy, with the businessman and politician moved between different detention facilities throughout the four years he spent in custody.

“Before I became Head of State, I didn’t know where Abiola was being detained. Even General Diya, who was second-in-command to Abacha, had no idea where Abiola was being held. They kept moving him from one detention centre to another,” Abdulsalami wrote.

The revelation highlights the extent of secrecy within the Abacha administration and suggests that even senior members of the military government were excluded from critical decisions concerning Abiola’s detention.

Abiola, widely believed to have won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, was arrested in 1994 after declaring himself president following the annulment of the election by former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The election, regarded by many observers as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll, triggered a prolonged political crisis that led to nationwide protests and international condemnation after its annulment.

Following Babangida’s exit from power in August 1993, an Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan was established. However, the administration lasted only three months before it was overthrown by Abacha. Abiola remained in detention throughout Abacha’s rule until the military leader’s sudden death on June 8, 1998.

In the memoir, Abdulsalami disclosed that he quietly worked behind the scenes to secure Abiola’s freedom despite the political risks involved. He said that shortly after Abiola’s arrest, he initiated contacts with leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in search of a political solution to the crisis created by the annulled election.

“At this point, I need to recount that after Abiola was arrested in 1994, I had, against the grain, made efforts to get him released at the risk of being deemed disloyal by Abacha,” he stated.

According to Abdulsalami, these efforts remained largely unknown to the public because any perceived support for Abiola could have been interpreted as opposition to the Abacha regime.

The former military leader also revealed that Abiola’s family was denied access to him for most of his detention. He noted that only Abiola’s personal physician, Dr. Ore Falomo, was permitted to see him regularly, underscoring the restrictive conditions under which the politician was held.

“His family never saw him. It was only his personal physician, Dr Ore Falomo, who had access to him,” Abdulsalami recalled.

He said one of his first actions after becoming Head of State following Abacha’s death was to ensure that Abiola’s family could finally visit him. According to him, the decision was resisted by some members of his administration who opposed changing the policy surrounding Abiola’s detention.

“When I became Head of State, I insisted that his family must be granted access to him, despite strong opposition from some members of my government,” he said.

Abdulsalami used the memoir to challenge the perception that becoming Head of State immediately gave him complete control of government and military structures. He explained that powerful interests remained embedded within the system and that he had to carefully navigate competing factions while consolidating authority.

“What many people outside government did not know was that even though I was now in power, there were still different interests in the military and in government. I was new in the office and needed to consolidate my hold on the system. I needed to be careful and calculated with my actions,” he wrote.

He further stated that despite his access to Abacha during his years in office, he was never part of the inner circle responsible for the regime’s most sensitive political and security decisions.

“Despite my access to Abacha when he was in power, I was still effectively an outsider in his government. Becoming Head of State did not mean I could dissolve the power centres or displace entrenched interests overnight,” he added.

Abdulsalami revealed that arrangements had been made for members of Abiola’s family to meet him shortly before his anticipated release. According to him, one group of relatives met Abiola on July 6, 1998, while another group was scheduled to visit him the following day.

However, the second meeting never took place.

“One group saw him on the first day, July 6, 1998. The other group was to see him the next day, July 7. However, that second meeting never took place. That was not to be,” he wrote.

Abiola died on July 7, 1998, barely a month after Abacha’s death, shocking Nigerians and ending hopes that he would eventually assume the presidency many believed he had won.

Abdulsalami has also maintained that Abiola was not poisoned, citing findings from an international autopsy involving Nigerian, American, British and Canadian pathologists, which concluded that the politician died from natural causes linked to existing health conditions.

The latest revelations provide fresh insight into the internal workings of the Abacha regime and the circumstances surrounding one of the most significant episodes in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Abdulsalami Opens Up on Secret Detention of MKO Abiola

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MURIC Accuses Adeleke of Evading Key Issues, Demands Apology to Muslims Ahead of 2026 Poll

Published

8 hours ago

June 15, 2026

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MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Accuses Adeleke of Evading Key Issues, Demands Apology to Muslims Ahead of 2026 Poll

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of avoiding critical issues raised by the Islamic advocacy group regarding alleged religious marginalization and what it described as the governor’s “double religious identity.”

In a statement issued on Monday by its Founder and Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, the organization said the Osun State Government’s recent response to its allegations failed to address some of the most contentious concerns it had raised.

MURIC had earlier accused Governor Adeleke of sidelining Muslims in political appointments and allegedly portraying himself as belonging to two different faiths. The group also raised concerns over alleged financial impropriety within the administration.

Responding to the state government’s rebuttal, MURIC argued that the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, failed to provide specific figures regarding the religious composition of the governor’s cabinet.

According to the group, its allegation that the governor appointed 17 Christian commissioners compared to seven Muslim commissioners remains unanswered.

“The crux of the matter is that the government has not disclosed the exact number of Muslim and Christian commissioners. If our figures are incorrect, the administration should publish its own figures,” the statement said.

MURIC challenged Governor Adeleke to make public the full list of commissioners, board chairmen and heads of parastatals in the state to allow Nigerians assess the balance of appointments.

The organization further claimed that the state government deliberately ignored its allegation concerning the governor’s religious identity.

According to MURIC, the failure of the government to respond to the allegation amounted to an admission by silence.

The group also rejected claims that its criticism of the governor was politically motivated or linked to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that it has no affiliation with any political party.

“We have no connection with APC or any political party. We support qualified Muslim candidates irrespective of their political platform,” the statement added.

MURIC maintained that three major allegations were raised against the governor — alleged lopsided political appointments, double religious identity and financial impropriety — but argued that only one of them received a response from the government.

The group warned that religion remains a sensitive issue among Muslims and alleged that many adherents across the country were displeased with what it described as the governor’s handling of religious matters.

It urged Governor Adeleke to apologize to Muslims whom it claimed had been offended by his actions and statements.

MURIC concluded by declaring that the debate over the issues would remain active ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election, insisting that the governor would continue to face public scrutiny over the allegations.

The Osun State Government had earlier dismissed MURIC’s claims as misinformation and defended the administration’s record on appointments and inclusiveness.

The controversy comes as political activities ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State continue to gather momentum, with religious representation and governance emerging as key issues in public discourse.

MURIC Accuses Adeleke of Evading Key Issues, Demands Apology to Muslims Ahead of 2026 Poll

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Troops Neutralise 27 Terrorists, Rescue Hostages in Nationwide Operations

Published

9 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Troops Rescue 360 Abducted Women, Children in Borno

Troops Neutralise 27 Terrorists, Rescue Hostages in Nationwide Operations

The Nigerian Army has recorded major operational successes across various parts of the country, neutralising 27 terrorists, arresting 10 suspected criminals, rescuing eight kidnapped victims and recovering weapons, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other logistics in coordinated operations conducted within the last 48 hours.

The military disclosed that the operations, driven by credible intelligence and executed through joint land and air efforts, were carried out in Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the Army, the operations form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, combat kidnapping and weaken the operational capabilities of criminal elements threatening national security.

In the North-East, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted precision air strikes against terrorist enclaves in the Tumbuns area of Borno State. Battle damage assessments and intelligence reports confirmed that 27 insurgents were killed during the operations.

Military authorities said 12 terrorists were neutralised in an air strike on Dawoshe community in Kukawa Local Government Area, while another 15 were eliminated during a separate operation at Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area.

Ground troops operating in Borno State also arrested a suspected terrorist along the Mandara-Girau-Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area. Recovered from the suspect were food supplies, communication gadgets, blankets, herbicides and batteries believed to be intended for insurgent groups.