With
sustained tenacity to rid the entire country of criminal elements for a safer
and conducive environment, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches,
troops of the Nigerian Army have continued to intensify their operations
against all forms of criminality across the country.
In the North
East Theatre of operations, troops of 5 Brigade in conjunction with elements of
5 Brigade Field Ambulance deployed at Damasak the administrative headquarters
of Mobbar LGA of Borno State conducted a Free Medical Outreach and Immunisation
Exercise on 12 December 2019 at North Wango Village of the same LGA. The
Exercise is the brain child of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General
Tukur Yusufu Buratai under the Buratai Intervention Task Force as a non-kinetic
engagement by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE to compliment both governmental
and non-governmental agencies in real – time health delivery to communities in
the North East theatre of operation.
During the
exercise, a total of 207 children were immunized with Polio vaccine while 122
adults equally benefitted from the Free Medical Outreach which include, medical
consultations, health advisory, diagnosis, administration of drugs, eye test
and distribution of free medical eye glasses among others.
In another
development, troops of 68/94 Battalions deployed at Malam Fatori in Abadam LGA
of Borno State conducted a successful Ambush Operation at a Boko Haram crossing
point on 15 December 2019. The troops came in contact with some marauding Boko
Haram criminals and instinctively engaged them with superior fire power that
sent the criminals scampering in disarray, many of them with varying degrees of
gunshot wounds. The unrelenting troops immediately went on a hot pursuit and
recovered one body of a Boko Haram insurgent and several fragments of the
criminals’ equipment shattered by the troops’ Rocket Propelled Gun fire along
the criminals’ withdrawal route.
Similarly,
troops of 251 Task Force Battalion deployed at Njimtilo Check Point in Konduga
LGA of Borno State while conducting a Stop and Search operation on 9 December
2019 arrested one Boko Haram Logistics Supplier, Umar Rawa Gana who was
conveying 300 cartons of engine oil intended for delivery to Boko Haram
criminals. Equally, on 11 December 2019, troops of 195 Battalion deployed at
Kadamari in Jere LGA of Borno State arrested a Boko Haram criminal, Kabiru Bana
Chulu around Ladin Mbuta general area of same LG. During preliminary
interrogation, the suspect confessed to being in possession of quantities of
military camouflage uniforms which are criminally used by the insurgents.
In another
development, on 10 December 2019, troops of 22 Brigade Garrison deployed at
Dikwa in Dikwa LGA of Borno State while on a road clearance operations
recovered one Rocket Propelled Gun bomb and one 36 Hand Grenade abandoned by
Boko Haram criminals. However, the Unexploded Ordnance was safely detonated by
the Explosive Ordnance Device Team of the Brigade.
Relatedly,
troops on Operation MESA promptly responded to a distress call relating to an
armed robbery incident on 8 December 2019 along Danwal – Haita in Riyom LGA of
Plateau State. Unfortunately, the robbers had abandoned the location before the
troops’ arrival. Nevertheless, troops exploited the general area and arrested
one Pam Emmanuel. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect is an
informant to the criminals operating in the area. Similarly, same troops in conjunction
with personnel of Department of State Service conducted a successful raid
operation on 9 December 2019 at a cultist hideout in a hotel at Etto Baba,
Angwan Rukuba in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, 10 suspects comprising
8 males and 2 females were arrested with some quantities of substance suspected
to be Cannabis Sativa.
Additionally,
on 9 December 2019, the troops conducted a sting operation based on reliable
information and arrested 2 notorious armed robbers namely Eze Emema and Ifeanyi
Ordu at Guralandok Junction of Rukuba in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.
Suspects are believed to be part of the armed robbery gang that robbed one Mr
Silas Dung and have been terrorising the general area.
In the South
West and South South regions, troops on Exercise CROCODILE SMILE IV continue to
emasculate criminal elements by denying them respite across the regions.
Instructively, on 8 December 2019, troops of
32 Artillery Brigade raided kidnappers hideouts at Ago – Agbede and Ago – Iba
of Ilaje LGA of Ondo State. During the
operation, troops recovered one Pump Action Rifle, one AK 47 Rifle magazine, 18
live cartridges and one gun case. Additionally, same troops smashed a suspected
illegal oil bunkering site at Ilaje Ogoluwayo general area in Ilaje LGA of Ondo
State. During the operation, one Endurance Okwudili was arrested while items
recovered include 12 Dane guns, 5 live cartridges, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special
ammunition, one binocular, quantity 9 -25 litres jerricans of diesel suspected
to be stolen product, 2 boat engines, one generating set, 2 car batteries, 6
Voters Cards and 2 National Identity Cards belonging to the criminals.
In another
incidence, troops of 4 Brigade Garrison under Exercise CROCODILE SMILE IV on 10
December 2019 trailed a notorious armed robbery gang who have been terrorising
Oghehe Community in Ikpoba – Okha LGA of Edo State. Resulting from the
operation, 3 suspects were arrested and one cut to size gun with 5 live
cartridges were recovered from the criminals. Relatedly, on 9 December 2019,
troops of 343 Artillery Regiment on Exercise CROCODILE SMILE IV acting on
reliable information, trailed and arrested one Mrs Tiebiye Adama (a community
health worker) at Oluasiri Community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State. Preliminary
investigation reveals that the suspect has been involved in the treatment of
militants with gunshot wounds after they escape encounter with troops.
In the North
Central region, troops of Guards Brigade on Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II conducted
a patrol to Majaga Village in Toto LGA of Nassarawa State where some bandits
were believed to be hibernating. During the night operation, 3 suspected
bandits were arrested in possession of 3 Dane guns, live cartridges and charms.
Relatedly, troops of Army Headquarters Garrison conducted a raid operation on
10 December 2019 at Bannex Plaza and Wuse II in Abuja Federal Capital
Territory. Accordingly, troops arrested one notorious drug dealer, Ukasha Usman
along with 13 other suspects in possession of large quantities of various types
of illicit drugs.
In the South
East region, troops of 144 Battalion (Rear) on Exercise ATILOGU UDO 1 promptly
responded to a distress call on 11 December 2019 at GLO Office, Azikwe Street
in Aba North LGA of Abia State. In another classical case of superb
inter-agency solidarity and cooperation, it was revealed that 4 hoodlums
reportedly attacked an Inspector of the Nigeria Police from 28 Mobile Police
Squadron, Umuahia who was on duty at the GLO Office and took away his AK 47
Rifle with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. The gallant troops pursued
the escaping criminals, rescued the policeman and arrested one of the criminals
named, Lawrence Obinna. Additionally, troops recovered the AK 47 Rifle with the
29 rounds of ammunition, a black Passat Wagon car with Registration Number GWB
547 AA ABIA and other personal belongings.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai wishes to reassure the good citizens of our country the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens. He however requests for the continuous support and understanding of all Nigerians in the conduct of Nigerian Army operations across the Country.
AMINU ILIYASU
Colonel
Nigerian
Army Operations Media Coordinator