By Joy Odor
The troops of Operation Safe Haven in collaboration with personnel of Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology Kachia have arrested an armed bandit, ‘Nuhu Pate, at Laduga in Kachia Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna State.
The Co-ordinator, Defence Media Operation, (DHQ) Major General John Enenche disclosed this during a routine Media briefing on the updates of Armed Forces of Nigeria Operation from 25 September to 7 October, 2020 in Abuja.
According to him, Nuhu Pate was arrested on the 1 of October, 2020 following credible intelligence on his whereabouts.
He mentioned that the suspect Mr. Nuhu Pate is allegedly one of the criminal masterminds behind several robberies, kidnappings and other heinous activities in the Southern Kaduna general area.
Gen. Enenche said, the military has made an appreciable progress in its fight against all forms of criminality across the country within the period under review.
Also speaking, the Defence Media Coordinator noted that the troops of Operation ACCORD during a raid operation neutralized 2 armed bandits and arrested 3 others at Dajin Kajuru village in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State.
They recovered 2 magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and 2 motorcycles.
This, he explained, that such feat achieved by the troops was supported by the non kinetic operation through the conduct of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities such as medical outreaches and stakeholders’ meetings among the various ethnic groups in the zone.
He maintained that, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted dawn raid operations in different suspected bandits hideouts’ locations within the zone some of which were supported by the Defence Intelligence Agency Tactical Surveillance team and 117 Guards Battalion.
According to him, at Maraban Udege in Nasarawa State, troops conducted different dawn raid operations that led to the killing of 2 bandits, rescue of 3 kidnapped victims and arrest of a notorious bandit, one “Adamu Abu”, with one locally made rifle and 4 rounds of ammunition.
Also in Kwaghaondo village in Chanchanji council ward of Takum LGA, Taraba State, troops raided an identified militia hideout at the heels of credible intelligence on the possible regrouping of some criminal elements linked to late Gana.
“The gallant troops neutralized 2 bandits during the encounter while one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered.”
He said, troops of Operation Safe Haven following a daring raid on 5 October, 2020 at bandits hideouts in Tafawa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state, eliminated a notorious bandits leader and his cohorts sequel to an actionable intelligence on his whereabouts while receiving treatment following injuries sustained in combat with troops earlier on 26 September 2020
In the North West Zone, Gen. Enenche maintained that clearance operation by the troops had witnessed the downward trend in the activities of armed bandits and other sundry crimes in all locations within the zone in the past two weeks.
According to him, through an actionable credible intelligence, troops of Op. Sahel Sanity 27 Sept, 2020 arrested and kept into their custody 4 suspected bandits along Sheme-Kankara LGA in Katsina sate.
He said, “troops of Op. Accord on 28 Sept 2020, during a raid operation neutralised 2 armed bandits and arrested 3 at Dajir Kaiuru village in Kajuru LG of Kafuna State.
Items recovered from them were 2 magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and 2 motorcycles.
Troops also through artillery bombardment, eliminated 4 bandits and rescued 4 kidnapped victims in their custody in Giruwa vilksge, Dandume LG in Katsina state on Oct. 2 2020.
All the hostages rescued were believed to have spent 12 days in the captivity were said to have been reunited with their family as revealed by the preliminary investigation.
Other noticeable achievement by the military in the North West zone was the arrest of 3 suspected kidnappers alongside with one locally made gun, 3 mobile phones and a motorcycle in Musawa LG of Katsina state ,the killing of 2 bandits and recovery of 2 locally made guns along Kaduna- Abuja expressway.
In the North East, the DMO Coordinator said, the troops had continued to sustain the tempo against terrorism through its clearance operations, intelligence surveillance Reconnaissance missions, and confidence building operations, air interdiction, amongst others which had led to the arrests of several terrorists, recovery of firearms and repel of several attempted attacks against civilians in the zone.
“On 1 October 2020, BHT/ISWAP criminal elements attacked own troops’ location at Baga in Kukawa Locals Government Area of Borno State, but our gallant troops thwarted the attack and neutralized 3 of their fighters and recovered some arms and ammunition.
“own troops in conjunction with Civilian JTF repelled terrorist attack at Miringa Village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized one of them and arrested another, while several others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.”
Gen. Enenche added that troops also on 3 October, 2020 arrested a Nigerien BHT/ISWAP arms and logistics supplier close to an IDP Camp in Diffa Region of Niger sequel to a credible intelligence report of the possible convergence of terrorists at Chinguwa Village in Niger Republic close to Gashigar in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
He added that one Modu Bori, a BHT/ISWAP element was also arrested on 5 October, 2010 at Mugtum Village in Gujba LGA, Yobe State.
He also said, troops of 120 Battalion had conducted series of air surveillance operations in the zone which had led to the destruction of their camps and logistic bases including Maima and Tusuye Settlements near Warshale and Tongule Villages along Dikwa-Rann axis as well as Tumbun Gini Village (terrorists den) in Abadam LG, all in Borno state
killings scores of terrorists including their commanders like Umar Leni.
All these were achieved by the military within the period under review in the zone.
In South-South Zone, “Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone with significant successes. On 2 October 2020, following credible intelligence on incessant illegal bunkering activities in Ifie, Ugbokodo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, a patrol team of Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA raided the general area.
“On arrival at the community, the team discovered a makeshift jetty suspected to be used for illegal bunkering activities. More than 500 drums with petroleum products were concealed in different locations in the community.
“The drums with products were handled appropriately. The team also discovered an abandoned bunkering vehicle laden with petroleum products as well as a pumping machine.
“In another development, a joint team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, Forward Operating Base Bonny and troops of 146 Battalion during early hours of 6 October 2020, rescued 5 kidnapped foreign expatriates.
“The expatriates were abducted on 9 May 2020 onboard MT RIO MITONG and MT DJIBLOHO by unknown militants group in Yellow Island.
“The 5 expatriates comprising 3 Russians, one Ukrainian and one and one Equatorial Guinean though in good health are presently at NNS PATHFINDER medical centre receiving medical attention.
“Similarly, on 1 October 2020, troops of Sector 3 operation DELTA SAFE immobilized 3 illegal refineries containing 5 surface tanks loaded with unspecified litres of illegally refined oil products around Alakiri Creek and Elele forest in Emuoha and Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Additionally, on 3 October 2020, troops of 146 Battalion immobilized 3 illegal refineries containing 4 boilers, 4 storage tanks and One Cotonou boat loaded with illegally refined crude oil around Opokiri and Bodo in Bonny and Ogu- Bolo Local Government Areas respectively.
“On a special note, Nigerian Navy is to participate in the annual multi-national sea Exercise tagged GRAND AFRICAN NEMO within the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility.
“Some foreign ships from Italy and US are expected to participate in the Exercise. The ships include United States Ship HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS and Italian Navy Ship MARTINENGO.
“The participating Nigerian Navy ships include NNS THUNDER, OKPABANA, KYANWA, GONGOLA and NNS SHIRORO.
While in the South-West zone, “troops of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.
“On 2 October 2020, operatives of Operation BURST in conjunction with vigilantes raided a suspected kidnapper’s hideout at old Oyo National Park forest in Kishi Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“During the operation, 3 suspects were neutralized and 2 others were arrested while 4 AK47 and one AK49 rifles and 4 magazines loaded with 48 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) were recovered.
“Similarly, a combined team of Operation SAFE CONDUCT in Igbokoda, Ondo State on 1 October 2020, conducted a joint show of force and clearance operation in the riverine areas of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
“The operation was conducted along designated routes and suspected flashpoints.
“During the operation, the team stormed a suspected militants’ camp at a creek in Asere, Ese-Odo Local Government Area. On arrival, the suspects fled into the bush, however, the team conducted search in the camp and recovered 4 empty magazines, one locally made pistol, 92 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 56 cartridges and 11 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition.
“Troops have continued to dominate the general area with clearance and aggressive patrols while maintaining surveillance to rid the area of pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs.
The Military High Command therefore congratulate all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies for the feats recorded in various operations across the country.
The Troops are also encouraged to remain determined and sustain the tempo in curtailing the activities of terrorists, armed bandits and other criminals.
The High Command of the Armed Forces reassured the general public of its unwavering commitment to securing the country for all human activities to strive while members of the general public are requested to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agen
