In a fresh onslaught against Boko Haram and Lakurawa terrorists, military troops have killed 88 suspects, arresting over 200 in one week.

Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, also said that troops also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages.

Buba said troops are on an onslaught to crush terrorists in the Northwest and other parts of the country.

He noted that operations are being modified accordingly, to box in these terrorists, while also increasing operational intensity to ensure total destruction of all terror groups and dismantling of their terror networks.

He added that troops are also deployed in strength to provide assistance to the police in ensuring a hitch free off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, slated for 16 November 16, 2024.

“Indeed, troops’ presence is to ensure security of citizens enabling them to cast their votes without any form of harassment or intimidation, while keeping mischief makers at bay. The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral material in support of INEC

“Meanwhile, during the week under review, troops neutralised 88 and arrested 228 persons. Troops also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Two Four Million Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,021,412,950.00) only.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 34 AK47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 dane guns, five fabricated revolver pistols, eight locally made pistols, three pump action guns and one magnum pump action.

“Others are: 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 77 rounds of 9mm ammo, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones and the sum of N1,851,000.00 only amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks and 59 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 barges, 7 speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, 5 pumping machines, 3 mobile phones and 9 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS.

“Overall, troop offensives have severely depleted ISWAP terrorist rank and file in the NE forcing a desperate recruitment drive. Similarly, terrorists in the NW are on a recruitment drive on social media for new recruits. Troops are aware of the situation and working with other security agencies and governments to thwart the plans.” General Buba said.

The Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday welcomed a new group of returnees repatriated from Niger Republic.

The returnees, a total of 148 individuals, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, at approximately 2:15 pm on Skymali flight ER-CTZ.

They were welcomed by NEMA alongside support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other stakeholders.

NEMA, in a statement on Thursday, said the returnees included 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants.

The agency said there was a brief delay in moving the returnees from the aircraft due to a heavy rain when they arrived.

Officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service arrived when the weather cleared and the aircraft handlers provided buses to transport the returnees to the biometric registration center for documentation, the agency said.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate suspension of all state-owned bank accounts.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor clarified that the accounts would stay frozen until further instructions are given.

The governor also urged commercial banks and leaders of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the directive without hesitation.

The statement emphasized that Okpebholo warned that anyone, including MDAs leaders and government employees, who ignores the order would face stringent consequences.

“All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.

“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect,” the statement read.

The governor also instructed the appropriate government bodies to restore the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its former name, the Ministry of Works, a change that was made during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Okpebholo mandated swift adherence, insisting that the updated name be formally adopted.

“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement concluded.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced a prohibition on all forms of transportation, including vehicles on roads, waterways, and other modes, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the day of the Ondo State governorship election, which is set for Saturday, November 16th.

A statement released on Thursday by Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi stated that essential services such as ambulances, media personnel, fire services, and accredited journalists would be exempt from this restriction.

Furthermore, the IG has banned security personnel and VIP escorts from accompanying their principals to polling stations and collation centres in an effort to maintain order and prevent disturbances.

Adejobi also revealed that vehicles without authorization would not be allowed to use sirens on the election day.

He said, “As part of the security framework, there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, except for those on essential services, such as ambulances, media officials, fire services, and other accredited media.”

“Furthermore, security aides and escorts attached to VIPs are banned from accompanying VIPs to polling stations and collation centres to prevent disruptions. Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security agencies will not be permitted to operate during the election, and a strict ban on the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles will be enforced.”

He guaranteed that priority would be provided to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, among others, on election day.

Adejobi said, “Special consideration will also be extended to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those with mobility challenges to ensure polling stations remain accessible.”

Adejobi also mentioned that DIG Sylvester Alabi would oversee the security plans for the election, with assistance from AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu.

He said, “In preparation for the elections, the IGP has deployed DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating DIG for the elections, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period, while AIG Bennett Igweh, mni, and CP Tunji Disu are deployed as AIG and CP Elections, respectively.”

Adejobi called on citizens to report any suspicious activities that could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process and reiterated the police’s dedication to ensuring a secure and democratic atmosphere as the state prepares for the upcoming elections.Adejobi called on citizens to report any suspicious activities that could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process and reiterated the police’s dedication to ensuring a secure and democratic atmosphere as the state prepares for the upcoming elections.

“The police will also work with the military and other federal security agencies, as collaborative efforts from all stakeholders are vital to ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and peacefully,” he added.

The Ogun State Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has uncovered a self-kidnapping plot allegedly orchestrated by 41-year-old resident Enitan Awoyemi, who sought to escape a debt of approximately N1 million.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), the state’s Amotekun Commander, revealed that Awoyemi, from Irolu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area, allegedly staged his own abduction to avoid settling a significant gambling debt.

The scheme came to light when Awoyemi’s wife, Mrs. Tope Awoyemi, reported on November 10 that her husband had contacted her, claiming he was kidnapped the previous day by unidentified captors who were demanding a ransom of N5 million for his release.

“Upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence team launched an investigation into the alleged abduction. Findings revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accrued significant debts from gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering N1 million,” the statement read.

The statement further revealed that Awoyemi, known for his regular gambling habits, had once won N6 million, using a portion of the amount to buy a Toyota Corolla Sport and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for business use.
However, when unable to settle his debts, he reportedly staged his own kidnapping.

Amotekun personnel, in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and other local partners, traced the suspect first to Ijagba town and then to Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Officers detected a strong odour of insecticide on Awoyemi, indicating a potential suicide attempt. He was promptly taken to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for treatment.

Brigadier General Adedigba reassured the public that Awoyemi would undergo the appropriate legal procedures.

“Once he is discharged from the hospital, he will be handed over to the police for further proceedings,” he stated.

The Amotekun Commander commended the teamwork that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and encouraged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious behaviour.

“This incident underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring safety and security,” Adedigba said.

A 35-year-old man, Felix Vhimga, was discovered dead under unclear circumstances in the Ojowo area of Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro reported that Vhimga had gone missing after visiting his brother, Sunday Robert, in the community on Monday.

After the visit, Vhimga reportedly said goodbye to his brother around 9 p.m.

Robert, who later raised concerns about Vhimga’s disappearance, said he hadn’t arrived home the next day after leaving his place.

A police source, who spoke to our correspondent anonymously as he was not authorized to discuss the case, said that Robert eventually initiated a search for him.

The source added that when attempts to find his location failed, Robert hurried to the police station to file a report.

He said, “Sunday Terkuma Robert, brother of the deceased, reported to the police that Felix visited him on November 11 and left around 9 pm. However, when Felix couldn’t be heard from the next day, Robert searched for him. It was after he could not locate him that he came to the station.”

The police source, however, disclosed that the body of the deceased was eventually discovered close to a stream in the area.

The source reports that the body was found around 7 am, bearing a wound on the forehead near the left eye.

“The body was discovered around 7 am on November 13 with a wound on the forehead, close to the left eye. A team of policemen inspected the scene, evacuated the corpse, and deposited it at Alayangbe Private Morgue for autopsy.”

The case was reported to have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Ijebu Igbo.

“Investigation is ongoing into the incident,” the source added.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State, SP Omolola Odutola, was unavailable for comment, as calls to her phone went unanswered. A text message sent to her had also not been responded to at the time of filing this report.

The PUNCH