Ahead of the coming Yuletide celebrations, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, on Wednesday assured the nation of adequate security towards ensuring a hitch-free celebration nationwide
Addressing Defence Correspondents in Abuja on troops’ activities and operational successes so far recorded in the three major Nigerian Army Exercises currently ongoing in the six geo-political zones of the country, Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu declared law abiding Citizens and foreigners alike have nothing to fear about the yuletide Celebration
The Army Spokesperson, flanked by the Director of Operations and other officers, said that the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, General Lagbaja, had already given necessary Operational directives which would be carried by the troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies
He stated that troops would be adequately deployed to identify trouble spots nationwide
While rolling out the achievements of the troops across the country, the Army Spokesperson said that the COAS had commended the troops for the modest successes recorded so far and urged them to sustain the tempo in order to decisively curtail the activities of criminals across the country.
He said that troops were also encouraged to remain professional, vigilant, and exhibit the utmost respect for the human rights of citizens in their respective areas of responsibility.
According to him, “As you are aware, on October 9, 2023, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, flagged off Exercises STILL WATERS, ENDURING PEACE, and GOLDEN DAWN in the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and South-East geopolitical zones, respectively.
“On the whole, these exercises cover 20 states and the FCT. Furthermore, these exercises are traditionally scheduled to be held in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crime as the yuletide approaches.
“As it stands today, troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the form of raids on criminal hideouts and patrols, amongst others. So far, all the exercises have recorded significant successes.
EXERCISE ENDURING PEACE III IN THE NORTH CENTRAL
“On October 29, 2023, troops of the Guards Brigade and other security agencies conducted a raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory. During the conduct of the operation, troops arrested three suspects and recovered one motorcycle, 12 bundles of stolen cable wires, 30 cards of illicit drugs, and wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis.
“On October 30, 2023, troops of the AHQ Gar Battalion, while on patrol around Kuje Area Council of FCT, arrested five suspected drug peddlers with illicit drugs and 83 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis.
“On November 1, 2023, troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies and local hunters, carried out a raid operation on a suspected criminal hideout on hills and adjoining bushes along Road Zaria in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight in which troops neutralised one of the criminals and rescued six kidnapping victims.
He added that “in the same vein, the same troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army raided a suspected weapon fabrication factory at Vom village in Jos South LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops arrested two suspects and recovered six fabricated AK-47 rifles, one fabricated pistol, and 11 rifles.
“On November 4, 2023, troops of 3 Division carried out a raid operation on suspected bandits’ hideouts at Akisa, Rijam, and Kwaghaondo villages in Takum and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Taraba and Benue States, respectively. During the operations, troops made contact with the criminals in Akisa village. Three suspects were neutralised, and items recovered include one AK 47 Rifle, one AK 47 magazine, and 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
“On November 13, 2023, troops of the 6th Brigade successfully cleared bandit enclaves in Ardo-Kola LGA of Taraba State. Troops neutralised six bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle, two AK magazines, and 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“On November 14, 2023, troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army raided a suspected criminal hideout in Tilengpaat village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. One suspect was arrested with one AK-47 rifle and nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Similarly, the same troops, while responding to a distress call, rescued a farmer who was kidnapped. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
“On November 20, 2023, troops of the Guards Brigade mounted a checkpoint at Abaji in FCT and arrested one Abdullahi Lawal, who was conveying five pairs of Strike Force bullet-proof plates and four locally made grenades. He is currently undergoing an investigation to unravel the source of the security materials.
“On November 25, 2023, troops of OPSH raided a suspected arm fabricating factory at BAN Village, HEIPANG District, in Barkin Ladi LGA and arrested five suspects. Troops recovered one fabricated rifle, one SMG, one fabricated pistol, seven unfinished fabricated rifles, six rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one lister generator, fabricating tools, military kits, four mobile phones, and the sum of forty-three thousand, eight hundred and ninety Naira (N43,890.00) only.
Speaking on “EXERCISE STILL WATERS III IN THE SOUTH WEST,” he explained that “in the South West region, on November 2, 2023, troops of the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, conducted a raid operation on a suspected criminal hideout at Ifako Ijaye. During the operation, 50 suspects, including foreigners who specialise in international job racketeering, were arrested.
“In a similar development the same day, the same troops arrested two suspects at a hotel in Ogba, Ikeja LGA. The arrest was in connection with the murder of Mallam Idris Ardo, the Ardo of Panya Village in Plateau State. A preliminary investigation reveals that one of the arrested suspects masterminded the killing of Ardo and has fled the community since the incident occurred.
On “EXERCISE STILL WATERS III IN THE SOUTH SOUTH,” he said, “On November 1, 2023, troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, while on patrol in the Obagie, Nevbosa, and Amagba communities, arrested two suspected criminals at Okunswa Bana junction in Ikpoba Ohja LGA of Edo State. During the arrest, troops recovered one Magnum Pump Action Gun, one live cartridge, and three mobile phones.
“On November 4, 2023, troops of the 63rd Brigade Garrison, while responding to a distress call at Oshimili South LGA of Delta State, thwarted a robbery incident. Three suspects were arrested, and items recovered include one pistol, two rounds of 9-mm ammunition, and knives.
“On November 14, 2023, troops of the 13th Brigade carried out a raid operation in a suspected criminal hideout in Ikot Ansa in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State. During the operation, troops neutralised one notorious criminal and recovered one locally made pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition. The same troops raided a kidnappers’ den and rescued three captives from the den. Two suspects were neutralised during the operation.
“On November 15, 2023, troops of the 181st Amphibious Battalion, in conjunction with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, raided suspected drug peddler hideouts at Bossolom, Ukolobi, and Iyerovne streets in Ozoro town, Isoko North LGA of Delta State. During the operation, three suspects were arrested, and substances suspected to be loud cannabis, swinol, and rizler—were recovered. Arrested suspects and exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA Kwande Command for further action.
Speaking on “EXERCISE GOLDEN DAWN III IN THE SOUTH EAST,” he explained that “On October 30, 2023, troops of the 82nd Division of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, carried out a fighting patrol to suspected IPOB/ESN enclaves around Onicha Igbeeze at Abakaliki LGA of Ebonyi State.
“During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected criminals as well as recovered 2 pistol guns, 179 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 25 live cartridges, 3 AK 47 rifle magazines, one Dane gun, and one digital camera. Other items include a detonating cord, 57 water gel explosives, and one bag of plastic explosives.
“On November 4, 2023, troops of the 14th Brigade of the Nigerian Army conducted an ambush operation along the road Ubahu-Aku in Ummunneochi LGA of Abia State. During the operation, troops neutralised one IPOB/ESN dissident and recovered one pump action gun with three live cartridges, among other items.
20. On November 10, 2023, troops of the 144th Battalion carried out a raid operation following credible intelligence on child trafficking at Ariaria Market in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State. Six suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
“On November 16, 2023, troops of the 302 Artillery Regiment, while on night patrol along the road Azia-Mbosi in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, had contact with suspected members of the IPOB/ESN criminals. Following the firefight, troops neutralised two of the criminals and recovered one double-barrel gun. Other items recovered include one motorcycle and two mobile phones.
On November 16, 2023, troops of the 24th Support Engineers Regiment, while responding to a distress call on the activities of Iyonu Militia Criminals at the Iyonu community in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State, arrested four suspected members of the militia and recovered one locally made pistol and six rounds of 9mm ammunition. The apprehended suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.
“On November 26, 2023, troops of the 34th Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with other security agencies, conducted a fighting patrol at notorious IPOB/ESN criminals’ camps at UMAWIBI, UMULOLO, UMUKELE, AMANU, and AGBUBO axes in OKIGWE LGA. Troops made contact with IPOB/ESN criminals’ around the general area and neutralised one of the criminals while others fled.
Troops also cleared several IPOB/ESN camps and improvised Explosive Device (IED) factories where fresh signs of IPOB/ESN criminals’ activities were evident and production of IEDs was ongoing. All the camps, hideouts, and IED factories were destroyed.
The Nigerian Army urges law-abiding citizens to take ownership of the ongoing exercises and volunteer useful actionable information to security agencies, he started.
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