Defence & Security
Military destroys 39 illegal refineries, apprehends oil thieves, vandals
Military destroys 39 illegal refineries, apprehends oil thieves, vandals
By Sadiya Ibrahim
Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, have in the last two weeks destroyed 39 illegal oil refining sites in the South South zone.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at a bi-weekly news briefing on military operations on Thursday, in Abuja.
Danmadami said the troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other operations destroyed 48 cooking ovens, 103 storage tanks, 27 dugout pits and 33 wooden boats during the period.
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He said the troops also recovered one tug boat, a barge, 3 pumping machines, three speed boats and 13 vehicles.
According to him, troops recovered 274,000 litres of crude oil, 71,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 15 Ak47 rifles, while 40 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.
“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action” he said.
“Equally, the air component of the Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction to several illegal refining sites and creeks at Gogokiri Degema and Okrika Local Government Areas both in Rivers State between Jan. 12 and Jan. 24.
“Crew observed the sites to be active make shift tents sighted as well as illegal refining activities been carried out.
“Targets were engaged with weapons and the locations were observed to have exploded in an inferno while the illegal refining equipment’s were also destroyed,” he said.
In South East, defence spokesman said the military and other security agencies had sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the zone.
He said the troops had neutralised six terrorists, arrested 24 and rescued 16 abducted civilians.
According to him, several calibre of arms and ammunition including AK47 rifles, pump action rifles, IEDs and locally made explosive pipes among other items were also recovered.
Military destroys 39 illegal refineries, apprehends oil thieves, vandals
Defence & Security
Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Vehicles, Ammunition in Fierce Clash
Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Vehicles, Ammunition in Fierce Clash
Footage has surfaced online showing notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his gang celebrating after capturing a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and a significant amount of ammunition. The incident was confirmed by counterinsurgency expert ZagaZola Makama, who provided details of the encounter.
According to Makama, the Nigerian Army had received intelligence about a high-level meeting of bandits within Bello Turji’s camp. In response, a team of soldiers, led by a young officer, was dispatched to the area to intercept the gathering. However, the operation quickly encountered challenges when one of the military vehicles became stuck in the marshy terrain, halting the troops’ progress.
Makama explained that the soldiers came under heavy fire from the bandits, triggering an intense gunfight that lasted several hours. Despite their efforts, heavy rainfall and poor weather conditions prevented air support from arriving in time to aid the soldiers.
In an attempt to retrieve the immobilized vehicle, the troops brought in a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, but it too became stuck in the mud. With reinforcements on the way, the situation remained critical, and the soldiers eventually had to withdraw, leaving behind the vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the troops.
Hours later, Turji and his gang returned to the scene, celebrating their victory by firing shots into the air and boasting of their success in capturing the military vehicles.
As of now, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially comment on the incident.
Defence & Security
Nigerian Soldier Mocks Cultists, Urges Men to Join Military
Nigerian Soldier Mocks Cultists, Urges Men to Join Military
A Nigerian soldier, Abubakar Sadiq, has sparked conversations online after making a bold statement criticizing men who join cult groups, asserting that true strength lies in serving the nation through the military.
In a post shared on Facebook, Sadiq wrote, “Cultism is for small boys. Real men join the military,” challenging the masculinity and maturity of those involved in cultism.
His comment has garnered attention, with many social media users weighing in on the debate, some supporting his stance while others criticized his approach. Sadiq’s post underscores the ongoing efforts by military personnel to steer young men away from criminal activities and toward more disciplined, lawful careers.
Defence & Security
Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue
Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has called on security agencies to ramp up efforts in securing the immediate release of 20 medical students who were abducted within the state.
This appeal was made in a statement issued by Mr. Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, and shared journalists on Saturday in Makurdi.
Governor Alia expressed strong condemnation of the abduction, which occurred on Thursday evening as the students were en route to Enugu State for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) Annual Convention. He emphasized that his administration would relentlessly pursue the elimination of criminal activities in Benue and warned the perpetrators to cease their operations or face the full force of the law.
The Benue Police Command confirmed that the kidnapped individuals include medical and dental students from the Universities of Jos and Maiduguri, along with a house officer, all of whom were traveling together when they were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo. The students were reportedly on their way to attend the FECAMDS convention when the unfortunate incident occurred.
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