Army

By Uzair Adam

Residents of Sabon Birnin Daji in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have accused soldiers of killing three people and over 100 cows during an incident at a local cattle market on Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers, some reportedly on motorcycles, arrived at the market and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of both humans and cattle.

Villagers are demanding compensation for the damages and losses incurred, claiming over 140 cows were killed and goods worth more than N50 million were destroyed.

One witness, Shamsudeen Sabon Birni, described how the soldiers confronted the Sarkin Pawa, the market leader, before shooting him.

Shamsudeen lamented the indiscriminate nature of the soldiers’ actions, stating they forced traders to lie down before firing at the animals and damaging their goods.

In response, the Nigerian Army has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the army spokesperson, confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has directed an inquiry to determine the causes of the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

Amnesty International Nigeria and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have called for an independent investigation, expressing concerns about potential bias in the military’s internal probe and emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in such cases.

The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to comment on the incident, as efforts to reach their spokesperson were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the event, seeking justice and answers.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Rivers State police have arrested 13 individuals, including four soldiers and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, for alleged armed robbery, hijacking of food trucks, and diverting them to other locations.

According to the police spokeswoman, Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrests followed a thorough investigation triggered by an initial arrest of suspected burglary in a private warehouse in Elimgbu community, Ohio/Akpor LGA.

Two of the initial suspects were identified as a corporal in the Nigerian Army serving in Delta State and an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps serving in Kabba, Kogi State.

They confessed to abandoning their posts to engage in criminal activities in Rivers State.Further investigations uncovered a larger criminal ring involved in armed robbery, hijacking, and goods diversion.

The gangs hijacked trailers loaded with various goods, including fertilizers, imported clothing, and POP cement.The police recovered stolen items and a white Toyota Hilux used in the gang’s operations.

The four soldiers involved were dismissed by the Nigerian Army and handed over to the police for prosecution.

 By Uzair Adam Imam  

Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, witnessed a fervent protest on Tuesday as residents of Okwuta Ibeku rallied to demand justice for Air Force cadet Emmanuel Onyemereche.  

Onyemereche had tragically drowned in the swimming pool of Damgrete Hotel the week prior, leaving his community in mourning. 

Clad in sombre black attire, the demonstrators filled the streets, their mournful chants echoing through the air.  

Holding placards emblazoned with calls for justice, they urged Governor Alex Otti to intervene.  

The diverse crowd, comprising youths, men, and women, marched towards Government House Umuahia, determined to make their voices heard. 

The protesters, represented by figures like Public Relations Officer Mr. Chibuzor Onwukamuche, family Head Prince James Onyeomereneche, and woman leader Mrs. Happiness Ebere, expressed disbelief in the circumstances surrounding Onyemereche’s death.  

They voiced suspicions about the conflicting accounts and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the incident. 

Questioning how a trained Naval Officer could drown in a seemingly ordinary swimming pool, they pointed fingers at Onyemereche’s friend, Valentine Okpechi, and the hotel management.  

In response, Governor Otti, conveyed through Special Adviser Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd.), conveyed his condolences and assured the grieving community that the State Government would pursue a thorough investigation, promising not to let the matter fade into obscurity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a strong stance against what they deem a failure of the federal government to provide adequate compensation for the victims of the Tudun Biri bombing in Kaduna state, lawyers representing the Concerned Northern Forum have issued a threat of legal action.

The tragic incident unfolded during the Maulud celebration last Sunday night, claiming the lives of over 80 villagers. 

Nafi’u Abubakar, the spokesperson for the lawyers’ forum, conveyed their unwavering commitment to securing justice for the families impacted by the regrettable event.

Speaking to reporters in Kaduna on Saturday, December 9, Abubakar stressed the urgent need for the federal government to take swift and decisive action, ensuring a comprehensive and unbiased inquiry into the incident. 

Abubakar notes, “It is imperative that those responsible are held accountable for their actions, and measures are put in place to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in the future.

“We also urge the Nigerian Army to reevaluate its rules of engagement and training procedures to prevent the loss of innocent lives during military operations.” 

The forum, comprising over 600 members, extended sincere sympathies to the grieving families, affirming solidarity in their grief.

Abubakar stated, “We stand united with them and pledge unwavering support in ensuring justice is served. The Concerned Northern Lawyers Forum will tirelessly pursue legal avenues to claim the compensation owed to the victims.”

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Troops from the Nigerian Army, operating under ‘Operation Whirl Punch,’ have successfully neutralized seven terrorists in Kampanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation, conducted in response to ongoing attacks on the local community, resulted in the elimination of four bandits on November 1, 2023. 

According to Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, the troops, in collaboration with 1 Division Nigerian Army, swiftly responded to reports of bandit attacks in Kampanin Doka village.

The operation led to the recovery of weapons, including one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, one machete, a mobile phone, and fourteen motorcycles previously used by the criminals. 

In a related incident on November 2, 2023, farmers in the western part of Sabon Sara village faced a bandit attack while harvesting their crops.

The quick response from the Nigerian Army troops, supported by the courageous actions of four farmers, resulted in the neutralization of one bandit.

The attackers, with gunshot wounds, fled the scene, leaving behind two AK 47 rifles. During the encounter, one of the farmers, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliyu, sustained minor injuries and was promptly evacuated to a nearby military hospital for medical attention.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have successfully apprehended a notorious gun manufacturing syndicate in Kaduna State, leading to the recovery of a cache of 26 weapons, including pistols, rifles, and ammunition. 

The operation was carried out following a week-long intelligence effort and was announced by Captain Oya James, the media officer for the Special Military Taskforce, in a statement issued on Friday in Jos. 

The primary target of the operation was Napoleon John, a wanted gunrunner who had long evaded authorities. 

Captain Oya James stated that, “This operation is in line with the commitment of Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, to decisively address criminal activities and eliminate illegal weapons within the OPSH Joint Operations Area.” 

The breakthrough came when the suspect, Napoleon John, confessed to his involvement in the gun manufacturing trade and led the troops to a concealed factory located in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

Inside the factory, authorities discovered a wide array of weaponry, including seven pistols, two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two military-grade AK-47 rifles, nine revolvers, one submachine gun, and various types of ammunition. The cache also included machine tools and a gas cylinder. 

In a subsequent operation carried out in the early hours of September 22, 2023, troops raided a hideout in Adua 1 village in Kafanchan, resulting in the capture of two AK-47 rifles, two revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunition, six dangerous daggers, one hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, two police uniforms, and one military camouflage trousers, among other items. 

While the major kingpin behind the syndicate remains at large, Captain Oya James assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him.

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the GOC/Commander OPSH, praised the troops for their unwavering dedication and resolve and vowed to ensure that all members of the syndicate were brought to justice. 

He issued a stern warning to sponsors and perpetrators of criminal activities, urging them to abandon their illegal endeavours and embrace lawful means of livelihood. 

The successful operation represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat illegal arms proliferation and maintain peace and security in Kaduna State and neighbouring Plateau states.