Troops

 By Anwar Usman 

The troops of the Nigerian Army killed a kidnap kingpin and arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state, the army said in a statement on their X account formally known as twitter on Monday. 

One of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB Bigwig identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as “Bam Bam” in the community. 

“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” the army said on their X handle. 

“A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN equipment were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.” 

The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state. 

Tyey added that, “Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in unruliness, abandoning a collection of ammunition and motorcycles”. 

Seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army. 

Though the army did not identify the security operatives who took part in the operations, it said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies. 

A similar operation was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, which targeted two other notorious Bigwigs – Izuchukwu Emejuru, otherwise known as “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as ‘’Onyema.” 

During the operation, some valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, were recovered by the troops. 

Furthermore, “The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” it said. 

IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the South-East and some parts of south-south, Nigeria, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the regions.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Troops in Kaduna State have reportedly neutralized bandits and foiled a planned attack on Fatika town of the state.

A release issued Monday, 10-1-2022 by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that five members of the militant group were killed in the process.

Aruwan Said that the troops who conducted clearance patrols in Giwa local government area received credible intelligence of terrorists’ movement.

However, he added that, “the troops then mobilised to Marke and Ruheya in response.”

“The outlaws were sighted and attempted to escape the advancing forces. The troops however cut off their escape route at Kwanan Bataro, and engaged them in a firefight, during which five of the terrorists were neutralized. The troops returned to base after clearing the area,” he stated.

The statement stated that governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed satisfaction at the operational feedback.

El-Rufai has also commended the troops for their proactive and sharp response to the intelligence received, encouraging them to keep up the intensity in the ongoing offensives against terrorists in the area.