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17 SOLDIERS: CHILLING DISCOVERIES AT OKUAMA
17 SOLDIERS: CHILLING DISCOVERIES AT OKUAMA
By: Zagazola Makama
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vowed to ensure justice on the brutal killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama community, Ughelli Local Government Area, Delta State, and his consequent matching order to the Nigerian Army to thoroughly investigate and fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act, facts revealed by every passing day firmly point at the entire community as complicit, not just the group of militants who actually carried out the execution.
In response to the President’s directives, the military high command ordered the extension of the search for suspected killers of the 17 soldiers in the Okuama community. Before the Operation, leaders of the community alleged that soldiers had begun targeting innocent civilians in the community rather than going after the miscreants who committed the crime.
Further searches fan across the community and sink deeper into the affairs and proclivities of its residents have revealed, with firmer confirmation, that the entire Okuama, from its traditional and community leaders and other elites down to the lowest residents in socioeconomic and political status is a community of militants thriving on terror.
But even before the Operation to find the culprit began, leaders of the community had orchestrated an allegation in the media that soldiers were targeting innocent civilians in the community rather than going after the miscreants who committed the crime. This move which some observers saw as being contrived to cast the military in bad light and to demonize its operation, did not deter them from going after the killers of the soldiers and masterminds of the crime.
Military investigations, which have, all through, been conducted in the finest and most-careful fashion to guard against incriminating innocent citizens, according to the presidential directive, findings have been revealing the most-chilling set up of Okuama and its surrounding communities.
First, all expressions of sympathy and commiseration by the traditional rulers, tending to exonerate themselves from the act, as well as their commitment to aid the military in the search for the perpetrators, are all feigned. The wider the search, and the deeper the investigation, the more glaring the complicity of the community’s elites and traditional rulers.
Second, and most-chilling, the deeper the military’s search across the community to disarm the residents, in compliance with directives, the more it is discovered that the entire community is sitting on an expansive cache of arms, which the youthful militants deploy to unleash terror on the behest and command of their elders and elites.
On April 10, 2024, troops of 63 Brigade conducted a raid/ cordon and search operations at Olota Community of Ugheli South LGA of Delta State confirming all these facts about Okuama and its surrounding communities with regard to their stockpile of arms for terror activities.
During the Search of the residence of one Mr Kenneth, who escaped on sighting the troops, the team discovered one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62 MM Nato and 19 rounds of 7.62 Special MM.
A further search of other locations within the community led to the discovery of 4 G3 rifles and Magazines, one pump action gun and 3 Sub Machine Guns, Magazines and 476 carriages. Additionally, the troops recovered 5 dane guns and one big plastic containing substances suspected to be Carbis satin.
Armed with robust intelligence effort, the military were said to have stormed a number of hideouts and homes of individuals suspected to be complicit in the heinous crime. The operations, however, paid off with the arrest of three leaders of the Olota community in Ugheli South LGA of the state.
The arrest of the three identified individuals followed a painstaking effort of the military to track down the masterminds and killers of the soldiers. The manhunt of the perpetrators has compelled the military to look beyond Okuama community as they are said to have extended their dragnet to surrounding communities and across the creeks of the Niger Delta region where they suspect that the killers might be hiding.
The troops are also in search of weapons which they believe are stockpiled in many homes within the general area.
One Intelligence source who spoke to Zagazola Makama, said the communities where the troops have conducted searches were full of weapons and the directive handed over to the troops was to mop up the arms and ammunition and disarm the communities.
According to him, the troops will not relent until that particular order has been carried out to the letter. He said the domination of the general area is in progress while the search for weapons belonging to the slain military personnel and culprits in the dastardly act continues. “All these communities have what they call, ‘community weapons’ ‘ which they use to cause havoc here”, he said.
Recall that on the 14th day of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community, and were killed by members of the Okuama community.
They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers, respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities. They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission for peace.
*Zagazola Makama, is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region
17 SOLDIERS: CHILLING DISCOVERIES AT OKUAMA
Troops score major victory against terrorists in Kadam Forest, Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Battalion 7, in collaboration with the 8 Division Strike Team under the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded a significant operational success following a decisive engagement with a notorious terrorist network in Kadam Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
Zagazola report that the operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed that over 100 terrorists, linked to the Lakurawa extremist group, had gathered deep within Kadam Forest to plan attacks on local communities and transport kidnapped victims to their hideouts.
Acting on the intelligence, troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the terrorist movement, establishing contact at approximately 1200 hours.
The ensuing firefight was intense and sustained, with the terrorists attempting a rear-flanking manoeuvre. Troops responded decisively with superior firepower, maintaining tactical dominance and effectively neutralising the immediate threat.
Exploitation operations into the forest confirmed the neutralisation of three terrorists, while several others were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during their escape.
Security forces recovered one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, 350 rounds of PKT ammunition, 111 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, three magazines, two radios, three motorcycles, and a mobile phone. Follow-up operations are ongoing to ascertain additional enemy casualties and recover further arms and equipment.
The Force Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA praised the troops’ professionalism and high morale, describing the engagement as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-driven, joint security operations in degrading terrorist networks and disrupting their operational capabilities.
He emphasised that aggressive patrols and sustained operations would continue across the general area to prevent fleeing terrorists from regrouping and launching further attacks on communities and transport routes.
“The commitment and courage of our troops remain unwavering. Operations like this demonstrate that the security of citizens is our priority, and we will continue to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks wherever they operate,” the commander said.
The operation has reinforced confidence among residents of Tangaza and surrounding areas, highlighting the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure safety and stability across Sokoto State.
Troops score major victory against terrorists in Kadam Forest, Sokoto
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Director of Finance and Admin. of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya, PhD, FMNG, has made numerous achievements in providing infrastructure facilities to improve the living conditions for the people of Yobe State since he was appointed to that position
The developmental projects provided by Dr. Garba Illiya include the construction and rehabilitation of schools, primary healthcare centers, and water supply in both rural and urban areas with a view to improving the livelihoods of the people of Yobe State.
Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya, PhD, FMNG, also constructed and rehabilitated numerous rural roads in some local government areas across the state to facilitate the movement of goods and services.
However, Dr. Illiya also accords the same commitment to the schools by procurement of instructional materials as well as construction and rehabilitation of schools destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency across the northeast region.
“Dr. Illiya’s intervention, the NEDC, has contributed tremendously to increasing food sufficiency and food security in Yobe State and the North East by procuring farm inputs and implements as well as providing enough fertilizers and tractors to farmers.
He also assisted youths and women with the capital for business with empowerment initiated for self-employment and also distributed foodstuffs and other humanitarian assistance to Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.
Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya further sent youths for training in different categories, like training in phone repairs, welding, tailoring, carpentry, and others, to be self-reliant and assisted them with take-off funds for capital businesses.
He made all these achievements with a view to improving the lives of the peoples of Yobe State and the northeast region after recovery from the Boko Haram insurgency destruction.
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Benue says have neutralised three suspected bandits during a gun battle following the killing of a 67-year-old man in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Security sources said the incident occurred on March 7 at about 7:30 p.m., when armed bandits loyal to a local kingpin identified as “Chen” had abducted one Zaki Sughter Agenbeer, 67, from his residence in Une Tongov community.
The attackers reportedly took the victim into the bush and killed him after accusing him of providing information about their activities to security agencies.
The DPO Katsina-Ala, in collaboration with the DPO Ukum, subsequently mobilised patrol teams and tactical units to the area. Police operatives later engaged the bandits in a gun duel during which three of the suspects were neutralised.
The corpse of the slain victim was recovered and deposited at the Zaki Ibiam Hospital mortuary, while security operatives have commenced a combing operation in nearby bushes to track down other fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the police also confirmed an attack on the convoy of Sen. Udende Emmanuel, representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, during a visit to Tsua town in Vandekiya Local Government Area for a church service.
Sources said some youths from Vandekiya allegedly attacked the senator’s convoy and damaged one of the vehicles.
The Divisional Police Officer in Vandekiya quickly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued the senator from the situation.
In a related development, some youths also disrupted a thanksgiving service at Tsemke Church in Vandekiya, destroying plastic chairs before police intervened.
Police authorities said the swift deployment of operatives helped to de-escalate the tension and restore normalcy in the area.
Additional patrol and tactical teams have been deployed to Vandekiya to ensure law and order and facilitate the arrest of those responsible for the disturbances.
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced investigations into both incidents.
Police said the general security situation across Benue State remains relatively calm, while security agencies continue monitoring developments.
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
Troops score major victory against terrorists in Kadam Forest, Sokoto
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
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