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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
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has appealed to media practitioners in the state to continue to uphold professionalism while discharging their responsibilities.
He urges the journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession, remain united, and promote peace and harmony among themselves.
The governor made the appeal today while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, led by its elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the Government House, Damaturu.
Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), he commends journalists in the state for their synergy and collaboration with the state government in projecting a positive image of the state.
Governor Buni commended the journalists for their professionalism and constructive engagement, acknowledging the critical role the media plays in democratic governance and national development.
He pledged the state government’s continued support and collaboration with the correspondents’ chapel to ensure the success of the present administration, particularly in promoting government policies, programs, and achievements.
Earlier, the newly elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe, said the visit was to pay homage and formally present the new leadership of the chapel to the governor.
He said recently the chapel conducted an election of the leadership of the chapel, in which Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerged as chairman and Mr. Musa Buba Mingi of Channels Television as vice chairman.
Others include Malam Habibu Idris Gimba of Daily Trust, Secretary; Mr. Michael Oshoma of TVC, Treasurer; Sa’adatu Maina of Neptune Prime, Assistant Secretary; and Muhammed Mai Tela of People’s Daily, Auditor.
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has urged the Nigerian Police Force to consider listing other viable business entities of its organisation on the Exchange as it has done with its Microfinance Bank.
Kwairanga made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the closing gong ceremony in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange.
Kwairanga gave the NGX’s assurance that such companies if listed would be given free publicity, easy access to greater ponds of capital, and greater transparency and efficiency in their operations.
He said that the Exchange, its operators and quoted companies would continue to provide environment conducive for NPF businesses, in view of the critical role that the police play in ensuring a stable environment for businesses to thrive.
“Our quoted companies have been key to the success of the Police Trust Fund and stand ready to cooperate with the Nigerian Police in other ways that you require logistical and other support to ensure that we have a secure nation and capital market.
“Apart from its core duties of ensuring Nigeria’s internal security, the Nigerian Police Force has over the years established and grown various thriving businesses for the welfare of its personnel.
“One of them, the Nigerian Police Microfinance Bank is in fact quoted on the main board of the Exchange and doing very well in terms of capital appreciation, dividends and corporate governance,” he said.
The NGX boss advised that the Pension Fund should consider increasing its allocations to eligible equity quoted on the Nigerian Exchange.
While commending Egbetokun for visiting the Exchange, Kwairanga pledged to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship going forward.
Our Correspondent reports that the visit underscores the continued collaboration between key national institutions in promoting market confidence, investor trust and a transparent, well-functioning capital market.
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood.
“Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said.
The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said the institute has remained committed to promoting Turkish language, arts, and culture in Nigeria since its establishment in 2021. He added that collaborations with Nigerian artists are central to strengthening cultural ties and encouraging creative exchange.
Diplomatic presence at the event underscored its international significance. Mrs Florence Nzako, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Solveig Andresen of the Norwegian Embassy, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for using art to advance peace and intercultural understanding.
Poets at the gathering presented works exploring themes of peace, love, displacement, and resilience, drawing poetic connections between the Bosphorus and the Niger River as symbols of unity and shared humanity.
Also speaking, Director-General and Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Kattumu Bulama Gana, said artistic collaborations provide unique opportunities to understand common histories and aspirations. He described the poetry exchange as a valuable contribution to cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Turkey.
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
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NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
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