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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
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Ghana have reinforced their joint fight against drug trafficking networks in West Africa, sending a strong warning to criminal cartels with a new wave of coordinated enforcement and intelligence-sharing efforts.
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) declared that both countries are now more aligned than ever in tackling transnational drug crimes. He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
Marwa described the visit as a strategic step beyond diplomacy, emphasizing that the growing sophistication of drug trafficking and its links to money laundering demand deeper regional collaboration.
“Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united,” he said, noting that joint efforts in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies would significantly shrink the operational space for criminal networks.
A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation in combating the production and trafficking of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and associated financial crimes.
Marwa said the MoU transforms an already strong relationship into a “structured, aggressive, and unified front” against drug barons, adding that both countries would intensify joint training, digital forensics collaboration, and coordinated operations across the West African corridor.
On his part, Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, describing the relationship between both countries as one rooted in shared history and mutual respect. He stressed that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties rather than starting new ones.
He warned that drug trafficking across West Africa is becoming more complex, with traffickers adopting advanced methods, expanding maritime routes, and increasing the production and distribution of synthetic drugs. He also noted a shift in Ghana’s role from primarily a transit hub to a country facing rising domestic drug use and distribution challenges.
“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” Mantey said, underscoring the need for practical cooperation in operations, intelligence sharing, and institutional capacity building.
He added that the success of the new partnership would depend on concrete implementation, including coordinated enforcement actions and sustained collaboration between both agencies.
The meeting, held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, was attended by senior officials from both countries, including representatives of the Ghanaian High Commission.
The renewed alliance signals a broader regional push to confront organized drug networks, amid growing concerns over their impact on security, governance, and public health across West Africa.
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
Yobe: Karai community declares support for Baba Malal Wali
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Karai-Karai community across the Yobe South Senatorial District (Zone B) has pledged their loyalty and support to Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, the preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
Former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Adamu Chillariye revealed that the representatives of the Karai-Karai community from Potiskum, Nangere, Fune, and Fika local government areas visited Alhaji Baba Malam Wali MNI to congratulate him and also to reassure him of their loyalty and their unflinching support for his aspiration.
“Our message is short and simple: ‘Be rest assured of the support of the Karai-Karai community; we will deliver you in 2027, insha Allah.’ ” The former state deputy governor, Alhaji Aliyu Saleh Bagare, said.
Also speaking, the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, thanked the Karai-Karai community for expressing their support to the party’s choice.
Responding, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the community that would be carried along to be part of the administration after the election.
Wali also appreciated the sense of unity and commitment to his aspiration and the party saying it is a commitment to the continuity of the progressive government of the Buni administration.
Yobe: Karai community declares support for Baba Malal Wali
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven have intervened in a reported farm destruction incident in Lamingo village, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:10 a.m. on May 3 when troops of Sector 1 (Sub-Sector 12), Lamingo, responded to a distress report of cattle grazing within the compound of one Mrs. Shittu Yakubu.
The sources disclosed that upon arrival, the troops intercepted the cattle, while the herder fled the scene on sighting security personnel.
According to the sources, the owner of the cattle, identified as Alhaji Mamuda Ibrahim, has since been contacted to facilitate an amicable resolution of the incident.
They added that the situation was brought under control without further escalation.
The sources noted that efforts are ongoing to strengthen community engagement and prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the area.
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact
Yobe: Karai community declares support for Baba Malal Wali
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
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