Troops receive rescued kidnap victims, arrest suspected gunrunner in Cross River

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA (OPUK), have received eight rescued kidnap victims from the Cameroonian Armed Forces and arrested a suspected gunrunner in Cross River State, the Nigerian Army has said.

Sources told Zagazola Makama development is contained in a security update on activities in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the formation as at Jan. 20.

According to the sources troops of 13 Brigade, deployed on patrol along the Ikang waterways, received the eight victims at about 6:16 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Pastors Fishing Port general area.

The sources said the victims, who were travelling from Nigeria to Cameroon, were kidnapped by suspected sea pirates along the Cameroon waterways but were later rescued by the Cameroonian Armed Forces after a gun battle with the criminals.

“The rescued victims were conveyed to the troops’ Forward Operating Base (FOB), where they were debriefed and subsequently released,” the sourcss said.

In a related development, troops of 13 Brigade, based on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected gunrunner at Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State at about 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 20.

The suspect, identified as Mr Ojo Friday, was apprehended with a total of 245 ammunition cartridges.

The army said the suspect is from Ochon in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State but resides at Abomege in Ebonyi State.

“The suspect and recovered items are currently in custody for preliminary investigation,” the sources added.

The military high command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of lives and property across the region.

Troops receive rescued kidnap victims, arrest suspected gunrunner in Cross River

Bandits kill two, abduct one in Niger community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed two persons and abducted another in Kachiwe community, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, the police have said.

Sources said the attack occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 20.

According to eye witnesses, the bandits invaded Kachiwe community in large numbers, shot and killed Ango Abdulkarim, 25, and Abdulkarim Isah, 54, and abducted one Meyaku Ibrahim, 28.

All the victims are Fulani by tribe and residents of Kachiwe community.

“On receipt of the information at about 9:30 a.m., Army troops supported by Police and vigilantes, were swiftly deployed to the scene,” the sources said.

The sources added that by the time the teams arrived, the bandits had fled.

“However, the two corpses were recovered and, on the request of their relatives, handed over for burial,” the sources said.

The security sources said efforts were ongoing through intelligence gathering and monitoring to arrest the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victim.

Bandits kill two, abduct one in Niger community

NDLEA Arrests 77,792 Suspects, Secures 14,225 Convictions in Five Years

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday said it has arrested 77,792 suspected drug offenders and secured 14,225 convictions over the past five years, as part of its intensified campaign against illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this in Abuja during the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the NDLEA national headquarters.

Marwa also revealed that the agency seized more than 14.8 million kilogrammes of illicit substances within the said period, describing the achievement as a major blow to both local and international drug cartels operating in the country.

According to him, 128 major drug barons were among those arrested, noting that their capture had significantly weakened criminal trafficking networks.

He stated that beyond enforcement, the NDLEA had also prioritised rehabilitation and prevention, with over 32,000 drug users receiving professional treatment and counselling. Additionally, the agency conducted more than 13,700 sensitisation programmes under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across schools, markets, workplaces, religious centres, and communities nationwide.

Marwa praised President Bola Tinubu for renewing his mandate, describing it as a strong endorsement of the agency’s work.

He pledged to escalate the fight against drug trafficking during his second tenure, with more intelligence-driven and tactical operations

He said: “We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars and every illicit substance is removed from our streets.”

At the ceremony, 166 NDLEA officers and 17 state commands were honoured for exceptional performance, bravery, and commitment to duty.

Marwa commended the judiciary, security agencies, international partners, civil society groups, and the media for their support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

The NDLEA boss urged officers to remain diligent, disciplined, and proactive, stressing that the agency would continue to strengthen its operations to protect Nigerian youths from the dangers of illicit drugs.

NDLEA Arrests 77,792 Suspects, Secures 14,225 Convictions in Five Years