Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops have repelled an attempted kidnapping along the Makurdi–Kura road in Benue State, but a driver was killed during a crossfire between soldiers and suspected bandits on Wednesday evening.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. when a group of engineers travelling from Kura to Makurdi encountered armed men who had blocked the road, intending to abduct passengers in a bus ahead of them.

According to a local source, soldiers on routine patrol were behind the engineers’ vehicle and immediately engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee into the bush.

During the exchange of fire, Ochoche Otokolo Ekwu, the driver of the engineers’ vehicle, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.

The source said the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene, where the corpse was evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Makurdi.

The source added that security operatives are currently combing nearby bushes to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks along the route.

Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON has said that the security challenges in the nation need to involve community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering so as to cut off sources of illegal arms supply in the country.

He said by involving the community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering, it will arrest the sponsors in order to restore peace and stability to Nigerians.

Governor Buni disclosed this today when he received members of the forest guards training and evaluation committee at the Government House, Damaturu.

Ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune). He urged Nigerians to emulate the sacrifices made by our forefathers to end security challenges and build a better Nigeria.

The governor assured that recently the service chiefs have given assurance that they will do everything possible within their reach to bring to an end the current insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria.

He informed the delegation that the Yobe state government has been working tirelessly to improve the security situation in the state.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Major General H. I. Mabeokwu, told the governor that they were in Yobe State to brief the governor on the ongoing training of 865 forest guards in the state.

According to Major General Mabeokwu, the committee had earlier visited the Yobe state camp to monitor the ongoing training and inquired about the needs of the trainees and the standards set for the training.

“Your Excellency, we have made significant strides in not only training those forest guards but also raising their awareness about the importance of forest conservation.” Major General Mabeokwu said.

He commended the governor for his generosity in terms of welfare for the instructors and trainees as well as relocation and renovation of the training camp and facilities used to enhance the training.

The committee members comprise the Nigerian Army, Navy, DSS, NNSBS, and NPS across the security agencies.

Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini

IPOB attacks police patrol teams in Anambra, snatches rifles, and abandons stolen SUV after shootout

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN militia on Wednesday launched a coordinated armed attack on joint police patrol teams along the Abatete–Eziowelle road in Anambra State, injuring an officer and carting away two service rifles.

Zagazola gathered that the gunmen, armed with general-purpose machine guns and AK-47 rifles, operated with a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all with registration numbers yet to be identified.

The attackers, dressed in full military and police uniforms, opened heavy fire on personnel from the Department of Operations (DOPS), State Headquarters, Awka, and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad. The patrol teams engaged the militants in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to retreat.

During the exchange of fire, rounds fired by the assailants struck the patrol bus of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, setting it ablaze, while the DOPS patrol pickup van was sprayed with bullets and damaged.

Sources said that during the operation, Insp. Uduak Anthony of MOPOL 29 Awka, attached to the DOPS patrol team, lost his Type 06 rifle (Breech No. 10967) loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition after it slipped from his grip as he dashed for cover. The weapon was carted away by the militants.

As the gunmen fled, they reportedly snatched a Mercedes Benz SUV from a motorist, Eze Tochukwu, from Enugu State, and headed towards Umuoji in Idemili North LGA.

At Umuoji, the attackers sighted two police inspectors attached to former Anambra Governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. The officers, Insp. Eniobong Roberts of 29 PMF Awka and Insp. Udezike Kingsley of DOPS, were travelling in a vehicle when the militants double-crossed them and opened fire.

Insp. Udezike was shot in the left leg as he attempted to take cover, and his AK-47 rifle was stolen. Insp. Roberts engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon the snatched Mercedes Benz SUV, which was later recovered by police.

The injured officer is currently receiving treatment at Crown Hospital, Nkpor, and is responding well.

A senior police officer revealed that the Command’s tactical units have been fully activated and are “currently combing suspected hideouts, camps, and escape routes of the terrorists” to arrest the attackers and recover the stolen firearms.

IPOB attacks police patrol teams in Anambra, snatches rifles, and abandons stolen SUV after shootout