The Nigerian Army says the launch of its security and counter-terrorism exercises are yielding successes across the nation.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated this while briefing Journalists at the Maiden Nigerian Army Monthly Press Briefing on troops’ activities and operational successes being recorded in 3 major Nigerian Army Exercises currently ongoing across 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The exercises are Still Waters, Enduring Peace And Golden Dawn operations
He said the troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic operations in the forms of raids on criminal hideouts and patrols amongst others since the flagging off of the Exercises traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes as the yuletide approaches.
The Director stated that on the 6th of October 2021, troops of 81 Division under Exercise Still Waters apprehended 17 suspected drug users and recovered a large volume of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa which were handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further prosecution.
“The troops of 6 Division also apprehended 3 suspected metal vandals along Oku – Iboku – Mbak road in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
“Following credible information on the activities of bunkerers in the Amousa general area in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State, the troops of 6 division in conjunction with personnel of sister security agencies while conducting an aggressive night patrol stormed a site and destroyed a total of 3 dumps with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“Another raid operation on 7 October 2021 within Opromor-Peretoror in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State, the raid led to the destruction of 5 bunkering camps, 16 cooking ovens and 21 reservoirs.
“In the same vein, on 7 October 2021, troops of 81 Division, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a large barge of illegally bunkered petroleum products along the Ojodu-Berger waterways
“In a related development, a Joint Patrol team comprising own troops of 2 Division, paramilitary personnel and vigilantes, while on clearance operations around Ezizubowa, Obadan and Orokosa communities in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State, rescued 18 kidnap victims from kidnappers’ hideout at Ezizubowa forest. The troops overwhelmed the criminals and forced them to flee the hideout. Troops subsequently rescued the kidnap victims and recovered 20 cartridges, 70 rounds of 7.55mm ammunition, 1 HP Laptop, 15 mobile phones, and the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Two Hundred Naira (N223,200.00) only, amongst others
“On 9 October 2021, troops of 2 Division deployed for Ex STILL WATERS arrested 6 suspected bandits’ logistics suppliers during a stop and search operation, following actionable intelligence reports on the movement of logistics supplies for bandits in Kaiama Forest, Borgu LGA of Kwara state. Also in 81 Division AOR, troops of 35 Artillery Brigade intercepted and arrested a smuggler of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on 23 October 2021 at Olodo along Road Abeokuta – Olorunda Imeko Afo. The arrested suspect is one Akeem Idowu a local of Owode Obada conveying about 430 x 25 Litres jerricans of PMS in a Green J5 Bus,” the army stated.
Exercise Golden Dawn
According to the Nigerian Army, at about 9 am on Friday 8 October 2021, troops of Exercise Golden Dawn Sector B received a distress call regarding the criminal activities of one Chukwunonso Iherue, a convict who was among the escapees from the Owerri Correctional Centre on 5 April 2021.
The DAPR Director said Iherue was armed with a pistol and was threatening, intimidating and inciting persons in the Izombe community to support the proscribed IPOB terrorist group as well as masterminded the attack on Izombe Divisional Police Headquarters on 14 May 2021, during which four of his gang members were neutralized.
He also stated that the same individual masterminded the attack on the same Police Divisional Headquarters on 13 Aug 2021 where 3 policemen paid the supreme price and on the 1st October 2021, Iherue and his gang members were seen parading Izombe Community, flying the Biafra insignia while threatening and instilling fear in the people, thereby creating tension in the community.
“When troops attempted to arrest him, he escaped with the help of some persons and the troops kept a close watch and have been on his trail.
“On receipt of the distress call, troops deployed to the scene and attempted to apprehend the suspect.\
“The criminal was neutralized as he engaged the troops with fire from his pistol in a frantic attempt to escape. Youths in the community then mobilized a large number of suspected IPOB members armed with automatic weapons, and bearing IPOB insignia. The group opened fire on own troops, killing two soldiers in the process. In an effort to avoid civilian casualty and collateral damage in the community, troops tactically withdrew from the area. Unfortunately, the suspected IPOB members ran amok, setting ablaze houses and other properties belonging to those perceived to be against them.“
“Consequently, a reinforcement team was deployed to Izombe and the security situation was immediately stabilized, while peace has since returned to the community. It was however observed on arrival at the community that the criminal gang also burnt own troops Hilux van in addition to other public and private properties”
“The troops of 32 Artillery Brigade responded to an attack by kidnappers in Gboyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The troops rescued 2 victims and arrested 2 suspects. They further recovered 68 rustled cattle, one Dane Gun, one Motorcycle and 2 vehicles. The troops also rescued 11 kidnapped victims along Road Ayebode – Ilasa. In the same vein, 103 Battalion troops arrested 3 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals along Enugu – Portharcourt Expressway. Following the arrest, troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, 40 rounds of 7.62mm Special and a NCoS ID Card among other items
“On 26 October 2021, following intelligence reports on the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ ESN) members around Ochokwu Village in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, troops of Exercise GOLDEN DAWN conducted a clearance operation in the location of the identified camps. During the operation, troops overwhelmed the gunmen with superior firepower forcing them to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds. Troops exploited the general area and recovered the following items; one AK-47 rifle, rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, Magazine, IPOB flags among other items,” stated General Nwachukwu.
Exercise Enduring Peace
According to the Nigerian Army, the troops of Headquarters Command Army Records Lokoja, conducted fighting patrols within the general area of Rom, Gboro-Agamana, and Agaga-Jinjere communities.
The patrols resulted in the recovery of 8 locally fabricated guns.
In the same vein, on 12 October 2021, own troops, in conjunction with personnel of NNS Lugard and a detachment of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, conducted a Joint Amphibious Operation to clear Igwa Pati Island on River Benue, around Uguma general area.
The troops, backed by Nigerian Airforce Helicopter gunship, stormed the Island and destroyed all bandits’ camps insight.
“A total of 35 suspected kidnappers were apprehended, while troops also recovered the following items: 5 AK-47 rifles, 2 Sub Machine Guns,, 2 automatic pistols, 5 locally fabricated pistols,, 8 AK-47 magazines, 2 Sub Machine Gun magazines, 2 locally made double barrel guns, 5 locally made single barrel guns, 557 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 36 rounds of 9mm and 89 cartridges. Other items recovered include 8 outboard engines, 1 pumping machine, 14 machetes, 1 hammer, 2 axes and 1 knife. Troops also rescued a nursing mother and 4 young ladies during the operation,“ said Nwachukwu.
Briefing further on the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities for Exercise Still Waters, General Nwachukwu said the troops of 130 Battalion Nigerian Army Ogoja conducted a medical outreach at RCM Primary School Utanga Obanliku in the Local Government Area of Cross River State on 30 Oct 2021.
Medical services rendered to the community include; Health Awareness Talks, medical examination, disbursement of drugs, dental checks, issuance of free eye glasses and a host of others.
He further stated that the COAS commended troops for the modest successes recorded so far and urged them to sustain the tempo in order to decisively curtail the activities of criminals across the country.
“Troops are also encouraged to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost respect for Human Right of citizens in their respective Areas of Responsibilities while law abiding citizens are encouraged to take ownership of the ongoing Exercises and volunteer useful actionable information to security agencies.”
It would be recalled that on the 4th of October 2021, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya flagged off Exercises Still Waters, Enduring Peace And Golden Dawn in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East zones respectively.
PIAK
