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Troops kill scores of terrorists, arrest several, rescue civilians

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The Defence Headquaters has said that the combined forces of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, in the past two weeks, have sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa Danmadami, revealed in a statement on Thursday.

He noted that in the North-Eastern region, troops of Operation Hadin Kai theatre, have sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action.

Adding that the force conducted fighting patrols, ambushes and clearance operations at communities, villages and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama and Guzamala Local Government Areas in Borno State.

Danmadami added that two key Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province commanders, Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida also known as, A Qaid, were neutralized on September 12 and 15, 2022, at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa forest respectively.

Within the period in review, Danmadami added that troops neutralized 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians, and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected logistic suppliers to the terrorists.

The Defense Headquarters noted that exactly 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, four unexplosive ordinance store, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, one tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125, were recovered from the operation.

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Also, a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists and ISWAP criminals and their families; comprising 53 adult males, 116 adult females, and 214 children, surrendered to troops at different locations. All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists and their families were being profiled for further action.

He added that in a related development, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, on September 9, 2022, while acting on credible intelligence, conducted air interdiction operation at Somalia, in Sambisa Forest, and bombarded a terrorist critical facility.

“The air strike inflicted deadly casualty on the terrorists as feedback revealed that several of the terrorists were neutralized while several structures were destroyed after the strike.

“Similar operation was carried out on terrorist enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba, between September 10th and 14th. The airstrikes led to the neutralization of several terrorists with many of their structures destroyed in the strikes,” Danmadami said.

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He noted that on September 16, 2022, following reports on activities of an outlawed cultist group known as Sara Suka boys, troops in conjunction with vigilantes carried out raid operation on their hideout at Rikkos and Nassarawa in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State, and arrested six suspects.

He added that three locally fabricated rifles, five mobile phones, four hammers, five cutlasses, six knives, and one fragmental jacket, among others, were recovered, as arrested suspects and recovered items were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.

He further stated tha air components of Operation Whirl Punch, carried out onslaught against terrorists on September 8, during an air interdiction operation at an identified terrorists hideout at Gaude in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

On September 15, 2022, troops also arrested two suspected terrorists collaborators at Access Bank, PZ Branch, in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State ,while trying to withdraw the sum of N14 million deposited into the account of a suspected terrorist financier, Alhaji Abubakar.

16 suspected terrorists were also neutralized, while 10 notorious terrorists were arrested at different locations in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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Subsequently, five AK47 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 17 mobile phones, two motorcycles, three locally made rifles, three pairs of woodland camouflage, 118 rustled sheep, four boafeng radio and N29,250.00 cash among other items were recovered, while 21 civilians were rescued. All recovered items, arrested terrorists and rescued civilians were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

Lastly, the director noted that air components of Operation Hadarin Daji, on September 13, conducted air interdiction operation at an identified terrorist hideout in Dutse Babare, in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Stating that the air strike led to the neutralization of a terrorist leader, identified as Ibrahim Dangawo, and other members of his gang. Similar, operation was carried out at Gidan Guga in Faskari Local Government Area also in Katsina State, at an identified terrorist enclave, which led to the neutralization of a terrorist kingpin, known as Babaru who has been on the wanted list of security agents.

He added that a large number of terrorists were also neutralized at Kawari in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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