…Logistics suppliers, Usman Waikili and Salisu Idris also arrested, at Kagarko village in Kachia Local Government Area

Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully raided yet another terrorist stronghold and rescued students kidnapped at Chigbolu village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Nigerian army in a post on its official X Handle on Friday, said the feat was achieved on Thursday in a highly coordinated operation aimed at rescuing abducted persons from violent extremist camps.

The post revealed that troops also captured a significant cache of arms and ammunition and eliminated some insurgents, while others were captured alive.

It added that the troops engaged the terrorists in an intense firefight and overpowered them, forcing them to flee and abandoning their captives.

According to the post, a thorough sweep of the area led to the rescue of 13 victims, comprising six males and seven females, as well as the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, 87 rounds of 7.63mm ammunition, 4 magazines, a locally fabricated rifle and the sum of ₦192,220.00.

“Additionally, five solar panels, five mobile phones, dry rations, and clothing items were recovered. The rescued victims have been promptly evacuated to 1 Division Medical Services and Hospital for medical attention,” it added.

Army said that its troops had in another decisive operation, intercepted two notorious terrorist logistics suppliers, Usman Waikili and Salisu Idris, at Kagarko village in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.

It added that the troops confiscated the sum of ₦1.3 million, three SIM cards, two mobile phones, three national identity cards, eight ATM cards, two Moniepoint POS machines, an MTN MiFi and other items from the suspects.

“In a separate operation in Suleja, Niger, troops stormed a terrorist hideout, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“The troops’ overwhelming firepower led to the neutralisation of three terrorists, while three others, identified as Mallam Halalu, Mallam Suleiman, and Mr Musa, were captured alive.

“The suspects led the troops to a hidden armoury, where three AK-47 rifles, 121 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, and the sum of ₦4.07 million were recovered.

“These decisive operations, which culminated in the rescue of abducted persons and the dismantling of terrorist networks, reaffirm the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to eliminate banditry and terrorism, marking a significant victory in the ongoing fight for peace and security across the nation.

“The Chief of Army Staff commended the troops and urged them to sustain the tempo of the offensives across all theatres,” it added.

…Bade Chairman begs for Federal Government intervention, as the number of displaced persons continues to rise 

The Bade Local Government Area of Yobe may have helplessly watched, as devastating floods which began, in early August, killed 20 residents. 

The Bade Local Government Area Chairman, Alhaji Babagana Ibrahim, who highlighted this to newsmen, on Friday in Gashua, also noted that most of the deceased were people trapped under the debris of collapsed mud houses.

Ibrahim equally said that the flood destroyed more than 10,000 houses and farmlands across 200 communities.

He identified villages worst hit by the disaster including Misilli, Lawan Musa, Dagona, Dala, Katuzu and Sabongarin Gashua.

He revealed that 2,000 persons displaced by the flood were currently taking shelter in three camps in Gashua, listing the camps as Goodluck, Zango 2 and Babuje.

Ibrahim said the council, despite its meagre resources, had been feeding the displaced persons since they came to the camps.

He said that Sen. Ahmed Lawa, former Senate President, recently donated N10 million to the victims, while the state was already distributing non-food items to the victims.

He urged the federal government to come to the aid of the flood victims whose population was increasing by the day.

“The magnitude of this disaster is so enormous and Bade cannot manage it.

“That is why I am appealing to the federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come to our aid as the number of displaced persons continues to rise,” he said.

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Thursday expressed its readiness to partner with the Federal Government (FG) to improve security in the country.

The OPC, a social-cultural and vigilante vanguard of South-West Nigeria, appealed at the 30th Anniversary of the organisation held in Lagos.

The event, which attracted delegates from Yoruba-speaking states, as well as FCT, Kogi and Edo, paid tributes to its Founder, late Dr Frederick Fasehun and others.

The event featured cultural displays of the South-West, deliberated on the state of the nation, and proffered solutions for improved security for a better Nigerian society.

Speaking at the event, OPC President, Wasiu Afolabi, said the organisation had what it took to quell the spate of violence in the country.

“OPC is a child of necessity formed in the aftermath of June 12 that short-changed the Yoruba race and Nigerians, to stand as a buffer to the raping of the people’s aspirations.

“It is an absurdity that the rampant insecurity in the land has pushed the cost of food items out of the reach of the people.

“Our officers who are trained to maintain orderliness can secure our forests and farmlands to enable farmers to return to the farm and produce foods that can feed the country.

“We are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to allow the organisation to contribute our quota to the security of the nation.

“The president needs to restore to OPC the pipeline security that the previous government of Buhari terminated from the organisation,” he said.

He noted that the measure would tackle unemployment in the zone, prevent food insecurity and halt pipeline vandals.

Also speaking at the event, the OPC Abuja Federal Capital Territory, represented by Mr Ismalia Olayiwola, said that, with the spread of the organisation to other zones of the country, the orientation of the members had changed from the South-West posture to the national outlook.

He stressed that the members were subjected to reforms that transcended the Yoruba race to encompass the Nigeria national outlook.