Author Archives: daudupress

By Emmanuel Daudu

Two major air strikes on 8 November and 11 November 2023 undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have led to the decimation of several terrorists taking cover at Ajigin and Banki Junction areas located in Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force in a press release on 12 November 2023 disclosed that in efforts aimed at clearing the remnant of terrorists coming to terms that their efforts at causing mayhem and disunity among law-abiding Nigerians are efforts in futility, air interdiction missions were conducted on their enclaves situated at 1.9km South of Ajigin on 8 November 2023. The terrorists, who had hidden 4 gun-trucks under thick shrubs had earlier perfected plans to attack friendly troops’ location around Damboa and Wajiroko. During the air strike, 3 of the gun-trucks were struck, as evidenced by the thick black smoke and fire from the trucks after the strike, while the last gun-truck was observed fleeing the scene of the strike. The truck was subsequently tailed for about 26 Km and thereafter disappeared under a tree. The truck was subsequently struck and observed to be on fire with no sign of movement at the location.
“The destruction of the 4 gun trucks, along with the occupants, effectively degraded the capability of the terrorists to attack friendly forces and locals within the area.

“Air interdiction missions were also conducted at a location 7km East of Banki Junction on 11 November 2023. The location was a well-known terrorists’ enclave hitherto deserted but suddenly active with high terrorists’ activities and used as logistics storage area and staging area to attack troops locations at Bank Junction. The need to attack the location thus became necessary. Accordingly, NAF aircraft were scrambled to interdict the location. The aftermath of the strike revealed the destruction of the location with the logistics sites on fire.

“In an apparent display of desperation, confusion and at a loss on why they have continually been on the receiving end of the Nigerian military, the terrorists have continued to feel the firepower of both the air and ground forces. Indeed, the inability of these terrorists to move freely and at will is also attributed to the effectiveness of the operational jointness exhibited, especially by the air and ground troops, which should be commended.”

Maryam Aminu

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has congratulated the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR) on the 28th anniversary of his turbaning as the Emir.

Dr. Ibrahim sent the congratulatory message in a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf
The Minister commended the Emir for being an outstanding, generous, peaceful and diplomatic leader

“There is no doubt that your reign has witnessed unity, peace and development among the people of the Emirate and Nigeria at large”

She prayed that God continues to enrich him with long life, strength, wisdom, good health and upliftment.

“It is my sincere and heartfelt prayers that Allah grant you long life and good health and upliftment”. She added

Chief Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, and Tein Jack-Rich, a humanitarian and politician, both sons of Rivers, have called for peace in the midst of the current political turmoil in the state.

The two Niger Delta strongmen, who made the call on Friday when Jack-Rich paid Dokubo a courtesy visit at his home in Obuama, Degema Local Government Area (LGA), of Rivers, also called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Dokubo, who noted with concern the political impasse in the state, said though it was normal to have disagreements, the leaders should not continue on the “path of bearing grudges against each other’’.

He said Rivers people could not also afford to be left behind at the federal level, and so must take advantage of Tinubu’s inclusive government, and give the president all the support he required to succeed.

The Niger Delta warlord, who further dispelled rumours of a rift between him and the president said though he was not happy about certain things, he however, had put all that behind him and would continue to support Tinubu in his quest to restore the dignity of Nigeria.

“I am not a regular politician; I am just a friend of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am not looking for appointment, but those seeking appointment made sacrifices and are looking up to me to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.

Dokubo, who recalled that his friendship with Tinubu dated back to the early 90s, said he had complete faith in the president’s capacity, leadership qualities and his passion for equity and justice.

“I will not do anything that will cause the president pain, and so those around me can be rest assured that I am indeed a great supporter of the president,’’ he said.

He further explained that though he also had some disagreements with Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, they had managed to resolve their differences and had agreed to work together in the best interest of Rivers.

Dokubo therefore, called on Fubara and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to settle amicably whatever differences they had, and work together to ensure that Rivers people enjoyed the dividends of democracy, both at the federal and state levels.

“And as our brother (Jack-Rich) said, we must always move forward and work for the good of Rivers,’’ he appealed.

Speaking earlier, Jack-Rich lauded Tinubu for his timely intervention in the political crisis in the state.

He said the president’s intervention had doused further tensions in the state, and restored confidence of hope for the people and also investors.

“When it comes to the issue of Rivers, we are stakeholders and our interest is for the peace, economic survival, political and economic inclusion of Rivers.

“Sometimes friends fight, parents and children might have disagreements, and they express such in their own ways; I am appealing to the FCT minister and our governor to work out their differences.

“Crisis will drive away investors, and if there are no private investments, capital investments, there cannot be economic growth and our youths won’t be employed.’’

Jack-Rich therefore, called for calm and understanding from both parties, for the sake of Rivers and the people.

He pledged to join forces with Dokubu to achieve lasting peace between Wike and Fubara for the sustainable development of the state so opportunities could be harnessed by the people at all levels.

By Emmanuel Daudu

The armed forces of Nigerian have stated that it  will continue to exert military pressure on groups that seek to derail any progress towards peace and security in the country.
“There is no doubt that these groups must be defeated and are indeed being defeated.”

Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations made this known on Thursday while addressing journalists on the Ongoing Military Operational Activities by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as of 9 November 2023, held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

While speaking further, he said, “It is for these reason we are inflicting severe damage on the terrorist, insurgents and violent extremist through our  operations across the country. Accordingly, we are targeting their leadership, infrastructure and foot soldiers.  

“The coordination between the air and ground forces is like never seen before and yielding amazing results and achievements. We are expecting new platforms that would further enhance our capabilities to further  root out the terrorist and destroy their military capabilities.

“The operations of the last one week, resulted in 113 neutralized terrorists with 300 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 25 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of Five Hundred and Seventy One Million Seven Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Naira (N571,793,350.00) only.

‘Furthermore, troops recovered 129 assorted weapons and 717 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one Unserviceable AA gun, one RPG tube, 5 RPG bombs, one GT3 rifle, 54 AK47 rifles, 8 locally fabricated rifles, one locally made rifle, 2 pistols, 2 pump action guns, 2 dane guns, 4 locally fabricated pistol, 3 skeleton of AK47 rifles, 9 hand grenades, one unserviceable AK47 rifle, 14 magazines, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 40 live cartridges.

“Others are: 53 rounds of 5.45mm x 39mm ammo, 35 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of short gun, 11 rifle body, 7 breech block, 7 rifle butts, 8 rifle muzzles, 9 piston assembles, 210 springs, one drilling machine, hand filling machines, 10 magazine purges, IED making materials, 4 boafeng radios, 15 motorcycles, 20 mobile phones and the sum of N348,200.00 amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 76 dugout pits, 35 boats, 95 storage tanks, 10 vehicles, 129 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machine, 13 speedboats, 6 outboard engine, one vessel, 3 motorcycles and 49 illegal refining sites.  Troops recovered 514,640 litres of stolen crude oil, 339,315 litres of illegally refined AGO and 775 litres of DPK.

” It is important to highlight that the AFN is a discipline and well trained force that conducts its operation within the ampit of laws governing human rights and that of armed conflict.  We have rules of engagement that are followed in the course of our actions. Nevertheless, there are standing court martials to put on trial any erring personnel  that is found wanting during operations.

“There is therefore the need for us to be circumspect of groups and organisations that embark on misinformation and disinformation to give the military a negative image. They have ulterior motives for their actions.

“For instance, the circulation old footages of incidences that occurred in yester years that have been tried at court martial as though, they were recent occurrences is mischievous. The public should be weary of such groups and their motive.

” Lastly, for the off season elections  in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States this weekend. Here is a message for you. The military is deployed in strength for the election to emplace a safe environment for voters to peaceful come out and cast their votes.

“However, we are aware of plans of some to disguise in military gear to ochestrate  havoc and disrupt elections in some areas. Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold it’s arms and watch it’s  image dragged to the mud.”

The Police Service Commission has been thrown into mourning with the sudden death of its staff, Sani Mambo of the Department of Police Investigation yesterday (Wednesday November 8th 2023)evening.

Ikechukwu Ani
Head, Press and Public Relations, Thursday, November 9th 2023 in a press release stated that
Mr. Mambo’s death came barely two weeks after the Commission had lost Mr. Yusuf Massa of the Department of Accounts and Finance, who died on October 24th 2023 after a brief illness.

Late Mambo was at work yesterday and worked till late evening before he left the office and few minutes after, the Commission was thrown into panic when the news of his demise trickled in.

PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, rtd. Inspector General of Police said the news of Mambo’s passing “deeply saddens  us” adding that his dedication, commitment  and invaluable contributions he made “during his time with us will always  be remembered “. “His presence, professionalism and unwavering  commitment  to our mission  will be sorely missed by all” he noted.

According to the PSC Chairman ” during this difficult  time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues  who shared the privilege of knowing and working with him”

Dr. Arase said the Commission offers its  heartfelt sympathies and support as “we collectively mourn the loss of a remarkable  colleague and friend” adding that his legacy will continue to inspire us and his absence will  be keenly felt within our ranks”.