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Troops Neutralise 212 Terrorists, Apprehend 252 In One Week -DHQ
The Defence Headquarters says troops neutralised 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in one week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj -Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while giving an update on military operations yesterday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops also recovered 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 ammunition comprising three M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, three PKT gun, 24 locally fabricated gun, and 36 dane guns.
He added that seven locally fabricated pistols, 1,716 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 494 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo amongst other items.
In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages during the week under review.
He added that troops also recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst others.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, killed 47 terrorists, apprehended 17 and rescued four kidnap victims as well as recovery of cache of arms.
In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 62 terrorists, arrested 12 others and rescued 162 kidnapped hostages.
He said the troops also recovered 46 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, 352 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amonsgt other items.
He added that the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorists commander Maudi Maudi’s and Mallam Aibo’s enclaves in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Following confirmatory ISR, the rocky terrain at the locations used by terrorists as hideout and forward base was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures and logistic base destroyed.
“Additionally, following reports on the massing up of terrorists, the air component conducted another air interdiction on location of interest in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“The location was acquired and engaged with rockets while Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed,’’ he said.
Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 43 violent extremists and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.
He added that the air component in several passes conducted armed recce missions and air interdiction at terrorists locations Yadi and Abu Bilal’s enclave in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to him, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons killing several terrorists and their logistics destroyed.
In the Niger Delta, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 944,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 171,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.
He said the troops also discovered and destroyed 61 illegal refining sites with 102 dugout pits, 41 boats and 36 storage tanks, 49 cooking ovens, six pumping machines and eight vehicles.
According to him, troops apprehended 29 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists as well as recovery of 12 weapons and 113 assorted ammunitions.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended suspected violent extremists/kidnappers, gunrunners and raided IPOB/ESN camp in Anambra and Ebonyi States.
He said the troops neutralized 11 terrorist and apprehended 14 violent extremists as well as recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 254 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, two magazines and three vehicles amongst other.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,’’ he said.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.