The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered the immediate deployment of 401 Special Forces troops to three local government areas of Benue facing critical security challenges.
Army spokesperson, the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this today, 29th Novemeber 2023 while briefing Defence correspondents on the ongoing Nigerian army Exercises STILL WATERS, ENDURING PEACE and GOLDEN DAWN in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones respectively which cover about 20 states and the FCT, held at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to Brig. General Nwachukwu, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja paid a courtesy call on Gov. Hyacinth Alia at the Government House, Makurdi where he disclosed that the Special forces would be deployed to Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala to restore peace in the local government areas.
The army Chief who had discussed with the Commander, 4 Special Forces in Doma, Nasarawa State, and agreed to take steps to address the security challenges in Benue said by next week army will deploy Special Forces to ensure that peace return in Zaki Biam in Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala LGAs.
He added that the army Chief assured the governor that army will also ensure that all the IDPs currently occupying public and schools return to their homes so that students can continue with their learning.
The Army Chief appreciated Benue Government for its support to the military, noting that he was on tour of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi and 4 Special Forces in Doma, to physically assess the living conditions of troops and their families.
Meeting defence Correspondents today, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing Nigerian Army Exercises, with a particular focus on the achievements of “Exercise Still Waters III” in the Southwest region.
In North Central, the exercise enduring Peace on 29 October 2023, troops of Guards Brigade with other security agencies conducted a raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory. During the conduct of the operation, troops arrested 3 suspects and recovered One Motorcycle, 12 bundles of stolen cable wires, 30 cards of illicit drugs and wraps of substances suspected to be carnabis.
On 30 October 2023, troops of AHQ Gar Battalion while on patrol around Kuje Area Council of FCT, arrested 5 suspected drug peddlers with illicit drugs and 83 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis.
On 1 November 2023, troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies and local hunters carried out a raid operation on suspected criminal hideout on hills and adjoining bushes along Road Zaria in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a fire fight, in which troops neutralized one of the criminals and rescued 6 kidnap victims.
In the same vein, same troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army, raided a suspected weapon fabrication factory at Vom village in Jos South LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspects and recovered 6 fabricated AK 47 Rifles, one fabricated Pistol and 11 Rifles.
On 4 November 2023, troops of 3 Division carried out a raid operation on suspected bandits’ hideout at Akisa, Rijam and Kwaghaondo villages in Takum and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Taraba and Benue States respectively. During the operations, troops made contact with the criminals in Akisa village. 3 suspects were neutralized, items recovered include one AK 47 Rifle, one AK 47 Magazine and 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
On 13 November 2023, troops of 6 Brigade successfully cleared bandit enclaves in Ardo-Kola LGA of Taraba State. Troops neutralized 6 bandits and recovered one AK 47 Rifle, 2 AK 47 Magazines and 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
On 14 November 2023, troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army raided a suspected criminal hideout in Tilengpaat village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. One suspect was arrested with one AK 47 Rifle and 9 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Similarly, same troops while responding to a distress call, rescued a farmer who was kidnapped. Five suspects were arrested in connection to the incident.
On 20 November 2023, troops of Guards Brigade mounting a check point at Abaji in FCT, arrested one Abdullahi Lawal conveying 5 pairs of Strike Force bullet-proof plates and 4 locally made grenades. He is currently undergoing investigation to unravel the source of the security materials.
On 25 November 2023, troops of OPSH raided a suspected arm fabricating factory at BAN Village, HEIPANG District in Barkin Ladi LGA and arrested 5 suspects. Troops recovered one fabricated Rifle, one SMG, one fabricated pistol, 7 unfinished fabricated rifles, 6 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one lister generator, fabricating tools, military kits, 4 mobile phones and the sum of Forty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Naira (N43,890.00) only.
In the South West region, EXERCISE STILL WATERS III on 2 November 2023, troops of 9 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, conducted a raid operation on a suspected criminal hideout at Ifako Ijaye. During the operation, 50 suspects including foreigners who specialize in international job racketeering were arrested.
In a similar development same day, same troops arrested 2 suspects at a hotel in Ogba in Ikeja LGA. The arrest was in connection to the murder of one Mallam Idris Ardo, the Ardo of Panya Village in Plateau State. Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the arrested suspects masterminded the killing of the Ardo and fled the community since the incident occurred.
In South South, EXERCISE STILL WATERS III on 1 November 2023, troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, while on patrol to Obagie Nevbosa and Amagba communities arrested 2 suspected criminals at Okunswa Bana junction in Ikpoba Ohja LGA of Edo State. During the arrest, troops recovered one Magnum Pump Action Gun, one live cartridge and 3 mobile phones.
On 4 November 2023, troops of 63 Brigade Garrison while responding to a distress call at Oshimili South LGA of Delta State thwarted a robbery incident. Three suspects were arrested and items recovered include one Pistol, 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition and knives.
On 14 November 2023, troops of 13 Brigade carried out raid operation in a suspected criminal hideout in Ikot Ansa in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State. During the operation, troops neutralized one notorious criminal and recovered one locally made pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition. Same troops raided a kidnappers’ den and rescued 3 captives from the den. Two suspects were neutralized during the operation.
On 15 Nov 2023, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion in conjunction with personnel of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency raided suspected drug peddlers hideout at Bossolom, Ukolobi, Iyerovne streets in Ozoro town, Isoko North LGA of Delta State. During the operation, 3 suspects were arrested and substances suspected to be louds, Cannabis, Swinol and Rizler were recovered. Arrested suspects and exhibits were handed over to NDLEA Kwande Command for further action.
In the South East, the EXERCISE GOLDEN DAWN III on 30 October 2023, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies carried out a fighting patrol to suspected IPOB/ESN enclaves around Onicha Igbeeze at Abakaliki LGA of Ebonyi State.
During the operation, according to Brig. General Nwachukwu troops arrested 2 suspected criminals as well as recovered 2 Pistol Guns, 179 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunitions, 25 live cartridges, 3 AK 47 Rifle Magazine, one Dane Gun and one digital camera. Other items include a detonating cord, 57 water gel explosives and one bag of plastic explosive.
On 4 November 2023, troops of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army conducted an Ambush operation along road Ubahu - Aku in Ummunneochi LGA of Abia State. During the operation, troops neutralized one IPOB/ESN dissident and recovered one Pump Action Gun with 3 live cartridges amongst other items
On 10 November 2023, troops of 144 Battalion carried out a raid operation following credible intelligence on child trafficking at Ariaria Market in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State. Six suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
On 16 November 2023, troops of 302 Artillery Regiment while on night patrol along road Azia – Mbosi in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State had contact with suspected members of IPOB/ESN criminals. Following the fire fight troops neutralized 2 of the criminals and recovered one Double Barrel Gun. Other items recovered include one motorcycle and 2 mobile phones.
Same 16 November 2023, troops of 24 Support Engineers Regiment while responding to distress call on the activities of Iyonu Militia Criminals at Iyonu community in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State arrested 4 suspected members of the militia and recovered one locally made pistol and 6 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Apprehended suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.
On 26 November 2023, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with other security agencies conducted fighting patrol to notorious IPOB/ESN criminals’ camps at UMAWIBI, UMULOLO, UMUKELE, AMANU and AGBUBO axis in OKIGWE LGA. Troops made contact with IPOB/ESN criminals’ around the general area and neutralized one of the criminals while others fled. Troops also cleared several IPOB/ESN camps and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factories where fresh signs of IPOB/ESN criminals’ activities were evident and production of IEDs were ongoing. All the camps, hideouts and IED factories, were destroyed." he said
Brig. General said the COAS commends troops for the modest successes recorded so far and urges 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.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army urges law abiding citizens to take ownership of the ongoing Exercises and volunteer useful actionable information to security Agencies.
It would be recall that on 9 October 2023, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja flagged off Exercises STILL WATERS, ENDURING PEACE and GOLDEN DAWN in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones respectively. On the whole, these Exercises cover 20 states and the FCT.
Furthermore, these Exercises are traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes, as the yuletide approaches. As it stands today, troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the forms of raids on criminal hideouts and patrols amongst others. So far, all the exercises have recorded significant successes.