The Defence Headquarters (DHQ),
Thursday, gave reasons why it will not speak on the shooting at the Lekki
tollgate in Lagos State that left some #EndSARS protesters dead and others
wounded.
It insisted that stating the
military side of the incident may compromise the findings of the Commission of
Enquiry constituted by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu.
The Lekki tollgate shooting,
Tuesday night, has drawn widespread criticism from both world leaders, the
International Community and Human Rights Organizations.
The Coordinator Defence Media
Operations, Major General John Enenche, while fielding questions from Defence
Correspondents, at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, said that the reports about
soldiers shooting and killing protesters is mere allegation for now.
According to Eneche, who was
reluctant to answer questions relating to the Lekki incident, urged Nigerians
to remain calm and wait for the outcome of investigations by constituted
panels.
In his words, “we are dealing
with major operations, anything outside this is what is called Operation MENSA,
I nmay not want to go too much into Operation MENSA because it is not a major
operation. We have nine Operations and other subsidiary Operations which I have
been directed to focus.
“Operation MENSA is strictly
under the policy directive of the various states we have them all over the
country and it is the oldest of all Operations. For this Operation you have the
Military, Navy Air Force, Civil Defence and the Police put together. So these
Operations are still standing and running and I am aware that the state
governments are using them in all these capacities, that is internal security,
the level we are now is internal security and that is why the Police
proactively came out and then deployed all their Force package that are
necessary to handle that so that is where we are. So if there was anything and
if it is true, why am I saying if it is true because up to this morning, I even
called analysts who have analyzed videos that were Photoshoped and put
together, if not that I am not permitted, I would have forwarded it to you.
“The issue is not an operation
that I can respond to. But I can tell you that it is an allegation for now, so
let us not set the cart before the horse. If the matter was still open-ended I
would have had I response for you but is is no longer open-ended, because
immediately, not even up to five hours, before midnight the Governor of Lagos
set up an Inquiry, so whatever we say now will not be fair to the Commission.
Meanwhile on update of military
operatiins, Enenche, noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security
agencies have continued their major operations across the country with
attendant successes, adding that various operations have progressed
satisfactorily in all the theatres.
In the North West, he stated that
“troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have continued to record significant
successes against the armed bandits in the North West zone of the country. The
gallant troops have continued to exhibit continued resilience in the fight against
armed banditry, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the zone.
“One of the feats recorded,
troops repelled bandits attack at Rawayu village in Kurfi Local Government Area
of Katsina State on 15 October 2020. In the course of the encounter, 4 armed
bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. In another
encounter security operatives in conjunction with vigilantes neutralized one
Abubakar Haruna, a suspected arms trafficker and recovered 600 rounds of 7.62mm
live ammunition along Tsakiya Road in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina
State.
“Relatedly, troops of Operation
HADARIN DAJI on 16 October 2020 arrested a suspected bandit collaborator at
Sheme Junction in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. Similarly,
still on same 16 October, Forward Operating Base MAGAMI patrol team arrested 2
suspected bandits at Magami Market in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara
State on their alleged involvement in an attack where one person was killed and
13 others were abducted on 21 September 2020”.
He continued that, “these
successes recorded within the period are evident of the troop’s resolve,
doggedness and determination to end the security challenges in the North-West
zone. The general public is hereby encouraged to provide timely and actionable
intelligence that will assist the troops in the operation”.
Meanwhile in the Northeast, he
disclosed that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have remained resolute in the
anti-terror war.
“In the North East zone of the
country, troops of LAFIYA DOLE have remained resolute in their commitment to
sustain the tempo in their operational activities. Between 15 and 21 October
2020, series of ground and air operations were conducted by the gallant troops.
“These include aggressive
clearance operations, cordon and search operations, Intelligence Surveillance
and Reconnaissance missions as well as artillery and aerial bombardments on
terrorists’ hideouts at different locations in the theatre of operation. The
cumulative operations of the troops with superior firepower have drastically
denied the terrorists’ freedom of action and reduced their operational
capabilities in the zone.
“Notably, on 16 October 2020,
troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE while on clearance operations encountered Boko
Haram/ ISWAP at Sawa village in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.
During the encounter, 4 terrorists were neutralized while 4 AK47 rifles were
recovered by the troops.
“As the Land Component conduct
aggressive patrols and dominate the zone, the Air Task Force of Operation
LAFIYA DOLE conducted series of air operations with a force package of Nigerian
Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships as part of the activities of its
subsidiary Operation WUTAR TABKI. Several air interdiction and surveillance
missions were executed, revealing terrorists’ activities in various locations
in the North East.
“This led to the destruction of
terrorists’ hideouts and neutralization of scores of their fighters. On 15
October 2020, air strikes were executed on ISWAP elements’ locations with
structures and logistics items, camouflaged under the dense vegetation at
TudunWulgo and Tumbun Gini Villages on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State.
The air strikes led to the neutralization of several ISWAP fighters and
destruction of the identified structures with their logistics facilities.
“Similarly, on 18 October 2020,
air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force led to the
neutralization of scores of ISWAP members and destruction of their hideouts at
Tsilala Village near Kaza in the Diwa general area of Borno State. In another
development, sustained air strikes executed on 19 October 2020 by the Air Task
Force, decimated several ISWAP training camps and their logistics storage
facilities at Tumbun Barorowa, also on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno
State”.
He maintained further that, “the
downward trend in kinetics from the North East is an indication of own troops
superior operational capabilities as well as cooperation from the populace.
Thus, as the High Command of the Military appreciates the general public for
their support, it further solicits their cooperation towards providing credible
and timely information on terrorists’ activities to facilitate proactive
engagements in our operations in the North East zone”.
On the North Central Zone, he
revealed that, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to maintain the
momentum of the fight against criminality through aggressive clearance patrols,
ambushes and raids in the North Central Zone. These successful kinetic efforts
were supported by Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities in the form of
stakeholders’ meetings amongst the various ethnic groups in the zone.
“Within the period under review,
troops of operations WHIRL STROKE and SAFE HAVEN conducted several clearance
operations at identified bandit’s camps. Notably, troops of Operation WHIRL
STROKE neutralized 2 armed bandits in Nasarawa State. The Joint Force while on
patrol on 18 October 2020 around Kango and Adumata villages came in contact
with a group of armed bandits leading to exchange of fire.
“The gallant troops overwhelmed
the bandits thereby neutralizing 2 while others escaped with gunshots wounds.
Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally made rifle, 6 AK47 magazines,
110 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and assorted drugs.
“Furthermore, troops of Operation
WHIRL STROKE while on raid operations at River Yo-Yo and Tachar villages
respectively had contact with armed bandits. Troops responded with superior
fire power forcing the armed elements to flee into the surrounding bushes. The
gallant troops engaged the bandits in hot pursuit following which 2 were neutralized.
“In the course of operation, one
locally made AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 7 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition,
one Toyota Corolla car, some substances suspected to be Indian Hemp as well as
charms were recovered. Troops subsequently cleared the bandits’ hideout.
Currently, the gallant troops have dominated the area with aggressive patrols
to deny bandits freedom of action.
“Similarly, on 16 October 2020,
troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN deployed at Kuba responded to distress calls
about an armed robbery along Road Bokkos- Barkin Ladi in Bokkos LGA of Plateau
State. Troops engaged the criminals and neutralized one of them while others
fled with gunshot wounds. Additionally, troops recovered one locally fabricated
rifle, 2 mobile handsets, one jack knife and 4 rounds of 7.62mm special
ammunition.
“Additionally, on 20 October
2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in conjunction with personnel of the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a joint raid operation
at the residence of suspected drug peddlers at Zamkam, Gamji, Chakwai and Menum
villages of Kadarko district in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The raid was conducted following actionable intelligence on the activities of
the drug kingpins at the location. Troops stormed the residence and arrested 6
suspects with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.
“As part of CIMIC activities
within the period under review, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN on 15 October
2020, delivered drugs to Rim Primary Healthcare Clinic renovated by the Defence
Headquarters at Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State”.
“In the South West zone, Troops
of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline
vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements. Troops of Operation
AWATSE on routine patrol arrested 2 suspected oil thieves with products
suspected to be stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Agala 1 and Ilado areas of
Atlas Cove in Lagos State.
“Troops have continued to
dominate the general area with clearance and aggressive patrols while
maintaining surveillance to rid the area of pipeline vandals and other economic
saboteurs.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE
have sustained the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone with
tremendous successes. On 16 October 2020, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol
team discovered and immobilized an illegal refinery containing 321,500 litres
of illegally refined oil products at Tuma Creek in Degema Local Government Area
of Rivers State.
“Also, on same day, Forward
Operating Base Bonny patrol team immobilized an illegal refinery containing
54,000 litres of crude oil at Dabara Creek in Bonny Local Government of the
State”, he stressed.
Meanwhile, he stressed further
that, “in another development, troops of Operation SILENT HEAT III have
continued to record tremendous successes. Gunboats of Forward Operating Base
IBAKA on 17 October 2020 while on routine patrol along Utan Iyata Creek
intercepted and arrested a large wooden boat containing 50kg parboiled rice
suspected to be smuggled in from the Republic of Cameroon. A total of 1,637
bags of 50kg parboiled rice were recovered and 2 suspects were arrested.
“Also, on 20 October 2020,
Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Mbo River
intercepted and arrested a small sized wooden boat laden with 33 drums of
products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit with 2 suspects. Suspects are
currently in own custody and will soon be handed over to the prosecuting agency
for necessary action. From these successes, it is clear that, troops of
Operation DELTA SAFE and other security agencies working together remain
resolute and dedicated in their endeavor to end the fight against economic
sabotage.
“Overall, the Military High
Command commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of
other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for
their resoluteness, determination and loyalty. They are equally encouraged to
remain unwavering and decisive in curtailing the activities of all criminal
elements in the country.
“Members of the general public
are hereby reassured that the Nigerian Military will continue to tackle the
security challenges to ensure that normalcy is attained in all the geo
political zones of the Country. However their support is highly solicited in
the area of providing credible information to assist our operations.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com