11 suspected trans-border armed robbers killed at Seme

According to a report at least 11 suspected armed robbers, including a wanted ring leader, Tokiche, a.k.a. "TK’’, were killed at Seme border after the gang exchange of gunfire with security agents.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who made the disclosure on Friday in Ikeja, said they were overpowered by the security agents, including policemen from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Owoseni said that the 17-man robbery gang was led by TK to attack banks and Bureau-de-Change at Seme border but their robbery attempt was foiled by security operatives.

According to him, TK had been on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police for various violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism and pipeline vandalism among others.

The commissioner said that TK had over 200 men which he used in various groups to carry out crimes, stressing that he also had properties at various places, including Isawo, Ikorodu in Lagos State.

"TK has his signature in various violent crimes in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and the Republic of Benin.

"They also intercepted a vessel in Niger/Delta Area. He shifts his base from one place to another depending on the operation he wants to carry out.

"On March 16, we got a report that TK and his gang were planning to attack banks and bureau-de-change at Seme border area.

"They were said to have come in three boats at about 3 a.m. and immediately started shooting sporadically in commando style,’’ Owoseni said.

"The Police, Customs, Immigration, the Joint Military Task force and Policemen from Republic of Benin who had earlier prepared for them foiled their operation.

"The gang surrendered to the superior gun power of the security agencies and fled.

"The security agents and members of the public pursued them and at the end of the day, 11 of them were killed, while six others escaped. We are on the trail of those at large.’’

He said that three boats with one of them having the inscription "Castina Marine’’, 22 pieces of dynamite, six AK-47 rifles, two general purpose machine guns and 33,678 life ammunitions were recovered.

Other recovered items, he added, were 22 empty magazines, eight life jackets, 350 litres jerry can of fuel, two 100 litres jerry cans of fuel, one military magazine, jackets and assorted pieces of charms.

Owoseni said that the dead bodies had been deposited at the mortuary.

He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, commended all the security agencies that were involved in the operation, including those of Republic of Benin for their cooperation.

He added that the inspector-general called for more of such partnership among them.

However, three corpses of the suspected armed robbers, including TK, were paraded before the newsmen before being taken to the mortuary. 

(NAN)

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal inaugurates N268 million Urology/Nephrology Centre built by the federal government at UDUTH Sokoto

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, on Friday, inaugurated the N268 million Urology/Nephrology Centre built by the federal government at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

It was reported that the centre was inaugurated as part of the events marking the 40th anniversary and the 32nd, 33rd and 34th joint convocation ceremony of the University.

Tambuwal commended the federal government, through the TETFUND for executing the project.

He said that the centre would reduce the increasing cases of kidney-related diseases in the area.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said that the centre was constructed at the cost of N246 million and furnished with N22 million.

He said: "It will reduce the prevalence of kidney-related and other stone diseases.

"In the same vein, the Urology and Nephrology Centre will curb the menace of medical tourism.

"It is a centre of urology and urogynaecology among other fields, and professionals had been trained to man it.

(NAN)

At least 35 armed bandits killed and 38 arrests was made in the last two months in the North West - Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, on Friday said no fewer than 35 armed bandits have been killed in the last two months in the North West.

Oyebade, who disclosed this at a news briefing in Kaduna, said 38 of the bandits had been arrested by soldiers and handed over to the police for prosecution.

According to him, 6, 009 animals were recovered during the operation code named `Sharan Daji', while 49 bandits' camps were destroyed.

The GOC explained that the operation was targeted at cattle rustlers and armed bandits terrorizing communities in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, as well as Niger States.

"In Niger, the 31 Artillery Brigade which covers the axis are deployed as a blocking force to intercept escaping cattle rustlers and bandits while also conducting fighting patrol around Pandogari-Kusherki, Gidigori and Pandogari-Mai Kujeri roads which serves as escape routes for the bandits.

“In Zamfara state, 1,443 animals were recovered, 19 bandits arrested, 13 bandits killed, eight weapons recovered and 20 camps destroyed.

“In Kaduna state, 465 recovered animals, 16 bandits arrested, nine bandits killed, seven weapons recovered and eight camps destroyed.

“In Katsina/Kano States, 4, 101 animals recovered, four bandits arrested, 13 bandits killed, 21 assorted guns, including three AK 47 Rifles, local weapons and bows and arrows and 10 and 11 camps destroyed in Katsina and Kano respectively,” he said.

The GOC said a number of terrorists fleeing from the North East were also arrested.

He said during the course of the various operations, the military lost one Sgt Nansel Dangnap of 2 Battalion, while three soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He warned organizations and groups in the zone to desist from any act capable of causing breakdown of law and order, stressing that “under my watch any act that threatens the rule of law will not be tolerated.''

"We will continue to work hard to ensure the security of lives and property within our area of responsibility to enhance socio-economic growth and development in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari."

(NAN)

S.A Rand Threatens Amidst Zuma’s Political Opposition

South Africa’s rand weakened against the dollar on Friday as investors turned focus to a political scandal that has jolted President Jacob Zuma’s government and a potential sovereign ratings downgrade.

Investors fear further political uncertainty could hasten a downgrade, with Fitch and Standard & Poor’s already rating the country just one step above junk status.

The Rand traded at 15.2400 per dollar dollar, 0.46 per cent weaker from Thursday’s New York close of 15.1700.

The currency had rallied more than 3 per cent to its strongest in more than a week on Thursday after the central bank hiked interest rates.

Analysts from Moody’s credit rating agency were due to complete their three-day visit to South Africa on Friday after putting its Baa2 rating on review, according to the Treasury.

“Factors to consider are any news on the political front, over the long weekend the ANC (African National Congress) is holding its NEC (National Executive Committee) Lekgotla and we await any news from Moody’s who are currently in South Africa,’’ Nedbank analysts said in a note.

The government has been jolted this week by suggestions that a wealthy family with close ties to Zuma may have been behind his decision to sack the country’s respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in December.

Zuma, who is due to hold a three-day meeting with top ANC officials from Friday, has denied being influenced by anyone in the appointment of cabinet ministers.

On the stock market, the benchmark Top-40 index was flat in early trade, sliding 0.02 per cent.

In fixed income, the yield for the benchmark instrument due in 2026 dipped by 3 basis points to 9.145 per cent.

(Reuters/NAN)

Terrorists group falling victims of its evil plans against the troops - Director Army Public Relations

This followed an earlier incident in which suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed fighting patrol elements of 25 Task Force Brigade. After clearing the ambush, the troops exploited further off Damboa road from Kumala.

During the pursuit, the troops traced the axis of withdrawal of the terrorists and discovered that the terrorist vehicle mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun tasted a bit of the Boko Haram terrorists’ evil intents as it ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried by them.

The vehicle was shredded into pieces by the IED while 2 of the Boko Haram terrorists died in the process. The troops recovered 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 2 AK-47 Assault Rifles as well as one Boko Haram terrorists’ flag, 6 primed IEDs, Anti-Aircraft Gun links and rounds of ammunition. Other recoveries include 43 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and a mobile telephone handset.

This incident of the terrorists group falling victims of its evil plans against the troops, the wrath of God has been aroused by the retributive justice against the devilish Boko Haram terrorists.
Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.