Wanted gun runner nabbed, scores of terrorists wiped out, as gallant troops overpower ISWAP/Boko Haram commanders in fierce encounters-DHQ
•Says 65-yr-old man, wife, terrorists’ collaborators arrested, kidnapped victims rescued
The Nigerian Defence authorities said Thursday that Nigerian troops of OP WHIRL STROKE arrested a notorious gun runner one Mr Ardo Manu Abdulrahaman Maranewo who has been on the wanted of security.
Maranewo , the wanted criminal was nabbed on June 20, 2022 in Taraba State, as troops intensified operations against terrorists and criminal elements across the country.
He is said to specialize in selling and leasing arms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers in Taraba State.
In continuation of series of operations against terrorists kidnappers and other criminal elements, the troops of FOB Bakura Operation HADARIN DAJI on 21 Jun 2022, responded to distress call of terrorists activities at Rafin Dankura in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State engaged the terrorists in a shoot out after abducting innocent civilians. Consequently, two bandits were neutralised, six kidnapped civilians were rescued and items such as two AK 47, 1x 36 Hand grenade, 2 x Cell phones and the sum two hundred and nineteen thousand (211,915.00) were recovered.
Also, on June 21 2022 in response to a distress call on terrorists activities made contacts with marauding terrorists at Maigora in Faskari LGA of Katsina State and neutralized two terrorists.
In a similar vein, the gallant troops on June 21 2022 troops raided a kidnappers enclave at Maraba in Ukyonugu Ityuluv Ward in Ukum LGA of Benue State and arrested a bandits collaborator one Mr Ichen Igbaka (65yrs) and his wife Mrs Salomi Gbaka.
A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Major General Benard Onyeuko, said, the couple uses “their house as a hideout for kidnapped, for late bandit leader Mr Azu”.
The director added, “Suspects and items recovered are in custody for further interrogation”.
According to Onyeuko, “On 19 June 2022 NNS DELTA discovered an Illegal Refining Site around Opumami Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State. Items recovered includes 2 metal storage tanks, 5 ovens, 7 dug out pits, with 120,300 litres of stolen crude oil. Similarly on the same day located 2 Illegal Refining Sites at Atumakiri with 10 ovens and 15 metal storage tanks with 450,000 litres of AGO and 350,000litres of stolen crude oil”.
For their success in eliminating terrorists and criminal elements, Onyeuko said, “The Military high command congratulates the troops in various operations for their exploits in recent operations”.
•Gen Bernard Onyeuko
A staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Oleghe Nelson, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), for allegedly receiving N4.4 million kickbacks from contractors.
The Commission in an 8-count charge filed before Justice M A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Bwari, Abuja, accused Nelson of abuse of office and conferring undue advantage on himself.
He was alleged to have had private interest in contracts awarded to Del-Fingers Nigeria Limited and Aismozz Ventures by SEC, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The spokesperson of ICPC, Mr Azuka Ogugua in a statement noted that, “In one of the charges, Mr. Oleghe was alleged to have conferred undue advantage upon himself when he and one Oviosa Lawrence received the sum of N4,410,000 from the contract sum that was paid by SEC to Del-Fingers Nigeria Limited for the provision of two billboards for the Commission”.
The statement said, “The accused pleaded not guilty when all the charges were read to him.
“His counsel applied for bail which was not opposed by the counsel to ICPC, Peace Arocha and Hamza Sani.
“Justice Madugu in his ruling granted the accused bail with two sureties who must present their passport photographs, evidence of tax clearance for the last three years and the sum of N500,000 each.
“The trial judge further ruled that the accused must also submit his international passport with the court registrar.
“The case was then adjourned to 14th September 2022 for hearing”.