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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Troops of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted and rescued 92 travellers kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists along a road in the southern part of Borno State.
The victims, who were travelling in eight vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, ran into an ambush by terrorists at about midday.
Spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, announced in a statement yesterday that the timely surveillance and alertness of troops in the area halted the terrorists’ kidnapping operation.
“Alert troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected BH/ISWAP terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road and into the surrounding bush using their surveillance system,” he disclosed.
He explained that the military’s Quick Reaction Force in the area was immediately mobilised to pursue the terrorists. The troops’ hot pursuit, however, forced the terrorists to abandon their captives in the Mangari-Dora general area, leading to the freedom of the 92 abductees.
“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and seven children, along with eight vehicles, were successfully recovered,” Uba disclosed.
He said troops also foiled attempts by the terrorists to prevent quick response towards rescuing the abducted persons by clearing all Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the route.
He described the terrorists’ action as a desperate bid to delay troops’ movement and response to the rescue operation.
Boko Haram, which has been operating in the area since 2015, is believed to be behind the failed kidnap attempt.
Meanwhile, the task force, in another statement yesterday, clarified allegations of victimisation and non-payment of troops’ allowances.
It said all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation Hadin Kai had been paid as of May 2. It listed the allowances as Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), usually disbursed to units for centralised feeding of troops; Operational Allowance, paid directly into individual accounts; and Habitat Allowance, also paid into individual accounts.
It also explained that an additional incentive is paid to troops providing security at a critical national asset in Tuba and is disbursed only when funds are available.
It said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was initially responsible for the allowance.
Imo Police nab two suspects over rape, murder of nursing student
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command, Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, have arrested two suspects, in collaboration with stakeholders of the Umulogho community, in connection with the rape and murder of Miss Wenda Achumba, 21, a Post-Basic Nursing student of Mercy College of Nursing Science, Umulogho, Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
Recall that the lifeless body of the student was discovered in her private off-campus residence at Umuadara, Umulogho, in Obowo LGA on Thursday.
The suspects, Onyema Okonkwo, 32, and Emmanuel Onyekachi, 25, both indigenes of Umuadara, Umulogho, were arrested following sustained intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the division in synergy with community stakeholders.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the police said: “During investigation, Onyema Okonkwo confessed to killing the victim after forcibly having unlawful carnal knowledge of her on multiple occasions in an attempt to conceal his crime, and further implicated Emmanuel Onyekachi as being involved in the matter.
“The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and comprehensive investigation and will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, psc(+), mnips, assures the public that the matter is being handled with utmost diligence and professionalism, and that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”
