The Nigerian Army has debunked reports claiming that bandits overpowered its troops in Kwara State, describing the claims as false and misleading.

According to a statement from the Army, troops of the 148 Battalion (Rear) currently conducting clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States dealt a decisive blow to the criminal elements terrorising local communities.

The clarification comes amid recent reports on social media alleging that bandits overran troops in Kwara and seized weapons and ammunition.

Spokesperson of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, dismissed the report, in a statement on Monday, stating that the reverse was the case.

He said: “Contrary to the sensational claims, troops of 148 Battalion (Rear) conducting ongoing clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States have continued to record significant operational successes.

“In a recent engagement, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis, where they neutralized two armed bandits and recovered two brand new AK-47 rifles.

“At no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements, as mischievously reported by the online platform.

“The publication is a fabrication designed to mislead the public and undermine the morale of gallant troops diligently working to restore peace and stability in the region.”

A military source had revealed to The Nation yesterday how the Nigerian Army in collaboration with sister services and security agencies eliminated a wanted terrorist kingpin, Kachalla Maidawa, and 11 of his foot soldiers, in the ongoing onslaughts against bandits/terrorists in Kogi and Kwara States.

The source revealed that some weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists after the operation, adding that troops continued to pursue the criminals into their enclaves.

Lt.-Col. Okoye reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to deal ‘decisively’ with criminals across the country.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the false report and continue supporting the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a police corporal and a university student for allegedly spearheading cult-related activities in the state.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects are Corporal Onukwue Godswill, attached to the Elimgbu Division, and Ifeanyi Israel, a 200-level student of Biomedical Technology at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

They were reportedly apprehended during events marking the signing-out celebration of final-year students at UNIPORT.

Iringe-Koko said the internal security team at the school confronted the police corporal and the student after discovering that they were on campus to lead a potential clash with rival cultists.

“In a swift response, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) were dispatched to the scene and the suspects were arrested,” she said.

She added that a thorough search of the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, four rounds of live cartridges, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one small axe.

She disclosed that a subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe by the operatives also led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and two machetes.

Iringe-Koko said: “The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody. An in-depth investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in cultism and other related activities.

“The police command is working diligently to unravel any potential networks or accomplices and bring all perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, reaffirms the Command’s unrelenting commitment to maintaining peace and security in the State, stating that there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State.

“He urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or other Security agencies, emphasizing that collaborative efforts will help build a safer and more secure state for all”.

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has warned that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is fast becoming a hotspot for human trafficking activities.

Bello made the disclosure on Wednesday during a sting operation at the airport, where NAPTIP operatives successfully rescued 24 victims of trafficking and arrested five suspected agents.

The victims whose ages range between 15 years and 26 years were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

According to a statement in Abuja by the press officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, one of the suspected human traffickers, was a retired senior law enforcement officer in Nigeria.

The suspect is alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the South West region of Nigeria.

On how the raid was carried out, the Agency stated, “The latest raid followed a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners who alerted us to an influx of suspected human trafficking victims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, and the unwholesome activities of some suspected traffickers.

“At the end of nearly 6 hours of operation, the human trafficking activities were completely disrupted, leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers and the rescue of 24 suspected victims.

“The victims whose ages range between 15 years and 26 years were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

“While a good number of the victims could not communicate in any other language apart from their dialect, others do not even know the location of their intended Country of destination”.

According to NAPTIP, one of the victims said, “They told my mother that they are taking me to Europe, where I will work and earn dollars. My parents were happy and they allowed me to follow them”.

Another victim vowed to ensure the prosecution of her father for deceiving her into embarking on the journey after she watched a series of videos of the conditions of trafficked people.

The victim, whose father was among the traffickers arrested, said in her local dialect: “I struggled to hold my emotions while watching the video of those girls who were being maltreated and beaten by the traffickers. If that is what awaits me there, I will not go. I am seriously annoyed with my father because he deceived me. My father told me his friend has a job for me at a supermarket in Baghdad. He did not tell me that it is in Iraq.

“I know that Iraq is not a good place to work right now due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank DG and her Officers for rescuing me. Please, I just need my passport. I want to go back to my town and settle. I will certainly make it in Nigeria rather than suffer in another country.”

The Director General of NAPTIP expressed sadness over the activities of some suspected human traffickers and unregistered labour recruiters who have continued to deceive, recruit, and traffic Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.

She said, “I am impressed with the outcome of the operation today because we were able to arrest five suspected members of the trafficking gang that have been recruiting and trafficking our citizens to various tension-soaked countries, especially in the Middle East, for exploitation.

“We observed that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport is becoming a comfort zone for these traffickers, and that is why we have decided to shift attention to this airport. We will sustain this raid until they stop this unpatriotic and illicit trade in human beings.

“I was amazed that a father, who is a retired Law Enforcement Officer of senior Cadre, deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation. This is incredibly unbelievable. Well, all of them will be thoroughly investigated, and they will face the law.

Bello commended the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the manager of Abuja airport, Department of State Service (DSS) operatives at the Airport, the Airport Security Personnel, Immigration Officers, and airline operators for their support.

She said, “Human trafficking is a visible national concern, and we all must be on the same page to turn the heat on the traffickers. Our resolve to ensure the protection of Nigerians from all forms of exploitation is firm and resolute.”