By Press Unit

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Attention of Headquarters 81 Division, Nigerian Army, NA, has been drawn to insinuations making the rounds on social media alleging that a soldier of 35 Artillery Brigade terminated his life due to non payment of Ration Cash Allowance (RCA).

Having lost one of its soldiers, the authorities of the Division feel deeply concerned that some mischief makers under whatever guise would employ such sad occurrence to malign the image of the Division and the NA in general.

Nevertheless, for the sake of posterity, it needs be mentioned that the late soldier was deployed at the Brigade Standby Force on Monday 15 January 2024 alongside his colleagues for daily cantonment duty and they were adequately fed in line with NA’s standard for troops’ on duties.

However, investigation into the immediate cause of the incident, indicated that the deceased soldier reportedly handled his personal weapon negligently and misfired, which resulted to his death. His colleagues who heard the sound of gunshot had rushed to the scene of the incident, only to find the soldier in the pool of his blood with gunshot wounds on the head.

Further investigation has since commenced to unravel the circumstances and possible remote cause of the unfortunate incident, while the remains of the soldier has been evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta.

The Division, through the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, has informed the deceased family and also expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the unfortunate incident.

It is however, pertinent to reiterate that the Division is committed to providing necessary welfare required to boost the morale of troops under command in line with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy. Therefore, the Division will not under any guise take the welfare of its troops lightly as wrongly insinuated.

Views exclusive rights: Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, 17 January 2024.

MASSIVE OPERATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH, AS TROOPS BUST ILLEGAL OIL BUNKERING SITE AT ETCHE, RIVERS STATE

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, NA, conducting clearance operations at Umuedeokwara Community, Odogwa Town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, successfully busted a carefully concealed illegal oil bunkering site. The operation was conducted, following credible intelligence on the activities of criminals in the site.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdusalam visited the location to see for himself the magnitude of the criminalities going on in the area.

While speaking to newsmen at the site, the GOC was amazed by the level of criminality at the site. “We are here to let Nigerians know what is happening here. In fact, even if you use the air, using a helicopter or drone, you won’t be able to see what we saw on the ground, ” he retorted.

He further remarked that “We have discovered so many illegalities taking place here. We have seen reservoirs, boilers with a network of pipes and cables, amongst others. ” The crude oil discovered in the site was unprecedented.

The Division, he said, will ensure that the Federal Government gets what is due to it to take care of the citizens. He reiterated that the budget of the nation is dependent on many factors, including crude oil production. Hence, any drop in production affects the economy of the nation.

The GOC further affirmed that a total of 19 reservoirs, with each containing a minimum of 200,000 liters of crude, translating to over 3,000,000 liters were discovered. He lamented the level at which individuals get involved in crimes that have huge implications for the national economy.

Major General Abdussalam used the medium to warn the perpetrators of these crimes to turn a new leaf and embrace legitmate businesses to earn a legitimate livelihood or face the full wrath of the law. The Division he said, will continue to deny criminals freedom of action.

The GOC said the site will be destroyed in collaboration with relevant agencies. The operation led to the arrest of six suspects in the site. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other people involved in this mindless criminality.

Views exclusive rights: Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, 18 January 2024.

TROOPS ARREST TRANSNATIONAL DRUG SYNDICATE, CONFISCATE 296 WRAPS OF ILLICIT SUBSTANCES

Troops of 192 Battalion, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, acting on credible intelligence intercepted a suspected transnational drug syndicate operating with a Sienna 2001 Model Space Bus, with registration number Lagos APP 129 EF, loaded with illicit substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. The suspects were intercepted on Sunday 14 January 2024, along Balogun border in Ogun State.

Vigilant troops conducted a thorough search on the vehicle and detected layers of compartments packed with 296 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the wraps of illicit substance were transported from Benin Republic, through Ilara border communities en route Ifo, Ogun State. It was further revealed that it took the transnational drug traffickers five months to conceal the substance for delivery to their clients. Two suspects were arrested in connection to the crime.

The suspects, identified as one Mr Adigun Olatunji, age 54 years and Mr Michael Atanda aged 18 years, both from Ilara Imeko in Afun Local Government Area of Ogun state, reside in Benin Republic. They have been taken into custody for further necessary actions, after a failed attempt to bribe troops with the sum of Twelve Million Naira (₦12,000,000.00).

Other items recovered from the suspects include one Benin Republic National ID Card, one Nigerian National ID Card and two small Itel mobile phones. Others include one Benin Republic driver’s license, a Benin Republic International Passport, six Benin Republic SIM packs, 2 Benin Republic SIM cards, one Nigerian driver’s license, one power bank and one MP3 player.

Additionally, a memory card, local charms, as well as the sum of Fifty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (₦52,700.00) only were recovered from the suspects.

The suspects and all the items recovered are in safe custody, pending handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution.

Recall that troops of the Battalion have in recent times made huge operational breakthroughs that led to the confiscation of large cache of ammunition and illicit substances across the Nigerian and Benin Republic border on the 12 November 2023.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja commends the troops for their vigilance and commitment. He further charged them to sustain the tempo in the interest of national security for the common good of all Nigerians.

Views exclusive rights: Onyema Nwachukwu, Major General, Director Army Public Relations,14 January 2024.