*Military joint operation decimates 132 armed bandits
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday officially
confirmed that the former General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian
Army, Sokoto, Maj. Gen. Hakeem Otiki, is under investigation for alleged theft
of N1 billion by soldiers under his command.
The disclosure came as the Nigerian Army said some recently
procured anti-mine weapons deployed in the North-east were not meeting the targets
of its tactical operations.
The DHQ also disclosed that the troops of the anti-armed
banditry joint operations code-named Operation Hadarin Daji, decimated 132
bandits in Zamfara State and contiguous states in the North-west in the last
two months.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Director, Defence
Information, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said General Otiki was under investigation.
“The issue is being addressed. There is an ongoing
investigation. The outcome will be made available. I do not want to preempt
investigation,” he said.
The Army had declared five soldiers wanted for absconding
with a huge amount of money after robbing an undisclosed “VIP” at gun point.
The amount was initially put at N400 million but army sources claimed it was N1
billion.
Following the development, the former GOC was placed under
house arrest pending the outcome of the investigation by the Directorate of
Military Intelligence (DMI).
Army sources had also faulted claims that the amount in
questions was for military operations.
“The army would not allocate such an amount to a GOC as army
funds are centrally disbursed to the divisions for operations. The money may
have been sourced from other channels other that the army and that is why he is
being investigated,” he said.
On operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Thunder Strike
launched to contain armed banditry and kidnapping in the North-west, Col
Nwachukwu said since the separate and independent operations by the three
services and security agencies were upgraded to a joint operation, it had
yielded results with daring rescue
operations and the killing of 54 armed
bandits in an encounter with the bandits in fortified enclaves in Morki,
Madadad and Dumburum Forests in Zamfara State, recovering several assorted fire
arms.
The Defence Spokesman said in the last two months 50
kidnapped victims were rescued while 78 armed bandits in Zamfara and contiguous
states were killed.
“The troops have also recovered a total of 39 fire arms
which include 16 Ak 47 rifles, one light machine gun, pump action rifles, three
semi-automatic rifles, three pistols and 2, 437 rounds of 7.62mm special
ammunition.
“Additionally, over 25 suspected armed bandits have been
arrested and recovered 14 motor cycles used by them. The bandits are undergoing
preliminary investigations, after which they will be handed over to appropriate
prosecuting agencies”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said some anti-mine equipment
procured from Slovak Republic and deployed to the North-east were not meeting
targets of tactical operations.
Speaking while receiving the Ambassador of Slovak Republic
to Nigeria, Peter Kolasec, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai,
said the military procured five consignments of arms and ammunition including
127 mm KVA machine guns, prosena anti-mine equipment and other weapons which
were deployed to the North-east. He said two of the consignments were delivered
while three were being awaited.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Policy and Plans, Lt.
General Lamidi Adeosun, said the anti-mine equipment was not meeting
expectation of army’s battle plans.
“The Prosena anti-mine equipment is only good for removing
mines where war has taken place. We are using it the best way we can but it is
not working the way we want it to work. If it can’t’ detect mine from 50
meters, then we need new equipment.”
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