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Another 4,770 Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender To Military Troops- DHQ

Published

3 years ago

June 30, 2022

……. As Armed Forces Intensify Operations
Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ has said that no fewer than 4,770 Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families have surrendered to their own troops at different locations in the theatre across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, DMO, Major General Bernard Onyeuko who disclosed this in a press briefing in Abuja, explained that the surrendered terrorists comprised 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children, adding that were all profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions.

Onyeuko has attributed the continuous surrender of terrorists in the northeast to the aggressive and intensified operations by the military troops.

He added that statistics show that the pressure putting on them comes is making them come out of their various hideouts, stressing that the military is gaining upper hand in the operation in the Northeast.

Also, he said that troops of WHIRL STROKE while on patrol at Udei general area in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State impounded a trailer with registration number ABUJA KWL 846 XB along Udei-Makurdi Lafia road fully loaded with the cut to size vandalized rail tracks and sleepers.
According to him, the vehicle and the suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

‘’Relatedly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested one Mr Ardo Manu Abdulrahman Marenewo a suspected gun runner who specialized in the leasing of arms to kidnappers and other criminal elements in Taraba State. Item recovered from the suspect includes 4 cell phones and the sum of Seventy Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty Naira (74,340.00). Also at Zaki Ibiam conducted raid operations at a kidnappers hideout Maraba in Ukyongu Ityuluv Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State in the process one Mr Ichen Gbaka aged 65 years and his wife Mrs Salomi Gbaka a bandit collaborator were arrested.

‘’Similarly, on 24 June 2024 troops on clearance patrol arrested Four(4) suspected kidnappers at Igumale Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area Benue State All arrested criminals have been handed over to the Police for further necessary action.

‘’The troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO between 17 and 19 June 2022 carried out anti-illegal bunkering, oil theft and other sundry operations at various parts of Delta and Rivers States. Several wooden boats, storage tanks, dugout pits laden with illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil were discovered. The total of Nine Hundred and Thirty Thousand (930,000) litres of Automotive Gao Oil and One Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (1,150,000) litres of stolen crude oil was discovered.

‘’Similarly, Operation OCTOPUS GRIP between 16 – 26 June 2022 2022 carried out massive anti-illegal bunkering, oil refining and crude oil theft in various parts of the South South Zone. Several storage tanks, dugout pits, oven, boats laden with both crude oil and illegal refined products were discovered by the troops. Within this period a total of Two Million One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand (2,144,000) litres of Automotive Gao Oil, Two Million Six Hundred and Sixty (2,660,000) litres of stolen crude oil, Fourteen Thousand (14,000) liters of Premium Motor Spirit and Fourteen Thousand (14,000) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine were discovered. Also, 21 criminals involved in this criminal activities were arrested.

‘’Cumulatively, in the South South Zone in the fight against oil thieves and illegal oil refining a total of Three Million and Seventy Four Thousand (3,074,000) litres of Automotive Gas Oil, Three Million Eight Hundred and Then Thousand (3,810,000) litres of crude oil, Fourteen Thousand (14,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit and Fourteen Thousand (14,000) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine was discovered. Also, 26 oil thieves were arrested, 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats, 9 speed boats amongst other equipment were impounded.

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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