Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 75 civilians from Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

Addressing newsmen on Monday during the victims’ handover to the Borno State government in Maiduguri, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. W. Shaibu stated that the rescued individuals comprised seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children.

The GOC, represented by the Deputy Theater Commander, Brig. Gen. A.L. Akpodu explained that the civilians were rescued during a clearance operation conducted by the 21 Special Armored Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV in Sambisa Forest.

“As part of our ongoing clearance efforts, troops of the 21 Special Armored Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion recently carried out successful offensive operations in Sambisa Forest,” he said.

“Key terrorist enclaves in Ukuba, Ujimla, Sabil Huda, Garin, Fajula, and Gobara were cleared, leading to the rescue of 75 civilians, including seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children,” he added.

He further noted that the military destroyed several insurgent facilities during the operation.

“The operation significantly degraded enemy capabilities by neutralising insurgents and destroying command and logistics bases, makeshift shelters, weapon caches, and IED-making materials,” he said.

The rescued civilians have received medical and psychological support and are now set to be handed over to the Borno State government.

Receiving the victims on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, commended the troops for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency.

“We are taking them to our rehabilitation centre, where they will receive livelihood support, counseling services, mental health and psychosocial support, and educational services for the children.

We will ensure they are well reintegrated before releasing them back into society,” she said.

The federal government, on Thursday freezed the banks accounts of Simon Ekpa and 16 others for their “involvement in terrorism financing”.

According to the Daily Trust, the individuals and entities were recommended for designation by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee during a meeting that was held in Abuja on Thursday.

The outcome of the meeting, which was disclosed to journalists by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), stated that the development was by Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-graft unit explained that the Attorney-General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, said that they must be thereupon designated to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List.

The headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) was stormed by military personnel on Thursday morning, causing chaos at the facility.

According to The Punch, eyewitness reports that the armed officers, dressed in military uniforms, arrived at the premises opposite MITV in Ikeja, Lagos, around 7:40 am.

Employees and other individuals present at the office were allegedly subjected to physical assault by the invaders.

At the time of this report, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Although the police have intervened, the armed personnel, reportedly led by a female officer, have refused to back down.

Air Force Personnel Assault Journalist, Seize Phone After Storming Ikeja Electric Office

Armed personnel from the Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, reportedly assaulted a PUNCH Newspapers correspondent, Dare Olawin, during an incident at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) headquarters on Thursday morning.

The attack occurred around 7:40 a.m. when the military officers stormed the DisCo’s office, located opposite MITV in Ikeja.

Olawin had arrived at the premises to join other journalists scheduled to travel to Adiyan, Ogun State, for the unveiling of a solar project.

According to eyewitnesses, the Air Force personnel spotted Olawin, a TVC cameraman, and another reporter inside a coaster bus.The journalists were forcibly removed, beaten, and made to sit on the ground.

The officers also confiscated Olawin’s Android phone, a small Itel phone, and a white power bank, threatening to shoot him if he spoke.

The military team, led by a female officer, reportedly took control of the IKEDC headquarters for over an hour and a half, assaulting staff and other individuals present.

They also blocked roads leading to the premises, preventing movement and allowing them to operate without interference.

Sources revealed that the attack was linked to the disconnection of electricity at the Air Force Base.

The officers later left the DisCo’s office, taking along engineers and drivers, whom they allegedly intended to force into reconnecting power to their barracks.