A review of foreign exchange trading in the past four weeks shows that Naira gained N234.01 and N340 against the US Dollar at the official and parallel foreign exchange market.
FMDQ data indicated that Naira traded for 1,431.49 per USD on Friday, March 22, compared to N1,665.50 on February 23, 2024.
This represents a N234.01 gain in the past four weeks.
Similarly, the Naira gained N340 against the USD in the parallel market. This is as Naira exchanged at N1,460 per USD on Friday, March 22, compared to N1,800 a month ago.
DAILY POST recalls that in the period under review, the Central Bank of Nigeria had introduced several sweeping policies to rescue the Naira, including halting cash payment of Personal Travel Allowance, PTA, and Business Travel Allowance, BTA, ‘Financial Markets Price Transparency and Market Notice of a Revision to the FMDQ FX Market Rate Pricing Methodology’ and drafted guidelines for Bureau De Change operators.
On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu begged Nigerians to patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods to grow the Naira against USD.
Kafayat Shafau, the famous Nigerian dancer and choreographer, who is also known as Kaffy, has said that she lost friends by virtue of being a dancer.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “Taking on a career without any gender focus is already tough. As a dancer, the only place we were appreciated was when we were displaying for the National Troupe, or when were called by a governor for a national assignment.
"Dancing was not a mainstream career, neither was it commercially viable. Breaking into that door that did not exist was the main sacrifice for me, as well as the pain of losing family friends and people around me. I was practically isolated.
"There even some people who initially supported me, but withdraw their support because they did not see what I was seeing.”
She also stated that women in the entertainment were often viewed as sexual objects.
She said, “As a woman, one is often asked what value one brings to the table to be considered with one’s male peers. I struggled a lot with that, because while expressing myself, I had to deal with music directors, editors and different stakeholders who felt one’s opinion was not necessary.
"But, one of the things that helped me was the fact that I am highly educated and intellectual enough to express my ideas and implement them in ways that earned me respect. I was also hands on with whatever I said.”
The award-wining dancer also noted that in the course of her career, she got more support from men than women.
She said, “I have got more admiration and support from men, than women. It came after a bit of resistance, which is normal, because there will always be some of resistance when one newly gets into a field.”
Toke Makinwa, the Nigerian media personality, has disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove 13 fibroids from her body.
Toke Makinwa made this known following the release of Stephanie Coker’s documentary titled “Where the Heck is My Period.”
She narrated that fibroids affected the majority of women in her family and some had to remove their wombs.
According to her, growing up she knew something was wrong because she had a very big tummy, irregular periods, and a bulge when she lay down.
“PCOS I haven’t had but I’ve had fibroids. Just watching the documentary, there are a lot of similarities between symptoms and the bloating. I remember when I started off in this industry and you had to host shows. I remember I had to wear like two waist cinchers or three waist cinchers because I was so tiny but I had a belly and people would always ask if you’re pregnant. I was tired of people asking “are you pregnant?” and you know how there would be photos on red carpets and it’ll be everywhere and everyone would be talking about the fact that “oh my god, is she pregnant, or what has she eaten?”
“I’ve had cousins who’ve had to take out their wombs. It’s very daunting. It’s one of the most stressful things. I think one of the worst parts of it is bleeding excessively. I mean, I didn’t bleed for a hundred and something days, but I know about you just seeing your period when you’re not expecting it. I know about you sitting somewhere and you get up and someone has to move close to you and say “oh your period”.
“I’m happy Stephanie Coker did this documentary because women can come together and talk about it. It does a lot to your self-esteem. You’re just nervous all the time. The anxiety levels are high. Eventually, when I got surgery, I had 13 fibroids taken out of me. Tiny me, thirteen.”
A video showing passengers seated on top of a moving bus in Lagos has sparked mixed reactions from the public.
Two passengers were spotted at an unknown location in the metropolitan city of Lagos.
Apparently, chairs had been arranged on the bus to accommodate extra passengers on the bus.
Two sat and held steady to avoid falling off the bus which was moving with speed.
Below are some reactions that followed …
rosythrone said: “As a Nigerian I can assure you there’s nothing in this life dat we’ve not seen, nothing remain!”
ms_naomii commented: “Based on experience, Lagos is traumatizing????♀️”
generallado remarked: “If someone explains Lagos to you and you understand, they did not explain well”
veradollar1 stated: “This is how much I want to Trust in God.”
queenari_ella said: “The view must be beautiful though”
@afrisagacity wrote: “That’s the thing with poverty – it makes you value your life far less than it’s worth. You take blind risks not minding the fact that it may just end your life.
But when you’re rich, you find yourself placing more premium to your life. Life becomes far attractive to live. Your risks are calculated and value-driven.
Those men took such risks because they’re poverty-stricken. Same life with those people who perch on top moving trains.
Hope this helps”
Media
Abosede, the bereaved mother of the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, has claimed that Joseph, the father, buried the late singer even before he died.
Abosede disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH titled, “Uncensored: Mohbad’s mother opens up on late son, ex-husband, Naira Marley.”
She said she was not aware of the day Mohbad died despite being in his (Joseph) house for 10 days shortly before the late singer’s demise.
“I actually did not know when my child (Mohbad) died. His father did not tell me. I was in his house for 10 days, shortly before he died. I ran back there when I heard that he had died. I was the one who called his father and siblings to inform them. I brought them all together.
“I called their father to come and see me with all the children despite all he had done to me. I did not have the strength to fight with him because I found happiness in my children, and because they are grown-up, I brought them all together. But, their father separated us.
“I believe that my son was not dead as of the time he was buried. I actually told them not to bury him, but they refused. If they had not buried him at the time he did, I believe he would have lived. Joseph is actually my problem. I believe that he buried my son before he died,” she added.
Although, Aloba gave Yoruba culture as the reason for the quick burial, explaining that it is customary not to delay the burial of a deceased person when both parents are still alive.
He mentioned that if Mohbad had passed away at an older age, the option of keeping his body in a mortuary for a later date might have been considered.
The late singer’s father further revealed that the land where his son was laid to rest belonged to Mohbad and that he had given it to him to build a church.
He clarified that the decision to bury him swiftly was in accordance with Yoruba customs.
“In Yoruba land, his corpse is not the kind to be kept when both of his parents are still alive,” he said.
“That land where Mohbad was buried is his only land, that is the only land I know him to have owned.
“Truly he gave me the land to build my church because we had both agreed to build the church there and since that’s the only land I knew him to have,” he added.
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27 in Lagos State.
Following an investigation by the Lagos State Police Command to unravel the cause of his death, Mohbad’s remains were exhumed for an autopsy.
Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed displeasure over quality of food at one of the State’s Ramadan Feeding Centres in Gidan Maza, Kano Municipal local government area.
Governor Yusuf, who paid an unscheduled visit to the centre on Friday evening, described what he saw as “nonsense” despite allocation enough foodstuffs by the State government. He, therefore, ordered a review of the feeding programme and demanded an investigation into the Gidan Maza incident.
Taking to his verified X handle (formerly Twitter), Governor Yusuf wrote: “This evening, I visited Gidan Maza, one of the Ramadan feeding centers in Kano Municipal Local Government.
“The result I met during the impromptu visit was disappointing and disheartening, despite allocating ample foodstuff and resources for each center.
“I’ve already directed a comprehensive probe, and I demand an immediate change in the conduct of the program. – AKY.”
Media
VIDEO: Kano Gov Angered Over Quality Of Food At Ramadan Feeding Centre, Orders Probehttps://t.co/wKb4Lc8rE0
— LEADERSHIP NEWS (@LeadershipNGA) March 23, 2024
Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed displeasure over quality of food at one of the State’s Ramadan Feeding Centres in Gidan Maza, Kano Municipal local… pic.twitter.com/JjOy6mRsFl
Godwin ‘Kabaka’ Opara, a pioneering figure in Igbo highlife music renowned for his songwriting and guitar skills, has died at the age of 77, his record label announced Thursday.
Opara rose to fame in the 1970s as the co-founder of The Oriental Brothers International Band, whose politically conscious lyrics made them popular across Africa. After going solo in 1976 and forming The Kabaka International Guitar Band, he released 14 albums over his prolific career.
“Derda Promotions is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our esteemed artist, Godwin Kabaka Opara, an icon who pioneered and revolutionized highlife music, on March 21st,” the label said in a statement.
Born in Owerri in 1947, Opara picked up the guitar at a young age and quickly became a talented multi-instrumentalist. He first made his mark with the Oriental Brothers, fusing highlife with Afrobeat, juju and other regional styles.
Songs like “Another Brickhouse” became anthems calling for social change in Nigeria during the military dictatorships of the 1970s and 80s. Opara continued performing and recording as a solo act until recent years.
Former beauty queen, Precious Chikwendu has survived a ghastly car accident in Abuja.
Naija News reports that Precious, the wife of the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, made this known in a lengthy Instagram post, stating that she lost an aide in the accident.
Recounting the incident, Precious said a reckless driver at the traffic light at Kur Mohammed Avenue ran into their vehicle, and she lost her aide.
She wrote, “I’ve been dealing with survivor guilt for weeks now, I am just able to begin proper communication with “humans” because I’ve been mute and going through the phase of trying to understand why I survived with minimal injuries and the person who was next to me didn’t. Feb 29th, 2024, remains a day I never got clarity about anything, but I am positive it will all make sense in no time.
My driver, aide, and I were run into by a reckless driver at the traffic light at Kur Mohammed Avenu, right in front of Taj Bank. I won’t talk about this person who hit me and all he has done since then because it is already a manslaughter case, but I would talk about God’s mercy on me and the pain of losing my best aide ever.
“God came through for me and sent me a special gift ahead of time for this season and beyond. I’ve grieved for Sanusi, I’ve looked at my cameras every day, hoping he would be out there cleaning his boots as usual. That fateful morning he was with my kids and me at the national stadium for their inter-house sports, he followed Aiden and Ragnar around like he knew he might never see them again, and the last I remember was seeing him argue the routes to take with my driver, as if he knew there was danger ahead but surrendered to fate by letting using go the opposite way. Will I continuously miss my ‘Sule’? Yes !! Everyday.
“He was one little brother that was too protective of me. Meeting his whole family coincidentally at Sahad stores in January made me see him as a family from that moment, aside from him being the most peaceful, loyal, and easy-to-learn aide I’ve ever had. I virtually camped at the hospital and prayed for the brain injuries to heal with high hopes of having him laugh again at my silly jokes whenever I’m in excellent spirits. God alone will heal us all from this pain. I’ve cried my heart out, but most importantly, I’ve learned a lot from this incident. I am grateful to be alive even though I questioned it all for many reasons, I am alive and grateful. Ekwensu ntooooor!.”
Abosede, the mother of the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has alleged that singer, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, alongside Lagos socialite, Sam Larry, frustrated her son to death.
Naija News reports that Abosede made this known in an interview with PUNCH, stating that Mohbad did not experience peace throughout his lifetime because the duo of Naira Marley and Sam Larry always got him into one problem or another.
Abosede noted that she had always been involved in Mohbad’s life and warned him over his association with Naira Marley.
She said, “Mohbad did not know peace throughout his lifetime. He was always going from one problem to another in the hands of Naira Marley and Sam Larry. His manager was Naira Marley’s brother, and I did not like him.
“Every time I went there, I always told Mohbad to stay away from him, yet he was always sleeping on Mohbad’s bed. I told Mohbad to keep away from everyone associated with Naira Marley and should not work with them anymore. I had always been involved in my son’s life. Every curse that Naira Marley rains on me will return to him.”
Speaking further, Abosede debunked the claims of Mohbad owing Sam Larry money, revealing that Naira Marley had one time beat up the late singer, and he ended up in the hospital.
She added, “Sam Larry beat Mohbad, complaining that he owed him money, but that is not true. My son confided in me.
“Naira Marley beat him up one time, and he ended up in the hospital. We had to use hot water to massage his body, and he could not talk for two days because he was seriously beaten. He even developed hypertension.
“When Mohbad recovered from the sickness, Naira did not want him back in Marlian Music. He said he was spoiling their name; and Mohbad also did not want to go back. I went with the father to plead with Naira. That was the first time I went to the house. It was Joseph that was always going there. I want justice for my son.”
Meanwhile, both Naira Marley and Sam Larry have denied involvement in Mohbad’s death.
Batik Air plane in Indonesia went off track on it’s flight path after both the pilot and the co-pilot fell asleep for nearly half an hour.
The incident, which happened in January, saw the pair in the cockpit getting some shuteye, as the aircraft drifted off it’s planned path – something that could have led to a fatal disaster for all 153 passengers on board.
It is vital for pilots to keep an aircraft on the right flight path as it is carefully mapped out by air traffic controllers to ensure the plane doesn’t cross any other aircraft’s paths.
The plane was flying from South East Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta.
It has been reported that one of the pilots had not rested adequately the night before the flight.
About half an hour after the plane took off, the captain asked permission from his second-in-command to rest for a while and he said yes.
The co-pilot took over command of the aircraft but then fell asleep himself.
A few minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the area control centre in Jakarta tried to contact the aircraft.
It received no answer.
Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot woke up and realised his co-pilot was asleep and that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.
He immediately woke his colleague up, responded to the calls from Jakarta and corrected the flight path, the report said.
The incident resulted in a series of navigation errors, but the Airbus A320’s 153 passengers and four flight attendants were unharmed during the two-hour-and-35-minute flight.
The transport ministry ‘strongly reprimands’ Batik Air over the incident, air transport director-general M. Kristi Endah Murni said, calling on airlines to pay more attention to their air crew’s rest time.
‘We will carry out an investigation and review of the night flight operation in Indonesia related with Fatigue Risk Management for Batik Air and all flight operators,’ Kristi said in a statement.
Batik Air said in a statement on Saturday that it ‘operates with adequate rest policy’ and that it was ‘committed to implement all safety recommendation’.
The pilots involved in the January 25 incident had been temporarily suspended, the statement added.
The plane landed safely after the incident.
Investigators did not identify the pilots, but said they were both Indonesians and were aged 32 and 28.
Indonesia’s transport ministry said Saturday it would open a probe into the airline.
More...
An 81-year-old Brazilian woman died after undergoing surgery to remove a 56-year-old foetus from her abdomen.
Daniela Vera unknowingly had an ectopic pregnancy when she was younger, and complaints of stomach pain were ignored by doctors for years.
Daniela, from Aral Moreira, Brazil, went to a local health centre on March 10, where she was treated for a water infection, before being sent to another hospital where she received 3D scans.
The scans revealed lithopedion – from the Greek words meaning ‘stone’ and ‘child’ – a condition where an abdominal ectopic pregnancy calcifies around the foetus.
Despite having seven children, the condition went unnoticed until Daniela received the scans.
She went into surgery, after which she was moved into intensive care, where she died on March 15 after suffering an infection.
Dr Patrick Dezir, the head of the Ponta Pora Hospital health department, said: ‘When pregnancy occurs, it must be inside the uterus, but in some situations, pregnancy can occur outside.
‘That baby was not clinical, the patient did not have acute pain and did not have major bleeding and this diagnosis goes unnoticed and time will take care of that foreign body that was left inside the woman’s abdomen.’
Daniela’s child, Rosely Almedia, said: ‘She was old and we are indigenous, she didn’t like going to the doctor, she was afraid of the equipment to take exams.’
Daniela had complained of abdominal pain since her first pregnancy when she was a teenager, her daughter said.
Rosely added: ‘She said so it looked like a baby was moving inside her belly and sometimes she felt sick, but we never suspected that it was that.’
In 2013, a similar incident happened to an 82-year-old woman in Colombia, who had been carrying a 40 year-old stone baby in her belly.
The four-pound fetus remained in her abdomen for decades before she underwent surgery to remove it.
Lithopedion is extremely rare, occurring in only 0.0054% of all pregnancies.
Death toll higher than 8,356 wasted under Buhari, worse than Jonathan’s 2,059 all in 10 months
On March 14, 17 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi, were killed at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on account of the land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
The 17 soldiers including one lieutenant Colonel, two majors and a captain met their Waterloo during alleged botched peace talks in the community. The murder of the military men has led to a military siege to Okuama in which houses had been razed and no fewer than 50 people reportedly killed.
The 67 reported souls lost to the Okuama crisis are among the 6,931 people killed across the country in 10 months since President Bola Tinubu assumed power, last May.
In immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 10 months in office, May 2015 to March 2016, Nigeria lost 8,356 people to insecurity.
In former President Goodluck Jonathan’s first 10 months as elected head of state, May 2011 to March 2012, insecurity claimed 2,059 lives.
The figures under Jonathan and Buhari were got from the records of the Nigeria Security Tracker, NST, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa programme, which documented and mapped violence in Nigeria motivated by political, economic or social grievances.
However, the death toll under Tinubu is based on media reports.
In all, the figures are conservative because some killings are under-reported or not reported.
In January 2024, troops killed 266 terrorists and bandits in operations across the country. In February 2024, troops neutralised 974 terrorists.
In the last two months, the Chairman of Benue Ethnic Leaders and President General of Mzough U Tiv, MUT, worldwide, Chief lorbee Ihagh, claimed that herdsmen militia had killed no fewer than 147 persons in various attacks on Benue communities.
As of March 21, no fewer than 432 lives had been lost to insecurity in the third month of the year Recurring bandits’ attacks in Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi and many North-East and North-Central states have led the deaths and kidnap of thousands of people.
The South-East states where unknown gunmen are wreaking are not spared. So also states of South-South and parts of South-West where criminal gangs and armed herdsmen operate.
How 2,059 were killed in Jonathan’s first 10 months
May 2011 – 29
June 2011 – 59
July 2011 – 94
Aug 2011 – 131
Sept 2011 – 109
Oct 2011 -72
Nov 2011 – 254
Dec 2011 – 348
Jan 2012 – 418
Feb 2012 – 226
Mar 2012 – 319
Total———2,059
Death toll in Buhari’s first 10 months
May 2015 -767
June 2015 -808
July 2015 -1,299
Aug 2015 – 790
Sept 2015 – 514
Oct 2015 – 826
Nov 2015 – 510
Dec 2015 – 809
Jan 2016 – 484
Feb 2016 – 1,076
Mar 2016 – 468
Total ———8,356
How 6,931 persons were killed under Tinubu in 10 months
May 2023 – 587
June 2023 – 690
July 2023 – 620
Aug 2023 – 682
Sept 2023 – 527
Oct 2023- 621
Nov 2023 – 869
Dec 2023 – 837
Jan 2024 – 666
Feb 2024 – 1,374
Mar 2024- 432
Total————6,931@~£
Northern Senators kick
Senators from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum, NSF, on Wednesday decried the raging wave of killings and kidnapping in the North and urged decisive action to stop the trend.
In a statement by their Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, APC, Katsina Central, the Northern senators said they would not rest until the security situation was brought under control and the perpetrators brought to justice
The statement read in part:
“The distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Northern Senators Forum. The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff from a school on March 7th, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8th, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12th, followed by 14 individuals on March 17th, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kajuru on March 18th, among others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.”
Disturbed by the killings, the National Assembly has held many meetings with the security chiefs and President Tinubu had repeatedly ordered the security chiefs to halt the trend.
It is to be seen if these moves would yield desired results in terms of security of lives and property of Nigerians.
Nigerians got a glimpse of the post-2023 AFCON Super Eagles on Friday evening.
From when the national team threw away a one-goal lead in that final, to losing it 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast, a lot has happened.
Most importantly, Jose Peseiro has left his role as the head coach.
The Portuguese’s short-term deal elapsed on February 29, leaving the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to put out a notice for his replacement.
However, the only appointment that was made – belatedly – was former Nigeria international, Finidi George, being put in temporary charge of the Eagles.
Finidi was an assistant to Peseiro during the AFCON. But although he employed a similar tactical set-up as the Portuguese, there were marked differences.
“I think it was a good game for us,” Ope Adebari, a Sports Analyst, Reporter and Producer with News Central TV tells DAILY POST.
“Clearly, Finidi George is actually sound.
“It’s the same 3-4-2-1 as Peseiro used at AFCON but different implementation.
“We played from the back and playing with two proper defensive midfielders made a difference.
“Playing Alex Iwobi in his favoured position also made a difference.
“Nwabali would sometimes come out to make up a back 4 which allows Bright Osayi Samuel to invert. We then had one man extra in midfield.
“We totally dominated.
“But we also had a few moments of complacency. One of those moments led to the penalty conceded.”
Adebari, however, noted that Finidi needs to field the fringe players in the squad more against Mali on Tuesday.
According to him, “Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf and Nathan Tella should get more time. They should play for at least an hour.”
Ever since Peseiro left the role, there have been calls from certain quarters for the NFF to recruit a domestic coach for the national team.
Finidi’s name has been mentioned along with ex-players like Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, Augustine Eguavoen and Sunday Oliseh.
With Finidi expected to be in charge when the Eagles take on the Malians next week, you would have thought he is auditioning for the job somewhat.
But Adebari has revealed to DAILY POST that Amunike is the preferred candidate.
“At least three people who work with NFF have already told me that Amunike has been chosen for the job.
“I think they’re just trying to iron out the salary,” he said.
In Adebari’s opinion, Amunike is not the best Nigerian coach available.
According to him, “I’d say he’d qualified for the job based on his CV and certifications.”
[DailyPost]
In a sobering update provided yesterday, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the recovery of decomposing hearts belonging to some of the victims among the 18 Army officers and men tragically killed in Okuama, Delta State.
It said the hunt for the perpetrators was intensifying but no significant arrest had been made.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar called the killing of the soldiers a national tragedy while Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike branded it barbaric.
Niger Delta Development Minister, Abubakar Momoh, vowed that the killers would not go unpunished.
Residents of the community who have fled their homes for fear of reprisal are lamenting the horror of starvation and denial they have been going through since the incident.
An ex-Niger Delta militant leader, ‘General’ Endurance Amagbein, who was accused in some quarters as the brains behind the killings, yesterday vehemently denied the allegation.
He said he knew nothing whatsoever about the incident.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, told reporters in Abuja that troops were currently conducting clearance operations and cordon and search to recover, among other things, the weapons of the deceased soldiers.
He said their efforts have yielded the recovery of the “decomposing hearts of some of the murdered soldiers.”
Earlier reports had indicated that the people responsible for the soldiers’ death also harvested their hearts and other body parts.
On the list of communities in which troops have already conducted operations are Akugbene, Ukuama and Okoloba in Ugheli and Ugheli South of Delta State as well as Ukuama Amusamo, Akwagbe, Arhavwarien, Pirigbene and Igbomatoro communities also in Delta State.
He said although no significant arrest had been made yet, the DHQ was not unaware of a viral video of a person “admitting to have perpetrated the killing of the soldiers in Delta State.”
He said one of the advantages of the video is that it “helps to narrow investigations to persons of interest and their cohorts.”
He said: “Accordingly, the state governments and host communities of these personalities are required to assist investigation in flushing them out.
“There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of such dastardly act against our nation. This is a clarion call to duty by members of those communities and the state governments.”
Besides the development in Okuama, Buba said troops across other theaters of operation during the week neutralised 106 alleged terrorists and arrested 103 other suspected criminals.
He said troops also arrested 22 oil thieves and rescued 96 kidnap victims.
Buba said troops recovered 171 assorted weapons comprising 47 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 18 pump action rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 14 Dane guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver, one hand grenade, 81mm mortar bomb, one mortar tube and four bandoliers
He said troops also recovered 2,452 assorted ammunition, comprising 995 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 468 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 317 live cartridges, 125 rounds of 9mm ammo, 313 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 13 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 167 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo, 45 empty shells of 7.62mm NATO, 72 empty cases of cartridges, 14 magazines.
Other items recovered, according to defence spokesperson, are 10 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, one bicycle, four baofeng radios, and the sum of N112,920.00 amongst other items.
He said: “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 51 dugout pits, 17 boats, 15 storage tanks and 4 vehicles. Other items recovered include 21 cooking ovens, 3 pumping machines and 40 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 772,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,530 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.”
Buba said the troops would continue to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect and secure the citizens of this country.