NEWS: 19-Year-Old Fulani Boy Killed By Soldier's Stray Bullet In Akure

• The 19-year-old was returning from his school, Ajowa Community Primary School, when he fell to the bullets of an armed soldier.

Usman Saliu, a Fulani boy, has been killed by a stray bullet from a soldier in Ajowa Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The 19-year-old was returning from his school, Ajowa Community Primary School, when he fell to the bullets of an armed soldier. 

The solider, whose identity is still unknown, was one of the officers of the 32 Artillery Brigade deployed to man the notorious Owo/Akoko road.

A witness who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said it happened when the armed soldiers noticed some strange elements among the Fulani people close to the road.

The witness added that one of the soldiers opened fire while trying to fish out those causing the trouble among the Fulani herdsmen. 

"The Fulani people in the town were playing and also dancing with their sticks and cutlasses," he said.

“The acrobatic dancing became rowdy and attracted the soldiers, who were maintaining law and order at the checkpoint. The soldiers noticed some strange faces among them and wanted to fish the troublemakers out.

“But the Fulani men tried to prevent the soldiers, and the scuffle led to disorderliness during which the victims were hit by bullets."

Usman Saliu, father of the deceased, confirmed the incident, revealing that the corpse of the boy, which was initially deposited at the State Specialists Hospital in Ikare Akoko, had been released for burial. 

Ojo Adelegan, spokesperson of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army, said the army authorities were already on top of the situation.

"The issue was accidental because the solider was trying to fish out an invader who penetrated his way into the midst of the people to cause havoc," he said. "We have held a meeting with the father of the boy and the Ondo State government even intervened on the issue in order to avert more crisis."

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NEWS: Troops Kill Two Female Bombers In Borno

• The Nigerian Army said two female suicide bombers were killed on Friday while trying to infiltrate troops in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army said two female suicide bombers were killed on Friday while trying to infiltrate troops in Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Nwachukwu said the suicide bombers trailed the troops to the military camp at 9:45 p.m., but were promptly detected by vigilant troops who engaged them in a gun duel.

According to him, one of the suicide vests detonated immediately and killed the two suicide bombers.

He said the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team had safely detonated the other suicide vest.

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Army To Begin Operation Crocodile Smile In Ogun State

• To address the security challenges in Ogun and its environs, the Nigerian Army said on Sunday that it had concluded plans to launch a new security initiative code named “Operation Crocodile Smile.”

The Nigerian Army

The Brigade Commander of the 35  Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Basil Adoke, disclosed this in Abeokuta at a reception organized by the state government as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.

Adoke, who said that the initiative would commence ” in the next couple of days” across the state and its environs, added that it is targeted at miscreants.

“We are going to start Operation Crocodile Smile in Ogun and it involves series of actions to step up tempo targeted at miscreants,” Adoke said.

The commander, who allayed fears over the initiative, called on residents to be calm, stressing that some miscreants had been identified and would be flushed out.

‘Though the state is relatively peaceful, we still have some miscreants to deal with, so when you see Crocodile Smile, don’t be scared,” he said.

According to him, the exercise is a replica of Operation Python Dance recently carried out in Abia to tackle crime.

Responding, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, commended the roles of security operatives in the state since he took over in 2011.

Amosun pledged continued support for any program to make the state crime-free.

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