8 Division

Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has identified inadequate manpower and lack of regional cooperation as some of the factors militating against the ability of Nigeria and her neighbours to successfully wage the war against terrorism and other forms of insurgency.

The General Court Martial set up by the Nigerian army to try one of its officers Major-General Hakeem Otiki, is set to deliver judgement.

Nigerian Army says it has recently stepped up anti-banditry operations in the North Central and western parts of the country, to protect lives and properties.

Troops of Nigerian Army fighting to rid the North East of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists as well as the North West and Central to rout armed bandits have neutralized 7 terrorists and 9 bandits after several confrontations.

She added that the 7th interested party as well as partly the personal funds of the 2nd interested party (Maj.-Gen. Otiki) given to the said Aliyu Ado for the purpose of carrying out the main business of the 1st interested party.

No fewer than 13 armed bandits have been killed by the military under Operation Hadarin Daji in several villages in the war theatre area covering the three states of Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi.

Troops of Operation Hadari Daji (OPHD) has recorded another significant success as part of its continuing operations against armed banditry and all other forms of criminality in Zamfara state.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Wednesday, ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $376, 120 allegedly seized from Major General Hakeem Otiki, to the Federal Government.

Armed bandits operating in parts of Katsina State have released two Customs officers they abducted at Jibia last Wednesday.

The Nigerian Army says its troops have neutralised and captured more Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa’s Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescued 165 women and children from their captivity in Borno State.

Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari and the Army yesterday called on leaders of repentant bandits and their followers to hand over their weapons to the government.

The Nigerian Army has announced the promotion of senior officers to the ranks of Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals in its latest promotion exercise.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal says that negotiations between the state government and criminal bandits are aimed at addressing the very crimes and banditary that have engulfed the northern state.

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday began the trial of the former General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto State, Maj Gen Hakeem Otiki, over the alleged diversion of the sum of N400 million by some soldiers in the division.

The former General Officer Commanding of the 8 Division, Sokoto State, Maj. Gen. Hakeem Otiki, under whom five soldiers allegedly escaped with about N400m, is undergoing a course at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Lagos State.

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, said the outcome of the ongoing investigations, of the former General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Maj. Gen Hakeem Otiki, over alleged diversion of over N400m by five runaway soldiers in the division would be made public.

Lieutenant Audu Arihu, spokesman for the 8 Division Nigerian Army in Sokoto, has confirmed the theft of N400 million, not billions, by some lower ranked soldiers in July.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, has been placed under house arrest, according to a report.