The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army Spokesman

  • Why we invaded newspaper offices, by Army spokesman

    The Army yesterday explained its invasion of the Abuja, Maiduguri and Lagos offices Daily Trust Newspapers.

    It said the newspaper published classified information on the on-going war against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    Its Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen Sani Usman, said in a statement that the publication made details disclosure of planned military operations, putting the lives of troops in danger and breached national security.

    Gen. Usman said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to clarify on alleged invasion of Media Trust Headquarters in Abuja and regional office in Maiduguri.

    “We would like to state that soldiers of the Nigerian Army along with elements of Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies were indeed at Abuja and Maiduguri offices of the publishing company to invite the staff of the company over its lead story on Sunday Trust publication, which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security.

    Read also: IPI condemns invasion of Daily Trust

    “In it, the newspaper disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act. It afforded the Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of our plans and giving them early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military, thus sabotaging the planned operations and putting the lives of troops in imminent and clear danger.

    “We would like to state that the invitation of those responsible for divulging military plans was done with the best of intention in order to make them realise the import of such acts to our national security.

    “We, therefore, advice all, particularly journalists, not to worry but engage in their responsive reportage and to be professional as the Nigerian Army has no intention of muzzling the press or jeopardising press freedom. We, however, wish to enjoin further that they should eschew jeopardising national security in their reportage.

    “We would not tolerate a situation where a publication would consistently side with terrorists and undermine our national institutions.

    “We wish to appeal to all, especially the media, to join hands with the Nigerian military and security forces to end terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria. We would like to further assure that the invitation is for further investigation and if need be, all those culpable of jeopardising operations security will be prosecuted by the relevant law enforcement agency.”

  • Army disowns fund-raising campaign

     

    Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, has warned the public against falling into the trap of one Dr Perry Brimah who claimed to be raising funds for the welfare of troops in the war fronts.

    He described the claim as fraudulent and had nothing to do with the Nigerian Army, advising Nigerians to ignore him.

    Usman, in a statement, said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a fraudulent and criminal fund raising by one Doctor Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, tagged “Global Campaign To Provide Food For Nigerian Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram”.

    “The criminal embarked on this fund raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style.

    “The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund raising; https://www.gofundme.com/feed-nigerian-soldiers/info @ ENDS.ng

    Tel: +1-929-427-5305; Whatsapp: +234-903-420-3031.

    “We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed in the North East or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe.

    ”The Nigerian Army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras especially during festive periods.

    “Therefore, this move by Doctor Brimah is nothing but a scam as there is nowhere in the world where troops were fed through donations by members of the public.

    “We would like to further state that there has never been complaints of lack of food by soldiers talk-less of starvation.

    “The so called Dr Perry Brimah or his agents do not represent the Nigerian Army or her soldiers.

    “Whoever believes and falls victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk.

    “In addition, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Interpol is working hard to declare him wanted and extradite the International fraudster to face justice.

    “Therefore, we request the general public for any information on the whereabouts of this fraudster.”

     

     

  • Army appoints new Commanders for Operation Lafiya Dole

    The Nigerian Army Thursday announced major reorganisation in the composition of the Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Northeast.

    The development also precipitated redeployment of some senior officers, while several others were appointed to head the command structures of various sectors of the operation.

    Army spokesman, Brig Gen Sani Usman said in a statement that the new postings were meant to inject fresh hands into the fight against terrorism in the northeast.

    His words: “In order to inject new hands in the fight against terrorism and other operations, the Nigerian Army has today Thursday 6th December 2018, authorised the posting and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by the new posting and appointments include some Staff Officers and Commanders at various levels.

    ” Specifically,  the newly promoted Major General OT Akinjobi, Head of the Operations Monitoring Team at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, has been appointed Commander, Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE,  while Major General MG Ali,  Commander 9 Brigade has been appointed Commander of the newly created Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Brigadier  General BR Sinjen, Commander, Integrated Fire Support and Brigadier General FO Omoigui, has been moved from 2 Division Nigerian Army to Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations and appointed Director of Operations.

    “Brigadier General TA Lagbaja is to take over as Commander 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General OR Aiyenigba, Director Land Warfare at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College is to move to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Head of Operations Monitoring Team, while Brigadier General AU Kuliya is to take over as Director Land Warfare at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

    “Similarly, new Brigade Commanders have been appointed for some of the Brigades at Operation LAFIYA DOLE. These include Brigadier General EF Oyinlola, 22 Brigade, Brigadier General VU Okoro, 25 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General AB Mohammed,  26 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General AO Oyelade, 27 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General MT Usman, 28 Task Force Brigade and Brigadier General MG Kangye, 37 Brigade, while Brigadier General AS Ishaq has been appointed as Coordinator, Nigeria Police Force for Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “New Commanders have also been appointed for the various Army Headquarters Logistics Commands at the theatre. These include Brigadier General AG Ibrahim, Brigadier General PN Okeson and Brigadier General OA Aminu for Logistics Base I, II and III, respectively.

    “Similarly, the posting has affected several Commanding Officers of the various units in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, amongst others.

    “The Chief of Army Staff has also directed that all those affected by the posting in the theatre, must remain committed and fully in charge until they are properly relieved in line with standard operating procedures and military professional ethics.”

  • Buratai warns Troops against fake news

    Troops deployed to the northeast against Boko Haram Terrorists have been cautioned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur  Buratai, to be wary of Boko Haram  terrorists and their sympathizers, especially in the way and manner they employ propaganda to achieve certain objectives.

    Buratai said if troops get expose to social media and fake news there is the likehood that it would demoralize their fighting spirits and undermine national security.

    The Army Chief made the observations at a dinner for the troops of Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion (AFSF Bn) and Army Headquarters Strike Group in Maiduguri at the weekend.

    Speaking further, he stressed that the troops should be mindful of what they see and read on the social media as most of the stories are either doctored or fake.

    Believing these stories would demoralize their fighting spirit, thus undermining national security, the COAS added.

    Buratai was also quoted as saying that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are now fighting terrorism as the days of insurgency has long gone.

    In a statement by Army Spokesman , Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, Lt. Gen. Buratai emphasized that Boko Haram terrorists have no claim to any territory in Nigeria as of today and therefore enjoined the troops to flush out remnants of the terrorists wherever they are hiding..

    Buratai who asked the troops to use tactics acquired at different stages of their training as Special Forces, added that more attention would be given to In-theatre training and intelligence gathering and capabilities of personnel would be enhanced.

    He also urged them to maintain the peace in the country and work hand in hand with other security agencies to defend the democratic system.

    Every commander is already aware of what is expected of him especially, in the upcoming general elections of 2019, therefore you should live up to expectations of the authorities, Buratai said.

    In his vote of thanks on behalf of the officers and men of both units after the dinner, the Commanding Officer of the AFSF Bn, Navy Commander G B Osuobeni, lauded the Army Chief for the visit and the kind gesture of hosting them to a dinner.

    He said that the event signifies the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation and support of their efforts in the fight against terrorism in the north east under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    The Commanding Officer stated that the occasion would remain indelible in their minds and that the troops of both units were highly motivated by the visits and interaction, assuring that they would continue to do their best to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the border areas and other areas of the north eastern part of Nigeria.