Tag: Army

• Two soldiers, three others injured in bandits’ attack on border community

The Nigeria Army has decried the increasing influence the social media is giving banditry in the country.

It said social media platforms provide the oxygen for criminals, like bandits, to breathe and increase their attacks.

The Army Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhire Ugbo, spoke during the Nigerian Army’s social media seminar, tagged: Harnessing the Social Media for National Security and Development, yesterday in Katsina.

The Army chief said the seminar was meant to promote interactions between the social media platforms and the army.

He stressed that the Nigerian Army needed the cooperation of social media platforms to be on the same media page with the people.

Ugbo said: “The general idea is to dominate the social media space, to ensure they unite and engage freely with the army. This is because it’s a critical battle for arts and the minds to engage together to fight banditry.

“The social media operators must, in their words, actions or inactions, resonate at far and near and shape our national security rather than potentially undermine our collective resolve for a united and peaceful nation.

Read Also: House pledges collaboration with Army

“You must strengthen the bond between the Nigerian Army, the communities and the nation together.”

The special guest of honour and Commander of the Nigeria Army Training Centre, Maj.-Gen. Lookman Omoniyi, described the seminar as a formidable avenue for cross-fertilising of ideas.

Also, five persons, comprising two soldiers and three civilians, were injured and three others abducted when bandits attacked Magamar Jibia border town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Wednesday night.

A member of the Jibia security committee, who spoke in confidence, told The Nation yesterday in a telephone chat that the bandits overpowered the security personnel who were deployed to repel them.

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has pledged the support of the House for the Army, with the goal of sustaining the peace experienced in the state.

He gave the assurance yesterday when he received Brig.-Gen. Olawale Oyekola, 48th Commander of the 9 Brigade, who visited the Assembly with his team.

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The Speaker said the legislature with 40 lawmakers was committed to ensuring peace and stability in the local governments, adding that it welcomed support from the right quarters in this regard.

Brig.-Gen. Oyekola said he was in the House to associate with the representatives of the people of Lagos, who he and his men were mandated to protect.

Newly posted Commander, 17 Brigades, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, has vowed to rid Katsina State of banditry attacks and other forms of security threats. 

Omopariola, who made the vow while assuming the command of 17 brigades in Katsina, expressed readiness to collaborate with all officers and soldiers to ensure lasting peace and stability within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

The new brigade commander also expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the successful handing and taking over process. 

He also extended appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, for entrusting him with the new army role and his predecessor for a successful service record

Brigadier General Omopariola officially assumed Command of 17 Brigade Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (JTF NW OPHD). 

The handing and taking over ceremony took place at the Brigade Headquarters where Brigadier General Omopariola succeeded Brigadier General Oluremi Fadairo, who has been posted to 12 Brigade Lokoja as Commander.

During his farewell address at the 35 Battalion Parade Ground, Natsinta Cantonment, Brigadier General Fadairo praised the officers and soldiers of the Brigade for their unwavering support and cooperation during his tenure.

 He urged them to maintain commitment and discipline and expressed confidence in Brigadier General Omopariola’s ability to lead the Brigade to greater achievements.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered a probe into alleged killing of three civilians and 100 cattle by soldiers on operation at Sabon Birni in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Army’s spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement.

He said the army chief had ordered a “thorough investigation” into the incident with a view to establishing its immediate and remote causes and unraveling the brains behind it.

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Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu urged the public to remain calm and assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made public.

He said: “While the Nigerian Army wishes to sympathise with Sabon Birni community and families of the affected persons, we also wish to state that the allegation will be thoroughly investigated and any personnel found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned.

“It is also necessary to add that the Nigerian Army, which is constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property of the citizenry, cannot tolerate doing otherwise.”

Pakistan army on Wednesday said four soldiers were killed in a deadly gun battle with terrorists near the Afghan border.

Six terrorists were also killed, the military said.

“A sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate the militants,” the military’s media wing ISPR said in a statement.

The violence occurred as the nation celebrates its 78th Independence Day.

The latest clash took place in the South Waziristan district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which has served as a stronghold of militants linked to al-Qaeda.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group for Islamist militants in the country, has stepped up attacks on the country’s security forces since their Afghan counterparts seized power in Afghanistan.

Read Also: 273 Army officers begin senior staff course exams in Jaji

The military said it was conducting around 100 intelligence-based operations against the militants every day.

Around 80,000 Pakistanis have been killed in years of violence by the Pakistani Taliban, who wants to overthrow the government to implement sharia, or strict Islamic law, as in Afghanistan.

Islamabad blames Kabul for aiding Islamist militants who launch deadly cross-border attacks against the security forces and civilians in Pakistan from their alleged hideouts in Afghanistan. The Taliban deny the allegations.

(dpa/NAN)

A total of 273 Nigerian Army officers have arrived in Jaji to take the Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE) 2024, which began on August 11.

The examination is crucial for their career progression, determining their eligibility for further training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) or other international staff colleges.

In his welcome address at Ihejirika Auditorium, the Commander Infantry Corps, Major General Olufemi Oluyede, underscored the importance of the exam, noting that it is designed to elevate the candidates to the middle cadre of the Nigerian Army.

He urged the officers to give their best efforts and maintain the highest standards of integrity and discipline.

The Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, (TRADOC) who also doubled as the Exam President for the officers, Major General Kevin Aligbe, also addressed the candidates, emphasizing that the SSCQE is a critical test of their proficiency and readiness for higher responsibilities.

According to Major General Aligbe, the examination covers a range of subjects, including military ethics, customs, traditions, and challenges related to terrorism and insurgency. He also assured the candidates that the exam is fair but challenging, designed to assess their logical reasoning and ability to apply military knowledge to real-world situations.

General Aligbe issued a stern warning against any form of malpractice, emphasizing that strict measures are in place to ensure the examination’s integrity. He highlighted that the exam is not just about passing tests but also about demonstrating readiness for future roles in the Nigerian Army.

General Aligbe concluded by announcing that top-performing officers will be recognized with Certificates of Excellence, Letters of Commendation, and cash rewards, with their achievements documented in their files at Army Headquarters.

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In a separate development, Senior Military Officers like the GOC 1 Division, Major General M.L.D Saraso, and Chief of Special Service and Program, Major General Henry Tafida Wesley also joined Major General Aligbe to launch the Nigerian Army Conservation Centre in Jaji.

The conservation centre initiated by General Aligbe was aimed at creating a therapeutic environment for entertaining families of military officials and the general public.

General Aligbe also said the centre previously known as Infantry Zoological Garden was set up with specimens of all mascots in the Army.

According to him, “Instead of travelling all the units, we all their mascots here. So this place represents a library of mascots for the Nigerian Army.

Operatives of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure have arrested twelve persons who were engaged in illegal mining in Ondo state.

The operatives gathered that the actual kingpins of illegal mining in the state hail from Niger and Zamfara states.

Those arrested were Abdullahi Ibrahim, aged 40, Hassan Bala, aged 40, and Alawude Damilarin, aged 36. Ajayi Ebukun, Oluwaseun Rufus, Adebayo James, Kamal Zaharadeen, Mohammed Bello Lawal, Yunusa Mohammed, Ma’azu Auwal, Bashir Muktar and Kabiru Sani.

Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Mr. Olugbenga Atiba, who spoke when the suspects were paraded, said it was part of measures being implemented to curb illegal mining and other security challenges in the State.

Read Also: Army detains soldier for killing teenage protester in Kaduna

Atiba said the illegal miners were arrested based on credible intelligence.

He said: “We had our men deployed across the three senatorial districts of Ondo, penetrating deep into the jungles to prevent kidnapping and make arrests where possible.

“We know the destruction that has been caused in Niger State by these illegal miners. The kingpins are from Niger and Zamfara.

“Upon discovering these illegal activities, immediate actions were taken. One of the first steps was conducting a reconnaissance to establish the presence of these illegal miners. We have now stationed security men throughout the state.

“We have also identified some individuals, including some local leaders, who are involved in these activities and causing problems. However, at the state government level, we are addressing this through the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs.”

Ondo Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, called for mining stewardship not to be on the exclusive list.

The Army has detained the soldier who killed a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed, in Kaduna.

The soldier shot him while attempting to stop hoodlums in Samaru, Zaria on Tuesday.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru, burning tyres and pelting stones at security personnel.

According to him, troops mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the state government.

The statement reads: “On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums attempted to attack the troops, prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare them.

“This, unfortunately, led to the death of Mohammed.

“The soldier involved has been arrested is and undergoing interrogation.”

Gen. Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, sent a delegation led by General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso, to visit and condole with the bereaved family.

He added that the deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers in attendance.

Kaduna, Zaria 24-hour curfew still on

The Kaduna State Security Council has not reviewed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna and Zaria towns and their environs, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said yesterday.

Aruwan, in a statement, said: “The 24-hour curfew is still in place, and being actively enforced by the security agencies, contrary to insinuations that it has been reviewed.

“The people are enjoined to observe the curfew strictly and shun rumours or unverified reports.

“Reliable and accurate updates will be duly communicated through official channels.”

Curfew relaxed in Jos-Bukuru metropolis

Following the improved security situation within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, the Plateau State government yesterday announced a relaxation of the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed.

Effective yesterday, residents can move freely between 2pm and 6pm daily until further notice.

Read Also: Army detains soldier over killing of 16-year-old protester in Kaduna

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who ordered the relaxation after consulting security agencies, praised them for their diligence and commitment to ensuring strict compliance with the curfew.

Mutfwang reiterated the importance of maintaining vigilance to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.

He promised that the government would continue to review the curfew as the situation improves.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Gyang Bere, urged residents within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activities for prompt action.

The Army has detained a soldier over killing a protester in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Army spokesperson, Maj-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, announced this  in a statement on Wednesday, August 7.

He said the unfortunate incident happened on August 6 when army troops were mobilised to stop some hoodlums in Samaru, a sub-urb of Zaria.

The statement reads: “On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel. The troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government.

“On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16 year old boy Ismail Mohammed.

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“ The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report.”

Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, had sent a “high-powered delegation” led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.

He said deceased was buried according to islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian Army in attendance.