Tag: Army

• Gunmen in military uniform invades Bayelsa community
• Residents call for govt’s intervention

The Nigerian Army has reiterated that the ban on the unauthorised use of military camouflage remains in full effect.

Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement yesterday. He was reacting to a video of a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing Army Desert Camouflage uniform.

Gen. Nwachukwu said the video was the old was being circulated by individuals with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace. According to him, only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Nigeria Police Force are legally permitted to wear military camouflage.

Gen. Nwachukwu said the regulation became expedient as terrorists, insurgents, and other imposters had exploited the misuse of military camouflage to commit crimes, thereby posing significant security threat.

The statement reads: “The Army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. We urge the public to disregard the re-circulated video and remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country.

“The unfortunate incident in question happened in 2021, and the Army took immediate and decisive action at that time. The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behaviour, which violated the core values of the army, particularly respect for others and their fundamental rights.”

Gunmen dressed in military uniforms have reportedly invaded Akamama Community in Opuama Kingdom, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the attack is coming barely 10 days after a previous attack on the community.

It was gathered that the gunmen came in gunboats, and accompanied by workers of an unnamed pipeline surveillance company. They also allegedly destroyed property worth millions of Naira in the coastal community. Their presence forced many to scamper to safety.

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A community member, Elder Amaowei Sunday, while narrating his ordeals, appealed for government’s urgent intervention.

He said: “The gunmen were pursuing people. I was captured yesterday and they beat me and destroyed my belongings.”

Elder Sunday also called on the Federal and state government to intervene by cautioning the said surveillance contractor to avoid further chaos in the community.

Another community member, Ms Catherine Allen, said the invasion was becoming too many, while Mr. Osain Geoffrey said instead of invading the community, the community leaders should have been invited.

The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, has awarded a cost of N50,000 against the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Defence Staff in the ongoing fundamental rights case instituted against the  Army, the Chief of Army Staff, the CDS and the Attorney General of the Federation as respondents by a Niger Delta activist and lawyer, Festus Daumiebi Sunday.

The contempt proceedings were filed by Barrister Festus Daumiebi, Bayelsa State-born real estate magnate, lawyer and politician.

The applicant, also a top contender for the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had claimed that his country home in Igbomotoru I, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state was invaded and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed by men of the 1st to 3rd respondents on March 30 and May 31, 2024 respectively.

The applicant, through his team of seasoned legal practitioners led by Prof. O. F. Emiri (SAN) had instituted a N20.4b special and exemplary damages suit against the Nigerian Army, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation for the unlawful invasion of his country home and subsequent destruction of his property.

However, despite being served with the appropriate court processes on three consecutive occasions, the respondents allegedly failed, neglected and refused to enter appearance either in person or through their lawyers or file any processes in response to the applicant’s claims.

Angered by the unprovoked and flagrant disrespect of the court by the respondents, the court in its last sitting on June 11, 2024 ordered that hearing notices be served on the respondents for one more time and if they still ignored the court for that one more time, the court should be moved to hear the originating application of the applicant for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

Surprisingly, the 1st and 3rd respondents entered appearance through a legal practitioner on Wednesday, July 4, 2024 and pleaded with the court for 60 days’ time grace to enable them to file their responses.

The application was vehemently opposed by the lead applicant’s counsel in court, Barrister Affinih Egbegi, who is also a former Attorney General of Bayelsa.

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In its ruling, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Isa Dashen ruled that all respondents to the suit must file and serve their responses and pay the accrued penalties to enable the applicant to respond.

The judge accordingly adjourned the case until July 19, 2024 for hearing of the Originating Application with cost of N50,000  against the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Defence Staff in favour of the applicant

Daumiebi, who was also the APC Senatorial Candidate for Bayelsa Central Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections had on the 1st of June, 2024 accused men and officers of the Nigerian Army, being led by known civilians who were close political allies of the APC deputy governorship candidate of Bayelsa State in the 2023 governorship elections, whom he described as his political foe and the Bayelsa State coordinator of Tantita Security Services.

Daumiebi alleged in a world press conference that men of the Nigerian Army were led into his country home by political faithful of the said politician, headed by one Izon-Ebi Nicolas who lives with the men of the Nigerian Army, stationed in his Igbomotoru country home.

The applicant was represented by 16 seasoned lawyers in court during the court’s session.

The 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army Minna, Niger State has offered free medical services to the people of the Garatu Community in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, as part of the activities to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NACEL).

Over 300 people, including women, children, and the elderly in the community benefited from the free medical outreach.

Medical services rendered to the people include general medical consultations, blood pressure checks, blood sugar level checks, and general drug administration.

Addressing the members of the community before the exercise on Wednesday, July 3, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Hamidu Bobbo said the free medical outreach was to enhance the Military-Civilian relations. He said the military did not only protect the civilians but was equally concerned with the health and well-being of the people.

Gen. Bobbo said the free medical outreach, which is among the many activities lined up for this year’s NACEL, was part of the army’s way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support of the military.

Read Also: Soldiers involved in extortion won’t go scot-free, Army chief warns troops

He said the theme for this year’s NACEL “transforming the Nigerian Army imperative for combating contemporary security challenges within a joint environment”, which he said was in line with the Chief of Army Staff command philosophy, was “carefully chosen due to the current security challenges bedevilling parts of the country.”

Gen. Bobbo noted that the community has a great role to play towards combating the security challenges in the state by being vigilant and providing useful information to the Nigerian Army.

He said: “Every community in Nigeria Should see the Nigerian Army as part of the community and relate with the soldiers freely.

“Useful information from our communities can help the Nigerian Army greatly in the fight against banditry, insurgency, and other forms of criminal activities in the country.”

• ‘Force devoid of ethnic, religious bigotry’

The Nigerian Army has said its recruitment is guided by the provisions of the Constitution and not on ethnicity or religious sentiment.

“The Force remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry,” it said.

The Army’s spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement yesterday while reacting to a viral video calling young men to join the military to protect their religion.

Read Also: We don’t recruit terrorists as soldiers, says Army

Gen. Nwachukwu said the narrative depicted in the video is not ‘a reflection of the true values and standards of the Army’. He described the content of the video as ‘false, misleading, and targeted at sparking anxiety, fear and   sowing discord and mistrust among our personnel. It is also aimed at eroding public confidence in the integrity of the Army, particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities, who might feel their lives and faith are under threat, and ultimately engender religious crisis in the country’.

Gen. Nwachukwu urged the public to ‘rise above these divisive tactics and stand united’.

“The strength of Nigeria lies in her unity in diversity, and it is this unique national strength and trait that the Army seeks to protect while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. We will remain undaunted in upholding these principles in the face of any challenge,” he added.

…says the force is devoid of ethnic, religious bigotry

The Nigerian Army says its recruitment is guided by the provisions of the constitution and not on ethnicity or religious sentiment.

It said that it “remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.”

The army’s spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Tuesday, June 25, while reacting to a viral video that showed a man calling young men to join the military to protect their religion.

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Nwachukwu said the narrative depicted in the video was not in “any instance a reflection of the true values and standards” of the Nigerian Army.

He described the content of the video as “false and misleading” and targeted at sparking anxiety and fear and “sowing discord and mistrust amongst our personnel, eroding public confidence in the integrity of the Nigerian Army, particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities, who might feel their lives and faith are under threat, and ultimately engender religious crisis in the country.”

Nwachukwu urged the public to “rise above these divisive tactics and stand united.”

He said: “The strength of Nigeria lies in her unity in diversity, and it is this unique national strength and trait that the Nigerian Army seeks to protect while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

“We will remain undaunted in upholding these principles in the face of any challenge.”

The  Nigerian Army Aviation Unit is set to roar to life with the arrival of two fighter jets to boost the operational capabilities of the Army. 

The arrival of the Bell UH1 combat helicopters at the Nigerian Police Air wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja comes 10 years after a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, unfolded the plan.

Current COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja had in 2023 disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the acquisition of 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters for the reenergisation of the  Army Aviation unit.

Receiving the fighter jets, an elated Lt-Gen Lagbaja said the dream of getting the aviation unit into operation had come to pass.

He said: “I am glad that, as conceptualised, 10 years later, we have today(yesterday) taken delivery of our first set of platforms.

“The journey, as predicted by the initial dreamers, has not been easy, but here we are by the grace of God, realising our dream.

“We are new to this business, and as newcomers, we must acknowledge our forerunners like the NAF(Nigerian Air Force), NN(Nigerian Navy), and the NPF(Nigeria  Police Force).

“We are on our learning curve in the aviation business, and we hope it will be a pleasant experience that will enhance our operational successes.”

Read Also: Kwara Gov excited as Army launches CBT Centre in Igbaja

The Army chief said the jets would be used for casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and surveillance.

Coordinator of the Aviation Wing, Brig.-Gen. M.S Alkali said the introduction of the advanced air platforms marked a new chapter in Army’s operational readiness and ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security challenges.

Brig.Gen. Alkali said: “These platforms will significantly bolster the reconnaissance, surveillance, and air mobility capabilities, thereby enhancing our overall operational effectiveness.

“As we integrate these platforms into our operations, let us also remember that the true strength of our aviation lies in the skilled and courageous personnel who operate and maintain these machines.

“Their professionalism, dedication, and expertise are the bedrock upon which our success is built.”

At another event in Kano, Kano  State, Lt-Gen Lagbaja said that 120,000 Boko Haram fighters and their families had surrendered to troops in the  Northeast. 

Lagbaja announced the figure while delivering a keynote address at the Second-quarter edition of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat 2024.

He was represented at the event by  the  General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the  Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Mayirensa   Saraso.

Lagbaja added that security agencies have been winning the war against internal challenges in the country.

His words: “The culminating effects of these operations include the rescue of abducted Nigerians, such as the 350 persons rescued from Sambisa forest last month, the surrender of over 120,000 Boko Haram fighters and their family members in the Northeast, the desire of over 20,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon to return to their ancestral homes in Borno and Adamawa states, and the thwarting/rescue of thousands of kidnapping incidents/victims across the country.

“You may be aware troops of the Nigerian Army operating with other security agencies have made significant milestones in operations across all theatres within Nigeria.’’