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Tag: Army

  • Kwara Gov excited as Army launches CBT Centre in Igbaja

    Kwara Gov excited as Army launches CBT Centre in Igbaja

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday advocated more appreciation for the sacrifices of the security agencies, including the Nigerian Army.

    He said the military has played important roles to support civilian authorities at all times, including at a time when the country was under intense pressure from hostile non-state actors.

    The Governor spoke in Igbaja, Ifelodun LG of the state, at the commissioning of a Computer Based Testing (CBT) center, a special intervention project of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General T. A. Lagbaja.

    The project was executed by Major General Adelokun Eyitayo, a serving military officer and native of Igbaja Land, who also launched his three books, titled: ‘Life of Prince Daud and Spirituality; Tears for Suni and Titi; and The Boy on the Highland’.

    “This Computer Centre means a lot for the socioeconomic growth of this community. Not only does it nudge members of the community towards acquisition of necessary skills for this age; it opens up new frontiers of socioeconomic benefits for Igbaja and communities around it,” the Governor said.

    “I am also fascinated by the spirit behind this project. It is timely and necessary. The need for better military-civil relations cannot be over-emphasized. Recent developments in our country again suggest a need to deepen citizens’ appreciation of the sacrifices that our security forces make to keep us safe, stabilise the fabric of our society, and ward off every threat against the Nigerian state.

    “Over the last two decades, the military has played very important roles to support civilian authorities at all times, including at a time when our country came under intense pressure from hostile non-state actors.”

    AbdulRazaq commended the Federal Government and the Chief of Army Staff for establishing the CBT centre that he said will aid skill acquisition and boost socioeconomic growth of the area.

    “We therefore cannot thank the federal government and our military enough. We must appreciate and honour members of our security forces, including military personnel deployed in internal operations and during emergencies, and cease all attacks on them,” he added.

    The commissioning attracted various dignitaries, including the CoAS  Lieutenant General T. A. Lagbaja, who was represented by Maj Gen Obinna Onubogu; the Elese of Igbajaland Oba Ahmed Awuni Arepo III; and Igbaja CBT Project Executor Major General Adelokun Eyitayo; among others.  

    Lagbaja said the execution of the project further affirmed the transformational drive of the Nigerian Army towards achieving its constitutional responsibility through a non-kinetic line of operations.

    The Army Chief thanked Governor AbdulRazaq and the people of the state for their continued support for the operations of the Nigerian Army.

    “The Nigerian Army has received tremendous support from your government. It is also gladdening to note that we have enjoyed cordial working relationships with you over the years, and your support has contributed immensely to our operational success within the state and the entire North Central region,” he said.

    Maj Gen. Eyitayo thanked CoAS for the approval of the project and his unwavering support for its delivery.

    He also appreciated the Governor for directing the purchase and supply of his three books for the use of students of public secondary schools in the state.

    The Governor, meanwhile, attended the 2024 Igbaja Day celebration, where he urged the people of Igbaja to continue to recognise the rich cultural heritage and diversity that makes the community to be unique.

    He congratulated the Elese of Igbaja, the Jagunmolu of Igbaja and founder of Al-hikmah University Chief Oladimeji Igbaja, and all sons and daughters of Igbaja community on the celebration, requesting them to continue to unite for accelerated growth.

    “Let us embrace and celebrate our diversity, and continue to build bridges of understanding and empathy,” the Governor said.

    “As you are aware, our administration has embarked on various projects that touched the lives of everyone across the state, including Igbajaland. We will continue to do more to improve the lives of our people.”

    Chief Oladimeji, who was excited by the Governor’s culture of arriving early for events, praised AbdulRazaq for time management, and how the administration has executed many laudable programmes and projects in the town and elsewhere.

  • Army receives two helicopters to fight terrorism, others

    Army receives two helicopters to fight terrorism, others

    The Army has received two newly acquired Bell UH1 combat helicopters to herald the commencement of its aviation unit and boost the operational capabilities in its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

    The two helicopters arrived at the Nigeria Police Air wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The Nation reports President Bola Tinubu approved the acquisition of the initial 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack helicopters for the actualisation of army aviation.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the journey to realising the dream of army aviation had come to reality with the delivery of the two aircraft. 

    Gen. Lagbaja said the renewed drive to have an aviation wing started in 2014 when the former COAS, retired Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, established and operationalised the army aviation coordination office with a 10-year implementation plan segmented into three phases.

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

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

    “We are new to this business, and as newcomers, we must acknowledge our forerunners like the NAF, NN, and the NPF. 

    Read Also: Soldier shoots self to death in front of Army gate

    “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.”

    The COAS said the new platforms would be a game-changer for the army in its operational activities He said the aircraft would be used for casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and surveillance.

    He said helicopters would ensure flexibility in providing support to the troops in the field in terms of casualty evacuation, supply and insertion of troops in critical areas.

  • Army to deploy additional 5,937soldiers to fight banditry – COAS

    Army to deploy additional 5,937soldiers to fight banditry – COAS

    Chief of Army of Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the 5,937 soldiers who recently passed out from the Depot will be deployed to fight banditry, cattle rustling and related crimes.

    Lagbaja disclosed this during the passing out parade for the 86 regular recruit intake of the Depot Nigeria Army, in Zaria yesterday.

    The COAS who was the Special Guest of Honor and Reviewing Officer for the passing out parade, added that the new men would form part of the solution to numerous security challenges bedeviling the country.

    “The fresh products passing out today will form part of the solution to the challenge of insurgency in the north-east, banditry and cattle rustling in the north-west.

    “They will fight the farmers/herders clashes in the north-central, secessionist agitation and cultism in the south-east, militancy and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure in the south-south and south-west.”

    He noted that training was a continuous process in the military, adding that the Nigeria Army has put in place post-depot training packages to help the soldiers master the array of weapons and equipment.

    Read Also: Exercise: Don’t  panic over shooting, Army urges Kaduna residents

    This, according to him, will enable the soldiers become more efficient in the art of war.

    He said that the army was improving on the existing welfare packages to enable the soldiers cater for their medical, recreational and educational needs to ease career fulfillment.

    While congratulating the 5,937 recruits, the COAS said that the life of a soldier was a life of sacrifice to his country, allegiance to defend and, if need be, sacrifice his life for the people.

    “Sacrifice to go wherever you are ordered to, by land, sea or air; sacrifice to relegate personal comfort and assume duty to country as a primary concern,” he said.

    He said that by becoming a soldier, one had accepted the highest call to duty any Nigerian could take-up.

    He added that as soldiers, they had joined the unique league of exceptional Nigerians who had elected to abide by the requirements of exceptional discipline, loyalty, integrity and dedication to duty.

    Lagbaja, therefore, charged them not to disappoint the Nigeria Army and the country’s expectations on them.

    He commended and congratulated the commandant and instructors of Depot NA for the successful training and graduation of the recruits.

    The Army boss assured the commandant of the Army headquarters support towards realising the training objectives of the institution.

  • Exercise: Don’t  panic over shooting, Army urges Kaduna residents

    Exercise: Don’t  panic over shooting, Army urges Kaduna residents

    The 1 Division Nigerian Army on Wednesday urged residents neighboring the shooting range not to panic over the exercise, urging them to  go about their normal daily routine activities without fear.

    The acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, of the division, Lt.-Col.. Musa Yahaya advised in a statement issued in Kaduna.

    Yahaya also advised the residents to report any breach of security to the division’s Headquarters.

    He said, “1 Division Training School will conduct its final field Training Exercise for Basic Battle Course 7, within its training area around the schools’ premises in Dalet Cantonment from June  24 -28..”

    According to him, the exercise is  designed to test the students’ shooting ability and physical fitness which will ascertain their preparedness for a real life battle.

    “The Field Training Exercise will include the use of blank ammunition and pyrotechnics to simulate real time battle situations both in the day and at night.

    Read Also: Army probes alleged assault of civilians in Lagos Command College

    “Formations, Units and locals living around the Division Training School will observe tactical drills which involve firing blank ammunition and pyrotechnics during this period.

    “Residents in the neighboring Formation, Units and locals are therefore advised not to panic and go about their normal daily routine activities without fear.

    “We sincerely apologise to communities around Dalet Barracks and plead for their understanding during the period of the exercise, “Yahaya said.

    (NAN)

  • Army probes alleged assault of civilians in Lagos Command College

    Army probes alleged assault of civilians in Lagos Command College

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to investigate the unfortunate incident at the Command Secondary School Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

    Army spokesperson, Maj.-G.en. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement yesterday, that the investigation would address the allegations raised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) to ensure accountability and justice for the parties involved.

    Gen. Nwachukwu said the probe was part of COAS’s “unwavering commitment” to upholding the rights of the personnel, including the civilian staff.

    Read Also; Army Chief to soldiers: we must win all land battles

    He said the probe was to ensure accountability and justice for the parties involved.

    Gen. Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army (NA) recognises the vital role of civilian staff members in supporting its operations and is, therefore, dedicated to fostering a positive and respectful working environment for the personnel.

    He said: “While acknowledging that misunderstandings or miscommunication may occur, the ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • Army refutes alleged mass killing in Southeast

    Army refutes alleged mass killing in Southeast

    • Reps order probe into killing of soldiers in Abia

    The Nigerian Army has described the alleged mass killing by soldiers in the Southeast as “ falsehood targeted at whipping-up negative sentiments against troops and inciting anarchy in the  region.”

    Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement.

    A self-acclaimed leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, had alleged in a viral video that troops of the Nigerian Army carried out mass killing of innocent Igbos at Oliver and dumped them in the River.

    But Gen. Nwachukwu said the allegations were punctured after the video was subjected to serious scrutiny.

    He said: “ In the first instance, the troops in the video footage are not personnel of the Nigerian Army as the insignia visible on their berets clearly identifies them as personnel of the Nigerian Navy, who were engaged in a routine test firing of a weapon system mounted on a vehicle and in order to ensure the safety of other road users and commuters, the troops took precautionary measures by halting vehicular movement along the road, until the test firing was safely concluded. Observers were also kept at a safe distance, maintaining transparency and prioritizing the safety of all involved.

    “Secondly, preliminary findings also indicate that the occurrence took place in the Southwest region of the country and not the Southeast as advertised portrayed by the alarmist propagandists.

    “Furthermore, it was observed that there was no evidence to support the assertion that individuals were being shot at in the river, nor have there been any reports from local communities regarding the discovery of bodies in the area.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: Army refutes alleged mass killing in southeast

    The Army spokesperson urges the public to disregard the “unfounded claims and irredeemable falsehood being propagated by Simon Ekpa and his associates, whose apparent objective is to disseminate misinformation and incite unrest.”

    While saluting the “courage and patriotism of well-meaning and law-abiding Ndigbo” living in the Southeast and across the nation, “who despite the brazen atrocities and threats being perpetrated by Simon Ekpa and his terrorists group,” have continued to build bridges of peace and harmony across the country and promoting our national ideal of a united Nigeria, Gen. Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army remains a “pillar of stability and security, committed to the well-being of the nation and her people.”

    The House of Representatives yesterday asked security agencies to investigate the circumstances leading to the murder of soldiers by gunmen.

    Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abubakar Makki Yalleman, the House asked its Committee on Defence to interface with the Armed Forces to fish out those responsible for the act.

    Yalleman lamented the murder of the military personnel who were on peace missions, adding that the act has become a recurring decimal across the country.

    According to him, this act of attacking and killing military personnel is often carried out through surprise attacks on military formations, including checkpoints and even those on routine patrols.  He expressed sadness about the recent brutal attack on military personnel at a checkpoint at Obikabia Junction in Aba, Abia State where five soldiers were killed, adding that perpetrators of the act destroyed and burnt the military vehicles while some soldiers escaped with gunshot injuries.

    According to him, these military personnel were on a peace mission.

    He said the attack and killing of military personnel by gunmen in the Southeast and other parts of Nigeria has a potential of dampening the morale of soldiers, endangering the lives and property of Nigerians and affecting the war on insecurity which has recorded some successes.

  • JUST IN: Army refutes alleged mass killing in southeast

    JUST IN: Army refutes alleged mass killing in southeast

    The Nigerian Army has described the alleged mass killing by soldiers in southeast Nigeria as a “falsehood targeted at whipping up negative sentiments against troops and inciting anarchy in the southeast region.”

    Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said this in a statement on Wednesday, June 5.

    A self-acclaimed leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, had alleged in a viral video that troops of the Nigerian Army carried out mass killing of innocent Igbos at Oliver and dumped them in the River.

    But Gen. Nwachukwu said the IPOB leader’s allegations were punctured after the video was subjected to serious scrutiny.

    He said: “In the first instance, the troops in the video footage are not personnel of the Nigerian Army as the insignia visible on their berets clearly identifies them as personnel of the Nigerian Navy, who were engaged in a routine test firing of a weapon system mounted on a vehicle and in order to ensure the safety of other road users and commuters, the troops took precautionary measures by halting vehicular movement along the road until the test firing was safely concluded. Observers were also kept at a safe distance, maintaining transparency and prioritizing the safety of all involved.

    “Secondly, preliminary findings also indicate that the occurrence took place in the Southwest region of the country and not the southeast as advertently portrayed by the alarmist propagandists.

    Read Also: Army hands over 8 rescued Kogi varsity students to Ododo

    “Furthermore, it was observed that there was no evidence to support the assertion that individuals were being shot at in the river, nor have there been any report from local communities regarding the discovery of corpses in the area.”

    The army spokesperson urges the public to disregard the “unfounded claims and irredeemable falsehood being propagated by Simon Ekpa and his associates, whose apparent objective is to disseminate misinformation and incite unrest.”

    While saluting the “courage and patriotism of well-meaning and law-abiding Ndigbo” living in the southeast and across the nation, “who despite the brazen atrocities and threats being perpetrated by Simon Ekpa and his terrorists’ group,” have continued to build bridges of peace and harmony across the country and promoting our national ideal of a united Nigeria, Gen. Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army remains a “pillar of stability and security, committed to the well-being of the nation and her people.”

  • ‘How to transform Nigerian Army into highly-motivated force’

    ‘How to transform Nigerian Army into highly-motivated force’

    Major-General Adekunle Adeyinka, Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (CCST), has emphasised the need for concerted efforts to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, adequately-equipped, and highly-motivated force.

    He stressed that officers and men must strictly adhere to the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

    Adeyinka made the remarks on Wednesday, May 29, at the opening of CCST’s combined first and second-quarter 2024 conference at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST) in Isihor, Benin, Edo state.

    The conference had a theme: “Repositioning CCST for the Delivery of Effective Logistic Support to the Nigerian Army in a Joint Environment.”

    The commander of CCST also charged personnel of NASST to ensure that there was standardised delivery of supplies and transport support to the Nigerian army across board, in every theatre and operation.

    He noted that the conference was a medium to re-assess the performance of the corps thus far, while also serving as a platform to rijig the activities for optimal and efficient output, in support of the Nigerian army operations and other engagements in the field, while taking seriously their constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.

    Adeyinka pointed out that the conference provided an avenue for all supply and transport officers across Nigeria to come and re-access their performance towards achieving the command philosophy of the chief of army staff.

    Read Also: Why we reopened Banex Plaza, says army

    He said: “The conference is to ensure that our activities, work, thinking, preparation and training are all geared towards optimal delivery on our tasks and our responsibilities, heavily guarded by the Chief of Army Staff’s command and philosophy.

    “The conference holds every quarter. It is an avenue for us to mainly brainstorm to re-access what we have done, to look at what we need to do and to also ensure that those gaps that we see from our deliberations, the new ideas that we come across during the discussion session, and we are able to share them and deliver as one.

    “What the participants stand to gain significantly is the sharing of ideas, because you have officers from all the divisions, the supplies of transport officers from all the divisions across the country, so that we can share expertise among ourselves.”

    The commander of CCST also noted that participants at the conference would also focus on happenings in other areas and what they could learn from them while sharing their own best practices with colleagues from other areas.

    Adeyinka pointed out that all the efforts were to ensure that there was standardised delivery of supplies and transport support to the Nigerian army across the board.

  • Army reassure of security for Kogi residents

    Army reassure of security for Kogi residents

    The Nigerian Army, has reassured of improved security for Kogi residents, especially with the rising cases of kidnapping in the state.

    Maj.-Gen. Obinna Onubogu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, said this when he addressed newsmen in his maiden operational visit to the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Chari-Maigumeri Barracks, Lokoja.

    Onubogu said that nothing would be spared to ensure peace in all areas of his responsibility including Kogi.

    “We have been able to significantly reduce most issues of kidnappings and communal clashes within Kogi.

    “Just recently, we had two incidents of kidnapped students at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) and the communal clashes at Omola in Kogi East.

    “In those attacks, the troops of NA in collaboration with other security agencies were able to curb the incidence, and reassured the citizens of their safety.

    “So, when you talk of the successes, we have been able to rescue almost all the students that were kidnapped in the university, as well as conduct patrols and visit to other communal areas where there were clashes,” he said.

    Onubogu lauded Gov. Ahmed Ododo, for his prompt visit to the affected communities to reassure them of their safety as well as meeting with traditional rulers in the area to ensure peace.

    “So, by and large, our roles in aiding the civil authority within Kogi are being accomplished successfully,” he said.

    He said that his visit in the state was to motivate and reassure troops that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taureed Lagbaja, was fully behind them in all their operations.

    He commended the Commander of 12 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Haruna Dasuki, for his commitments to safeguard lives and property in the state.

    “I can assure you that the security in Kogi will continue to get better every passing day,” Onubogu stated.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to prioritise the welfare of officers and soldiers as well as putting in place adequate measures to take care of the families of fallen heroes.

    Read Also: NAFDAC, Army to prosecute illegal alcohol manufacturer 

    The GOC thanked the Kogi Government for providing facilities for the troops in their operational units.
    “The Kogi Government has been supportive and we are very grateful,” he added.

    NAN reports that the 12 Brigade Commander Brig.-Gen. Dasuki, led the GOC on a tour of facilities in the barracks and also to commission some projects.

    Highlight of the tour was the planting of trees by the GOC at the barracks.

    Some students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, were kidnapped by suspected bandits on May 9.

    (NAN)

  • NAFDAC, Army to prosecute illegal alcohol manufacturer 

    NAFDAC, Army to prosecute illegal alcohol manufacturer 

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is set to prosecute illegal alcohol manufacturer, Chinedu Okafor who was nabbed for illegal manufacturing of alcoholic drinks in Badagary, Lagos, it emerged on Sunday.

    According to the agency, the confiscated products, valued at over N50m will also be destroyed.

    The prosecution followed the arrest of Okafor from his residence at No. 24, MTN Road, Badagry, where he carried out the illegal drinks manufacturing operations by NAFDAC enforcement officers, followed intelligence collaboration from the Nigerian Army’s 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry.

    The Director General (DG), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC will continue to ensure that the level of counterfeit products nationwide is brought to the nearest minimum so that Nigerians will continue to consume only healthy and safe products. 

    In a statement by the Agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, Okafor’s suspicious activities caught the attention of the Nigerian Army, leading to his arrest and subsequent handover to NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border. 

    According to the statement, in its determination to purge the country of fake and substandard products, upon inspection, NAFDAC officers evacuated all equipment and materials used in the production of illicit drinks, and effectively shut down the illegal factory. 

    Read Also: Immigration service to deploy e-solutions to border areas in Kebbi

    “Investigations revealed Okafor’s longstanding involvement in this criminal activity, which has potentially compromised regulated alcohol drinks in the Badagry area

    “Okafor will face prosecution, and all offending products will be destroyed, with an estimated value exceeding N50m,” the agency noted. 

    In its advisory to the public, NAFDAC emphasized the need for public vigilance and urged citizens to report suspicious activities to safeguard public health. 

    While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, the agency is also tasking consumers to always scrutinize branded drinks to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them. 

    “Drinking adulterated alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, blue-tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or passing out. 

    “It can also lead to kidney and liver failure or even DEATH. Methanol, a substance which can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness. 

    “WHO, in their Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health estimated that more than three million people died all over the world as a result of alcohol poisoning. 

    “Furthermore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ascertained that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to Alcohol and 4.7 percent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to consumption of adulterated alcohol.

    “NAFDAC wishes to advise that members of the public should shine their eyes and think about the 4 Ps – Place, Price, Packaging and Product before buying alcohol.

    “Only buy NAFDAC-registered drinks from reputable and licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets,” it noted.