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Tag: Army

  • Army kills bandit, rescue women in Zamfara

    One bandit and two members of vigilante group popularly known as yan sa kai were killed in an encounter at Fegin Kanawa community of Tsafe local Government Area of Zamfara state.

    The attacked was carried out by the bandits around 11:40 pm on Saturday.

    A source disclosed to our reporter that the bandits unleashed the attack by making their presence known with a sporadic gun shooting that broke their peaceful sleep shattering the calm night and sending shear terror to their minds.

    Army deputy director public relations, Major Clement K. Abiade confirmed the incident revealing that the military that were in constant patrol of the area responded quickly and were able to rescue two women who were already reunited with their families.

    Abiade disclosed that the military will continue provide peaceful atmosphere to the vast populace and curtail activities of the bandits in Zamfara state while constant patrol will be on daily basis.

  • Army set to flush out bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina

    THE Army 8 Division is set to conduct an internal security-based exercise, code named: “Ex Harbin Kunama IV” in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

    The exercise, which aimed at flushing out armed bandits and insurgents groups from identified forest areas and strongholds, is scheduled to hold from April 1 to June 30, 2019.

    Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the division, Major Clement Abiade, stated in a statement through WhatsApp that the aim of the exercise “is also to bolster the confidence of the people of the region to go about their daily lives unhindered under the security umbrella of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

    Members of the public, according to the statement, were advised not to panic on seeing increased movement of troops, armoured vehicles, equipment and sound of firing arms in the designated exercise and operation areas.

    Read also: We have recorded success against Boko Haram – Army

    Major Abiade added that necessary control measures were already put in place to ensure that no one is harm as a result of the exercise.

    Consequently, a news conference in this regard comes up today at 1 Brigade Conference Hall, (former Government Quarters), off JB Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau, Zamfara State by 1.30pm.

  • Boko Haram: We need more troops, armoured tanks, elders in Michika beg Army

    Community leaders in Michika, Adamawa, appealed to Nigerian Army to deploy more troops and armoured tanks to the town to enhance security.

    The appeal followed an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on March 18 on the only commercial bank building in the town on a robbery mission but were repelled by the army.

    Some of the leaders made the appeal during an operational visit to the town by Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the army, and Commander Sector 1 on Friday.

    Muhammed Usman, an elder and Head of Muslim Community in Michika, said the call was imperative to fast track and revamp socio-economic activities in the community.

    He explained that additional checkpoints should be mounted in Kuburshosho Goni and Shuwa areas in the town to check future attacks.

    He also urged the army to furnish residents with means of reaching out to them when distressed, saying many locals heard the news of the Monday attack but were constrained to reach out to military authorities.

    He said: “Sometimes we hear news of the movement of the insurgents just five kilometers away from the town but we dont know how to communicate to army. There is the need for army to give us telephone numbers to call when distressed.”

    Mr Jidda Kwache, an elder and District Head of Michika, said that the deployment of more troops in the area would

    complement the efforts of the fighting troops on ground.

    Kwacha said that the last time the town witnessed any attack was in 2014, noting that the Monday attack left uncertainty in the

    minds of the people in the community.

    He added that “we thank Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the army, and Commander

    Sector 1 for the visit to Michika to sympathise with us.

    “This visit is an indication of your firm commitment toward civic protection and restoring peace. You have restored our hopes and

    confidence to remain in our community.

    “We assure you of our total support and commitment to provide you with the neccesary support to discharge your duties.”

    Read Also: Nigerians blast Army over comments on Rivers election

    Alhaji Saidu Lawal, the District Head of Bazza, also commended the GOC and troops of the 143 battalion for responding to their

    calls to prevent the terrorist from causing havoc in the community.

    Lawal said “we need more soldiers to complement the efforts of those on ground. We also notice that the artillary and armoured

    tanks we use to have in 2014, are no more in Michika; we are appealing that those equipment be deployed again.

    “Initially, we thought the whole town will be overran by the insurgents but through the gallent efforts of your troops, the attack

    was repelled and for this, we want to say thank you.”

    Yakubu Jaha-Michika, the Commander of Hunters in Michika, appealed to the Adamawa Government to deploy more security operatives

    to the area.

    Jaha-Michika said that the state government should arm and equip local hunters to help in providing local vigilance patrol.

    The Caretacker Chairman of Michika Local Government Area, Bitrus Vandi, narrated his ordeal during the Monday attack, saying

    that the report came from Kofa, a naighbouring village.

    Vandi said that when he recieved the distress call of the impending attack, he quickly alerted the DPO and the troops commander in the town, who rushed to the scene to repel the attack.

    He added: “The insurgents stormed the town with gun trucks mounted with Anti-Air craft and motorcycle.”

    Reacting, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu said he was in the town to sympathise with the people on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He urged the community, traditional and religious leaders in the town to support the military’s effort to defeat Boko Haram and other undesirable elements.

    He said “security is everybody’s business and not for army alone, I, therefore, urge you to always provide prompt information on any suspicious

    activities.”

    He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army toward restoring peace and dignity of the people.

    Meanwhile, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited Michika, reports that nomalcy has returned to the town as people were seen going about their daily businesses.

  • Sokoto re-run: Army extends show of force to six violence-prone LGAs

    The Nigeria Army on Friday extended its “Show of Force Exercise” to six violence-prone local government areas in Sokoto State preparatory to the Saturday supplementary elections in the state.

    The affected local government areas are Raba, Kebbe, Gada, Goronyo, Sabon Birni and Isa.

    Addressing the motorcade before taking off from Sokoto, Maj.-Gen. Hakeem Otiki, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army, said the exercise was to arouse public attention to the presence of the military.

    Otiki explained that the exercise was not meant to intimidate the public, but to express army readiness to curtail any form of public disturbance.

    He said further that the exercise would also serve as warning to hoodlums and other disgruntled elements that might plan or intend to disrupt the upcoming supplementary elections.

    The GOC added that similar exercise was conducted for hours in Sokoto metropolis on Thursday and urged the people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ensuring peaceful coexistence in the country.

    He, however, cautioned all violators of peace to be wary of the repercussion, stressing that the military were always ready to secure lives and safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity.

    ‘’I urge you to feel free and to come out on that day to exercise your civic responsibility at the selected places within the periods.

    The exercise was conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security Service (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    Okiti urged the officers to be disciplined, adding that discipline was the bedrock of achieving success in all aspects of life. (NAN)

  • Army: politicians back fake soldiers

    The Nigerian Army yesterday raised the alarm that politicians across the country are giving thugs military uniforms to impersonate its personnel and engage in criminal acts during elections.

    Its spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa said credible intelligence information indicated that the impostors are giving arms and uniforms like soldiers in order to lower the reputation of the Nigerian Army.

    Colonel Musa who released the photographs of some the fake soldiers said victims of the onslaught of fake soldiers might not be able to distinguish the difference as social media platforms have created more confusion on the matter.

    He said in a statement that the Nigerian Army would not rest in its oars until the masterminds of the development are brought to book.

    Colonel Musa said :”credible intelligence available to the Nigerian Army (NA) has confirmed the kitting of political thugs with military uniforms and arming of same, to impersonate soldiers and perpetrate various crimes in the furtherance of the activities of their political bosses.

    “Sadly, these thugs have severally been wrongly viewed and addressed as real military personnel on various social and mainstream media channels including blogs, chat rooms and messaging platforms thereby bringing the reputation of the NA on several occasions to disrepute.

    “The NA understands that most civilians caught in the callous onslaught of these murderous thugs might not be able to distinguish between a genuine soldier from an impersonator, especially when they are armed with military-type weapons.

    ” However, several of such arrested impostors have given useful information that has led to unravelling the level of criminal involvement of some politicians in arming thugs for their depraved selfish gains.

    ” Consequently, the NA would continue with the line of investigations being pursued to bring to successful prosecution, both the arrested impostors and their sponsors.

    “In the interim, the NA would continue to advice well-meaning citizens to avoid been used as tools in the hands of such wicked politicians who would go to any immoral length, including meeting out violence, to steal the mandate of the people. “Nobody’s selfish ambition is worth the life of an innocent Nigerian citizen”.

    “Additionally, the NA would continue to use every opportunity available to remined Nigerians of its apolitical, neutral and non-partisan stance. The NA would continue to execute its constitutional responsibilities of providing aid to civil authorities in order to create a safe and secure environment where real democratic processes would thrive.

    “To this end, the NA would gladly welcome any information from the public about known or suspected impostors/armed thugs being used to perpetrate violence in the society, for the furtherance of the wicked ambitions of any criminal individual. Please be assured that every such information would be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.”

  • Rivers:Army probes invasion of commissioner’s residence by security agents

    The Nigerian Army said on Friday that it would investigate the alleged invasion of residence of the Rivers State commissioner of education by some security agents.

    Its spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement that the Army would not hesitate to punish any of its personnel involved in any such act as they have been told in clear terms the rules of engagement regarding the on going democratic process in the country.

    The statement reads :”The Nigerian Army (NA) has observed some CCTV footages in circulation on social media and other online platforms, allegedly showing soldiers of the NA and other security agents invading the residence of the Rivers State Commissioner of Education, Hon. Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.

    “The NA has started conducting a comprehensive forensic investigation of the footages to authenticate the validity or otherwise of the claims to guide its further actions.

    Read Also: Army redeploys top officers

    “In the view of these allegations, the NA, for the umpteenth time, categorically reiterate its position in the entire conduct of the 2019 General elections as severally and consistently espoused and directed by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai which is – “NA is apolitical, neutral, impartial and will not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise”.

    “For RE-emphasis, NA’s responsibility in the entire electioneering process is only to assist civil authority, Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to – “provide a secure, peaceful and enabling environment for the successful and transparent conduct of the election”.

    “Anything beyond this is not authorized and therefore totally unacceptable by the leadership of the NA.

    “Any military personnel confirmed to be involved in any professional misconduct, such a person/s would be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.

    “To this end, the NA wishes to request well-meaning Nigerians to always forward genuine complaints and evidences of professional misconduct against any of its personnel for investigation and necessary action.”

  • Troops foil robbery attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway

    Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, on Friday foiled a suspected robbery attempt on the Benin-Lagos expressway.

    Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, who confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin, said that the troops on Operation Safe Conduct, were on a routine patrol when they received a distress call on the development.

    He said the troops immediately reacted to the distress call and foiled the robbery attempt at the general area of Okada Junction.

    Read Also: French troops kill senior Islamist militant in Mali

    Maidawa further said that the action of the troops, who mobilised to the scene, denied the men of the underworld opportunity to unleash terror on commuters plying the busy road.

    “The armed robbers who barricaded the road fled into the bush on sighting the army patrol team.

    “Troops cleared the barricade for commuters to continue their journey, while the troops continued with their patrol to prevent all forms of criminality within the general area,” he said.

  • EU Observers hail Army

    European Union observers yesterday lauded the Nigerian Army for its roles in ensuring peaceful elections, saying its delegation wish to gain more insights in tomorrow’s election.

    A statement by Army’s  spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the observers made the remark during a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt Gen Tukur Buratai at the Army Headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

    Colonel Musa said :”Some delegates of European Union Observers for Nigeria 2019 General elections have met with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai along with his Principal Staff Officers at the COAS conference room today the 7th of March 2019.

    “The purpose of the visit is to gain insight of the  NA on its roles and responsibilities in the recent federal election and the upcoming state election.

    “The Head of the delegation and Deputy Chief Observer, Ms Hannah Roberts, commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen Buratai and other sister security agencies for their commendable roles during the just-concluded federal election.

    “According to her  let me thank you for finding time to receive us and commend the NA roles in the recent federal elections.” We are here to further gain insight on the role and responsibilities of the NA in the recent election and the upcoming state election” , she added.

    “In his brief remarks, the COAS, on behalf of the entire personnel of the NA, expressed appreciation to the delegates for the visit.

    “He  explained that the role of the NA is not interfering with the electioneering processes as peedled by mischief makers but performing our constitutional duty as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria which is to provide security.

    “we are prepared and mandated by the nation’s constitution to support the Nigerian police and other security agencies to ensure secure and peaceful conduct of the election,” he added.

    “He used the opportunity to emphasised that the NA is apolitical and neutral and will support the police and civil authority to deal with  threat to national security.

    “Principal Staff Officers and some Commanders were in attendance.”

     

     

  • Haruna commends Nigerian Army’s response to Boko Haram attacks in Michik

    Former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna has hailed the effort of the Nigerian Army as well other security agencies over their prompt and gallant response to Boko Haram attacks in his community, Michika.
    Members of the Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Michika town, the headquarters of  Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State barely few days to the supplementary election, but the Nigerian Army in a gallant response quelled the uprising by neutralizing the terrorists who came in their numbers
    Mr Haruna in a statement signed personally by him said;
    “It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    “I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    “In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.” he added.
    Full Statement
    I wish to most profoundly commend the Nigerian army and other security agencies for the their prompt and gallant response to the attack in Michika, my community yesterday by suspected  Boko Haram insurgents.
    It would be recalled that Michika came under intense attack yesterday night 18th, March, 2019 which lasted  for hours during which the Nigerian army gallantly and professionally  engaged the insurgents in a deadly gun battle, for which we are most grateful.
    It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall  also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.
    In  keeping with the spirit of steadfastness,  we must not lose sight of our civic duties and responsibilities as we keep a date  with the March 23rd, 2019 forthcoming  supplementary election in  4 or 6 Polling Units in  Michika and other 13 Local Government Areas across the state.
    We must be part of making history  towards ushering in a purposeful and focused leadership that will fast track the full return to nomalcy of life for our people through the rebuilding of our destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure. It is doable. Yes! it is with the correct leadership.

     

  • Nigerian elections and the military: between fiction and facts 

    The 2019 general elections in Nigeria have come and gone.  Another batch of democratic leaders have been empowered by majority of constituents to lead their destinies for another four years.
    Spectacularly, the myths, the anxieties, the phobias and the uncertainty generated by the elections have also silently ebbed out for calm and introspection among Nigerians.
    However, the tensions generated by the general elections had some outstanding issues worthy of further scrutiny in the post- election era. The fear of widespread electoral violence by political actors across Nigeria scrambling for power was real,  scary and chilly.
    And with the 2015 prediction by former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell that general elections in Nigeria would offer a plank for the total break-up of the country still hovering,  the 2019 Nigeria’s general elections posed very disturbing challenges of insecurity.
    This feeling caused more than a stir in Nigerians;  it attracted lamentations from unusual quarters’. And for a nation which had once tested the bitter pills of a civil strife and which is currently confronted with multilayered insecurity threats, adding the fire of electoral violence on the subsisting problems was a nightmare.
    President Muhammadu Buhari had to take pro-active measures by deploying the Army to ensure the security of Nigerians and a peaceful electoral exercise. Expectedly, in democracy, people are bound to oppose the best of intentions or policies of government.
    There is the lawful tendency by opposition to stiffly antagonize, condemn and even berate government on every initiative, even if it is the best. Therefore, the deployment of soldiers to aid civil security, which postured apparently and conveniently as incompetent in handling the happenstance of security breaches that may sprout up also attracted criticisms and jibes from some Nigerians.
    Opposition parties, human rights activists, patriots and the organized civil society community in Nigeria perceived it more as an attempt by the ruling APC Federal Government of Nigeria to use soldiers  in order to  compromise a free, fair and credible elections. They saw it more  as militarization of the electoral process and  a concealed motive to undermine the sanctity of the ballot in favour of the incumbent government which was also a major contender in the elections.
    But with the general elections over, it is pretty good that whatever apprehension nursed by Nigerians, whether genuine or fake over the elections was never allowed to materialize. The proponents of doom were disappointed; the troubleshooters who plotted violent disruptions during elections were not given a chance to ply their evil trade on Nigeria. The anticipated consuming electoral violence, which many feared would extinguish the nation was imprisoned.
    However, the lacuna in the post mortem analysis  of the general elections is the lack of a  corresponding capacity of those who dreaded the participation of Nigerian soldiers to applaud the Army for the intervention which immensely assisted to deliver  flawless elections to Nigeria. The critics have forgotten so soon that the soldiers secured Nigeria and prevented electoral fraudsters from stimulating crisis that would have consumed the country. Nigerians are not oblivious of this reality, but are shocking mute, instead of open appreciation of the Nigerian Army.
    Whatever is their mindset, today, it is easy to differentiate between facts and fiction  from the assailing narratives which preceded the elections. And in most cases, it tended to unfairly cast aspersions on the institution of the Nigerian Army and our soldiers generally.
    It was hard to discern how Nigerians could forget very easily the reforms the COAS and leader  of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt.Gen. TY Buratai enforced on the Army. It was somewhat irritating that these critics ignored the consistent exhibition of professionalism by soldiers in all their national assignments under  its current leadership.
    Nigerian soldiers have demonstrated in words and actions in the past three years,  a penchant of compliance with the Constitution of Nigeria, total submission to civilian authorities  and  sticking to rules of engagement; soldiers have evidently dispensed themselves as sticklers to international best practices in the observance of human rights of the people in all their operations.
    And when it became expedient for soldiers to provide back-up security for the general elections, Gen. Buratai again spelt out clearly the rules of engagement to Army personnel. Soldiers were strongly admonished to preserve and respect the tenets of military professionalism;  the rules of engagement and the Constitution of Nigeria during and after the elections.
    The Army Chief was lucid that “None of our personnel will be involved in political campaigns, escort of VIPs for political missions and, above all, aiding or supporting any political party….Our rules of engagement and code of conduct have not assigned any political role to the army in this regard. The army’s involvement in the elections starts and ends with the provision of peaceful and secure environment for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.”
    And throughout the duration of the series of elections held in Nigeria, the soldiers never deviated from this path of honour and respect for the rules of engagement. They provided escort for the haulage of sensitive electoral materials to various destinations; put a wedge to incidents of diversion of electoral materials; tackled ballot snatchers and other electoral fraudsters who often are the harbingers or stimulators of electoral violence,  deaths and the concomitant protests and destructive arsons.
    A number of election observers have glowingly acknowledged the wonderfully impartial and non-partisan  roles played by the Army in safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot in the 2019 general elections. There is no modicum of doubt that the military as a professional institution offered a selfless and professional support which indubitably prevented doomsday in Nigeria.
    Consequently, with the general elections over and conducted peacefully, with minimal cases of violence, the Nigerian Army deserve some accolades from the same critics and groups which demeaned it with vituperations and unfairly castigated soldiers. They should be humble enough to again embark on a voyage of deconstruction of their weird myth of militarization of the general elections as erroneously propagated. It is the only task they can perform now to free their conscience.
    Critics and scholars alike, in Nigeria and beyond who are yet to properly comprehend the role of the military in a democracy, the Nigerian Army is now their resource material. The Army has offered them a pragmatic and priceless resource material by their highly professional and excellent  conduct or actions, as signposted by their participation   in the 2019 general elections.
    Both the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Buhari and the Army Chief, Gen. Buratai  are not prepared to relent in ensuring the Nigerian  Army remains a positive  reference point  on adherence to professionalism and  rules of engagement. With the impressive outing by soldiers, the criticisms about the militarization of the general elections have been proven to be unfounded and baseless after all.