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Tag: Army

  • Army, tomorrow’s polls and sanctity of constitutional orders

    I trust Lt. Gen, TY Buratai, the COAS and leader of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations. He  is a man worth the trust. He first earned my trust when he punished scores of solders who played undemocratic roles in the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti state. They were punished for professional misconduct and acts inimical to the striving of democracy in Nigeria. It is his mindset and expectations from the Army Personnel  he is leading.

    I know the strength he has put into reforming and repositioning the Army into a decent and respected institution. When the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces,President Muhammdau Buhari  issued an order, asking security agents or the Army particularly  to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers or election riggers some professional election riggers panicked. They wailed loudly or are making distractive noise.

    But  it is needless for anybody to panic. The immutable truth  can be gleaned from the antecedents of Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the  Nigerian Army, when it is brought into perspective. Under his watch the Army has remained apolitical, neutral  and completely subordinated to civil authority. They obey every  norm of civil community.

    And preparatory to the  first round of the coming ballot, I was impressed to know that Gen. Buratai has not deviated from his famed culture and reflection of a re-professionalized Army.  He met with the Army’s principal staff officers, general officers commanding and brigade commanders and  briefed or reminded them on what is expected of soldiers during the national elections.

    And he issued unambiguous directives to soldiers who may want to become part of the herds of politicians in Nigeria  to resign their membership of the Nigerian Army to become active partisans. I consider this as good tidings and what should console Nigerians interested in free, fair and credible elections.

    Every soldier now knows our democracy must survive and in the special assignments that are drafted to assist civil security, the human rights of the citizens must be held sacrosanct.

    The  Nigerian Army has not flinched even for a second in  providing the needed support  the Police, DSS, Civil Defence to effectively function in their  duties of securing Nigeria.  So, I think no one should have anything to fear if there is no ulterior motive.  I am sure those gripped with a phobia of the Army are politicians who are sponsoring electoral thuggery. And for their agents; that is, the thugs, ballot snatchers and indeed, those who attempt to compromise security and the electoral process, it’s certainly a bad market for them. The Gen. Buratai I know will not give them breathing space.

    We have living witnesses to what the Army did in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.  The Army never spilled  a blood.  It only ensured  scaremongers and electoral thieves are chained so that citizens freely exercised their franchise peacefully.  In the elections too, I foresee nothing different. So, Nigerians deliberately de-marketing the Army or those who have indulged in smear campaigns against soldiers are just inherently evil. They are the terrorists and should not deserve our sympathy.

    A terrorist is not  only someone who finds himself in a place  like Sambisa forest or the plains of the Northeast with bombs or other explosives alone. But our country has known and experienced electoral terrorists who torment the the people on election days; they are those who snatch ballot boxes at gun point. They have been the source of electoral apathy in Nigeria. These are characters who freely violate the constitution of Nigeria or debase or even disregard  laws which guide public sanity. We are aware of elements  like those in  IPOB or the  Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN ). Their adherents are still armed and hired on election days to do odious jobs.

    I don’t think any responsible government would watch and clap its hands  for criminals who brag in public that they are not subject  to the laws of the land; and that they will not obey Nigerian constitution. We must not allow this to continue. And Gen. Buratai has come to our rescue.

    They have said many times  that they do not believe in the authority of the Commander -in –Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces. They are the secret and overt warlords threatening our security, peace and unity. We see their shadows in   Boko Haram insurgents. And sadly, we are beginning to also see their images in the  desperate agents  of PDP. They are hell-bent on frustrating  or messing-up everything that President Buhari has achieved in building our democracy.

    I cannot understand the desperation of PDP to rig the elections at all cost. This manifestation of  PDP is worse than what Boko Haram and other insurrectionists  have done to the Nigerian nation.  The satanic quest of  PDP  led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some Governors to return an Alhaji  Atiku Abubakar  to power is quite funny. So,  it is this desperation that has compelled them  to drag the military into their political permutations despite its apolitical nature.  But they will not succeed. Nigerians are alert.

    I want to say, the  fear of ballot box snatching  is real and every Nigerian looks up to the Army to be able to provide the needed security support for us  to exercise  our franchise.  I therefore plead with the PDP and its apostates to allow the Nigerian Army focus on its role and responsibilities,  as those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear.

    It is on record that our troops have not unlawfully engaged any citizen in any arms’ struggle . We know this much.  Even in Rivers  state sometime,  in 2016 when militants opened fire on troops during a rerun election , the Army didn’t retaliate,  but rather fished out the criminals and handed  them over  to the police for lawful prosecution. That is the quintessential Gen. Buratai any day you find him. In the next general elections commencing this Saturday, the Army will act in  same manner.

     

    Murphy is a security expert  based in Calabar.

  • Army dismisses video of human rights abuse

    The Nigerian Army Thursday dismissed trending videos of human rights abuse circulating in the social media, insisting that the persons in military uniforms are not its personnel.

    It said in a statement endorsed by its Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, that going by the reforms initiated by the present leadership of Lt. General Tukur Buratai, the dress code of military personnel has changed compared to the ones put on by those in the video.

    Colonel Musa maintained that Lt. General Buratai would not condone flagrant violation of human rights especially by soldiers, but that he has done everything possible to ensure that soldiers strictly abide by their codes of professional ethics and rules of engagement.

    He said: “looking at the video closely and carefully, even without or before deliberate investigation is conducted, one can raise salient fundamental common sense observations with regards to the video especially on the 3 persons that are dressed in camouflage uniform. The observations are:

    “The persons in uniform, – all of them – completely – lack military bearing. None of them is fully dressed like present day Nigerian Army (NA) personnel. The camouflage is not the proper NA camouflage in use today. This can easily be compared and corroborated.

    ” The style of their dressing and the dressing itself, – is at variance with the dressing pattern of contemporary NA soldiers – No name sign on the chest, desert boots on woodland camouflage?

    “Again, putting on belt on top of camouflage uniform has since been banned in NA dress code! Look at the black boot of one of the soldiers in the video – looking – too Civil!

    “The setting/the environment in which the atrocity, – the rights abuse was conducted is also suspicious. ‘Soldiers’ carrying a suspect into a private house not barracks?

    “And watching carefully from the victim to the perpetrators of the abuse, – the whole show, the drama appeared staged managed.

    “Ordinarily, how can soldiers of a national army abducted and brutalized in a manner as shown in the video a fellow country man or woman and records it only for public to watch? Of what gain is that to him or them as shown in the clip. In other words there is more to this evil machination.

    “Significantly, with the silent professional transformation going on in the NA and the professional temperament of the NA leadership at all levels of command, one will be doubtful of the conduct of these “fake soldiers’ as shown in the video recording.

    “NA will surely investigate and make its findings public. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with decisively and appropriately.“

  • Police arrest lawmaker’s brother, two others, for unlawful possession of arms

    The police in Delta state says it has arrested three, including a younger brother to the lawmaker representing Udu constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, for alleged possession of arms.

    The suspects, Akpevwe Uviejitobor, David Ukiri and Alfred Joseph, were according to a statement by the police, apprehended by officers deployed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to secure electoral materials.

    The statement which was signed by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Orisewejie Chuks, revealed that the trio claimed to be  vigilante members, detailed by their “chairman” to escort electoral materials.

    Expressing shock over the level at which voluntary organizations are meddling into security matters, especially as it concerns the 2019 elections, the police reiterated that it is no business of theirs to provide security during the polls.

    Recall that the police had banned vigilante groups from engaging in matters of elections only few days back.

    The statement added that only the Nigerian Police, Army, Navy, Civil Defence, Federal Road Safety, Immigration, Air Force and DSS are tasked with security responsibility in the course of the voting exercise.

    It further cautioned stakeholders who have or plan to use the services of private security agents, volunteers, vigilante guards for the purpose of securing or escorting electioneering materials to halt such plans, adding that, “any such armed private security personnel in whatever form or guise will be approximately dealt with”.

    The suspects, The Nation gathered, have been moved to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, for further interrogations.

    Reacting to the development, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), House of Assembly Candidate in the area, Mr. Benjamin Sharta, said the arrest confirmed their “claims,” that some persons intend to hijack the electoral process.

    Commending the police for being proactive, Sharta stated that the arrests will help secure the people’s mandate and ensure peace in the area.

    Calling on Udu people to come out en masse to vote, he said, “I want to thank the Police Force because at first, we were thinking that nobody will come out on the voting day to cast their votes. Every normal Nigerian must exercise his civic duty. This alone will make Udu people come out en masse to vote for their various choices.

    “What other persons have been thinking is how to disrupt votes with their arms which they bought but by the help and intelligence of the Police Force, God has vindicated our claims. Because when we were telling some persons, they were thinking that we were just trying to play tricks.

    “We are very, very happy to have the people of Udu relieved. Those hoodlums who want to disrupt them from casting their votes have been apprehended. Also, know that some are still running with one or two arms in their possessions, but with the position of the Police, we believe those persons will be apprehended and brought to book,” the lawmaker hopeful stressed.

  • Re: “On the ‘lie-gend of Buratai:” when reason deserts a critic

    I least knew the concept of the book “ The Legend of Buratai,” authored   Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani  would elicit  excitingly   robust  attention. It is a fictional narrative of the daring escapades of Nigerian soldiers led by the irrepressible and craggy soldier, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai against the Islamic extremist sect, Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.
    To assert that the book is a fine fictional rendition of these military adventures is stating the obvious. It belongs to the category of children’s literature and slated for public presentation on May 17, 2019 to an audience of school children in Abuja.  But some public commentators are having sleepless nights over a matter which has no correlation with their clearly poisoned minds.  I am excited for one reason; in academics criticisms are an implicit expression of the strength of a piece of art work.
    The article by one Abimbola Adelakun captioned, “the lie-gend of Buratai,” is one criticism which has compelled my deeper appreciation of the “The Legend of Buratai.”  It fruitlessly attempted to parody the concept of the book and, Gen.  Buratai its main character.
    In this desperation, the critic blindfolds herself  and pours out barefaced umbrage on Gen. Buratai and members of the academia who are celebrating Buratai’s heroic deeds in droves. She questions the elevation of Gen. Buratai to the mythical status of a legend. I perceive critic Adelakun as a commentator on a vengeful mission in a world she is thoroughly disenchanted and disillusioned, but does not know where to direct her anger.
    In her state of mind, I saw a replica of what writer Jack Kerouac says; “If critics say your work stinks it’s because they want it to stink and they can make it stink by scaring you into conformity with their comfortable little standards. Standards so low that they can no longer be considered “dangerous” but set in place in their compartmental understandings.”
    So, the determination to deconstruct a positive story, sees the critic twisting facts and even outrightly peddling lies  to make the imagined reasons for the  upbraid  appear convincing . But her twists and crafted lies have fascinated me more and (I believe others) to the contents of the book.
    It is not difficult to fetch the motive of the critic, as a hireling on a destructive voyage, who must demolish her target at all cost. This feeling assails with the opening paragraph. It says; “Since he became the Chief of Army Staff, a pattern of narcissism has followed the pronouncements and actions of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Even the military under him comes up with funny ideas such as setting up zoos and parks in barracks, establishing cattle ranches, and producing military vehicles.”
    What begs for understanding is why the critic feels the Army under Gen. Buratai should not be narcissistic. There is no sane reason for soldiers who are winning the war on Boko Haram to flaunt the egoistic aura about their exploits on the battlefront. We were in Nigeria when poorly armed soldiers flinched at the battlefield before insurgents.  But the narrative has changed in favour of Nigeria with the winning streaks.
    And to think that in the era of economic crunch, the Army should have no business with sourcing for other channels of revenue generation to enhance its incomes by frowning at why it dabbled into agricultural investments is absurd.  It is also ludicrous to berate Buratai’s tinkering with the idea of partnership with automobile companies in Nigeria to manufacture military vehicles under a government, which sermonizes the policy of self-dependence and local content in patronage of goods and services.
    Adelakun is wailing loudly about the obsession of the academic community with the Buratai phenomenon by authoring books about him or naming structures after him. But it goes to profess that truth cannot be repressed. And the intelligentsia have seen the glaring changes in Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the Army and the daring exploits of the troops he leads against terrorists these past three years.
    The critic’s innuendo that Buratai is influencing these memorable gestures is infantile reasoning, unprovable and far from the reality.  While people like her , perhaps, enviously holds back appreciation to the legacies of Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian soldiers, everyone must not toe her mindset.
    Therefore, critic Adelakun describes the thematic thrust  of the literary rendition of Gen. Buratai as a “monstrous lie,” because she knows it, but pained to recognize that the Army Chief has reclaimed  all the 17 LGAs or  captured territories in Nigeria. It was a herculean task with his two or three predecessors.
    Buratai has demystified Sambisa forest. And Nigerians know, it is not a “monstrous lie,” that insurgents’ operations have been confined to the obscure parts of Borno state and the Lake Chad Basin, stretching into the Niger and Chadian Republics.
    Nigerians know it is not deception that the capacity of insurgents to strike recklessly and freely, visiting horrendous atrocities on every part of Northern Nigeria, including Abuja has been severely weakened by the troops led by Gen. Buratai.  It is indubitable that over 17, 000 Nigerians, including Chibok and Dapchi school girls have regained their freedom from Boko Haram captivity and reunited with families under his leadership of the Army.
    Anyone is free to hate Buratai, but it cannot obviate these historical facts. Evidentially, poorly equipped troops cannot achieve such milestones in the combat against terrorists. The critic is free to guess the armoury strength of the Nigerian Army as poor. But what is certain is that the army cannot publicly disclose or display the sophistry of its arsenal to please critics as nicely bargained from time to time. Its not done anywhere and they can howl till the end of the world, but nothing would reverse this policy.
    But truth is powerful. It triumphs over falsehood and it influences the mind into subconscious ululations in acknowledgment.  And moved by this potent force, the critic who remonstratively doubted  the legend in Gen. Buratai, still  confessed  that  “Yes, indeed, the man has been at the helm of affairs in the fight against Boko Haram. While there has been some victory against Boko Haram (and part of it preceded Buratai in office anyway), the battle is far from over.”
     Even in  this natural flow of acknowledgement, the critic still incurably anguishes in conceding all the deserved accolades to Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian troops.  But it does not escape notice and no one is begging his appreciation.
    I find the critic’s allusion to Gen. Buratai   as a politician very revolting and uncharitable.  Buratai is not a politician by any nuance, but the critic adamantly  stated;  “ Ideally, the university is where the antics of a politician desperate to write himself into history as a legend should have met the stiffest resistance.”
     It all betrays the critic’s cloudiness in the ideas she has penciled down or expressed. How does Gen. Buratai qualify as a politician?  It is spurred by the feeling that the affection Buratai enjoys from the academic community across regions of Nigeria is sponsored. And of course,  it is true, only politicians have the financial muscle to embark or fund  such projects.  But Buratai is feted naturally.
    Adelakun should know there is nothing abnormal for soldiers to die in war. American troops battling terrorism in the Middle East are killed every day by terrorists, but the American government does not make funfare of their burials. But Gen. Buratai has always accorded a befitting burial to slain  gallant soldiers in the course of battling insurgency.
    And to blame Gen. Buratai for the bandits killings in some states or kidnappings is stretching the argument beyond tolerable limits. The critic should know, the first constitutional responsibility of the Army is not for internal security. They only intervene through the instrumentality of a Presidential Order and in all instances, they have performed impressively and deserve no such vilification.
    The critic revealed her mask identity when she  delved into the controversial attack on the convoy of the COAS in Zaria and his backing of the lawless  Iranian-sponsored members of  Shiites in Nigeria. Similarly, he expressed fondness for the aberrational   Nnamdi Kanu-led armed criminal gangs assembled under IPOB. No sane or patriotic citizen of a country backs enemies of the state to torment and terrorize the people.
    Only in Nigeria, one finds critics like Adelakun, devoting pen and time defending the foreign-backed agents of destabilization against their own country.  When such incensed sects mow down innocent people in unprovoked attacks, critics like Adelakun  do not raise a voice in condemnation or lament the violation of the human rights of the victims.  No one is cowed by such empty and patronizing criticisms.
    Gen. Buratai has done enough for his country, Nigeria and deserves every adoration. Those who have embarked on baseless criticisms of his stewardship are only blinded by an illogicality, propelled by selfishness, which bows to the detects of covert paymasters. But to the contrary, he is not denigrated by it.
    The Army Chiefs uncountable admirers will always console themselves with the wisdom of novelist   Kurt Vonnegut who says;  “As for literary criticism in general: I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split.”
    Okanga writes from Agila, Benue State.

     

  • Army’ll not disobey constituted authority – Buratai

    …Warns Politicians against incitement

     

    The Nigerian Army Wednesday said it would not disobey orders issued by constituted authority, maintaining that it would not only defend the nation’s democracy but would not tolerate incitement against constituted authority.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai who made the declaration at a meeting with General Officers Commanding, (GOCs) Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and selected Commanders at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, asked politicians making inciting statements to immediately withdraw them.

    Buratai said: “It is unfortunate to hear persons who are aspiring to rule this country again inciting the army to disobedience. We have consistently stated our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical.

    “However, direct and public incitement of the Nigerian Military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated. I request such persons to withdraw this inciting statement. Let me reemphasize loud and clear, that the Nigerian Army is a professional army.

    “The foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority. Loyalty must be hundred per cent. I shall leave you in no doubt as to our resolve to bequeath a professionally responsive army to Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian State as presently constituted, such a person has up to 22 February 2019 to resign. There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the NA today”.

    Buratai, who said the meeting was called to review matters arising as a result of the postponement of the general elections, said the postponement has increased apprehension in the country and the international community especially on the safety of voters and electoral materials.

    The COAS said: “You are all welcome to this expanded weekly meeting which has in attendance, not only Principal Staff Officers and Directors, but also GOCs and selected field commanders. You will all recall that just 2 weeks ago, we all met here for an Operations Conference that was held to strategize on the NA’s roles during the 2019 General Elections, which was earlier planned to commence from 16 Feb 19.

    “Unfortunately, the election did not hold as planned and has been postponed to hold on 23 Feb 19 and 9 Mar 19. This shift in date has necessitated a need to review some of the decisions taken at the last conference and also to reiterate some of the directives Passed to you in light of the postponement of the elections.

    ” I wish to first remind all of you that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Hence those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process must be seen as enemies of Nigeria and dealt with appropriately.

    “Our role is aptly captured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and we must defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as act in aid of civil authority when called upon to do so. Therefore, commanders must work with all stakeholders, interest groups and agencies to avert any act by any individual, groups or entities that seek to undermine our democratic process.

    “As expected, Nigerians have expressed general disappointment with the postponement of the elections. The postponement has also increased apprehension in the populace and the international community with regards to safety of voters and the electoral materials.

    “It is therefore vital that the Army alongside other security agencies rise up to the challenge of ensuring a peaceful outcome to this general election so as to give confidence to Nigerian citizens and to reassure the international community about our electoral process.

    Read Also: Army cautions personnel on politics

    “In light of this, I am pleased with the smooth activation of Op SAFE CONDUCT and the success of Op EGWU EKE III. In addition, the recent launching of the NA Situation Room for Elections Security Monitoring will also ensure we have real time feedback from the field.

    “As we engage in these operations, we must remember that the army remains apolitical to ensure that no negative aspersion is cast on the NA before, during or after the elections.”

    On what he expected of the nation’s Army on the rescheduled elections, Buratai said: “I want to remind all here present that the act of electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of elections materials and similar crimes are intended to mar an election and create deliberate avenues for post-election violence and mayhem.

    “Such actions can also become more damaging when they are widespread, leading to destruction of lives and properties. Incidences of this nature in previous elections are often planned and orchestrated by politicians and the NA has hitherto been very cautious in its approach.

    “However, this time around the Army will adopt a proactive posture that ensures that similar incidences do not even arise. Accordingly, in addition to my earlier directives to you in the last Operations Conference, I wish to lay emphasis on the following actions that all commanders are to abide by:

    “Commanders must deal decisively with any electoral crime or action that would be inimical to National Security.

    “Commanders are to ensure that they and their personnel do not hobnob with politicians at any level. In this regard, there will be no military escort for any politician and all NA personnel are to stay clear of retired military officers especially those who are now politicians until after the elections.

    “Commanders are to conduct extensive patrols within their AORs. They must ensure that all flash points within the area are dominated.

    “Commanders must in conjunction with the NPF enforce the restriction on movement within their AORs. All vehicles must be searched and suspicious persons or vehicles arrested/impounded and later hand over to the NPF.

    “Commanders must ensure they key into the Army Elections Security Monitoring Situation Room to send and receive near real-time information on events, as they occur in their AOR.

    ” I have laid emphasis on these few points to remind everyone that these are delicate times and the NA must support Nigeria’s march towards enduring democracy. In the course of the conference, I will expect every one of you to comment on your preparations for the elections as it affects your various AORs.

    “Our role in support of democracy cannot be overemphasized; hence all hands must be on deck to ensure we have a successful outing for the next elections”.

  • Army rescues 14 children from traffickers

    The Army has rescued 14 children between ages three and 13 from traffickers.

    Their traffickers, including two females, Evelyn Jerry, 27 and Stephen Rebecca 30 as well as Mr. Richard Patrick, 38, were arrested and handed to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    Nneka Aniagoh said this in a statement on behalf of the Press and Public Relations Unit NAPTIP.

    She stated the victims comprising of nine females and five males, were crammed into an eight-seater seat Alhambra Sedan with Plateau state registration number: JJN 964XB.

    They were taken from Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state on their way to Ekpoma, Edo State, she added.

    According to her: “The suspects, who are from the same town with the victims, confessed that they were taking the children to Ekpoma where they would be distributed to various households, for labour purposes.

    “They claimed the parents of the 14 children gave them consent to take the children and send them to various households for domestic labour. “

    Read Also: Army: we didn’t abduct, kill IPOB members

    Reacting to the news of the arrest, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said: “This is what the National referral mechanism, being put in place by NAPTIP and relevant organisations, aims to achieve.

    “There needs to be a synergy in our collaboration towards the elimination of human trafficking from Nigeria”.

    She warned the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 prohibits the employment of children below the age of twelve as domestic workers, and warned that those found culpable will be severely dealt with.

    The NAPTIP DG also added that such acts fuel the incidences of child exploitative labour, warning the agency will not tolerate such abuse on our children, and the suspects will definitely be charged to court upon the completion of preliminary investigations.

     

  • Army partners African Bar on rule of law

    The Nigerian Army has joined forces with the African Bar Association (AfBA) to promote the rule of law and human rights on the continent.

    Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who said this while receiving  a delegation of the AfBA  led by its president, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, at the Army headquarters in Abuja,  commended AfBA for championing the interest and rights of Africans in general.

    He said: “We are happy to hear that one of our own, the Director of Army legal services, Major General Yusuf I. Shalangwa, is the head of the Army Committee of the AfBA.

    “We also appreciate what you have done in many African countries including Burundi, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and your efforts for the development of Africa, the promotion of human rights and the rule of law on the continent.

    “Our officers and men are up to the task in the challenges in the North Eastern part of the country including Boko Haram, Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and their efforts to blackmail the Nigerian military by threats to take them to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    “Our rules of engagement are at par with international best practices, this is what we have done.

    “We are a very good team to collaborate with, to promote human rights and the rule of law. We have a lot of standing rules of engagement, policy guidelines and other publications that guide and regulate everything that we do and our engagement.

    “This also applies to our job on arrest, detention and interrogation of persons, all are done within the ambit of international best practices and the rule of law.

    “We have reputable international handbook on domestic and international laws guiding our conducts, that is a document policy of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “Above all, we have very high respect for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Definitely we will collaborate with you in the areas of training for our members in the area of workshops, seminars.

    “We have a very good collaboration with the NBA in the development of military justice system.”

    Earlier, Uwaifo commended the military for tackling the terrorism menace in the country. He intimated his hosts of the AfBA’s efforts in promoting democracy, human rights and rule of law in Africa and assured the military that the AfBA has all it takes to support the military to do its best for the country.

     

  • Army appoints new spokesman

    …Redeploy senior officers

     

    The Nigerian Army on Monday announced the appointment of a new Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a major shakeup that affected other senior officers.

    A statement signed by Colonel Aliyu Yusuf on behalf of Army Public Relations noted that the redeployment of the new officers was released by the leadership of the Army on Sunday.

    The statement reads: “the Nigerian Army has Monday Sunday 10 February 2019, released the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by this include, Brigadier General NJ Okah who has been posted from Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES) to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed Acting Director of Engineering Services, Brigadier General MA Masanawa from Army Headquarters, Department of Army Policy and Plans to ACADA and appointed Commander, while Brigadier General HT Wesley posted from Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics has been appointed Director Clothing and Store, erstwhile Brigadier General HG Tafida of the Nigerian Army Central Workshop Rigachukwu posted to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed Director Engineering and Maintenance

    “Brigadier General BA Ilori has been posted to Army Headquarters Department if Army Policy and Plans and appointed Deputy Director Equipment Procurement.

    Read Also: Nigerian Army deserves better welfare, says Atiku

    “Brigadier General AA Adereti, posted to National Defence College and appointed Directing Staff while Colonel O Nwachukwu from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole has been posted to Defence Headquarters and appointed Acting Director Defence Information.

    “Similarly, Colonel S Musa has been posted to Directorate of Army Public Relations and appointed Acting Director Army Public Relations Nigerian Army while Colonel AA Yusuf has been appointed Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army.

    “Colonel AD Isa is posted to Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole and appointed Deputy Director Army Public Relations while the new Acting Corps Commander Nigerian Army Medical Corps is Colonel S Adama.

    “Others affected by the new development include, Colonel OG Olaniyi who was posted from Nigerian Army School of Music to Nigerian Army Band Corps and appointed Acting Director Army Band, Colonel EI Okoro and Colonel I P Bindul are posted to Army War College Nigeria as Directing Staff amongst others.“

  • Buratai: Meeting Nigeria’s first digital COAS

    I have long been an admirer of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for inexplicable reasons. Since his appointment in 2015, the fortunes of the Nigerian Army has witnessed a steady rise especially in the fight against insurgency and other militant groups in Nigeria.

    Also, he has left indelible footprints in the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Army through various innovation and worthy of mention is the Nigerian Army Situation Room established for the 2019 elections monitoring.

    The beauty of the Nigeria Army Situation room is that it is configured to track possible pre-election violence, violence during the election and post-election violence, and online and real-time on a 24 hours’ basis. This is marvellous and the first in the annals of the country.

    I recall on the launch of the Situation Room by the Chief of Army Staff; he stated that post-election violence which characterized previous elections highlights the challenges posed by incidents of electoral violence in the country. Hence, the Nigerian Army saw the need to devise new strategies of stemming such as ugly tides or eliminating the same. This is brilliant.

    He further stated that violence at the various phases of elections includes thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and papers or kidnapping or abduction of electoral officers and party agents and wanton destruction of lives and properties, respectively.

    In his words, “Having observed this cycle of violence reoccur severally in our past electioneering processes, the Nigerian Army has thus deemed it necessary to adopt a proactive and responsive posture that would allow us to better respond to early signs of insecurity before they could escalate into a major security challenge. It is in this light that the Nigerian Army has launched OP SAFE CONDUCT and also gone ahead to establish this situation room for real-time monitoring.”

    This says it all. This is a total deviation from what we were used to in terms of the responding to security challenges in the country. Most times the approach has been reactiveness instead of being proactive. And that is why I am happy with the affairs of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai.

    Upon encounter with him, one could easily tell that he is one that understands the role of technology in crime prevention. And this much he has demonstrated since he assumed leadership of the Nigerian Army in 2015. If you called him the first digital Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria, you wouldn’t be wrong because the past three years have witnessed quite some technological innovations in the operation of the Nigerian Army.

    For me, the introduction of the Situation Room speaks volume of how we can get things right in this country using the example set by the Nigerian Army. As insignificant it might seem in the eyes of some, it is indeed a phenomenal one by the Nigerian Army in ensuring that the elections are devoid of violence and other related vices. This, in my opinion is the height of the display of capacity by the Chief of Army Staff.

    I am also impressed with other technological innovations like the deployment of drones in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in North East Nigeria. On an occasion, the Chief of Army Staff said that applications of drones and new technologies were critical in modern warfare to ensure successful implementation of the counterinsurgency campaign. I could not agree less because it is indeed apt and of dire importance especially in counterinsurgency operations.

    According to Andrea Birdsall, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones in counterterrorism has changed the face of warfare. Similarly, Stanford political scientist Amy Zegart argued in a new research paper that countries that possess deadly, armed drones could change an adversary’s behaviour without even striking them.

    The above describes the lot of the Nigerian Army especially in its counter-insurgency war in North East Nigeria, and it somewhat explains why the Nigerian Army was able to make substantial gains in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists. It is, therefore, sufficing to mention that these exploits didn’t happen by chance, but as a result of the dynamic leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, in the person of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    It didn’t end there. The Nigerian Army also have a transformation and innovation department. The department works on research and developments not only on necessary equipment but equally more scientific and technological facilities to enable it to carry out our operations.

    Now, wait for this. The Nigeria Army has recently introduced digitized uniforms that send signals in times of distress. According to the Chief of Army staff, the uniform is technology-based, it will be tagged wherever you are; it sends a signal when you are in danger, and these issues are significant in ensuring the safety of troops in warfare. This is also another exceptional offering in the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. I am impressed by his penchant for driving the Nigeria Army with technological innovations in line with global best practices.

    I stand to be corrected; the Nigerian Army has never had it so good in recent times. Those in the know of the operations of the Nigerian Army have formed the opinion that with the way things are now, the Nigerian Army under the Chief of Army Staff is well positioned to protect the territorial integrity of the country more than ever.

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    This much I have stated in many forums that I have been privileged to be in attendance. I have in many articles highlighted the uniqueness of the Chief of Army Staff and how he has been able to position the Nigerian Army for greater efficiency strategically. He has also driven the morale of the troops from ground zero to a desirable height within a record time. This speaks volume of a man with a vision and on a mission.

    A vision to make the Nigerian Army professionally and technologically efficient. I can go on non-stop on the exploits of the Chief of Army Staff because of the arrays of introductions in the Nigeria Army. He has indeed displayed a hunger for making the Nigerian Army a professional organization, and one that is driven by passion, technology, and innovation.

    The introduction of the Situation Room gives a peep into the man that is saddled with the responsibility of leading the Nigerian Army in her difficult period. And it is on record that he has diligently discharged his duties to the admiration of all and sundry.

    Saying that the Nigerian Army of today is efficient would be an understatement. Also, saying that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is well positioned for excellence would also be an understatement.

    In my opinion, the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai is the dream Nigerian Army, well-equipped, responsive, technologically and digitally compliant in modern warfare. It is consequently hoped that Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai would continue to drive the total transformation of the Nigerian Army. The relevant stakeholders must as a matter of necessity give him all the support he needs in this enormous task of repositioning the Nigerian Army.

    According to Larry Bossidy, “Execution is the ability to mesh strategy with reality, align people with goals, and achieve the promised results.”. And this can be said of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Nigeria’s first digital Chief of Army Staff. I doff my heart.

    Okpabi wrote from Nile University of Nigeria , Abuja

  • Army deploy 95 percent troops for polls

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said 95 percent of its troops would be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    It added almost 40 percent of the troops to be deployed would be in the Northeast.

    Its Spokesman Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said in a statement that it was not true that the troops were being paid some allowances in other to sway their votes for a particular party as being alleged in the social media.

    Brig Gen Usman said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some insinuations on various social media platforms that the recent payment of uniform allowance to officers and soldiers was done to sway their voting towards a particular political party. This is not true.

    “The payment of uniform allowance was started in 2016 to assist troops deployed on Operation LAFIYA DOLE as uniform upkeep and maintenance.

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    “The allowance was however extended to all Nigerian Army personnel because of their increasing engagement in various Internal Security Operations across the country.

    “It is important to note that 95 per cent of Nigerian Army troops will be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Out of this, almost 40 per cent are in the North East. Therefore, it is gross unfair and sheer mischief to associate the Nigerian Army with such mundane action.

    “We therefore implore all well- meaning Nigerians to dissociate themselves from such fake and unwarranted information calculated to smear the Nigerian Army.

    “Although investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of such malicious allegations, we would like to warn such unpatriotic individuals to stop this mischief forthwith.

    ” We would like to further warn all officers and soldiers to desist from acts that are inimical to Service discipline and code of conduct and reiterate the Chief of Army Staff’s warning during his conference with General Officers Commanding and Operations Commanders that, “All Nigerian Army personnel must remain neutral, non-partisan and transparent in all their actions.

    “I need to reiterate that there will be zero-tolerance for any action and in-action by commanders at all levels that is deemed tilted towards giving undue advantage to any candidate, political party, ethnic or religious leanings to the detriment of the unity and integrity of Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian Army has always been professional, impartial and apolitical. We wish to state that no amount of campaign of calumny against it would change that”.