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Tag: Army

  • Army: we’re set to provide conducive security atmosphere for polls

    THE Army has said that it is ready to provide a conducive security atmosphere for the conduct of the general elections.

    It, however, said it has warned its officers and men to remain apolitical throughout the elections period.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Maj-Gen Mohammed Mohammed spoke at the weekend as the guest of honour in Kontagora during the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA), Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) and 311 Artillery Regiment combined West African Social Activities (WASA).

    Gen. Muhammad said: “Bearing in mind that we have less than 14 days to the presidential election, our mandate as the Nigerian Army is to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections wherever our troops are.

    “We are going to be providing support to the civil security agencies to ensure that they discharge their responsibility in an environment that is conducive for every Nigerian to come out and perform his or her civic responsibility.”

    He, however, reminded the troops of the Chief of Army Staff’s directive that Army personnel must remain apolitical during the polls, warning that any personnel found wanting will be appropriately sanctioned.

    On WASA, the GOC said: “All works and no play makes Jack a dull boy goes the popular saying. However, it is not only Jack that can become dull by working without playing, even our personnel will become dull if only subjected to ‘work, work and work’ without necessary recreation to relax their minds and bodies. This is the whole essence of this gathering.

    “It is pleasing that despite the huge involvement of the two formations and unit spanning from training to operations, to enhancing peace and security in Kontagora and its environs in particular and Nigeria in general, the year 2018 edition of WASA could still be held.”

    Gen. Mohammed who hailed the officers and soldiers’ wives for keeping the home-fronts while their husbands fight in defence of Nigeria, also prayed for the officers and soldiers, who died in the battle against insurgents.

    Commander NACA, Major-General Abubakar Tarfa who traced the history of WASA to colonial era, said during the Second World War, the forbearers of the soldiers under the West African Frontier Forces (WAFF) distinguished themselves in many battles owing to their diverse cultural inclinations.

    “The colonial authorities thereafter introduced WASA and made it an annual event to permit the African soldiers to observe any local cultural rituals.”

    Highlight of the occasion was presentation of awards to outstanding personnel who distinguished themselves during the 2018 training and operational year.

  • Buratai: Africa’s encyclopedia on Counter-Terrorism

    Basically, it’s not in the character of most Africans to appreciate merit and excellence, but warmly hug mediocrity. In Nigeria, this tendency is almost a national plaque.
    The best hands in public service are undermined and unfairly criticized, so very sensationally. And it is sparkled for laughable and sentimental reasons in such region, ethnicity or even religion. So, performance becomes an ass in the eye of the critic, insofar as the target is outside his favoured lenses.
    But very many clear-headed Nigerians appreciate and applaud the few best performers one can find in the country. Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai is a rare breed, performer per excellence and military juggernaut.
    He speaks and acts with an uncommon splendor. It’s doubtful whether President Muhammadu Buhari had any inkling about the exact quantum of the professional treasures implanted in Gen. Buratai when he appointed him in 2015 to preside over the total dismantling of terrorism and allied insurrections in Nigeria.
    It’s possible that the President himself must have been pleasantly shocked or marveled at the extent of Gen. Buratai’s dexterity in executing the national assignment assigned him.  And surely, and in contrast too, most Nigerians are oblivious of the complexity and intricacies of battling and degrading insurgency.
    When you read some withering commentaries from critics about Nigerian Army’s warfare with terrorists in Nigeria, it strikes you instantly of a pathetic gulf in knowledge. It informs instantly, these critics are unknowing on what it really entails to quench terrorism.
    To some of these critics, quelling terrorism in Nigeria or anywhere in the world is akin to a distress call; a call inviting the Police to crush armed robbers in the neighbourhood. It’s far from such token of assumptions.
    In fact, striking a superiority edge on insurgency, like Gen. Buratai and his troops have done in Nigeria in less than three years is a hefty task. It’s not all about the military’s intelligence of organizing, training and equipping troops to descend on terrorists. It’s beyond the sound of boots and guns or the worth of armoury or even competence of the field Commanders.
    It demands much more! Those in doubt should ask America how tough it has been to rout out terrorists in the Middle East in the past 16 years, with thousands of American troops.
    They should research into the history of terrorism elsewhere, like in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Britain, Kenya, and hordes of other countries around the world. It is not an easy task; it is a tedious adventure to battle terrorists.
    Pre-war strategies and tactics are very essential. The intelligence of appropriately decoding the shrewd strategies and tactics of terrorists, which is ever dynamic as well as harvesting it to victorious advantage are the real recipes for victory in the battle against insurgents.
    It was the revered Chinese war veteran Sun Tsu who echoed that a battle is won and lost at the preparation stage of troops. It means careless lacunas at the stage of preparation could make the best of armies lose the battle to enemy forces so easily.
    But Gen. Buratai is an embodiment of this art of war. He is not just a fighter of terrorists, but a military scholar and expert in terrorism strategies and tactics. He exudes it; he acts it in the trenches; reels it out to his Special Teams on Terrorism, at training grounds and dazzles the academia in breathtaking lectures on terrorism.
    Days back, at a lecture, Gen. Buratai delivered at the Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs,  Igbinedion University, Okada, in Edo state, he reaffirmed his worth.
    The lecture titled: “Military and Democratic consolidation in Nigeria, Appraisal of the Nigerian Army Counter-Terrorism And Counter-Insurgency Operations,” the Army Chief for the umpteenth time, proved to Nigerians that President Buhari made no mistake in appointing him leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.
    The Army boss gave rare insights into the complex security challenges, unknown to many Nigerians. He was insightfully blunt that insurgency is not tackled with boots and guns alone.
    It also inherently requires the infusion of political and security solutions, if Nigeria plans to secure its democracy and good governance. Only this can make the country emerge stronger after the multiple crises. It was a prophetic vision into the future.
    Gen. Buratai shocked security dons in the academia by releasing what is known in Nigerian parlance as “expo,” when he gave a link to the success of Nigerian troops over terrorists. He bellowed, “One of the silent but radical changes in the operations was changing the orientation and mind-set of troops from a defensive to an offensive posture.”
     To illustrate he is a leader, in touch with the tinges of his assignment, the Army Chief exposed the leakages prolonging the final defeat of terrorism in Nigeria. He does not consider himself a sit-com Army General, but a field defender of his people and so, quite conversant with where the problem lingers in the ongoing clearance operations by Nigerian troops.
    That security is a collective responsibility is an overbeaten cliché. And  Gen. Buratai pricked the conscience of Nigerians and stakeholders to wake up to some concealed  realities.
    The Army boss was articulate that porous borders, cross-border insurgency, and insufficient international support in terms of equipment and large space of operational environment for troops are the hindrances for a quick extinction of Boko Haram insurgency.
    Buratai, the Generalissimo of the counter-insurgency operations again assured Nigerians of triumph over terrorism. He allayed the fears of skeptics that with him as direct overseer on counter-insurgency, insurgents neither have might nor energy to hold Nigerians hostage again.
    He assured, “Success recorded so far is an indication that for Nigeria’s democracy to be consolidated, the military must not only play its part but must also fulfill the constitutional roles assigned to them.”
    And those thinking Gen. Buratai has forgotten about the rescue of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls and other Nigerians still in the captivity of Boko Haram were reminded of it as the Army’s topmost priority. It means Boko Haram factional leader Abubakar Shekau who has been forced underground into the Cameroonian mountains will also not escape the swords of Nigerian Army, with President Buhari’s latest refunding of the MNJTF with $100 million.
    It is pertinent to recount the history of Boko Haram terrorism in the country. Nigerians familiar with it since the 2009 resurgence and progression would attest to its ever expanding tentacles. Nigeria also experienced its manifest embryonic plots to make incursions to the Southern part of the country before the Buhari Presidency and the emergence of Gen.  Buratai.
    But that Gen. Buratai has defiantly led troops to confine Boko Haram atrocities to the Northeast and specifically to the Lake Chad Basin axis and the large Sambisa forest is significant. The heart of Sambisa forest-Camp Zero has already been conquered by the Nigerian Army and deserving of eulogies.
    And it happened in less than three years. So, when President Buhari extended Gen. Buratai’s tenure of office, some Nigerians who cannot discern beyond the periphery staged out in dishonest and unpatriotic remonstrations. The remonstrators jealously overlooked Gen. Buratai’s splendous performance qualifying him for retention.
    But the President, a military tactician himself, knew exactly the treasures in the “wonder boy,” Gen. Buratai  in the trenches. And that’s why President Buhari feted him with tenure extension.
    By Gen. Buratai’s depiction, routing out insurgency in Nigeria means both the security and political leaderships utmost agreement, which must snowball into the endorsement of a common agenda. President Buhari and Gen. Buratai share same concerns. And it explains why life has been animated in the Northeast currently.
    At the moment in the Northeast, particularly Maiduguri, the hub of Boko Haram terrorism, local and foreign journalists, UN officials, philanthropic organisations, the Red Cross and special delegations of countries across the globe now freely visit and unmolested by insurgents to ascertain the extent of the defeat of terrorism in Nigeria.
    Interestingly, in spite of the enormous pressure and stress on Gen. Buratai, he is not fatigued. He knows he covenanted with Nigerians upon his appointment as COAS and leader of counter-insurgency operations to end terrorism anywhere in Nigeria.
    He renews this covenant in his heart, every day he wakes up, thinking about Nigeria. Gen. Buratai knows, Boko Haram terrorists will not have peace in this country, until Nigerians first  reclaim their nation to savour the same peace.
    Jonathan is a security expert based in the USA.

  • Army denies abduction of travellers on Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road

    The Nigeria Atmy has denied reports that an unspecified numbers of travellers were abducted along the Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road yesterday. Spokesman of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, Damaturu, Lt. Njoka Irabor, in a statement made available to journalists in Damaturu today, said the reports by some online media platforms (not The Nation Newspaper) only exist in the imagination of the reporter, just as he maintained that the news is fake and misleading.

    The statement encourages journalist to always cross-check facts with relevant security agencies before going public. The statement reads; “The attention of Headquarters Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, was drawn to fake news on Vanguard newspaper website and other social media platforms alleging that suspected Boko Haram terrorists abducted unspecified passengers plying Biu-Damaturu road yesterday. This is not true as there is no such incidence in the north east, let alone in the mentioned road.

    “What the medium misconstrued was that, as part of our routine measures to curb the criminal  activities of Boko Haram terrorists  and ensure safety and security of all residents and commuters, troops carry out routine patrols, checks and ambushes. This often necessitated the temporary closure of the roads. What happened in morning of 1st February 2019 was that there was reported suspected movement of Boko Haram  terrorists and the troops swung into action.

    “In order to avoid likely collateral damages, the troops temporarily halted vehicles movement. However, the road was immediately reopened after the routine military operation. Members of the public and the good people of Yobe state, particularly motorist and travelers plying that route, are to discountenance the report and go about their lawful daily activities, as our troops are working round the clock to ensure the protection of lives and property of members of the public, especially on our roads.”

  • Motorcyclists drag corpse into governor’s office in Calabar

    Several commercial motorcyclists on Friday invaded the Governor’s office in Calabar, Cross River State, to protest the death of their colleague, who was allegedly killed by members of a security task force.

    The protesting motorcyclists dragged the corpse of their colleague right into the premises of the Governor’s office, smashing windows and attacking anyone that resisted them.

    The deceased, it was gathered was thoroughly beaten up by members of the task force until he became unconscious around Ikot Ansa in Calabar.

    He died while being taken by his colleagues to a health facility, it was learnt and this infuriated them, as the stormed the Governor’s office.

    Read Also: One killed as youths, motorcyclists clash

    The protesting okada riders had arrived the governor’s office and overpowered three security personnel at the gate.

    They damaged some items at the gate, tore the official security registers and approached the main entrance reception, where they smashed the glass doors.

    As they became more violent, reinforcements of armed soldiers from 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army and policemen from the nearby state police command arrived to contain the situation.

    It took several gunshots into the air to disperse them. A couple of them were rounded up by the security agencies.

    The body was later taken away by the police.

    Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said the victim fell from his motorcycle and died when the task force team wanted to arrest him for violating the government ban on Okada plying major roads.

  • Troops kill 21 bandits, capture 17 in Zamfara, Katsina

    Troops of Operation Sharan Daji have between Jan. 22 and Jan. 28 neutralised 21 bandits, captured 17 and rescued 89 persons taken hostage by the bandits in Zamfara and Katsina States.

    Giving an update on the operation in a statement on Tuesday, Maj. Clement Abiade, the Acting Force Information Officer, Operation Sharan Daji, said 55 of the freed captives were held captives in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    Abiade said they had been debriefed and reunited with their families, adding that most of them are from communities in Zamfara.

    He also disclosed that two bandits’ informants, Musa Amadu and Auwalu Mutairu, were arrested at Danfumi village in Birnin Magaji and were currently assisting troops with intelligence.

    “It is significant to inform the general public that 11 civilians and one vigilante were killed by bandits during the period in focus.

    Read Also: Troops neutrilise four terrorists in Borno

    “It is also important to state that six persons were kidnapped at Asoula village in Tsafe Local Government Area and not in Birnin Magaji as reported by some media houses,” he said.

    The information officer said during the period under review, one single barrel gun, two locally made pistols and 20 cartridges of double barrel bullets were recovered from the bandits.

    He listed other recovered arms as 60 rounds of 7.62mm, special one AK-47 magazine containing 18 Rounds of 7.62mm special, two dane guns, four motorcycles and large quantity of Indian hemp and illicit drugs.

    “The operation is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves,’’ he said.

  • Troops neutralise 58 bandits, rescue 78

    The Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday that no fewer than 58 bandits have been killed by troops in clearance operations within Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara axis, while 78 victims of kidnapping were rescued.

    It added that 18 camps of the bandits operating in different forests within the area were destroyed by troops of Operation Sharan Daji. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from them within the period of the operations.

    However, two soldiers and two members of vigilante group lost their lives during the encounter.

    A statement signed by the Acting Force Information Officer for Operation Sharan Daji, Major Clement Abiade, added that 8 soldiers and 6 vigilante members were wounded during the clearance operations.

    Major Abiade said: ” In line with the mandate of operation SHARAN DAJI, troops commenced clearance operations into bandits enclaves in Zamfara State and Katsina on 19 January 2019 and to last up till June 2019. The operation is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration with all security agencies and local vigilante to achieve synergy. The current offensive is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation.

    “Already, the operation has recorded some successes. On 20 January 2019, troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and Rocket Propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battles which lasted several hours. The bandits were forced to abandon their camps due to superior firepower during these encounters.

    “The items recovered from the bandits include 5 Fabric National Rifles, 4 AK 47 Rifles, 10 locally made rifles, 1 locally fabricated pistol and 40 motorcycles.

    “The casualty figures on the bandits’ side were 58 bandits neutralized, while one was captured alive. Troops also destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnapped victims held in some of these camps. The freed captives who were mostly from local communities in Zamfara State were debriefed and reunited with their families.

    “Unfortunately, Operation SHARAN DAJI also suffered some casualties in these encounters. So far, two gallant soldiers and 2 members of the vigilante paid the supreme prize. A total of 8 soldiers and 6 vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe

    “Those who sustained injuries were immediately evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for medical treatment, while those with life-threatening conditions were evacuated by air for specialist attention outside the theatre of operation. The families of the fallen heroes have been contacted accordingly, while the deceased members of the vigilante were laid to rest in Anka Cemetery according to Islamic rites.

    ” The Force Commander, Operation SHARAN DAJI, Maj Gen SO Olabanji commiserate with families of the fallen heroes and assures them that their sacrifices will not be in vain. He reaffirms the commitment of operation SHARAN DAJI to rid Zamfara State of all forms of banditry and criminality in line with its mandate.

    “Therefore, the general public is enjoined to cooperate with troops and furnish security agencies with useful and timely information about bandits’ activities within their domain.“

  • Southern Youths Leaders warns PDP against dragging Army into politics

    The Southern Youth Leaders Forum, which consists of leaders of various youth groups,  civil society groups, trade unions and voluntary youth organizations from the Seventeen Southern States has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and it’s Presidential candidate,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against attempt at dragging the Nigerian Army into its ongoing war of words between itself and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
    The group described as worrisome, a recent statement by the PDP and it’s Presidential candidate where they said the Nigerian Army lack power to deploy its troops,  for elections. While also amongst other things also calling on the Nigerian Military to reject orders from the President and Commander in Chief. The youth leaders said such statement by the PDP is a clear attempt, to drag the Nigeria military into the mucky water of politics.
    At a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the group through its leaders, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi,  for the Southwest States, Engr, Dr Fidelis Nze (KSM) for the Southeast States and Barr John Atani for the Southsouth States, stated that PDP’s attack on the constitutional duty of the Army, is  aimed at unnecessarily heating up the polity and  instigating civil disturbances during the election.
    According to the Southern Youth leaders, , demanding that security be lessen at a crucial election such as the forthcoming one, is politics taken too far and quite mischievous, for a party, which for sixteen years used the military, to protect the citizens during elections in the country.
    The groups alleged that PDP only aim is to smear the reputation and integrity of the Army leadership in its choice of attack on the  Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. The unfortunate attacks on General Tukur Buratai by some unscrupulous politicians, is an attempt to undermine our nation’s military and security policies.

    Read Also:Protect your votes from ballot box snatchers- Lagos APC women leader

     

    The groups further advised Nigerians to be weary of the campaign of calumny by the PDP as the main intent is to promote insecurity and encourage violence, during the general elections, in other to criticize the result of the elections.

    The group also said it needs to remind Nigerians, that the Nigeria Army under the leadership of Lt. General  Tukur Buratai has catapulted professionalism to the point where its institutional ethos and mission has seen significant improvement in the last three years. Discerning Nigerians and every right thinking person on earth will at this point in time be able to compare  PDP agitation, to the reality on ground, in term of the performance of our military.
    The group urged Nigerians especially the youth to reject being used as instruments of violence, and to cooperate with the military, especially the Nigerian Army as it gives support to the Nigerian Police and other sister security agencies during the elections, in order to entrench peace and tranquillity throughout the electioneering process.

     

  • Don’t blame Amaechi over Rivers APC crisis – Peterside

    The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stated that the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, should not be blamed for Rivers APC crisis.

    He assured that names of the candidates of the party in Rivers would be on the ballot for the February 16 and March 2 elections, in spite of the court cases.

    Peterside, the 2015 governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers, stated these yesterday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in an interactive session with reporters on his arrival from Lagos to attend the 80th birthday celebration of Sir Gabriel Toby, the father of Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “It is not true that the Hon. Minister (Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, who is the leader of APC in Rivers State and the South-South zone) is responsible for the crisis (in Rivers APC). I do not believe that this is the time for blame game. A lot of things happened and blame game will not help us in any way. So, even as the leader of the party, it is wrong for me to join in the blame game. Depending on where you are standing, people accuse different individuals of being responsible.

    “No man’s ambition should be superior to the collective interest of the party (APC) and Rivers people. Not mine, not anybody’s own. Nobody’s interest should be superior to the interest of the collective. So, I do not believe in the blame game. I do not support it. I will not embark on it. Rather, it is for all of us begin to engage with people. Let them see reason why we must all come to the table and agree on the best way forward and indeed work out a way forward, so that we will go and take over Government House, Port Harcourt from May 29, 2019 and begin to change the narratives in Rivers State.”

    “What has happened in Rivers APC is some sort of temporary setback. I am optimistic that APC’s candidates will be on the ballot. I am very, very optimistic. I know that the judiciary is an important component of the political process. You cannot talk about politics, without talking about the judiciary and the roles of the judiciary, but my confidence is that ultimately, this issue will be resolved and APC’s candidates will be on the ballot, they will run the elections and Rivers people will have options. They will choose the candidates of APC above the other political parties,” he said.

  • Police, Army, others in show of force in Lagos

    Personnel of the Army, Police and other security agencies yesterday patrolled major highways of  Lagos metropolis to show their preparedness ahead of the February/March elections.

    The operation, which was divided into five groups, was led by Police  Commissioner Imohimi Edgal and other heads of securiy agencies.

    Addressing journalists after the operation, Edgal said that the show of force was to demonstrate to residents the readiness of the security agencies for the elections.

    “This is a friendly show of force in preparation for the general elections. This is to show to Lagosians that they can depend on security agencies in Lagos for their safety before, during and after the elections,” he said.

    “We are showing to the public that we are ready for the elections.

    It is not only the police that would provide security but other sister security agencies, including Army, NSCDC, Lagos Neighborhood Watch and the FRSC are in collaboration for this exercise.

    “We have about 2,350 officers participating in this friendly show of force by all security agencies.

    This is aimed at reassuring Lagosians of the command’s ability to adequately secure them before, during and after the election.

    We are assuring Lagosians that we will exhibit the highest level of professionalism as this exercise will continue so as to assure them of a peaceful election.

    “This is also to showcase our ability not only on land but air. We are utilizing six gunboats and in partnership with the Airforce, while Rapid Response Squad (RRS) also use the choppers for aerial surveillance,” he said.

    Over 100 patrol vehicles, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), were involved in the exercise.

  • CSOs laud Army’s preparedness  ahead of elections, says establishment of situation room commendable

    The Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria says Nigerians must appreciate the brilliant effort of the Nigerian Army in repelling the attempts by the Boko Haram insurgents, to disrupt the general elections in some part of the country, especially in the Northeast geopolitical zone of the Country. It lauded the Army for dealing a major blow on the insurgents, has they tried to attack some parts of Borno and Yobe State, on the eve of the earlier scheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.
    The Coalition speaking through its Convener, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji  said the successes recorded by the army in its recent counter-insurgency effort, has further reinforced the confidence of Nigerians, in the Nigerian Army under the leadership of General Tukur Buratai in securing their lives, properties and the territorial integrity of the Country.
    The group also urged Nigerians to take advantage of the innovative decision of the Nigerian Army leadership, to establish it’s first ever open election monitoring situation room for the 2019 general elections, in volunteering useful information that can assist the army and other security agencies, towards mitigating against any form of criminal activity and violence, that may affect the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    Read Also:Two killed, six injured as political parties clash in Ebonyi

    The group also condemned last week’s killing of about 66 people by ethnic militias in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna. It urged security agents to unravel the perpetrators and sponsors of the heinous crime,  as it also condemned the attempt by some politicians and self styled activists, to politicise such a tragedy.
    The coalition also advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to brace up and avoid a repeat of the commission’s incompetence, which led to the postponement of the earlier scheduled date, for the 2019 Presidential election.