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Tag: Army

  • Dismissed Lance Corporals, others held for lorry ‘hijack’

    Two dismissed Lance Corporals, a fake soldier and two others have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly hijacking a vegetable oil laden truck at Epe.

    The suspects, Akintola Abiodun of the Nigerian Air Force (13NAF/89/8811), Moses Johnson of the army (13NA/69/8811), Monday Ayele, 42, Esowanne Emeka, 30, and the fake soldier Osegbu Chidi, 30, were paraded on Wednesday  by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal.

    According to Edgal, the suspects were notorious highway armed robbers, who specialised in intercepting, diverting lorries in that axis.

    He said the command had received several complaints from victims of military men hijacking vehicles carrying goods, adding that with the arrest of the suspects, it has been established that the perpetrators of the crime were criminals impersonating the military.

    Edgal said the suspects were arrested on Sunday night after they hijacked a Sterling truck with registration number LSR266XW carrying vegetable oil worth N13,250,000 million.

    He said: “They stopped the Kano State bound truck close to Ijebu Ode and pushed the conductor and the driver out of the vehicle. However, as the duo were trekking towards Epe, Lagos, they came across a policeman and narrated their ordeal to him.

    “The policeman immediately contacted some of the police stations along the route taken by the robbers. At about 10:30pm, policemen on stop and search duty, saw the truck coming and intercepted it. In the process, Ayele and Emeka were arrested.

    “During interrogation, they mentioned the others as part of those who hijacked the truck.

    “The truck and the goods were recovered intact and all the suspects have been identified by the victims. Suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”

    However, the ex-personnel, who were dismissed for allegedly aiding Boko Haram and riotous behaviour, denied involvement in the hijack.

    They claimed they were only invited by one Oloja for escort duty. While Johnson said he was promised N10,000 to escort the truck, Abiodun disclosed that his fee was N20,000.

    Admitting it was wrong to have worn military camouflage years after they had been dismissed, the duo said they usually used the attire for escort duties so as to get money to feed.

    Narrating how his truck was hijacked, the driver, Rabiu Kazeem said: “I saw a hilux with amber light. It flagged me down and I saw some men with soldiers uniform. I stopped and they told me to get down. I asked them what I have done but they brought out their gun.

    Read Also: Man breaks into shop, steals N180,000 goods

    “My conductor jumped into the bush. Since I was alone, I could not do much. I stepped down but I didn’t  go far. I sat on an iron underneath the vehicle and clung to its arm rest because I wanted to know where they were taking the truck to.

    “But one of them who was on a bike saw me. I did not know he was their member. He told me to come down that he will help me pursue them, that it was dangerous for me to stay in that position.

    “I listened to him but instead of pursuing the truck, he became slow and so, I raised alarm. People in the community came out and I explained what happened, begged them to hold that man while I entered another vehicle to look for them.

    On our way to look for them, we saw Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol vehicle and informed them about what happened.

    “I am so grateful to the police for rescuing this truck and the product. If not, the owner would have sent me to jail that I sold his goods, whereas, it was armed robbers that took them.”

  • Army denies alleged killing of 30 soldiers in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied alleged killing of 30 soldiers by Boko Haram at Zari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an international wire service had reported that troops deployed in Zari in Guzamala Local Government Area were killed when Boko Haram lunched a deadly attack on the village on Thursday evening.

    According to the report, scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari village, in northern Borno State late Thursday and briefly seized it after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed.

    But Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, who denied the report in a phone interview with NAN on Sunday.

    He said that the alleged killing was the “figment of the imagination of the news agency”.

    Chukwu said contrary to the claim, the insurgents did not attack any military formation but rather came to loot foodstuffs and extort money from the locals.

    He said that the insurgents were repelled by the land troops of 82 Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole, who were closely supported by the Air Task Force.

    “During the fire-fight, overwhelming volume of fire was unleashed on the insurgents from both the air and ground troops, neutralising several of them and their weapons.

    “The Boko Haram took some of their corpses and fled while others escaped with bullet injuries, adding that normalcy and sanity was restored in the affected communities.

    It is very unfortunate how people will just sit in the comfort of their zones and fabricate stories that don’t exist, most especially the international media.

    “Such false narratives, we have always believe are deliberate attempts to promote Boko Haram and their activities against the sovereignty of the country.

    “That media organisation was said to have gotten their information from a security personnel and went ahead to file their report without making further inquiries.

    “This is unethical and unprofessional to say the least,” Chukwu added.

    He said Nigerians should disregard all the propaganda stories credited to Boko Haram terrorists as troops were doing their best to ensure that terrorists were expelled from the region. (NAN)

  • Army dismisses report of fresh Boko Haram attack on military base

    The Army said yesterday that there was no truth in a report of fresh Boko Haram attack on a military barrack in Borno State.

    A news agency report had alleged the death of ‘at least 30 soldiers’ when insurgents ‘overran a military base’ in the northern part of the state late Thursday.

    The terrorists allegedly overwhelmed the troops who were forced to withdraw before reinforcements came.

    But contacted yesterday to confirm the report, an army contact dismissed it as fake.

    He said: “Where did you get this fake information, please?”

     

  • Army to get Brigade in Delta

    The Delta State government yesterday said an Army Brigade would be established in the capital, Asaba.

    Commissioner for Information Chief Patrick Ukah, in a statement in Asaba, said it was part of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Ukah said the council approved the purchase of a property to fast track establishment of the brigade.

    According to the commissioner, the decision to purchase an existing property, as opposed to erecting a new structure, is to facilitate establishment of the brigade.

    He said  the brigade would be located at Kilometre 2, Anwai-Illah Road, opposite the Government House.

    “With the brigade in place, security in Asaba and environs will be beefed up to ensure safety of life and property,’’ Ukah said.

    He also said the council approved the Delta State Economic and Fiscal Update, a Fiscal Strategy Paper and a Budget Policy Framework, 2019-2021.

    “With this approval, the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa can now present the 2019 budget to the House of Assembly in September, with a view to getting the budget passed by January 2019,’’ he said.

    Ukah said the council also approved construction of an access road from NPA Expressway, by former Protea Hotel in Warri, to the Warri Refinery.

     

  • Army kill 3 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had killed three Boko Haram insurgents when it dislodged an ambush staged by the terrorists in Gulumba-Gana Area in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu said the insurgents staged an ambush but were repelled and neutralised by troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Shortly before the ambush, the troops who were on a fighting patrol had uncovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried in the ground by the terrorists along the road.

    “While the troops carried out counter IED actions to disarm the explosives, the insurgents sprang from the ambush but met with fierce resistance by the troops, who swiftly countered the ambush, killing three of the insurgents, while others fled with gunshot wounds,” he said.

    He explained that the troops also recovered two AK 47 rifles; one Light Machine Gun and an empty magazine from the terrorists.

    Nwachukwu said one of the troops who unfortunately sustained injury during the encounter was receiving medical attention in a medical facility.

    In a separate operation, Nwachukwu said that the troops of 3 Battalion, had successfully staged an ambush against Boko Haram insurgents traversing a crossing point behind Ngala town, Borno on Tuesday.

    He said the troops neutralised one Boko Haram insurgent and recovered one AK 47 rifle and seven rounds of 7.62 MM ammunition during the ambush.

    “Following the escape of some insurgents with gunshot wounds during encounters with troops, members of the public are enjoined to report persons seen with gunshot wounds seeking medical attention, to security agencies,” he said.

  • Troops kill Boko Haram on looting mission -Army

    The Nigeria Army has informed that their men killed three Boko Haram who were on “a looting and extortion mission” in Borno State.

    According to statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Chukwu Texas said the incident occurred on Sunday at Kulamari village 30km away from Kukawa town in Borno State.

    Brig. Gen. Chukwu informed that the operation was carried out by troops of 82 Division Task Force deployed to Operation Lafiya Dole.

    The statement reads:

    “Troops of 82 Division Task Force Brigade deployed in Operation LAFIYA DOLE on Sunday 26th August 2018, while on fighting patrol at Kukawa general area, got information on the terrorists activities in Kalamari village 30 Kilometres to Kukawa town Borno State.

    “Boko Haram Terrorists on a looting and extortion mission in Kalamari village were confronted by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “During the encounter following a superior fire power of the troops, three members of the Boko Haram Terrorists were neutralised”.

    The operaion according to the statement led recovery of three AK 47 rifle; two magazines; four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu said the troops are still in pursuit of the fleeing members of the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing That, “the gallant troops have continued with aggressive fighting patrol, as efforts are on by the troops to track down other fleeing members of the Boko Haram Terrorists from any hideout, after they successful extricating the villagers”.

    He urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements or activities in their general area to the law enforcement agents for prompt action.

  • Buhari directs army to tackle insecurity

    President Muhammad Buhari has directed the army and other agencies to tackle growing insecurity challenges facing the country and fight insurgency.

    The president gave the directive yesterday while addressing the troops fighting insurgency in the forests of Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina states at Umar Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina state.

    He spoke shortly before leaving the state for Abuja after celebrating Eid el Kabir at his home town in Daura.

    Buhari tasked the troops to deal with any armed robber, cattle rustler and bandit as ruthlessly as humanly possible, reminding them the present administration pledged to provide security, enhance the economy and fight corruption

    He told the troops he was pleased with their performance, adding Nigerians deserved to live in peace.

    He commended the troops for display of gallantry in the field of operations in Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina state.

    While urging them not to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or bandit, President Buhari promised them to be a worthy commander- in-chief.

    The President was seen off at Umar Musa Airport by Governor Aminu Masari in company of his Deputy Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, as well as other government officials.

     

  • Army reads riot act to troops, says mutiny will not be condoned

    Maj.-Gen. Abbah Dikko, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, has said the military will not condone any act of mutiny by soldiers fighting Boko Haram.

    He gave the warning during a lunch at the Maiduguri Military Command Centre yesterday. He condemned the act of mutiny under any guise, maintaining that the law and ethics which the Nigerian Army was guided by would take its full course on errant soldiers.

    Dikko reminded them of their oath of recruitment pointing out that they voluntarily joined the military and as such must be disciplined.

    “You have decided to put your life on the line for the territorial integrity of Nigeria. So it is very important that we are reminded of our roles and responsibilities to the nation and our responsibility to the society, most importantly our responsibility to ourselves because we are not a conscript army. We are a regular military.

    “Those who have volunteered to serve and that is the only time you will volunteer, subsequently having offered your service, it is the responsibility of the services to deploy you where they find you appropriate.

    “So it is important that we continue to retain our professional comportment so that we can serve diligently. It’s important that we uphold the values and ethics of the system that we belong to,” said Dikko.

    The Theatre Commander was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as adding that, “It is also important that we understand it is a service to our fatherland. It is not a service to ourselves.

    “The bedrock of your service as a soldier is discipline. A soldier must remain disciplined at all times. A soldier must obey instructions.,

    On the fate of soldiers who protested at the Maiduguri International Airport, Dikko said they would be disciplined in accordance with military laws.

    “We don’t punish in the military. We discipline. Discipline is the bedrock of the job. If there’s no discipline, then we can’t have an army.  So if a soldier errs, he must be corrected.

    “We are focused and doing what we are supposed to do in order to finish the assignment that we’re given. No matter what it takes, we’ll do it professionally.  Everybody is motivated and well catered for.

    “There are some that are not here and you don’t know what they’re going through. You cannot say you’ve heard them complaining that they’re not in the townships. Some are in locations that are out of reach. S o we must understand the difficult times we find ourselves,” said Dikko.

  • Army honours McCain in Texas

    As Sen. John McCain’s family announced that the ailing veteran is stopping treatment for brain cancer, the Army paid tribute at the weekend at the opening of a new warfare modernization headquarters in Texas that he played a driving role in creating.

    “None of this would be happening without someone who’s not here today, and that’s Sen. John McCain, an American hero,” said Gen. Mark Milley, the Army’s chief of staff.

    The activation of the Futures Command in the downtown heart of tech-savvy Austin came just hours after McCain’s family said in a statement that the Senate Armed Services chairman had surpassed expectations for survival but that the progress of the disease and McCain’s age “render their verdict.” McCain turns 82 next week

    McCain’s condition worsened last fall and the Arizona Republican has been in his home state since December.

    Two members of McCain’s staff attended the ushering in of what the Army says amounts to its most significant restructuring in more than 40 years. The command is tasked with modernizing everything from combat vehicles to weapons and helping soldiers adapt to emerging threats from powers such as China and Russia.

    Among the first signature initiatives that should come out of the command in the next few years, Army leaders say, is new optical headwear for soldiers that can display maps or simulate missions.

    Milley and other Army leaders described McCain, a former Navy pilot who was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years, as a guiding force in making the command a reality. Discussions on establishing a Futures Command began about two years ago.

    McCain, a long-term survivor of the deadly skin cancer melanoma, underwent surgery in July 2017 to remove a blood clot in his brain after being diagnosed with an aggressive tumour called a glioblastoma.

    “I wish he could be here. I know from talking to Gen. Milley that he was key,” said Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. “I know that he would love to be here and be pleased.”

    About 500 people are expected to work at the command, most of whom will be civilians. The command for now will operate out of the University of Texas System’s new downtown headquarters that is surrounded by nearby startups and tech incubators. The Army says it wanted to tap into that workforce.

    Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Raleigh, North Carolina, were also on the Army’s shortlist of finalists.

  • Buratai’s transparency turned the tide against  Boko Haram terrorists — Researcher 

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS),  Lieutnant General  TY Buratai, has continued to receive commendations for his transparent handling of the war against terrorism in the country.
    The most recent of these commendations came from a researcher in conflict prevention and management, Dr. Ifure Ifure who has acknowleged that the transparency of the COAS is responsible for the recent turn of the tide against  Boko Haram in their campaign against the Nigerian state.
    Dr.  Ifure who is also the Secretary  General of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies Abuja, made this known to newsmen against the backdrop of publications by some cyber terrorists alleging corruption in the military.
    According to him, such persons behind the publication usually  sit in the comfort of their homes to make spurious allegations against the militray and must be seen by Nigerians as enemies of humanity even as such persons do not mean well for the country.
    “this kind of propaganda is the handiwork of anarchist who have continued to benefit from the crisis around the nation and have vowed to ensure the terror continues.  Their comments are aimed at discrediting the army and further causing disaffection for their own pecuniary reasons”. He said.
    He noted that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and other armed conflicts took a totally new dimension when Lieutenant General Buratai came on board as Chief of Army Staff,  acknowledging that the COAS was able to totally overhaul the entire Nigerian Army in its operations and approach to the war against terrorism.
    The conflict resolution expert said it took the Buhari administration less than one year to achieve the necessary milestones and begin to post the positive results  because of the Army chief’s transparency and how critical the management of financial resources is to the operation of the military anywhere in the world.
    Speaking further he said, LT Gen Buratai therefore saw the need to usher in key reforms in terms of financial management and control, civil-military relations and boosting the morale of troops through very robust welfare for  soldiers and officers embarking on operations.
    Ifure while commending the military command, also hinted that all the service Chiefs have demonstrated enough zeal and capacity to help President Buhari see to the fulfillment of his campaign promises to Nigerians and deserve to be supported especially at a time that it looks like the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria have modified their operations.
    “We definitely need to support the military and the service Chiefs because a lot of evil is being perpetuated in the land and only a collective action would save the nation from collapse. He added.