The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • SON trains Army personnel on ISO 9001 standards

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Training Services Department has conducted a training for 12 officers of the Army Standards and Evaluation Department in Abuja.

    The training was sequel to the visit of the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Major-General Adekunle Shodunke, to SON, and the resolve to collaborate towards certification of the Nigerian Army processes to ISO Quality Management System (QMS) standards.

    Facilitators of the five-day training were Miss Osioneh Braimah and Olumide Alade, an engineer,  of the SON Training Services Department.

    Declaring the training open, Shodunke said the Nigerian Army was keen on improving its existing processes in line with international best practices and was ready to adopt the world acclaimed ISO 9001:2015 QMS standards in its operations.

    According to him, the training was the first in the series of others that will include officers from all departments of the Nigerian Army involved in standards evaluation and monitoring.

    Shodunke said the Nigerian Army stands to benefit immensely from the adoption of the ISO Standard, which has wide acceptance in various private sector, governmental, security and paramilitary institutions across the world.

    He enjoined the trainees to be attentive and focused during the training program which, according to him, will include a test of understanding at the end.

  • …we are on standby –Army

    THE Nigerian Army on Friday said soldiers would be on standby to forestall possible violence in Saturday’s council elections in Rivers. The spokesman of the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, told our reporters that soldiers would be deployed at strategic points several kilometres away from polling centres. He explained that the army was adopting that position because “we are not directly involved in the election and no soldier is going to be deployed for any election duty.’’

    According to Iliyasu, it is only the Police and Department of State Security that have the constitutional responsibility to provide security in the election. “However, we are always on alert whenever there is election. We will only be on standby at the periphery in case our services are needed,” he said. Iliyasu said that soldiers were banned from going into polling centres and escort polling materials to the centres. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) will conduct the elections in the 23 local government areas of the state.

  • Army re-strategising to end insecurity, says Buratai

    The Army is re-strategising to deal decisively with kidnapping, cattle rustling and other conflicts in the North Central and North Western regions  Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said.

    Gen. Buratai also said the army would continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustainance of democracy.

    Gen. Buratai in message to officers and soldiers to mark the 2018 Eid El Fitr celebrations said the army had performed well in the past few months especially in the various operations assigned to them across the country.

    The Army Chief said Boko Haram had effectively been tackled, but called on officers and men to redouble their efforts in the collective discharge of their constitutional roles.

    Gen. Buratai said: “I wish to use this medium to felicitate with all officers, soldiers of the NA and their families on this occasion of 2018 Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations. This Celebration which climax the Holy month of Ramadan offers an opportunity for spiritual upliftment and renewal of our collective commitment to the NA and the Nation at large.

    “I want to use this occasion to commend personnel for their tireless contribution in the sustenance of peace and security across the Country and I urge all to remain professionally focused to this end.

    ” The achievements recorded by the NA in the various activities conducted in last few months is worthy of mention. These activities include the successful conduct of Op DEEP PUNCH II, Ex AYEM AKPATUMA (Ex CAT RACE) Op LAST HOLD which is ongoing and the hosting of the African Land Forces Summit in Abuja to mention but  few.

    “Furthermore, we have effectively tackled the Boko Haram Insurgency.  However, in the areas of kidnapping, cattle rustling in the North Central and North Western Regions; we are re-strategizing to decisively deal with the situation.

    “These feats no doubt are calls for officers and soldiers to redouble our efforts in the collective discharge of our constitutional roles.  In the pursuit of this, I charge you all to maintain disciplined, be committed, dedicated, resilient and courageous in the discharge of your duties.

    ” May I at this point reiterate my total commitment towards achieving my vision for the NA. It is my desire to transform the NA into a more potent and professional responsive force that will effectively curtail contemporary security challenges.

    “To this end, I want to reassure you all that issues bothering on training and welfare will continue to receive my utmost attention. We shall continue to do our best to ensure the wellbeing of our officers and soldiers as well as their families.

    ” Finally, on this great occasion, I want to on behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The NA will continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustenance of democracy.”

     

  • Army, Police rescue abducted petrol dealer, wife, others in Ekiti forest

    A combined team of soldiers and police operatives yesterday rescued a petrol dealer, his wife and six others abducted last Friday.

    The soldiers and men of the Operation Flush from Ekiti State Command were said to have invaded the expansive forest where they were held hostage.

    A source said there was fierce gun duel between the security men and gunmen before the breakthrough was recorded.

    The source said: “They requested for N20 million ransom from the oil dealer, which they later reduced to N15 million.

    “They were constantly making contact with the family of the oil dealer on the deal.

    “As of this morning (Saturday), the family could only raise a sum of N1.2 million and that was the situation before the soldiers and police stormed the forest and secured their freedom,” he said.

    The petro dealer identified as Mr. D. Alalade and his wife were seized at about 4.00 pm at a location between Erik and Economic by gunmen wearing military camouflage.

    Alalade is the manager of one of the outlets of BOVAS Petroleum and Gas Limited in Ekiti State.

    The 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, however, said its troops rescued ten persons from the kidnappers.

    A statement yesterday by Assistant Army Public Relations Officer, Major Ojo Adenegan, said the rescue operation was carried out after an exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and kidnappers.

    It reads: “The troops of 32 Artillery Brigade in continuation of its clearance operations at various flash and black spots in Ekiti State have rescued ten kidnapped victims inside a forest at Erio – Efon Alaaye road.

    “The victims were kidnapped on their way to Ado Ekiti from Efon Alaaye in two commercial buses at different points.

    “The information got to our troops who were on intensive patrol where they quickly responded by combing the forest and had exchange of fire between our troop and the kidnappers who later fled as a result of fire power against the kidnappers.

    “The ten victims who were at the kidnappers’ hostage were rescued safely without any injury.

    “Men of the Nigeria police from Efon Alaaye also participated in the operation.

    “The victims have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Ekiti State Command.”

    Many kidnapping and robbery incidents have been recorded at the forest belt between Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State and Erinmo, a community in neighbouring Osun State.

    At least three persons were killed by suspected gunmen two weeks ago while many others were kidnapped.

    The Nigerian Army formation in Akure, Ondo State, last week raided the forests in the area with human skeletons believed to be those of kidnap victims discovered.

    Some motorists and commuters travelling to Ife, Ilesa, Ibadan and Lagos have abandoned the road for alternative routes.

    A source, who escaped from the scene of abduction, told our reporter yesterday the couple was waylaid by the gunmen who fired several shots to scare motorists and commuters using the Ado-Aramoko-Ilesa Highway.

    The abductors were said to be six in number and they wielded sophisticated weapons.

    Our source said: “As they waylaid their car, the occupants of the vehicle coming behind them quickly ran into the bush to take cover.

    “They even shot into the air to scare us and ensure that we waited but we ran for our lives.

    “We even thought they were robbers until we learnt that they have called the abductors’ family.”

    The sprawling forest between Efon, a border town with Osun State to Iwaraja, an Ijesa town, had been branded beehive of criminals in recent times.

    Prominent indigenes of the state, including the State Financial

    Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kayode Oni, have been kidnapped in that axis recently.

  • Burutai visits planned Apple Island for Army

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai, at the weekend visited the site of the proposed Apple Island promoted by the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

    He was accompanied by military commanders, including General Officer Commander 81 Division, General Enebong Udoh.

    He was received and briefed of the planned development by Babajide Ayoade, business manager, Tauraf International Limited – the appointed developer for the project.

    The project is expected to comprise about 100 housing units for top military officers currently suffering acute accommodation shortage.

    Construction giants, Julius Berger Ltd and Van Oord, are contractors for the project expected to be sited on a reclaimed parcel of reclaimed land from the Lagos Lagoon.

    The proposed island is to be located 400 metres off the shoreline of the upscale Banana Island in Ikoyi.

     

  • Troops arrest man for aiding bandits

    The Nigerian Army said troops have arrested a man suspected to be a logistic supplier to bandits in some villages in Kaduna state.
    In a statement issued by the Army Director of  Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, the Army gave the name of the man as Abdulkadir Samaila.
    The statement reads: ” Troops of 1 Division Garrison Nigerian Army Kaduna, deployed in operation IDON RAINI on 6 June 2018 while carrying out cordon and search at Dogon Dawa arrested one Abdulkadri Samaila a logistics supplier to bandits.
    “Also arrested is Alhaji Yahaya who is also responsible for supplying some items to the criminals.
    “Items recovered from the suspect include: One Opel car, Two handsets and Thirty four thousand naira Cash only.
    “Similarly, troops also conducting raid operation at Sabonfilin village  encountered some bandits.
    ‘Three of the bandits were neutralized following a superior fire power from the troops.
    “Items recovered include: Four motorcycles ,  Four handsets A substance suspected to be solution”.

  • Army combs Ekiti forests, discovers decayed body

    Men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Canton-ment, Akure in Ondo State at the weekend invaded forests in Efon-Alaye-Itawure axis of Ekiti state to flush out criminals operating in the area. This followed reports of incessant robbery and kidnapping incidents across the state, particularly between Aramoko- Ekiti and Efon Alaaye. The troop, according to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Ojo Adenegan, was led by the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. James Ataguba.

    The military operation, according to the statement, commenced early Friday morning with the combing of the thick forest areas of Arifa community along Iwaraja road. While the operation lasted, a decomposed body of a man suspected to be a victim of kidnapping, was discovered with his GSM phone still ringing repeatedly. The Nigerian Police and the State Government were informed by the Brigade for quick evacuation of the decomposed body.

    The statement also urged the public and travellers within the area not to panic on sighting movement of troops as the operation is still ongoing. This development, the Brigade said, is aimed at making the black spots in the area crime free, urging the public to cooperate with the army towers the success of the clearance operation. He also urged improved information sharing on the activities of the criminals through the brigade call centre hotlines; 09030002151 and 09030002161.

    It would be recalled that suspected armed bandits struck around 5pm last Saturday near Efon-Alaaye and reportedly killed three passengers who were travelling in a commercial  bus from Ado-Ekiti to Ibadan. Similar criminal activities are daily reported in the area where bandits now operate with reckless impunity.

  • Army neutralises 2 female bombers

    The Nigerian Army says it neutralised two female suicide bombers, who attempted to infiltrate troops in Kawuri, in Konduga Local Government Area on Friday.

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

    Nwachukwu said that the suicide bombers had used the cover of darkness to stalk the military camp at about 9.45 pm but were promptly detected by the vigilant troops who engaged them when they refused to comply with their order.

    He said one of the suicide vests detonated immediately killing the two suicide bombers while the second suicide vest failed to detonate.

    He explained that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team had safely detonated the suicide vest.

     

  • Army starts `Whirl Stroke’ against armed herdsmen, militia groups

    The military has lunched Operation Whirl Stroke for Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states, to counter armed herdsmen and militia groups operating in the areas.

    The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen, John Agim , said at the Tactical Air Command headquarters in Makurdi that the operation which began on May 8, consists of all the military services, police and Department of State Services (DSS).

    Agim also confirmed the arrest of some militias, armed herdsmen and associates of a notorious suspected criminal Terwase Akwaza, who has since been declared wanted.

    Furthermore, the Force Commander in charge of the new operation, Major General Mutiu Yekini, assured residents of improved security with the operations covering both land and air targets.

    Since the beginning of the year, many have lost their lives and property as a result of clashes between farmers and killer herdsmen in states across the country.

    While Benue has been one of the most affected states, many have called on the Federal Government to declare the killer herdsmen as terrorists.

    The Federal Government, on the other hand, has appealed to leaders of various groups to convince their constituents that it is doing its best to end the recurring attacks across the country.

    Meanwhile, troops on Operation Lafiya Dole have killed two suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group after a tough gunfight in Borno State.

    The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said that the army on Thursday overran terrorist hideouts in Bukar Maryam and Abaganaram villages of the state in north-east Nigeria.

    The soldiers, who were on a joint counter-insurgency operation with Cameroonian Defence Forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force in the northern hinterlands of Borno, also arrested other insurgents.

    The troops overpowered the insurgents, killing two of them and capturing 11 men after a fierce firefight, during an operation to clear the surrounding villages of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.”

    Some of the items recovered from the insurgents include two Multi-Purpose Rocket Grenade Launcher (Police Tear Gas Gun), one Rocket Propelled Gun Charger, two AK-47 rifle magazines with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one magazine vest.

  • Army kill 8 bandits in Zamfara

    Eight bandits have been killed by troops of the One Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Gusau in an exchange of gunfire in Maru Local Government area of Zamfara.

    This is contained in a press release signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Clement Abiade and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Thursday.

    He said the army was now carrying out clearance operations in the state nicknamed “Operation Idon Raini.”

    According to him, the troops encountered the bandits in the bushes spanning through Dansadau, Kabaro and Sangeko villages, all in Maru local government area of the state.

    “Apart from those killed, many of the other bandits escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds and may now be seeking medical help.

    “We are therefore pleading with members of the public to give us any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the escapees and all other criminals that carry unprovoked attacks on innocent citizens, “he said.

    The army spokesman also disclosed that five motorcycles as well as five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition belonging to the fleeing bandits were recovered by the troops on Wednesday. (NAN)