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Tag: Army

  • Army extends Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba by 2 months

    The Army has extended the Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba by two months to rid the state of militants and other criminal elements.

    The army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu explained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, that the extension became necessary to further consolidate on the gains achieved so far in the state.

    Chukwu also said it was being extended in the state due to calls by well-meaning Nigerians.

    The army launched the exercise otherwise known as “Cat Race’’ in six states, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, and Kogi in February to tackle herdsmen/farmers clashes and other forms of criminality.

    It was earlier scheduled to be concluded in the six states by March 31.

    Chukwu called on Taraba people to cooperate with the troops by giving useful and timely information to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

    He said the exercise had recorded tremendous successes in other areas in spite of challenges. (NAN)

  • Northern Clerics  Score Buhari, Army high on security operations

    A group of northern preachers cutting across all religious and ethnic affilaitions under the auspicies of Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace, NIFROP have  scored the Muhammadu Buhari led administration high on the handling of security situations in the country.

    The group said the President and the Nigerian Army have demonstrated in clear terms that there would be no compromise or favoritism on the handling of sensitive secuirty situations in the country irrespective of pressure by some highly placed individuals to the contrary.
    NIFROP said it has become expedient to correct insinuations in the polity by agents of darkness purportedly that the military have shown biases in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities  across the country however insisted that such is miles away from the truth but a deliberate smear campaign to taint President Buhari being the first to pick a Christian cleric at two consective time as his Vice President in Nigeria.
    The National Coordinator, Bishop Gabriel Obubah who addressed newsmen on behalf of his colleagues said the truth that Nigerians must know is that without the military, some of these agents would have over ran the country because of their evil ethnic agenda which they hide under the guise of religion.
    He particularly praised the Nigerian Army and its personnel for the courageous decisions and sacrifices that it has continued to make in order to defend the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its people.
    According to the group, President Buhari remains a good man who means well for the country and his careful handling of securty situatiosn has helped in no doubt to secure the country and avoid the unwanton killing of persons across the country.

    He said “Prophets of doom had once concluded that the end has come for Nigeria on the strength of the satanic activities of Boko Haram but our Almighty God saw to it that the terror group is but a distraction that has almost been completely conquered  and we are emerging  stronger.
    “Once the right political will was marshaled by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army has been able to decimate the terrorists to the point that those that continue to affiliate with Boko Haram are officially endangered species in today’s Nigeria.

    “Because evil ones are always out on the prowl to devour the innocent, it is no surprise that what the followers of the devil have failed to achieve through Boko Haram they now want to achieve under the label of “armed herdsmen”.
    “The patterns are eerily similar; the so called herdsmen operate with almost an aura of invincibility as Boko Haram once was before its political dimension was divinely exposed to herald its decline and impending end. Instances have also been reported where criminals copy the modus operandi of the so called killer herdsmen to hide their own identities.
    “This is why we at the Northern Inter-Faith Religious Organisation for Peace are alarmed that the issue of national security is being politicized and even being exploited by those seeking relevance. Such people have in recent weeks been giving religious and ethnic coloration to unfortunate attacks in certain parts of the country. Even more worrisome are those asking Nigerians to take up arms and resort to self help without fully defining who the enemy is.
    “Our organization, in the strongest terms possible, condemn the call by a former Minister of Defence, retired Lieutenant General TY Danjuma, for triggering the call for people to take up arms against one another and by implication against the state. For someone that once held the position of Minister of Defence in a multicultural and polytheistic nation like Nigeria, Danjuma knows that his call is for anarchy. Had someone else made such call, Danjuma should have queried the belief system of such a person.
    “We decry the situation where certain elements lay claim to Christianity to order adherents to go on killing sprees against persons of other faiths. Those making such calls definitely practice other religious belief and not Christianity because the Bible as every religion frowns at wanton taking of life as being advocated by some heretics.
    Our charge to Nigerians is to beware since false doctrines would multiply at times like these while national  security concerns would be exploited by the unscrupulous.
    “The Northern Inter-Faith Religious Organisation for Peace salutes the President Buhari led administration on its efforts on security, without which the peddlers of discord would have succeeded in their bid to destabilize our dear nation. We hail the efforts of the Nigerian Army, in particular, for protecting the lives of all citizens without consideration for ethnic or religious affiliation. It is the Nigerian Army that has stood against wanton destruction of lives and properties by people who are diabolically possessed to the point of desperately being in a hurry to lead an ethic war in the country.

    “The Exercise  Ayem Akapatuma and other operations by the Nigerian Army in the country are testimony to this very high commitment to peace and security in the country. We cannot but to laud these selfless men and women doing us proud while keeping the country and its sovereignty from the reach of the enemies.
    We call on Nigerians of all faiths to fervently pray against the evil men in our midst. They should plead God to frustrate the attempts to flood and taint the land with blood as a gimmick ahead of the 2019 general elections.
    “The clerics in the land should convene sessions to discuss the position of the sacred testaments on the dangerous calls beings passed off as doctrines. We must also collectively pray for redemption for those calling for anarchy in the Land while begging God to free them from the demons of bloodlust.

    “Patriotic citizens  should also endeavor to pray for Mr. President, the Nigerian Army and its leadership so that the lies of the devil will not have the space to take on form as being articulated by enemies of Nigeria.
    As a first step toward these spiritual interventions, the Northern Inter-Faith Religious Organisation for Peace, would this week march to the Presidential Villa to present our position on the security situation in the country to Mr. President while distancing our members and the entire Christendom from the lies that a particular faith is under threat to justify their members killing other fellow citizens.
    “We testify to a truth that we know. The fight in the country is between the forces of good and the forces of evil; and the strategy of the evil one to manifest as the righteous in order to snare the unwary. The war rages on between the forces of darkness and the key national institutions that have refused to serve evil. Such institutions have been penciled down for blackmail that will only get worse as the evil ones become more desperate.
    “Nigerians are invited to stand in the light and be counted among those that helped defeat evil. They should reject all the false prophets calling people to bear arms against fellow humans, peace and unity remain our goal as a nation”he said

     

  • Anyone caught with arms will be dealt with – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday warned that any citizen caught in possession of arms and ammunition would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

    It, however, assured every law-abiding citizen of equal protection and security of lives and property irrespective of status.

    The army gave the warning in a statement issued by its spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu in reaction to accusation leveled against it by Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff.

    Speaking during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday, Danjuma had accused the Armed Forces of Nigeria of colluding with militias and other criminal elements operating in the state.

    The former army chief also alleged that the armed forces were “unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State’’ and called on the people “to take up arms and defend themselves.’’

    Chukwu said: “The Nigerian Army views this statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff as most unfortunate at this critical time that the military has embarked upon demilitarisation of the North Central region of the country.’’

    He said that although the army would not want to join issues with the elder statesman, certain facts needed to be clearly stated in the interest of the Taraba people and Nigerians in general.

    Chukwu said the army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid the civil authority whenever called upon to do so.

    He said that it was in line with this that the army was authorised to conduct “Exercise Ayem Akpatuma’’ – Cat Race in six states, including Taraba.

    The army spokesman explained that under the exercise, troops were deployed to curb menace of the herdsmen/farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North central zone, amongst others.

    “It is noteworthy to state that at the inception of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma, the Taraba State Government did not cooperate with the Nigerian Army due to the army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen-farmers crisis.

    “The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such.

    “For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advises the people of Taraba State and indeed all other Nigerians to continue in their day-to-day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be dealt with accordance with the laws of the land.

    “Every law-abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of their lives and property irrespective of his/her person,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Chukwu said that the army had arrested three suspected criminals in Taraba on Saturday.

    He said one of them; Rapheal Yakwa was arrested while taking unauthorised and suspicious photographs in a military event.

    Chukwu alleged that during preliminary investigation, it was discovered Yakwa was among some youths “being sponsored by certain individuals of Taraba State to cause uprisings in the area.’’

    “He has also confessed to have participated in most nefarious activities of a group; this was further proven by series of media content discovered on his mobile phone.

    “His – Yakwa, confession has led to the arrest of another suspect, Irambariye Mamman, who is said to be the youth leader as well as the leader of the group.

    “Also apprehended is one Micah Audu, who has confessed to be member of the gang,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Bako, neither serves in army, deserted or dismissed – Army

    The Army has dissociated itself from one Sgt.David Bako, who claimed to be a deserter in an online report credited to him.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement on Sunday said after cross checking its record, the army could not find any “one call Sgt.David Bako, who neither serves in the army, deserted or dismissed.”

    “The Nigerian Army therefore puts the record straight that it has crosscheck it records and cannot find any one called Sergeant David Bako who neither serves in the Army, deserted nor dismissed.”

    Bako had claimed in the publication that the Dapchi school girls abduction was planned in the villa and executed with N80 million and he was one of the abductees.

    Chukwu, however, disassociate the army from what described as “such fictitious report and request the public to disregard the confession made by the so call Sgt. Bako, who has not been in the army at all.”

    “It is imperative to know that these baseless and inane allegations are not new in the cyber space, knowing the fact that we are in the age of information warfare.

    “Open Source Intelligence reveals that the website Dailyglobewatch.eu with country code top-level domain (ccTLD) .eu used in publishing stories is obviously fake and therefore not correct.

    “Based on our findings the website was registered on the 14 of April 2017 and the last updated was on the same date and will expire on the 14th April 2018.

    ”We are very familiar with reports of this nature and will advice the general public to disregard such claim and desist from sharing such information on the New Media as this is against the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015.”

    According to him, it is really worrisome to the level at which some people could condescend so low to fabricate facetious allegation against the Nigerian Army and the military at large for cheap political gains or simply an act of pure wickedness.

    He urged the public to disregard “such facetious allegation.”

    Chukwu reiterated the army’s commitment to remain apolitical and non-partisan in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

    “We would also like to reaffirm our unconditional support and obedience to civil authority as well as reassuring Nigerians that these Fifth columnists will not succeed in their mischief as they will be fished out and dealt with accordingly.” (NAN)

  • 30 months after, Army reopens Maiduguri-Bama highway

    The Nigerian Army has reopened the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki international highway in Borno State.

    The theatre commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Rogers Nicholas, announced this yesterday at the inauguration of the highway in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said the road was certified safe for public use following the successes recorded in the ongoing clearance operation in the war against insurgency.

    He said: “Today marks another remarkable event in the life of people of Borno and of the military in the operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Recall that on September 1, 2014; the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Road was closed due to activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the general and that affected the economic activities in Borno state and the Cameroun Republic.

    “In the course of our operation with our Cameroonian counterpart, we had been able to get rid of the insurgents along this axis particularly the Sambisa forest.

    “It is time for people to go back to their homes in Bama, I am happy that today we are opening up the road in the first phase of the operation.

    “It would also give the people the leverage to resume commercial activities along the axis and also give them confidence to return home.

    “We also implore the people going back and members of the road transport workers to adhere to the guidelines outlined by the military so that they could ply the road with level of safety.”

    Nicholas said the military authorities had designed strategies to provide escort to ensure safety of motorists plying the road and other highways in the theatre.

    He also called on the insurgents to take advantage of the presidential amnesty by laying down their arms.

  • Ibadan killing: Army arrests soldier, other suspects

    The soldier allegedly involved in the Ibadan shooting and killing of a 30-year-old man, Kehinde Adeleke, following an argument at the car park of Trans Amusement Park in Ibadan, the state capital, has been arrested with other suspects in the killing.

    The soldier was led yesterday by top military and police officers to the Iyaganku State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ibadan for their statements.

    For about seven hours, police detectives probing the killing drilled the suspects.

    Other suspects in the killing were also brought to the station, three weeks after the incident.

    It was gathered that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, had ordered investigation into alleged involvement of soldiers attached to the Oyo State security outfit, Operation Burst, which has men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the police and soldiers.

    Also, Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude said the soldier and other suspects fingered in the killing were arrested and taken to the State CID for further investigation into the killing.

    Speaking through the command’s spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), the police commissioner said: “Those allegedly involved in the incident made their statements. The soldier has made a statement while investigation continues.”

    Though Ajisebutu did confirm whether or not the soldier and others involved in the killing were detained after making their statement, a source said: “The soldier and others named in the killing have since remained in custody while investigation into the murder case continues.”

    Last week, some military officers from the 2 Division of the Army visited the Iyaganku police headquarters in line with the order by the GOC to conduct an investigation into the killing of Kehinde Adeleke.

    A source said some witnesses were invited while the soldiers questioned them on the incident.

    It was learnt that the report of the investigation would be sent to the GOC to ascertain the alleged involvement of the soldiers in the killing.

  • Army draws battle line against killer-herdsmen

    ‘Stop or face decisive action’

    Herdsman held with AK47 rifle

    The Army has warned killers to stop their evil act or “face decisive action by troops”.

    It also warned that commanders who fail to act decisively would “face court martial”.

    Killings have persisted in Taraba, Benue and Adamawa states, despite the ongoing operation “Cat Race”.

    No fewer than 24 people were killed in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State last week in attacks by herdsmen. There was a resurgence of violence in Plateau State where between Wednesday and Saturday 25 people, including a family of five, were killed. But the police put the figure of the dead at 16.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu said the army and other security agencies were working assiduously to identify and arrest all those involved in those acts, “regardless of their disposition in the society, including government functionaries”.

    Gen. Chukwu said the attention of the army had been drawn to the continued disturbing, senseless killings and wanton destruction of properties in the three states and “strongly warns the perpetrators of these crimes to desist forthwith”.

    “We would like to unequivocally reiterate that the Army Headquarters warns the arsonists and the killers to stop or face decisive action by troops.

    “Our Rules of Engagement (ROE) are clear on arson and murder. Therefore, no such criminal acts would be allowed in any of the aforementioned states.

    “The public is please reminded that when troops are called out for internal security operations, they are not to joke or persuade anyone.

    “We have warned our commanders on the ground to take decisive actions or face court martial.”

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia invaded Daffo village in Bokkos Local Government of Plateau State, killing among others five members of Rev. Bitrus Ishaya’s family. The victims have been buried in two mass graves.

    An eyewitness, Jerry Datim, said: “I was part of the rescue team. Those killed are 25.

    “This very attack was a fallout of the January conflict in Daffo between the youths and the Fulani; the Fulani vowed reprisal. So, on March 7, the Fulani numbering about 200 and fully armed, stormed the village at about 11:30pm. Some were dressed in black; others in red. After the attack, we recovered five bodies of victims.

    “Rev. Bitrus Ishaya, his entire family was completely wiped out during the attack, including Stephen Ishaya, Patrick Ishaya, John Monday. We buried the five bodies we recovered last Friday. With the assistance of Mobile policemen, we recovered seven more bodies. The total number of bodies we recovered at the weekend is 25 and they have been buried in two mass graves in Daffo.”

    A group of concerned members of the Ronkulere ethnic group in Daffo, who also confirmed the attack at a news conference in Jos yesterday, said the last attack by the Fulani militia was carried out on March7 and 8.

    Ambassador Adams, said:  ”The gunmen unleashed mayhem on people of Fahrundonghai hamlet and environs of Daffo district.

    “This is one attack too many; we have had enough of these killings. This act of senselessness and share disregard for our kindness and hospitality as well as our respect for law and order must stop. Government should step in and stop these killings.

    “We have the records of such killings in 2013, 2015 to the extent that our paramount ruler the Saf Ron Kulere was killed in 2016 in a similar manner. We will be compelled to petition the United Nations if the Nigerian security are not ready to protect us from these gunmen.

    “More than 400 residents have been displaced because their houses have been razed by the attackers, families food stuff  have been razed down and those displaced will not be able to prepare their farm land for the farming season, this is a serious disaster in our communities.

    “We have so far recovered 25 bodies of victims and many more are still missing, we can’t find their bodies.”

    The group said two suspects were arrested by men of the special military task force “Operation Safe Haven”. But the federal troops denied such arrests.

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has promised not to rest until every life in the state is secured. Commissioner for Information Yakubu Dati, in a statement, said: “Plateau State Government has given a marching order to the security agents in the state to immediately arrest and prosecute the criminals that perpetrated the killings of a couple of persons in Bassa and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state.

    “Governor Lalong believes that our differences are better resolved by sitting together to address them rather than taking arms against one another.

    “He warned that the state will not fold its arms and watch the enemies of Plateau take us back to the dark old days when citizens distrusted one another, adding that we must emphasize the great values that unite us as a people.

    “While condoling with the families that lost their loved ones in the attacks, the Governor assured that urgent steps are being taken in collaboration with the security agents to get to the roots of the problem, and to avoid the repeat of the ugly incident.”

    The Police said they had arrested a herdsman with a military AK 47 rifle.

    Plateau police spokesman Terna Tyopev gave the rifle’s number as HC2614.

    He said the herdsman, Muhammadu Musa Bimini, was arrested by riot policemen on Thursday at Daffo.

    Tyopev, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the suspect had been transferred from Bokkos to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Jos and was already being interrogated.

    The police spokesman said 16 people were confirmed killed in the multiple attacks on several villages between Wednesday and Friday.

    He said the command had deployed more personnel to restore peace to the trouble areas, and advised the people to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.

    Meanwhile, leaders of the affected communities have said that 25 people were killed in the attacks.

    The community leaders, who briefed newsmen on Sunday in Jos, said that many others were still missing.

     

  • Army dealing with security challenges, says Buratai

    Army dealing with security challenges, says Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai has said the Army is dealing with rising security challenges.

    Lt.-Gen. Burutai spoke yesterday at the groundbreaking of the Army Barracks, Camp Buratai, at Elebele, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He explained that following the nation’s challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari desired the Army to spread its footprints to confront threats in partnership with sister agencies.

    The COAS said the 6th Division and 6th Brigade in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were part of the expansionist project.

    He said the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa, was made operational on February 28, adding that he was in Katsina 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the  8th Division, with headquarters in Operation Lafia Dole in Monguno.

    But he said its headquarters in Monguno would be relocated to Sokoto once insurgency is fully contained.

    The groundbreaking was attended by Governor Seriake Dickson; his key exco members; Founder/President of Belema Oil Producing Ltd Mr. Jack-Rich Pein (Jnr); and the Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Refinery, Dr. Azibapu Erani.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6th Division Maj.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf; Commander 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, and other security commanders; traditional rulers and host communities were also present.

    Gen. Buratai said: “The establishment of 6th Brigade  in Port Harcourt, 6th Division in Port Harcourt and the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa forms an important part of Mr. President’s desire to have a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies.

    “As you may be aware, I was in Katsina about 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8 Division whose headquarters is currently in Operation Lafia Dole, the theatre of operation specifically in Monguno but will soon relocate to Sokoto after the menace of the insurgency has been fully contained.’’

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Dapchi Girls: Stop the blame game, Dogara tells Army, Police

    Dapchi Girls: Stop the blame game, Dogara tells Army, Police

    Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, asked security agencies to take responsibility for failing to stop the abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe, on Feb. 19.

    He said that the buck-passing between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force was unacceptable.

    In a statement by Mr Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dogara said rather than trading blames, the security agencies should strengthen inter-agency collaboration towards rescuing the girls.

    He said that the statements credited to the Army and the Police in which they tried to exonerate themselves from any culpability in the unfortunate abduction of the girls from their school were highly condemnable.

    “This is unacceptable and the House of Representatives, and indeed Nigerians, will hold the security agencies responsible. They all bear responsibility for this unfortunate incident.

    “The traumatic experience of the Chibok abduction which is still fresh in our minds should have served as a warning signal to security agencies to provide adequate protection to all schools in the North-East.

    “I want to use this medium to console the parents of the abducted girls and the entire Dapchi community over this unfortunate incident.

    “I also urge all Nigerians and people of goodwill from all over to pray for the safe return of the girls,” Dogara said.

  • Army, police in big row over 110 girls abduction

    Army, police in big row over 110 girls abduction

    The blame game has begun.

    The army and the police yesterday disagreed over who should carry the can for the February 19 abduction of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls.

    The Army said it “formally” handed over security in Dapchi to the police as its men moved to another operation, but the police said  there was no such handover.

    The army dismissed as “misleading”, alleged withdrawal of troops to aid the abduction of the Government Girls Science Technical College students in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, in a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said the allegation against the military “is not only unfortunate, but also very far from the truth”.

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam had reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the troops from the area was responsible for the attack and abduction of female students of the college.

    Col. Nwachukwu said Dapchi town was handed over to the police following the return of peace and civil authority in the area.

    “Contrary to the comments credited to Governor Ibrahim Geidam, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border.

    “This is on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful, and the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.

    “Therefore, troops’ redeployment was done in tandem with the exigencies of operation as against the misconstrued notion.

    “Several local councils and communities, hitherto, under siege by the insurgents were liberated by troops who continue to trail and decimate remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of such liberated communities and towns fall in the hands of the sister security agencies”.

    Col. Nwachukwu noted that the Theatre Command would not be joined in the blame game, but rather remained committed to ensuring successful implementation of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East.

    He explained that the recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa forest and the Lake Chad region was a clear testimony of the effective operations against the insurgents.

    “Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate comment and allegation is being touted against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya Dole”.

    “We assure parents, government, the good people of Yobe and indeed, members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other persons held captive by the terrorists,’’ he said.

    But Police Commissioner in Yobe State, Sunmonu Abdumalik in a statement said:  “The statement by the Military of formal handing over of Dapchi town to the Nigeria Police Division in Dapchi is not correct and untrue, as there was no time that the military informed the Police of their withdrawal, consult or handed over their locations in Dapchi town to the Police.

    “The whole of Yobe State is still under Security Emergency which the Police, the Military and other security agencies are battling to ensure lasting peace.

    “Members of the public in Yobe State are implored to disregard and discountenance this claim that the Military formally handed the security of Dapchi town to the Nigeria Police as untrue, unfounded and misleading.

    “The Yobe State Police Command will continue to cooperate with other security agencies in ensuring safety and protection of lives and property of people of Yobe State.”

    We’ll rescue girls, others, says Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  promised that his administration will do its all to rescue all Nigerians abducted by terrorists.

    He gave the assurance while addressing the recently freed abductees taken by terrorists in Borno State, including 10 girls and three lecturers.

    The President said: “While government was fully aware of the expectations of your families and the general public for your immediate freedom, the path to your freedom was painstaking and protracted. This was because the group responsible for your abduction were not only different but based in different locations that if not properly handled could result in dire consequences.

    “I thank all the various security agencies for their professionalism throughout this process, as well as other agencies of government, sister nations in the Lake Chad region, the International Committee of the Red Cross who have contributed to this feat of bringing you all home safely.

    “While thanking the security agencies and all those who facilitated this, let me clearly reiterate the resolve of this administration to ensure all persons abducted by the insurgents are rescued or released safely. This is especially against the backdrop of the recent incident where another group of girls were abducted on the 19th from Government Science and Technical Girls College, Dapchi, Yobe State.”

    According to Buhari, he has already directed all security agencies to ensure the safety of schools and students and safe return of the abducted girls to their families.

    He added: “Government remains unrelenting towards rescuing all those abducted. Government will also work closely with all stakeholders, especially the United Nations and other donor agencies, voluntary organisations towards rehabilitating and resettling all those displaced as a result of all these conflicts, to quicken resumption of meaningful social economic activities.

    “I remain very mindful of the pains and injury collectively metted out by the insurgents and we will ensure that government does not leave any stone unturned to degrade and contain these insurgents and ensure that complete peace returns to our land.

    “Once again, I’m pleased to see that all of you are now free and will soon join your loved ones as well as be fully integrated back into the society.

    “Nigerians sympathise with you on your ordeal and wish you welcome back to your families and friends.

    “And I suppose the NYSC should give a certificate of discharge to the person that spent the remaining of her service somewhere else (with abductors).”

    The President went on: “This administration has been unrelenting in your rescue and freedom from your captors several months ago. I was terribly saddened by the incident of the abduction of June 20th, last year and the brutal killing of six others on the spot along Damboa Road while heading for the burial of a close one in Askira Uba Local Government of Borno State.

    “The second was the July 26th, last year of the abduction of three university staff who were on official mission to explore the the possibility of the exploration of oil at the Lake Chad Basin.

    “I can assure that apart from your family members, every peace-loving Nigerian prayed for your safety and wished for your early release from the hold of your abductors.

    “Your rescue on the 10th of February this year was a very huge relief to me personally as well as to all Nigerians.

    “Let me say that this government treasures all the human lives, particularly that of its citizens, and following your abductions, the security agencies were directed by me to do everything humanly possible to ensure the safe release of every one of you and other persons under hold of the insurgents.”

    The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, listed the names of the abductees, who were brought to the President on Monday, to include Jummai Ibrahim, who was serving her NYSC at the time of her abduction, Esther Wazari Kwasina and Amina Adams Gomdiya, Gloria Bulus, Paulina Amos, Tani Audu, and a final year student in the University of Maiduguri, Fustina.

    He told the President that his organization chose  the path of negotiation because it was considered as the safest.

    “Because any forceful attempt to rescue the victims could endanger their lives. These negotiations took several months and the Department of State Services with support of the external elements of the group in diaspora and support from friendly countries and liaising with International Committee of the Red Cross made the rescue possible.”

    Daura said that the process was slow due to the problem of dealing with two groups based in different locations at the same time.

    According to him, the negotiations took place mostly outside the country, but they were finalised in the theater of operations.

    He said: “The negotiations were mainly centered on an attempt at conflict mitigation which include the fate of arrested members of the insurgent groups, especially, accepting to free by government those found not to be culpable in any criminal action. Also, possible cessation of hostilities, especially the attacks with IEDs on innocent civilians, worship centers, schools and other public places in return for temporary stoppage of air strikes by helicopter gunships.

    “Lastly, the negotiation was also centered on the possibility of granting amnesty to those willing to surrender and ready to lay down their arms by the federal government.” he said