The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • Army, police warn troublemakers

    Army, police warn troublemakers

    The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has warned thugs and troublemakers to steer clear of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas during the rerun election, today. It also assured of peaceful elections in the two LGAs, while urging leaders of political parties fielding candidates in the polls to call their supporters to order, thereby refusing involvement in violence and thuggery.

    The 6 division, through its Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in an interview yesterday in Port Harcourt, disclosed that enough soldiers were on Thursday deployed in Etche and Omuma LGAs to give the necessary support to the police and other security agencies, declaring that the Nigerian army was very prepared for the elections. Acting Rivers Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Magaji, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, promised adequate security during today’s polls, to ensure free, fair and credible rerun.

    The leaders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) also disagreed on plot to rig the polls. The PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Samuel Nwanosike, accused the members and leaders of the APC of conniving with security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to massively rig the crucial elections.

    The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Rivers, Chris Finebone, yesterday evening in Port Harcourt, however, declared that Governor Nyesom Wike, his allies and members of the PDP had perfected plans to rig the elections again through violence, thuggery and bribery, while urging security agents to be vigilant and avoid double standard. Finebone stressed that candidates of APC for the elections and members of the party in Etche and Omuma LGAs vigorously campaigned, which he said would make them to record landslide victories, provided the polls were free, fair and devoid of violence/ thuggery.

    The rerun in over 200 voting units across 8 registration areas will be for House of Representatives’ Etche/Omuma federal constituency, which will hold in 147 units in Etche LGA & one unit in Omuma LGA, while election for Rivers House of Assembly’s Etche constituency 2 will hold in 74 units.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Rivers state, Aniedi Ikoiwak, stated that the polls would hold in areas where access to polling units were blocked by suspected thugs during the December 10 last year’s rerun, where election materials got to, but for violence and disruption, elections were not collated and results not declared at the appropriate venue and where elections were held, but the results were rejected and cancelled by the Electoral Officers at the ward level, because of certain malpractices.

    Ikoiwak noted that with all the adequate arrangements made by INEC and assurances given by security agencies, he expressed optimism that the elections would be free, fair and credible. APC’s Ogbonna Nwuke is for Etche/Omuma federal constituency in the House of Representatives, while Golden Chioma is the main opposition party’s candidate for Rivers House of Assembly’s Etche constituency 2. PDP’s Chief Jerome Eke is for House of Representatives, while Mr. Tony Ejiogu is the ruling party’s candidate for Etche constituency 2 in the House of Assembly.

    INEC’s National Commissioner supervising Rivers, Edo and Bayelsa states, May Agbamuche-Mbu, had earlier revealed that over 700 staff of the commission, within and outside Rivers state, would be deployed for the elections. It will be recalled that the Rivers Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Omotayo Adewoye, stated that the 300 invited youth corps members would not be participating in today’s elections, to avoid being killed, since a youth corps member was earlier killed by hoodlums during previous rerun in the state.

  • DHQ faults Amnesty’s report, denies death of 240 persons in Borno

    DHQ faults Amnesty’s report, denies death of 240 persons in Borno

    Amnesty International, a human rights group got a flak from Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters on Wednesday over a report alleging deaths of 240 people in Borno and 177 pro Biafran protesters.
    In a statement issued in Abuja, Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar described the allegations as “another in its series of spurious fabrications aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military. “
    Rabe said the allegations contained in the said report are not only inconceivable but has no place in the Nigerian military.
    He further said the report is rather contrived lies orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian Armed Forces describing it as cheap blackmail.
    Rabe said: ” It is on record that Amnesty International embarked on such series of false allegations against the Nigerian military and other security forces as far back as the inception of the military action against terrorists in the North East.
    “Amnesty International would only encourage activities of non-state actors who take up arms against the state, killing, maiming and destroying public property but would always accuse security forces who are sacrificing everything to restore peace and normalcy.
    “In as much as the Nigerian military acknowledges  and respects  the views and constructive criticism of individuals, groups or even international organisations including Amnesty International, it will not fall for nor accept the deliberate falsehood that have no bearing with the fact or reality on ground.”
    The Defence spokesman said the Nigerian military has always been open in its operations and do not hide its activities from the probing eye of the public saying Amnesty International chose to bandy fabricated reports and concocted stories instead of seeking clarifications from the relevant authorities.
    He said the National Human Rights Commission had sent its delegation to seek clarification on issues they are not comfortable with, and in each occasion, the DHQ always oblige them with the information they sought.
    “AI would rather contrive their report to suit their intention which is to cast slur on the image and integrity of the Nigerian military. It smacks of mischief for the AI to insist on publishing unverified and unsubstantiated  report as it is only them that knows why it embark on such dishonourable venture over a period of time.
    “The Nigerian military rejects this AI reports in its entirety and appeals to all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the report and discountenance its content,”  Rabe said.
  • Army worms wreck Niger farmers

    Army worms wreck Niger farmers

    Niger State farmers’ worst fears have caught up with them. The dreaded army worms have invaded their farms and chewed up their crops. Now the farmers fear not only for themselves but also for the entire country which is in dire need of food security.

    The United Nations has alerted countries including Nigeria about the invasion of army worms which are destroying crops worldwide.

    In Nigeria, 24 states are battling with the insect, Niger being one of them. Four of its local government areas have been ravaged by the invaders.

    The Niger State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Kabiru Abbas Musa disclosed that farmers in four local government areas of Niger state have lost crops worth millions of naira to the invasion of army worms. He said the worms have eaten up large amounts of crops in the four councils.

    The Commissioner said that the state government has taken steps towards preventing the spread of the army worms to other local government areas.

    Musa confirmed the invasion of army worms during the flag-off of fertilizer distribution for 2017 dry season farming by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at Tungan Kawo in Wushishi local government of Niger state.

    He said that the local government areas affected includes Wushishi, Masegu, Mariga and Magama adding that necessary measures which includes distributing insecticides is being taken to ensure that the invasion do not affect the wet season farming.

    “The army worms have ravaged farms in four local government areas. We are taking steps towards curtailing it. We have to make sure it does not spread,” he said.

  • Trump rally: Army didn’t kill 11 IPOB members

    The 6 Division has described as false and malicious a statement credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that the Army killed 11 members of the group during a rally on January 20 in Port Harcourt.

    In a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Illyasu, the Army described as  baseless and unsubstantiated “allegation by Emma Powerful, who claims to be the Media and Publicity Secretary of a criminal gang in which he claimed that 11 of its members were killed by soldiers on January 20 in Port Harcourt during a solidarity rally to commemorate the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America”.

    Colonel Iliyasu said: “We, therefore, wish to warn Emma Powerful and other likeminded mischief makers that the Army will no longer tolerate such spurious and unfounded allegations that are injurious to its hard-earned image and reputation, its selfless and dedicated officers and soldiers by any group of criminals regardless of their appellation.”

    He said the choice of Port Harcourt as the epicentre of the protest has left much to be desired,  adding that in line with its constitutional mandate, troops of 29 Battalion were deployed with officers of other sister security agencies to prevent any loss of life or property with strict adherence to the established rules of engagement.

    “Despite all provocative attempts occasioned by the stoning of security agents and the smashing of commuters’  windscreens by the violent protesters, troops refused to be cajoled into the criminal gang’s trap to fire a single shot.

    “This is indicative of the troops’ total compliance with their rules of engagement. The violent protest was subsequently subdued with the use of tear gas and arrests were made by a sister security agency with no casualty recorded on either side,” Illiyasu said.

    He, however, described as “worrisome and disturbing for anyone to falsely accuse troops deployed in support of civil authority who conducted their duty professionally under the beaming lenses of cameras of allegedly killing 11 citizens of our great country.”

    He claimed that a well observed trend of this “criminal gang” is the malicious posting of old videos and pictures on social media platforms, which have no bearing on their claims to attract public sympathy and whip public sentiments.

    “To this end, 6 Division headquarters wishes to inform the public that the allegation is not true and should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the separatist group.

    “We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the Division’s area of responsibility,” the statement reads.

  • Army denies killing IPOB supporters in Rivers

    Army denies killing IPOB supporters in Rivers

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied that its troops shot 11 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to death during Jan. 20 solidarity rally in Port Harcourt.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Army’s spokesman, 6 Division in Port Harcourt said that the army adhered strictly to rules of engagement in spite of provocation from some IPOB members.

    Thousands of youths believed to be IPOB supporters took to the street on Jan. 20 to commemorate the election of Donald Trump as 45th President of the United States of America.

    Iliyasu said that troops from its 29 Battalion were only deployed to assist other security agencies to prevent possible breakdown of law and order during the rally.

    “The attention of 6 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a baseless and unsubstantiated allegation by one Emma Powerful, who claimed that soldiers killed 11 IPOB members during Jan. 20 rally.

    “The allegation is false, malicious and existed in the figment of imagination of Mr Powerful, who claimed to be the Publicity Secretary of IPOB.

    “Despite all provocative attempt occasioned by the stoning of security agents and smashing of commuters’ windscreen, troops refused to be cajoled to fire a single shot.

    “In spite of the provocation, the violent protest was only subdued with the use of tear gas while arrests were made by a sister security agency with no casualty recorded on either side,” he said.

    Iliyasu said that pictures and videos that put on Social Media were old materials picked from IPOB archives.

    He said IPOB used the pictures and videos as propaganda to attract public sympathy and raise sentiment among citizens in its favour.

    The division spokesman said that the army would no longer tolerate any spurious and unfounded allegations aimed at injuring its image and reputation.

    “We wish to inform the public that the allegation is untrue and so, should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the separatist group.

    “We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the division’s area of responsibility.

    “To this end, Mr Powerful and other like-minded mischief makers are hereby warned that the Nigerian Army will no longer tolerate such allegations.”

    Iliyasu urged residents of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers to corporate with security agencies to enhance peace and socio-economic development of the region. (NAN)

  • Army to disgruntled soldiers: resign now

    Army to disgruntled soldiers: resign now

    Soldiers dissatisfied with professionalism should resign immediately instead of spreading rumour, the Army said yesterday.
    The Army warned such disgruntled elements in the military and their sponsors over what it terms “a campaign of calumny on social media platforms by some individuals or group of persons.”
    Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman issued the warning in a statement in Abuja.
    He said faceless persons have been making spurious and unfounded allegations bordering on payment of troops operations allowances, rotation in the North East and comparing troops’ pay to what obtains in neighbouring countries.
    He alleged that the fabricators are most probably sponsored by those who frustrated themselves out of the Army and political self-defeatist.
    The Army spokesperson said investigation was ongoing to determine the full identities and sources of the rumour mongers.
    Those found connected with it, he vowed, will be dealt with in accordance with the extant provisions of the military justice system.
    He said the Nigerian Army is a voluntary service and those not satisfied are free to resign.
    Usman: “We are not running a conscripts Army. All those not satisfied are at liberty to apply for voluntary retirement or discharge as the case may be.
    “We cannot afford to have disloyal or disgruntled elements in the system.
    “Anybody caught to be involved in this ignominious campaign will have himself or herself to blame.
    “The Nigerian Army of today cannot be compared with that of any other period. So much has been done in the areas of operations, training, general administration, logistics and general welfare of troops and their families.
    “The families of our fallen colleagues are being given adequate attention commensurate with the established terms and conditions of service.
    “Additionally, the concern on troop welfare has been extended to their families through creation of the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP) in which officers and soldiers’ families and dependents actively participate.”
    Usman said the Nigerian Army has an elaborate exit plan for all officers and soldiers involved in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East this year, subject to operational exigencies.
    “That is why all efforts must be geared towards mopping up the remnants of the desperate terrorists still bent on causing mayhem wherever they can.
    “Any soldier who is not satisfied with the professional drive of the Nigerian Army and that of the government can do himself a world of good by voluntarily discharging from the Nigerian Army,” Usman said.

  • Resign now, Army tells disgruntled soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has issued a warning to disgruntled elements in the military and their sponsors over what it terms ” a  campaign of calumny on social media platforms by some individuals or group of persons.”
    Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman issued the warning in a statement in Abuja.
    He said faceless persons have been making spurious and unfounded allegations bordering on payment of troops operations allowances, rotation in the North East and comparing troops’ pay to what obtains in neighbouring countries.
    He alleged that the fabricators are most probably being sponsored by the categories of people that frustrated themselves out of the  Army and political self-defeatist.
    The Army spokesperson said investigation is ongoing to determine the full identity and source of this mischief and all those found connected with it will be dealt with in accordance with the extant provisions of the military justice system. 
    He said the Nigerian Army is a voluntary service‎ and those not satisfied are free to resign.
    Usman: “We are not running a conscripts Army, all those not satisfied are at liberty to apply for voluntary retirement or discharge as the case may be. We cannot afford to have disloyal or disgruntled elements in the system.
    “Anybody caught to be involved in this ignominious campaign  would have himself or herself to blame. The Nigerian Army of today cannot be compared with that of any other period. So much has been done in the areas of operations, training, general administration, logistics and general welfare of troops and their families.
    “The families of our fallen colleagues are being given adequate attention commensurate with the established terms and conditions of service.
    “Additionally, the concern on troops welfare has been extended to their families through the creation of the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP) in which officers and soldiers families and dependents actively participate.”
    Brigadier General Usman said the Nigerian Army has an elaborate exit plan for all officers and soldiers involved in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East this year, subject to operational exigencies.
    “That is why all efforts must be geared towards mopping up the remnants of the desperate terrorists still bent on causing mayhem wherever they can.
    “Any soldier who is not satisfied with the professional drive of the Nigerian Army and that of the government can do himself a world of good by voluntarily discharging from the Nigerian Army,” Usman said.
  • Campaign of calumny: Army warns mischief makers

    Campaign of calumny: Army warns mischief makers

    The Nigerian Army has accused some of its ex-personnel of sponsoring a campaign of calumny against it on the social media and warned them to desist forthwith or be dealt with accordingly.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman gave the warning on Saturday in Abuja in a statement.

    Usman said that the attention of the army had been drawn to the campaign by those “faceless persons.’’

    He said that they had been making “spurious and unfounded allegations bordering on payment of troops operations allowances, rotation in the North East and comparing troops’ pay to what obtains in neighbouring countries.’’

    “The fabricators are most probably being sponsored by the categories of people that frustrated themselves out of the army and political self-defeatists.

    “They are clearly sentimental and lack knowledge of the Nigerian Army of today,’’ he said.

    Usman, however, said investigation was ongoing to determine the full identity and source of the mischief and all those found connected with it.

    He vowed that they would be dealt with in accordance with the “extant provisions of the military justice system.’’

    “We wish to reiterate that the Nigerian Army is a voluntary Service.

    “We are not running a conscript Army, all those not satisfied are at liberty to apply for voluntary retirement or discharge as the case may be.

    “We cannot afford to have disloyal or disgruntled elements in the system.

    “Anybody caught to be involved in this ignominious campaign would have himself or herself to blame.

    According to him, the Nigerian army of today cannot be compared with that of any other period.

    “So much has been done in the areas of operations, training, general administration, logistics and general welfare of troops and their families,’’ he said.

    The army spokesman also said that the families of fallen colleagues were being given adequate attention commensurate with the established terms and conditions of service.

    He said that in addition, concern on troops’ welfare had been extended to their families through the creation of the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP).

    Usman said that under the programme, officers and soldiers families and dependents actively participate.

    “The Nigerian Army has an elaborate exit plan for all officers and soldiers involved in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East this year, subject to operational exigencies.

    “That is why all efforts must be geared towards mopping up the remnants of the desperate terrorists still bent on causing mayhem wherever they can.

    “Any soldier who is not satisfied with the professional drive of the Nigerian Army and that of the government can do himself a world of good by voluntarily discharging from the Nigerian Army.

    “Otherwise all must desist from rumour mongering and outright falsehood which are unprofessional and have no place in today’s Nigerian Army.

    “Fifth columnists will not succeed in their mischief as they will be fished out and dealt with,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Five killed, eight injured as suicide bombers strike in Maiduguri

    Five killed, eight injured as suicide bombers strike in Maiduguri

    Two suicide bombers were killed on Thursday by the Nigerian Army as they tried to sneak into Maiduguri, the Borno‎ State capital.
    The army killed the dreaded members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect at the Mafa military checkpoint, about nine kilometres from the state capital as they tried to storm into town.
    ‎However, as Muna town heaved a sigh of relief, tragedy struck again as three teenage suicide bombers, who had successfully snuck into town, detonated their explosives.
    One of the girls detonated hers at the Muna motor park.‎ The other two attacked Muna Dalti, a community located opposite Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, killing two and injuring eight members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
    A Civilian JTF, Muhammadu Idris, told The Nation that the suicide bombers first struck around 11:30 pm at Muna Motor Park while the other attacks occurred at Muna Dalti around 2:00 a.m. this morning.
    ‎The Nation findings revealed that so far, five people have been killed including the suicide bombers.
    ‎Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isuku, confirmed the incident although he stated that just one suicide bomber was killed.
    “Yesterday at about 2318hrs, a suicide bomber sneaked into the midst of 13 pick up trucks loaded with goods along Maiduguri/Mafa road, said to be awaiting departure to Gamboru Ngala early hrs of today and detonated IEDs strapped on self. The resulting explosion razed down the parked vehicles beyond recognition. EOD/Police patrol team were promptly deployed to the scene to restore safety & normalcy,” he said.
    The Nation however, authoritatively reports that the police arrived the scene around 8.30 am, about eight hours after the incident.

  • Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    The Nigerian Army contingent at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2017, has been rewarded with promotions and cash prize of N150,000 each.

    The Army team surpassed its performance in the  last edition in an event that featured world class marathoners  and accomplished athletes.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said in a statement that  in  view of the achievement, and to encourage them, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has directed their elevation to the next higher rank respectively and donation of cash gift of N150,000 to each of the athletes.

    Usman said: “This year, the first soldier to arrive,  Private Auwal Hudu,  came 10th overall,  within 2hrs 45mins, while Private Raymond Nanribet took 12th position and arrived within 2hrs 46mins. Private  Sanusi Husamat was number 13 and has the timing of 2hrs 48mins. Private Danjuma Stephen took 14th position and arrived within 2hrs, 56mins.

    “Others were Private Gyang Dalyop, who was  15th position overall, and  within 2hrs 58mins, Lance Corporal  Gyang Yakubu, 17th position within 2hrs 59mins and Private  Muplang Luwadet was 18th person to arrive  within 3hrs 3mins.

    “Among the female fielded athletes,  Private  Hannah Adewale was the first to arrive and took 8th position among all the female marathoners with a timing of 3hrs 52mins, while  Private  Naomi Yunana was number 9th, with a timing of 3hrs 56mins, Corporal  Eunice Waje came 10th and made it within 3hrs 58mins, while Private  Lange Rose took 11th position overall with a timing of 3hrs 59mins.”