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Tag: Army

  • Army reveals Boko Haram’s new tactics

    Army reveals Boko Haram’s new tactics

    •Four dead in Borno blasts

    The army yesterday warned Nigerians of the new tactic being used by Boko Haram.
    Yesterday’s announcement came as suicide bombers struck again on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
    Apart from the three suicide bombers who were killed, a member of the Civilian JTF also died.
    Spokesman of the, Army 7 Division, Col. Mustafa Anka,said: “This is to draw the attention of the general public to recent trend used by desperate remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT). Recently, two female suicide bombers knocked at the door of one Bulama and Usman about 200 meters apart in Kalari general area of Maiduguri.
    “ The daughter of Bulama opened the door, while Usman himself opened his own door immediately the suicide bombers detonated their suicide vest, in the process killing the unsuspected little girl, Usman and the two female suicide bombers.
    “The general public is hereby advised to be cautious and wary of strange persons knocking at their doors. Security is a collective responsibility; the public is to engage in neighborhood watch. Suspicious movement of persons should be reported to security agents without any delay. The public is once again reminded that curfew is still enforced by 10pm daily, any defaulters will be prosecuted accordingly.”
    During the Maiduguri blast, a security source said three of the dead were the three suicide bombers, all females, while the other one is an operative of the Civilian JTF in the state.
    More than two loud bangs from the explosions were heard on Sunday night at about 10.30pm, sending many residents into panic.
    Another security source said the multiple explosions occurred at Kaleri village in Gwange general area outskirt of Maiduguri.
    Borno state police spokesman Victor Isuku who confirmed the incident, said the two separate attacks were recorded on Sunday night, orchestrated by Boko Haram suicide bombers in an attempt to infiltrate Maiduguri.
    Isuku said: “At about 2020hrs of yesterday 8/1/2017, three male suicide bombers shot sporadically and attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri via Garki Muna village close to a military checkpoint. The IED strapped to their bodies exploded killing all of them, and a civilian JTF, Two Ak47 rifles were recovered, while one was completely destroyed as a result of the explosion.
    “Then about 2230hrs same date, there were two suicide bombers attack at Kaleri area of Gwange. Four persons including two female suicide bombers died in the explosion. Both scenes were swept and rendered safe for public access by personnel from EOD, FSARS and patrol teams of the command at the wee hours of today. Normalcy has since returned to these areas,” the statement reads.

  • Boko Haram attacks army brigade in Yobe kills soldiers

    Boko Haram attacks army brigade in Yobe kills soldiers

    Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday evening attacked an Army brigade in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
    Confirming the attack, the spokesman of 27 Task Force Brigade, Lt. George Okupe in a text message said the attack was successfully repelled by the troops.
    He however could not disclose the casualty both on the side of the Army and Boko Haram.
    Lt. Okupe said, “Buni Yadi came under attack at about 0615pm…but things are under control. Casualty figure of BHTs yet to be confirmed, on locales, none for now likewise own forces. However, details will be relayed to you soon”.
    But a military source who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said it was a surprise attack by Boko Haram insurgents who Saturday night lunched a daring attack on 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army Buni Yadi killing five soldiers, including a captain.
    The source also noted that the insurgents came from the eastern side of the brigade in large numbers and lunched superior fire power on the military formation before they were repelled.
    The source added that the Captain, name withheld is a medical doctor who has just been posted to Buni Yadi.
    The casualty on the side of Boko Haram is yet to be disclosed, but another military source disclosed that the insurgents also suffered heavy casualty in the attack as many dead bodies were seen scattered in the bush.
    He maintained that troops are still in pursuit of some of the fleeing insurgents.
    “Nobody had time to start counting the numbers of the bastards that were killed because we were busy pursuing the one that were running, but I must tell you that many of them were killed and their dead bodies scattered in the bush”, the source informed.
    This is the first time the 27 Task Brigade has suffered a heavy attack from Boko Haram since its relocation from Damaturu to Buni Yadi in 2015.
    Buni Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba Local Government was taken over by the insurgents for almost a year before it was recaptured by the military in May 2015.
    The attack on 27 Task Force Brigade is coming barely two weeks after the insurgents are said to be in disarray in the north east following their dislodgement from Camp Zero, the last strongest fortress of the insurgents in the Sambisa forest.

  • Nigerian Army denies ‘mass killing of Igbo youths’ allegation

    Nigerian Army denies ‘mass killing of Igbo youths’ allegation

    The Nigerian Army has refuted the ‘mass killing of Igbo youths’ allegation by the Campaign for Democracy (CD), an online publication recently.

    Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, in a statement in Awka on Sunday, described it as “an “unjustified, invidious and over flogged accusation’’.

    He said the CD claimed that “no fewer than 2000 Igbo youths had been killed by the Nigerian Army under the guise of Rules of Engagement’’.

    He said that other publication allegations including “Military Killed 150 Pro-Biafra Protesters’’ had also been severally thoroughly refuted in many media platforms by the Nigerian Army.

    “It is the same position that this rejoinder has soundly adopted.

    “For emphasis and clarity, the Nigerian Army as an accountable, morally and professionally sound organisation had variously through its Human Rights Desk at the Army Headquarters, painstakingly investigated allegations of rights violations.

    “The results indicated specifically that this claim is false, malicious and should therefore be ignored for the sake of Nigeria.

    “Instructively, the Nigerian Army under its constitutional authorization to aid Civil Authority and Military Aid to Civil Power must continue to act in the best interest of the nation (in collaboration with other security agencies).

    “This included, de-escalating violence and checkmating security threats across the nation.

    “This task must be done, in spite of the sordid propaganda and possible politicization of the issue by ill meaning Nigerians,’’ Musa said.

    According to him, the relevant authorities in the South East are at liberty to set up an inquiry into the accusation to get to the roots and end of the obnoxious and unfounded claim.

    “Looking at the recurrent posture of this allegation, the 82 Division Nigerian Army wishes to state that relevant authorities in the South East are at liberty to set up an inquiry into this accusation.

    “This is with the view to getting to the roots and end of this obnoxious and unfounded claim,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Nigerian Army finds another Chibok girl

    Nigerian Army finds another Chibok girl

    One of the Chibok girls abducted in April 2014 has reportedly been found by troops of operation Lafiya Dole among some Boko Haram arrested suspects.

     A check by our correspondent, however, revealed that the name of the new girl is not on the list of 219 girls released by the Bring Back our Girls campaign group, unlike other rescued girls whose names appeared on the list.

    Going by the information provided by Brig. Gen Sani Usman, the name close to that of Rakiya Abubakar is  Rakiya Gali on number 49  since she is said to be the daughter of Abubakar Gali as the surname matches the first name provided by the army.

    There is also another Rakiya Kwamta on number 54 on the list.

    The Director of Army Public Relation Brig. Gen. Sani Usman who gave the name of the girl as Rakiya Abubakar said the girl was discovered with her six months old baby during interrogation of  some arrested Boko Haram suspects in military custody.

     The statement added that the girl will be handed over to Borno State Government after proper medical examination.

     The statement reads; “Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE during investigation of arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists discovered one of the abducted Chibok School girls, Rakiya Abubkar, with her six months old baby. 

     “According to preliminary investigation, it was discovered she is the daughter of Abubakar Gali Mulima and Habiba Abubakar of Chibok. 

     “She further stated that she was a student of Senior Secondary School Class 3B (SS 3B), before her abduction along with her colleagues on 14th April 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists.

     “Rakiya Abubakar is presently undergoing further medical investigation and would soon be released to the Borno State Government,” the statement said.

  • Army: why we arrested Borno council chair

    Army: why we arrested Borno council chair

    The Army yesterday confirmed the arrest of the Chairman of Mafa Local Government in Borno State, Alhaji Shettima Lawan, for his alleged link with Boko Haram.

    Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, told reporters at a news conference at the headquarters of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri:  ”All I can say is that the chairman is a big supporter of Boko Haram.

    “We heard that he harboured Boko Haram members along with his father. That he kept the Boko Haram members because the father begged him to do so.

    “The chairman was in the habit of accommodating people that had fled from the bush.

    “At some point he was valuable to us, being with the Civilian JTF to fight Boko Haram. But that does not mean we cannot investigate him for a crime, especially one like this.

    “We have also arrested the Vice Chairman of Kaga Local Government and he is undergoing interrogation,” Gen. Irabor said.

     

  • Repentant Boko Haram terrorists urge others to ‘lay down’ arms

    Repentant Boko Haram terrorists urge others to ‘lay down’ arms

    Some members of Boko Haram  have appealed to their colleagues who are still in the bush to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    They made the appeal when the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole,  Maj. Gen. Lucy  Irabor at  a media briefing in Maiduguri paraded some repented suspects.

    The insurgents were arrested  in different locations in Borno and Adamawa states. Four of the suspect are from the Mamman Nur Camp while the remaining six are from the Abubakar Shekau’s group.

    One of the members, Joseph David, who said he was named Ibrahim Alhaji after he joined Boko Haram said he regretted ever joining the group, adding that his aspirations were far from what he saw on ground after joining the group.

    Joseph who was paraded along nine others called on his friends not to be afraid that the army will kill them. He added that the mind of his friends have already been poisoned by the teaching of the sect.

    “I am calling on my friends in the bush to come out and live a better life from what they are doing in the bush now. I never knew that what we were told is not true. Some of them are afraid to come out because they think that they will be killed.

    “What the Boko Haram is teaching people is far from religion. Both the Bible and the Quran did not say that if you kill somebody you will go to paradise. It is all lies. Please you people should come out and enjoy a better life in Nigeria. The Army  are taking good care of us. I didn’t known that the army will do this to us. Please come out and stop the killing army will not kill you,” Joseph appealed.

    Amiran Doki, one of the former commanders  who also spoke at the media briefing said they were deceived by Mamman Nur, hence their decision to  surrendered to the Army.

     “I thought Mamman Nur will come and surrender,  but we later discovered that he did not surrender that is when we left. We left the Sambisa forest together with our Commander Mamman Nur. He promised us that he will come and surrender and apologize to Nigeria but will discovered that he didn’t do so, that is why we decided to surrender to the military,” Amiran Doki said.

    .

    Major Gen. Irabor said so far, over 1,400 members of the sect have surrendered to the military.

    He said that 148 of them were male while 445 were famale. 410 were  children male, while 310 were children female,”he said.

  • Army deploys troops in Southern Kaduna

    Army deploys troops in Southern Kaduna

    The army has deployed troops in Southern Kaduna to halt the killings in that part of the country.
    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said yesterday that troops had been “fully deployed’’ in Southern Kaduna to address the security challenge in that area.
    He said the army was working with sister security organisations, including the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) as well as civilians to address the problem, adding that a military formation would soon be established in the area.
    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has alleged that 808 people died in the crisis but Inspector General Police Ibrahim Idris disagreed.
    The Army said it would this year consolidate on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.
    Brig.-Gen. Usman, gave the assurance in Abuja while reviewing exercises and operations conducted by the army in 2016.
    President Muhammadu Buhari last month announced the fall of “Camp Ziro”, the last stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa forest to the army.
    ”We will continue to accord high priority to training, regimentation and welfare of the troops.
    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has directed that the next Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition (NASAC) 2017 be conducted in the Sambisa forest.
    “Already, efforts are on by the Nigerian army engineers to open more routes and construct bridges into the once Boko Haram haven to facilitate access to the forest,’’ Usman said.
    He said in 2016, the army promoted 17,000 soldiers to various ranks, including 9,000 soldiers deployed in operations to tackle the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.
    Brig. Gen. Usman said during period, 184 Warrant Officers were elevated to Master Warrant Officers.
    On the exercises and operations in the period under review, he listed them as exercises “Shirin Harbi, Harbin Kunama, Crocodile Smile and Python Dance ’’ and operations “Crack Down and Rescue Finale’’.
    According to him, those terrorists holed up in Sambisa forest were further defeated during the operation rescue finale which penetrated deep into sambisa forest and dislodged the sect members from their headquarters in Parisu and Camp Zairo.
    Usman explained that exercises Shirin Harbi and Harbin Kunama, apart from improving troops’ proficiency and testing of equipment, addressed security challenges in Bauchi and Zamfara axis.
    He said that under the two exercises, 9,865 cattle rustled by bandits at Dansadau forest in Zamfara were rescued and handed over to their owners.
    “Many armed bandits and livestock rustlers were also arrested during the operation.
    “It is believed that the menace of criminal gangs and bandits in the North-Central and North-West zones of the country would be reduced to the barest minimum due to such field training exercises,’’ he said.
    On exercises Crocodile Smile and Python Dance in the South-South and South-East, Usman said that they also helped in dealing with contemporary security challenges in those areas.
    He added that the exercises also contributed to the hitch-free celebration recorded in those regions during the Yuletide.

  • Army, police vow to end Southern Kaduna violence

    Army, police vow to end Southern Kaduna violence

    Killings in southern part of Kaduna have in the last four weeks dominated national discourse. The matter has now attracted the attention of the Federal Government more than ever before. The zone now awaits two military formations and a mobile police base. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports that with these developments, there is hope of an end to a bloody Southern Kaduna.

    The violence in Southern Kaduna has defied many applied solutions since after the 2011 post presidential election violence. Successive government made unsuccessful efforts to nip the crisis in the bud, but the Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s government seem to be succeeding in bringing the challenge to its new.

    Burnt houses, and destroyed properties litter the landscape of the region with its people traumatised having been rendered homeless and losing their loved ones.

    It would be recalled that Goska, a village of about five kilometres away from Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a local government area was attacked under a 24 hours curfew, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leaving five people dead, many injured and houses razed.

    The state government had imposed curfew on the three local government areas of Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon Kataf to forestall break down of law and order. The curfew came a day after the convoy of the Governor was attacked by rampaging youths in Kafanchan.

    The good news is that, while the Fulani communities under the auspices of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) have asked parties involved in the killings to forgive each other and stop reprisal attacks, Federal Government has concluded arrangements to establish two military formations and a mobile police base in Southern Kaduna.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai during a two-hour chat with local radio reporters recently disclosed that plans are underway to establish two military formations in Southern parts of the state. Saying, his government has gotten assurances of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Defence and Chief of Army Staff on the request to site the military formations.

    El-Rufai said, the proposed military formations will be sited in Fadan Karshi, in Sanga Local Government and Kauru Local Government Areas. “We are talking with the President, the Minister of defense and the Chief of Army Staff to site two military formations in Southern Kaduna; one in Fadan Karshi in Sanga and the second one in Kauru local government area. And I will meet the President on Thursday (yesterday) in continuation of the project.

    “The presence of these two military formations will help in securing lives and property and provide rapid response to any act of criminality and the maintenance of law and order. Two other military formations will be established in Birnin Gwari and Kubau local government areas.”

    “Security has been beefed up in the area as part of measures to stem the tide of violence in the region. Two squadrons of mobile police have been drafted to the area. In addition, more military personnel have also been deployed to tackle the rising insecurity in the region”, he said.

    El-Rufai explained that the rising insecurity in the region is also having adverse economic effect as investors who expressed readiness to invest in the region were already pooling out.

    Similarly, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris who was on tour of the troubled areas on Saturday announced that the Nigeria Police will establish a mobile police base in Kafanchan, saying; “from the discussion I had with Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we have decided to station a mobile police base in Kafanchan. We are here to see things for ourselves so that we have a lasting peace in the whole area,” he said.

    The IG said a panel had been set up to investigate the crisis in the area thoroughly, including the allegation that 800 people were killed in the crisis.

    IGP Idris said some of the reports on Southern Kaduna were exaggerated, saying all the leaders of the villages have a lot to contribute to peace and unity of the area. “Some of the community leaders need to be cautioned. They are contributing to creating situation that does not exist,” he said.

    He said the police were committed to restoring lasting peace and later met with community leaders in the area.

    The Fulani communities on their part called on the warring parties to genuinely sheath their sword and sincerely embrace all the reconciliatory moves towards achieving peaceful and harmonious coexistence, saying without that, there may be no end to the killings and reprisal attacks.

    The National Assistant Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi who stated this as part of the solutions to the recurring killings and destruction of properties in the area said natives of the area embark on indiscriminate killings.

    ”We call on the entire people of southern Kaduna to forgive what has happened. Both parties should learn to forgive. This crisis will never end if you think you would go and revenge what happened to you , so we’re appealing to all parties to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

    “We want to also support the steps so far taken by the government of Kaduna State and all the security agencies in order to return normalcy to the area.

    “We call on leaders in particular, political, religious and otherwise to desist from making inflammatory speeches that could escalate the situation.  There should be no hate speech, those speeches that points towards religious sentiment or ethnic jingoism.  Let us all work for peace.  We inherited a peaceful southern Kaduna and I don’t think we are sensible if we bequeath to our children and grandchildren a southern Kaduna that is fighting itself.

    “We want to assure that we will continue to work with people of goodwill.  In southern Kaduna there are good people that are out for peace.  And I want to make it clear that there are Chiefdoms where you never, ever experience any clash because the traditional rulers there are out to promote peace.  Kagoro, Marwa is one of them even though some people mischievously leave from other places and come to Marwa and attack.

    “We are going to work with people of like minds  to ensure total reconciliation.”

    Dr Abdullahi said grazing reserve is the main reason for the violence, adding that “at the inception of this administration everybody is aware that the government formed a committee which I was priviledged to be a member and we went on tour of the entire part of southern kaduna.

    “We discussed with people from all shades of opinion, and wherever we go the issue of grazing reserves is tabled, the people on ground did not opposed the idea.  There is a place the traditional ruler said if there is no designated grazing area, he wants to volunteer his farm.

    “But no sooner than the report was handed over,  we heard some political leaders from that area and elected representatives of that area called a press conference saying that the entire people of southern Kaduna, including myself has rejected the idea of grazing reserve.

    “This committee went out to all nooks and crannies of the area, somebody decided because he has power called pressmen and tell them the southern Kaduna people are not willing to accept grazing reserve.  I think that is mischief. None of them has ever even gone to his constituency to consult with the people.  I don’t think somebody like Gen. Martin Luther Agwai will come and lie to the government that my people accepted grazing reserve  when he did not discuss it with them. That is unacceptable”, he said.

    While the security measures are being taken, there is need for the people of Southern Kaduna people, locals and the Fulani communities to come together and chart a new course for peace to reign in the region.

  • Army recovers DSP’s body, orderly’s rifle in PDP chief’s area

    Army recovers DSP’s body, orderly’s rifle in PDP chief’s area

    •GOC: govt won’t tolerate violence in Rivers

    he General Officer Commanding (GOC) the newly-created 6 Division in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, yesterday displayed the AK-47 rifle and uniforms of  Mohammed Alkali, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Mobile Police Unit 48 and his orderly, Sgt. Urukwu Nwachukwu.

    Alkali and Nwachukwu were beheaded during the December 10 bloody legislative rerun in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, is an indigene of the local government.

    The GOC warned against violation of Army’s clean-up operation in the crude oil and gas-rich Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, where he said innocent persons were killed daily by militants and cultists.

    The GOC said workers of oil companies and others had become apprehensive and were relocating from the area because of the development.

    He said the Federal Government would provide tight security in all parts of Rivers.

    Abdulkarim stressed that the trend of violence in the state could not be left unchecked.

    The GOC displayed the arms, ammunition and other items recovered from hoodlums in the local government.

    He also paraded one of the suspects, saying others had been handed over to the police for prosecution.

    Abdulkarim said: “Four of the suspected criminals’ camps located across the river in Ujju Town near Omoku (the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA) were raided on December 31, 2016. In the raid operations, 6 Division troops, in conjunction with Operation Delta Safe Special Boat Service and air component, engaged the suspected criminals in severe exchange of fire, in which they were dislodged. This led to the arrest of suspects.

    “Ammunition, uniforms and weapons were recovered. The late DSP Mohammed Alkali with his orderly, Sgt. Urukwu Nwachukwu’s AK-47 rifle and uniforms, as evidenced in the name tags, were also recovered.

    “The large cache of ammunition and weapons recovered in the operation also include one AK-47 rifle, two G3 rifles, five double-barrelled guns, two pistols, 31 empty AK-47 magazines, 242 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO and 322 rounds of other ammunition calibre.

    “Other recovered items include 31 handsets, bullet-proof jackets, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, first aid box and seven police uniforms.

    “In the last one month, 15 people were horrifically murdered with many others kidnapped in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State. Those killed include a soldier, four officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), two policemen and eight civilians. The gunmen also took away ammunition, vehicles and weapons.

    “This trend of violence cannot be left unchecked. The 6 Division will sustain operation clean-up of the area (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA), for oil companies and the people to go about their businesses in a peaceful environment.

    “It is envisaged that sustaining the operation will end the senseless killing of innocent citizens, including security personnel. This will further frustrate illegal arms and ammunition acquisition, which will usher secure environment for economic prospects.

    “The clean-up operation is in continuation of efforts by the division to recover and mop up illegally-acquired weapons from cultists and criminals, who do not mean well for our dear nation and refuse to embrace the Rivers State amnesty programme.”

  • ‘Political madness’ in the country must not divide us – Buhari

    ‘Political madness’ in the country must not divide us – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged the Nigerian Army to ensure the unity of the country despite what he described as “political madness in the North East, the Niger Delta or in the East” of the country.

    Buhari spoke on Friday night when he was hosted in Abuja by the Army at the Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner and presented with the captured Boko Haram flag.

    While receiving the flag, President Buhari challenged the armed forces on the need to continue to ensure the survival of Nigeria as a geo-political entity despite the crisis in parts of the country.

    “All these political madness in the North East, the Niger Delta or in the East should not be allowed to cause division or any form of tension in the country.

    “There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done, even for your personal reason you must make sure this country remains united and stronger.

    “We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country,” Buhari said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flag was handed over to the President by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. -Gen. Lucky Irabor.