The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • Boko Haram kills top Army officer

    Boko Haram kills top Army officer

    A highly decorated officer of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Col. Muhammad Abu Ali was on Friday killed after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State.
    Until his death, Ali was the commanding officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
    The troops which fought gallantly to repel the attack, killed 14 of the attackers.

    However, four soldiers were killed, while four others sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter.
    The loss of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, was a big blow to the Nigerian Army as he has been described as one of the finest and most courageous officer currently deployed against Boko Haram.

    Ali’s exceptional bravery and gallantry gave him an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on 9th September 2015 during an operational visit.
    The late officer played a gallant role in one of the army’s fiercest-ever battles with Boko Haram, in February 2015, culminating in the recapture of Baga from insurgents.
    He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala. During that decoration, Buratai praised Ali for his “courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists”.

  • Sokoto, Army to establish two schools

    Two new schools will soon be established, following partnership efforts by the Sokoto State government and the Nigerian Army. One of the schools will be located in Sokoto, while the other would be sited in Shagari Local Government area of the state.

    One of them, a primary school, will have boarding facilities that will cater for children aged five to 12. The secondary school, which would be sited at Giginya Barracks, Sokoto, would operate a day system.

    In a statement in Sokoto, the state Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, explained that the deal with the military authorities would expand access to education for military personnel and their families, and give opportunity for citizens in local communities to tap from military’s expertise in school management.

    “The partnership provides that the government provides land and requisite infrastructure, while the Nigerian Army would provide personnel and teaching facilities.

    “This is the beginning of a relationship which we hope to expand in the future. Both sides are happy with preparations for the take off of the schools. We are confident it will benefit our citizens going forward,” the statement added.

    Meanwhile, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has approved the upward review of feeding allowance for boarding school pupils in the state.

    “Due to inflation in prices of food stuff in the market, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has approved the increase in feeding allowance of boarding pupils in public schools from N70 to N140 per pupil per day,” Kilgore, said in a  statement in Sokoto.

    Kilgori urged contractors handling supplies to schools to ensure prompt delivery in accordance with stipulated guidelines.

  • Army opens 331 Artillery Hqtrs in Buratai

    Army opens 331 Artillery Hqtrs in Buratai

    •21 Boko Haram ‘collaborators’ arrested in Borno

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the weekend, opened the headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Buratai, Biu Local Government of Borno State.

    The base had been operating from the home of Gen. Buratai, an indigene of Buratai, but the house was partially destroyed when the area was attacked in 2015.

    The COAS described the base as a “game changer” in the fight against insurgency as it helped in decimating the terrorists.

    He added that incessant attacks by terrorists at Buni Yadi in Yobe State, about an hour drive to Buratai, necessitated establishment of the base to contain their aggression, hinting that more bases would be set up.

    Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor recalled a fierce battle in Buratai, particularly at the home of the COAS, which the insurgents tried to take on three occasions.

    He stressed the need for a fortified operational base in Buratai to deal with terrorists, noting that the base was established to maintain offensive operations from a fortified location, conduct aggressive patrols and improve on response time.

    He said: “The strategic location and importance of Biu, Buratai and environs makes the terrorists highly interested in the area.

    “The insurgents carried out several attacks within villages in the vicinity, resulting in deaths, injuries, looting and destruction of property.

    “This gave rise to a high sense of fear among inhabitants and most of them have to relocate.”

    Irabor said the 331 Artillery Forward Operation Base made it possible for troops to liberate many towns, including Gonori, Gulazama and Talala, which terrorists seized.

    Twenty-one persons suspected to be collaborators with Boko Haram terrorists have been arrested in Borno State by the Nigerian Army’s Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman said preliminary investigation and profiling of the suspects has begun.

    “Such actions by these unpatriotic elements are likely to jeopardise our collective efforts of clearing remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in our country. Though investigations are ongoing, it is important to state that this is a warning to those collaborators that aid terrorism in the Northeast  and Borno State, to desist forthwith.

    “The Nigerian Army, and indeed Operation LAFIYA DOLE, would not tolerate such acts of sabotage from anybody. The public is also encouraged to report any known or suspected illegality with regards to Operation LAFIYA DOLE to security agencies,” Usman said.

  • Detained ex-agitator: Family appeals to army for release of their son

    THE family of Irorobeje of Afiesere community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has appealed to the soldiers of the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, over unlawful detention of their son, Mr. Richard Irorobeje.

    Irorobeje was said to have been arrested on Saturday, 15th, October, at about 10am in Afiesere community, Ughelli, on allegation that he was making attempt to vandalise oil pipeline.

    The father, Mr. Abodi Irorobeje, however, said the arrest of his son, Richard Irorobeje, on allegation of attempt to vandalise oil pipeline was a false and cooked story by his enemies.

  • PDP accuses opposition parties of sowing army uniforms, buying PVCs

    PDP accuses opposition parties of sowing army uniforms, buying PVCs

    The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Ondo State has raised the alarm over the  illegal Army uniforms allegedly sowed by the opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of its election rigging plots.

    The PDP said the APC and another opposition party are busy collecting voters card from potential voters, with a promise of an imaginary palliative, ahead of the next month’s election.

    In a statement in Akure by the Publicity Director, Mr Ayo Fadaka, the PDP said it has uncovered the plan to flood the state with thugs in  fake  army uniform to  intimidate voters.

    He said the opposition parties have engaged garment makers contracted to make available Army uniforms of different sizes for use by their thugs to enable them  alter proceedings and manipulate election during and after voting on election day.

    Fadaka alleged that the tailors handling the sewing project are working from two neighbouring states.

    The party official said a formal complaint has been lodged with the police.

    The ruling PDP  has warned  members of the opposition party who have been collecting the PVC’s of potential  voters on the pretext that it will qualify them for food items that would be supplied  as palliative to cushion the effect of the economic crunch.

    Warning the people against the antics of those he described as “political frauds, desperate to steal the people ‘s mandate by any means possible”  Fadaka said the opposition parties are desperate and adopting all kind of fraudulent means to ensure that the people are short changed in the election.

  • Army trains paramilitary officers

    In its efforts to improve synergy and inter-agency cooperation, 82 Division Garrison, of the Nigeria Army, organised a training day for officers and senior non-commissioned officers recently.

    The exercise with the theme “Addressing Security Challenges in Enugu State, Through an Interagency Approach,” which was held at the 82 Division Dragon Officers’ Mess, involved participants from the Nigerian Army, sister services and paramilitary organisations.

    Series of lectures and presentations were made by resource persons which centered on security, interagency cooperation and training.

    While declaring open the event, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, remarked that “effective training is vital to the professional development of the Nigerian military and paramilitary personnel”.

    He further reiterated the importance of the training day which was aimed at reinvigorating professional standards among personnel as well as cross-fertilization of ideas with sister services and other security agencies.

    The General Officer Commanding thanked the Commander 82 Division Garrison, Brigadier-General O. T. Akinjobi, for taking a bold step in organising the event.  The event was graced by senior military and police officers, as well as heads of paramilitary organisations in Enugu State, amongst whom were the Commander, 39 Base Services Group, Air Commodore E. O. Alade, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu and Deputy Director Operations and Intelligence, Department of State Services, Mr. Arikpo Eyong.

    Other erudite resource persons like the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Elder Gabriel Ajah and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Security, Brigadier-General Fred Eze (Retired) also shared their wealth of experience on the contemporary security challenges confronting Enugu State and the country at large.

  • Army shows its caring side

    Army shows its caring side

    Combat was not in the picture, only care, as 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu treats thousands in a medical outreach, reports JANE UBAH

     

    The impression is likely to last for a long time, and not just for thousands of patients who benefitted from the medical outreach but also for everyone else in the community and beyond.

    Why? Soldiers are groomed for combat and to take out the enemy. Even in peacetime many civilians have bruises and bitter memories to show for falling out with soldiers.

    But when soldiers turned up at Ogbaku community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the scenario was pleasantly different. They came with stethoscopes, blood pressure meters and assorted medicaments. At the end of the day, they treated over 5000 ailing indigenes and residents.

    It was like a new dawn in civilian-military relations.

    And, indeed, that was what the free medical outreach provided by 82 Division of the Nigerian Army was about.

    It was a suitable platform to check and treat persons living such lifestyle diseases as high blood pressure, diabetes, eye defects and several others.

    The exercise was conducted to precede the Career Development Exercise for Warrant Officers scheduled to hold at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in the community.

    The Vice Chairman, Awgu Local Government Area Hon John Ikemefuna hailed the army for the health initiative, noting that it will go a long way in deepening the cordial relationship between the people of Awgu council and the Army.

    He further called on the people of Awgu to take advantage of the good gesture from the Nigerian Army.

    Similarly, the traditional ruler of Mmaku Community, HRH Igwe Rotarian Okongwu, Nkpuma-Ike I of Mmaku expressed his deep gratitude to the GOC for remembering his community and the lovely indigenes of Awgu with this all important free medical service.     The high point of the exercise was the arrival of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru at the venue of the free medical outreach in Awgu.

    He inspected various units of the exercise and as well made a symbolic presentation of a pair of medicated eyeglasses to Mrs Udenta Roseline, one of the numerous beneficiaries.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Army recovers ammunition

    Army recovers ammunition

    Troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the outskirts of Maiduguri have recovered a large cache of ammunition at a residential area of Bulabulin Ngarnam, Borno State.

    The discovery followed a tip-off by the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the area.

    The recovered ammunition include three sealed boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, three jerry cans containing various calibres of ammunition, two sacks containing 5,998 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 1, 760 rounds of 5.56mm SS109 calibre of ammunition.

    The troops also recovered five empty magazines of AK-47 rifle and a magazine of Fabrique Nationale rifle.

    Acting Director, Army Public Information, Col. Sani Usman, commended the patriotic zeal and efforts of the Civilian JTF and called on citizens to be more security conscious.

     

  • Army kills 38 Boko Haram fighters in south Niger

    Army kills 38 Boko Haram fighters in south Niger

    Nigerien and Chadian soldiers on military search operations in the Diffa region of Niger Republic have eliminated 38 suspected Boko Haram fighters.

    Niger defence ministry spokesman Moustapha Ledru said on state television that two soldiers were ‘lightly wounded’ during  the operation.

    Captured from the insurgents was a substantial quantity of weapons and munitions.

    The joint army operations took place at between Gueskerou and Toumour villages in the southeastern part of the country between Monday and Wednesday.

    Residents said Boko Haram terrorists attacked Gueskerou, 30 kilometres from Diffa, on Wednesday night, torching houses and stealing food and medicine from shops and a pharmacy.

    No one was however killed.

     

  • Boko Haram bomb maker ‘fails in bid to join army’

    Boko Haram bomb maker ‘fails in bid to join army’

    DSS arrests 21 suspects

    Boko Haram members are planning to infiltrate security agencies, it was learnt yesterday.

    Part of the plan is to insert an Improvised Explosives Devices specialist into the Army, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) said.

    In a statement issued by its spokesman Tony Opuiyo, the DSS disclosed the increasing desperation and sophistication of criminal elements, noting that about 21 suspected assasins, fraudsters, kidnappers and others have been picked up during various operations across the country.

    “In response to the regrouping of Boko Haram elements in Kano State, the Service in concert with the military, carried out coordinated operations in the State which led to the apprehension of two high profile members of the sect, namely Ibrahim Ustaz Abubakar and Idris Audu (aka A.Y.A.).

    “Audu is an IED specialist who was being groomed to penetrate security agencies in the country; Audu had already perfected plans to seek for recruitment into the next recruitment scheme of the Nigeria Army before his arrest.

    “ On 22nd August, 2016, one Samuel Asuquo, a kidnap kingpin was arrested by the Service at Nasarawa Bakoko village in Cross River State; Asuquo was the mastermind of the kidnap of three Australian staff of Lafarge Cement Company, for which his gang received ransom N150m.

    “Similarly, on 30th August, 2016, the trio of Bamaiyi Mustapha (aka Dan Borno), Aminu Isa and Hassan Shehu, members of a notorious kidnap gang operating around the Abuja-Kaduna axis, were arrested at Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    “The gang had earlier kidnapped five Igbo women and collected N13m as ransom; they were subsequently arrested by the Service while planning a high profile kidnap in Abuja.

    According to the DSS, a sacked embassy driver who was threatening the Ukrainian ambassador, was arrested for posing as the Accountant-General of the Federation. Two others who cloned the telephone number of the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, in a bid towards actualising high level fraud.

    ”This Service has arrested one Abbas Mohammed at Asokoro, Abuja; he was sending several threat messages to the Ukranian Ambassador to Nigeria.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that Mohammed was formerly employed by the embassy as a driver but he began threatening his former employer after losing his job arising from observed gross acts of insubordination from him to his employers.

    “On the economic front, the DSS is currently intensifying action against high level fraudsters whose unwholesome activities is  negatively affecting investors’ confidence with multiplier risk to genuine  businesses nationwide.

    “Accordingly, one Izuagie Mohammed was arrested in Benin City, Edo State on 24th August, 2016, for impersonating the Accountant-General of the Federation. Mohammed had already defrauded unsuspecting members of the public, posing as the Nigerian AGF on Facebook and promising them facilitation of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) empowerment loan before he was apprehended by the Service.

    “In a further action, on 28th August, 2016, Taiye Alade and Ajoke Kolawole were also arrested by the Service at Fabian Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    “The duo had cloned the GSM number of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (GMD NNPC), and were using it to defraud his close associates,” the DSS alleged.

    Assuring all law abiding citizens and residents that it will not rest on its oars in its determination to ensure a safe environment for all to carry out their legitimate business, the DSS stated that several other criminal suspects are now helping its investigations.

    “ In another operation carried out same day at Tamburawa village along Kano-Zaria Expressway, Kano State, Alhassan Musa and Ado Yusuf, members of a notorious kidnap/armed robbery syndicate operating from Falgore forest in Doguwa Local Government Area, Kano State, were also apprehended.

    “On 19th August, 2016, two kidnappers operating in Zamfara and its environs were arrested; they are Abdulrasheed Ibrahim and Aliyu Umar; the duo had been terrorising residents of the area along with a kidnap group headed by ‘Buhari General’ who is still at large.

    “Also, on 26th August, 2016, two (2) notorious kidnappers, armed robbers and assassins; Moses Achia and Fanen Igbetar, were arrested at Kperlegba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

    “One AK-47 rifle, five fully loaded AK-47 magazines, 150 rounds of live ammunition and one pistol loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them. The syndicate had planned to kidnap a female business tycoon in Makurdi, Benue State.

    “On 3rd September 2016, a kidnapping gang under the coordination of one Sunny Isaac (late), which has been terrorising residents in states of the South-East zone, was busted by the Service at Aba in Abia State; prior to their arrest, the gang had masterminded series of kidnapping incidents in the state, including the abduction of one Uche Ikonne (female), an American citizen in the state.

    “Other members of the gang arrested by the Service include Nnaoma Amak, Chiedozie Ebere, Bartholomew Michael, Chinweotito Innocent and Celestine Ikarangwan while the following items were recovered on them during the time of arrest; N400,000.00, a double-barrel gun with two live ammunition, a Toyota-Corolla car, a Volkswagen Golf car, and the mobile cellphone of Ikonne.

    “Also, one Mike Ewugbara, a known child trafficker was arrested at Okigwe, Imo State on 26th August, 2016.

    “Three kidnapped children were rescued from his hideout, including one Miracle who was abducted in Benue State,” the DSS stated.