The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • Army renders free medical service

    •’Operation Crocodile Smile’ moves to Rivers

    The troops of 2 Brigade, 82 Division, yesterday touched the lives of over 500 people at Bille in Degema Local Government of Rivers State, with free medical outreach.

    The service featured consultation, diagnosis, eye care, blood pressure checks, free drugs, blood tests and counselling.

    It was part of the field exercise code-named ‘Crocodile Smile’.

    While creating awareness in the communities on the impending military training, the army urged the residents to go about their businesses, saying it was aimed at exercising the troops in the Niger Delta in amphibious operations.

    Acting Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman told The Nation that the troops also conducted a show of force in Port Harcourt.

  • ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’ not about guns,boats, says Army

    ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’ not about guns,boats, says Army

    The Army yesterday sought to allay the fears of people in the South-South  about the  ongoing training tagged “Exercise Crocodile Smile” in the region.

    The army said the exercise  was not about guns and boats.

    Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the exercise was aimed at training its special forces,formations and units located in the region.

    According to him, the exercise comprises both the strategy perfection and public confidence building.

    Usman said the Army’s Medical Corps was involved in the exercise through a medical holding in Sapele, Delta.

    He said:”It will be recalled that we have shown you the massing up of the troops yesterday. Today, the build-up of logistics has commenced.

    “The human side of the ongoing exercise includes free medical outreach for Sapele communities in Delta.

    “The Nigerian Army Medical Corps has fully deployed to the area attending to medical needs of the communities free of charge.”

  • Re: Army/Shiites Clash

    SIR: The Nation editorial of Tuesday, August 9, refers. Although I have not read the full reports submitted by the commission of inquiry set up by the government of Kaduna State to look into the circumstances culminating in the clash between the army and the Shiites in Zaria last year December, going through the arguments marshalled by the army in their defence against the allegation of human rights violation levelled against them, I am convinced that the current government at the centre was going for a Machiavellian approach in its bid to meet the December deadline given to the military to end insurgency in the war torn North-east.

    According to the army, the sect barricaded the road through which the Chief of Army Staff and his convoy were travelling. Added to this was that the sect members were armed with dangerous weapons like catapult, knives, and swords. On the other hand, the sect has claimed to be a peaceful group. Of course, one need not be told that a peaceful group would not obstruct roads let alone be armed with dangerous weapons if the claim of the army should ever be taken hook, line and sinker. And, even at that, should the supposed offenders be killed like fowls? Not even the teargas, rubber bullets or any other less sophisticated means employed to disperse the sect members. The army opened fire on the civilian Shiites, being convinced that they acted in accordance with Section 33(2c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Can we then establish a riot, insurrection or mutiny here?

    It is understandable that Zaria, though not in the North-eastern zone, is volatile like any other city in the Northern part of the country. Bearing this in mind therefore should not be an excuse for any armed men to transfer aggression to non-insurgents as this could further provoke war from another angle. We should not forget that at the time Boko Haram started, we were about celebrating our victory over militancy in the Niger Delta. The celebration was disrupted by the extrajudicial killing of the leader of Boko Haram, Yusuff Muhammed in 2009, and since then peace has been distant from us.  So, much care is needed now that the Boko Haram insurgents are on the verge of losing the war, given the claim of the military, for us not to have this victory halted as well.

    Let me put it straight that no development-minded citizen would speak in favour of road obstructions under any circumstances. In the same vein, no avowed humanist would support the army reactions for such reactions could not be considered equal, though opposite, to the earlier actions exhibited by the sect. Not minding the means employed to attain the target, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces would not come out to express his dissatisfaction publicly over the incident but would rather promise to act on the issue after receiving the reports as if that was the first case of road blocking encountered by the army and others in uniform. In Ibadan where I reside, hardly will a week pass without experiencing road block in some areas for trading, religious and ceremonial purposes. Yet, no civilian or military life has ever been reported to have been illegitimately taken in such circumstances. So, why should the Shiite’s case be a different one in a country where preservation of human life is dearly needed at this critical time having lost a large number of our brothers and sisters to the ravaging war mounted by Boko Haram?

    While wishing our gallant military sound victory over these few vermin called Boko Haram, I salute the uncommon courage of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el Rufai for being objective in the handling of the case involving the sect labelled controversial by their Sunni counterparts. I appeal to fellow citizens to stay away from public gatherings that could generate road obstruction for this could be mistaken for a riot, insurrection or mutiny by the trigger-happy men in uniform in order not to have our precious lives cut short by the executors of the Machiavellian philosophy.

     

    • George OludareIbikunle,

    Ibadan, Oyo State

  • Boko Haram: Army trains officers on maneuverability

    Boko Haram: Army trains officers on maneuverability

    The Nigerian Army (NA) yesterday commenced a five-day training on tactical maneuverability to boost its fight against terrorist sect Boko Haram.

    This training, according to the General Officer Commanding  (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet was aimed at improving the quality of officers and soldiers with regards to maneuverist approach to warfare process.

    Edet who declared the training open at the Army Officers’ Mess, Marina, Lagos, reiterated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s high premium on training which has recorded successes in the Northeast.

    According to him, the Planning Cadre training would also improve the planning capability of commanders and staff officers within the division’s  Area of Responsibility (AOR) to conveniently compete with their counterparts globally.

    “Topics have been deliberately selected and tailored to focus on maneuverist approach to warfare process, estimate process as well as contemporary operations within Nigeria,” he said.

    Reminding his men of the security challenges facing the countey,  Edet warned them to be cautious and vigilante.

  • Fitness test at Army contest

    Fitness test at Army contest

    Various army brigades slugged it at a sporting fiesta in Ohafia, Abia State, but it was essentially to keep fit ahead of a bigger, forthcoming military contest, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    The locals knew that something remarkable was happening in their town when they started seeing an influx of military vehicles. The visitors ended up at the 14 Brigade headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State. Their mission was not to fight but to see who was fit enough to win this year’s  Inter-Brigade Sporting Competition. The contesting soldiers were drawn from various army formations under the 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Enugu State.

    Ohafia, a populous suburban community, came alive as the soldiers slugged it out at the games. Their goal was to qualify to represent the Division in the upcoming Nigerian Army Sports festival later in the year.

    The brigade’s relations officer, Major Sydney Mbaneme in a statement said that the competition would provide them with the opportunity to discover male and female athletes who will represent the Division when the army national competition starts.

    Some of the competing brigades included 14 Brigade Ohafia (host), 13 Brigade, Akim Barracks, Calabar, Cross River State, 82 Division Garrison, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt and 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze Imo State.

    Games competed for during the five-day event were marathon race, tug of war, obstacle crossing, scrabble and cross country, among others.

    At the end of the games, the host was the overall best with seven gold medals, seven silver and one bronze. Thirteen Brigade, Calabar came second, garnering four gold, three silver and one bronze. The third position went to 82 Division Garrison, Enugu with two gold and five bronze medals.

    In the individual performance, Private Ibrahim Buhari of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt came first in the Half Marathon Race. Lance Corporal Eunice Gwaji of 82 Division Garrison, Enugu came tops in the female category.

    Lance Corporal John Adeyemi of 13 Brigade, Calabar came first in the Cross Country, male category, while Eunice Gwaji of 82 Division Garrison, Enugu also finished top of the female category.

    Private Garba Musa of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt who finished in 5 minutes 2 seconds beat other competitors to emerge the winner of the obstacle race.

    14 Brigade Commander and host Brigadier-General Fejokwu Lawrence while declaring the event close commended the army sports personnel for comporting themselves throughout the 5-days the event lasted.

    Fejokwu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. Yakubu Hassan, commended the individual and team quality of the competitors and the display of comradeship and sportsmanship while the event lasted. He was upbeat that the representatives of the Division would excel at the forthcoming Nigerian Army Sports festival.

    Yakubu said, “The event has been able to showcase the best talents to form a strong team for the Division in the forthcoming Nigerian Army Sports festival.”

    He urged those who will represent the Division to report to camp early to enable them train harder to achieve success when the national competition starts.

    The event was attended by Col. Samsudeen Amusa, Deputy Director Physical Training, 82 Division. Lt. Col. Christian Okonkwo, Commander 14 Brigade Garrison, Lt. Col. Sani Ahmed and Hon. Dike, among other dignitaries.

    It featured a wonderful performance display from the popular Ohafia War Dancing troupe that entertained spectators at the event.

     

  • Army: why we want Mama Boko Haram, others 

    Army: why we want Mama Boko Haram, others 

    The Army yesterday explained why it took long to declare Aisha Wakili, popularly known as ‘Mama Boko Haram’; a journalist, Ahmed Salkida; and Ahmed Bolori wanted.

    Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar said the three were invited to “shed more light on the Boko Haram insurgency since they know what we do not know”.

    Abubakar was delivering a lecture, “Media-Military relationship in the fight against insurgency”, in Abuja yesterday, during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondent Chapel 2016 activities to mark its one year in office.

    Gen. Abubakar explained that the military was not just out to declare people wanted, urging people not to be sentimental about the three people declared wanted.

    His words: “The military in the last seven years has been engaged in the fight against insurgency; a lot has happened and we are calculating as whatever we do or planning to do is not just for doing sake, it must have some national interest.

    “We cannot just declare people wanted; it is for a purpose. The more sentimental you become, the more you hinder investigation.

    “Just as we released whoever was innocent in the past, we are not arresting them but inviting them to shed more light.”

  • Army declares ‘Mama Boko Haram’, two others wanted

    Army declares ‘Mama Boko Haram’, two others wanted

    The Army yesterday  declared three persons wanted under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011(as amended), following  Boko Haram’s release of a fresh video in which it restated  its conditions for freeing the Chibok girls.

    Declared wanted are a journalist, Ahmed Salkida, a former Boko Haram negotiator, Hajia Aisha Wakil, and a non-governmental organisation (NGO) promoter, Ahmed Bolori.

    They are accused of withholding information that could unravel the abducted Chibok girls’ location.

    A statement by Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said:  ”The world is quite aware of the abduction of several persons; women, children and men, including the female students of Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram Terrorists group. Consequently, appeal was made for their unconditional release by the Federal Government. The military also made concerted efforts to rescue them.

    “We also appeal to Nigerians that have any information to volunteer to the military or security agencies to enable us rescue them.

    “However, two recent incidents have pointed to the fact that, there are three individuals namely; Ahmed Salkida, (Ambassador) Ahmed U. Bolori and Aisha Wakil that have information on the conditions and the exact location of these girls.

    “Therefore, the Nigerian Army hereby declares the two gentlemen and the lady wanted for interrogation. We are relying on the relevant laws of the land and in particular the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 (as amended) where Nigerians could be punished for failure to disclose information about terrorists on terrorists’ activities.

    “This become necessary as a result of their link with the last two videos released by Boko Haram terrorists and other findings of our preliminary investigations.

    “There is no doubt that these individuals have links with Boko Haram Terrorists and have contacts with them. They must therefore come forward and tell us where the group is keeping the Chibok Girls and other abducted persons to enable us rescue them.

    “We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and peace loving people to give us useful information on their whereabouts. We are also liaising with other security agencies for their arrest if they failed to turn up,” the statement said.

    Ms. Wakil, a lawyer, was in contact with the government during the 2013 amnesty negotiations with the Boko Haram insurgents.

    She is believed to have met with former President Goodluck Jonathan at the time as part of the negotiation, which later broke down.

    Mr. Bolori is the coordinator of the Fa’ash Foundation and the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (Pave). He is based in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    Mr. Sakilda had said on Twitter that the latest Boko Haram video was sent exclusively to him before the sect uploaded it to YouTube.

    Boko Haram said in the video that it would only negotiate with the Nigerian government through journalists known to be close to it.

  • Chibok girls: Army declares citizen journalist, two others wanted

    Hours after Boko Haram released a fresh video purportedly showing the abducted Chibok girls, the Nigerian Army has declared three persons wanted.
    The wanted persons are: Ahmed Salkida ( Ambassador), Ahmed U Bolori and Aisha Wakil.

    In a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the wanted persons knows the whereabouts of Boko Haram and the Chibok girls.

    Findings by The Nation revealed that Salkida is a citizen journalist who has intimate knowledge about Boko Haram. Salkida who operates a twitter handle @ContactSalkida and blogs at www.salkida.com had in the early hours of Sunday posted a video from the dreaded terrorist group.
    Ahmed said on his twitter handle that the video was sent exclusively to him before the insurgents uploaded it on Youtube. Sakilda last tweet was about two hours before he was declared wanted by the Army.
    Ahmed Bolori Mr. Bolori is known as coordinator of the Fa’ash Foundation and the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (Pave).
    Ms. Wakil’s name has been consistent in a list by Boko Haram as one of the negotiators for the group.
    In the new video, Boko Haram also insisted that the government should negotiate with those it has listed in the past including Wakil. She was a member of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the northern part of the country during President Jonathan’s administration.
    Usman said: “Two recent incidents have pointed to the fact that, there are three individuals namely; Ahmed Salkida, (Ambassador) Ahmed U. Bolori and Aisha Wakil that have information on the conditions and the exact location of these girls.
    “Therefore, the Nigerian Army hereby declares the two gentlemen and the lady wanted for interrogation. We are relying on the relevant laws of the land and in particular the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 (as amended) where Nigerians could be punished for failure to disclose information about terrorists or terrorist’s activities. This becomes necessary as a result of their link with the last two videos released by Boko Haram Terrorists and other findings of our preliminary investigations.
    “There is no doubt that these individuals have links with Boko Haram Terrorists and have contacts with them. They must therefore come forward and tell us where the group is keeping the Chibok Girls and other abducted persons to enable us rescue them.
    “We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and peace loving people to give us useful information on their whereabouts. We are also liaising with other security agencies for their arrest if they failed to turn up,” he said.

  • Abia Brigade hosts army contest

    the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State has announced that it will host this year’s sporting competition among commands in the 82 Division, Enugu.

    A statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Major Sydney Mbaneme on behalf of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu said the event will be staged at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia from August 7 to 12.

    The event, according to the release, will serve as a platform for the scouting of officers and men who will represent the Division in the Nigerian Army Sports Festival which comes up later in the yea. The statement added, “It is also directed at encouraging comradeship among officers and men of the Division.

    Sydney further added that the five-day event would see brigades under the 82 Division competing in various sporting activities; marathon race, tug of war, obstacle crossing, scrabble and cross country.

    The 14 Brigade spokesman who stated that designated routes have been marked for the marathon and cross country races, appealed to the residents and visitors of Ohafia within the period of the competition not to panic on sighting mass movement of soldiers in the area.

    He urged people to go about their  business.

  • ‘Army has not paid me since 1999’

    ‘Army has not paid me since 1999’

    Another service man whose story is a bit sketchy and confusing is Isaac Udenta, from Enugu State.

    Udenta is unsure of his age and claims he is not retired. According to him, he has been with the Army since 1999 but has never received a salary.

    The homeless man, who also squats under the zone 3 bridge with Mr. Adeyemo, says he came in 2005 for his payment but did not get a kobo and he returned to his family in Enugu, only to be called early last month to come to Abuja immediately to collect all his payments and benefits.

    Though he did not have the transport fare, he raised it, came to Abuja and has been sleeping under the bridge since then in the same clothes, since he did not come prepared, and he is yet to get the money or any reasonable response, which would have made him return home.

    Mr. Udenta, who said he has gone as far as appearing on a radio programme in Abuja in his bid to get his money, said all he wants is his money to enable him get a better accommodation and provide for his family.

    “I’m not a pensioner; I’m still in active service; I joined the Army in 1999. I was here in 2005 and mixed with old soldiers, this time around I was called to come and collect my money because I have never been paid since I began work, all my related papers are with them.

    “My case is special, the Presidency knows that I am here; I am not lying, you can inquire how come Isaac Udenta is in Abuja. They said they are working on my salaries and allowances but yet to finish. I want my money, if I had my money, I could have gone to a hotel instead of staying in this place, relax there with my money and send the one that I will send to my family. If they can pay me now, I will be happy.” he said.