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Tag: Army

  • Army threatens to use force if militants reject dialogue

    Army threatens to use force if militants reject dialogue

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday warned that the Army will use force if the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups reject dialogue with the Federal Government.

    Besides, Gen. Buratai said, the army will support civil authority during the elections in eight local governments, should there be a request for help.

    The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bori-Ogoni, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was last Friday set on fire – barely one week to the inconclusive rerun polls.

    Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, spoke yesterday after inaugurating the two-storey administrative headquarters complex, Olympic-size swimming pool and two other projects at the 2 Brigade of the Army.

    He also inaugurated four projects at the Military Hospital on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The inauguration was attended by Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Kenneth Kobani, and the immediate past Commander of 2 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, now the Commander of 3 Brigade, Kano. He initiated the inaugurated projects during his 11-month stay.

    The befitting administrative headquarters at 2 Brigade and other projects were started in January, with the foundations laid by Gen. Buratai, and completed within six months.

    The swimming pool was constructed for intensive training of army officers and men and to put an end to losing soldiers while operating in the creeks or coastal communities.

    The army chief said: “Government is still committed to dialogue (with Niger Delta militants). Whereby this cannot go on, then there could be resort to other means. The non-kinetic means has always been the source first, before government can recourse to the kinetic means (dropping bombs and using bullets, using lethal force/full military action/war or killing people).

    “So, there is the need for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government.

    “Each time the army goes out to work, it works in support of the civil authority and we will continue to do that. If there is a need for the military authority to support the civil authority (during Rivers July 30 rerun), based on need from the police, we will continue to do just that.”

    Attahiru declared that the army expected that the projects would translate to greater performance of soldiers, stressing that attention should be devoted to maintenance of the projects.

    The commander of 3 Brigade, Kano, described projects as highpoint events of his 11-month stay as commander of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt.

    Gen. Olabanji said some soldiers of the 2 Brigade were lost, in view of their inability to swim, which necessitated the construction of the Olympic-size swimming pool – in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff. The projects, he said would enhance the capacity and capability of soldiers.

    The commander of 3 Brigade revealed that Gen. Buratai chose the site of the headquarters building of 2 Brigade and followed the progress of work till completion. He urged the army personnel in 2 Brigade to support the new commander, as they supported him.

  • Army: no more Boko Haram camps in Northeast

    Army: no more Boko Haram camps in Northeast

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sanni Usman, yesterday in Lagos, said there were no more camps of Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast

    Col. Usman spoke with reporters at the inauguration of Strategic Communication Course for senior officers at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Bonny Camp, Lagos.

    Usman, while assuring Nigerians that the military was winning the war against terrorism, said there were no more terrorists clustered in a particular place in the area.

    “The situation in the Northeast has tremendously improved. The military operations or the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Northeast is hinged on three things.

    “First, defeating the Boko Haram terrorists which have been accomplished and making room to facilitate humanitarian assistance, which is ongoing.

    “Then restoration of law and order for good governance to take place.

    “We no longer have camps of Boko Haram terrorists and we no longer have them conveyed in the territories,” he said.

    “Those that were hitherto close are now open to the extent that we have trans-border trade.

    “Take for instance; just recently, the important road linking Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon was just re-opened.

    “We have come to the point that we can beat our chest and say we have dealt with Boko Haram.”

    On the inauguration of the communication course, Usman said training of personnel was paramount, adding that it would enhance proficiency.

    “It is in this regard that the Directorate of Army Public Relations places high premium on training of officers and soldiers.

    “The Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information must remain focused in the training of officers and soldiers to meet the need of well trained and skilled manpower.

    “This is the first of its kind to further enhance further joint operations of the armed forces and possibly international military engagement,” Usman said.

    “It is my hope that this course will make the desired impact on all of you and explicit growth fertilisation of ideas among the participants.

    “It is also our desire to see that at the end of the course, we turn out better informed senior officers.

    “Also, they should be well-equipped to partake in making or taking strategic decision for army information and dissemination management,” he said.

    Col. Usman thanked Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for improving army formations.

    The NASPRI commandant, Col. John Agim, said the course was to better equip senior officers saddled with the responsibility of shaping the information environment.

    “As you settle down to face the rigours of this course, I urge you to take advantage of this training to enhance your capacity in public relations.

    “Also, enhance your capacity in information management and by extension in the profession of arms,” Col. Agim said.

    Agim said the course, which runs for three months, would be on media planning and crisis management, media matters and interview skills and digital media influence among others.

    Burutai impressed with success in counter-insurgency

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has hailed  the success recorded by troops fighting insurgency in the North-East.

    Represented by Maj. Gen. Hassan Umar, the Chief of Training and Operation, Gen. Buratai made the statement yesterday during the Combat Support Arms Training Week at the 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri.

    “I am glad to state that significant progress has been made and much success recorded in the operation.

    “Our troops have been able to carry out timely and synchronised operations in the theatre, thereby denying the Boko Haram terrorists freedom of action.

    “This, therefore, calls for more coveted efforts and synergy by all to achieve enduring peace and development.

    “Success in battle depends largely on the support provided by the supporting arms. We shall continue to do our best to make improvement in our well being.

    “The COASAT week is in line with the actualisation of my vision of enhancing professionalism in the Army through seminars, management retreat and training excercises for responsiveness to constitutional roles,’’ he said.

     

  • Boko Haram: Army rescues missing commander, four other soldiers

    Boko Haram: Army rescues missing commander, four other soldiers

    Five of the soldiers, including a commanding officer, declared missing after running into a Boko Haram  ambush in Borno State on Wednesday, have been found alive, the  Army announced yesterday.

    The soldiers were rescued early yesterday and were subsequently taken to a military facility for recuperation.

    They are said to be in stable conditions.

    A total of three officers and 16 soldiers were initially declared missing following the ambush at Guro Gongon, in Borno State.

    The soldiers were returning to base after a patrol operation when they ran into the ambush.

    Army spokesman, Col. Usman Sani, said yesterday that the search and rescue operation launched to find the men included the use of air assets, special forces and patrols.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major General Joe Irabor at a press briefing in Maiduguri at the weekend pledged the determination of the armed forces to “liberate the entire North East from the claws of terrorism and insurgency as our respect to the heroic efforts of these departed colleagues.”

    He said some soldiers lost their lives in a recent operation at Kangarwa, Borno State.

    The fallen include an officer described as cousin to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen A.G Olonisakin.

  • Northern youths fault Falana’s claims on Army, Shiite Clash

    Northern youths fault Falana’s claims on Army, Shiite Clash

    The Arewa Hope Foundation has faulted Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana’s attempt to cast aspersions on the composition and work of the Kaduna State Commission of Inquiry set up by the State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to probe the Army, Shiite Clash.

    The group which was reacting to a purported letter written by the Lagos –based lawyer to Kaduna State Attorney General, said Mr. Falana was only trying to pre-empt the final report of the committee which may have indicted the Shiite group.

    Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, president of the group, Muhammadu Ibrahim, wondered why Falana would be calling for the prosecution of soldiers involved in the clash when the report of the panel is yet to be released.

    Ibrahim expressed concerns that no one seems to be talking about justice for families of slain and injured personnel of the Nigerian Army.

    He said: “It is however well known that contrary to claims that they boycotted the commission’s sitting to protest its ability to be impartial, Mr. Falana and his client were saving face as they could not face the revelations made about the atrocities, heinous crimes and the violent reputation of their sect.

    “We respect the right of every individual to be represented by a counsel of his choice irrespective of his crime. However, the attempt by Mr. Femi Falana to use clandestine means at not only defending his clients but to secure a favourable judgment through the back door is unprofessional, irresponsible and a gross abuse of the well laid down legal and judicial practice all over the world.

    “His letter to the Kaduna AG is one of his recent penmanship aimed at harassing the Nigerian Army and its leadership, which tends to support the reported Iranian $100 million report. As solicitor to IMN he knows better than to also use other platforms and unconnected national issues to demonize the military if his clients sincerely have a case.

    “We raise these concerns about Falana and IMN today because we know it is the right thing to do. In the early years of Boko Haram, some lawyers made windfall of cash from freeing the extremists on technicalities whenever they were arrested and charged to court.
     
    “It is well known that those so released became even more vicious in their hatred of the country and in the attacks they later staged. The IMN has similarly militarized, with video evidence made by them of their fighters in training as evidence, so Nigerians should be aware of what Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) is trying to unleash on the country.”
  • Army cleans up community, provides health services

    Army cleans up community, provides health services

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has endeared itself to its host community by ridding it of garbage and treating ailing residents, reports CHRIS OJI

    Things are looking much better in army-host community relationship. In Enugu, the 82 Division of the army has not only cleared garbage at a market and the railway corporation premises but also its medical corps treated ailing residents for free. The people loved it and expressed their gratitude. This helps to foster a cosy relationship between professional combatants and their civilian hosts.

    The medical exercise was tagged ‘Know your Blood Pressure: Avoid Silent Killers’. The beneficiaries were communities around the Enugu metropolis, and it was to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was for all categories of people.

    He said, “The exercise is in line with the Nigerian Army compassion for offering humanitarian services in the health sector to communities around its barracks and its environ. The main event which is scheduled to hold on 6th July 2016 motivated the sanitation exercise, free medical outreach among series of other activities earmarked for the occasion.”

    General Attahiru explained that the activities would provide the usual platform to further strengthen the longstanding civil military relations between 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and its host communities.

    The sanitation exercise took place at the Old Artisan Market and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Enugu North local Government Area while the medical outreach was held at Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

    The beneficiaries described the gesture as most outstanding.

    General Attahiru who moved around the Old Artisan Market, encouraged the shop owners to always keep their environment clean to avoid infectious diseases and as well ensure total neatness of their environment to maintain and improve on healthy living.

    The free medical outreach was also accepted by all as it witnessed a massive turnout of the residents who seized the opportunity to get free medical care.

    The traditional ruler, Umuatugbuoma Autonomous Community, Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo told journalists he was happy that the army came to his community with the free medical outreach.

    A community resident, Mr. Nnamchi John Ogbodo who came with Igwe Ifeakandu to witness the exercise and also to take part in the free medical care described the exercise as a marvelous one, saying, “It is what the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be doing to the rural areas like ours. Sometimes, we don’t have access to medications because of some certain limitations of life but this army team brought it to us, to our door step. It is a marvelous thing. We appreciate. It’s worthy of emulation by other organizations and we appreciate the move without reservations”.

    The leader, Medical Team, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Colonel Olufunke Omoyemi Kayode told journalists that their choice of selecting the community by the team was based on the fact that no medical center is very close to them. In her words, “by the grace of God, we’ve really achieved a lot. So far, we have identified a lot of cases both medical and surgical cases and we have treated a lot of them”.

    She added that the team is divided into sections like dental care, eye care, general medical care as well as HIV testing and counseling unit.

    In her words, “we are really making progress. We have seen cases that have stayed for a very long period which ought to have been reported to the hospital but maybe because of health centre not being closer to them and we have identified some of them.

    “We have also identified about two cases we cannot handle here and we’ve given them appointment to come to the hospital on Monday,” she added.

    She used the medium to appeal to other agencies and NGOs to come to communities like this because many people who do not have access to medical care maybe because of financial constraints are suffering.

    She asked NGOs and agencies to go round communities to solve their health problems.

  • Three years after, Army reopens Maiduguri-Gamboru road 

    The Army yesterday reopened the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru road in Borno State, three years after it was closed following Boko Haram insurgency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road was closed to motorists in 2013 at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, launched the reopening.

    The governor praised the military for containing the insurgency. He said the state is grateful to the Army and sister agencies that contributed to the defeat of Boko Haram, noting that the reopening would revamp the state’s economy and improve the people’s lot.

    “Two years ago, Borno was in a bad state and almost fell completely to insurgents. Today, the story is different and anyone who wants to be fair to the Army must juxtapose these scenarios before drawing conclusion.

    “With the reopening of this road, which is the livewire of the state, there will be a quantum leap in the state’s economy,” Shettima said.

    Buratai said the road was not only important to the people, but strategically significant to the military operation in the region.

    He assured the people that the Army would provide security to motorists.

    The COAS added that the reopening of the road would aid the restoration of civil authorities in the recaptured areas.

    He warned security agents against extorting motorists plying the route, vowing to deal with anyone caught.

    “Even the terrorists are aware of the significance of this road socially, economically and militarily. It is time for us to get it busy again so that economic and social activities will be restored on this axis.

    “The Army will also provide the required security for users. I warn against extorting motorists; we are investigating allegations and anyone caught will be sanctioned.

    “The NURTW should note that we are here to do our jobs and nobody should contribute money to pay security operatives; we don’t want anyone to give us a bad reputation,” Buratai said.

  • Army defends Buratai over $1.5m Dubai properties

    Army defends Buratai over $1.5m Dubai properties

    •‘Presidency unaware of petition yet’

    The Army yesterday rose in defence of its Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over his acquisition of two properties in Dubai.

    The army said there was nothing illegal or secret about the properties as Buratai listed them in his Assets Declaration Form.

    Reacting to a media report on the issue, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said that contrary to the report, Buratai never served as Army’s Director of Procurement and does not have any account in Skye Bank.

    It was learnt last night that the Presidency was not yet aware of the petition against Buratai and his family.

    Usman, in a statement, dismissed the brains behind the petition that triggered the media report – “Concerned Soldiers and Officers from the North East” as unscrupulous elements.

    He said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and his family by some unscrupulous elements as contained in an online medium story titled “Revealed: Buhari’s Chief Of Army Staff, General Buratai, wives own Dubai property”, alleging that Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction posted on the website, this evening.

    “It is important to know that these baseless allegations were not new. In March, some groups of individuals under the aegis of “Concerned Citizens”, tried same smear campaign.To their disappointment, it could not fly, because it is not true.

    “Therefore, the latest round of smear campaign by the online medium is one of the series of campaigns of calumny by these faceless individuals to malign the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

    “The online news medium this evening (yesterday) uploaded another campaign of calumny allegedly based on a petition by obviously fake and non-existent group it described as “Concerned Soldiers and Officers from the North East”.

    “The allegations contained in the write up are baseless and not correct. It is a fact that the Buratai family has two properties in Dubai that were paid in instalments through personal savings three years ago.

    “This, along with other personal assets, has consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff.

    “It is pertinent to state that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any account with Skye Bank as alleged, let alone making deposits in the imaginary bank account to the tune of the amount stated in the write up.

    “Similarly, he has not been involved in any form of shady or dishonest transaction, not to talk of ‘contract scam’.

    “In addition, General Buratai was never near either Defence Headquarters or Army Headquarters in 2013.  It is pertinent to also note that he was never a Director of Procurement in Army Headquarters as alleged.

    “As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army never had a Directorate of Procurement till when he established one last year when he became Chief of Army Staff.

    “In a bid to rubbish the hard- earned reputation and good name of the Chief of Army Staff, these blackmailers will stop at nothing hence all these kinds of mudslinging.

    “It is really worrisome that some people could condescend so low to fabricate baseless allegation against the Chief of Army Staff for reasons that could best be described as mischievous.

    “It is equally worrisome that the medium could lend space for this obvious mischief. We really do not believe that it is because the price is right.”

    A reliable source in government, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The presidency is not aware of any petition against the Chief of Army Staff. So far, it remains an issue within the military, we cannot dabble in it.”

    The Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major-General Leo Irabor said the petition did not emanate from men in his command.

    Irabor said Buratai, since his assumption of office, “has taken the affairs of Op LAFIYA DOLE to a level that showed unparalleled commitment to the operational effectiveness and good welfare of troops.

    “For example, between January till now, the COAS has provided various quantities of ammunition types, vehicles and other equipment in the Theatre.

    “He has equally provided uniforms and boots for all the troops in Op LAFIYA DOLE.

    “The payment of allowances and other requirements has been regular and in most cases, up-front.

    “The COAS’ regular visits to the frontline are well known to all. The aggregate impact of the efforts is the huge operational successes being recorded in the Theatre. The morale of troops has equally risen to a level that was never witnessed in the past.

    “The report further imputed that the motorcycles inducted into Op LAFIYA DOLE and employed by the Motorcycle Battalion, were used and refurbished. What a sad tale of lies!

    “When a report of that nature was received earlier, the COAS instituted a high-powered investigation by Military Police.

    “The findings of the investigation team revealed that the motorcycles were brand new and were delivered in crates as knocked-down-parts.

    “The technicians who fixed some of them failed to tighten some knots firmly which was later rectified. Ever since, the motorcycles have proven useful in various operations.

    “The Motorcycle Battalion comprises trained counter-terrorist personnel, skilled in the use of motorcycles to enhance the capability of own forces to patrol, block routes, picket and pursue any remnants of the BHTs who usually use motorcycles in terrains where four-wheel vehicles cannot manouver.

    “So, this has proved successful in the last major Operation CRACK DOWN which has practically brought to an end the activities of the BHTs particularly along Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu and Damaturu-BuniYadiBiu roads, which were opened to the public earlier in the year.

    “I consider this publication as part of the concerted, organized terrorist strategy to distract our winning spirit in the war against BHT.”

  • Respite as Army tackle kidnappers in Kogi

    Respite as Army tackle kidnappers in Kogi

    Residents of major towns in Kogi State are heaving sighs of relief following the arrival of a special military squad in the state to tackle the menace of rampant kidnapping of citizens and residents of the north central state. Sources within the state said for once in a long time, Kogi residents are going about their daily activities without fear of being abducted by rampaging gunmen.

    The federal government had deployed the special military squad to the troubled state following widespread outcries by residents that kidnapping and other related crimes have bedeviled the state in recent times. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, according to reports, personally informed the Governor of the State, Mr Yahaya Bello, of the deployment during a meeting with him at the State’s capital, Lokoja.

    He said that the Federal Government was worried over the increase in kidnapping and other related crimes and was ready to curb the situation. The Army Chief was in the state with some of his men on a working visit to the military formation to see the challenges facing them and proffer a solution to enable them carry on with their constitutional responsibility of ensuring internal security.

    Barely four weeks after  two judges were kidnapped in the state by hoodlums who demanded ransom for their freedom, another Customary Court of Appeal Judge, Mr. Isiaka Momoh-Jimoh, was abducted while his police orderly was shot dead. Reports had it that he was returning to Lokoja at about 5.30pm when the kidnappers flagged down his vehicle at Itakpe- Kuroko road, a by-pass to the Abuja-Lokoja- Okene highway and hijacked his vehicle.

    The account said, immediately the judge’s Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) was flagged down, the gunmen rained bullets on the Police Orderly, killing him on the spot while the driver sustained serious injuries before they whisked away the judge to an unknown destination. His abduction, coupled with previous ones, caused widespread condemnation of the security situation in the state and attracted the attention of the federal government.

    Same week, two middle aged women were also kidnapped along Obajana- Kabba road, while coming from Abuja to Ilorin, Kwara State on a business trip. It would also be recalled that due to the incessant robbery and kidnapping activities in the state, a helicopter with a detachment of a Special Squad were deployed by the Inspector- General of Police.

    The Squad led by a Commissioner of Police combed round the state for about a week and arrested some of the suspected hoodlums. However, barely few days after their departure, the hoodlums were said to have resumed their nefarious activities. This heightened the fear of residents as well as travelers in the state.

    Buratai had immediately ordered a review of the tactics in the military operation against kidnappers and other criminals in the state. He said that the troops must change their mode of operation to contain the spate of criminality in the state, adding that criminals hiding in the hills and forests must be fished out at all cost.

    He said that the Army headquarters would provide the necessary logistics to aid the troops in arresting the ugly trend in the state.

    “You must change the way you operate in the state; you have been trained to operate in the hills and forests, so I expect you to change your tactics. I have spoken to your commander and I am hoping that you will have a new approach to the operations; the approach has to change for the better.

    “We provided those motorcycles for you so that you can move deep inside the forest and arrest the criminals; that was the essence of deploying the motorcycle unit to this place. We are making efforts to get additional vehicles for you,” he said. Buratai, who urged the troops to remain committed in the task of dismantling criminal gangs in the state, assured them of improved welfare.

    Speaking on the development, the senator representing Kogi Central in the red chamber of the national Assembly, Senator Ahmed Ogembe has commended the Chief of Army Staff, general Buratai for the step taken in to Kogi state to curb the menace of kidnapping and banditry.

    The senator who made the statement through his media assistant, Adetayo Opeyemi, decried the spate of incessant kidnapping is the state and described it as unacceptable.

    “Our people cannot continue to live in perpetual fear of been kidnapped, the activities of kidnappers has affected the economy of the state, potential investors are running away from the state for fear of been kidnapped,

    The situation is indeed worrisome, but am glad that the Nigerian Army has taken steps in addressing the security  challenges facing the state,”  Ogembe said. He commended the unrelenting efforts of the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in addressing the security challenges facing the people of the State.

    Senator Ahmed assured the citizen of the state, that with the collaborative effort of the State Government and the Nigerian Army will purge the state of criminal elements.

  • Army denies plan to overthrow Buhari

    Army denies plan to overthrow Buhari

    The Army has said its current setting is a product of democratic settings.

    It denied planning to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

    It also described the recent report by a militant group, the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, that some Army officers approached its members to join forces to overthrow the Buhari administration, as another campaign of calumny and distraction by a faceless criminal gang of economic saboteurs.

    Army spokesman Sani Usman said: “This is baseless and most unfortunate allegation that existed in the warped minds of the originators of such weighty allegation. The Army wishes to state that this is not true and hereby distances itself from this weighty allegation.”

    Usman added: “We also see this speculation as a dangerous distraction to our effort at fighting insurgency and other criminal elements in the country. The Army would like to send a strong and an unequivocal warning to those speculating a coup against the government to desist forthwith. We would like state in clear terms that we are a product of democracy and a focused professional institution and would have nothing to do with such abomination and heinous crime.”

    The Army said it remained the greatest beneficiary of democracy and would not contemplate any anti-democratic misadventure, especailly under current Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai.   “Rather, we see this type of dangerous speculation as a declaration of war to destabilise the present government by these unscrupulous elements.”

    The spokesman said the Army would investigate those behind the rumour to know their motive.

    “We would like to reiterate our unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Kidnapping: Army to deploy Special Forces in Kogi

    Kidnapping: Army to deploy Special Forces in Kogi

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-General Yusuf Tukur Buratai has said Special Forces will be deployed in Kogi State to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    General Buratai was fielding questions from reporters after a closed-door meeting with Governor Yahaya Bello at the Government House in Lokoja, yesterday.

    He said he was in the state on a familiarisation tour of the Army Records Command in Lokoja and to assess the security situation in the state, adding that the Army will not watch and allow criminal elements take over the state.

    The COAS hinted that the Special Forces will arrive next Monday.

    Bello said following the activities of criminals in recent times, the state approached the COAS to help fight the menace.

    He reiterated the COAS’s pledge to deploy Special Forces to stem the tide, adding that flushing out criminals was a task that must be done.