The 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday conducted free medical outreach for the displaced persons of Bakassi at their camp in Ikang.
The displaced persons were tested for malaria, blood pressure, hepatitis, typhoid, fever and others.
Drugs were also distributed to them freely.
Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General Sani Mohammed, said that the humanitarian medical outreach was part of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s vision on civil-military relations.
Mohammed said that the Army decided to reach out to the displaced persons because they needed medical attention.
“When you look around and see where they are camping, you will believe that they really need adequate medical care.
“We are here with our full medical team that will carry out different test on the IDPs and also administer them with drugs.”
The Commander advised the IDPs to have a positive outlook towards life, adding that the Army will always remember them in their activities.
Coordinator of the camp, Aston Inyang, thanked the Army for the gesture.
He said the camp has about 2, 800 displaced persons.
Inyang said that there were brought to the camp on October 4, 2009 after the ceding of the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2008.
He appealed to the state and federal governments to come to their aid.
“Our greatest challenge here is that we lack adequate medical care and the young ladies who are pregnant always feel it more.
“We have not been given fair attention as it concerns health. Our camp is so large that we are supposed to have our own separate health care centre built by the government.
“From 2009 to now, we have lost over 40 persons, which include women, men and children and a lot are still under medical challenges because they have no money to access medical treatment,’’ he said.
No fewer than 300 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bakassi local government area of Cross River on Friday benefited from the free medical outreach conducted by the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar.
Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, Commander of the Brigade, said that the humanitarian medical outreach was part of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s vision on civil-military relations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IDPs are camping at Ikot Effiong/Obutong primary school in Bakassi local government area of the state.
Mohammed said that the Army decided to reach out to the IDPs because they needed adequate medical service to keep them in good health.
“We are here to offer free medical treatment to the IDPs. When you look around and see where they are camping, you will believe that they really need adequate medical care.
“We are here with our full medical team that will carry out different test on the IDPs and also administer them with drugs.
“Earlier today, we also carried out a similar medical outreach in the barracks where the children/wards of soldiers and friends of the Army were equally tested and administered with drugs,’’ he said.
The commander advised the IDPs to have a positive outlook towards life, adding that the Army would always remember them in their activities.
NAN reports that the IDPs were tested for malaria, blood pressure, hepatitis, typhoid and fever, among others, while drugs were equally administered to them.
Speaking, the Coordinator of the camp, Mr. Aston Inyang, thanked the Army for their humanitarian medical outreach.
Inyang said that they were brought to the camp on Oct. 4, 2009, after the ceding of the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on Aug. 14, 2008.
According to him, the camp has been neglected by the government and appealed to the state and federal governments to come to their aid.
“Our greatest challenge here is that we lack adequate medical care and the young ladies who are pregnant always feel it more.
“We have not been given fair attention as it concerns health. Our camp is so large that we are supposed to have our own separate health care centre built by the government.
“From 2009 to now, we have lost over 40 persons which include women, men and children and a lot are still under medical challenges because they have no money to access medical treatment,’’ he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Eno Samson, who thanked the Army for their medical assistant, appealed to other corporate bodies and philanthropists, to also assist them in the areas of food, security and shelter.
The Nigeria Army has announced the capture of Alhaji Tijjani Usman Damagum whom it describes as a high profile member of the Boko Haram group.
Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman stated that Damagum is currently undergoing interrogation while another member of the group was gunned down on Monday afternoon.
“Troops of 3 Division have arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group kingpin, Alhaji Tijjani Usman Damagum.
“He was tracked down and arrested at Damagum town, Yobe State yesterday.
“A high profile Boko Haram terrorists’ group member, he has led Boko Haram members on various attacks especially in Yobe State.
“The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation with a view to arraign him soon,” he stated.
He also gave insight into the operation that led to the Army’s killing of an unnamed terrorist from whom soldiers allegedly recovered an AK-47 rifle.
“In an offensive operation to clear Boko Haram terrorists enclave around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir general area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, a notorious Boko Haram terrorist that had been wrecking havoc among the communities was gunned by our troops on Monday afternoon.
“During the operation, four other terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds,” he added.
The Army yesterday appealed to Nigerians to support its efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
Making the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, said one of the key roles the people could play was volunteering vital information.
Abubakar explained that the war could not succeed through military operations alone.
“I want to inform all that this operation should not be seen as purely military; it should be seen as an inclusive peace operation, where everybody has a role to play.
“This battle can best be won at the quickest time with the co-operation of all stakeholders.
“We need information; we need co-operation; we need synergy, we need support, support in the sense that we have lots of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which I believe, good Nigerians, good organisations, either domestically or internationally, can always come to assist.
“While this is being done, the military is faced with the task of degrading, destroying and arresting the terrorists,” he said
The commander said wealthy individuals and corporate organisations, should also assist by providing logistics to the military to aid its operations.
“In a situation where you find us in more areas than expected, then our attention will be diverted, That is why we need the co-operation of other stakeholders.
“About two weeks ago, Toyota Nigeria Limited came and made a donation; such support will enhance our efficiency.” Abubakar said.
He also advised Nigerians to form vigilante groups in their localities and places of work, to prevent terrorists attacks.
“We are appealing to everybody to take charge of security in his or her environment by being vigilant and reporting strange happenings.
“The military will do all it takes to secure the society, but Nigerians must help out by being vigilant,” he added.
He lamented that spate of explosions in motor parks in spite of the fact that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), is one of the strongest unions in Nigeria in terms of membership and organisation”.
“Unfortunately, we always have challenges or cases of bomb blasts in motor parks.
“I will appeal to NURTW, market organisations and religious bodies that security should be our collective responsibilities,” he said.
He, however, commended Nigerian journalists for their support in the anti-terrorism war.
“It is important that we should always be interacting with journalists, so that Nigerians will know what we are doing; so that our efforts will not only be appreciated by the military high command, but also the citizens of the country, who want peace to come back to this part of the country,” Abubakar said.
The Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have seized 2.3 million litres of allegedly stolen diesel worth N3.45 million from an illegal bunker.
The petroleum product was siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines.
Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, the Commander of Operations of OPS, formerly known as the Joint Task Force (JTF), addressed reporters yesterday at Tamunotonye Ama in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Okunlola said two suspected oil thieves were arrested at the bunker, while several equipment used by the operators of the illegal bunker were seized during the raid.
He said: “On September 23, troops of Sector 2 of OPS of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt stormed Tamunotonye-Ama community and discovered a large bunkering site, which operated illegally.
“The troops, during the raid, discovered and seized eight large metal badges laden with stolen Automated Gas Oil (AGO), commonly referred to as diesel; another 23 empty barges were also seized.
“Two of the eight metal badges have estimated capacity of seven tanker trucks each.”
The OPS commander told reporters that other items found at the site included 44 large plastic tanks, 22 illegal pumping dumps, 18 pumping machines, three speedboats, two outboard engines and a lengthy hose.
He added that 19 storage tanks filled with stolen crude oil were also seized from the site during the operation.
Okunlola said: “Two suspects in our custody will be interrogated, while the barges have been towed to Ogoloma Jetty in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
The commander said investigation into the activities of the operators of the illegal bunkers had begun.
He said the investigation would show how they operated in the area without being detected.
Okunlola noted that under his command, the OPS had increased the frequency of raids in a bid to end oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The site is located near the Onne Sea Port and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone where several multinational oil and gas companies are operating.
Military authorities in Borno have disclosed that over 200 Boko Haram terrorists gave up fighting and surrendered to troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Borno State on Sallah day.
According to the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole (Peace is Must) in the north east, Major General Mohammed Abubakar , the decision of the terrorists is not unconnected to the ongoing offensive raid going on in the boarder communities of Banki, Bama local government in Borno State and Cameroon Republic.
Many communities on that axis have been under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents until they were recently recaptured by the Nigerian military.
The Theatre Commander who was speaking at an interactive session with journalists on Friday at the military Command and Control Centre in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, revealed that those who surrendered were mainly women and children.
“I am happy to inform you that over 200 terrorists group surrendered to may troops around Banki town on Thursday. The field commander just called me and briefed me about the development.
“We are calling on other terrorists to surrender as anyone who surrender will be reintegrated into the society.
“Presently, we have 36 Internally Displaced Persons Camps in the north east and all those who surrendered to troops were screened before taken to these camps pending when the closed down roads will be reopen for motorists so that the displaced people will go back to their liberated communities.
“We have started sending our engineers to repair all the destroyed bridges. Already our engineers have started reconstructing the destroyed bridges along Gamboru-Ngala- Maiduguri, Gombi- Garkida- Biu roads among others and very soon the menace of Boko haram madness will be over, but this can never be achieved without the full cooperation of the media and the general public.
“The fight against terrorists is a collective responsibility and all hands must be on deck to nip terrorism in the bud,” he said.
He also disclosed that troops of the 7Division averted tragedy on Sallah day in Maiduguri with the arrest of a suspected terrorists who went to Madinatu Mosque in Maiduguri to plant an Improvised Explosive Devises(IED).
He announced that the suspect is under investigation and he is providing useful information to track down other accomplices.
•12 others held •Illegal arms seized •11 killed in shoot-out
A soldier (names withheld), who specialises in training Niger Delta militants, has been arrested in Rivers State by the Army. He was arrested with 12 others; the illegal arms and ammunition were seized.
The discovery and arrests were made yesterday during the mop-up operation in Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
Some of the arms and ammunition were moved by the militants before the arrival of the troops at the Kalabari community.
The 12 suspects, including the arms and ammunition, were handed over to the state headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation and prosecution.
The Commanding Officer of 2 Brigade Lt.-Col. Timothy Opurum spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Opurum said the soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002, was a member of 13-man gang that had terrorised many communities in the state.
The commanding officer said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a sting operation, where we captured a 13-man militant gang, including its notorious leader, Kenneth.
“We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the Army in 2002 and specialised in training militants in weapons’ handling and operational tactics.
“The soldier, who is a Private, joined the Army in 1998 and served in the 331 Artillery Regiment, Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna, before he was declared missing in 2002.
“The soldier, who is related to the leader of the militant group, is in our custody and will be released to prosecuting agencies, after formal dismissal from the Nigerian Army.”
Opurum, who described the operation as “highly successful,” said the troops raided the community on account of incessant militancy, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism, pipeline vandalism and killings.
He noted that reports showed that the community was not only serving as a hideout for criminals, but as a warehouse for arms and ammunition.
The commanding officer, who led the operation, denied the allegation that troops opened fire on innocent fishermen, traders and destroyed their wares, adding that no innocent civilian was assaulted during the operation.
The traditional ruler of Opu-Kula, King Hope Opusingi, earlier alleged that soldiers battered his people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The monarch insisted that the raid by the soldiers was an abuse of power and a gross violation of the rights of his people.
Eight suspected kidnappers and three robbery suspects were killed in a shootout with men of the state police command, Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo has said.
Kimo, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Port Harcourt, said six robbery suspects were arrested in the state between September 8 and 22.
He said seven suspected kidnappers were arrested, while six kidnapped persons were rescued.
Kimo added that six suspected cultists were arrested and 32 firearms recovered from criminal gangs.
He said the firearms, included three AK 47 assault rifles, 11 pump action guns, 10 locally-made pistols, three double barrel guns and three single barrel guns as well as 101 assorted ammunition and nine vehicles.
Kimo said some of the vehicles included BMW X 5 J, Toyota Lexus saloon, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Xterra, among others.
He attributed the achievements to proactive measures and professionalism displayed by officers and men of the command, warning criminals to desist from their acts or be prepared to face the law.
The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that scores of women and children held captive by Boko Haram insurgents have been rescued by troops along Banki, Kumashe and Bama axis in Borno.
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja.
He said the advancing troops cleared four camps along the axis, while several others were cleared in Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare areas also in Borno.
“Nigerian troops advancing to clear all known Boko Haram terrorists camps towards Banki, Kumshe axis and Bama axis have cleared 4 more camps earlier on Tuesday.
“They were able to clear the terrorists’ camps at Bolungu 1 and 2, Bula Doye and Cheehi Dare and secured a very important bridge linking the towns of Miyanti and Banki in Borno State.
“The gallant troops also rescued dozen of kidnapped women and children held captive by Boko Haram terrorists.’’
It said more enclaves of the insurgents would be cleared as troops involved in the operations advanced towards more areas previously occupied by the insurgents.
The statement said the offensive operations by ground troops and aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force would continue in the region until the insurgency was ended.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the military had intensified offensive against the insurgents with the aim of ending their reign of terror in the North East.
Following persistent pounding, many Boko Haram suspects have been surrendering to troops in the frontline, the military declared yesterday.
The Air Force has been consistently bombing the terrorists’ positions while the ground troops are moving in.
Acting Army Director of Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said more terrorists had also indicated willingness to lay down their arms.
He said the ground troops had also adopted routes blocking strategy in a bid to ‘constrict and snuff out” the Boko Haram terrorists from their hideouts.
[ad id=”403656″]“Many of the terrorists that willingly surrendered painted images of mass panic and hysteria among their erstwhile colleagues.
“They said their colleagues are feeling the noose tightening on their necks with the relentless efforts of troops and renewed vigour in the operations inspired by the personal leadership of the Chief of Army Staff.
“Terrorists also seem to have an inkling of what happens to surrendered suspects as regards screening and de-radicalisation of innocent ones among them,’’ it said.
The statement said the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, would continue to employ effective strategies to bring the insurgency to a speedy end.
It said the military would continue to receive surrendering suspects and assured innocent ones among them that “to surrender is the only option open to them”.
Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Azubike Ihejirika has shed light on why he set up the Nigerian Army Language Institute (NALI) at Ovim in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
He said the NALI project was informed by the need for military men to learn other languages apart from English so they could communicate effectively with their counterparts from non-English-speaking countries.
Ovim was once renowned for the rail line which ran through the community, and later for the senior military officers who hailed from it.
General Ike Nwachukwu and Admiral Ndubisi Kanu hail from there, as do Col. Osondu and Ihejirika.
•Part of the language instute
Kanu constructed a road from Isuikwuato to Uturu down to Okigwe through which he was coming home when he was the military governor of old Imo State.
Nwachukwu transferred the then Imo State University later known as Abia State University to its now permanent site at Uturu.
In 2012, Ihejirika established the Nigerian Army Language Institute at Ovim where soldiers and others could be trained in French language and other foreign languages to enable them communicate with their counterparts from non-English-speaking countries.
Gen Ihejirika from whose country home one could see clearly the language institute, said that nothing gives him joy like waking up every morning to have a view of the institute and prayed that the institute will live beyond the expectations of its founders.
In a chat with The Nation at his country home in Ovim while playing host to Col Marc Humbert the France Defence Attache to Nigeria, Gen Ihejirika said that he established the institute which is the first of its kind in Africa so that Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission will stop finding it difficult to communicate with their counterparts from other African countries.
Gen Ihejirika said that during his tenure as COAS he found out that Nigerian soldiers were not communicating fluently with their colleagues from neighbouring non-English-speaking countries.
He said that his first thought was to establish the institute so that Nigerian soldiers who are always on a peace mission will find it easy to communicate with other soldiers whenever they are on a peace mission, “Also bearing in mind that we are surrounded by French speaking African countries, there was this need for our soldiers to understand themselves whenever they are amongst their colleagues from other countries”.
The former COAS said that when the institute was established it was mainly for Nigerian soldiers to help their French-speaking neighbours during peace missions to understand themselves but now the reverse is the case as the French-speaking neighbours are now helping Nigeria in the war against insurgency.
Gen Ihejirika said, “When the institute was established it was to help our soldiers understand French language when on peace mission to other countries, now it has turn the other way round, as we need to speak and understand French as these French speaking countries are now in our country to help us fight insurgency”.
In his speech the French DA, Col. Humbert commended Gen Ihejirika for citing the institute at a serene place where students will come and study unhindered from distractions associated with urban areas, stressing that the environment will enable the students to assimilate the languages faster.
Speaking at the language institute, Humbert said that Nigeria and France are very close allies and that there is need for the Nigeria to educate its officers in French language.
Humbert who donated French books and other teaching aids to the army institute said that the close relationship between the two countries has made the embassy to donate the books to enable them face the challenges of language in future.
He described the institute as a place for the future and believed that it will grow to support the entire military force in its fight against all manner of terrorism and other forms of challenges in any part of the country.
The French DA noted that the success recorded at the institute, “Will help the Nigerian army to corporate with its French speaking neighbours in the current war against insurgency as they have formed an alliance to fight the terrorism war”.
He described Nigeria as a great country will huge potentials and backed with different communities, stressing that the beauty of the difference in culture and language is the unifying factor of the country.
Humbert said that the books are a token of their appreciation to the school and hope that it will help in training of soldiers, and also help in fostering good working relationship with other countries.
Receiving the books and other teaching materials, on behalf of the chief of army staff, the commandant of the institute, Col. Joseph Bamidele Ajanaku said that the materials will go a long way in helping the students.
Col. Ajanaku said that the school has just commenced with its first batch of 20 students who are doing the basic French course 1, stressing that the materials will help them to learn the language faster.
He said the institute started operation on August 1, adding,
“We intend to increase the languages to include, Swahili, Portuguese, German and Chinese languages as we are expanding towards these countries in bilateral relationship”.
Col Ajanaku said that with the establishment of the institute at Ovim that it has helped in no small way to fast track the development of the area, stressing that most of the senior officers who are coming to the place for the language training will spend their money around the area and also help to increase the economic activities in the area.
