The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Army

  • Police, Army clash in Anambra

    What would have been a bloodbath in Awka, Anambra State was averted Thursday following a fight that ensued between policemen and the military officers.

    Trouble started at the popular Aroma junction in Awka where policemen posted to the round about to check traffic decided to stop every motor cycle operator (Okada) and began to demand for, 1,000 naira each for not wearing helmet.

    Unknown to then, when a military man who was riding a motor cycle got to the point they stopped him and demanded that he should park well, when he was about doing so, one policeman hit him thinking he was running away.

    The young military man (names withheld) parked the okada and told them he is a military man, though, not in uniform, the police man slapped him, and he retaliated, then the police men out numbered him.

    They told him to kneel down; but the military man refused and thereafter made contact to his superiors.

    Sensing danger, the first police man who slapped him ran away before the reinforcement from the military arrived.

    The leader of the Police Squad stationed at Aroma, Laz Ebehe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) molested and assaulted reporters who trooped out to witness the scenario.

    All the motorcycle operators stormed the arena in protest of the fee being demanded by the policemen at Aroma who they claim, harass and intimidate them with their guns.

    When the state police Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka was contacted on the incident, he quickly told the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), in charge of operations Olafimihen Adoye, who immediately contacted the divisional police Officer in charge of B Division Maikudi Shehu (CSP).

     

     

  • Army trains personnel on conflict control

    The Army is training its personnel on conflict management to enhance their skills during operations.

    The three-day workshop at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), was organised in conjunction with the Impact for Change and Development as well as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany.

    Declaring the workshop open, the Commandant, NACOL, Gen. A.B.M. Gana  said the workshop was part of the security agencies’ resolve to address national issues in order to enthrone peace and development.

    The Deputy Commandant of NACOL, Gen. J.O. Oni, highlighted the need to train and improve skills for all cadres of the security apparatus since military and paramilitary personnel are increasingly involved in conflict management.

  • Army releases 13 suspects after mosques raid

    Thirteen of the 15 suspects arrested during a military raid on mosques on Monday in Aba, Abia State have been released.

    A source said the Islamic leaders were released on the same day after hours of interrogation at the Asa Army Base.

    The source said Abdulraham Sani and Abdulmajid Abubakar, the director and head teacher of New Horizon Academy located on the premises of the Aba Central Mosque were still being detained by the soldiers.

    The Chief Imam of Aba Central Mosque, Alhaji Idris Bashir, told reporters that the soldiers, after taking them to the 144 Battalion, Asa said they carried out the raid because of the suspicion that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and weapons were kept in mosques.

    He said: “The soldiers, after asking us to join them in their vehicles, took us to the Ngwa Road Forward Operation Base (FOB) before moving us to the 144 Battalion at Asa where they interrogated us. They said they were looking for bombs and weapons which they alleged we were sharing.

    “We don’t keep or manufacture bombs and do not support or encourage any person to make or keep bombs. Mosque is a holy place where we pray.”We have been living in Aba peacefully with the indigenes and will not be part of any plan to cause trouble.”

    Bashir urged the soldiers to release Sani and Abubakar.

    The Nation learnt that about 4:15pm on Wednesday, 10 soldiers in two Hilux vans came to the Aba Central Mosque and photographed the place. They later invited the chief imam for questioning.

  • Thousands brave rain for army recruitment

    Thousands brave rain for army recruitment

    It was a pathetic sight at the 13th Brigade Premises of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, Cross River State on Saturday as thousands of youths converged to write the examination for recruitment into the Nigeria Army.
    Applicants crowded the field in the premises and spilled over to the pavements of adjoining Barracks and Marian Roads.
    Even when it started raining heavily, the applicants  could not leave the field  as they waited to be screened to write the examination.
    An applicant from from Cross River State said they were desperate to get the job and would withstand anything to get it.
    “As it is, I don’t mind if we are recruited and sent to Maiduguri. It is better than not having any job. It is better to die in the war front than to die of joblessness at home. There are no jobs my brother that is why you see me here. It is not I like it.”
    Officials of the Brigade could not be reached for comments.

  • Nigerian army will soon overcome terrorists – CDS

    Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh, Chief of Defence Staff,  has said that the Nigerian army will soon overcome terrorists.
    According to him, military pressure  had forced insurgents to resort cheap targets.

    Badeh who stated this during his visit to scene of explosions in Jos on Thursday said the military pressure in the North East had compelled the terrorists  to relocate other parts of the country.

    “The military have been mounting serious pressure on the insurgents and that is the reason they have started moving out of the area,” the CDS said.

    The CDS expressed the Nigerian military’s determination to  tackle the security challenge bedeviling the country noting that `The Nigerian soldiers are highly capable of fighting the insurgents and very soon the issue will be addressed.”

    “Some countries have been fighting terrorist activities for over 40- years but the issue entirely new we doing everything possible to address it.”

    He appealed to Nigerians to be patient and support the military with vital information about the insurgents.

    He warned the public against rushing to bomb scenes as there was the likelihood of another explosion. “People should desist from rushing to the bomb blast scenes as there is always the possibility of the another explosion.’’

    He sympathised with the people of Plateau over the twin bomb blasts that caused the death of several people

    The Plateau Governor Jonah Jang has appreciated security agencies for their prompt reaction to incidents.

    The governor who spoke through his deputy Ignatius Longjan stated that the visits of the Inspector General of Police and  the Chief of Defence Staff was an indication that they were concerned about happened in the state.

  • We don’t have funds to fight insecurity, says Army

    We don’t have funds to fight insecurity, says Army

    The Nigerian Army has said it lacks the financial capacity to tackle  Boko Haram’s insurgency and other security challenges facing the country.

    The Chief of Accounts of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Muriana, spoke yesterday on the paucity of funds facing the Army.

    It was at the opening of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps’ Warrant Officers’/Non-Commissioned Officers’ training week in Jaji, Kaduna State.

     The accountant explained that budgetary allocations to the military was adequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and cater for the welfare of soldiers.

    Muriana said besides the limitation of the “envelope system”, the Army was also enmeshed in bureaucratic bottleneck in getting appropriateb funding approval for military operations.

    The general called for a review of the current system “as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflicts appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge commanders”.

    He added: “It is our humble appeal that government could evolve other means of funding and supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocations.

    “Such means include but are not limited to strategic cooperation and liaison with other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment.”

    Muraina suggested the inclusion of a special operations fund in the budget for Defence, adding that this should be placed under the Chief of Army Staff for disbursement to the required operation areas.

    He said:  “The increasing dynamic environment, coupled with continued technological development in the country and our immediate neighbours have spurred the Nigerian Army to place high premium on efficiency, proficiency and professionalism of officers and soldiers.”

    The accountant described warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers as the backbone of regimentation in the Army.

     He stressed that such officers form the bridge between officers and junior non-commissioned officers.

    The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah said funding was fundamental to curbing the security challenges in the country.

    He said:  “Success in this pursuit, therefore, calls for prudent and efficient management and application of available funds.”

    The Army Chief was represented by the General Officer, Commanding 1Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji.

  • Army moves against bandits in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa

    Army moves against bandits in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa

    The Defence Headquarters has announced a major military response to the ongoing killings and wanton destruction of property by armed bandits in three North central states of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa.

    A statement Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said the operation, which started on Sunday, is being coordinated by the Nigerian Army.

    Olukolade said troops have already been deployed in the various enclaves and flash points from where the armed bandits launch their attacks on remote communities in the three states.

    The operation is largely aimed at capturing the itinerant armed bandits with the view to recovering their illegally acquired firearms and turning them over investigation and prosecution.

    “The internal security operation is meant to capture and neutralise all the enclaves of criminal gangs. The Nigerian Air Force, Police and other security agencies are also participating in the operation designed to restore peace in the affected states.

    “Law abiding citizens in the affected states are enjoined to cooperate by providing timely and useful information to facilitate the operation as it affects their localities,” the statement added.

  • Army destroys stolen oil, diesel

    Army destroys stolen oil, diesel

    Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin last Thursday destroyed one truck load of 13,000 liters of stolen crude oil and a tank-load of 33,000 liters of illegally refined AGO (Diesel).

    Spokesman of the Brigade, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi at a media briefing said the destruction was in line with the determination to eradicate crude theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

    ” In the last one month, the sector conducted total of 592 anti-oil bunkering patrol and raids. During such patrols total of 98 illegal refineries were destroyed. 141 Cotonou boats were also arrested and destroyed in addition to 15 Tanker trucks.

    “ Also 15 illegal fuel reservoir were destroyed while 93 surface tanks popularly called GEEPEE tanks were also destroyed. Additionally 1709 drums of illegally refined product were destroyed while 10 pumping machines were seized and destroyed. We also seized 3 weapons in the process,” Abdulahi disclosed.

    Explaining that the efforts of the Brigade is to eradicate the activities of oil thieves, bunkerers and pipeline vandals which pose danger to the nation’s  economy, Abdulahi appealed  to the public to provide  timely and accurate information on the activities of the saboteurs.

  • We can crush Boko Haram, says Air Chief

    We can crush Boko Haram, says Air Chief

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu has assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces have the capacity to crush the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeastern part of the country as soon as possible.
    Amosu gave the assurance yesterday while receiving the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Air Vice Marshal John Ifemeje who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
    The Amosu said there is a synergy between his office and that of the Chief of Army Staff, with the view to designing the appropriate approach to effectively counter the onslaught by the rampaging insurgents.
    The insurgents have killed dozens of innocent Nigerians, including school children, in a string of attacks launched on soft targets in communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the last two weeks.
    A statement yesterday by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Commodore Yususf Anas, said the Air and Army Chiefs are in constant touch with troops stationed at the troubled states.
    The statement added that the troops are in high spirits and inspired to crush the insurgents in record time, adding that the officers and men in the front lines are being motivated to achieve results.
    The Air Chief hinted of renewed collaboration with other security agencies with the aim of effectively tackling the festering insurgency and restoring normalcy to the affected areas.
    The statement quoted Amosu to have said that the Armed Forces were already thinking of post insurgency plans and strategising on how to “keep the place clean”, to avoid a relapse to the killing spree.
    He was also quoted to have posited that the task in the envisaged post insurgency era would require more technology-based platforms.
    The Air Chief called for commitment of and sacrifice from members of the Armed Forces, as the Federal Government continued to provide funding and support for the campaign.