The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Brig-Gen. Sani Usman

  • Army deploy 95 percent troops for polls

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said 95 percent of its troops would be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    It added almost 40 percent of the troops to be deployed would be in the Northeast.

    Its Spokesman Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said in a statement that it was not true that the troops were being paid some allowances in other to sway their votes for a particular party as being alleged in the social media.

    Brig Gen Usman said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to some insinuations on various social media platforms that the recent payment of uniform allowance to officers and soldiers was done to sway their voting towards a particular political party. This is not true.

    “The payment of uniform allowance was started in 2016 to assist troops deployed on Operation LAFIYA DOLE as uniform upkeep and maintenance.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Army denies takeover of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa towns

    “The allowance was however extended to all Nigerian Army personnel because of their increasing engagement in various Internal Security Operations across the country.

    “It is important to note that 95 per cent of Nigerian Army troops will be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Out of this, almost 40 per cent are in the North East. Therefore, it is gross unfair and sheer mischief to associate the Nigerian Army with such mundane action.

    “We therefore implore all well- meaning Nigerians to dissociate themselves from such fake and unwarranted information calculated to smear the Nigerian Army.

    “Although investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of such malicious allegations, we would like to warn such unpatriotic individuals to stop this mischief forthwith.

    ” We would like to further warn all officers and soldiers to desist from acts that are inimical to Service discipline and code of conduct and reiterate the Chief of Army Staff’s warning during his conference with General Officers Commanding and Operations Commanders that, “All Nigerian Army personnel must remain neutral, non-partisan and transparent in all their actions.

    “I need to reiterate that there will be zero-tolerance for any action and in-action by commanders at all levels that is deemed tilted towards giving undue advantage to any candidate, political party, ethnic or religious leanings to the detriment of the unity and integrity of Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian Army has always been professional, impartial and apolitical. We wish to state that no amount of campaign of calumny against it would change that”.

  • Special Forces kill Boko Haram terrorists, retake Baga

     

    • Lose two

    Special Forces of the Nigeria Army on Thursday killed hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists in massive clearance operations in Borno State.

    The troops made up of Nigerian Army Special Forces, the Nigerian Navy Special Forces as well as the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces however lost an officer and a soldier during the clearance operations.

    According to the Nigerian Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen Sani Usman, the operations which commenced on December 28, cleared several towns and villages of Boko Haram remnants.

    Usman, in a statement, listed towns cleared as Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa, and Cross Kauwa while troops have also taken control of Baga and are clearing the fringes of Lake Chad.

    He lauded the troops for their gallantry in giving the terrorists a bloody nose, saying the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole also gave maximum air support in dealing a devastating blow on the terrorists.

    Brig Gen. Usman said: “In the determined efforts to wipe out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists that now goes by the appellation of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), the gallant troops of the newly formed Nigerian Army Special Forces Command (NASFC), Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have given the terrorists that attacked troops location in Baga a bloody nose.

    “The triumphant troops, particularly the highly revered 707 Special Forces Brigade which is the vanguard of the great exploit, dealt the decisive blow that neutralised several terrorists along that axis despite prior warning to them by some unpatriotic elements.

    “The Special Forces commenced clearance operations on 28th December 2018, where they cleared Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa and Cross Kauwa without any resistance from suspected terrorists. However, at Cross Kauwa, the unfortunate ISWAP terrorists made a costly mistake of raising their ugly heads.

    “In professional fashion the troops exploited the situation to instantly and decisively neutralise the insurgents and captured some equipment.

    “Though some of the terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops camp at Monguno, the gallant troops lured them and neutralised many of them and recovered some arms and ammunition.

    “The troops who are in high spirit had since linked up with other forces in Baga where they cleared the Naval Base and the surrounding areas.

    “Unfortunately, in the process, the Special Forces lost one officer and a soldier, while five other soldiers sustained injuries.

    “The remains of the two fallen heroes and the wounded have since been evacuated.

    “The injured soldiers are in stable condition and receiving medical attention.

    “The troops are busy consolidating and clearing vestiges of the terrorists within the northern Borno State axis with special emphasis on the Lake Chad region.”

     

  • Army disowns fund-raising campaign

     

    Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, has warned the public against falling into the trap of one Dr Perry Brimah who claimed to be raising funds for the welfare of troops in the war fronts.

    He described the claim as fraudulent and had nothing to do with the Nigerian Army, advising Nigerians to ignore him.

    Usman, in a statement, said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a fraudulent and criminal fund raising by one Doctor Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, tagged “Global Campaign To Provide Food For Nigerian Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram”.

    “The criminal embarked on this fund raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style.

    “The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund raising; https://www.gofundme.com/feed-nigerian-soldiers/info @ ENDS.ng

    Tel: +1-929-427-5305; Whatsapp: +234-903-420-3031.

    “We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed in the North East or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe.

    ”The Nigerian Army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras especially during festive periods.

    “Therefore, this move by Doctor Brimah is nothing but a scam as there is nowhere in the world where troops were fed through donations by members of the public.

    “We would like to further state that there has never been complaints of lack of food by soldiers talk-less of starvation.

    “The so called Dr Perry Brimah or his agents do not represent the Nigerian Army or her soldiers.

    “Whoever believes and falls victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk.

    “In addition, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Interpol is working hard to declare him wanted and extradite the International fraudster to face justice.

    “Therefore, we request the general public for any information on the whereabouts of this fraudster.”

     

     

  • Army redeploys Senior Officers again

     

    The Nigerian Army has again effected changes in its command structures by posting and appointments of Senior Officers into various positions.

    Its spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, noted the development was in line with the vision of the present leadership to add fresh impetus to the operations of the army.

    The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Army has on Thursday 13th December 2018 released another batch of posting and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by the exercise include Major General AA Nani who is to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans (AHQ DAPP) and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General MM Mshelia, from Warrant Officers Academy (WOA), Jaji, to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) and appointed Commander, Major General G Oyefesobi, from NATRAC to Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and appointed Director Administration, while Major General AB Omozoje will move from DIA to AHQ DAPP and appointed Deputy Chief of Policy Plans (Army) and Director Staff Duties.

    “Similarly, Major General I Attahiru is to remain in Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and appointed Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General KO Ogundele, will move from Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), to Defence Space Administration and appointed Director Policy, Plans and Research, Major General EJ Enenche from Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to DHQ and appointed Director Technical Support Services, Major General AS Maikobi from Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to 82 Division and appointed General Officer Commanding.

    “Major General SA Yaro has also been posted from AHQ Department of Training and Operations (AHQ DATOPS) to TRADOC and appointed Chief of Training, while Major General GA Umelo is to remain in AHQ and appointed Director Peacekeeping Operations at AHQ DATOPs.

    “Others include Major General C Ofoche who is to remain in AWCN and appointed Commandant, General JJ Ogunlade, from AHQ DAPP to DHQ and appointed Director Innovation and Concept Development, Major General JO Oni from Armed Forces Simulation Centre to AHQ DOAA and appointed Director Personnel Services and Major General ON Ugo from HQ NAE to AHQ DOAL and appointed Director Engineering Services. Major General M Bashir is to remain in Post Housing Development Limited and appointed MD/CEO, while Major General SE Oduonwa moves from DHQ to AHQ DAPP and appointed Director Policy.

    “Major General OW Ali has also been moved from AWCN to DHQ and appointed Director Communications, Major General CG Musa is to remain in AHQ Department of Projects and Programmes (AHQ DPP) and appointed Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, while Major General JO Irefin is to remain in DHQ Garrison and appointed Commander.

    “The posting also affected some Commandants of Nigerian Army training institutions which include Major General OI Uzamere, who is to remain in NACOL as Commandant Major General DH Alli-Keffi, Commandant NASI, Major General MH Magaji, Commandant NAAS, Major AO Uthman, Commandant NASS, Major General BN Salami, NASST Benin, General AS Ibikunle, Commandant NAOS and Major General EH Ehiorobo, Commandant NASEME.

    “Similarly, Major General S Mohammed is to remain in Depot NA and appointed Commandant, while Major General MO Enendu is to remain as Deputy Commandant, NAFRC, Major General VO Offiong is to remain as Corps Commander NACST.”

     

  • Army appoints new Commanders for Operation Lafiya Dole

    The Nigerian Army Thursday announced major reorganisation in the composition of the Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Northeast.

    The development also precipitated redeployment of some senior officers, while several others were appointed to head the command structures of various sectors of the operation.

    Army spokesman, Brig Gen Sani Usman said in a statement that the new postings were meant to inject fresh hands into the fight against terrorism in the northeast.

    His words: “In order to inject new hands in the fight against terrorism and other operations, the Nigerian Army has today Thursday 6th December 2018, authorised the posting and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by the new posting and appointments include some Staff Officers and Commanders at various levels.

    ” Specifically,  the newly promoted Major General OT Akinjobi, Head of the Operations Monitoring Team at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, has been appointed Commander, Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE,  while Major General MG Ali,  Commander 9 Brigade has been appointed Commander of the newly created Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Brigadier  General BR Sinjen, Commander, Integrated Fire Support and Brigadier General FO Omoigui, has been moved from 2 Division Nigerian Army to Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations and appointed Director of Operations.

    “Brigadier General TA Lagbaja is to take over as Commander 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General OR Aiyenigba, Director Land Warfare at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College is to move to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Head of Operations Monitoring Team, while Brigadier General AU Kuliya is to take over as Director Land Warfare at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

    “Similarly, new Brigade Commanders have been appointed for some of the Brigades at Operation LAFIYA DOLE. These include Brigadier General EF Oyinlola, 22 Brigade, Brigadier General VU Okoro, 25 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General AB Mohammed,  26 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General AO Oyelade, 27 Task Force Brigade,  Brigadier General MT Usman, 28 Task Force Brigade and Brigadier General MG Kangye, 37 Brigade, while Brigadier General AS Ishaq has been appointed as Coordinator, Nigeria Police Force for Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “New Commanders have also been appointed for the various Army Headquarters Logistics Commands at the theatre. These include Brigadier General AG Ibrahim, Brigadier General PN Okeson and Brigadier General OA Aminu for Logistics Base I, II and III, respectively.

    “Similarly, the posting has affected several Commanding Officers of the various units in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, amongst others.

    “The Chief of Army Staff has also directed that all those affected by the posting in the theatre, must remain committed and fully in charge until they are properly relieved in line with standard operating procedures and military professional ethics.”

  • Buratai warns Troops against fake news

    Troops deployed to the northeast against Boko Haram Terrorists have been cautioned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur  Buratai, to be wary of Boko Haram  terrorists and their sympathizers, especially in the way and manner they employ propaganda to achieve certain objectives.

    Buratai said if troops get expose to social media and fake news there is the likehood that it would demoralize their fighting spirits and undermine national security.

    The Army Chief made the observations at a dinner for the troops of Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion (AFSF Bn) and Army Headquarters Strike Group in Maiduguri at the weekend.

    Speaking further, he stressed that the troops should be mindful of what they see and read on the social media as most of the stories are either doctored or fake.

    Believing these stories would demoralize their fighting spirit, thus undermining national security, the COAS added.

    Buratai was also quoted as saying that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are now fighting terrorism as the days of insurgency has long gone.

    In a statement by Army Spokesman , Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, Lt. Gen. Buratai emphasized that Boko Haram terrorists have no claim to any territory in Nigeria as of today and therefore enjoined the troops to flush out remnants of the terrorists wherever they are hiding..

    Buratai who asked the troops to use tactics acquired at different stages of their training as Special Forces, added that more attention would be given to In-theatre training and intelligence gathering and capabilities of personnel would be enhanced.

    He also urged them to maintain the peace in the country and work hand in hand with other security agencies to defend the democratic system.

    Every commander is already aware of what is expected of him especially, in the upcoming general elections of 2019, therefore you should live up to expectations of the authorities, Buratai said.

    In his vote of thanks on behalf of the officers and men of both units after the dinner, the Commanding Officer of the AFSF Bn, Navy Commander G B Osuobeni, lauded the Army Chief for the visit and the kind gesture of hosting them to a dinner.

    He said that the event signifies the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation and support of their efforts in the fight against terrorism in the north east under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    The Commanding Officer stated that the occasion would remain indelible in their minds and that the troops of both units were highly motivated by the visits and interaction, assuring that they would continue to do their best to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the border areas and other areas of the north eastern part of Nigeria.

  • Troops recover 200 cows from rustlers, kill three terrorists

    Troops recover 200 cows from rustlers, kill three terrorists

    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole operating in Borno State have recovered over 200 cows from Boko Haram members, while three of insurgents were killed during encounter with soldiers.

    According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, the troops also recovered weapons of different calibre from the Boko Haram fighters.

    Usman said in a statement in Abuja that “troops of 21 Brigade, Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with elements of 121 Battalion, on Friday, December 22, 2017, laid an ambush for Boko Haram terrorists at one of their suspected crossing points near Firgi, Bama local government area of Borno State.

    “During the ambush, the troops neutralized one of the terrorists suspected to be an expert Improvised Explosives Device (IED) expert, while other terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds. The gallant troops recovered one gas cylinder suspected to be for IED, two water bottles and one motorcycle.

    “In another development, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade,  Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday, December 23, 2017 following a report that suspected Boko Haram terrorists have rustled and  carted away over 200 cows at Makandari Village in Kala Balge local government area, mobilized a fighting patrol which pursued the terrorists to Beneri village where contact was made.

    “The patrol team engaged the terrorists and neutralized two of the criminal Boko Haram cattle rustlers. They recovered one AK-47 Rifle, an empty Magazine, two Motorcycles and one National Identity Card. In addition, the gallant troops also recovered all the rustled cows and returned to the rightful owners.’

    Meanwhile, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major Gen. R. I. Nicholas has given insight into how soldiers repelled the attacks of some Boko Haram terrorists at Molai area, outskirts of Maiduguri on Christmas day.

    He said in a statement: “This evening, there was an attempted attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorist who came with Person Borne Improvised Explosives Devices (PIED)  and gun trucks to steal foodstuff and also attack troops around Molai area, outskirts of Maiduguri, but met stiff resistance from troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who repelled them and secured the community.

    “No loss of lives to own troops and normalcy has since been restored.

    “Meanwhile troops have been on the trail of the remnants of the terrorists. Unfortunately, during their retreat, they set two vehicles on fire and some thatched houses at the outskirts of the city gate.

    “Both ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force are on hot pursuit and interdicting the fleeing terrorists that are now in disarray.”

  • No ambush against Buratai – Army

    No ambush against Buratai – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday dismissed report that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, was wounded during an alleged ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

    A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, said there was no iota of truth in the report and should be disregarded by the public.

    Usman said the army chief is hale and hearty and has been going about his official assignments diligently.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication circulating mostly on the social media that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has been wounded in an alleged ambush by Boko Haram terrorists at an unnamed location in the North East while on his way to pay troops courtesy visit.

    “This is not true. The Chief of Army Staff has not been involved in any ambush. In any case, there was no any recently reported ambush against any of our troops anywhere let alone in the North East.

    “The public should disregard the ambush story as it is fake. Nothing has happened to the Chief of Army Staff, he is hale and hearty and conducting his official duties diligently. The gallant troops are currently dealing decisive blows on the Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad area.

    “Over 60 of the terrorists have either been captured or neutralised in the last three days. The Nigerian Army is also closing up with the political Boko Haram terrorists and their collaborators. They will soon be exposed and the law will take its course against them.

    “We wish to use this opportunity to thank the teeming Nigerians that called and showed concern over this unfortunate fake news. We wish to assure you that no amount of mischief or campaign of calumny under any guise will distract the Chief of Army Staff from his determined efforts of leading a responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”.

  • Troops recover additional 510 animals from bandits

    Troops recover additional 510 animals from bandits

    Troops of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna on Tuesday recovered additional 510 animals from armed bandits in Zamfara, after engaging them in a fierce battle.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Wednesday that the animals, comprising 269 cows and 241 sheep would be handed over to their legitimate owners.

    The troops had on September 25 recovered 157 animals from bandits after raiding their camp at Kahiru forest in the Bakura local government area of Zamfara State.

    Usman said troops on “Operation Sharan Daji,” ambushed and engaged the bandits in a fierce battle at Kuran Mota in Anka local government area of the state, following a tip-off.

    He said the bandits later fled and abandoned the animals as they could not withstand the fire power of the troops.

    NAN

  • Troops arrest arms dealers in Zamfara

    Troops arrest arms dealers in Zamfara

    Troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested two suspected illegal arms dealers along Funtua-Gusau road in Zamfara on Sunday.

    Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Monday that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects were on their way to deliver ammunition to armed bandits.

    Usman said they were caught driving a Golf Volkswagen car with registration number AWE-534-AA (Nasarawa), containing 1,479 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

    According to him, the suspects are in DSS custody.

    Usman said troops deployed at Dangulbi in Maru local government area of Zamfara also arrested three armed bandits while on routine patrol.

    “The team recovered one AK-47 rifle magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, N45,500, Nokia mobile telephone handset battery and three Airtel SIM cards,” he said.

    NAN