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Tag: Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu

  • We are concerned about missing General, says Army

    The Nigeria Army on Wednesday described as untrue and baseless insinuations that it failed to show concern on the missing Major Gen. I M Alkali, asserting that it launched investigations into the matter immediately the family of the senior officer informed the authority about it.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that the army constituted an investigative panel on the issue.

    Read Also:DMI, police search for missing Army General

    The statement reads: “The attention of Headquarters Nigerian Army has been drawn to several attempts by certain disgruntled individuals but specifically one Dr Idris Ahmed of CUPS who resides in Coventry UK. He has been persistent on his Facebook page with posts insinuating that the NA is unconcerned about the missing Maj Gen IM Alkali and that the NA is complicit in his disappearance.

    “Consequently, the NA wishes to state as follows: That Maj Gen IM Alkali (N/8353) retired from service after 35 years, one month and 3 days of meritorious service to his fatherland. His terminal leave commenced  on 13 Jun 18

    “That Maj Gen IM Alkali is entitled to keep his NA driver and orderly which he still had at the time of his disappearance.

    “That as a retired senior military officer, Maj Gen IM Alkali has the freedom to travel anywhere without asking for permission from the NA.  He is also at liberty to travel with or without his driver and/or his orderly.

    “That the wife of the senior officer, Mrs. Salamatu Alkali drew the attention of the NA authorities to a suspected case of the missing senior officer on 5 Sep 18.
    According to the wife, the retired senior NA officer left his home in Abuja for Bauchi on 3 Sep 18.

    “That the senior officer traveled without his driver and orderly but drove himself in a black Toyota Corolla.

    “That the wife informed the AHQ that she last spoke with him on his GSM number 09056890335 at about 1400hrs where he told her he was on ROAD Jos to Bauchi.

    “That on receipt of the report from his wife, the NA attached an intelligence officer to the family to act as a liaison officer.  The officer was also to obtain as much details from the family to aid investigation.

    “That Telephone Service Providers were immediately contacted to furnish the NA with the missing senior officer phone call records.

    “That appropriate technical intelligence, surveillance and cyberspace capabilities were deployed to track the senior officer’s phone and movement. His last known location was somewhere in Du District, near Jos, Plateau State.

    “That the COAS set up a task force led by the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN comprising General Officer Commanding 3 Division in collaboration with the Fire Service, NEMA and other relevant agencies to intensify the search for the missing retired senior officer and make sure the mystery surrounding his disappearance is unraveled.

    “That in the course of the search for the missing senior retired military officer, sources informed that he may have been killed and his body and car dumped into a deep mining pit around Du District of Jos South Local Government Area.

    “That since receiving the report of the missing retired senior NA officer, the COAS has directed that no stone should be left unturned to locate and rescue the officer.

    “That despite several attempts to distract the NA from continuing the search either through the sponsorship of protest by women, preventing the delivery of logistics equipment by the locals as well as through biased and outright false reportage by so called ‘freedom fighters’ like Idris Ahmed, the NA has not relented in its resolve to make sure the retired senior officer is found and perpetrators brought to book.

    “That so far, the suspected mining pit is being drained to enable troops get to the bottom of the pond.

    “That the claims by Idris Ahmed that the NA is unconcerned and also sponsored the disappearance of the retired senior officer is to say the least imbecilic, childish and completely out of sync with reality.

    “That we dare Dr Idris Ahmed to provide evidence to support his infantile claims and advise him to stop playing politics with the life of an individual.

    “That Idris Ahmed should report back to his handlers and sponsors that he has failed in carrying out their directive to smear the image of the COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai as well as the NA.

    “The public is hereby enjoined to disregard the publications and continue to give the military the needed support and cooperation. Together we shall bring total peace and security to our father land.”

  • Buratai, 49 senior officers take language test

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai and 49 senior officers on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja took a language proficiency test in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.

    Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, said the test was part of the army’s effort to ensure that all personnel are proficient in the use of the three major Nigerian languages.

    Chukwu said the test came after eight months of intensive lecture organised by the army headquarters for the senior officers.

    He said the belief in the army was that understanding those languages would aid troops during internal security operations across the country.

    “This will also enhance mutual cooperation between the army and the general public.” Chukwu said the senior officers that participated in the test included Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Directors, among others.

    He quoted Buratai as commending the officers for their conduct throughout the period of the test.

    The army chief said the result of the test will be announced soon and urged them to prepare for another exam next week.

    Buratai upon assumption of office in 2015, enjoined all personnel to learn the three major Nigerian languages as part of a deliberate effort to improve communication skill among troops.

  • Army repels attack, neutralises 22 terrorists

    The Army said on Monday it neutralised 22 suspected terrorists in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds after troops repelled an attack.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, who disclosed this in a statement, however, denied a report that the terrorists attacked, killed soldiers and carted away some military vehicles.

    Chukwu said the report was “not only untrue but misleading and blown out of proportion”. He admitted that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area by suspected terrorists due to difficult terrain where troops “vehicles bugged down”.

    “The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles, but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility,” he said. Chukwu urged residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety was guaranteed.

  • Army denies report of missing soldiers

    …says troops kill 22 terrorists

     

    The Nigerian Army said on Monday that about 22 Boko Haram members were killed during an attack on troops by the insurgents in Bama, Borno State.

    The Army said this was contrary to reports in the media that some soldiers were missing after attacks on them by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The spokesperson for the army, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, in a statement urged the public to disregard the report in the media regarding the missing soldiers.

    He maintained that only an officer and a soldier were injured during the encounter.

    Read Also:Court convicts 113 Boko Haram members

    Brig Gen Chukwu said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the round alleging attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.

    “Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.

    “The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bugged down.

    “The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles, but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.

    “While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the media, certain facts must be reported with caution particularly now that numerous successes have been recorded by the troops in the fight against insurgency.

    “Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.

    “It is my well-thought-out opinion that in future, media practitioners should endeavour to verify facts from the appropriate military authority before rushing to the press.”

     

  • Troops rescue girl abandoned by Boko Haram in Borno

    Troops in Borno State have rescued a female child abandoned by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, the army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, said on Monday.

    Chukwu said in a statement the troops on a “clearance operation” also recovered three AK47 riffle magazines, one FN rifle magazine and one suicide vest from the terrorists.

    “Other items recovered from the insurgents include one dry cell battery, one 36 hand grenade, two nine volt batteries, one pressure plate, wire for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two grinding machines,” he stated.

    NAN

     

  • Troops arrest militia gang leader in Nasarawa

    The Nigerian Army said Tuesday that a militia camp has been destroyed during a raid at Ugya village in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State, while the spiritual leader of the gang has been arrested by troops.

    Its Director of public relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the operation was carried out by troops of the 177 Guards battalion.

    Gen Chukwu said: “Troops of 177 Guards Battalion   while on raid operation at Ugya village in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State destroyed some armed militia camp.

    “The Spiritual Head of the militia group, one Angulu Idaku was also arrested.

    “Items recovered include: Seven locally made guns, twelve cartridges, 200 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition and 76 rounds of 7.62MM NATO special ammunition.

    Others are; four knives, fifteen cutlasses, 6 mobile phones, One DSTV decoder set, and 4 solar panel sets.”

    He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the security agents.

    Read Also: Troops arrest culprits in Benue raid

  • Army arrests gang leader in Taraba

    The Nigerian Army said last night that a notorious criminal gang leader has been arrested in Taraba State.

    Its Director of public relations Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that the suspect and his gang were responsible for various criminal activities in the state.

    He said: “The Nigerian Army has arrested a notorious criminal, Mr Bwesse H. Tanimu a.k.a skin in Taraba State.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect with other members of his gang still at large are said to be responsible for various criminal activities within Takum and its environs.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to assured the public of protection of lives and property at all times”.

    Read Also: Army declares five wanted over Taraba killings

     

  • Troops neutralise two bandits in Kaduna

    …Two Soldiers wounded
    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops of the Operation Ayem Akpatuma ( Cat Race) has killed two suspected criminals operating as bandits along Dogon Dawa-Damari Road in Kaduna state.

    Its Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that two soldiers were however wounded when another group of bandits ambushed soldiers on Patrol along Rigasa Airport Road, Kaduna.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu said: “Troops deployed in Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA while on patrol along Dogon Dawa _ Damari road in Kaduna State killed two suspected criminals and recovered two AK 47 rifles. Other items recovered include three magazines and 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

    “Also, troops deployed along Rigasa Airport road on 2 April 2018 ran into an ambushed by suspected bandits. Two soldiers were wounded in the encounter and are presently receiving treatment.

    “Similarly, troops successfully repelled an attack by another suspected bandits in Buruku Benue State”

    Read Also: Troops kill four Boko Haram insurgents, neutralize four suicide bombers

  • Troops arrest seven herdsmen in Benue

    Troops arrest seven herdsmen in Benue

    The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that seven herdsmen have been arrested by troops in Benue State while they (herdsmen) were destroying farmlands.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement the troops also recovered weapons from the herdsmen.

    He said troops are also on the trail of some notorious kidnappers in Kogi State.

    The statement reads: ” Exercises AYEM AKPATUMA (Cat Race) has continue to record tremendous success as herdsmen were  arrested while destroying farmland and large number of weapons were recovered in different locations  where the exercise is conducted.

    “Troops of Sub-Sector A, deployed at Yelwata while on routine patrol along road Gbajimba-Kaseyo-Awe in Benue State, arrested four herdsmen grazing in farmland on Wednesday, 28 February 2018. Four cutlasses were recovered from the herdsmen.

    “Similarly, troops of Sub-Sector B deployed at Anyilamo while on fighting patrol along Buruku-Uba-Abeda-Ameh and Fadama Kuturu also in Benue State apprehended three herdsmen destroying farmland with their cattle on Wednesday, 28 February 2018.

    “In a related development, troops of Army Headquarters, Special Force Team B of Command Army Record, Lokoja, while on routine patrol on Tuesday, 27 February 2018, along road Okene-Lokoja responded to a distress call about kidnappers operating along the road.”