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Tag: Buratai

  • Army launches Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Lagos

    Army launches Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Lagos

    Nigerian Army said on Friday the increase in crimes in coastal areas of the country prompted it to step up training and operations in the amphibious environment.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, stated this at Takwa Bay Island in Lagos State when he launched “Exercise Crocodile Smile II.”

    According to him, the “Order of Battle” 2016 provides for amphibious battalion in the island to keep the coastal area of Lagos State safe.

    He said: “A detachment of Nigerian Army has since been stationed on the island; more army presence would also be felt soon on the island and other parts of the country in line with the 2016 Order of Battle as fund becomes available.”

    The army chief recalled that the first phase of the exercise which took place between August and September 2016 in Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers states recorded tremendous success.

    He said it degraded activities of militants and illegal oil bunkerers, destruction of kidnappers’ den and rescue of kidnapped victims and destruction of cultists’ camps, among others.

    Buratai, however, said the success of Exercise Crocodile Smile I in those states pushed some criminal elements to other parts of the country, thus necessitating “readjustment” of area of operation of the second phase in 2017.

    He added that it was in that regard that the exercise was being conducted in the South South and South West regions.

    NAN

     

  • Mark, Buratai mourn as Malu’s family thanks Buhari, others

    Mark, Buratai mourn as Malu’s family thanks Buhari, others

    Former Senate President David Mark has lamented the demise of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Victor Malu.

    Mark, in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, described Malu as a gallant soldier.

    The statement reads: “I have lost a reliable brother, dependable friend, colleague and comrade. Malu was a soldiers’ soldier. He was frank and truly called a spade its rightful name, no matter whose Ox was gored.

    “Gen. Malu was a brilliant and courageous officer. He stood to be counted when it mattered, and his contributions to the improvement of the Armed Forces is worthy of note. We shall miss this great man, officer and gentleman.”

    Mark prayed God to grant the deceased rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has expressed shock at Gen. Malu’s death.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, commiserated with the family and the country for the loss.

    The statement reads: “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has received with shock, the news of the death of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Victor Malu (rtd), who was the COAS between May 1999 and April 2001.

    “During his service, he contributed immensely to the sustenance of democracy, peace and security in the country.

    “The COAS, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Army, commiserates with the family on this loss. He prays God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    The family of the deceased has formally announced his death, saying he died in Egypt, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

    A statement by his son, Lt.-Col. Tarumun Malu, said his father died after a “protracted illness”.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mark for their messges.

    The statement reads: “We appreciate the outpour of condolences coming from different parts of the country. We most especially thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his heartfelt message to the family…”

    The younger Malu added that burial arrangements will be announced later.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buratai’s Everyday Success Syndrome

    Nigerians are witnessing rare changes in the country from all angles under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Even the Armed Forces which were confined to the unsavoury history of neglect are experiencing positive changes. He has demonstrated that the military is not only good for the trenches alone, but also deserve psychological and physical comfort life can offer so as to excel in the performance of their constitutional duties.

    A military arm which its leadership is foremost in justifying the essence of the niceties of change is the Nigerian Army. There are now noticeable features about the Army, which have been scarce for ages in Nigeria. The leadership of the Nigerian Army by the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has prioritized welfare of personnel and the protection of human rights of Nigerians by soldiers anywhere they are deployed to serve the country.
    Despite the economic crunch, what has consistently preoccupied Gen. Buratai’s mind and attention is the sustained focus on the development of office and residential accommodation for Army personnel. Gone are the days when soldiers lived in dilapidated barracks or decrepit office accommodation.
    Upon assumption of office in July 2015, Gen. Buratai toured army formations across the country to personally access the physical infrastructure in army barracks and get firsthand information about the problems of welfare confronting soldiers. He was saddened by the decay in army barracks and the acute shortage of office and residential accommodation for soldiers. He vowed to effect and change. He proceeded to engage governments at all levels, particularly the Federal Government for immediate intervention.

    Gen. Buratai brought the attention of Nigeria to the horrible condition of army barracks in Nigeria at the inauguration of the multiple renovated residential accommodations for soldiers at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos.
    He had bemoaned; “It is an unfortunate situation but over the years you can see the state of dilapidation and state of decay in the barracks. The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate but these are just the measures that we are taking to address the situation and we will continue to solicit for more support from government. The decay is enormous but thank God that in this year’s budget there is provision for barracks renovation.”
    And in the last one year, Gen. Buratai has rekindled the confidence and pride of soldiers with streaks of barracks renovations, building of new office and residential accommodation for the Nigerian Army across the country. The result of the renewed interest in the welfare of soldiers is manifest in more ways than imagined. The high spirit soldiers’ exhibit on assignments, posting excellent performances is in informed by the prompt payment of salaries and other legitimate allowances. Much more, soldiers now bask in psychological and physical happiness as personnel who live and operate in humanly habitable, decent and state-of –the art office and residential facilities.
    And the Army Chief has kept unflinching faith with the issue of soldiers’ welfare and has continued to explore new frontiers. A few days ago, at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Gen. Buratai commissioned several residential and office accommodation in the sustained struggle to improve on the shameful shortage of office accommodation in Army Barracks.
    Impressively, the projects were not just a reference point in quantity, but quality architectural edifices, which spurred instant excitement in the beneficiaries. They included 18 flats for personnel at the rank of Corporal and below , comprising both married and singles officers accommodation; a 20-bed Hospital and six offices for Human Rights Desk Offices to handle cases of alleged violations of Human Rights by soldiers within the 7 Division, Nigerian Army.
    At the commissioning ceremony, Gen. Buratai hinted that “These laudable projects are meant to provide decent living accommodation for officers and soldiers and their families as well as conducive office environment to execute your tasks efficiently. I will therefore urge you all to make judicious use of the facilities while remaining focused in your tasks to consolidate our achievements so far. The Nigerian Army under my direction will continue to provide you with the requisite welfare and logistics to enhance your efficiency in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities.”
    The excitement it generated among officers and personnel was palpable, expressive of professionals relieved of a sickening problem of accomodation. The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, captured the mood and leadership focus of Gen. Buratai in these words, “enhancing the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel remains one of the cardinal points of the COAS vision” in order “…to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles’’.
    But the Northeast is not the only region favoured by improved military infrastructure. The drums had earlier reverberated in several other parts of the country. Months back. Gen. Buratai commissioned projects at Elele Barracks, Rivers State at the activated 6 Division, Nigerian Army. Among the array of projects he commissioned were the Chief of Army Staff Guest House, constructed by the Rivers State Government and donated to the Nigerian Army; he unveiled Officers’ transit accommodation camp, the 6 Division’s Guests House and four blocks of 10 apartments for the Junior Non-commissioned Officers, in the Port Harcourt barracks.
    A similar action also took place in the Northwest, as Gen. Buratai commissioned a Nigerian Army unit in Daura town, Katsina state under the 1 Division Nigerian Army. It is a unit his administration has created and provided with take-off facilities to enhance security in the area. The Army Chief named the new army unit as the Fort Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operation Base, Daura, Katsina State and the new Army unit is in compliance with the Nigerian Army approved Order of Battle 2016 (ORBAT 2016) by the Army Council.

    Furthermore, Gen. Buratai also launched the newly built headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at his hometown Buratai in Biu local government area of Borno state. And at Okene, in Kogi State, the Army boss again commissioned a Forward Operation Base, military barracks. At the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the development streak of the Nigerian Army berthed at Giri, where a new army cantonment also named Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment at Giri came on board. The cantonment is replete with fanciful structures to carter for both office and residential accommodation of soldiers.
    Elsewhere, Gen. Buratai has ensured both renovation or construction of new accommodation for the Nigerian Army, as evident at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State, Office of the Military Secretary at the Army Headquarters Abuja and , the building of a new army barracks in Otukpo, Benue
    state.
    No doubt, these accomplishments have been possible with Gen. Buratai’s prudent management of lean resources in a transparent manner. The Army Chief is a leader who has shown commitment and zeal to improve the welfare conditions of his personnel. He sleeps and thinks the welfare of soldiers and with a mindset fixated on the everyday success of the Nigerian Army, the results have been the series of facelift of Army barracks in Nigeria.
    Therefore, there is every indication that if the Federal Government sustains the tempo of funding support to the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai would not only bequeath to Nigeria, a disciplined and re-professionalized army; but parade a military arm that operates in a conducive and befitting accommodation environment. Had his predecessors devoted such attention to the welfare of soldiers, the barracks would not have been in such a mess, as he inherited it.
    A leader, who resists the temptation of embezzlement and who thinks more about excellent service to his subordinates’ deserves applause and should be encouraged to sustain it. Gen. Buratai Is popular among Nigerians and soldiers because of his selfless service. So, when he is petted with appellations like the “ Soldiers’ General,” or the “Project COAS,” it stems from a pure heart of appreciation.
    Nigerians are probably hearing of barracks renovations or building of new office and residential accommodations for the Nigerian Army for the first time after a long while. It is really relieving and a sign that Nigeria appreciates her military.
    Okpabi sent in this piece from New Nile University, Abuja.

  • Days of Boko Haram’s menace over – Buratai

    Days of Boko Haram’s menace over – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Wednesday that the military is now on the verge of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements across the country, insisting that their operations have been contained.

    He, however, said it is important for the media to support the military in its ongoing campaigns to secure the nation.

    According to Buratai, the misunderstanding and misconception by various human rights organisations and journalists about the ongoing military operations in the country will be a thing of the past once the narratives about military operations take a positive dimension.

    The army chief made the remarks while declaring open a two-day Media Workshop and Second/Third Quarters Directorate of Army Public Relations Study Period 2017 with the theme: “Enhancing Human Rights during Internal Security Operations Through Effective Information Management.”

    Buratai, who was represented by the Commander of Army Garrison Headquarters, Major Gen. John Malu said: “I am particularly delighted that this study period is coming at this time that the nation and the military are at a very critical phase of various security challenges affecting our nation.

    “It is critical since the military is on the verge of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals from the nation’s territory. This comes with a very important role for the media and the DAPR tasked within the information management of the Nigerian Army.

    “It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies had reached a very important stage in the war against terrorists, having contained their operations to desperate, albeit murderous, suicide attacks and attacks on soft targets with a few futile attempts to portray themselves as a coherent force.

    “We will continue to engage and degrade them up until they are completely no more. We are determined to achieve this within a shortest possible time.

    “At this point, let me call on citizens of our nation, particularly human rights activist and media practitioners to partner with the Nigerian Army and the DAPR in the collective effort to bring to an end the menace of various security challenges affecting the nation.

    “The reportage and editorial dimensions taken by journalists will in no small measure aid the efforts of the military. While carrying out your role as the fourth estate of the realm, I implore you to do your part in the collective effort to stamp out evil from our nation.”

     

     

  • Operation Python Dance: Army will abide by rules of engagement – Buratai

    Operation Python Dance: Army will abide by rules of engagement – Buratai

    The Chief of Army staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Monday the army would abide by the rules of engagement in carrying out the Exercise Egwu Eke II which kicked off last Saturday in the South East.

    Buratai stated this when he visited the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    He said the exercise is aimed at improving the security situation in the zone which is very strategic to the security of the country.

    According to him, the exercise will help to bring about the much needed peace and security and trains the military in basic internal security.

    “They army has taken into cognizance the security of the people in deployment of its personnel for the operation,” the COAS stated.

    He said the army would work with other security outfits in the region in carrying out the operation.

    “The army is very sensitive to the cultural norms of the people and will abide by all the rules of engagement and code of conduct that had been laid down which is quite in tandem with the Constitution,” Buratai added.

     

  • Re: Buhari, Buratai, And The Python Panacea

    One Emmanuel Ugwu wrote and published the article “Buhari, Buratai, and the Python Panacea” that has been published on several online platforms. Ugwu should be commended for this piece not because it was a work of art or some remarkable masterpiece but because in that single rant he was able to lay bare what ails the southeast of Nigeria. From this writer it became apparent that the problem of the Igbo nationality is that too many great minds from that ethnic stock have taken the concept of being gentlemen too far to an extent that they have handed their fate and that of the entire geo-political zone over to frothing rabid fellows like the writer and the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The distortion of facts overseen by such characters take on an hallucinatory quality to an extent that one is constantly having to do double takes to be certain that one has either read or heard aright. While the lies, propaganda and fake news emanating from zealots like these have no impact on other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria it is alarming how the same hogwash is swallowed un-chewed by poorer strata of the southeast people, who have now been whipped into the kind of frenzy that makes group suicide not only possible but also easier to attain.
    Ugwu apparently has issues with Operation Python Dance II. He did not say if the first version of that military exercise deprived him of revenue as a bandit or kidnapper, since the disruption of these evil enterprises were major achievements of that drill in 2016. But he vehemently made it known he is not a fan of the ongoing second edition of it. To him the operation is meant to defeat the “Biafra consciousness” even though he could not satisfactorily articulate how a defunct republic is in danger of being defeated.
    He also posited that the southeast was a peaceful zone that didn’t require the emptying of the barracks to militarized. Could Ugwu be talking about a southeast that is different from the one where a teenage girl was caught with two human heads, different from one where worshippers where hastened by a hail of bullets to meet their creator during a Sunday church service, different from the one on which a priest was abducted and killed, different from the one where Kanu’s IPOB daily threatened to annihilate the rest of us, different from the one where a ragtag band of cutthroats outed themselves as members of the Biafra Secret Services?
    When a group of apparently mentally challenged people announce the formation of their own armed forces and someone thinks it is unconstitutional to send another army to quell them then it is not those that formed the impostor armed forces that are in need of psychiatric intervention. It takes a supreme level of mental incapacitation to expect that the police would be sent in to quell an insurrection in which the insurgents have boasted of having nuclear weapons and their leader had vowed a two week timeline for over running the country.
    And if anyone is in doubt as to what pushed Kanu to try burning the entire Igboland they need not look further than pseudo intellectuals and half baked analysts like Ugwu, who wallowed in the self deception that the army cannot use operation Python Dance II to get the Igbo heartland over a barrel. It may interest anyone with such shallow mindset that an enlarged support base for Kanu would make an already bad situation into a disaster, rendering the southeast into a wasteland that will not recover in the lifetime of the present generations. Nobody wants that.
    The erroneous impression that the western countries would rush to the rescue cannot be more badly conceived. It will take at least six weeks before useful international discussion would take place if the IPOB terrorists were to be dealt with the way they deserve and it took less than three days for Kanu to become a fugitive despite his Shekau-quality rants. When the western countries do intervene, it would be to send some genetically modified grains and food items with spermicidal quality to guaranty people from that area no longer procreate to breed terrorists. The world is in unison when it comes to the realization that humanity does not need another terror group.
    The insults heaped on President Buhari in the piece are consistent with the tempo set by Kanu, so that someone who should know better than the terrorist wrote in such fashion attests to the value they jointly share. It further gives credence to the stereotype held about the ability of a certain people to show respect and courtesy or otherwise. It is therefore pointless to take more out of that.
    If it was pointless responding to the insults on President Buhari it becomes even less relevant to bother about the invectives poured of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai. Had he been inefficient then the IPOB terrorists would not have had any reason to be worried. They are bitter only because he maneuvers in a way that perplexed sponsors and IPOB foot soldiers alike.
    It seems Ugwu has a morbid aversion for snakes, which is not surprising. Opposites attract while like polarizations repel so the one with the personality of a serpent becomes repulsed by snakes. Now that the writer has made his aversion known perhaps the operation cab be renamed Operation Lion Roar, Operation Eagle Flight, Operation Buffalo Gallops or Operation Snail Crawls so long as the objective of stopping a terror group in its cradle before it goes berserk is achieved.
    The operation would rid the area of terrorists and the likes of Ugwu should rethink alluding to civilian casualty when the IPOB militants that got themselves killed had earlier vowed “Biafra or Death”. They should rather be asking why Kanu fled and left them behind as human shield or why Ugwu is hiding behind his keyboard and not joining on the battlefield. At least in this regard the writer was truthful: “Kanu was a source of bombast” so why and how did some people’s brain go mushy to the point where they commit suicide to please him?
    It therefore fraudulent trying to sustain the lies of a collective hatred of the Igbos by other Nigerians, who had endured over 24 months of being called “animals” living in the “zoo” by Kanu, IPOB and the Ugwus of this country. The insults might have been tolerated but the nation would not brook the existence of a parallel army. It is called insurrection and countries of the world know how they deal with that.
    Kanu and Ugwu, being children of anger, may not understand this just as they are ignorant of where to channel their angst. One of their own, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is effectively the professional chairman of successive constitution review committees in the National Assembly but has never thought it wise to include a clause for referendum in the recommendations to plenary yet he prances around allowing youths from his geopolitical zone to chase shadows. Kanu and his IPOB terrorists have never taken it upon themselves to ask him why he has not done the needful to set the legislative framework in place for the breakaway of Igboland from Nigeria. Ekweremadu even attended the meeting that proscribed the terror group and the terrorists saw no sin on his part. The governors in the zone are “sons of the soil” yet they have not done much to improve the life of their people, IPOB has no issues with this. The leadership of the southeast is the real snake oil and pro-Biafra separatists have nothing against swallowing that bunkum.
    The larger population of Igbos, who are great people, should manage the rabble rousers among their people to a point where they will appreciate what the army is doing. Without Operation Python Dance II disparate Igbo groups would have turned on each other by now. The army is on ground to help and Igbos should support it to help stop the guaranteed self-destruction that separatist terrorists are resolute on inflicting.
    Idoko, a public affairs commentator sent in this piece from Kaduna, Kaduna State.

  • Buratai: why insecurity is escalating

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday blamed the security challenge confronting Nigeria on poor upbringing of children.

    Buratai stated this at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Boys in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, said proper upbringing of children will reduce security threats to the barest minimum.

    According to him: “The escalating level of insecurity in the country has much to do with the level of training our children are exposed to from the beginning.

    “Having an institution that will ensure that children are inculcated with a high level of discipline, knowledge and patriotism is what all stakeholders in the Nigerian project should encourage.”

    Buratai assured the Army would continue to ensure all training schools are provided with the basic facilities towards excellence and proficiency.

    The Army Boss said he had given directive that deliberate efforts be taken for the purpose of repositioning all Command Schools in line with standards established by NMS.

    While urging the graduating boys to be good ambassadors of the school and the Army, Buratai charged them to always exhibit high sense of discipline, commitment and patriotism wherever they go.

  • Senator Mark hails Buratai

    Senator Mark hails Buratai

    Former Senate President David Mark has hailed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for authorising the restoration of military training at the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Mark, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the school’s 2017 speech and prize giving day, said the restoration of the training was commendable. He is also an ex-boy of the school.

    He affirmed that the school has produced eminent Nigerians who contribute to the development and unity of Nigeria, saying the Nigerian Military School has remained the benchmark for academic excellence and character moulding.

    The senator congratulated the graduating boys for their six-year sojourn, admonishing them to count themselves privileged to have passed through extensive military training. He urged them to condition their minds for challenges in life.

    He enjoined them to be good ambassadors of NMS and contribute their quota to national unity and development.

  • Army to deploy 230 personnel to Liberia – Buratai

    Army to deploy 230 personnel to Liberia – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army is to deploy 230 personnel, including 19 officers and 211 soldiers to Liberia, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said.

    Speaking in Kaduna at the end of a four-week intensive training on leadership and peacekeeping for the personnel, the Army chief charged them to shun acts that could tarnish Nigeria’s image.

    “You must observe human rights, and respect the cultural and religious sensitivities of Liberians,” he said.

    The army chief said that since 1960, Nigeria has deployed over 20, 000 troops to 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji  was renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in recognition of his commitment to peacekeeping efforts and excellent service.

    The centre was established in 2004 by Agwai as a Wing, when he was the Chief of Army Staff.

    Speaking, Agwai noted that peacekeeping was gradually becoming an intra-country issue with the military at the centre stage following internal conflicts such as ethnic, religious other crises.

    He, however, noted that Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa and world at large, but had not reaped the economic and diplomatic benefits of such venture.

    Agwai, who was also a Chief of Defence Staff, called on government and private-owned organisations to partner the centre in leadership training on conflict prevention and management in the quest to achieve enduring peace.

    He thanked current and past leadership of the army for the honour done him by naming the centre after him.

    NAN reports that Agwai, was former Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Chief of Army Staff Nigerian Army, Force Commander of African Union/United Nations Mission Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

    He was later Special Adviser to Secretary-General of the UN.

     

  • Army to deploy 230 soldiers to Liberia – Buratai

    Army to deploy 230 soldiers to Liberia – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Saturday that the Nigerian Army would deploy 230 personnel, including 19 officers and 211 soldiers to Liberia.

    Speaking in Kaduna at the end of a four-week intensive training on leadership and peacekeeping for the personnel, Buratai charged the soldiers to shun acts that could tarnish Nigeria’s image.

    “You must observe human rights, and respect the cultural and religious sensitivities of Liberians,” he said.

    The army chief said since 1960, Nigeria has deployed over 20, 000 troops to 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, was renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in recognition of his commitment to peacekeeping efforts and excellent service.

    The centre was established in 2004 by Agwai as a Wing, when he was the Chief of Army Staff.

    Agwai noted that peacekeeping was gradually becoming an intra-country issue with the military at the centre stage following internal conflicts such as ethnic and religious crises.

    NAN