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Tag: Buratai

  • Army opens 331 Artillery Hqtrs in Buratai

    Army opens 331 Artillery Hqtrs in Buratai

    •21 Boko Haram ‘collaborators’ arrested in Borno

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the weekend, opened the headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Buratai, Biu Local Government of Borno State.

    The base had been operating from the home of Gen. Buratai, an indigene of Buratai, but the house was partially destroyed when the area was attacked in 2015.

    The COAS described the base as a “game changer” in the fight against insurgency as it helped in decimating the terrorists.

    He added that incessant attacks by terrorists at Buni Yadi in Yobe State, about an hour drive to Buratai, necessitated establishment of the base to contain their aggression, hinting that more bases would be set up.

    Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor recalled a fierce battle in Buratai, particularly at the home of the COAS, which the insurgents tried to take on three occasions.

    He stressed the need for a fortified operational base in Buratai to deal with terrorists, noting that the base was established to maintain offensive operations from a fortified location, conduct aggressive patrols and improve on response time.

    He said: “The strategic location and importance of Biu, Buratai and environs makes the terrorists highly interested in the area.

    “The insurgents carried out several attacks within villages in the vicinity, resulting in deaths, injuries, looting and destruction of property.

    “This gave rise to a high sense of fear among inhabitants and most of them have to relocate.”

    Irabor said the 331 Artillery Forward Operation Base made it possible for troops to liberate many towns, including Gonori, Gulazama and Talala, which terrorists seized.

    Twenty-one persons suspected to be collaborators with Boko Haram terrorists have been arrested in Borno State by the Nigerian Army’s Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman said preliminary investigation and profiling of the suspects has begun.

    “Such actions by these unpatriotic elements are likely to jeopardise our collective efforts of clearing remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in our country. Though investigations are ongoing, it is important to state that this is a warning to those collaborators that aid terrorism in the Northeast  and Borno State, to desist forthwith.

    “The Nigerian Army, and indeed Operation LAFIYA DOLE, would not tolerate such acts of sabotage from anybody. The public is also encouraged to report any known or suspected illegality with regards to Operation LAFIYA DOLE to security agencies,” Usman said.

  • ‘CCB’s clearance vindicates Buratai on Dubai asset’

    The issuance of certificate of assets verification and clearance to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has put to rest the controversy over his alleged acquisition of property in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), a lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, has said.

    Osuagwu, a rights activist, said the certificate implied that Gen. Buratai has complied with laws on assets declaration and is exempted from any liability for criminal prosecution.

    The CCB, in a statement by its Chairman, Sam Saba on September 29, named Buratai among 15 public officers, whose assets had been verified and issued with the “certificate of conference verification and filed verification.”

    Saba was quoted to have said: “Even though the tribunal (Code of Conduct Tribunal) is the institution with the power to adjudicate in asset declaration breaches, the certificate means that from our own end, we are satisfied with the verification that we have done.”

    Osuagwu, who noted that Buratai had set a good example by being the first army chief to direct his officers to declare their assets, said he (Buratai) first declared his assets in May 2015 while he was the Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force. He declared again in July 25 following his appointment as the COAS, Osuagwu added.

    “It is interesting to note that Gen. Buratai, who was previously cleared by the CCB, has again been cleared after the CCB completed its verification of asset declaration of Lt Gen Buratai by its officers.

    “Note that upon satisfactory completion of the exercise, public officers are issued with certificate of assets conference verification/filed verification as the case may be. With the issuance of satisfactory verification to Lt Gen Buratai, it therefore closes every chapter on the vexed issue whether he declared the said Dubai flat.

    “For a serving public officer to be cleared twice by law enforcement agencies, it shows that Gen. Buratai is a clean officer and has nothing to hide,” Osuagwu said.

    Osuagwu said he had earlier this year, acting under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2011, demanded for the contents of the assets declaration form completed and submitted to the CCB by Buratai.

    He added that the CCB responded in a letter dated July 11, 2016, signed by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor, with reference number:” CCB/Hq/671/G/1/6″ to the effect that the COAS  declared the Dubai property.

  • Army council approves new Brigade for Bayelsa

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army Council has approved the establishment of a new brigade headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

    Buratai stated this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    He said the new army formation would be known as the 61 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

    Buratai said a commander had been appointed for the brigade, while operations at the new formation would take off as soon as possible.

    The COAS said the establishment of the new brigade was in furtherance of government’s strategic plan of reinforcing security in the state and by extension, the Niger Delta region.

    “Exercise Crocodile Smile as you are aware is an exercise aimed at training our men on amphibious warfare because of the peculiarity of the terrain that requires special training.

    “This exercise is also important because of the need to build the capacity of our men which had been neglected for a very long time,” the army chief said.

     

     

  • Buratai to militants: embrace peace or face military action

    Buratai to militants: embrace peace or face military action

    Niger Delta militants got yesterday a stern warning from Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai – embrace peace or face military action.

    The army has launched “Operation Crocodile Smile”, to warn militants who terrorise innocent citizens.

    Gen. Buratai advised the militants to form a common front, if they are serious about dialogue with the Federal Government.

    The army chief spoke at the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, during a stakeholders’ meeting on combating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

    The meeting was attended by top military personnel, senior officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), representatives of other security agencies and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.

    After the opening ceremony, reporters were excused for a closed-door session, which dragged on till late in the evening. The communique was being expected last night.

    Gen. Buratai said: “The issue of Niger Delta is of great concern to all Nigerians and the government as a federation. Our visit today (yesterday) is to see how we can perform our role in support of the government and indeed the Nigerian people. Everybody is yearning for peace. We want to enhance that peace.

    “There are several factions of the militants. They need to unite and form a common front, if they are serious. Already, there is an existing peace arrangement ongoing, that is, the amnesty programme that has not been called off. It is still on.

    “Which dialogue do they (militants) want again? The President (Muhammadu Buhari) has put a machinery in place. What do they want again? It is a misplaced position of these militants or whatever you call them. They are just terrorising us.

    “Dialogue is an issue that can be handled at the political level. We, as the military, are performing our duties and we must make sure that the threat to our national security is removed.

    “We are in your territory (Niger Delta, through “Operation Crocodile Smile”) and you are saying we are invading your territory. It does not make sense. We have medical outreach in those territories right now, just to support them and the communities are happy. Whoever is accusing the army of highhandedness is far from telling us the truth. Terrorists want everybody to cry, but we (military) want everybody to smile. That is why you are happy today, because there is relative peace.”

    Gen. Buratai denied the allegation that some military personnel were selling arms and ammunition to militants and criminals.

    He said: “We are conducting exercise (“Operation Crocodile Smile”) and if the situation warrants clampdown on militants, we will go ahead. For now, we are not clamping down on anybody. If we find any militant with arms and ammunition, we know what to do.”

    Prior to granting interview to reporters during a tea break, the Chief of Army Staff, in his address during the opening session of the meeting, stated that the stakeholders were in Port Harcourt to rub minds to proffer solutions to the security challenges and how to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.

    He said attacks by militants had drastically reduced the production of crude oil and gas, the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. This, he said, must not be allowed to continue, especially at this time of recession.

    Gen. Buratai noted that the stakeholders were also in the state capital to strategise on how to adequately protect oil and gas facilities and workers in the Niger Delta, particularly with the ongoing operation. He dismissed the militants’ “Operation Crocodile Tears”.

    The chief of army staff assured all that oil companies and their workers would operate in a safer Niger Delta.

     

  • No plan to invade Niger Delta communities, says Buratai

    No plan to invade Niger Delta communities, says Buratai

    THERE is no plan to launch offensives in Niger Delta communities, the Chief of Army Staff, General Yusuff Buratai, has declared.
    He described fears over the likelihood of military actions in the region as unfounded and unnecessary.
    Buratai stated this during a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ikenwoli, in his palace on Ajamimogha Road, Warri.
    He allayed fears of invasion, saying the special military drill codenamed ‘Operation Crocodile’s Tears’ in Sapele is a routine exercise focused on training for military personnel.
    According to the army chief: “The exercise is training routine and not designed to witch hunt anyone.
    “To this end, I urge all law abiding citizens to go about their normal daily activities without fears.”
    The Olu of Warri said Nigeria remained indissoluble, stressing his subjects and all Deltans believe in one Nigeria.
    In the logistics build-up to commencement of the exercise, the military embarked on a free medical outreach for Sapele communities in Delta State.
    Medical personnel from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps were deployed to attend to medical needs of community residents free of charge.

  • Boko Haram: Dialogue won’t stop our rescue mission – Buratai

    Boko Haram: Dialogue won’t stop our rescue mission – Buratai

    •Says 20,000 abductees so far rescued

    THE military has no intention of back-pedaling on rescuing Nigerians being held hostage by the terror sect, Boko Haram, irrespective of whether the group agrees to dialogue with government or not, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said yesterday.

    Among those still being held by the terrorists are the over 200 school girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.

    Buratai said   20,000 persons abducted by the Boko Haram insurgency have so far been rescued by the military and more will still be rescued.

    The army chief told journalists shortly after indugurating the  Nigerian Army Officers Wife Association (NAOWA) Day Care, Nursery and Primary School at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, yesterday that  the move by the federal government to negotiate with the insurgents will not stop the military’s rescue operations.

    He appealed to anybody with useful information that could boost the rescue operations to volunteer such information to the military.

    He said: “We have so far rescued over 20000 abducted persons, and we are still rescuing more and we will continue to do that.

    “We will continue to carry out our rescue operations. This rescue is ongoing, as far as the Army, and indeed the military is concerned, we will continue to play our own part.

    “The negotiation is left for the appropriate arm of government, but we are looking for any information to rescue anybody that is being held hostage.”

    He visited the headquarters of One Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna where he had a closed door meeting with officers and men of the division.

     

  • Boko Haram: Dialogue won’t stop our rescue mission – Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff ( COAS),  Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Saturday said that there was no going back on the rescue mission irrespective of any call by Nigerians to dialogue with the rampaging insurgents in the North East of the country.

    This was even as he added that over 20,000 persons abducted by the Boko Haram insurgency have been rescued by the military.

    Speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after commissioning Nigerian Army Officers Wife Association (NAOWA) Day Care, Nursery and primary school at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, Lt. Buratai said the move by Federal arm of  government to negotiate with the insurgents will not stop the military’s rescue operations.

    He appealed to anybody with useful information that could boost the rescue operations to volunteer such information to the military.

    “We have so far rescued over 20000 abducted persons, and we are still rescuing more and we will continue to do that.

    “We will continue to carry out our rescue operations, this rescue is ongoing, as far as the Army, and indeed the military is concerned, we will continue to play our own part.

    “The negotiation is left for appropriate arm of government, but we are looking for any information to rescue anybody that is being held hostage,” he said.

    The Army Boss had earlier visited the headquarters of One Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna where he had a closed door meeting with officers and men of the division.

  • No more attacks in Jos, says Buratai

    No more attacks in Jos, says Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, has assured residents of Jos that there will be no more attacks as they witnessed in the past.

    General Buratai gave the assurance yesterday when he visited the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, in his palace in Jishe Jos.

    The COAS, who was on a tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division, told the Gbong Gwom that the Army had defeated Boko Haram and rendered the insurgents incapacitated.

    His words: “…, you can see that our efforts in the Northeast has paid off as the incessant bombing of markets and worship centres has virtually stopped. And I can assure you and the people that you will never witness Boko Haram attacks as in the past.

    “For a long time now, we have not had such cases and it is because of efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps, we have also been able to block these criminals from crossing to other areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

    “I assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties. I want to praise you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos, including the moral support you gave us through your wise counsel.

    “Besides, I want to acknowledge the people’s cooperation; it is a fact that the Army has received excellent cooperation and understanding, especially towards officers here.”

    In his remarks, Da Jacob Buba said: “The success of the Army over the Boko Haram insurgency did not come to me as a surprise because I know that the Army, historically, had always distinguished itself and today, that particular history is still playing out.

    “On behalf of the state, I thank you and your men, who, over the years, have been sacrificing for peace, law and order, not only in our state but in Nigeria.

    “We thank God for your efforts in restoring hope to Nigerians; your sacrifices that have translated to almost a total end to these destructive elements.”

    The monarch also sought the intervention of the Army in the search for killers of the Ron Saf Kulere, Lazarus Agai.

  • Buratai to soldiers: Remain focused until insurgency is crushed

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday charged every Combat Unit in the Nigerian Army to remain focused “until insurgency in the Northeast is crushed.”

    Buratai gave the charge during the closing ceremony of a three-day “Combat Support Arms Training Week 2016,” held at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The COAS noted that the insurgency in the Northeast had thrown up several challenges, but expressed satisfaction that the efforts were yielding positive results.

    “We should not rest on oars until the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations are brought to a conclusive end and peace restored to the region and entire country,” he said.

     

  • $1.5m Dubai Property: Rep backs Buratai

    $1.5m Dubai Property: Rep backs Buratai

    The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Solomon Ahwinahwi, has said calls by some that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to resign or be removed is not in good faith.

    Ahwinahwi, who spoke with reporters at the weekend, said the reason for such call was not weighty enough and  would distract him from winning the war against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The lawmaker said since the property was declared by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the issue of corrupt intention of criminal concealment does not arise.

    His words:  “Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, having spent over 35 years in the military,  held several command positions and served in many international missions, where salaries and allowances were paid in foreign currencies, and was involved in agriculture since his junior officer days. And possibly securing facilities from banks, lend credence to the fact that the property in Dubai may not be a product of corruption.”

    The deputy chair said Buratai delivered on what President Buhari promised Nigerians and that troops continue to rescue hundreds of Boko Haram abductees, adding that under him, soldiers regained the respect they deserve.

    The lawmaker said he has followed the record of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai since he was appointed that everyone is aware of how well he has done.

    “For instance, local governments in control of Boko Haram have been reclaimed, and the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru road, shut since 2013, was reopened on July 6; with bombing greatly reduced.

    “That is why I have chosen to come out to say those distractors should please allow this man to work.

    “The achievements of the Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in containing Boko Haram in the Northeas, including rehabilitating Boko Haram war-ravaged areas and victims ( IDPs) are noteworthy.

    “These are achievements that should call for commendation and award instead of the unpatriotic call for his resignation and removal,” Ahwinahwi said.