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Tag: chief of army staff

  • Chief of Army Staff’ Convoy intercepts Armed Bandits

    The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff,

    Lieutnant General TY Buratai was intercepted by armed bandits/armed robbers at midnight [Saturday night ] while on routine tour of operational areas by the Nigerian Army to curtail the activities of evil men across the country.

    The incident according to our source took place along Numan – Yola Road at about 11.30 p.m. 5 May 2018.

    Four of the armed robbers were arrested with 3 Dane guns, machetes and charms. The bandits who mounted road block where the COAS’ convoy ran into were on their daily operation of attacking innocent Nigerians.

  • Army begins operation last hold in Borno, Lake Chad

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai Friday said the army would commence Operation Last Hold in northern Borno and parts of Lake Chad Basin to complete the decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorists and ensure the restoration of normal economic activities in the Zone.

    The COAS who addressed journalists at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, said the operation would commence on the 1st of May and end by August.

    Lt.Gen Buratai who was represented at the briefing by the Chief of Operations and Training, AHQ, Maj. Gen David Ahmadu said the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy as well as other security agencies would be participating in the four-month operation. He urged the people in the area not to panic as they would witness heavy movements of troops and equipment during the operation.

    Buratai said:” You may recall that the Nigerian Army has been engaged in the conduct of counter insurgency operation tagged Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East region for some years with considerable successes. However, the complex and adaptive nature of the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in the dissident group still sometimes being engaged in abductions, attack on soft targets, Improvised Explosive Device attacks and suicide bombings.

    “It has become expedient for the Nigerian Army to change operating tactics, techniques and procedure in the North East region. Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of an operation tagged Operation LAST HOLD in Northern Borno within the North East Theatre. The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the combat efficiency of the NA and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin.

    “Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of 6 additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State. The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels.  It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram Terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin.

    “The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages. The operational end-state of Operation LAST HOLD is the total defeat of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect.  Strategically, the conduct of Operation LAST HOLD will facilitate the restoration of fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, it will facilitate the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons from IDP camps to their communities.

    “Operation LAST HOLD is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve Civil-Military relations in the North East region. It is pertinent to note that Operation LAST HOLD is set to record remarkable achievements that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security.

    “In this regard, law abiding members of the public in Northern Borno State are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the operation. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected insurgents may be fleeing from military operations in the North East and finding safe haven amidst our communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action. ”

    Read Also: Nigerian Army still proving its strength on the counter-insurgency campaigns

  • Time is up for herdsmen attacks – Buratai 

    Time is up for herdsmen attacks – Buratai 

    Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has disclosed that time is up for herdsmen attacks.

    He said the attacks led to displacement of over 25,000 farmers in Nasarawa state alone.

    The chief of Army staff stated this Tuesday in Lafia when he paid a courtesy call on the governor of the state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

    He said that the army has identified the routes used by the herdsmen in carrying out the killings on the Nasarawa/Benue border and have deployed well-armed officers to man those areas, adding that the military has also arrested some herdsmen who are currently undergoing interrogation.

    He said the operation cat race launched in Benue state will be extended to Nasarawa, noting that within six weeks of its operation, normalcy and peace will return to the affected areas.

    He promised to restore security and maintain peace in areas where the herdsmen menace is on the increase.

    Speaking earlier, Governor Al-Makura said the presence of the military in the affected areas has helped in no small way in restoring peace in the state.

    He promise to give the security agencies the necessary support to clamp down on the herdsmen in order to restore permanent peace and allow the displace persons return back to their homes.

    Governor Al-Makura equally donated the sum of N200 million to the military to help complete the army barracks in Doma local government area of the state.

    Read Also:

  • Farmers-herdsmen clashes: Army deploys special forces

    Farmers-herdsmen clashes: Army deploys special forces

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army has deployed Troops to help stem the clashes between farmers and herdsmen across three states and stabilise them.

    Buratai said this at the official inauguration of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranch and Presentation of Farm Implement to the Army by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Giri on Tuesday.

    He listed the states where the troops had been sent to as Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa, noting that the Army would support the Federal Government to stem the clashes.

    According to him, once the nation attains food security, all other forms of insecurity including insurgency in the North-East, militancy, kidnapping and other forms of security issues would be reduced.

    Buratai said the Barracks Initiative Programme which was initiated by him, was aimed at cultivating the culture of investment in the agricultural value chain by officers and soldiers of the Army and their families, as well as providing jobs for the youth in the barracks.

    “As at today, we have almost 1000 herds of cattle within the Nigerian Army Barracks and formations. This is one of the ranches scattered in all the Nigerian Army formations.

    “We are ready to support the Federal Government to stabilise the farmers’ herdsmen clashes across the country.

    “We are tasking our Special Forces to ensure that everywhere they are deployed across the country at short notice, they stem the conflict.

    “We have properly deployed across Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States within the axis where we have the conflict. Once there is peace, the development of agriculture will thrive for the good of our country.

    “Areas such as ranching, fisheries, poultry, production of eggs and meat, greenhouses and plantation are now practised in most barracks of the Nigerian Army,’’ he said.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, commended the Nigerian Army for its agricultural initiative.

    He assured them of the ministry’s commitment toward providing them with farm implements as well as equipment to boost both milk and meat production for their animals.

    “This is can be done because the Army has done it. We can’t thank you enough.

    “I have been telling people that this kind of initiative is a solution to these farmers-herdsmen clashes.

    “We will stand by you; we will plant trees for you. When cows roam in the bush, they come in contact with different diseases.

    “One of the reasons we don’t have enough meat and milk is because our cattle roam. This is something for us to be proud of as a country.

    “We will bring you more machines for making feeds.

    “We will send our team to you to commence artificial insemination to improve the breed of the cattle and milk production.

    “To farmers, politicians, journalists, this is an example to follow,’’ Ogbeh said.

    The minister handed over 25 tonnes of compounded ruminant feed, reaper, crushing machine and pasture seeds to the Army to assist them in the venture.

  • Days of Boko Haram terrorists numbered, says Buratai

    Days of Boko Haram terrorists numbered, says Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the days of the rump of Boko Haram terrorists are numbered, in spite of occasional attacks of Nigerian targets.

    Buratai gave the assurance while addressing troops of the 8 Division at Monguno, headquarters of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

    He, therefore, charged the troops to be determined in the efforts to stablilise their area of operation and finally overcome the Boko Haram challenge in the country.

    “We must remain here to stabilise it.

    “You all know that we have some few attacks here and there by the same elements – Boko Haram, but I assured you that their days are numbered.

    “With your efforts, with your determination, we will finally overcome the Boko Haram challenge,’’ he said.

    The chief of army staff noted that the creation of the 8 Division was a “major strategic decision’’ which had helped in addressing the challenge of Boko Haram terrorism in Borno north.

    “I want to say that this division has lived up to its expectation of containing the Boko Haram challenge in this part of the country.

    “What remains is for us to continue to stabilise and continue to operate, to prevent any element that may raise their heads in the future.

    “This part of the country or this part of the region, especially the Lake Chad region has always been volatile.

    “That is why members of the Lake Chad Commission created the Multinational Joint Task Force.

    “So, we will see ourselves performing similar duties even after the final clearance of the Boko Hartam terrorists,’’ Buratai added.

    He warned the troops to refrain from all acts of indiscipline as peace was gradually returning to the area and displaced people returning to their communities restart their lives.

    The army chief further warned that those caught engaging in trading and extortion would be dealt with according to the law.

    “Issues of indiscipline must also be checked within the division.

    “As the people here gradually return to their communities, return to their businesses, they should be allowed to do their businesses free without any interference.

    “Report of extortion or soldiers engaging themselves in trading activities with the people here must be resisted.

    “We do not want any distraction. Trading in fish or cattle, if anyone – soldier, is caught, he is going to be dealt with according to the law.

    “You are here to maintain the peace, you are here to perform your duties as soldiers; you are here not to trade or do any other business.

    “Very soon, those that are in the IDPs camps will go back to their homes and re-establish themselves and the economic activities will increase.

    “Do not fall into that temptation to be involved (in trading),’’ he further warned.

    The 8 Division was created as a task force in 2016 to boost military operations against the Boko Haram menace, particularly in the Lake Chad region.

    But the division will move to Sokoto State in the North West, where it would be operationalised soon, according to Buratai.

    The army chief visited one of the camps in Monguno, holding 20, 000 IDPs and donated some relief materials, including food items, detergents and clothes to them.

    He used the opportunity to address the elderly men and women IDPs in the camp, including the 700 recently rescued by troops during operations in the Chad basin.

    A total of 2, 700 captives were rescued in the last one week.

    While 700 were rescued on Tuesday, 2,000 were freed on Thursday morning after intensive artillery and aerial bombardment of the terrorists’ enclaves in the Lake Chad region. (NAN)

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s family to Buratai: You told court cheap lies

    Nnamdi Kanu’s family to Buratai: You told court cheap lies

    The family of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has berated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai over what it said was the cheap, blatant and childish lies the army boss told an Abuja Court Friday in respect of the invasion of their house by soldiers at Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State.

    Gen Bruatai had in a counter-affidavit he filed in reaction to a suit in Kanu’s name before the Federal High Court, Abuja instituted by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said soldiers chased a truck laden with weapons into a house said to belong to the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu’s father in Afara Ukwu.

    Speaking on behalf of the IPOB leader’s family, his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu said it was unfortunate the Chief of Army Staff could condescend so low to tell such cheap, childish and unbridled lies.

    “What is General Buratai talking about? The question I am asking is why should Justice Binta Nyako listen to such lies? If she fails to jail Bruatai, that means the judicial system in this country should not be trusted for any reason, he should be jailed for telling such cheap and childish lies, this is shameful, not when we have evidences.

    Prince Kanu said by denying the military did not invade their house not once but twice, Buratai was disputing what the Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali said that he actually authorized that invasion.

    “If the Minister of Defence said in a Television programme that he authorised the invasion, how could Buratai come out to say something different? If after the invasion on September 14 and on September 16 there was a press state by Abia State commissioner of police admitting they recovered some ammunitions from our house why then is the COAS on November 16 is denying they never invaded the house. If there was no invasion of the house, how come that the whole place was riddled with bullets? How come that people were killed including our dog and the Eagle bird we kept in the house?”

    Kanu going further said “All of them are confused, they don’t even know what they are saying, there is even no sense of direction since the Minister of Defence will say something different and the Chief of Army Staff will also say something different, they should coordinate their lies.

    “The truth remains that soldiers invaded our home without any course and they took so many people away including Nnamdi Kanu; either they’ve killed him or still keeping him somewhere. So, how come they are lying; are they lying against the local media or the international media which have visited the house and found out there was an invasion? So, who is deceiving who here? From the look of things everyone now knows that Nnamdi Kanu was either killed or taken away by the military.”

    The IPOB leader’s younger brother said if the army had traced someone who had truck load of ammunition to their house, that the COAS should tell the world who the person was, when it happened and the evidence to show that they traced someone with dangerous weapons to their house.

    “If the truck laden with the so called dangerous weapons was blown up by the driver as claimed by Bruatai, where is the charred body of the lorry or the ashes? The bottom line of everything is that there was no truck laden with weapons that was found near our house; the army invaded our house without any just course and as a matter of fact, Buratai knows where Nnamdi Kanu is and he should produce him.”

    To further buttress his point that there house was invaded by soldiers, Kanu alleged that during the invasion, “they (soldiers) took away our personal belongings, generator sets, food items, shot the eagle bird in our house, the dog and took away boxes containing our mother’s clothing and vandalized vehicles in our compound after riddling it with bullets.”

    He appealed on the international community to prevail on Buratai to order his men to return their personal belongings particularly his mother’s boxes they took away on September 16 or they will face the wrath of Briafra land.

  • Court to decide suit over IPOB leader’s whereabouts Dec. 13

    Court to decide suit over IPOB leader’s whereabouts Dec. 13

     

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled its decision for December 13 in a suit seeking to compel the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buaratai to account for the whereabouts of the leader of the proscribed pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/908/20017 filed in Abuja in Kanu’s name by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the plaintiff claimed among others, that the soldiers, who allegedly invaded Kanu’s father’s house on September 14 this year, took him away, a claim Buratai denied.

    The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako chose the date for the court’s decision in the case after entertaining the final submissions from parties yesterday.

    Arguing his client’s case Friday, Ejiofor stated that contrary to Buratai’s denial, the soldiers that stormed Kanu’s father’s house had a direct contact with him on September 14.

    He said the soldiers that were in Kanu’s hometown for ‘Operation Python Dance II’, a military exercise aimed at quelling separatist agitation in the South-East, had the last contact with him.

    He exhibited photographs, which he claimed showed scenes of destruction at Kanu’s house during the purported invasion by the soldiers. He urged the court to “invoke the doctrine of last seen” to compel the Chief of Army Staff to produce Kanu.

    Ejiofor added: “The exhibits before the court point to the fact that the personnel of the respondent (the Chief of Army Staff) had the last contact with the applicant (Kanu). It is clear that the army had the last contact with the applicant.”

    He contended that the grounds, on which the COAS hinged his notice of preliminary objection, to urged the court to decline jurisdiction to hear the suit was unfounded in law.

    Ejiofor said the issue of locus standi raised by the respondent on the basis of speculation that Kanu was dead was of no moment in a suit for an order ofhabeas corpus.

    Responding, lawyer to Buratai, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) prayed the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it was “riddled with conjecture, speculation, assumption and unfounded opinions”.

    Kehinde said: “We urge your lordship not to spend judicial time on hearing the application on merit and to dismiss it. My lord is not allowed to act on conjecture and speculation which the application is founded on.”

    The Senior Advocate contended that contrary to the plaintiff’s argument, soldiers never had any contact with the IPOB leader.

    Kehinde further contended that the plaintiff was wrong to have initiated the suit via a writ of habeas corpus, because such process could not be deployed, under the law,  by the plaintiff, who is not certain that Kanu was in the custody of the Nigerian Army.

    According to him, “The writ of habeas corpus is only used when it is certain that the applicant is in the custody of the respondent; not in this instance case when the application is speculating that the applicant is the custody of the applicant or that the applicant has not been seen.”

    Citing part of the plaintiff’s affidavit supporting the suit, Kehinde noted that plaintiff admitted that the search for Kanu conducted by family members had not yielded fruit.

    Kehinde added: “That is to buttress the fact that there is no certainty. The army never conceded that he is in their custody and the onus has shifted to and remained with the applicant to prove that he is in their custody.

    “When there is doubt as to the custody of the applicant, the writ of habeas corpus is not applicable.”

    According to Kehinde, the court could only invoke the doctrine of “last seen” in a criminal trial involving murder or culpable homicide whereby the court would impose duty on the accused persons to account for the death of the deceased.

  • Buratai decries proliferation of unregistered SIM cards

    Buratai decries proliferation of unregistered SIM cards

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday in Abuja frowned at the use of unregistered SIM cards in the country in spite of subsisting government ban.

    Burutai said the development was a major setback in the use of digital and mobile forensics by the Nigeria military in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other national threats.

    The army chief spoke at the opening of the 6th International Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics Conference and Training Expo organised by the Computer Forensics Institute of Nigeria (CFIN).

    In a paper entitled, “Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics as a Tool in Fighting Terrorism and Internal Threats’’, he said military investigators were able to get unregistered SIM cards from vendors last week without difficulty.

    Burutai, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, also identified improperly registered SIM cards in use in the country as a challenge.

    These, he noted, were making identity tracking, especially in the case of kidnappings, terrorism and other forms of criminal acts in the country almost an impossible task.

    “In some instances, these SIM cards are registered with phony names, untraceable addresses or even unrecognisable photographs.

    “For those who are involved in investigation of those kinds of things, when you go to the service provider, you will discover that the data on some people is blank; there is no face attached to it.

    “In some cases, the users live in the bush or hills, but registered the SIM cards with addresses that don’t exist because the man who registered them allowed such a thing without any method of confirmation.

    “So, when it comes to the analysis, you discover that you are hitting a brick wall because to do a link analysis becomes very difficult or unfortunately impossible.

    “I believe there is the need to raise this issue because as at a week ago, we were still able to get some SIM cards that are unregistered from vendors without any problem, and they are still working till now’’.

    Burutai identified other challenges of Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics

    to include inadequate personnel to handle cases, and rapid advancement in evolution of mobile phones and devices with huge cost implications for the military.

    He urged participants at the conference to critically examine the issues and come up with lasting solutions to the problems.

    The President of CFIN, Dr Peter Olayiwola, said the three-day conference would provide practical solutions to the issues raised by the Chief of Army Staff.

    “The relevance of this conference to Nigeria is expressed in its theme, which is `Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics: Tools for Intelligence, Investigation and National Security’. The three-day conference promises to deliver just that.

    “It should be borne in mind that as a result of the tremendous increase in digital devices today, most of the evidence needed to convict the criminal is resident in these devices.

    “Mobile and computer forensics provide the best form of evidence today, whether intelligence gathering, investigation and for national security. So, be prepared to learn,’’ Olayiwola said. (NAN)

  • Buratai orders redeployment of troops to Lake Chad region

    Buratai orders redeployment of troops to Lake Chad region

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday ordered the redeployment of troops who participated in the special military exercise in the Niger Delta to Lake Chad region.

    Buratai announced the redeployment at the closing of Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers.

    He said the redeployed to Lake Chad was to flush out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents, and also complement efforts of security outfits in the area.

    According to him, the Nigerian Army is passionate and committed to flushing out remnant of Boko Haram insurgents within the nation’s territory.

    “I want to assure that most of the troops that excelled in the operations across the (Niger Delta) region would be redeployed.

    “The Troops would be redeployed especially within the Lake Chad waters to flush out remnant of Boko Haram terrorists that are within the Lake Chad islands and other areas.

    “Boko Haram remnants which are virtually within the border areas of our neighboring countries would have to be properly identified and flushed out in a joint effort.

    “This is a task that we must ensure is accomplished,” he said.

    Buratai expressed optimism that the redeployment of troops would complement efforts of security outfits including the Multinational Joint Task Force to flush out insurgents from the area.

    He attributed present successes recorded in the North East and military exercises in other parts of the country to the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his remarks at the occasion, the Minister of Defence, Rtd. Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, said the exercise was held in the Niger Delta and some states in the South West to access army commanders and train troops.

    Dan-Ali said that Muhammadu Buhari was desirous to building formidable, well equipped and trained armed forces that citizens would be proud of.

    “The exercise was inaugurated as part of the Nigerian Army plans to effectively dominate all hostile areas, coordinate and consolidate on the gains of Exercise Crocodile Smile I,” he said.

    Dan-Ali commended the army for its commitment to training, professionalism and efficiency to tackle contemporary security challenges facing the nation.

  • Kidnapping/Terrorism: Buratai approves training of private companies’ personnel

    Kidnapping/Terrorism: Buratai approves training of private companies’ personnel

    The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Buratai has approved the training of security personnel of prominent companies and private organisations in the country to raise awareness and improve the competencies of security personnel against terrorism and emerging security threats.

    Buratai’s approval of the two-day capacity building workshop was against the backdrop of growing security challenges especially terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and armed robbery in the country and the need to respond to them with multi-facetted strategies.

    Addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Wednesday in Abuja, Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Johnny Hamakim, maintained that the Army Chief believe that the training became imperative considering the fact that Nigeria’s security cannot be left solely as the responsibility of government secuity agencies and institutions.

    According to him Lt General Buratai endorsed the training given the fact that some security service organisations had not risen to the occasions of tackling major security challenges in the country due to lack of required deterrent responses and lack of ” capacities and competencies to checkmate the ugly trends.”

    He said the security of any nation was sacred and utmost value to her citizens, hence it should be of great concern to all her citizens, groups and organisations.

    Hamakim, who noted that there was time in the country when security was seen as the sole responsibility of government, said the spate of terrorism, violent extremism, militancy and other violent crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery had since changed the narrative.

    “Today, terrorists strike at business premises and other soft targets just to cause havoc and announce their presence.

    “Innocent people are abducted while individuals are equally kidnapped or robbed on highways, offices and homes with ease.

    “Some security service operations have not always risen to such occasions with the required deterrent responses. Others lack the capacities and competencies to checkmate these ugly trends, “he said.

    Major General Hamakim, who was represented at the event by Brigadier General Okechukwu Ugo, said the development necessitated the Chief of Army Staff to authorise the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, NARC, to organize the two-day workshop for security personnel of prominent companies and private security organizations in the country.

    “The overall aim of the workshop is to raise security awareness and build appropriate capacities and competencies for improved security service delivery generally, “he said.

    He explained that to achieve the aim, seasoned scholars and security experts from the academia, military and other relevant stakeholders were drawn to serve as resource persons at the workshop.

    Hamakim said series of lectures on relevant topics and practical demonstration of quality security service delivery models on terrorism and violent crime-prone environments, as well as other practical interactive sessions would form parts of the workshop.

    Besides adding value, he said the training would contribute to the nation’s human resource development in the corporate security sector as well as enhance human and national security.