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Tag: chief of army staff

  • Buratai gives reason for success in war against Boko Haram

    Buratai gives reason for success in war against Boko Haram

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the lessons he learnt from the Bangladesh National Defence while on course had been very useful in the counter insurgency operations in the North-East.

    Buratai made this known in Lagos, on Saturday when he received the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Abu Shafiul Huq.

    According to him, the lessons are partly responsible for the success being recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The Bangladesh experience in counter insurgency is something that I brought to bear in the efforts to rid Nigeria of Boko Haram since my appointment as the Chief of army staff,” he said.

    According to him, he attended the Bangladesh National Defence course in 2008.

    He urged military around the world to take the issue of insurgency and terrorism seriously because they were difficult battle to overcome.

    “Counter insurgency should be utmost importance to army across the world, the army in particular bears the brunt as they confront terrorists in very difficult terrain and indeed, sometimes within the population.

    “It is a very, very difficult experience and it will continue to be difficult but it – insurgency can be countered through the use of intelligence.

    “Counter insurgency is at best an intelligence operation,” he said.

    Earlier, Huq commended the the Nigerian army for the success it had recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He said both his country and Nigeria had a lot of experience and knowledge to share in counter insurgency operations.

    Huq said his visit was to explore ways both countries could further strengthen their relationship.

    The Bangladesh army chief is to visit the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin in Abuja and some military formation while on a five-day visit to

  • Army launches health facility, solar-powered borehole in Southern Kaduna

    Army launches health facility, solar-powered borehole in Southern Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army, under Operation Harbin Kunama II, has launched a health facility at Unguwar Rimi Bajju in Zangon Kataf Local Government and a solar-powered borehole at Dangoma in Jema’a Local Government.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented at the launch by

    Maj.-Gen. Pat Ekem, the Chief of Logistics, Army Headquarters, Abuja, said the gesture was to further cement the relationship between the military and the civil society.

    Buratai said that apart from ensuring the safety of lives and property, the army deemed it fit to cater for the well-being of the citizenry, through the provision of amenities.

    He urged the benefitting communities to jealously guard the projects against vandalism, for maximum benefit.

    In their responses, the district head of Unguwar Rimi Bajju, Mr Daniel Aduak, said the facility would improve maternity care in the area.

    He added that “before now, our women travel to neighbouring Kafanchan to access medical care.”

    Representative of the District Head of Dangoma, Mallam Mamuda Suleiman, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for showing significant concern to their plight.

    He said “henceforth the community would no longer share the stream water with animals, thereby securing the general well-being of the people.”

  • UTME: JAMB seeks deployment of troops to CBT centers

    UTME: JAMB seeks deployment of troops to CBT centers

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has sought the assistance of the Nigeria Army to help secure its computer based tests (CBT) centres ahead of the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME).

    JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this at a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Tukur Buratai in Abuja.

    The agency’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the registrar solicited for the intervention and cooperation of the Nigerian Army in the coming examination.

    While commending the Nigerian Army for uniting the country particularly the feat it recorded in the insurgency war and restoring peace in other turbulent areas, Oloyede outlined his mission to Defence Headquarters.

    “We are here to thank you for the wonderful job you have been doing, all Nigerians are happy with you for the wonderful feat you have recorded in the discharge of your duties, and your quest for an indivisible and united country,” he said.

    He said there was need to secure the venues of the UTME in order for JAMB to conduct a hitch free exams for candidates desirous of qualitative education to all tertiary institutions in the country.

    “This need became imperative to seek for security intervention from the Army, particularly in turbulent areas”, he said.

    The Registrar said over 678 centres across the country as against the 650 CBT centres recorded last year would be put to use with an estimated 1.5million candidates for the examination, adding that 1.237million candidates had already submitted their application already.

    Oloyede also told the Buratai that the agency was collaboration with Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) to airlift candidates in riverine areas to their CBT centres.

    He urged the COAS to intervene as the NLNG intervention was not enough.

    The JAMB Registrar while listing some security prone areas like North East, South South among others, noted that the process of seeking admission through the conduct of examination should not be truncated, adding that the sight of security presence during the examination would give the candidates a high level of satisfaction and confidence.

    Prof. Oloyede told the COAS that this year the board was capturing ten fingers of candidates to forestall any incidence of multiple registration as noticed with previous years registration.

    He said the Board  also insisted on profile creation and other processes to strengthen the education data and ensure that candidates do not go through hell years after graduating from tertiary institutions.

    In his remarks, Buratai, described the visit as unique and symbolic, stating that the military would ensure that there is peace and harmony in the country.

    The COAS said as part of its constitutional responsibility, the Army would continue to uphold and make sure that the task given to them is accomplished.

    He said some of the flash points pointed out by the Registrar are not only safe but habitable, adding that normalcy had returned to the north east.

    He promised to deploy troops to the areas mentioned by Prof. Oloyede for surveillance and protection during the period stated for the examination.

    He directed the Chief of Training and Operations to liaise with officers and men on ground to strengthen the security of the centres and officials particularly those in turbulent states.

    Buratai pointed out that JAMB examination was a national assignment and as such the military high command would not allow any candidate’s dream and desire for tertiary education to be truncated because of insecurity.

  • Suicide attacks: Buratai orders deployment of military dogs in Maiduguri

    Suicide attacks: Buratai orders deployment of military dogs in Maiduguri

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has ordered the deployment of military sniffer dogs in and around Maiduguri as part of efforts to checkmate incessant suicide bomb attacks in the city.

    Buratai gave the order on Tuesday after he inaugurated a sports complex built by 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment.

    The army chief frowned at the incessant suicide bomb attacks in the city but noted that the attacks had reduced recently.

    He, however, said the attackers seemed to have “found another loophole but I want to assure you that that loophole will be blocked’’.

    “I have already directed the deployment of the military working dogs.

    “We have a battalion with the Nigerian Army Military Police and I have directed them to be deployed immediately around Maiduguri so that these continuous suicide bombings will cease once and for all,’’ he said.

    Buratai charged the troops and Maiduguri residents to be alert and conscious of their environment as well as strange people around them.

    He further charged the troops to work hard to ensure that peace was won after winning the battle with the terrorists, adding that the North East must be kept safe.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sports complex is named after the late Lt.-Col. U.B Umar, a commander of one of the army formations in the North-East.

    Umar died in an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in 2016.

  • We need army to tackle security challenges – Buhari

    We need army to tackle security challenges – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that the attention of the Army would always be required to tackle numerous security challenges across the country.

    Speaking at the closing of the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship at Sambia, the president urged troops to use the skills they acquired in the competition to improve their performance.

    Represented by Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence of Staff, Buhari, said: “Remember security challenges abound in our country that will continue to require the attention of the Nigerian army and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    “I, therefore, urge you not to rest on your oars but harness the skills which you have used this competition to sharpen for improved performance,” he said.

    The president said holding the exercise in Sambisa indicated that normalcy had returned to Borno, and indeed the North-East.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has directed the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, to route remnants of Boko Haram terrorists from their hiding places in the “next few weeks.”

    “I want to give the final task to the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, to within the next few weeks flush out these criminals once and for all from their hiding places in this area and indeed in the whole North-East,’’ Buratai said.

    “This is a task we much accomplish,” he said.

    The chief of army staff said troops would continue to dominate the forest with the fall of Camp Zero, the last stronghold of the Boko Haram, and vowed that the terrorists would never be allowed to re-occupy the area.

    Buratai said that to ensure this, exercises including training would continue to be held in the forest.

    He also directed the Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), to ensure that henceforth, final exercises of passing out cadets were held in the forest.

    Nine Divisions of the Nigerian army, 1,2,3,6, 7, 8, 81, 82 and Army Headquarters Garrison participated in the exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 7 Division, Maiduguri, emerged the winner of the championship, 82 Div., Enugu, came second, while Army headquarters Garrison took the third position.

    Apart from trophies, they were rewarded by the Chief of Army Staff with N2 million, N1.5 million and N1 million in that order.

    Ten participants took part in the shooting competition including the AK47 rifle, FN rifle, pistol and female Ak47 shooting.

    All the Service Chiefs, representative of the Inspector-General of Police and Defence Attaches of various countries in Nigeria attended the ceremony which also featured the display of “fire power’’ by the army and Air Force.

  • Army establishes Operation Base in Southern Kaduna

    Army establishes Operation Base in Southern Kaduna

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has laid the foundation stone for the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 2 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

    The Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia Local Government Area of the state had been the military formation in Southern Kaduna.

    Speaking at the occasion, Buratai said the army was committed to peace and security in all parts of Nigeria.

    He said the need to find a lasting solution to incessant herdsmen/farmers crises rocking Southern Kaduna in recent times necessitated the setting up of the base.

    Buratai urged Nigerians to learn to co-exist peacefully, adding “we need each other”.

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state in a remark noted that 11 similar clashes had been recorded in the state, but vowed to put an end to it.

    He said all those behind the recent farmers/herdsmen crisis will be brought to book no matter how highly placed.untitledburutai-2

    “Whether they are my son or daughter or relations, whether they are Muslim or Christian, someone will be jailed to put an end to the crisis. And this will be the end of the crisis in the state,” El-Rufai said.

    Earlier during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, the chief of staff directed troops stationed in Southern Kaduna to move deep into the forest to fish out perpetrators of violence in the state.

    ”The troops have been working seriously to ensure that attacks and counter attacks are brought to an end.”

    Buratai also visited the Chief of Kagoro, Dr Ufuwoi Bonet, and appealed to the traditional ruler to assist in finding a solution to the crisis in the area.

    He also visited Ninte village, the scene of the most recent herdsmen/farmers clash, where he addressed troops of 101 Special Force battalion stationed in the community.

    He noted that the Hausa and Fulani had been living together in the community for centuries, but wonder why they resorted to killing themselves.

    “There is a need for understanding. It is a family issue that can be resolved amicably,” warning, however, that those responsible for killings and violence would not go unpunished.

    “We will deal with anyone that foments trouble,” he further warned and called on traditional rulers and other leaders to join the effort to bring peace to the area.

    The army chief charged the troops to be professional and respect human rights in the discharge of the duties.

  • Igbos, truthful, committed, but often misunderstood – Gov. Okorocha

    Igbos, truthful, committed, but often misunderstood – Gov. Okorocha

    The Igbos have been referred to as “the most truthful, committed and trust -worthy people but often misunderstood in the country.’’

    This statement was made by Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, on Monday when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Government House, Owerri.

    Okorocha said that Imo had witnessed tremendous progress under his leadership. He described Imo as “one of the safest states’’ in Nigeria, where there was no more kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and baby factory syndrome.

    He attributed the relative peace and security in the state to the efforts of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian army.

    He commended the military for the successes being recorded in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North East.

    He noted that such successes had not being achieved in Syria and other parts of the world battling terrorism.

    Okorocha also commended the army for the “Exercise Crocodile Smile” and newly introduced “Exercise Python Dance” in the South-South and South-East zone.

    He urged the security agencies to do whatever they could to secure the pipelines to enable the free flow of oil to generate revenue for the nation.

    He promised to continue to support the army.

    Earlier, Buratai told the governor that he was in the state for the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Conference.

    He told the governor that “Python Dance” was a training exercise to update troops in the South- East on the rudiments and basics of their job.

    Buratai said that during the conference the army would offer free medical services to the people of the state.

  • Release El-Zakzaky protesters storm National Assembly

    Release El-Zakzaky protesters storm National Assembly

    Hundreds of members of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, (IMN), Thursday stormed the National Assembly to protest the continued incarceration of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky by the Federal Government.

    El-Zakzaky was arrested in Kaduna in December 2015 after some members of his group were killed by soldiers for allegedly blocking the Kaduna-Zaria road.

    The IMN members were also accused of plotting to kill the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    IMN promptly denied the accusation tagging it a ploy to justify the killing of over 300 of its members by soldiers.

    The protesters who gathered at the National Assembly gate were led by the secretary of the academic forum in Nigeria, Abdullahi Musa.

    The protesters said that they came to the National Assembly to ascertain the position of the Senate on the continued detention of El-Zakzaky, their leader.

    Musa told reporters, “This is the third time we are coming here. We submitted a lot of documents to the National Assembly but we are yet to get any response.

    “We submitted the third batch of documents Thursday and we came here today to hear from them.”

    Musa noted that although the Federal Government claimed that El-Zakzaky was kept in protective custody, members of IMN believed that government did not tell the truth.

    He said, “We do not believe in the so called protective custody. We want him freed so that he can go for his treatment. They have inflicted several injuries on him. What we ask for is that justice should prevail.”

    “They killed our member and government has been silent. We want to know what their position is.”

    Musa said that members of the movement would continue the protest until their leader was released.

    Police Divisional Crimes Officer at the National Assembly, Mr. Frances Anebi, who addressed the protesters, asked them to conduct themselves peacefully.

    On November 14, 2016 eight members of the movement were reported killed in Kano.

    A police sergeant was also said to have been dead when the police attempted to break a protest mounted by members of the movement.

  • Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    …UN commends Nigeria Army

     

     

    Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has disclosed that 60 percent of the Boko Haram elements operating in the north east region especially on the fringes of Sambisa Forest including the Lake Chad Basin are foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen Buratai said the information is based on intelligence report extracted from most of the insurgents that were recently captured by the army are discovered to be foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who disclosed this in Maiduguri Thursday while playing host to the Special Representatives of Secretary General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn- Chambas who was on a solidarity visit at the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital noted that the renewed onslaught by Boko Haram will not deter the Army from prosecuting the war to against the insurgents to the end.

     

    He commended the world body for the support given to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) especially at its earlier formation when he was the pioneer commander, adding that, MNJTF has achieved a lot in the fight against terrorism due to the solid foundation that was laid.

     

    The Chief of Army Staff thanked Mr. Ibn Chambas and his entourage for the visit, stressing that, “the UN is committed to achieving global peace, that is why it has committed a lot of efforts and resources in assisting the north east”, while promising the readiness of the Nigerian Army to partner with the UN in restoring peace to the north east region.

     

    In his response, Mr. Chambas commended Nigerian Army for being very professional through the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that, “your conduct has been exemplary and it’s in line with international best practices”.

     

    He noted that the UN has consistently condemned the activities of Boko Haram in the region, while praising the neighboring countries for joining hands to fight a common enemy. 

    Mr.  Chambas also informed that the UN is very much conscious of the hardship experienced by the people in the course of the crisis, just as he promised to continue to collaborate with other NGOs in reducing the sufferings of the people.

     

    He also extended his gratitude to Borno State Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other humanitarian agencies working in the state to bring succor to the displaced people, promising that the UN will do everything possible to support, rehabilitate and resettle the victims of insurgency.

     

    He commiserated with the Army over the recent killing of soldiers in the frontline by Boko Haram.

    “The UN want to sympathize with the Nigerian Army over the unfortunate incident that took place recently in Malam Fatori where Lt. Col. Abu Ali, six soldiers as well as other officers and men who died and paid a supreme price on the hands of insurgents.

     

    “I want to thank the Chief of Army staff and governor Kashim Shettima to host me in Borno, and i urged you (military) not to relent in your gallant effort to degrade remnants of insurgents and restore peace on the land,” Mr.  Chambas said.

     

    Mr. Chambas was accompanied on the visit by some high profile UN diplomats.

  • Boko Haram: Army commissions Forward Operation Base in Buratai

    Boko Haram: Army commissions Forward Operation Base in Buratai

    The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. A.G Olonisakin has over the weekend commissioned an Army Forward Operation Base in Buratai community, the native village of the Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, the current Chief of Army Staff.

     

    Buratai community is situated north of Biu with other villages like Miringa, Kamuya, Madza, Mangada with a very fertile land for agriculture and a clement weather completely a contrast from the northern parts of Borno State.


    The base which was hitherto accommodated in the private house of Lt. Gen. Buratai was officially moved to the new site at a colorful ceremony that was witnessed by the two deputy governors of Borno and Yobe States who represented their governors at the event, the Emirs of Biu and Shani, the Acting GOC 3 Div. Nigeria Army, Brig. Gen. E.N Njoku and other top military Generals within and outside the Theatre. 

     

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who represented the Chief of Defense Staff informed that the base is equipped with office accommodation and the accommodation of officers and soldiers to enable them perform optimally on their duty in the fight against the terrorists, while thanking President Mohammadu Buhari for making the construction of the base possible.

     

    He equally thank the Buratai communities, the vigilante, and local hunters for their cooperation in routing out the terrorists in the area.

     

    Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, said the commissioning of the facility will add value to the entire security architecture of the North East in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, while praising God for the peaceful atmosphere for the occasion.

     

    Major Gen. Irabor narrated that the strategic location of Buratai has made the insurgents to be interested in the area where they hibernate to lunch heinous attacks in the adjoining states of Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba.

     

    In his remarks, Borno State Deputy Gov. Usman Mamman Durkwa praised the gallantry of the Army in the fight against the insurgents.

     

    According to him, communities are now safer for the displaced people to return due to the efforts of the Nigerian Army.

     

    His counterpart in Yobe, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu called on the military to put the facility into its best use and also maintain it for the glory of the institution.

     

    Engr. Aliyu added that “the commissioning of the operation base will continue to give confidence to the local people considering that the army is getting closer to the people to protect them from the Boko Haram terrorists”.