The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DHQ

  • 56 terrorists killed in counter offensive – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters on Monday said the Nigerian security forces launched ground and air operations on terrorist locations in a forest at Alafa, about 21 kilometres from Bama, Borno State.

    Defence spokesman, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement that over 56 suspected terrorists were killed in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend.

    He added that two soldiers were wounded in the operation.

    The statement said: “Acting on intelligence reports which indicated renewed efforts by the terrorists to establish a new camp in the forest locations, the land and air operations had inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents as indicated by the high level loss of their men and materials.

    “Air and land bombardments are continuing in different locations where terrorists have been reportedly sighted.

    “In another development, troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have foiled an attempt by terrorists who were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities.

    “Seven of the terrorists died while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad Republic are being trailed by troops.

    “Intelligence reports have confirmed that some of the wounded terrorists were seen in a canoe paddling towards Tumbun Telkandam in Chad Republic.”

     

  • DHQ recommends 500 terror suspects’ prosecution

    DHQ recommends 500 terror suspects’ prosecution

    The Joint Investigation Team set up by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has recommended the immediate prosecution of over 500 suspects apprehended in the course of security operations against terrorists.

    The suspects were apprehended in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

    The statement said the suspects were also among the almost 1,400 detainees screened by the team at the detention facilities in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu between July and September.

    It said those recommended for immediate trial included high profile suspects, some of whom were training other terrorists in weapon handling as well as those who confessed to being trained in Mali and other countries for the purpose of perpetrating terror in Nigeria.

    “Also among those recommended for trial are a medical doctor, paramilitary or service personnel who were fighting on the side of the terrorists and other individuals who offered direct logistics support to the terrorists.”

    The statement said the team, however, recommended the release of 167 of the detainees from detention in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu.

    It said that about 614 others whose cases were inconclusive had been recommended for review.

    The report also proposed that some of the detainees be tried for other offences ranging from armed robbery, murder to drugs related offences.

    ”If the recommendation of the team sails through, the trial of some of the suspects will be held in the states while others may be tried at the Federal level by High Courts,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the DHQ spokesman as saying in the statement.

    The statement said the team was tasked to examine, classify and recommend appropriate actions against detainees in the various detention centres in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states

     

  • Boko Haram attacks NAF base in Maiduguri

    Boko Haram attacks NAF base in Maiduguri

    …Military restricts movements

    Suspected Boko Haram members on Monday morning attacked the Composite Group Air force Base and other places in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The gunmen who attacked the NAF base at about 3am also fired gunshots and other rocket propelled grenades in Maiduguri and Jere metropolis till 8am on Monday.

    Other places attacked by the terrorists are the Maiduguri International Airport, the newly constructed trailer park, along Damaturu- Maiduguri road, military check points and residential and public buildings.

    Following the attack, the Defence Headquarters on Monday announced restriction of movements in Maiduguri.

    A statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade,  said security forces repelled the attack.

    Olukolade stated that the Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army formations in Maiduguri were targeted in the attack.

    The statement reads: “Nigerian security forces today repelled a pre-dawn attack on Maiduguri by suspected terrorists. Military locations such as Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri were targeted during the attack.

    “Three decommissioned military aircrafts as well as two Helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack. Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire.

    “Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorists in the Djemtillo general area along the Maiduguri/Banishek axis.

    “Movements in Maiduguri and environs have been restricted. Citizens are enjoined to report any of the fleeing insurgents, most of whom could be identified with gunshot wounds whenever they are sighted.

    “Meanwhile, normal flights operations to and from the Maiduguri Airport which were earlier temporarily disrupted have resumed.”

     

  • DHQ, 34 navies hold maritime conference

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) as well as the navies from 34 countries yesterday converged on Lagos for the maiden International Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Africa Conference.

    It was aimed at stopping piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

    Participants at the conference said there was need for a joint regional maritime force to address increasing sea crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

    They noted that the area has become one of the most dangerous maritime domains with piracy and sea robbery threats.

    The participants said regional navies need to work together to achieve success, adding that criminal gangs were taking advantage of their inability to collaborate at the operational and strategic levels to cause trouble in the region.

    The participants noted that the nature of most regional navies to information sharing was also contributing to the challenges in curbing sea crimes.

    According tothem, criminals easily commit offences in one domain and enter another country without trace.

    At the event, which was organised by the Nigerian Navy, in conjunction with International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), were the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and the Chief of Air Staff (CAF) Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

    Obada said the conference protrayed the feasibility of a potent strategy and civil-military synergy,whic is needed to mitigate increasing vulnerabilities in African waters.

    “The economic opportunities that abound in African waters have progressively witnessed increasing interests across a broad spectrum of profitable commercial activities,” she said.

  • Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    The Defence Headquarters on Thursday gave insights into how a Boko Haram leader and other suspected members of the sect were captured in Niger Republic.

    All the suspects are presently undergoing interrogation in an unnamed military facility.

    According to a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the breakthrough was recorded through intelligence gathering.

    He said the intention of the sect leader and those arrested was to rearm from Niger Republic and launch deadly attacks on Nigerian communities.

    The statement said: “The plan by a band of terrorists who relocated to Niger Republic to remobilize and rearm insurgents with the aim of carrying out fresh terrorists attacks on some Nigerian communities has been foiled.

    “The leader of the group who had fled Nigeria when the terrorist camps were sacked was reportedly recruiting fresh hands and training them for renewed terrorist activities in Nigeria.

    “The intention of the group is to focus its attacks on some towns around the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.”

    “Intelligence operatives of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had been on the trail of the leader until he was eventually arrested in Karanga, Niger Republic on Saturday with the cooperation of Nigerien forces.

    “His other accomplices were later picked up in other villages in Nigeria. They are currently being interrogated.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, added: “Investigation revealed that following their dislodgement from their camps in Nigeria, the Boko Haram leader relocated to Niger Republic with his cell members.

    “While in Niger Republic, they tried to regroup and recruit more hands to be able to attack Nigerian communities. When we got intelligence report, we contacted our Nigerien counterpart. The Boko Haram suspects were trailed and their leader was captured.

    “We succeeded in arresting other members of the cell and they were brought down to Nigeria from Niger.”

     

     

  • Boko Haram leader Shekau’s in-laws arrested

    Boko Haram leader Shekau’s in-laws arrested

    As part of the ongoing crackdown on Boko Haram insurgents, the Defence Headquarters on Monday confirmed the arrest of the in-laws of the leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau.

    But it was silent on where the in-laws were being kept as at press time.

    The raid which led to the arrest of the in-laws resulted in the recovery of some recorded audio messages of the insurgents.

    Also, the DHQ said a recent encounter with the terrorists led to the death of Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, one of the kingpins on the Joint Task Force wanted list.

    It, however, confirmed said 58 detainees linked with Boko Haram insurgents have been released in Borno and Yobe States.

    The spokesman for the Defence Headquarters, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made the disclosures at a briefing by Joint Security Committee in Abuja, said the Special Forces in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states are not on any revenge mission but purely on a mission to restore law and order.

    Olukolade said: “Troops on cordon and search operations in Bulabulin area in Maiduguri last week discovered a vast network of underground tunnels connecting houses and many bunkers some which have the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons.

    “More corpses were also discovered in soak-away. Various weapons were also discovered in the same area.

    “Abubakar Shekau’s parents’ in-laws were picked up in the raid which also discovered various audio recordings of terrorists’ messages. Recoveries are made almost on daily basis as the operation progresses.”

     

  • DHQ restores GSM in Adamawa

    DHQ restores GSM in Adamawa

    The Defence Headquarters has ordered the restoration of GSM services in Adamawa State.

    It also set to subject the report of its fact-finding team on Yobe killings to analysis.

    Defence Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the restoration of GSM followed consideration of various appeals and the need to ease the situation in this Ramadan season.

    The statement said: “The Defence headquarters has authorised the restoration of GSM services in Adamawa State. This is sequel to positive indications in the ongoing security evaluation of the situation in the states affected by the State of Emergency.

    “This development is in line with the planned phased restoration of the facility in response to the reality of the situation in the states. Accordingly, the services will be subsequently restored in the other states as soon as the evaluation indicates sufficient clearance for the release.

    “This measure is also in consideration of various appeals and need to reassure the public that the measure is purely for security reasons, as well as the need to ease the situation in line with the Ramadan season.

    On the fact-finding team to Yobe over the killing of 29 pupils, the statement said the outcome of the trip would be presented to the DHQ for due analysis and action of the DHQ

    The statement added: “The leader of the DHQ team, Major General Obinali Ariahu, informed the governor that the team was in the state to assess the deployment of the JTF troops as well as their requirements to carry out their task in forestalling any breach of security in the state. He conveyed the sympathy and condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff to the Government and people of Yobe State on the loss of lives occasioned by the terrorist attacks on the school and other locations.

    “The General informed the Governor that the Team had visited the scene of the incident at Mamudo as well as various troops’ locations in the state.

    “He said the outcome of its fact-finding mission especially as it concerns the attack on the school would be presented for due analysis and action of the DHQ with a view to enhancing the capacity of the forces to prevent or respond to similar occurrences in the future.

    “Continuing, the team leader expressed the appreciation of the military authorities for the understanding and support of the state to the JTF. He assured the people of the state that the forces would remain committed to discharging their duties with due efficiency.

    “The team had earlier interacted with community leaders, Local Government officials, education authorities as well as teachers in Mamudo and environs to obtain necessary information. It also interviewed commanders and troops in the area.

    “The DHQ Fact Finding Team has since returned to Abuja to brief the Chief of Defence Staff.

    Yobe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, commended the Federal Government and the Defence Headquarters for the interest shown in the security of the state by promptly sending a high-powered Fact Finding team to the state after the weekend terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Mamudo.

    “Speaking while receiving the Defence Headquarters Fact-Finding Team in his office in Damaturu on Wednesday, the Governor noted that the gesture was the first of its kind in response to a disaster in the state.

    “He also declared that the Joint Task Force deployed in the state was doing its best in addressing the security challenges.

    “Continuing, the Governor remarked that the incident in Mamudo was an unfortunate and painful disaster.”

    “He said such places would require extraordinary protection. He therefore called for appropriate strategies to tackle the peculiar reality of the security challenges in such localities. “

  • DHQ dismisses Shekau’s claim

    DHQ dismisses Shekau’s claim

    The military yesterday dismissed as “empty propaganda” claims by Boko Haram’s leader that soldiers have retreated during an ongoing offensive.

    The Defence Headquarters said its campaign since May 15, following the declaration of a state of emergency in three states, has heavily damaged the Islamist insurgents.

    In a video obtained by French News Agency, AFP, on Tuesday, Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau said soldiers have at times “turned and ran” when facing Islamist fighters and rejected military boasting about the success of the operation.

    “We consider it as empty propoganda,” defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said of the video.

    Brig. Gen. Olukolade also said yesterday that the types of arms being used by extremists appeared to come from outside of Nigeria and represented a significant shift compared to the light weaponry the militants previously used. Gen. Olukolade showed AP journalists an image of what he described as a shell from an anti-aircraft gun mounted to the back of a pickup truck—weapons previously unseen in Nigeria’s long-simmering Islamic insurgency.

    “To the best of our understanding, at the moment (the insurgents) are in disarray. They are on the run and so many of them have been captured,” he told AFP.

    Shekau’s whereabouts, which cannot be determined in the video, remain unknown.

    “I don’t know his location but I know that intelligence is trailing him,” Olukolade said.

    Shekau called on like-minded Islamists in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

    Gen. Olukolade suggested the plea for foreign assistance implied weakness.

    “If they are still firmly on ground why does he need help?”

    Gen. Olukolade told AFP he has seen no credible evidence of soldier misconduct in the offensive.

    With the military having cut mobile phone service in much of the northeast and access to remote locations restricted, rivals claims about the conflict have been impossible to verify.

    Olukolade said that air strikes used so far have primarily included covering fire for ground troops tasked with storming Boko Haram camps.

    The military has claimed the destruction of several such camps, primarily in Borno state, Boko Haram’s traditional base.

    Boko Haram has waged its insurgency since 2009, with an estimated 3,600 lives lost, including killings by the security forces.

  • Jonathan orders release of women arrested for terrorism

    Jonathan orders release of women arrested for terrorism

    ...And children too

    President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Defence Headquarters to release all women and minors arrested in connection with alleged terrorist activities.

    There were indications that wives and relations of Boko Haram leaders in custody in some flashpoints would be released after a re-orientation programme.

    Also, the DHQ on Tuesday said Nigerian soldiers in Mali would not be withdrawn for special operation in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe against Boko Haram insurgents.

    According to a statement issued by the Defence Spokesman, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the order for the release of women, minors and others arrested over suspected terrorist activities had been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.

    The statement said: “Consequent upon the directives of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters will be releasing from detention a number of persons being held in connection with terrorist activities.

    “The move is in furtherance of the Federal Government position in response to requests by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation. The measure which is in line with Presidential magnanimity to enhance peace efforts in the country will result in freedom for suspects including all women under custody.

    “The details of the directives and those to benefit from this gesture have been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.

    “The beneficiaries will be released to the state governors who will be involved in further rehabilitation before these suspects are released to their respective community leaders/relations.”

    The statement added: “As the operation to rid our country of terrorist activities continues, the Defence Headquarters wishes to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian military is quite capable and ready to discharge this duty professionally and creditably well.

    “The report therefore in a section of the press that Nigerian troops are to be withdrawn from Mali to face the ongoing insurgency is a complete falsehood.

    “There is certainly no need for such action now as the human and material resources of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are being meticulously deployed and quite able to meet its present internal and external assignments.

    “As a matter of fact the normal and scheduled rotation of troops in various missions will continue.

    “This routine should not be misunderstood or misrepresented to misinform Nigerians and the international community.”

     

  • DHQ, US partner on improved civil-military relations

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with the United States (US) Government yesterday began a three-day seminar to strengthen civil-military relations in the ongoing war against terrorism.

    The three-day seminar, which started in Abuja yesterday, seeks to build confidence and understanding of the civil populace on the role of the military during emergencies.

    Federal troops are still being deployed in the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where an emergency rule has been imposed.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim said the seminar would boost the confidence and cooperation between the military and the civil society.