Tag: DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has vowed  its troops would ‘stop at nothing’ to take out the terrorists responsible for the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State.

It said the ‘fate of the terrorists that perpetrated these insecurity will be violent and short’ as troops would go after them and eliminate them in the battlefield.

The Military High Command spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations Maj-Gen Edward Buba in a statement on Tuesday, July 2.

It said despite the recent suicide attack by terrorists on innocent civilians and troops in Gwoza, Borno State, the military remain resolute to end terrorism in North East and other parts of the country.

It urged citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support the efforts of the military to continue to secure the country.

The Nation reports 32 people died while 52 sustained various degree in the multiple suicide attacks in Gwoza on Saturday, June 29. 

The DHQ said it lost a soldier and two members of hybrid forces during the attack.

Read Also: Death toll in Gwoza blasts rises to 32

It said: “The armed forces views every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of lives are a tragedy for the society, community and the nation. 

“Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher MUSA, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.”

“The sad loss of lives is a tragedy for the society, community and the nation. Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.”

The military high command said since the country is in a state of war with terrorists, citizens must understand that ‘this despicable act is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations.’

It said recent military onslaught against the terrorists had “decapitated their leadership, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence.”

 “Clearly, the terrorist embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline,” the DHQ said.

“Citizens must see through the smoke screen of the terrorist. We must realize that the terrorists’ aims are to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population. 

“The military is aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilize new recruits, reduce support for the armed forces and reduce support for the government.”

The DHQ urged citizens to remain united against the enemies of the state, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the military to ensure a peaceful and prosperous country.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described recent attacks on soldiers by civilians as “self sabotage” by same people they sworn to protect.

It also described as worrisome the activities of civilians whose support is necessary for the military to rid the country of adversaries but turn around to attack soldiers.

The DHQ reiterated the need for both parties to unite and eliminate common enemies for the interest of the nation. 

The Military High Command spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, at a briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, on Thursday May 30.

He said: “The people want us to win the win the war against terrorists and bandiat, and to win the war it is the military that the civilians need. We are the one that is out there fighting the battle, and we need the supper of the civilians to win this battle. So, we need each other.

“What happens in Banex plaza in Abuja is not the way to go. Jungle justice is not the way to go. It is not the way to go for the civilians, especially since the soldiers are putting their lives on the line for civilians. They deserve that respect.

“ However, our soldiers are humans and as human being they make mistakes or err. So when they err please report them and the military justice system will take care or it.

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“We need the morales of our soldiers to be at it maximum for them to fight. We need their fighting spirit. We have been fighting terrorism war for more than 10 years.There are soldiers that suffer post traumatic disorder. So please let common sense prevail. If our troops ere please report them.

“The military, like other security forces, maintains esprit-de-corp, and when the junior ones are being attacked, like what happened in Banex plaza, we have to calm them down, so that things do not deteriorate.”

The Nation reports that some civilians engaged soldiers in a physical fight over sales of phone at the Banex plaza Abuja on May 18. 

The incident led to the deployment of military personnel and police to maintain law and order. It also led to the closure of the business premise for a week.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has challenged the Governor of Katsina state, Dikko Radda, to substantiate his allegation that the military was profiting and aiding terrorism in the state.

It said it is subservient to all elected government representatives whom it held in utmost respect to make such weighty allegations.

The Military high command said this through the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Wednesday, May 22.

The governor had alleged, during an interview on Channels television programme ‘Politics Today’ on April 5, that the Military was aiding and profiting from terrorism.

Read Also: Reports of abduction of 500 villagers in Zamfara exaggerated, says DHQ

But Gen. Buba said even though such statements weren’t true, it was capable of demoralizing and dampening the spirit of troops in operational theaters.

“In the light of the aforementioned statement of His Excellency the Governor of Katsina State, the Armed Forces of Nigeria decides not to join words with the state Governor, rather would encourage him to approach the military high command to substantiate his allegations,” he said.

The defence spokesperson said the military under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of criminality in the conduct of operations across the country.

He said: “It is for this reason that there are standing court martials to treat any form of misbehaviour by troops especially those that portray the military negatively to the general populace.

“The military remains unperturbed by such statements capable of demoralizing or dampening the spirit of troops in operational theatres. Rather, we will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations as well as working assiduously in the fight against terrorism.

“The Armed Forces is for Nigerians and as such citizens are urged to own it and also report any credible observed bad conduct within the ranks so that they can face the appropriate military justice system.”

The Defence Headquarters says reports in the social media that 500 villagers were abducted by bandits was exaggerated.

It said the actual number of villagers abducted was four.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, said this in a statement on Friday, May 17.

A member of the House of Representatives from Zamfara State, Bello Shinkafi, was quoted in the media, on Wednesday, May 15, to have said that over 500 villagers from 50 villages were abducted by terrorists in the state.

But the military high command described the figure as “fictitious and exaggerated,” saying that “in reality, troops can confirm that four persons were abducted.”

The defence spokesperson said troops Operation HADARIN DAJI in Zamfara were “actively fighting a vicious enemy in a complex combat environment” within several factors on and off the battlefield.

He said: “Troops are compelled to deal with two realities. The virtual reality as well as the reality on the ground. The virtual reality which is mostly on social media is more of fictitious figures and extreme exaggeration of the situation on the ground.

Read Also: DHQ declares Nigerien terrorist, Halilu Buzu, wanted

“For instance, it is fictitious and exaggerated to state that over 500 people were abducted by terrorists, while in reality troops can confirm that four persons were abduction.

“It must be recalled that same was experienced during the Kuriga abduction during which the figures brandished were much higher than those truly abducted.”

Speaking on the issue of troops’ rotation, the Defence spokesperson said the current military leadership had prioritized troops’ rotation in line with enhancing troops’ welfare and administration.

Gen. Buba said: “Accordingly, on the ground troops continue to demonstrate stamina, resolve, and a strong desire to remain focused and stay the course until the enduring defeat of the terrorist and their cohorts.

“The military admits that there is still a lot of work ahead to better secure citizens and protect them from acts of terror.”

He said efforts were ongoing to better the cooperation between the military and the Zamfara State Community Protection Guard to better secure farmers on their farms this rainy season.

“There is also a lot more ongoing, which is better left unsaid due to ongoing operations in the area.

“Overall, we are in a good and strong position in this war against the terrorists with many terrorist leaders killed. We are making them pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters says troops on operation across the country killed 216 terrorists and arrested 332 criminals in the past week.

It said troops also rescued 161 kidnap victims.

 The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, announced this in a statement yesterday.

Gen. Buba said troops recovered 234 assorted weapons comprising 131 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, one M16 rifle, 43 locally fabricated gun, 21 Dane guns, one 105mm gun, two automatic pump action guns, 18 locally fabricated pistols, 8 single barrel guns, two automatic pump action guns, one LG4 bomb, one MG skeleton, three explosive IED case, one MOWAG APC.

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He said troops also recovered 5,994 assorted ammunition, comprising 3,120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,195 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 211 rounds of 9mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 467 live cartridges, one rifle butt, 15 magazines, among others.

 Speaking on operations in the Niger Delta region, the defence spokesperson said troops in the Niger Delta area recovered 533,127 litres of stolen crude oil and 24,520 litres of illegally refined diesel.

 Gen. Buba said troops also arrested 24 oil thieves.

 He said: “Troops destroyed 97 dugout pits, six boats, 20 storage tanks, two receivers, 16 drums and seven vehicles. Other items recovered included 174 cooking ovens, one pumping machine and eight illegal refining sites.”

The defence spokesperson said that the military would continue with very strong operations against the terrorists.

He said: “Troops are maintaining the momentum in neutralising the terrorist leaders and commanders. Indeed, we remain focused on fighting for the basic safety and security of citizens of this country.

 “Indeed, we will banish and defeat terrorism from the nation rather than bow to it.”

The Defence Headquarters says a total of 122 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) fighters and their family members have surrendered to troops in the east in the past week.

It said troops also killed 192 terrorists, arrested 341 criminals, and rescued 62 kidnap victims in various theatres of operation across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba announced this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja on Thursday, April 18.

He said troops recovered 349,970 litres of stolen crude oil and 112,135 litres of illegally refined diesel, 7,560 litres of kerosene and 13,000 litres of petrol in the Niger Delta region within the week under review.

The defence spokesperson said troops recovered 211 assorted weapons comprising 128 AK47 rifles, 26 dane guns among other items.

He said troops also recovered 6,288 assorted ammunition comprising 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, and 140 rounds of 9mm ammo among other items.

Buba said the military, through its operations, was continually “boxing in the terrorist” and dismantling their resupply routes.

Read Also: Cadet’s death: soldiers didn’t torture hotel staff to death, says DHQ

He said: “The military is working decisively to kill the terrorists, dismantle their networks, and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens. It is for these reasons that the armed forces would continue to hunt the leadership of these terrorist groups everywhere across these theatres of operations.

“Being a professional force, due diligence by way of Intelligence, Surveillance, and recognition is painstakingly taken to distinguish the terrorist before air strikes are conducted. These air strikes have resulted in the death of several of these terrorist leaders and the cohorts hibernating in enclaves across the theatres of operation.

“It, therefore, should not be surprising, that these terrorists and their sympathizers plot to blackmail the military as a result of these airstrikes. The plot is to depict some casualties as innocent citizens rather than cohorts of these terrorists.

“It is therefore important for the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathizers. Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.”

The Defence Headquarters is probing the military personnel who interrogated the four staff members of an hotel where a cadet died.

The cadet allegedly drowned at Damgrete Hotel in Umuahia, Abia State, on April 9.

The Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement yesterday, said after the cadet’s death, troops of Operation UDO KA in Abia invited four staff members of the hotel for interrogation to ‘ascertain the actual cause of his death’.

According to him, after questioning, the staff members were allowed to go.

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He said: “As at when they were released, nothing happened to anyone of them. They all left for their destination unharmed, hale and healthy.

“However, information later received from the hotel was that one of them complained of his health and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“While it is heartbreaking and unfortunate to hear about the demise, Operation UDO KA as a professional military organisation that operates within the ambit of the law has arrested all personnel involved in the interrogation process. Preliminary investigation is ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of death of the said hotel staff.

“While condoling with the bereaved family, the military assures them that if any of its personnel is found culpable, such personnel will face the wrath of the law.”

The Defence Headquarters has launched a probe of military personnel who interrogated four hotel staff where a cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) died.

The cadet allegedly drowned at Damgrete Hotel Swimming Facility Umuahia, Abia state, on Tuesday, April 9.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said in a statement on Sunday, April 14, that after the death of the cadet, troops of Operation UDO KA in Abia state invited four staff of the hotel for interrogation to “ascertain the actual cause of his death.”

According to him, after questioning, the staff were released to go.

He said: “As of when they were released, nothing happened to any of them. They all left for their destination unharmed, hail and healthy.

Read Also: Military seizes 21 million litres of stolen crude in three months, says DHQ

“However, information later received from the Hotel was that one of the four workers invited for the questioning complained of his health and was rushed to Federal Medical Center Umuahia where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“While it is heartbreaking and unfortunate to hear about the news of the demise of one of the staff, Operation UDO KA as a professional military organisation that operates within the ambit of the laws, has arrested all personnel involved in the interrogation process and preliminary investigation ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of death of the said hotel staff.”

While condoling the family of the deceased hotel staff, the military assured the family “that if any of its personnel is found culpable in the death of the manager, such personnel will face the full wrath of the law as no stone will be left unturned to unravel the actual circumstances that led to his death.”