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Tag: DHQ

  • Nigeria’s territory not under ISIS threat – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said on Wednesday Nigeria’s territory is not under any form of threat from the Islamic State.

    The DHQ assured that the nation’s Armed Forces are up to the task of defending the country and her citizens from any threat.

    The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen John Agim, said in a statement that there is no concrete evidence to support claims that ISIS has been sending its members on training in the country.

    The statement reads: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to respond to a report making the round that ISIS has been sending her members to Nigeria to train Boko Haram Terrorists members.

    “It is pertinent to state categorically that there is no concrete evidence on the ground to back their claim.

    “However, it could be recalled that the Ali Barnawi faction of BHT in 2016 pledged alliance to the ISIS as a result of our troops’ fire power which dislodged them from Sambisa forest and surrounding areas in the North East.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is aware that there is collaboration between terrorist groups, thus, it is important to note that the activity of one group in a country influences other groups in other countries and because of this knowledge, activities of other terrorist groups usually affect our own military strategy.

    “The Nigeria military will continue to condemn all tactics by terrorist groups of isolating the Armed Forces of Nigeria from any foreign collaboration.

    “If terrorist groups understand the importance of collaboration for evil global attacks, then, it is the highest degree of irresponsibility for Amnesty International to use repeated falsehood with the intention of isolating the Armed Forces from her citizens’ support and international collaboration to win the fight against BHT and other forms of terrorism in Nigeria.

    “Meanwhile, proactive measures are currently being taken to nip any such development if it exists in the bud.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to assure all Nigeria that it is up to the task of defending the country and its citizens from every attempt to infiltrate it by criminals.  Hence, the ill motivated stories, clips and their claims should be disregarded.”

  • Operation Cat Race: 13 soldiers killed so far – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said on Wednesday that at least 13 soldiers were killed in Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Taraba and Kaduna during the Operation Ayem Akpatuma (Operation Cat Race).

    The DHQ said 147 herdsmen were arrested and seven soldiers wounded during the operation.

    The Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim, who addressed journalists on the various military operations across the country, said the herdsmen arrested were handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

    He said there is the need for greater understanding and support for the military on the various operations in the country, adding that the military is over stretched.

    He said: “We have a situation at hand. There is military presence in all the 36 states of the federation, particularly in some state capitals to support the police to maintain peace and attract investors.

    “But the truth is that we don’t have barracks in some places and in the hinterlands. If there is trouble in parts of the hinterlands, it would be difficult to move soldiers there because of distance. So largely we depend on intelligence reports to respond to situations.  So some things happened in some places and people asked where the military people are. We cannot be everywhere given the limited resources.”

    Agim said due to logistic problems, Operation Ayem Akpatuma could not be extended in some states, except Taraba.

    He added: “The operation was largely successful as a total of 183 criminals were arrested in Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA in Benue and Taraba States for various offences. In Benue State, 147 herdsmen, six cultists, five rustlers and six armed bandits were arrested while 15 were arrested in Taraba State.

    “In 1 Division Area of Responsibility, 13 bandits were arrested. All the arrested suspects have been handed over to the police for further action. ”

    “Several arms and ammunitions were recovered during Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA.  In Benue State,  1×AK 47 rifle, 1 × FN rifle, 3x AK 47 Magazine,  9×round of 7.62mm special, 23 round of 7.62mm NATO,  13 Dane guns, 38 machetes, several spears/axes and assorted charms were recovered.  Also, 18 motorcycle and 15 handsets were recovered in Benue State.  In Taraba State,  4 ×AK 47 riffles With 3 magazines, 96 rounds of 7.62mm  special ,  8 rounds of 9mm, and 19 locally made guns were recovered.  Others included five locally made pistols, one Shot gun and 27 live cartridges.  In 1 Div Area of Responsibility, 16 assorted arms were recovered and some ammunitions.”

     

     

  • DHQ faults Amnesty’s report on Dapchi

    THE Defence Headquarters and Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris said yesterday no security force was informed of Dapchi School Girls abduction as alleged by Amnesty International (AI) in its latest report.

    No fewer than 110 female students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State were on February 19, abducted from their school by the insurgents.

    The girls are still in captivity of the insurgents.

    In its report on the abduction, Amnesty International had accused the nation’s security agencies of ignoring information on the presence of a large number of the insurgents in the area shortly before the abduction but failed to act on the tips.

    But, besides dismissing the report as a calculated attempt to whip up sentiments against the military, the Defence Headquarters said AI was doing everything possible within its power to frustrate the United States (U.S.)/Nigeria Anti -Terrorism cooperation backed by President Donald Trump.

    A statement issued by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen John Agim, maintained that “the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military and has attained the highest form of professionalism in line with international best practices.  And so, could not have ignored warning of Boko Haram attack only to work tirelessly to get the girls back”.

    Brig. Gen. Agim in the three-page statement asserted that there was no iota of truth in the latest report from the international body, saying its position was meant to pre-empt the work of the Federal Government Committee working on the Dapchi girls matter.

    The statement reads: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to respond to Amnesty International (AI) report in which the group alleged that the Nigerian Military and security forces were informed that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters were heading towards Dapchi in Yobe State to abduct some school girls and failed to act accordingly.

    “Apart from questioning the motive of Amnesty International, it is pertinent to state that most of their narratives were outright falsehood and a calculated attempt to whip up sentiments and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians, demoralise friendly nations and people collaborating with security forces to end the forces of evil in the Northeast.  For the avoidance of doubts, no security force was informed of Dapchi school girls abduction as alleged by AI.

    “The Nigerian public and the international community should know that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military and has attained the highest form of professionalism in line with international best practices.  And so, could not have ignored warning of Boko Haram attack only to work tirelessly to get the girls back.”

    The statement said: “It is not proper for an organisation like AI, which do not mean well for Nigeria, going by their previous reputation of denigrating the security forces anytime they make gains against the forces of evil to incite the Nigerian public and international community against the military.

    “Some of our Services Chiefs, senior commanders prosecuting the war against Insurgency and even some heads of security and paramilitary services are from the Northeast. They have put their lives on the line severally to end the madness in the Northeast.

    “It is therefore very unfair for AI that does not care if the country survives as a united indivisible entity to come up every time to put doubts in the minds of the people about the military that has remained dedicated to keeping the country one.”

    Idris, who spoke at the Force Headquarters during a meeting with Squadron, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) Commanders, said: “You are all aware of the abduction of Dapchi school girls by this horrible Boko Haram  in Yobe States.  Though not the fault of the police, the incidence was a national embarrassment.

    “It is not the fault of the police because from what we had from the state Commissioner of Police, he said he was not informed or alerted before that attack took place but I think it is incumbent on us to take action.”

    PDP backs report 

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has backed claims by Amnesty International (AI) that Nigerian security agencies got advanced warnings on movements of Boko Haram insurgents leading to the Dapchi girls’ abduction.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the AI report has vindicated its earlier position that President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be held responsible for the abduction.

    Describing the incident as distressing and disappointing, the party added that the President and his party should be blamed for several other atrocities committed by the insurgents against the citizens, particularly in the North.

  • DHQ blasts Amnesty International over report on military

    DHQ blasts Amnesty International over report on military

    The Defence Headquarters is angry with Amnesty International (AI) for accusing the Nigerian military of human rights violations in its recently released 2017/2018 reports.

    The DHQ  thinks the indictment is a gross disservice to the nation’s high security command, especially so when AI “has made it a routine duty to continue to generate tension among Nigerians by releasing unconfirmed and unsubstantiated claims and figures relating to the military operations in the country to the public.”

    The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said the AI allegations have followed specific trends and possibly “ill conceived to frustrate the on-going US-Nigerian anti-terrorism cooperation.”

    He said AI’s action seems to “be geared towards weakening the efforts of the AFN at ensuring peace and security in the country,” and claimed that the organization’s allegations made against the AFN since 2011 to date “are largely unsubstantiated.”

    He said:”The figures released by the organization showed that 4,900 Boko Haram detainees were held in Giwa Barracks in an overcrowded facility where 340 detainees had already died of diseases and dehydration. They further stated that 164 civilians were killed by the Nigerian Air Force when an IDP camp was hit at Rann by a Nigerian Air Force fighter Jet and also that 12 IPOB members were kill in Umuahia by the AFN.

    “Unfortunately, AI has failed to acknowledge the on-going fair trial and conviction of culpable members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the release of those not found guilty.   The number of persons released and re-integrated with the larger community is over 500.Both the convicted and freed suspects were earlier arrested from different locations across the country and taken to Kainji, a place that is relatively safer with enough space to accommodate them while providing the detainees with three square meals daily.

    “The suspects were also given proper medical attention by military medical team attached to the detention facility.   It is notable that the arrested Boko Haram members from the ongoing OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE were being tried by the Federal High Court at Wawa Cantonment Kainji since Friday 16 February 2018 convicting 205 detainees to various jail terms while 526 suspects have been freed for want of evidence.

    “Other sins of the Nigerian Government as captured by the AI in its report include infringing the rights of lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender as well as intersex persons.   These AI championed rights have been strictly outlawed by Laws of the Federation of Nigeria subsuming the Nigerian constitution as well as the cultural practices of our people.

    “This position of AI, clearly show slack of respect for the constitution of Nigeria which these laws have become part.   Let it be known that the Nigerian Government and its people are not ready and would never be, even in future, to please AI or anyone with the introduction of such things.

    “However, if AI feels strongly against the position of the Nigerian people on this issue and wants to assist the ‘victims’, they could issue these class of people with green cards to enable them re-locate  to other places across the world that accept such practices as it may not be necessary for them to remain Nigerians.

    “Generally, the authenticity and sources of figures generated by AI are worrisome.  Regrettably, the military high commands were never contacted for clarification or guidance.  The Defence Headquarters on its own made concerted efforts to meet with the country management of AI to discuss related issues without success, as they had consistently failed to show up.

    “This reaction of AI connotes that the body in Nigeria could had been sponsored to frustrate conflict resolution efforts towards peace and positive development of the nation.   The deliberate falsehood peddled by AI could cast the nation and its security apparatus in bad light.”

    The DHQ accused AI of not seeing “anything wrong about the insurgents’ activities and known criminals until security agencies rise to the occasion of effectively containing their actions.”

     

  • Nnamdi Kanu not in military custody, says DHQ

    Nnamdi Kanu not in military custody, says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was not in its custody.

    According to a statement by its  Director of Information, Major General John Enenche, the DHQ insisted  that its operations in Aba has nothing to do with the alleged raid on the home of separatist group leader.

    “The operations of our men are recorded live, and we can justify that his home was not raided by the military, ” Enenche said.

    Speaking at a news conference in Abuja,  Enenche explained that the people that came out to attack the military were the Biafra Security Service and the Biafra National Guard, saying that it was not right for them to block the roads and be collecting tolls and intimidating law abiding citizens of the state who were going about their lawful businesses.

    On the proscription of IPOB by the Federal Government and South East governors, Enenche noted that the statement he issued two weeks ago did not say “proscription” but a “warning” to parents to warn their children, adding that due process was followed by the government before the group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by a competent court.

    He said: “It is not the responsibility of DHQ to declare Nnamdi Kanu wanted. Nnamdi Kanu is not in the custody of the military.

    “Nobody raided Kanu’s home. I was watching it live, was monitoring it and speaking with men on the ground.

    ” I later confirmed  that there was nothing to actually justify them legally to mount roadblocks. I saw the militancy, nobody told me and I saw the actions there. We are still investigating.

    “The military did not proscribe IPOB. Due process was followed to proscribe them. The job of the military was to diagnose security issues and warn the public of the consequences and that is part of our media operations.

    “We did our media operations very well, otherwise, that weekend would have been the longest weekend in this country and we are also very careful in choosing our words and we know the law very well.”

    On whether the military was not alarmed about the militarisation of the country coupled with reservations expressed by the United States of America on the on-going operations of the military across the country, General Enenche said the armed forces of Nigeria was not alarmed by what is being analysed by the US, adding that people see and understand situations in  different perspectives.  The military sees and understands things in  different perspectives too.

    “So, it is the military that would tell you the signs and symptoms of a security ailment because it’s only a doctor that can tell you that somebody has cancer or malaria.”

    Enenche reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

  • IPOB: Kanu not in Military custody – Army

    IPOB: Kanu not in Military custody – Army

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the various military operations going on across the country to deal with the various security challenges would be sustained, noting that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, is not in military custody.

    Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Enenche also said that the exercises were being carried out by the armed forces not only to tackle the challenges but to train personnel, adding that they were being done in line with best international practices.

    He declared the unalloyed loyalty of the military to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Responding to questions, Enenche urged the citizens not to be alarmed in the face of the presence of the military in almost all parts of the country.

    He explained that they were assisting civil authorities to tackle emerging security threats.

    The defence spokesman noted that the emerging threats were not unexpected as the nation passes through various stages of development.

    According to him, some of the advanced countries have also passed these stages where their armed forces are called in to assist civil authorities to tackle security challenges.

    On the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Enenche maintained he was not in custody of the military as being insinuated in some quarters.

    On the quit notice issued to the Igbo by Arewa youths to leave the Northern part of the country on or before October 1, he said that the issue had been addressed by the political leadership.

    He, however, said that measures had been put in place to address any eventuality and assured the citizens that they were safe to live wherever they chose in the country to carry out their legitimate businesses.

     

  • DHQ right on IPOB’s declaration – Sagay

    DHQ right on IPOB’s declaration – Sagay

    The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) on Monday backed the military’s declaration of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as a “terrorist organisation.”

    Sagay said he agreed with the Defence Headquarters description of IPOB as a terror group although he was not sure if the military authorities complied with legal requirements before making the pronouncement.

    The PACAC chairman told our correspondent that IPOB has exhibited characteristics that justified the “terrorist organisation” tag.

    He said: “Whilst I’m not sure of the legal parameters of that declaration, in practice I agree. If you look at it, we were very lucky that this thing did not get out of hand.

    “They (IPOB) were coming in their thousands, establishing road blocks, bringing out Northerners – for what, I don’t know – to kill some of them? If that is allowed, then the country is finished. Then they burnt down a police station and killed a policeman.

    “For Christ sake, even if you want Biafra, you don’t have to be violent. If you look at the words that Kanu uses on the social media, how he has described our President and the rest of us as living in a zoo – abusive, violent, intemperate words – kill, kill, kill, all those in my view constitute in totally acts of terrorism in which they can push undiscerning youths into rage and violence which can be destructive.

    “You saw Moslems seeking protection in Port Harcourt. If you start killing Northerners and the North reacts, then we’ve had it.

    “I just thank God that the North is showing some maturity and some sense of restraint while this is being curbed. But we really need to curb IPOB otherwise they will turn this country into a tinderbox.”

    Sagay said he would not stop expressing his views on issues of national importance despite the Senate asking President Buhari to call him to order.

    When reminded that the All Progressives Congress (APC) also once cautioned him about his criticisms of the National Assembly, he described the party’s leadership as “a failure.”

    He said: “As for the leadership of the APC, I think they are the most unprincipled group of people. They are lily-livered, weak, and cannot run any organisation. The whole party is collapsing under them. They cannot control anybody.

    “In fact, they are now encouraging and accepting ‘rogue elephants,’ pampering people who are destroying the party, saying ‘let’s not annoy them too much,’ but they are destroying the APC house.

    “So, I think the APC leadership is weak, is too compromising and is certainly a failure as far as I’m concerned.”

    Sagay said the war against corruption cannot be won without committed judges.

    He accused some judges of “deliberately” sabotaging the crusade by obstructing justice.

     

  • Beware of fake twitter handle, DHQ warns

    Beware of fake twitter handle, DHQ warns

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday called on members of the public to disregard a fake twitter handle, “@DefenseMonitor’’ currently trending.

    Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Director Defence Information (DDI), in a statement said that effort was underway to tract perpetrator of the fake twitter handle “mischievously’’ using Defence logo and already posting tweets.

    “The twitter handle is mischievously using the Defence logo and posting tweets as though they are emanating from the Defence Headquarters.

    “The tweets have started attracting reactions from unsuspecting members of the public.

    “The DHQ hereby call on patriotic citizens of our nation to disregard the twitter account and ignore the tweets, while the effort is underway to track the perpetrator of this heinous act.

    “The official twitter handle of the Defence Headquarters is @DefenceInfoNG which is a verified account.

    “People are advised to be conscious of increase in the number of fraudsters who will go at any length to misrepresent the military and its institutions, sometimes using such channel to swindle innocent members of the public.

    “Please be guided,’’ the DDI said.

  • Why NAF bombed displaced persons in Borno – DHQ

    Why NAF bombed displaced persons in Borno – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said on Friday that “lack of appropriate marking’’ caused the January 17 air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) that killed several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Rann, Borno State.

    Rann is the headquarters of Kala Balge local government area of Borno State.

    The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the Board of Inquiry set up to probe the air strike, listed other causes of the incident.

    He said the bombing was carried out because the location was not “reflected in the operational map as a humanitarian base.”

    Enenche said: “The main reason that caused the unfortunate airstrike near the IDPs camp at Rann was lack of appropriate marking of the area near the camp where the IDPs were struck.

    “Hitherto, people were not expected to amass at that location.

    “The normal pattern for Boko Haram terrorists before attacking innocent civilians and troops is to amass.

    “Hence, it appeared as a place that could equally be used for enemy activities.

    “Thus, when mass movement was noticed through aerial satellite observation, it was taken for Boko Haram terrorists’ activity, which needed to be neutralised with speed.

    “To avert future occurrence, all locations where humanitarian activities take place in the theatre of operation would be marked appropriately for ground and aerial identification in line with international best practices.’’

    “The board also recommended that geographical and spatial coordinates of all areas of humanitarian activities within the theatre should be forwarded to the Theatre Command Headquarters.

    “There should be timely and mandatory exchange of information between stakeholders, for all activities in the theatre of operation.”

    NAN

     

  • DHQ justifies extension of service for some officers

    DHQ justifies extension of service for some officers

    THE Defence Headquarters yesterday justified the extension of services for some military officers, insisting that there was nothing wrong with the development.

    Though the Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Major Gen. John Enenche, did not mention the names of the officers whose services were extended, he, however, asserted that the action was not illegal as portrayed in some section of the media.

    Maj-Gen. Enenche, in a statement in Abuja, outlined the statutory conditions that could warrant extension of service for officers.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to allow the military concentrate on the task of securing the country.

    His words: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a news item making rounds in the media, captioned: “How Service Chiefs illegally extend military careers of course mates”.

    “Thus, it has become necessary to clear this issue that was addressed, particularly to the Nigerian Army, Navy and Airforce.

    “It cited Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS), 2012, Paragraph 02: 10 (b) as justification for the assertion, which is a tabulation of the conditions relating to the length of service of a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    “However, it failed to give insight into other sections of the paragraph that borders specifically on extension of service for a commissioned officer.

    “In view of this kind of an unbalanced publication, the Defence Headquarters wishes to posit that; Paragraph 02:10 (d) of Armed Forces of Nigeria, Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service, officers, 2012 is clear on the considerations for extending the length of service for officers, which are summarised as follows:

    “A. An officer’s career can be extended based on the interest of the service, in this case, Army, Navy and Airforce.

    “B. In very exceptional cases, an officer’s career can be extended beyond one year for as long as necessary.

    “C. Extension of service for officers can only be approved by the Service Council/board comprising the Honourable Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chief, Service Director at Ministry of Defence and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.

    “D. Extension of service for officers can also be at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief. From the foregoing, I wish to state that there was no act of illegality perpetuated by the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or Chief of the Air Staff, regarding extending the length of service for officers.

    “Extant guidelines and policies are always followed as laid out in the aforementioned document when the need arises. It also worthy of note that quite a good number of the officers mentioned in the article are no longer in service.

    “Only very few are still in service in the interest of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which is in line with Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers, 2012, Paragraph 02.10 (d).

    “The public is hereby re-assured that the Service Chiefs under the strategic leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff are focused and will remain so, in tackling the security challenges of the nation and would not be distracted by any means.”