The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin

  • FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    The Federal Government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phase to begin soon.

    The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Dayo Apata, who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, said the government was determined to bring all Boko Haram detainees to justice.

    He spoke at the closure of public sitting/hearing by the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.

    Apata, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, stated that the prosecution would be done speedily but fairly and efficiently.

    Although he did not say how many suspects were prosecuted in the first phase, Malami had earlier said the trials of 13 had been concluded.

    In a statement in September, the minister said over 1,600 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were then in detention facilities in the country, and that their trial would begin on Oct. 9.

    There have been calls from the public, especially members of the human rights community and civil society organisations, for the prosecution of the suspects in accordance with the law.

    But the solicitor-general emphasised at Wednesday’s event that government “cannot sacrifice human rights in a bid to achieve speed in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects’’.

    “We are, however, committed to reducing the time frame for which these detainees have to wait for their trial.

    “We are presently working on the modalities for a prosecution guideline for processing of Boko Haram detainee,’’ Apata said.

    He commended the Chairman and members of the panel for the successful conclusion of their public hearings.

    The solicitor-general said Nigerians and the international community were eagerly awaiting the panel’s report, which he hoped would end all allegations of human rights violations against military personnel.

    He said the government was also looking forward to far-reaching and practical recommendations from the panel that would ensure the military complied with international human right conventions and laws.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “volumes of memoranda and presentations were received from Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations and international humanitarian organisations.

    “Furthermore, the panel decided to conduct public sitting/hearing where people and groups who have allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance to rules of engagement against the Armed Forces were given opportunity to substantiate their cases.

    “In the interest and spirit of fair-hearing, members of the Armed Forces were also invited to give their own account of defence on each matter brought before the panel.

    “The panel deemed it necessary to take the public sitting to all the six geo-political zones of the country in order to avail Nigerians who may not be able to come to Abuja the chance to present their cases.

    “Also, the panel visited detention facilities, military formations, prisons, including the military commentary in Maiduguri during its tour, all in search of truth,’’ Georgewill said.

    He said with the conclusion of its public hearing, the panel would now go behind closed doors to consider all the submissions made to it.

    The chairman thanked Nigerians for their confidence in the panel, and the military for their cooperation.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Real Admiral Muazu Salami, thanked members of the panel for their commitment.

    Olonisakin said the “maximum cooperation’’ from the military was a demonstration of its deference to the panel and the importance of its task.

    “I wish you well as you enter the concluding phase of your job, and it is my hope that when your report is ready, the Defence Headquarters and its services will be adequately briefed.

    “This is to ensure that whatever recommendations you come out with are implemented,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated the panel on Aug. 11.

    Its mandate includes investigation of allegations of human rights violations against military personnel in local conflicts and insurgencies across the country.(NAN)

  • 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.

  • No plans to replace service chiefs – Presidency

    No plans to replace service chiefs – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday denied report in the media of plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as Service Chiefs.

    It said Olonisakin, who is due to retire from the Army next week, is yet to be replaced.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, reads: “It is necessary to respond to a fictive story published in today’s edition of New Telegraph Newspaper, to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the replacement of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as Service Chiefs.

    “The newspaper, rather than rush to print an unsubstantiated story, would have done better to confirm the information at its disposal, from many available military and government information channels.

    “It then would have avoided the self-inflicted wound of publishing a one-legged story that is not completely true, and damaging its brand in the process.

    “Gen. Olonisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service. He is yet to be replaced.

    “But the Chief of Naval Staff has a short while more, and President Buhari could, therefore, not have approved his replacement yet.”

    The statement noted that the administration has repeatedly pledged commitment to transparency and accountability, which resulted in the availability of information to the media.

    “But when some sections of the media would rather speculate, than cross-check and double check information, then it borders on deliberate mischief.

    “That, surely, is not the way to go, for national cohesion and development,” it added.

  • Retired Military Officers back Buhari to move Nigeria forward

    Retired Military Officers back Buhari to move Nigeria forward

    Retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have thrown their weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in order to move the country forward.

    They said the need to support the President with their experience and know-how became imperative because of the enormity of problem the country is currently passing through.

    Chairman Board of Trustees of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Offcers (RANAO), Maj-Gen. Zamani Lekwot, stated at a dinner organized for him by Regular Course 25 of the Nigerian Defence Academy led by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, himself a member of Course 25 of the institution.

    “Given the enormity of the problem our country is facing, we cannot afford to keep away our experience,” he said.

    Lekwot, a former Commandant of the NDA, commended members of the course 25 and enjoined them to join the association.

    He noted that the way the country was moving, experience of both retired military and their civilian counterparts were needed at this period of the nation’s history for the progress of Nigeria.

    Lekwot, who is also a former Military Administrator of Rivers State, exlained that, in a civilized clime, experience and know-how of retired military officers and their civilian counterparts were required for good governance.

    “So, let us join hands together to support the federal and state governments,” he said.

    He said the current security challenges in the country ocassioned by the activities of Boko Haram were a complex and asymmetric war which was new to the Nigerian military.

    Lekwot gave the President a pass mark in executing the war against terrorism and the renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta region where they had blown pipelines, causing destruction to oil facilities.

    The former governor said, “My advise cannot be different from what others had preferred in the past. What is being done since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in terms of tackling the security challenges in the country is the right step in the right direction.

    “So, what is required is patience and co-operation of all the people. Local people should volunteer useful information in order to bring the war to an end.”

  • Military rules out negotiations with militants

    The Nigerian military on Thursday ruled out negotiation with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), warning the militants to stop sabotaging the economy.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, stated this at the inauguration of the Nigerian Air Force’ (NAF) newly purchased 10 highly-militarised Honker Scorpion vehicles.

    The Nation reports that the vehicles were acquired to enhance the Base Defence Concept (BDC), following the 2013 attack on NAF’s base in Maiduguri.

    Olonisakin, who said the military was bent on asserting its authority and upholding the nation’s dignity, insisted that it will not tolerate any threat to the stability of the nation.

    According to the CDS, the defence architecture was very much in place, advising agitators including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to seek better ways of airing their grievances.

    “There are better ways to air their grievances than the way they go about it. The right way is to get necessary permit and protest. If they are violent, we will not take it lightly with them.

    “The vehicles being commissioned were procured specifically for the purpose of enhancing security of the air assets within the area of their deployment.

    “The equipments are certainly geared towards raising and maintaining the capability of the regiment troops as they contribute to our collective efforts to address the various security challenges confronting our nation.

    “I must commend the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, for this strategic initiative of providing troops with adequate equipment and for undertaking numerous other projects which culminate into actualising his vision for the NAF.

    “I will like to say that I am very impressed with the CAS’ achievements within the short period of assumption of office. The procurement of these Honker Airfield Defence vehicles is a testimony of the importance the NAF attaches to protection of its critical assets and force protection,” he said.

  • No retreat for the military in Sambisa forest – CDS

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, on Wednesday reaffirmed that the military would intensify its offensive in the Sambisa Forest until the area was completely rid of terrorists.

    Speaking at the inauguration of some projects at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, he said the “Operation Crack Down” recently launched into Sambisa was yielding positive results.

    ”The operation is progressing and part of the benefits was the rescue of the two Chibok girls.

    ”The operation is ongoing and we will continue until we rid that place of all terrorists,” he said.

    Olonisakin said Boko Haram had been decimated, adding that it had become increasingly difficult for the insurgents to carry out their nefarious acts.

    ”We will continue to step up our game with the multinational task force,” he said.

    He commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, on the projects which were initiated to improve the welfare of personnel.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects inaugurated by the CDS were the refurbished Intensive Care Unit at Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, as well as residential and administrative buildings.