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Tag: Kenneth Minimah

  • Arms scam: Buhari orders Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others probe

    Arms scam: Buhari orders Ihejirika, Minimah, 52 others probe

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ordered the investigation of 54 individuals  over their alleged involvement in the arms procurement scandal.

    The President’s order followed Thursday’s release of the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces.

    A statement signed by the President of the Committee, AVM Jon Ode (rtd), said among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement.

    “All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review,” the statement said.

    Those listed for further investigation are two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (rtd), former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Me. E.O, Oyemomi.

    Also, the CEOs to be investigated are Col. Olu Bamgbose (rtd) of Bamverde Limited, Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Limited and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Limited.

    According to the Committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185, 843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49 respectively.

     

  • Army frees 182 Boko Haram suspects

    Army frees 182 Boko Haram suspects

    The army authorities on Monday released 182 people earlier arrested by security agents for allegedly having link with the Boko Haram sect.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, who handed over the suspects to Borno State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima, at a military base in Maiduguri, said the suspects have been cleared by military authorities of any link with the insurgents.

    “We have over 100 detainees who were suspected to have link with Boko Haram. They are 100 men, 24 women, 40 underage boys and 18 children.

    “They have been cleared, we have decided to hand them over to the Borno State government.

    “They have been thoroughly investigated and acquitted of any involvement in the activities of Boko Haram or connected with the group,” Minimah said.

    Shettima while receiving the freed suspects asked them to take advantage of their freedom and recover from their lives struggle.

    He said the state government will help them to start a normal life again.

     

  • Amnesty wants Minimah, Ihejirika, Badeh tried for war crimes

    Amnesty wants Minimah, Ihejirika, Badeh tried for war crimes

    A global rights advocacy group, Amnesty International (AI) has accused the Nigerian military and some identified senior military personnel of engaging in “horrific rights abuses” in the prosecution of the on-going anti- terror war in the Northeast.

    The group, in a report released on Wednesday, sought urgent government’s intervention and the conduct of independent investigation into the activities of the military as captured in the report.

    Amnesty in the report titled: “Stars on their shoulders. Blood on their hands: War crimes committed by the Nigerian military,” said since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention and more than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed since February 2012.

    It said the report is based on years of research and analysis of evidence – including leaked military reports and correspondence, as well as interviews with more than 400 victims, eyewitnesses and senior members of the Nigerian security forces

    The group listed a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the fight against Boko Haram in the northeast.

    The report contained details of alleged roles and possible criminal responsibilities of those along the chain of command – up to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff – and named nine senior Nigerian military figures who should be investigated for command and individual responsibility for the crimes committed.

    It stressed the need for an investigation into the individual and command responsibilities of soldiers, and mid-level and senior-level military commanders “for their potential involvement in crimes committed.

    Presenting the report in Abuja, two officials of Amnesty, Netsanet Belay and Anna Neistat gave the names of military personnel, whose roles the group urged the Federal Government to investigate, to include Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Chief of Army Staff, between September 2010 and January 2014) and   Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim  (Chief of Defence Staff, from October  2012 – January  2014).

    Others are – Air Chief Marshal Badeh (Chief of Defence Staff, from January 2014 – till date) and Gen. Ken Minimah (Chief of Army Staff, from January 2014 – till date.)

    The rights watchdog equally sought the investigation of Major -Gen. John A.H. Ewansiha (former General Officer Commanding, Operation Restore Order 1 and Operation Boyoyo), Major –Gen. Obida T. Ethnan (former Commander of 7 Division), Major- Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed (former Commander 7 Division), Brigadier -Gen. Austin O. Edokpayi (former Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force based in Baga) and Brigadier- Gen. Rufus O. Bamigboye (former Commander, 21 Armoured Brigade stationed in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri) for similar offences.

  • Grandiloquence in high places

    Grandiloquence in high places

    SPEAKING more like a soothsayer than a president, Dr Jonathan last week said the 2015 polls would shock the world for its freeness, fairness and peacefulness. How can he tell? The way he spoke mysteriously of shock, however, gave the impression he had something up his grandiloquent sleeve, much more than the mere aspiration and hard work required in bringing about a desired and perhaps unmerited political or electoral outcome. Then the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Kenneth Minimah, also spoke glowingly and floridly of his position as wartime army chief. It would have been more appropriate had he spoken of glowing successes recorded by his army against Boko Haram insurgents, particularly in Sambisa forest or in the rescue of the 219 abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

  • Soldiers who are shy of death

    It is becoming increasingly clearer why the country’s terror war remains practically theoretical, thanks to the recent remarks by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

    The place and timing of Minimah’s revealing comments were noteworthy. By a significant coincidence, the army boss underlined the military’s cluelessness, particularly in the campaign against the Islamist guerilla force Boko Haram.

    On July 23, the day that twin bombings allegedly masterminded by Boko Haram reportedly killed 82 people in Kaduna and nearly claimed the life of a former military head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Minimah made statements that expressed helplessness. He told soldiers at the 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos, during a familiarisation tour: “Boko Haram terrorists come to die not fight. It is a new warfare, which military personnel are not trained in. They carry explosives to blow up anyone around. They load Hilux with bombs and run into troops with them. It is not a conventional war. You do not see or know the enemy you are fighting.”

    It must be said that this definition of the battle as unconventional is unacceptably repetitive, especially coming from the army chief. Indeed, his argument raised fundamental questions about the nature and quality of military training in the country. It sounded incredible that in the modern world, with the familiarity of guerilla fighting, Minimah referred to the observable fact as “a new warfare, which military personnel are not trained in.”

    Even more unbelievable was his suggestion that the country’s soldiers are restrained by the possibility of dying in battle. It would appear that he was trying to redefine the generally acknowledged riskiness of war and downplay the reality that dying is always a possible occurrence in warfare. If, as he claimed, the terrorists “come to die not fight,” then it may be logical to reason that by rejecting the same mentality, their opponents could be fighting a losing battle.

    Furthermore, against this background, it is astonishing that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration continues to explore the so-called international support in fighting Boko Haram as part of the broader global war on terror. Considering Minimah’s hint that his soldiers would prefer warfare without the risk of death, it must be the height of wishful thinking to imagine that foreign soldiers would be willing to die for the country when local soldiers are busy making excuses.

    This brings up the controversial issue of the $1billion external loan for which the Jonathan administration is seeking the approval of the National Assembly. When the president presented his request to the federal lawmakers two weeks ago, he argued for an urgent endorsement, saying the money was needed to upgrade the equipment, training and logistics of the Armed Forces and security services in order to empower them better to achieve victory against the insurgents.

    The storm generated by this loan idea is unsurprising and understandable, particularly the criticism that a colossal total of N3trillion had been allocated to defence in the national budget in the last three years “with nothing to show for it.”  The question is: whether with N3trillion or $1billion, how can the military succeed in arresting terrorism with soldiers who are shy of death? Mind you, Hardball is certainly not a sadistic advocate of violent death; it is just about being frank and realistic.

     

     

     

  • We’ll chase away Boko Haram, says Army chief

    We’ll chase away Boko Haram, says Army chief

    •Warns personnel to stay off BRT lanes

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has said the military will soon chase away Boko Haram insurgents from the land.

    Minimah spoke yesterday in Lagos at the kick-off of his maiden familiarisation tour as the Army chief.

    He said the army had been paying the allowances of troops engaged in the Northeast operations against Boko Haram.

    Addressing troops at the 65 Battalion at Bonny Camp on Victoria Island, Lagos, Minimah said: “We are on top of the Northeast campaign. Forces of evil will be diminished when there is collaboration between the military and the society. Terrorism is not a day’s thing because terrorists have extremists’ characters that need to be purged out.

    “This requires a collective effort, and we must close ranks as a people to defeat the sect.

    “I am aware that military personnel in other parts of the world are given certain preferences, such as discounts, when they buy things at the mall or given seats first in public transportation.

    “We are working towards that. But we need to first chase those terrorists out of our nation. We, as soldiers, can walk on the streets and be appreciated by the Nigerian people.”

    The Army chief warned personnel to avoid illegality or risk being sacked.

    Minimah warned soldiers in Lagos to keep off the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lanes, adding that the lanes were created to ease traffic and encourage people to use public transportation.

    He said: “I am here to meet you, caution and appeal to you all so that we can chart a new course.

    “In Lagos, you have good people, bad people and criminals. Copy the good people. Do away with the bad ones and chase away criminals. Always remember that we have a good name to protect. Be of good conduct in and out of the uniform. Conduct yourselves very well, even during your leisure.

    “It is our duty to respect BRT lanes. Do not use the lanes, because they are meant to lessen traffic congestion and encourage public transportation. Try not to allow hoodlums to hijack anything that involves soldiers.

    “Do not be associated with questionable movements, friends or activities. Respect the rule of law and state laws. Obedience and good conduct are greatest attributes of a disciplined force, like the army.

    “Illegal duties, including land disputes or debt collections, are prohibited. Do not assist any of your friends to reclaim debt or anything illegal. When they call you for such things, use your brain and turn them down, instead of risking your job.

    “You must be loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constitution, the President, the society and your family.”

     

  • Army: we can’t afford to lose war against terrorism

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has said the army and other security agencies cannot afford to lose the war against insurgency and terrorism.

    Minimah spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the three-day Chief of Army Staff’s Third Quarter Conference.

    The Army Chief called for support and understanding of the public to accomplish the war.

    He acknowledged the expectations of Nigerians to see a speedy end to the war against terrorism, adding that the challenges the insurgents posed were enormous.

    Minimah said: “Our nation is today faced with enormous security challenges. The upsurge in terrorism has shifted the focus of the public to the Armed Forces, particularly the Army.

    “Our activities are increasingly coming under public scrutiny. While a lot of patriotic Nigerians have continued to support the Army, others have cast aspersions on our competence, integrity and ability to rise to the occasion. The Nigerian Army is performing and I also know the expectation of Nigerians; the expectation is rather in a haste. We need some time, we need patience.

    “We are fighting terrorism; we are not fighting a conventional war. The Nigerian Army is a conventional army. We are also fighting terrorism. The terrorist is someone you don’t know; maybe someone who sold food to you or fruits to you in the morning. But by afternoon, he is a terrorist.

    “We are having all that interplay in the battle fronts in the Northeast. We have to be cautious to separate the terrorists from law-abiding citizens. We also have the human rights to protect because you don’t just go out and start killing people and say they are terrorists. Some of them are also innocent Nigerians.

    “We are bound by all the international treaties of human rights. Therefore, we need time. I know the expectation of the Nigerian citizen is that this thing should have been over by yesterday.”

     

     

    “But the reality is that it couldn’t have been over by yesterday because of the structure and dynamics of fighting this type of terrorism. We are fighting Nigerian citizens; we are not fighting foreigners. So, caution must be exercised.

    “We will certainly surmount it, but we also need that support from the nation and from all the segments of societies of the nation, and from the people, including the media.

    “We have taken measures to enhance our capabilities through improved training, equipment repairs and attention to troops’ welfare and motivation. I believe that in the coming months, most of our efforts will begin to yield results and lead to remarkable changes in the field.”

    The Army Chief regretted what he called the rising acts of indiscipline and misconduct among troops.

    He cited the recent mutinous act by soldiers at the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State and the destruction of public buses in Lagos.

    The Army Chief noted that the burning of the BRT in Lagos was not carried out by soldiers.

    He maintained that the soldiers who went to the scene of the accident were only there to collect the body of the dead soldier.

    Minimah added: “What happened was that a soldier was killed by the BRT bus and some of his colleagues went there to collect his corpse. But vandals and hoodlums took over and perpetrated the destruction of public property.”

  • We can’t afford to lose war against terrorism – COAS

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Monday said the Nigerian Army and other security agencies cannot afford to lose the war against insurgency and terrorism.

    Minimah, who stated this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the three-day Chief of Army Staff’s Third Quarter Conference, pleaded for support and understanding of members of the public in the prosecution of the war.

    He acknowledged the expectations of the citizenry to see a speedy end to the war against terrorism, but stated that the challenges posed by the insurgent groups were enormous.

    Minimah said: “Our nation is today faced with enormous security challenges. The upsurge in incidents of terrorism has shifted the focus of the general public to the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Army.

    “Our activities are increasingly coming under public scrutiny. While a lot of patriotic Nigerians have continued to support the Nigerian Army, others have used the opportunity to cast aspersions on our competence, integrity, and ability to rise to the occasion.

    The Nigerian Army is performing and I also know the expectation of the Nigerian citizens; the expectation is rather in haste. We need some time, we need patience.

    “We are fighting terrorism, we are not fighting a conventional war. The Nigerian Army is a conventional army, we are also fighting terrorism. The terrorist is someone you don’t know; maybe someone who sold food to you or fruits to you in the morning, by afternoon, he is a terrorist.

    “We are having all that interplay in the battle fronts in the Northeast. We have to be cautious to separate the terrorists from the law abiding citizens. We also have the human rights to protect because you just don’t go out and start killing people and say they are terrorists. Some of them are also innocent Nigerians.

    “We are bound by all the international treaties of human rights. Therefore, we need time. I know the expectation of the Nigerian citizens is that this thing should have been over by yesterday.”

  • Why we have to be cautious in Chibok girls rescue, Chief of Army Staff

    Why we have to be cautious in Chibok girls rescue, Chief of Army Staff

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, said yesterday that maximum caution is required by the military in the effort to rescue the over 200 school girls abducted by Boko Haram.

    Anything short of that, according to him, may be counterproductive.

    Speaking at the passing out ceremony of officers of Direct Short Service Course 21 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji in Kaduna State, Lieutenant General Minimah, spoke   of the need for the army officers to be committed to the service of the nation.

    Lieutenant General Minimah reminded them of the enormous security challenges currently facing the nation and the roles they are expected to play in dismantling the challenges.

    He asked the newly commissioned officers to respect constituted authorities and democratic norms, saying new strategies have been developed for the containment of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    Their commissioning into the Nigerian Army is part of efforts by the military authorities to increase the number of its personnel tackling the security challenges currently confronting the nation.

     

  • War against terror will succeed – COAS

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, said on Thursday that the war against terrorism in Nigeria would be successful.

    Minimah said this at an event to mark the 2014 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja.

    The COAS, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, Director, Peace Keeping Operations, Army Headquarters, expressed optimism that the government’s counter-insurgency efforts would bring peace, stability and progress.

    He said: “I would like to emphasise the commitment of the Nigerian army to uphold and support the ideals of the United Nations, especially on issue of peace keeping and global stability.

    Minimah said Nigeria was the fifth largest contributor worldwide for peace support operations and that is not far fetched considering the fact that the country had challenges which made it able to provide some expertise in the field.

    “We believe and are committed to ensuring that the outcome of countering terrorism in Nigeria would be successful and would result in peace.

    “We have the support of our legislators. We also have the goodwill which the Nigerian Army has been enjoying from you, who pay the tax for us to be in uniforms today,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Minimah as saying at the forum.

    The army chief recalled that more than 120,000 personnel at different times between 1960 till date had served in Peace Support Operations (PSOs) globally.