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Tag: Lafiya Dole

  • Troops neutralise over 13 terrorists

    Troops neutralise over 13 terrorists

    Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole neutralised over 13 terrorists on Saturday in various areas in Borno and Adamawa during clearance operations.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who confirmed this in a statement, said 12 were neutralised when the troops laid ambushed for them at Miyanti-Banki junction in Borno and one at Kafin Hausa in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa.

    Usman added that at Dukje-Mada road near Gulumba Gana village, the troops neutralized quite a number of the terrorists.

    “Unfortunately, two soldiers lost their lives when their vehicle stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried along the road, while four others sustained injuries.

    “The remains of the gallant soldiers, that paid the supreme price, and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri,” he said.

    He listed items recovered from them as 18 bicycles, 30 bags of flour, one bag of groundnut, two bags of salt, two baskets of kola nut and five torch light, a carton of mixed juice sachets and four rolls of brocade material.

    Others, according to him, are two packets of sweet, one carton of washing soap, five packets of cold patch, two packets of Maggi cubes, two pairs of bathroom slippers, two packets of yeasts and four packets of Vedan.

    He also listed two rolls of sewing thread, four kegs of herbicide, 14 packets of insecticide, one keg of groundnut oil, a bag of pepper and cN4,000 as items recovered from them.

    Usman added that the troops recovered nine primed cylinders from the terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Devices making factory and destroyed the factory, as well as one AK-47 rifle with registration number 02527 MTD and a magazine.

  • Army kills 404 insurgents in mop-up operations in Borno

    Army kills 404 insurgents in mop-up operations in Borno

    The Nigerian army on Thursday said it killed 404 Boko Haram insurgents and arrest 810 others in various operations in the past five months.

    Maj.-Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim, the Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Maiduguri.

    Ibrahim said the insurgents were killed during operations designed to clear remnant of the fleeing Boko Haram members.

    He said that the troops encountered the insurgents at various fronts including Marte, Mafa, Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza.

    “Some 860 settlements were cleared and 19,640 civilians were rescued from the insurgents.

    “Also, 810 insurgents, including a high-profile member of the insurgency, were arrested within the period under review.

    “The rescued civilians were screened and placed at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps,’’ Ibrahim said.

    According to him, during this operations, troops recovered various ammunitions and destroyed camps.

    The commander said that 97 attacks using Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were recorded, adding that some of the attacks were neutralised by the troops.

    According to him, about seven soldiers died while nine others were wounded during the operation.

    He explained that the command, in joint operations with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), had cleared 11 settlements on Lake Chad basin in Kangarwa and Marte as well as in parts of Cameroun and Chad.

    He listed Domo, Kelewa, Damara, Abaga, Karo, Kunaguma and Jugulu Kara as some of the liberated communities.

    Ibrahim also explained that the insurgents had resorted to IEDS attacks on civilians in view of the success recorded by the military in its campaign against them.

    The commander reiterated the commitments of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency while protecting lives and property in the country.

    He advised the people to be vigilant and support the military to enable it to discharge its duties effectively.

  • Army investigates 1,400 Boko Haram suspects in detention

    The Nigeria Army says no fewer than 1,400 suspected Boko Haram members arrested by the military are undergoing investigation at its  detention facility.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the outgoing Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said this during a handover at the army command headquarters in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru took over from Irabor who was posted to serve as the Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    Irabor said a sizable number of the terrorists were intercepted, some were arrested while some willingly surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that many of the terrorists have owned up that “they actually took part in the activities of Boko Haram.

    “They are still undergoing process of de-radicalisation as part of the efforts to fully reintegrate them into becoming meaningful citizens.

    “On how many we have taken to court, I can only tell you that we are collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to commence that process.

    Irabor said the army had recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram in the last one year and had continued to work tirelessly to conclude the operation.

    “In the past, a lot of operations were conducted and we had related some of them to you. We had strived in ensuring that peace returned to the North-East.

    “I urge the new theatre commander that it should be sustained.

    “Boko Haram has done no good to anyone. Your life, my life and that of average Nigerian’s, officers and soldiers must not be at stake.

    “So, we as responsible citizens have a role to play in bringing new ideas and innovations to deal with the new tactics of Boko Haram.”

    Responding, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru urged the Nigeria media to continue to give its support to the military to enable it to win the war against Boko Haram.

    Attahiru said it required a multifarious approach to win the war against insurgency; the command would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and the civil society to win the war.

    “The command would also open Human Right Desk at the Division where cases of erring officers and soldiers are reported and treated”, he said.

     

  • Army redeploys Gen. Irabor, Theatre Commander, 146 others

    Army redeploys Gen. Irabor, Theatre Commander, 146 others

    Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Attahiru replaces Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor in a redeployment of 146 other senior officers announced on Wednesday by the Nigerian army.

    The army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman explained in a statement announcing the deployment that it was in a bid to re-strategise the operation.

    Until the new appointment, Attahiru was the Director of Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    Usman said that Irabor had been redeployed to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as the Field Commander.

    Usman said that the 146 other personnel were posted to divisions, formations and training schools.

    He said that Maj.-Gen. R.O Yusuf, Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps was now the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Minna.

    Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, would move to Army Headquarters as Chief of Logistics (COLOG).

    He said Maj.-Gen. A.M. Dikko had been posted from the Office of the National Security Adviser to 1 Division as GOC.

    In the exercise, Maj.-Gen. P.J. Dauke moved from 3 Division to 81 Division as GOC, while Brig.-Gen. B.I. Ahanotu was now the Acting GOC, 3 Division.

    “The erstwhile Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig.-Gen. I.M. Yusuf will be the Acting GOC 7 Division and Brig.-Gen. S.O. Olabanji, the Commandant of Amphibious Training School Calabar, is now the Acting GOC 8 Task Force Division.

    “The GOC 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.B. Oyefolu, is now Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora.

    “Brig.-Gen. M.G. Ali, has been moved to Nigerian Army Special Forces School Buni Yadi, as Commandant, from NATRAC,’’ Usman said.

    He said that under the new arrangement, Brig.-Gen. I.M. Obot would head the 26 Task Force Brigade, as Brigade Commander.

    Brig.-Gen. A.O. Quadri would move from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff to 25 Task Force Brigade as Commander.

    “Also, those affected in the new posting include some Commanders and Staff Officers at the Defence, Army Headquarters and Brigades,’’ Usman said.

  • Military release 593 cleared Boko Haram detainees to Borno Govt.

    Military release 593 cleared Boko Haram detainees to Borno Govt.

    The Nigerian military have released 593 detainees after they had been cleared of any association with the Boko Haram terrorists.

    The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, handed over the detainees to officials of the Borno Government at a ceremony in Maiduguri on Monday.

    Irabor, represented by Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahman Kuluya, said the release was based on the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “The military have made several efforts at ensuring that peace returns to the North-East by conducting different operations.

    “Lots of efforts have been made to get us where we are today,” he said.

    Irabor said that some suspects were arrested in the course of the operations in the North-East.

    “The Chief of Army Staff has always made it clear at different fora that all persons arrested in the course of the anti- insurgency war in the North-East will not stay a minute more than necessary.

    “Persons either arrested by the military or arrested and brought to the military by another person will not be allowed to stay more than necessary,” he said.

    Irabor explained that the detainees were released after they were cleared by the Joint Investigation Team of the military.

    He said that they were handed over to the State Government for psychosocial support before final reintegration into the society.

    Receiving the detainees, Mrs Ladi Musa, the Welfare Officer at the Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Center, thanked the military for the gesture.

    Musa said the State Government had already provided enough facilities at the center for the rehabilitation of the detainees.

  • Troops arrest 3,332 Boko Haram suspects, 26 foreigners

    Troops arrest 3,332 Boko Haram suspects, 26 foreigners

    …Admits mistake on Rann attack, says 112 died

    A total of 3,332 suspected Boko terrorists have been arrested by troops of operation Lafiya Dole between January to February 1, 2017 during a mop up operation following the dislodgement of the insurgents from Sambisa forest.

    The army has also informed that the January 16 airstrike on Rann, Kala/Balge Local Government of Borno State was a mistake, which has been deeply regretted by the military.

    The Theater Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major General Lucky Irabor  during the weekly live Media briefing in Maiduguri on Thursday at  Theatre Command headquarters equally conformed that a total of 122 people lost their lives in the unfortunate airstrike Out of the over 300 suspects arrested, Major. General Irabor informed that 26 were foreigners comprising of 17 Chadians, while the remaining 9 are from the republic of Niger, adding that five terrorists surrendered to the troops.

    He disclosed that the troops during the operation made several recoveries from the insurgents including,  their  logistics, a silka gun vehicles,  arms,  weapons,  ammunition,  4 military trucks,  3 military vehicles,  food items,  N872,000 cash,  drugs,  clothes and others from the Boko Haram Terrorists and their hideouts.

    Major. Gen. Irabor, announced that a syndicates of nine different suspects of  Boko Haram suppliers and agents were also arrested while 8 trucks carrying food items,  grains and fertilizer for the Boko Haram Terrorists were intercepted and the syndicates are undergoing interrogation.

    He added that  7 rustler were also intercepted with 34 cows and are undergoing interrogation while 8 women were intercepted by the troops from Niger Republic going to Kano in Nigeria and are under investigation by the military, stressing that they would be handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Services for further necessary action.

    Speaking on the casualty on the side of the insurgents, The Theater Commander mentioned 26 Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in various operations.

    He regretted that five soldiers were killed, with another five wounded, just as  3 civilians, including  a Civilian JTF.

    He said troops on clearance mission at Gashigar axis discovered 4 graves of Boko Haram Terrorists with 36 grenades and 13rounds of ammunition concealed into the graves.

    The Theater Commander praised the efforts of Borno state and recommended the support and understanding of the COAS and President Muhammadu Buhari as well as other service Chiefs and security agents in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

    He equally thanked the donors agencies and development partners during the unfortunate Rann incidents.

    He condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack, while praying for the eternal rest of the dead.

    He also assured that the military is doing their best to checkmate the recent attacks on convoys along Maiduguri – Biu road and other areas within and outside the theatre.

  • No mutiny in Lafiya Dole

    The Nigerian Army yesterday strongly denied allegations of mutiny among soldiers of the 21 Brigade stationed in Bama, Borno State.

    According to the report, the soldiers turned against their officers over claims of unpaid salaries and allowances and under payment of allowances.

    The report further said soldiers were shooting sporadically into the air and threatened to kill any officer who dared them.

    But Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, told our correspondent that reports of a mutiny was false.

    “There were stories going round the media alleging mutiny by soldiers. That is not true. As a matter of fact, both the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Lucky Irabor and the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu were with the troops at the alleged location during which they jostled for group photographs.”

  • Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE stationed at Darul Jamel, on the fringes of Sambisa forest, northern parts of Borno State, on Tuesday repelled an attempted attack on their location by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The terrorists   made the attempt at the troops location at about 10.00pm, but were unfortunate as the troops killed several of them including two senior commanders that led the attack.

    According to Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Sani Usman, the troops recovered  1 Light Machine Gun (LMG) with Registration number 56M-1101229, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine,  Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb and 1 top cover of  an AK-47 Rifle. “Other items recovered include 395 Rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 15 rounds of 5.5mm  by .45 ammunition”.

    He said prior to the attack, the troops  of the same unit on routine patrol earlier, had cleared an ambush staged by elements of the suspected remnants of the terrorists desperate for food  near Banki Junction.

    “It is equally believed that the attack and ambush might not be unconnected to the fact that the terrorists were desperately targeting over 890 rescued herdsmen with their 5000 livestock being held captives by terrorists along Nigerian borders with Cameroon” he concluded.

  • Army inaugurates court martial, tries 20 soldiers

    Army inaugurates court martial, tries 20 soldiers

    The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army,  Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, on Wednesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
    The GCM would try four officers and 16 soldiers accused of different offences under the Operation Lafiya Dole. The offences were allegedly committed within the theatre of operation of operation Lafiya Dole.
    Brig. Gen Ezugwu said the GCM was set up following a directive from the Army Headquarters. (AHQ).
    The Acting GOC said the GCM was convened to try four officers and 16 other ranks of the Nigerian Army who have committed various offences.
    “As you are all aware, discipline is the bedrock of the military profession and to have a disciplined body of officers and men, there must be justice because it is when there is justice that discipline can be achieved.
    “Justice implies that infractions of the law must be promptly reported, investigated and the accused persons prosecuted within a reasonable time through the laid down rules, regulations and procedures,” Ezegwu said.
    He warned that both prosecution nd accused person and their counsels must shun all forms of antics such as request for frivolous adjournments which could lead to unnecessary delays in the trial processes.
    He called on the President and members of the GCM to dispense their duty in accordance with the appropriate extant laws and ensure that  decision on all the cases  is not in  beclouded with bias, external pressure or by extraneous factors.
    While assuring the accused of fair hearing and adherence to their fundamental human rights, he pleaded with the members of the GCM to ensure that the judgement passed on the accused persons will stand the test of appellate court, public opinion and above all, that of the Almighty CreatOr