The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mansur Dan-Ali

  • Malian Army seeks Nigeria’s support on insurgency

    Malian Army seeks Nigeria’s support on insurgency

    The Malian Army on Monday approached the Nigerian Army for support and cooperation for the training of its personnel, especially in the areas of armour and artillery.

    The Malian Army Chief of Staff, Col. Maj. Abdrahamane Baby, who paid a visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Abuja, said the call was necessary to enable his country to tackle insurgency and terrorism.Maj.

    He maintained that the visit was to seek the cooperation of Nigerian army in that regard, as both countries were facing insurgency and terrorism.

    He said: “The aim of this visit is to explore further cooperation between the Nigerian Army and Malian Army.

    “We are facing a transnational threat of terrorism and we believe we need to get closer to see what we can learn from each other.

    “That was why Malian army personnel were sent to Nigeria for training “so as to garner experiences in the areas of armour and artillery.”

    Colonel Major Baby said the armies of both countries needed to share experiences and knowledge “as we both fight terrorism.’’

    Buratai being honoured in Brazil with highest Military award

    Responding, The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai assured his counterpart that the Malian personnel would be given slots in armour and artillery training schools in Nigeria. Buratai assured his counterpart that the Malian personnel would be given slots in armour and artillery training schools in Nigeria.

    He also assured that the Nigerian Army would cooperate with Malian Army in all aspects as both countries tackle similar security challenges.

    Buratai added that terrorists in both countries adopted the same method of attacks, hitting soft targets and government installations, adding that Nigerian Army was ready to collaborate with Malian Army in checking attacks.

    “This is because the threats of insurgency and terrorism in Northern Mali is also a threat to Nigeria,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has inaugurated locally fabricated Infantry Patrol Vehicles (IPV) that would enhance troops operations across the country.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali who inaugurated the vehicles and also performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Army cantonment known as Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment at Giri, on Airport, Abuja.

    The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt. -Gen. Army of Staff, Lt. -Gen. Army of Staff, Lt. -Gen. Tukur Buratai explained that the vehicles were locally designed and fabricated by personnel of the Nigerian Army after extensive research.

    Buratai said that the platform would further serve as force motivation as efforts were being stepped up to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, noting that the vehicles had been already been deployed to the region.

    According to him, the vehicles are one of the platforms used for fire power demonstration during the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) earlier held at the Sambisa forest in Borno.

    He further explained that the vehicles could be used for long-range battles as they could be mounted with General Purpose Machine Gun – GPMG and other calibres of weapon.

    Buratai said: “The inauguration of the patrol vehicles is part of the overall strategy toward the establishment of a military industrial complex, which is expected to be a major employer of labour when it takes off.”

    Earlier, the minister said that the process of transforming the army, anchored on three pillars, capacity building, reorganisation and troops welfare which began two years ago, had not been easy.

    Dan-Ali said that the construction of the cantonment at Giri would provide a conducive working and living accommodation for officers and soldiers in the FCT.

  • Nigeria, Italy to finalise agreement on military, defence cooperation

    Nigeria, Italy to finalise agreement on military, defence cooperation

    Nigeria and Italy will soon finalise a draft technical agreement on military and defence cooperation and operations, the Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali has said.

    The minister said this when he met with that country’s Minister of Defence, Madam Roberta Pinnoti in Rome on Monday.

    A copy of the minister speech was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja by his spokesman, Col. Tukur Gusau.

    Dan-Ali said that the agreement was expected to facilitate exchange of data and experiences on technical matters affecting preparation and conduct of combined naval operations on counter-piracy awareness and oil platforms protection.

    The other things the agreement will facilitate, according to the minister, are the holding of combined counter-piracy exercises and other maritime security activities in international waters and territorial waters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Train Nigerian Navy personnel ashore and on-board of the Italian vessels.

    “Arrange working meetings and briefings ashore and on shore between experts to discuss the implementation of this agreement and results of training and cooperation activities.

    “Take measures to improve the readiness of the parties to conduct combined naval operations; engage some Italian companies in the area of repairs and remodeling of some Nigerian Army self-propelled artillery equipment,’’ he said.

    The minister also said the draft would consider cooperation in any other field of naval activities at practical level.

    “I can assure you very soon that the two countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen out the cooperation,’’ he added.

    Dan-Ali said that Nigeria and other countries along the gulf of Guinea suffer a lot of criminal activities, from drug and human trafficking, piracy, robbery and other criminal maritime activities.

    He said: “this practice no doubt is a threat to the existence of humanity and economic development of our nations.

    “I therefore solicit for your cooperation so that together we can stamp out crimes in our maritime environment.’’

    The minister also appealed to the Italian Government to help Nigeria by giving humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons in the North-East part of the country affected by the “inhumanity of the Boko Haram terrorists.’’

    He said that since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office two years ago, a lot has been achieved in the fight against insurgency and other violent crimes across the sub region.

    He noted that Nigeria and Italy had a long partnership economically and security wise, recalling that when the Italian Prime Minister visited Nigeria in 2016, both countries agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

  • Updated: Osinbajo, CDS, NSA meet on maritime security

    Updated: Osinbajo, CDS, NSA meet on maritime security

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met behind closed doors with some top security Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting was mainly to review a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime security in the country.

    The MoU will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for consideration and approval on Wednesday.

    Among those at the meeting included the Chief of Defense Staff, Gabriel Olonishaki and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno.

    Others were the Minister of Defense, Mansur Dan-Ali and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Dan-Ali said: “It’s a pending issue of FEC meeting that we wanted to resolve on maritime surveillance and it has been resolved.

    “Acting President has been meeting with the communities. We have been able to save many communities of oil pipeline bombings and oil theft.

    “It is a big achievement and I believe that the acting President has been doing well in that direction.”

  • Osinbajo, CDS, NSA, others meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, CDS, NSA, others meet in Aso Rock

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met behind closed doors with some top security Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Among those at the meeting included the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gabriel Olonishaki and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno.

    Others included the Minister of Defense, Mansur Dan-Ali and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    The meeting, which started around 3.05 p.m., was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

    Details later…

  • Minister inaugurates two command secondary schools in Zamfara

    Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Sunday, inaugurated two newly established command secondary schools in Gusau and Talata-Mafara local governments of Zamfara.

    The schools were built by the state government and handed over to the Ministry of Defence to establish command secondary schools in Gusau and Talata-Mafara towns.

    The Science Command Secondary School Talata-Mafara is for boys, while the Command Science Secondary School in Gusau is for girls.

    The inauguration of the schools was part of activities to mark the six-year anniversary of Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari in office as governor (2011 to date).

    Dan-Ali commended the state government for providing the structures quickly to enable the command secondary schools to run in the state.

    According to him, the history of command secondary schools in Nigeria started over 40 years ago but only four are located in the northern part of the country — two in Kaduna for the North-West and two in Benue for North-Central.

    The minister said that the command schools were established to improve the educational development of the state.

    He added that apart from the two command schools in the state, the ministry had also established Air Force Girls Secondary School in Kaura-Namoda, to be inaugurated soon.

    Responding, Yari commended the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence for establishing the school in the state.

    He said the state government welcomed the gesture without wasting time, considering its importance to education for the people of the state.

    He added that the schools would assist indigenes of the state with basic education of military and that would further assist the state to fill its gap in the Nigerian Army in future.

    Yari explained that the two schools were initially constructed by the National Universal Basic Education Commission in collaboration with the state government during the past administration.

    He noted that Government Girls Junior Secondary School Gusau was converted to Command Girls Science Secondary School, while the Almajiri School in Talata-Mafara was converted to Command Science Boys Secondary School.

    “We remodeled the schools with additional structures, including classrooms, student hotels, laboratories, staff quarters and furniture, among others.

    “The state government spent over N335 million to improve the standard of the schools as required by the Nigerian Military.’’

  • Boko Haram: We need injection of fresh ideas in military -Minister

    Boko Haram: We need injection of fresh ideas in military -Minister

    A fresh injection of new ideas and strategy is required in the military to fully win the war against terrorism and defeat other acts of criminalities in troubled areas of the country, Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Ali has said.

    The Minister, speaking at the maiden graduation of the Air War Course 1 of the Air War College, Makurdi said the threat of terrorism and insurgency demanded new skills in the development of a new containment measure.

    Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonishakin, the minister said the injection of new ideas and strategy was a priority for the three services -army, air force and navy- as it is the only way to effectively defeat terrorism in the country.

    He praised the Air Force (NAF) for the establishment of the Air War College and for successfully graduating its first set of students six months after the establishment.

    He said the NAF had played a critical role not only in defending the territorial integrity of the country but also playing crucial roles in maintaining internal security.

    Dan-Ali said: “The Air War College came on board at a challenging time of our national security when we are battling a myriad of internal security issues particularly terrorism by the Boko Haram set in the northeast. The threat posed by the insurgents has impacted negatively on human capital and resources of the nation.

    “As the air arm of the armed forces, the NAF has been playing a crucial role in the counter insurgency operations in the northeast where our officers, airmen and women have performed gallantly. We are proud that in less than two years, we have revitalized the armed forces for the full restoration of Nigeria’s territorial integrity that was once violated by Boko Haram insurgents.

    “To the officers of the Air War Course Class of 2016, your graduation today after rigorous training marks a new phase in your career in national service. This is coming at a time when injecting fresh ideas into the nation’s security system has become one of the top priorities of the services.

    “Moreover, the threat of terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges demand new skills in the development of effective containment measures. This is where your knowledge of  joint operations, in general and air power in particular will be required to further ensure that peace returns to the northeast and other troubled zones of the country. I have no doubt that the exposure you have at the Air War College has further prepared and equipped you for the task ahead, I am optimistic that your  contributions to your service and the armed forces of Nigeria will be impactful in no distant time.”

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the graduating students were equipped with the needed capacity and ability to handle diverse complex issues arising from all military operations.

    “What is important to us is that with this training, those that have benefited have been properly re-positioned now to understand all the complex issues involved in air operations. They have been equipped, they have been given all that is required in terms of understanding issues of logistics support for air operations, issues of integrating what you are doing with what the other services are doing, issues of coordination, all these are very fundamental issues which this course has captured. They are now better positioned to understand what is required of them if they are deployed to operate either as a single service setting or in a joint operation,” Abubakar said.

    The Air War College was inaugurated on November 18, 2016 with 30 students.  According to the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) James Baba, the course comprised of 22 Group Captains, five Wing Commanders of the NAF, one Lieutenant Colonel of the Nigerian Army and two Commanders from the Nigerian Navy.

    Three awards were given out for best performances including the Best Individual Research Paper won by Group Captain Simon Peter, the Chief of Air Staff Award won by Group Captain Michael Ekweme and the overall best student won by Group Captain Olayinka Oyesola.

    A new set of students will be admitted in June 2017.

  • Minister urges Sahel-Sahara states to unite against religious extremism

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali , has called on Ministers of  Defence of Sahel-Sahara states to work closely in dealing with the growing threat of terror and religious extremism in the region.

    Dan-Ali made the made the call at the 6th annual meeting of the ministers of defence of Sahel-Sahara states in Abidjan, a statement by Col. Aliyu Gusau, his Public Relations Officer, said.

    The minister, however, noted that good governance was key to addressing security challenges across Africa.

    Dan-Ali, who also called for provision of job opportunities for youths to enable them have better means of livelihood, said this would check exposure to cyber crime which often made them potential recruits   for terrorists.

    He gave an assurance that Nigeria was committed to the realisation of the objectives of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States CEN-SAD.

    Nigeria also endorsed the establishment of Regional Counter Terrorism Centre with headquarters in Egypt, saying it would   support the   initiative.

    The CEN-SAD ministers also unanimously agreed Nigeria should host its 7th meeting in 2018.

    CEN-SAD, which was established in February 1998 by six countries – Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Niger and Sudan, now has   27 members.

    One of its main goals is to achieve economic unity through the implementation of the free movement of people and goods in order to make the area occupied by member states a free trade area.

     

  • Never again will terrorists seize any part of Nigeria – Buhari

    Never again will terrorists seize any part of Nigeria – Buhari

    Never again will terrorists take over and occupy any part of Nigeria’s territory, President Muhammadu Buhari vowed in Sambisa Forest on Monday.

    The President made the vow when he declared the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC), opened.

    Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Buhari noted that holding the championship in the forest was an affirmation that government was “resolved to stamp out all activities and operations of the Boko Haram insurgents from our territory.”

    Buhari said: “This championship is a showcase of the clear effect and degradation of the Boko Haram terrorist group with the destruction of Camp Zairo in the heart of the famous Sambisa forest.

    “I can say categorically that never again will Boko Haram occupy any of our land.

    “I want use this opportunity to congratulate the Nigerian Army for this achievement and reiterate at this point by noting that it is a case of professional training that brought the Nigerian Army to this length.”

    Buhari restated that through the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative (PCNI), government would reconstruct facilities and structures destroyed by the terrorists so that the people of the region could enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the championship was held at the forest to consolidate on the gains achieved by troops in the North East so far.

    “This championship is therefore held here at the heart of the Sambisa forest as part of Nigerian Army’s plans to effectively dominate all hostile territories in the North East”, Buratai said.

    NASAC was held seven years ago at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna state.

    According to Buratai, the championship could not be held since then due to numerous operational engagements by the army.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has named the newly established Nigerian Army shooting range at the Sambisa forest after the late Lt.-Col. Abu Ali.

    Ali, who was the commander of an army formation at Mallam Fatori in Borno east, died in a battle on Nov. 4, 2016 when Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade and take the town.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the army routed the terrorists and took over Sambisa on Dec. 23, 2016 at about 1.35pm after it overran Camp Zairo, their last strong hold in the forest. (NAN)

  • Nigeria explains deployment of troops to The Gambia

    Nigeria explains deployment of troops to The Gambia

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has explained that Nigeria deployed military personnel to The Gambia as part of ECOWAS Standby Force to protect the people and maintain sub-regional peace and security.

    The minister gave the explanation in a statement signed on his behalf by Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Ahmed in Abuja on Thursday.

    “The ECOWAS unanimously decided in to deploy its Standby Force in the Gambia with the Nigerian military participation.

    “The aim is to implement the decision of ECOWAS leaders in upholding the result of the presidential election held in The Gambia on Dec. 1, 2016”, Dan-Ali said.

    He recalled that ECOWAS leaders led by President Muhammadu Buhari made spirited efforts to resolve the impasse amicably but all diplomatic efforts by the ECOWAS and other world leaders were rebuffed by outgoing President Yahya Jammeh.

    Accordingly, military deployed its assets as part of ECOWAS standby force to protect the people of the Gambia and maintain sub regional peace and security.

    “Additionally, it will also protect and sustain the democratic norms in the sub-region. This will also forestall the breakdown of law and order in the Gambia and the sub-region in general”, the minister said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the political impasse in The Gambia stemmed from the refusal of Yahaya Jammeh to step down after being defeated in the country’s presidential election on Dec. 1, 2016. (NAN)

  • Borno: Minister orders investigation into accidental bombing

    Borno: Minister orders investigation into accidental bombing

    The Minister of Defence has ordered a full-scale investigation into Tuesday`s accidental bombing of the civilian target by the military in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno.

    Dan-Ali gave the directive in Maiduguri on Wednesday while speaking at a condolence visit to the Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Muhammad Masta, in his residence.

     

    Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari with a victim at ICRC medical facility in Maiduguri.
    Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari with a victim at ICRC medical facility in Maiduguri.

    He said that the objective of the investigation was to prevent future recurrence of the problem.

     

    “As the Honourable Minister of Defence, I have directed the Defence Headquarters to conduct a detailed investigation with a view to making sure that such ugly situation would never happen again in future operations,” Dan-Ali said.

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    He said that the Military had been directed to offer all necessary emergency assistance to the victims of the unfortunate incident.

    “I have authorised the Armed Forces to offer all necessary emergency assistance to the victims of those involved through casualty evacuation and provision of immediate medical care,” he said.

    The minister said that the visit was to condole with the government and the people of the state over the incident.

    “We are here to condole with the government and people of the state over Tuesday`s unfortunate incident that led to the loss of lives and injury to others, as a result of rockets mistakenly dropped by the Nigerian Air Force on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Rann.

    “The incident is heart-troubling, highly regrettable and could have been avoided.

    ‘’However, this incident is an isolated case which happened rarely in a theatre of battle even among more advanced troops in the world.

    “I pray to almighty Allah to grant the souls of those who died a perfect peace and also give the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss.

    ‘’I also wish the injured a quick recovery,” Dan-Ali said.

    Responding, Masta thanked the delegation for the visit and prayed for the recovery of the injured people.

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