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Tag: military officers

  • 2,000 military officers trained in Pakistan

    2,000 military officers trained in Pakistan

    More than 2000 military personnel have sharpened their skills in various Pakistani military institutions; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa, said yesterday.

    The training, according to the CDS, is part of a broader collaboration between the two countries on defense capabilities.

    “It aims to enhance Nigeria’s military operations against insurgency and terrorism,” CDS Musa said.

    He spoke while hosting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Gen. Shahir Shamsad, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

    Gen. Musa said that the Nigerian military would continue to build its capacity in collaboration with the Pakistani Armed Forces.

    According to a statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration between the two countries in the areas of training, particularly, Special Forces training, management of veteran affairs, border security and intelligence sharing among others.

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    “He added that these collaborative efforts have so far ensured the training of over two thousand officers in various Pakistani military institutions,” the statement said.

    The Pakistani Defence chief commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of insecurity.

    Emphasizing the strong bond between Pakistan and Nigeria, Gen. Mirza added that both countries share similarity in culture, religion and other diversity.

    He noted that both countries also share similar experience in fighting terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of insecurity.

    He said that Nigeria, as a “giant leader” in Africa, has a geo-strategic importance to Pakistan.

  • Army Chief: ballot box snatchers’ll be dealt with

    MILITARY officers with divided loyalty were yesterday ordered to resign.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said such officers should quit not later than tomorrow.

    Gen. Buratai spoke as the Army renewed its pledge to constituted authority, stressing that it will not disobey orders.

    Besides, it vowed to deal with “those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process”.

    He said incitement against constituted authority will not be tolerated.

    Gen. Buratai, at a meeting with General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and selected Commanders at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, cautioned politicians against making inciting statements.

    The COAS spoke against the backdrop of the remarks by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and National Chairman Uche Secondus at the PDP 84th National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The party leaders counselled the military not to obey President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that ballot box snatchers be severely dealt with as part of measures to sanitise the electoral process.

    Gen. Buratai said: “It is unfortunate to hear persons who are aspiring to rule this country again inciting the army to disobedience. We have consistently stated our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical.

    “However, direct and public incitement of the military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated. I request such persons to withdraw this inciting statement. Let me reemphasize loud and clear, that the Nigerian Army is a professional army.

    “The foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority. Loyalty must be hundred per cent.  I shall leave you in no doubt as to our resolve to bequeath a professionally responsive army to Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian State as presently constituted, such a person has up to February 22, 2019 to resign. There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the NA today.”

    Lt.-Gen. Buratai, who said the meeting was called to review matters arising as a result of the postponement of the general elections, noted that the shift has increased apprehension locally and internationally, especially on the safety of voters and electoral materials.

    The COAS said: “You are all welcome to this expanded weekly meeting which has in attendance, not only Principal Staff Officers and Directors, but also GOCs and selected field commanders.

    “You will all recall that just two weeks ago, we all met here for an Operations Conference that was held to strategise on the NA’s roles during the 2019 General Elections, which was earlier planned to commence from 16 Feb 19.

    “Unfortunately, the election did not hold as planned and has been postponed to hold on 23 Feb 19 and 9 Mar 19. This shift in date has necessitated a need to review some of the decisions taken at the last conference and also to reiterate some of the directives Passed to you in light of the postponement of the elections.

    “I wish to first remind all of you that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Hence, those who seek to undermine our democracy by interfering in our electoral process must be seen as enemies of Nigeria and dealt with appropriately.

    “Our role is aptly captured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and we must defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as act in aid of civil authority when called upon to do so.

    “Therefore, commanders must work with all stakeholders, interest groups and agencies to avert any act by any individual, groups or entities that seek to undermine our democratic process.

    “As expected, Nigerians have expressed general disappointment with the postponement of the elections. The postponement has also increased apprehension in the populace and the international community with regards to safety of voters and the electoral materials.

    “It is therefore vital that the NA, alongside other security agencies, rise up to the challenge of ensuring a peaceful outcome to this general election so as to give confidence to Nigerian citizens and to reassure the international community about our electoral process.

    “In light of this, I am pleased with the smooth activation of Op SAFE CONDUCT and the success of Op EGWU EKE III. In addition, the recent launching of the NA Situation Room for Elections Security Monitoring will also ensure we have real time feedback from the field.

    “As we engage in these operations, we must remember that the army remains apolitical to ensure that no negative aspersion is cast on the NA before, during or after the elections.”

    On what he expected of the Army on the rescheduled elections, Gen. Buratai said: “I want to remind all here present that the act of electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of elections materials and similar crimes are intended to mar an election and create deliberate avenues for post-election violence and mayhem.

    “Such actions can also become more damaging when they are widespread, leading to destruction of lives and properties. Incident of this nature in previous elections are often planned and orchestrated by politicians and the NA has hitherto been very cautious in its approach.

    “However, this time around, the NA will adopt a proactive posture that ensures that similar incident do not even arise. Accordingly, in addition to my earlier directives to you in the last Operations Conference, I wish to lay emphasis on the following actions that all commanders are to abide by.

    “Commanders must deal decisively with any electoral crime or action that would be inimical to National Security.

    “Commanders are to ensure that they and their personnel do not hobnob with politicians at any level. In this regard, there will be no military escort for any politician and all NA personnel are to stay clear of retired military officers, especially those who are now politicians, until after the elections.

    “Commanders are to conduct extensive patrols within their AORs (Area of Operations). They must ensure that all flash points within the area are dominated.

    “Commanders must in conjunction with the NPF enforce the restriction on movement within their AORs. All vehicles must be searched and suspicious persons or vehicles arrested/impounded and later hand over to the NPF.

    “Commanders must ensure they key into the NA Elections Security Monitoring Situation Room to send and receive near real-time information on events, as they occur in their AOR.

    “I have laid emphasis on these few points to remind everyone that these are delicate times and the NA must support Nigeria’s march towards enduring democracy. In the course of the conference, I will expect every one of you to comment on your preparations for the elections as it affects your various AORs.

    “Our role in support of democracy cannot be overemphasized; hence all hands must be on deck to ensure we have a successful outing for the next elections.”

  • EFCC seizes N200m from two military officers

    A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos yesterday authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize N200 million allegedly kept in several commercial banks by two military officers and their three firms.

    Justice Sule Hassan ordered that the sum be forfeited to the Federal Government, pending the conclusion of investigation as to their origins.

    The officers are: Adamu Bello Argungu and John Onimisi Ozigi, while their firms are: Falsal & Co Global Services Nigeria Ltd; Diamond Head Ventures & Development Company Ltd; and Sweetex Bureau De Change Ltd.

    The EFCC told the judge, through an ex parte application, that the defendants fraudulently withdrew the sum from the Defence Headquarters over-head expenses accounts.

    Its counsel, Mr. Nkereuwem Mark Anana, alleged that the sums were warehoused in five banks.

    The commission’s application was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by its operative, Mr. Clever Ibrahim, two exhibits and a written address.

    Ibrahim averred that Argungu and Ozigi of the Army and Air Force respectively, made several unauthorised withdrawals from the Defence Headquarters Overhead Expenses Account.

    The deponent alleged that the money was neither deposited in their salary accounts, nor accounts belonging to the Defence Headquarters, but in corporate accounts and other accounts belonging to their companies.

    He alleged further that although a post-no-debit order was placed on the accounts in compliance with Section 6(5) of the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act, 2011, it lapsed after 72 hours.

    Thus, the order of the interim forfeiture was sought to debar the respondents from tampering with the money.

     

  • EFCC siezes N200m from two military officers

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sieze N200 million allegedly kept in several commercial banks by two military officers and their three firms.

    Justice Sule Hassan ordered that the sum be forfeited to the Federal Government, pending the conclusion of investigation as to their origins.
    The officers are: Adamu Bello Argungu and John Onimisi Ozigi, while their firms are: Falsal & Co Global Services Nigeria Ltd; Diamond Head Ventures & Development Company Ltd; and Sweetex Bureau De Change Ltd.

    The EFCC told the judge, through an ex parte application, that the defendants fraudulently withdrew the sum from the Defence Headquarters over-head expenses accounts.

    Its counsel, Mr. Nkereuwem Mark Anana, alleged that the sums were warehoused in five banks.

    The commission’s application, marked FHC/L/CS/1094/18, was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by its operative, Mr Clever Ibrahim, two exhibits and a written address.

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    Ibrahim averred that Argungu and Ozigi are of the Nigerian Army and Air Force respectively, made several unauthorised withdrawals from the Defence Headquarters Overhead Expenses Account.

    The deponent alleged that the money was neither deposited in their salary accounts, nor accounts belonging to the Defence Headquarters, but in corporate accounts and other accounts belonging their companies.

    He alleged further that although a post-no-debit order was placed on the accounts in compliance with Section 6(5) of the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act, 2011, it lapsed after 72 hours.

    Thus, the order of the interim forfeiture was sought to debar the respondents from tampering with the money.

  • ‘How military officers, bankers stole N339m’

    ‘How military officers, bankers stole N339m’

    The Federal Government has made public details of how two military personnel – Wing Commander Ishaka Yakubu and Lt.-Commander Akinbamidele Odunsi – worked with two bankers to allegedly divert N339m from the Military Pension Board (MPB) in February 2016.

    The bankers’ are Mrs. Violet Ogoegbunam (the manager of a bank on Kuforodua Street, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja) and Mrs. Abidemi Aderemi Kolade (a relationship manager at the bank).

    They were said to have diverted N339,374,478.58 from the MPB, under the pretext that the money represented payments to some “supposed next of kins to dead military pensioners as death benefits”.

    Wing Commander Yakubu is said to be a cashier with the MPB. Lt.-Commander Odunsi is described as an Assistant Director, Computer, with the MPB.

    This information formed the substance of a four-count charge filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The charge, filed on May 31, 2017, was endorsed by Steve Odiase of the Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC in Abuja.

    The two bankers are named in counts 1 and 2, relating to conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence in respect of the alleged N339,374,478.58 fraud.

    Yakubu and Odunsi ar named in the four counts, and charged with obtaining by false pretence, and abuse of office in respect of N190m which they allegedly received from the N390m.

    According to the EFCC, the offences of obtaining money under false pretence were said to be contrary to section 1(i) (a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, while offences of conspiracy to obtain money under false pretence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

    It added that the offence of abuse of office by obtaining money by false pretences in Count 4, was said to be contrary to Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under the same section.

    The case is yet to be assigned for hearing.

  • ‘Prosecute military officers indicted in Shiite killings’

    ‘Prosecute military officers indicted in Shiite killings’

    A human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2J), has called for the prosecution of military officers indicted by the Justice Garba Panel of Enquiry over last year’s Shiite killings in Kaduna.

    The clashes began when military officials in a convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y. Buratai, opened fire on Islamic Movement in Nigeria (or Shiite) members who blocked the highway. The shooting led to hundreds deaths of Shiite members.

    Kaduna State government is reportedly prosecuting about 256 Shiite members for various offences, some of which carry the death penalty, arising from the clashes which took place last December.

    A Judicial Panel of Enquiry was said to have indicted a Major General and a Colonel for their role in the killings, having found that the “force deployed by the army against the Shi’ites was ‘disproportionate’”.

    A2J, in a statement by its Executive Director Joseph Otteh, said the indicted military officials should not be spared.

    “A failure to prosecute military officers implicated in Shiite Killings will be grave, atrocious injustice. Nigeria cannot adopt an ‘apartheid’ system of justice in a constitutional democracy,” the group said.

    The group said in a democracy, even the military should not be untouchable, therefore, all the military officers indicted by panel must be prosecuted.

    “A democratic, constitutional government means that the government is not at liberty to prefer one life above another, or to make judgments on the value of each person’s life based on ethnicity, faith, status or institutional affiliations, but must offer equal protection to Nigerian citizens.

    “It means that the government must provide equal protection of the law to all citizens and, therefore, hold accountable in equal measure, any persons who have caused or contributed to the loss of any life,” A2J added.