The Nation Newspaper

Tag: military

  • Militants: we’ll attack oil companies, their workers, military

    Militants: we’ll attack oil companies, their workers, military

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday threatened to begin bloody attacks against oil companies, their personnel and the military.

    The militant group, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, ‘Brig.Gen’ Mudoch Agbinibo, also taunted the wanted former ex-militant leader, Government Ekpumpolo aka Tompolo over the military siege on his community, Gbaramatu in Delta State.

    Murdock claimed that instead of going after the avengers, the military was looking for soft targets through its siege on Gbaramatu.

    He further claimed that the intelligence of the group revealed that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Okunbor Idahosa; Brigadier Commander, Benin, Maj. Farouk Yahaya; the Officer Commanding, Army Gunboat, JTF, Major M.B. Yahaya in collaboration with Ayiri Emami, were behind the siege on Gbaramatu.

    Murdock said: “It is not our business what goes on in Gbaramatu Kingdom but our concern is the innocent children, women and aged people whom the Nigerian military has chased away from their homes now taking refuge in the forest. We warned you beforehand that the Nigerian government can never be trusted.

    “The question is, why the innocent people of Gbaramatu, why the innocent pregnant women? Why make the innocent people of Gbaramatu suffer? This act of the Nigerian Army to us is the greatest act of cowardice. This fight we believe is against the Avengers and not the innocent villagers of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

    “Where is the International Community and the United Nations when all these unspeakable injustice is served the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom by the very unprofessional Nigerian Military? Are they not aware of the raping of young girls, looting and destruction of properties by the Nigeria military in Gbaranmatu kingdom?

    “As for you Tompolo, what do you have to say about the horrible treatment meted on your people by Nigerian Military?  We respect the love you have for your people the Niger Delta. Has the wealth you acquire made you soft that you don’t know what to do anymore?”

    Murdock said the military would not intimidate the group by harassing innocent people in the Niger Delta describing Gbaramatu as just one kingdom in Delta State.

    “The Niger Delta is made up of seven states, it is therefore very funny to lure us to halt our well-planned line of actions that will shock the whole world by harassing innocent villagers.

    “Is the Nigeria military now a hired gun for the rich? The Amnesty International should take note of these officers who authorized the harassing of the innocent people of Gbaranmatu.

    “To the international oil companies and indigenous oil companies, it’s going to be bloody this time around. Your facilities and personnel will bear the brunt of our fury, which shall fall upon you like a whirling wind.”

     

     

  • Military deploys fighter jets in hunt for Avengers

    Military deploys fighter jets in hunt for Avengers

    There was panic in the creeks of Bayelsa State following sudden presence of fighter jets and surveillance aircrafts which hovered in some coastal communities in search of hideouts of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    It was gathered that the military planes were sighted in some the communities in Southern Ijaw where most of the attacks on pipelines and killing of soldiers occurred recently.

    A resident from Ondewari, a community in the council, said the sight and sounds of the jets caused tension in the area.

    He said some residents were already getting ready to seek refuge in the mangrove following fears of possible bombardments when the jets disappeared.

    “We noticed the jets in the morning. They were military jets. We were afraid and most people were thinking of taking cover when suddenly they flew away. We are still afraid that they may come back. We can’t forget the Odi experience”, he said.

    But the umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) immediately condemned the presence of the fighter jets in the creeks.

    The IYC President, Mr. Udens Eradiri, after an emergency meeting of the council, in Yenagoa, said the jets were also sighted in some parts of the state capital and Gbaramatu in Delta State.

    He urged the military to apply caution in their operations and warned against the strategy of intimidating Niger Delta residents.

    Eradiri said the  crisis would not be resolved by deploying fighter jets adding that intelligence was a better strategy of dealing with the activities of the militants.

    He said the council was happy with the President when he said in his May 29 broadcast that he would engage the stakeholders in the region to resolve the crisis.

    He said: “Ijaw people are peaceful people. Ijaw people are not avengers. These jets flying around Yenagoa and Gbaramatu, the avengers are not in these places. We just hope that they were just passing. But if it is hovering around, it means that something is about to happen.

    “The military should use more of intelligence so that you don’t go around destroying communities. We call on the military to withdraw its tactic of intimidation in Ijaw land.

    “Jet fighters will not solve the problem. The economy is in a terrible  forecast and we must do everything to save it. We are at the receiving end of the activities of these militants. Why are we also being intimidated”.

    He said the Niger Delta region was not interested in pipeline surveillance insisting that only true federalism would solve the problem in the region.

  • Military holding me captive, says Delta monarch

    Military holding me captive, says Delta monarch

    •Boroh: military is community for security
    •‘Allegations against soldiers mere propaganda’

    The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue him and his kingdom from the military.

    The monarch, who expressed fear for the safety of his life, regretted what he called the misery in the communities under his domain, following military incursions.

    The Pere said he was under “house arrest” because he could not leave his palace.

    Several other prominent residents have made similar calls, alleging military intimidation of innocent people.

    But military sources at the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Benin, the Edo State capital, the formation leading the military operations in Gbaramatu communities, denied claims of intimidation.

    The sources said such claims were aimed at getting sympathy and demonising the Army to get security personnel out of the areas.

    The king spoke on Sunday when the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), visit his palace at Oporoza.

    Gbaraun, who expressed misgiving about persistent occupation of his kingdom and the sad experience of the 2009 bombing by the military, said he felt threatened by the presence of the military in Oporoza.

    According to him, nobody knows what will befall the kingdom as the military occupied the homes vacated by his people.

    King Gbaraun said: “They (soldiers) …beat up the people, looted our homes, descended on our people, humiliated my people and even injured an 80-year-old chief. Some women are even looking for their children.

    “I sit down here, seeing the military parade my people as if they were criminals. I am in deep pains. I cannot move out of this palace. In fact, I am under arrest. All my chiefs have run away from the community. I am here alone and I don’t know what will happen to me next. The soldiers are now the owners of this kingdom.

    “We are a peace-loving kingdom but I don’t know why the government is treating me this way. You don’t have to judge a kingdom from Abuja or Lagos. You have to come down, like you are here; come down and see for yourself. But they are judging us from Abuja and Lagos. Help us to rescue that old man and myself. I am in danger, as you can see. You met me here in the dark; I am in the dark.

    “Before this time, I had told them that we were prepared to work with the government. We have been working with government before now and I don’t know why they are treating us this way. I am in the dark. They switched off the generator that supplies electricity. There is no water; even since morning, I have not taken my bath. I am afraid. No member of my community is around. They have invaded my palace, claimed some houses. I want to say that I am in danger.”

    Other communities currently under military watch in the kingdom include Benikrukru, Kokodiagbene, Kurutie and Okerenkoko, all in Warri Southwest Local Government Area.

    The residents said their lives were no longer safe because they were subjected to hardship while a number of persons had not been accounted for since they ran into the bush.

    Such people, it was learnt, include students, the elderly and children.

    “Their continued visits are posing serious threats to the communities. We are living in bondage. Gbaramatu Kingdom is host to oil and gas facilities and not to members of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA),” the Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said yesterday.

    Boroh noted that the military was in Oproza to “cordon and search” for arms and other military-related items in the hands of hoodlums as well as keep the peace.

    The presidential aide also said the military would ensure stability without molesting the residents, adding that the recent pipeline bombings by NDA members was the major reason the soldiers were in the area.

    He described the activities of NDA members as “economic sabotage”, adding that they were affecting the economy.

    Boroh said: “It is important because the activities (of NDA) in this area are affecting the economy of the country. They are affecting our land. They are affecting all of us and the government is very concerned about these. We cherish peace and we believe peace is the most important thing we all will enjoy.

    “The presence of the military here is also for peace. We didn’t come to create scenes. They came to ensure stability. I want us to key into them. I am also of the military background. I understand that when an order of this nature is given, they will just be around as a deterrent force to ensure there is peace and stability. People should not be afraid of their presence.

    “So, I have come to discuss issues of peace with you so that there can be stability in the region.”

  • Anambra Mayhem: IPOB, Military, Police clash over Biafra       

    Anambra Mayhem: IPOB, Military, Police clash over Biafra       

    The celebration of Biafran Day in memory of Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu turned sour Monday in Anambra, as the military, police, members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashed, killing over 30 persons and injuring many.

    It was equally gathered Monday that over 50 members of the Biafran group were arrested by the military and taking to their 302 cantonment in Onitsha.

    Following the mayhem, the commercial city of Onitsha especially Nkpor axis, was locked down with the security operatives taking over the roads.

    Commercial activities were paralyzed as a result, with vehicular movements stopped with burn fires all over the roads.

    Speaking with reporters Monday on the development, the public relations officer (PRO) of (IPOB), Emma Powerful, alleged that security operatives had killed over 30 members of the group, over 50 others arrested and taken to an unknown destination.

    Also, he alleged that many others were seriously injured in the mayhem, adding that the security operatives started arresting their members since 1.30 am when they began their peaceful demonstration.

    According to him, “they were moving around in their hilux vehicle with a native doctor, when we are celebrating Biafra without any form of weapon, does it mean that we have no right for our fundamental rights,” Emma asked.

    When the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state Ali Okechukwu was contacted yesterday at about11.55am, he said there was no room to discuss causality figures, adding that they were still busy trying to clear the roads for easy movement.

    However, an eye witness who spoke with The Nation Monday and a (MASSOB) member said about 32 persons were killed by the navy and military personnel.

    The casualties according to him were taken to one of the hospitals at Nkpor but they were rejected, while those killed were driven to the army barracks.

    For MASSOB and Campaign for Democracy (CD), the action of the security personnel was unfortunate knowing fully well that the group was a harmless one celebrating the declaration of Biafra on May 30th, 1967 in memory of late Ojukwu.

    The leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, told reporters that federal government should look into the mayhem with a view to arresting the situation, adding that his group was not involved.

    However, he warned that if Ndigbo were pushed to the wall by security personnel that they would have no other option than to take to arms, which according to him would make Nigeria be in flames.

    Madu, further said that the federal government was negotiating with Boko-haram and Niger Delta militants while the security continued to fight the people without arms and they were keeping quite.

    He said he ordered his men to mark Ojukwu’s day by staying indoors and not march on the streets, adding that those in the streets were not (MASSOB) members rather (IPOB).

    Speaking with The Nation the (Ogirishi Ndigbo) spiritual leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, described the situation as unfortunate.

    He said when he was contacted by the group about the peaceful protest; he advised them to use his Rojenny stadium instead of the streets, adding that they told him that they had secured a place at Nkpor already to mark the Biafran day.

    However, he condemned the alleged killing of Ndigbo, adding that nobody had the right to kill people if it actually happened, but emphatically, said he was not aware of the killings.

    Furthermore, he said if there should be a form of protest, that the people should get permit from the security men, adding that he had earlier advised to maintain peace in such situation.

    The Nation gathered from one of the eye witnesses at Nkpor that the anger of the military was that one of its men was killed during the shootout.

    The national publicity secretary of campaign for democracy (CD) Dede-Uzor-Dede, told reporters Monday that the federal government should arrest those involved in the killings of the harmless youths with a view to bringing them to justice.

    This, according to him was in line with chapter 4; section 33 to 41 which centered on fundamental human rights and in line with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “There are freedom of association, movement among others, people’s rights of protest peacefully should be allowed, the sanctity of people’s rights is sacrosanct and total in its ramifications,” he said.

    CD therefore warned that the era of killing Ndigbo youth must stop by the security operatives.

  • Reposition military hospitals, says General

    Former Corps Commander Medical (CCM) Major General Samuel Ameh (rtd) has called for the repositioning of military hospitals to deter Nigerians from seeking treatment overseas.

    Ameh, who spoke at the pulling out of 21 senior officers at the Nigerian Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, said Nigeria could become a medical tourism destination for other African countries.

    He said the right infrastructure and manpower should first be provided to raise more revenue for the country.

    He said: “Quality healthcare is hinged on a tripod- appropriate infrastructure, right equipment, well trained and retrained personnel. The present NAMC (Nigerian Army Medical Corps) is grossly deficient in all of these. It is worthy of note that some former Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS) made genuine attempts at addressing these problems, unfortunately these attempts were not sustained.’’

    Ameh, who was also pulled out after meritorious service, lauded plans by the Nigerian Army to hire some health personnel into the corps as well as employ consultants as Majors.

    “The solution to the problems should be holistic and sustainable so that the corps will be in a better position to provide timely and comprehensive medical support for the enhancement of the combat efficiency of the NA,” said Ameh.

    The Corps Commander Major – General. Abimbola Amusu said the event was held to celebrate Generals who have retired from the NAMC in the last three years.

    “This ceremony is part of the customs of the Nigerian Army and a sign of respect and farewell from service for Generals that retire honourably. It is, therefore, the wish of every officer that attains this rank. It serves to appreciate the officer for his or her meritorious service, while being motivation for those still in service.

  • ‘Govt agencies, military owe DISCOs N93b’

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has said that the distribution companies (DISCOs) are owed at least N93billion by government and security agencies.

    Its Executive Director, Sunday Oduntan, a lawyer, said the sum is made up of N39.1billion owed before privatisation and N39.5billion after.

    According to him, there is an outstanding interest of N15billion arising from unpaid energy bills by DISCOs due to non-settlement of utility bills.

    Saying the proposed mass disconnection was justified, Oduntan said the DISCOs, for months, have been groaning under severe liquidity constraints.

    He said Abuja DISCO is owed N18.6 billion; Eko, N8.6 billion; Kaduna, N8.2 billion; Enugu, N7.2 billion; Ibadan, N6.8 billion; Ikeja, N5.9 billion; Port Harcourt, N6.8 billion; Benin, N5.8 billion; Jos, N6.5 billion; Yola, N2.4 billion and Kano, N1.2 billion.

    “Cash strapped and further squeezed of working capital by the resistance that greeted the new power tariff structure, the distribution companies’ predicament has been made more precarious by the refusal of these historic debtors, particularly the MDAs, to pay for power consumed,” Oduntan said.

    He said ANED was working with the office of the Vice President to resolve the issue.

    He said VP’s office came up with a new template in which all DISCOs would state what each agency, department, the Army, Air force, Navy, among others, owe.

    He said as at last Friday, all DISCOs had submitted their claims using the template.

    Oduntan said although his association believes in the government’s ability to resolve the issue, the DISCOs “are very serious about their threat to embark on mass disconnection of historic debtors in the days ahead if they refuse to honour their commitment.”

  • Defence chief pledges improved capacity for military

    Defence chief pledges improved capacity for military

    Chief of Defence Staff  Abayomi Olanisakin  pledged yesterday an improved capacity for the military in tackling  crimes in the Niger Delta.

    Speaking in Yenagoa during an operational visit to the headquarters of the Joint Military Force in Niger Delta christened Operation Pulo Shield, he said security chiefs have already identified 10 main threats to the country in the region.

    These include illegal oil bunkering to oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and cultism.

    Olanisakin who was accompanied by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, and the Commander of Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola said his visit followed the directive of President Muhammad Buhari to deal with identified security threats in the Niger Delta.

    The defence chief said that the visit was to access the challenges of the troops with a view to addressing them and ensuring operational effectiveness in dealing with the threats.

    He said that having personally assessed the problems faced by the troops in the area “we shall go back and address some of these challenges so that they can do their jobs better than they had done in the past.’’

    He added: “We are ensuring that these issues are properly addressed and we have zero tolerance to militancy and other oil and gas criminalities in the region. That is what we have been trying to do and we will achieve it.”

  • Military warns `militants’ against attacks on oil facilities

    Military warns `militants’ against attacks on oil facilities

    The joint military force deployed to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta on Friday reiterated its resolve to crackdown on vandals and economic saboteurs.

    A statement from its spokesman, Col. Isa Ado, said that the military was poised to deal with a reported threat by vandals to resume attacks on oil facilities.

    The statement assured that the force, christened Operation Pulo Shield, would ensure the arrest of perpetrators of such vandalism and their accomplices for prosecution.

    “Anybody or group masquerading as militants are criminals and will be resisted and crushed in line with the mandate of the joint force in the Niger Delta.

    “The Federal Government granted amnesty to repentant agitators and the grant automatically ends militancy and agitation in the region. Any group or persons by whatever guise will be treated like common criminals.

    “The force had carried out aggressive patrols and surveillances within the waterways and the creeks which led to the arrest of suspects, arms and ammunition, illegal oil bunkering vessels and barges.

    “Those arrested are at various stages of prosecution in courts of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.

    It warned vandals that threatened to attack facilities to have a re-think and desist from crossing the path of Operation Pulo Shield or be ready to face the consequences of their action.

    “The command is calling on community leaders to advise their subjects, especially youths on the dangers of engaging in any act capable of undermining the security and economy of the country.

    “Youths should engage themselves meaningfully to help themselves and the society and avoid any act capable of ruining their future.

    “The joint force assures the Niger Delta residents of its determination to wipe out all acts of illegalities in the region and urged them to volunteer useful information to aid the joint force in its operations. (NAN)

  • Residents hail military for reopening road

    Residents of Buni Yadi and Buratai have hailed the military for reopening the 135-kilometre Biu-Damaturu Road.

    They spoke yesterday in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The residents said the reopening of the 132-kilometre road, three years after it was closed, following insurgency, would revive socio-economic activities.

    One of them, Alhaji Abdullahi Yaro, who fled the area at the peak of the insurgency, expressed joy.

    He said residents of Buni Yadi, Buni Gari and neighbouring communities in Gujba Local Government of Yobe State would return. “We are happy with this development. We can now return to our areas.

    “I travelled to Buni Yadi with my family, relations and friends to witness this historic event.

    “Some of us will stay back and clean our homes so that we can bring back our wives and children,” Yaro told NAN.

    Mallam Ado Salisu praised  the military in displacing Boko Haram insurgents and restoring peace.

    He said he would revive his transport business and bring back his family to Buni Yadi after two years of living in an Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Damaturu.

    At Buratai town in Biu Council, Alhaji Abubakar, an auto mechanic and Hajiya Fatima Mohammed, a food vendor, expressed delight at the reopening of the road.

    Abubakar told NAN that it would revive his auto mechanic business.

    He said for the first time in three years, customers patronised his workshop on the Biu axis.

  • Military arrests three Boko Haram commanders in Borno

    Military arrests three Boko Haram commanders in Borno

    Military authorities in Borno State have said that the ongoing clearance operation of Boko Haram hide of the military has continue to yield positive results with the killing of 22 Boko Haram terrorists and the arrest of three commanders of the sect in the state.

    In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relation Col. Sani Usman and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri disclosed that the operation was carried out by troops of 152 and 155 Task Force Battalion of Nigerian Army and Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) in a coordinated joint clearance military operations along the Nigeria-Cameroonian borders areas of Borno state.

    The statement noted that the clearance operations covered 10 suspected Boko Harm terrorists’ hideouts along the Cameroonian border areas in the North-East.

    Part of the statement reads: “The unprecedented clearance operation swept through over 10 Boko Haram suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ hideouts along the borders in which they killed 22, terrorists, arrested three Ameers (commanders) and rescued many abducted persons from the liberated communities in Borno state.

    “Some of the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the Nigerian Army, were also killed in the five-hour military operations,” said Usman in the statement.

    The statement also added that six towns and villages of Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa, including adjourning settlements earlier occupied by the fleeing terrorists were cleared during the operation.

    The statement gave the identities of the arrested commanders as;  Lawal Abba, Mallam Hisna, and Mallam Gana in Shatte, Bulla Jaja and Bula Burra towns of Borno state.”

    Speaking on the rescued captives, Col. Usman said the 1, 275 rescued Borno hostages, were held captives of Boko Haram terror group in the cleared communities in the border areas of Cameroon.

    Usman further explained: “The rescued persons are being administered and screened by 152 Task Force Battalion pending onward movement to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp. It is gratifying to note that the operation was a huge success as there was no casualty or injury on part of the Nigerian and Cameroonian troops,” he said.