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Tag: Nigeria Army

  • Tiv leader faults Army’s reactions to Amnesty Int’l report

    The President – General of Mzough – U- Tiv (MUT), a Tiv  social- cultural organisation Engr. Edward Ujege has thrown his weight behind the Amnesty International report over killings in Nigeria .

    Amnesty International, in its current report on the country, claimed the herders –farmers’ clashes have recorded 3,641 deaths.

    But the Army accused the rights group of planning to destabilise Nigeria.

    In an interview with our correspondent in his Makurdi residence, Ujege, who spoke on behalf of Benue tribal leaders, stated that in Benue state alone 2000 deaths were recorded during the herders/ farmers clashes.

    “We have the statistics and names of those killed, the Army has no statistics so they should not argue over the Amnesty International figures,” Ujege stated.

    He urged the Army to establish a statistics department to properly counter what the Amnesty International put before the public, accusing the military of arguing blindly.

    “The Amnesty International releases  figures but instead of reacting to the main issues the Army are rather talking of destabilising the country, which is out of place. Let them bring their record and if no one is killed during the clashes led them said it, “the Tiv leader said.

    On the Army report that over 234,000 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) have returned to their homes in Benue state, Ujege said more victims of herdsmen attacks were still in various IDPs camps .

    “We commend Operation whirl stroke (OPWS) for its mission in Benue but ask for more.

    “No farmer is supposed to be in IDPs camp in Benue. So I urge the Army to do more as the people in Internally Displaced Person camps( IDPs) spread across Benue are more than those who have returned home.”

    He said Benue felt neglected by the Federal Government because throughout the massive attacks and killings of harmless farmers, no security officials attempted to stop the destruction of lives and property.

  • Army redeploys Senior Officers again

     

    The Nigerian Army has again effected changes in its command structures by posting and appointments of Senior Officers into various positions.

    Its spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, noted the development was in line with the vision of the present leadership to add fresh impetus to the operations of the army.

    The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Army has on Thursday 13th December 2018 released another batch of posting and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by the exercise include Major General AA Nani who is to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans (AHQ DAPP) and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General MM Mshelia, from Warrant Officers Academy (WOA), Jaji, to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) and appointed Commander, Major General G Oyefesobi, from NATRAC to Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and appointed Director Administration, while Major General AB Omozoje will move from DIA to AHQ DAPP and appointed Deputy Chief of Policy Plans (Army) and Director Staff Duties.

    “Similarly, Major General I Attahiru is to remain in Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and appointed Chief of Defence Logistics, Major General KO Ogundele, will move from Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), to Defence Space Administration and appointed Director Policy, Plans and Research, Major General EJ Enenche from Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to DHQ and appointed Director Technical Support Services, Major General AS Maikobi from Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to 82 Division and appointed General Officer Commanding.

    “Major General SA Yaro has also been posted from AHQ Department of Training and Operations (AHQ DATOPS) to TRADOC and appointed Chief of Training, while Major General GA Umelo is to remain in AHQ and appointed Director Peacekeeping Operations at AHQ DATOPs.

    “Others include Major General C Ofoche who is to remain in AWCN and appointed Commandant, General JJ Ogunlade, from AHQ DAPP to DHQ and appointed Director Innovation and Concept Development, Major General JO Oni from Armed Forces Simulation Centre to AHQ DOAA and appointed Director Personnel Services and Major General ON Ugo from HQ NAE to AHQ DOAL and appointed Director Engineering Services. Major General M Bashir is to remain in Post Housing Development Limited and appointed MD/CEO, while Major General SE Oduonwa moves from DHQ to AHQ DAPP and appointed Director Policy.

    “Major General OW Ali has also been moved from AWCN to DHQ and appointed Director Communications, Major General CG Musa is to remain in AHQ Department of Projects and Programmes (AHQ DPP) and appointed Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, while Major General JO Irefin is to remain in DHQ Garrison and appointed Commander.

    “The posting also affected some Commandants of Nigerian Army training institutions which include Major General OI Uzamere, who is to remain in NACOL as Commandant Major General DH Alli-Keffi, Commandant NASI, Major General MH Magaji, Commandant NAAS, Major AO Uthman, Commandant NASS, Major General BN Salami, NASST Benin, General AS Ibikunle, Commandant NAOS and Major General EH Ehiorobo, Commandant NASEME.

    “Similarly, Major General S Mohammed is to remain in Depot NA and appointed Commandant, while Major General MO Enendu is to remain as Deputy Commandant, NAFRC, Major General VO Offiong is to remain as Corps Commander NACST.”

     

  • Missing General: Army clarifies rumour on military operations

    The headquarters of the 3rd Division of Nigeria Army has condemned rumor being circulated in social media that the body of the missing General Idris Alkali has been found in old mining pond where his car was found.

    The army has however debunked the rumor as untrue.

    In a statement issued in Jos yesterday, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, said, “The attention of Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the rounds on the various social media platforms in respect of the missing immediate past Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Idris M Alkali (retired).  In the social media, it was reported that eleven (11) cars and two (2) corpses had been recovered.

    “This is false and misleading”

    He said: “This headquarters wish to appreciate members of the public for the interest they have shown in finding the above named missing retired senior officer.  I wish to state unequivocally that since the commencement of the search and rescue operation as directed by Army Headquarters,  the following have been discovered in the abandoned mining pit filled with water:

    “On 29 September 2018, a black Toyota Corolla car with the registration number KWARA MUN 670 AA, a customized white T-Shirt with Nigerian Army logo and the general’s name inscribed on it as well as a pair of canvass shoe belonging to the retired missing senior officer.

    “On 2 October 2018, a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number PLATEAU RYM 307 XA which was reported missing with the driver on 24 June 2018 and a red Rover car with registration number BAUCHI AG 645 TRR which was also allegedly reported to have been buried along with the occupants on 31 January 2013.

    “The general public is hereby enjoined to disregard news being circulated on the social media to misinform the public about the ongoing search and rescue operations as it was the handiwork of the fifth columnists.

    Col Ogunsanya who also used the opportunity to confirm the ongoing military operations in Jos said, “However, a cordon and search operation is ongoing in the general area of Dura – Du District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The aim of the operation is to find the missing retired  senior officer either dead or alive. This will enable his family to re-unite with him if found alive or for the family and Nigerian Army to give him a befitting military burial if he is dead.  Meanwhile, some people have been arrested for further interrogation.

    “Headquarters 3 Division is hereby urging the entire  good and peace loving people of Plateau State and most importantly the people of  Dura – Du District to come forward and give credible information about the whereabouts of the missing retired senior officer.  This headquarters can be reached on GSM number 09074028881. Handsome reward awaits a credible informant and the source of information shall be protected”

  • We are concerned about missing General, says Army

    The Nigeria Army on Wednesday described as untrue and baseless insinuations that it failed to show concern on the missing Major Gen. I M Alkali, asserting that it launched investigations into the matter immediately the family of the senior officer informed the authority about it.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that the army constituted an investigative panel on the issue.

    Read Also:DMI, police search for missing Army General

    The statement reads: “The attention of Headquarters Nigerian Army has been drawn to several attempts by certain disgruntled individuals but specifically one Dr Idris Ahmed of CUPS who resides in Coventry UK. He has been persistent on his Facebook page with posts insinuating that the NA is unconcerned about the missing Maj Gen IM Alkali and that the NA is complicit in his disappearance.

    “Consequently, the NA wishes to state as follows: That Maj Gen IM Alkali (N/8353) retired from service after 35 years, one month and 3 days of meritorious service to his fatherland. His terminal leave commenced  on 13 Jun 18

    “That Maj Gen IM Alkali is entitled to keep his NA driver and orderly which he still had at the time of his disappearance.

    “That as a retired senior military officer, Maj Gen IM Alkali has the freedom to travel anywhere without asking for permission from the NA.  He is also at liberty to travel with or without his driver and/or his orderly.

    “That the wife of the senior officer, Mrs. Salamatu Alkali drew the attention of the NA authorities to a suspected case of the missing senior officer on 5 Sep 18.
    According to the wife, the retired senior NA officer left his home in Abuja for Bauchi on 3 Sep 18.

    “That the senior officer traveled without his driver and orderly but drove himself in a black Toyota Corolla.

    “That the wife informed the AHQ that she last spoke with him on his GSM number 09056890335 at about 1400hrs where he told her he was on ROAD Jos to Bauchi.

    “That on receipt of the report from his wife, the NA attached an intelligence officer to the family to act as a liaison officer.  The officer was also to obtain as much details from the family to aid investigation.

    “That Telephone Service Providers were immediately contacted to furnish the NA with the missing senior officer phone call records.

    “That appropriate technical intelligence, surveillance and cyberspace capabilities were deployed to track the senior officer’s phone and movement. His last known location was somewhere in Du District, near Jos, Plateau State.

    “That the COAS set up a task force led by the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN comprising General Officer Commanding 3 Division in collaboration with the Fire Service, NEMA and other relevant agencies to intensify the search for the missing retired senior officer and make sure the mystery surrounding his disappearance is unraveled.

    “That in the course of the search for the missing senior retired military officer, sources informed that he may have been killed and his body and car dumped into a deep mining pit around Du District of Jos South Local Government Area.

    “That since receiving the report of the missing retired senior NA officer, the COAS has directed that no stone should be left unturned to locate and rescue the officer.

    “That despite several attempts to distract the NA from continuing the search either through the sponsorship of protest by women, preventing the delivery of logistics equipment by the locals as well as through biased and outright false reportage by so called ‘freedom fighters’ like Idris Ahmed, the NA has not relented in its resolve to make sure the retired senior officer is found and perpetrators brought to book.

    “That so far, the suspected mining pit is being drained to enable troops get to the bottom of the pond.

    “That the claims by Idris Ahmed that the NA is unconcerned and also sponsored the disappearance of the retired senior officer is to say the least imbecilic, childish and completely out of sync with reality.

    “That we dare Dr Idris Ahmed to provide evidence to support his infantile claims and advise him to stop playing politics with the life of an individual.

    “That Idris Ahmed should report back to his handlers and sponsors that he has failed in carrying out their directive to smear the image of the COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai as well as the NA.

    “The public is hereby enjoined to disregard the publications and continue to give the military the needed support and cooperation. Together we shall bring total peace and security to our father land.”

  • Troops rescue 149 persons, kill three Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday said its troops rescued 149 persons in the ongoing clearance operation against remnants of Boko Haram insurgents at Yerimari-Kura community in Sambisa axis.

    Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the troops killed five insurgents and captured five others in the encounter.

    “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued to make progress in clearance operations to smoke out Boko Haram insurgents who escaped from their previous stronghold in the Sambisa Forest.

    “On Saturday, the troops made further operational exploit into Boko Haram’s hideout at Yerimari-Kura, in a deliberate operation to extricate and rescue hostages held by the insurgents in their hideout.

    “In the encounter, troops killed three Boko Haram insurgents and captured five,” he said, adding that the troops also destroyed insurgents’ logistics in the operation.

    Nwachukwu explained that the rescued persons included 54 women and 95 children, noting that they were being profiled and receiving medical attention at the 21 Brigade Medical Centre.

    According to him, the troops also neutralized two suicide bombers at Mandanari community in Konduga, Borno, when they attempted to infiltrate the community on April 7.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that the suicide bombers strapped with Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) vests, attempted to sneak into the community at about 8:00 pm on Saturday.

    “The suicide bombers were sighted by vigilant troops who challenged them from a safe distance. The patrol engaged them as they refused to halt and ran towards the community, detonating their IEDs.

    “Only the suicide bombers were killed in the incident, while three persons who sustained minor injuries were receiving medical attention”. (NAN)

  • Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    The maiden edition of Gov. Nyesom Wike National Wrestling Championships started on Sunday with 22 states participating.

    The states are Jigawa, Kano, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Niger, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Ogun, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi.

    Other participants includes the Nigeria Army, Mountain of Fire Ministries Wresting club and the Federal Capital Territory.

    All the participants at the Wike National Wrestling Championships converged on the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt the venue of the five-day competition.

    Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), told our correspondent that exciting dimension would be introduced in this tournament.

    “Every weight category event in a day will end at the quarter finals so that the remaining semi and final matches will be done the next day.

    “We are no longer finishing all weight categories in a day. I get a lot of questions from people on how all is been done in a day.

    “The essence of this is to make it more interesting and allow spectators to enjoy the games very well,” he said.

    The 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist, however, urged wrestling enthusiasts not to miss this one of a kind competition.

    “This competition is entirely different from what we used to have and it’s unique,” said Igali.

    The wranglers at the venue wore determined faces and ready to fight for spaces in the national team ahead of next years African Championships.

    NAN

  • Boko Haram kill three soldiers, injure five in an ambush 

    Boko Haram kill three soldiers, injure five in an ambush 

    Three soldiers have been feared dead and five others injured in an ambush laid by Boko Haram terrorists on a military operatonal vehicle in Borno State.

    A reliable security source disclosed that the insurgents ambushed an operational convoy of the Commanding Officer (CO) of 81 Battalion, Nigeria Army at Bulabulin Ngaura town along Damboa/Maiduguri High Way where the three soldiers were killed.

    Read: Gunmen attack warehouse in Abia

     The source added that the CO with other members of his convoy escaped being killed by whiskers leaving other five soldiers wounded.

    He informed that two military gun trucks were carted away by the insurgents. The insurgents were also reported to have set ablaze a military operational camouflage colored hilux vehicle.

    Maiduguri/Damboa road has witnessed several kidnaps and ambushes of both civilians and security personal since the road was reopened by the military last year.

    Read Also: FG acquire technologies to fight Boko Haram – Buratai

  • Army denies carrying out vaccination in Edo

    Army denies carrying out vaccination in Edo

    The Nigeria Army has denied carrying out any vaccination exercise in schools in Edo State.

    Spokesperson of 4th brigade, Captain Mohammed Maidawa, who denied rumours the that Nigerian Army administered monkey pox vaccines to unsuspecting school children in Edo State said adequate publicity is carried out before it embarked on any medical outreach.

    Read Also: Army responds to Bayelsa vaccination scare

    He said, “(The) medical outreach is one of the activities lined up in support of Operation Crocodile Smile II, (and) vaccination and immunisation (are) not included in the package. Nigerian Army did not conduct any lethal injunction let alone vaccination.”

    He noted that whenever army organised a medical outreach, stakeholders are always involved and with adequate publicity before embarking.

  • Army embark on sensitisation against violent extremism

    Army embark on sensitisation against violent extremism

    Nigerian Army has started a 30-day public awareness against violent religious extremism in the North East, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, says.

    Buratai made this known at the launch of the sensitisation in Maiduguri on Monday.

    Represented by Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Buratai said the sensitisation was to counter extremist ideologies and orientation in the society.

    He said the exercise would majorly focus on clerics and dangers associated with religious extremism and how the clerics could help to address the menace.

    He explained that the sensitisation was imperative to disprove the false teachings, misleading and fabricated ideologies of insurgents.

    Buratai said that the exercise was part of efforts to contain the spread of negative ideologies and bring about ideologies that promote love, peace and unity in the society.

    He added that the Nigeria Army had initiated deradicalisation programme to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into the society of surrendered Boko Haram insurgents.

    “The Nigerian Army also engaged in various operations to ensure security, peace and unity in country.

    “Operation Python Dance II is one of them and it is ongoing and reports indicated that a lot has been achieved toward enhancing peace in may parts of the country.”

    Buratai noted that the independence visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to troops of “Operation Lafiya Dole” in Maiduguri was a morale booster to them.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to be loyal and disciplined toward building a stable and peaceful democratic society.

    He said “we must work toward restoring peace in our dear country, especially in the North-East region”.

    The chief of army staff urged parents to ensure proper moral upbringing of their wards, to enable them to become responsible citizens.

    He also tasked community and religious leaders, as well as stakeholders to work together toward promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

    Dr Umar Inyass, an Islamic cleric, thanked the President for the visit.

    He said religious leaders had greater roles to play in promoting tolerance and peace building, noting that “we must desist from separatism; we must preach love, peace and unity in the society”.

    In his remarks, Gov. Kashim Shettima said the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for the military to operate in its task against Boko Haram insurgency.

    Represented by Alhaji Kakashehu Lawal, the Commissioner of Justice, Shettima said the ban on prostitution and other forms of anti social activities in the state was being enforced.

    He said those found wanting would be severely dealt with by law enforcement agencies

  • Army begin combat proficiency competition in Benin Monday

    Army begin combat proficiency competition in Benin Monday

    The 2 Division of the Nigeria Army said it would begin Annual Inter Brigade Combat Proficiency competition on Monday in Benin.

    A statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, on Sunday in Benin, said the event was designed to improve leadership qualities of Junior Commanders.

    Maidawa said the competition which would be hosted by the headquarters of the 4 Brigade, Ekehuan Military Cantonement, Benin, was also meant to prepare the junior commanders for higher responsibilities.

    He said the competition which would feature five events, is expected to have all the formations and units under the 2 Brigade as participants in the four-days event.

    He listed some of the competing events to include; Map Reading, Combat Swimming, Physical fitness, Obstacles crossing, Skills at arm shooting competition and Communication skills.

    The assistant director, army public relations, also listed the participating formations and units to include; The 4 Brigade, 22 Brigade, 32 Brigade, The Headquarters Engineer Construction Command, 42 Engineer Brigade, 52 Division Signals and 2 Division Garrison.

    Maidawa advised the general public not to panic on hearing the sound of gunshots within the general area as gun shots were routine military training in the Nigeria Army.