The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Army (NA)

  • Gunmen abduct driver, passengers

    Some passengers, including the driver of a commercial 18-seater bus, were reportedly abducted along Akure/Ikere Ekiti road by unknown gunmen.

    The incident occurred on Tuesday around 5pm within Iju/Itaogbolu axis.

    The occupants of the commercial bus were said to be travelling from Akure to Ado-Ekiti before they were waylaid.

    Three days ago, the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army (NA) Owena Barracks, Akure, launched a high technology drone, a Phantom 5DGI to fight the scourges of kidnapping and banditry within the Ondo and Ekiti states axis.

    A source said the kidnappers pointed guns at the bus and ordered the passengers to come out before they were whisked away.

    Read Also: Truck driver commits suicide in Bayelsa

    He said the deplorable state of the road made it difficult for the driver to escape.

    The leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ekiti State Chapter said the vehicle belongs to a driver popularly known as Ikere.

    Ondo State police spokesman, Femi Joseph, a Superintendent (SP), said the driver, who was the only one in the vehicle, was abducted.

    Joseph said: “A space bus Toyota Previa vehicle driven by one Akinde Felix from Ikere-Ekiti en route Akure was with only the driver inside.

    “At about 4am , on a spot close to the NYSC camp at Ita-Ogbolu, the vehicle was blocked by suspected hoodlums and the driver was whisked away”.

    The command, he said, had begun an investigation and also intensifying efforts not only to rescue the victim, but also arrest the perpetrators.

  • How to crush Boko Haram, bandits, by Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has identified measures to end Boko Haram terrorism, armed banditry and kidnapping bedeviling Nigeria.

    Buratai, who reiterated the link between Boko Haram Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified combined holistic approach by the countries of the Lake Chad as the surest way to total defeat of both Boko Haram and ISWAP.

    The Army Chief stated these in Jaji Military Cantonment on Wednesday as he flagged-off the First Quarter COAS Conference and Combat Arms Training Week.

    Buratai also said for the military and other security agencies to win the war against kidnapping, robbery and armed banditry ravaging Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto states, the media and other stakeholders must stop glorifying the criminals.

    He lamented stakeholders like religious and traditional leaders, security analysts and the media portray armed robbers, kidnappers and ethnic militias as stronger than the military and other security agencies.

    The Army boss stated categorically: “The criminals and bandits are only as strong as the society paints or view them and further propagated by the media.

    “There is no doubt that we are engaged in asymmetric operations against terrorists side by side with the resurgence of kidnapping and armed banditry in the North West as well as the North Central Zones of our country.

    “The strategy we used in the past to address such ugly trends in the South East and the South South regions must therefore be rejuvenated with new “out of the box” ideas to address the current security challenges.

    “This has necessitated the launching of OPERATION HARBIN KUNAMA III. The concept of this operation will require the combat arms as well as all combat support and combat support services working in synergy with other security agencies, the traditional institutions and other stakeholders to get rid of criminal elements. “

    He added: “We must ensure information flow that will be converted into actionable and timely intelligence for troops to take proactive measures and to support and drive targeted operations.

    “It is important that commanders in the field relate with the society and other security agencies in their efforts to bring the high rate of kidnapping, acts of banditry and attacks on villages leading to killings in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina States to an end.

    “At this point, I will seize this opportunity to caution the media and the general public not to glorify bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and ethnic militias to the extent that they are seen as stronger than the military and other security agencies.

    “The criminals and bandits are only as strong as the society paints or view them and further propagated by the media.

    “It is important to state that information and intelligence flows from the people and indeed from the press and the public.

    “Such criminal activities are intelligence based and the people, are in this regard to provide timely information and clear identifications of the perpetrators.

    “Undue publicity and praise singing of the bandits and other criminal elements would only motivate them to commit more criminal acts at the detriment of the society.

    “Therefore, the press, the general public, security analysts and public commentators are advised to show more maturity and due diligence in this collective effort of ridding the country of criminals and criminalities.”

    On Boko Haram, Buratai said, Boko Haram has aligned with ISWAP to make Northern Borno and the general area of the Lake Chad Basin an enclave straddling the 4 countries in the region.

    He however said that, to ensure the total defeat of both Boko Haram Terrorists and ISWAP, the fight requires a combine holistic approach by the countries of the Lake Chad Commission.

  • Exempt us from envelope system of budgetary allocation – Army

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has requested to be exempted from the envelope system of budgetary allocation by the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

    While the Army is proposing N472.8bn for the 2019 fiscal year, the Ministry of Budget is proposing a reduction of the amount to N232.4b.

    According to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, the envelope system of allocation cannot aid its immediate response to crisis situations taking into consideration Army’s on-going structural changes, volatile security environment and massive engagement of troops in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.

    The COAS appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Army yesterday where he also asserted that the Army deserved whatever budgetary allocation it requested for because it performed almost 100 percent on all its 2018 budget implementation.

    He said: “The National Assembly should prevail on the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the existing budget ceiling or envelope allocation system in view of the on-going structural changes, volatile security environment and massive engagement of troops in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.

    Read Also: Army kills bandit, rescue women in Zamfara

    “The National Assembly should change the 40 percent second Instalment Payment for purchase of 3 x LUH AS-350 for NA Aviation with the procurement of Armoured Personnel Carrier “A” Vehicles.

    “The Nigerian Army has for years grappled with fund insufficiency; however it has remained resilient and ever dedicated to the discharge of its constitutional roles.

    “It was able to cope with the financial constraints due to the relative peaceful environment across the country prior to the re-emergence of insurgency and other hostile activities of Violent Non-State Actors.

    “You may recall that since the beginning of 2015, the activities of the Violent Non-State Actors have exacerbated in various regions across our dear country.

    “In response to these, the Nigerian Army has expanded from 5 Divisions to 8 Divisions and is currently engaged in war against Boko Haram Terrorists and Internal Security operations in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.

    “It is also pertinent to note that the Nigerian Army has established Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Special Intelligence Command, Land Forces Simulation Centre and Nigerian Army Aviation amongst others.

    “These commitments have extended our core constitutional role, and have impacted significantly on our human and material assets. This is in addition to inadequate budget allocation and the subsisting envelope budget system.

    “In 2018, the percentage performance of Nigerian Army Budget Personnel Emolument was 100 percent, Overhead was 100 percent and Capital was 91.69 percent. It is in the light of this that I make bold to say that the budget has performed reasonably well”.

    On the 2019 budget proposal, the Army boss said, “In preparing the 2019 budget, the Nigerian Army is requesting for the sum of N472.8bn but the Ministry of Budget and National Planning proposed the total sum of N232.4b only.

    “Accordingly, the following are my humble prayers: The sum of N350.5b should be approved for Nigerian Army Personnel Emolument in 2019 Budget; N43.6b Overhead; and N78.5b for Capital Budget”.

    While imploring the lawmakers to assist in timely and complete release of Army’s budget allocations, Buratai assured of Army’s total commitment to its statutory duties to the country.

    “The timely and complete implementation of 2019 Budget will thus enhance the fulfilment of this mandate.

    “Let me reiterate here that the Nigerian Army is committed to securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria from any violation, as the clearance operation to rid our country of the remnant of Boko Haram Terrorists and other criminal groups are currently ongoing”.

    While the Committee commended the Army for its role in tackling insurgency and other crimes around the country, it however questioned the COAS on the deponent of technology in tackling insurgency, kidnapping and other crimes across the country.

  • Army partners foundation to empower 183 women, youths

    The 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army (NA), Minna, on Wednesday said that it was collaborating with the Mallam Garba Foundation to train 183 women and youths under its vocational training initiative programme .

    Brig.-Gen. Moshood Jimoh, the commander of the brigade, said this at the graduation of the beneficiaries of the programme in Minna.

    “We have collaborated with the Mallam Garba Foundation to train 183 women and youths in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) desire to empower soldiers’ families,’’ he said.

    Jimoh said that 53 of the graduates were trained in leather work, 40 in hairdressing, 21 in barbing, 52 in fashion designing and 17 in satellite installation.

    The commander said that the graduates would be given starter packs (working tools) to start practicing their various trades.

    He said that the training being the third in a row was undertaken to keep the barrack community meaningfully engaged toward eradicating negative vices among them.

    Jimoh said that the measure would ensure that soldiers were dedicated to duty because of the support from their families who would have become self-reliant.

    He advised the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity, adding, “I will like to see you as future employers of labour.’’

    The commander promised to continue with the programme to ensure that the women and youths lived responsible lives.

    Hajiya Balarabe Salisu, a beneficiary, commended the commander for the gesture and promised to make good use of the training to better her family.

  • 37 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos

    37 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos

    The Nigerian Army (NA) on Thursday said it has arrested 37 Boko Haram suspects in the past 15 months in Lagos area.

    Outgone General Officer Commanding  (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet stated this yesterday at the command’s headquarters in Lagos.

    Edet, who was redeployed as Commander, Infantry Corps, Jaji in Kaduna, handed over the flagship of 81 Division to Maj.Gen. Ebenezer Oyefolu, the new GOC.

    Addressing reporters after the event, Edet said his most challenging period as GOC was when three army personnel were kidnapped by militants at Ijedodo.

    He said: “As Boko Haram is being defeated in the northeast, the terrorists run to other parts of the country. We ensure they are arrested irrespective of where they run to. Lagos is not an exception, we have continued to arrest them and hand them over to the necessary agency. We have arrested over 37 of them from August last year when I took over to this month.

    “My most challenging moment here was when three of my intelligence operators on surveillance at Ijedodo were abducted by the militants and I had to work round the clock to ensure their rescue.

    “Tackling the challenges posed by the militants wasn’t so challenging because we had to work cooperatively and collaboratively to rout the vandals in Arepo axis. For the Festac axis, the work is still on.

    “Commanding 81 Division for me, was an honour. It is the dream of every Infantry officer to rise to command a division. It was an honour I didn’t take for granted. So, I would miss the cooperation and good working relations I had with my personnel.”

    In his remark, Oyefolu said he would try to maintain the peace his met on ground, pledging to provide good leadership and professionalism.

    He also said the army would as much as possible, support the police to contain activities of militancy and other armed crimes.

  • Reps condemn N4.3b budget for military uniforms

    Reps condemn N4.3b budget for military uniforms

    The House of Representatives has condemned the procurement of military and paramilitary gears by foreign manufacturers and in foreign denominated currencies.

    The lawmakers said the practice has been economically and technologically detrimental to the socio-economic and technological growth of the country.

    Consequently, the House has mandated its Committees on Defence and Industries to ensure that the uniforms and other wearing apparels of the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Navy (NN), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigerians Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and all paramilitary services are produced and procured locally.

    Furthermore, the Bank of Industries (BoI) was mandated to assist garment, shoes and other wearing apparel manufacturers in procurement of modern machines and soft loans to assist in producing shoes, garments and other wearing apparels.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Ossy Prestige (APGA, Abia), who wondered how beneficial is the procurement of the military gears in foreign currencies and from foreign manufacturers to the country.

    He cited what such procurements would cost the country in 2016 that amounted to  N4.3b with proposed expenditure in the budget for the supply of uniforms for the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce budgeted at N2 billion, N64.329 million and N12.430 million respectively.

    He also said the same procurement cost the nation $8.1m in 2015.

    “One can observe that this practice of importing military and paramilitary uniforms is in sharp contrast with what is obtainable in other countries of the world (both developed and developing countries), who produce and manufacture uniforms and sundry wearing apparels for their military and paramilitary personnel”, he said.

    According to him, the best tool with which to the country can salvage its crashing economy is indigenous market patronage and foreign exchange conservation

    The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

    Similarly, the House has asked the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to suspend the planned hike in tolls at its airports.

    Following the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Rotimi Agunsoye (APC, Lagos), who said the timing of the 100 percent increments was wrong,”At a time when a vast majority of Nigerians are groaning under the painful bite of financial incapacities stemming from the recently proclaimed economic recession,” he added.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

  • Pipeline vandals have been decimated – Army Commander

    The Nigerian Army  (NA) Thursday said activities of pipeline vandals around Lagos have been drastically reduced and the hoodlums decimated.

    Outgone Commander, 9 Brigade, Gen. Bulama Biu stated this while handing over to his successor, Gen. Sani Mohammed at the command’s headquarters.

    He noted that despite the myriad challenges the command had to grapple when he took over, the loyalty and commitment of the officers and soldiers led to their overcoming them.

    Biu who was posted to Calabar to head the 13 Brigade expressed confidence that his successor was a worthy officer who will drive the command to greater heights.

    “We had issues of pipeline vandals, miscreants and other vices in Lagos but we have been combating them.

    “Through Operation AWATSE, we have been able to tame activities of vandals considerable. Although, it’s not an issue to be completely eradicated within a short time. But I can say we have done very well in fighting them.

    “I advise my successor to be commited and ensure troops remain professional. He should ensure they operate within rules of engagement and uphold human rights,” said Biu.

    In his remark, Mohammed who described the security challenges bedevilling the nation as unpalatable stated that he would continue from where his predecessor stopped for the greater good of the nation.

  • Military retires 464 soldiers

    Military retires 464 soldiers

    The Nigerian military Friday retired 464 personnel from active service.

    The soldiers comprising 449 from the Nigerian Army (NA), two from the Nigerian Navy (NN) and 13 from the Nigerian Air Force were hosted to a passing out ceremony held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos.

    In his farewell remarks to the personnel, Defence Minister, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Dan-Ali (rtd) urged them to collaborate with their colleagues still in service to contain militancy across the country.

    Dan-Ali who was represented by the Director Army, Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Iro Ikenga also urged them to put to good use, the skills they have acquired in the six months they have undergone trainings at NAFRC.

    He said: “You all know that the issue of security of our country in recent times is at its critical stage, as the military is now contending with insurgents in the North-east.

    “As retiring members of the armed forces, a lot is still required of you wherever you find yourselves in the aspect of collaborations with serving members of the Armed Forces.

    “You might also be required to collaborate with other security agencies of our father land to completely eradicate this threat of insurgency. And other criminal activities in our society.”

    Continuing, the Minister said the government has made adequate plans to ensure ex-servicemen have hitch free resettlement, urging them to prudently manage their retirement benefits.

    “The government has continued to vigorously pursue a policy of due process, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and rule of law. This in no doubt will culminate in the transformation of all spheres of our national life.

    “You must uphold the highest standards of conduct, character, integrity, excellence, service and team work. As worthy ambassadors of the service, you will be held accountable for these standards even in retirement.

    “You must therefore spread these values and virtues wherever you find yourselves,” he said.
    In his address, NAFRC’s Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Mike Iloenyosi urged the retirees to be circumspect, as the society in which they are transiting to would expect much from them.

    “You will be required to prove your worth in the way you relate within the community where you reside.
    “For those of you that will go back to your country homes, you must be interested and be involved in any security arrangement within your community. This is in view of the internal security challenges plaguing our country,” he said.

    At the event were the Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major General Abimbola Amusu and Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, among other senior officers.