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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Army to foster public engagement for national security

    Army to foster public engagement for national security

    The Nigerian Army is committed to strengthening its relationship with the public to bolster the country’s security architecture.

    Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof Okey Ikechukwu, mni, made this statement during a press briefing ahead of the “Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, The Army and National Development” Round Table, scheduled in partnership with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) on June 24th and 25th, 2024.

    Prof Ikechukwu stressed that the roundtable is part of a series of public engagements designed to strengthen public awareness about security challenges.

    “This Roundtable is designed as a Third-Party initiative, to distil and present Implementable Action Points (IAPs) on pressing asymmetrical national security challenges.

    “These are security challenges that do not take the simple form of easily-identified, routinely compartmentalized, properly isolated and unilaterally targetable problems,” he said.

    He highlighted the forms of the security challenges, describing them as clog to the wheels of national security.

    “They range from embedded targets, refusal to help the army and other security agencies with local intelligence, the targeting of military personnel for hostile civilian attention, unproductive community engagements, deliberate misrepresentation of the activities and achievements of the Nigerian Army through fake news, deliberate misinformation and disinformation, among other disruptive activities.

    “This Round Table shall project national interest narratives in an objective and professional manner, while promoting public understanding of the roles, and achievements, of the Nigerian Army in the ongoing efforts to protect and secure the Nigerian State,” he added.

    He added that the Round Table would project National Interest Communication without Propaganda (NIC–P), adding that it would hopefully metamorphose into a platform for regular updates on the efforts of the Nigerian Army and the national security apparatus.

    It will also seek to define the roles of the citizens in supporting the military as collaborative efforts would help to nip the bud of criminal elements.

    “From our pre-event investigations, surveys and consultations for this Round Table, it became clear that more and more Nigerians see and treat national security problems that are threatening their very lives as purely the business of the military and, especially, the army.

    “That is why this Round Table seeks to drive a new narrative, by getting Nigeria’s various publics to see and understand their roles, and the roles of other key actors, in the wider national ecosystem of synchronized security.

    “We shall use the Roundtable to re-emphasize, as much as possible, the specific and general roles of the military, particularly the Nigerian army, in the cocktail of structures, activities and processes that constitute the national security architecture.

    “This should address the emerging challenges and deliberate misrepresentations of our men in uniform as objectively as possible,” he stressed.

    He applauded Strategic Partners for their support in organising the round table.

    “They include, but are not limited to, the Nigerian Institute of Public relations (NIPR), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Voice of Nigeria (VON), the News agency of Nigerian (NAN), the Institute for Strategic Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nnamdi Azikiwe Business School (IBS), and the National Drug law enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies (IPSDS).

    “The essence of drawing special attention to our Strategic Partners in this Press Briefing is to emphasize the roles and relevance of credible and highly regarded professional bodies, institutes and institutions, as well as agencies of government that are headed by professionals in public communication, professional information management and the media. We went round and consulted with all of them, in the process of preparing for the Round Table,” he said.

  • Count troops out of emirship tussle, says Army

    Count troops out of emirship tussle, says Army

    The Nigerian Army yesterday absolved it troops of involvement in the Kano state emirate tussle.

    Its men had no hand in enforcing any court order, Army’s spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement last night.

    Gen. Nwachukwu was reacting to an allegation by the Kano State Chapter Nigerian Bar Association Association (NBA) that the Army was meddling in the tussle by deploying soldiers to the Palace of the dethroned emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.

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    He said the soldiers had only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the emirship tussle.

    The statement reads: “The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors.

    “The military would imminently intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.

    “All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general.”

  • Nigerian Army pulls out 29 Generals

    Nigerian Army pulls out 29 Generals

    The Nigerian Army yesterday pulled out 29 Generals of the Infantry Corps who retired from active military service.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that out of the 29 retired infantry officers pulled out of active service at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, 19 were Major-Generals and 10 Brigadiers-General.

    Leading the pack was Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, who spoke on behalf of the retirees.

    Ezugwu encouraged their successors to not only sustain the modest strategic, operational and tactical achievements made but also to surpass them.

    ”The frontline is expanding and the Nigerian Army is becoming increasingly committed with the eyes of the nation and the world on it.

    ”Our Infantry Corps must therefore not relent or rest on her oars as the entire Nigerian Army depends largely on the Infantry Corps to achieve its core mandate and mission.

    ”I admonish the Infantry that as the threats to Nigeria sovereignty is becoming asymmetric in time and space, you must be proactively way ahead of our adversaries in all aspects of the unfolding combat scenarios,” he added.

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    Ezugwu also called on the Infantry Corps to review some of its tactical and operational strategies in the areas of night fighting capabilities, and frontline intelligence gathering on enemy activities.

    He further advised the corps to strengthen basic field crafts training in the areas of aggressive fighting patrols to dominate at least 5 km radius of their locations, ambushes, listening and observation posts as well as all levels of battle drills.

    Ezugwu advocated for employment of modern technology and ICT enablers, and deliberate efforts to develop the leadership skills of junior commanders.

    “Be rest assured that my colleagues and I will be glad and willing to avail the Infantry Corps our time, energy and resources until our last breath on earth,” he said.

    He announced the donation of 200 books and encyclopedia to the Infantry Corps Centre and Nigerian Army School of Infantry libraries to  promote training, reading culture, mentorship and capacity development of officers and soldiers.

    “We are also availing the infantry Corps the sum of N1 million to purchase more Corps related books.

    “This is our modest way to encourage the edification of younger Infantry officers and soldiers so as to inspire and motivate them to reach their full potentials as they grow in service,” Ezugwu said.

    He described military career as the most priceless, honourable and sacrificial call to duty globally, and thanked God for allowing them to end their careers alive after serving the nation for between 30 and 38 years.

    The General described the day as full of emotional feelings, nostalgic memories, wholesome gratitude, unending joy and unwavering fulfillment.

    “For every service personnel, retirement from active service remains a natural and inevitable end which begins to count from the day we passed out from NDA as officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    ”Our joy and that of our families, colleagues and friends gathered here today knows no bounds as we take a final bow from the  Infantry Corps.

    “On behalf of my retired colleague Generals, I most respectfully and dutifully appreciate the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for organising this benefitting and memorable pulling out parade in our honour,” he added.

    He also appreciated the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for mobilising the entire Infantry family including veterans and other luminaries in the Infantry Corps to honour them.

    ”As I stand on this podium and looking around this Parade Ground, I am moved with hysterical feeling of excitement considering the mammoth turn out of the infantry family.

    ”Host and neighbouring communities of Jaji, Labar, Wusono, Railway, Birnin Yero, Angwan Loya and other parts of Zazzau Emirate, led by our revered Emir, to celebrate our retirement.”

  • Army dismisses two soldiers for theft

    Army dismisses two soldiers for theft

    The Nigerian Army has dismissed two soldiers, Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani, for stealing armoured cables at Dangote refinery, Lagos State.

    The soldiers, who were arrested on April 14, were dismissed after they were found guilty during a summary trial, according to Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday.

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    According to the spokesperson, after investigations conducted in collaboration with the company, the soldiers were found to have abandoned their duty post and in unauthorised possession of the materials.

    He said: “Subsequently, they charged with Failure to Perform Military Duties punishable under section 57, subsection (1) and Other Civil Offences punishable under section 114, subsection (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    “As a demonstration of the Army’s zero-tolerance for misconduct and criminality within its ranks, the soldiers have been dismissed from the Army with immediate effect and handed over to relevant authorities for further prosecution.”

  • Ruth and the Nigerian Army

    Ruth and the Nigerian Army

    • By Mike Kebonkwu

    The media space has been awash with a viral video of a young lady said to be a soldier of the Nigerian Army with damning allegations of mistreatment and sexual harassment against some of her superior officers and commanders.  Indeed, there are several videos in series; too weighty to be ignored.  She was well composed, poised, and deliberate and appears to be in the best state of mind and did not appear traumatized in the least.  She further alleged that some of her basic rights have been denied, such as withholding her salary for well over one year and being ejected from her official accommodation in the barracks.  

    It was a story that touches the heart and required to be dealt with swiftly in accordance with the service law, the Armed Forces Act.

    The identity of the young lady has also been revealed and confirmed to be Private Ruth Ogunleye and indeed a soldier in the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.  Whether the medium she chose is the right forum for redress in the Nigerian Army is another issue altogether!

    The video has elicited strong reactions and rightly so as it is wont to be for so many reasons amongst which is that it is gender-based and sexual harassment in work place.   It can also be rightly perceived as violence against women, and in this case a female soldier and public servant in the Nigerian Army.  Another concern and reason for all the hype could be the ethical issue involved when superior officers as members of the Armed Forces are alleged to prowl on a subordinate for libidinous phallic dominion and satisfaction.  There is yet another reason which is that it involved an institution of the state, the Nigerian Army that is often time on the spotlight for both the right and wrong reason. 

    We always look up to the armed forces and indeed the Nigerian Army as one of our symbols of defence and protection of our liberty and guardian sentinel of our freedom and therefore should not be seen as an engineer house for right violation because of a few misfit bad elements. Importantly, it will be most appropriate not to jump to conclusion before investigation is concluded on the matter as most people have already done threatening to sue the army and sweeping conclusion that it was highly probable without hearing the other side of the story.  Soldiers and officers are expected to be above board at all times in conduct, character and discipline throughout its ranks due to its training and orientation.   When we lose the element of discipline in an army, we also lose command ability to conduct successful operations. 

    Unarguably, Nigerian Army remains a disciplined institution with swift self-regulatory mechanism in the event of infraction based on the application of the Armed Forces Act.  However, the reaction time of the army to the allegation of the female soldier has been slow and tardy for such weighty allegation especially when the issues of denial of basic rights of the soldier was involved like not receiving salary for well over one year and being driven out of her official accommodation.  It is my believe that members of the armed forces are paid their salaries through banking system and so it does not have to take eternity to debunk such claim by flagging her bank statement in response because she has brought her petition to the court of public opinion.  Again whether she has been ejected from her accommodation is also a question of fact which her commander ought to have brought also to the public domain while the weightier allegation of sexual harassment is investigated with despatch also. 

    The soldier also claimed that she had exhausted the avenues for redress provided in the Armed Forces Act in the viral video; if that was true, then what was the outcome?  Was there any failure or dereliction on the part of any person for any act, omission or commission that could have made this exposure of the institution to odium avoidable?  Is the forum chosen by the soldier to make her complaint the approved procedure in the service? This is very important also because the sanctity of observing the ethical and permissible means of redress should not be jettisoned under any circumstances. 

    The reaction by individuals, groups and some agencies leave much to be desired also because, most of them were based on sheer sentiments and emotion without background facts and without hearing the other party.  It was even worse for the views of some so-called lawyers whose expression were lacking in simple logic and analytical synthesis. It is unconscionable to first draw conclusion on allegations before reasoning and analysing issues behind it.  Some have even threatened to sue the Nigerian Army or take them before local and international right agencies.  Some of the reactions are sickening with sweeping conclusion that it is a common practice in the system.

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    I am aware that sexual offences are viewed very seriously in the service and the Armed Forces Act prohibits fraternization with severe sanction.   I have had the privilege of participating in a few of those trials up to the appellate courts.  Known and reported cases are not covered up neither are they condoned nor tolerated because it involved an officer against a victim that is a soldier of inferior rank.   I will not proselyte for the army or the military but at the same time where members of the public are misled on an issue as weighty as the allegation the young soldier has made, it is important to put the record straight.  

    Why do we think always think that we are incapable of doing justice by our institutions? The Nigerian military has been weakened unconsciously by bad press and negative smear media campaigns making her to react with fright even in deserving cases. Some people prefer to take side with criminals against security agencies sometimes more for the wrong reason and wrap it in right violations to make it marketable.  That young female soldier may well be lying!

    The allegation of this young soldier brings to question the recruitment procedures in the Nigerian Army, whether soldiers and officers are properly vetted and screened at the point of entry.  This vetting should include psychological as well as for substance abuse. Someone who does not have a stable mental health at the point of entry cannot withstand the stress of a military service whether an officer or soldier.  One dare say that only fit and proper persons should be found in our armed forces.  While everyone is entitled to his/her basic human rights, there is no room for absolute freedom and liberty in the army anywhere in the world. 

    We should throw sentiment away even in this case of Private Ruth.  If those senior officers are found culpable after investigation, they should be sanctioned in accordance with the law.  Where the investigation turns out that the allegations are bogus and baseless on the other hand, the soldier should be made to face the full weight of the law.  Looking at the videos, she was at her lucid moment and was conscious and knew what she was doing and should also be able to take responsibility.  Let it not be a case where social media lawyers, advocates and activists will start another campaign that she needs help because her mental state implies that she should not be sanctioned. The Nigerian Army should purge its rank and file of bad elements capable of tarnishing its image including officers.

    •Kebonkwu Esq. is an Abuja-based attorney.

  • Army distributes books, palliatives to students, widows, orphanages in Rivers

    Army distributes books, palliatives to students, widows, orphanages in Rivers

    The Nigerian Army, 29 Battalion, Port Harcourt, has distributed 10,000 exercise books to primary and secondary schools, palliatives to widows and orphanages in Ebubu and Aleto communities, Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

    The move was aimed at fostering a healthy relationship between the military and communities in Rivers to prove the fight against criminal activities.

    The battalion under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, handed over the items to the beneficiaries on Friday.

    The Commanding Officer, 29 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt.- Col. Ishaya Manga, said the non kinetic approach to tackling criminality in the state was in tandem with the people-oriented philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

    Manga said: “It would be recalled that on the 13th of October, 2023, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, flagged off an exercise known as operation still water three here in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

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    “Part of the exercise is designed to get rid of criminal activities within Rivers State, the exercise is not only conducted by the military alone, other security agencies are also involved in the exercise. The community leaders, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders in Rivers State are also part of the operation.

    “We have seen that using the kinetic approach alone would not guarantee the successful conduct of this exercise and that was why the non-kinetic approach was also adopted in line with the kinetic approach, so that we can actualise the vision of the Chief of Army Staff.

    “Because the Chief of Army Staff have severally expressed his philosophy that his own style of leadership is people oriented. In line with the philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, under the leadership of Major General J H Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has directed us to select some of those less privileged homes and vulnerable communities to express our hands of non-kinetic activities.”

    Manga explained that the initiative started about a month ago, adding that more communities had earlier benefited from the exercise.

    He said: “We started this exercise last month, we visited four orphanage homes and distributed palliatives. We have also given palliatives to Obele and Ebubu communities, apart from giving out palliatives, we have distributed 10,000 exercise books of 40 leaves to about seven secondary schools within Rivers State.

    “Some of those secondary schools are Ebubu community junior and senior secondary schools, Township Model Primary Schools 1 and 2, World Book Capital City Model Primary Schools and St Cyprian Primary School, Port Harcourt.

    “Others are Community Secondary School Egberu, Ndoki, Community Secondary School, Anyama and Community Secondary School Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area.”

    Taking delivery of the donated items, the Sister-in-charge of Love Crucified Orphanage home, Aleto, Rev. Sister, Chika Maria expressed gratitude for the kindness shown by the military

    She said: “We are very grateful, this is the first time in the history of this establishment we have seen this type of large group of military visiting us. It is a thing of joy and this shows that there is something new that will spring up in Nigeria.”

    On her part, a widow in the Ebubu community, Aken Charity, who received the palliatives, prayed to God to bless the military.

    She said: “I thank the Army, God bless them for bringing food for us. May God protect them as they go about their work. I thank the Army because we have never seen this kind of thing before, before they used to come but I have never seen them give us food or palliatives, so I thank them so much.”

    The Principal of Community Secondary School Ebubu, Mr. Nkara Barine, who received the notebook on behalf of the students, promised to judiciously utilise them.

    He said: “On behalf of the students we welcome you. This single effort means a lot to us, especially those who don’t have notebooks and they have the privilege of getting one today. We want more but this one that you have done, we will use it judiciously.”

  • Guilty as charged

    Guilty as charged

    • What is sorely needed now is a conducive business environment

    How are the mighty fallen! That is perhaps an apt summary of the story of Umaru Mohammed, the two-star general found guilty of stealing by the Nigerian Army special court martial which sat in Abuja, Tuesday, last week. By the terms of his conviction, the former Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), will have to spend seven years behind bars in addition to paying back various sums totalling N3.7bn that he misappropriated, to the  NAPL.

    Initially arraigned on 18 counts bordering on forgery, misappropriation of funds, and conspiracy, among others, the court martial had found him guilty on 14 of the counts.

    Without prejudice to his rights to pursue the option of appeal, at issue here is the abuse of trust by an individual primarily charged with the performance of a public duty. A case of someone who, merely by his military rank ought to be an exemplar in discipline, probity and inscrutable integrity for which the military establishment is known, found to have engaged in disreputable conduct. It is shameful as it is regrettable.

    Unfortunately, while conducts like those of the convicted Maj. Gen. Mohammed continues to tar the image of the military institution with the brush, the truth is that his story is only one out of the many that have oozed out of the military in recent years. An earlier one, just as embarrassing as the current case, involved the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Sokoto, Major Gen Hakeem Oladapo Otiki. He was said to have sent five soldiers in his detail to haul some cash from Sokoto to Abuja via Kaduna, only for the escorts to disappear with the cash. That was in 2019. Different accounts put the amount involved as ranging from N400 million to N800 million cash.

    A subsequent court martial which sat in 2020 found him guilty on a five-count charge and so was recommended for dismissal “with disgrace and dishonour”. He was in addition, required to refund various sums totalling N135.8million, $6,600 to the coffers of the Nigerian Army. 

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    Most celebrated of them all is the now infamous Dasuki-gate involving billions of dollars of funds earmarked for defence spending that were either stolen outright or diverted for purposes other than for which they were meant. While the alleged prime actor was Col Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, service chiefs, the other notable star casts were Alex Sabundu Badeh, a former chief of defence staff, and the former chief of air staff, Adesola Nunayon Amosu.

    Clearly, if the singular running thread in all of the cases of financial malfeasance is the greed of a few, its obverse side must be the relative ease with which the systems are subverted such that huge sums can be plundered without triggering any alarms. For, even if the greed factor is sometimes inevitable, what about those controls designed to ensure that abuses of financial regulations cannot escape undetected? Or are we to assume that the military establishment does not have such systems in place? 

    Military or not; which system that would allow millions of dollars of public funds to be taken out of the vaults by an individual without some layers of checks? Is it something that the financial guidelines of the military permit? If not, how could such breaches have gone on undetected to such a point that billions would be involved?

     While the military authorities ponder on these, it seems to us that the starting point in the journey to correction is for the military as an institution to overhaul its accounting infrastructure. In the circumstance, a new system of financial controls with multiple layers of triggers has become an imperative. There is at the moment still too much haemorrhaging of public funds going on at different levels of the military. The situation calls for drastic action.

    In the meantime, we urge the government to recover every kobo that has been stolen.

  • Army to launch operation Egwu Eke IV, Ayem Akpatuma II Oct. 7

    The Nigerian Army has said that it set to commence its special routine training exercises across the six geopolitical zones of the country codenamed ‘Ayem Akpatuma II, Egwu Eke IV and Crocodile Smile IV.

    Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement said that the operation is in line with the Nigerian Army’s “spirited efforts to combat insecurity across the nation”.

    He said exercise will commence simultaneous in all the zones.

    According to the statement,  “the exercises are Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II in the North Central and parts of North Western States of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba as well as Kaduna and Niger States in 1 and 3 Divisions Area of Responsibilities (AOR) including Headquarters Command Army Records, Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade, Exercise EGWU EKE IV which will be carried out in the South Eastern part of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States in 82 Division AOR, while Exercise CROCODILE SMILE IV will as usual  take place  in the South South and parts of South Western States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States in  2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions’ AOR.

    Similarly, Operation POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION will also be extended across the nation to checkmate bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic militia, cattle rustlers as well as other sundry crimes across the various regions of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: Army dismisses three soldiers in Borno

    “In the same vein, as part of programmes imbued into the exercises, – the Nigerian Army Women Corps, will stage a robust show of force/confidence building patrols in some selected locations in Nigeria.

    “Accordingly, in order to consolidate on the existing cordial civil-military relations, an elaborate  civil military cooperation line of activities in the areas of community outreaches such as free medical outreach, educational outreach, rehabilitation of identified dilapidated roads, hospitals, schools and old people’s homes in various selected  communities in Nigeria.

    “Additionally, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, will as usual, visit and donate to motherless babies homes and other identified disadvantaged groups in selected communities across the nation.

    “These exercises will start concurrently from the 7th of October to 24th of December 2019.

    “The NA, once again, use this opportunity to enjoin all Nigerians not to panic on seeing an increased presence of military personnel and other security agencies as well as movement of Military vehicles /hardwares. The NA wishes to reassure the nation of her commitment and determination to secure the country, protect lives and properties of all Nigerians (which in addition to training of her personnel) is one of the basis for the exercises”.

     

     

  • Army partners NPS to protect national parks, reserved areas

    NIGERIAN Army is committed to the protection of the country’s reserve areas and national parks to boost national security, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Tuesday.

    The COAS, who spoke at the presentation of Hilux vans to the Nigeria Park Service, noted that the National Parks and Reserve Areas were not adequately protected.

    Tukur, who was represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Maj.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, regretted that the national parks had become safe haven for hoodlums to hibernate and engage in criminal activities.

    The COAS assured the nation that the Army would continue to synergise with the Nigeria Park Service to flush out criminals from the Parks and Reserve Areas.

    He said: “Few months ago, the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Park Service, organised a seminar with the theme: Enhancing Synergy Between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Park Services, National Security in Perspective. The purpose of the seminar was to develop synergy between the two services towards denying criminal elements the use of our national parks as well as the reserved areas as safe haven.

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    “We all know that our national parks and reserved areas have become a safe haven where criminals hibernate and carry out their nefarious activities. At the of the seminar, which was the first of its kind, it was discovered that out of the 92,300 square kilometre landmass that makes the National Parks and Reserved Areas, only 10 per cent is protected. It was based on this the Conservator General made a passionate appeal to the COAS for patrol vehicles. Today, he has fulfilled the promise by providing two Hilux vans to the NPS.”

    Receiving the cars, Conservator General Ibrahim Musa Goni enjoined other security agencies to emulate the Army and support NPS.

     

  • Army launches Operation Positive Identification in Northeast

    THE Nigerian Army Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) has launched “Operation Positive Identification” against the fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relation, Col. Ado Isa, stated this in a statement yesterday.

    He urged the public to always carry valid means of identification when moving or passing through Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    Isa said the operation was aimed at searching for and arresting all suspected terrorists that currently roam some parts of the troubled region.

    This, according to him, has become necessary following credible information that some of the fleeing criminals are hibernating in some towns and villages of Borno and Yobe states in particular and Northeast in general.

    Army spokesperson disclosed that the troops had been instructed to strictly check valid means of identification of person before allowing them passage.

    He advised people to always carry National Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, Drivers’ License and International Passports, or other valid official identification.

    Read Also: Army assures Borno town of security

    Col. Isa said: “We therefore once again enjoin all to fully cooperate with troops and security agencies in carrying out this exercise.

    “The Theatre Command also wish to state that anyone not positively identified will attract further scrutiny and comprehensive investigation to determine his or her activities with the insurgents or otherwise.

    “The general public is please requested to bear with this measure as it is in their best interest and our national security, as well as efforts to end the madness called insurgency as perpetrated by the erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters,” he added.