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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • It is wrong to say election was militarized – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army has been in the eye of the storm over the conduct of soldiers deployed to provide security during the 2019 elections.

     

    The soldiers have been roundly accused in several quarters of committing infractions, including partisan interference in the electoral process that seriously undermined the credibility and sanctity of the elections. In fact, in the estimation of many observers, both Federal Government and the Army stand condemned over the undue militarization of the electoral process.

     

    But it is an accusation that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in this interview with pressmen, dismisses in its entirety.


    The military was accused of aiding in election malpractices like snatching of ballot boxes. Your reaction?

    Militarization has to be defined. What do you mean by militarization? How exactly did the military take part in the elections? Generalisation is not the best. People just use the word militarization without defining it. Was the so-called militarization everywhere across the country? Why are people making so much noise about it? They are giving the impression that the military was involved in the entire process in the whole country. It is just probably a definition they only restricted to Lagos or where?

    ..Niger-Delta mostly

    People cannot just use the word militarization in general terms to say the security agencies were involved. Who are the people involved? What does the Constitution say about the role of the military? We have the constitutional provision. We have made it very clear; we are not part of these elections, we are only supporting the police.

    Anything we do there is helping the police who are representing the civil authority in law enforcement and it is very clear that we have been called out to support the civil authority. That does not mean militarization. And once we go out there, we are performing police role, it is not a military role, we are supporting the police essentially; that is very clear. The military was called out to come and support the police. So, they are just using the military in order to justify their failures, to justify their inadequacies, to justify their inability to rig because the security forces provided the needed security to prevent massive rigging, ballot box-snatching and so on. But strictly, the use of the word, militarization is misplaced, it is wrong. We were there to perform our responsibilities based on the invitation to support the police which is legitimate.

    There is no way you will say that the election was militarized; it is misuse of the term. If really the election was militarized, I tell you, nobody would take the law into his hands the way they did brazenly and deliberately did, even attacking our men, killing our personnel. An officer was killed; policemen were killed so if we were to take drastic steps to really show we were involved, it would have been worse than this.

    We were able to maintain law and order; we were able to conduct ourselves within the rules of engagement which is legitimate. So there is a deliberate misconception or misinterpretation of the role of the military in order to malign the military and discredit it despite the stupendous efforts we have made to ensure security in support of the civil authority.

    And you know very well if the security agencies, including the military, had not come out to support the elections in providing security, the level of insecurity, the level of killings, arson, ballot box-snatching and so on, would have been worse than what was experienced.

    So many of the stakeholders, both at home and abroad, have commended the military for remaining neutral, impartial and conducting themselves professionally; but a few elements who felt they were not given the chance to rig and to disturb on a massive scale the election process, are the ones shouting that the whole process was militarized.

    Read Also:Army hands over suspected electoral offenders to police

     

    The military was not there to support any political party; we were there to provide adequate security as requested, in support of the electoral process. That was essentially what we did. So to say that the process was militarized is a misplaced use of word; it is unfortunate.

    Over the years, from our historical experiences, the outcomes or results of elections have been the major cause of instability in our polity.  They have led to a lot of killings, arson, you name it: in Kaduna, Zangon-Kataf, Modakeke and so many other places. So historically, if you look at it, we had those unfortunate incidents because they were allowed to go out of control.

    We had so many underlying factors; even in the First Republic, we saw the underlying factors that led to the civil war; it is the same outcome of elections that led to that, characterized by so many malpractices. So government doesn’t want the same thing to happen and that was why the military was called in to support the police.

    There is no way we would be partisan; the country’s stability, the country’s peace is our watchword, it is very, very fundamental. Some people just chose to blame different entities and bodies for their failures.

    On the allegation that the soldiers caught snatching ballot boxes are fake

    “Yes, that is another dimension because as I said, those people that did not want the election to go smoothly, created their own local militia, gave them military and police uniforms to be moving out here and there to misbehave, snatch ballot boxes, to disrupt the electoral process and so on. So anyone that sees them will automatically say it is the military and that is completely at variance with our code of conduct, with our ethics and the way we train our officers and men to ensure they behave professionally; that is very clear.  We arrested several of them and you must have seen our press releases with pictures of the fake soldiers, fake policemen,fake security operatives and so on. So once you see this, it is not the Army that created those ones and gave them uniforms; so instead of them to admit their shortcomings and misconduct, they are covering their heinous activities/crimes under the guise of militarization.

    It is so painful, so terrible that they don’t have conscience and continue to blame the military for their own mischievous actions. This is where the Press needs to be objective, look at it critically. The Army cannot go and dress fake people or criminals to go and act on their behalf. We have seen the thugs, the militias; so where does the military come in?

    These are very clear. So we have to be reasonable and objective; we are paid by the state to ensure that we defend our country and prevent breakdown of law and order for us to progress; there is no other way. It is very important.

  • Nigerians blast Army over comments on Rivers election

    Nigerians on Tuesday expressed misgivings on the Facebook page of Nigerian Army over anti-Rivers Press Release.

    They  lambasted the army for allowing themselves to be degraded and reduced from the revered respect accorded by society.

    The Headquarters of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in a press release through the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu had observed with dismay and sense of betrayal in the statement made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye Esq on 15 March 2019, regarding the Commissions Fact-Finding Committee report that assessed the situation in Rivers State.

    Yartomizan Amades noted that the army have reduced themselves to Isakkaba Boys and have lost great confidence of the people following their activities in Akuku-Toru during the Presidential election and Governorship election in the state.

    “Following the true picture of what happened in Akuku-Toru during the Presidential election and also what happened in the past election, it is in regret that I will say our soldiers have been reduced to Isakkaba Boys and have lost great confidence of the people, ” he asserted.

    READ ALSO: Rann: Nigerian Army faults Amnesty International

    Chijioke Christian Woke lambasted the 6 Division for contradicting earlier claims that the injured soldiers are their officers when the Chief of Army Staff has publicly stated that the army that humiliated Rivers people are political thugs on military uniform.

    “By the way, how come the injured soldiers have now become your officers? You previously said the men on military uniform that humiliated and killed Rivers people were thugs,” he queried.

    Ebychukx Uche mocked the army for contradicting itself after denying involvement of its officers in the Rivers Governorship election and sort to know what the Army Captain claimed to have been shot by security aides was during at the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area collation centre.

    “The Nigerian Army is contradicting itself. Firstly, the army denied involvement in Rivers Governorship election and declared that politicians bought army uniform for thugs. Now you said that the Governor came to Obio/Akpor with thugs who shot an Army Captain.

    My question is simply, what was the Army Captain doing at Obio/Akpor before the Governor arrived? Have the Nigerian Army agreed that the soldiers where there officers” he questioned.

    Obioha Iyke Anyanwu described as shameful that the Nigerians Army have allowed themselves to be turned into local vigilantes by politicians. “The Nigerian Army has turned to local vigilantes because of politicians. So shameful,” he said.

    Amos Glad slammed the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army for deliberately covering its role in the election in the press release, describing it as unbalanced. “This is not a balanced press release. You failed to mention your role in the melee” he noted.

    Akanimo Sam also sorted to know the role of the military at collation centres as showed on video footages. “What role was the military to play at the collation centre? Video footage showed soldiers trying to invade the collation centre” he queried.

  • Soldiers recall night of horror in Rivers

    They recall the night with fear. A routine job of guarding an election results collation centre suddenly turned bloody for two soldiers.

    Doctors are battling to save the lives of Capt. Adams Salami and Corp. Adeosun Adebayo of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, who were on guard duty on March 9 at the collation centre in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Secretariat, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A crowd of thugs descended on the place, shooting. The soldiers were hit.

    Capt. Salami and Corp. Adebayo are on the danger list in hospitals.

    With the invaders was Governor Nyesom Wike (the soldiers alleged), who has dismissed it all as a joke peddled by “clowns”.

    The soldiers spoke to reporters from their beds in Military Hospital on Aba Road, Port Harcourt and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

    The 6 Division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a telephone interview yesterday evening, described the “unprovoked shooting” of the soldiers as “very sad and quite barbaric”.

    The three agents of African Action Congress (AAC) during the March 9 collation at Obio/Akpor Local Government secretariat, Dr. Lawrence Chuku, Chikordi Dike and Chief Alex Wele, also claimed that Wike led over 200 thugs to abduct and beat them up.

    They were later dropped off his (Wike’s) vehicle, but went with the LG’s Electoral Officer (EO), a woman, the result sheets and other electoral materials.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edwin Oludi, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Wike for invading the collation centre with thugs, abducting the EO and others and hijacking result sheets and other electoral materials, contrary to the Electoral Act.

    Another APC chieftain, Ike Chinwo, insisted that no collation of results had been done at the secretariat, prior to the invasion, stressing that the hall was under lock and key. The EO sat in the office of the LG Chairman, Solomon Eke, before she was taken away, he said.

    Captain Salami said: “At about 23.00 hours (on March 9, after the governorship and House of Assembly elections, we got information that hoodlums were trying to invade the Obio/Akpor LG collation centre. So, we were asked to provide security in that area, which we did, in liaison with policemen posted there. We agreed that there would be limited access into the premises.

    “Five minutes later, to my surprise, the Rivers governor’s convoy came in (into Obio/Akpor LG council secretariat) with about 30 to 40 cars with hoodlums and thugs. Some were in police uniform, shooting sporadically within the premises. As usual, we decided to step back. I was pleading with them, as a soldier, to resolve the matter amicably.”

    Corp. Adebayo said: “I was deployed in Obio/Akpor LG collation centre and the crowd was too much. So, we had to reduce the crowd. It was then that the policemen in the governor’s convoy started mobbing us and hitting us with their weapons. I could not figure out the reason, because nobody asked anybody any question. The policemen were hitting us with the nozzles of their riffles.”

    The three collation agents of AAC, who are chieftains of APC, but decided to work for AAC, since APC had no candidates for the governorship and House of Assembly elections, also narrated their near-death experiences to reporters in Port Harcourt.

    Dike, the leader of APC in Obio/Akpor, who is also a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, said: “I am the collation agent for AAC in Obio/Akpor LGA. As an agent of the party, after the elections on that day (March 9), we proceeded to the collation centre, which is Obio/Akpor LG council secretariat. While we were in the council secretariat, wards’ INEC officers were bringing their results. Different wards’ INEC officers were coming to the LG council, though it was late; between 11 p.m. and 12 midnight.

    “We had the presence of Nigeria Police inside the LG council secretariat while the military personnel were outside the council secretariat, at the gate, providing protection for the collation centre. Surprisingly, the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, came with over 200 fully-armed persons. Some were wearing army uniform, some were wearing police uniform and some were in mufti. Their vehicles were over 100. They stormed the LG council secretariat.

    “Before he (Wike) came, the Electoral Officer for Obio/Akpor LG was inside the council, at the LG council Chairman’s office. The governor came and invaded the place. His men were shooting and everybody was scampering for their lives. In the process, I was abducted by Rivers governor, alongside with Chief Alex Wele and Dr. Lawrence Chuku. Also abducted was the Electoral Officer for Obio/Akpor LG. He (Wike) then carted away all the electoral materials.”

    Narrating his own ordeal, Chuku, a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG council, who was Wike’s deputy when he (Wike) was chairman of Obio/Akpor LG council, described the experience as “highly traumatising and very horrible”.

    Chuku said: “As party agents, we arrived at the collation centre, which is Obio/Akpor LG council headquarters before collation started. When we got there, we noticed that the collation centre was locked. Some wards’ INEC officers that had come in were only hanging around, probably waiting for collation to begin.

    “The Electoral Officer and the Collation Officer were at Obio/Akpor LG Chairman’s Office and we were waiting for the collation to begin, when Rivers governor and his men invaded the collation centre. We heard gunshots from the main gate and, suddenly, the governor’s convoy came in.

    “Later, after our abduction and carting away of electoral materials to an unknown destination, we were dropped off at Rumuola, Port Harcourt at about 1 a.m. by Rivers governor himself. We now heard that the military men that were posted to safeguard lives and property within the perimeter of Obio/Akpor LG council secretariat were manhandled.

    “So, there was no collation in Obio/Akpor LGA on March 9. There was no single collation of any result from any ward, because we are the authentic agents of the party. We are calling on INEC to discountenance whatever result anybody will bring in.”

    Wele said on March 9 at Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Secretariat, while he and other collation agents of AAC were waiting at the venue, for the collation to commence, they were exchanging pleasantries across party lines, but later heard that Rivers governor was coming with his entourage.

    Wele said: “It was like a war situation. I was thoroughly beaten and my AAC’s agent’s tag was torn.”

    Rivers State commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah, who doubles as the Director of Information and Communications of the PDP Campaign Council, described the  leaders of AAC and APC as clowns.

    Okah said: “No such thing (invasion on Obio/Akpor LG council secretariat by Wike and thugs) happened. The APC and their ally, the AAC, failed in the elections. They are doing everything possible to divert attention from their shameful failure. Why would anybody abduct them? Of what use is their abduction? To gain what?

    “They should bury their heads in shame that they were moving with soldiers to thwart the wishes of their people. How can people who were moving with heavily-armed soldiers and supervising rigging of elections, also be abducted?”

  • Army faults INEC’s position on Rivers elections

    The Nigerian Army yesterday faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its adopted position on the governorship election in Rivers State.

    It maintained that the INEC failed to look at the circumstances that prompted military intervention during the conduct of the exercise and more so when it made a presentation to the INEC fact-finding committee during its visit to the State.

    In a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations in Charge of 6 Division, Col Aminu Iliyasu, the Army accused the Festus Okoye committee of lack of sincerity in its final report.

    Col Iliyasu said: “Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) have observed with dismay and sense of betrayal in the statement made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq on 15 March 2019.

    “The statement according to INEC was the findings of its Fact-Finding Committee that assessed the situation in Rivers State.

    “It is, however, pertinent to note that, representatives of the 6 Division met with the Fact-Finding Committee on Tuesday, 12 March, 2019 at the INEC Headquarters in Port Harcourt and had honest discussions and made a written submission to aid the committee in its task.

    “Regrettably, none of the Division’s input from any of the findings of INEC has been made public. This clearly indicates lack of trust by an institution that the NA sacrifices so much to assist in the course of performing their role.

    “Genesis of the suspension of Governorship/State House of Assembly elections process in Rivers State

    “What INEC failed to mention or even consider is the fact that at about 10:30 pm on Saturday 9th March 2019, troops of 6 Division NA detailed at the outer perimeter of Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters Collation Center were brazenly attacked by Governor Wike’s security aides and armed thugs who stormed the collation center with the Governor in a convoy of more than 50 vehicles while collation of results was going on.

    “In the ensuing melee, Captain Adams Salami was shot at close range by the security aides of Governor Wike while Corporal Adeosun Adebayo was matcheted by Governor Wike’s thugs.

    “Both victims are currently receiving treatment at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Intensive Care Unit and Military Hospital Port Harcourt respectively with life threatening injuries.

    “Thereafter, election materials were carted away and electoral officials abducted by the governor’s thugs to an unknown destination. This was made known to the INEC Fact-Finding Committee but INEC does not see it worth condemning or mention in its report.

    “Consequently, after due consultations and considerations between 6 Division and the Rivers State Police Command on Sunday the 10th of March 2019, the Rivers State Police Command, on their own, – took the initiative to invite the media to the hospitals where the two victims are receiving treatment and thereafter to host a press conference on the matter with the view to dissociate itself from the unprofessional conduct exhibited by their men attached to Wike and tell the public what disciplinary action the command will take or is already taking.

    “However, while the visit to the victims was accomplished and the two victims interviewed by the media, the press conference was aborted by the Police after journalists have been assembled.

    “Coincidentally, a rescheduled press conference on the matter was also aborted on Thursday the 14th of March 2019. Most disheartening is that while the Rivers State Police Command accepts the involvement of their personnel in the attack at Obio/Akpor LG Headquarters, till date those personnel have not at least been reprimanded.

    “To this end, – in the circumstance, – the 6 Division NA as a stakeholder in the 2019 General Elections takes exception to the lopsided and therefore unfair INEC report and is hereby strongly and totally rejected by the NA.

    “The Division is equally disappointed with the attitude exhibited by the Nigerian Police in this regard and hereby request the police leadership to commence full scale investigation of those security aides to Governor Wike that attacked troops at the Obio/Akpor LG Headquarters Collation Center and shot at Capt AA Salami with a view to appropriately sanction those found responsible/culpable. Until that is done, Headquarters 6 Division NA will have to review all existing joint activities with the Rivers State Police Command.”

  • Fake news fueling electoral violence, says Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the weekend, blamed increasing cases of electoral violence on fake news and said the menace posed grave danger to democratic process and military operations.

    Buratai spoke in Bayelsa State when he led military commanders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to inaugurate projects at the newly-established barracks of the 16th Division of the Nigerian Army named Camp Buratai.

    He said prior to the general elections, he launched the Operation Safe Conduct to ensure success of the poll and established the Nigerian Army Situation Room (NASR) to manage electoral events including countering spread of fake news.

    Buratai, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Saliu, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), noted terrorists and subversive elements were deliberately spreading fake news using the social media to influence public sentiment, cause confusion and ignite violence.

    The COAS said: “Use of media especially social media to deliberately spread fake news should be a thing of concern to all of us.

    “Rapid spread of fake news has been responsible for misinformation, thereby having an influence on public sentiment and sowing confusion among the electorate and easily ignite violence during elections as we have now.

    “The purpose of the situation room is among others to monitor electioneering process through the cyber warfare command of the Nigerian Army which also identifies and counters various forms of fake news and propaganda put out by terrorist and subversive elements. In this period of elections, we are collaborating with all stakeholders to confront the menace of fake news”.

    Read Also: Burutai asked to account for spendings on military operations

    Buratai insisted nothing would stop the army from playing its roles in combating security challenges in the country in line with its constitutional mandates.

    He said the army deserved the support of all Nigerians following its efforts to keep the country together adding that security agencies required timely information from the public to enable them deliver on their mandates.

    Buratai commended the Commander of the 16th Brigade, Brigadier-General, Kelvin Aligbe, officers and men of the outfit for their efforts to develop the new military community.

     

     

     

  • Army approves appointment and new postings in various Commands

    The Nigerian Army has announced the approval of new posting and appointment of senior officers to man various commands and strategic positions within its leadership hierarchy.

    According to a statement signed by the Army spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, the posting and appointment affect senior officers of the ranks of Major General,  and Brigadier General mostly.

    Colonel Musa said: “The Nigerian Army has today Saturday the 16th of March 2019, released the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers.

    “Those affected by this, include, Major General HO Otiki who has been posted to 8 Division as General Officer Commanding, Major General SO Olabanji the erstwhile General Officer Commanding 8 Division has been posted to Infantry Corps Centre and appointed as Commander Infantry Corps, Brigadier General HI Bature from 34 Brigade to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command as Director Examinations,  while Brigadier General TO Olowomeye from Headquarters 33 Brigade to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Director Civil Military Affairs .

    Read Also: Shake-up in Nigerian Army, redeploys senior officers

    “Similarly, Brigadier General BA Mohammed from 23 Brigade to Martin Luther Agwai International Peace Keeping Centre and appointed Deputy Commandant, Brigadier General UM Bello from Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command to 63 Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MT Durowaiye from Directorate of Army Transformation and Innovation to 33 Brigade and appointed Commander.

    “Others affected by this development are – Brigadier General SB Kumapayi from Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to Headquarters 14 Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General NM Jega from Headquarters 2 Brigade to 9 Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General KO Aligbe from 16 Brigade to  Defence Headquarters as Acting Director Liaison National Assembly, Brigadier General AK Ibrahim from 14 Brigade to Army Headquarters Department of Administration (Army) and appointed Deputy Director Veteran Affairs Department Retired Officers’ Cell and Brigadier General GTO Ajetunmobi from Headquarters Command Army Records to 31 Brigade as Commander.

    “Accordingly, Brigadier General OG Onubogu from Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and  Plans to Headquarters 16 Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General OM Bello from Nigerian Army Resource Center to Headquarters 6 Division and appointed Chief of Staff, while Brigadier General ZL Abubakar from National Defence College to 32 Brigade and appointed Commander and Brigadier General AA Orukotan from Nigerian Army Resource Center to Headquarters Command Army Records and appointed Chief of Staff among others.”

     

  • Shake-up in Nigerian Army, redeploys senior officers

    The Nigerian Army has redeployed some senior officers with Maj.-Gen. H.O. Otiki being moved to 8 Division in Sokoto as General Officer Commanding (GOC).

    According to a statement on Sunday by Col. Sagir Musa, the army spokesman, Maj.-Gen. S.O. Olabanji, GOC 8 Division had been moved to Infantry Corps Centre as Commander under the new posting.

    Brig.-Gen. H.I. Bature from 34 Brigade to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command as Director Examinations and Brig.-Gen. T.O. Olowomeye from Headquarters 33 Brigade to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Director Civil Military Affairs.

    Similarly, Brig.-Gen. B.A. Mohammed, from 23 Brigade to Martin Luther Agwai International Peace Keeping Centre, as Deputy Commandant and Brig.-Gen. U.M. Bello from Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command to 63 Brigade as Commander.

    Brig.-Gen. M.T. Durowaiye moved from Directorate of Army Transformation and Innovation moves to 33 Brigade as Commander.

    Others are Brig.-Gen. S.B. Kumapayi from Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to Headquarters 14 Brigade as Commander and Brig.-Gen. N.M. Jega from Headquarters 2 Brigade to 9 Brigade as Commander.

    With the latest posting, Brig.-Gen. K.O. Aligbe of Commander, 16 Brigade was moved to the Defence Headquarters as Acting Director Liaison National Assembly.

    Brig.-Gen. A.K. Ibrahim from 14 Brigade to Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Deputy Director, Veteran Affairs Department Retired Officers’ Cell and Brig.-Gen. G.T.O. Ajetunmobi from Headquarters Command, Army Records to 31 Brigade as Commander.

    Brig.-Gen. O.G. Onubogu was also moved from Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans to Headquarters 16 Brigade as Commander while Brig.-Gen. O.M. Bello from Nigerian Army Resource Center moved to Headquarters 6 Division as Chief of Staff.

    Brig.-Gen. Z.L. Abubakar from National Defence College moved to 32 Brigade as Commander and Brig.-Gen. A.A. Orukotan from Nigerian Army Resource Center moved to Headquarters Command Army Records as Chief of Staff. (NAN)

  • Polls: Army inaugurates panel to investigate allegations against personnel

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said a Committee has been inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt Gen Tukur Buratai to investigate allegations of misconduct against its personnel during the general elections.

    The committee, it added, is headed by Major Gen T A Gagariga and had  up-to 31st of March to submit its report.

    According to Army spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, the committee is also mandated to probe allegations of assassination attempt on the governor of Rivers State, Nyelsom Wike.

    Colonel Musa said in a statement that the probe is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi and other soldiers during the elections.

    Colonel Musa said :”As a way of ensuring that NA troops deployed for election security duties during the 2019 General Elections conducted themselves within laid down Rules of Engagement and the Code of Conduct, the NA has set up  a 9-member investigative committee, headed by Maj Gen TA Gagariga with Brig Gen JM Ali, Brig Gen GO Adeshina,

    Brig Gen MA Obari,  Col AT Bitiyong, Col A Tanko and Col WA Bakare as members and Lt Col PAJ Ebuk as Secretary to investigate all allegations of misconduct against the NA during the just concluded general elections.

    “The committee is to submit its report not later than 31st of March, 2019.

    “The committee, which has already commenced action, was inaugurated by the Chief of  Administration (Army), Major General KAY Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and admonished to carry out their duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms of Reference.

    “The committee’s Terms of Reference centered on thoroughly investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of NA Personnel in all the States that alleged one infraction/wrong doing or the other.

    “The Committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyze all reports to determine the veracity of the allegations including the alleged assassination attempt on Rivers State Governor and the circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi as well as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers in the State.

    Read Also: Army hands over suspected electoral offenders to police

    “The Committee is further mandated to visit all States where issues have been raised about the conduct of NA during and after the elections and also interact with Civil Society Organizations, sister security agencies and State Governors with claims against the Army.

    “It would be recalled that the  COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai has on many fora, consistently (both in words and actions), soundly indicated that, under his watch, NA personnel must remain apolitical, respect human rights and abide by the rule of law in all its official engagements within or outside Nigeria and in or out of conflict situation.

    “NA troops were deployed for the elections under Operation SAFE CONDUCT that was set up to provide support to the NP and other security agencies to ensure hitch free and successful elections in the country.

    “The Chairman of the committee, Major General TA Gagariga has assured the COAS and all Nigerians of the committee’s commitment, resolve and determination to objectively and professionally address the major issues as contained in the Committee’s Terms of Reference.”

  • Buratai hails troops for neutralising insurgents in Borno, Yobe

    THE Nigerian Army said yesterday that scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been neutralised between Borno and Yobe axis when they attempted to overrun a military base.

    Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Colonel Ado Isa said following the feat, Chief of Army staff Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai sent words of encouragement to the troops for their gallantry.

    Colonel Isa explained in a statement that some of the fleeing terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds and their gun trucks and weapons were destroyed.

    He said: “The dogged troops of 152 Battalion successfully crushed some members of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) when they attempted to infiltrate their location yesterday, March 11, 2019 at about 1900hrs around Bula – Yobe, Banki axis in Borno State.

    “The terrorists in their futile attempt came in with several gun trucks mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns and motorcycles.

    “The troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower and inflicted heavy casualty on the BHTs and their equipment.

    “The fierce gun battle set confusion and disorganisation in the terrorists camp, withdrawing in disarray while the troops gave them a hot pursuit.

    Read also: Buhari ‘ll bridge gap between rich and poor, says Olokesusi

    “In that process, unconfirmed number of terrorists were neutralised while several others fled with gunshot wounds.

    “A gun truck mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun and several motorcycles belonging to the BHTs were destroyed while one gun truck mounted with anti-aircraft gun and mortar carrier were captured from the terrorists.

    “The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Benson Akinroluyo, through the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, extolled their effort and sacrifice and also conveyed the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) special commendation for their dogged fighting spirit and brilliance. He urged them to maintain the aggressive posture and sustain the offensive.”

  • Delta elections: PDP chieftain alleged Army’s involvement in malpractices

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Warri North council area of Delta state has accused men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army of taking part in the irregularities that marred last Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the area.

    Condemning the actions of the army during the polls, a chieftain of the party in Koko, Chief Attie Okorodudu, alleged that personnel of the Nigerian Army on election duties, presided over electoral fraud that was perpetrated in some parts of Warri North and Sapele council areas.

    He said: “we have it on good authority that the army is guilty of carrying out electoral fraud in parts of Delta State precisely Warri North and Sapele local government areas.

    “They claimed to have escorted electoral materials but unfortunately, the materials being escorted by the army did not get to their destinations, yet results emerged from such areas.”

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    Meanwhile, when reached earlier for a response on a similar allegation, the spokesman of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said the allegations by the parties against security agencies we’re borne out of wrong perception of what the agencies stand for.

    “People see security agencies as instruments of the state that can be used by the ruling party. The opposition parties will bash on the security agency, the ruling party will also bash on the security. The election is over, if he is not satisfied, he should go the Election Petition Tribunal,” Iliyasu said.