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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Akeredolu lauds military for Nigeria’s unity

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has commended the Nigerian Military for its efforts at keeping Nigeria united as an indivisible entity.

    Akeredolu made the commendation while hosting the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Fidelis Azinta, on Friday in Akure.

    The governor noted that if military had not fought wars and other battles to keep the country as one, the unity being enjoyed today could not have been possible.

    “All of us in this country hold the existence of Nigeria to the military which has brought all of us together.

    “We look up to the Military as the last hope of this nation in terms of security. You have done your best and fought many wars to keep Nigeria united as one.

    “We appreciate all your efforts and may the labour of your heroes past never be in vain,” he said.

    According to him, no part of the country is being excluded in military administration.

    He advised Nigerians to see themselves as one like military personnel, adding that there was no way Nigeria could be divided for any reason.

    Read Also: Akeredolu hails Fed Poly

    The governor described 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena, Akure, which falls under the division, as a tremendous assistance to the state government.

    Akeredolu, therefore, appealed to the GOC to consider possibility of building an estate on unused expanse of land in the brigade as it was done in the military division in Ibadan.

    He also enjoined Azinta to give the land to individuals who might be interested in temporary farming for use.

    Earlier, the GOC lauded the governor for honour accorded to the division by gracing the closing ceremony of the 2 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competitions 2018 of the Nigerian Army.

    He assured the governor that the brigade would do everything possible to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.

    “We want to assure you that with your support, together with other security agencies, we will flush out criminal elements out of the state,” he promised.

     

    NAN

     

  • Soldiers kill 10 kidnappers, bandits in Kaduna 

    The troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army on Operation WHIRL PUNCH have killed six suspected kidnappers and four armed bandits in Birnin-Gwari area and Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The army in a statement issued by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Muhammad Dole said a kidnap kingpin has also been arrested by the troops.

    Read Also:Police arrest 23 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    According to the army, “The troops on Operation WHIRL PUNCH under 1 Division Nigerian Army are steadily making substantial progress in their efforts to rid the society of bandits and kidnappers in Birnin Gwari general area along Kaduna – Abuja road.

    “During the recent clearance operations and routine patrols, they raided suspected kidnappers’ hideouts at Kidandan, along Dogon Dawa road, Unguwan Bilya, Sofa and Unguwan Nakuli on Monday 10th September 2018. During the encounter with the bandits, six suspected kidnappers were neutralized.

    “Likewise in conjunction with the local vigilante’ groups, some identified escape routes used by bandits and kidnappers along Kuriga and Gayam general area as well as Maganda, Chiki de Parlour and Farin Ruwa, all located in Chikun LGA in Kaduna State were blocked and many were ambushed.

    “Similarly, another huge success was recorded when troops cleared Kidan Isa, Gidan Haruna Mobale and Kuduru, where Four bandits were neutralised and some escaped with gun shots.

    “The following items were recovered: An AK-47 rifle magazine, 16 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one Dane Gun, a locally made Pistol, 2 mobile telephone handsets and arrested one kidnapper called Musa, who recently kidnapped Alhaji Ahmadu and two other persons from Kano. The suspect is currently being interrogated

    “The clearance Operation continued along Gwaska-Doka area, where troops encountered bandits, who fled from Dogon Dawa and Kamuku forests. During the pursuit, bandits abandoned four motorcycles and some valuable items which were subsequently recovered.

    “The operation WHIRL PUNCH will continue to exact enormous pressure on the criminals  hibernating in these suspected hideouts, until they are either completely cleared or abandoned the areas. The general public is requested to please continue to provide credible and timely information for the continuous successes of this operation,” The statement read.

  • Troops Kill Scores of Boko Haram Members in Damasak, Restore Order

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said scores of Boko Haram insurgents who attack troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno state, were killed by gallant troops after a fierce battle.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, in a stament issued in Abuja said

    “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior fire power of troops in Damasak”.

    According to him “The troops aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in neutralizing many Boko Haram Terrorists”.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu debunked social media reports that Boko Haram captured Damasak 24 hours after the visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai to the area.

    The Army spokesperson said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the claim is not only untrue but capable of misleading members of the general public and the world at large.

    “In the said story, the report stated inter alia that, Damasak is the location of 134 Battalion. The Nigerian Army wishes to state that, there was no such battalion in Damasak.

    Read Also: Boko Haram repelled in attack on Borno town

    “The Nigerian Army earlier released a statement that, troops of 145 Battalion in DAMASAK, Borno State are engaging Boko Haram Terrorists who came to attack their location at about 6pm on 12 September 2018.The statement also stated that “fierce battle on going right now and the troops are dealing with the terrorists.

    “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior fire power of troops in DAMASAK. The troops aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in neutralizing many Boko Haram Terrorists.

    “Consequently, the Nigerian Army wishes to state that the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North Eastern parts of the country is yielding positive result.

    “The Nigerian Army therefore advised members of the public particularly residents of the affected areas to go about their legitimate businesses and disregard the said report, as the Nigerian Army will continue to protect lives and property of citizens at all times.

    “The Nigerian Army also calls on the media to always exercise caution, verify facts as well as balance their reports before rushing to the press to avoid misinforming the public on sensitive issues.”

  • 2019: Army pledges security support for INEC

    The Nigerian Army said Tuesday that it would assist the Independent National  Electoral Commission (INEC)  in ensuring maximum security before, during and after the 2019 general elections especially in the northeast of the country.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said the assurance was given by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Brig. Gen. Abdumalik Biu when the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Borno state, Mohammed Magaji paid him a visit.

    Read Also:Osun election: INEC moves to foil vote buying

    Brig. Gen.  Chukwu noted in a statement that the assurance was to enable the commission carry out its constitutional responsibility of conducting 2019 General Elections peacefully.

    Brig Gen said: “The Acting GOC described INEC as a critical institution to democratic process in Nigeria and promised to provide security for all INEC staff and materials in all voting areas in hinterlands of the state, during the forth coming general election”.

    The statement further quoted the GOC as saying that “the Nigerian  Army will do all within its power to provide adequate security to INEC staff and their materials during the election”.

    Brig Gen Chukwu noted that “earlier the Resident Electoral Commissioner  thanked the Nigerian Army for their efforts in combating Boko Haram insurgency, stressing that this has led to the return of peace in the State. He prayed for God’s protection and victory for the troops fighting insurgency in all parts of North East of Nigeria.

    The statement reads: “The INEC boss further commended the Nigerian Army for keeping electoral environment safe during previous elections, adding that such efforts gave INEC leeway in conducting their affairs without fear of intimidation and harassment from any quarters.

    “He used the opportunity to inform the Acting GOC of the Commission’s end of registration for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and also solicited for Nigerian Army’s support during the distribution of the cards prior to election year.

    “Present during the visit was some Principal Staff Officers of the Division as well as INEC management staff”.

     

  • Army kills several Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said it had killed several Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons in an encounter that ensued at Zari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno on Friday.

    Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu said the insurgents were repelled by the troops of 2 Division Task Force Battalion deployed in the area.

    He said that the insurgents were on rampage, looting the community and extorting money from the people but met with a fierce resistance by the Land troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who were closely supported from the air by troops of the Air Task Force.

    Read Also: Troops kill Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    He said that during the fire fight, overwhelming volume of fire was unleashed on the insurgents from both the air and ground troops, neutralising several of them and their weapons.

    The Spokesman said that the village and the surrounding communities had been stabilised and normalcy restored.

    He also said that the land troops had been reinforced to conduct more robust fighting patrol in the general area.

    “The people of Guzamala and Mobar communities and indeed the entire good people of Borno are urged to remain calm, resilient and supportive of Operation Lafiya Dole troops as they relentlessly fight terrorism and insurgency in the North- -East,” Nwachukwu said

     

    NAN

  • Obaseki, Buratai chart new logistics support model for Army

    …recommend PPP to meet contemporary needs

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, have called for the adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in logistics support for the Nigerian Army to enable it tackle the nation’s security challenge.

    Obaseki maintained that for the nation’s fight against terrorism and other crimes to succeed, all hands must be on deck to support the Nigerian Army and related security agencies.

    Read Also:FG approves N2bn as take-off of Nigerian Army University

    The governor, who spoke through the Head of Service of the state, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, at the opening ceremony of the 20th Combat Service Support Training Week held at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport in Benin City, emphasised that government alone cannot provide all the logistics need of the Nigerian Army especially in the face of new security challenges.

    “The academia and organised private sector need to share ideas on ways of meeting the contemporary needs of the Nigerian Army” Obaseki said.

    He noted that the theme of the training: “Enhancing Combat Service Support capability through Public Private Partnership to meet Nigerian Army’s Contemporary Challenge” is apt, and commended the security outfit for its planned medical outreach to people in selected communities in the state.

    He added that regular training of security officials is important in the face of new threats to national security and said Edo State’s current status as the most peaceful state in the country, is due in part, to the partnership with the Nigerian Army.

    The Chief of Army Staff said tackling contemporary security challenges in the country requires a more robust logistics plan, noting that to a large extent, logistics determine the capability of any army to perform its duties.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who was represented by Major General Ademoh Salihu, explained that the need for a more efficient and effective logistics model for the Nigerian Army through public private partnership has become expedient.

    He said the Army’s continued dependence on importation of military hard wares has had adverse effect on their operations especially in the fight against insurgency in the North East region.

    He commended the combat service support corps for their relentless service in the fight against insurgency in the country and urged them to leverage on the three days training opportunity to fashion out ways to enhance their capacity in the provision of logistics to nip the security challenges facing the country in the bud.

     

  • Buhari directs army to tackle insecurity

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian army and other security agencies to tackle growing insecurity challenges facing the country and fight insurgency

    The President gave the directive on Saturday while addressing the troops fighting insurgency in the forests of Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina states, at Umar Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina state shortly before leaving the state for Abuja after celebrating Eid el Kabir at his home town in Daura.

    He further tasked the troops to deal with any armed robber, cattle rustler and bandit as ruthlessly as humanly possible, reminding them that the present administration had at inception pledged to provide security, enhance the economy and fight corruption

    He told the troops that he was pleased with their performance adding that Nigerians deserved to live in peace.

    He said ‘’60% of the population are under 30 years and could not secure jobs after their education, my government have started addressing unemployment through several programmes’’.

    He however commended the troops for their display of gallantry in the field of operations in Zamfara, Kaduna and some parts of Katsina state.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari ‘ll win, says campaign group

    While urging them not to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or bandit, President Buhari assured to be a worthy commander in

    The President was seen off at Umar Musa Airport by the Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari in company of his Deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, as well as other government officials.

    The Nation recalled that the President had been in the state in the past 6 days where he had celebrated the Eid el Kabir and public holidays in his Daura hometown

    The President has equally been busy receiving visitors including APC Governors, Ministers, Members of the states and National Assembly, whom he had re-assured that the party will retain the government at the center come 2019 despite the myriads of political and social challenges facing the country

     

  • Five die in Kogi accident

    Five persons on Friday lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident involving two Honda Siena vehicles marked EPE 307XU and AK ILIKA 1, few kilometers from Ogbabo junction along the Anyigba-Itobe road.

    Eyewitness account had it that the accident occurred around 3.45pm, when an attempt by one of the drivers to avoid a pothole resulted in loss of control, as he rammed into the oncoming vehicle (AK ILIKA 1).

    Read Also:Three die in Edo road accident

    At the time of filling this report, men of the Nigerian Army were working frantically to evacuate three persons still trapped in one of the vehicles.

    Two persons lost their lives in one of the vehicles, while three persons lost their lives in the second.

  • Army arrests two over alleged enlistment scam, impersonation

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday paraded two suspected recruitment racketeers, who had been posing as personnel, extorting potential recruits under the pretext to get them enlisted into the Depot Nigerian Army as recruits.

    The suspects (names withheld), were paraded at the Depot Nigerian Army Zaria, Kaduna State, by Lt. Adekunle Adeyemi, the Acting Army Public Relations Officer (APRO).

    “The attention of this noble institution has been drawn to activities of some fraudsters parading themselves in Zaria metropolis as military officers.

    “These suspects indulged in defrauding unsuspecting potential recruits of their hard earned money.

    “They use the social media and proxies to lure their victims to pay them money as inducement on the promise of assisting to get them recruited into the Nigerian Army,” the spokesman said.

    Adeyemi said that the suspects were among the recruitment racketeers arrested on July 29 around Chindit Countermen by the Depot’s Military Police.

    He said that their arrest was possible after some defrauded victims raised an alarm which led to immediate action that yielded positive result.

    “The arrested suspects claimed to be working in collaboration with the duo of Abubakar Sadiq Musa and Lawal Bala Abdullahi whom they said paraded themselves to be military officers and lure unsuspecting victims for the syndicate.

    “I want to state unequivocally that Abubakar Sadiq Musa and Lawal Bala Abdullahi who are currently at large were at no time officers of the Nigerian Army.

    “The arrested suspects attested in their confessional statements to have so far defrauded no fewer than eight potential recruits to the tune of N1.3 million which was shared among themselves,” Adeyemi said.

    The Army spokesman said that of the total amount extorted, only N163,000 was recovered from the suspects.

    He assured that recruitment into the Nigerian Army was free and only possible through a transparent and rigorous process which started from completion of online registration form and subsequent screening processes at the respective states’ recruitment centres.

    Adeyemi, therefore, called on the general public to be aware of the nefarious activities of fraudsters and resist the temptation of falling victims of fraudulent online social media platform that request for payment for easy enlistment.

    Speaking to newsmen, one of the suspects claimed to be residing in Rigasa, Kaduna while the other one claimed to be residing around Isa Kaita Road area of Kaduna.

    The duo, however, traded blame against one another, claiming that it was one that invited the other for the nefarious activities using a name of an army officer.

    NAN reports that there had been reports both of them confessed to have been collecting N250,000 from each of their victims for possible enlistment into the Nigerian Army.

  • Shake-up in Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army yesterday announced a major shake-up among its senior officers with the redeployment of Command and Staff Officers as well as General Officers Commanding (GOCs).

    The Theatre Commander  of Operation Lafiya Dole and  Force Commander of Multinational Joint Task Force were also affected by the development.

    According to a statement signed by the Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, the posting   “was aimed at inject new hands to further actualize the vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.”

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers in Command, Staff and other appointments.

    “The posting affected Principal Staff Officers both at the Defence and Army Headquarters as well as General Officers Commanding (GOCs). The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole and Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force are also affected by the posting.

    “The posting, which also re-organized Operation Lafiya Dole, was aimed at injecting new hands to further actualize the vision of the Chief of Army Staff COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

    “Those affected in the redeployment include Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko who will take over as Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig. Gen. A.O. Abdullahi as Acting Commander Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, and Brig. Gen. U.U. Bassey as Acting Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Others are Maj. Gen. C.O. Ude posted as Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force Ndjamena, Maj. Gen. J. Sarham as General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj. Gen. E.B. Kabuk, General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj. Gen. M.S. Yusuf, General Officer Commanding 81 Division and Maj. Gen. B.A. Akinroluyo as General Officer Commanding 3 Division.

    “Among the Principal Staff Officers affected are Maj. Gen. L.E.O. Irabor posted as Chief of Defence Training and Operations in the Defence Headquarters, while Maj. Gen. L.O. Adeosun takes over as Chief of Training and Operations at the Army Headquarters.

    “Others are Maj. Gen. H.O. Otiki, as Commander Infantry Corps and Maj. Gen. C.U. Agulanna as Chief of Accounts and Budget Nigerian Army. Maj Gen J.E. Jakko is posted to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Finance and Budget, Maj. Gen. A.B. Abubakar, Maj. Gen. A. Mohammed and Maj Gen L.K.J. Ogunewe, among others, will be proceeding to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre on course. All postings and appointments take effect from August 1, 2018.”