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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Troops arrest militia men in Benue

    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops have arrested two suspected members of a militia gang terrorizing residents of Katsina-Ala in Benue State.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that investigations revealed that the two men were members of a notorious gang led by one Gana who is now at large.

    Chukwu said: “Troops of 72 and 93 Battalions have arrested two suspected members of a militia gang terrorizing residents of Katsina Ala in Benue State and its environs following a tip off.

    “Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made gun, one pistol,   seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that they belong to a notorious militia gang led by one Mr. Gana who is now at large.

    “Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and their leader.”

     

  • Over 2,000 IDPs returned home – Army

    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that at least 2, 043 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in Bakassi Camp have started moving to their homes in Guzamala local government area of Borno State.

    It said the IDPs comprising 378 households were the first batch of people who willingly expressed desire to return to their communities and resume farming, fishing and other social cultural activities.

    According to a statement issued by the spokesman, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the resettlement exercise was flagged on in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    He said modalities for return of the IDPs to their homes were worked out by the army, Borno State Government and Guzamala LGA.

    Nwachukwu said: “At the flag-off, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, stated that the earnest desire of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was to ensure that IDPs who are willing, return home to begin a normal life.

    “He noted that the modalities for the IDPs return to their homes were jointly worked out by the Theatre Command, the Borno State Government and the Guzamala Local Government Authorities. Gen. Nicholas added that the military has reinforced security in the locality and that the traditional farm clearing (sharandaji) to declare the farming season open has been earlier conducted in Gudumbali.

    “He assured the returnee IDPs of adequate protection while they resettle, adding that Operation Last Hold has been inaugurated in the theatre to cover the locality and other communities.

    “The Theatre Commander also urged well- meaning Nigerians and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support returnee IDPs with farming implements and other relief materials to enable them settle back quickly into their respective communities.”

     

  • Insurgency, Nigerian Army And A June Diary

    The decision to pen this article came to me impromptu. I stumbled on a news item on an online medium, The Sun (UK), published February 18, 2018, which flashed a blistering news caption. It boldly read; “Terror, Exchange Programme: ISIS Commanders Sneaking Jihadis Into Nigeria From Syria to Train Them for Possible Attacks on Britain,” a story written by David Willetts, the newspaper’s Defence Editor in Kaduna, Nigeria. At once my heart trembled. I quickly perused it and the chilling and startling revelations got me upset momentarily. The story also disclosed ongoing counter-terror training sessions between British and Nigerian troops in the country, all preparations to halt ISIS’ plots to consolidate its hold on the West African region.

    And a statement credited to a senior Nigerian Air Force commander, Group Captain Isaac Subi, 46, said: “They (ISIS) come and train their fighters here and some of our insurgents too are granted access to their training in Yemen and Syria, after acquiring those skills, they come back to teach others. They have this exchange programme for fighters.”

    Once again, my mind flashed back at the Nigerian Army. I took a deep reflection, reminisced on the severity of the insecurity situation in my country and, my fears further exacerbated by the contents of the news reports and looked at the gains made by the Nigerian Army in the counter-terrorism.

    Gloomily, I recollected the casual manner some “thoughtless” Nigerians dismiss our troops or seek to disparage or mindlessly lampoon soldiers. I silently scoffed at the haters of Nigeria, the cynics and skeptics.

    Then, I decided to scout for comfort by tasking myself to review what the Nigerian troops, led by the leader of the counter-insurgency war and Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai have done to curtail the monsters in the last few days. To my pleasant amazement, our troops were soaring higher and higher and they continued to deflate, suppress and subdue the unbending spirit of the terror monsters and allied armed local militias in Nigeria to give us the respite we savour at the moment.

    What again struck me immediately was, the June rescue of over 148 civilians from Boko Haram’s captivity in Modu Kimeri, an obscure village in Bama LGA of Borno, Nigeria’s Northeastern state. It happened during clearance operations launched by troops of 21 Brigade under “Operation Lafiya Dole,” assisted by Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members.

    The operation was expansive in rooting out remnants of insurgents, and it stretched to Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana to the Lake Chad Islands. The freed hostages, included men, Women and Children. While the victims were in captivity, females were sexually violated or used as sex slaves and men were subjected to forced labour.

    The month of June in the same Northeast, saw troops of 153 Task Battalion, in alliance with the Cameroonian Defence Forces, deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole, engage scores of terrorists on horseback in a fierce gun battle at Ngelkona in Ngala LGA of Borno State.

    And our gallant troops again, overpowered the insurgents, and at least 10 of them died in the battle, as arms and ammunitions were also recovered. And the same feat was replicated by troops of 82 Task Force Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole, who attacked fleeing terrorists at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of Borno. An insurgent fell to troops bullets, while ammunitions and Improvised Explosive Devices(IED) were recovered.

    I was impressed at the fact that, another hard tackle in the raids of Boko Haram terrorists camps by Nigerian troop of 27 Task Force Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole, in Yaridiri forest in Geidam LGA of Yobe state, shattered the insurgents. Some escaped with gunshots wounds; abandoned various rounds of ammunitions, other items and a cash sum of N2, 280,000 in the camp they fled from.

    Also, in Adamawa state last week, Nigerian Army repelled Boko Haram raids on Kaya village in Madagali LGA of the state. The timely intervention of our soldiers frustrated the terrorists from visiting the people with devastating destructions and deaths.

    And somewhere, in the Middle Belt region, where herders/farmers clashes have been infiltrated by local armed gangs, the Nigerian Army’s “Operation Whirl Stroke” is also performing wonderfully in the aid of civil security. A few days back, troops of the Nigerian Army arrested a suspected professional assassin identified as Shima Sange-ve and many other criminals during operations along the Benue/ Taraba border.

    The suspected assassin, Sange-ve confessed during interrogations, to have led the gang that brutally murdered Mr. Denen Igbana, a Senior aide on Security Matters to Gov. Samuel Ortom and also responsible for other assassinations, armed robberies, kidnappings and cattle rustling in the areas. The suspect confessed that he led three others who were paid N100, 000 each for a job by Terwase Akwaze, aka (Gana) a wanted killer.

    Thus, the Nigerian Army is not resting on its oars, but constantly reviewing and updating its counter-terrorism strategies. It recently launched “Operation Last Hold” and according to the Chief of Training and Operations ( Nigerian Army) Maj. Gen. David Ahmadu, the new operation‎ will last for four months and will be injected with six additional maneuver brigades and other critical assets into Borno State. The operation has taken the insurgency combat to higher levels of exploits.

    Therefore, it was not a surprise to me when for the first time in six years, over 2,000 IDPs in various camps, in the Northeast returned to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr at the deserted Gudumbali town in Guzamala LGA of Borno state. Intensified raids by troops of “Operation Last Hold” under the Theatre Command, “Operation Lafiya Dole recorded this feat.

    I doffed my cap for the Nigerian military, when about a fortnight ago, 68 insurgents surrendered to the Army. This followed the ceaseless and massive onslaughts on Sambisa area, within the last three weeks in an organized air and artillery bombardment of locations within the Theatre of operations.

    I was excited that despite the unyielding spirit of terrorists and satanic sophistry, nourished by the Iranian ISIS, the Nigerian Army has remained undeterred. It has demonstrated signs and performances on the battlefield to reassure and restore confidence in Nigerians, their competence and acts of justice have solved the nagging insecurity problems in our country.

    Soldiers deserve our little encouragement, to enliven their spirits to do more for us (Nigerians). I send my special accolades to Lt. General TY Buratai and our troops.

    Ugo writes from the United Kingdom.

  • Nigerian Army re-strategizing to end insecurity – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army is re-strategizing to deal decisively with problems of kidnapping, cattle rustling and other conflicts in the North Central and North Western regions of the country, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said.

    General Buratai also said the army would continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustainance of democracy.

    General Buratai in Message to Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army on the occasion of the 2018 Eid El Fitr celebrations said the army has performed well in the past few months especially in the various operations assigned to them across the country.

    The Army Chief said Boko Haram has effectively been tackled, but called on officers and men to redouble their efforts in the collective discharge of their constitutional roles.

    Said General Buratai: “I wish to use this medium to felicitate with all officers, soldiers of the NA and their families on this occasion of 2018 Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations. This Celebration which climax the Holy month of Ramadan offers an opportunity for spiritual upliftment and renewal of our collective commitment to the NA and the Nation at large.

    “I want to use this occasion to commend personnel for their tireless contribution in the sustenance of peace and security across the Country and I urge all to remain professionally focused to this end.

    “The achievements recorded by the NA in the various activities conducted in last few months is worthy of mention. These activities include the successful conduct of Op DEEP PUNCH II, Ex AYEM AKPATUMA (Ex CAT RACE) Op LAST HOLD which is ongoing and the hosting of the African Land Forces Summit in Abuja to mention but few.

    Read Also:Boko Haram: Coalition salutes Nigerian Army’s efforts in Northern Borno

    “Furthermore, we have effectively tackled the Boko Haram Insurgency.  However, in the areas of kidnapping, cattle rustling in the North Central and North Western Regions; we are re-strategizing to decisively deal with the situation.

    “These feats no doubt are calls for officers and soldiers to redouble our efforts in the collective discharge of our constitutional roles.  In the pursuit of this, I charge you all to maintain disciplined, be committed, dedicated, resilient and courageous in the discharge of your duties.

    “May I at this point reiterate my total commitment towards achieving my vision for the NA. It is my desire to transform the NA into a more potent and professional responsive force that will effectively curtail contemporary security challenges.

    “To this end, I want to reassure you all that issues bothering on training and welfare will continue to receive my utmost attention. We shall continue to do our best to ensure the wellbeing of our officers and soldiers as well as their families.

    “Finally, on this great occasion, I want to on behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The NA will continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustenance of democracy.”

  • Boko Haram: Coalition salutes Nigerian Army’s efforts in Northern Borno

    ...commends COAS, Buratai’s decision to relocate IDPs back home

    The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has reacted to the decision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, to relocate the Internally Displaced Persons back to their respective homes.

    The group also commended the gallant troops of the Nigerian army on their efforts to restore a lasting peace and sanity to northern part of Borno after sufficiently defeating BOko Haram Terrorists in the area.

    Comrade Gabriel Onoja, National Coo-ordinator of the group told newsmen at a press conference in Maiduguri on Thursday that CATE was pleased with the ongoing onslaught by the Nigerian Army against Boko Haram terrorists in north-east of the country under ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ and other parts of the country.

    The group noted that the Nigerian Army had recorded tremendous success in its Operation Last Hold in the past two weeks with the recent neutralization of fleeing Boko Haram elements operating around the borders of Nigeria with Chad and Cameroon and in Northern Borno in particular.

    According to him, “The news has been replete with the successes in neutralizing the terrorists in various locations where their camps have been destroyed. The latest of such exploits include the achievements by troops of 153 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Cameroonian Defence Forces, which killed 23 terrorists while on clearance operation on 11 June 2018. This is after troops had successfully cleared including Bulakeisa, Tumbuma Babba, Abbaganaram and Dan Baure villages in the Lake Chad region.

    “We note that remnants of Boko Haram continue to attempt using human borne Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) suicide bombers to attempt unleashing terror on the population but strategic intervention of the Army has resulted in minimizing the damages in the few instances of such attacks while the majority of them are averted.

    Overall, Boko Haram has been pushed out of Nigeria. It is clear that the victory of the Nigerian troops over Boko Haram has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Ongoing clearance operations has made towns and villages earlier afflicted by Boko Haram to become safer such that it is now possible to relocate and reintegrate internally displaced persons back to their ancestral homes.

    “This is a major achievement for which the Nigerian Army should not only be lauded but supported to achieve more. We commend the Nigerian Army for the success it has recorded in keeping Nigerians safe from Boko Haram terrorists just as we salute the “Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, whose leadership gave Nigeria Army that has proven to be truly capable and up to the task at hand. The Nigerian Army, in our estimate has done more than its fair share in dealing with the country’s problem of terrorism; while it is expected to do more, we believe that it will be more successful if we all pitch in to make the assignment easier.

    “We therefore appeal to fellow compatriots to increase whatever support they have been extending to the military in the past to ensure that whatever is left of Boko Haram is not able to re-grow like the hydra monster. Every little contribution by each peace-loving Nigerian will help cripple whatever cells of the terror group are still left.
    We must also collectively undertake to pile the pressure on known and closet sponsors as well as supporters of Boko Haram. It is the final lifeline that must be severed for the terror group to wither into oblivion, which can only be achieved when, as patriotic Nigerians, we supply information to the relevant authorities and when we express our displeasure at their support for terrorists.

    “Our traditional and religious leaders must recommit to the efforts to stop the recruitment and radicalization of youths and making them into terrorists. The era of these set of leaders aligning with questionable politicians to sabotage the war on terrorism for petty gains is over as history will count terrorists’ supporters as terrorists in the final analysis.

    “Finally, we call on those who still give allegiance to Boko Haram re-evaluate their options. Continuing to fight for the group guarantees certain death in the ongoing military operations to rid Nigeria of terrorists.”

  • Soldiers arrest kidnappers, rescue victims in Aba

    Soldiers attached to 144 Battalion under 14 Brigade Headquarters of Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State have reportedly arrested three members of a kidnapping gang operating in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state and its environs.

    The soldiers, our correspondent gathered also rescued a yet-to-be identified kidnapped victim trapped inside the boot of the car being driven by the gang and recovered cache of ammunition and guns which they allegedly used for their operation.

    Sources told our reporter that the incident which happened on the busy Waterside Bridge along the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway took passerby by surprise as no one anticipated the incident.

    The victim, it was learnt was picked shortly after leaving his church premises in one of the new generation churches in Aba.

    Read Also: Soldiers rescue pastor, nursing mother in Aba

    It was learnt that luck ran out on the hoodlums as they were heading towards outside the commercial city when the soldiers through their instinct and on suspicion asked the driver of the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) to pull over.

    A source who claimed to have witnessed the incident said that the resistance of the gang members to obey the soldiers caused traffic gridlock, the soldiers called for reinforcement who on arrival forced the gang members out of the car and in the process wounding some of them in the process.

    It was gathered that the soldiers after overpowering the gang, forced the boot of the car open and to their bewilderment saw the kidnapper’s victim trapped in the boot of the car.

    The victim was said to have been rescued and the suspected kidnappers taken away by the soldiers in their vans.

    When contacted, a source at the army battalion who pleaded not to be mentioned in print confirmed the incident.

    The source said that the victim has reunited with his family, while the suspects were being interrogated, adding that they would make the outcome of their investigation public as soon as they concluded investigation on the matter.

  • Troops kill 12 bandits in Kaduna

    Troops from 1 Division in Kaduna killed 12 bandits on Thursday after a covert operation in some village markets in the state.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu said in a statement on Saturday that the operation was conducted in Kidandan, Maidaro and Sabon Fili villages where the bandits patronised the village markets to restock  supplies and other necessities.

    According to him, after a tip off, troops and vigilante groups infiltrated the market on clandestine operation to identify the bandits.

    “A few hours later on appearance of other uniformed troops to arrest the identified bandits, serious fire fight ensued between troops and the fleeing bandits.

    “In the process, due to superior fire power of our own troops, 12 of the fleeing bandits were neutralised,’’ Chukwu said.

    He said 32 motorcycles, five handsets and N9, 135 cash were recovered from the bandits.

    NAN

  • Nigerian Army’s Revengeful Outing On Amnesty Intn’l

    What defines the fullness of life is freedom and liberty to exist. Even animals are conscious of it. Those who enjoy freedom hardly appreciate the blessings of that small, but unquantifiable grace of God Almighty, until it is severed. A caged being is undoubtedly, the most melancholic soul anyone can encounter.

    His entire self-worth and dignity are violated. These are virtues which inherently and centrally define a venerated humanity, but sometimes, deprived by circumstances. A confrontation with any soul incarcerated invokes the feeling of empathy and everything about him, defiantly assails the eyes, even the mere physique.

    When news of the Nigerian Army’s rescue of 148 civilians, amongst them 58 women and children during clearance operations in Borno state went viral on social and traditional media, hearts leapt in joy.

    Soldiers rescued the hostages from Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana. Apparently, they have been caged for years by fleeing remnants’ of Boko Haram terrorists and troops launched extensive clearance operations, “in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State,” to rescue them.

    Other Nigerians felt as if, they were the ones imprisoned by terrorists for years, but have regained freedom. There is celebrations’ everywhere, especially in the affected families. They have continued to offer silent prayers of appreciation to God for enabling Nigerian soldiers to perform this wonderful task. The accolades on President Muhammedu Buhari have multiplied in tenfold from these families.

    An African proverb says, you can only appreciate the value of what you have when you lose it (paraphrased). And the rescued hostages can only appreciate the Nigerian Army, with the dawning reality that they are once again free people, not subjected to the dehumanizing and humiliating treatment in the hands of terrorists in deadly camps located in forests and caves.

    Boko Haram insurgents used women captives as sex slaves, especially in Modu Kinetic, a remote village in Bama LGA of the state. The freed captives re-enacted pathetic and gory of tales of rapes, child slavery and forced labour to troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies.

    The narratives could break any hardened heart with tears and reminds of the slave trade narratives, particularly, the tales of Olaudah Equaino or its prosaic and dramatized version in the epic novel, “Roots: The Saga of an American Family , authored by Alex Haley, where Kunta Kinte acts the African plight in servitude.

    Actions speak louder than words. In spite of the reliefs and great sacrifices the Nigerian Army is making to protect the sovereign Nigerian nation, some Nigerians in conspiracy with suspected foreign organizations’ prefer to malign and unduly castigate soldiers. Amnesty International (AI) is at the forefront of these vitriolic projections of the Nigerian Army led by a conscientious officer, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter- insurgency operations. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

    But sometimes, criticisms are good, even if they sprout from malice or satanic minds. It assists the criticized target to go extra miles in practical actions to disprove the negative propaganda. It is the loud and pious statement the Nigerian Army has made with another rescue of over 148 Nigerians from the fangs of Boko Haram terrorists.

    And soldiers have not relented in their avowed determination to secure lives and property of Nigerians. Those who listened to President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2018 Democracy Day speech to Nigerians would easily concede that soldiers have ensured or influenced the release of over 20,000 Nigerians held captive by insurgents in the last three years.

    AI recently released a report, alleging the rape or sexual abuse of Boko Haram victims in camps domiciled in the Northeast. But asked again, proof for the claims, AI would shrink like little babies. The organization is suspected of connivance with local and foreign agents in the besmirched plot of the Republic of Iran to destabilize Nigeria, by promoting insecurity and other actions inimical to a peaceful and secured Nigeria.

    By this unwritten script, AI prefers to invent, fabricate and promote reports which have glaring empathy for terrorists; but intentionally turn a blind eye to human rights violations perpetrated by the same Boko Haram terrorists, a fanatical and satanic sect. AI is challenged to dust any of its previous reports which it has ever documented human rights violations or abuses by terrorists’. But ironically, AI jumps excitedly at the dubious promotion its formulated reports, which slight and cast aspersions on the Nigerian Army to service the ego of their alleged foreign paymasters.

    Amnesty International downplays any positive news or exploits of the Nigerian Army for reasons only the arrowheads of the organization can explain. They have sustainably attempted to dampen the morale of troops on battlefield with such extremely distasteful reports. But the soldiers under Gen. Buratai have demonstrated again and again that they are more sophisticated for the petty international politics or espionage mission of AI in Nigeria and other hirelings of the destructive schemes against Nigeria.

    Regardless of the extent AI and buddies would stretch in the assigned assignment to facilitate the break-up of Nigeria, through crisis of insecurity, the resolve of the Nigerian military to stand up for their country can never be broken by such pedestrian tricks.

    Nevertheless, AI and their associates can promote anything against the Nigerian military and other security agencies. But it would never blur, distract or obliterate the practical and positive results of soldiers on battling terrorism in the country. Nigerians know and feel the impact and no amount of propaganda by AI and other cursed souls is strong enough to erase the national and international legacies Nigerian Army has generously deposited on the land.

    And Nigerians in villages and communities like China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages who relish the priced gift of freedom from terrorists grip, because of the intervention of soldiers offer prayers every minute for Gen. Buratai and the soldiers. Villagers in locations such as Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa would never believe or accept AI’s seemingly paid propaganda against the Nigerian Army, which has thrilled them infinitely.

    Definitely, AI and accomplices in the evil Shrine must know that the Nigerian Army is focused, disciplined and professionally splendid. The release of such volume of Boko Haram captives barely a month after Amnesty International falsely and baselessly accused the Army of sundry crimes against humanity in the Northeast is direct demonstration of how the Army has overpowered the distractions and bad blood unleashed by AI and minions.

    It is a revenge mission against AI by Nigerian Army, which pleasantly conveys the message that the Army knows exactly what it is doing about the Boko Haram crisis and the security of Nigerians over terrorism. Gen. Buratai has vowed that as long as he remains the COAS and leader of the counter-terrorism war, every Nigerian held hostage by Boko Haram would be freed by soldiers.

    So, AI can mouth all obscenities on soldiers, but the Nigerian Army would continue to disprove them through actions, as evidenced by the latest release of another 148 Nigerians in Boko Haram captivity.

    Ugo writes from the United Kingdom.

  • Troops rescue 148 hostages in Borno

    The Nigeria Army said on Monday that 148 Boko Haram hostages have been rescued in Modu Kimeri village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

    A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Relations at the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the hostages were used as sex slaves and forced labourers by Boko Haram militants.

    He said upon profiling, the troops discovered that the female hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used in forced labour.

    According to him, the operation was carried out by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force as part of the army counter insurgency operation.

    The statement reads:

    “Troops of 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the North East have rescued 148  civilians held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists in Modu Kimeri,  a remote village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

    “The troops rescued the hostages during an extensive clearance operation on Sunday, 3rd June 2018, to rid the general area of Bama,  Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 women and 75 children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves. Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons. The rescued persons further disclosed that the men were not spared, as they were regularly engaged in forced labour while in captivity of the terrorists. They will be promptly handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops have also successfully cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages. Other areas cleared by troops along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, troops recovered 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags, a motorcycle and one Bow and 20 Arrows.

    “The gallant troops remain resilient and are carrying out further exploitation.”

     

  • T.Y Danjuma and the Nigerian Army

    Sir: We have read the report by the Nigerian Army exonerating itself from the allegation made by former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister, General Theophilus Y. Danjuma that Soldiers in Taraba were colluding with armed bandits to kill locals.

    It is pertinent to note that General T.Y Danjuma (rtd) is not a man that throws words around, and for a former Chief of Army Staff who has an understanding of how the military works to make such weighty allegation against the Nigerian Army, it means there is more to the story than meets the eye.

    An allegation such as this, demands a thorough investigation on the activities of the troops in Taraba State. We are of the belief that the Nigerian Army, in a quest to exonerate itself, hurriedly released a report that fails to address the allegation made by T.Y Danjuma.

    Thisday Newspapers in one of its reports, gave a detailed account of Nigerians that have been killed by herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, and other parts of North Central.

    A Report by Global Terrorism Index, the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and The Stefanus Foundation, Based In The United States and Nigeria respectively, revealed that the Fulani Militants are fourth most lethal and deadly terror group in the world.

    Why has the government of Nigeria refused to designate herdsmen as a terror group despite the available facts on ground that the group is responsible for thousands of deaths in the Middle-Belt region of Nigeria?

    We are not satisfied with the report and Nigerian Army can not be the Judge in its own case. We, therefore, demand the full disclosure of the Human Rights Organization, CSOs that were part of the committee.

    We also demand that an independent judicial commission of Inquiry be constituted to look into the allegation.

    We are equally concerned about the shameful excuse given by the Army that ”The Nigeria-Cameroon common borders in Taraba State are porous”.

    The Statutory responsibility of the Army is to protect our territorial integrity and not give excuses such as this.

     

    • Deji Adeyanju Convener, Concerned Nigerians, an NGO.