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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • NAF, Army foil suicide attack in Borno, kill bombers

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday its Special Forces in conjunction with Nigerian Army troops foiled a Boko Haram suicide attack at the University of Maiduguri, Borno state.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that a suicide bomber and another Boko Haram fighter were killed during the operation.

    He said: “Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with some Nigerian Army (NA) troops, successfully foiled a suicide bombing attack by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at University of Maiduguri, Borno State in the night of 8 April 2018.

    ” The BHT suicide bombers tried to gain access into the university but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces. Meanwhile, the vest on one of the suicide bombers was detonated before they could gain access into the hostel, leading to a commotion.

    “However, there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire on them. The NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing BHTs, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralized.

    “The NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing BHTs at the time of filing this report. Members of the public, especially those around the university premises are, therefore, requested to be very vigilant.”

     

  • Troops kill five Boko Haram fighters in Adamawa

    The Nigerian Army said on Saturday its troops have killed five Boko Haram insurgents in a gun duel at Barkin-Dutse Area of Adamawa State.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that troops engaged and killed the insurgents following a distressed call by hunters on Friday.

    He said: “Troops of operation LAFIYA DOLE on April 6 neutralised suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Barkin Dutse area of Adamawa State following a distress call from hunters.

    “The terrorists on sighting the troops opened fire which resulted in exchange of fire.

    “Five Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while some of them escaped into nearby caves during the encounter.

    “Also, one hunter lost his life during the operation.”

    Chukwu said the troops recovered five AK 47 rifles, five magazines and 22 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

    He added that troops were in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and urged the people to report any suspicious movements in their area to security agencies.

    Meanwhile, troops had arrested two suspected insurgents in Bauchi and Borno in separate operations.

    Chukwu, who made the disclosure in Maiduguri, said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade on April 5 arrested one Saidu Jenga, 33, on Maiduguri Bye pass Road, Bauchi, in connection with Boko Haram activities.

    He said the suspect was allegedly overheard discussing movement of arms and ammunition on phone.

    “Items recovered include one techno phone with two sim cards as well as N6, 870 cash,” he said.

    Chukwu added that troops of operation LAFIYA DOLE also arrested one Umar Ali, 59, a suspected Boko Haram insurgent at Galdimare ward in Biu local government area of Borno State.

    NAN

     

     

  • Army arrest kidnap kingpin in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had arrested a kidnap kingpin, Filani Auta, at Ligari village of Kaduna State.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the kingpin was arrested along with his two sons during a raid by troops following a tip-off.

    According to Chukwu, items recovered from the suspect are two Dane guns and four mobile phones.

    “The suspects will soon be handed over to the police for prosecution,” he said.

    NAN.

    Read Also:Army sets up four-member investigative committee on Maiduguri attack

  • Troops kill 22 bandits in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that 22 armed bandits were killed during a gun duel between troops of the 232 Battalion, Zuru and bandits in Zamfara State.

    An army officer and a soldier also died during the clash.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the remains of the dead officer and soldier have been evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau.

    He said: “Troops of 232 Battalion Zuru while on clearance patrol on Wednesday, 4 April 2018, encountered armed bandits and neutralize 21 at Tunga Daji in Anka local government area of Zamfara State.

    “During the fierce battle many bandits escaped with gunshot wounds to the top of high ground close to the area. Weapons recovered are – five AK 47 assault rifles, one Light machine gun, five magazines of AK 47 rifle and 35 rounds of 7,62mm special ammunition.

    “Unfortunately we lost an officer and a soldier during the encounter. The remains of the officer and soldier have been evacuated to Federal Medical Center in Gusau.

    “Similarly troops deployed at Bena acted on a tip off and conducted raid operation at bandits Camp in Laka Village of Kebbi State and killed one of the bandit and recovered one AK 47 rifle with a magazine.

    “Troops have been mobilized on special operation to comb the general area and arrest any fleeing bandit.”

     

  • ‘Army needs more medical personnel’

    The Corp Commander, 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Maj.-Gen. Ikechukwu Okeke, on Tuesday in Lagos said that they needed more medical personnel for effective operational efficiency.

    Speaking at the inauguration of newly renovated Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Okeke said they needed to recruit more medical personnel in view of widespread deployment of doctors across formations and units, especially in the North East.

    “I wish to humbly appeal to the Chief of Army Staff , Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to continue the gesture of recuitement and commissioning of medical personnel to fill the gaps.

    “I also commend the efforts being made to persuade the Ministry of Defence to absorb some temporary civilian staff employed by the hospitals to ease the salary burden,” he said.

    He said that the upgrade and renovation of the hospital would no doubt increase its capacity in the discharge of its role as a tertiary health institution.

    Earlier, Maj.- Gen. Rasheed Yusuf, who represented the Chief of Army Staff  ( COAS ), said that they have increased the number of corps medical personnel for sponsorship in several institutions from six to 10 per annum.

    “I have also released funds for the improvement of facilities in the Nigerian Army College of Nursing to enable it meet accreditation requirements and be able to admit civilian students.

    “This will assist in providing the right calibre of staff to man these renovated facilities for the deployment of medical personnel in formations and units of the army,” he said.

    The COAS enjoined the staff to maintain and use the facility optimally.

    The COAS also inaugurated the remodelled students’ hostel at Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The COAS, during the inauguration, said that the army had employed retired personnel to train officers to enhance their professional training and operational efficiency.

    “The army places high premium on training of personnel as veritable tool for inculcating knowledge, skills and attitude to attain a battle winning force capable of meeting contemporary security challenges,” he said.

    Present at the inauguration were the 81 Division General Officer Commanding, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh and other senior military officers, both serving and retired.

    NAN

  • Troops neutralise two bandits in Kaduna

    …Two Soldiers wounded
    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops of the Operation Ayem Akpatuma ( Cat Race) has killed two suspected criminals operating as bandits along Dogon Dawa-Damari Road in Kaduna state.

    Its Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that two soldiers were however wounded when another group of bandits ambushed soldiers on Patrol along Rigasa Airport Road, Kaduna.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu said: “Troops deployed in Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA while on patrol along Dogon Dawa _ Damari road in Kaduna State killed two suspected criminals and recovered two AK 47 rifles. Other items recovered include three magazines and 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

    “Also, troops deployed along Rigasa Airport road on 2 April 2018 ran into an ambushed by suspected bandits. Two soldiers were wounded in the encounter and are presently receiving treatment.

    “Similarly, troops successfully repelled an attack by another suspected bandits in Buruku Benue State”

    Read Also: Troops kill four Boko Haram insurgents, neutralize four suicide bombers

  • Troops arrest three Boko Haram terrorists

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said 3 Boko Haram Terrorists have been arrested by troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole in the northeast of the country.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement in Abuja that the terrorists, Adam Yagga, Musa Kamsulum and Abba Djidoum are all from Darajimal in Bama Local Government of Borno state.

    Brig. Gen. Chukwu said: “Troops of 23 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 28th March 2018, acting on a tip off arrested 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ngurore. The suspects, Adam Yagga, Musa Kamsulum and Abba Djidoum are all from Darajimal in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “One of the suspects, Abba Djidoum, with series of Gunshot wounds on his thigh, confessed to have operated with the Boko Haram terrorists at fringes of Izza, Wudula and Blakule in Bama LOk cal Government Area of Borno State.  Suspect is undergoing preliminary investigation with 23 Brigade Provost Company.

    “We commend patriotic members of Civilian vigilante (Civilian JTF) for their resilience and continued cooperation with troops, and urge members of the public to emulate their vigilance and security consciousness by reporting any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest military location.

    “We wish to remind repentant Boko Haram fighters that the window of opportunity to embrace the Federal Government Amnesty program is still open for them to surrender and lay down their weapons. It is also gratifying to report that the troops’ morale remains high as they dominate the general area with a robust fighting patrol in continuation with the clearance operations.”

    Read Also:Troops kill four militia men in Bauchi

  • 11 slain soldiers to be buried Thursday

    The Nigerian Army will on Thursday bury the 11 soldiers killed by suspected bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State last week.

    The army authority said arrangement has been concluded for the soldiers’ burial.

    The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Col. Muhammad Dole, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    He said the soldiers would be buried at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Kaduna.

    He said: “One Division Nigerian Army will conduct a befitting burial ceremony for its personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice during exercise AYEM AKPOTUMA.

    “The burial will take place on March 29, 2018 at Commonwealth Cemetery in Kaduna.”

     

     

  • Army replies Danjuma, says Taraba govt uncooperative

    The Nigerian Army has described as unfortunate a statement credited to a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, that the military is colluding with armed bandit carrying out killings in country.

    The former Chief of Army Staff, on Saturday during the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University, accused the military of aiding killer herdsmen in the country.

    “The armed forces are not neutral. They collude; they collude; they collude with the armed bandits that kill people and kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movement. They cover them,” Danjuma, an ex-defence minister said in a rare outburst.

    The Army in its  reaction by  public relations director, Texas Chukwu, Brigadier General said the Taraba State Government was not cooperating with the Nigerian Army in ending the current herdsmen-farmers crisis.

    According to the Army, the public is notified that Nigerian Army personnel have had to pay the supreme price for ensuring the sustenance of security in Taraba State.

    “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the unfortunate statement made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, during the convocation ceremony of the Taraba State University on Saturday 24 March 2018 in which he categorically asserted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was colluding with militias and other criminal elements and was unable to provide security for the citizens of Taraba State.

    “He further called the people of Taraba State to take up arms and defend themselves. The Nigerian Army views this statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff as most unfortunate at this critical time that the military has embarked upon demilitarisation of the North Central Region of the Country”.

    Read also: Danjuma: Military colluding in herdsmen killings

     “While Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the Elder Statesman, however, certain facts need to be clearly stated in the interest of the Taraba People and the Nigerian public: The Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to aid the civil authority whenever called upon to do so”.
    “In this light, the authorisation for the conduct of Ex AYEM AKPATUMA was authorised and troops deployed to curb menace of the herdsmen-farmers conflict and other criminal activities in the North Central Region amongst others”.

    “It is on record that the successes so far achieved in Ex AYEM AKPATUMA have been recognised and accepted by Nigerians. The public is notified that Nigerian Army personnel have had to pay the supreme price for ensuring the sustenance of security in Taraba State. For instance, a gallant non-commission officer of the Nigerian Army was beheaded on 16 March 2018 in Takum Taraba State by criminal elements”.

    “It is noteworthy to state that at the inception of Ex AYEM AKPATUMA, the Taraba State Government, did not cooperate with the Nigerian Army due to the Army’s stance to remain absolutely neutral in the herdsmen-farmers crisis.

    “The Nigerian Army will continue to remain as such. For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army advises the people of Taraba State and indeed all other Nigerians to continue in their day-to-day activities and be law abiding as anyone caught with arms and ammunition will be dealt with accordance with the laws of the land. Every law-abiding citizen is assured of equal protection and security of their lives and property irrespective of his/her person”.

  • Army reopens Maiduguri-Bama highway

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday formally reopened the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki International Highway for members of the public.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, disclosed this at the inauguration of the highway in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Saturday.

    Nicholas said the road was certified safe for public use following the successes recorded in the ongoing operation to rout out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Basin.

    He said: “Today, mark another remarkable event in the life of people of Borno and the military in the Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Recall that on September 1, 2014; the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Road was closed due to activities of Boko Haram insurgents that affected the economic activities in Borno State and the Cameroun Republic.

    “In the course of our operation with our Cameroonian counterpart we had been able to get rid of the insurgents along this axis particularly the Sambisa Forest.

    “It is time for people to go back to their homes in Bama, I am happy that today we are opening up the road to Bama and Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Road, in the first phase of the operation. It would also give the people the leverage to resume commercial activities along the axis and also give them confidence to return home.

    “We also implore the people going back and members of the road transport workers to adhere to the guidelines outlined by the military so that they could ply the road with level of safety.”

    NAN