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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Troops arrest ten herdsmen Benue over destruction of Farms

    Troops arrest ten herdsmen Benue over destruction of Farms

    The Nigerian Army last night said troops of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma have arrested 10 herdsmen for destroying farm lands in Benue state.

    According to a statement endorsed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brig.Gen Texas Chukwu,  the troops also recovered some dangerous weapons from the herdsmen.

    The statement reads: “The effort of the Nigerian  Army to fish out criminals and protect farmlands in Benue State and it environ on the ongoing EXERCISE AYEM AKPATUMA is yielding tremendous result as troops of Sector 1 Sub-Sector A, deployed at Yelwata while on routine patrol arrested 10 herdsmen destroying farmland at Tse-Tigir and Tse-Ndugh villages on Monday 26 February 2018.

    Read Also: ‘Herdsmen still destroying our crops and houses’

    “While in the act of destroying the farmland the herdsmen sighted the aggressive troops and fled into the Bush. The determine troops pursued and arrest them.

    “Items recovered were  5 motorcycle, 2 machetes, some assorted charms and the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira  (N 120,000:00) only. Suspect and items were handed over to the Nigerian Police for further necessary action.

    “The Nigerian Army is determined to fish out criminals and recover weapons use in killing innocent citizens. Therefore the public is please requested to cooperate and support the Army on the ongoing exercise”.

  • Why troops withdrew from Dapchi – Army

    Why troops withdrew from Dapchi – Army

    The Nigeria Army on Monday explained why it withdrew troops at Dapchi town before the last attack that led to the abduction of 110 girls at Government Girls’ Science Technical College, Dapchi.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Spokesman of the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the withdrawal was purely an operational exigency following attacks in some parts of northern Yobe where the troops were redeployed for reinforcement.

    Onyema insisted that the priority of the army is not to join issues with Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, but to correct the misleading comment credited to the governor.

    According to the army spokesman, the comment is not only “unfortunate but far from the truth.”

    The army also assured parents of the abducted girls that the military is working tirelessly to rescue the girls.

    The statement reads:

    “The attention of Headquarters of Theatre Command, Operations LAFIYA DOLE,  has been drawn to a  statement credited to His Excellency, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam, Executive Governor of Yobe State, currently circulating in the media, in which he reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the  military was responsible for the recent suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ attack and abduction of female students  from Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi . This allegation is not only unfortunate, but also very far from the truth

    “Although this headquarters will not attempt to join in any blame game, it is very expedient to set the record straight for the benefit of posterity.  In carrying out its mandate to counter terrorism and insurgency in North East Nigeria, Operation Lafiya Dole has been alive to its responsibilities vis a vis the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. Several communities and local governments that were hitherto under siege of the insurgents have been liberated and the insurgents pushed out . While troops continue to trail and decimate the remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of the liberated communities and towns fall in the hands of the sister security agencies. The recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa and the Lake Chad Islands are testimonials to the effective operations of troops against the insurgents.

    “Additionally, troops are regularly conducting long range patrols, raids and ambushes to canalise and take out fleeing insurgents. Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate comment and allegation is been touted against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Contrary to the comments being circulated, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce troops at Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border. This was on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful and the security of Dapchi town was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town. Troops’ redeployment was therefore done in tandem with the exigencies of operation and not as misconstrued.

    “It is thus obligatory, to state that the allegation reportedly attributed to the Governor of Yobe State is misleading and misinforming.  We reiterate our commitment and determination to carrying out our mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the North East. We also implore members of the public to continue to support us with credible information on the whereabouts of the Boko Haram terrorists. We would also like to assure the parents, government and the good people of Yobe State and indeed members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other persons held captive by the terrorists.”

     

  • Army denies involvement in Kaduna demolition

    Army denies involvement in Kaduna demolition

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday denied involvement in the demolition of the factional All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat in Kaduna in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi- led faction of the party had on Tuesday alleged that the demolition of its secretariat was supervised by the armed soldiers.

    But the army through the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Mechanised Division, Col. Muhammad Dole, said the allegation was a mischief of the highest order.

    The army in statement titled: “Re: Army Demolish Property In Kaduna,” said the “allegation is viewed as another calculated attempt to distract our troops from performing their professional duties.”

    “The attention of the 1 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a Twitter message, a report in mass and social media of alleged involvement of military personnel in the demolition of a politician’s property by KASUPDA in Kaduna.

    “This is not true. No soldier was involved in the exercise. The allegation and the attempt to drag the Nigerian Army into the issue of demolition is yet another baseless and unsubstantiated claim to malign the hardworking, loyal and professional officers and soldiers of 1 Division Nigerian Army and discredit them.”

    “Therefore this claim remains the highest mischief and misleading and it is viewed as another calculated attempt to distract our troops from performing their professional duties. Therefore, the public should disregard such false allegation.

    “The troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army will continue to remain apolitical and non-partisan in the discharge of their constitutional roles. Presently our troops are dutifully engaged in EXERCISE AYEM AKPATUMA (CAT RACE) in Niger and Kaduna States, combating kidnappings, cattle rustling, armed banditry and terrorism.

     

     

  • ‘GOC not involved’

    The 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna yesterday denied the alleged involvement of soldiers in the demolition of the Kaduna State secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The denial followed a call by the affected faction of the APC for the removal of Division’s GOC over alleged partisanship.

    A statement by Col. Muhammad Dole, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations,, denied that soldiers were involved in the demolition of the APC secretariat early Tuesday in Kaduna.

    “The allegation and the attempt to drag the Nigerian Army into the issue of demolition is yet another baseless and unsubstantiated claim to malign the hardworking, loyal and professional officers and soldiers of 1 Division Nigerian Army and discredit them.

    “Contrary to claims, the troops of 1 Division have not been involved in any illegal activity of either harassment of politicians or demolition of their properties in Kaduna and its environs.

  • Army denies killing vigilante member in Edo

    Army denies killing vigilante member in Edo

    The 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, has denied killing any vigilante member or freeing any suspected herdsmen in Edo State.

    The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, stated this in a statement on Saturday.

    He said the attention of the Headquarters 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, had been drawn to a malicious story going round mainstream and social media alleging that soldiers killed a vigilante member and released suspected herdsmen in Edo.

    “Ordinarily, one would have dismissed without responding, but for the ethnic undertone attached to the alleged false story.

    “We wish to state that the story is not correct as no suspected detained herdsman was set free as being reported in the media.

    “Therefore, it is important to put the record straight.

    “In the early hours of February 14, our soldiers deployed at Ologbo for pipelines protection received a tip off from locals of a robbery incident.

    “Acting on the information, our troops swiftly moved to the area and sighted armed men.

    “Our troops fired a warning shot and the armed men responded with gunshots, the soldiers returned fire towards same direction of fire.

    “However, on reaching the scene, they discovered a dead body alongside cartridges and a cutlass.

    “The body was taken to the nearest police station and was later identified as a vigilante member,” the army spokesman said.

    NAN

     

  • Army cites water project in Sambisa forest

    Army cites water project in Sambisa forest

    The Nigerian Army has drilled a bore hole in Sambisa forest to enhance water supply to troops and communities in the area as part of efforts to make the forest habitable.

    The project, according to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, is also part of the ongoing clearance operation to root out the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    Kukasheka said in a statement in Maiduguri, Borno State, that the bore hole was in addition to road rehabilitation projects to facilitate infrastructural development in the forest and adjourning communities.

    “The Nigeria army is continuing with its clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists and making Sambisa forest fit for lawful activities.

    “The Nigerian Army is further consolidating on the successes of Operation DEEP PUNCH II by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, through infrastructural development.

    “The army has constructed a borehole at the cleared insurgents’ strong hold ‘Sabil Huda’ camp in Sambisa forest to enhance access to safe drinking water to the troops.

    “Apart from reducing logistic effort of conveying water from one point to another by the troops, the water project will also assist the adjoining communities,” he said.

     

  • Army places N3m bounty on Shekau

    Army places N3m bounty on Shekau

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday offered a N3million cash reward for anyone with credible information that would lead to the arrest of the factional leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Sani, said in a statement issued in Abuja that anybody with credible information on Shekau should contact the Military Command and Control Centre of Operation Lafiya Dole or the Nigerian Army Call Centre number 193.

    According to the military authorities, Shekau, who has be on the run now disguises as a woman in hijabs due to the heat turned on him by troops in the Sambisa general area.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army will give out Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00k) cash reward for any credible information that leads to the arrest of the fugitive factional Boko Haram terrorists’ group leader, Abubakar Shekau.

    “Anybody with such credible information can either contact the Military Command and Control Centre, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, any military location, security agencies  or call the Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre 193.”

  • Troops kill 186 insurgents in one month

    Troops kill 186 insurgents in one month

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that its troops killed 186 Boko Haram insurgents in the ongoing clearance operation in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region in the past one month.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, stated this when he briefed journalists at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State.

    Nicholas said the military was conducting Operation DEEP PUNCH II alongside Operation RUWAN WUTA 3 of the Air Force component to clear remnants of the insurgents.

    He said the operations had yielded positive results, decimated and degraded the insurgents.

    Nicholas disclosed that troops destroyed and took total control of the insurgents tactical ground ‘CAMP ZAIRO” and its environs.

    He said several insurgents were either killed while some surrendered, adding that high calibre ammunition and vehicles were destroyed and recovered.

    He added that over 1,000 insurgents had surrendered or were captured by troops in the operation, including 93, who surrendered to the Nigerien and 250 to Cameroonian Defence Forces.

     

     

  • Shekau disguises as woman in attempt to escape – Army

    Shekau disguises as woman in attempt to escape – Army

    The Nigerian Army says credible information indicates that factional leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, now dresses as a woman in an effort to escape from the Theatre of Operation.

    Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, said Shekau could no longer bear the heat and had abandoned his followers.

    “He is running for his dear life. He is desperately trying to escape the theatre, disguised as a woman and dressed in Hijab.

    “We reliably gathered that to avoid detection, Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab.

    “We, therefore, call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to know that they are following a coward moving about in hijab and disguising as a woman.

    “We also request all the remaining Boko Haram members to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely,’’ Usman said.

    He said concerted efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader.

    The army spokesman, therefore, appealed to members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to be more vigilant and security conscious.

    He also asked them to be on the lookout for Shekau and other terrorists who might disguise as women to escape.

    NAN

  • Troops arrest two Fulani herdsmen in Benue

    Troops arrest two Fulani herdsmen in Benue

     

    Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigerian Army, on  a routine patrol along Gbajimba – Iyiodeh road in Guma LGA of Benue State have  arrested two Fulani militias.

    According to a statement signed by the Assitant Diector Army Public Relations,707 Special Forces Brigade Nigeria Arny makurd,Major Olabisi Ayeni, stated that suspects  were  planning a dangerous mission.

    The troops sighted the militias while on their daily patrol.

    Read Also:  Fulani  herdsmen kill SARS operative in Oyo

    According to Major Ayeni the  militia who were suspected to be converging, possibly for an attack on Governor Ortom’s fish farm and other innocent citizens were about to be approached for questioning when they opened fire on the troops who later engaged them.

    He said violent herdsmen who also fought back was at the same time trying to withdraw.

    The Special Forces Operators intensified their pursuit and succeeded in arresting two of them while others fled in disarray. The herdsmen had since been handed over to the police.