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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Troops recover additional 510 animals from bandits

    Troops recover additional 510 animals from bandits

    Troops of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna on Tuesday recovered additional 510 animals from armed bandits in Zamfara, after engaging them in a fierce battle.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Wednesday that the animals, comprising 269 cows and 241 sheep would be handed over to their legitimate owners.

    The troops had on September 25 recovered 157 animals from bandits after raiding their camp at Kahiru forest in the Bakura local government area of Zamfara State.

    Usman said troops on “Operation Sharan Daji,” ambushed and engaged the bandits in a fierce battle at Kuran Mota in Anka local government area of the state, following a tip-off.

    He said the bandits later fled and abandoned the animals as they could not withstand the fire power of the troops.

    NAN

  • Police arrest, hand over Boko Haram commander to Army

    Police arrest, hand over Boko Haram commander to Army

    The Police have arrested a wanted Boko Haram terrorist in Ondo State, Idris Ibrahim Babawo and handed him over to the Army, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, army spokesman has confirmed.

    Usman said in a statement on Tuesday that the terrorist, who goes by the name “Idoko’’ and “Nagada’’ was believed to be “on serial number 156 on the wanted Boko Haram terrorist list.

    “He was handed over to the 32 Brigade, 2 Division, Nigerian Army at about 2 p.m. on Monday by the Ondo state Command of the Nigeria Police.”

    The army spokesman said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect, aged 42, hails from Chinade village in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    “He escaped from the North East due to military onslaught on the terrorists with a view to evade arrest and prosecution, but nemesis caught up with him,’’ Usman said.

    In another development, the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, on Monday, successfully raided a bandit camp at Kahiru forest in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara and recovered 157 animals.

    Usman listed the recovered animals as 50 cows, 82 goats and 25 sheep which were abandoned by the bandits.

    He explained that the bandits opened fire on the troops when they approached the camp, making the troops to return fire, thereby killing one of the bandits.

    NAN

  • Troops arrest arms dealers in Zamfara

    Troops arrest arms dealers in Zamfara

    Troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested two suspected illegal arms dealers along Funtua-Gusau road in Zamfara on Sunday.

    Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Monday that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects were on their way to deliver ammunition to armed bandits.

    Usman said they were caught driving a Golf Volkswagen car with registration number AWE-534-AA (Nasarawa), containing 1,479 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

    According to him, the suspects are in DSS custody.

    Usman said troops deployed at Dangulbi in Maru local government area of Zamfara also arrested three armed bandits while on routine patrol.

    “The team recovered one AK-47 rifle magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, N45,500, Nokia mobile telephone handset battery and three Airtel SIM cards,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • Troops avert disaster in Rann IDPs camp

    Troops avert disaster in Rann IDPs camp

    A humanitarian disaster was averted by troops of the 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Operation Lafiya Dole on Sunday.

    The troops discovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the Boko Haram terrorists at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Rann, Kala Balge local government of Borno state.

    According to the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig General Sani Usman, the troops were on routine patrol when they discovered and safely detonated the explosive.

    General Usman said in a statement last night: ” Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army on Operation LAFIYA DOLE averted a disaster on Sunday 24th September 2017 when on routine patrol they discovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted near the Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists long ago.

    “The IED which was carefully concealed and planted about 300 metres to the camp, was discovered and safely detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team of the unit.”

  • Troops arrest armed bandits, cattle rustler

    Troops arrest armed bandits, cattle rustler

    Troops of the Nigerian Army, 1 Division together with men of Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two illegal arm dealers and some cattle rustlers operating in the Northwest zone of the country.

    According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig. General Sani Usman, the illegal arm dealers were arrested while on “business trip” to supply arms to bandits operating along Funtua-Gusau road in Zamfara state.

    The statement which was made available to news men last night reads” On Sunday 24th September 2017 at about 2.00pm, troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with elements of Department of State Services trailed and arrested 2 illegal arms dealers; Abdulkarim Jibrin and Suleiman along Funtua-Gusau road in Zamfara State.

    “They were caught driving a Golf Volkswagen car with registration number AWE-534-AA (Nasarawa) containing 1,479 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition. Preliminary investigation shows that on their way to deliver the ammunition to armed bandits.

    “The suspects are in Department of State Services custody. In a related development, troops of 1 Brigade, 1 Division Nigerian Army, deployed at Rabah Local Government Area, Sokoto State, also on Sunday 24th September 2017, at about 1.00pm arrested suspected cattle rustler, Abdullahi Jummo Nakogiwo at Dalingen in Rabah Local Government Area (LGA).

    “Similarly, troops deployed at Dangulbi, Maru LGA, Zamfara State, on routine patrol apprehended 3 armed bandits at Gobirawan Chali. The team recovered 1 AK-47 rifle magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, the sum of N45, 500, Nokia mobile telephone handset battery and 3 Airtel SIM cards.

    “The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police.”

  • Weapons: Army trains 128 NSCDC personnel in Kogi 

    Weapons: Army trains 128 NSCDC personnel in Kogi 

    The Nigerian Army has concluded training on weapon handling for 128 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), at the Kogi State Command.
    Speaking on Monday at the passing-out parade ceremony at the Chari Maigumeri Command Army Record, in Lokoja, Zonal Commander of NSCDC in-charge of Zone H, Osemwegie Osaro Lugard said the training would enhance the capacity of its men in tackling the menace of kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalisation of critical infrastructure and other forms of criminality in the state.
    He said that the corps will continue to accord priority to the training and retraining of its men for efficiency, adding that about 85 percent of the NSCDC personnel of the Kogi State Command have so far been trained on arms bearing.
    The state Commander of the NSCDC, Mr Everistus Obiyo, expressed satisfaction with the successful training of the personnel and assured that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to rid the state of all forms of criminalities.
  • Group hails Ohanaeze’s visit to Gombe, sues for peace

    Group hails Ohanaeze’s visit to Gombe, sues for peace

    The Igbos for Nigeria Movement ( INM ) on Monday commended the visit of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leaders to Gombe state to promote peace and tolerance.
     
    The group, in a statement in Abuja by its National Leader, Mazi Igwe Ifeanyi, said the period when the organization and Igbo leaders played politics with what is ordinarily a nationwide quest for a better deal was over.
     
    He commended the Nigerian Army for having the will to tackle the agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ).
     
    According to him, there is nowhere in the world where terrorist organizations are allowed to flourish unchallenged.
     
    He said: “We commend the Nigerian Army for having the will to tackle IPOB as a festering sore that was on the verge of compromising the health of the nation.
     
    “There is nowhere in the world where terrorists are allowed to flourish unchallenged as earlier canvassed by certain many Igbo and Ohaneze leaders with vested interests.”
     
    He called on some Igbo leaders to apologize to the Nigerian army for criticizing the military operation code-named Operation Python Dance II in the South East.
     
    According to him, some political leaders in the region who banked on using Kanu’s IPOB to score political points had since discovered that they were as much the victims of a terror infrastructure.
     
    “The Igbos for Nigeria Movement [INM] has called on the foremost Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo Leaders to apologize to the military for their earlier acts of silence, indifference, collusion and passive support that allowed the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to metamorphosed into a full blown terror group, whose leader, Nnamdi Kanu, hijacked the Igbo agitation for fairness to incite hatred across the land.

    “It is reassuring that the same people that were supporting IPOB, even when they were hostages, are today relishing the freedom procured for them through the success recorded by Operation Python Dance II, which has empowered them to again grow the courage to visit the same people that Kanu had vilified without them censuring him. 

    “The least Ohanaeze, Chief Nwodo and other Igbo leaders can do is to retract their past statements on the Operation Python Dance II and to encourage troops to root out other evils that have made Igboland into a place that other Nigerians avoid as a place to settle down.
     
    “The ill-conceived quit notice to Igbos by some northern youths have exposed how groups like IPOB placed Igbos at a disadvantage because Igbos settle in other parts of the country in large numbers while only few persons of other ethnic groups make Igboland their homes because of attitudes like the one exhibited by Kanu.

    “Going forward, the expectation is that Ohanaeze and any one that genuinely calls himself a leader in Igboland must now put the interest of Igbo people above their personal interest and this includes accepting that IPOB was a monster that was set to consume the genuine cause which every Igbo man had vigorously pursued in the past. 

    “Had the military not stopped IPOB and Kanu, the path they were threading was on the verge of making Igbos lose what they had toiled to build in other parts of Nigeria in the past five decades given the way they needlessly antagonized other ethnic groups, including calling for their death,” the statement added.
  • Operation Python Dance, Crocodile Smile in Nigerians’ interest —Buratai

    Operation Python Dance, Crocodile Smile in Nigerians’ interest —Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the Operation Python Dance 2 embarked upon by the Nigerian Army in the South East as well as the Operation Crocodile Smile 2 in the South South and South West zones were meant to tackle existing/emerging security challenges around the country.

    He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties while it would continue to obey the rule of law and remain guided by the rules of engagement.

    Buratai stated these yesterday in a paper he presented at the executive session of the second day of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, said: “The Nigerian Army belongs to the Nigerian people and it is poised to remain the pride of the nation and the last man in its defence.

    “In order to maintain the pride, I have laid structures for effective leadership and personnel management, because the Nigerian Army must strive to remain an institution of authority that creates responsibilities, provide direction, inspiration, vision and communicate same to personnel at all times.

    “By going in this direction, the Nigerian Army is poised to confront evolving internal and external threats, in order to guarantee the sovereignty of our dear country.

    “In so doing, we are avowed to remain firmly apolitical in order to always find ourselves in a good stead to defend our constitution by providing the needed security environment as a guarantee for the survival of our democracy.”

    Buratai also stated that his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time Boko Haram insurgents had instilled fear in the psyche of Nigerians and most of the troops’ locations were lost to the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He noted that quite unfortunately, many officers and men of the Nigerian army lost their lives to insurgency, leading to a general dampening of troops’ morale and fighting spirit across the entire theatre.

    The army chief stressed that upon his appointment, he was naturally confronted with the urgent need to take workable measures aimed at reversing the ugly trend and begin a positive drive towards winning a decisive victory against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He said: “On December 22, 2016, our gallant troops decimated the insurgents and took over Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest from them, in what was definitely a landmark development in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northeast, as Camp Zairo, which was hitherto the command headquarters of the Boko Haram leadership, was captured by our gallant troops.

    “The location is now a training area designated Lt. Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range. The troops are almost through with ongoing efforts at completely flushing out remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts in other parts of the forest.

    “The challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and kidnappings in some Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of Operation MESA in all the states in the country.

    “The challenges of increased militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping in the Southern part of the country have been accorded appropriate attention.”

    Buratai also stated that under his watch, the performances of troops in assigned operational tasks were being complemented by sustainable welfare programmes.

    He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support for the Nigerian Army while reassuring him of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

    The session was chaired by a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. It also had in attendance a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile; and the President of NGE, Funke Egbemode, among other eminent personalities.

    Papers were also presented by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, among others.

  • We’ve checkmated IPOB, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, says Army

    We’ve checkmated IPOB, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, says Army

    The Nigerian Army yesterday said it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in the South East while clashes between farmers and herdsmen within the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.

    Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army further said the activities of kidnappers and other criminals had been checkmated in the region while scores of people had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    The army was however silent on the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who was alleged to be on the run after a siege laid on his compound in Aba, Abia State.

    A statement signed by Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, however reassured the public that the army was poised to maintain peace and orderliness in the entire South East.

    The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River states without hitch.

    “The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-Eastern Region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers-herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.

    “One interesting aspect of the exercise is that it is multi-agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organisations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Immigration Service are all synergising and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives.

    “Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services.”

    He said that despite the initial opposition to Exercise EGWU EKE II by the outlawed IPOB members and their sympathisers, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilised.

    He said: “The usual violent activities of the outlawed IPOB members and their symphatisers and unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State, is now fully stabilised.

    “The usual violent activities of the outlawed Biafra National Guards (manning check points and extorting money from traders and motorists) have now been checkmated.

    “Similarly the outlawed Biafra terrorists’ group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance.”

  • Operation Python Dance: Army keeps mum on Kanu’s whereabouts

    Operation Python Dance: Army keeps mum on Kanu’s whereabouts

    The Nigerian Army said on Friday it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East, while clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.

    However, the army was silent on the whereabouts of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was said to be on the run after troops laid siege on his compound in Aba, Abia state.

    Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army said activities of kidnappers and other criminals have also been checkmated while several people have been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa,  reassured the public that the army was ready to maintain peace and order in the entire South East.

    The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday, 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River States without hitch.

    “The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-East region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers- herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.

    “One interesting aspect of the exercise is that, it is multi agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the Services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organizations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are all synergizing and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives. Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services.

    “The first was on Tuesday, 18th September 2017 at the Adult Education Mass Literacy Centre, Nkwuagu Primary School Amaagu, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Adamu Baba Abubakar and the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major Gen. David Ahmadu and other senior Army Officers, were personally present at the commencement of the free medical outreach.

    “The turnout was impressive, as over 2,000 people benefited in the areas of dental, optometry, laboratory services and blood pressure measurements. Others were dispensing of eye glasses, de-worming tablets, assorted drugs, mosquito nets and sanitizer to various categories of people. In the same vein, similar medical outreach will be conducted at Nnarambia community Central Primary School, Ahiara Mbaise in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State on 23rd September 2017 as part of the activities of Exercise EGWU EKE II.

    “The Division has also scheduled similar free medical outreaches in other states covering its area of responsibility during the exercise. Furthermore, in addition to visiting the Operational Headquarters of Sector 5 of Exercise EGWU EKE II, at 24 Support Engineering Regiment, Abakaliki, the Chief of Army Staff also visited the Step-Up Headquarters of 82 Division at the Nigerian Army Language Institute, Ovim, in Isiuokwuato LGA of Abia State.

    “So far, the troops have been carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other supporting Services and agencies. Some suspected criminals were arrested, farmers-herdsmen as well as communal clashes have been averted. Similarly, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids and manning of checkpoints.”