The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Army ‘reclaim’ territories from Boko Haram

    Army ‘reclaim’ territories from Boko Haram

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said it has reclaimed all territories earlier captured by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

    The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    Nwachukwu dismissed as “misleading,” reports indicating that seven of the 27 local government areas of Borno State were still under Boko Haram control.

    He described the insinuation as an attempt to propagate falsehood and a futile effort to misinform members of the public on the true security situation in the North East.

    Nwachukwu said troops under the Operation Lafiya Dole had recorded significant successes in the counter insurgency operation and rooted out the insurgents from their major tactical enclave in Sambisa forest and spiritual headquarters at Alagarno.

    He said: “It is very crucial to set the record straight by making it crystal clear that contrary to this misleading report, the Boko Haram terrorists do not hold or control any local government area in Borno or in the North East as claimed by some elements.

    “Local government areas hitherto controlled by Boko Haram have been liberated by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “The troops have continued to ensure security in the liberated areas after routing out the insurgents.

    “Displaced persons are also encouraged to return to their communities, to resume their normal life.”

    Nwachukwu said the military had conducted various operations to enhance their operations, decimate the insurgents’ group and protect the nation’s territorial integrity.

    The Army spokesperson listed the exercises to include Operations DEEP PUNCH, CHIKIN GUDU and RAWAN KADA, adding that the operations were conducted in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    “These operations culminated in the degradation and incapacitation of Boko Haram insurgents.

    “Apparently, this is the reason the insurgents are striving to remain relevant by resorting to callous use of women and children to carry out suicide bomb attacks on soft and vulnerable targets,’’ he added.

    Nwachukwu stressed that the army had initiated precursor operations to put a final onslaught to the insurgency in the North East.

    He noted that a special Mobile Strike Force was launched in the theatre of operations to effectively patrol localities as well as seek out and neutralise the insurgents from their hideouts.

    “Recently, a total of 82 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in combat and 630 remote settlements cleared by troops.

    “ Our troops are tirelessly on the trail of the fleeing insurgents as devastating coordinated aerial and artillery bombardments are being unleashed on the terrorist group. “The troops are therefore not waiting only to repel attacks as erroneously painted, but rather tactically deployed to deny the adversaries freedom of action and access to logistics,” the army spokesman stated.

     

  • Soyinka cautions army on Operation Python Dance

    Soyinka cautions army on Operation Python Dance

    The Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Wednesday urged the Nigerian Army to be cautious in its activities following the declaration of Operations Python Dance and Crocodile Smile in some parts of the country.

    Soyinka made the call during his address at a press conference marking the 50th anniversary of the death of a poet, Christopher Okigbo.

    The event took place at the University of Ibadan.

    Okigbo died while fighting on the Biafran side during the Nigerian civil war in 1967

    Soyinka lamented that humiliation and dehumanisation of the civil populace by military was beginning to creep back into the nation.

    He urged the Federal Government and the military authorities to tread with caution while dealing with civilians.

    He said: “There has to be a way out of a repeat of war. But we are reaching a stage whereby, like Christopher Okigbo, people are putting their lives on the line again, which can lead to terrible consequences.

    “I think at a time when cattle rearers, who feel they own the nation, humiliate and dehumanise innocent citizens in their communities, this is an area the military can focus more on.”

     

     

  • Biafra: Groups fault US lawyer’s calls to investigate Buhari, Buratai

    Biafra: Groups fault US lawyer’s calls to investigate Buhari, Buratai

    The National Committee of Yoruba Youth (NCYY), the Southeast Professionals in Diaspora and the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, has berated a United States constitutional lawyer, Bruce Fein, over his calls that the United Nations should refer President Muhamadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation in the on-going military operation against the Indegenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East.

    In an article published in HuffPost on Sunday, and other various insidious videos, Fein accused the military of carrying out a genocide against the Igbo people, He also made an unfounded and highly preposterous allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

    The groups, at a Press Conference in Lagos on Wednesday, described Fein’s call, as an attempt to blackmail President Buhari, and prevent the Nigerian Army, from carrying out its constitutionally guaranteed responsibility, of protecting Nigeria and Nigerians, against any form of Internal and external aggression, many of which Nigerians have been subjected to, as a result of the terrorist activities, of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB.

    Speaking on behalf of the groups, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, wondered “why Mr. Fein and some foreign collaborators like the Amnesty International,  who have clearly shown bias towards  the Nigerian Nation,  most especially the Nigerian Army should been seen as encouraging the secessionist agitations of the IPOB.

    “They have even pretended not to understand the basic responsibilities of President Buhari and Nigerian Army, towards defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, that we are.

    “We believe every society would do what it needs to do to prevent individuals or a small group of people from creating scenarios that would endanger the rights of the majority. If the government finds it necessary to declare a group actively seeking and practising violence and terrorism while threatening the existence of the Country a ‘a Terrorist Group’ and proscribe it’s activities,  it is ingenious for some characters and their foreign collaborators to see a way to arm twist the government with legalese not to act when the security of the Country is what is at stake,” the group said, adding that every government must act in a manner that protects the majority.

    “We wonder if Fein and his collaborators wanted the Nigerian government to fold it’s arm and allow IPOB  and other terrorist organisational just to take over Nigeria. If that happens, God Forbid, this same characters would be the ones saying the Nigerian government has lost control,” it noted.

  • Operation Python Dance: Army will abide by rules of engagement – Buratai

    Operation Python Dance: Army will abide by rules of engagement – Buratai

    The Chief of Army staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Monday the army would abide by the rules of engagement in carrying out the Exercise Egwu Eke II which kicked off last Saturday in the South East.

    Buratai stated this when he visited the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

    He said the exercise is aimed at improving the security situation in the zone which is very strategic to the security of the country.

    According to him, the exercise will help to bring about the much needed peace and security and trains the military in basic internal security.

    “They army has taken into cognizance the security of the people in deployment of its personnel for the operation,” the COAS stated.

    He said the army would work with other security outfits in the region in carrying out the operation.

    “The army is very sensitive to the cultural norms of the people and will abide by all the rules of engagement and code of conduct that had been laid down which is quite in tandem with the Constitution,” Buratai added.

     

  • Military begins gradual withdrawal from Aba

    Military begins gradual withdrawal from Aba

    The Nigerian Army has commenced gradual withdrawal of its men stationed at various checkpoints in Aba after the recent clash with protesting  members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Sunday, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu told newsmen in Umuahia that the military on Operation Python Dance II had withdrawn from the state.

    Read: Operation Python Dance 2 takes off in Abia

    However NAN investigation on Monday showed that only few of the new military checkpoints mounted in the commercial city had been dismantled.

    The five military checkpoints mounted on the busy Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway had been reduced to three.

    Emeka Chukwuma, a tricycle operator and resident of the city, told NAN that the checkpoints were causing traffic gridlock.

    Also: Operation Python Dance not meant to harass anyone —Dambazzau

    He appealed to Gov. Ikpeazu to prevail on the military authority to remove the checkpoints to ease traffic.

    Meanwhile, activities are gradually returning to normal in Aba after the clashes between the military and IPOB members.

    Markets have re-opened after the five-day dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the city by the governor.

    Most of the shops at Ariaria International Market, New Market, Shopping Centre, Cemetery Markets have re-opened for business while customers were seen going about their businesses.

  • Security threats: Army to conduct more exercises – Buratai

    Security threats: Army to conduct more exercises – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army says it will conduct more exercises to sharpen personnel skills and prepare them to tackle emerging security challenges in the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai announced this Monday at the commencement of the 2nd and 3rd Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja.

    Buratai explained that exercises were aimed at focusing personnel in real time operational scenarios as against simulated training situations.

    Currently, exercise “Egwu Eke” – Python Dance II is underway in the five South East states – Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebony and Cross River in the South South.

    Buratai said: “I have given the necessary directives for officers to embark on mission specific training at home and overseas.

    “This is in addition to effort in strengthening and exploring own local institutions.

    “Commanders at all levels are to ensure that orientation cadres are conducted for young officers and soldiers posted to units in order to enshrine aspects of unit regimentation early in them.”

    He charged formation commanders in theatre of operations to imbibe the spirit of in-theatre training based on terrain and the changing “tactics of adversary.”

    Buratai noted that evolutionary and global security threats were being influenced by political, economic, social and technological factors.

    “Therefore, the need for regular improvement on the existing capacity of the Nigerian Army to be able to deal with present and future security threats is imperative.

    “To achieve this, it is paramount to carry out accurate threats assessment in the formulation of the nation’s security policies which would enhance the ability of the Nigerian Army to deal with these emerging internal security threats,” he said.

    In an interview with newsmen later, the army chief said exercises and training in the army were going on continuously, but only gets to public knowledge when carried out on large scale.

    “Since 2015, we have been holding series of exercises,” he said, adding that the exercises were to reassure Nigerians that the army and other security agencies were concerned about their safety and security.

  • Politicians responsible for South East crisis – Nigerian Army

    Politicians responsible for South East crisis – Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army yesterday accused unnamed politicians of engineering a crisis of confidence between its personnel and the people of the South East for selfish reasons.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-Gen. Sani Usman, called the development sad and unfortunate.

    “It is so sad and unfortunate that a particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying to set the military and Nigerian society against each other,” Usman said in a statement in Abuja.

    He was reacting to the face-off between the army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia.

    The army spokesman, however, maintained that the face-off notwithstanding, the army would go ahead to conduct its “Operation Python Dance II,” due to commence yesterday.

    “It will commence on 15 September, 2017. The troops have been conducting themselves professionally within the ambit of rules of engagement. And code of conduct and where there are noted infractions, appropriate measures will be taken,” he said.

    Usman described the face-off between the army and members of IPOB in Abia State as an isolated issue which was being blown out of proportion by some people.

    His words: “These isolated incidents, instigated by miscreants and mischief makers, therefore, should not be taken as something that should jeopardise the military exercise going on in that place.

    “It is really sad and unfortunate that people will not find time to ask question about the essence and activities involved in respect of exercise Egwu Eke II before jumping into conclusion.

    “The exercise is taking part in the entire South East and Cross River. Why should we have problem in one state – Abia?”

    He said there was “no reported problem in Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu and Cross River states.”

    The army spokesman called for understanding, saying there “is need for all of us to be more responsible, exercise understanding about the issues at hand, support and encourage the military to perform its legitimate duty.

    “The exercise we are having has been scheduled since last year – 2016. It is not targeted at any segment of the Nigerian society.

    “As a matter of fact, it was because of the encouraging feedback that we have about the conduct of exercise Python Dance I in 2016 that brought the idea of having another exercise.

    “And being a responsible organisation, people said Python Dance seems to be something awkward, so, why don’t you call it in the native language of those people so that they can understand it just like you have exercise Harbin Kunama?

    “We have had exercises in other parts of the country.

    “As soon as we are done with exercise Egwu Eke II, we are embarking on exercise Crocodile Smile II which is also a scheduled training exercise in the circle of the Nigerian army training year, 2017.

    “And this time around, beyond the South South Zone, it will be extended to the South West zone, involving 2 Division, 6 Division and 81 Division,” he stated.

    He argued that Egwu Eke was not an operation but a training exercise intended to sharpen the skills of those involved.

     

  • Politicians causing crisis in South East – Army

    Politicians causing crisis in South East – Army

    The Nigerian Army has accused some unnamed politicians of attempting to cause crisis between its personnel and people in the South East for their selfish interest.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, stated this on Friday.

    Usman was reacting to the face-off between the army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia.

    He said: “It is so sad and unfortunate that a particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying to set the military and Nigerian society against each other.

    “It is sad and unfortunate.”

    The army spokesman, however, maintained that despite the face-off, the army would go ahead to conduct its “Operation Python Dance II,” due to commence on Friday.

    “It will commence on 15, September 2017. The troops have been conducting themselves professionally within the ambit of rules of engagement and code of conduct and where there are noted infractions, appropriate measures will be taken.’’

    Usman described the face-off between the army and members of IPOB in Abia as an isolated issue which was being blown out of proportion by some people.

    “These isolated incidences, instigated by miscreants and mischief makers, therefore, should not be taken as something that should jeopardise the military exercise going on in that place.

    “It is really sad and unfortunate that people will not find time to ask question about the essence and activities involved in respect of exercise Egwu Eke II before jumping into conclusion.

    “The exercise is taking part in the entire South East and Cross River, why should we have problem in one state – Abia.

    “There is no reported problem in Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu and Cross River States,” Usman added.

    The army spokesman called for understanding, saying there “is need for all of us to be more responsible, exercise understanding about the issues at hand, support and encourage the military to perform its legitimate duty.

    “The exercise we are having has been scheduled since last year – 2016. It is not targeted at any segment of the Nigerian society.

    “As a matter of fact, it was because of the encouraging feedback that we have about the conduct of exercise Python Dance I in 2016 that brought the idea of having another exercise.

    “And being a responsible organisation, people said Python Dance seems to be something awkward, so, why don’t you call it in the native language of those people so that they can understand it just like you have exercise Harbin Kunama.

    “We have had exercises in other parts of the country.

    “As soon as we are done with exercise Egwu Eke II, we are embarking on exercise Crocodile Smile II which is also a scheduled training exercise in the circle of the Nigerian army training year, 2017.

    “And this time around, beyond the South South Zone, it will be extended to the South West zone, involving 2 Division, 6 Division and 81 Division,’’he stated.

    He argued that Egwu Eke was not an operation but a training exercise intended to sharpen the skills  of those involved.

    NAN

  • Nigerian Army investigates alleged attack in Abia

    Nigerian Army investigates alleged attack in Abia

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced investigations into the alleged breach of human rights in the ongoing Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

    Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations in the 82 Division, made the disclosure in Enugu on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    NAN reports that videos of alleged tortures of some youth in some parts of Abia have gone viral in the social media.

    According to Musa, in line with the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding internal security operations, those found wanting, if any, would be dealt with.

    “The Nigerian Army does not encourage or condone indiscipline and unprofessional conduct in any form,’’ he said.

    The army spokesman maintained that its troops did not kill anybody in Aba as insinuated in the social media.

    He explained that the Python Dance 11 was conducted every Ember month to check obvious criminal activities including kidnapping, armed robbery and the recent secession agitations in the zone.

    “Python Dance 1 was conducted in September 2016 in the zone and it was a huge success because rate of crime dropped drastically and people celebrated their yuletide peacefully.

    “Even road accident rates also dropped from reports by the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ),’’ he said.

    Musa regretted that the second exercise received high criticisms.

    He appealed to the general public to use the dedicated mobile phone numbers issued for credible and reasonable complaints about the conduct of the troops and the entire operations.

    In another development, the army spokesperson received the South-East Human Rights Situation Room led by Prof. Joy Ezeilo on the violence in the South-East.

    Ezeilo urged the military to adopt international human rights law and global best practices in carrying out the exercise in the zone.

    She solicited the partnership and cooperation of the Nigerian Army in sensitising the public to the operation, adding that the group had established a hotline, 09060002128 to receive reports of any infractions.

    The law professor appealed to residents of the zone to be law abiding and shun violence in any situation.

  • South East: SAN commends Army’s pledge to probe allegation of ill-treatment

    South East: SAN commends Army’s pledge to probe allegation of ill-treatment

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon has commended the decision by the military authorities to probe allegation of dehumanising treatment meted out to some captured pro-Biafra agitators by soldiers.

    Hon who codenamed the maltreament of agitators, said he was horrified when he said a video recording of what took place.

    He faulted the way the Federal Government was handling the Biafra issue and urged South East leaders to also do more in engaging the agitating youths.

    Hon said: “The video which has gone viral on the Internet, showing most dehumanising treatment of persons suspected to be Biafra apologists, is horrible and horrifying, to say the least.

    “It is unbelievable that the Nigerian Army, once respected globally, would condescend to the level of flogging its hapless captives and compelling them to submerge themselves in thick mud.

    “I didn’t believe my eyes when I first watched the video; and I almost became a psychological wreck when I attempted to watch it again.

    “What that video has depicted personnel of the Nigerian doing is condemnable in all ramifications. Not even prisoners of war are treated that way!

    “The promise by the army to investigate is salutary; but I must caution that this should not be a fluke.

    “For goodness sake, even though the renewed Biafra agitation is, responsibly speaking, not well thought out by its protagonists, but the dismissive aloofness of the Federal authorities is not good either.

    “I can’t fathom why, in a democracy, the Federal Government is blatantly refusing to meaningfully engage dissidents threatening dismemberment of that same federation, but rather derisively threat them as mere noisy elements. It is never done this way.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, I do not support any separatist agitation in Nigeria now; but at the same time, I do not support the Nigerian Government’s demeaning response to the smouldering crisis.

    “I warned the other day that Nigeria is hemorrhaging and even hanging on the cliff. I also advised that President Muhammadu Buhari should use the carrot and stick approach of the President Obasanjo era – which deservedly beat the Niger Delta agitators to their game.

    “The actions of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army are capable of being misinterpreted as anti-Igbo.

    “In conclusion, however, I wish to strongly plead for caution, especially on the part of the Federal Government. The apparent depicting of Biafran apologists as arch enemies is improper, with due respect.

    “Igbo leaders, political and traditional, should also not just speak up against separatism, they should also engage constructively with the agitators on the need for them to see the futility of their actions. A stitch in time saves nine!” Hon said.