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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Deputy Boko Haram leader, five others killed by troops

    Deputy Boko Haram leader, five others killed by troops

    The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that at least six key leaders and several Boko Haram militants have been killed in military operations in the last few days.

    Among those killed were the Deputy Hisba Leader of Boko Haram, Man Tahiru, and other top commanders of the insurgent group such as Abu Dujana, Man Chari, Malam Abu Sa’ad and Goni Bamanga.

    Several members of the terror group were also killed in the operations conducted during the week.

    The Director of Nigerian Army Public Relations, Brig. General Sani Usman, said in a statement that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out heavy artillery bombardments and air interdictions to hit targets believed to be hideouts of Boko Haram leaders.

    The statement reads: “Based on information received about the location of some suspected top Boko Haram leaders, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force have been carrying out heavy artillery bombardments and air interdictions on registered targets that had killed a large number of Boko Haram terrorists including some of the group’s key leaders.

    “The Nigerian Army artillery using Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers has lobbed many rockets over the suspected location the terrorists’ leaders are hiding. Video clips obtained on battle damage assessment showed the clear success of the exercise. More details of successes achieved will be made available as the operation continues.

    “The key Boko Haram terrorists Ameers neutralized within the week during the joint Artillery and Nigerian Air Force air bombardments include – Abu Dujana, Man Tahiru (Deputy to Boko Haram terrorist group Hisba leader), Man Chari, Malam Abdullahi Abu Sa’ad and Goni Bamanga.

    “The Nigerian military would continue with the concerted onslaught on the reported Boko Haram terrorists’ location till they have been eliminated.”

     

     

  • Boko Haram top commanders killed by Army

    Boko Haram top commanders killed by Army

    The Nigerian Army said on Thursday it had neutralised several Boko Haram commanders and many of their foot soldiers in the ongoing operation against the insurgents in the North East.

    READ ALSO: Boko Haram destroyed 75% water, sanitation infrastructure in Northeast – UNICEF

    Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the operation was conducted jointly with the Nigerian Air Force.

    Usman said the operation, undertaken based on credible intelligence information, targeted Boko Haram hideouts, adding that “more details of successes achieved will be made available as the operation continues.”

    READ ALSO: Boko Haram Escapee recounts orderal in Sambisa forest

    The spokesman named five top Boko Haram commanders neutralised in the operation to include Abu Dujana, Man Tahiru, a Deputy to Boko Haram terrorists group Hisba leader, Man Chari, Malam Abdullahi Abu Sa’ad and Goni Bamanga.

    “The Nigerian military would continue with the concerted onslaught on the reported Boko Haram terrorists’ locations till they have been eliminated,” he added. (NAN)

  • Army ‎officer echoes call to save Nigerian languages from extinction

    Army ‎officer echoes call to save Nigerian languages from extinction

    A Major General in the Nigerian Army, Lucky Irabor, has echoed the growing call for urgent concerted efforts to save the country’s indigenous languages from extinction.

    Irabor spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the closing ceremony of the maiden summer class of Onu-Kokome Ika Academy in Abuja.

    Irabor is the immediate past Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Army unit leading the war against Boko Haram in the North-East.

    The army officer who chaired the occasion, said government and parents had a critical role to play to avert the impending death of 6,000 Nigerian languages as predicted by UNESCO in 2012.

    “Government and other stakeholders need to do something very fast to preserve our languages and culture before they go extinct.

    “Interestingly, we have the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture that superintends issues of this nature, and I know that policies are being formulated in this regard.

    Other stakeholders, especially parents, should play their part by communicating with their children in local languages in addition to giving them socio-cultural orientation.”

    Irabor commended Onu-Kokome, a socio-cultural group in Ika land of Delta, for setting up the academy, which focuses on the Ika language.

    The Ika indigene, whose children were among participants in the summer school, described the initiative as fantastic, saying it was the way to go for other sub-nationalities.

    The President of Onu-Kokome, Mr Ndidi Efan, also told NAN that the academy was one of several initiatives of the body to salvage the dwindling Ika language and culture.

    Efan said the idea was inspired by the UNESCO prediction, which indicated that the affected languages including Igbo would become extinct in the next 50 years except urgent interventions were made.

    He listed the other initiatives to include an Ika language radio programme running on Bronze FM, Benin, and Raypower, Abuja; floating of a magazine titled `Odinali’, and production of the first Ika dictionary in history.

    According to him, 55 primary and secondary school students of Ika origin participated free of charge in the maiden summer class of the academy hosted by Deo-Gratia School, Abuja.

    The ceremony featured goodwill messages by different guests and advice to the children to take pride in their language and culture.

    Its high point was the presentation of awards to the two best students, Chidimma Eze of Government Secondary School (GSS), Kuje, and Uche Paul of GSS, Lugbe, both of whom recited a poem in Ika Language.

    Six-year-old Victoria Okwudili of Hillside School, Gwarimpa, emerged the best pupil in the junior category. For the first time, she counted from one to 40 in the language.

    The obviously excited children thanked Onu-Kokome for the opportunity with a promise to pass the knowledge to their ones at home.

  • Buratai: An Iconic Army General And The Nigerian Award

    Buratai: An Iconic Army General And The Nigerian Award

    By Ayodeji  Abiola
    History tells a story of time past, but first, shapes the story in time present. But it never lies. It truthfully romances men and women of exceptional endowments and preserves them to inspire today’s generation. It provides today’s stamina for the anointed to excel and exceed the accomplishments of yesterday’s historical heroes.
    Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is certainly an iconic African Army General of Nigerian descent. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him the COAS and consecrated him to lead the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria, the clarity of his irresistible choice never dawned on many country men and women until now.
    But Gen. Buratai unmistakably knew of the dauntingly sacred and delicate task entrusted in his hands. His briefs were clear and understood, as defeating and terminating the reign of terrorism in Nigeria and in specific terms, the Northeast region, where it ferociously raged uncontrollably.
    A lot has happened positively in this direction. And this day in history, at the City of Westminster in London, The Nigerian, an online news portal, compellingly toed the path of scores of other revered institutions and governments around the world in celebrating Gen. Buratai with a unique award as the “2017 The Nigerian Man of the Year.”
    Nigerians and the world converged on the famous City of Westminster, housing the Buckingham Palace to again celebrate Gen. Buratai. He is one Nigerian Army General who has proved his mettle as conqueror of terrorists, beyond conjecture in tandem with the famous words of famed English playwright, William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar; as he came, he saw and he conquered terrorists en masse in Nigeria.
    He was anointed on a rescue mission of Nigeria manacled by terrifying and soulless, bloodsucking terrorists. Boko Haram terrorists had gone berserk for years and defied all efforts of the then military to repress it for succour and peace to berth in Nigerian communities and cities.
    Tales of sorrows and pains; torrents of tears and wailings from fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, men, women, school boys and girls, parents, relations, friends, aunties, uncles, Nigerians of all persuasions, the international community gazed into the skies artificially darkened each time Boko Haram terrorists detonated mass bombs at targets. The agonies and anxiety of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) intensified and confusion replaced reason, as insurgents freely and boastfully multiplied heinous atrocities against Nigerians.
    But the ombudsman cap on the head of Gen. Buratai perceived it as a difficult task, no doubt; but not beyond his professional competence in leading Nigerian troops to wipe away the sorrows and pains at break of dawn. He has fulfilled every word of promise to Nigerians in the counter-terrorism campaigns to the amazement cum excitement of all Nigerians and the international community.
    He has proven himself a soldier of the strong breed who does not issue empty promises; Nigerians know his credentials as a warmonger with bags of unbeatable tactics and strategies. They know him as a soldier who perceived his designation as leading the rescue of Nigeria as a patriotic, sacred vow and therefore, inexcusable to fail.
    Gen. Buratai reminds us of the war exploits of the legendary French war hero and later, Leader of the French Government, Gen. Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970). Memories of his liberation of France in circumstances similar to Gen. Buratai’s emancipation of Nigeria from terrorists have refused to fade in the people’s psyche nearly a century after his demise.
    The French Resistance Army was subdued by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi forces in World War II, and Germany captured and took over Paris. Native French soldiers were hesitant to enlist into the crucial battle to regain the freedom of French Government.
    Gen. de Gaulle patriotically picked up the gauntlet by reaching out to French colonial territories in Africa and recruited thousands of fighters of African descent into the French Army. Thus, fortified, Gen. de Gaulle launched an epic battle against Hitler’s forces that chased away the German forces that conquered the French Empire and reclaimed Paris from the invaders.
    In this historically brave act of Gen. de Gaulle, one sights the portrait, shadows, patriotism and commitment of Gen. Buratai in courageously leading Nigerian troops to decimate and defeat Boko Haram terrorists. Gen. Buratai and his men are being appreciated because they made a lot of sacrifices to come this far in breaking the chains of terrorism servitude on Nigerians.
    So, it is rare to find any conscionable Nigerian, who has restrained an applause for Gen. Buratai or any reasonable platform in Nigeria that has not celebrated or intend to uniquely celebrate his remarkable feat on Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Nigerians and the international community are not just elated with Buratai’s milestones in extinguishing the venom of the Islamic extremists; Boko Haram sect, but the Army Chief’s splendid eradication of other evolving internal acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
    Gen. Buratai led troops to also quench terrorism in the guise of dreary armed bandits and cattle rustlers in parts of Nigeria’s Northwest and North central regions; he rescued Nigeria from criminally violent separatism campaigners in the Southeast and eclipsed the lethal militancy in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.
    Many today stand on the podium to loudly bash Gen. Buratai with edifying sobriquets like “Hero of Heroes”, “Boko Haram nemesis”, and “The Peoples General”, among others. As the Army Chief regales in the celebration of his success; millions of men of conscience have also conscripted into the celebration with him and they do it with elations.
    And with this reality Gen. Buratai feels an aura of a fulfilled man. Mr. Howard Schultz, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starbucks, a multi-billion dollar company, one of the largest and successful coffee companies on earth said; “Success is empty if you arrive at the finish line alone. The best reward is to get there surrounded by winners”. Therefore the victories and successes of Gen. Buratai in the counter-terrorism war are celebrated with him by hundreds of millions around the world as exemplified with the latest in Westminster.
    And like most heroic figures of his ilk, Gen. Buratai has been able to etch his memory on the psyche of the world for his discipline, hard work and dedication to all duties. His uncommon transparency, accountability, humility, knack for excellence and purposeful leadership of the Nigerian Army, laced in the constant overriding concern of patriotism for Nigeria were the pillars that sauntered him on the ladder of successes and victories over terrorism.
    These are no doubt a wide range of qualities and virtues, quite difficult to find in sufficient measures in a single leader. But Gen. Buratai exhilaratingly epitomizes all of them, which unconsciously stands him out tall among equals.
    But briefly, Gen. Buratai’s timeline as leader of the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria exposes that he promised to substantially decimate Boko Haram insurgents by December 2015, after he assumed office in July of the same year. He wasted no time in setting the machinery in motion.
    The Army Chief met troops whose morale in the battlefield was dampened by poor or lack of arms and ammunitions to battle insurgency; a condition further worsened by poor welfare packages of troops in the battlefront; arrears of unpaid salaries and allowances of army personnel and zero initiative on incentives to fighting troops. He toured Army formations and heard from the horses mouth and instantly corrected the wrongs to stabilize the psyche of troops.
    A man of his words, as Gen. Buratai promised, by December 2015, Nigerian troops had decimated Boko Haram terrorists and by early 2016, Buratai’s troops had reclaimed the 16 local government areas in the Northeast annexed by terrorists and returned them to Nigeria. By mid-2016, insurgents had been pushed back incredibly and confined to few areas of sporadic bomb attacks in the Northeast, a feat acknowledged by former US President Barack Obama and later, the United Nations (UN) former Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
    The victory streaks against insurgents intensified as in December 2016, Gen. Buratai pleasantly astounded Nigerians with an unexpected New Year gift; the Nigerian troops’ demystification and invasion of the dreaded Sambisa forest to Camp Zero.
    Sambisa forest is reputed as terrorists’ most secured fortress of recuperation and plotting venue for atrocities on Nigeria. The feat marked the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as IDPs returned to deserted homes and
    The feat marked the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as IDPs returned to deserted homes and life in the Northeast advertised incredible normalcy. And with the restoration of respite and peace, the rebuilding process in the Northeast is also progressing steadily.
    Beyond it, the Nigerian troops led by Gen. Buratai have been instrumental to the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram top commanders and thousands of adherents who have renounced terrorism, de-radicalised and re-integrated into the society as sane beings. Actions of troops in the last two years served as a springboard for the rescue of over 20, 000 persons abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, including the released Chibok schoolgirls.
    Gen. Buratal is in the last phase, by leading the battle for the final termination of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as he has issued a directive for the capture of Boko Haram sect’s factional leader Abubakar Shekau “dead or live; Himself and other colleagues have relocated to Maiduguri in compliance with Presidential directive to end the recurrent suicide bomb attacks on soft targets in the region; a mission that has started yielding fruitful results.
    His transparent and accountable leadership of the Nigerian Army has earned him uncontested loyalty from Army officers and personnel, which has fostered unity of purpose, mutual interactions with the civil populace, respect for human rights, patriotism and the passion of love for their country, Nigeria, as evident in the sacrifices to free Nigeria from terrorism.
    Suffice it to say, President Buhari is a blessed leader and father of modern Nigeria, privileged to see the crop of decent and disciplined officers and soldiers that God gave him the foresight to nurture with the appointment of Gen. Buratai as Nigerian Army’s helmsman. Congratulations, Gen. Buartai, “The Peoples General” for adding another feather to your cap with this well-deserved award.

    Ayodeji, is a columnist at THE NIGERIAN.

    He writes from 199 Watford Way, London, United Kingdom.

  • Army restates commitment to manpower development

    Army restates commitment to manpower development

    The Nigerian Army on Monday restated its commitment to training and re-training of its manpower to equip them for the task of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

    The Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Brig.-Gen. Bolaji Salami, made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the 2017 edition of the 2 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition in Benin.

    Salami said that training was part of the vision of the chief of army staff to reform the army, urging officers to take advantage of the training to boost their careers.

    The commandant, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony, told the officers to always think outside the box, especially in modern techniques of security enforcement.

    “I appeal to you to take security seriously and also apply the experience that you will garner at this year’s edition of the combat proficiency competition.

    “I want to urge you all to be competitive because this is part of the effort of the chief of staff to reform the army. Take this experience seriously as it will be reflected in your career,’’ Salami said.

    The Commandant of the 4th Brigade, Benin, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Garba, said the training was specifically meant to prepare junior officers for higher responsibilities.

    Garba said the competition, which was designed to improve the leadership qualities of the officers, would place them in a better stead to perform their constitutional roles.

    The commandant named some events in the competition to include map reading, combat swimming, physical fitness, obstacles crossing, arm shooting skills and communication skills.

    The four-day event involved participants from 4 Brigade, Benin; 22 Brigade, Ilorin; 32 Brigade, Akure; 42 Engineering Brigade, Ibadan, among others.

  • 68 Boko Haram surrender in three weeks – Army

    68 Boko Haram surrender in three weeks – Army

    The army has disclosed that a total of 68 Boko Haram insurgents have given up their intention to fight against the Nigerian forces at different locations in the theatre in the last three weeks.

    According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations in the Theatre Command, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu also mentioned that heavy onslaughts on the terrorists’ enclaves have been intensified in air and artillery bombardment denying them of logistics supplies.

    Col. Nwachukwu in the statement called on the insurgents to have a second thought on thier ideologies and surrender to any military location in the theatre while assuring them of their safety and protection from the army.

    The Statement reads; “Troops in the last few weeks have intensified onslaught against Boko Haram Terrorists through coordinated air and artillery bombardments of BHT enclaves across the Theatre.

    “These bombardments are backed by long range patrols and ambushes targeted at preventing fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists from escaping and also denying them access to logistics supply. The sustained operations have further pushed the terrorist group to the brink of defeat with many of its foot soldiers surrendering to troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “So far, a total of 68 insurgents have denounced terrorists activities within the last 3 weeks. These surrendered terrorists also reported that many of the enclaves have become untenable and life has become unbearable for the Boko Haram Terrorists owing to the blockade emplaced by troops and the sustained bombardments. Those who have surrendered and turned a new leaf are currently undergoing rehabilitation and de-radicalization programmes organized by the Federal Government through Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.

    “Undoubtedly, the ongoing operations by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE are yielding results and have put enormous pressure on the Boko Haram Terrorists.  Evidently, this has contributed to the recent plea by one of the factional leaders of the group calling for international support.

    “The Theatre Command therefore urges all Boko Haram insurgents to have a rethink and discard the hypocritical ideologies espoused by their leaders. They can surrender to any military location nearest to them. The Theatre Command assures them of their safety and well-being if they surrender willingly”.

  • Army kills 10 insurgents, recovers 52 cows in Borno

    Army kills 10 insurgents, recovers 52 cows in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said that it killed 10 Boko Haram insurgents in a clearance operations in Marte Local Government Area of  Borno.

    A statement issued in Maiduguri  by Col. Timothy Atigha, the spokesman  of the 8 Task Force Division, said the troops also recovered bicycles and cows from the insurgents.

    He also said that the troops launched  two separate attacks against  the insurgents at Maza, Danari and Mowo villages of Marte and Monguno Local Government Areas.

    “In continuation of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of action in its area of responsibility, troops of the 8 Task Force Division have neutralised 10 terrorists in Maza village of Marte Local Government Area of the state.

    “The terrorists fell into an ambush laid by troops at about 9: 00 p.m.  on Tuesday  as they attempted to sneak back into their swampy hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin.

    “The troops also recovered 52 rustled cows from the insurgents at Danari and Mowo villages in Monguno Local Government Area,” he said.

    Atigha said that the troops recovered 10 bicycles, carts and  food items.

    He disclosed  that  the  insurgents had resorted to bicycles and carts as means of transportation due to the  intensified offensive of the military  against the insurgents.

  • ‘Army committed to UN humanitarian services in North-East’

    ‘Army committed to UN humanitarian services in North-East’

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday expressed its readiness to collaborate with the United Nations humanitarian agencies to achieve the goals of the counter-insurgency campaign.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, reiterated the commitments of the Nigerian Army to work in synergy with UN and other development organisations to address the humanitarian crisis in the North-East region.

    He said: “The Nigerian Army is very aware of the need of the UN agencies to discharge their duties and we are ready to support them.

    “The army will continue to work toward providing enabling and conducive environment to UN agencies to enhance their operations.

    “We are working in the front line with the UN, it is complimenting the effort of the government by providing succour to the displaced victims.

    “Such working collaboration is imperative to ensure success of the counter-insurgency campaign in the country.”

    Commenting on Friday’s raid on UN facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, Attahiru said the action was based on intelligence report made available to the military and not intended to tarnish the image of the UN.

    The commander disclosed that the army conducted cordon operation in the Pompori area of Maiduguri in search of high profile Boko Haram insurgents.

    He added: “The house in question does not bear UN designation. We later discovered that the building housed some staff of UN humanitarian agency.

    “The cordon and search operation was not specifically targeted at the UN facility, but rather done in the general area of operation.”

    NAN

     

  • Army begins troops’ rotation in North East

    Army begins troops’ rotation in North East

    Soldiers from 29 Battalion of the 6 Division, who had served in various units of the Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East, have returned to their main unit Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

    He said troops were returned to their unit in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen.Tukur Buratai’s promise to rotate soldiers who had overstayed in the Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Lafiya Dole is the code name of troops prosecuting the counter -insurgency  operations in the North East.

    Iliyasu said the soldiers had contributed immensely to the degrading and decimation of the terrorists in the region.

    He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.O Udoh, who received the soldiers, applauded them for their selfless services to the nation.

    NAN

     

  • Army denies invading Edo community

    Army denies invading Edo community

    The Nigerian Army has denied media reports that its men and officers invaded and sacked some residents from their homes in Oghede community, Ovia North East local government area.

    It said some indigenous of Oghede community encroached into its land at Ekehuan Military Cantonment.

    A press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Captain Mohammed Maidawa said ‘there was no time Oghede community was invaded by own troops, let alone sacking villagers from their homes.’

    It reads in parts, “The only reason imaginable that would have given rise to this unfounded report is that some unpatriotic persons are desperate to suppress the truth and are prepared to go to any length in an attempt to achieve that.

    “It is important to state that Oghede is one of the communities that host the Ekehuan Military Cantonment. Over the years, these unpatriotic elements in the community have involved in issuing out and selling parts of Nigerian Army land bordering their community to unsuspecting public.”