The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Army deploys troops to hunt for ‘Chibok girls’

    Army deploys troops to hunt for ‘Chibok girls’

    Nigeria’s army has posted two divisions to hunt for 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by the Boko Haram sect in an attack that has been condemned globally.

    The soldiers are stationed in the border region close to Chad, Cameroon and Niger to work with other security agencies, said General Chris Olukolade, spokesman for the Defence Headquarters.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has faced criticism for his slow response since Boko Haram militants stormed a secondary school in Chibok, near the Cameroon border, on April 14, and kidnapped the girls, who were taking exams.

    50 girls have escaped, but more than 200 remain with the insurgents.

    Earlier this month, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, threatened to sell the girls “in the market.”

    “The facilities of the Nigerian Army signals as well as all the communication facilities of the Nigerian Police and all the services have been devoted into coordinating this search,” Reuters quoted Olukolade as saying in a statement.

    “The major challenge remains the fact that some of the information given here turned out in many occasions to be misleading. Nevertheless, this will not discourage the collaborative efforts that are ongoing,” he said.

    The air force has flown more than 250 sorties, and a multinational task force has also been activated and surveillance equipment is deployed in support of 10 search teams, he added.

  • NHRC, Apo killings and the Nigerian Army

    NHRC, Apo killings and the Nigerian Army

    After what it described as extensive investigations into the killing of eight members of the National Association of Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORAS) by a combined team of soldiers and secret service agents in Abuja, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded that the victims were in fact not members of the Boko Haram sect. The secret service had claimed the victims were terror suspects and had called on the Army for back-up in flushing them out of the uncompleted building in the Apo/Gudu exclusive part of the Federal Capital City (FCT) where they were taking shelter. The NHRC directed that the government should pay hefty compensations to the victims, living or dead. In addition, it suggested an urgent review and harmonisation of the security agencies’ rules of engagement in order to eliminate the kind of error and gross violation of human rights that occurred in Abuja in September last year.

    It is not clear what kind of challenge the military and the State Security Service (SSS) would mount against the NHRC report. But a military spokesman has argued that forensic examination was required to establish the guilt of the Army. Whatever challenges are mounted, however, are unlikely to erase the widely held suspicion that the security agencies did in fact use more force than was necessary in either evicting or arresting the NATOMORAS squatters. When the incident happened, and given the account of the spokesperson of the SSS, the public had called for investigations on the premise that many of the accounts of the killings, or what the security agents called exchange of fire, did not quite jell. The investigations have finally yielded fruit.

    The efforts of NHRC must be commended. The outcome of the panel’s report is likely to reinforce public confidence that Nigeria can be made to work, and that when there is a fault somewhere, the inbuilt corrective mechanisms can step in. For a long time, the security agencies have not been quite as successful in dealing with infractions within their folds as the public would wish. There have been too many attempts to cover up atrocities in order, in the logic of the security agencies, not to denude the image of the security organisations or call to question the competence of the officer corps in the various services. The security agencies should see the NHRC report as a call for urgent reforms not only of the rules of engagement, but also in the general running of the organisations and their responsiveness to security and public relations issues. If they have good grounds to challenge the NHRC report, the Army can go ahead and do so. Otherwise, they should let bad enough alone and seek for more professional and less emotive ways of doing their jobs.

    Sometimes organisations, whether security or regular, have behaved quite awkwardly in reforming themselves, especially when their leadership is shorn of the right ethical values and are too incompetent to envision great heights to which they must aspire. The country’s political leaders have a huge role to play here. They must create the right environment to engender the right leadership for the various security organisations in the country. Had this been done, for instance, it would have been unlikely for the military in the 1990s to tolerate generals like Sani Abacha, let alone foster the conditions that propelled him into power undeservingly.

  • Boko Haram: Army promotes gallant soldiers

    Four soldiers were on Friday promoted by the Nigerian Army for their contributions to the current efforts to curtail the activities of Boko Haram and other insurgency groups in the country.

    The soldiers were promoted from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel in order to encourage greater performance in the battle against insecurity.

    Decorating the officers at the Scorpion Officers Mess, WU Bassey Cantonment, the Commander, Presidential Guards Brigade, Emmanuel Atewe, also attributed the improved security situation in Abuja to the synergy between his command and other sister security agencies.

    The Presidential Guards Brigade is a special unit of the military charged with the responsibility of securing the President, the seat of government and its environ.

    He commended the newly promoted officers for their exemplary commitment to duties which has earned them their new ranks.

    Those decorated with the new ranks are – Kingsley Inyang from Akwa Ibom , Ahmed Ahmadu from Edo, Chukwuka Akaliho from Abia and Oseni Braimoh also from Edo State.

    Charging the newly promoted officers to see their elevation as an additional responsibility and to always keep above board, he reminded them of the maxim of zero tolerant for indiscipline and insolence in the Guards Brigade.

     

     

  • Military police arrests, releases 28 soldiers in Lagos

    Military police arrests, releases 28 soldiers in Lagos

    The Military Police on Thursday said it arrested 28 soldiers in the streets of Lagos.

    Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi, spokesman for the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Badamosi said the soldiers were arrested by the military police attached to “Operation Checkmate”, to curb misconduct and unauthorised movement of personnel in the city.

    He added that the operation was aimed at checkmating soldiers who go about without staying in their duty posts.

    He, however, said those arrested had been released after confirmation from their offices that they were genuine personnel.

    Badamosi said that the operation would be a daily routine and would be extended to other parts of the state to enable the military authority to continue to enforce armed forces rules on erring personnel.

    An eye-witness, who simply gave his name as Moses, told NAN that the soldiers were arrested around Onipanu and Palm Grove areas of Lagos.

    According to him, “military police arrested soldiers on Ikorodu Expressway.’’

    Another eye-witness, Ms Victoria Joseph, said motorists and pedestrians panicked during the arrest.

     

  • 14 yrs after Odi invasion, communities to receive succour

    …FG to give out 40 housing units

    Fourteen years after the invasion of Odi community in Bayelsa State by the Nigerian Army, smile is gradually returning to the faces of the people.

    The community is set to receive 40 units of houses, courtesy of the federal government.

    The houses are expected to be ready latest by July and would be given to the poorest of the victims among the community.

    This is as the government urged the youth in the Niger Delta region to cooperate with the construction firms working in the region for the sake of development.

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, who announced the government’s gesture after inspecting the housing project at the weekend, said the houses were part of government’s efforts towards alleviating the pains of the people.

    The minister also revealed that the project is also being replicated in each of the nine states of the oil-rich Niger Delta.

    “When Odi was destroyed, there was a presidential directive to assist the community with some buildings. When the initiative came up, there were agitation from other states, so we took a uniform decision that we should build 40-housing units for each of the nine states of the Niger Delta.

    “Unfortunately, there were no budgetary provisions in 2012, very lean provisions in 2011 and so contractors stopped work. But this year, we have been able to squeeze some money to enable contractors complete these housing units so that we can give it to indigenes to use.

    “The houses will be given to people who are in need and it will take care of 40 families”, he said.

    The minister who also flagged-off the Okoso Bridge, section 2 of the East-West Road, reiterated federal government’s resolve to complete the project as schedule.

    He, however, appealed to the youth in the region to allow reasoning prevail so that the region would get the desired development it so much crave for.

    He stressed that the idea of kidnapping engineers at sight will not in any way help the region as it will only slow down development.

  • Entitlement: Army ordered to obey court judgment

    The National Industrial Court on Wednesday ordered the Nigerian Army to obey the Court of Appeal’s judgment and pay the entitlement of its retired officer, Lt. Col. Michael Erhabor.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Presiding Judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, gave the order in Abuja while delivering judgment in a case of non-payment of entitlements filed by Erhabor.

    Erhabor, who joined the Nigerian Army in 1970, told the court that he was dismissed in November 1983 after he was court marshalled by his superior officers.

    He said that he challenged the dismissal at the Lagos High Court until 1985 when the case was finally determined in his favour at the Court of Appeal.

    Erhabor explained that the appellate court declared his dismissal illegal and ordered the Army to reinstate him, but the defendant did not obey.

    He added that instead of being reinstated, the defendant served him a letter of compulsory retirement in March 2001 and refused to pay him his entitlements.

    The claimant prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to pay him all his entitlements and emolument was illegal, null and void.

    Erhabor also prayed the court to order the army to pay him his entitlements and emolument from November 1983 when he was dismissed to July 2001 when he was retired.

    When the matter came up for mention in March 2012, the defendant raised an objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court over the case.

    The presiding judge dismissed the preliminary objection on the ground that the Public Officers Protection Act could not apply to cases that have continuous injury.

    In arguing the case, counsel to the claimant, Miss. Benedicta Obanye, urged the court to grant all the relieves of the claimant, explaining that the defendant could not defend the case.

    “Where the evidence of the claimant was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant, it therefore means that the defendant had admitted the claims,” she argued.

  • Nigerian Army School may offer degrees

    Acting Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) Brig Gen Sunday Adebayo, has said that the Nigerian Army School of education (NASE), Ilorin may run degree programmes.

    Adebayo made this known while speaking at the inauguration of NAEC officers’ Executive Management Course 15 of 2013.

    He hinted that there was the possibility that NASE would start degree programmes for its officers, but added that the corps has to take permission from the relevant authorities before it takes off.

    “We are only considering it for now; we need to have some blue prints on ground before we can talk of running degree programmes,” he added.

    Adebayo said the structures on ground at NASE are enough to operate degree programmes.

    He noted that education is essential to security services, adding that without good education, the service may not be able to perform well.

    “Without educating your soldiers, you are just sending robots to the field, but with proper education, all will be well,” he said.

    Adebayo said the Chief of Army Staff has approved the teaching of French language in NASE because of officers posted to foreign countries.

    Speaking on the Course 15, Adebayo said it is designed for senior NAEC officers to prepare them to fill in vacancies at strategic management positions and locations across army units and tri-service establishments.

    He said the course would arouse participants’ interest in globalisation, conflict management, dispute resolution, threat to domestic and international security as well as peace support operation.

    Gen Adebayo told the participants that the Chief of Army Staff laid great emphasis on capacity building of officers and assured them of training in this regard.

    Earlier in his own remarks, the commandant of NASE, Brig Gen Timothy Orimogunje said 15 senior army officers made up of six colonel and nine Lt Colonels are participating in the course.

    He said Nigerian Army attaches much importance on the course due to its strategic importance in preparing officers for high level strategic decision making and appointment.

     

    Orimogunje therefore charged the participants to show commitment and dedication during the course.

    The commandant warned he would not tolerate any acts of truancy, malingering and laziness among participants.

     

  • Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    The governments of Southeast states have found a formidable ally in the battle against kidnappers. The new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adebayo Olaniyi, boosted the anti-kidnapping onslaught as he toured the region.

    Gen. Olaniyi said said that one of the primary responsibilities of the Army is the defence of the country against any external aggression. However, he added, it would not shirk its responsibility of complementing efforts of other security agencies in their quest to ensure that internal enemies who may want to disrupt societal peace and cause harm to others are checked.

    He expressed his worry over the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers who hold people of the Southeast to ransom.

    He pledged the commitment of officers and men of the 82 Division to ensuring that those who perpetrate evil against the society do not go scot-free.

    Gen. Olaniyi promised that military formations under his division would assist in combating violent crimes and checkmate kidnapping and other vices in the zone.

    On indiscipline among Army personnel, General Olaniyi said it would not be business-as-usual as he warned that acts would no longer be tolerated.

    The general spoke when he visited the 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha and 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha, as part of his familiarisation tour of military formations under his command.

    Gen. Olaniyi visited 302 Artillery Regiment; 14 Field Engineers Regiment; vehicle repair stand, cantonment barracks building and its ongoing renovation work; Cantonment Mess and new naval out-post station in Ogbaru, among others.

    During the visits, Gen. Olaniyi held discussions with Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment; Lt Col Bayode Adetoro, Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha and Captain Godson Ohaeri, Officer in charge of Military Police at the cantonment.

    Their discussions were based on how to improve the integrity of the Nigerian Army, and increasing security surveillance in Anambra State and the regiments that make up the 82 Division. He was particular about improving security of life and property by preventing kidnapping and violent armed robbery. He also discussed improvement of Army and civilian relations.

    Retired Colonel George Molokwu, the Security Adviser to Governor Peter Obi, represented the governor at the event. Colonel Gambo H. A., Media Relations Officer, 82 Division Enugu anchored the interaction.

    Olaniyi, who was Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers before his new appointment, assured that the Ihejirika administration has concluded plans to resuscitate the moribund water treatment plant in the barracks.

    On the Army Bridge which the Lt.-Col. Adetoro-led group of Army engineers are constructing at Ugbenu for the Anambra State government, Olaniyi said it is part of efforts at enhancing civil and military relationship.

    Noting that the bridge is about 60 per cent completed, he thanked Governor Obi for his support to the military in Onitsha as well as a council chief who promised to renovate the Army Primary School.

    He advised officers and men of his command to maintain high level of discipline.

    He said: “You must not extort money from members of the public.

    “Any one of you caught extorting money from the public as well as engaging in any form of misconduct would be appropriately dealt with.

    “As disciplined men of the Nigerian Army, you must take care of your weapons and I will be very happy if you don’t indulge in any form of undisciplined behaviour.   He commended Governor Obi for donating patrol vehicles to the Army as well as other logistic supports.

    “The governor deserves commendation from the Nigerian Army for his unrelenting support in various ways. We are hopeful that he would fulfill his promises to the effect that he would resuscitate some of the social amenities here,” he said.

    The GOC, however, urged the governor to redeem his pledge of resuscitating the water scheme and re-constructing roads in the cantonment.

    He equally commended Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment and Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha Col. Taritimiye Gagariga and Lt Col. Bayode Adetoro respectively for their steadfastness in maintaining military standards.

    “I am proud of the officers here. You are steadfast in your operations. You are also meticulous as manifested by the facts on your records.

    Olaniyi also thanked the residents of Anambra State for maintaining cordial relationship with the Army in the discharge of their duties which he said are taxing.

    Responding, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, assured the GOC that the cantonment would continue to maintain high standard and the tradition of discipline for which the Nigerian Army is known.

    “We would maintain strict professionalism as there would be no room for misconduct. We would continue to maintain the cordial military-civilian relationship for the benefit of our great country and her people,” Gagariga said.

  • Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    -82 Div, Enugu pledges support

    -Obi hailed on efforts

    The governments of Southeast states have found a formidable ally in the battle against kidnappers. The new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adebayo Olaniyi, boosted the anti-kidnapping onslaught as he toured the region.

    Gen. Olaniyi said said that one of the primary responsibilities of the Army is the defence of the country against any external aggression. However, he added, it would not shirk its responsibility of complementing efforts of other security agencies in their quest to ensure that internal enemies who may want to disrupt societal peace and cause harm to others are checked.

    He expressed his worry over the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers who hold people of the Southeast to ransom.

    He pledged the commitment of officers and men of the 82 Division to ensuring that those who perpetrate evil against the society do not go scot-free.

    Gen. Olaniyi promised that military formations under his division would assist in combating violent crimes and checkmate kidnapping and other vices in the zone.

    On indiscipline among Army personnel, General Olaniyi said it would not be business-as-usual as he warned that acts would no longer be tolerated.

    The general spoke when he visited the 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha and 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha, as part of his familiarisation tour of military formations under his command.

    Gen. Olaniyi visited 302 Artillery Regiment; 14 Field Engineers Regiment; vehicle repair stand, cantonment barracks building and its ongoing renovation work; Cantonment Mess and new naval out-post station in Ogbaru, among others.

    During the visits, Gen. Olaniyi held discussions with Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment; Lt Col Bayode Adetoro, Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha and Captain Godson Ohaeri, Officer in charge of Military Police at the cantonment.

    Their discussions were based on how to improve the integrity of the Nigerian Army, and increasing security surveillance in Anambra State and the regiments that make up the 82 Division. He was particular about improving security of life and property by preventing kidnapping and violent armed robbery. He also discussed improvement of Army and civilian relations.

    Retired Colonel George Molokwu, the Security Adviser to Governor Peter Obi, represented the governor at the event. Colonel Gambo H. A., Media Relations Officer, 82 Division Enugu anchored the interaction.

    Olaniyi, who was Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers before his new appointment, assured that the Ihejirika administration has concluded plans to resuscitate the moribund water treatment plant in the barracks.

    On the Army Bridge which the Lt.-Col. Adetoro-led group of Army engineers are constructing at Ugbenu for the Anambra State government, Olaniyi said it is part of efforts at enhancing civil and military relationship.

    Noting that the bridge is about 60 per cent completed, he thanked Governor Obi for his support to the military in Onitsha as well as a council chief who promised to renovate the Army Primary School.

    He advised officers and men of his command to maintain high level of discipline.

    He said: “You must not extort money from members of the public.

    “Any one of you caught extorting money from the public as well as engaging in any form of misconduct would be appropriately dealt with.

    “As disciplined men of the Nigerian Army, you must take care of your weapons and I will be very happy if you don’t indulge in any form of undisciplined behaviour.   He commended Governor Obi for donating patrol vehicles to the Army as well as other logistic supports.

    “The governor deserves commendation from the Nigerian Army for his unrelenting support in various ways. We are hopeful that he would fulfill his promises to the effect that he would resuscitate some of the social amenities here,” he said.

    The GOC, however, urged the governor to redeem his pledge of resuscitating the water scheme and re-constructing roads in the cantonment.

    He equally commended Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment and Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha Col. Taritimiye Gagariga and Lt Col. Bayode Adetoro respectively for their steadfastness in maintaining military standards.

    “I am proud of the officers here. You are steadfast in your operations. You are also meticulous as manifested by the facts on your records.

    Olaniyi also thanked the residents of Anambra State for maintaining cordial relationship with the Army in the discharge of their duties which he said are taxing.

    Responding, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, assured the GOC that the cantonment would continue to maintain high standard and the tradition of discipline for which the Nigerian Army is known.

    “We would maintain strict professionalism as there would be no room for misconduct. We would continue to maintain the cordial military-civilian relationship for the benefit of our great country and her people,” Gagariga said.

  • Army day of festivities

    Army day of festivities

    Officers and men of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos recently had a fun-filled celebration at the Dodan Baracks when they marked this year’s West African Social Activities Day.

    The event attracted top military brass both serving and retired such as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Lagos, Major General Kenneth Minimah, General Alex Ogomudia (retired), General Alani Akinrinade (retired) and Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Adimiral AOA Ikioda.

    It was a day when soldiers and officers shed their uniforms for their rich traditional attire. Daddy Showkey’s performance spiced the celebration as guests took to the dance floor.

    In his address, the GOC noted that the occasion is to mark the end of every eventful completion of the Division training schedule for year 2012.

    “As we all know the WASA is an age long heritage with the aim of preserving the Nigerian Army ethics and tradition through social interaction of personnel and families. It also promotes comradeship and foster unity among personnel as one large family”, he said.

    Minimah said: “The Division had an eventful year 2012 and we look back with a sign of joy having completed all training schedule despite the usual teething problems. Our success today is as of our dedication to the service and personnel commitment in executing all assigned tasks. There had been marked improvement in our performances in the area of implementation of our training programmes and in the conduct of exercises and operations when compared to the last years.

    “This significant improvement is a collective effort through the dedication of our personnel; I use this opportunity to say congratulations to you all. The next thing that comes into mind is that of consolidation of our success and continuous improvement of our services.”

    He explained that he has noticed the lapses in their training and thaty measures are being put in place to correct them.

    Minimah has urged officers and men in his division to remain resolute and steadfast in their quest to move the Nigerian Army forward.