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Tag: Sani Usman

  • Buratai bags Brazilian highest military

    Buratai bags Brazilian highest military

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has been conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award at Brasilia in Brazil.

    The Brazilian military order of merit award, which is the highest military honour in the country, is awarded to military officers, who had distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.

    According to a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations in Abuja on Wednesday, the prestigious award was approved by President Michel Temer of Brazil.

    Buratai is on a visit to Brazil.

    Usman said the approval was based on the recommendation of the Brazilian Army Commander, Gen. Eduardo Villas Boas.

    According to citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of Buratai’s exemplary and world’s recognised leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    “He is one of the few foreign dignitaries to be so honoured with such an award by the country,’’ the army spokesman said.

    In his vote of thanks, Buratai expressed appreciation for the award.

    He said the honour was not only to himself, but to the entire officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army and indeed, Nigeria.

    “I had never imagined that I was going to be given such recognition when I was planning to visit the Brazilian Army.

    “It is no doubt a great honour to me, the Nigerian army and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to be bestowed with the Brazilian military order of merit, which is the highest and most prestigious award in the Brazilian army,’’ he said.

    He said the award was a clear manifestation of the long standing relationship between Brazil and Nigeria, which also portrayed the recognition of Nigerian army’s effort in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

    The army chief thanked the government and people of Brazil, as well as the commander of the Brazilian army and his staff for finding him worthy of such award.

     

  • Buratai bags Brazilian highest military award

    Buratai bags Brazilian highest military award

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has been conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award at Brasilia in Brazil.

    The Brazilian military order of merit award, which is the highest military honour in the country, is awarded to military officers, who had distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.

    According to a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations in Abuja on Wednesday, the prestigious award was approved by President Michel Temer of Brazil.

    Buratai is on a visit to Brazil.

    Usman said the approval was based on the recommendation of the Brazilian Army Commander, Gen. Eduardo Villas Boas.

    According to citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of Buratai’s exemplary and world’s recognised leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    “He is one of the few foreign dignitaries to be so honoured with such an award by the country,’’ the army spokesman said.

    In his vote of thanks, Buratai expressed appreciation for the award.

    He said the honour was not only to himself, but to the entire officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army and indeed, Nigeria.

    “I had never imagined that I was going to be given such recognition when I was planning to visit the Brazilian Army.

    “It is no doubt a great honour to me, the Nigerian army and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to be bestowed with the Brazilian military order of merit, which is the highest and most prestigious award in the Brazilian army,’’ he said.

    He said the award was a clear manifestation of the long standing relationship between Brazil and Nigeria, which also portrayed the recognition of Nigerian army’s effort in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

    The army chief thanked the government and people of Brazil, as well as the commander of the Brazilian army and his staff for finding him worthy of such award.

     

  • Troops recover large cache of arms in Southern Kaduna

    Troops in Southern Kaduna have recovered large cache of arms, three days after the army launched a special operation, `Harbin Kunama II,’ to flush out armed bandits from the area.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, via a statement issued on Sunday, said the recovery was made on Saturday.

    The special operation, Harbin Kunama – `Scorpion Sting,’ was launched in Kaura Local Government Area of the state on April 19.

    According to Usman, the arms and ammunition were discovered when troops embarked on cordon and search of Gwaska, Dangoma, Angwan Far and Bakin Kogi general area of Southern Kaduna State.

    He listed them as 73 dane guns, four locally made rifles, one locally made machine gun and one locally made pistol.

    Others were 260 cartridges, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 63 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one locally made small machine gun magazine and a pair of worn out military boot.

    Usman also said that some quantities of assorted improvised ammunition and pyrotechnics hidden in dug out pits were recovered.

    “While efforts are ongoing to track down the owners of the arms and ammunition, it is imperative to state that the good people of the area have been very supportive and cooperating with the military which led to these unprecedented findings.

    “Similarly, in Sector 1 of the operation which covers Kano State, troops in conjunction with other security agencies are carrying out operations in suspected armed bandits camps in Falgore forest,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the special operation also covers some forests in Bauchi, Kano and Plateau states.

    Meanwhile, troops have cleared four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried at a crossing point on Banki Junction and Pulka road, about six kilometres to Firgi in Borno by suspected terrorists.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, explained that the convoy of Maj.-Gen Idris Alkali, the Army Chief of Administration and GOC, 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu encountered and cleared the devices.

    They were in the area on a visit to troops.

    “The Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) team, however, was able to quickly detect the deadly IEDs and safely extracted and detonated them,” Usman said.

     

  • Troops arrest 45-year-old, nine other key terrorists surrender

    Troops have arrested a 45-year-old Boko Haram terrorist at Bayemari, Makinta Ibrahim, confirmed to be the supplier of petrol and other items to the remnants of the insurgents.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the army spokesman, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, said the suspect hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe.

    Usman said that the troops had also arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist whose name, age and origin could not be ascertained for now as he pretended to be deaf and dumb.

    “However, he was found to be in possession of eight functioning cell phones;a bunch of keys; two passport photographs; two amulet charms and a transistor radio.

    “Both of the suspects are being further investigated,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Usman said that nine key Boko Haram terrorists from Tambashe village, Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno, had voluntarily surrendered to troops deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road.

    According to him, the suspects claimed to be tired of the situation under the Boko Haram terrorists group and willingly offered themselves to troops as a mark of repentance.

    “Nevertheless, the repentant suspects are further being investigated,” he said.

     

  • Bandits surrender arms in Zamfara – Army

    Some repentant cattle rustlers and armed bandits in Maru, Birnin Magaji and Gusau Local Government Areas, Zamfara, have surrendered their arms, following the disarmament drive of the state government.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the army spokesman, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that the dangerous arms surrendered by the bandits are one G3 riffle, 434 dane guns, 69 locally made pistols and eight locally made revolvers.

    According to him, the others are 39 locally made multi-barrel pistols and 36 locally made double barrel rifles.

    Usman said the weapons were handed over to 233 Battalion of 1 Division Nigerian Army, in the presence of some state government officials and representatives of various security agencies in the state.

    He explained that the effort to disarm cattle rustlers and armed bandits spearheaded by the Zamfara government and 1 Division Nigerian Army was yielding fruitful results.

     

  • Troops arrest ex-police inspector over arms possession

    Troops on clearance operation of suspected cattle rustlers have arrested ex-Police Inspector, Odigba Elias and one Abduwahab Adamu for possession of arms in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director Army Public Relations, announced the arrest while giving update on troops deployed on Operation Lafiya Dole and other internal security operations in the North East and North West.

    Usman said that the troops were intensifying patrols and raids of suspected areas where Boko Haram terrorists, cattle rustlers and other criminals were hiding.

    He explained that one single barrel gun, four cartridges, 11 empty cartridges, gun powder, one leg chain, one motorcycle and one cutting machine were recovered from the two suspects.

    Usman said that the suspects were arrested at Married Officers Quarters in Shadawanka Barracks, adding “both suspects are being interrogated.’’

    Usman said troops of the 7 Division Gun Boat Company also recovered 1, 000 cows following distress call by herdsmen at Aramari village, near Konduga in Borno that terrorists were rustling their cattle.

    The army spokesman said the troops also rescued two persons held captive by the terrorists, who fled on sighting the troops.

    On clearance of terrorists, Usman said troops of 232 Battalion of 23 Brigade were intensifying patrol of Gombi, Guriki and Bobini towns in Adamawa to prevent Boko Haram terrorists’ infiltration from Borno.

    “Similarly, troops deployed in Garkida have continued to maintain blocking positions through patrols toward Jau general area to fix any fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.

    “Other units under the Brigade have also conducted patrol to Wurolade village to prevent the terrorists’ infiltration through our border with Republic of Cameroon,’’ he said.

    Usman said those deployed to Hong had intensified patrol at Mararraba Pella, Kalla and Shangui, as well as Hong- Garaha road.

    According to him, troops of 301 Artillery Regiment and 231 Battalions have intensified patrols in southern parts of Borno and Gombe to destroy fleeing Boko Haram terrorists from Ajigin and Talala axis.

    “The troops of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison deployed at Ummarari yesterday ,Sunday while on routine patrol discovered two wrapped suicide bomb vests possibly kept there for pick up in the bush.

    “The troops called the Nigeria Police explosive ordnance team which safely detonated the vests,’’ he said.

    From Borno West, Usman said troops of 145 Task Force Battalion of 5 Task Force Brigade arrested a suspected terrorist, Auta Abdullahi as he attempted to enter Damasak from Niger Republic.

    “Although, the suspect claimed to be herbs dealer, preliminary investigation has confirmed his membership of the Boko Haram terrorists group. Nevertheless, he is being further interrogated.

    “Some elements of the Brigade while advancing to clear an object encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Duoma near Damasak. The fragment of the IED damaged the door of one of the Armoured Personnel Carrier.

    “Further investigation confirmed that the IED was made of comportments of Acetylene Gas Cylinder and Pressure Plate Switch,’’ he said.

    Continuing on the update, Usman said that on Saturday night, two female suicide bombers attempted to enter Maiduguri through Ummarari.

    “One of them was shot by a soldier, while the second panicked and detonated the suicide vest strapped to her body. There was no casualty beyond the two suicide bombers,’’ he said.

     

  • Nigerian security agents killed 150 IPOB members – Amnesty

    Nigerian security agents killed 150 IPOB members – Amnesty

    Amnesty International accused Nigerian security forces on Thursday of killing at least 150 peaceful advocates of Biafra’s secession from country, but the military and police dismissed the allegations.

    An army spokesman said Amnesty’s statement, the latest in a series of allegations of impropriety levelled against Nigeria’s military in the last year, aimed to tarnish the security forces’ reputation. The police said its officers did not attack people holding demonstrations.

    Amnesty said the military fired live ammunition, with little or no warning, to disperse members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group between August 2015 and August 2016.

    Its 60-page report based on interviews with 193 people, 87 videos and 122 photographs from that period also said troops and the police used “arbitrary, abusive and excessive force to disrupt gatherings.”

    Secessionist feeling has simmered in the southeast since the Biafra separatist rebellion tipped Nigeria into a 1967-1970 civil war that killed an estimated one million people, Reuters reported.

    It flared up again last year after IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was detained on charges of criminal conspiracy and belonging to an illegal society.

    That prompted supporters of Kanu to hold protests that Amnesty said were dispersed with live ammunition.

    The army spokesman, Sani Usman, said Biafra separatists had behaved violently, killing five policeman at a protest in May and attacking both military and police vehicles.

    “The military and other security agencies exercised maximum restraints despite the flurry of provocative and unjustifiable violence,” Usman told Reuters.

    Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Don Awunah, said officers “always abide by the law” and adhere to best practices.

    “We don’t attack people who are demonstrating, which every Nigerian has a right to do,” he said.

     

  • Military deny missing soldiers report

    The Nigerian Army high command on Saturday strongly refuted claims that over 83 soldiers including one officer are still missing following a Boko Haram attack on troop’s location in Gashigar, a northern Borno community close to the Niger border.
    The army had reported some soldiers missing and 13 others injured after “escaping remnants of Boko Haram” fighters overran the troop’s location.
    Acting Director, Army Public Relations (ADAPR), Col. Sani Usman in a release said: “The troops did their best to defend the location in vain. In the process, 13 soldiers’ sustained injuries while some are still missing in action.”
    While Usman declined to mention the number of soldiers still missing, he said efforts were on to locate and rescue them. However, an online news portal claimed in a new report that at least 83 soldiers and one officer identified as Lt. Col. K Yusuf was missing.
    The news portal also claimed that corruption has returned to the military as Brigade and Troops commanders usually deduct N200 from the troop’s daily food fee of N500 leaving soldier’s morale perpetually low.
    However in an interview with our correspondent, Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe  Abubakar decried unpatriotic comments about the Nigerian army which is doing its best to bring Boko Haram insurgency to an end.
    “ It is disgusting that this kind of story which has no source is published,” Abubakar said lamenting that some news portals allowed sentiments to cloud the sense of professionalism in reporting security issues.
    “ The question is who did they interview, where and when, this is purely mischief as we vowed not to hid any information from our citizens that’s why we give updates on daily basis. If there is anything like this it ought to come from us not an online media.
    “ In the past, when we had some setbacks, we reported it to our citizens, we are Nigerians working for our country, we love our people better than any other alien, why this story now when we are winning? All the allegations are concocted with sinister motives by the medium having failed in their previous campaign of calumny against us,” Abubakar said.
    The Defence spokesperson also said Nigerian troops are the most professional and have done the country proud anywhere they are deployed. HE said the Army has had the unprecedented gains by dislodging Boko Haram terrorists. “ Therefore this media is not reporting but speculating and should not be taken seriously,” he said.
    Also Col. Usman said he will not want to comment on the efforts so far to rescue the missing personnel so as not to hamper on-going efforts and investigations but insisted that the claims were false. “ I will tell you here that the story is not true, there is no truth in it,” Usman said.
  • Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE stationed at Darul Jamel, on the fringes of Sambisa forest, northern parts of Borno State, on Tuesday repelled an attempted attack on their location by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The terrorists   made the attempt at the troops location at about 10.00pm, but were unfortunate as the troops killed several of them including two senior commanders that led the attack.

    According to Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Sani Usman, the troops recovered  1 Light Machine Gun (LMG) with Registration number 56M-1101229, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine,  Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb and 1 top cover of  an AK-47 Rifle. “Other items recovered include 395 Rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 15 rounds of 5.5mm  by .45 ammunition”.

    He said prior to the attack, the troops  of the same unit on routine patrol earlier, had cleared an ambush staged by elements of the suspected remnants of the terrorists desperate for food  near Banki Junction.

    “It is equally believed that the attack and ambush might not be unconnected to the fact that the terrorists were desperately targeting over 890 rescued herdsmen with their 5000 livestock being held captives by terrorists along Nigerian borders with Cameroon” he concluded.

  • Boko Haram kills two soldiers in Borno

    Two soldiers serving in the 119 Task Force Battalion, Kangarwa, Borno State, were killed by Boko Haram fighters on Tuesday morning.

    Seven soldiers were also injured in a clash with the terrorists.

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, disclosed these on Wednesday.

    “The attack which started at about 6:30pm was successfully repelled after about three hours of exchange of heavy gunfire that inflicted tremendous casualty on the terrorists. Unfortunately, two of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price, while seven were wounded in action.

    “Due to poor visibility, the number of terrorists killed could not be ascertained for now. However, the bodies of the gallant soldiers and those wounded in action are being evacuated, while the unit is carrying out mop up operation.  It should be noted that the successful repelling of the attack was made possible by support from the Nigerian and Chadian Air Force fighter jets,” Usman stated.