The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The Chief of Army Staff

  • EFCC to court: Tompolo is a fugitive in law

    EFCC to court: Tompolo is a fugitive in law

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a rights enforcement suit filed against it and others by a wanted former Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo.

    Tompolo, who was declared wanted last February 12, is praying the court to protect him from prosecution for an alleged N45.9 billion fraud.

    He sued the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the EFCC, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said Tompolo “is a fugitive in law”, and so, should not be allowed to seek redress in court until he submits himself for trial.

    He argued that given the materials placed before the court, it was clear that Tompolo was in contempt of the order of Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had earlier compelled his attendance in court to answer to charges preferred against him.

    Oyedepo described the application as an abuse of court process, since it was trite that a party who is in contempt of court cannot seek redress.

    He urged the court to throw out the application for lacking in merit.

    Oyedepo argued that in his originating processes, the applicant had in contradiction of his claims, annexed a copy of his notice of appeal which he signed personally.

    He argued that if Tompolo was ignorant of the charge, he would not have hired a lawyer to file an appeal.

    Oyedepo said the charge against the applicant bordered on fraud, in which billions of naira were lost by the Federal government.

    He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application and award “heavy” cost against the applicant for abusing the court’s process.

    Tompolo’s lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, argued that in criminal law, service of a charge was personal and cannot be presumed, adding that there is no evidence before the court showing that the charge was served on the applicant.

    Adegboruwa said his client could not be cited for contempt, adding that since the beginning of the proceedings, the applicant could not be said to have breached any court’s order.

    He argued that it is a constitutional right of the applicant to apply to court to enforce his right, adding that it cannot be waived.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun fixed June 19 for judgment.

     

     

  • Military release 593 cleared Boko Haram detainees to Borno Govt.

    Military release 593 cleared Boko Haram detainees to Borno Govt.

    The Nigerian military have released 593 detainees after they had been cleared of any association with the Boko Haram terrorists.

    The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, handed over the detainees to officials of the Borno Government at a ceremony in Maiduguri on Monday.

    Irabor, represented by Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahman Kuluya, said the release was based on the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “The military have made several efforts at ensuring that peace returns to the North-East by conducting different operations.

    “Lots of efforts have been made to get us where we are today,” he said.

    Irabor said that some suspects were arrested in the course of the operations in the North-East.

    “The Chief of Army Staff has always made it clear at different fora that all persons arrested in the course of the anti- insurgency war in the North-East will not stay a minute more than necessary.

    “Persons either arrested by the military or arrested and brought to the military by another person will not be allowed to stay more than necessary,” he said.

    Irabor explained that the detainees were released after they were cleared by the Joint Investigation Team of the military.

    He said that they were handed over to the State Government for psychosocial support before final reintegration into the society.

    Receiving the detainees, Mrs Ladi Musa, the Welfare Officer at the Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Center, thanked the military for the gesture.

    Musa said the State Government had already provided enough facilities at the center for the rehabilitation of the detainees.

  • Support our frontline troops, Buratai urges Nigerians

    Support our frontline troops, Buratai urges Nigerians

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has appealed to corporate organisations and public spirited Nigerians to support the “Thank You for Your Service’’ Initiative recently launched for troops in the frontline.

    Buratai, who made the appeal at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, said the initiative was to boost the morale of the troops.

    Under the scheme conceived by the army, bottled water with the inscription: “Thank For Your Service’’ is being produced by the private sector for free distribution to troops, especially those in the North-East.

    Buratai had earlier launched the bottled water on Tuesday in Abuja where he unveiled packs of the water for the troops.

    Represented by Maj.-Gen. Peter Bojie, the Chief of Military/Civil Affairs, the Army Chief said: “This water is not for sale as it is meant for every Nigerian soldier, especially those in the frontline.

    “There is a need to say thank you to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their selfless service,’’ he said.

    According to him, without the buy-in of the Nigerian people, this initiative cannot succeed.

    He, therefore, appealed to well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations, groups and state governments and self-funded parastatals to join hands with the Army to make the initiative a success.

    On the sustainability of the initiative after the insurgency in the North-East, the chief of army staff said that it all depended on the goodwill of Nigerians.

    He said the bottled water was expected to be distributed free to all troops deployed in frontline across the nation to address internal conflict.

    During the launch, Enugu State Government supported the initiative with N10 million, Ebonyi Government gave N5 million, while the Nigeria Customs Service gave N1.5 million, among others.

  • Killing of soldiers on duty unacceptable- Buratai

    Killing of soldiers on duty unacceptable- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has described the killing of some soldiers and airmen on lawful duty in Bosso, Niger State, by suspected gun runners as unacceptable.

    Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday shortly after addressing personnel at the 332 Artilery Regiment in Shendam, Buratai, however, said the incident would not deter the military from carrying out its lawful duties.

    “What happened in Bosso is highly unfortunate,’’ he said, noting that the troops were on a mission to recover arms hid in communities in the area when they were ambushed and killed.

    “But instead of them – gun runners to be law abiding, they took the law into their hands and attack the troops.

    “We have the mandate to bring the situation under control, we are working with the police to make sure that we keep our society free of criminalities,’’ the chief of army staff said.

    It will be recalled that the army in a statement on Saturday said that eight of its soldiers and two airmen were ambushed and killed in Bosso during raid on hideout of suspected gun runners.

    Spokesman of the army, Col. Sani Usman, however, said the military killed eight of the suspected bandits and arrest 57 others.

    On his visit to the regiment and other military formations in the state, Buratai said it was “routine’’ and to find out challenges of the troops in order to address them.

    “If you are not on ground to see them and know what their challenges are, you will not be able to appreciate and address them,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chief of army staff announced the promotion of a Gunner in the regiment, Dantani Ibrahim, to Lace Corporal, for his bravery, dedication and hard work.

    Buratai, who later addressed wives of soldiers at the regiment, promised to give their welfare a top priority, adding that children of soldiers, who died in line of duty would be sponsored even up to university level.

    He also said that any of those children, who so desire to get enlisted into any of the military services would be given priority.

  • There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai has assured residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital that they will never witness frequent bombing at markets, schools and worship centers as they witnessed in Jos in recent past.

    Gen Buratai gave the assurance in Jos on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace in Jishe Jos.

    Gen Buratai who was on a familiarization tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army told the Gbong Gwom that the Nigerian Army has already defeated Boko Haram and rendered the insurgent incapacitated.

    In his words, Gen Buratai said, “Your Royal Majesty I’m here this morning to pay a courtesy call on you before embarking on my familiarization tour to units and formations under the 3Division and indeed Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) here on the Plateau.

    “You can see that our efforts in the Northeast has really paid off as you can recalled the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and population areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau state that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.

    “For a long time now we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North East, we have been able to blocked these criminal elements from crossing up to this areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

    “I want to assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties, I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.

    “Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army, it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State. I know there has been little challenges here and there and the most recent one is the one that happened last two to three weeks or about, but not withstanding we still got your full backing and full support and the Army in particular will ensure that we maintained the needed peace at all time.

    “The Commander Operation Safe Haven just assumed duty I personally chose him to head this Command because of his experience and knowledge and diplomatic skills when he was the Chief of Civil Military Affairs in Army Headquarters. I want to assure  you that the Army will give all the corporations within it’s duties as enshrine in the Constitution, and we want to reassure you that permanent peace will return back to Plateau State” said Gen Burati.

    In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said, “The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army

    historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.

    “Let me on behalf of Plateau State thank you and your men whom over the years have been paying sacrifices to work towards restoring peace, law and order not in Plateau State but all over Nigeria. Just some months back, Nigerians were apprehensive to whether Boko Haram will consumed Nigeria or Nigeria would overcome it.

    “But we thank God Almighty for your efforts and that of your men by restoring hope to Nigerians. The sacrifices you have made that have translated to almost a total end to this destructive elements

    “We note that upon the discharge of this responsibility you have lost some men who sacrifice their lives for peace of this Country, we pray that God in his Mercy would grand them internal rest and console their families.

    “My appreciation goes to the President and Commander in Chief of the Army Forces, President Muhammad Buhari for waging a successful fight against insurgency in the country.

  • COAS decries decay of barracks infrastructure

    COAS decries decay of barracks infrastructure

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has decried the level of decay of infrastructure in Army barracks across the country.

     

    Buratai said this at the inauguration of some renovated residential accommodation for soldiers at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.

     

    Buratai blamed the condition on long years of neglect and poor budgetary allocation to renovation and construction of barracks accommodation.

     

    “It is an unfortunate situation but over the years you can see the state of dilapidation and state of decay in the barracks.

     

    “The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate but these are just the measures that we are taking to address the situation and we will continue to solicit for more support from government.

     

    “The decay is enormous but thank God that in this year’s budget there is provision for barracks renovation,” he said.

     

    The chief of army staff said the present Army administration was looking inward to find solutions to the infrastructure decay in the barracks.

     

    He said the Army headquarters had commenced the renovation of ten blocks of 30 flats each at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, as part of efforts to address the problem.

     

    Buratai added that strict measures for maintenance would be put in place to entrench maintenance culture in the barracks.

     

    He assured soldiers and officers of the present administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of their families at all times.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff has also inspected other ongoing construction of soldiers’ accommodation at the Obienu Barracks in Bauchi.