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Tag: The Nigerian Army

  • Troops exhume IEDs vest in Borno River

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said personnel of the Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have successfully exhumed an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest buried in a river in Konduga, Borno.

    Troops of 222 Battalion had on Wednesday night arrested two female suicide bombers at Mushimari community in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

    The army in a twitter post while giving update on the arrest said one of the suspected bombers, Mrs. Aisha Modu, confessed to have thrown the IED vest in the river.

    It said that men of the EOD unit were deployed and recovered the vest in the river.

    “Recall that gallant troops of 222 Battalion intercepted one suspected female suicide bomber and her accomplice at Mushimari settlement in Konduga, Borno, on December 19, 2018.

    “During interrogations, the suspect known as Mrs Aisha Modu, confessed that she dumped her suicide vest in a river on sighting the troops.

    “Consequently, Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) experts were mobilized and the explosive vest was successfully recovered and diffused”.

     

  • Troops kill 14 Boko Haram insurgents, rescue 30 civilians in Borno

    Troops kill 14 Boko Haram insurgents, rescue 30 civilians in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it’s troops had killed 14 Boko Haram insurgents in clearance operations in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    Brig.- Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said that the troops also rescued 30 persons, captured one insurgent and recovered various caliber of ammunition from the insurgents.

    He said that the troops had also cleared insurgents in their hideouts at Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram villages in Bama local government area.

    Kukasheka explained that 8 insurgents were killed while many of them escaped in the affected villages, adding that three males; 12 females and 15 children were rescued from the insurgents.

    The army spokesman also disclosed that the troops also ambushed and killed six insurgents at Kumshe and Darel-Jamel villages.

    According to him, the arrested insurgent was handed over to the appropriate authorities for intonation.

    “Troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army in Conjunction with elements of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) on Operations LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017, cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    “The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray, leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while eight Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.

    “The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven Dane guns, machetes, amongst other items.

    “In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women and 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian captives are being attended to.

    “Similarly, troops of 152 Battalion of the Brigade deployed as a blocking force at the Forward Operations Base, Kumshe, to aid a successful clearance operation ambushed some fleeing unsuspecting Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised five fleeing terrorists, while troops of 151 Battalion also deployed at the Forward Operations Base, Darel Jamel, neutralised a terrorist in an ambush”.

  • Army move to secure nation’s borders

    Army move to secure nation’s borders

    The Nigerian Army, on Friday, inaugurated a Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Daura in Katsina State, as part of the measures to secure the nation’s borders with neighbouring countries.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who inaugurated the FOB, said the sighting of the facility in Daura followed the “Order of Battle” approved by the Army Council in 2016.

    “It is part of the re-organisation in the Nigerian Army. In 2016, the Army Council approved the new order of battle.

    “This is part of the order of battle of the Nigerian Army to have an FOB in this place – Daura.

    “So it is the overall review of the deployment and the strategic consideration of the Nigerian army and the military; in taking care of strategic locations by deploying such facility here,” Buratai.

    Asked if there was any threat at the Daura axis, the army chief said: “Well, that is the analysis”.

    “You know, this Boko Haram terrorist group has been moving all over the place, especially along the borders. So, it is part of the consideration, it is part of the threat analysis”.

    According to Buratai, there is the need to take care of the border areas right from the Lake Chad through Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, up to Sokoto.

    He said that the establishment of the FOB was part of the strategic consideration, based on threat analysis, adding that more of such facility would be set up in the North East.

     

  • Kano State Govt. donates 28 Toyota Hilux vehicles to Nigerian Army‎

    Kano State Govt. donates 28 Toyota Hilux vehicles to Nigerian Army‎

    The Kano State Government on Monday donated 16 Toyota Hilux vehicles “and 12 refurbished ones” to the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to combat crime in the state.‎

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje presented the vehicles to the Brigade Commander of 3rd Brigade,Nigerian Army, Kano, Brig.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, at the Government House, Kano.

    ‎Ganduje said the gesture was in appreciation of the numerous sacrifice of the military toward restoring peace and stability in the state and the country.‎

    “I am here today to present 16 brand new Toyota Hilux vehicles and 12 refurbished ones to you to assist in cushioning the effect and challenges of transportation in the fight against crime in the state,”he said.

    ‎The governor congratulated the military on their successes in Falgore forest and other strongholds of cattle rustlers, kidnappers and other criminals.

    ‎He said the state government had spent over N300 million on the procurement and the refurbishing of the vehicles.

    ‎Brig.-Gen. Akinjobi thanked the state government for the donation and promised judicious use of the vehicles.

    “Any government that musters the courage to provide vehicles to  ‎security agencies, that government is serious in tackling security issues and we promise to make judicious use of these vehicles, “he said.

  • Exercise Python Dance: Army rolls out dedicated lines for information

    Exercise Python Dance: Army rolls out dedicated lines for information

    Dedicated GSM lines for the general public to call, as regards any information or request for help during the ongoing Exercise Python Dance in the South East, has been rolled out by The Nigerian Army on Tuesday.

    According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, the numbers are:

    Headquarters 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia- 07068688482.

    Headquarters 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia- 07068688482.

    Headquarters 302 Artillery Regiment, Awka, Anambra- 07011115583.

    Headquarters 24 Support Engineer Regiment, Abakaliki, Ebonyi -09053974736.

    Headquarters 82 Division Garrison, Enugu- 08063282844.

    Headquarters 34 Brigade, Owerri, Imo- 08171609638 and 08065642870.

    The Python Dance, a training exercise to update troops in the South East on operational rudiments was launched by the army on Nov. 27 and expected to round off on Dec. 27.

  • Troops arrest suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram

    Troops arrest suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram

    The Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

    A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspect was arrested at Molai check point in the outskirt of Maiduguri at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

    He added that the suspect was arrested with a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of petrol and other goods cleverly covered in cartons.

    Usman said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had for long engaged in supply of fuel and other goods to terrorists in Sambisa.

    He said: “the Quick Response Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison on routine check arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of PMS and other goods.

    “The PMS and other goods were cleverly covered and concealed in the truck.

    “The driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.

    “He too denied supplying the terrorists’ fuel and other items. Rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand.

    “However, preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa.

    “Although investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest.”

    Usman said authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers in Borno and its environs.

    He said both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigation.

  • Army trains Customs personnel on use of AK47 rifle, others

    Army trains Customs personnel on use of AK47 rifle, others

    Following the enhancement of the Nigerian Customs Service’ (NCS) fire power, the Nigerian Army yesterday certified 62 of their personnel fit to handle AK47 rifle.

    The cerification was after a four weeks course weapon handling, armoury management and physical fitness conducted at the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army in Lagos.

    Of the 62 NCS personnel drafted from the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Apapa, to be the first batch of personnel to handle the AK47 rifle, four were women.

    Commending the NCS for ensuring professional competence among its men, the 9 Brigade Commander, Gen. Bulama Biu expressed confidence that the graduands were better prepared to tackle smugglers.

    He said: ”We were tasked by the Army headquarters to conduct a four-week training cadre for the NCS personnel in line with the Comptroller General’s drive to re-proffessionalise the NCS for optimal service delivery, as well as the Chief of Army Staff’s vision to assist and cooperate with other security agencies.

    ”You are aware that the country and the world at large is currently undergoing numerous dimensions of security and economic challenges.

    ”As government agency charged with the responsibility of revenue generation and anti-smuggling, it is expedient that you sharpen your skills at all times in order to be better prepared for likely enforcement of the law.

    ”To this end, the trainees went through series of physical fitness regimes which included trainning on the obstacles crossing course amongst other fitness drills.”

    In his remark, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji urged them to be disciplined.

    Adaji who was the special guest at the event expressed satisfaction on the spirit of sportsmanship among the security agencies.

    “I am sure that with the training gathered in the last four weeks, the graduands are better prepared to take on their task in combating smugglers and in doing so, they have learnt how to stay safe.

    “That thus training was conducted at the 9 Brigade is testimony of the growing cooperation among security agencies, which is not only in the area of training but also during operations,” he said.

    In his address, NCS’ Controller General, Hameed Ali urged the graduands to effectively utilise knowledge gained for the good of the nation.

    Ali who was represented by Customs Zone A Coordinator, Charles Edike said: ”The training given here will be seriously put to use. There has been a very strong synergy between the Customs and the Navy and that has resulted to alot of seizures around the Zone A on monthly basis.

    “There are many creeks on the zone. And even if you line up all the NCS men, they cannot cover all the areas. That is where the navy comes in handy. They go to the sea and they see those vessels that do not come to port. So, whenever they see them, they contact us,” he said.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Army cautions media on negative reports

    Boko Haram: Army cautions media on negative reports

    The Nigerian Army on Monday cautioned media practitioners in the country against negative reports that would hamper the ongoing war against terrorism in the North East.

    Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.

    Ezugwu said that the call became imperative because the media had great role to play in the success of the anti-terror war.

    “Nigeria must defeat Boko Haram; for us to be able to make progress, the media has a role to play in this.

    “What you tell the people should be positive, so we can get maximum support from them,” he said.

    Ezugwu said that the military had recorded tremendous successes against the terrorists lately.

    “I was privileged to be with the troops some few days ago in Sambisa, they are very professional in their approach to the task and objectives given to them.

    “So far so good, they are on top of the situation, it is a very different ball game now,’’ he said.

    Ezugwu added: “Troops are better equipped, well coordinated, with the Air Force playing its role too.

    “We have our information moving from the air to ground forces, the teams are working in synergy and the result is very obvious.’’

    The GOC however lamented that some media reports had been discouraging on the issue.

    “What we want you to do for us is please be very positive towards our course and towards the anti-insurgency fight that we are conducting,” Ezugwu said.

  • “Don’t Celebrate Us Yet”….Army

    “Don’t Celebrate Us Yet”….Army

    The Nigerian Army has been warned individuals and groups that are celebrating the routing and decimation of the Boko Haram terrorists to exercise restrain, instead they should be more vigillant to ensure that the group does not encroach into their areas.

     

    According to the Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, the attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a number of groups and individuals celebrating the routing out and decimation of Boko Haram terrorists from Nigeria, “so much as we thank them for that, it is imperative to state that we do not begrudge such persons, their desire to identify and associate themselves with this success”.

    Continuing the Army spokesman said, “however, the Nigerian Army wishes to disassociate itself from such celebrations and solidarity rallies. We also would like to advice that they should tread with caution as this could be distractive to us. The public are please informed that the terrorists are surreptitiously fanning out of their last enclaves in Sambisa to cause havoc or seek refuge elsewhere”.

     

    “Therefore, there is need for all to be more vigilant and security conscious to enable us clear the remnants of these terrorists wherever they might flee” he concluded.

     

    We would like to reassure the public that we will remain professional and focused in clearing the remnants of these criminals on the Nigerian soil.