The Nation Newspaper

Tag: theatre commander

  • Deal mercilessly with Boko Haram, Theatre Commander tells troops

    Maj.-Gen. Abbah Dikko, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole has ordered troops to mercilessly deal with Boko Haram whenever they attack any military formation

    Dikko gave the order while addressing troops of Sector 3 conducting Operation LAST HOLD in Munguno on Friday.

    The commander described a great achievements  the successes recorded during the counter-attack in Damasak where Boko Haram fighters were outgunned and their equipment recovered while attempting to attack 145 Battalion.

    He charged the troops to be more committed, focused and proactive in the conduct of their operations.

    He explained that troops of the Rapid Development Force (RDF) will soon arrive Kinnasara Cantonment, Monguno for deployment to support the ongoing operations.

    Dikko added that the command would also organise an in-house training on counter terrorism campaign for new troops that would be deployed to the sector.

    The Acting Commander Sector 3 Brig. Gen. Uwem Bassey, also promised that the Sector will continue to maintain high level of fighting spirit and professionalism which the Nigerian Army is known for.

    Bassey praised the recent feats recorded by troops and hoped they would ginger troops of the sector to put in more efforts.(NAN)

  • Boko Haram: Theatre Commander declares 3 UNICEF staff persona non grata

    Three staff of United Nation’s Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) working in Maiduguri have been declared persona non grata by the Nigerian Army over spurious and false allegations on troops of operation Lafiya Dole.

    The three persons are: Priscillia Hoveyda, Maher Farea and Milen Kidane. The Nation findings gathered that all the affected staff are child protection specialists with UNICEF.

    A statement signed by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Rogers Nicholas described the  allegations as unfounded, adding that the allegations are made  by enemies of the military and the Nigerian state.

    Some of the allegations brought forward were  that the Nigerian military had raped over 20 girls in IDP camps in Borno State.

    The Theatre Commander regretted that  ‘It is  curious that these allegations were coming at a time the military is at the verge of defeating the menace of Boko Haram terrorists and bring their criminal

    ”The end of terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria is at the twilight end and enemies of Nigeria and the military are obviously unhappy at the successes and the efforts so far made by the military in the discharge of their responsibilities in the most professional and patriotic manner.

    ”We urge the general public to disregard such malicious allegations and continue to support the military to completely rid the country of any act terrorism/insurgency.

    ”We assure all well meaning Nigerians that their security, safety and dignity are paramount in our collective effort to bring to a conclusive end, the ménace of Boko Haram.

    ”The military has and will remain professional in the discharge of its mandate and will not be distracted by enemies of the country and its military.

  • Theatre commander asks Boko Haram sect to surrender

    Theatre commander asks Boko Haram sect to surrender

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, has called on Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    Gen. Nicholas spoke yesterday at his maiden media interactive session in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. He said the call was to encourage insurgents to surrender and guarantee lasting peace in the region.

    “We have determined and courageous soldiers to crush the terrorists and bring peace to the Northeast. I call on the insurgents to surrender to the government and embrace peace,” he said.

    The theatre commander urged the media to create more awareness on de-radicalisation of the sect’s ideology, promote peace building and social cohesion.

    He reiterated the military’s readiness to work with the media to ensure a successful campaign against insurgency.

    “The command will provide an enabling environment for the media to access information on our operations. You should ensure accurate, factual and balance reportage on the military operation,” he added.

    He, however, warned that the authorities won’t condone misrepresentation of facts and biased reportage.

    Gen. Nicholas, who said the command will come up with strategies to intensify campaigns against bombing and attacks by insurgents, called on the people to cooperate with the military to help them win the war against the terror group.

    He added that the war against insurgency is a collective responsibility.

    Outgoing commander Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru said the military had implemented various operations to get rid of insurgents and sustain the feat recorded in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    According to him, the insurgents are tactically defeated, and all territories liberated.

    His words: “In view of the success recorded by the military, the Boko Haram insurgents resorted to suicide bombing of soft targets,” he said.

    He added that about 100 insurgents, including five high profile commanders, were killed and 72 surrendered to the military in the last six months.

    The military reinforced its Mobile Strike Force to block the sect’s supply routes and enhance clearance operations, he added.

    Gen. Attahiru listed other achievements as conduct of polio immunisation exercise in non-accessible rural communities, and lifting of the ban on fisheries activities at Lake Chad Basin.

     

  • Military faults Amnesty report

    Military faults Amnesty report

    The Nigerian Military on Wednesday faulted the Amnesty International report which alleged mass abuse in the handling of the ongoing anti-terrorism war in the North-East.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, picked holes in the report while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    He said: “I am constrained to touch on the recently released Amnesty International Report for the year 2016.

    “The reason being that the report made some unfortunate claims regarding the operations in the North-East.

    “Whereas the contents of the report have been condemned, I wish to join (in the condemnation) by saying that the troops of Operations Lafiya Dole are professional in conduct and disposition.

    “They operate within the strict guidance of the rules of engagement and the code of conduct for troops.”

    Irabor noted that Amnesty International had been consistent in its attack on Nigerian military in recent time.

    “What needs to be clear is that we have observed a consistent attack on the institutions charged with the mandate to protect the nation against every form of insecurity.

    “During the trying days of this operation, Amnesty International and other agents working against our nationhood, tried fruitlessly to incite the populace against the military through various malicious publications.

    “In spite of their distractions, we forged ahead and decimated Boko Haram.

    “We worked assiduously to improve on our civil-military relations, the result of which is manifest in the unparalleled support, accolades and encouragement we have received from the populace.

    “This position seems to have disappointed Amnesty International and their ungodly allies.”

    Irabor expressed sadness that Amnesty was making use of some unpatriotic Nigerians to achieve its aim.

    “Regrettably some Nigerians are being used as puppets and agents of destruction of our national security institutions.

    “It is sad that when our national security institutions are gaining traction, these agents after fabricating their reports, sit back and push Nigerians to make the reports known to the public to give a national colour of some sort.

    “We must rise up and stand against this subtle and increasing level of neo-colonialism; we all have a role to play in this direction.

    “Our national institutions must be strengthened, it is our responsibility to do so, no one can love Nigeria better than Nigerians, I only ask you the press to shine your eyes”.

  • Buratai lauds theatre commander, GOC on Boko Haram

    Buratai lauds theatre commander, GOC on Boko Haram

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has commended the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, for his efforts in the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorists.
    Buratai gave the commendation while inaugurating the newly refurbished Wolf Officers Mess of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri yesterday.
    He also commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, for living up to expectation concerning the anti-terrorism war in the North-East.
    “I want to acknowledge the Theater Commander who has been quite dynamic in mobilising all troops under him.
    “I also want to commend the GOC, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, for his courage and dedication to duty in the ongoing operation,” he said.
    The COAS, while also commending the GOC for upgrading the mess, said he was happy to be present at the inauguration of the renovated mess.
    He said he was sentimentally attached to the mess being the venue of his decoration as a captain.
    “I want to commend the GOC and the officers of the 7 Division for uplifting the standard.
    “It was on this mess that I was decorated with the rank of a captain after been promoted from a lieutenant,” he said.