The Nation Newspaper

Tag: troops

  • Buratai to troops: end insurgency now 

    Buratai to troops: end insurgency now 

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has given a marching order to the troops in the war front to end the war against Boko Haram now.

    He gave a deadline of end of this month to finish off the terrorists so that “troops will be able to return to the barracks by 2017”.

    Gen. Buratai however urged his men to treat arrested insurgents gently.

    He gave the directive in a goodwill message titled ‘no more time to waste’ to troops of “Operation Lafiya Dole”, the name for the operation against insurgency in the Northeast. “No stone should be left unturned” in the effort to end the war, he said.

    Gen. Buratai said: “ I am sending to you all, the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole best wishes as the Yuletide approaches, I commend you for your sacrifices, commitment, loyalty and courage in the service of our fatherland.

    “I wish to make this call to action and wake up call to you all and to emphasise that we must immediately begin to embark on the final aggressive action and comprehensive sweep of the operational theater with a view to ending the operation on a very high note. In this regard, no stone should be left unturned. I therefore call on all officers and soldiers to buckle up and ensure that remnants of Boko Haram terrorists are completely cleared.

    “I hope to be with you sometime this month to motivate and positively influence the ongoing perations.  This is with a view to having a colourful end of year and peaceful Yuletide in the North East and indeed Nigeria. I urge all commanders to plan and embark on effective patrols, raids, ambushes and deliberate attacks in conjunction with other Services, especially the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, to rescue all those abducted by the terrorists.”

    The Army chief said “captured and surrendered Boko Haram terrorists” must be treated humanely and fairly and in strict accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Laws of Armed Conflict.

    He said his men must be prepared to enter all fortresses, camps, dens and enclaves of the Boko Haram to flush them out and dominate these areas to ensure they are not reoccupied. He said this month would decide the success or failure of the operation.

    Gen. Buratai addedi: “I wish to reiterate that December is a month of decision.

    It is either we succeed in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists or we continue to live in perpetual circle of their atrocities in the North East.  I hereby want to reassure all troops that I intend to return everybody back to barracks in 2017, only leaving behind a strong, highly mobile, effective and motivated force that will continue to do the good work that we have already started.

    “In this regard we shall also bring reassurances to the populace as normalcy finally returns to the area. “

    Operation Lafiya Dole has successfully pushed back Boko Haram terrorists, taking much of the territories formerly held by the insurgents. However, Boko Haram still operates in some villages, especially in Northern Borno.

  • Troops kill 30 suspected insurgents

    Troops kill 30 suspected insurgents

    Troops of the 121 Task Force Battalion in Pulka, Borno State, yesterday killed 30 suspected insurgents as they attempted to ambush a convoy of Gwoza Local Government officials.

    The insurgents detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and began shooting, but they were repelled by troops escorting the officials.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Gwoza, Saeed Salisu Sambo, who was in the convoy, praised the troops for their prompt response.

    He said no life was lost.

    “I praise the gallantry of the troops, led by Patrol Commanders of the 121BN, Captain S. Suleiman and Lt. N. Ayuba,” he said.

    Some soldiers were injured in the encounter and are receiving treatment at Maimalari Barracks Hospital.

  • Troops kill suicide bomber

    Troops kill suicide bomber

    Troops yesterday killed a suicide bomber, who attempted to penetrate a transit camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) along Muna Garage in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

    It was learnt that security operatives suspected the strange behaviour of the suicide bomber and accosted him.

    The attacker was eventually gunned down in his attempt to detonate the explosives strapped around him.

    Confirming the report, North-East’s spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, stated that the mutilated body of the suicide bomber had been evacuated.

  • AU troops kill 12 Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia

    Troops from the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants and captured a town in the past two days in Southern Somalia.

    The AMISOM said in a statement on Wednesday in Mogadishu that its troops and the Somali army killed the militants and injured 14 others in an ambush targeting the militants who were moving to Barire District in Lower Shabelle region on Monday.

    It said also that a large cache of weapons were seized.

    The statement, however, said the fleeing Al-Shabaab killed two innocent civilians in retaliation.

    The AMISOM said further that the joint forces took control of Mir-tugo area in Middle Shabelle as Al-Shabaab militants fled.

    “The energy (Al-Shabaab) was routed from Mir-tugo town, joint forces are patrolling the town and are in total control of it.

    Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab has lost several of its key strongholds in the past four years, but still carried out frequent attacks in the country.

  • Troops bust militants’ camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

    Troops bust militants’ camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

        •Four suspected militants arrested •War against oil theft scaled up

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), have dislodged unrepentant militants from their camps in the creeks of Bayelsa and Cross River states.
    The troops, it was gathered, stormed several creeks in Niger Delta, and destroyed illegal refineries. Suspected oil thieves were arrested.
    The troops were said to have discovered and destroyed an active militant camp at the creeks of Isunkiri in Bayelsa State.
    Many items were recovered: Two laptops, hammer, Philippino currency, plasma TV, DVD player, saw blades, four Motorola hand-held radio communication set, two R2 GMDS radio sets and four mobile phones.
    Others are five radio chargers, five Motorola radio batteries, foreign ATM card, two SIM cards, civil helmet, a pair of fire-fighting uniform, GMI radio and documents/identity cards belonging to Mr Roberto Bacariza Jnr. (a Philippino).
    The troops also found civilian clothes, four pairs of Swire pacific offshore uniforms, two boxes of drugs, two foreign passports, ladder, blue speedboat mounted with a 115 horsepower with inscription “VIP” and 75 horsepower engine, light blue fibre.
    The Media Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt.-Col. Olaolu Dauda, said a similar raid took place in the creeks of Cross River.
    He recalled that following a tip-off, troops bust a militant camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil Forest, Virgin Forest, Opuru Fishing Port, Wangwa Fishing Port and Zion City.
    Dauda said: “At Harrison Camp, suspected militants fled on sighting troops. They are being trailed. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty and arrested three suspected militants and a Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO or diesel).”
    The media coordinator confirmed that troops of ODS widened the scope of its war against oil theft and other criminal activities in the region.
    In Bayelsa, he said: “Troops of anti-illegal bunkering operations at Obi Creek in Epelepele community of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State discovered and destroyed a bunkering camp.
    “Following a tip-off, Mr Kelly Ikurusi, Mr Dokubo Erempagamo, Mr Orifie Borto and Mr George Friday (aka Yellow 1) were arrested. Yellow 1 is said to be among the militants who attacked and killed own troops on August 8 at Nembe. The four suspects are undergoing preliminary investigations.
    “During a foot patrol, troops discovered a suspected criminal hideout near Biogbolo Secondary School in Yenagoa.
    “The area was cordoned off and subsequently searched. Troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a riser with the intention to blast it. The IED was diffused as troops provided security.
    “Troops also discovered an illegal refinery site at Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO. One container truck, with registration No. (Anambra) AWK 119 ZL laden with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flour, were impounded.
    “Troops on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms.
    “Items recovered include three pumping machines and two welding machines. Also, troops discovered reactivated illegal oil refineries. They were destroyed.”
    Dauda said the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee foiled a kidnap attempt by gunmen unde the command of suspected leader of a cult group, the Icelander, at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.
    The coordinator said the gunmen fled when they sighted naval gunboats.
    He said: “It was also reported that sea robbers operating from Eastern Obolo attacked and kidnapped an unspecified number of persons on a ship at sea.  Troops of NNS Jubilee are on the trail of the kidnappers for possible rescue.
    “Also, troops at FOB FORMOSO, stationed at Nembe creek, repelled saboteurs, who attempted to vandalise and steal a control unit from Well Head 72 operated by AITED Company. Vandals abandoned their tools on sighting the troops.
    “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure sanity in Niger Delta as law-abiding citizens go about their legitimate businesses.
    “The Acting Commander, Brig.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, wishes to appreciate the public for its continuous cooperation, information, and re-assure residents and oil companies in Niger Delta of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses.”

  • Troops dismantle militant camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

    Troops dismantle militant camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), has dislodged unrepentant militants from their various camps in the creeks of Bayelsa and Cross River states.

    The troops, it was gathered, stormed many creeks in the Niger Delta region, destroying illegal refineries and clamping down on suspected oil thieves in a widened onslaught against oil-related crimes.

    The troops were said to have discovered and destroyed an active militant camp at the creeks of Isunkiri in Bayelsa.

    They reportedly recovered items such as two laptops, a hammer, Philippino currency note and coins, one plasma TV, one DVD player, saw blades,  four Motorola hand held radios, two R2 GMDS radios and four mobile phones.

    Others are five radio chargers, five motorola Radio batteries and one foreign ATM card, two sim cards, one civil helmet, pair of fire-fighting uniform, one GMI radio and documents/identity cards belonging to one Mr Roberto Bacariza Jr (Philippino).

    The troops also found civil clothes, four pairs of Swire pacific offshore overall uniform, two boxes of drugs, two foreign passports, one ladder, one blue colour speed boat mounted with 115 Horse power with inscription VIP on it and one 75 Horse power engine, light blue coloured fibre.

    The Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda confirmed the development and said a similar raid took place at creeks in Cross River.

    He said following a tip-off, troops dismantled a militant camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil forest, Virgin forest, Opuru fishing port, Wangwa fishing port and Zion city.

    “At Harrison camp, suspected militant fled on sighting troops. They are being trailed. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty and arrested three suspected militants and one Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil”, he said.

    Dauda also confirmed that troops of ODS widened the scope of its war against oil theft and other criminal activities in all the states of the region.

    In Bayelsa, he said: “Troops on anti-illegal bunkering operations in Obi creek Epelepele Community of Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State discovered and destroyed a bunkering camp.

    “Following a tip off, Mr Kelly Ikurusi, Mr Dokubo Erempagamo, Mr Orifie Borto and Mr George Friday AKA Yellow 1 were arrested.  Yellow 1 is said to be among the militants who attacked and killed own troops on 8 August 2016 at Nembe.  The four suspects are undergoing preliminary investigations.

    “Troops while on foot patrol discovered suspected criminal hideout around Biogbolo Secondary School in Yenagoa metropolis.

    “The area was cordoned and subsequently searched.  Troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a riser with the intention of blasting it. The IED was diffused as troops provided security.

    “Troops also discovered an illegal refinery site at Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO.  One container truck with registration number AWK 119 ZL loaded with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flours were impounded.

    “Toops while on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms.

    “Items recovered include; three pumping machines and two welding machines. Also troops discovered reactivated illegal oil refineries which were destroyed”.

    Dauda disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE foiled a kidnap attempt by gunmen led by the suspected leader of a cult group popularly referred to as “Icelander” at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said the gunmen on sighting the Naval gunboats, fled the scene.

    He said: “It was also reported that sea robbers operating from Eastern Obolo attacked and kidnapped unspecified number of persons on a ship at sea.  Troops of NNS JUBILEE are on the trail of the kidnappers for possible rescue.

    “Also troops at FOB FORMOSO stationed at Nembe creek repelled saboteurs who tried to vandalize and steal a control unit from a Well Head 72 operated by AITED Company. Vandals abandoned their tools on sighting troops.

    “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.

    “The Acting Commander Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe wishes to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses”.

  • Troops’ presence reason behind bombings, says Avengers 

    Troops’ presence reason behind bombings, says Avengers 

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) said yesterday that it resumed its bombings of oil installations because of the continued presence of troops in the Niger Delta.

    According to the group, the continued presence of troops has undermined peace talks between the region’s leaders and the government.

    Leaders of the region including Chief Edwin Clark, and Minister of state Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu, have urged militants to stop the attacks following strikes on the Trans Forcados Pipeline, main contributor to the Forcados crude stream, the most recent of which was claimed by the NDA.

    Most groups have adhered to a ceasefire in the last few weeks while the government held talks with community leaders who, like the militants, want a greater share of Nigeria’s energy wealth to go to the region that produces most of its oil.

    “The Niger Delta Avengers cannot be blamed for the continuous bombing of crude oil export pipelines and other oil installations, since the government has been relentlessly carrying out military build ups to continuously harass communities,” the NDA said on its website.

    President Muhammadu Buhari sent army reinforcements in May to hunt down militants, a move that stoked anger as residents complained of rape, looting and arrests of youths unrelated to the militants, charges denied by the military.

    On Nov. 1, Buhari met leaders from the region since the attacks began. They urged him to withdraw troops, order oil firms to move their headquarters there and spend more on development to end the militancy.

    “The High Command of the NDA is only reacting to government’s deliberate attempts to undermine the process to dialogue and negotiations,” the NDA said in its statement.

    It added that “the path to sustain the cessation of hostilities in the region” could not be achieved “when there are clear cases of deliberate security surge by the Nigerian government”.

    Attacks since the start of the year cut the OPEC member’s oil production by more than a third in the summer.

    But, with attacks becoming less frequent in the last few months, the oil minister said output had recovered to 2.1 million barrels a day. That brought it roughly back to levels before the attacks began.

  • Troops in massive manhunt for Niger Delta militants

    Troops in massive manhunt for Niger Delta militants

    • Rescue 3 hostages in sea pirates’ hideout

    Troops have been massively deployed in the creeks of the Niger Delta to hunt down militants disturbing the peace of the region and bombing oil installations despite ongoing dialogue.

    It was gathered that the deployment was by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), following concerns that militants were still attacking oil pipelines despite peace talks between stakeholders of the region and the federal government.

    The troops, it was learnt, were asked to identify and dismantle all the active militant camps used as operational bases by the hoodlums.

    They were also directed to patrol the creeks, monitor vessels on the waterways and conduct stop-and-search operations on suspicious speedboats.

    At one of the creeks identified as Sand-Sand Fishing Camp in Nembe, it was gathered that the troops came in contact with unrepentant members of a militant group making efforts to activate a dismantled militant camp.

    A source from the ODS, who spoke in confidence, said the militants were trying to reactivate the camp to use it as a satellite base to constantly attack oil facilities located at the Nembe-Brass waterways.

    He said the troops, after gathering enough intelligence, burst the camp and in the process confronted the militants in a gun battle.

    “It was not an easy operation because the militants were armed to the teeth.

    “But we overpowered them and killed one of their leaders, popularly known as Edoboy. We are still pursuing others who fled into the creeks,” the source stated.

    The source further added that most of the fleeing militants were fond of running into communities to make the operations of the troops difficult.

    “They run into the communities whenever they are being pursued and mix up making it difficult to identify them.

    “The communities are always afraid to identify them and most times, these hoodlums use them to make statements accusing JTF of violating their human rights.

    “We are very professional and will not engage in any action or conduct that will drag the name of the military in the mud,” the source explained.

    But indigenes of the Sand-Sand claimed the troops invaded their community under the guise of looking for militants.

    They accused the military of destroying scores of houses, churches and schools during the incident.

    One of the indigenes, Chief Dede Francis, claimed residents deserted the community, alleging that displaced persons were suffering in bushes and neighbouring communities.

    “We tried talking to them but it was futile. After hours of intimidation, they told us that some suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers were chased into our community.

    “They claimed there were exchanges of gun fire with their personnel by the suspected Avengers from the community.

    “The invasion and search however left buildings, schools and churches destroyedý. Only a school building was left standing.

    “We are shocked. The so-called Avengers did not enter our community,” he said.

    But the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, faulted the claims of Francis describing it as a big lie.

    He said the true position of the operation at the Sand-Sand community had been widely reported by the media.

    He added militants and persons making bloody capitals from the activities of hoodlums were behind claims that troops invaded the community and destroyed houses and churches.

    A Nembe Chief, Wilfred Ogbotobo, asked the ODS to do everything professionally possible to flush out militants from the Niger Delta creeks.

    According to him criminals should not be pampered and any dialogue with militants amount to treating full-blown criminality with kid gloves.

    He said: “With the quantum of weighty challenges confronting the nation at the moment, the Buhari administration does not have the luxury of time and resources for hopeless, hypocritical frolics with every lunatic group that springs from the creeks and other parts of the Niger Delta.

    “Instead, the federal government should consolidate the successes so far recorded and expand the overall capacity of the Operation Crocodile Smile to restore law and order in the region for the government to fast track meaningful developmental measures immediately”.

    The troops also rescued travellers kept hostage by suspected sea pirates in the creeks of Southern Ijaw local government area.

    The troops, who have been combing creeks in the Niger Delta region, were said to have discovered the pirates’ hideout when they raided Kasabubou Forupa waterways of the council.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, who confirmed the development, gave the names of the rescued hostages as Peter Atijera, Lukman Balogun and Pious John.

    He said the troops recovered two double-engine speedboats, two binoculars and a Motorola radio at the hideout.

    Dauda further said that three kidnapped employees of Lex Oil were found and released from a kidnappers’ den at Ikuru town of Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State.

    He said the Air Component of ODS while conducting surveillance at Isaka town, Kidney Island, Alakiri and Bille in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, discovered two incapacitated barges loaded with illegally-refined products.

    Dauda said the ongoing war against oil theft led troops of Sector 2 to arrest one Ebi Youbodha driving a Nissan Sunny car with registration number Rivers AJ 252 NCH around Imiringi, Ogbia, Bayelsa State.

    He said when the vehicle was searched, 33 jerry cans of substance suspected to be illegally-refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPR), were recovered from him.

    In Delta State, he said troops of Sector 1 foiled an armed robbery attempt and rescued six persons returning from market along Bomadi Agadama road by Ohoro Junction in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

    But he said that on sighting the troops, the suspects abandoned their illegal operation and fled into the bush.

    Dauda added: “Troops in conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a raid on suspected criminal/illegal drug dealer’s hideout at Emu Obodeti Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

    “The operation led to the arrest of one Mr. Moses Eni and Mrs. Boyi Kamanda with 55 bags of substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered.  The items are in the custody of the NDLEA office in Kwale Delta State.”

  • Troops intensify operations to flush out N’Delta militants

    Troops have been massively deployed in the creeks of the Niger Delta region to hunt down militants disturbing the peace of the region and bombing oil installations despite ongoing dialogue.

    It was gathered that the deployment was made by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), following concerns that militants were still attacking oil pipelines in spite of peace talks between stakeholders of the region and the Federal Government.

    The troops, it was learnt, were asked to identify and dismantle all the active militant camps used as operational bases by the hoodlums.

    They were also directed to patrol the creeks, monitor vessels on the waterways and conduct stop-and-search operations on suspicious speedboats.

    At one of the creeks identified as Sand-Sand Fishing Camp in Nembe, it was gathered that the troops came in contact with unrepentant members of a militant group who were making efforts to activate a dismantled militant camp.

    A source from the ODS who spoke in confidence said the militants were trying to reactivate the camp to use it as a satellite base to constantly attack oil facilities located at the Nembe-Brass waterways.

    He said the troops after gathering enough intelligence burst the camp and in the process confronted the militants in gun battle.

    “It was not an easy operation because the militants were armed to the teeth. But we overpowered them and killed one of their leaders, popularly known as Edoboy. We are still pursuing others who fled into the creeks”, he said.

    The source further added that most of the fleeing militants were fond of running into communities to make the operations of the troops difficult.

    “They run into the communities whenever they are being pursued and mix up making it difficult to identify them. The communities are always afraid to identify them and most times, these hoodlums use them to make statements accusing JTF of violating their human rights.

    “We are very professional and will not engage in any action or conduct that will drag the name of the military in the mud”, he said.

    But the indigenes of the Sand-Sand community claimed that the troops invaded their community under the guise of looking for militants.

    They accused the military of destroying scores of houses, churches and schools during the incident.

    One of the indigenes, Chief Dede Francis, claimed that residents deserted the community alleging that displaced persons were suffering in bushes and neighbouring communities.

    “We tried talking to them but it was futile. After hours of intimidation, they told us that some suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers were chased into our community. They claimed there were exchanges of gun fire with their personnel by the suspected Avengers from the community.

    “The invasion and search however left buildings, schools and churches destroyed‎. Only a school building was left standing. We are shocked. The so-called Avengers did not enter our community”, he said.

    But the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, faulted the claims of Francis describing it as a big lie.

    He said the true position of the operation at the Sand-Sand community, had been widely reported by the media.

    He added that militants and persons, who were making bloody capital from the activities of hoodlums, were behind the claims that troops invaded the community and destroyed houses and churches.

    Referring to a statement earlier issued on the operation by ODS, Olaolu said: “Troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.

    “The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’.

    He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”.

    Also,a Nembe Chief, Wilfred Ogbotobo, asked the ODS to do everything professionally possible to flush out militants from the Niger Delta creeks.

    According to him criminals should not be pampered and any dialogue with militants amount to treating a full-blown criminality with kid gloves.

    He said: “With the quantum of weighty challenges confronting the nation at the moment, the Buhari administration does not have the luxury of time and resources for hopeless, hypocritical frolics with every lunatic group that springs from the creeks and other parts of the Niger Delta.

    “Instead, the federal government should consolidate the successes so far recorded and expand the overall capacity of the Operation Crocodile Smile to restore law and order in the region, for the government to fast track meaningful developmental measures immediately”.

     

  • DHQ: troops battling on 16 fronts

    DHQ: troops battling on 16 fronts

    THE Armed Forces are engaged in 16 operations in  defence of the nation’s territorial integrity, Director of Defence Information Brig.- Gen. Rabe Abubakar has said yesterday.

    Gen. Abubakar stated this at an interactive forum with members of the Borno Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Maiduguri.

    He said some of the operations were being carried out jointly with other security agencies while others were conducted by the Armed Forces .

    Gen. Abubakar named some of the operations as including Operation Lafiya Dole; Operation Safe Corridor and Operation Delta Safe.

    “We equally have Operation Sharan Daji to take care of Cattle Rustlers,” he added.

    He said the military was working on plans to introduce another operation to tackle the problem of farmers/herdsmen clashes.

    “Once it is in place, the menace of farmers/ rearers clash will be a thing of the past in the country,” Abubakar said.

    He added that the military was also engaged in other functions aimed at securing the country.

    “We are also involved in other numerous activities aimed at safeguarding the country,” Abubakar said.

    He, however, lamented that in spite of these efforts, some Nigerians were bent on pulling down the military.

    He said his visit was part of efforts aimed at solidifying relationship between the military and the media.

    He expressed the need for a synergy between the military and the media.

    He advised the media to be more patriotic in its reportage of military operations to secure the country.