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Tag: Tukur Buratai

  • Buratai: soldiers with low fighting spirit must go

    Soldiers with waning fighting spirit in the ongoing anti-insurgency war are to get the push, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said on Sunday.

    Describing such soldiers as bad eggs, the Army chief said transformational leadership of which he is an advocate would not wait for them to get out of the way before they are kicked out.

    Lt.-Gen. Buratai’s threat to ease out those he called “bad eggs” came less than a week after he decried their attitude on the battle field, blaming recent setback in the anti-terror war on “insufficient commitment to a common national and military cause by those at the frontlines”.

    His remark at a conference in Abuja sparked criticisms, with some saying it was damaging to the troop’s morale. Others praised Gen. Buratai’s “courage” in admitting that something was wrong.

    According to Army spokesman Col. Sagir Musa, the COAS made the latest remarks at the closing of Army Headquarters Transformational leadership workshop in Abuja.

    Col. Musa said in a statement that the COAS implored officers and men of the Army to feel proud of their patriotic roles in their struggles to protect the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.

    He quoted Gen. Buratai as saying: “The NA is already working to evolve and institutionalise formal mentoring frameworks to compliment the informal system.

    “It is with a great sense of accomplishment that I address this distinguished audience to mark the successful conclusion of the maiden Army Headquarters Transformational Leadership Workshop 2019.

    “In my opening remarks, I observed how the attitude of quite a few bad eggs among us, whose commitment to our national/military cause has waned and led to setbacks in our operations. I am glad that this workshop has clearly shown to everyone that we have great reasons to be proud of our nation.

    “The long standing culture of service, sacrifice and honour in the NA has been reaffirmed in the various life lessons and examples of our colleagues – serving, retired or late – whose stories were highlighted during the workshop.

    “This culture should reinvigorate and motivate you as transformational leaders for selfless service to the nation.

    In Borno State, far away from the workshop venue, troops neutralised two terrorists after thwarting an ambush plan by the insurgents, the Army announced on Sunday.

    Read Also: We are committed to veterans’ welfare, says Buratai

    Col. Musa said the ambush was laid against the troops by desperate members of the Boko Haram terrorists, who were in dire need of food and other essential materials.

    He said in a statement that troops on escort duty later killed two terrorists during a fierce encounter that followed.

    Col. Musa said: “In its routine effort in providing and maintaining a secure, and steady passage of persons and goods as well as free vehicular movements on some notable roads/Main Supply Routes (MSR) in the Northeast, troops of 26 Brigade Garrison on patrol and escort duties of civilian merchants and commuters on Wala village and adjoining communities on Saturday, June 22, 2019, had a fierce encounter with desperate terrorists’ ambush team, desperately craving for food and other essentials.

    “During the encounter, troops swiftly responded with heavy gunfire, thwarted the ambush, exterminated two terrorists and captured two AK 47 rifles.

    “Subsequently, intelligence revealed that the terrorists were informed by their informants of the troops’ movement in order to use the opportunity to grab foodstuff that they direly need for survival.

    “To consolidate on the gains achieved from the ambush clearance, further exploitation of the general area and beyond was undertaken with the troops of 121 Task Force Battalion dispatched to reinforce the 26 Brigade Garrison.

    “During advance, troops discovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed along their axis of advance. The IEDs were successfully detonated and cleared.

    “Despite the IED threat, the resilient troops proceeded further to ensure the general area is cleared of terrorists and explosives. There is no casualty on the part of Nigerian Army troops during the operation.

    “Instructively, the exploits in the ongoing Operation Halaka Dodois yielding successes. The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army  Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff commended the troops for the successes achieved. He urged them to be more vigorous and decisive to end the insurgency. He also conveyed the assurance of the unyielding support of the Chief of Army Staff in this regard.

    In Katsina State, troops arrested 20 suspected bandits and kidnappers, among them a notorious kingpin, the Army said on Sunday.

    According to the army spokesman, troops recovered weapons, motorcycles and foodstuff from the suspects.

    He alleged in a statement that the gang was responsible for cattle-rustling and kidnapping in Katsina.

    The statement reads: “In continuation of operations against armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminalities in Katsina State, troops of 17 Brigade on Operation Harbin Kunama III have arrested a notorious bandit/kidnapping kingpin, Mallam Bawa Gomna and 20 others during operations around Batsari, Jibia and Safana Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State between June 3 and 21, 2019.

    “Those arrested so far are reportedly responsible for terrorising villagers in Batsari, Jibia and Safana local government areas.

    “The criminal elements were apprehended based on credible intelligence from the locals, and have confessed taking part in several banditry activities, cattle-rustling and other sundry crimes.

    “They, as usual, will be handed over to the respective law enforcement agency for further action.

    “The 17 Brigade Nigerian Army commends and appreciates all those that provided the information that led to the arrest of the criminals and urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with credible information to combat the insecurity.”

    Col. Musa listed those arrested and seized items as: Bawa Gomna of Garin Waiziri in Safana Local Government Area, Mallam Bello Sabiu of Fafara village of Jibia Local Government Area and Ibrahim Umar of Fafara village, Jibia Local Government Area – logistics suppliers of the bandits.

    “Others are: Mallam Ibrahim Labo of Shamushelle village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Musa Lawal (Maitonga village in Safana Local Government Area), Mallam Adamu Mohammed (Mairuwa village, Faskari Local Government Area) and Ibrahim Babangida Mairuwa (Faskari Local Government Area).

    “Also arrested are: Sani Adamu (Mairuwa village, Faskari Local Government Area), Yusuf Abubakar ( Mairuwa village, Faskari Local Government Area) and Adamu Saidu (Mairuwa village, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State).

    “Also, troops recovered motorcycles, foodstuff, handsets and jerry cans of petroleum motor sprit (PMS) from the bandits,” Col. Musa stated.

     

  • We’ll flush out soldiers unwilling to fight Boko Haram – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai on Sunday said the Army under his watch would fish out soldiers whose willingness to fight in the on – going Boko Haram war has waned.

    Describing such soldiers as bad eggs, the Army Chief said transformational leadership of which he is an advocate would not wait for such soldiers to get out of the way, but kick them out.

    According to Army spokesman Col Sagir Musa, Lt. Gen Buratai made the remarks at the closing ceremony of Army Headquarters Transformational leadership workshop in Abuja.

    Col Musa said in a statement the COAS implored officers and men of the NA to feel proud of their patriotic roles in their struggles to protecting the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.

    He quoted Buratai as saying:  “The NA is already working to evolve and institutionalize formal mentoring frameworks to compliment the informal system.

    “It is with a great sense of accomplishment that I address this distinguished audience to mark the successful conclusion of the maiden Army Headquarters Transformational Leadership Workshop 2019.

    “In my opening remarks, I observed how the attitude of quite a few bad eggs among us, whose commitment to our national/military cause has waned and led to setbacks in our operations. I am glad that this workshop has clearly shown to everyone that we have great reasons to be proud of our nation.

    “The long standing culture of service, sacrifice and honour in the NA has been reaffirmed in the various life lessons and examples of our colleagues – serving, retired or late – whose stories were highlighted during the workshop.

    “This culture should reinvigorate and motivate you as transformational leaders for selfless service to the nation.

    “The NA is already working to evolve and institutionalize formal mentoring frameworks to compliment the informal system that we currently practice. I have ensured that we take advantage of technology as force multiplier in our operation.

    “Yet I am glad that your discussions on emerging technologies and innovations made it clear that our human capacity and willingness to work is vital for success.  Lastly, the presentation on insights into the NA Strategic Plan 2019 – 2029 has given us hope that surely tomorrow will be better for the NA.”

    He added: “I am particularly pleased by the high level of intellectual discourse as well as the rich and vast experiences shared by our brilliant resource persons and participants at the Workshop. I am equally pleased to note the enthusiasm demonstrated by all participants, resource persons, and the special guests in this workshop.

    Read Also: Burutai asked to account for spendings on military operations

    “Let me now reiterate that in line with the theme of the Workshop, the NA will do all that is necessary to fish out any bad eggs whose willingness to lead or follow as required has waned. Transformational leaders should not wait for them to get out of the way, you must kick them out of your way.

    “I wish to express our profound gratitude to the resource persons, participants and all our invited guests for their invaluable contributions and their belief in the Nigerian Army. Our profound gratitude goes to Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for his guidance and direction.

    ” I also want to appreciate the support of the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff towards the success of this workshop. Finally, I wish to congratulate the organizers of this event for a successful outing, and I charge everyone of you again to lead, follow or be kicked out. Thank you and God bless.”

  • 2019 election: Army backs electronic voting, collation

    The Army on Thursday in Abuja urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work toward using science and information technology to conduct subsequent elections to reduce human interference.

    Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai, who was represented by Brig-Gen John Ochai, former Brigade Commander of 22 Army Brigade in Dikwa, Borno, made the call at an Electoral Reform Roundtable in Abuja.

    Speaking on the theme: “Securing Nigerian Elections ‘’, Buratai said after the 2019 elections, the army conducted an inquiry into the complaints raised by the citizens.

    He said it came to a conclusion that any personnel found wanting would be punished accordingly, adding that the claim of the militarisation of the elections was not true.

    “I think it is going to the extreme to say that the elections were militarised because the military participation was based on constitutional provision which empowered the government to deploy the military in aid of civil authority.

    Read Also: Monarch to Army chief: call your men to order

    “Going forward, the way to go is science and technology and other innovative methods by INEC to make it necessary to provide the type of security needed to secure our elections.

    “For instance, if we adopt the electronic voting system, it will go a long way in reducing human interference and take people off polling units on Election Day.

    “The advantage is that, we will have more people voting especially those in Diaspora; the issue of collation of results should also be done electronically.

    “That way, the value placed on result sheets for which people get killed would be reduced just like in Benue where thugs laid ambush on the officials bringing the results,’’ he said.

    The chief of army staff said that if Nigeria’s elections would be secured, technology was the way forward, adding that more than 20 countries, including Namibia, were already practising it.

    He urged INEC to begin right away to plan other innovations ahead of the 2013 elections thereby reducing the activities of security agents in elections.

    Dr. Benson Olugbuo, Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, expressed the need to carry out electoral reforms to enhance credible elections.

    Olugbuo also said there was need to carry out the police reform since the law in use now was 43 years old.

    Mr Pascal Hollinger, Senior Political Advisor, Swiss Embassy, said the 2019 elections came and went, but Nigeria needed to look back and address the various irregularities done.

     

  • Monarch to Army chief: call your men to order

    The Olojo of Ojo, Oba Galib Adeniyi Rufai has called on the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, to call his men in Ojo to order.

    Oba Rufai told The Nation yesterday that the soldiers are debarring the community from accessing the land close to the Ojo barrack.

    According to him, the community has donated the land to Lagos State Government for the proposed general hospital.

    He said the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved the proposal and included the fund for its construction in the 2019 budget.

    The monarch said he was surprised learning that the soldiers are chasing away people who went to prepare the land for the construction of the hospital.

    “The land is ours and it is not part of the areas acquired by the government for the army barrack. It is unfortunate that the soldiers are debarring our people from accessing it. We do not want trouble having live with them peacefully over the years,” he said.

    Read Also: Army begins local production of tactical vehicles

    According to the monarch, officials of the state government from ministries of Health and Works, who came for the ground-breaking last Friday, could not hold it on the land because of the soldiers’ hostility.

    “We had to change the venue to the Ojo Local Government Secretariat. Are the soldiers saying they don’t want the general hospital beside them? This is a project the community has been longing for over the years,” he said.

    Oba Rufai urged the Chief of Army Staff to wade into the matter, adding that the soldiers are also committing some other atrocities in the area.

    The Apex leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ojo Federal Constituency Alhaji Raji Olorunfunmi said the land belongs to the community.

    “The army had barricaded their barrack with fence since the 80s. The other part of the land belongs to the community. The issue on the land arose from a contractor that wanted to build a Low-Cost Housing Estate on the land. He said the former council chairman gave him the approval four years ago but we told him that we do not want an estate there. We also told the former council chairman that he should desist from giving the land out. He is not from Ojo. Why should he give out the community’s land to a contractor without carrying the owners along?

    “The matter was reported to the former Deputy Governor and we told her that we want on the land is a general hospital. She promised to discuss it with former Governor Ambode and it was approved by the state government.”

    Alhaji Olorunfunmi, who is the Lagos APC Assistant Welfare Officer, said the state government has mobilised the contractor to start work.

  • ‘Military must act fast to boost soldiers’ morale’

    Retired senior military intelligence expert, Col. Ola Majoyeogbe, has urged the military to act fast in boosting the morale of soldiers’ tackling security challenges across the country.

    According to him, Tuesday’s comment by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai that insufficient commitment by some soldiers was affecting the success of the counter-insurgency operations was true.

    He, however, said the remarks would have been made privately as making publicly would have made been heard by the soldiers and the insurgents, including Boko Haram, who might draw inspiration from it.

    Lt.Gen. Buratai, who spoke on Tuesday at the opening of a five-day leadership workshop for mid-level officers and soldiers in Abuja, blamed the rising terrorist attacks and recent setbacks to “insufficient commitment to a common national and military cause by those at the frontlines.”

    The Colonel said Buratai was right. He noted that the falling standards of discipline in Nigerian life had affected the military as well.

    Read Also: Military trains, retires 256 soldiers

    He also observed that the better education level of today’s soldiers might have affected their attitudes toward fighting.

    Majoyeogbe said: “We used to have soldiers referred to as 63NA. 63NA soldiers were largely, at best, semi-literate and, so, they obeyed orders without any question. They also appeared to be much more courageous and determined to achieve the tasks that were given to them.

    “A man who is uneducated certainly has challenges, but the advantages of dealing with such people when it comes to matters of life and death are many. The soldiers that we have today refer to themselves as ‘Millennium Soldiers.’

    “Many of them have university degrees so their attitude to life and death is different. They tell us all sorts of things, all sorts of philosophies, but the soldiers of those days, you could just give them orders and you can be sure they will carry it out. I think it is a generational thing.

    “So, I agree with him completely seeing the way the attitude of soldiers changed over the years.”

    According to him, the morale of any fighting group is a major factor in whether they win or lose.

    “So, when the COAS makes that kind of statement, he should know that all the soldiers will hear it. Boko Haram will also hear it.”

    He expressed concern that since the Army chief made the statement at a public forum “and now the soldiers have read that the chief does not think that some of them are serious people, Boko Haram will also hear the same thing and believe that soldiers are now unwilling to fight.”

  • Buratai’s bombshell

    IT was a big indictment – and that is being mild. A bombshell. Chief of Army Staff  Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai said the painful setback we have had in the fight against Boko Haram has been due to “insufficient commitment to a common national and military cause by those at the frontlines”. He spoke on Tuesday at the opening of a five-day leadership workshop for mid-level officers and soldiers in Abuja.

    Was the audience shocked? I do not know, but those of us watching on television were horrified. If such a criticism had come from some civilians in some far-flung place, away from the battleground, one would have dismissed it as alarmist. This is not, coming from the army chief who is in the engine-room of the operations against the insurgents.

    Many have been wondering how the terrorists we once claimed to have decimated have now become a big pain in the neck, attacking military bases and revving up their suicide bombing machine. We seem to be resolving the puzzle of why we do not seem to be getting this monkey off our back, with Gen Buratai’s adjuration.

    From attacking refugee camps and worship places, the emboldened terrorists now target military bases. But what does Gen. Buratai mean by “insufficient commitment”? Are our soldiers refusing to fight? If so – I really don’t think so – why? Inadequate equipment? Lack of other motivational incentives? Poor commanders who lack the character that can inspire the troops to give their all? Sheer lack of patriotism? Incompetence? Sabotage? None of these? Or all of them?

    At what point did the army chief discover that his men were not sufficiently committed to fighting and winning this all-important war? “It is unfortunate that almost every setback the Nigerian Army has had in our operations in recent times can be traced to insufficient willingness to perform assigned tasks or simply insufficient commitment to a common national and military cause by those at the frontlines,” he said, adding: “Many of those on whom the responsibility for physical actions against the adversary squarely falls are yet to fully take ownership of our common national or service cause… .” He noted that there were proven cases of soldiers refusing to carry out assignments. Incredible.

    Boko Haram has recently attacked at least four military bases. There have been attacks on Mobbar, Monguno,Gajiram and Damask. The casualty figures remain unknown, but certainly troubling. Throw in the 30 or so who died at the viewing centre in Konduga, Borno State Sunday night. The insurgents must really be celebrating their bloody exploits. Besides, they now have the information that our troups are refusing orders.  But, is the Boko Haram headache insuperable? No.

    Great armies are made of men of steely character who blend their physical and mental abilities to deliver their target, most of the time, under tough conditions.  Discipline, physical and mental fitness, patriotism and professionalism are the hallmarks of a great army. Is the chief saying our army lacks these and, probably,   more? Is it the army that used to win accolades while on UN assignments outside Nigeria – Somalia, Liberia, Sierra  Leone and others? Or the one described by one of its former leading lights as “an army of anything goes?”

    Consider the Turkish army in the days of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938), who told his men at the battle of Gallipoli in April 1915: “Men, I am not ordering you to attack, I am ordering you to die. In the time it takes us to die, other forces and commanders can come and take our place” – as quoted in “Studies in Battle Command” by Combat Studies Institute, US Army Command and General Staff College, p.89.

    At the War Museum in Istanbul, I once saw a remarkable quote, “Turkish commanders know how to command and Turkish soldiers know how to die”. That, many believe, is the secret of the Turkish military’s success. And that was before the politicians came to destroy such a national pride.

    Why are our men on the frontlines not sufficiently inspired to fight Boko  Haram? Are the insurgents better equipped? Is their welfare better? What drives their fiendish thirst for blood?  A General once told me that the media should stop encouraging Nigerians to keep criticising the military when it was generally acknowledged that Boko Haram seemed to be having the upper hand.

    He said:  “Look, the army does not owe a soldier anything more than the rifle he is carrying. If he must die, he should die, holding it. Other equipment, such as tanks, aircraft, grenades and bombs, are mere additional incentives. But what do you see nowadays? When Boko Haram strikes, a soldier drops his gun and begins to flee alongside civilians. It is unheard of.”

    Why is this so? The General, who will remain anonymous because I do not have his permission to name him, said: “The corruption in the larger society has, no doubt, permeated the military. Nowadays, children of big men want to join the army. Some of them are not cut out for the job, but they love the glamour. Others are just infatuated with the uniform. I think we should note this point.

    “So, if you don’t stop the unnecessary criticism, you will wake up one day to find out that these boys are in Abuja. What will you do?”

    Gen. Buratai’s submission has again shown us the futility of just throwing money at our challenges. Cash without that patriotic instinct of a true Nigerian –and the right equipment, which can boost confidence–is meaningless.  In my view, the Boko Haram boys are simply daring in their deadly enterprise, willing to die for whatever misbegotten cause they believe they are fighting, hiding under Islam.

    I hope the deliberations at the Abuja talk shop will be as frank as Gen. Buratai’s opening remarks. The answer to the problem, however, goes beyond the seminar hall; it lies right there on the frontlines. Why are our men so disillusioned that they will refuse to carry out assigned tasks? How do we motivate them physically and psychologically? How trustworthy are the commanders? What do they tell their men? Do we have the weapons to fight?

    How patriotic are Nigerians about this war? What are we doing to support our soldiers? Who gave the enemy information about troops movement? Are they insured? Does an average soldier have the feeling that if he dies in battle his family will not suffer? Why are we not taking the battle to the insurgents? Where are they coming from? Are our neighbours as committed to the anti-insurgency campaign as we are? The popular thinking is that we do not have enough arms and ammunition to fight “the deadliest terrorist group in the world”. Why don’t we find a faster way of procuring arms and ammunition? Where are those countries who claim to be our friends?

    There have been calls for the removal of the Service Chiefs. Proponents of this view believe that fresh ideas are needed to push back the insurgents and eventually overwhelm them. However, opponents of their removal believe it is not tactical to change commanders in the middle of a war, adding that they are not the problem.

    This is the dilemma we face. The buck stops on President Muhammadu Buhari’s table.  He should act.

    Justice for all in the Kano gorilla case

    Where  are our animal rights activists? The other time it was a case of a snake swallowing N36m JAMB funds. Now a gorilla has munched some N6.8m Sallah holidays takings at the Kano Zoological Gardens, according to an accounts officer. Some suspects have been charged to court over the missing cash.

    That, in my humble view, is not enough. Why is the chief suspect, the gorilla, not arrested and investigated? Some said the accounts officer may have been lying that the poor animal broke into an office, grabbed the cash and snacked on it. Point of observation: this is not just a gorilla in one dark and deep jungle where there is no law and order. No. This is a Nigerian gorilla, for goodness sake.

    Has anybody taken samples of the gorilla’s wastes to check if indeed it gorged itself on the cash? Was the gorilla’s blood sample taken for a lab test which could easily have detected some of the properties of the naira notes in its body?

    Fair is fair. There seems to be no thorough investigation before this matter  was taken to the court. The principal suspect, who has been accused of gobbling the cash, remains at large. Or the police are not keen on interrogating it?

    The incident will, no doubt, spark a huge row among animals. King of the jungle lion is said to be the most voracious. The python swallows its preys. So does the crocodile. Now the gorilla is in the race for the most voracious in the jungle. I bet the snake will also be in contention. After all, what is N6.8m when we talk about N36m.

    I hope our animal rights activists will soon be moved to action to defend these poor creatures. Otherwise, we will wake up one day to find a gorilla being hauled before a court to answer some theft charges. And that will be the day.

     

     

     

  • GOC: Army prevented compromise of election

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, has said the resilience and doggedness of officers and men of the division helped to stop subversive elements who tried to compromise the 2019 elections.

    Some of these men, he lamented, died in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Gen. Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, spoke at the weekend when he received an award of excellence from the ECOWAS Youth Council and Northern Youth Council of Nigeria. The event held at the headquarters of 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He said: “The 2019 elections, which 6 Division acted in aid of the Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), offered a unique experience. I am proud to say that activities which culminated in the recognition and subsequent awards are because of the able leadership and guidance of our Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, whose vision is to have a professionally responsive Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles. This, no doubt, has been our guiding principle in 6 Division.”

    The GOC praised the organisers for their diligence and belief in the corporate existence of Nigeria, even as he dedicated the awards to officers and men of the 6 Division in particular, and the Army at large, for their hard work, untiring efforts and professionalism.

    He added: “The Army has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard our territorial integrity and come in aid of civil authority when the need arises. The advent of some security challenges is part of most developing nations. These myriad of security challenges necessitated the review of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle by the Army Council, and subsequent approval of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle 2016, by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The Nigerian Army Order of Battle 2016 came with the establishment of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, among others. The 6 Division has under its Area of Responsibility (AOR), four States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, with its headquarters domiciled in Port Harcourt. Operational and administrative activities of the Division started in November 2016, while the Division was operationalised on July 13, 2017…”

    Read Also: ‘Army has restored normalcy to Niger Delta’

    “Part of its mandates is to protect national assets, fight oil theft, kidnapping, sea piracy, cultism, robbery and other sundry crimes within its AOR, in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders. The Division has been satisfactorily executing these responsibilities since its inception.”

    The Director of Cabinet of ECOWAS Youth Council, Daniel Nwachukwu, hailed Gen. Sarham for promoting peace, nation-building and professionalism, stressing that if Nigeria gets it right, Africa will also get it right.

    President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria Dr. Isa Abubakar noted that Gen. Sarham had been providing effective leadership and positively contributing to Nigeria’s peace and development, and urged others to emulate him.

  • Buratai to speak at counter terrorism conference in London

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, is billed to address a global conference on anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism today in London, the United Kingdom (U.K), Army’s spokesman Col. Sagir Musa said.

    In a statement, the spokesman said the COAS will deliver a keynote address on a topic, titled: Nigeria’s Unique Counter-Insurgency – A Working Counter-Terrorism Model for Replication in Africa.

    It added that the Army chief would be conferred with a strategic leadership award.

    The statement reads: “In furtherance of the recognition of the strategic leadership role in the global fight against terrorism, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Buratai, has been invited to speak at the first-ever Global Anti-Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Conference and Workshop in London, the United Kingdom, on June 17.

    Read Also: Burutai visits planned Apple Island for Army

    “Similarly, he will be conferred with a special Leadership and Counter-Terrorism Strategic Award for his exceptional and continued role in combatting and significantly reducing the capacity of Boko Haram/ISWAP in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region under the Multi-National Joint Task Force at the conference.

    “According to the organisers of the conference, the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB) and Global Risk International UK, the COAS will present a keynote address on the topic: Nigeria unique Counter Insurgency-a working Counter Terrorism model for replication in Africa…”

    “The organisers further stated that the workshop and conference are aimed at evaluating the current and future jihadist threat and expose frontline practitioners on how to utilise practical methods, tools, enhance technical and structural challenges posed by home-grown terrorists…”

  • ‘Army has restored normalcy to Niger Delta’

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the Army has restored normalcy to the creeks of the hitherto volatile Niger Delta, thereby increasing the level of socio-economic activities in the region.

    He promised that the Army was poised to live to its constitutional responsibility by ensuring that all threats to the country’s national security were defeated at the earliest possible time.

    Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, spoke on Wednesday at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.

    He was special guest of honour at the annual June 12 lecture of the Unity House Foundation and the Garden City Leadership Initiative.

    The lecture was themed: “National Security: Beyond Power, Passion and Politics”.

    Gen. Buratai said: “The topic of the lecture -Insecurity – Bigger than Recession and a Bigger Threat to Democracy – is very contemporary and relevant as we mark the first Democracy Day on June 12. The security challenges facing the country at the moment have stretched the police and the military and indeed other security agencies, in personnel and resources.

    Read Also: Former Army General joins Kogi guber race

    “The Army, whose primary role is the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, is currently deployed in the 36 states and Abuja, on the secondary role of ‘Aid to Civil Authority’. This reality is by no means strange, as other great nations have passed through similar experiences in their history.

    “A lot of progress has been made in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, which hopefully is at its last stage. The main efforts have been achieved, as the insurgents’ capacity to hold territories have been greatly degraded.

    “The Army is at the stage of conducting stabilisation operations, which will ensure that the civil populace in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps returns to their homes for socio-economic activities to thrive in their communities.

    “Crimes, such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping, have been reduced to the barest minimum. The Army would leave no stone unturned until all the criminals are brought to justice.”

    The COAS also hailed members of the Unity House Foundation and Garden City Leadership Initiative for putting together the lecture, saying the initiative proved that the next generations were ready to take over the mantle of leadership of the country and tackle the challenges of their time.

    Guest speaker at the lecture was immediate past Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada Edo State, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, while the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Ndowa Lale, was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Hakeem Fewehinmi.

    Panellists included Prof. Eme Ekekwe of UNIPORT; a frontline activist Elder T.K. Ogoriba and Ibiba Okunye, a lawyer.

    Convener of Unity House Foundation Kingsley Wali described corruption as Nigeria’s greatest problem, stressing that good governance must be gotten right.

  • Disclosure of service documents, injurious to national security – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has charged officers and men to ensure proper management and handling of Service documents saying, some of the documents are highly classified to the extent that their disclosure could be injurious to national security.

    Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday at a 4-day Nigerian Army Officers’ Office Management and Document Security Workshop 2019, the COAS further urged officers to monitor their clerks and be up to date in the preservation and sanctity of service documents.

    Represented by the Chief of Administration, Army, Major General Kuta Isyaku, Buratai noted that the workshop was meant to acquaint Nigerian Army officers with recent trends on document security and refresh officers on effective office management techniques.

    He urged the 160 participates draw from army units and formations as well as sister services to pay attention as it will equip officers with requisite skills and knowledge required to prevent emerging threats to security of documents in the Nigerian army.

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    He added, “The workshop targets the officers because they play an important role in ensuring proper management and handling of Service documents, as some of the documents are highly classified to the extent that that disclosure could be injurious to national security.

    “The social media has brought additional challenges to information security which are being used by misguided personnel, contrary to our service rules, the Nigerian army has extent policy on the use of social media which prohibits among others the use of social media to discourse or disclose service matters.

    “It is indeed very unfortunate and unprofessional for service personnel to resort to the social media to disclose classified information or express grievances when the army has well established channels for addressing complaints.”

    He assured that the Nigerian army cyber warfare command has the capacity to monitor and deal effectively with cyber related issues including the management of social media.

    The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Faruk Yahaya said security of information and document is one of the cardinal requirements for operations security, effective operations and effective administration in army.

    “The army recognizes the dynamic nature of contemporary challenges which affects all most all spheres of human endeavour including cyber and information management and therefore seeks to develop local capacity through realistic workshop of this nature to enhance the management skills and effectiveness in document and information security of officers.” He said.