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Tag: Tukur Buratai

  • Security threats: Army to conduct more exercises – Buratai

    Security threats: Army to conduct more exercises – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army says it will conduct more exercises to sharpen personnel skills and prepare them to tackle emerging security challenges in the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai announced this Monday at the commencement of the 2nd and 3rd Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja.

    Buratai explained that exercises were aimed at focusing personnel in real time operational scenarios as against simulated training situations.

    Currently, exercise “Egwu Eke” – Python Dance II is underway in the five South East states – Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebony and Cross River in the South South.

    Buratai said: “I have given the necessary directives for officers to embark on mission specific training at home and overseas.

    “This is in addition to effort in strengthening and exploring own local institutions.

    “Commanders at all levels are to ensure that orientation cadres are conducted for young officers and soldiers posted to units in order to enshrine aspects of unit regimentation early in them.”

    He charged formation commanders in theatre of operations to imbibe the spirit of in-theatre training based on terrain and the changing “tactics of adversary.”

    Buratai noted that evolutionary and global security threats were being influenced by political, economic, social and technological factors.

    “Therefore, the need for regular improvement on the existing capacity of the Nigerian Army to be able to deal with present and future security threats is imperative.

    “To achieve this, it is paramount to carry out accurate threats assessment in the formulation of the nation’s security policies which would enhance the ability of the Nigerian Army to deal with these emerging internal security threats,” he said.

    In an interview with newsmen later, the army chief said exercises and training in the army were going on continuously, but only gets to public knowledge when carried out on large scale.

    “Since 2015, we have been holding series of exercises,” he said, adding that the exercises were to reassure Nigerians that the army and other security agencies were concerned about their safety and security.

  • Our main thrust is to decapitate all terrorists’ factions – Buratai

    Our main thrust is to decapitate all terrorists’ factions – Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the main thrust now of the military operations in the North-East is the decapitation of all the remaining terrorists’ factions.

    “With this feat achieved, the relevance of Shekau is no longer of any consequence,” Buratai said.

    In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, Buratai commend the Theatre Commander, Operations Lafiya Dole and troops for neutralising five top commanders of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He expressed satisfaction with the zeal and determination of troops to capture the Boko Haram terrorists’ factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, dead or alive, in line with his directive which is yet to be achieved.

    The army chief, on July 21, gave the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, 40 days deadline to capture the terrorists’ leader.

    The deadline expired on Aug. 30.

    He noted that the five key leaders of the insurgents recently eliminated by the troops “were the closest associates and right hand men of the terrorists’ group leader – Shekau.”

    “Within the same period, 82 of the Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated.

    “Therefore, the commander (of theatre command) was very close to achieving the directive.

    “The theatre commander has asked for the extension of the deadline and it was granted.

    “Given deadlines and extensions are strategic means of focusing troops’ efforts in the theatre,” Buratai said.

    He urged the people of the North-East and indeed Nigerians to be more confident of the Nigerian troops and go about their normal activities.

  • Buratai decorates 65 gallant troops with medals

    Buratai decorates 65 gallant troops with medals

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has decorated 65 soldiers with gallantry medals for outstanding performance in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Lt. Col. Emmanuel Kingsley, the spokesperson of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, announced this  in a statement released on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    Kingsley said that Buratai had on Tuesday decorated two officers and 63 soldiers in recognition of their prowess.

    “Two officers and 63 soldiers serving under the 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, were decorated for their gallantry and bravery in the face of the enemy.

    “On 10th July, the soldiers came under Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks on two separate occasions, but they were able to manoeuvre their way out of the ambush.

    “They engaged the insurgents, inflicting heavy casualties on them and also recovered weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), gun trucks and logistics,” he said.

    Kingsley  quoted Buratai as describing soldiering as a call to national duty, and tasked the soldiers to rededicate themselves to duty to weed out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    “Buratai tasked the soldiers not to rest on their oars but conclude the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists and return to barracks to continue with training and other routine duties”.

    According to the spokesman, Buratai also visited military formations at Awulari along Bama Road, and inspected the test firing of an artillery weapons by 304 Artillery Regiment.

    Buratai equally visited troop’s location at Alau Dam along Konduga Road and also joined soldiers on patrol in gun boats stationed at the jetty.

    He added that the Chief of Army Staff earlier on Monday, visited 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army, in Damboa and also inspected the training of troops of Mobile Strike Teams at Buni Yadi, Yobe State.

    “The Mobile Strike Force is due to be injected into Operation LAFIYA DOLE to enhance a more robust clearance operation against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East”.

    The Chief Army Staff was accompanied by Maj. Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations at the Army Headquarters, and Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    Others were Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, as well as other Principal Staff Officers and Directors from the Army Headquarters.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Chief of Army Staff in compliance with the directives of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, to service chiefs, returned to the Theatre and had been visiting military formations under Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

  • Army special school to train Police, NSCDC

    Army special school to train Police, NSCDC

    The Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Yobe, will train “strike forces” which will be deployed in liberated communities in North-East, Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, has said.

    The personnel of group, according to him, will be drawn from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies.

    The minister, who announced this on Sunday when he visited the school, said that the personnel would be trained under a pilot programme and that deployment would start with Bama town in Borno.

    He said that the arrangement would enable troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, to concentrate on the ongoing clearance operations to flush out the remnants of the terrorists.

    He addressed troops undergoing training in the school, and assured them that the Federal Government would provide necessary equipment that would enable them to flush out the terrorists in the zone.

    Dan-Ali said that the insurgents, who had been weakened, had resorted to ambushes, kidnapping and other sorts of criminality, hence the need to re-strategise the operation.

    He urged the troops to remain united and synergise with other security agencies in the fight against the terrorists.

    He advised them not allow the July 25 incident, when terrorists ambushed and killed some troops and NNPC and University of Maiduguri workers, to dampen their morale.

    The minister said that was at the school to see things for himself, after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, directed the Service Chiefs, to relocate to the Command and Control Centre, to charge of operation.

    The minister commended the troops for the “good job” they were doing for the nation and participated in the firing exercise along with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

    He used the opportunity to inspect 49 newly acquired combat vehicles, including Armoured Personnel Carrier and gun trucks for the school.

  • Creation of intelligence cells, forensic laboratory will curb threats – Army

    Creation of intelligence cells, forensic laboratory will curb threats – Army

    The Army says that creation of special intelligence cells and technical forensic laboratory are recent innovations that have improved its operational capacity in curbing threats to national security.

    The Director, Military Intelligence (DMI), Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Tarfa disclosed this on Monday at the commencement of a four-day training for commanders of Combat Support Arms in Yola.

    The commanders are drawn from the Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence corps.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Intelligence Corps was upgraded as part of the Combat Support Arms in 2012, making the youngest corps in that category.

    According to the DMI, other innovation that have aided in curbing national threats are the establishment of the Lt.-Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range in Sambisa forest, Special Forces Training School in Buni Yadi, and 168 Motor Cycle Battalion.

    He described those innovations as “efficacious’’, which had helped in curtailing the Boko Haram insurgency, menace of herdsmen and cattle rustlers, among other threats.

    “The Special Intelligence Cells were created in response to the peculiarities of intelligence collection in an asymmetry setting,’’ Tarfa said.

    He explained that the technical forensic laboratory was to improve the technical intelligence acquisition and analysis of the army intelligence corps.

    He said the training would provide the combat support arms the platform to showcase their state of combat readiness, as well as to review operational strategies to better support the main arms in ongoing and future military operations.

    “It is furtherance of this tradition and in realisation of challenges that the theme of COSAT 2017, “Improving Combat Support Synergy as a Force Multiplier in Counter Insurgency Operations is approved by the Chief of Army Staff.

    “The theme underscores the need for improved synergy amongst the combat support arms to ensure the final physical and psychological defeat of Boko Haram in the ongoing counter-terrorism and future military operations,” Tarfa said.

    The DMI said apart from discussions and lectures, there would be simulation of “how synergy among combat support arms could positively influence information management, target selection and acquisition, common operational feature, as well as prompt decisive action in furtherance of military operations.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the outcome of the training would bring a new impetus to improving professionalism among the combat support arms in the army.

    Buratai also said that it would help to enhance expected synergy of the arms in delivering the required support to the army in meeting with its constitutional responsibilities.

    Gov. Muhammad Jibrilla, Adamawa governor commended the military for the relative peace being enjoyed in the North east, particularly in the state.

  • Capture Shekau `dead or alive’, Buratai directs Commander

    Capture Shekau `dead or alive’, Buratai directs Commander

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has has directed Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri, to capture Abubakar Shekau, self-styled leader of the Boko Haram sect, “dead or alive”.

    Buratai further directed the Theatre commander to do so within 40 days.

    A statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, on Friday night, said that Attahiru should “employ all arsenal at the disposal of the Theatre Command to smoke out Shekau wherever he is hiding in Nigeria.”

    “The general public is please requested to also assist and volunteer information that would lead to the accomplishment of this task,” Usman said.

  • Army inaugurates one million litre water treatment plant in Enugu

    Army inaugurates one million litre water treatment plant in Enugu

    The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a water treatment plant at Abakpa Cantonment in Enugu, capable of treating and supplying one million litres of water daily to the barracks and its environs.

    Abakpa cantonment is the headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who inaugurated the project on Wednesday, said the plant would solve the over 30-year-old perennial water problem in the barracks and its environs.

    Buratai said that the project was the first water treatment plant constructed solely by Nigerian Army Engineers.

    He said the Enugu State Government provided the transformer to power the plant and additional funds for its construction.

    Buratai also said that the state government had promised to construct the road leading to the treatment plant from the cantonment gate.

    The plant sources water from Miri Ocha River, flowing behind the cantonment.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, who conceived and executed the project, said it was executed through direct labour by 44 Army Engineers.

    Abubakar said the plant used rapid filtration system, adding that water from the plant had already been certified fit for consumption by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said the state government would collaborate with the army to replicate the technology to upgrade the water supply scheme in the state.

  • Boko Haram terrorists withdrawing to safe havens, Army Chief alerts commanders

    Boko Haram terrorists withdrawing to safe havens, Army Chief alerts commanders

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, on Monday, alerted 70 commanding officers of the Army to remain vigilant as Boko Haram insurgents withdraw to safe havens in other parts of country.

    “The insurgents are now in disarray, attacking soft and defenceless targets, and withdrawing to safer havens in other parts of the country,” he said at the opening of a five-day workshop for the officers in Kaduna.

    The Army Chief, who was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command, Maj Gen, Rasheed Yusuf, assured that the military would decimate remaining terrorists.

    “I therefore charge you to be vigilant and security conscious within your areas of responsibility, so that the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents are fished out.

    “I want to assure you that the Nigeria Army, under my command, will continue to remain focused and reinvigorated to fulfill its mission.

    “To this end, the Nigeria Army will do all that are humanly feasible to provide all logistics and operational requirements necessary to contain the security challenges faced by the country in the course of carrying out our constitutional role.”

    Buratai noted that the Boko Haram insurgency, militancy, pipeline vandalism, cattle rustling, kidnapping, ethno-religious crisis, armed robbery and other crimes have remained portent security challenges in the country.

    He however appreciated the support of the Federal Government to the military, which had helped to reposition the service and ensure successes in its operations.

    “By now, you must be aware of the laudable initiative and commitment of Mr President, C-in-C in the provision of hardware and other logistics requirements which have aided the successes recorded in the counter insurgency operations in the country

    “Mr President is also desirous of enhancing our training and welfare packages.

    “I therefore urge you to rededicate yourselves and motivate your troops towards being professionally responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles.

    “We must continue to strive for excellence so as to improve our operational effectiveness and productivity which will invariably stimulate citizens support and appreciation.

    “Let me at this junction salute our colleagues involved in various operation within and outside Nigeria, some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice.

    “We shall continue to stand with and support the families of our fallen colleagues appropriately all the time.” the army chief said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is “Building on the Successes of the Military Operations by Units Commanders.”

    The maiden Commanding Officers Workshop was held in Maiduguri in March.

  • We will defend Nigeria and Democracy, Says Army Chief

    We will defend Nigeria and Democracy, Says Army Chief

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai has said the Nigerian Army would remain solidly behind the democratically elected government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and further maintain its apolitical stance in the political arena.
    The Army Chief further assured that the army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country when threatened.
    Lt General Buratai, who made the remarks during the Nigerian Army Day Interdenominational Church Service, held at All Saints’ Military Church, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, on Sunday insisted that the Army, under his watch, would remain totally loyal to the President, and ensure the sustenance of the country’s growing democracy.
    He therefore charged officers and men of the Nigerian Army  to remain focus, disciplined and loyal to constituted authority, while ensuring that they carry out their roles effectively.
      “I want to on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army reiterate our unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander- In- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    “The Army will continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustenance of democracy, “Lt Gen. Buratai asserted .
    The Nigerian Army boss was represented at the Church Service by Major General Chris Jemitola, Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.
    He said  it was his desire to transform the army into a more potent and responsive force that would effectively curtail contemporary security challenges, and commended the personnel of the army for their selflessness and commitment in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
    He said issues bordering on their training and welfare were being taken seriously and addressed accordingly, adding that  “we will continue to do our best to ensure the comfort of our officers and soldiers including their families.”
    Lt Gen. Buratai further used the occasion  to acknowledge and  thank all officers and soldiers “for their tireless contributions in making the Nigerian Army victorious in the fight against insurgents and in other internal security operations.”
    He said:  “You have shown commitment, dedication, courage, resilience and the will to succeed.
      “You have all done very well and I am proud to be your Chief of Army Staff.  However, I will charge you to remain focus, disciplined and loyal to constituted authority while ensuring that we carry out our roles effectively, “.
  • Army probes soldiers’ misconduct in IDPs camp

    Army probes soldiers’ misconduct in IDPs camp

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. – Gen. Tukur Buratai, has ordered investigation into alleged misconduct by soldiers in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Bama, Borno.

    The  Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. – Gen. Sani Usman, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    ‘‘The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern growing allegations of misconduct against some persons on security duties at an IDPs camp in Bama, Borno.

    ‘‘We would like to state that Nigerian Army personnel have been doing their best in bringing peace and security in various parts of the country especially in the North East; any act of misconduct could negatively impact on these good works,’’ Usman said.

    He added: ‘‘Although these allegations are unsubstantiated, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Tukur Buratai, has directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated by both the Director, Military Intelligence and Provost Marshal (Army).

    ‘‘We would like to reiterate that the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for any misconduct among its officers and soldiers especially those that are trusted with onerous responsibility of guarding and securing those Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps.

    “Anyone found culpable would be severely dealt with,” he warned.

    The Director enjoined the public to make use of the newly established Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre to report any such issue and other security concerns to the Army authorities.

    He advised the public to report such matters by calling the short code 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers network in Nigeria.