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Tag: army

  • Recruitment: COAS warns board members against compromising standard

    Recruitment: COAS warns board members against compromising standard

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Faruk Yahaya, has charged members of the recruitment board, for the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Army not to compromise on the stipulated standards.

    Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, a statement on Friday said that the COAS expressed confidence in their ability to select the most suitable candidates for the soldiering profession.

    He said the COAS visited the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) to witness the ongoing recruitment exercise for the 85 Regular Recruits Intake holding in Falgore Forest, Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State.

    According to him, the COAS used the opportunity to commission a number of projects at the NABFC, recently executed by the 41 Engineers Brigade, Kaduna.

     

     

  • No hiding place for criminals – Nigerian Army warns

    No hiding place for criminals – Nigerian Army warns

    The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Rear Admiral Eugennio Ferriera has said that there will be no hiding place for criminals and any saboteur of critical national assets.

    Ferriera disclosed this as he led the destruction of an illegal crude oil refining site at Ibaah, in Emuoha Local Government Area Council of Rivers State.

    lieutenant colonel Iweha Ikedichi, Ag deputy director Army public relations, 6 division Nigerian Army, said the Commander OPDS who was on a farmiliarization visit to the Land Component and 6 Division Nigerian Army vowed zero tolerance for any act that would impede on the JTF OPDS from actualizing it’s mandate.

    He called on criminal gangs to take advantage of the non kinetic approaches opened by the federal government and earn legitimate means of livelihood or meet their Waterloo in the hands of troops.

    Earlier in his address to troops, Rear Admiral Ferriera tasked troops to be resolute in the prosecution of the mandate of the JTF OPDS. He assured that his command would go all out to provide the needed logistics and other operations enablers, including support for troops decisive actions in the line of duty.

    Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander JTF OPDS Major General Jamal Abdussalam stated that since his assumption of duty as GOC, he has directed the commencement of night patrols in the entire JTF OPDS area of responsibility by troops of land component. An action which has further put pressure on the criminals. He affirmed that further initiatives would be instituted to further put the criminals on the run.

    High point of the visit to the Land Component Operation Delta Safe was the presentation of briefs and exchange of souvenirs.

     

  • Army rescues Chibok girl married to two Boko Haram terrorists in captivity

    Army rescues Chibok girl married to two Boko Haram terrorists in captivity

    The Nigerian Army on Monday announced the rescue of another Chibok girl, Saratu Dauda, abducted with others at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, in 2014.

    The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.- Gen. Ibrahim Ali, made this known while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    Ali said that Saratu was rescued on May 6, by troops of 21 Armoured Brigade during clearance Operation at Ukuba in Sambisa Forest in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    He said that the 25-year-old Saratu, listed as serial number 10 on the list of the abducted victims, was a native of Mbalala community in Chibok local government area.

    “She was once married to one Abou Yusuf who she later divorced before getting married to one Ba’ana Muhammad, also known as Abou Zinira, the Boko Haram terrorists IED expert.

    “She had three daughters aged 7, 5 and 2 years old with Ba’ana, but left them in the terrorists hideouts during her escape.

    “She has within the past 10 days undergone intensive medical care and checks at the military hospital in Maimalari. She will be handed over to the officials of the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs.

    “So far, efforts to rescue her children and other victims were still ongoing,” he said.

    He also recalled the recent presentation two other Chibok girls rescued by the troops.

    “Consequently, on 4th May this year  Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 on the list of the missing victims, and three of their children were handed over to the officials of the Borno State Government,” he said.

    According to him, their rescue among other several women and children were largely driven by the Kinetic and Non-Kinetic activities of Operation Hadin Kai, especially in the ongoing Operation Desert and Lake Sanity II.

    “As of today, the statistics of the 276 abducted Chibok girls indicate that 57 girls escaped in 2014; 107 released in 2018; three were rescued in 2019, two were recovered in 2021; 11 girls were rescued in 2022 and three rescued so far in 2023. This brings to 182 out of captivity remaining 93 unaccounted for.

    “At this juncture let me state that the joint efforts of Operation Hadin kai under the strategic guidance of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief Air Staff, has continued to yield more Operational successes in the North Eastern Region of Nigeria,” he said.

    He also lauded the support  of the Borno government and assured the people of the Northeast of the commitment of the military to contain the insurgency in the region.

    Responding after receiving the rescued Chibok girl, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, lauded the military for the successes being recorded, particularly in rescuing the girls.

    Gambo said that the chibok girl, like others, would undergo rehabilitation under the ministry before handing over to her family.

  • Army condemns maltreatment of civilians by personnel

    Army condemns maltreatment of civilians by personnel

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday in Abuja condemned the maltreatment of civilians by persons clad in military camouflage at 2 Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Kaduna.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that the assault was an aberration of the values and ethics of professionalism, courage, selflessness and service to humanity which the Nigerian Army represented.

    He stressed that the army was aware of a provocative and unacceptable video footage trending in the social media in which certain persons clad in military uniform were molesting civilians.

    He added that the army as a disciplined and regimented organisation was committed to the supremacy of the Constitution, defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.

    “Authorities of the Nigerian Army have directed immediate investigation into the audio-visual footage to ascertain its veracity, with a view to identifying the culprits.

    “Outcome of the investigation and sanctions against the persons clad in military camouflage who perpetrated the dastardly acts, if found to be army personnel, would be treated in accordance with extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.

    “While appreciating the general public for their continued support, the Nigerian Army urges all law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation or intimidation from any quarter.

    “Members of the pubic are urged to report any untoward conduct by troops to the Nigerian Army Human Rights desks at the headquarters, Nigerian Army or at the divisional headquarters,’’ Mwachukwu stated.

  • Army rescues two more Chibok girls in Borno

    Army rescues two more Chibok girls in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it had rescued two additional girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, nine years after their abduction by Boko Haram in 2014.

    The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    Ali said that Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 in the list of the missing victims, were rescued on April 21, 2023, by troops of 114 Taskforce Battalion Bitta at Lagara, under the 21 armoured Brigade Bama during Operations.

    He said that Hauwa Maltha, 26-year-old, and Kibaku by tribe from Jila in Chibok local Government of Borno state, and her 3-year-old baby were rescued.

    He explained that while in captivity, Hauwa got married at Gulukos, a village in Sambisa forest, to one Salman, a cameraman to Abubakar Shekau.

    “Salman later died in Lake Chad. Thereafter, Hauwa Maltha got married to one Mallam Muhammad in Gobara and had 2 children for him who later died due to sickness. Muhammad, her second husband, was also killed in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest during clashes between Boko Haram/ISWAP,” he said.

    “Hauwa who was about 8 months and 2 weeks pregnant during the time of her rescue delivered a bouncing baby boy on 28 April 2023 while undergoing thorough medical examination along with her baby Fatima at 7 Div Medical Hospital and Services,”he said.

    Ali explained that while in captivity, 26-year-old Esther was forcefully married to one Garba, also known as Garus, a Boko Haram fighter who was killed during troops offensive operations on terrorists’ enclaves.

    “She was later married off to another insurgents, Abba, in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest until her rescue by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

    “Since their rescue, they have undergone thorough medical examination along with their babies and are adequately resuscitated and will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further administration.

    “These results are evident as troops have rescued about 14 Chibok girls recently.

    “The girls rescued so far include; Aisha Grema, serial number 11 on the abducted Chibok girls list, Hannatu Musa, number 7 on the list, and Sera Luka, number 38 on the list.

    Others are; Ruth Bitrus, number 41, Mary Dauda, number 46, Hauwa Joseph, number 18, Falmata Lawan, number 3, Asabe Ali, number 12, Jankai Yamal, number 20, Yana Pogu, number 19, Rejoice Sanki, number 70 and Hassana Adamu, number 35,” he said.

    He assured the people of the North East in particular, that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute and determined in neutralizing all vestiges of terrorist elements as well as criminals marauding the North East and returning total and long lasting peace to the region.

    “Our immense appreciation goes to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, and Service Chiefs for their strategic guidance and provision of requisite logistics and operational platforms which have spurred the continuous successes,” he said.

  • Former army spokesman, Texas Chukwu buried in Abuja

    Former army spokesman, Texas Chukwu buried in Abuja

    Former Director of Army Public Relations, retired Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu was on Friday laid to rest at the Guards Brigade Cemetery, Lungi Barracks, Abuja.

    Chukwu, who passed on in Abuja after a brief illness on Jan. 5 was appointed army’s spokesperson in February 2018.

    The burial rites of late Chukwu commenced at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks before the interment.

    While giving charge at the church, the Deputy Director, Chaplaincy (Roman Catholic), Rev. Fr Martins Bako, a Colonel, admonished the living to be mindful of the last day by making their ways right with God.

    Reading from the book of second Samuel 13:18-23, Job 1:1; 2:9-10, he urged all to recognise that human beings were just caretakers of their lives, while God who gave it could take it at any time.

    According to him, every death reminds us that we are mortals and we are going to depart someday appointed by God.

    Reading the burial oration, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. MA Ameh, described the late  Chukwu as a professional who served the army and the nation meritoriously.

    He said the late retired officer served the army in different capacity, and contributed greatly to the development of the service especially the Directorate of Army Public Relations.

    A former army spokesman and late Chukwu’s course mate, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, described late Chukwu as a perfect gentleman and jolly good fellow.

    Usman said the demise of Chukwu was a big loss to him personally, adding that he was the closest person to  Chukwu after his immediate family.

    He prayed for the repose of the deceased`s soul to find eternal rest and pray to God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Army denies forceful eviction of retired officer

    Army denies forceful eviction of retired officer

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has dismissed as misleading, reports in a section of the media that soldiers invaded the Enugu residence of a retired army officer and evicted his family.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Thursday, said the story was deliberately skewed to tarnish the image and reputation of the Nigerian army.

    According to Nwachukwu, it is expedient to set the record straight and clear grey areas on the ejection of the retired senior officer.

    He said House 7 on Abakaliki Lane was among Federal Government houses accommodating Nigerian army officers in Enugu for over two decades.

    He said that the house was allocated to retired Col. EL Ugwoke, then a Major, as his official residence when he was posted as the Deputy Commander 82 Division Intelligence Group in 2007.

    Nwachukwu explained that the officer continued to occupy the house even after he was posted out of the division.

    He added that it was later discovered that he attempted to dubiously appropriate the house to himself, using some officials of Enugu State Government.

    Nwachukwu said that in 2020, a committee was instituted by then General Officer Commanding (GOC) to ascertain the status of the property.

    He said that the property was discovered to be among the houses handed over to 82 Division by past administrators to ameliorate the accommodation challenges of the Division.

    “That the said property was not among 26 residential quarters officially handed over to the Enugu State Government in 2015.

    “That there are no documents to confirm that the said property was sold or paid for by anyone.

    “It is worthy of note that officers of the army occupying institutionalised houses are expected to vacate such accommodation while on posting or retirement.

    “However, the retired senior officer failed to comply knowing fully the rippling effects on accommodation status of others posted in, and serving officers,” he said.

    The Army spokesman also said the alleged brutalisation of the retired officer’s wife and children in the said publication was outright falsehood aimed at whipping up undue sentiments.

    He said the Nigerian army was a disciplined institution with utmost regard for family institution and the vulnerable, particularly women and children.

    According to him, the ejection process was audio and visually documented, as it was envisaged that such allegation could arise.

    “Emphatically, neither the wife nor children were brutalised and no property was damaged in the process of eviction.

    “The retired senior officer’s belongings were simply transfered from the house in question to his personal house at number 127 Park Avenue, GRA Enugu to pave way for other serving officers to be accommodated.

    “This was after serving the retired officer three previous official notices and several appeals for him to vacate the property after his retirement in 2021.

    “The general public is advised to disregard this misleading publication as it is devoid of the actual facts of what transpired.

    “The Nigerian army will not relent in catering for the wellbeing and welfare of its serving and retired personnel within the ambits of legitimacy,” he said.

  • Army raid kidnappers den, rescue commissioner in C/River

    Army raid kidnappers den, rescue commissioner in C/River

    Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, deployed for Operation Akpakwu, have rescued the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River, Mrs Gertrude Njar, from captivity.

    The announcement of her rescue is contained in a statement by Capt. Dorcas Aluko, Army Public Relations Officer, 13 Brigade, Calabar on Wednesday.

    The Commissioner was kidnapped on Feb. 1 in the Mayne Avenue area, Calabar South.

    ”Acting on actionable intelligence on victim’s whereabout, troops laid a tacit ambush for the kidnappers around Peter Effiong Creek, Messembe, Jebs.

    ”The gallant troops tactically sprung an ambush to take the kidnappers by surprise while in search of the victim.

    ”In the ensuing melee, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled into the creeks,” Aluko said.

    She added that the troops were on the trail of the fleeing criminals.

    According to Aluko, the victim is currently receiving medical treatment, after which she will be discharged.

    ”The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army commends troops for their gallantry and urges them to sustain the tempo against all criminal elements in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.

    ”Members of the general public are also encouraged to continue providing timely and accurate information on criminal activities within their vicinities,” she said.

  • Army confirms killing of soldiers by colleague, self

    Army confirms killing of soldiers by colleague, self

    The Nigerian Army on Monday confirmed the case of a soldier who shot his colleagues and himself dead at Forward Operations Base, Rabah, Sokoto State on Sunday.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in Abuja that investigations had begun into the incident.

    Mwachukwu stated that circumstances leading to the incident could not be immediately ascertained since the soldier who killed his colleagues also shot himself dead.

    He added that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force, Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut and other senior officers had visited the location.

    According to him, the GOC commiserated with troops for losing their colleagues in such an unfortunate situation.

    “He urged them to be their brothers’ keepers and to report any anomaly observed amongst colleagues to forestall a recurrence.

    “He also encouraged them to remain calm and committed in the discharge of their duties.

    “The authorities of the Nigerian Army are deeply concerned about this unusual and ugly development and have instituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “It is envisaged that the findings of the BOI will help forestall such ugly and bizarre occurrence in the future,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

  • Naira swap mitigated ISWAP/Boko Haram activities in N/East – Army

    Naira swap mitigated ISWAP/Boko Haram activities in N/East – Army

    The Theartre Commander,  North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali has said that the Naira swap and cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mitigated violent extremism in the North East.

    He stated this while interacting with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Borno State Council, on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

    The commander described the policy as a positive step, adding that it has mitigated terrorists’ activities since inception.

    “The terrorists who had been exposed to hardship living conditions have resorted to kidnapping, seeking for ransom in cash and requesting for food stuff from their victims,” he said.

    He said that the terrorists had also resorted to propaganda on social media in their desperate attempt to remain relevant.