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Tag: army

  • Boko Haram: Army kill two deputies to Shekau

    Two Boko Haram commanders and deputies to Abubakar Shekau, a factional leader of the terror group, were killed in successful military operations at Alafa in Borno on Sallah day, an official has said.

    The Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the deputies that were killed in the onslaught included Afdu Kawuri and Abubakar Banishek.

    “This is in addition to Ba’Abba Ibrahim and two other Boko Haram commanders that died after sustaining injuries during their last ambush at Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno,” he added.

    He said five other key leaders of the group and close associates of Mr. Shekau were neutralised in joint bombardment in August.

    Mr. Usman described Mr. Shekau’s latest video in which he taunted the army as an act of desperation and lies by remnants of the insurgents to instill unnecessary fear in law abiding citizens.

    In the video, the group denied the killing of its five key commanders and claimed it had wonderful Sallah celebration in the Sambisa forest.

    “We wish to challenge the so-called terrorist leader to produce the five key commanders earlier killed or the video of those Ameers he claimed not dead and are still with him.

    “It is also instructive to note that Shekau is scared and rattled by the 40-day ultimatum issued by the Chief of Army Staff to Operation LAFIYA DOLE to fish him out,” Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, said.

     

     

    (NAN)

  • U.S. lauds Nigerian army efforts in counter-terrorism war

    The United States has commended the operational efforts of the Nigerian Army in the counter-terrorism war in North-East Nigeria.

    This is just as the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, led a Congressional delegation from the US on a visit to the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a closed-door session with the Theatre Commander, Major General Attahiru Ibrahim, and other officials of the command, Ambassador Symington commended the efforts of the Army.

    He said, “I was pleased to have a chance to lead a delegation of six members of the United States Congress – three senators and three house members – to come and hear about the hard work of the Nigerian Military in Borno State and in northeastern Nigeria.”

    The Ambassador thanked Major General Ibrahim and staff of the command for the brief and the chance to discuss the way forward in their operations with them.

    “The United States strongly supports the hard work of the Nigerian military in combatting terrorism and we are grateful for the chance to be here and to see both and the response to the humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria and the hard work that is being done to confront terrorism,” he added.

    In his response, the theatre commander thanked the US government for its renewed partnership and support for the military.

    He said, “This intentionally outlined the healthy relationship we have with the United States; they came here to assess our needs for assistance and they have promised they are going to address that.”

    “So it goes a long way to tell you how the United States is also extending its hands in the counter insurgency efforts in Nigeria.”

  • BREAKING: IPOB, police, army clash in Anambra, one feared dead

    There was pandemonium in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, clashed with police and soldiers leaving one person dead.

    The fracas was instigated by a planned visit of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to the area in furtherance of his anti-election campaign in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kanu and his IPOB members had said that the November 18 poll in the state would not hold if the Federal Government does not oblige them a referendum to determine the fate and plausibility of a Sovereign State of Biafra.

    As early as 8am on Wednesday, security operatives made up of soldiers, police and other paramilitary agencies had converged on Ekwulobia.

    “The security operatives came in 14 trucks. But despite the heavy presence of security in the area, the IPOB members were still parading the area, singing and chanting Biafran songs.

    “The Biafran flags, caps, shirts and other items being sold by some youths were seized and burnt by the security operatives.

    “The situation angered the IPOB members and they tried to attack the security operatives who tear-gassed everybody and in the process, one of their (IPOB) members was killed,” a source who would not want to be identified told our correspondent.

    The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwode, in a press statement denied any death during the encounter.

    She confirmed presence of security operatives in the area, saying that it was to avoid breach of peace.

    She said “There was nothing like that (death). The presence of the security men was to secure the people of the area from being attacked by hoodlums.

    Her statement read in part, “A complaint was received by the police that there was a gathering and blockage of road by some people at Central School, Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA.

    “The Police with other security agencies on joint patrol went to the scene, dispersed and cleared the road peacefully without any clash.

    “However, normalcy has been restored and people are going about their business without any threat or molestation.”

    As of the time of filing the report, Kanu had not visited the place as scheduled.

  • Army invasion: Nigerian government apologises to UN

    Nigerian government on yesterday apologised to the United Nations (UN) over the raid of its humanitarian base camp by the Nigerian Army last Friday in Maiduguri.

    The government said it will continue to respect and safeguard the diplomatic status of the organisation’s personnel and property in Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs acting spokesperson, Ms Jane Adams.

    UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, had condemned the and demanded an explanation from the federal government.

    In the statement, the ministry expressed regret over the incident, noting that government recognised its obligations under international humanitarian law and principles which protect all humanitarian organisations.

    “The Federal Government, however, noted with satisfaction the success of the collaborative efforts by the Nigerian Army, the Borno governor and the UN team in Nigeria.

    “It also noted the efforts to re-establish trust, confidence and cooperation, between the Nigerian Army and the UN in Maiduguri.

    “The Federal Government appreciates the vital support being provided by the UN and other humanitarian organisations in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the north east east of the country,” she said.

    Meanwhile, following the intervention of the Borno State government, the UN has resumed its humanitarian operations in the state.

    UN Deputy Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Peter Lundberg made the announcement at a joint press briefing with Governor Kashim Shettima at the UN camp in Maiduguri at the weekend.

    He said: “I am very pleased to report that our relationship of collaboration and trust is intact.

    “At this stage we are focused on the work ahead to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the northeast are supported with life-saving humanitarian aid”.

    Lundberg, who thanked Shettima for his intervention, noted that “Responding to the humanitarian needs of millions of people in the northeast remains our priority and our focus, each and every day”.

    “The fact remains that the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east and the Lake Chad region – now in its eighth year – is one of the most severe in the world today”.

  • UN resumes humanitarian assistance to IDPs in Borno 24hrs after army raid

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Saturday resumed assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State, 24 hours after an army raid on its Maiduguri compound.

    The organisation had suspended its activities to protest the raid which the army said was in search of high profile elements of the terror sect, Boko Haram, which informants claimed had infiltrated the part of the city where the building is located.

    UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon called the raid unauthorised and expressed “grave concern over the unauthorised search” of the UN base for humanitarian workers.

    But the army said it was not aware that the building housed UN personnel, and described the global organisation as one of its strongest and worthy allies in the fight against Boko Haram.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, in a swift response to the suspension of activities by UNOCHA, convened an emergency security council meeting on Friday to review the development.

    In attendance were the General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Peter Lundberg.

    Shettima also put a call through to UN’s Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, to reassure the organisation of government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of the humanitarian workers and ensuring respect for international protocol.

    At the security council meeting the governor pledged government’s continued diplomatic protection for the UN personnel.

    Participants resolved to take measures to forestall a repeat of the raid.

    At the end of the meeting, all those in attendance, including Shettima, proceeded to the UN property as a sign of good faith and to rebuild public confidence in humanitarian workers.

    Speaking to reporters separately, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru described the United Nations as one of its strongest and worthy allies in the counter insurgency fight against Boko Haram.

    He said the army was always ready to work with all UN agencies in the Northeast with a view to ending the current crisis.

    Major General Attahiru said the UN building was not singled out for search and that the army was not even aware that it was being used by a UN agency.

    He said:”The Nigerian Army is very aware of the need of the UN agencies to discharge their duties and we are ready to support them.

    “The army will continue to work toward providing enabling and conducive environment to UN agencies to enhance their operations.

    “We are working in the front line with the UN; it is complimenting the effort of the government by providing succour to the displaced victims.

    “Such working collaboration is imperative to ensure success of the counter-insurgency campaign in the country.”

    He explained further that the action was based on intelligence report made available to the military and not a deliberate plan to drag the image of the UN to the mud.

    He said the military has recorded significant successes in its various operations in the theatre in over the last two weeks.

    Dozens of Boko Haram insurgents, according to him, were neutralised and arrests made.

    He added: “The development assisted to reduce spate of suicide bombing and insurgents’ attacks. It should not be misconstrued that the Nigerian Army is trying to stop the UN from discharging its activities. We are partners in progress in the counter insurgency operations.”

  • Boko Haram: Army searches UN staff house in Maiduguri

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had conducted condone and search operation at a building housing the United Nation (UN) staff in Maiduguri following alert on high profile Boko Haram members.

    Lt. Col. Samuel Kingsley, the spokesperson, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, said in a statement released in Maiduguri that the army had intensified condone and search operation in Maiduguri and its environs to clear remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    “On 10th August 2017, the Theatre Command received information from credible sources that some high profiled Boko Haram insurgents infiltrated into Pompomari-ByePass area of Maiduguri.

    “It, therefore, became expedient to take preemptive action by combing the general area through a cordon and search operations.

    “The operation was successfully conducted as over 30 houses were searched.

    One of such building included a property which was said to be occupied by United Nations Staff, although the property did not carry a UN designation.

    “On the whole, operation in the general area was successfully concluded but no arrest was made because the suspects were not found,” Kingsley said.

    Kingsley noted that troops under the Operation LAFIYA DOLE had been conducting several clearance as well as cordon and search operations in urban and rural areas within the Theatre.

    He said that the clearance operations effort had yielded significant successes in the past weeks.

    According to him, the operation had forced Boko Haram insurgents to change tactics and resort to suicide bombing targeting military locations and the populace.

    Kingsley stressed that the operation was necessitated by the need to intensify Cordon and Search in Maiduguri metropolis and environment.

    He listed other areas affected by the operation as Jiddari –Polo, Muna Garage, Jakana among others.

    “The command wishes to assure the general public that the operations are being conducted to safeguard lives and properties but not targeted at any individual or group.

    “Members of the public are cautioned against peddling rumours which may cause disaffection and to remain law abiding”.

  • Boko Haram: U.S. report on terrorism war misleading – Army

    The Nigerian Army has said it disagrees with the report of the United States Department of State where it accused the Nigerian Army of not doing enough to effectively secure and hold onto territories recaptured from Boko Haram terrorists despite the successes recorded by the Multi-National joint task force (MNJTF).

    This was stated on Monday by the Director of Defence Information; Major General John Eneche.

    Eneche says the content of the report submitted to the U.S. Congress is misleading and does not portray the reality of things in Nigeria’s fight against insurgents in the north east.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the report, published on July 19, highlights the successes and failings of the Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

    It indicates that the Federal Government’s progress report on the fight against terror is merely a duplication of failed efforts carried over from the end of last year’s fighting season.

    It says the Nigerian government has not been able to rebuild civilian structures and institutions in areas captured. Just as it has not been able to rescue the remaining Chibok school girls abducted in 2014.

    Eneche, however, stressed that the pockets of attacks still experienced are a result of inside information by Boko Haram collaborators whom he believes are still amongst us.

    “I am sorry to say that this is not the first time we are hearing this. The same people say we cannot contain Boko Haram; it is an opinion of the United States Military. It is not real. Is it an issue of deliberate operation they are talking about? No.

    “The nature of these things happening now are information bound strongly and I still want to state that there are informants, there are still collaborators otherwise, how come they did not attack them on the first day when they started the exploration exercise with the soldiers when they had finished and they were going back.

    “Somebody gave them information and must have monitored them to ensure that they came to a place that they can easily be ambushed unsuspecting. So one cannot really say that the Armed Forces are not really on top of the situation but the pockets of attacks we are having here and there like I said, are based strongly on information by their collaborators who are still amongst us,” he stressed.

  • Boko Haram ambush: Army admits death of NNPC, UNIMAID staff, soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has made further clarification over the Boko Haram ambush on troops.

    The incident also affected members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) escorting some staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), who were engaged in oil exploration in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations Officer, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, “Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate.”
    ‎
    He said, “the Nigerian Army in this present dispensation is reputed for timely dissemination of information on activities of our troops in all theatre of operations. We have strived to keep the public informed on our activities with no intention of distorting any fact. Our troops have doubled efforts in the pursuit of the Boko Haram terrorists while search and rescue is on-going to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians.

    “So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team.

    “Contrary to reports in some media, 6 members of exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.

    “On the other hand, our pursuit team also recovered 2 of our own Gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents. In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade chargers, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun,1 Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 4 Dane Guns, 8 Tyres and 2 Tyre Rims.

    “Other items recovered include 1 Pumping Machine, 2 Tyre Jacks, 1 Super Battery, 5 Reflective Jackets, 3 Toyota Hilux, 4 Jerry cans filled with PMS, 1 Motorola Radio, 1 Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, 2 Shovels and 3 Food Coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, 2 Bows and 13 Arrows, 2 LLG Bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools.

    “The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation.

    “What the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are doing are pure criminal activities of kidnapping to gain funds. This has been noted and will be jointly addressed in conjunction with other Security Services.

    “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in the fight against terrorism and would not relent in its effort to safe guard lives of citizens, properties and the territorial integrity of the country.”

  • Nigerian Army to deploy 230 personnel to Liberia for peacekeeping operations – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army is to deploy 230 personnel, including 19 officers and 211 soldiers to Liberia, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has said.

    Speaking in Kaduna at the end of a four-week intensive training on leadership and peacekeeping for the personnel, Buratai, charged them to shun acts that could tarnish Nigeria’s image.

    “You must observe human rights, and respect the cultural and religious sensitives of Liberians,” he said.

    The army chief said that since 1960, Nigeria has deployed over 20, 000 troops to 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.

    Earlier the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji was renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in recognition of his commitment to peacekeeping efforts and excellent service.

    The centre was established in 2004 by Agwai as a Wing, when he was the Chief of Army Staff.

    Speaking, Agwai noted that peacekeeping was gradually becoming an intra-country issue with the military at the centre stage following internal conflicts such as ethnic, religious other crises.

    He, however, noted that Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa and world at large, but had not repeat the economic and diplomatic benefits of such venture.

    Agwai, who was also a Chief of Defence Staff, called on government and private-owned organisations to partner the centre in leadership training on conflict prevention and management in the quest to achieve enduring peace.

    He thanked current and past leadership of the army for the honour done him by naming the centre after him.

    NAN reports that Agwai, was former Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Chief of Army Staff Nigerian Army, Force Commander of African Union/United Nations Mission Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

    He was later Special Adviser to Secretary-General of the UN.

     

    NAN

  • Army refute recruitment rumour, warn Nigerians of fraudsters

    The Depot Nigerian Army on Friday alerted Nigerians of the activities of fraudsters claiming to be recruiting candidates on its behalf.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot NA/Nigerian Military School, Capt. Hussaini Sani, in a statement on Friday, warned aspiring recruits against falling prey to the fraudsters.

    It said, “It has been brought to the notice of Headquarters of Depot Nigerian Army that criminally minded individuals are parading themselves as relatives to the Depot Commandant, Brig-Gen. Victor Ezugwu.

    “The fraudsters do that to defraud innocent citizens who were not successful during the just concluded 76 Regular Recruits Intake exercise.

    “Others also claimed to be principal staff officers of Depot NA thereby convincing their victims to pay huge amount of money to be recruited into the Nigerian Army.”

    The statement explained that the Depot has no hand in conducting recruitment exercise, but only train those already selected.

    It further stated that recruitment for 76 Regular Recruits Intake had since been officially closed.

    “Consequently, potential recruits are advised to try the next recruitment intake and not to allow these criminal minded and unpatriotic individuals to defraud them under any guise.

    “Such arrangement does not exist and recruitment into the Nigerian Army is free and no candidate is expected to pay money to any individual whatsoever,” it added.

    Investigation shows that activities of the fraudsters in Zaria had been on for years where they collect between N150,000 and N300,000 per candidate.

     

    (NAN)