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Tag: army

  • Army training, operations curbed criminality in 2016

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the various training exercises conducted by the Nigerian Army in 2016 helped to curb criminality and other nefarious activities during the period.

    Buratai made the remark on Saturday at the West African Social Activities – WASA organized by the Army Headquarters Garrison at the Mogadishu Cantonment in the FCT.

    He said the climax of those exercises and operations was the “Operation Rescue Finale” in the North East.

    According to Buratai, that operation led to the fall of Sambisa forest and capture of Camp Zero, the last stronghold of the terrorists in the forest.

    “As we commence another training cycle, I urge you all to remain committed in the discharge of our collective responsibility of ensuring peace and stability across the country.

    “We must remain focused, dedicated and resilient in order to consolidate on the achievement so far recorded, ” he said.

    Also speaking, the FCT Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, who was the special guest at the occasion described the army as “one of the pillars which continue to give hope to the citizens in our collective aspirations to be a stable, peaceful and developed country. ”

    Bello noted that in spite of internal security challenges, the commitment of the army to regional and international peace and stability remained unshakable.

    “I salute the courage and gallantry exploits of the personnel of the Nigerian army, ” he said.

    Earlier, the Commander of the Garrison, Maj.-Gen. John Malu recalled that WASA was usually observed by the army to mark the end of each training year.

    Malu said that it was introduced during the colonial era of the “Royal West African Frontier Forces (RWAFF)” to take officers and soldiers away from their regimented life to an atmosphere where they relax freely.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured various cultural display by soldiers, reflecting the Nigerian setting

  • Army offers N500,000 reward for information on suicide bombers

    The Nigerian Army has offered N500,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest of suicide bombers or discovery of transit house of bombers or factory for making bomb.

    Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the cash reward for information followed the spate of suicide bombings in the North East, particularly in Maiduguri and Madagali which was “assuming a disturbing proportion”.

    “Consequently, the Nigerian Army is offering a reward of the sum of N500,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of a suicide bomber, the guide to the suicide bomber, or discovery of the transit house or factory of the suicide bombers.

    “The offer by the Nigerian Army is to further encourage law abiding citizens to actively join the war against terrorists and our collective security,” he said.

    Usman said anyone with information could reach the following officers: “Theatre Commander, Operations LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri- 09064823221 and General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri- 09078599985”.

    The others are: Commander, 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri-08022375305, Commander, 28 Brigade, Mubi-08065504576 and Commander, 26 Brigade, Gwoza-+234 809 721 1700 (WhatsApp).

    Also, they could reach Director, Army Public Relations, Abuja-07080217992 and Commander, 7 Division Military Intelligence Brigade Maiduguri-09021668444.

    Usman reassured that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon with despatch.

    “While we appreciate the cooperation of the members of the general public so far, there is the need to be more vigilant and security conscious to save lives and apprehend Boko Haram terrorists and their sponsors.

    “Once again, we call on all law abiding citizens to provide useful information to security agencies towards a quicker apprehension of remnants of terrorists still bent on unleashing mayhem on Nigerians,” he said.

  • Nigerian troops recover concealed terrorists’ corpses, grenades

    Nigerian troops have recovered bodies of terrorists, 36 hand grenades and one 12.7 X 108mm round of ammunition concealed by terrorists in the general area of Baga, Kangarwa and Dogonchikun in Borno.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, a Nigerian Army officer, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the troops of 119 Task Force Battalion of 7 Brigade on Operation Lafiya Dole uncovered the graves of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    Usman said the “shallow graves” contained corpses of terrorists that died after they escaped with gun wounds during an encounter with Nigerian troops on Jan. 13.

    “The troops have continued their patrols by dominating the general area of Baga, Kangarwa and Dogonchikun with a view to intercepting fleeing Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

  • Army repels Boko Haram attack in Borno, kills 10, loses 3 soldiers

    The Nigerian Army on Friday repelled a planned a attack by the Boko Haram insurgents in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing ten of the insurgents while also losing three of its soldiers who had engaged the terrorist in a gun duel.

    The Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said the terrorists were killed on Friday.

    Usman disclosed that the operation was carried out with the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance planes.

    He said, “The futile attack, launched by the terrorists group from the shores of the Lake Chad in the evening, lasted till midnight.

    “The resilient troops repelled the incursion and in the process killed 10 insurgents and wounded several others.”

    The spokesman said one Pulemyot Kalashnkova Machine, PKM, gun with 67 rounds of ammunition, one AK-47 Riffle with 18 rounds of ammunition, two AK-Rifle top covers and three Dane guns with one cartridge were recovered from the terrorists.

    “Others include, one rocket propelled grenade tube with three bombs, one rocket propelled grenade charger and smoke grenade, one hand held (HH) Motorola radio and antenna, one copy of Holy Qur’an and Boko Haram terrorists’ flag.

    ”Unfortunately, three soldiers died in the course of the encounter, while 27 others sustained injuries.

    ”The bodies of the gallant soldiers and those injured have since been evacuated.

    “He said the troops have continued to trail those terrorists that escaped with gunshot wounds and intensified vigilance and high level of alertness in the area,” he added.

  • Army kills 10 terrorists in reprisal attack

    The Military says it has successfully repelled attack by the Boko Haram terrorists at Kangarwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the operation was carried out on Friday.

    According to him, the operation was carried out with the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance planes.

    He said “the futile attack, launched by the terrorists group from the shores of the Lake Chad in the evening, lasted till midnight.

    ““The resilient troops repelled the incursion and in the process killed 10 insurgents and wounded several others.”

    Usman said the troops recovered one Pulemyot Kalashnkova Machine (PKM) gun with 67 rounds of ammunition, one AK-47 Riffle with 18 rounds of ammunition, two AK-Rifle top covers and three Dane guns with one cartridge.

    “Others include, one rocket propelled grenade tube with three bombs, one rocket propelled grenade charger and smoke grenade, one hand held (HH) Motorola radio and antenna, one copy of Holy Qur’an and Boko Haram terrorists’ flag.

    “”Unfortunately, three soldiers died in the course of the encounter, while 27 others sustained injuries.

    “”The bodies of the gallant soldiers and those injured have since been evacuated,” he said.

    “He said the troops have continued to trail those terrorists that escaped with gundhot wounds and intensified vigilance and high level of alertness in the area.

     

     

    NAN

  • Army recover more Boko Haram items in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had recovered more suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ items during a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest.

    Maj. – Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    Irabor said that the items included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design often used by security guards of Abubakar Shekau in his videos.

    “On Jan. 5, at about 1000hrs, our troops conducted a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo general area and recovered additional Boko Haram terrorists’ items.

    “They included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design on the edges, a précis on motar operation written in Arabic, one big size of the Qur’an, and 4 notebooks containing names of terrorists, “he said.

    ” The items also include a list of the terrorists locs, a list of IED materials and method of preparation and breakdown of quantities of arms and ammunition issued to their members.

    “There were also some instructions written in Arabic and a small Boko Haram flag with Arabic inscription,” he said.

  • Army recover corpses of 15 soldiers, officers declared missing in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said it had recovered corpses of “one officer and 15 soldiers’’ earlier declared “Missing in Action” during an operation to dislodge the Boko Haram insurgents from Gashigar Area in Borno on October 16, 2016.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this at a weekly review of Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

    “The corpses were recovered along Kamadugou River line area in Maiduguri.

    “Among the recovered corpses was that of Lt.-Col. K Yusuf, the former Commanding Officer (CO) of 223 Tank Battalion.

    “They have since been buried in Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery with full military honours,’’ Irabor said.

     

    NAN

  • Army releases 1,250 Boko Haram suspects, another batch to be released Jan/Feb

     

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed the release of 1,250 Boko Haram suspects who have been cleared and declared not have links with the insurgent group.

    This was announced by Brigadier-General Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division of the Nigerian Army on Monday, when he was visited by the head of sub-delegation of ICRC, Beat Mosimann, at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    Ezugwu said they were released in seven batches after being cleared.

    “We are keeping this regular release because the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, want us to ensure that it is only people who have contact and connection with Boko Haram, that have insurgency issues to sort that should be detained so that those who do not have contact should be released,” he said.

    “By the end of this January and February another batch of detainees would be cleared.

    “The ICRC wants us to collaborate in the area of welfare for our detainees and we have assured them that we are going to continue doing our best interns of welfare in accordance with the international practice.

    “Our approach in handling detained suspects is multi agency so what we do is we collaborate with NGOs so that once there is gap in what we are doing they will tell us.

    “In terms of feeding, we are providing solid Nigerian foods for the detainees; good food supplement that would enhance their wellbeing, access to exercise and the best of accommodation. We are hoping that things will get better in 2017,” he said.

     

  • Be warned, Boko Haram suicide bombers now disguise as visitors, strangers – Army

     

    The Nigerian Army has warned members of the public not to entertain strangers in their households any longer as the remnants of the defeated terrorists group, Boko Haram now go about disguising as strangers to carry out their dastardly acts.

    Disclosing this in a statement on Monday, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Maiduguri, Borno State, Colonel Mustapha Anka, advised residents to report any suspicious person to appropriate authorities.

    The statement reads, “This is to draw the attention of the general public to recent trend used by desperate remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT).

    “Recently, two female suicide bombers knocked at the door of one Bulama and Usman, about 200 meters apart in Kalari general area of Maiduguri.

    “The daughter of the Bulama opened the door, while the suicide bombers detonated their suicide vest, in the process killing the unsuspecting little girl, Usman and the two female suicide bombers.

    “The general public is, hereby, advised to be cautious and wary of strange persons knocking on their doors.

    “Security is a collective responsibility. The public is to engage in neighborhood watch,” Anka said.

    Warning that the daily 10 p.m. curfew in Maiduguri was in force, Anka said “Any defaulter will be prosecuted accordingly.”

    This is coming at a time when report of multiple explosions was recorded in Maiduguri on Sunday night.

     

  • 2,780 candidates sit for Nigerian Army examination in Jigawa

    No fewer than 2,780 candidates sat for the Nigerian Army 74 Regular Recruits (Course RR 76) examination in Jigawa on Saturday.

    Alhaji Ismail Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer, Office of the State Head of the Civil Service, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Dutse.

    He explained that 2,629 of the candidates were indigenes of the state.

    The spokesperson explained that a total of 3,461 candidates applied for the recruitment in the state.

    Ibrahim expressed satisfaction with the level of discipline exhibited by the candidates during the exercise.