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Tag: army

  • Army hands over 350 people found in Sambisa forest

    Army hands over 350 people found in Sambisa forest

    The military has handed over 350 people rescued in Sambisa forest to the Borno Government for rehabilitation and reintegration.

    Speaking at the handing over on Monday in Maiduguri,  Deputy Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Chigbu, said they were rescued during the 10-day clearance operation in Sambisa.

    “The people we are handing over today totalling 350 comprised six adult males, 134 females and 209 children found in Sambisa forest.

    “This effort is a demonstration of professionalism exhibited by the joint task force.

    “What you are seeing are people kept in the forest obviously against their wish,” Chigbu said.

    According to him, apart from feeding, the army had carried out medical evaluation on them and is in the process of providing them with decent clothing.

    Chigbu reiterated the commitment of the military to its mandate of ensuring that normalcy and peace returned to the north east.

    He  commended the support and cooperation of Borno Government, International Committee for the Red Cross and other international and local organisations.

    Receiving the rescued persons on behalf of Borno Government, the Director, Social Welfare in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Asabe Mohammed, said they would be taken to a rehabilitation centre

    “They would be documented, provided with  mental health and psychosocial support, and trained in skills of their choice.

    “We have about 10 different skills acquisition training for them to make their respective choices.

    “They will be provided with tools at the end before linking them with their communities and families for reintegration,” she said.

  • Banex Plaza remains shut as soldiers occupy electronics market after attack on soldiers

    Banex Plaza remains shut as soldiers occupy electronics market after attack on soldiers

    Banex Plaza, an electronics and telecommunications gadget market in Abuja, is still under lock and key after assault of soldiers.

    As at Monday morning soldiers were found across the plaza.

    Some traders who assembled at a distance from the plaza were seen leaving after waiting for hours.

    None of them agreed to speak with journalists but they were heard lamenting the cost implication of having the plaza shut on a major day like Monday.

    Trouble started when thugs beat up some soldiers who had a minor disagreement with a trader in the plaza.

    The trader had reportedly sold a bad phone to someone who invited soldiers. Rather than resolve the issue amicably, the trader reportedly invited thugs who assaulted the uniform men.

    They descended on at least two soldiers and another man in mufti. The thugs who broke into groups slapped, kicked and beat up the soldiers.

    Although the police stepped in to resolve the situation, soldiers later stormed the plaza, forcing traders to shut down immediately.

    Some videos on social media showed soldiers chasing a crowd of people and punishing a few others.

    Some troops also patrolled the plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja, in their vans.

    The army has been silent on the action at the plaza as Onyema Nwachukwu has not made an official comment as of the time of filing this report.

  • NIGCOMSAT to launch satellite dedicated to army operations – DG

    NIGCOMSAT to launch satellite dedicated to army operations – DG

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs Jane Egerton, says the organisation intends to launch a satellite dedicated to the Nigerian Army to enhance its capabilities.

    Egarton said this when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said the satellite would also bolster military operations, taking into consideration the severity of the service the Nigerian Army had continued to render to the nation.

    The NIGCOM boss acknowledged the long standing relationship of the organisation with the army and the zeal of the army in tackling security challenges in the country.

    She said the partnership was expected to have far-reaching implications for the country’s military operations and national security and leverage satellite technology to drive economic growth and development.

    She appreciated the army for its service to the nation and pledged to continue to support the service with technology in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

    In his response, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja, said the Nigerian Army was willing to partner with NIGCOMSAT to enhance its communication capabilities and improve operations.

    Lagbaja said the partnership with NIGCOMSAT was crucial to providing reliable and secure communication services and would enable the Nigerian Army access a wide range of satellite-based services.

    These services, according to him, include telecommunications, navigation, and surveillance, which will significantly improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the army.

    The COAS appreciates the vital role of NIGCOMSAT as a formidable foundation for army operations, especially in the North East and North West regions.

    According to him, the Nigerian army is committed to Executive Order 5 of President Bola Tinubu compelling departments and agencies to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.

    He said the products offered by NIGCOMSAT were top-notch and reiterated his desire to expand the frontier of cooperation and partnership that had existed between NIGCOMSAT and the army.

    Lagbaja also pledged to support the Communication Company in the launch of its new satellite into space to improve military operations.

  • Army reassure of security for Kogi residents

    Army reassure of security for Kogi residents

    The Nigerian Army has reassured of improved security for Kogi residents, especially with the rising cases of kidnapping in the State.

    Maj.-Gen. Obinna Onubogu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, said this when he addressed newsmen in his maiden operational visit to the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Chari-Maigumeri Barracks, Lokoja.

    Onubogu said that nothing would be spared to ensure peace in all areas of his responsibility including Kogi.

    “We have been able to significantly reduce most issues of kidnappings and communal clashes within Kogi.

    “Just recently, we had two incidents of kidnapped students at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) and the communal clashes at Omola in Kogi East.

    “In those attacks, the troops of NA in collaboration with other security agencies were able to curb the incidence, and reassured the citizens of their safety.

    “So, when you talk of the successes, we have been able to rescue almost all the students that were kidnapped in the university, as well as conduct patrols and visit to other communal areas where there were clashes,” he said.

    Onubogu lauded Gov. Ahmed Ododo, for his prompt visit to the affected communities to reassure them of their safety as well as meeting with traditional rulers in the area to ensure peace.

    “So, by and large, our roles in aiding the civil authority within Kogi are being accomplished successfully,” he said.

    He said that his visit in the state was to motivate and reassure troops that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taureed Lagbaja, was fully behind them in all their operations.

    He commended the Commander of 12 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Haruna Dasuki, for his commitments to safeguard lives and property in the state.

    “I can assure you that the security in Kogi will continue to get better every passing day,” Onubogu stated.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to prioritise the welfare of officers and soldiers as well as putting in place adequate measures to take care of the families of fallen heroes.

    The GOC thanked the Kogi Government for providing facilities for the troops in their operational units.

    “The Kogi Government has been supportive and we are very grateful,” he added.

    The 12 Brigade Commander Brig.-Gen. Dasuki, led the GOC on a tour of facilities in the barracks and also to commission some projects.

    Highlight of the tour was the planting of trees by the GOC at the barracks.

    Some students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, were kidnapped by suspected bandits on May 9.

  • BANDITRY! Army loses another senior officer to terrorists’ attack

    BANDITRY! Army loses another senior officer to terrorists’ attack

    Barely one week after Nigerian Army lost two captains and four other soldiers in a deadly ambush in Niger State, another officer has lost his life to bandits’ attacks in Katsina State.

    According to a report by security analyst and counter insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, on Friday, Major AG Mohammed, died while confronting bandits.

    “The news of the demise of Major Ag Mohammed of 17 brigade Katsina state, Operation Hadarin DAJI, is indeed heart wrenching.

  • Military will account for what happened in Okuama – Reps

    Military will account for what happened in Okuama – Reps

    The House of Representatives has said the Nigerian military will account for what happened in Okuama community in aftermath of the killing of 17 personnel in the Ewu-Urhobo community of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence said this while speaking with newsmen at Government House Annex, Edjeba Warri, Delta State.

    Recall that 17 military personnel, made up of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 13 others, were said to have been ambushed and murdered on March 14 in Okuama.

     

    The House of Representatives in pursuit of justice in respect of the carnage and in adherence to its resolution of March 19, 2024 convened a public hearing at the Government House Annex.

    The House of Representatives aimed to explore the immediate and remote causes, effects, and the perpetrators of the tragic incident that led to the loss of lives, including military officers, and other related events.

    Speaking, Rep. Benson disclosed that the committee has received a number of memoranda from stakeholders and that a window of one week was still open for further submission of memoranda to enrich the deliberations.

    “We have received a lot of memoranda but the people have not turned up physically. We intend to work with the memoranda, it’s extensive and the window is open for a week, so we are still expecting a lot more memorandum.

    “We need to be fully armed with what is going on. The activities of the committee have not ended with the public hearing. We will visit the locals. We will still need to invite the army to give an account of what happened there.

    “We will meet with both sides of the divide. We definitely have to meet with the locals but we need to be armed with information from the people where the carnage took place.

    “We have gotten a lot [memoranda] and we intend to work on the memoranda. The window is still open for a week and we are still expecting more memoranda. We want to see this matter to its logical conclusion,” Benson said.

    Meanwhile, the committee has asked interested parties who do not want to show up to forward their memoranda to the Clerk, House Committee on Defence at Room 315, White House, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

    Amongst those who have already submitted memoranda to the committee are groups, including the Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS), Urhobo Media and Advocacy Group (UMPAG) and Chief Victor Otomewo, Esq.

  • Army told to establish base in Sambisa forest

    Army told to establish base in Sambisa forest

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has urged the Nigerian Army to establish a military base in Sambisa Forest, to effectively stem terrorists’ activities.

    He stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Army, on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    The governor also urged the army to establish military base on the shores of Lake Chad and Mandara mountain that continued to be a safe haven for the terrorists.

    “On the issue of completely ending it (insurgency), there’s a need for government to establish a military base in Sambisa, shores of Lake Chad and Mandara hills.”

    He urged the National Assembly to ensure adequate appropriations for weapons to tackle insecurity.

    Zulum also decried the porous borders in Borno and the need to secure the state bordering three countries, to contain movement of small arms fueling insecurity in the north.

    He reiterated commitment to support the military in its kenetic and non-kenetic approach in tackling insurgency, adding that so far about 190,000 repentant Boko Haram members surrendered to the authorities.

    According to Zulum, managing the huge number of repentant Boko Haram members is another crisis that needs stakeholders’ support.

    He said the government had resettled two million out of the over three million displaced persons in the state, and stressed the need for total peace to enable the displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.

    “The continuous stay of over one million displaced persons in camps is not sustainable, particularly with the rising cases of prostitution and drug abuse”.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abdullahi Mamudu, said they were in the state as of the oversight function.

    Mamudu lauded Zulum for his commitment and support to the Army and other security agencies and urged him to sustain the tempo for more successes.

  • Okuama killings: Reps set for investigative hearing in Delta

    Okuama killings: Reps set for investigative hearing in Delta

    The Nigerian House of Representatives has concluded plans to hold an investigative hearing into the unfortunate killing of 17 military personnel who were on a peace mission to Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement released by the House Committee on Defence and signed by the Committee Chairman, Rep. Jimi Benson and Clerk to the House Committee on Defence, Musa Aliyu.

    According to the statement, the investigative hearing into the Okuama killings is in line with a resolution of the House passed during its sitting of March 19, 2024, to investigate the remote causes of the incident.

    Recall that on March 14, 17 military personnel were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen while on a peace mission over alleged land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

    The investigative hearing by the House of Representatives committee on the matter is scheduled to hold on Thursday at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the State by 10 am.

    The committee in the statement called on members of the public and interested parties to provide the committee with useful information on the incident during the hearing.

    The statement reads: “The House of Representatives invites the general public, stakeholders, and all interested parties to an investigative hearing on the carnage that occurred in Okuama community, Delta State, resulting in the death of military officers et al.

    “This Investigative Hearing in line with the 10th Assembly House of Representatives’ Resolution of 19th March, 2024, presents an opportunity for stakeholders to provide valuable information and recommendations that will help unveil causes and effects as well as the perpetrators of the dastardly act and events that followed, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice, prevent such occurrence in the future and bring succour to the innocent members of the public who were affected thereafter.

    “Members of the public who are willing to submit memorandum should do so in ten (10) copies and submit same to the Committee within one (1) week of  this Publication to the Clerk of the Committee, Musa Aliyu Room 315 White House, House of Representative, National Assembly, Three Arm Zone Abuja.

    “Or at the Public Investigative Hearing scheduled as follows: Date: Thursday 25th April, 2024. Time: 10am. Venue: Conference Hall, Government House Annex, Edjeba Warri Delta State.

    “The House of Representatives Committee on Defence looks forward to a robust engagement and meaningful contributions from all stakeholders”.

  • Army detains 2 soldiers over alleged theft in Dangote Refinery

    Army detains 2 soldiers over alleged theft in Dangote Refinery

    The Nigerian Army (NA) says its has detained two soldiers allegedly involved in a reported case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday,  said the Nigerian army was deeply concerned over its personnel’s involvement in criminality.

    Nwachukwu said that act of criminality, which was prevented by the proactive intervention of vigilant troops and private security operatives on duty at the refinery, was totally unacceptable and highly regrettable.

    He said that such act does not represent the ethics and values of the Nigerian army, adding that the two suspects had been identified and currently under custody.

    According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects were hired by a civilian contractor simply identified as Mr Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some Armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery’s premises.

    “Unknown to the soldiers, the said contractor, sensing trouble as they approached the security post, excused himself from the vehicle and bolted, leaving them behind.

    “Further investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the depth of culpability of the apprehended soldiers.

    “Additionally, the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said the army was working closely with the management of  Dangote Refinery to ensure  thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident.

    He reassured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be meted out to the culprits, adding that no act of criminality would be condoned amongst its personnel.

    “The Nigerian army remains steadfast in ensuring that the key values of discipline and integrity are adequately entrenched amongst its personnel.

    “We shall also continue to cultivate and promote dedication and a culture of accountability and ethical behaviours within our ranks,” he added.

  • Army detains 2 soldiers over alleged theft in Dangote Refinery

    Army detains 2 soldiers over alleged theft in Dangote Refinery

    The Nigerian Army (NA) says its has detained two soldiers allegedly involved in a reported case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Nigerian army was deeply concerned over its personnel’s involvement in criminality.

    Nwachukwu said that act of criminality, which was prevented by the proactive intervention of vigilant troops and private security operatives on duty at the refinery, was totally unacceptable and highly regrettable.

    He said that such act does not represent the ethics and values of the Nigerian army, adding that the two suspects had been identified and currently under custody.

    According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects were hired by a civilian contractor simply identified as Mr Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some Armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery’s premises.

    “Unknown to the soldiers, the said contractor, sensing trouble as they approached the security post, excused himself from the vehicle and bolted, leaving them behind.

    “Further investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the depth of culpability of the apprehended soldiers.

    “Additionally, the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said the army was working closely with the management of  Dangote Refinery to ensure  thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident.

    He reassured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be meted out to the culprits, adding that no act of criminality would be condoned amongst its personnel.

    “The Nigerian army remains steadfast in ensuring that the key values of discipline and integrity are adequately entrenched amongst its personnel.

    “We shall also continue to cultivate and promote dedication and a culture of accountability and ethical behaviours within our ranks,” he added.