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  • Army dismisses allegation of bias in trial of soldiers

    Army dismisses allegation of bias in trial of soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegation of ethnic bias in the trial of soldiers recently arraigned before a Court Martial in 82 Division, Enugu.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, by Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations.

    Nwachukwu said that the Nigerian army was a composite national institution and not an ethnic militia.

    He was reacting to a media report that there was a deliberate effort to convict soldiers of Southern extraction, while those from Northern Nigeria were allowed to go free.

    He said the report alleged that some allegedly aggrieved soldiers who were arraigned before the court martial expressed the concern.

    He noted that the misleading report was being circulated to cause disharmony within the army and by extension the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    According to him, the report is entirely bereft of any strand of truth and ultimately aimed at disparaging the current leadership of the army in particular and the armed forces in general, using the instrumentality of ethnic and religious bigotry.

    Nwachukwu explained that the composition of the said court martial was not based on regional representation but was diverse, with personnel drawn from various regions of the country.

    He revealed that the President of the Court was of Northern extraction, while the Judge Advocate was from the South.

    He added that 60 per cent of the court martial members were of Southern extraction.

    According to him, this demonstrates a fair and balanced representation, even though religion and ethnicity are not  major focal criteria in the decision making process of the army.

    “The decision of a court martial is collective and based on evidence presented during the trial.

    “The said court martial tried the personnel, irrespective of their ethnic and religious affiliations and the outcome was determined strictly based on the evidence presented.

    “In espousing the position of the Nigerian Army in the cases mentioned in the report, taking that of Pte. Usman Shonva for instance, wherein  evidence revealed that there were other soldiers at the scene of the incident, who also fired their weapons.

    “Hence, the court, based on this finding among others, reached the conclusion that the shot that killed the dead soldier could have been fired by any of the soldiers at the scene, thus, leading to his discharge and acquittal.

    “It must be emphasised that the Nigerian Army does not task its personnel (including for court martial membership) on a regional basis in order to achieve national spread”.

    “The Nigerian Army is a composite national institution and not an ethnic militia. It will therefore not bite the odious bait being dangled to induce splintering along sectional, ethnic and religious fissures.

    The Army spokesman said the court martial proceedings were conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.

    He urged the publisher of the report to  refrain from peddling misinformation capable of engendering disaffection and disharmony among army personnel, other services and security personnel.

    “We urge the public to note the true picture and discountenance the false report published by the online media platform.

    “Continued spread of the misinformation will  only serve the ulterior motive of the author, which is to cause disharmony in the Nigerian army.

    “The army is committed to upholding justice, equity and discipline within its ranks, and will continue to ensure that all personnel are treated fairly and in accordance with the law,” he added.

  • Okuama killings: Falana writes Army, demands to meet with detained Delta monarch

    Okuama killings: Falana writes Army, demands to meet with detained Delta monarch

    Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana has written to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa to meet with HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, the traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

    Recall that Falana had earlier faulted the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for declaring HRM Ikolo, who turned himself in to the police, wanted. After turning himself in, the police subsequently handed him over to the military.

    The DHQ had declared Ikolo, the President General (PG) of Ewu, Prof Ekpekpo Arthur and six (6) others wanted over the brutal killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama in Ewu kingdom of Ughelli South local government area of Delta.

    In a letter addressed to CDS Musa on Tuesday and obtained by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), Falana averred that the families the Delta monarch are worried about his safety and whereabout as they have not been able to have access to him.

    In the letter, signed by Marshal Abubakar of the Falana & Falana Chambers, the human rights lawyer and activist assured of commitment and assistance in getting justice for the slain patriotic soldiers and their families.

    The letter reads: “We are a firm of Legal Practitioners committed to the enthronement of justice, accountability and rule of law in Africa.

    “We act as counsel to the family of HRM, King Clement Ikolo Ogbeneruvwe hereinafter our clients and on their express behest we write.

    “Permit me to express our heartfelt condolences to the military authorities and the families of the gallant soldiers of the Nigerian Army who lost their lives in the needless and dastardly attack on them in Delta State.

    “Their death is indeed a national, monumental loss we all regret and we pray God Almighty grant their gallant souls eternal rest.

    “As you may no doubt be aware, His Royal Highness, King Clement Ikolo Ogbeneruvwe (who was declared wanted by military authorities) turned himself in penultimate week to security agents.

    “The families are however worried about his safety and where about as they have not been able to access him.

    “We hereby request for an audience with our client, HRM, King Clement Ikolo Ogbeneruvwe in the presence of military authorities, personnel or agent (s)

    “Whilst assuring you of our commitment and assistance in getting justice for the slain patriotic soldiers and their families, please accept as usual our kind and warm regards, always”.

  • Finally, army confirms explosion at Ikeja Cantonment

    Finally, army confirms explosion at Ikeja Cantonment

    The Nigerian Army says a minor explosion occurred in a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos on Monday.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the explosion was suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.

    According to him, no casualty was recorded in the incident.

    “However, given that the cantonment was recently cleared and certified free of unexploded ordnances, we understand that there could be concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the Cantonment.

    “The Nigerian army therefore wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control as its Engineers in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team have cordoned off the area of the farmland to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

    “We urge residents in the general area not to panic and assure them of their safety,” he said.

  • Explosion rocks Army farmland in Ikeja Cantonment

    Explosion rocks Army farmland in Ikeja Cantonment

    The Nigerian Army says a minor explosion occurred in a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos on Monday.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the explosion was suspected to have been triggered by the  burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.

    According to him, no casualty was recorded in the incident.

    “However, given that the cantonment was recently cleared and certified free of unexploded ordnances, we understand that there could be concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the Cantonment.

    “The Nigerian army therefore wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control as its Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has cordoned off the area of the farmland to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

    “We urge residents in the general area not to panic and assure them of their safety,” he said.

  • Army will ensure total defeat of insurgents, others – Lagbaja

    Army will ensure total defeat of insurgents, others – Lagbaja

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has reiterated the commitment and determination of the Nigerian Army to ensure the total defeat of insurgents, marauding bandits, and all other forms of external and internal aggression disturbing the peace of the country.

    Lagbaja gave the assurance in his Easter Message to troops and families of personnel of the Nigerian Army on Sunday in Abuja.

    He urged all officers and soldiers to use the season to pray for continued operational successes and continue to espouse the values and virtues of love, peace, and sacrifice in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

    The COAS said he had ensured the implementation of quality training and equipping towards combating the myriads of security threats confronting the nation.

    He said the Nigerian army under his leadership had continued to record tremendous successes in various operations at home and abroad, especially in the ongoing Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and other internal security operations nationwide.

    “As we continue to push towards the final onslaught on the adversaries troubling our nation, I assure you that the welfare of officers and soldiers, including training and provision of the needed equipment, will always be prioritised to enable us to discharge our constitutional responsibilities effectively.

    “Let me use this opportunity to acknowledge and thank you, my officers and soldiers, for your doggedness in tackling the numerous security challenges bedeviling us as a nation.

    “You have displayed much commitment, courage, resilience, and professionalism. For this, I say well done and charge you not to rest on your oars until we have eliminated all forms of threat to our country.

    “While still grieving the recent unwarranted and gruesome murder of our colleagues in Okuama Community of Delta, which occurred on March 14, I urge you all to remain steadfast, diligent, and committed to the discharge of our constitutional responsibilities.

    “I encourage you to continue to pray for the repose of the souls of our departed colleagues who paid the supreme price for the noble cause of keeping our beloved country safe.

    “I will continue to prioritise the welfare of our officers, soldiers, and families, including those of our departed colleagues,” he said.

    Lagbaja also charged personnel to use the Easter celebration to offer prayers against all forms of negative forces militating against the peace and progress of the nation.

    He also expressed hope that the spiritual exercise of the Lenten Season and the lessons learnt would imbue them with greater zeal and dedication to their constitutional duties.

    The Army chief commended President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian army and the confidence reposed in him to lead the nation’s army at this period in its history.

    “I wish to reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty in the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our fatherland,” he added.

  • Delta 17: We must fish out 8 wanted persons – Army

    Delta 17: We must fish out 8 wanted persons – Army

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday declared eight persons wanted in connection with the gruesome murder of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on March 14 in Okuama community, Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the wanted persons include seven men and one woman.

    They were identified as Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem); Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur; Andaowei Denis Bakriri; Igoli Ebi; Akata Malawa David; Sinclair Okili; Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe and Reuben Baru.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces across the country.

    Buba said the military would not allow the incident that led to the killing of 17 soldiers that were buried on Wednesday, to ever happen again.

    He urged members of the public to cooperate with the military and other security agencies with useful information to help apprehend the suspects.

    According to him, the armed forces is a force for stability that employs both kinetic and non kinetic measures to achieve the desired end state.

    “Prior to the ugly incident, the military had constructed several civic projects in Delta State as a sign of good will.

    “For instance, the construction of Multipurpose Hall and Borehole Projects in Patani Local Government Area and Medical Outreach at Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area all in Delta, among several others.

    “Nevertheless, troops would continue with their efforts until the culprits are found, arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.

    “Citizens are our first line of intelligence and must rise to the occasion,” he said.

    The 17 personnel of 181 Amphibious Battalion comprising a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldier were murdered by community youths while on peace mission to Okuama community.

    The slain soldiers were buried on Wednesday at the National Cemetery Abuja amidst tears and agony.

    President Bola Tinubu led other top government functionaries and governors as well as service chiefs to pay last respect to the fallen heroes.

  • Pa Edwin Clark fumes, raises alarm as military men raid his house

    Pa Edwin Clark fumes, raises alarm as military men raid his house

    Elder statesman and National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has condemned a military raid on his country home in Kiagbodo Local Government Area of Delta State over the recent killing of soldiers in the state, declaring he should be allowed to die peacefully but if anything unusual happens to him the fire would rage for a long time.

    In a statement Clark recounted how he was inundated with calls on the raid of his country home by military men in search of a suspect linked to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama.

    The Ijaw leader said someone, who was later identified as the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army’s Division in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, apologised on behalf of the army for the raid.

    According to him, the military men reportedly arrived in five trucks loaded with about 30 to 40 armed soldiers, while flying drones were deployed within the premises.

    Clark said: “Some of them went to the buildings behind the main house and broke all the doors that were locked. They matched out my staff living in those buildings, including lecturers at the university, and made them to `sit on bare ground.

    “They also broke into my late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark’s house. He served this country internationally in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as both of us share the same premises. They brought out his son almost naked, as the young man was taking a bath when they stormed the house.

    “All their phones were seized. The people had to identify themselves, and they told them (soldiers) whose house it was before they asked for my telephone number, which they said they would pass to their ‘oga’ before they all departed.

    “One would have expected that at this juncture, a call could have been put to the Governor of Delta State to inform him of what happened.”

    The elder statesman said the incident was “beyond coincidence” but a source of concern.

    He recounted a similar raid on his Abuja home on September 4, 2018, describing the authorisation of such raids as “disrespectful and unlawful”, having served the country nearly 70 years in different capacities.

    “I want to end this write-up by addressing all concerned with what I told President Muhammadu Buhari when my security details were withdrawn. If I die today as a result of a natural occurrence, it will be a joyful celebration. But if my death is linked to any dubious means by some overzealous state actors, no one can tell how far the fire will rage. This is not a threat. It is an acknowledgement of God’s mercies on me,” Clark added.

  • INSECURITY! CDS confesses, says we’re too stretched, forests too vast, informants are deceitful

    INSECURITY! CDS confesses, says we’re too stretched, forests too vast, informants are deceitful

    Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Chris Musa, has said the military was being fed bad intelligence by informants, hampering the fight against armed kidnapping gangs who continue to abduct students and residents in the north of the country.

    The military announced on Sunday that it had rescued 137 students abducted by gunmen earlier this month in northwestern Kaduna state. The school children arrived in Kaduna on Monday.

    Musa told Reuters that the military was too stretched and often relied on informants to pursue the armed gangs, known locally as bandits, often with little success.

    “They (informants) make the troops go elsewhere and when they get there, they meet nothing and allow the bandits to commit acts of criminality,” said Musa.

    Musa said there had been no confrontation with gunmen during the rescue of the Kaduna students. But he would not say how the students were freed or if any of the gunmen were taken into custody.

    There have been at least 68 mass abductions in the first quarter of 2024 mostly in northern Nigeria, according to risk consultancy SBM Intelligence.

    Musa said once bandits retreat to Nigeria’s vast forests, it becomes difficult to pursue them. That is because gunmen quickly trek through the forest, often for days with their victims.

  • Okuoma: Killing of 17 soldiers highly abominable – Comedian, Ali Baba

    Okuoma: Killing of 17 soldiers highly abominable – Comedian, Ali Baba

    Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly called Ali Baba, has condemned the recent killing of 17 officers of the Nigerian Army in Delta, describing it as highly abominable.

    Akpobome, who condemned the act  in an interview with NAN in Lagos, said that the gruesome murder of the soldiers smacked of eroding societal values.

    He spoke on the sidelines of the presentation of “Anything and Everything Journalism” and “My Story of Many Colours”, books written by the publisher of Yes International Magazine, Mr Azuh Arinze, in Lagos on Monday.

    According to him, the murder of soldiers showed that the nation is suffering from poor moral education in the country.

    “Killing another human being is bad, the killing of anybody that works for an institution, especially an institution like the army that protects the people, is worse

    “Overseas, when you are traveling, they (airport authorities) board the military personnel first as well as retired officers.

    “What it means is that we need to begin to know our values totally in the country. This is unfortunate.

    “You do not respect the military that protects you, you went ahead to then kill them, whatever the reason you have, it is a huge crime.

    “You don’t kill a soldier man, you don’t even push him, slap him or resist an arrest. It is crime,” the comedian,who is also from Delta, said.

    According to him, whoever that is hurt by the misdemeanors by any public officers including soldiers is expected to take evidence and approach relevant authorities for redress.

    Akpobome, however, called on the Public Complaints Commission, the National Orientation Agency and other institutions established to douse tensions should be up and doing and restored public confidence.

    Advocating a new constitution for the country, the comedian said that the constitution that made the states and regions weak, could not take Nigeria to achieve the dream of its founding fathers.

    He said that the current constitution had made the centreto be so powerful ,affecting the progress of the  federating units.

    “It is hard for states to survive. We need more power for the states to make progress.

    “A lot of these states have even more than what we see them generating. We need a constitution that will devolve more powers to the states,” he said.

    On the clamour for state police, Akpobome said that the step had become very necessary in the light of the  present security challenges faced by the nation. .

    He said that policing should be from the grassroots to  effectively  address  insecurity.

    Recall that on March 14, at least 17 senior military officers and soldiers of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, deployed to quell   clashes between Okuoma and Okoloba communities  in Delta, were ambushed and killed in Okuama  Ughelli South Local Government Area of  the state.

  • BREAKING: Gov Oborevwori sends strong warning to traditional rulers over soldiers killed in Delta

    BREAKING: Gov Oborevwori sends strong warning to traditional rulers over soldiers killed in Delta

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Thursday, cautioned traditional rulers in the State against shielding suspects involved in the killing of four military officers and thirteen soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.

    Governor Oborevwori gave the warning when he addressed traditional rulers, on the unfortunate incident at the State Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba.

    The Governor who said that the act was alien to the state, described it as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable and vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He said no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that Delta was governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.

    Oborevwori said; “On the 7th of February, we summoned the people of Okoloba and Okuama communities in Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Areas including the members representing the two constituencies in the State House of Assembly, the Council Chairmen and their Presidents-General where we advised them that a lot has been happening in their area and they signed a peace accord.

    “The killing of these Army Officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja. I came back and issued a press statement.

    “On Monday, I went to Bomadi to meet with all the security chiefs, where we had our security council meeting and I got briefings from the Brigade Commander. In attendance was the G.O.C 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam and the JTF Commander, Real Admiral John Okeke.

    “After the meeting, I went to Abuja to meet with Mr. President to brief him on what happened. I also went to see the Chief of Army Staff to discuss with him. I also meet with the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police.

    “I felt that it is also proper that I brief you people even though you may be aware. Those people who committed that evil act must face the wrath of the law. No kingdom should shield those criminals because Delta state is governed by the tenets of the law and human decency.

    “We cannot tolerate that. It has never happened in this state; to kill one Lt. Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 Soldiers. We need to fish out those involved.

    “Do not hide or shield anybody. The Chief of Army Staff and Mr. President have assured me that innocent people will not be victimised; unless you conive with the killers of the soldiers.

    “I have briefed you and make sure that you fish them out from your kingdoms. If any traditional ruler shields a criminal, that traditional ruler is inviting trouble.

    “We did not bargain for this evil act but for peace, I don’t want crisis. I have also received information that two other villages are boiling to fight, they should not fight, we want peace in all our communities.

    “What are they fighting for? I have promised you people that I am going to do more for Deltans, so what are they fighting for? All of us are Deltans and we want development.

    “For the first time almost two decades, we had peace in Warri in December and people celebrated in peace. Now we have communal crisis, why?

    “I condemn it and it’s unacceptable. So please my dear royal fathers let us be on the same page to fish out these people. Don’t allow anybody who committed this evil act to come to your kingdoms and bring problem to your community.

    “Tell us and we will hand them over to security agencies. You should not play politics with this. Don’t say that the Army have taken over your village because they cannot just come to your village without getting information. But I assure you people that no innocent person will be victimised.

    “Tell your people not to encourage crisis because if you do, you cannot come out of it. Some people don’t have knowledge of what is happening and they start talking. What I did was to go and brief the Commander in Chief and later granted the State House Correspondents interview.”

    Responding, Chairman Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, (retd), said that they were on same page with the Governor to ensure peace and security in the state.

    While saying that the security of various kingdoms would dovetail to the security of the state and the nation, he called for a judicial panel of enquiry to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the crisis.

    In a related development, Governor Oborevwori also briefed the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council where he urged them to talk to the people on the need to maintain peace across state.

    He said government would not allow trouble makers to dissuade investors from coming to invest in the state, adding that sustainable peace was needed to attract investors to the state.

    Chairman of the Council, Professor Sam Oyovbaire commended the Governor for his efforts at ensuring peace and security across the state, stressing that Council members support the peace building moves of the Governor.

    He, therefore, appealed to communities across the state to give peace a chance for the overall growth and development of the state.