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Tag: buratai

  • Coup scare: Army clamps down on suspected soldiers

    Coup scare: Army clamps down on suspected soldiers

    The Nigerian Army may have begun an internal search for soldiers and officers suspected to be engaging in political meetings.

    According to Punch some arrests may have been made, but that information was being kept as top secret so as not to add to public tension.

    Some other sources who reportedly spoke with Sunday Punch noted that the establishment of an army unit in Daura, Katsina State, on Friday, named Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operation Base, by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, was an effort to fortify the president’s hometown and a public pledge of loyalty.

    On Tuesday, Buratai, in a tense language, had warned officers and soldiers to steer clear of politics, as information had reached him that some officers were involved in political meetings for “undisclosed reasons.”

    The army chief had advised officers and soldiers interested in politicking to resign from the service, as any officer caught would be severely penalised.

    Three days after the alert (Friday), Buratai went to Daura, where he inaugurated the army unit, and paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar.

    The details of the meeting have yet to be known.

    The army chief, at the ceremony, had said the establishment of the unit was to enhance security in parts of 1 Division, which Daura town fell under.

    Also, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, said, “The establishment of the new unit was part of the implementation of the Nigerian Army approved Order of Battle 2016 (ORBAT 2016) by the Army council.

    “Prior to that, the COAS was also at the Palace of his Royal Highness, Alhaji Faruk Umar, the Emir of Daura, for a courtesy call.”

    The top army source said the army knew quite well the weight of its statement on politicking soldiers in the country, and had already followed up with high intelligence-driven search, adding that the public groups and civil societies could not be more rigorous than the army.

     

  • We won’t relent until peace, stability reign in Nigeria – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, ‎has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to secure the country, pledging the commitment of officers and men in the discharge of their duties.‎

    ‎Buratai stated this on Saturday in Kano when he paid a courtesy visit on the governor of the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje. ‎

    ‎”Insurgents and other criminals have been seriously degraded and the army would not relent until it ensures peace and stability in all parts of the country,” he assured.

    Buratai said that he was in Kano to round off a special military exercise “Operation Scorpion Sting (Harbin Kunama II) in Falgore forest of Doguwa Local Government area of Kano state.‎

    He said that the operation was launched in Southern Kaduna to address the problem of clashes between farmers and herdsmen, as well as ethno-religious crises in the area.‎

    ‎The Army Chief said that the first phase of the operation was conducted in parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, Bauchi and Niger Delta.

    ‎ He then commended the state governor for providing accommodation and 16 new Toyota Hilux vehicles for the army in Kano.‎

    Earlier, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, had attributed the positive changes witnessed in the military, to the support and leadership of the President‎ Buhari.

    ‎The governor also commended the resilience and sacrifice of soldiers in the field.‎

    ‎”I urge you to keep it up and sustain the tempo as you carry on with the efforts to rid our country of criminal elements.

    “I must also commend your efforts in ensuring the fulfillment of this administration’s pledge to secure lives and property; because of your contributions, the situation has greatly improved.” he said.‎

     

     

    NAN

  • Stop allocating soldiers to politicians, Wike tells Buratai

    Stop allocating soldiers to politicians, Wike tells Buratai

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has urged the Nigerian Army to desist from allocating soldiers to politicians.

    Wike said this while reacting to a comment credited to the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, that some people were approaching soldiers for political reasons.

    He spoke during the flag off of the construction of the Old Aba Road by Mbano Junction in Oyigbo Local Government Area on Wednesday.

    The governor said the attachment of soldiers to politicians was a threat to national security.

    He urged Buratai to take action against the alleged hobnobbing of politicians with soldiers.

    Wike said all over the world, only the Commander-in-Chief had soldiers guarding him.

    He said, “Who are those approving battalions of soldiers to politicians? If they don’t want soldiers to follow politicians, they should stop giving soldiers to politicians.

    “It is only in Nigeria that soldiers follow politicians. They should stop soldiers from being security details to politicians. Somebody comes home and they will give him battalions of soldiers and they say soldiers should not hobnob with politicians.

    “All over the world, it is only the commander-in-chief that is allowed to use soldiers. But here, you see soldiers following politicians everywhere.”

  • Stay clear of politics, Buratai warns officers associating with politicians

    The Chief Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has warned officers and soldiers of the army to steer clear of politics or have themselves to blame.

    Buratai rather advised personnel, who were interested in politics, “to resign their commission or apply for voluntary discharge forthwith.”

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the army spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday that the warning followed information received by Buratai that “some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons.”

    “On the basis of that, the army chief, has warned such persons to desist from these acts.

    “He also reminded them that Nigerian army is a thorough professional, disciplined, loyal and apolitical institution that has clear constitutional roles and responsibilities.

    “Any officer or soldier of Nigerian Army found to be hobnobbing with such elements or engaged in unprofessional conducts such as politicking would have himself or herself to blame.”

    Usman further quoted Buratai as restating that the Nigerian army would remain apolitical and respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Massive shake-up in army, top officers affected

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has effected a major shake-up in the Nigerian Army High Command, with the appointment of Major-General Lucky Irabor as the new Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force.

    General Irabor, who was Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole that led troops along with General Officers Commanding of 7 Divisions, 8 Task Force Division to defeat Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest, is being replaced with Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru as Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    General Attahiru, who was General Officer, Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, was until his appointment, Director of Administration, Defence Headquarters.

    A new General Officer Commanding 8 Task Force Division, Borno, has also been appointed. He is Brigadier-General S. O. Olabanji. Olabanji was Commandant of Amphibious Training School, Calabar Major-General Ahmed Muhammed Dikko is the new General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

    Dikko who is being redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser is taking over from Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade, who is appointed Chief of Logistics at Army Headquarters. Major General P. J. Dauke formerly GOC 3 Division, Jos is now the GOC 81 Division, Lagos.

    He is taking over from Major-General E. B. Oyefolu, who is redeployed as Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre, NATRAC, Kotangora. A new Acting GOC is appointed for 3 Division, Jos. He is Brigadier-General B. I. Ahanotu.

    The redeployments affected 147 officers In a posting released by the Office of Military Secretary (Army), Major General R. O. Yusuf, formerly Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, is now the Commander Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC, Minna. Major-General Nani formerly GOC 5 Task Force division, is now Director, Research and Development at Training and Doctrine Command, Minna.

    Major General L. O. Adeosun, formerly Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force, is now Director, Administration, Defence headquarters. Brigadier-General Victor Ezugwu, formerly GOC 7 division, Borno is the new Commandant, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria The erstwhile Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Brigadier-General I. M. Yusuf, will be taking over as the Acting GOC 7 Division. He takes over from Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

    Brigadier General MG Ali has been moved to Nigerian Army Special Forces School Buni Yadi, as Commandant from NATRAC, while Brigadier General I. M. Obot is Brigade Commander 26 Task Force Brigade. Brigadier General J. I. Unuigbe formerly of Army headquarters Logistics branch is the Acting Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps; Brigadier General A. O. Quadri will move from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff to 25 Task Force Brigade as Commander.

    Brigadier-General T. O. Olowomeye is the new Brigade Commander, 33 Brigade, Brigadier General. Also those affected in the new posting include some Commanders and Staff Officers at the Defence, Army Headquarters and Brigades. Brigadier-General of Azinta is Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Zaria; Brigadier-General A.M. Adetayo is the new Brigade Commander, 31 Brigade; Brigadier-General J. A. Ataguba is the new Brigade Commander, 32 brigade.

    Brigadier-General I Isa is the new Brigade Commander, 13 Brigade, Calabar; Brigadier-General C Ofoche, formerly Brigade Commander 32 brigade is now Director Coordination, Army War College, Abuja. Brigadier-General B. R. Sinjen is new Brigade Commander, 37 brigade; Brigadier-General B. A.

    Mohammed is new Brigade Commander, 23 brigade, Brigadier General AK Ibrahim, Brigade Commander 14 brigade. Brigadier-General K. A. Isoni is new Brigade Commander, 28Task Force Brigade; Colonel A. G. Fagge is the new Brigade Commander 31 brigade; Col A. Y. Yakubu is Brigade Commander 38 Task Force brigade.

  • Buratai urges troops to remain loyal, vigilant

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to remain loyal, alert, vigilant and professional.

    Buratai, who made the charge in his Easter message, solicited for prayers from all Nigerians to the success of soldiers engaged in the fight against insurgency and other theatres at home and abroad.

    “Let’s join hands to pray that the Commander-In-Chief and all our leaders to succeed in their efforts to deliver to the people a safe and prosperous country we all can be proud of.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to felicitate with all as we celebrate the Easter Season this year.

    “I indeed felicitate with all troops under command for successfully witnessing this sacred period of Easter.

    “This alongside the preceding Lenten period reminds us of personal sacrifices for the common good, care for the less privileged, protection of the vulnerable and love for fellow citizens.

    “These are virtues that our profession as soldiers extol.

    “It is thus an opportunity to renew our faith, re-dedicate our commitment to service and unite in our collective resolve to defend our country,” Buratai said.

  • No local government under Boko Haram’s control in North East – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that there has been tremendous progress in the war against insurgency since he assumed office in July 2015.

    Buratai maintained that at the moment, the military has captured all the hitherto strong Boko Haram holds in the North East.

    Buratai revealed this in an interview with The Nation.

    In his words: “My greatest fulfilment is with the progress that has been made in the war against Boko Haram since I resumed as the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

    “We came at a time when truly the challenge of the insurgency was very high. It was at its peak. There is no gainsaying that some progress had been made before we came in. But the progress that was made before we came in was being overtaken by the virtual resurgence of Boko Haram terrorist group.

    “At the time we came, there were only four local governments that were not under the Boko Haram terrorist group’s control out of about 27 local governments in Borno. Same in Yobe state; two local governments were still under Boko Haram’s influence. That was the situation we met when we came in July 2015.

    “As at today, those two local governments in Yobe state have been reclaimed from Boko Haram. And in Borno, all the 23 LGAs that were under the influence and control of Boko Haram have been liberated and they’ve been effectively put under the control of the elected government. The areas that are remaining are just the peripheral, that lies along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. And Chad and Niger borders as well. No single local government is under the control of Boko Haram. To me, this is a major achievement and source of fulfilment,” Buratai said.

    The Army also relieved how Boko Haram insurgents attacked his convoy while he was leading troops to clear the ambush in Mafa village.

    “I was with them and my convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram. Instead of withdrawing back to Maiduguri, I said, ‘No! We are in this together, I can’t go back. We must all go together to clear the ambush,” Buratai said.

    “So I advanced with them and that was how we cleared the ambush. If the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) does not turn back, who would turn and run from such an ambush? I advanced with the troops and it paid off.

    “Unfortunately, we lost two soldiers; one of them was an officer. One other soldier, a Brigadier-General, got wounded in the attack,” he added.

    He added that the troops killed 10 terrorists and captured five.

  • How Boko Haram insurgents attacked Buratai’s convoy

    How Boko Haram insurgents attacked Buratai’s convoy

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur has revealed that his convoy was once attacked by terrorist group, Boko Haram in the North East, Borno State.

    Buratai revealed this in a recent interview with The Nation

    According to Buratai, he led the troops to clear the ambush in Mafa village instead of returning to Maiduguri.

    “I was with them and my convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram. Instead of withdrawing back to Maiduguri, I said, ‘No! We are in this together, I can’t go back. We must all go together to clear the ambush,” Buratai said.

    [Read Also: Those calling for Nigeria’s disintegration should forget it – Buratai]

    “So I advanced with them and that was how we cleared the ambush. If the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) does not turn back, who would turn and run from such an ambush? I advanced with the troops and it paid off.

    “Unfortunately, we lost two soldiers; one of them was an officer. One other soldier, a Brigadier-General, got wounded in the attack,” he added.

    He added that the troops killed 10 terrorists and captured five.

    Buratai also said the terrorist group has been greatly degraded since he took over as army chief.

    He added that the insurgents are not in control of any local government as it was in the past.

    “My greatest fulfilment is with the progress that has been made in the war against Boko Haram since I resumed as the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

    “We came at a time when truly the challenge of the insurgency was very high. It was at its peak. There is no gainsaying that some progress had been made before we came in. But the progress that was made before we came in was being overtaken by the virtual resurgence of Boko Haram terrorist group.

    “At the time we came, there were only four local governments that were not under the Boko Haram terrorist group’s control out of about 27 local governments in Borno. Same in Yobe state; two local governments were still under Boko Haram’s influence. That was the situation we met when we came in July 2015.

    “As at today, those two local governments in Yobe state have been reclaimed from Boko Haram. And in Borno, all the 23 LGAs that were under the influence and control of Boko Haram have been liberated and they’ve been effectively put under the control of the elected government. The areas that are remaining are just the peripheral, that lies along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. And Chad and Niger borders as well. No single local government is under the control of Boko Haram. To me, this is a major achievement and source of fulfilment,” Buratai said.

  • Niger Delta now witnesses less oil theft, illegal bunkering – Buratai

    Niger Delta now witnesses less oil theft, illegal bunkering – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai says contrary to notion in some quarters, illegal bunkering, refinery and oil theft in the Niger Delta had reduced.

    Fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, on Tueswday, Buratai said with the establishment of new army formations in the region, illegal activities were being checkmated.

    The army chief was on tour of army formations in Aka Ibom, including the newly established 2 Brigade in Uyo.

    “Strictly speaking, there is no rise (in illegal bunkering and oil theft) because of the efforts of all the stakeholders, the military and other security agencies, working hard to make sure that the sabotage is checked.

    “That is why you see so many arrests, so many moves to stop the illegal bunkering. It is a new drive, new effort put by all the security agencies.

    “You know that we have a new 6 Division (of the Nigerian Army) that has been established.

    ‘’By that establishment, we have more areas which hitherto have not been touched.

    ‘’We have an experienced General Officer Commanding–GOC of the division, who has gone virtually to those areas that hitherto have been isolated,’’ he said.

    According to Buratai, there is heightened activity to stop oil theft and other illegal activities in the region.

    At the headquarters of the 2 brigade and 6 Battalion at Wellington Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area of the state, he called on officers and men to be loyal, patriotic and diligent in their duties.

    He said there be a lot of activities and intervention in the state, with the establishment of the brigade.

    Buratai, who has visited army formations in Cross River and inaugurated some projects is also to visit formations in Bayelsa on Tuesday, including the newly established 16 Brigade in Yenogoa.

    Earlier when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel, he said the 2 Brigade was relocated from Port Harcourt to Akwa Ibom for strategic reason.

    “The decision to relocate 2 Brigade from Port Harcourt to Uyo is a strategic reason. The strategic location of Akwa Ibom to the overall security architecture of the country is quite fundamental’’..

    He commended the governor for his support to enable the brigade take-off properly.

    Responding to another question, Buratai described the ambush attacked against troops in the North-East as isolated incident that was expected in a war situation.

    “We have been in war, so you cannot avoid such incidents. Mind you, these guys – terrorists are on the run but we will continue to pursue them.

    “They have been boxed sort of because most of their supplies have been blocked.

    ‘’So, they are trying as much as possible to find weak links to be able to get some supplies in terms of ammunition and weapons and then food stuff.

    “The situation is not out of control, we may continue to have these isolated attacks but by and large, we are pursuing them and the final phase of this operation is not far.’’

  • 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