TheNewsGuru

Tag: COAS

  • Buratai’s convoy intercepts highway robbers [Photos]

    Buratai’s convoy intercepts highway robbers [Photos]

    The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, during an operational visit to troops in various States of the federation, intercepted a group of highway robbers.

    According to a source who spoke with TheNewsGuru, the Army chief convoy intercepted the robbers at the Numan-Yola high way, robbing motorists and passengers of their belongings.

    TheNewsGuru gathers the incident occurred on Saturday between 11:30pm and 12:00am, and the armed robbers, four of them, were arrested. See photos:

    According to the source, the robbers blocked the Numan-Yola high way robbing motorists and passengers of their belongings with a Dane guns, machetes and different kinds of charms.

    The COAS’ convoy that ran into the bandits, recovered the items from them.

    TheNewsGuru reports the suspects had since been handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

    Meanwhile, the COAS has said the Army would do everything possible to ensure that security returns to every part the country.

    To actualise this, Buratai had directed soldiers in Taraba State to work round the clock to fish out elements killing innocent persons.

     

  • JUST IN: Lt.-Gen. Buratai losses father, Yusuf Buratai

    Alhaji Yusuf Buratai, the father of Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is dead.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, confirmed the death in a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka stated that Yusuf Buratai, an ex-serviceman, died on Friday morning.

    He added that “this is to inform you of the passing away of the father of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Alhaji Yusuf Buratai, this morning (Friday) in Maiduguri”.

    Buratai, a veteran of World War II, joined the West African Army in 1942.

     

  • Boko Haram: Buhari directs COAS to relocate to North East

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday directed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to relocate to the troubled North East in order to find a long-lasting solution to the recurring Boko Haram crisis that has led to the loss lives and properties.

    The president warned that his government would no longer tolerate wanton killings and kidnapping by hoodlums.

    He also vowed that those involved in the murder of innocent persons would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    He explained that the rise in the level of violent crimes across Nigeria was having a negative impact on national development.

    The President, who spoke in Port Harcourt while declaring open the 9th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said he was saddened by the killings in Nigeria.

    The theme of the event is, ‘Community policing as a catalyst to crime prevention: The role of traditional rulers.’

    Represented by the Minister of Interior, Abduraham Dambazau, the President said, “I am very worried and saddened about the persistent killings and kidnappings happening in our country, especially the wastage of innocent lives in different parts of the country by whatever means it is done, particularly in Benue State.

    “I have therefore directed that no effort should be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those that are carrying out the acts.

    “I have therefore directed the Chief of Army Staff to relocate to the North East to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram are stopped.”

  • COAS tasks new commanders on battle against Boko Haram, militancy, others

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said on Wednesday the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is targeting victory over the Boko Haram insurgents and the Niger Delta militants.

    He said victory over the terrorists and militants has become imperative for the armed forces in order to ensure that the labour of Nigeria’s past heroes are not in vain.

    Abubakar further tasked the newly posted field commanders to ensure that they keep the country peaceful and secured in the face of the current security challenges in the country.

    The NAF chief made the remarks at the CAS Awards Ceremony and Workshop for newly posted Field Commanders at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    He said: “We are living in extraordinary times with myriads of problems threatening to shake the foundation laid by the founding fathers of this great nation and by extension, threatening to erode the labour of our heroes past.”

    “As Chief of the Air Staff, I have had the privilege of commanding men and women who showed courage in the face of terror, exhibited strength where others saw fear and applied ingenuity where others perceived impossibility.

    “Most importantly, I have enjoyed the honour and rare privilege of serving under the selfless, visionary and resilient leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This combination of factors imbued us with the courage needed to win at all fronts as a force; be it against Boko Haram terrorism in the North East or militancy in the South -south or the myriads of other security challenges nationwide.”

  • Air Force raids degraded Boko Haram insurgents – COAS

    Air Force raids degraded Boko Haram insurgents – COAS

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Friday said the service had carried out air raids causing heavy damage to the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    Sadiq told newsmen in Maiduguri that several air raids were conducted under the Operation Ruwan Wuta II, designed as a final onslaught on the insurgents.

    “The whole idea is to further degrade the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents and to make sure that we get them where they are hiding.

    “And in the last few days it has been very successful, we have been able to substantially effect the necessary damage and frustrate any effort for them to re-group in certain areas of Sambisa Forest”.

    Sadiq disclosed that the Federal Government had procured aircrafts and helicopters to enhance air operations in the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents as well as protect lives and property.

    He said that the newly acquired jets and helicopters would soon be deployed to the front line to enhance the counter-insurgency operation in the region.

    The Chief of Air Staff added that the service had constructed residential accommodation and upgraded the apron at 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri to accommodate the increasing number of war planes.

    Sadiq explained that the projects were designed to provide enabling environment and decent accommodation to improve the wellbeing of the servicemen.

    “The Federal Government has approved more aircraft for us and we are thinking ahead to see that we have the accommodation for those coming with these helicopters and aircrafts the government has procured for us.

    “With more aircrafts you have to expand the parking space; we have reactivated a quite a number and more are coming, what we thought was to quickly expand the apron so that we have enough space for the aircrafts that are coming to be able to park.

    “For us in the Air Force; we are always working, training, expanding infrastructure, building capacity for both the pilots, technicians and engineers”.

    While lauding the government’s gesture, Sadiq also commended the servicemen for their dedication and gallantry in the counter-insurgency operation.

     

    NAN

     

  • Court grants ex-COAS, Dikko permission to travel abroad over ailing health

    Court grants ex-COAS, Dikko permission to travel abroad over ailing health

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday granted the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Umar Dikko, permission to travel abroad for a medical check-up.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Dikko, who was head of the Nigeria Air Force from September 9, 2010 to October 4, 2012, is facing a seven-count charge of money laundering before the court.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that he used looted funds to purchase six choice properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, the defendant, through his counsel, Ibrahim Bawa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, begged the court to allow the defendant to travel abroad for medical checkup.

    Bawa also urged the court to order the release of the defendant’s international passport which was deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court as part of his bail conditions.

    Counsel to the EFCC, Fatima Addo, said she would not object to the application since it was based on health ground.

    In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, said he was disposed to granting the motion since it was not opposed by the prosecution.

    Before adjourning the trial till Oct. 19, Dimgba directed Dikko to surrender his international passport with the Deputy Registrar of the court on his return to the country.

     

     

    NAN