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Tag: DHQ

  • Surrender or be killed, no third option – DHQ tells terrorists

    Surrender or be killed, no third option – DHQ tells terrorists

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has advised terrorists, bandits and kidnappers to surrender or be killed, warning that there is no third option.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces.

    Buba said that several terrorists and their leaders were killed or badly injured owing to offensive actions by land and air forces in various theatres of operation across the country.

    He said the troops had in the month of January, neutralised 266 terrorists, arrested 463, and rescued 116 kidnapped hostages.

    The defence spokesman added that a total of 447 assorted weapons and 6,697 ammunitions, comprising 237 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 18 pump action guns, 55 Dane guns, and 6,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, were recovered.

    Other items recovered, according to him, are 421 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm and 506 live cartridges.

    In the South-South, Buba said the troops, recovered 1,832,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 523,799 litres of illegally refined AGO, 16,716 litres of DPK and 5,200 litres of PMS among others.

    According to him, the troops have denied the oil thieves of an estimated N2.8 billion.

    “I urge all segments of society to take example from our gallant troops in the frontlines fighting to achieve the goal of liquidating terrorists and insurgents across the country in order to restore peace and security.

    “These men and women are from all the nooks and cranny of our country and act shoulder to shoulder as a united force to achieve a common cause of destroying camps of violence in the country,’’ he said.

  • How troops foiled attack on Yobe gov’s convoy in Borno – DHQ

    How troops foiled attack on Yobe gov’s convoy in Borno – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said troops of 29 Task Force Brigade foiled the attack by terrorists on the convoy of Yobe Governor along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on Saturday.

    A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Monday in Abuja, said the troops also recovered the two vehicles affected in the incident.

    He said one military truck driver, four police escorts and one DSS operative wounded in the attack were in stable condition.

    According to him, one of the injured police escorts died shortly on arrival at the Specialists Hospital Damaturu.

    “Reinforcement of troops from 29 Task Force Brigade led by the Brigade Commander are conducting fighting patrol in the area to locate the terrorists who carried out the dastardly act.

    “The two vehicles affected in the incident include one military MRAP and one civilian escort vehicle whose tyres were shot at during the incident, have been safely recovered to the military camp at Benisheikh.

    “Operations are ongoing to hunt and destroy the terrorists that perpetrated the attack,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor’s convoy was ambushed by terrorists while returning to Damaturu from Maiduguri, about 6 kilometers from Benesheikh town on Saturday.

    The governor was not in the convoy when it was ambushed.

    The Secretary to the State Government and some other top government officials who were in the convoy were unhurt

  • Your days are numbered, DHQ warns terrorists, bandits

    Your days are numbered, DHQ warns terrorists, bandits

    The Defence Headquarters, has warned terrorists and bandits that their days are numbered as the military thwarted the criminals in several operations within the last one week.

    “The military will continue to deny the terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists the ability to achieve their selfish objectives.

    “The war is on and their days are numbered, unless they surrender,” Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said during the operations, 67 terrorists were eliminated, 190 apprehended, while 47 kidnapped hostages were rescued.

    The operations were conducted in the North West, North East and North Central zones and had substantially inflicted casualties on terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists.

    Buba said 112 assorted weapons and 989 assorted ammunition were recovered by troops across areas of the operations.

    The ammunition, he said, comprised one GT3, 42 AK47 and 11 locally fabricated rifles.

    The defence spokesman added that seven pump action guns, one locally made double barrel, pistols, three dane guns and two locally made pistols were also recovered.

    According to him, the ammunition recovered included 342 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special, 190 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO, 34 rounds of 9mm, 74 live cartridges, 166 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, empty shells and 27 magazines.

    Buba added that 23 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones, five boafeng radios, four bicycles, cutlasses, axes, digital camera and the sum of N3.2 million were recovered.

    Giving breakdown of the operation in the North East, Buba said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 42 terrorists, apprehended 15 and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages within the week.

    He said that the troops recovered 41 AK4 and two locally fabricated rifles, 241 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 22 magazines, seven motorcycles, three mobile phones, one camel bag, one bicycle and the sum of N2,200.

    He added that in the North Central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised seven terrorists, apprehended 23 and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.

    The defence spokesman said several caliber of arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles, among other items, were recovered.

    In the North West, Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised five terrorists, arrested four and rescued five kidnapped hostages.

    He also said troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised two terrorists, arrested seven suspects and rescued two kidnapped hostages.

  • Troops eliminate 31 terrorists, apprehend 81 in 1 week – DHQ

    Troops eliminate 31 terrorists, apprehend 81 in 1 week – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of the armed forces have in the last one week neutralised 31 terrorists and apprehended 81 others in various operations across North East, North Central and North West.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Buba said the troops also rescued 10 kidnapped hostages, while a total of 63 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across theaters of operation.

    In the North East, he said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrols to Bama and Chibok local government areas of Borno, as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.

    Buba said the troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated rifles, three dane guns, 181 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, four magazines, and three motorcycles, among other items.

    He added that the troops neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued five kidnapped persons.

    In the North Central, he said the troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested five suspects, recovered arms and ammunition, as well as 145 rustled cows during the week.

    He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke had On Oct. 1, arrested two IPOB/ESN criminals in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue while on patrol.

    He stated that the criminals were arrested at the residence of a top herbalist, while the herbalist fled.

    He added that “troops recovered one body armour and bulletproof vests.

    “Overall, troops arrested three suspects and recovered two locally fabricated rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five cutlasses, one body armour, one bulletproof vest and a jack-knife.”

    In North West,  Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised six terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued 33 kidnapped persons.

    He said the troops also recovered four AK47 rifles, two dane guns, 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, three motorcycles, five mobile phones, one cutlass and five solar panels.

    Troops of Operation Whirl Punch also eliminated one terrorist and recovered three AK47 rifles, one AK47 magazine loaded with five rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 10 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm warheads, one cutlass, amongst other items.

    He stated that the armed forces and citizens are partners in combating common enemies, which are terrorists and violent extremist groups.

    “Accordingly, the military, through its operations, continues to prevail against the effects of insurgency and terrorism with an ultimate goal of securing the country against perpetrators of insecurity for national progress,” he said.

  • BREAKING: DHQ reveals real figures of officers, soldiers killed in Niger ambush

    BREAKING: DHQ reveals real figures of officers, soldiers killed in Niger ambush

    The Defence Headquarters has provided detail on the soldiers killed in an ambush and the crash of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI17 helicopter on Monday in Niger State.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, while briefing newsmen on Thursday, said that a total of 36 officers and soldiers were involved in the two incidents.

    Buba said that three officers and 22 soldiers paid the supreme price in the ambush in Zungeru general area while seven were wounded in action.

    He explained that the NAF helicopter was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops when it crashed at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the crashed helicopter was conveying 14 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and the seven wounded ones as well the two pilots and two crew members on board.

    “The ambush and the fire fight resulted in the death of three officers, 22 soldiers, while seven were wounded in action.

    “As a result of this, there was need for casualty evacuation whereby the air force helicopter was dispatched while that operation was on and inbound to Kaduna, the helicopter crashed.

    “It crashed with 14 of the previously killed in action personnel at the ambush, seven of the previously wounded in action personnel at the ambush, two pilots of the helicopter and two crew members.

    In his contribution, the Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the cause of the crash was yet to be determined, saying operations were ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

    Gabkwet urged the public to be wary of the kind of things they send on social media, saying they should not allow themselves to be used as as communication equipment to spread propaganda by enemies of the state.

    He said military had continued to be open about its operations, adding that accidents in military operations was nothing to be to be ashamed of, as an organisation.

    “We are fighting an insurgency and if anybody thinks insurgency is something that is tackled in such an easy way, then you should go back to the history books and find out how other nations have been facing the same problem.

    “What we what we see in other countries is the citizens of those countries rallying around their armed forces and supporting them,” he said.

  • DHQ clarifies presence of UN fighting equipment in Nigeria

    DHQ clarifies presence of UN fighting equipment in Nigeria

    The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the UN Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo were meant for deployment for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

    The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Gusau said circulation of the video of the said equipment on social media, had given rise to insinuations that were inimical to public peace which might cause panic.

    He said that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various UN Peace keeping operations; the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan.

    “The Mission is commanded by a Nigerian, Ma.-Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr.

    “It should be noted that the UN doesn’t have its own troops, rather it enters into agreement with troops contributing countries to provide their personnel and equipment for operations in its various missions.

    “Therefore, it is imperative to state emphatically that the military fighting vehicles and equipment painted in UN colour as sighted are being moved through the Warri port for movement to the mission area in Southern Sudan.

    “The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of Gen. Lucky Irabor, wish to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of UN troops on our soil”, he said.

    A video clip titled, “tension as heavy military UN trucks arrive Nigeria”, surfaced on one BVI Youtube channel on Sunday.

    The commentator was seen raising the alarm that something was cooking in the country that the government was not telling the citizens.

  • Troops eliminate 46 terrorists, apprehend 50 in 2 weeks – DHQ

    Troops eliminate 46 terrorists, apprehend 50 in 2 weeks – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops have eliminated 46 terrorists, bandits and other criminals across North East, North Central and North West in the last two weeks.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said this during the biweekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

    Danmadami said the troops also apprehended more than 50 terrorists and other criminals as well as rescued 97 kidnapped victims within the period.

    In the North East, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) had sustained and continued to dominate the theatre of operation with commendable successes.

    He said the troops had within the weeks in focus, neutralised 18 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, arrested six logistics suppliers and rescued 119 abducted civilians.

    He added that a total of 1,506 terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females and 838 children, surrendered to troops at different location within the theatre of operation.

    According to him, troops also recovered 16 AK 47 rifles, one 60mm mortar bomb, 10 dane guns, 12 dummy rifles, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special, 118 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammo and 10 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm NATO ammo.

    “Also recovered are one round of 12.7mm NATO, 17 AK47 magazines, one firing pin, one mechanic tools box, two knives, six motorcycles, 24 mobile phones, 41 livestocks, assorted food items, one vehicle, four sim and other sundry items as well as the cash sum of N2.2 million.

    “All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while surrendered terrorists and members of their families are been profiled for further action,” he said.

    Danmadami said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorists enclaves and logistics in support of ground operations during the period.

    He said that several air interdictions operations were carried out in some forest in Borno and Yobe where several terrorists were neutralised in the airstrikes.

    According to him, the ground forces on mop up operations, recovered one gun truck, three AK 47 rifles, one PKM gun, one PKM metal link with 19 rounds, two Improvised Explosive Devices, 129 rounds of 7.62mm (39mm) ammunition, 60 solar panels among others.

    Danmadami added that two terrorists logistic depots were destroyed.

    In North Central, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, apprehended 28 bandits, criminals and political thugs during the March 18 election across the zone.

    He added that a total of eight bandits were eliminated in different operations while five kidnapped victims were rescued.

    Danmadami said the troops had on March 12, apprehended two suspected kidnappers while attempting to collect ransom at Gegu-Beki village in Kogi Local Government Area, Kogi

    According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was sent to collect the sum of N2 million.

    Danmadami said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, between March 16 and March 22 neutralised eight terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition, rescued five kidnapped civilians and arrested seven other criminals in Benue.

    “In another development, troops conducted fighting patrol to Independence National Electoral Commission office in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of Kwara on March 18 and intercepted some armed thugs.

    “Troops search the area where the thugs were seen and recovered two pump action guns, four locally made dane guns, two machetes, four mobile phones and one vehicle, as well as arrested six thugs,” he said.

    In North West, Danmadami said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji, within the period neutralised 14 terrorists, arrested 12 logistics supplier and rescued 16 abducted civilians.

    He added that the troops recovered large cache of arms, hard drugs, assorted food items and the sum of N9,670.

    According to him, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to relevant authority for further action.

  • Doguwa fired AK-47 as a ceremonial firing party in Falgore forest, says DHQ

    Doguwa fired AK-47 as a ceremonial firing party in Falgore forest, says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that a viral video showing a federal lawmaker, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, firing an AK-47 rifle guided by military personnel was done during his participation in the firing exercise as a ceremonial firing party at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp in Kano State.

    Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, is being prosecuted by the police on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire, and inciting disturbance.

    The clip was taken durin

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that a viral video showing a federal lawmaker, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, firing an AK-47 rifle guided by military personnel was done during his participation in the firing exercise as a ceremonial firing party at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp in Kano State. Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, is being prosecuted by the police on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire, and inciting disturbance.

     

    g the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where he was invited as a special guest

    He was arrested by the police in Kano over the death of three persons in his constituency in the February 25 presidential election.

    Following the emergence of the viral video, the acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the clip was taken during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where he was invited as a special guest.

    “The Defence Headquarters wishes to state that the video is a calculated attempt by mischief-makers to discredit the Armed Forces of Nigeria and dent its image before the good people of this country and the world at large,” he said in a statement on Friday.

    “The video in question was taken at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa was invited as a special guest.

    The viral video was posted with the intent to dent the image of the military at a time the role of the armed forces in the last presidential and National Assembly elections was hailed by Nigerians and the international community

    “It is worthy to state that when senior citizens and Special Guests are invited for such exercises, they are accorded the honour to participate in the firing exercise as a ceremonial firing party.

    “Ceremonial firing in such an exercise is the practice the world over and is not new in the armed forces as several other senior citizens have participated in such exercises in the past.”

    According to Gusau, the viral video was posted with the intent to dent the image of the military at a time the role of the armed forces in the last presidential and National Assembly elections was hailed by Nigerians and the international community.

    He stated that some clerics had equally released audio clips containing wrong interpretations of the speech the Majority Leader made at the occasion, saying the “doctored interpretation of the speech is capable of instigating crisis, thus leading to heightened tension as the country prepares for a smooth transition to another elected government.”

    The defence spokesman stated that the military will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities while also remaining apolitical to strengthen the democratic values of our great nation.

    He equally warned mischief-makers against denting the image of the armed forces with senseless videos and unconfirmed audio clips but rather channel their energy towards ensuring Nigeria strives higher in the preservation of democratic gains.

  • Video of Ado Doguwa firing AK-47 was in Falgore forest – DHQ

    Video of Ado Doguwa firing AK-47 was in Falgore forest – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the video showing Alhassan Ado Doguwa, firing AK-47 rifle guided by military personnel was taken at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp in Kano State.

    Ado Doguwa is the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives from Kano State.

    The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Friday, said the video was taken during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where he was invited as a special guest.

    “The Defence Headquarters wishes to state that the video is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to discredit the Armed Forces of Nigeria and dent its image before the good people of this country and the world at large.

    “The video in question was taken at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa was invited as a special guest.

    “It is worthy to state that when senior citizens and Special Guests are invited for such exercises, they are accorded the honour to participate in the firing exercise as ceremonial firing party.

    “Ceremonial firing in such an exercise is the practice in the world over and is not new in the armed forces as several other senior citizens have participated in such exercises in the past,” he said.

    Gusau said the viral video was posted with an intent to dent the image of the military at a time the role of the armed forces in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections was hailed by Nigerians and the International community.

    He added that some clerics had equally released audio clips containing wrong interpretations of the speech the Majority Leader made at the occasion.

    According to him, this doctored interpretation of the speech is capable of instigating crisis, thus leading to heightened tension as the country prepares for a smooth transition to another elected government.

    “The Defence Headquarters wishes to assure Nigerians that on no occasion would the armed forces engage in training or arming any individual or group of persons to take up arms against law abiding citizens.

    “As a responsible force, we will continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities while also remaining apolitical to strengthen the democratic values of our great nation.

    “We also want to use this opportunity to advise mischief makers not to dent the image of the armed forces with senseless videos and unconfirmed audio clips but rather channel their energy in making sure our country continue to strive higher in the preservation of our democratic gains,” he added. 

  • Military apprehends mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    Military apprehends mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Punch have apprehended one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train service.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Danmadami said the suspect was one of the three terrorists apprehended by the troops at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Feb. 14.

    He said the operation led to the recovery of two motorcycles, mobile phones, the sum of 5,000 dollars, other currencies and some sundry items.

    According to him, troops on fighting patrol also neutralised seven terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

    He said 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special, and seven magazines, among other items, were recovered from the terrorists.

    Danmadami also said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, had within the period, neutralised 23 terrorists and arrested nine as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians.

    According to him, the air component conducted series of air interdiction operations to decimate and deny the terrorists freedom of action within the period under review.

    “Specifically, on Feb. 13, an air interdiction operation was conducted based on intelligence report that terrorists had gathered for a wedding ceremony at location within Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    “Another air interdiction operation was conducted at identified terrorists locations within Kankara and Batsari Local Government Areas, all in Katsina state.

    “Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralised in both air strikes,” the defence spokesman said.