TheNewsGuru

Tag: Military

  • Dokubo’s statement on Nigerian Military unpatriotic, unfair – Lawmaker

    Dokubo’s statement on Nigerian Military unpatriotic, unfair – Lawmaker

    Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue) has said that the recent statement by former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo on the Nigerian Military was unpatriotic and unfair.

    Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Agbese said it was “unpatriotic, uncharitable and unfair” for Dokubo to make such claims against a highly-revered institution like the Armed Forces.

    Dokubo had alleged that the bulk cases of oil theft recorded in the oil-rich region of Niger Delta were traceable to the military.

    The lawmaker said the Nigerian Armed Forces had proven to be professional, patriotic, and committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

    Agebese therefore said the statement was capable of demoralising troops making sacrifices daily for the peace and security of the nation.

    “I appreciate Dokubo who is my good friend for his unequivocal stand on a lot of issues but I think he missed the point on this particular subject.

    “The efforts of our military officers and men who make all the sacrifices to keep the country together should not be taken for granted.

    “If there are lapses, we expect Dokubo, as an elderstatesman, to provide relevant information and support to the troops,” he said.

  • NDA disowns fake selection list

    NDA disowns fake selection list

    The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), on Monday said the list purporting to be the official selection list for the 75 Regular Course of the Academy is fake.

    The Academy’s Public Relations officer, Maj. Victor Olukoya said in a statement in Kaduna that “The attention of the NDA has been drawn to a fake list that has gone viral on some social media and other microblogging platforms, purporting to be the official selection list for 75 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

    “We wish to clarify that the list is not only fake but also the work of fraudsters, whose aim may be to fleece unsuspecting law-abiding members of the public of their resources.”

    He warned members of the public to steer clear of this fake publication and the publishers of this fake list.

    According to him, their primary motive is to mislead and defraud members of the public, therefore anyone dealing with them does so at his or her own risk.

    He noted that the process of selecting members of 75 Regular Course of the academy is rigorous and thorough, and is still ongoing.

    “When completed, the authentic list will be officially published by the academy in some national newspapers and on the NDA official website: www.nda.edu.ng,” he said.

  • Reuters report on illegal abortions offensive to Nigeria, Military’s image – Witness

    Reuters report on illegal abortions offensive to Nigeria, Military’s image – Witness

    Retired Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, a former Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Commander in Maiduguri, said the Reuters report on illegal abortions was offensive to the image of Nigeria and the military.

    Nicholas said this while testifying before the National Human Rights Independent investigative panel investigating human rights violations by the military in the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East.

    The Commission inaugurated the panel on Feb. 8, 2023.

    Following the allegations of gross human rights violations contained in the three-part report published in Dec. 2022 on military operations in the north east by media group Reuters hence the panel.

    The international media organisation had alleged that the military was involved in massacre of children as well as other Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV) in the North East.

    Nicholas wondered what the interest of some international non-governmental organisations were in the current insurgency in the North-East

    “There are over 300 NGOs operating illegally in the region and some do not want insurgency to end in Nigeria.

    “What is their agenda in Maiduguri?

    “Some elements are trying hard to tarnish the image of Nigeria and that of the Nigerian Army by giving false narratives about counter insurgency operations in the North-East.

    “People are being paid to write dirty reports for international organisations. The image of Nigeria, the image of the army are at stake.”

    He said.the allegations of rights violations contained in a four-part report published in December, 2022 and April, 2023 by news agency Reuters, alleging illegal abortions on women and girls were not true.

    “How is it possible for us to abort for women? If we abort for them, will that stop Boko Haram? Was that the cause of Boko Haram?”

    ” No commander would give an order to his soldiers to perform abortions for women,” he said.

    He he told the panel that there was no massacre of civilians by the military as claimed by the news agency.

    ” The army’s mission in the North-East was to clear and defeat Boko Haram insurgents.

    “My mission is to clear and defeat Boko Haram in my area of responsibility. To avoid any collateral damage, we evacuated all civilians who were willing to IDPs camps.

    “In my operation area, there was nothing like that (massacre of civilians). The Nigerian Army is a professional organisation and soldiers are trained on human rights protection,” he said.

    Similarly, Maj. Kehinde Aboseh, who testisfied before the panel narrated how civilians saved his life three days after he was shot by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Aboseh, was an operation officer of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at Kangaruwa.

    He said, Boko Haram insurgents attacked and overran Baga in Borno in 2015.

    On the report by Reuters that soldiers massacred children and other civilians, he said:” I am hearing this for the first time today.

    ”Many soldiers lost their lives during attacks Some soldiers including me were saved by civilians.

    ”Would the civilians have save us if we did those things Reuters is accusing us of doing?

    The seven-member panel is chaired by retired Justice Abdu Aboki, of the Supreme Court.

  • Military officer refuses to vacate apartment, claims unexpired rent

    Military officer refuses to vacate apartment, claims unexpired rent

    A Military officer, Joshua Olorunfemi, has refused to vacate his rented apartment, claiming that his rent is yet to expire.

    Olorunfemi told an Ilorin Area Court sitting at Igboro Centre on Thursday, that his annual rent was N152,000 against N165,000 as claimed by the landlord’s lawyer.

    He insisted that his receipt of payment read February but his rent had not expired.

    He explained that there was an oral agreement between him and the landlord which made him pay half of the rent of N70,000.

    The tenant further said that part of their agreement was for the landlord to repair the sitting room ceiling, but he refused and made him suffer, as the leaking roof almost spoiled his property.

    “When I complained to the Lawyer in charge, he sent N15,000 to me, to repair the house  but I fixed the sitting room and other parts of the apartment with N115,900,” Olorunfemi explained.

    Mr Olanrewaju Babalola, a Litigation Secretary managing the property, had earlier told the court that the tenant defaulted two months rent and the landlord wanted repossession of his property for personal use.

    Babalola said that the tenant had been served eviction notice, but refused to vacate the apartment and tendered the documents to the court as evidence.

    The presiding Judge, AbdulQadir Ibrahim accepted the documents as exhibits P1 and P2.

    He ordered the tenant to produce all his evidence of payment and provide proof that his rent has not expired.

    The case was adjourned to May 30, for proof of payment and all other evidence to the case.

  • Buhari to unveil Nigerian Army’s new regimental colours

    Buhari to unveil Nigerian Army’s new regimental colours

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday unveil 81 national and regimental colours for the newly established and operationalised units and retired unit colours of the Nigerian Army.

    The Army’s Director of Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwaxhukwu, said this while briefing newsmen on the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the last trooping and presentation of Colours Parade for the army units was conducted in 2007.

    He added that new units had been established and operationalised since then in line with the increasing operational commitments of the army as well as provisions of its extant Order of Battle (ORBAT).

    He said colours were usually retired after 10 years of service.

    According to him, most of the colours in the Nigerian Army have been used in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the country as well as foreign countries, hence deserving retirement and the presentation of new ones.

    “It is against this backdrop and in line with the traditions, customs and ethics of the Nigerian Army, trooping and presentation of colours parade 2023 will be conducted to retire torn or worn out colours.

    “A total of 81 units will, therefore, be participating in the parade; 53 colours will be due for retirement, while 28 will be presented to new units.

    “The event is a unique ceremony not only to the units eligible for colours presentation, as many are looking up to this ceremony to witness the height of military discipline and regimentation.

    “No doubt the parade will win more admirers for the Nigerian Army as it will provide another opportunity to showcase its reputation for excellent and colourful parades,” he said.

    According to him, the special guest of honour and reviewing officer is the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The event will also have in attendance members of the National and Executive Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Governors of the States benefitting Units.

    “Others are Service Chiefs, past Chief of Army Staff, senior military officers both serving and retired, captains of industries as well as other important dignitaries,” he said.

    Nwachukwu explained that the national and regimental colours carried by army units during parades and ceremonial activities were important source of identity and pride not only for the units involved but for the army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    He added that the sight of the colours created a feeling of pride in soldiers and ex-soldiers.

    He said from ancient history, colours had served as inspiration for heroic acts of self-sacrifice and became the symbol of the fighting spirit of regiments.

    He explained that colours also symbolised the campaigns, battle honours and badges granted to the regiment in commemoration of the gallant deeds performed by its members from the time it was raised.

    “The association of the colours with heroic deeds of the units emblazoned on them has led to the custom of regarding the colours with veneration,” he added.

    Nwachukwu advised motorists to make use of alternative routes and all proximate routes to the Eagle Square from 5.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Thursday.

  • May 29: Nigeria’s military pledges peaceful transition

    May 29: Nigeria’s military pledges peaceful transition

    The Defence Headquarters has expressed commitment to a peaceful transition to a new government on May 29 and assured that the military and intelligence community were ready to counter any threat to national security.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces.

    Danmadami urged the populace to discard the apprehension created by the enemies of Nigeria predicting security threats.

    “Like the general election has come and gone, winners have been announced, people are just being apprehensive to be insinuating situations that are not there.

    “People have been predicting that this country will finish but nothing has happened.

    “Members of the Armed Forces like I always tell you, will continue to give their best, and we are not resting on our oars to ensure that peace and security is sustained.

    “I equally assure you that the intelligence community too are working round the clock just like the armed forces to ensure that there is peace and stability; I can assure you that there are a lot of follow up operations going on everyday.

    “People who are at the verge of committing crime are being arrested; people who are moving ammunitions from one point to the other to go and commit havoc are being arrested everyday as it was reflected in the brief for today.

    “So people should not be afraid that when they hand over there is going to be calamity all over the place.

    “I can assure you that we are ready to address whatever calamity that wants to come up.

    “We are ready for that, so people should just go about their normal duties and forget about these apprehension people are creating unnecessarily.

    “There is no cause for alarm and everything is under control,” he said.

    Danmadami also assured the public that the Sallah would be celebrated peacefully, adding that there might be one or two isolated cases, but that the military and other security agencies would be ready to tackle them.

  • Heavy fighting in Sudan leaves 100 person killed, many injured

    Heavy fighting in Sudan leaves 100 person killed, many injured

    The fight between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, (RSF) has continued unabated in Khartoum, the country’s capital.

    The fight has left over 100 people killed with many suffering various forms of injuries.

    Voice of America, (VOA), reported on Monday that both sides are claiming control of strategic sites, with calls for a ceasefire growing.

    The military and the Rapid Support Forces have turned the areas around the presidential palace as the main battlefields in the country.

    The clash is reported to have affected power supply and water systems in the capital, thereby making life more difficult for those trapped indoors by the fighting and people wounded in the clashes.

    The UN envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, said that more than 1,800 have so far been wounded in the fighting and warned that many people are unable to reach hospitals for medical treatment amid the clashes.
  • Military destroys 50 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta

    Military destroys 50 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe and others have destroyed 50 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta in the last two weeks.

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

    Danmadami said the operations were conducted in the creeks, towns, waterways, cities and high seas of Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Rivers.

    He said the troops of Operation Octopus Grip also destroyed 22 wooden boats, 237 storage tanks, 204 ovens and 30 dugout pits used for illegal oil bunkering.

    According to him, troops also recovered 797,000 litres of crude oil, 276,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 500 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, four pumping machines, 19 vehicles, six motorcycles, one tricycle, eight weapons, and variety of ammunition.

    He added that the troops also recovered one outboard engine, two generators and one speed boat, and apprehended 26 suspected criminals during the period.

    “All items recovered and arrested suspects from the region have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

    “It is worth mentioning that the sum oI N407.5 million were denied the oil thieves,” he added.

    In the South East, Danmadami said the troops of Operation UDO KA had sustained the fight against criminality with the aim of restoring peace and stability in the zone.

    He said the troops rescued 21 kidnapped victims, neutralised three IPOB/ESN terrorists and apprehended 12 others with cache of arms and ammunition.

    According to him, arms recovered include two pistols, three pump action rifles, three pump action barrels, seven locally made guns, 14 locally made grenade, two K2 magazines, one AK47 magazine, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.

    “I wish to once again convey the military high command commendations on the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country.

    “The media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies in our quest to restore peace and security to our dear country.

    “Also, the entire populace is hereby appreciated for the support given to members armed forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations.”

    He urged Nigerians to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements in their areas.

  • Interim government, mischievous, unconstitutional – Military

    Interim government, mischievous, unconstitutional – Military

    The Defence Headquarters has described the call for interim government by some persons in the country as unfortunate and unconstitutional.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said this while addressing newsmen at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

    Danmadami said that those calling for interim government were just trying to be mischievous, adding that the constitution did not provide for an interim national government.

    “On the issue of interim government, it is rather unfortunate. An election has been conducted and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is mandated has announced a president elect.

    “It is not our responsibility to speak on that issue but I know that several calls have been made from the Presidency that there is nothing like interim national government.

    “So I think people were just trying to be mischievous. It is unconstitutional and all of us know that.

    “The constitution does not provide for an interim national government and that is the point the Presidency has been hammering on and that is our stand.

    “It is unconstitutional so anything unconstitutional as far as I am concerned is not applicable,” he said.

    Danmadami said the Operation Safe Conduct which was conducted towards the successful conduct of the elections to support police and INEC was successful.

    He said that the military was also ready to provide similar support towards the conduct of the remaining election in two states, where elections were declared inconclusive.

    According to him, the military is still working round the clock to make sure there is peace and security in the country.

    “During the brief, we told you the number of people that have been kidnapped and we equally told you the efforts of the military to ensure those kidnapped victims are rescued.

    “So, we will continue to carry out our responsibility to the best of ability while calling on the civil populace to support us,” he said.

  • Military kill five bandits, recover arms in Kaduna state

    Military kill five bandits, recover arms in Kaduna state

     

    Nigerian Army troops operating under the One Division section  in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, on Friday, eliminated five bandits and recovered four AK-7 rifles, six AK-47 magazines and 24 rounds of 7.62mm from them.

    This revelation was made known by the via a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations One Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya, in Kaduna state on Friday.

    He npted  that the troops conducted a clearance operation on Kaso hills general area and Kanti-Tantatu in Kubusu forest in Kaduna state.

    He said the operation was, “to deprive bandits and criminals freedom of action so as to create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to strive.”

    According to Yahaya, the operation started on Thursday till the early hours of Friday, adding that the bandits suffered a heavy blow.

    He added that three motorcycles, two handsets, one matchet and some charms were also recovered.