TheNewsGuru

Tag: Military

  • Just In: Many feared dead after two US army choppers crash in Kentucky

    Just In: Many feared dead after two US army choppers crash in Kentucky

    Multiple people are believed to have been killed in a crash involving two United States army helicopters.

    The Fort Campbell military base in Kentucky said crew members were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission before the crash.

    The collision was said to have happened around 10pm US time on Wednesday.

    The cause of the crash is under investigation and the command said it is “currently focused on caring for the service members and their families”.

    It is unclear the number of people who were on board.

    Andy Beshear, Kentucky’s governor, said fatalities were expected and that the state’s police and emergency management service were responding to the situation.

    “We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected”, governor Andy Beshear said in a post on Twitter.

    He added that local authorities and emergency services were responding to the accident.

  • 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.

  • Defence Headquarters denies plotting coup to disrupt elections

    Defence Headquarters denies plotting coup to disrupt elections

    The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as malicious propaganda, the report peddled by some unscrupulous elements of plot by some military officers to disrupt the forthcoming general elections.

    The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    The defence spokesman added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was dismayed that even politically exposed persons had denigrated themselves into joining the agents of destabilisation.

    He said that the unscrupulous elements claimed that some military officers met with a Presidential candidate with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire.

    According to him, the purveyors of the wicked and very malicious propaganda also indicated that a so-called Thursday meeting is plotting a Coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.

    The Defence spokesman said those who made the false claims were agents of destabilisation and violence seeking to heighten tension in the polity and would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “It needs to be stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against our democracy.

    “Besides, the Military remains apolitical and neutral in the current political process and will not engage in the alleged shenanigans.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy,” he said.

    Gusau said the military high command would ensure that those who fabricated and spread the unfounded report were invited by appropriate law enforcement agencies to substantiate their claims.

    “The general public is advised to disregard such information and go about their normal activities,” he added.

  • How Naira redesign affecting troops at battle field – Ndume

    How Naira redesign affecting troops at battle field – Ndume

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Muhammadu Ndume, has said that the Naira redesign by the Central Bank of Nigeria is affecting the military operation of troops on the frontline.

    Addressing newsmen on Saturday, January 4, Ndume noted that soldiers access daily stipends easily from ATMs and Points of Sales to enable them to provide for their daily basic needs to sustain their fighting spirit because the terrains of their operations are inaccessible for their daily rations to be delivered to them.

    The Borno senator who also countered claim of the Naira redesign aiding the fight against terror financing and other security breaches, stated that terrorists have said that they are already in possession of the new notes.

    Ndume further appealed to the Federal Government and the CBN to make arrangements for the troops to access their cash easily in view of the critical nature of their duties, and also make the new notes available everywhere at every time.

    He said; “Naira redesign and the CBN?s cashless policy are actually gravely affecting the strategic operations of troops at all front lines of insecurity across the country.

    “Troops find it difficult to survive at the front lines due to the fact that they lack the cash to buy their daily basic needs at the remote communities across terrains of insecurity in the country where they cannot access cash due to the challenges posed by the currency redesign and cashless policy.

    “Now a soldier stays for hours on the ATM queue or PoS when he should discharging his duties at the front line, just to access the stipend, this situation has dampened the morale of the troops at the front line.”

  • There will be no more coup in Nigeria again – CDS Irabor

    There will be no more coup in Nigeria again – CDS Irabor

    Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has assured Nigerians that the country will not experience coup again in the country,

    Irabor made this known that the armed forces are battle ready to work with the police in order to provide adequate security in the forthcoming general elections.

    The Defense chief gave the assurances to reporters at the National Arcade, Abuja, at the end of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    “Democracy has come to stay; a government of the people, by the people and for the people has come to stay”, he added.

    Irabor disclosed he’s been discussing with the Inspector-General of Police to work out modalities on election security.

    “We’ve also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted”, the CDS added.

    In his reaction, IGP Usman Baba commiserated with families of deceased officers and men of the military, the police and other paramilitary agencies.

    Baba advised Nigerians to ensure their sacrifices are not in vain as “we embark on drives that will continually promote peace and unity, peaceful coexistence”.

  • Ambush on NSCDC personnel: Buhari directs military to make bandits pay price

    Ambush on NSCDC personnel: Buhari directs military to make bandits pay price

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his anguish over the death of seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were ambushed and killed by bandits in Kaduna State while on official duty.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Thursday in Abuja, Buhari described the loss of the NSCDC personnel as a tragic event and salutes the courage of the men who gave their lives to the nation.

    He said: “The NSCDC personnel who braved all challenges to guard our nation and its people had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

    “My thoughts are with the bereaved families and their compatriots in the service. May Almighty God grant them and the entire service the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    The president therefore directed the Armed Forces to smoke out the bandits who inflicted this casualty and make them pay the price.

  • US to support Ukraine with $2.8 billion in military assistance

    US to support Ukraine with $2.8 billion in military assistance

    As the conflict between  Russian and Ukraine continues, the United States has announced a new military aid to Ukraine.

    According to Blinken Antony, the US Secretary of State, on Friday, said the $2.85 billion drawdown in military assistance will include; “Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, ammunition, and other items to support Ukraine as it bravely defends its people, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.”

    The top US diplomat said the administration would work with Congress “to provide an additional $907 million of Foreign Military Financing under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022.”

    “Funds will support Ukraine and countries impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Blinken said in a statement.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to welcome “the all-time US defense aid package.”

    “Thank you, POTUS for the completely new weaponry, incl Bradley vehicles, anti-aircraft missiles. It’ll strengthen Ukrainian Army on a battlefield. Awesome Christmas present for Ukraine! Together with the American people we’re approaching a common victory,” he wrote.

  • Nigerien military helicopter crashes, three killed

    Nigerien military helicopter crashes, three killed

    Three people have been confirmed dead after a Nigerien military helicopter crashed on return from a routine training flight.

    The country’s defence ministry said the helicopter crashed while landing at an airport in the capital Niamey on Monday, December 26, killing three people on board including an expatriate instructor.

    The wreckage burst into flames, blocking rescuers from reaching the crew.

    Reuters reported that a commission of inquiry has been set up to determine the cause of the accident.

  • Just In: Uduaghan loses father-in-law, Brig Gen Tuoyo

    Just In: Uduaghan loses father-in-law, Brig Gen Tuoyo

    Retired Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo, the father-in-law of former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has passed on.

    The former Military Administrator of old Ondo State died Saturday December 17, 2022 in Lagos State at 84 years old.
    A statement issued on Monday by media assistant to the former governor, Monoyo Edon, reads; “Late Brig.-Gen. Tuoyo was a retired Nigerian Brigadier General who served as the Military Governor of Ondo State (July 1978 – October 1979) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Brig. Gen Tuoyo will be remembered as the father of Her Excellency, Dcns Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, beloved wife of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, the Immediate Past Governor of Delta State and for his patriotism as well as immense contributions in the democratic process that led to the handing over of the reins of power to Pa Adekunle Ajasin (ascended), the first democratically elected Governor of Ondo State.

  • CDS calls for investigation into alleged military abortion programme

    CDS calls for investigation into alleged military abortion programme

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has called on the National Human Rights Commission to launch an independent investigation into allegation by Reuters of illegal abortion programme by the military.

    Irabor made the call when he led principal staff officers of the Defence Headquarters on a visit to the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu on Friday in Abuja.

    Reuters had alleged in a report that Nigeria’s military run a secret abortion programme in the country’s North East, terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies since 2013.

    Irabor insisted that the allegation by Reuters was baseless and false, adding that the military had nothing to hide hence the need for an independent investigation to exonerate itself.

    He said there was need for the commission to carry out such investigation in line with its responsibilities.

    According to him, the armed forces as an establishment of the Federal Republic is bound by the Nigerian constitution to operate based on local and international laws.

    This, he added, include international humanitarian laws and laws of armed conflicts as domesticated in Nigeria.

    “And recognizing the place of the national Human Rights Commission and ensuring that all the activities of government and all its citizens and of course, inhabitants, including friends of Nigeria who are within our space conduct their affairs in line with the laws of the land.

    “In recent times, there have been reports which alluded that the armed forces is involved in government programme of abortions in the northeast of Nigeria from 2013.

    “And that report was published by Reuters and of course when we looked at it, we felt this is certainly not us and it does not indeed represent the professional standing of the armed forces of Nigeria.

    “Where we have footprints of operations in line with the dictates of the constitution.

    “We felt that perhaps there are some extra territorial powers that want to weaken the strength of the armed forces being at the forefront of the current engagements that seeks to bring peace to our land.

    “And so some actions need to be taken but of course, being bound by law, being guided by laws, we’ve taken a look and we felt that the right establishment that should undertake investigation is the national Human Rights Commission.

    “So it is in that light that I have come to formally inform you if perhaps you are not thinking about it that we as an armed force stand ready for any investigation, and I think in this case, the NHRC stands a good ground to carry out an investigation,” he said.

    Irabor assured the commission that the military would grant it unfettered access to all its establishments across the country.

    He also gave assurance that the personnel of the armed forces would be available to answer questions in the course of the investigation.

    “We are doing this because we believe we have remained very transparent in our personal engagements and so we have nothing to fear.

    “We have also indicated before now that the report is evil.

    “We felt that since we are the crux of the allegation it is necessary for us to give you that assurance that we stand ready for you to carry out that investigation,” the CDS emphasised.

    Responding, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Ojukwu said the commission was established under the law to deal with all matters relating to human rights protection, promotion and enforcement in Nigeria.

    He said the request of the CDS was in line with the determination of the commission to investigate the allegations because of its human rights implications.

    “As you may be aware, the investigation process of the Commission must meet the International Human Rights standard required for this kind of investigation.

    He said that the investigation will be public and open, transparent, and in accord with principle of fair hearing.

    Ojukwu added that it will ensure accountability, non-discrimination and accommodate variety of interest.

    “As we look forward to announcing further steps in the near future towards the constitution of the Panel of Investigation into the Reuters Report, please accept the warm regards of the National Human Rights Commission,” he said.