TheNewsGuru

Tag: Military

  • Military intensifies use of social media, DHQ holds first live chat

    The Nigerian Military said it is embracing Social Media usage fully in its Operations.

    Defence spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated this while hosting the first-ever Social Media Live Chat at the Defence Headquarters on yesterday in Abuja.

    “The truth is social media has come to stay, and social media influencers are a great tool for national development.” Brig Gen Nwachukwu said.

    Nwachukwu who received comments from hundreds of followers hosted a group of online Journalists including TNG’s Correspondent.

    TNG gathered that the military had received a lot of assistance from the social media Communities worldwide which the Defence spokesman said they look forward to more.

    He added that the Defence Human right desk is open for complaints of any kind.

    The chat also featured success recorded by the Military in the counter-insurgency drive. “Bokoharam is fully defeated… no state no village is being controlled by Bokoharam, they only engage in criminal activities to help aid their Operations…”

    The social media chat saw Defence Spokesman receiving award for the “best Quick to response” the spokesperson of the year for being proactive to the requests for information by the press. The award was the brainchild of Security Affairs, a Peace and Security Civil society organisation

  • Buhari is most democratic ex-military head of state – Kogi Gov

    Buhari is most democratic ex-military head of state – Kogi Gov

    The Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has faulted Punch newspaper’s characterisation of President Muhammadu Buhari as a dictator.

    Governor Bello who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday also pointed out that those who interpreted the report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to mean Kogi State is the poorest in Nigeria were quoting the agency out of context.

    Speaking about the Punch newspaper’s judgment of President Buhari’s administration, Bello said there has not been a more democratic ex-military head of state-turned politician in Nigeria’s political history, opining that whoever tagged him a dictator might actually be the one wishing to be a dictator.

    “Mr. President is the most democratic president I have ever seen. This is the first time we are seeing a former military head of state that is so democratic to the extent of allowing things happening in his home front to be democratized not to talk of things happening in the country. Whoever is tagging him to be a dictator, I think that person wished to be a dictator himself not Mr. President,” the governor said.

    Reacting to the report credited to the NBS, Governor Bello said contrary to the claim that the state is the poorest; Kogi is the most prized state in the country, noting that his administration had done so much to institutionalise transparency, which he said had improved the economic outlook of the state.

    “You see, you have to look and read the details of that report before you can judge. You see, we shouldn’t just listen to somebody and quote him out of context. Like I said, in Kogi State before now, for civil servants before you become a Permanent Secretary you must pay through your nose, but this time around it has been merit-based.

    “Before you become a local government chairman, or let’s take it from the political aspect, I am the leader of APC in Kogi State, no single person obtained form or become whatever and will claim or claiming to have paid one dime to any political leader.

    “It is out of blocking the loopholes and leakages that we have been able to raise the revenue of Kogi State from pittance of N300 million to over N1 billion on monthly basis. If you look at the percentage then you can be the judge. So if anybody is saying Kogi state is the most corrupt state, then that person must have his facts wrong.

    “Kogi state is the most prized state in the country and it is out of fighting corruption as well because, the little resources we have we are so managing it that we are developing the state and fighting insecurity. If corruption is that prevalent then that wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

    Speaking on the focus of his administration in its second, he said “human capital development, continue on infrastructure development and continue on the trajectory we are in now and ensure Kogi State is taken to the next level.”

  • FG adjusts salaries of military, other security personnel

    Members of the armed forces and other security outfits are to benefit from the consequential adjustment of workers’ salaries agreed by the federal government and labour on Friday.

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige told reporters in Abuja after the signing of the deal that the new structure would take immediate effect.

    He said: That the agreement reached with organised labour on consequential adjustment of salaries for workers. Ngige said that because the security personnel are not members of the civil service, their adjustments would be communicated to them through the appropriate channels.

    Acting Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi- Esan and Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige signed on behalf of the federal government while President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and the Chairman Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Simon Anchaver (JNPSNC) signed for organised labour.

    Nige said that full implementation of the new national minimum wage law takes immediate effect. “It is my pleasure to report to you that the various conciliatory meetings that we instituted since the ninth, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and today (yesterday) had yielded the desired fruit.

    This morning we concluded all our negotiations and produced a Memorandum of Terms of Settlement from the conciliation.

    “The terms of settlement is in relation to the consequential adjustment of other wages following the new national minimum wage of N30, 000 as enshrined in the national minimum wage Act 2019.

    For these meetings, I acted as chief conciliator ably assisted by my Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.

    “Today, we have put an end to all the negotiations, we deliberated and we have arrived at an agreement. “The consequential adjustments/ increases agreed upon for now are as follows.

    We have the group one personnel or what we call Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). The meeting agreed, having reviewed the increase in the lowest paid person in this wage structure at N30, 000 from Grade Level one Step one that the grade level 07 officers should move up by 23.2 percent in their wages.

  • Insurgency: Don't just wear uniform, defend Nigeria with your lives, Osinbajo tells military

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged military officers to take pride in defending the country as they take pride in adorning their beautiful uniform.
    He said the military career, which is meant to defend the territorial integrity of the country, is the most civic service to the nation.
    The Vice-President noted that it is beyond just earning salary and getting a chance to wear the coveted uniform.
    Osinbajo said it is about putting their lives on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of Nigerians.
    The Vice-President stated this as the Reviewing Officer at the passing out parade of 187 new officers who were commissioned at this year’s Direct Short Service Course 28 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna.
    He told the new military officers that Nigeria was still grappling with several security challenges.
    He said: “As you already know, this profession you have chosen requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work. It is much more than just securing a job or earning a salary. It is more than just getting the chance to wear a coveted uniform or wield coveted weapons.
    “This is the ultimate form of civic service to defend the territorial integrity of your country and to put your life on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of your country men and women. There is no nobler occupation than this one you have chosen.”
    “You are passing out at a time our nation is grappling with an insurgency in the Northeast and the challenges of kidnapping and armed banditry in other parts of the country. You will, therefore, have come to terms with the fact that the days and weeks and months ahead of you will be extremely busy as you fulfil your responsibilities to the military and the nation.
    “While the Armed Forces have effectively contained the territorial ambitions of the Boko Haram terrorists by substantially degrading their capacity to attack and wreak havoc, they remain intent on shedding blood and sowing fear. There is also the threat of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Islands and part of Southern Borno.
    “Also, more often these days, these insurgents are focusing on soft targets, opportunistic attacks on isolated military units, as well as on increasingly sophisticated propaganda aimed at making them to look more organised and lethal than they really are.”
    “This ever-increasing reliance on propaganda is a reminder that this is not only a ‘battleground’ war; it is just as much an information-and-narrative war. Winning hearts and minds has always been important in military warfare; it is even more so in a century defined by information and communication technologies.
    “As 21st century military officers, how you project your strength and confidence to your enemies and the world, especially using social and digital media tools, is as important as the sophistication of the conventional arms and ammunition that you wield.
    “But to do so effectively also means that you must take the time and trouble to fully understand the nature of the threats that confront us, the narrative and philosophies that underlie those threats.”
    Osinbajo said the President, in collaboration with governors, had been reviewing the security architecture of the country.
    He added: “This initiative involves the recruitment and training of policemen in each local government and ensuring that such new policemen remain in their local governments, working with local and traditional authorities to maintain peace and security.
    “As the President has said, security is a 24-hour occupation involving continuous investments in strategy and innovation. We will continue to take all necessary measures to tackle all forms of criminality across the country and safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians.”
    The Vice-President also spoke about the need for the NAF to be part of government efforts to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

  • Nigeria set to become Africa’s greatest military force – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the Federal Government would continue to give priority attention to the operational requirements and welfare of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
    Osinbajo who was the Reviewing officer, made the remark during the Passing out Parade of 187 Direct Short Service Course 28 at the Military Training Centre (MTC), Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna on Wednesday
    He appreciated the armed forces for effectively containing the territorial ambitions of the Boko Haram terrorists, by substantially degrading their capacity to attack and wreak havoc.
    He assured Nigerians that the threats of ISWAP, bandits and other criminals would be effectively contained to secure the country.
    The vice president said the military should deploy effective propaganda to diminish the efforts of insurgents who now use the social media to dish out falsehood to shore up their non existing strength.
    “There is also the threat of the Islamic State of West Africa Province ISWAP in the Lake Chad Islands and part of Southern Borno.
    ” Also, more often these days, these insurgents are focusing on soft targets, opportunistic attacks on isolated military units, as well as on increasingly sophisticated propaganda aimed at making them out to be more organized and lethal than they really are.
    “This ever-increasing reliance on propaganda is a reminder that this is not only a ‘battleground’ war; it is just as much an information-and-narrative war.
    “Winning hearts and minds has always been important in military warfare; it is even more so in a century defined by information and communication technologies.
    “As 21st century military officers, how you project your strength and confidence to your enemies and the world, especially using social and digital media tools, is as important as the sophistication of the conventional arms and ammunition that you wield.
    “But to do so effectively also means that you must take the time and trouble to fully understand the nature of the threats that confront us, the narratives and philosophies that underlie those threats.”
    Osinbajo said added that the clashes between crop farmers and pastoralists, as well as the incidences of kidnapping, armed banditry and militancy are being effectively contained.
    He disclosed that the federal government in collaboration with State governors has been reviewing the security architecture of the country.
    “This has involved not just the armed forces but in particular the Police who have recently announced their community policing strategy.
    “This initiative involves the recruitment and training of policemen in each local government and ensuring that such new policemen remain in their local governments working with local and traditional authorities to maintain peace and security.
    “As the President has said, security is a 24-hour occupation involving continuous investments in strategy and innovation.
    “We will continue to take all necessary measures to tackle all forms of criminality across the country, and to safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians.”
    He noted that the Nigerian Air Force have continued to be at the forefront of national security interventions, using “extremely successful digitally accurate bombings of terrorist hideouts.”
    He listed such efforts to include the April destruction of Boko Haram mechanic workshop in Borno.
    “Also in May, the air strikes on Tumbun Hamma on the fringes of Lake Chad, inflicting heavy casualties on ISWAP forces under Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the air strikes on Sambisa Forest further eliminating insurgents.”
    To the cadets, the Osinbajo reminded them of their responsibilities Nigeria.
    “We are Africa’s largest economy by GDP – states of Nigeria have larger economies than many African States. We have become the last frontier for major economic growth.
    ” We are the world’s largest growers of Cassava and yams, we are top 5 in the world in sorghum, millet, we are approaching self-sufficiency in paddy rice production.
    “Our potential in Technology and entertainment has been attracting huge attention, first is the market. At 174 million GSM phones we are top ten telephone users in the world, and we have the highest percentage of people who use internet on their phones in the world.
    “We are also number two in mobile internet banking in the world, 17 million Nigerians are on Facebook.
    ” Microsoft has announced that it will establish a 100 million dollar African Development Centre in Nigeria.
    “We are already building our own drones. But not only are we building drones, we are also making spare parts for our aircrafts.
    “We are also manufacturing armourd personnel carriers, and all sorts of different military platforms.
    “All of these are things that Nigerians are doing in this country. Just last week, we saw, at the Army Day, sophisticated mine sweepers that are manufactured in this country.
    “In a few short years, this country will be, by far, the greatest military force in Africa and certainly the most developed economy in Africa.”
    He congratulated the cadets on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    “This is both the end of one important journey, and the start of another, longer and potentially more fulfilling one. We rejoice with you and with your families, friends and loved ones.
    “As you already know, this profession you have chosen requires discipline, loyalty and hard work.
    “It is much more than just securing a job, or earning a salary; and more than just getting the chance to wear a coveted uniform or wield coveted weapons, ” he said.
    Osinbajo added that the ultimate aim of the service was to defend the territorial integrity of the country, “and to put your life on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of your country men and women.”
  • Explosion hits military unit, kills two soldiers

    Explosion hits military unit, kills two soldiers

    An explosion struck a military unit in Azerbaijan on Saturday, leaving two soldiers killed and another one injured, the country’s Defense Ministry said.
    “In the morning of July 6, an incident occurred at one of the military units.
    “Two soldiers … were killed as a result of the explosion of a tank shell,” the ministry said.
    It added that another soldier was injured.
    Meanwhile, an investigation into the incident is underway.

  • Military, DSS arrest 14 suspected killers of Ex-CDS, Alex Badeh

    Detectives from the Defence Headquarters, (DHQ ) Abuja, and the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested 14 suspects in connection with the murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    Findings showed that the suspects were arrested by a Joint Investigative Panel which was inaugurated by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin following the incident on December 18 last year.

    The suspects were scheduled to be paraded before newsmen at the DHQ Garrison in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja on Tuesday. The parade was later postponed due to what officials of the DHQ described as “ some unforeseen hitches.”

    Before the postponement, five of the suspects were brought to the venue of the briefings at about 1.42pm and were later ushered into a separate room as military officers made frantic efforts with others for the remaining suspects.

    It would be recalled that the Nigerian Police Force had in December 2018 paraded five suspects linked to the murder. One of them was a 25-year-old Shuaibu Rabo, who said the former CDS was killed while they were trying to rob him of money meant for the purchase of a new farmland.

    A member of the ex-CDS family, however, debunked the claim saying there was no money with Badeh at the time he killed by the gunmen.

    The initial parade of the five suspects did not, however, stop military and DSS to follow up the matter as the CDS Gen. Olonisakin order an investigative panel to dig deep into the murder.

    Badeh was the Chief of the Defence Staff between January 2014 and July 2015, after he earlier served as the Chief of the Air Staff between October 2012 and January 2014.

    The Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who first broke the news on Twitter, said Badeh died from “gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked.”

    The invitation on the parade of the suspects, signed by Lieutenant I.O Audu, partly reads, “I am directed to cordially invite you to cover the presentation of findings and parading of some arrested suspects by the Joint Investigative Panel set up by the DHQ on Tuesday. Members of the press are requested to be seated promptly as nobody will be allowed to enter the venue as soon as the event commences.”

    The parade has, however, been postponed as the Acting Director of Defence Information Col. Onyema Nwachukwu pleaded with newsmen that a new date would be communicated as soon as possible.

  • Insecurity: Osinbajo commends Military for ‘job well done’

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said the Nigerian Military has the capability and wherewithal to overcome the current security challenges across the country, asserting that they have in recent times been very busy doing a good job of confronting the security challenges.

    He also said the Present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari decided to reposition the armed forces to cope with the challenges of security threats by modernising, re-equipping and retraining military personnel.

    The Vice President made the remarks at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on the occasion of the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development Competition and Exhibition which was part of activities outlined to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.

    Vice President Osinbajo lauded the NAF for partnering with other reputable institutions across the country to make huge investments in Research and Development, noting that with time the Air Force would establish its footprints on global stage.

    The Vice President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said: “The Nigerian Armed forces have in recent times been very busy doing a good job of confronting our Nation’s current multifaceted internal security challenges. In a bid to reposition the Armed Forces to better cope with those challenges, our administration has made the modernization, re-equipping and continuous training of the Nigerian Armed Forces a top priority.

    “There is no doubt that the resources required to realize the full potentials of the Armed Forces are limited in view of the competing demands from other sectors. Nevertheless, the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to do its best to sustain the current tempo of development.

    “It has become more important than ever before that we really look inwards and gradually wean ourselves of overdependence on foreign technology and become more innovative in the use of local resources.

    “It is in view of the foregoing that I want to specially commend the Nigerian Air Force for the efforts being made at harnessing the available research and development potentials, especially in the military aviation sector”.

    The Vice President therefore called on all stakeholders to embark on fruitful collaborations and joint partnerships to fund more research and development activities in the country.

    In his address, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the NAF priortised Research and Development activities with home grown technology as the basis to actualise his vision for effective and truly professional Air Force.

    He said: “Globally, it is acknowledged that Research and Development has proven to be the catalyst for technological and industrial advancement. There is also a consensus among scholars that national development can best be enhanced through indigenous research and development efforts.

    “Recognising these facts and realising that the effectiveness and sustainability of the Nigerian Air Force, in the long term, would be largely influenced by the growth of home-based technology, the Service has placed emphasis on Research and Development as a means of building indigenous technological capacity.

    “It is gratifying to note that our strategy fits into the focus of the Federal Government which places emphasis in promoting local content, home-grown technology and innovation as principal means of improving the Nation’s foreign exchange earnings”.

  • Sudan’s Bashir ousted by military, placed under arrest

    Sudan’s Bashir ousted by military, placed under arrest

    President Omar al-Bashir, was on Thursday overthrown in a coup by the armed forces which announced a two-year period of military rule to be followed by elections.
    Bashir ruled Sudan with an iron fist for 30 years.

    In an address on state television, Defence Minister, Awad Auf said Bashir, 75, was under arrest in a “safe place” and a military council was now running the country.

    Seated on a gold-upholstered armchair, Auf announced a three-month state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution.

    He also said Sudan’s air space would be closed for 24 hours and border crossings shut until further notice.

    Sudanese sources said that Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”.

    A son of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the head of the country’s main opposition Umma Party, told al-Hadath TV that Bashir was being held with “a number of leaders of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group.’’

    Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague and is facing an arrest warrant over allegations of genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region during an insurgency that began in 2003.

    This had led to death of an estimated 300,000 people.

    The downfall of Bashir follows the toppling this month of Algerian strongman Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also following mass protests after three decades in power.

    Names of Bashir’s possible successors that have been circulating include the defence Minister, an ex-military intelligence chief, also an Islamist, and former army chief of staff Emad al-Din Adawi.

    Adawi is said to be favoured by regional neighbours at odds with Bashir over his Islamist leanings.

    Thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the defence ministry on Thursday, while huge crowds took to the streets in central Khartoum, dancing and shouting anti-Bashir slogans.

    Protesters chanted: “It has fallen, we won.”

    Demonstrators called for a civilian government and said they would not accept an administration led by military and security figures, or by Bashir’s aides.

    Omar Sennar, a Senior Member of the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, one of the main protest groups, said it expected to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power.

    “We will only accept a transitional civilian government,” Sennar said.

    Kamal Omar, 38, another demonstrator, said: “We will continue our sit-in until we prevail.”

    Some demonstrators, who have rallied against Bashir since Dec. 19, said they feared the delay would allow him to go into exile.

    Troops were deployed around the defence ministry and on major roads and bridges in the capital.

    Soldiers stormed the headquarters of Bashir’s Islamic Movement, the main component of the ruling National Congress Party.

    Protesters also attacked the offices of Sudan’s intelligence and security service in the eastern cities of Port Sudan and Kassala on Thursday, witnesses said.

    The Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on Thursday announced the release of all political detainees nationwide, official SUNA news agency reported.

    The NISS made the announcement in a statement, without providing further details, SUNA said.

    Since Dec. 19 last year, Sudan has been witnessing popular protests over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic items.

    Bashir, a former paratrooper who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1989, has been a divisive figure, who has managed his way through one internal crisis after another while withstanding attempts by the West to weaken him.

    Sudan has suffered prolonged periods of isolation since 1993, when the U.S. added Bashir’s government to its list of terrorism sponsors for harboring Islamist militants. Washington followed up with sanctions four years later.

    The latest crisis has escalated since the weekend, when thousands of demonstrators began camping outside the defence ministry compound, where Bashir’s residence is located.

    Clashes erupted on Tuesday between soldiers trying to protect the protesters and intelligence and security personnel trying to disperse them.

    At least 11 people died, including six members of the armed forces, the information minister said, citing a police report.

    Since December, Sudan has been rocked by persistent protests sparked by the government’s attempt to raise the price of bread, and an economic crisis that has led to fuel and cash shortages.

  • BREAKING: Military, Boko Haram in gun battle in Yobe

    Damaturu, Yobe State capital is currently under Boko Haram attack.

    The attack which came from the northeastern part of the town created fears to residents of Maisandari and Red Bricks Housing Estate of the metropolis.

    The attack which began at about 5.30 pm is said to have lasted for about an hour.

    A resident of Red Bricks, Ibrahim Usman who spoke with our correspondent said he was hidding in his house but emeshed with fears as he is over-hearing sporadic gunshots and heavy blasts from outside the estate.

    Usman also informed that he heard the sound of a fighter Jet apparently pursuing the insurgents.

    “I can hear heavy blasts like bombs and sporadic gunshots from my house. we are all hiding inside. I can also hear the sound of Airforce Jet. We need prayers to stop this nonsense,” Usman informed.

    Another resident Modu from Maisandari also confirmed hearing sounds of gunshots from his house where he is hiding.

    A security source who is not authorize to speak with the press informed that the entire town is on red alert due to the incident.

    He informed that soldiers have been deployed to nip the attack in record time to avoid prevent the insurgents from infiltrating the town to cause havoc.

    “Our guys got wind of the attack and have moved in swiftly to quell it in record time to avoid any escalation in the town. But what i can tell you is that the entire town is put under red alert,” he said.

    More details later…