TheNewsGuru

Tag: Military

  • Tinubu reacts to death of notorious bandit leader, Sububu

    Tinubu reacts to death of notorious bandit leader, Sububu

    President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the news of successful operations against security threats in the North-West by troops of the Nigerian military.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, said the success of the operations gives further assurance that the country’s security operatives are up to the task of of ensuring the peace and security of the nation.

    Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, on Thursday, neutralised wanted bandit leader, Halilu Sububu, who had been unleashing terror on citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of north-western Nigeria.

    The troops also killed another terrorist Sani Wala Burki in a Joint Operation in Katsina, and busted a terrorist enclave in Kaduna, where 13 kidnapped students were freed.

    The successful operations follow the President’s directive to the service chiefs to relocate to the zone until normalcy is restored.

    “President Tinubu commends the military high command, the intelligence agencies, and the troops for their valiant efforts, synergy, and dedication, which have resulted in the recent laudable outcomes.

    “The President also commends the entire security apparatus for the improved security in the nation and enjoins them to sustain their efforts until immediate and latent threats are permanently removed,” the statement read in part.

    President Tinubu reassured the security agencies of his continued support in achieving the priority objective of keeping the nation safe and secure.

     

     

  • Military must smoke out terrorists from Sambisa forest now — Ali Ndume

    Military must smoke out terrorists from Sambisa forest now — Ali Ndume

    Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has called on the military under the Theatre Command, North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, and other security agencies to clear the North East of terrorist threats, especially in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.

    This, he emphasized, is crucial for enabling peasant farmers to return to their farmlands without fear.

    The lawmaker specifically cited areas like the Sambisa forests, Mandara mountains, and border communities within Gwoza and the Republic of Cameroon, where insurgents have made farming a dangerous venture.

    Senator Ndume noted that terrorists have been causing significant economic setbacks for resilient farmers recently resettled in liberated communities such as Ngoshe, Kirawa, Warabe, Wala, Pulka, and Gwoza town.

    He said, “Sincerely, the renewed pockets of attacks recently perpetrated by insurgents have posed serious economic setbacks to our resilient farmers who were newly resettled in liberated communities of Ngoshe, Kirawa, Warabe, Wala, Pulka and even Gwoza town, the Council headquarters.

    This is because the terrorists resorted to looting of their unmatured crops without confrontation.

    want to use this medium to appeal to the military and other security agencies to intensify more efforts aimed at clearing remnants of terrorists still hibernating in Sambisa Forests and parts of Mandara Mountains bordering Cameroon Republic and Nigeria.”

    Ndume also commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, for his extraordinary efforts in rebuilding around 10 Gwoza communities that were previously destroyed.

    He praised the military for restoring civil authority and noted the deployment of a military doctor providing free daily medical services to over 10,000 residents of Ngoshe and its surrounding communities who have returned to their ancestral homes.

    While acknowledging the need for more development, Ndume expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum, saying, “Like Oliver Twist, we may ask for more, but to be honest, Zulum has exceeded our expectations.”

  • Military won’t overthrow Tinubu’s Government – Lagbaja vows

    Military won’t overthrow Tinubu’s Government – Lagbaja vows

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has vowed that the military will not heed calls for the overthrow of the government of President Bola Tinubu.

    Lagbaja made this statement on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the COAS Combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    According to him, the calls for military intervention are mainly coming from young Nigerians who did not experience the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule. He said the Nigerian Army has built a new prestige over the past 25 years by allowing safe democratic rule and will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically bring some interests to power.

    “The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power. As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army is not poised to losing the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years, secure, and united,” he said.

    Lagbaja highlighted the support the military has received from the government, citing the recent purchase of two Bell UH-1 Huey helicopters equipped with advanced sensors and enablers. He also mentioned the welfare of widows and family members of fallen heroes, which remains on course.

    The Army Chief also addressed the recent nationwide hunger protest, stating that it was an eye-opener that food and social security issues can snowball into physical security challenges. He pledged the Army’s resolve to review its agricultural policy and provide security cover for farmers in critical farming communities.

    Furthermore, Lagbaja revealed that the Nigerian Army has acquired other combat enablers, such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, rifles, and ammunition, to strengthen operations and security across the country.

     

  • Military neutralises 108 terrorists, rescues 214 hostages in 1 week – DHQ

    Military neutralises 108 terrorists, rescues 214 hostages in 1 week – DHQ

    The Nigerian military in the last one week eliminated 108 terrorists amd  rescued 214 kidnapped hostages across the country.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Buba said  troops also apprehended 204 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, recovered 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 assorted ammunition, comprising one dushka, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK56 rifle and 37 AK47 rifles.

    He added that the troops also recovered four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier and two HH radios.

    Other weapons, according to him, are 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm and 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm.

    “Also recovered are nine live cartridges, one belted of NATO ammo, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones and the sum of N4.9 million amongst other items,’’ he said.

    In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 47 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 130 kidnappers hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.

    He said that a total of 622 terrorists comprising 90 adult males 182 adult females and 350 children surrendered to troops during the week within the theatre of operations.

    Buba said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, had on Aug. 2 conducted an air interdiction at newly uncovered BH/ISWAP terrorist’s hideout and IED factory in Mandara Mountains.

    According to him, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and the IED factory as well as their logistics destroyed.

    In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 13 insurgents, apprehended 57 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages during the week.

    In the North West, Buba said the troops of Hadarin Daji, neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested 22 terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

    He said the air component conducted successful air interdiction missions at suspected terrorists kingpin Kamilu Burazu’s enclave and newly uncovered terrorists hideout In Danmusa and Batsari Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

    According to him, battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures as well as logistics were destroyed.

    Under Operation Whirl Punch, Buba said the troops neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 22 suspects and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages in Kaduna, Niger and Kogi States.

    He added that the air component eliminated several terrorists and destroyed the camp of a terrorists’ kingpin, Buhari in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, recovered 1.13 million litres of stolen crude oil, and 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of PMS.

    He added that troops discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats and 12 storage tanks as well as 71 cooking ovens, two speedboats, two pumping machines, and two HH radios.

    According to him, troops also recovered 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, one wheelbarrow and destroyed 76 illegal refining sites.

    He added that troops rescued five kidnapped hostages and apprehended 32 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists and also recovered 11 assorted weapons.

    In the South East, Buba said that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised five terrorists, arrested 12 violent extremists and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

    “All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,’’ he added.

  • Nationwide protest: Military vows to step in if…

    Nationwide protest: Military vows to step in if…

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has warmed that the military would step in to assist the police and other security agencies if the violent protests in some parts of the country goes out of control.

    Musa gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the activities of the protesters reporting to valence in some parts of the country on the day one of the protest.

    He said that the military had been on standby providing support to the police and other security agencies since the beginning of the protest, adding that they would not stand by and watch things get out of hand.

    The CDS said the military was determined to ensure total peace in all parts of the country with the support of all Nigerians, urging all to understand with the government.

    He said that while the military recognised that there were challenges, it would can not allow criminals or individuals that had hatred for the government to take advantage of the situation to destroy the country.

    “Monies that are meant for development will have to be used to repair the destruction thing so that we can move forward.

    “So instead of doing that, we should come together, make sure nothing is destroyed,” he said.
    He said that the recent autonomy granted the local government to be able to get fundings directly from the federation account would ensure that people at the grassroots get the feel of the government.

    The CDS urged Nigerians to look up to their local government and their state governments.
    “I want to appeal once again for the support of all Nigerians, the federal government, the state government and local governments and let us avoid anything that will bring mayhem within our communities.

    “We have seen the level of destruction that were carried just yesterday and you can imagine if this continues for so long.

    “The armed forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue.

    “We want to warn those that are in the house, those that don’t want to listen. We will not fold our hands and see our country destroyed.

    “We will take action and the action will be taken professionally. Anyone that is caught will be taken to the courts to be dealt with,” he added.

    Musa said the military had remained professional in its conducts since the commencement of the protest.

    He said that the federal government has shown its commitment by upholding its promise of allowing people to associate freely.
    “Clearly, the security forces have done extremely well and I’m very happy to mention one, especially the Nigerian police force, have shown a lot of professionalism, including where members of the armed forces had to step in.

    “You can see that we have remained very professional in our conduct and we will continue to do that as long as the citizens also understand that there is a difference between peace and criminality.

    “What we saw yesterday was, at the beginning, some semblance of a very peaceful demonstration, but which was quickly taken over by a bunch of criminals that don’t mean us well.

    “And if you remember, we have warned that there are individuals that are ready to cause mayhem once this starts.

    “And so I want to appeal to Nigerians to understand that the federal government is doing the best it can for the country,” he said.

  • Protests: Military envisages anarchy, reign of terror

    Protests: Military envisages anarchy, reign of terror

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says the planned nationwide protest has the potential of degenerating into anarchy, and reign of terror based on the situational analysis by the military high command.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

    Buba said the military had thoroughly examined several factors such as whether or not the planned protest was motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference or terrorist groups amongst others.

    He said it was also examined to ascertain whether or not other organisations had fed on the frustrations of Nigerians to create the situation.

    “However, for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved.

    “The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces.

    On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy in order to unleash terror.

    “The contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which has so far been violent and unresolved to date.

    “Given the situation, there are already indicators that, unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes,’’ he said.

    Buba said that there were signs of status related violence such that persons with things as basic as a smart phone and car were targets, not leaving out those that own houses and shops.

    Other targets, according to him, includes; places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political party among others.

    “Based on the foregoing, the level of violence envisaged is best described as a state of anarchy.

    “It is for this reason the armed forces will not watch and allow the nation spiral out of control to such low levels.

    “Basically, the military has been exposed to wars and have witnessed situations of anarchy in countries ravaged by war, particularly during ECOMOG or during peacekeeping operations.

    “It is for this reason that, troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation,’’ he added.

    Buba urged the citizens to note that, both the timing and the atmosphere of hardship in the country had made the planned protest different from others in the past.

    He added that it was incumbent upon all to quench the fires of violence rather than ignite them.

    “It is time to let, cool heads prevail in order for government to further remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again,’’ he said.

  • Army reaffirms ban on unauthorised use of military camouflage

    Army reaffirms ban on unauthorised use of military camouflage

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has reiterated that the ban on the unauthorised use of military camouflage remains in full effect.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Sunday while reacting to a video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing Army Desert Camouflage uniform.

    Nwachukwu said the video footage was a stale audio-visual being circulated by individuals with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace.

    He said that only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force were legally permitted to wear military camouflage.

    Nwachukwu said the regulation became expedient as terrorists, insurgents, and other imposters had exploited the misuse of military camouflage to commit heinous crimes, thereby posing significant security threat.

    “The Nigerian army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

    “We urge the public to disregard the re-circulated video and to remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country.

    “The unfortunate incident in question occurred in 2021, and the army took immediate and decisive action at that time.

    “The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behaviour, which violated the core values of the Nigerian army, particularly the respect for others and their fundamental rights,’’ he said.

  • INSURGENCY! Military not achieving desired results – Dogara

    INSURGENCY! Military not achieving desired results – Dogara

    As the war against terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East zone enters into its second decade, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged the Federal Government to contract “defence contractors” to rid the country of blood-sucking terrorists.

    “We can outsource this fight. We can do this with our shoulders lifted high. Even advanced countries like Russia, for instance, use the Wagner Group. In the US, there is the Blackwater. These are defence contractors,” Dogara said on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday.

    Dogara was a lawmaker in the green chamber for 16 straight years from June 2007 to June 2023 when he represented Dass/Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa Constituency from Bauchi State, one of the six states in the insurgent-prone North-East zone of Nigeria.

    He said the military has tried its best in about two decades now but the desired results have not been achieved as Boko Haram and ISWAP factions of terrorists still wreak havoc in the North East.

    According to the lawyer, there can’t be foreign direct investments when insecurity has become the order of the day.

    “We can engage these defence contractors to help us solve this problem assuming our conventional forces have shown or demonstrated so far that they cannot handle it. This is something we have to resolve ourselves. So, we can outsource it, if that is going to give us results.

    “We are talking about results. It’s only a stupid, foolish person who opposes results. I don’t know if that is a definition of wisdom: to keep doing something the same way and expect different results. We have done this thing for how many years now and there have been no results. We can engage these people and they can work together with the conventional forces,” the former lawmaker said.

    An Unending War?
    Borno, a state in Nigeria’s North-East zone, has been under attack by marauding terrorists for over a decade. Thousands have been killed, even more persons injured, abducted, or displaced, the latest being in June when dark-hearted suicide bombers killed at least 32 persons, with scores injured.

    The military has recorded some successes against terrorists in the past years but at the expense of gallant soldiers and other security officials who paid the supreme price.

    The state’s eastern border with Cameroon has made the anti-terror war intractable for the military as intelligence over the years has shown that blood-thirsty insurgents swoop on the people of the state and leave the country immediately after deadly attacks, leaving residents in teeth-gnashing agony.

  • We’re not recruiting ‘Foreign terrorists’ as soldiers – Nigerian Army

    We’re not recruiting ‘Foreign terrorists’ as soldiers – Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army has debunked reports in some sections of the media that it is recruiting foreign terrorists popularly described as “fundamentalists and jihadists” into the armed forces.

    An audio-visual content had gone viral on social media, accusing the Nigerian Army authorities of recruiting terrorists particularly those who have links with ISIS and other international terrorism organisations into the force.

    The spokesman of the army, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a reaction, said the narrative as depicted in the footage was not the true values and standards of the Nigerian Army.

    Nwachukwu, a Major-General, argued that the footage was targeted at sparking palpable anxiety and fear in the citizens, sowing discord and mistrust among the military personnel, and eroding public confidence in the integrity of the Nigerian Army.

    The senior military officer said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said the Nigerian Army would remain steadfast as it has always been in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.

     

     

  • Military making operational adjustment to protect farmers – DHQ

    Military making operational adjustment to protect farmers – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says operational adjustments have been made by the military to prioritise protection for farmers to ensure a successful rainy season farming.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known on Friday in Abuja while giving updates on the operations of the armed forces.

    Buba said the armed forces had intensified intelligence collection effort targeted at hunting terrorists and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating.

    He said the aim was to eliminate the terrorists and the infrastructure that supports their activities.

    According to him, troops will continue to employ significant firepower to neutralise terrorists and disrupt their activities across the country.

    “Winning the war against the terrorist is non-negotiable,” he said.

    Buba said the troops had, in different operations, neutralised 220, apprehended 395 suspects and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages in the last one week.

    He added that troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 assorted ammunition comprising three PKT guns, one G3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles and 18 locally-fabricated guns.

    Also recovered were 16 dane guns, 14 RPG bombs, one RPG launcher, two tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades and one bandolier.

    Others include 5,893 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 401 rounds of 9mm ammo, 200 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 154 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 195 live cartridges, and 17 magazines.

    In the North-East, Buba said, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects and rescued 61 kidnappers hostages.

    Assorted arms were also recovered, he added.

    In the North-Central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 37 insurgents, arrested 102 violent extremists and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages, he said.

    In the North-West, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, neutralised 78 terrorists, arrested 103 terrorists and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.

    Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 105 illegal refining sites with 51 dugout pits, 38 boats and 51 storage tanks.

    He said the troops also recovered 215 cooking ovens, two speedboats, 44 drums, three tug boats, three barges, four wheelbarrows, one outboard engine, 15 vehicles, three motorcycles and six mobile phones.

    According to him, troops recovered 1.09 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.1 million litres of illegally refined AGO, 27,350 litres of DPK and 150 litres of PMS.

    “Troops also arrested 55 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil thieves an estimated sum of N1.8 billion,” he said.

    In the South-East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 22 terrorists, arrested 37 violent extremists, rescued 15 kidnapped hostages and also recovered a large cache of arms.