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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Nigerian army appoints new PSOs, field commanders, others

    Nigerian army appoints new PSOs, field commanders, others

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has approved the appointment of Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), Field Commanders and other key staff officers to provide the needed vigour in his command of the Nigerian Army (NA).

    The Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that the Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, now becomes the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), while Maj.-Gen. B.O Sawyer is the new Director of Defence Information.

    He also said that Maj.-Gen. TA Gagariga would move from Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans, to the Nigerian Army Artillery Corps as Commander and Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu becomes the Commander, Infantry Corps.

    According to him, Maj.-Gen. MA Yekini is the new Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. MS Yusuf takes over as Chief of Defence Standard and Evaluation, while Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje is the new Chief of Policy and Plans (Army).

    Similarly, Nwachukwu further disclosed that Maj.-Gen. SO Olabanji had been appointed the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), while Maj.-Gen. OA Akintade would be the new Chief of Army Logistics.

    He said that Maj.-Gen. OT Akinjobi has been appointed as the Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. James Ataguba as Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation, while Maj.-Gen. KI Mukhtar becomes the Chief of Administration (Army).

    Maj.-Gen. C Ofoche is the new Chief of Transformation and Innovation, with Maj.-Gen. AB Ibrahim appointed as Chief of Training (Army).

    “Among the new field commanders are Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifa Ibrahim who takes over as the Force Commander, Multi National Joint Task Force, N’Djamena, and Maj.-Gen. IS Ali who becomes the General Officer Commanding 3 Division would also double as the Commander Special Task Force ‘Operation Safe Haven’.

    “The COAS equally approved the appointment of Commanders, Commandants of NA Institutions, Directors and other key appointments at both Defence and Army levels.

    “The appointments are aimed to rejig for efficiency in command and administration within the Nigerian army and these appointments take effect immediately,” Nwachukwu said.

  • Army redeploys 11 Generals, other senior officers in massive shakeup

    Army redeploys 11 Generals, other senior officers in massive shakeup

    There’s been a major shake-up in the Nigerian Army following the new postings and appointments of senior officers.

    The Nigerian Army released the list of the appointees in a statement signed on Thursday, by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, MM Yerima.

    This, according to the statement is in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria.

    All posting and appointments are to take effect immediately.

    The shake-up comes days after President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Major-General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff following the death of Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru.

    Those affected in the reorganisation include; Major General FO Omoigui from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai to Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria and appointed Director-General, Major General CG Musa from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai and appointed Theatre Commander, Major General OR Aiyenigba from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police and appointed Provost Marshal(Army) and Major General IM Jallo from Defence Space Administration to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI and appointed Deputy Theatre Commander 1.

    Others affected in the posting include; Brigadier General NU Muktar from Nigeria High Commission Islamabad to Office of the Chief of Army Staff and appointed Director of Procurement, Brigadier General O Nwachukwu from Defence Headquarters ( Director Defence Information) to Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations and appointed Director, Brigadier General AE Abubakar from Department of Training and Operations( Defunct) to Headquarters 22 Brigade and appointed Commander, Brigadier General KO Ukandu from Office of the Chief of Army Staff (Director Procurement) to National Defence College and appointed Directing Staff, Brigadier General IB Abubakar from Nigerian Army Armour School to Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations and appointed Deputy Director Operations, Brigadier General AM Umar from Army War College Nigeria to Office of the Chief of Army Staff and appointed Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff and Brigadier General AJS Gulani from Nigerian Army Armour School to Headquarters 24 Task Force Brigade and appointed Commander.

    Others are; Colonel KE Inyang from Headquarters Department of Army Logistics to Office of the Chief of Army Staff and appointed Military Assistant to the Chief of Army Staff, Colonel OO Braimah from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI to Nigeria High Commission Islamabad and appointed Defence Attachee and Colonel IP Omoke from Office of the Chief of Army Staff to Defence Intelligence Agency and appointed Assistor Director Foreign Liaison/ Liaison Officer(Army).

    General Yahaya urged all the affected senior officers to justify the confidence reposed on them.

  • Nigerian Army gets new spokesperson

    Nigerian Army gets new spokesperson

    The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has approved the appointment of Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwaxhukwu as the Director of Army Public Relations, insider sources have disclosed.

    Nwachukwu takes over from Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, who assumed duty as spokesperson in February.

    Until his appointment, Gen. Nwachukwu was the Acting Director of Defence Information, at the Defence Headquarters.

    He was the Deputy Director Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, now Operation HADIN KAI.

    The new army spokesperson is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Post Graduate School Kaduna.

    He also has a post-graduate diploma in Advertising and Public Relations from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

    He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and has attended several military and professional courses as well as seminars within and outside the country.

    Nwachukwu once served as the Media Coordinator, Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

    He was also Assistant Director Defence Information (NA), DHQ, Chief of Staff Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations and Public Relations Officer, NDA.

  • Nigerian Army demolishes unserviceable ammunition, explosives in Imo

    Nigerian Army demolishes unserviceable ammunition, explosives in Imo

    The 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Obinze, near Owerri, has begun the demolition of unserviceable ammunition and explosives.

    The exercise is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Owerri by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Babatunde Zubairu.

    Zubairu said the exercise would be conducted by the 82 Base Ammunition Depot, Enugu from May 14 to May 21.

    He added that the exercise would take place between 7am and 5pm daily throughout the period.

    “The people of Obinze and surrounding communities are advised to keep away from the range area during the period of the exercise.

    “This is not a cause for alarm as the Nigerian Army remains committed to the safety of Nigerians,” Zubairu stated.

  • Insecurity: Finance Minister counters claims of underfunding, says Nigerian Army received N1.08tr in 28 months

    Insecurity: Finance Minister counters claims of underfunding, says Nigerian Army received N1.08tr in 28 months

    The Nigerian Army got N1,008.84 trillion as budget releases between January 2019 and this year’s first quarter, Finance, Budget and National Planning Minister Hajiya Zainab Ahmed told the Senate on Tuesday.

    Mrs. Ahmed made the revelation when she appeared before the Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume-led Senate Committee on Army.

    Citing a letter from the Chief of Defence Staff last week, Ndume said the military authorities complained that they had a shortfall of over N50 billion as far as fund releases from the Finance ministry was concerned.

    Ahmed, however, gave the breakdown of how her ministry disbursed N1,008.84 trillion to the Army in the past two years as follows: N129.69 billion (Capital Expenditure); N39.76 billion (Overhead Cost); N681.79 (Personnel Cost); and N157.6 billion (Special Releases).

    She said that the ministry has been “responsible and responsive” in providing funds for the Nigerian Army.

    Mrs. Ahmed said: “The Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and indeed, the President, priorities are given to funding for the Armed of Forces of Nigeria.

    “Apart from the fact that we try best efforts to fund what is provided for in the budget by almost 100 per cent, there has also been a lot of instances where the security service go to the President, get special approvals and we still provide funds.

    “So, perhaps what we are providing is not enough, but the fact is we provide what is budgeted and we provide what is approved.

    “Maybe, the thing to do in the meantime is to take stock of the real needs of the Nigerian Army. You have an opportunity in the supplementary budget that is coming in so that we can address some of that.”

    On capital funding, the Minister said: “In 2019, what was budgeted for the Nigerian Army was N19.6 billion, adding that N12.84 billion was released, representing 64.37 per cent.

    “In 2020, the total capital budget for the Nigerian Army was N34.37 billion and this amount was released 100 per cent.

    “In 2021 (that is this current year), the total budget for the Nigerian Army is N29 billion as at April. We have released N17.98 billion of that, which is 68.92 per cent. It means we are on course to also release 100 per cent.

    “There was an outside-of-budget spending because the need was higher than what was provided for in the budget. There was a total provision of N64.5 billion for procurement of military equipment that was provided for through special approval of Mr. President.

    “In terms of overhead cost, in 2019, what was budgeted as was N15.64 billion out of which we released N14.299 billion representing 91.01 per cent.

    “In 2020, what was budgeted for overhead was N20.634 billion and N20.471 billion was released, representing 99.21 per cent.

    “In 2021, which is the current year, the total budget for the year is N20.63 billion and three months releases that we have done so far on overhead totaling N4.99 billion representing 96.75 per cent of the prorated budget for the three months because the year is still running.”

    On personnel cost, she said: “In 2019, what was budgeted as Personnel Cost for the Nigerian Army was N192.155 billion but because of the adjustment that we have had to make for the minimum wage, the releases was 122.91 per cent over the budget at N237.42 billion.

    “Apart from the releases that were directly done in the budget by adjustment for the minimum wage, there was also an additional release of N45.195 billion from the Public Service wide adjustment also meant to be augmentation of salaries due to the shortfall in the budget.”

  • Troops subdue Boko Haram terrorists in battle for heart of Borno LGA

    Troops subdue Boko Haram terrorists in battle for heart of Borno LGA

    …recover anti aircraft gun barrel, different calibres of ammunition

    Nigerian Army troops of the newly reinvigorated Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted Boko Haram terrorist’s attempt to infiltrate Rann town, the capital of Kala Balge LGA of Borno State.

    Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director Army Public Relations made this known in a statement on Monday, saying the incident occurred on 1 May 2021.

    He stated that the terrorists in their numbers attempted to disrupt the peace that has been enjoyed by the border town but were met with stiff resistance as the troops in the area took them on a fierce fire fight which lasted about an hour.

    “The terrorists withdrew in disarray with a large number of them suffering fatal injuries leaving behind several weapons and ammunition including anti aircraft gun barrel, AK 47 rifle, hand held communication radio and different calibres of ammunition.

    “In a related development, on 2 May 2021, another band of Boko Haram Terrorists on a criminal mission attacked Ajiri town of Konduga LGA of Borno State.

    “The terrorists having reached part of the town initially burnt 9 houses and killed some innocent residents before they were engaged by the troops deployed in the area.

    “The retreating terrorists went away with various degrees of gun shot injuries while the gallant troops are on their chase. Unfortunately however, 2 personnel paid the supreme price in the resulting encounter,” the statement reads.

  • Ignore rhetorics against Nigerian army – Spokesperson

    Ignore rhetorics against Nigerian army – Spokesperson

    The Nigerian Army has urged Nigerians to ignore the enemies of peace and unity of Nigeria who peddle divisive and subversive rhetorics against the sovereignty of Nigeria and its patriotic army.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, made the call while reacting to an online publication titled “Secret Fulani Plan Unveiled – the Compromised Army Chief” on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, part of the poorly scripted article states that “Last week, two Igbo officers, Lt Col Okeke and Lt Col Ajah alongside 44 others, predominantly Southern and Middle Belt Christian officers lost their lives in a conspiracy hatched by Fulani geriatric officers”.

    “However, to put the record straight, it should be clear that the Nigerian Army does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal or regional divides thus the name Nigerian Army.

    “In the past, several subversive elements have attempted to infiltrate the formidable ranks of the Nigerian Army to sow seed of discord among its personnel but failed.

    “This is due largely to the loyalty and belief of the Nigerian Army in one great country, Nigeria.

    “The amateurish article presented in a self-styled stages one to nine in a fictitious movie like scenario devoid of even the basic rudiments of a news report but yet laced with potent hatred and venom for Nigeria and its proud citizens.

    “One cannot but forgive the illiterate writer of this article and his sponsors for refering to the Chief of Army Staff as Lt Gen Jega (Stage 1, paragraph 1),” he said.

    Yerima said a quick check on the Nigerian Army personnel data base revealed that there were no name matches for Lt.-Col. ND Okeke and Lt.-Col. Aja currently in service who were alleged to have been killed in a conspiracy.

    According to him, in general, summarising stages four to nine of the uncoordinated article exposes the real intent albeit the very low IQ of the writers and publishers.

    “They have distinguished themselves as enemies of our existence and should be seen and treated as such.

    “Furthermore, the Nigerian Army would like to request all peace loving citizens to disregard the content of the said article by Opera News Official in its entirety as it lacks common logic.

    “The Nigerian Army also wishes to reiterate its commitment to the protection of our territorial integrity, defending lives and properties of all citizens and residents in Nigeria.

    “The army further wishes to solicit for the continuous support of all patriotic Nigerians in stamping out activities of criminals including subversive elements for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

  • Insurgency: Nigerian Army renames Northeast’s Operation Lafiya Dole

    Insurgency: Nigerian Army renames Northeast’s Operation Lafiya Dole

    The Nigerian Army has renamed Operation Lafiya Dole, military operations ongoing to flush out Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the northeastern part of the country.

    This was announced on Friday via a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima.

    Following the approval of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, the ongoing counterinsurgency Operation in the troubled region will be changed from Operation Lafiya Dole to Operation Hadin Kai.

    “The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru has approved the renaming of the ongoing Counterinsurgency Operation in the North East from Operation Lafiya Dole to Operation Hadin Kai,” the statement partly read.

    “This is premised on the fact that the Nigerian Army has made a lot of progress over the years and needs to re-align for better efficiency.

    “Also affected in the re-designation are the Army Super Camps which now reflect the nomenclature of the formations and units followed by the name of the locations they occupy while sub-units are redesigned as Forward Operating Bases followed by the name of their locations. All these changes are with immediate effect.”

    The army spokesman explained that the change is in line with the COAS Vision of having “A Nigerian Army that is Repositioned to Professionally Defeat all Adversaries in a Joint Environment.”

    According to him, the Army chief is committed to the complete defeat of insurgency, adding that it is a process that requires the participation of the entire nation using all elements of national power.

    He added, “He further assured that the NA under his leadership will continue to pursue the path of jointness in prosecuting the counterinsurgency war.”

  • Army to sue those sharing photos, videos of slain soldiers on social media

    Army to sue those sharing photos, videos of slain soldiers on social media

    The Nigerian Army has threatened to take legal actions against those sharing photos of slain troops on the social media.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Mohammed Yerima, said this in a statement on Tuesday following the sharing of photos and videos of soldiers killed in Rivers, Borno and other states by insurgents and criminals.

    Yerima said in the statement: “Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army deployed to various theatres of internal security operations are on legitimate duties and are in the harm’s way to defend and protect the country from those who are intent on destroying it.

    “In the course of carrying out this constitutional mandate, troops put their lives on the line to ensure that innocent citizens and institutions of the state are protected from violent criminals. In some cases, these gallant officers and soldiers are meted with the worst form of savagery by the heartless adversaries whose intent is to instill fear on of the citizenry.

    “While the Nigerian Army and its personnel understand the nature of the noble calling and are ever ready to confront any danger of adversity on the way, what is most unfathomable is the glee with which some people share the gory pictures of officers and soldiers who are either killed-in-action or Wounded-in-action in the media.

    “These unpatriotic acts are often done without any modicum of consideration for the memories of the departed personnel or their family members. In some cases, their loved ones do find out about their unfortunate death in such callous manner before they are even contacted by the military authorities. One can only imagine the trauma and pain such families go through waking up to see the gory pictures of their loved ones splashed on the social media.

    “The Nigerian Army consider this despicable and unpatriotic act totally unacceptable and will henceforth take legal actions to protect troops who die in action from being ridiculed on social media or any platform.”

  • Army sends strong warning to those sharing photos of slain soldiers

    Army sends strong warning to those sharing photos of slain soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has sent a strong warning to those indiscriminately sharing graphic pictures of soldiers who paid the supreme price in the cause of defending and protecting the country.

    The warning is contained in a statement released on Tuesday by Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director, Army Public Relations.

    The Army Director of Public Relations stated that sharing graphic pictures of slain soldiers is not only unpatriotic but very insensitive and utterly reprehensible.

    The Nigerian Army vowed to henceforth take legal actions to protect troops who die in action from being ridiculed on social media or any platform.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army condemns in the strongest term possible, the indiscriminate sharing on social media of graphic pictures of personnel who paid the supreme price in the cause of defending and protecting the country from its adversaries.

    “This act is not only unpatriotic but very insensitive and utterly reprehensible.

    “Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army deployed to various theatres of internal security operations are on legitimate duties and are in the harm’s way to defend and protect the country from those who are intent on destroying it.

    “In the course of carrying out this constitutional mandate, troops put their lives on the line to ensure that innocent citizens and institutions of the state are protected from violent criminals.

    “In some cases, these gallant officers and soldiers are meted with the worst form of savagery by the heartless adversaries whose intent is to instill fear on of the citizenry.

    “While the Nigerian Army and its personnel understand the nature of the noble calling and are ever ready to confront any danger of adversity on the way, what is most unfathomable is the glee with which some people share the gory pictures of officers and soldiers who are either killed-in-action or Wounded-in-action in the media.

    “These unpatriotic acts are often done without any modicum of consideration for the memories of the departed personnel or their family members. In some cases, their loved ones do find out about their unfortunate death in such callous manner before they are even contacted by the military authorities.

    “One can only imagine the trauma and pain such families go through waking up to see the gory pictures of their loved ones splashed on the social media.

    “The Nigerian Army consider this despicable and unpatriotic act totally unacceptable and will henceforth take legal actions to protect troops who die in action from being ridiculed on social media or any platform”.