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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Army presents cheques to families of fallen heroes

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday, presented cheques of undisclosed amount to 22 families of its personnel who lost their lives in battle field in 2019 for their group life assurance benefits.

    The Deputy Director, Welfare, Department of Army Administration, Brig.-Gen. Isah Abdullahi, presented the cheques to the beneficiaries.

    He explained that the cheques represented their entitlements from the group life assurance policy of army, saying that the payment was in addition to the various statutory entitlements of the deceased personnel which the army had already paid to their families.

    Abdullahi urged the beneficiaries to be judicious in the utilisation of the money by carefully planning for its usage.
    He also advised them to be careful in handling the money and avoid in-fighting among members of the families.

    He gave assurance that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was committed to the welfare of all officers and men of Nigerian army as well as their families.

    Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Ukachukwu Chinonso, thanked the army for not leaving the families of the deceased personnel to suffer the pain of losing their loved ones.

    Chinonso said that the death of his brother was a great loss to his family, adding that his grandfather also died in war front.

    He prayed that the war should come to an end soon.

  • Alleged extortion: Army to investigate, punish erring personnel

    Alleged extortion: Army to investigate, punish erring personnel

    The Nigerian Army Headquarters has promised to carry out thorough investigation into the allegation of extortion of commuters by its personnel in Borno with a view to sanction them.

    This followed an allegation by Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Monday when he encountered an incident at a military checkpoint along Damaturu-Maiduguri road.

    The governor was reported to have accused soldiers of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed along Maiduguri – Damaturu Road of extorting commuters and causing them unnecessary hardship.

    The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement on Tuesday, said that Nigerian army as a professional and disciplined institution viewed such allegations seriously, particularly coming from a governor.

    According to him, it is on record that, whenever such allegations of troops’ misconduct were made in the past, the Nigerian Army never reneged in conducting thorough investigations to establish them.

    “Where any infractions were established against any personnel, appropriate sanctions were applied in line with extant rules and regulations as provided for in the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    “Thus, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure the good people of Borno State and indeed the nation at large that any allegations of misconduct against its troops will be duly investigated and culprits will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

    Iliyasu said that army authorities had however observed that such public outburst particularly by a state governor could be counterproductive.

    He added that such outburst was capable of reversing the gains recorded so far in the ongoing fight against insurgents and other criminal elements across the nation.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to emphatically reiterate its steadfastness on the protection of lives, properties of all law abiding citizens as it is committed to wiping out insurgency in the North East and other forms of criminality across the country.

    “Additionally, citizens’ continuous support and cooperation is highly appreciated.

    “Any observed misconduct by troops could be reported directly through a toll – free code 193 for immediate remedy,” he said.

  • Video of Boko Haram killing soldiers fabricated by IPOB – Army

    Video of Boko Haram killing soldiers fabricated by IPOB – Army

    The Nigerian Army says the recent video clip allegedly released by Boko Haram terrorists portraying capture and killing of some Nigerian soldiers was the fabrication of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement on Wednesday said that the video was not an occurrence that took place in Nigeria.

    He urged the public and personnel of Nigerian army, especially those in the North East theatre of operation, to disregard the video.

    According to him, it is a video concocted to cause disunity and fragmentation of Nigeria.

    “Accordingly, the call by one Simon Ekpa, (the principal actor in the clip), calling on soldiers of South East extraction presently serving in the North East to desert the Army and return to Biafra proved it.

    “Also, the call on South Easterners not to join the Nigerian Army is an obvious indication of the essence and objective of the masterminds of this fake video which should be discountenanced by the public.

    “Meanwhile the leadership of the Nigerian Army wish to also reiterate its unflinching commitment to sustain the war against terrorism.

    “It shall not be deterred by the evil machinations or propagandist activities of mischievous persons whose main interest is the disunity of our beloved nation,” he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a video purportedly released by the terrorists portraying the stage showing the capture and killing of some Nigerian soldiers by the terrorists group went viral on social media on Tuesday.

  • Insurgents surrender to troops in Borno – Army

    Insurgents surrender to troops in Borno – Army

    The Nigerian Army has announced the surrender of five Boko Haram terrorists to troops of 3 Battalion stationed in Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno.

    The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Iliyasu said that during preliminary interrogation, the surrendered insurgents revealed that hunger and unending bombardments of their hideouts left them with no choice than to escape from their group.

    He added that they also disclosed that they belonged to the Al-Barnawi faction.

    Iliyasu gave the names of the surrendered insurgents as Ramat Mohammed, Alhaji Brazil, Bukar Gambo, Waziri Bukar and Bashuna Musa, adding that they were currently undergoing further interrogation.

    “In the NE Theatre, as troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE intensify the bombardment of identified Boko Haram criminals locations and blockade of the criminals’ crossing points and escape routes, more criminal insurgents are giving up their indignant acts of criminality and surrendering to troops.

    “This sobriety is further exacerbated by hunger resulting from the blockade of their supply routes, arrest of their logistics suppliers and collaborators as well as incessant artillery bombardments of their criminal hideouts,” he stated.

  • Nigerian Army winning war against terror – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigerian Armed Forces and their allies are winning the war against terror.
    The president stated this at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 41 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji, Kaduna State on Saturday.
    He commended the collaboration with neighbouring countries in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, noting that the effort was crucial in decimating the enemy.
    ‘‘Many of the security threats faced by Nigeria are trans-border in nature. That is why the West African sub-region and indeed the African continent must step up the level of military cooperation that currently exists amongst us.
    ‘‘I am sure you are aware of the collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Republic of Cameroun, Niger, Benin and Chad in a multinational operation to decimate Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and other regions.
    ‘‘The effort is laudable and has continued to yield positive results, as the war on terror is being won on all sides.
    ‘‘I want to assure you that Nigeria, in partnership with our allies, will not relent until terrorists are completely decimated,’’ he said.
    The President assured that the Federal Government would continue to give priority to the training and welfare of officers and men of the Armed Forces, including the eminent institution, established to train tactical and operational level officers on the tenets of staff work and command.
    The Nigerian leader used the occasion to appreciate the Armed Forces for prompt responses to the numerous security challenges facing the county.
    He said: ‘’Your response to Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping as well as activities of separatists and armed militias among others have been very commendable.
    “The Nigerian Armed Forces have also committed huge resources towards stability of the West African sub-region and world peace in general.”
    The President told the 207 Senior Course 41 graduates that the nation expects the best from them in terms of commitment to duties, loyalty and service to the fatherland given the time and investments expended on their training.
    He expressed delight that the prestigious college had 13 international officers from 11 African countries and the Republic of Korea, who successfully completed Course 41, an improvement on Senior Course 40, which had 11 international students.
    The President also commended the management for introducing media awareness packages in its training in order to sensitize officers on the importance and methodologies of utilizing information and media actions in support of military operations.
    He also welcomed the modernization drive in the military institution, evident in the establishment of an e- examination centre and rejuvenated library facilities.
    President Buhari also praised the college for reviewing its curricula to build the capacity of student officers to become more proficient in military operations that are better situated to addressing Nigeria’s current security threats.
    In his remarks, the Commandant, AFCSC, AVM Lawal Shittu-Alao said a total of 207 students successfully passed through the programme, which spanned 48 weeks.
    He said the graduating set began their programme on Aug. 8, 2018 comprising 87 Army officers, 58 Navy, 40 Air force personnel and nine non-military staff and 13 international officers drawn from South Korea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Liberia, South Africa, Niger Republic and Gambia among others.

  • Sustaining Buhari’s reforms in the Nigerian Armed Forces

    Sustaining Buhari’s reforms in the Nigerian Armed Forces

    By Idoko Ainoko

    In Nigeria today, the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of General Abayomi Olonishakin can best be described as top notch. I recall when I attended a strategic session on institutionalizing the reforms in the Nigerian Armed Forces at Chatham House in the United Kingdom, the bulk of the speakers did commend the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism and other security threats that the country is faced.

    These are no mean feat by all indications. And this is where the dexterity and leadership acumen of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin comes to focus. Those in the know of the rot in the Armed Forces before 2015 would marvel at the various policies that have been introduced towards ensuring that our military stays true to its constitutional mandate and values.

    I have long admired General Abayomi Olonishakin for the way and manner he has conducted himself since 2015. Some say he is the unseen hand behind the successes recorded by the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram. Some call him the strategist and one who loathes limelight.

    For those in the know of the operations of the Nigerian Military, would readily tell that the Chief of Defence Staff is such an ingenious individual that pays attention to details and leaves no stone unturned when formulating operational policies of the Nigerian Armed Forces. This much can be seen in the way and manner the Nigerian military has carried on the fight against insurgency and other security threats that pose serious security concerns in the country.

    The mere fact that our security agencies curtailed the activities of militant organizations such as the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is indeed a testament of how hard the Chief of Defence Staff has worked in ensuring that there is operational synergy amongst the services that constitute the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    This didn’t happen overnight or by magic. I firmly believe that the relevant military authorities channelled conscious efforts in the form of formulating and executing strategies that would stand the test of time. I am also of the opinion that rebuilding the Armed Forces Institutions in Nigeria was a necessity when President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as President in 2015.

    This was so because we were all witness to the rot in the system that was on the verge of imminent collapse. Corruption reigned supreme, and the number of casualties suffered by the Nigerian troops was in high numbers. And indeed that was when there was a lack of patriotism and reluctance by soldiers at the battlefront to confront the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Even the top hierarchy of the armed forces was equally complicit in the rot that engulfed the system where monies earmarked for arms and ammunition ended up in private pockets. But all of these have indeed changed for the better with improved welfare for troops in the battlefront, accountability and transparency have been entrenched, and morale of the soldiers boosted to confront the various security challenges in the country.

    And Nigeria is indeed better for it. This is why I have always told all that cared to listen to that, but for the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have either gone up in flames, or we would have seen a return to military rule. Yes, it was that bad.

    But thank God for the quality of appointments in the Armed Forces led by General Abayomi Olonishakin, whose tenure as Chief of Defence Staff has seen to the rejuvenation of our Armed Forces and also seen to the multiple inroads the Nigerian Armed Forces as recorded in the quest to keep Nigeria safe and secured.

    Two things can be used to explain how things turned around for good. The first is loyalty. Loyalty in the sense that commitment to the country must be constant. More like our national anthem and pledge that states thus “Arise, O compatriots Nigeria’s call obey to serve our fatherland with love and strength and faith. The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, to serve with heart and might one nation bound in freedom Peace and Unity.

    I do not know what could be more profound like our national anthem; little wonder it has a way of spurring one to greatness. And this is what the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin has been able to bring about in the discharge of his duties as Chief of Defence Staff. He has demonstrated loyalty and patriotism, such that has endeared him to the heart of many Nigerians. His capacity to carry the various services of the Armed Forces had never been in doubt from the word go and this much he has done excellently well to the admiration of all and sundry. Lest I add that only recently, he was appointed to head the Committee ECOWAS Chief of Defence Staff.

    Just like the famous saying, a goldfish has no hiding place, so is the case of General Abayomi Olonishakin, who has exhibited every form of loyalty and patriotism in the discharge of his duties. Special commendation also goes to President Muhammadu Buhari, whose commitment to the rebuilding of the critical institutions in the Nigeria military is unflinching. And this can be called the true spirit of Nigeria.

    I do not doubt that the various reforms introduced by General Abayomi Olonishakin in the Armed Forces would indeed stand the test to time. And it would serve as reference point not just for Nigeria, and also other countries in the world.

    Ainoko is a public affairs analyst based in Kaduna.

  • Why we got into trouble in 2019 elections – Army

    Why we got into trouble in 2019 elections – Army

    The Nigerian Army has said that it incurred the anger of politicians because it refused to compromise the integrity of the 2019 General Elections due to its belief in the nation’s democracy.

    The army said it also acted in the best interest of the country by assisting the police in the elections.

    Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Port Harcourt, disclosed this while receiving two individual Awards of Excellence at the divisional headquarters on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    Two youth groups: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Youth Council, and the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, presented the awards.

    According to Sarham, the elections in Rivers offered a unique experience to which the army satisfactorily carried out its responsibilities.

    “The 2019 general elections which the division acted in aid of Nigerian police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offered the army a unique experience.

    “This is because some subversive elements tried, but failed to cause the division to compromise the integrity of the polls.

    “Their failure was due to the resilience and doggedness of our personnel, whom some of them, unfortunately paid the supreme price in defence of our democracy,” he said.

    Sarham said the awards were recognition that some groups and individuals had closely monitored the elections as well as independently verified activities of the army.

    “Among the groups are the ECOWAS Youth Council and the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria which are presenting these awards.

    “I have been made to understand that there are many more similar organisations that are also processing their request (award) through the Army Headquarters,” he said.

    The GOC said the recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,and troops of the division.

    He dedicated the awards to soldiers who lost their lives while assisting the police in the elections.

    Earlier, the Director of Cabinet, ECOWAS Youth Council, who presented the ECOWAS award, commended the GOC for his professionalism to the nation’s security architecture.

    “We also thank you (Sarham) for promoting peace and nation building. We believe that if Nigeria gets it right, Africa will also get it right,” he said.

    On his part, Dr Isa Abubakar, President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, said that Sarham provided effective leadership and contributed positively to the concluded elections in Rivers.

  • Why Nigerian Army created female corp – Buratai

    Why Nigerian Army created female corp – Buratai

    The Nigerian Army Women Corps (NAWC) concept was to harness the potentials of female officers and soldiers to build a force ready to support army operations and engagements.

    Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, stated this on Tuesday in Jos, in a keynote address at the maiden “Nigerian Army Women Corps Training Week.”

    He noted that events in the country had shown the imperatives of constantly improving security apparatus which was one of the major policy thrust of the current administration.

    This, he said underscored the need to get all hands on deck, irrespective of gender to strengthen the security of the country.

    “This calls for adequate training facilities and strategies to improve the fighting efficiency of all military units. The dynamics of army operations in this dispensation are such that the female personnel cannot be left behind.

    “They are vital to the attainment of the army’s operational objectives especially in the North East where women and girls, involved in insurgencies as either victims or villains, require specific female attention.

    “There is no gain saying the fact that there are some military operations such as psychological operations, in which the female officers and soldiers by their gender excel over men,” he said.

    According to Buratai, the army is set to take advantage of this unique nature of the female personnel.

    He, however, said that in order to effectively fulfil that requirement, the female personnel need to be brought up to speed through deliberate training to build their fighting capacity and competence.

    He said the female corps was faced with daunting challenges which include effective training of its personnel.

    Buratai said the theme of the three-day training, “Building the Fighting Capacity of Nigerian Army Female Personnel for Enhanced Support of Operational Engagements”, was timely.

    “This is especially so because the NAWC is still in its infancy and has the liberty of evolving its own unique training programme that will take it to the desired heights.

    “The choice of the theme is no doubt informed by the need to draw the attention of the Nigerian army to the indispensability of the female personnel in the modern day army towards achieving operational goals.”

    He noted that their position in the army, in the face of ongoing operations against insurgencies and other engagements of the army in the country was strategic.

    The army chief calIed for attitudinal change towards the female personnel in order to build their confidence and motivate them to put in their best.

    He added that there must be complete re-orientation on how female soldiers are perceived within the military.

    “They should not be seen as being merely decorative or passive. They should rather be viewed as viable tools for achieving operational goals just like their male counterparts.

    “I urge you all to see the female personnel for who they are; normal, capable and competent soldiers. Let us all remember that Joan of Arc and Queen Amina of Zaria were sound warriors despite their gender.

    “Though one was of European origin and the other Nigerian, the fact that they both excelled as soldiers and commanders in the defence of their nations underscores the universal nature of the phenomenon.

    “We should never lose sight of this historical fact but rather build on it and avail ourselves of the invaluable qualities of our female colleagues,” Buratai said.

  • INEC officials accuse Nigerian Army of disrupting, abducting election officials in Rivers

    INEC officials accuse Nigerian Army of disrupting, abducting election officials in Rivers

    The electoral officers for Ikwerre, Okrika and Ahoada West local governments in Rivers State have accused the Nigeria army of disrupting elections.

    Emavwoyan Efeturi, Leo Okon and Emotion Niki from the three areas came to the collation centre Monday night without their respective collation officers.

    The trio said there was no collation in their areas and there was nothing to show that election took place.

    Okon and Efeturi who are the electoral officers for Okrika and Ikwerre respectively, categorically mentioned that soldiers from 6 Division of the Nigerian Army based in Port Harcourt are responsible for the disruption of the process.

    The two electoral officers said their collation officers could still not be found.

    Okon, the electoral officer for Okrika, alleged that one Captain Inuwa led 10 soldiers to INEC office to stop collation and chase everybody away.

    Also the EO Ahoada West, Mr Niki said, “APC and PDP” thugs were shooting heavily which made collation exercise impossible.

    Due to the above issues, there were no results recorded for the three places in Rivers State.

    At least 11 people including a soldier were confirmed killed in Rivers during Saturday’s election. The violence in RIvers made INEC suspend elections in some parts of the state.

    The army has blamed the violence on armed supporters of the PDP, the governing party in Rivers.

    Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government House press unit, in a separate statement released on Monday afternoon, the Rivers State Government alleged that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in the company of about 100 soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army invaded the INEC Office at Isiokpo.

    Amaechi is the APC leader and immediate past governor of the state.

    The statement accused Amaechi of working with soldiers to raid collation centres

    Read the full statement below.

    INEC OFFICIALS NARRATE HOW SOLDIERS OF 6 DIVISION SNATCHED ELECTION RESULTS FOR EMOHUA/IKWERRE LGAs

    Journalists, domestic and foreign observers were shocked on Monday at the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre when INEC Officials narrated how soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army invaded Collation Centre of Emohua Local Government Area and Ikwerre Local Government Area to snatch Presidential and National Assembly result sheets.

    The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in company of about 100 soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army invaded the INEC Office at Isiokpo.

    In Emohua, a former Commissioner under Rotimi Amaechi led the invasion of the Collation Centre by soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

    Speaking during the Collation Session on Monday, Mrs Mary Efeture Imawuya INEC Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA declared that no Collation was carried out in Ikwerre Local Government Area because of the invasion of the INEC Office in Isiokpo by soldiers.

    She said: “Between 7 and 8pm of Saturday, February 23, 2019, the military invaded INEC office at Isiokpo and they walked out every adhoc staff that were there to present their results to the Collation Officers. The evidence is still there. We took recordings.

    “At the end of the day, no Collation was carried out. The results of the Collation Officers, issued to them , was retrieved by me and returned backed to the INEC State Office”.

    She noted that the military personnel did not allow the adhoc staff to carry out Collation in their wards, hence permission was sought and obtained from INEC for Collation to hold at the INEC office at Isiokpo.

    “We sent messages to all our polling officers that the should report at Isiokpo with their results. As they were coming, one after the other, the Collation Officers were asked to identify their polling units and do their Collation”, she said. The INEC Returning Officer said that the military disrupted the process by sporadic shootings and snatched the election materials.

    Also speaking, INEC Electoral Officer for Emohua Local Government Area, Kenneth Etah blamed massive shootings by the military for the disruption of Emohua Local Government Area Collation process.

    He said: “As I speak, I do not have any results to present for Emohua Local Government Area because Collation did not take place.

    “This was due to sporadic shootings that disrupted the process. There was pandemonium and everything was scattered. After one hour shootings, security officials evacuated us to the council hall.

    “We remained there, while materials remained in my office. By 5am, I discovered my office was burgled. I have not seen my Collation Officer or the materials. I have not seen results. I submit there were no results”.

    The Returning Officer for Emohua Local Government Area who disappeared with the invading soldiers of the 6 Division resurfaced with at the Rivers East Collation Centre in company of soldiers.

     

  • Boko Haram: Nigerian Army react to AI’s recent reports on killings in Rann

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday denied reports by Amnesty International, alleging that 60 displaced persons were killed by the Boko Haram insurgents at Rann community in Borno State, describing it as misleading.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the clarification in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Amnesty International in a report alleged that Boko Haram insurgents attacked the community sequel to the withdrawal of troops from the area.

    According to Nwachukwu, there was no evidence of such attack as well as the murder of 60 persons by the insurgents on January 28; as claimed by the organization.

    He said, “The attention of the Theatre Command, Operation LAFIYA DOLE has been drawn to recent claims by Amnesty International (AI) that troops’ abandonment of their deployment led to the killing of 60 civilians in Rann on Jan. 28, 2018.

    “Undoubtedly, it is disheartening that the situation of Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) who are already traumatized, having been displaced from their ancestral homes by insurgency, is being further aggravated by recent callous Boko Haram attack on the IDP community.

    “However; it is most unacceptable and unfair for AI to make such outlandish and unverified claims that troops abandoned their deployment a day before Boko Haram attack on the location, thereby exposing the IDPs to a deadly attack.

    “This claim is not only bereft of truth, but in its usual mannerism, another futile effort by AI to portray the Nigerian military as incapable and project the Nigerian government as not protective of her people in the eyes of the global community.

    “It is, therefore, inevitable to address this misinformation being peddled and fed the public from AI’s obviously uninformed report’’.

    Nwachukwu noted that the insurgents attacked the community on Jan. 14, as against Jan. 28, as claimed by the Amnesty International.

    He added that during the encounter with the insurgents on Jan. 14, the troops proved their gallantry, neutralized two suicide bombers and three Boko Haram fighters, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.

    The army spokesperson revealed that the Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, accompanied by the Commander Sector 1, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brig. Gen. Bulama Biu, conducted a long-range patrol and battle damage assessment exercise at Rann and other adjoining communities in the area.

    He observed that the report of the assessment exercise indicated that there were no records of 60 persons killed in the insurgents’ attack as claimed by the AI.

    “Contrary to AI’s claims, at no point of the assessment indicated the killing of 60 persons made either by members of the community, whom the Sector Commander interacted with or by the members of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), who were at hand during the assessment.

    “Again, the alleged 60 dead bodies were not recovered during search and rescue operation conducted after the attack, as AI would want members of the public to believe.

    “The troops commenced a clearance operation in villages surrounding Rann and destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ camps that were uncovered during the operation.

    “In one of such clearance operations on Jan. 30, the troops encountered an ambush staged by the terrorists along Gamboru – Mafa Road and gallantly fought through it, overpowering the insurgents,” he said.

    According to Nwachukwu, another issue in the controversial AI report is the alleged attack on Rann on Jan. 28.

    He said, whereas there was no such attack, rather, an alarm was raised by IDPs in Rann over the sudden withdrawal of troops under the MNJTF from the location, to which the authorities of Operation LAFIYA quickly responded.

    “The Commander Sector, Operation LAFIYA DOLE returned to Rann on Jan. 29, with reinforcement troops to beef-up and support the troops there.

    “The astronomical statistics of human casualty touted by AI and the alleged abdication of duty by our selfless and resilient troops cannot hold water in the face of facts.

    “Facts of the several exemplary physical involvements of the Theatre Commander and the Commander Sector 1 as well as Commanders of 22 Brigade and 3 Battalion in ensuring normalcy returns to Rann and the reinforcement and replenishment of the troops,” Nwachukwu said.

    He also blamed the organisation for inability to verify facts in the compilation of its report, adding that the organisation wrongly accused the military of wrongdoing.

    Nwachukwu noted that the troops deployed to the frontlines become victims of the insurgents’ attacks and sacrificed their lives in defense of the people and the country.

    He said the military authorities were deeply touched by the demise of those who fell during the insurgents’ attack in Rann and sympathised with humanitarian organisations and aid workers affected by the attack.

    The army spokesman stressed that the atrocities perpetrated by the insurgents was a clarion call to international and local communities to support the Nigerian military to enable it end insurgency and restore peace to the troubled region.

    Nwachukwu, who reiterated the commitments of the Army to defend the nation’s territorial integrity, protect life and property, said that the military would not be distracted from its duties by smear campaigns.