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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • 2019: Army makes vow ahead of polls

    The Nigerian Army has vowed to sanction any personnel found culpable of committing any electoral malpractice during the coming general elections.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai disclosed this during his visit to the Nigerian Army Corps Signals in Lagos to inaugurate some buildings while also attending the corps’ reunion party which ended late on Saturday.

    Buratai, represented by the Chief of Logistics, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, said all personnel must remain professional and apolitical during the coming General Elections.

    “All officers and soldiers must remain apolitical and exhibit exceptional professionalism in the forthcoming tasks.

    “You must report any unwholesome activities up the chain of command once it is beyond your powers of command.

    “The full weight of the Armed Forces Act will be visited on any personnel found culpable of committing any electoral malpractice.”

    He said that the Nigerian Army would continue to provide military aid to civilian authorities to guarantee security of the nation.

    “We will support the Independent Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in concluding a successful election.’’

    While inauguration the new quarters for officers and senior non-commissioned officers, Buratai said he remained committed to providing infrastructure to motivate personnel.

    “This is a further validation of my vision of providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to motivate Nigerian Army personnel in the discharge of their professional duties.

    “As you are aware, the Nigerian Army and indeed the nation is beset by a plethora of security challenges that have tasked our resources, ingenuity and resilience.

    “Despite these, the welfare of troops remains priority in all my considerations and actions.

    “My conviction is that a well motivated force, even with scare resources, can vanquish any external or internal foe.’’

    He pledged to undertake infrastructure projects in all army barracks to enhance the working and living conditions of officers and men.

    “For the officers and soldiers that would occupy these new blocks, you are enjoined to maintain these properties as you would your personal property.

    “You must maintain the highest standard of general hygiene and the internal and external aesthetic of these buildings.’’

    The COAS commended all the officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army Signals for their excellent professionalism in providing reliable and robust communication support to ongoing Nigerian Army operations, particularly, Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “Your static and mobile communication platforms have greatly served as force multipliers in our operations against the various terrorist and criminal threats facing the country.

    “It has also facilitated my command and control of the entire Nigerian Army.

    “For the first time in the history of the Nigerian Army operations, the usual recourse to blame communications support for unsuccessful operations is no longer tenable.’’

    Buratai thanked the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for his unrelenting support to the army and belief in its capability to defeat all aggressions against the nation.

    Earlier, the Commander, Nigerian Army Signals, Maj.-Gen. Clement Olukoju, said that the newly constructed six blocks of flats consisted of two blocks for officers and four for senior non-commissioned officers.

    “The two officers’ blocks have a total of 16 one-bedroom flat while those for senior non-commissioned officers consist of 40, two-bedroom flats,’’ Olukoju said.

    The corps also had its West African Social Activities (WASA) and reunion party.

    The event was attended by retired and serving military senior officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.

     

  • Army fighting two battles – Don

    A don, Dr. Aminu Umar, has lamented that the Nigerian Army is being over stretched with simultaneous engagement in fight against insurgency and terrorism, misinformation and psychological warfare.

    Umar, the Head of Department, Political Science, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), said this in a telephone interview.

    He, however, noted that the army faced such situation because of “the nature of politics in Nigeria’’.

    “But above all, this issue of propaganda that has dominated the media overtime is because of the nature of the Nigeria setting; most Nigerians believe in what they see without digesting,’’ he said.

    Umar also said people with ill motive to damage and discredit the military, especially the army, were behind some of the misinformation emanating from the theatre of operation in the North East.

    He said some others did that for political gains.

    “The operation is not an easy one. It is not easy to fight a battle that you cannot easily identify the person (you are fighting) and it is not a clearly demarcated area.

    “If you know Borno and Yobe states, if know what that environment is, you will know that the best soldier in the world will have difficulty in confronting an organised group like the Boko Haram.

    “When they (army) go to communities, you cannot just assault people; you must study and understand that these are the real Boko Haram terrorists that you want to engage.

    “Whoever throws away his gun and wears his regalia and comes out clean, you cannot detect whether he is a Boko Haram or not.

    “That is why suicide bombings have happened in the theatre of operation or major city like Maiduguri,’’ he said.

    On how to tackle misinformation and psychological warfare which was having demoralising effect on troops in the frontline, Umar challenged the army to boost its civil/military relations.

    He added that the army must also map out its propaganda machine to make people believe in what it is doing, boost troops’ morale and weaken the terrorists and their sympathisers.

    “It (army) also has to play a great role in the social media because reporting has now become a common thing in Nigeria.

    “With just a very good handset, one can just type in what he wants and post and before you know it, the damage has been done.

    “So, there is need for the army to see how they can boost their public relations to counter whatever (negative) that is coming out of the theatre of operation.’’

    According to him, this will enable the people to appreciate what they have been doing.

    Also, in a telephone interview, Dr. Khalifa Dikwa, a Sociopolitical analyst, urged the media not to “just report anything’’ in the ongoing operations in the North East but be patriotic.

    Dikwa further urged the media not to elevate the terrorists psychologically by giving them prominence in reportage.

    “The media should not just report anything, particularly in war. There are certain things they should avoid; it is part of patriotism to avoid some reports,’’ he said.

    While hosting Editors in December, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the army was now engaged in psychological war with the terrorists.

    Buratai said the media should know that giving the terrorists space was an encouragement to them.

    He said: “We also noted that most of the security problems we are confronted with in this country are associated with misinformation.

    “We are therefore appealing to you to be more understanding in the discharge of your professional duties.

    “Your support is highly required because of the immense role you play in shaping national focus and thus, national security.

    “It does not augur well for national security and troops’ morale when the military is portrayed as weak and corrupt, not trusted or respected as was the case with the recent unfortunate attacks on our locations and the lopsided reports on them.’’

     

  • Christmas: Abuja Women celebrate Nigerian army over peaceful yuletide across Nigeria

    The Nigerian Army has received massive commendation from a coalition of Abuja women under the aegis of FCT Women of Honour over the peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the Christmas celebration across the nation.

    Under the dogged leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, the surge in insurgency during the yuletide has been effectively silenced.

    Prior to President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, frequent bomb blast marred the festive periods, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    A good example was the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, a suburb of Abuja in 2011 which claimed over 40 lives and left 60 others injured.

    As a result, inhabitants were forced to mark the festivity at home, staying away from religious and public centres.

    That’s in the past, however.

    The FCT Women of Honour can’t seem to fathom how the Nigerian Army has restored calmness in such a short time, with the dreads of old now forgotten.

    According to its president, Princess Juliana Okolo, at a press briefing in Abuja , she revealed that this is no mean feat and deserves to be applauded.

    The group hailed President Buhari, the COAS and his ever-reliable troops for restoring peace to the nation’s capital and across Nigeria.

    “While in the eyes of the ordinary, it seems an ordinary feat, it is indeed a huge feat when compared to previous years where there was hardly any Christmas period that bombs would not detonate in churches or other recreational spots within the federal capital territory and its environs,” she stated.

    “It is therefore instructive to note that for three consecutive years, (2016,2017 and 2018) residents of Abuja celebrated the Christmas in absolute peace and harmony. We are of the opinion that this was made possible by the total commitment of the Nigeria Army under the distinguished leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff.

    “The FCT Women of Honour Group sees and recognizes the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in keeping the country safe and secured with it various military operations going on simultaneously around the country. From the east to the west, to the south and the north, the commitment of the Nigerian Army has remained unflinching even though it has been stretched thin by these activities.

    “The FCT Women of Honour also wishes to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his unalloyed commitment in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed leadership of this great country in 2015.

    “The visible inroads experienced in the critical security sector is indeed a demonstration of the political will to ensure that Nigeria is back on the path of glory again.

    “As African mothers, we indeed must continually remember our sons in our daily prayers that are striving day and night for our sake so that we may be free from evil forces that are hell-bent on destabilizing our great country.

  • Suspected Boko Haram terrorists kill soldier in Borno

    Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Friday killed a soldier of the Nigerian Army (NA), with another left wounded, after the terrorists infiltrated army formation at Gudumbali in northern Borno state.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command, as saying the Boko Haram terrorists disguised as civilian Internally Displaced Persons, who inserted themselves in the community

    “The terrorists took advantage of the ongoing distribution of relief materials by the Nigerian Army at Gudumbali and opened fire on troops location which was followed by rapid fire from other terrorists in gun trucks along Gudumbali-Kukawa axis.

    “The trucks conveying the relief materials were set ablaze. However, the troops however fought gallantly and outmanoeuvred the attackers and inflicted heavy casualties on them,” he said.

    According to him, a soldier unfortunately paid the supreme price during the encounter, while another was wounded in action.

    “A Cobra Armoured Personnel Carrier and a truck belonging to the unit were damaged. Similarly, the troops have recovered bodies of some of the neutralized terrorists, large quantity of ammunition and 8 Rocket Propelled Grenades Charges. The troops have since been reinforced and normalcy has been brought to the general area,” he stated.

     

  • Metele attack: Nigerian Army confirm 23 dead, 31 wounded

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 23 of its personnel were killed and 31 others wounded when Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops locations on Nov. 18 at Metele in Northern Borno.

    The figure contradicts reports of 44 to 100 army personnel allegedly killed in the attack.

    In a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday, the army, however, said that between Nov. 2 and Nov. 17, the insurgents attacked troops’ positions at Kukawa, Ngoshe, Kareto and Gajiram.

    He said troops repelled those attacks but 16 soldiers were killed, while 12 others sustained injuries in those incidents.

    “The sacrifices of these fallen heroes will not be in vain.

    “We also wish all those wounded in action speedy recovery and assure them of our continued support and care,” Usman said. .

    Usman said the incident of Nov. 18 happened at a time when the Nigerian Army was planning to hold the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference for 2018 in Benin City.

    “On account of this incident, the Conference had to be moved from Benin City to Maiduguri to enable the Nigerian Army leadership get closer to the troops on the ground and to better appraise our activities, assess our performance and identify our shortcomings as an army.

    “We are also sensitive to the fact that the nation is approaching an election year and thus we must be prepared to assist in providing security for the peaceful conduct of elections.

    Accordingly, the theme for this year’s annual conference is aptly titled, “Optimizing the Operational Efficiency of the Nigerian Army Towards Safeguarding Democracy and National Security in Nigeria,” Usman said.

    He assured Nigerians and the international community that the army would work optimally, in conjunction with other security agencies to provide a secure environment for peace and unity in Nigeria.

    Usman noted that since 2015, the army in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies had systematically degraded the capabilities and capacity of Boko Haram terrorists and recorded many successes.

    However, he said in the last two to three months, there were daring moves by the terrorists, who had used drones against troops’ defensive positions and infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks.

    “These potent threats require us to continually review our operations.

    “The Nigerian Army, wishes to reiterate and pledge its total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We wish to reassure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend our country at all costs.

    “We shall also continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles.

     

  • Breaking: Army break silence on slained soldiers, remain mute on casualty figures

    The Nigeria Army (NA) has finally broken silence about the attack by Boko Haram insurgents on 157 Task Force Battalion defensive location at Metele.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Boko Haram insurgents unleashed terror on the Army defensive location at Metele in Guzamala local government area of Borno State, leaving scores of soldiers dead.

    While the media has reported over 100 soldiers were killed in the terror attack, the NA has largely remained silent over the matter, and remained silent on the number of casualties even with its recent press release.

    The press release reads: “The attention of the NA has been drawn to several social media, print, electronic and online publications about the recent attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele.

    “Whilst it is true that there was an attack on the location on 18 November 2018, it has however, become necessary to correct several misinformation being circulated with regards to this unfortunate event.

    “It is important for the public to note that the NA has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who fall casualty in action.

    “Out of respect for the families of our gallant troops, the NOKs are first notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating the grief family members would bear, were they to discover such from unofficial sources.

    “Furthermore, it suffices to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate BHT propaganda videos and alluding same to be the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion.

    “Whilst it is understandable how such misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists; to misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not. So far, the situation is that the location is under control as reinforcing units have been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.

    “The NA sincerely, wishes to thank the various arms of government, MDAs and sister security agencies that have stood with her in these trying times; by commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for the defence of our dearly beloved country.

    “The necessary support being given the NA by the Federal Government and the goodwill of the Nigerian populace will undoubtedly continue to spur the NA towards the ultimate defeat of the highly degraded BHTs”.

     

  • Senators to visit soldiers in Boko Haram battlefield

    A delegation of Senators will visit Nigerian soldiers on the battlefield, following the killing of 44 soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno in a deadly attack.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Senate also delegated its Committee on Army to visit families of the deceased soldiers and the Chief of Army Staff.

    Senate Committees on Defence and Army are expected to investigate the cause of the killings of the 44 soldiers and to ensure that adequate measures are being taken to curb such killings.

    These are parts of resolution reached by the Senate during plenary on Thursday after Senator Abdullahi Danbaba moved that since the constitution of the Committee on Army, it has not been active.

    “The Nigerian Army is completely detached from the Senate,” he stated.

    Reacting, Senate President Bukola Saraki said, “We are all aware that a few days ago we lost about 44 brave soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Northern Borno.

    “We must pay our respects to these brave men that have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for our own safety & peace in our country”.

    He thanked Senator Danbaba for bringing up the issue to the Senate.

    After observing a one-minute silence for the 44 soldiers, the Senators stepped down all proceedings of the day, and adjourned plenary.

     

  • Breaking: Senate adjourns plenary in honour of lost souls

    The Nigerian Senate stood down all items on the order paper of Thursday and adjourned plenary to another legislative day to honour 44 soldiers who recently lost their lives.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports some 44 brave soldiers of the Nigerian Army a few days ago died while fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state.

    “We are all aware that a few days ago we lost about 44 brave soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Northern Borno.

    “We must pay our respects to these brave men that have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for our own safety and peace in our country,” Senate President Bukola Saraki asserted.

    Senate Leader moves that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day in honour of the lost souls, and Minority Leader seconded the motion.

    Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 27th November, 2018.

     

  • Nigerian Army deliberately using designed tactics to kill Shiites – Amnesty International

    London-based non-governmental organization focused on human rights, Amnesty International, has condemned the killing of dozens of Shiite protesters by the Nigerian Army.

    Recall that the Shiites were killed in protests in and around Abuja between Saturday and Tuesday.

    The protesters, members of the IMN, apart from embarking on a religious march were also demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    “It seems the Nigerian military are deliberately using tactics designed to kill when dealing with IMN gatherings,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

    Read the full statement below.

    An investigation by Amnesty International shows that the horrific use of excessive force by soldiers and police led to the killing of at least 45 supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) over two days, as the Shi’a Muslim group held a peaceful religious procession around Abuja.

    Amnesty researchers visited five different locations in Abuja and Nasarawa state where wounded IMN supporters were receiving treatment, including two locations where bodies were deposited. Researchers spoke with victims, eyewitnesses and medical practitioners, and analysed videos and photographs of those injured and killed during the protests, which took place on Saturday and Monday.

    “We have seen a shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force by soldiers and police against IMN members. Video footage and eyewitness testimonies consistently show that the Nigerian military dispersed peaceful gatherings by firing live ammunition without warning, in clear violation of Nigerian and international law,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

    “Those injured were shot in different parts of the body – head, neck, back, chest, shoulder, legs, arms – and some of them had multiple gunshot wounds. This pattern clearly shows soldiers and police approached IMN processions not to restore public order, but to kill.”

    Amnesty International has evidence that the military used automatic firearms during Monday’s protest, in which at least 122 protesters sustained gunshot wounds and at least 39 were killed. At least six people were killed in protests on Saturday.

    The organisation’s research team counted 24 bodies (23 male and one female) and trusted sources provided details of 21 others. Two of the bodies seen had their legs severed, which Amnesty International’s military and weapons expert analyzed as consistent with injuries caused by a heavy fully-automatic machine gun such as a PKM or DShK.

    “It seems the Nigerian military are deliberately using tactics designed to kill when dealing with IMN gatherings. Many of these shootings clearly amount to extrajudicial executions,” said Osai Ojigho.

    “This violent crackdown on IMN protesters is unjustified and unacceptable. They were perfectly within their rights to hold a religious procession and protest and there was no evidence they posed an imminent threat to life.”

    Many injured IMN supporters have sought medical treatment in unofficial buildings due to fear of arrest if they go to hospital.

    One medical worker near Abuja told Amnesty International: “From yesterday (Monday) I attended to 57 people with gunshot wounds, most of them still having the bullets lodged in their bodies. We are only trying to stabilise them by arresting the flow of blood before sending them to hospital. It is not an ideal situation because this is an uncompleted building, not a hospital. I am hoping that they get to hospital today.”

    Since a massacre of over 350 IMN supporters which took place in Zaria in 2015, the Nigerian authorities have consistently sent in the military to respond to IMN protests or marches. This strategy appears to be at least partly to blame for the bloodshed witnessed on Saturday and Monday.

    There are reports that stones were thrown by protesters as a response to the use of lethal force, to which security forces responded with tear gas and more gunfire.

    “We are once again calling on the Nigerian authorities to impartially investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the extrajudicial execution killing of IMN supporters, including the commanders who gave the orders for live bullets to be used,” said Osai Ojigho.

    “The continuous failure to investigate these gross human rights violations is fueling a dangerous disdain for the sanctity of human life in Nigeria.”

    International law is clear that security forces policing demonstrations must not use firearms against protesters unless they pose an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and only if there is no lesser way to avert such threat.

    They must never use firearms to disperse a demonstration, even if it turns violent. Firearms must never be used as a tactical tool for the management of demonstrations: they may only be used for the purpose of saving another life.

    The Nigerian authorities have an obligation under international law to ensure there is a full and independent investigation of deaths at the hands of security forces and that those responsible, including in the command structure of the security forces, are held accountable under criminal law.

     

  • Biafra: How I escaped to Israel, survived assassination attempts by Nigerian Army – Nnamdi Kanu

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has explained how he escaped being assassinated by operatives of the Nigerian Army and flew from Nigeria for safety.

    Kanu, who spoke in an interview with an Isreali TV Station posted on YouTube on Monday, said his relatives helped him out of the country.

    “Nigerian Army came to my house to kill me,” Mr Kanu said of the military exercise carried out in Abia State just before his disappearance.

    “They killed 28 people in the process,” he alleged.

    “My people evacuated me before they could get to me and they smuggled me out of Nigeria. I would say, I ’m relieved that I managed to make it to the only place that I feel safe in the whole world.”

    Kanu, who also has a British passport, claimed he would have loved to go to England but would not feel safe there.

    The separatist leader, who by fleeing out of the country violated his bail conditions, claimed there were tens of millions of Igbo Jews in Nigeria who Israel must defend.

    “Israel has to live up to their obligation to defend Judaism and Jewish faith all over the world,” he said. “We are being persecuted. We are suffering as a people and I believe it is the responsibility of Israel to make sure that Biafra stands as an independent entity in Africa.”

    “Biafra has over 70 million people scattered all over the world . They have called us the wandering Jews of Africa. Those that identify themselves with their Jewish heritage are about 50 million people,” he said.

    When asked how the ‘millions’ of Nigerian Jews he said exists practice their religion, Mr Kanu said they practice Judaism in “terms of their prayers, in terms of the Torah that they read.”

    “A significant number of the population practise Judaism as we do in IPOB. When Christianity came with colonialism, a lot of our Jewish practices were suppressed. We were made to feel ashamed of our Jewishness. We want to go back to the way we were before the British came. Most of our problems were basically made by the British.

    “We want an independent Jewish State, a Biafra that is absolutely independent of anything that has to do with Nigeria, for the simple reason that we were independent before the British came. There is a paranoia that, should Biafra get closer to Israel, 70 million people would somehow flock to the land of Israel, but that is not the case…”

    “When I got to Nigeria in 2015, I was arrested and sued. I was asked to be freed twice in court. We are seeking Biafra, so we can get and return to Biafra.”

    Mr Kanu has been at the limelight demanding an independent Biafran country from the Nigerian state through referendum. He is facing charges of treasonable felony at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    He was arrested alongside three others on October 14, 2015 in Lagos and was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on April 25 on health grounds. The judge adjourned the matter to November.

    The army and IPOB clashed before the adjourned date. The judge has since frowned at his disappearance and blamed his sureties for jumping bail.