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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • N1bn claim: Court dismisses Nigerian Army’s preliminary objection

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the Nigerian Army, in a suit filed by retired Col. Danladi Hassan, seeking N1 billion as damages and to void his compulsory retirement.

    Hassan who instituted the suit is seeking to void his alleged compulsory retirement, reinstatement and payment of compensatory and exemplary damages to the tune of N1 billion.

    The defendant counsel, Simon Onoja, in a preliminary objection, urged the court to strike out the suit for being incompetent due to non-fulfillment of condition precedent to instituting an action, and for lack of jurisdiction.

    Onoja raised the objection, as he claimed that the claimant did not compile with Section 178 of the Armed Forces Act.

    The Act stipulates that an officer should exhaust all administrative remedies available to him before embarking on any action to seek redress in the court of law, the counsel said.

    The Judge, Justice Sanusi Kado, in his ruling, dismissed the preliminary objections raised by Onoja.

    “The disagreement between the parties is whether the letter written to the President, Commander-in-Chief, amount to fulfillment of condition precedent provided for in Section 178 of the Armed Forces Act.

    “Based on the letter of appeal written to the President, the claimant has complied with the condition precedent before instituting his action as stipulated by the Armed Forces Act.

    “The court has also found that the pleading of the claimant has disclosed a cause of action capable of being enforced,” the judge said.

    The case was adjourned until April 19 for continuation of hearing.

  • Nigerian, US Army host 2018 African Land Forces Summit in Abuja

    The Nigerian Army in partnership with the US Army African Command will host the 2018 “African Land Forces Summit (ALFS)” in Abuja from April 16 to April 19.

    Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja at a joint news conference with the US army.

    Ahmadu listed topical issues to be discussed at the event as `Command and Control in African Operational Environment, Collapse of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria Caliphate and Implications on African Stability and Security’.

    He said that the summit would afford African military leaders the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ways of tackling security challenges on the continent.

    The chief of training also said that the summit would provide the Nigerian army with the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might to the largest gathering of senior military leaders on the continent.

    “It is pertinent to also state that, the United States military through the auspices of the African Command (AFRICOM) holds annual conferences called the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) with allied countries.

    “The forum affords countries the avenue to share experiences on global terrorism and forge common approach to combating transnational threats and crimes such as small arms proliferation and terrorism.

    “The summit is the single largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent.

    “It also affords them the opportunity to interact with the aim of strengthening existing relationships and developing new ones,’’ he said.

    According to the chief of training, part of activities lined up for the summit is a military demonstration that will entail firing and use of pyrotechnics (display of fireworks) on April 17.

    He said that the exercise would take place at 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, commencing with rehearsals on April 12 and April 14.

    He, therefore, urged residents of the area to remain calm as necessary safety measures would be put in place to protect their lives and property.

    Participants, according to Ahmadu, will be drawn from all African armies, western partners as well as representatives from the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He also said that some members of the academia and stakeholders would attend the four-day summit.

    The last African land forces summit was held in Malawi in 2017.

    NAN

  • Troops reveal killing number of bandits in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said its troops killed 21 armed bandits in the ongoing clearance operation at Tunga Daji in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    Brig. – Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that many bandits escaped with gunshot wounds in battle with soldiers on April 4.

    He disclosed that an army officer and a soldier lost their lives in the fierce battle with the bandits.

    Chukwu said the troops recovered five AK 47; one Light Machine Gun, five AK 47 magazines and 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

    “Troops of 232 Battalion Zuru, on clearance patrols on Wednesday, April 4, neutralized 21 armed bandits in encounter at Tunga Daji in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    “During the fierce battle many bandits escaped with gunshot wounds to the top of high ground close to the area.

    “Unfortunately, we lost an officer and a soldier during the encounter. The remains of the gallant troops have been evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.”

    Meanwhile, troops deployed in Bena, acting on intelligence, have raided a bandits’ camp at Laka village in Kebbi.

    Chukwu explained in a statement that the troops killed one of the bandits and recovered an AK 47 rifle with a magazine.

    According to him, the troops were mobilised on a special operation to comb the general area and arrest any fleeing bandit.

     

  • JUST IN: Troops arrest 3 Boko Haram terrorists at Civilian JTF tip off

    Troops of 23 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation Lafiya Dole on 28th March 2018, acting on a tip off arrested 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ngurore.

    TheNewsGuru reports the suspects, Adam Yagga, Musa Kamsulum and Abba Djidoum, are all from Darajimal in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    According to the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, one of the suspects, Abba Djidoum, with series of gunshot wounds on his thigh, confessed to have operated with the Boko Haram terrorists at fringes of Izza, Wudula and Blakule in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The suspect is undergoing preliminary investigation with 23 Brigade Provost Company, the Army said.

    “We commend patriotic members of civilian vigilante (Civilian JTF) for their resilience and continued cooperation with troops, and urge members of the public to emulate their vigilance and security consciousness by reporting any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest military location.

    “We wish to remind repentant Boko Haram fighters that the window of opportunity to embrace the Federal Government Amnesty program is still open for them to surrender and lay down their weapons.

    “It is also gratifying to report that the troops’ morale remains high as they dominate the general area with a robust fighting patrol in continuation with the clearance operations, the Defence Headquarters said in a statement.

     

  • Nigerian Army to give befitting burial to 11 soldiers killed by bandits on Thursday

    The Nigerian Army has concluded plans for the burial of eleven of its soldiers killed by suspected bandits at Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State last week.

    The army said a beffiting burial will be given to the slain soldiers at Commonwealth Cemetery Kaduna on Thursday.

    This was contained in a short statement signed by Muhammed Dole, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, made available to journalists in Kaduna.

    The statement reads: “One Division Nigerian Army will conduct a befitting burial ceremony for its personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice during exercise AYEM AKPOTUMA.

    “The burial will take place on 29 March, 2018 at Commonwealth Cemetery Kaduna.”

    Recall that the 11 soldiers were killed at Kanfanin Doka, along Funtua road about 45 kilometres from Birnin Gwari town last week.

    The bandits were said to be on a revenge mission over the killing of their kingpin, Buharin Daji. They also injured nine vigilantees who were on their way to support the soldiers.

     

  • Nigerian Army postpones 77 Regular Intake recruitment exercise

    The Nigerian Army has postponed till further notice the pre-screening examination scheduled for selected applicants invited for the Nigerian Army 77 Regular Intake recruitment exercise.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Nigerian Army had earlier scheduled the pre-screening examination for Monday 26th February to 9th March 2018.

    “We wish to inform the general public that the 77 Regular Intake screening exercise earlier scheduled to hold from Monday 26 Feb – 9 March has been postponed till further notice.

    “The new date for the screening exercise will be made public here [referring to the @HQNigerianArmy Twitter handle] and also on the Nigerian Army Recruitment Portal: http://recruitment.army.mil.ng/,” the Nigerian Army said in a statement.

    Many applicants have complained that they are yet to see the list of those selected for the pre-screening exercise.

     

  • Innoson Motors hits Nigerian Army partnership, to manufacture military vehicles, equipments

    The Nigerian Army and Innoson Motors, an indigenous vehicle manufacturing company, are to partner for the manufacturing of locally made military equipment and vehicles for the army.

    In line with the partnership, the army would acquire 100 variant of utility vehicles from the company to support its operations, especially in the North-East.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, announced this when the management of the company, led by its Managing Director, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, visited the army headquarters.

    Buratai also said that the army would partner with the company in the modification and production of other military equipment, including armoured fighting vehicles.

    He said so far, the army had already acquired 40 vehicles from the company after it donated three vehicles to the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Buratai said the the 40 vehicles were acquired after the donated vehicles were tested and found suitable for the North-East terrain.

    He added that the vehicles were deployed in combat operations and “proved to be useful, comfortable and convenient for military operations.”

    He, therefore, solicited the cooperation of the company in building the capacity of its personnel.

    The army chief said this was necessary now that the army was assessing its special vehicle plant and central workshop located in Kaduna State and other areas to in order to produce required equipment.

    Chukwuma expressed delight that the vehicles the company had donated to support the counter insurgency operations were found suitable.

    He commended the Nigerian Army for its patriotism and the success it had recorded so far in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He promised to assist the army in its quest for better vehicles for troops and resuscitation of its vehicle plant and workshop.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the high point of the visit was the presentation of another three utility vehicles to the army by the company.

     

  • Nigerian Army commences 77 regular recruitment

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced its online registration for the 77 Regular Recruit Intake for both trades, non-tradesmen and women from December 29 to February 9, 2018.

    The army spokesman, Sani Usman, a brigadier general, said in a statement on Saturday that the exercise was aimed at selecting able bodied Nigerians and would take place in all states.

    “Interested applicants must be Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 22 for non-tradesmen and women, while tradesmen and women must be between 22 to 26 years by 1st March 2018.

    “Applicants are to visit the Nigerian Army official website http://recruitment.army.mil.ng to apply online,” Mr. Usman said.

    He said the application was free.

    “For more details, applicants are to contact 08038575725 or 08037234828.

    “Further details are contained in Daily Sun and Leadership newspapers of tomorrow Sunday 31st December 2017.”

    NAN

  • No civilian killed in Boko Haram attack on WFP’s convoy – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Monday denied the killings of civilians in an attack coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents against the World Food Programme (WFP’s) trucks on Saturday.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarification in a Short Service Message (SMS) to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said that the troops escorting the trucks had killed six insurgents and recovered weapons.

    He explained that there were no civilian casualties in the attack, adding that he was at Dikwa when the incident occurred.

    “There was an ambush but the soldiers killed six Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons. No civilian was killed.

    “I was in Dikwa that Saturday and this happened while I was within,” Nicholas said.

    However, the Wold Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday said a driver of its hired truck and three other persons were killed in an attack at Ngala in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

    Adedeji Ademigbuji, the Communication Associate of the WFP, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that a convoy of the WFP’s hired trucks conveying food items were attacked by gunmen 35 kilometres South-West of Ngala on Saturday.

    He disclosed that the convoy escorted by the military were conveying foodstuff for distribution to the vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area.

    He said that a driver of the hired truck, his assistant and two other persons were killed in the attack.

    “WFP confirmed that a convoy escorted by the Nigerian Military including WFP hired trucks were subject of attack by armed groups, 35 km southwest of Ngala in Borno, on Dec. 16.

    “Four people, including the driver of a WFP hired truck and his assistant, were killed in the incident.

    “WFP is working with the authorities to determine the whereabouts of the trucks,” Ademigbuji said.

  • BORNO: Army denies suicide bomb attack in IDPs camp, ambush on soldiers

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed as ‘misleading’, reports of a suicide bomb attack at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Pulka community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

    The military also described as ‘fictitious’, the purported killing of six soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush on Damboa Road.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarifications in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that two suicide bombers infiltrated Pulka town on Monday, one of the bombers was neutralised by the troops, while the other one detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in the town, killed two persons and two others sustained injuries.

    He said that a military vehicle stepped on an IED device planted on Damboa Road on Sunday, noting that two soldiers lost their lives in the incident.

    “The incident in Pulka occurred inside the town and not at the IDPs camp. The gallant troops neutralised one of the attackers even before causing harm to any one, while the other suicide bomber detonated the explosive killing two persons and injuring two others.

    “There was no ambush by the insurgents on our troops. The soldiers were involved in an IED explosion accident when their vehicle stepped on the device planted on the road.

    “Two soldiers were involved in the incident; there was no ambush, no ammunition carted away or six soldiers killed, as being erroneously reported. It is a misrepresentation of facts,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the military authorities had sympathised with the victims of the suicide bomb attack in Pulka, and reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property.

    The army spokesman also called on the people in the region to be vigilant and provide useful information to the military on suspicious activities in their respective communities.

    “Security and peace building is a collective responsibility; I call on community and religious leaders to mobilise their people and cooperate with the military in the fight against insurgency.

    “Boko Haram insurgents do not wear uniform to easily identify them. People must be vigilant to report suspicious persons and contribute to the restoration of peace in the region,” he said.

    NAN