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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Nigerian Army mourns former COAS, Major General Chris Alli

    Nigerian Army mourns former COAS, Major General Chris Alli

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Nigerian Army, on the passing of former COAS, retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Alli.

    The condolence message is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig -Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Sunday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the former Army Chief succumbed to a brief illness in the early hours of Sunday at the Military Hospital, Lagos.

    He said that the late former COAS served the Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time.

    “Alli’s commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently as he rose through the ranks to become the Director, Military Intelligence (DMI), amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian army.”

    He said that Alli rose to the pinnacle of his military career as the 9th COAS in November, 1993 and was there until his retirement from service in August, 994.

    Born on Dec. 25, 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi, Gen. Alli’s sojourn in the army began on Oct. 20, 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course.

    He served in various capacities, cutting across staff, instructional and command, and was, at a time, the Military Administrator of Plateau.

    “The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja, on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Late COAS.

    “He prayed for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time,” the statement said.

  • Nigeria’s first female major-general, Aderonke Kale is dead

    Nigeria’s first female major-general, Aderonke Kale is dead

    Nigeria’s first female Major-General, Aderonke Kale (Rtd) has died at the age of 84.

    She was said to have died in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday from an undisclosed ailment.

    The president of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), confirmed Kale’s demise in a statement, describing her passing as an “irreparable loss.”

    Kale who was born on July 31, 1939, trained as a medical doctor at the University of Ibadan before specialising in psychiatry at the University of London.

    The former major-general worked briefly in England before returning to join the Nigerian army in 1972.

    She rose through the ranks in the army, becoming a colonel and deputy commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps by 1990.

    In 1994, she was promoted to major-general and retired from the army in 1997.

    Tinubu mourns

    President Bola Tinubu sympathizes with the Kale family, the Nigerian Army, and the society of medical practitioners in Nigeria on the passing of Aderonke Kale, a retired major-general.

    The president described her as a pace-setter and her death as a painful loss to the country.

    “Major-General Aderonke Kale was a pioneer in her field. She embodied the courage, professionalism, capacity, and resilience of the Nigerian woman. She thrived and conquered where many feared to tread. She was a towering figure; an inimitable role model,” the president said.

    President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the late officer and encouraged her beloved family to take solace in the peerless legacy she left behind.

    Major-General Kale was a recipient of many awards for her contributions to the field of medicine. She was also a philanthropist who positively impacted many lives.

  • Exercise Clean Sweep: Nigerian Army to detonate unexploded bombs in Ogun communities

    Exercise Clean Sweep: Nigerian Army to detonate unexploded bombs in Ogun communities

    The Nigerian Army on Monday  announced that it will dispose of unexploded ordnances recovered from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast in an exercise code named “EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP”.

    Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director, Army Public Relation, made this known via a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that Exercise Clean Sweep commenced on Oct. 10.

    He said the clearance exercise had reached an advanced stage, resulting in the recovery of various calibres of unexploded ordnances, which would have to be professionally and safely disposed of.

    Nwachukwu said that various calibres of unexploded ordnances recovered during the exercise would be professionally and safely disposed at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode, Ajilete, Ogun on Friday, Oct. 27 from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

    He said the disposal was in line with the exercise plan, as earlier highlighted during the inauguration press briefing and Flag Off by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

    “Accordingly, there will be movement of unexploded ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to Nigerian Army Shooting Range, Owode, Ajilete in Ogun.

    “The detonation of the explosives will produce a loud bang that would be heard from far and near during the exercise,” he said.

    Nwachukwu, however, urged members of the general public, particularly residents of Owode, Ajilete and its environs, not to panic.

    He advised that they should go about their normal and legitimate businesses, as the sound of the explosion would not raise any security concerns.

    He also appealed to farmers and farm owners within and around the perimeters of the Nigerian Army Shooting Range, to steer clear during the period of the exercise.

    “The Nigerian Army assures the general public that necessary cautionary measures have been placed to guarantee safety of life and property throughout the duration of the exercise,” he added.

  • 2002 bomb blast: Ogun residents will hear explosion as Army set to dispose unexploded ordnances

    2002 bomb blast: Ogun residents will hear explosion as Army set to dispose unexploded ordnances

    The Nigerian Army will dispose recovered Unexploded Ordnances from the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast site,  at the Army Range, Owode Ajilete in Ogun, an official has stated.

    A statement on Tuesday by the 81 Division, Nigerian Army Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the disposal would be conducted on Oct. 27.

    Ayeni recalled that the clearance of remnants of unexploded ordnances from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast began on Oct. 10 in an Exercise codenamed ”EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP”.

    He said that the exercise had reached an advanced stage resulting in the recovery of various calibre of unexploded ordnances, which would have to be professionally disposed.

    He stated that the exercise would be conducted in line with the plan highlighted during its flag-off by the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Oct. 10.

    ”The Nigerian Army will be conducting disposal of recovered Unexploded Ordnances at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode Ajilete Ogun State on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    ”Accordingly, there will be movement of the Unexploded Ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to NA Range, Owode Ajilete in Ogun State,”Ayeni stated.

    He said that there would also be large sounds that would be heard during the exercise which he said were in line with the disposal routine.

    ”Consequently, members of the general public especially those who reside around Owode Ajilete and the environs are not to panic.

    ”They are to go about their normal respective businesses as the sounds of the explosion will not raise any security concern,” the 81 Div spokesperson said.

    He assured the general public that necessary safety measures had been put in place to ensure safety of life and property throughout the duration of the exercise.

  • Nigerian Army injects new set of battle-ready soldiers into operations

    Nigerian Army injects new set of battle-ready soldiers into operations

    The Nigerian Army has graduated a new set of battle-ready troops to confront insecurity in the country, after months of rigorous training at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia in Kaduna state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the graduation event featured practical demonstration of military drills, showcasing the soldiers’ newly acquired competencies in tactical manoeuvre, physical proficiency, advance shooting drills, Warrior ethos, unarmed combat, among other vital skills.

    He said the training package, code-named, “Exercise Restore Hope V”, was to adapt personnel who recently passed out of Depot Nigerian Army to the challenges posed by the ever-changing nature of threats within Nigeria’s security environment.

    Addressing the graduating troops, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the objective of the exercise was an effort by the Nigerian army to close observed gaps in its operations through focused, adaptive, and effective training.

    Lagbaja said the training was conducted with a view to producing highly skilled and competent manpower for operational engagements in all theatres.

    He added that the training perfectly resonates with his Command Philosophy, which is to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force, towards achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”

    The COAS said that ‘Exercise Restore Hope’ would offer a unique post-depot training model, designed to enhance the professionalism and battle readiness of young soldiers.

    He emphasized that training was a key investment needed to achieve operational successes, adding that a nation that places high premium on funding troops training will spend less in prosecuting her wars.

    He expressed satisfaction with the quality of training and performance of the troops in the demonstration drills and implored them to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the exercise in the field, to create a safe and secure environment for socio-economic development.

    The COAS appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his untiring support to the Nigerian army as well as the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa for their efforts in the capacity development of the army to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

    During a tour of facility at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, located in the same Kachia, Lagbaje urged troops to shun all social vices and remain professional and loyal to the Constitution and Government of Nigeria.

    He reiterated his commitment to guaranteeing their welfare as topmost on his agenda for the Nigerian army.

    He used the opportunity to inaugurate the school Bakery to meet the confectionary needs of both personnel and students in the school.

    At the graduation, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said that the 16 weeks rigorous training had imbued the troops with requisite military bearing to adapt to the highly dynamic security situation in the country.

    Dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony are Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Commandants of Nigerian Army Schools and Heads of Security Agencies in Kaduna.

    Also at the event are the Agom Kachia of Kachia Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Zamani Dogonyaro and representatives from Kachia Local Government.

  • JUST IN: Army speaks on Leah Sharibu’s marriage to ISWAP commander

    JUST IN: Army speaks on Leah Sharibu’s marriage to ISWAP commander

    The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims that lone Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, had remarried another Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander.

    “Leah does not have any husband”, a Nigerian Army source told AIT on the condition of anonymity.

    “Leah was initially separated from the man who claimed to have married her,” he added

    The source maintained that Leah’s “second husband” was killed during a recent face-off with the military.

    Leah was one of the 110 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, who were abducted on February 19, 2018, by ISWAP terrorists.

    Although others were released by the terrorists, Leah was denied freedom “for refusing to denounce her Christian faith”.

     

  • Discipline is an important attribute of a solider – Army Commander

    Discipline is an important attribute of a solider – Army Commander

    The Commander Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, on Saturday encouraged soldiers to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

    Kangye said this during a familiarisation visit to the Headquarters 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta.

    He noted that the military was known for discipline, effective training and also provision of the needed firepower in its operations.

    According to the commander, a soldier that is not disciplined can not be trained, hence the need for discipline before being trained.

    ”You need to be disciplined, we can not overemphasize the need for discipline for soldiers because if you’re not disciplined, we can not train you, and if you can not be trained, you will not be able to interact with the guns.

    ”And if you can not interact with the guns then you are not an artillery soldier,” he said.

    Kangye added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja’s command philosophy was to have a well trained, equipped and motivated Nigerian Army ready to accomplish its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.

    He stated that the Chief of Army Staff had taken the welfare of soldiers as priority, saying the gesture would motivate them.

    He said that Lagbaja had also promised to ensure that the Army had the needed equipment to carry out its operations.

    “The chief of army staff has also assured us that he will take care of your welfare so that you will be able to concentrate on what you are doing.

    “He has also told us that we must train very well, so that we will be able to perform.

    “Despite the mirage of security challenges bedeviling our country, we must rise up to the occasion to ensure that we rid this country of all criminal elements that are disturbing the peace of the nation and to do that we must be very ready.

    “So , I urge all of you to remain disciplined as you have always been,” he said.

  • Plateau: Wounded soldiers assured adequate medical treatment after attack

    Plateau: Wounded soldiers assured adequate medical treatment after attack

    The General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division Nigerian Army, Major General AE Abubakar, on Wednesday paid a visit to soldiers at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Jos, Plateau State, who were wounded in action during the ongoing Operation Hakorin Damisa IV.

    The Nigerian Army had in July 2023, launched a new military operation in Plateau state, code-named Operation Hakorin Damisa IV after a series of attacks by gunmen in different communities destroying properties and leaving over 300 dead.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who launched the new operation in Mangu Local Government Area of the state has stated that the aim was especially to end the series of attacks and killings in the LGA not excluding other parts of the state.

    Captain Oya James, the Media Officer of the Special Task Force, who disclosed the visit of the GOC to the Jos University Teaching Hospital in a statement on Wednesday, informed that Commanders and Principal Staff Officers from 3 Division headquarters and Operation Safe Haven accompanied him on this visit.

    The statement did not disclose the number of injured soldiers receiving treatment at JUTH however, it disclosed that during the visit, the GOC who is also the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, assured the wounded personnel of adequate medical treatment that would enable them to recover quickly from the injuries sustained.

    “The nation was proud of their selfless service and continued sacrifices toward maintaining peace in the country.

    “Lagbaja has directed that comprehensive medical care was imperative for the wounded heroes including further medical therapy overseas should the need arise. He reiterated that the welfare of troops was of utmost importance to the COAS while wishing them quick recovery,” the statement partly read.

  • Daring rescue operation: Army frees 17 abductees, recover cows in Zamfara

    Daring rescue operation: Army frees 17 abductees, recover cows in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Army has said that Operation Hadarin Daji troops in a daring operation successfully rescued 17 kidnapped victims and recovered rustled cattle.

    This was disclosed in an official statement by Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, representing the Force Information Officer for Operation Hadarin Daji, it was revealed that on September 14, 2023, troops thwarted a kidnapping attempt in Zamfara State’s Shinkafi Local Government Area, rescuing two victims and a commercial vehicle carrying food items.

    Additionally, during a routine patrol, troops at Forward Operating Base Danjigba intercepted and rescued three kidnap victims who had been abducted from their farmlands and held in Dangajeru forest.

    The statement further explained that on September 13, 2023, Operation Hadarin Daji troops in Zamfara State intercepted and rescued eight kidnap victims in Baggega.

    These victims had been in captivity for eight weeks and managed to escape from Gando forest due to recent offensive operations and constant patrols along the forest’s outskirts.

    Also on September 12, 2023, acting on intelligence reports regarding the movement of a large number of rustled animals by bandits near Tsamiyar Gezozi in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Operation Hadarin Daji troops deployed at Anka took action.

    They engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee and abandon more than 130 rustled animals.

  • Tinubu directs immediate payment of deceased soldiers’ insurance – COAS

    Tinubu directs immediate payment of deceased soldiers’ insurance – COAS

    President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate payment of insurance entitlements owed families of officers and soldiers who died while fighting to defend the nation.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, made this known at the opening of the Combined Second and Third Quarters COAS Conference, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The conference is being attended by army field commanders and heads of institutions and establishments.

    Lagbaja said said that the welfare of troops and their families was of paramount importance, and pledged to consolidate all existing welfare arrangements to enhance the well-being of troops and their families to keep them focused on their tasks.

    “In addition to providing befitting living quarters for our personnel, we shall ensure the newly introduced ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme’ designed to provide affordable and high- quality post-service homes for our soldiers work.

    “We shall also ensure that our injured warriors get the best medical care and continue to support the widows and next-of-kin of our fallen heroes.”

    Lagbaja appreciated President Tinubu for directing that all pending insurance payments owed the families were paid without delay, and for his strategic guidance of the Armed Forces.

    “On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I want to reiterate our unalloyed loyalty and pledge our total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    The COAS urged army personnel to continue to work with other security agencies to decisively deal with all security challenges facing the country.

    He told the participants of his Command Philosophy, which was to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained force, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.

    According to him, the philosophy would guide and drive the actions and engagements of the army in all operations within and outside the boundaries of Nigeria.

    In his address, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, said the conference was for the officers to brainstorm on the state of affairs of the Nigerian army and develop plans for future engagements.

    Ibrahim said the conference was also an avenue for the COAS to physically convey his command philosophy to the field commanders and heads of institutions and establishments.

    He said the kinetic operations of the army across various theaters of operations had continued to record unprecedented successes, just as the non-kinetic efforts had continued to yield desirable outcomes.

    “We are encouraged not to be demoralised by the incident in Niger State, but intensify our efforts to make the adversaries to continuously pay for their sins until they disappear or surrender.

    ”This conference is designed to provide us with a platform to reflect on achievements while appraising our operations and activities in the second and third quarters of this year in order to obtain plans that align with our overall goals.

    “It will also provide us the unique opportunity to engage in honest discussions and insightful conversations and decisions that will guarantee more successes in our operations,” he said.

    Lagbaja used the occasion to present new Toyota Hilux vehicle each to eight Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) from different army units and formations.