TheNewsGuru

Tag: Troops

  • Chad withdraws troops fighting Boko Haram in North East

    Chad has withdrawn hundreds of troops from neighbouring Niger, where they were helping local forces fight Boko Haram Islamist militants, humanitarian sources and officials said.

    The pull-out over the past two weeks could weaken a region-wide struggle against the militants who have killed tens of thousands of people, forced many more to flee and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

    There was no immediate explanation or comment from defense officials in Chad.

    The move came a month after the vast central African country complained about an unexpected U.S. travel ban imposed on its nationals.

    Chad warned at the time the order could affect its security commitments, which include its involvement in the U.S.-backed fight against Boko Haram.

    Residents said the withdrawal had already had an impact on Niger’s Diffa region, which has seen a string of attacks by Boko Haram militants crossing over from their base in neighbouring Nigeria.

    Ibrahim Arimi from the border village of Bosso said banditry has increased since the Chadian troops started leaving and he had been temporarily moved to another village for safety.

    Diffa parliamentarian Lamido Moumouni said residents had started complaining.

    “They have come to rely on the forces so there is a perception that security will be lacking,” he said by telephone.

    At its peak in 2016 after an attack in Bosso, Chad had 2,000 troops in Niger to help counter Boko Haram although security sources said this has fallen since.

    Boko Haram has attacked Chad, Niger and Cameroon from its base in northeast Nigeria.

    Its eight-year bid to carve out an Islamist caliphate has driven millions from their homes, no fewer than 200,000 of them are now based in Diffa, with little prospect of returning home.

    Thousands of them are camped alongside an unfinished highway in the middle of a barren savannah with few resources.

    Chad’s soldiers also occupy front-line positions in a peacekeeping force in northern Mali.

    Analysts say falling oil revenues after the price crash in 2014 has also sapped Chad’s appetite for expensive regional security commitments.

     

    Reuters/NAN

  • How JTF rescued two soldiers, 4 civilians in Rivers kidnappers den

    Troops of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, say they have rescued two abducted soldiers and four civilians from a kidnappers’ den.

    The OPDS, with headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, also said the troops found human skulls and bones during the raid on the kidnappers’ camp in Rivers State.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, OPDS, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that the operation followed a report of the kidnap of two soldiers who were in transit for banking services in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

    He said after the report, the OPDS immediately swung into action by mobilising troops for the rescue operation.

    The outfit’s spokesman said when the suspected militants sighted the troops approaching their den, they engaged the troops in a gun battle.

    He, however, said during the gun duel, the troops overpowered the kidnappers with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the militants, while others escaped with gunshot injuries into the forest.

    Abdullahi said, “On September 18, 2017, at about 7.30am, OPDS headquarters received a report of the kidnap of two soldiers while in transit for banking services in ONELGA, Rivers State.

    “Troops were immediately mobilised into action. They discovered a militant camp with several shrines in a forest at Obiozimini community in Rivers State.

    “On approaching the forest, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops, who subsequently engaged them with superior firepower, leading to casualties on the side of the suspected kidnappers, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries into an adjoining forest.

    “The operation successfully rescued the two abducted personnel. Further search of the campsite led to the rescue of four more civilians who were earlier kidnapped, including a lady.’’

    He said items found in the camp and shrines were three pump action guns, eight empty cartridges, human skulls and some bones.

    Abdullahi said the camp and shrines were subsequently destroyed, while the rescued victims were taken to one of the military’s medical facilities in the area.

    He said troops were trailing suspected perpetrators of the crime, who fled into the forest.

    He urged members of the public to provide any useful information to identify the criminals and their whereabouts in order to face justice.

  • Troops raid, massacre Boko Haram terrorists Borno

    THE Nigerian Army claimed, yesterday, that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, killed many Boko Haram terrorists in an ambush in the early hours of Sunday.

    Also, the Nigerian Air Force said it struck some buildings occupied by the terrorists in a bomb raid, killing many terrorists.

    The claims of the two successful operations against the terrorists were contained in separate statements released early yesterday by spokesmen of both agencies.

    The Army, in the statement by Brigadier General Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations, said the troops of 151 Battalion, 21 Brigade carried out the ambush against the terrorists in the early hours of Sunday, September 10.

    The successful ambush, he explained, was on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ crossing point at Bocost, along Ngurosoye-Bama Road, Borno State. “The troops neutralised a large number of the Boko Haram terrorists, while other terrorists sustained gunshot wounds.

    “The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, with the registration number 1029; one AK-47 magazine; 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special; three bicycles; four empty Jerry-cans, a cutlass, and N5,600 cash.”

    The Nigerian Air Force, on its part, said bombing of the terrorists buildings resulted in the death of a large number of the terrorists.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olatukunbo Adesanya, read: “On September 7, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, conducted air interdiction on structures with two hoisted Boko Haram Terrorists, BHT, organisation’s flags at Zanardi, a known location with significant BHT presence at the northern fringes of Borno State, bordering Lake Chad.

    “Quite a number of BHTs had earlier been spotted from a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform, entering the buildings apparently for meetings. “The F-7Ni and the Alpha Jet aircraft were detailed to attack the target.

    Overhead the location, the target was acquired and engaged by the two aircraft in rapid succession. “Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the targeted structures went up in flames, killing its occupants.”

    The statement explained that the objective of Operation Ruwan Wuta by the Air Force was to further degrade the capability of the Boko Haram terrorists to prevent them from regrouping to cause havoc for surface forces.

    “The operation also aims at softening the ground for our surface forces to subsequently move in and conduct mop up operations.”

  • Boko Haram: Troops rescue NNPC kidnapped Staff, recover corpses

    The Army said it had rescued all the NNPC staff kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno on Tuesday.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, also said that the corpses of an officer, eight soldiers and a civilian, who died in the incident had been recovered.

    Usman said the corpses had been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

    “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the escort and team of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) staff returning from oil exploration at Barno Yasu, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno on Tuesday.

    “On receipt of the information, the Brigade mobilised and sent reinforcement, search and rescue party that included the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.

    “So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the Officer, 8 soldiers and a civilian who have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

    “The team recovered 4 vehicles one of which include a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, two white Hilux taken away from NNPC staff and one blue Hilux belonging to CJTF.

    “The team also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans containing Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant, assorted drugs, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others.

    “The team also neutralised many of the terrorists,” the army spokesman said.

    According to him, the troops are not relenting in the pursuit, search and rescue effort.

    A source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a convoy of oil workers at a village along Gubio and Magumeri local government areas on Tuesday.

    It said the attackers ambushed the oil workers, who were staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who were traveling in a convoy of about 10 vehicles.

    It said the oil workers were engaged in oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin.

    According to the source, some staff of the University of Maiduguri were also part of the team.

    It added that nine soldiers and some members of a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who were also part of the team, were killed during the attack.

     

     

    NAN

  • Troops kill 6 terrorists, arrest two others

    The Nigerian Army said it has killed six Boko Haram terrorists.

    In a statement signed by Deputy Director Public Relations 8 Task Force Division, Col. Timothy Antigha on Tuesday, the army said troops also arrested two terrorists and recovered various weapons and ammunitions from them.

    The statement reads, “In continuation of ongoing efforts to rout Boko Haram terrorists in its area of responsibility, troops of 7 Brigade Special Forces, 8 Task Force Division have dislodged terrorists who have been gathering in Dawashi Gari village, in an area bordering the Lake Chad.

    “In an engagement this morning, gallant soldiers of the division killed 4 terrorists, while others fled, abandoning their motorcycles, which were recovered and destroyed, to prevent their being used to perpetrate terror on innocent villagers.

    “Similarly, as part of the theater wide and ongoing clearance operations, troops of 145 Bn, 5 Brigade, 8 Task Force Division have cleared Gashigar, Asaga, Bukarti and neighboring villages.

    “In the process, troops made contact with terrorists in Kanama village and killed 2 terrorists, arrested 2 more, while 1 AK 47 rifle, 4 magazines and 4 motorcycles were recovered.”

  • Shettima begs military to intensify efforts, end Boko Haram menace

    Shettima begs military to intensify efforts, end Boko Haram menace

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Sunday appealed to the Nigerian military to intensify efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency that had ravaged the North East for long.

    Shettima made the appeal while speaking at this year’s Eid el Fitr reception for members of the State Executive Council and other dignitaries at the Government House Maiduguri.

    He said although the military had recorded tremendous successes against the insurgents, the recent spate of attacks in different parts of the state was worrisome.

    “We have to commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for their efforts in fighting the Boko Haram insurgents.
    “But in the last two weeks, we have had tremendous security challenges in Damboa, in Chibok, in Maiduguri and in all nooks and crannies of the state.

    “We were literary attacked by the insurgents from different angles.
    “Yes, we had recorded lots of successes before’’.

    Shettima urged the military to strive hard and contain the recent wave of attacks by the insurgents.

    “We witnessed lots of setbacks in a short while. All hands must be on deck for us to have lasting peace in this part of the world.

    “It is not for us to take two steps forward and one step backwards, it is not for us to wake up to be reluctant to open our phones for fear of getting uncomplimentary stories about attacks in the state,’’ he said.

    Shettima said that government would continue to reach out to security establishments toward ending the problem.

    “We would continue talking with the security establishments toward coming up with robust platform to address the security challenge that had refused to go.

    “We hope that by the grace of God, in the coming weeks and months we would get over it because it is a fight between the good and the evil,” he said.

    Shettima also apologised to the state workers for not receiving their salaries before the Eid el Fitr celebration.

    “We had some technical hitches with the payment of salaries this month, we actually wanted to pay last Friday but the system failed to upload the salaries of our civil servants,’’ he said.
    Shettima expressed concern about the inability of the government to pay the salaries before Sallah.
    “

    I want to apologise to our workers because this is a society that is largely driven by payment of salaries.

    “Pentioners have gotten their pay, the Civilian JTF members were also paid cash on Friday,” he said.

    Shettima, however, promised that the workers would be paid on Wednesday unfailingly.

  • Trump ratchets up the use of guns, bombs, troops, and insults by Jesse Jackson

    By Jesse Jackson

    In his campaign, Donald Trump promised “we’re going to start winning again.” In office, he has defined winning largely in military terms.

    His budget decimates the State Department while adding billions to the Pentagon. He boasts that he’s delegated decisions on force levels abroad to the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Mike Mattis recently announced that 4,000 more troops would be sent to Afghanistan.

    Four thousand more troops won’t produce a “win” in Afghanistan. The president has it wrong. America’s military is already the best in the world. But for America to “start winning,” we need more smart diplomacy, not more smart bombs.

    Since coming to office Trump has ratcheted up the use of force. He dropped the “mother of all bombs” on Afghanistan, while adding troops there. He rained cruise missiles on an airbase in Syria, and a U.S. jet recently shot down a Syrian jet in Syrian airspace, a clear act of war. He’s added troops to Iraq and to back rebels in Syria. He lavished arms and praise on the Saudis, backing up not only their merciless war on Yemen but also their blockade on tiny Qatar.

    Not one of these actions will “start America winning.” The war in Afghanistan is in its 16th year. Even Secretary Mattis admits we have no strategy for victory there. Four thousand more troops will add to the violence and the costs. They will help insure we don’t lose, but the war will go on.

    In Syria, Trump had suggested on the campaign trail that he would focus on defeating the Islamic State, not on regime change in Syria. That opened the possibility of a working coalition with Russia and Syria against the Islamic State. Instead we’re now clearly at war with Syria as well as the Islamic State.

    In the Persian Gulf, we’re backing the Saudi destruction of Yemen, creating a failed state that will mint more terrorists. And bizarrely, Trump seems to have turned on Qatar, a tiny emirate that is an ally and the site of a vital American air base. The recent announcement that the U.S. will sell $12 billion in arms to Qatar makes our policy utterly incoherent.

    In our own hemisphere, Trump has repeatedly acted to worsen relations rather than ease them. He’s insulted the Mexican president and alienated the Canadians, our closest trading partners. When Venezuela descended into desperate hunger, the administration passed up the opportunity to offer humanitarian assistance, and come to the aid of a neighbor in need. With the reversal of Obama’s opening to Cuba, Trump is isolating the U.S. from its neighbors.

    In the State Department, offices on the top floors remain empty. Trump’s budget calls for a 30 percent cut in the department. At a time when the U.S. desperately needs creative diplomacy — a combination of the State Department’s professionals and skilled political appointees — Trump is demoralizing the department, chasing away professionals and scaring away the experts who might lead real change.

    America is a great nation. Our economy is still one of the greatest in the world. Our military is unmatched. Our so-called “soft power” — in culture, language and commerce — is without rival.

    Yet we find ourselves unable to “start winning.” The military is mired in conflicts in the Middle East with no exit and no victory. Trump is alienating our neighbors, even when we should be strengthening our bonds. Our allies are increasingly perturbed by the president’s erratic bluster. Voters may have thought that Trump the businessman would be a strong negotiator, as he promised. Instead, he’s turned out to be a showman, infatuated with military gestures, scornful of the quiet arts of diplomacy. He isn’t putting America first; he’s putting America at risk.

  • Troops kill 13 Boko Haram terrorists, capture 10 logistics officials

    Troops kill 13 Boko Haram terrorists, capture 10 logistics officials

    Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram on Saturday said they killed 13 terrorists and arrested 10 others engaged in smuggling in supplies for the group.

    This was revealed in a statement signed and released by the deputy director, public relations, 8 Task Force Division, Col. Timothy Antigha.

    “In the ongoing clearance operation around the fringes of Lake Chad, troops of 8 Task Force Division have continued to hit the few remaining Boko Haram hideouts and what is left of their logistics holding.”

    Antigha, a colonel, said, “In the last 72 hours, gallant troops operating in Chikun Gudu, Tumbuma Karami and Tumbuma Baba have neutralized 13 Boko Haram terrorists, while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Similarly, troops recovered 3 AK 47 and 1 pump action riffles, assorted riffle magazines and 306 rounds of ammunition, tool box, deep freezer and a Toyota gun truck. In the same vein, troops destroyed 2 other Toyota Hilux vehicles, 1 Toyota truck, 2 Motorcycles and 6 bicycles.

    “In a related development, troops of 242 Battalion, acting on a tip off, rounded up 10 suspected Boko Haram smugglers. The suspects comprising 6 females and 4 males were arrested in Monguno and Nolwodo Malgori with assorted house – hold items, food stuff and 63, 060 Naira cash.

    “The suspects are being profiled to determine the extent of their involvement in Boko Haram insurgency.”

     

  • Photos: Troops rescue 998 from Boko Haram’s den, destroy bomb factory

    Photos: Troops rescue 998 from Boko Haram’s den, destroy bomb factory

    Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Friday rescued 998 people from Boko Haram captivity, during a fighting patrol in some villages in Borno.

    According to a statement by the army, the “patrol team had a fierce encounter with the terrorists at Ndufu which they decisively dealt with before proceeding to clear Muktu and Muzuri, as well as nearby communities within the area.”

    The statement added that about nine terrorists were killed and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory was destroyed.

    “Following confirmed information about the presence of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in some villages around Ngala, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army, today, Friday 19th May 2017, along with some Civilian JTF embarked on Fighting Patrol to the area.

    “The patrol team had a fierce encounter with the terrorists at Ndufu which they decisively dealt with before proceeding to clear Muktu and Muzuri, as well as nearby communities within the area.

    “Although some of the terrorists fled to various direction on sighting the troops, the patrol team was able to neutralize 9 terrorists, destroyed their Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory and rescued 998 persons. Those rescued were 125 at Ndufu, 802 at Muktu and 71 persons at Muzuri. Interestingly, despite the heat of the battle, the troops also vaccinated all children under the age of 5 with Polio vaccinations.

    “In addition, the troops recovered 1 AK-47 Rifle with registration number 565231515, an AK-47 Rifle Magazine, 2 Boko Haram terrorist flags, 4 Motorcycles, 2 Solar Panels, 2 already prepared IEDs, Detonating cords and other explosive making components.

    “It is gratifying to note that 3 Battalion has maintained its status as one of the best fighting unit in the theatre as they did not sustain any casualty or injury during the operation,” the statement reads.

  • Troops kill four B’Haram food vendors

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have smashed a food supply ring which usually smuggled food to Boko Haram insurgents.

    Four of the terrorists were killed during the encounter which occurred at Julari village in Borno State.

    The troops of 145 and 158 Task Force Battalions ambushed the insurgents who were smuggling large quantities of fish, along Kareto-Damasak road by Julari village on Saturday.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations and Spokesman, 8 Division, Col. Timothy Antigha, said the terrorists funded their criminal activities through the smuggling, adding that one soldier was killed during the operation.

    He said, “During the operation, troops neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists.

    “Similarly, we recovered one AK-47 rifle, one Toyota Hilux pickup, three motorcycles, 35 bags of dry fish, one bag of bush meat, three bags of sugar and 60 litres of engine oil.

    “Unfortunately, we lost a soldier during the operation.”