Tag: Army

 

By Flowerbudnews

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has feted troops of Joint Task-Force South-East code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’ in the field to lunch and cultural displays activity marking Christmas.

The COAS also charged troops to stay focused and end all forms of insecurity especially heinous crimes in Operation UDO KA’s Areas of Responsibility – South-East and Cross River State -.

The Nigerian Army boss, represented Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, Director-General of Army Heritage and Future Centre, said this on Thursday during the Special Christmas Lunch at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ivo within Ebonyi State.

The COAS noted that the Nigerian Army would continue to give priority to the welfare of its personnel and their families throughout the country.

“My thanks and appreciation goes to officers and soldiers in the field of various operations who might not have the opportunity to be with their loved ones this festive period.

“The collective efforts of our troops to protect lives and property are well appreciated by well-meaning Nigerians.

 

“I, therefore, thank you all and urge you to remain focused, disciplined and loyal to constituted authorities, while ensuring we are fully commitment to carry out our constitution responsibility.

“I urge you (troops) to maintain the spirit of patriotism and continue to give your best to your assigned duties daily,” he said.

 

The COAS noted that all army personnel should remain apolitical and loyal to the Nigerian Constitution.

“As we also celebrate this Christmas, let us use the opportunity to remember and pray for the souls of officers and soldiers that have paid the ultimate price while serving our fatherland.

 

“This included our immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Which all of us here knows he was one time the General Officer Commanding of this Division.

“Our hearts and thoughts are always with their families and pray that Almighty God will continue to grant their souls eternal rest,” he said.

 

Earlier, the Force Commander of Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, said that the Special Christmas lunch was meant to commemorate the achievements of the 82 Division troops that primary carry out the operation.

 

Dada, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, said that the lunch had afforded the troops the opportunity to wine and dine with the COAS, top officers and commanders of the Division.

According to him, this event is part of concerted efforts to sustain the morale of the troops, to celebrate their achievements so far as well as acknowledge the sacrifices put in to achieve all these feats.

 

“Not minding the peculiar Division’s operating environment and myriad of security threats in the country; I will implore troops of the Division to remain steadfast in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility in tandem with the COAS Command’s philosophy.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the commanders and soldiers that have been on the field for making the Division proud.

 

“Without the dedication of troops of the operation, we will not have achieved the much we have done. I sincerely appreciated the commanders for putting in the necessary sacrifice,” he said.

 

By Iyiola Olalere
The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the recent revelation by military authorities of the surrender of 129,417 terrorists in the last six months as evidence of a renewed push by the federal government to tackle security challenges plaguing the country.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF noted that the revelation by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, at a security conference in Dubai, was heartwarming.

“This development clearly underscores the positive impact of the non-kinetic approach that President Bola Tinubu has introduced into the war against terrorism in the first 18 months of his administration.

“It is equally important to appreciate additional revelations from the Dubai conference, that the President’s comprehensive approach to the nation’s security challenges has also resulted in the successful prosecution of 505 terrorists in court under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2022.

“We are on record to have consistently emphasized on the significance of exploring several non kinetic avenues by the Tinubu administration, through bodies and initiatives including the National Almajiri Commission, Pulaku Initiative, Regional Development Commissions as well as the ministry of Livestock Development. All these will go a long way in ensuring the socio-economic development of ungoverned spaces, which have been the breeding ground for insurgency and banditry in Northern Nigeria.

“We are happy to observe that the successes recorded by the Armed Forces against terrorists in the North-West Nigeria have de-escalated insecurity in the zone. This has, in turn, boosted the confidence of international investors to commit to investing in the huge agricultural and mining potentials in the country.

“Furthermore, President Tinubu’s deliberate prioritization of allocation of funds to the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of military hardwares, coupled with his show of concern for the welfare of members of the armed forces and other security personnel has been justified by this landmark achievement.

“Only recently, the President approved a significant increase in the salary of military personnel, including payment of three months arrears. He additionally released funds to clear outstanding pensions and entitlements owed retired military personnel in a bid to boost the morale of members of the Armed Forces.

“Without doubt, we can posit that President Bola Tinubu’s special attention on the military has opened a new vista for the recalibration of military tactics, techniques, and other regimental procedures, to allow for the complementary use of non-kinetic methods in eliminating insecurity in the country.

“We urge the President to continue to motivate the armed forces and other security agencies in the country through his pro-people policies. This is because the deployment of non-kinetic initiatives have triggered mass surrender of terrorists and led to the steady deradicalization of hardliners,”it added.

TDF is convinced that with the introduction of non-kinetic responses to the security FGV challenges alongside the kinetic approach, the government will achieve a lot in its quest to reduce insecurity in the country.

End

 

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun-Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Tinubu, in a statement signed and issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said Olatubosun-Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

Until his appointment, Olatubosun-Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

56-year-old Acting army boss and Lagbaja are coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, He became a Major-General in September 2020.

 

 

Gov. Peter Mbah says Nigerian Army dedication to service remains instrumental to reduction in incidents of insecurity to lives and property in Enugu State.

Mbah, represented by his Deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, said this on Thursday during the inauguration of renovated one storey with 10 blocks of classroom having a brand new computer hall, library and seats and desks at Community Secondary School, Mbu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.

The inaugurated project is part of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Civil-Military Intervention Projects meant for communities of top army personnel who had served the country with dedication and sacrifice.

Mbah noted that since the COAS deployes the current General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, insecurity generally had continued to decline and “our people are better for it”.

The governor appreciated the COAS, GOC, commanders and troops for their commitment to keep the country safe especially Enugu State, adding that “the Nigerian Army remains the pride of the country”.

“The government is grateful to the Nigerian Army numerous humanitarian services in the state in terms of education, health and provision of other social services meant to improve the welfare and lives of our people.

“We also thank the COAS for the renovated one storey 10 blocks of classroom with a functional computer hall and other amenities at Community Secondary School, Mbu as well as other projects executed in the state,” he said.

Mbah called on the community to protect the project jealously as they continue to support government programmes, adding: “The students of this school should continue to be good ambassador of the school, community and state.”

Earlier, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, lauded the people of Isi-Uzo council area and Enugu State for their relentless support leading to the successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in its operations and humanitarian impact projects.

Lagbaja, represented by the GOC 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, encouraged the people of Enugu State to continue to support the Nigerian Army and being recruited to the Nigerian Army at different levels “to serve our great country”.

 

He explained that the COAS Special Intervention Project was meant to improve civil-military relations and bring relief and succour to host communities as well as connect serving top officers to development within their communities of origin.

“I laud the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting Nigerian Army’s operations, projects and programmes.

“The community should make judicious use of the project and all facilities provided to uplift education and human dignity as well as maintain and protect the facilities to last long for generations of students,” he said.

The Project Executor, Maj.-Gen. Jonathan Ugwuoke, commended the COAS for approving and funding the impactful project for educational advancement of students of the community and lifting the financial burden of renovating the school off the people.

Ugwuoke, who is the Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, said: “I sincerely appreciate the COAS and the Nigerian Army for the honour done to my community, the good people of Mbu and myself.

 

“My community, today, feels the warm impact of the Nigerian Army through renovating the one storey 10 blocks of classroom, which is the first historical storey building in the entire old Isi-Uzo council area.”

Prof. Festus Agbo, the President-General of the community, thanked the Nigerian Army, COAS, GOC and their son, Maj.-Gen. Ugwuoke for making the project a reality, while pledging the community’s commitment to protect the school and its facilities.

“The Nigerian Army has taken away misery from our pockets and I assure you that we will strictly protect the school and its facilities,” Agbo said.

Master Sunday Mbah, the Senior Prefect of the school, thanked the Nigerian Army for the gesture, adding that the renovated and fully equipped one storey building had uplift the landscape and dignity of the school.

“Previously, the roof of the building was leaking; doors and windows blown off by wind storm and the foundation of the building threatened by erosion as well. However, today the story changed for the better,” Mbah said.

 

The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, debunked falsehood being peddled by some online media outlets claiming attack on troops as well as death of several soldiers and civilians in a council area secretariat in Imo.

The Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, in a statement in Enugu, said that the online reports had “no iota of truth and fiction of the imagination of sympathisers of dissident group.”

“The attention of 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the falsehood being peddled by some online media outlets claiming that an attack on troops of the Division deployed at Ehime Mbano Local Government Secretariat led to the death of several soldiers and civilians.

“The publication is a fiction playing out in the minds of the terrorist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) criminal elements and their sympathizers that want to dampen the confidence of Imolites and by extension people of South-East region,” Unuakhalu said.

He recalled that on Oct. 3, 2023, the Local Government Headquarters of Isiala Mbano LGA, built and maintained by public fund, was set ablaze and destroyed by same IPOB/ESN criminal elements but there was no attack or causality on troop or civilians.

The spokesman noted that similar mindless attempt was made at the secretariat of Ehime Mbano council area of Imo State in the late hours of Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

He said that, however, the gallant effort of the troops prevented the criminals from gaining entrance into the council area secretariat.

“The criminal elements who came in their numbers shooting sporadically from a distance had to beat a hasty retreat due to the overwhelming fire power of the vigilant and gallant troops.

“During the exploitation carried out in the early hours of today, it was confirmed the dissidents suffered heavy casualties as seen from the blood stains on Ehime Mbano- Oriagwu Road,” he said.

Unuakhalu advised the general public to disregard misinformation by the online publications as troops would continue to protect citizens and critical government infrastructure in the state by dealing decisively with criminal elements who aim to subvert the government.

He noted that “the anti-people cowardly behaviour” of the dissidents burning public buildings built by tax peoples money and where law abiding citizens eke out a living “is most unfortunate”.

The spokesman said, “Apparently, the IPOB elements are not for the people but for themselves.

“Headquarters of 82 Division enjoins all Imolites and by extension the residents of the South-East to continue to provide security information that will allow security agencies to eliminate the criminal elements by calling our toll-free line *193 and press Option 2* .

“The good citizens of the South-East region are encouraged to go about their normal socio-economic activities without fear or intimidation from any group of persons.”

 

By Flowerbudnews

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, says that the Nigerian Army remains committed to the welfare of its personnel.

Dada said this on Friday during a brief remarks after inauguration of two welfare projects for personnel of the Division at the 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu and Abakpa Military Cantonment.

The projects included: the GOC’s Drivers Lodge in 82 Division Headquarters and the 82 Division Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) House in Abakpa Military Cantonment.

The GOC noted that the inauguration was in continuation of the series of inaugurated projects by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, last Saturday, Aug. 31.

He noted that the projects would cater for the welfare needs of troops and further boost their motivation on the job.

“The drivers’ lodge will give befitting shelter to drivers in the Division and check loitering.

“The Division’s RSM House is a befitting accommodation for the Division’s RSM in view of his critical role in coordination and mentoring of soldiers.

“We appreciate the COAS for his support to authorise and finance these welfare projects.

“I thank the special guest of honour, the GOC of 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, for gracing the occasion and inaugurating the drivers’ lodge” he said.

Speaking, Abdussalam said that the projects inaugurated are both “welfare and legacy projects”, as they will stand the test of time.

He said that 6 Division would copy the concept and design for the drivers’ lodge and replicate it.

According to him, I commend the GOC of 82 Division for keying into the COAS Command Philosophy of having sound administration anchored on giving priority to the welfare of troops.

“The COAS philosophy and initiatives of putting beneficial welfare and a zero interest loan scheme have enhanced troops performance and record of outstanding successes.

“6 Division and 82 Division will continue to conduct joint operations to ensure adequate security for people and businesses within the South-South and South-East general area.

“I thank my coursemate and the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Ground Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force, AVM Usman Abdullahi, for being here for the Nigerian Army,” he said.

High points of the event were the symbolic presentation of the Division’s RSM House key to Warrant Officer, Joshua Kokon, signing of the Visitors Book by Abdussalam as well as Dada’s presentation of plaques to Abdussalam and the AOC.

It would be recalled that the COAS on Aug. 31, inaugurated four projects, which included the Lt.-Gen. T.A. Lagbaja Swimming Pool Complex; renovated four blocks of two-storey building accommodation; GOC Guest House, GRA and House number 7 Abakaliki Road, Enugu.

 

He said that a total of 622 terrorists, comprising 90 adult males, 182 adult females, and 350 children, surrendered to troops during the week within the theatre of operations.

Buba said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai had on Aug. 2 conducted an air interdiction at a newly uncovered BH/ISWAP terrorist’s hideout and IED factory in Mandara Mountains.

According to him, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and the IED factory as well as their logistics destroyed.

In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 13 insurgents, apprehended 57 violent extremists, and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages during the week.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Hadarin Daji neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested 22 terrorists, and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

He said the air component conducted successful air interdiction missions at suspected terrorist kingpin Kamilu Burazu’s enclave and newly uncovered terrorist hideouts in Danmusa and Batsari Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

According to him, battle damage assessments revealed that several terrorists were neutralised, and their structures as well as logistics were destroyed.

Under Operation Whirl Punch, Buba said the troops neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 22 suspects, and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages in Kaduna, Niger, and Kogi States.

He added that the air component eliminated several terrorists and destroyed the camp of a terrorists’ kingpin, Buhari, in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 1.13 million litres of stolen crude oil, and 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of PMS.

He added that troops discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats, and 12 storage tanks, as well as 71 cooking ovens, two speedboats, two pumping machines, and two HH radios.

According to him, troops also recovered 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, and one wheelbarrow and destroyed 76 illegal refining sites.

He added that troops rescued five kidnapped hostages, apprehended 32 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists, and also recovered 11 assorted weapons.

In the South East, Buba said that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised five terrorists, arrested 12 violent extremists, and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,’’ he added. (NAN)•