Tag: Army

 

By Biola Lawal

Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The Nigerian Army (NA) has arrested and detained two soldiers allegedly involved in cable theft at Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. , ONYEMA NWACHUKWU, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said that the Army had commenced investigations into the case.

The statement entitled:

ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT OF SOLDIERS IN THEFT AT DANGOTE REFINERY; READ:

The Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned about the alleged involvement of two of its personnel in a reported case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

This act of criminality, which was prevented by the proactive intervention of vigilant troops and private security operatives on duty at the refinery, is totally unacceptable and highly regrettable. It does not, therefore, represent the ethics and values of the NA.

The two suspects have been identified and are currently under custody.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the two suspects were hired by a civilian contractor simply identified as Mr Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some Armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery’s premises.

Unknown to the soldiers, the said contractor, sensing trouble as they approached the security post, excused himself from the vehicle and bolted, leaving them behind.

Further investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the depth of culpability of the apprehended soldiers.
Additionally, the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody.

The NA is working closely with the management of the Dangote Refinery to ensure a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident.

The NA wishes to reassure the general public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be meted out to the culprits, as no act of criminality will be condoned amongst its personnel.

 

The NA remains steadfast in ensuring that the key values of discipline and integrity are adequately entrenched amongst its personnel. We shall also continue to cultivate and promote dedication and a culture of accountability and ethical behaviours within our ranks.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public  Relations

By Flowerbudnews

RE: ALLEGED SHOOTING OF CIVILIANS BY SOLDIERS COMPOUNDS VULNERABILITY OF BOKKOS RESIDENTS

The attention of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has been drawn to viral petitions written by the Coalition of Bokkos Ethnic Youth Nationalities alleging that “shooting of civilians by soldiers compounds the vulnerability of Bokkos residents”. One of the petitions also called for the removal of the Commander of the Step-Up Headquarters 2 in Bokkos.

The allegations above which also pointed out that security agencies failed to quell hostilities during the incident on 13 April 2024 is completely unfounded and intended to tarnish the ongoing efforts of all security agencies to flush out militia groups in the general area. It is therefore necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public and undermine the positive strides being made by security agencies.

Upon receipt of distress calls during the attacks, personnel responded from three fronts which forced the assailants to abandon their mission and flee. It is important to point out that the quick response of forces led to the prompt quelling of the attacks which simultaneously targeted Kopnanle and Mandang Mushu in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State. At the time of repelling the attack, one person was killed and two others were injured at Kopnanle while three persons were injured at Mandang Mushu (two of the injured persons later died while receiving treatment).

Suffice to state that nothing can be further from the truth than the allegation of personnel being involved in the killing of vigilantes at Kopyal Village in Bokkos Local Government Area. It is expedient to note that security agencies deployed in Bokkos were not involved in any confrontation with vigilantes as mischievously claimed in the petition. Security agencies were rather preoccupied with restoring normalcy during the confrontations between militia groups of different ethnic groups on 13 April 2024. Kudos should be given to these troops who remained deployed without break for over 72 hours ensuring that the high grounds and other vulnerable communities were dominated in a bid to protect law abiding citizens. The deceased militia was found to be one of those killed by other militias who invaded the area during the confrontation between rival militia groups in the area. Also, the use of sophisticated weapons by the acclaimed vigilante was further buttressed by the discovery of eleven (11) rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition in the possession of the dead militia contrary to claims that he was a vigilante who was using dane gun to protect his community, moreover the acclaimed vigilante was already dead before the troops arrived the area.

Therefore, the allegation of killing of the vigilante is a calculated effort to feign weakness and exonerate the dead vigilante from his participation in the attacks and counter reprisals.

In another development, the call for the removal of the Commander of the recently established Step-Up Headquarters in Bokkos, Colonel CY Ofurumazi is also malicious.

The call is not unconnected with the increased tempo of operations carried out by troops under the command of the senior officer which has denied criminal elements on both sides of the divide the freedom of action.

The desperation of the petitioners may have been aggravated by the impartial stance of Col Ofurumazi during the attack which was already being given a religious connotation to stir sentiment and instigate spill over to other parts of Plateau State as well as his refusal to yield to demands which would have called his neutrality to question.

 

 

By Flowerbudnews

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has tasked senior commanders and senior military leaders on innovative ideas and being a catalyst for change within the Nigerian Army.

Lagbaja gave the task on Tuesday in Enugu while declaring open the 2024 First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar being held in 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.

The five days seminar with the theme: “Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment“, would run from March 4 to March 8.

The COAS, represented by the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said that senior commanders and leaders must endeavour to lead by positive examples and be in the fore-front of activities within their formations and establishments.

The army boss noted that the seminar was designed to equip senior commanders and senior military leaders with requisite skills and competence to better preserve and protect the cherished image of the Nigerian Army.

Lagbaja said that it would provide opportunities to drive home his Command Philosophy, draw lessons and share experiences as well as sensitise field commanders on the need to manifestly uphold human right principles in their various commands.

According to him, the Nigerian Army is facing a highly complex security environment, even as modern warfare is no longer fought on the battlefield alone.

 

“The hybrid nature of conflicts; information and cyber warfare, increasing use of drones and robotics; and other skill-based assets have brought a paradigm shift to the battlefield.

 

“Therefore, we must all get abreast with the changes as we collectively focus on developing capabilities to deal with these emerging security issues and build a formidable future Force,” he said.

The COAS appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for providing the visionary leadership and support to Nigerian Army programmes and projects.

 

He thanked the facilitators and retired senior officers that are acting as resource persons in the seminar, while urging participants to take advantage of the seminar to gain wealth of learning and experience.

 

In a welcome address, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding of 82 Division, said that the theme of the seminar was apt considering the security challenges facing the country.

Dada also commended the COAS for his visionary leadership and support to the Division and its various formations and establishments.

 

“We appreciate the COAS for providing the needed financial support and logistics for hosting this seminar and other numerous support to the Division,” he said.

The participants for the seminar are drawn from Nigerian Army formations, establishments, schools and units within the South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zone of the country. (Flowerbudnews)0

 

 

The Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Murtala Abu, has lauded the Federal Government and MTN for commitment toward delivering a world standard Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Highway.

 

Abu gave the commendation in Enugu on Thursday in his office during a strategic meeting with MTN/ Crown Crest Global Engineers (CCGE) Community Liaison Initiative (CLI) team led by the Chairman/Principal, Engr Chris Okoye.

The commander praised the Federal Government for coming up with such a novel scheme of funding road infrastructure and thanked MTN for its commitment toward delivering a world standard road for the good of Nigerians.

 

He explained that the challenges with a smart road included: indiscipline by road users and not having enough vehicles for patrols.

 

The commander added that roadblocks were tactically located as this area is prone to armed robbery and IPOB disturbances.

 

Abu, however, assured the MTN/CCGE-CLI team that their suggestions on the smart road and the role of security agencies would be further examined so that the best option can be adopted.

He advised the MTN/ CCGE-CLI team to partner with the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps to also reduce the number of checkpoints on the roads and with the state government to support them with patrol vehicles.

 

The Garrison Commander said: “A joint security meeting with all the security outfits and the construction companies to discuss the location of the CCTVs and how to ensure that the road remains smart would be the sure way to go.

 

“I will also appeal that the road be constructed to make room for future expansion into a four-lane expressway due to the growth and development of Nigeria’s South-East and the importance of this particular Highway”.

 

Earlier, Okoye said that when completed, the 107-kilometre Enugu–Onitsha Dual Carriage Highway would be a full option smart road; adding that MTN is funding the construction through the Federal Government novel Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITCS).

According to him, smart roads are in vogue world over and are good for traffic management and security; while it is planned to be a freeway to encourage a free flow of traffic from one end to the other.

 

“When completed, there will be no difference between day and night time driving on this Highway as there are plans to deploy solar light right from Enugu to Onitsha.

 

“Drones and CCTV Cameras will be deployed along the length of the road in which control rooms will be installed to monitor activities on the road.

“Checkpoints will also be a thing of the past if the smart road concept is fully deployed, instead lots of security patrols will be encouraged to guard against a situation where checkpoints hamper and slow down traffic on the Highway.

 

“The security personnel will be encouraged to do more of clear stop-and-search as stop by and clearing areas will be an integral part of the dual carriageway’s construction,” he said.

 

Okoye said MTN/CCGE-CLI was focused to ensure that the Highway remained beneficial to all stakeholders along the road corridor and “MTN/CCGE-CLI is committed to working with the Nigerian Army to create a synergy on security on the road”.

Okoye was accompanied to the meeting by Dr Reginald Facah, Coordinator of the MTN/CCGE Community Liaison Initiative (CLI) and the Community Liaison Officer in Enugu State, Mrs Chinenye Okwuosa. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says retired Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu remained exceptional in his military career and left an indelible mark in his service to father land.

Buratai said this during the Grand Homecoming, Thanksgiving Mass and Reception for Ezugwu, held on Wednesday at his Umurusi Ukehe community in Igbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu State.

He said that when he discovered the genius and exceptional quality as well as humility, he drew him closer and saddled him with assignments and responsibilities.

According to him, Ezugwu dispatched his assignments and duties with a touch of some level of perfection.

“Discovering his unique qualities, I placed him in critical and demanding positions and he delivered with some level of perfection.

“I tested his humility and endurance by keeping him as an acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division for two years even when he was doing exceptionally well in fighting insurgency in that axis of the country.

“While as a threatre commander, he helped the country to roll back the expansion of Boko Haram and recovered a lot communities and council areas that fall into the hands of the bandits,” he said.

The former COAS thanked Ezugwu for coming out with lots of initiatives as well as conceptualizing and building anti-landmine vehicles and landmine detactors to protect Nigerian troops from landmines planted by the enemies.

Earlier, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, appreciated Ezugwu for doing the state proud in his exceptional military career under the Nigerian Army.

Mbah, represented by his deputy, Chief Oliver Ossai, noted that Ezugwu served with integrity and remained a top officer retiring with a clean and respected record in the Nigerian Army.

“As a state, we want our people to emulate your forthrightness and humility to bring out the best for the common good of humanity,” he said.

Expantiating on his sermon at the Church Thanksgiving Service at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ukehe; Monsignor Joseph Atado urged Nigerians to turn to God, noting “no gun can stop insecurity”.

“Nigeria’s insecurity can also be solved in one week or a month if the politicians who benefiting from the misfortune can stop interfering with the security operations across the country,” Atado said.

Lamenting the level of insecurity and massacre of defenseless residents of Plateau Communities on Christmas Eve, the cleric said that unless the Lord protects the city, the soldiers, the police labour in vein.

“So, our message is for our people to cry out to God. Nigeria belongs to God and God created Nigeria. He can take care of us as his creatures,” he said.

Speaking about the celebrant, Ezugwu, the cleric who said he had known him since 2003 when he was a Lieutenant Colonel, described Ezugwu as a “perfect gentleman, a man who fears God, a humanitarian and a man who devoted his service to God and humanity”.

Responding, retired Maj.-Gen. Ezugwu thanked his family, coursemates, and well-wishers for coming from across the country to honour him despite challenges.

He, however, described his military carrier spanning 1985 to 2023, as “a very sweet and bitter journey”.

He commended his wife for being there for him both “physically and spiritually, and his children for their support too.”

Ezugwu also thanked the priests and his people of Ukehe community for their support and prayers, and prayed that God should bless them

.

High points of the event were unveiling of Ezugwu statue in his Ukehe community, presentation of gifts, testimonies about Ezugwu and honouring of Buratai among others.

Dignitaries that graced the event included the GOC 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada; retired Brig.-Gen. J.O.J. Okoloagu; and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, among others.(Flowerbudnews)