JUST IN; 10,937 Terrorists, neutralised,12,538 apprehended by Troops

Published

3 weeks ago

December 31, 2024

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JUST IN; 10,937 Terrorists, neutralised,12,538 apprehended by Troops

The Military High Command says the troops deployed to various operations across the country have in the last 12 months eliminated 10,937 terrorists, apprehended 12,538 and rescued 7,063 hostages.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military in the year 2024, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Buba said that troops significantly degraded the fighting capabilities of terrorists, recording 16,171 surrendered terrorist combatants and their families, during the course of the year.

He said that troops recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunitions and denied the oil thieves an estimated sum over N68.4 billion.

The director gave the breakdown of the recoveries as: 4,332 AK47 rifles, 1,244 locally fabricated guns; 838 dane guns; 259 pump action guns; 128,496 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 45,445 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

Others are 5,103 cartridges, 2,131 assorted arms and 29,176 assorted ammunitions.

In the North-East, he said that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 3,151 terrorists, arrested 2,503 suspects and rescued 1,605 kidnap hostages within the year.

Buba said that the troops also recovered 1,802 AK47 rifles, 446 fabricated rifles; 438 dane guns; 378 assorted arms; 42,439 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo; 16,336 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 12,429 assorted ammunitions in the North East.

He said that in the North-Central, the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 1,047 violent extremists, arrested 3,001 and rescued 1,782 kidnap hostages.

Buba said that the troops also recovered 549 AK47 rifles, 321 fabricated guns; 629 assorted arms; 19,577 rounds of 7.62mm special; 2,962 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4,084 assorted ammunitions.

In the North-West, he said that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, in the course of the year neutralised 2,906 terrorists, arrested 1,826 suspects and rescued 2,616 kidnap hostages.

According to him, troops recovered 1,450 AK47 rifles, 477 fabricated guns; 576 assorted arms; 31,999 rounds of 7.62mm special; 14,960 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 6,564 assorted ammunitions.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke, Buba said the troops neutralised 742 terrorists, arrested 1,877 suspects and rescued 595 kidnap hostages.

He said that the troops equally recovered 364 AK47 rifles, 302 assorted arms; 12,422 rounds of 7.62mm special; 5,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,818 assorted ammunitions.

Buba said that in the South-South, the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 78 terrorists, arrested 2,357 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 93 kidnap hostages.

According to him, troops also blocked oil thieves from stealing 56.2 million litres of crude oil; 9.7 million litres of AGO; 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 538 assorted weapons; 13,198 assorted ammunition; destroyed 2,019 wooden boats and 2,612 illegal refining sites,’’ he said.

In the South-East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA sustained the momentum in finding, flushing out and destroying IPOB /ESN terrorists at locations in which they hibernate.

He said that the troops intercepted and arrested several IPOB/ESN terrorists, collaborators; gun runners and informants; as well as neutralised 734 terrorists; arrested 974 suspects and rescued 372 kidnap hostages.

“Additionally, troops seek to continue to heighten collaboration with neighbouring countries and regional bodies, in order to tackle the menace of terrorism.

“Importantly, troops in the battlefield are in high spirits, fully committed, devoted and believe in the justness of the cause.

“On the whole, the war is not for the armed forces alone, but for all citizens. The military, therefore, urges for more citizens support, in order to win the war,’’ Buba said. (NAN)

OYS/FON/SH

Military

2025 Budget: Military expects bountiful harvest from NASS – Chief of Defence Staff

Published

1 week ago

January 14, 2025

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2025 Budget: Military expects bountiful harvest from NASS – Chief of Defence Staff

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military expects bountiful harvest as they commence the 2025 budget defence before the National Assembly.

Musa said this at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Regimental and Award Night for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

He thanked the National Assembly for its continuous support to the military to enable it perform its constitutional roles effectively.

“We know the budget defence is starting very soon and we are looking forward to a bountiful harvest,” he said.

The defence chief said the regimental dinner and award night was organised to honour the bravery of the nation’s departed heroes and commitment of the serving officers to upholding the values of patriotism, loyalty, and dedication.

He said the night provided them with an opportunity to recognise those who had positively gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the nation proud.

“To the recipients of the defence honours and awards, your achievements reflect the high standard of our military and embodiment of the values we hold dear, which include courage, discipline, commitment to excellence.

“Your actions prepare us not only for your peers, but also the upcoming generation of service members who look up to you as role models,” he said.

Musa reiterated the need for all the services to continue to work together to address the security challenges across every strata of the country by fostering the spirit of unity, cooperation and collective responsibility.

According to him, the military owes it to its fallen heroes to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.

“As we dine and reinforce the bonds of camaraderie, I urge us all to remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and continue to build a safer, more secure and more prosperous Nigeria.

“This occasion is the first of its kind as it is done over the years, where we tend to appreciate only those who have sacrificed their lives and then forget those that are still alive.

“We feel it is important that we also give honour to those that are alive and that is what we are up to today.

“Together we are stronger and together we will continue to rise above every challenge,” he said. (NAN)

Military

CAS sends fact-finding team to Zamfara to investigate accidental bombing

Published

1 week ago

January 13, 2025

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CAS sends fact-finding team to Zamfara to investigate accidental bombing

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara to investigate
reported incidence of civilian casualties in the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM. Olusola Akinboyewa, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Akinboyewa stated that the team was led by AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations
branch of NAF Headquarters.

He added that the team was expected to investigate the incidence and provide detailed report for further action.

According to him, the team will liaise and interface with state and local government officials, as well as critical stakeholders, for a holistic assessment
of the situation with a view to driving appropriate response.

“The CAS wishes to reiterate NAF’s commitment to the highest level of professionalism and transparency in the conduct of operations, in line with
appropriate global standards.

“Our absolute value for the life and well-being of every Nigerian remains an integral part of the ethos of the service, as we sustain efforts to defeat
threats to our nation’s peace, security and prosperity.

“We are also mindful of the need to maintain public trust, which is germane to our operational effectiveness.

“We enjoin stakeholders to be rest assured that NAF will continue to refine its operational procedures to ensure mission accomplishment, while
protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said. (NAN)

Military

BREAKING: Major shake up as Nigerian army redeploys top officers (see list)

Published

1 week ago

January 11, 2025

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the redeployment and posting of its top officers.

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

Nwachukwu explained that the redeployment was a strategic move to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of the Army.

He said the affected officers included Corps Commanders, Principal Officers, General Officers Commanding (GOC), Commanders, Commandants of Army Training institutions, Brigade Commanders and other key positions.

According to him, the redeployment underscores the army’s commitment to ensuring robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges.

Nwachukwu said that some of the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters include Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu, from National Defence College to Department of Army Administration, who is appointed Chief of Administration (Army).

He said Maj.-Gen. GU Chibuisi has been redeployed from Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) to Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs.

Also redeployed is Maj.-Gen. AS Ndalolo, from NARC to Department of Army Training, as Chief of Training (Army).

Others include Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai, redeployed from Department of Army Training to Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation.

Maj.-Gen. JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division becomes the Chief of Special Services and Programmes.

“Maj.-Gen. EI Okoro has been redeployed from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary and appointed Military Secretary (Army).

“Senior officers appointed as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) include Maj.-Gen. OT Olatoye to 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation UDO KA and Maj.-Gen. EF Oyinlola to Headquarters 3 Division as GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH),” he said.

The army spokesman further said that the acting appointments of Maj.-Gen. AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East Operation HADIN KAI has been confirmed.

Also confirmed as substantive, he said, was the acting appointment of Maj.-Gen. IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation FANSAN YANMA among others.

Maj.-Gen. GO Adeshina has been redeployed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Director General.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. GM Mutkut has been redeployed to Headquarters Multi National Joint Task Force Njamena as the Force Commander.

“The redeployment also featured Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters as the Director Media Operations,” he said.

Nwachukwu also disclosed that Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as its Commander.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. Henry Wesley moves from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps, as Commander.

He said Maj.-Gen. TT Numbere moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers as Commander, while Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo moves from Department of Civil Military Affairs to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Commander.

According to Nwachukwu, Maj.-Gen. Zakari Abubakar moves to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Commander and Maj.-Gen. AP Oguntola becomes the Commander of the Nigerian Army Education Corps.

He added that Maj.-Gen. JO Sokoya, has been appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Training Centre, while Maj.-Gen. UM Alkali is now Commandant of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).

“Also, Maj.-Gen. FS Etim moves to Nigerian Army School of Infantry as Commandant, while Maj.-Gen. AB Mohammed has been redeployed to the Depot Nigerian Army as commandant.

“Other newly appointed senior officers are Maj.-Gen. IE Ekpenyong now Commandant Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and Maj.-Gen. AO Adegbite as Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.

“Brig.-Gen. AM Umar is redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy and appointed Commandant, among others,” he further said.

The army spokesman said the army chief has also directed all the newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigor, dedication and commitment to their duties.

He noted that this was particularly to ensure the sustenance of the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.

“He equally charged them to ensure that the welfare of troops remain paramount as they assume their new appointments,” Nwachukwu said. (NAN)