Military
REUTERS REPORT, NIGERIAN MILITARY DESERVES COMMENDATION NOT CONDEMNATION- COMMANDANT, NDA
REUTERS REPORT, NIGERIAN MILITARY DESERVES COMMENDATION NOT CONDEMNATION- COMMANDANT, NDA
By: Michael Mike
Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) who was also the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Maiduguri, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf has said that the Reuters report of allegations of gross human rights infractions by the Military in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East is completely false, malicious and ill-intended, adding that the Nigerian Military deserves commendation and not condemnation or distraction.
Testifying before the Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki led Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-NE), the former GOC said those allegations contained in the news report are weighty, arguing that the military operates in a community where it interacts with different categories of stakeholders including personnel of United Nation Agencies who could have noticed and reported any human rights violations from the onset.
Continuing, the Commandant of the NDA said the people in the communities will also not keep quiet and watch such atrocities happen without hinting the appropriate authorities. “We have had to answer questions simply because we closed down markets following intelligence information we got on planned attacks by insurgents, if this can happen do you think such alleged crimes reported by Reuters will go unnoticed without any questioning before now?” he asked.
The former leader of the Joint Multinational Task Force further stated that the Military is a regimented institution that pays particular attention to every detail in relating with people “when you throw away the rule of law, you have lost it, you cannot win the hearts and minds of the people you are protecting, they will also not trust you, and it will be difficult for you to operate in their territory”.
Expressing disappointment in the Reuters report, the army officer said it is unimaginable for anyone to think that the military can kill rescued children for any reason. He pointed out that the military has celebrated the naming ceremony of children fathered by Boko Haram “we have on our own provided rams and bought clothes for the celebration of naming ceremonies of children of Boko Haram born in our custody, and some of these children were named after us as a way of expressing excitement over our goodwill. If we want to exterminate them, we would have done so by killing the pregnant women even before they gave birth, we won’t have go through the headache of conducting the said abortions”.
Describing the allegations as painful and irrational, the Commandant said no military formation keeps women and children when they are rescued; they are immediately handed over to the camps, if you keep them they become a threat and distraction to you.
On his part, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Borno State Ministry of Justice Barr. Garba Musa Chibok, who earlier appeared before the 7-man panel, said it is very unreasonable for anyone to fabricate stories that are baseless. He challenged Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) led panel to invite Reuters for questioning, saying Borno State as at 2013 (the period referred to in the Reuters report) was in turmoil, people were busy running for their lives and seeking hiding places from the insurgents while the military was bothered about neutralizing the terrorists. “Tell me, in this situation who has time to think of anything like abortion?”
On the issue of the massacre of children, the Solicitor General also debunked the allegation saying “I am from Chibok and I am seriously affected by this problem, all the children rescued from the frontline are alive, I know them some of them are my relations, you can call them to come here and talk to you. None of them was killed; some of the girls released at that time came with one baby or more. Where did Reuters see those ones that they claim have been killed? Please invite them, let them come here and tell us” he appealed.
Fatimah Agwai Mohammed
Deputy Director Public Affairs.
REUTERS REPORT, NIGERIAN MILITARY DESERVES COMMENDATION NOT CONDEMNATION- COMMANDANT, NDA
Troops Neutralise Intruder Near Military Position in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade have neutralised a suspected intruder during a perimeter patrol in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to sources, the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on June 20 at Ngamdu, where troops were conducting routine security patrols around a military location.
The sources stated that the troops sighted a female intruder approaching the defensive perimeter of the position.
The suspect was subsequently neutralised near the parapet during the operation.
Military authorities said the patrol was completed successfully without any further security incident.
Ngamdu, located along a strategic corridor in Kaga Local Government Area, has remained an area of security interest due to ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai continue to maintain surveillance and conduct routine patrols aimed at preventing attacks and safeguarding military positions and surrounding communities.
Troops Neutralise Intruder Near Military Position in Borno
Two Teenage ISWAP Family Members Surrender to Troops in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two teenage girls believed to be family members of ISWAP terrorists have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources disclosed that the girls, identified as Tata Ahmodu, 16, and Adama Abubakar, 14, surrendered at about 1:35 p.m. on June 19 to troops of the 192 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at Forward Operating Base Pulka.
According to preliminary findings, the teenagers escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Jongo area around the Dure general area within the Sambisa Forest axis.
The escapees reportedly told troops that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within the camp contributed to their decision to flee the terrorist enclave.
Following their surrender, the girls were screened, documented and taken into custody by military authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
Security officials said the development reflects ongoing pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East, which continues to yield defections, surrenders and rescues of vulnerable persons.
They added that efforts are ongoing to sustain operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring normalcy in affected communities.
Two Teenage ISWAP Family Members Surrender to Troops in Borno
Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Kaduna Community, One Civilian Killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7 (Sub-Sector 71) Sanga under Operation Enduring Peace have repelled an attack by bandits on Ungwan Goma community in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Military sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on June 20 when troops responded to reports of an attack by unidentified gunmen on the community.
According to the sources, the troops, in collaboration with local youths, engaged the attackers and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the gunmen to withdraw.
However, during the confrontation, one civilian, identified as Mr. Yahaya Danladi, was killed.
The body of the deceased was handed over to Keystone Gwantu for necessary action.
Military authorities said troops have since intensified domination patrols and offensive operations within the general area to track down and possibly apprehend or neutralise the fleeing attackers.
They added that efforts are ongoing to restore calm and prevent further incidents in the affected community.
Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Kaduna Community, One Civilian Killed
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