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
Military
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
By: Our Reporter
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has promised to prioritise the welfare of troops of the Nigerian Army(NA) as well as the protection of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Ag COAS made these remarks on Wednesday 20 November 2024, during the official handing over of the Infantry Corps to his successor Major General Abdulkalifa Ibrahim in a regimented ceremony at the Headquarters Infantry Corps Jaji, Kaduna State. You will recall that until his appointment as the Ag COAS on 30 October 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he was the 56th Commander Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army.
Speaking further during the handing over ceremony, Gen Oluyede described his successor as a competent senior Infantry officer and a perfect gentleman whom he he believes will sustain the trajectory of moving the Corps forward. He charged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to give him all the needed cooperation and support to succeed. The Ag COAS expressed gratitude to all officers and soldiers of the NA for their massive turnout and support during the internment of the late COAS Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and prayed God to grant him eternal rest and continue to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
While addressing troops of the Infantry Corps at the Major Bulama Parade Ground, the Ag COAS charged all officers and soldiers of the NA to put the unfortunate incident behind them, get back to work and deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements perpetrating insecurity in the country. He reassured them that their welfare would be prioritised. ” I am aware of your challenges and will tackle them head-on. Rest assured that anything that is yours will be given to you, ” he affirmed.
In his remarks, the new Commander Infantry Corps Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim said he was delighted to take over command of the Infantry Corps from the Ag COAS, who until a few weeks ago was the Commander Infantry Corps. He appreciated the Ag COAS for moving the Infantry Corps forward through the implementation of laudable initiatives and execution of several infrastructural development projects. He lauded him for his many years of dedicated service to the Infantry Corps, the Nigerian Army, and the nation at large.
Maj Gen Ibrahim pledged to lead the Infantry Corps with integrity, courage, honour, and utmost dedication, embracing best practices in all he will do. “To my brave and dedicated fellow infantry men, both officers and soldiers, I recognise the sacrifices, resilience, and valour that define our infantry tradition. Your selflessness, teamwork, and unwavering loyalty inspire all of us. I urge you all to continue to embrace the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, discipline, selfless service, respect for others, and courage in the discharge of your responsibilities, ” he emphasized.
He further urged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to remain diligent, hardworking, and proactive so as to collectively confront security challenges in troubled regions, uphold the Infantry values, and protect the nation with pride. He added that he is open to ideas that would bring the Corps together and make it more cohesive and efficient.
Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and hails from Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. In the course of his illustrious career in the NA, he served as acting Garrison Commander in 1 Division, Commander 14 Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and also commanded the Multi National Joint Task Force Ndjamena, Chad among others. He has attended all courses commensurate to his rank, including the National Defence College Course 23.
He had served previously in Jaji at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry as member Training Team and later as Chief Instructor. He participated in several operations both within and outside the shores of the country, such as Operation Hadin Kai and Operations under the MNJTF. In 2023, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria awarded him the National honour of the Officer of the Order of the Republic (OFR). Similarly, the Chadian Government awarded him the national honor of ‘National Order of Chad’ (NOOC) for his contributions to peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Acting COAS later inspected ongoing projects in Jaji military Cantonment and paid a visit to the Command Engineering Depot at Rigachukun, Kaduna.
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
Military
CDS RECEIVES NIPR EXECUTIVES: TO STRENTHEN EXISTING RELATIONSHIP
CDS RECEIVES NIPR EXECUTIVES: TO STRENTHEN EXISTING RELATIONSHIP
By: Tukur Gusau
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa today , 12 November , 2024 received the Executive members of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) led by its President, Dr Ike Neliaku on a courtesy call on the Defence Headquarters, Abuja. The aim of the visit is to strengthen the already existing mutual and beneficial relationships between the military and the institute.
In his remarks, General Musa showered appreciation on the institute for its support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria ( AFN) and for its relentless efforts at enlightening Nigerians about the military, particularly in securing the nation.
The CDS further stated that the military will continue to partner and work together with the institute as he assured that the AFN will not rest on its oars to work in tandem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate of restoring peace and ensuring Citizens are safe in the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku appreciated the CDS for his act of professionalism and his efforts in securing the nation, while thanking him also for his efforts in making sure military personnel undergo constant training.
According to Dr Neliaku, the NIPR in its campaigns will continue to elighten the public to clearly understand the mission of the military. He further pledged to also train military personnel on public relations practices. The NIPR President in the same vein congratulated the CDS on the recent exoneration of the Military by a Special Investigative Panel on alledged Infractions by ICRC and Reuters respectively. Similarly, he praised the AFN for accepting the hosting rights of the Africa Military Games, 2024.
Finally, he expressed his heartfelt condolence to the AFN over the recent passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing him as a true patriot and a hero who served the nation with his whole heart.
CDS RECEIVES NIPR EXECUTIVES: TO STRENTHEN EXISTING RELATIONSHIP
Military
DEFENCE, ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONDOLE WITH FAMILY OF LATE COAS, OSUN STATE
DEFENCE, ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONDOLE WITH FAMILY OF LATE COAS, OSUN STATE
….. Inform Family of Preperations for National Honour
By: Polycarp Okoye
The Defence and Army Headquarters (DHQ/AHQ) Team, comprising several Maj Gen’s, Officers and Soldiers, lead by the Chief of Accounts and Budgets, DHQ, Major General KI Yusuf, were in Osun State on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, to commiserate with the family of late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, whose unfortunate demise occurred on 5 November 2024.
On arrival at Osun State, the team headed for the government house, where they were received by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, alongside his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi and other members of his cabinet. The team subsequently paid condolence visits in company of the Governor, to His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Ashiru Olatoye, the Olobu of Ilobu Kingdom, in his Palace; and family of the late Army Chief.
While delivering the condolence message, Major General KI Yusuf, noted that the team’s mission was in absolute honour to late General Lagbaja; adding that the sad news of his demise, has left very shocking waves on all personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
He said, “we are also here to convey and express the condolences of the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and members of the AFN; particularly, members of the NA, who he led and commanded during his lifetime”
“General Lagbaja, was a pragmatic and gallant officer, who fought and commanded his troops from the front, against terrorism and other criminalities bedeviling Nigeria. He took the welfare of his troops very seriously, and these are well evidenced in the several completed and ongoing projects which he approved across the country.
The NA under his command, has witnessed great transformation”, he added. General Yusuf, further encouraged the family of the deceased, to brace up with the circumstance, in order to pull through the trying period; assuring them of the AFN’s continued support to the family. He conveyed to the Lagbaja Family, President Bola Tinubu’s directive to give the late COAS a state burial at the National Military Cemetary in Abuja.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, lamented the loss of General Lagbaja, saying he was an illustrious son of Osun State, whose exemplary life of simplicity, generosity, patriotism, dedication and sacrifice, will remain indelible in the history books.
He recounted his personal interactions with the late COAS and his immense support towards the realization of an Airport in Osun State among several projects he initiated in the State. He appreciated the AFN for the condolence visits urging for a sustained communication with the family, and the entire state.
In the same vein, the Royal Father, Oba Ashiru Olatoye, in an emotional speech, expressed deep satisfaction with the manner with which the AFN has collaborated with the Ilobun Community and the family of late General Lagbaja.
Some of the major activities during the condolence visits, were, signing of the condolence register, presentation of condolence letters to the Governor, Royal Father as well as to members of Lagbaja family.
Other members of the AFN Condolence Team include the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General OG Onubogu, Major General BA Ilori, Director of Planing AHQ Department of Planning, Major General JO Adeyemo, Commandant NA School of Artillery, and Major General AP Oguntola, Commandant, NA Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies. Others were; Major General JB Olawumi (Rtd) former DG NYSC, and Major General AS Ibikunle (Rtd).
DEFENCE, ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONDOLE WITH FAMILY OF LATE COAS, OSUN STATE
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