Television Nigerian

War on Insurgency: Army clears terrorists, intensifies operations

-

November 3, 2019

War on Insurgency: Army clears terrorists, intensifies operations

The Nigerian Army says troops in the North East have cleared more Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by fleeing boko haram terrorists on some routes in Borno and Yobe states.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that troops of 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison and Explosive Ordnance Devices (EOD) Team safely detonated three large IEDs on the Buni Gari-Kamuya Road, linking Borno and Yobe States.

He said that the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE also raided a boko haram camp at Kerenoa, Marte Local Government Area of Borno .

According to him, the visibly shocked insurgents fled their hideout on sighting the robust advancing troops, abandoning one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) as they fled.

“In another development, following credible information of suspected cult activities, troops of Operation MESA in Plateau State arrested four suspected cultists at Jos University Teaching Hospital in Jos.

“Same troops also raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout at Richa Village in Bokkos Local government area of Plateau.

“They arrested one Joe Agai, a notorious drug peddler, with a large quantity of substance believed to be Cannabis Sativa, a locally fabricated pistol and one live cartridge.

“Another notorious drug dealer, Benjamin Jumbo was arrested by troops of 146 Battalion (Main) in Bonny Island, Rivers State with a 50 Kg sack containing substance believed to be Cannabis Sativa,” he said.

Iliyasu also said that an alleged notorious Tarok militia gang leader, Shehu Jatau and five of his accomplices were also arrested in a hotel in Abuja.
He added that preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspects were very active in the Plateau crisis that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

According to him, the criminal gang resorted to kidnapping, extortion and unleashing unprecedented carnage on innocent residents after the return of peace to Plateau.

“Furthermore, troops of 2 Battalion, while on a routine patrol between Polewire and Gayam Villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, rescued seven kidnapped victims from a group of bandits on Oct. 29.

“ On sighting the approaching troops, the bandits abandoned their victims and escaped into the nearby forest.

“The rescued victims, who were initially travelling from Pandogari in Niger State to Kano, were escorted out of the area and continued with their journey.

“Similarly, troops of 8 Division, while conducting clearance operation at Mai Yashi Village of Isah LGA of Sokoto State, rescued two kidnapped victims namely Shamsudeen Bisharawa and Sadiq Mustapha from their abductors,” he said.

Iliyasu further disclosed that troops of 31 Artillery Brigade encountered a group of bandits that had been terrorising Ungwan Shai community in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State.

He said that one of the bandits was killed in the shootout while others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

“In a related development, troops of 3 Brigade deployed at Falgore in Kano State, conducted a successful operation that led to the arrest of one of the most wanted kidnappers within the area, Umaru Abubakar Kaduwa, operating along the Kano – Kaduna Highway.

“In the Niger Delta region, troops continue to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs by scaling up the tempo of operations against illegal oil bunkering, illegal oil refining and oil theft.

“Between Oct. 28 and 31, the unrelenting troops arrested 18 suspects, destroyed three Illegal oil refining camps, 35 Cotonuo boats, three large storage reservoirs, seven metal storage tanks and impounded 10 vehicles including two trucks involved in the illicit act,” he added.

Buratai lauds Artillery Corps’ contribution to success of ongoing military operations

Defence

-

November 2, 2019

0

Buratai lauds Artillery Corps’ contribution to success of ongoing military operations

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has hailed the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) for the crucial role it has been playing in ongoing military operations in the country. Buratai made the remarks during the closing ceremony of Exercise Vulcan Glow VI on Saturday in Kachia, Kaduna State.

“There is no doubt, the capability of the Nigerian Army Artillery Corps to provide an effective fire support for all Nigerian military operations remain very crucial and important towards our operation. “The exercise have further reaffirmed our resolve to remain well trained and focused as we march forward to have a professionally responsive army in the discharge of our constitutional roles.

“This is more so at a time when indeed the Armed Forces is trying to address the security challenges, most especially the insurgency and other criminal activities bedeviling our nation.

“Without doubt I am very impressed with the overall conduct of the exercise Vulcan Glow llV. The professional drills displayed at the corners.”

Buratai also commended the artillery corps for not restricting itself to the conventional roles, adding that the corp had keyed into concerted contemporary security challenges and military operations.

According to him, this was a queue from the experiences and lessons learned from the ongoing operation in the North East and other threats across the country. He added that the incorporation of other combat support elements into the exercise had equally added credence to the synergy that must exist among the combat support arms.

“We are all conversant with the wide logistic demands of the artillery, thus I am much encouraged seeing the artillery access that has been made serviceable for the conduct of this exercise, despite limited resources.

“This exercise platform which is an annual event will continue to be utilized for the needed training for the Nigerian Army School of Artillery personnel towards improving their competence and that of the Nigerian Army in general.

“I commend the corp for keying into the agendas of the army, in the areas of research and development.

“Through this initiative, the giant strides recorded by the Corp towards repositioning itself for better performance through sourcing and using of local materials are commendable.

“Their efforts have surely enhanced weapon equipment operational capabilities, especially in our counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the North East and other parts of the country, as well as ensured optimum efficiency of Nigerian Army personel and equipment.

“This effort has also led to some breakthrough in re-modification of 105 MM Obligation 14 Horwitzer and the 105 MM m56 drones and development of fire control computer applications among others.

“I’m optimistic that the input of the NASA will make positive impact in the overall quest to have the much desired military industrial complex,” he said.

Buratai, however, charged the Corps to sustain the progress already made by further strengthening the existing collaborations with relevant research agencies and institutions.

Earlier, the Commander of the Corps, Maj.-Gen. Usman Yakubu, said the exercise is an artillery concentration focused on planning, employment and deployment of artillery resources in all phases of conventional wars.

Yakubu said that the exercise was also conducted primarily to asses the combat proficiency of military formations and units in fire support planning, delivery and their capabilities and constraints in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations.

The Commander said that NACA would continue to train and retrain its personnel both in Nigeria and abroad to improve on their proficiency in the discharge of their roles.

Gen. Buratai used the occasion to lay the foundation stone for the building of the administrative building of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia.

79-year-old man beaten bloody with high heel for preaching on train

Headlines

-

November 2, 2019

0

79-year-old man beaten bloody with high heel for preaching on train

A 79-year-old man was attacked on a city subway last week and hit in the head with a high heel, police said Thursday, after PIX11 News obtained video of the aftermath.

A police spokesperson said it happened in Midtown Manhattan on the No. 2 train headed southbound.

An unknown suspect began to argue with the man while on the train, police said. She then took off a high-heeled shoe and hit the man in the head with it, according to police.

Video taken after the incident and posted on Instagram shows blood dripping from the man’s head. The woman who posted the video online said the man was singing gospel songs on the train. A law enforcement source also told PIX11 the man was preaching.

Police said the suspect fled the location.

The man exited the train at 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, where EMS responded, police said. He was taken to NYU Hospital and treated for his injury.

American murders Nigerian woman he met online over refusal to marry him

Crime

-

November 2, 2019

0

American murders Nigerian woman he met online over refusal to marry him

Antonio Wilson, a 38-year-old man from Georgia, America, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Fabiola Thomas, 39, because she refused to marry him.

Thomas’ roommate discovered her body in the bathtub at the Atlanta Newtown Apartments and alerted police. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to local police, Thomas and Wilson met on the dating app, Plenty of Fish. Police spokesman Sean Thompson said the killing was in connection to Thomas rejecting the idea of them getting married.

A warrant indicates Wilson planned to give Thomas an engagement ring, but Thomas said she didn’t want him coming to her house.

Police could not release any details of how Thomas was murdered, but stated that her body had signs of trauma.

Gunmen kill 53 Malian soldiers at a military base

Africa

-

November 2, 2019

0

Gunmen kill 53 Malian soldiers at a military base

At least 53 soldiers and one civilian were killed in a militant attack on a military post in northern Mali on Friday, the government said.

The attack is one of the deadliest strikes against the West African country’s military in recent memory. It is still reeling from jihadist raids in late September that underscored the increasing reach and sophistication of armed groups operating in the region.

“The dispatched reinforcements found 54 bodies including one civilian, 10 survivors, and found considerable material damage. The situation is under control,” government spokesman Yaya Sangare said on Twitter in the early hours of Saturday.

The authorities first reported the attack by armed men on the army post in Indelimane, Menaka region, on Friday, but gave a lower provisional death toll.

From their stronghold in Mali, groups with al Qaeda and Islamic State links have been able to fan out across the Sahel, destabilising parts of Niger and Burkina Faso.

Thirty-eight Malian soldiers were killed on Sept. 30 in coordinated attacks on two army bases in central Mali, which has slipped from government control despite the presence of the French army and other international forces.

Malawi court suspends ‘colonial’ wigs, robes over high temperatures

Africa

-

November 2, 2019

0

Malawi court suspends ‘colonial’ wigs, robes over high temperatures

Malawi’s constitutional court has suspended its requirement that lawyers and judges wear traditional white wigs and black robes in the courtroom as an early season heatwave sweeps the southern African nation.

Temperatures in some parts of the country have hit 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, the country’s Department of Meteorological Services said.

Malawi, a former British protectorate, still follows the British legal system, with the wearing of wigs and robes a requirement for judges and lawyers.

It’s simple really. The heatwave this week meant that the gowns and wigs were uncomfortable.

But Chikosa Silungwe, one of the lawyers in court this week in the capital, Lilongwe, said the heatwave was making the court’s work challenging.

“It’s simple really. The heatwave this week meant that the gowns and wigs were uncomfortable,” he said in a telephone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

He wasn’t ready to attribute the excessive heat to climate change, noting “that’s stretching it too far”.

But Jolamu Nkhokwe, Malawi’s director of climate change and meteorological services, said that while a range of factors contribute to higher temperatures, “the big suspect of this heatwave is climate change”.

“The (temperature) figures within their respective areas are higher than what is always expected during this time of the year,” as the southern hemisphere heads toward summer, he said.

Agnes Patemba, the registrar for the country’s high court and a judicial spokeswoman, said the lifting of the wig and gown requirement, which began Wednesday, was a temporary measure.

“There is a heatwave and that has compelled the court to indeed do away with wigs and gowns. It is not the first time this has been done,” Patemba said in an interview.

Malawi’s high court is currently hearing a petition brought by the country’s political opposition seeking to nullify this year’s elections, which it says were marred by irregularities.

The country’s ministry of health has issued a press statement warning of heat risks and urging people to take precautions.

Buhari departs Saudi Arabia for London

Headlines

-

November 2, 2019

0

President Muhmmadu Buhari has departed Makkah for the United Kingdom.

The President left the Abdul’aziz International Airport, Jeddah for London, on Saturday.

His departure to the UK comes after successful participation at the Future Investment Initiative (#FII2019) conference in Riyadh and Umrah.

President Buhari while in Saudi held bilateral talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

He also participated at the summit titled “What Is Next For Africa” along with presidents of Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville, and Burkina Faso.

More than 4,000 delegates from over 90 countries participated in the conference, and President Buhari spoke about the economic opportunities in Nigeria and his administration’s drive to improve the business environment.

Operation Positive Identification: Army berates Bricks media over spread of falsehood, says operation aimed at fleeing insurgents

-

November 2, 2019

0

Operation Positive Identification: Army berates Bricks media over spread of falsehood, says operation aimed at fleeing insurgents

The Nigerian Army has called on Nigerians to sieve every information they get from the social media before sharing same to unsuspecting members of the public.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col Sagir Musa gave the charge while reacting to the widespread apprehension on the purported Nigerian Army operation positive identification from 1 November to 23 December 2019, as mischievously peddled on the social media by Bricks company, alleging that the Army will conduct the operation and how the operation will be conducted by the Army.

Bricks in the post had specifically, alleged that – “residents shall witness large numbers of uniformed Nigerian Army personnel parading the roads in an exercise known as OPI”.

Col Sagir noted that: “The Nigerian Army has nothing to do with the so called Bricks company and its illusionary OPI, it is not an army operation and the Nigerian Army does not create any operation with such name or abbreviation in all its operations across the nation in a manner maliciously presented by the so called Bricks company.

“Similarly, Nigerian Army has never issued press release through private companies or third parties because it has a full-fledged Directorate that coordinates its public relations and Information aspects which has a robust cordial working relationship with the press”.

He recalled that in order to compliment the ongoing operations in the North East, the Nigerian Army has an ongoing operation positive identification which is intelligence driven, deliberate, targeted operation and not an independent operation but is integral and complimentary to Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East.

The aim of the operation he said is to arrest all those terrorists fleeing or escaping the war zone and the Theatre of operation to a safe haven or peaceful areas in Nigeria.

While calling on members of the public to discountenanced the hitherto faceless and mischievous Bricks company and its alleged NA OPI, Col Sagir enjoined all Nigerians to cooperate with the Nigerian Army and all other security agencies by giving credible information that will assist in the identification and eventual arrest of the fleeing criminals/terrorists in any part of our beloved country.

Ex Atilogwu Udo: Gov Ikpeazu lauds Army, expresses optimism on success

-

November 1, 2019

0

Ex Atilogwu Udo: Gov Ikpeazu lauds Army, expresses optimism on success

Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed optimism that the Operation Atilogwu Udo will reduce to the barest minimum, the rate of criminality within the South East zone.

Ikpeazu expressed this in a goodwill message at the flagging off of the Exercise Atilogwu Udo in Umuahia on Friday November 1, 2019.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Right Honourable Udeh Ukochukwu, he thanked the Military and Chief if Army Staff (COAS) for the event.

He said the essence is for security agencies to reduce to barest minimum, the level of criminality in the country, which he described as a good development.

“I want to appeal to the Military that civilians are peaceful people. As you carry on with this exercise, civilians shouldn’t be subjected to unnecessary intimidation.

“I wish you well and pray the exercise achieves reason of setting up the exercise,” he said.

In his welcome address, the acting GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Lasisi A. Adegboye said the exercise is a friendly one that promotes peace and security.

“We have a timely and relevant exercise. Change in name from Python Dance is in line with friendly disposition of the Army with its host communities.

“The exercise will promote conducive environment for business and other activities.

“It will promote cordial relationship between the Army and residents.

It was preceded with community services like renovation of classroom others.

“Residents of the South East should go about lawful duties without fear of criminal elements,” he added.

Positive Identification: Middle-Belt group lauds Buhari, Nigerian Army over operation to sanitize region

-

November 1, 2019

0

Positive Identification: Middle-Belt group lauds Buhari, Nigerian Army over operation to sanitize region

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over what it described as “timely” introduction of the ‘Operation Positive Identification’.

The group reckoned that the exercise is crucial to restore sanity in the region, especially at a time foreign criminal elements have infiltrated the country.

The MBCG made this known on Friday at a press conference in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its President, Prince Raymond Nero, the group revealed that the operation is a thoughtful security sanity and the final push to flush out remnants of terrorists.

Like previous operations, the Middle-Belt expressed confidence that OPI would be a massive success, filtering, identifying and apprehending hired foreign criminals.

The group, therefore, commended President Buhari and the Army leadership for coming up with such thoughtful and proactive measure.

Read full statement below:

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard’s (MBCG) is most delighted to warmly welcome you to this Press Conference. We are grateful to Almighty God for our robust lives and the steady progress of our nation in the#NextLevel.

We are encouraged to address the media and by implication the Nigerian public for two reasons. First, to once again drum attention of our compatriots to the commencement of the “Operation Positive Identification,” (OPI) today Friday, November 1, 2019 by the Nigerian Army.

It is an exercise that will cause an increased presence of soldiers on major highways and locations nationwide. And soldiers are expected to politely and courteously request travelers to identify themselves before proceeding on their journeys.

Secondly, MBCG is constrained to interact with Nigerians on OPI exercise to explain reasons the military civil operations have become expedient. And also, to canvass support from the civil populace for the Army throughout the three-week duration of the exercise.

To this end, we advise that during the Army’s outing on OPI, Nigerians in transit are expected to carry in their possession a valid and authentic means of identification such as national identity card, voter’s registration card, (PVC), driver’s license, international passport and or, other valid official identification document.

All civilians are expected to be cautious, conduct themselves responsibly and comply with official directives by security agents during this interface. The Army will not violate the human rights of any Nigerian in the course of this exercise.

The MBCG is excited with OPI because everyone will concede to us that most parts of Nigeria, especially the Middle Belt region have been plunged into meaningless and rampant crisis. It ranges from bloodletting and destructions, armed banditry and cattle rustling, terrorism, kidnappings and so forth, fueled by suspected foreign criminal gangs who have illegally migrated into the country.

Regrettably, it is the Middle Belt region that is very susceptible and the worst hit by the atrocities and criminal activities of these foreign criminal agents, killer mercenaries, terrorists, armed bandits, cattle rustlers and their ilk, who invade us from outside Nigeria. They are contracted, sponsored and imported into the country by satanically possessed political actors to destabilize our peace as a region and the nation.

It is only the vigilance and alertness of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army that have saved us from total doom and destruction by the invasion and toxic insecurity orchestrated by these suspected foreign criminals.

The MBCG profoundly salutes Mr. President and the leadership of the Nigerian Army for continually rising to the defence of Nigerians from the invasion by foreign criminal elements and their internal collaborators.

We are already in the yuletide season and it is the most auspicious time, which spurs the zeal of criminal elements to unleash assorted terrors and criminalities on innocent and law abiding citizens. Therefore, the OPI is crafted to checkmate the widespread insecurity occasioned by the exigencies of this celebrative season.

The MBCG consequently fully identifies with the FGN and the leadership of the Nigerian Army on OPI. We appreciate this laudable and proactive initiative on taming insecurity in the country in our region and the country.

The Nigerian Army particularly has been performing a wonderful and commendable job on Internal Security (IS). We recall the Army’s intervention with the “Operation Python Dance (I & II) for Nigerians domiciled in the Southeast to be extricated from the pangs of bloodshed, armed robberies, kidnappings and allied criminalities to enjoy a peaceful yuletide and New Year.

The Army instantly flushed out armed gangs and militias terrorizing the peace and security of the Southeast region. Similar military operations like “Operation Delta Safe” conducted by the Army also cleansed the South-South region, of armed militants, kidnappers, armed robbers, armed pirates and related criminalities. Many other parts of the country have benefitted from the solace of the Army’s soothing and reliving interventions on insecurity.

The OPI exercise is a thoughtful and proactive security measure, fashioned on a similar template. It is honed to identify and apprehend hired foreign criminals who invade our country and perpetrate all manner of atrocities. So, we have no doubt that the Army will do a clean, neat and commendable job with OPI for our enduring peace and security.

Once again, we assure all Nigerians that no Nigerian would have his human rights abused or violated by soldiers during OPI. We therefore, call on all citizens of Nigeria, especially, those domiciled in North Central states, which are intensely terrorized, to come out en masse in discharge of the obligation of moral encouragement and support to the Nigerian Army for a resounding success of the OPI.

Thank you all and happy new month, as we wish you journey mercies to your various destinations.