Troops of the Special Forces deployed in Jakana have killed 11 Boko Haram insurgents, together with their informants.
The troops, who first disguised themselves, successfully laid an ambush along a road in Jakana axis of Borno State, before gunning down the terrorists.
A source within the intelligence recounts that the slain Boko Haram fighters were fleeing after they had attacked some military personnel on patrol duty.
“Unfortunately, the insurgents who were eliminated by the Nigerian troops had killed six soldiers before they met their Waterloo.
“The intelligence service has already identified some communities suspected to be harbouring terrorists and their agents but the military is wary of collateral damage on the communities because of women and children, that is why they are still yet to attack and raid the terrorists’ hideouts.”
Some of the communities allegedly aiding, supporting and offering help to the extremists our correspondent learnt include Matari, Mada, Burgozo, Duwari, and Didiri.
Consequently, the Nigerian troops have nabbed six high-profile Boko Haram commanders for frequently ambushing and coordinating attacks on troops within Auno, Jakana and Banishaik general area.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, also confirmed recent development saying that “the vigilant troops effectively ambushed and eliminated the insurgents who killed two officers and three soldiers, at Burgozo community in Borno State.
“After a gun battle that lasted 20 minute, the fleeing terrorists were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole,” he said.
The Army Major General, said while some of the terrorists were killed, the rest of them who were fleeing sustained serious wounds.
He noted that troops have commenced mopping-up, combing of the general area while some arrests had been made.
The GOC, also listed the items recovered from the insurgents to include one gun trucks, two anti-aircraft guns, one RPG, five Ak 47 riffle and night vision google.
–Gun truck, Arms, RPG tubes and Ammunition recovered
The Nigerian military has yet again recorded another feat on the war against insurgency as troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base Jakana, dealt with and neutralised several members of the Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists while attempting to infiltrate their base in dire need for logistics.
The terrorists who came at about 6:45pm in 7 Gun Trucks and fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp, met their waterloo as the attack was thwarted with heavy fire and bombardment by the gallant and patriotic vigilant battle ready troops.
Following a sustained superior fire power from the Army the terrorists, after loosing significant number of both equipment and personnel in an exchange of fire scampered in disarray along the Benisheikh – Damaturu axis, – abandoning a damaged utility Gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items.
Troops immediately followed in hot pursuit and the following items were captured:
a. 1 x Anti Aircraft Gun
b. 2 x Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tubes
c. 2 x AK 47 Rifles
d. 15 x Machine Gun rounds
e. 12 x AK 47 NATO rounds.
In another development, a Colonel and a Captain as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu were killed as after running into an ambush staged by the fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis.
The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes reiterated that “Personnel of the Nigerian Army will never be deterred in the ongoing noble and patriotic fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East”.
He further commended the efforts of the entire troops in the theatre and charged them to remain focus, highly committed and professional in the discharge of their constitutional roles.
The sacrifices of the fallen heroes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency is no doubt painful to all, but that will further spur us to do more to ensure that our country remain secured, peaceful and free from terrorists activities for the overall interest of the nation.
A civil society group, the National Democratic Front NDF, has berated the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria and it’s leader Emmanuel Onwubiko over what it describes unguarded utterances aimed causing dissaffection thereby heating up the polity in the country.
National Secretary of the group, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadir at a press conference in Abuja urged Nigerians from all works of life to join voices to condemn Mr Onwubiko and his cohorts in the strongest possible terms.
Dr Abdulkadir described the escalation of anti-state propaganda by HURIWA as very worrisome and capable of plunging the nation into a crisis of unimaginable proportion.
“We are seeing a dangerous pattern that requires that the lies he is putting in the public space are expeditiously corrected before people think that is the correct state of affairs.
The latest of this failed attempt at using negative propaganda against the Nigerian state involved Onwubiko disparaging the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. He futilely strived to create the impression that these reputable men are the enemy when the real enemy of the people is the person attempting to shove falsehood down their throats.” he said.
He condemned Mr Onwubiko for accusing General Buratai of sophistry because he dared to expose how politics and politicians are the real factors driving the widespread security breaches in the country.
“Interestingly, Onwubiko alluded to how banditry, kidnapping and terrorism are happening across the country without acknowledging that the people he works for are the ones that unleashed these evil as punishment on Nigerians for not voting to reintroduce corruption during the recent general elections.
“It is common knowledge in Nigeria that because of monetary and ethnic considerations, Onwubiko is a die hard supporter and canvasser for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“The HURIWA businessman is aware that his client famously declared that killings and violence will intensify when President Muhammadu Buhari gets re-elected.
Dr Abdulkair said the predicted violence has not taken hold and one of its promoters is blaming the Chief of Army Staff for situating the problem where it is.
He added that at the right time, Onwubiko will have to answer for his contributions to the carnage that has been witnessed in some parts of the country.
“When that time comes he will be able to tell Nigerians how much he collected to launch the evil propaganda against the government and the persons that paid that money.
“Meanwhile, we realise that Onwubiko’s main interest is not General Buratai, whom he merely used to gain relevance and attract attention to his wares as a blackmailer. His intended target is the Speaker, Rt. Hon Gbajabiamila, whom he believes would be amenable to blackmail, only that his projection was wrong. Not only is the strategy wrong, the premises upon which he attempted to tarnish the image of the Speaker were faulty to the point where one have to begin to review his mental state.”
He alleged that Mr Onwubiko has a problem with the peace mission embarked upon by Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila in Zamfara state, which he concluded was high treason.
“While this appear logical on the surface, an actual understanding of it will show a kind of deviousness that merits being confined to supervised care. He rather wants the bandits to be tried and no talks held with them even if that will bring solutions.
“We are at a loss if this is the same HURIWA/Onwubiko that chastised the government for not negotiating with extremists of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), two groups that have been outlawed on account of their being militarised and being a terrorist group respectively.
“Two things stand out in this historic transaction of Onwubiko. He is first about the money and will sing to support any group that drops coin in his bowl, which was the basis on which the IMN bought his services to argue that government should dialogue with them.
“The second thing is that Onwubiko is an irredeemable ethnic bigot who thinks a terrorist IPoB should be pampered with negotiation and amnesty while bandits should be treated differently simply because they are from the north that he hates with all his being. The records are there and they speak to how the HURIWA leader has been playing two sides of the divide.
The NDF scribe described expressed HURIWA and Onwubiko as agents of destabilization that are in pursuit of ethnic agenda. Since the organization and its leader are one and the same.
“We confidently say that Onwubiko has proven that he does not know the difference between politics and agitating for human rights. If he does he would not have disingenuously attempted to retire the political contract he got to malign Buratai and Gbajabiamila under the sub-head of human rights. It stuck out like a sore thumb for what it is. A cheap propaganda that was badly packaged and delivered.
“We know Onwubiko as a confused bigot that can sell his family to the highest bidder or if the money arrives at a certain time in the right amount. His brand of activism is purely monetized at the very least it must appeal to his ethnic jingoism, for which he must be paid anyway.
He urged Onwubiko and his group to refund whatever they have been paid to carry out his latest assignment because he has not only failed those who sent him the errand but has also failed himself for not being able to come up with something more creative than the watery non-issues he tried to raise against the two leaders.
“He must also learn to not try gaining political capital out of something that Nigerians are trying to get rid of. His attempt to leverage on the terrorist attacks and kidnappings for making money is reprehensible and he is advised to desist from such irresponsible acts.” he concluded
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has commended the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle’s initiative in tackling the security challenges in the state by engaging in dialogue particularly as the bandits and other criminal gangs have signified willingness to surrender their weapons.
General Buratai who was speaking when he received the governor in his office on Wednesday evening, said, “We are quite interested in the security situation in Zamfara state and more so the democratic process that is managed by the governor. You have started very well as the executive governor.
“The security of the first place is quite fundamental in any society and it is essentially the state’s responsibility. For the first few weeks of your tenure in office, we have seen the giant steps that you have taken towards ameliorating the security challenge in the state and by extension in the whole of the northwestern states and also the whole of the country.
“We are 100 per cent in support of whatever the civil administration decide towards bringing about peace and security in our country. We have remained apolitical and indeed the military is an instrument of the state for it to achieve the state objectives in bringing about peace and development to the country.
“Let me say that the political direction is key and the great leadership trait that you have exhibited. This is what further contributed to the state of peace. Today’s major success has been achieved and we are ready to go along with the step you have taken to dialogue and to ensure that the peace process does not fail.
Emphasizing that achieving peace and stability is a collective effort, the Army Chief said, “Just about two days ago, the combined troops of the military including the police and the state services went from Zamfara into Katsina state to flush out these bandits and a lot of them were either neutralised or captured or absconded from their camps.
“This is one of the pressures that the army had put on the criminals that have forced them to look for the dialogue option. In this regard, I want to say that the dialogue option must be comprehensive, there must be disarmament which is quite fundamental and also the issue of release of captives which is ongoing and you have started.
“We will support you to ensure that there is complete disarmament and equally the concept of deradicalization and other political process which I believe the government will take note of and see how it can implemented not only in Zamfara state but across the states that are facing this banditry especially Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states.
Earlier, in his remarks Gov. Matawalle said he came to show appreciation to the army chief for the effort of the army to flush out banditry activities in the state.
He said the army commanders in the state had given the government the necessary support to address the security challenge in the state adding, “We have recorded success through the initiative of dialogue that our government has adopted” adding that, he believed that dialogue was the best option.
He said that banditry activities in Zamfara state has reduced by over 90 per cent, adding that the effort of the military made the bandits to opt for dialogue.
“The bandits told us that they would not have embrace peace if the army was not giving them too mush trouble. So we agreed that army should reduce attack on them so that they can come out.
“We have secured the release of over 120 captives including foreign nationals and arrangement is on ground to release another 25 captives including women and children.
He said that his government was ready to cooperate with the military to end banditry activities in the state, pledging that logistic supports like vehicles would be made available to the army.
In a world that has become global, replication of what has worked in other countries is expected. Civil disobedience has been used by some countries with appreciable results. There are examples to cite: Arab Spring, Orange Protest, Yellow Vests Protest and the ongoing Hong Kong protests.
But protests are not for terrorists. Global best practice is for protestors to act within limits dictated by the law of the land. Violence taints protests, removes legitimacy from the cause of protestors that rely on violence. Shedding blood in pursuit of any goal sours the end product. Purveyors of the Arab Spring can attest to this much; in countries where they used violence, peace has taken flight. Find out from Libya. It is a scenario that some embittered politicians are keen to replicate in Nigeria. They have been shopping for terrorists to blow up the country.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, is unaware of these dynamics. At the very least it is aware about them but is pretending that they do not exist. IMN never had a basis to protest. It has now worsened its lack of a basis by shedding blood when it invaded the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The blood on the hands of the brainwashed fighters of IMN is thick because it is the blood of policemen. The blood sticks fast to their hands because it was guns they shot at the policemen, when IMN had always claimed to have no weapon.
IMN fighters hurt even the populace that was once sympathetic. They stoned hapless Nigerians that were caught in the crossfire of the attack on policemen. Scores of cars were either torched or vandalized. If IMN claimed self defence in attacking the policemen what will it claim for harming innocent civilians? The Shia fanatics attacked people because their objective at the National Assembly was to cause terror. Unleashing violence is not new to this group. It has a long history of violence that earned it a ban in Kaduna state. Its members once killed a soldier for which they are still standing trial. They invaded Abuja and attempted to steal weapons from a military convoy in transit. They committed arson all over the city while putting its resident through hell by obstructing free flow of traffic. Add these to the invasion of the National Assembly and it is obvious this is no agitation. It is a posse of sectarian terrorists.
IMN counsel, Chief Femi Falana has confirmed that much. He warned the government against provoking an insurgency when his clients have already started one. A statement he officially issued said “This nation cannot afford another war of insurgency which is being provoked by the contemptuous conduct of the federal government in the handling of the case of the El-Zakzaky.”
Anyone that has doubt should by now realize that IMN is bent on escalating its protests to full terrorist attacks. Falana, their lawyer’s statement is a confirmation. Several IMN spokespersons have threatened insurgency as well. They make it sound like threats made in desperation but it is something they have prepared for.
It is sad that the lawmakers are taken in. They see helpless protestors in IMN fighters when terrorists are at their own very gates. But it is now proven that the resolution of the House was sold and purchased at the behest of the political opposition. Someone must educate our lawmakers that the differences between protestors and terrorists are as clear as the incompatibility of night and day. Terrorists attack the state, its agencies and organization while seeing civilians as fair game should they be caught in their attacks; terrorists make unrealistic demands like asking for a man standing trial for treason and murder to be freed without a verdict being reached by the bench. Protestors remain civil even in the face of extreme provocation, which IMN cannot lay claim to; protestors stick to realistic demands.
Those propping up IMN must thus desist. The invasion of the National Assembly, the shooting of policemen, the industrial scale arson against Nigerians should perturb even the most unrepentant of IMN sponsors. It happened before when Boko Haram terrorists turned upon their sponsors. It is a matter of time before IMN consumes those that are aiding and abetting it today. IMN may be the desirous bride of the opposition right now but when it bares its fangs as a terror group it will poison even its sponsors. The monster has already been created. Bad. The only good news is that the IMN genie is still in the bottle. That is if the opposition and poorly informed lawmakers will leave it right there in the bottle.
The situation calls for realistic approach to curbing IMN’s rise into an insurgent group. This is not the time for the kind of do-gooder pontificating that is making the round. Those seeking to be perceived as politically correct have no business here. The danger posed to Nigeria by this group negates any political capital to be made from promoting them. When the IMN storm that is being brewed makes landfall there will be no People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Igbo or Yoruba. It will be IMN terrorist group and its victims.
Agbese is a researcher in human rights laws and wrote from Middlesex University London.
The literary world today had an addition as a book titled “The Legend of Buratai” was unveiled and presented to students in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital by the author, Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani.
The book which is a fictional rendition of the early life, youthful and military exploits of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai is also intended as a guide to leadership recruitment amongst the younger generation.
At the Mafoni Liberty Junior School venue of the presentation, a reading session of the book was conducted by the author where he took time to expound and explain the book.
Speaking to TeleVision Nigerian, principal of the school, Mallam Yusuf Tom expressed joy that the book presentation is being hosted in his school.
“I am happy with the choice of Mafoni Liberty Junior Secondary School for this book presentation. This will go a long way in encouraging and motivating our students as well as teachers. All of us consider General Buratai as a legend. I am of the opinion that his life is worth imititating as a role model for youngsters,” said the principal.
The author told the students that they don’t need to know somebody that knows somebody to make it in life if they can do what General Buratai did as a youth. “Buratai was a diligent student and his passion for excellence is exceptional. These virtues of diligence, loyalty,hard work and perseverance are virtues that today’s students need to have. There is no other way apart from this sure way,”said the author. “We are lucky to have someone from this state who you (students) can emulate. Please don’t disappoint us,” said Dr. Sani.
Speaking to media men at the event, the author said that he is proud of the Army Chief and he truly believes that the General will forever remain a legend. “There is something extraordinary about General Buratai. I’m of the opinion that he is truly a legend and like I told the students,his birth was foretold. I gathered that it was predicted that four hundred years after the demise of Yamtarawala,a person of exceptional endowment would emerge in Biu land. Buratai was born exactly 400 years after the demise of Yamtarawala so he is the person.”
The students promised to read the book and imbibe the lessons that it contain therein. There after the author and management of Sprezzatura Publishing who are the publishers of the book distributed free copies of the book to students in the school.
The school’s vice principal delivered vote of thanks. He conveyed the school appreciation to the author for selecting a public school instead of a private school for the book presentation. “Let me also say that I was in the same Teacher’s College with Buratai but he was a year ahead of me. I know him to be a very private and reserved student. He doesn’t talk much,hardly do you see him fighting with anybody; he is a very fearless person so am happy that today the author had used the life of my school mate to motivate my students. Good bless you,” said the vice principal.
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN represented by Rev. Dr Jonah Samson Chairman CAN, FCT Chapter and Rev Dr Israel
Akanji Chairman CAN, North Central visited the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) on Sunday 14th July, 2019. It was a solidarity visit aimed at encouraging members of the Church.
Rev Biodun Fatoyinbo
Below are excerpts from the service.
Rev Dr Israel Akanji:
Well, let me begin by saying that this man talking to you, he loves music alot and in this my head, is loaded with songs upon songs but my head is loaded with hymns. I can sing from one stanza to the end: ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch..’ and I can go on and on. Now, I thought I knew music until I came inside. I have been in here (COZA) just a few minutes, but I have been greatly impressed, and touched and blessed. And I really pray that God will be continuously glorified in this assembly in Jesus name.
Alright, two of us, are here: Rev (Dr) Samson Jonah is the Chairman of CAN in the FCT. Now, it’s good to know a little about what is called ‘CAN’ (Christian Association of Nigeria): it started fully in 1976 and now we have CAN in every state, CAN in every local government and of course we have CAN the national body. We have 6 zones in Nigeria, and so we have 6 zonal leaders of CAN and we have state chairmen. I used to be Chairman of FCT and I was chairman for 6 years and he (Rev Dr Jonah Samson) was one of our top executives at that time. When I rotated from being chairman, he became the chairman and I was appointed the chairman for North Central (that is 6 states and FCT making 7). So, all churches in Abuja fall within both FCT and North Central. And that’s one of the reasons why we decided to come briefly to worship with you this morning.
Rev Dr Jonah Samson:
I want to make a plea, that you allow me to be a member here. The only challenge I have is I don’t know what I will do with my denomination. I’m an associate pastor but it’s a pleasure being here and I assure you that we are with you and we continue to be with you. We are in support of the church, we are in support of your pastor, we stand by him and this church will continue to march forward. I say and I declare that the gates of hell shall not prevail against this church in the mighty name of Jesus. Now, I have a message for you. Hallelujah, now because of time, this is the message I have for you in the book of Colossians 1:3-14 (NIV) ‘We always thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people; the faith and love that spring up from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day, we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you, we continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience. And giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. The Bible says for He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins’.
I am leaving you with 4 basic lessons here:
1. Paul here said ‘since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you’. The Church in Nigeria is praying for you. The Church in FCT is praying for you.
2) And he (Paul) said, ‘because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus’, the faith of this church will not shrink, come what may, it will not shrink in the name of Jesus Christ.
3) Verse 5 says ‘the faith and the love that spring up from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel. This gospel we have received and we have been receiving day after day from the servant of God: this gospel will continue to bear fruits in the name of Jesus Christ.
4) And finally in verse 9, He (Paul) said for this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. Our prayers are with this church. I pray that this church will rise from Glory to Glory in the name of Jesus Christ. And the day, the trumpet of God shall sound in heaven, the Bible records that the dead in Christ shall arise and those of us that are left behind we shall be caught up in a twinkle of an eye and we shall meet Christ in the air. That day shall be a glorious day and none shall be missing in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord bless you in Jesus name.
I hand over to my father –
Rev Dr Israel Akanji: The Bible says by this shall all men know my disciples, if you have love for one another. Jesus came to the world because of love and nothing pleases Him like love. You all know that in the book of Luke, chapter 10, there is this account that is very popular: the story of the good Samaritan – a man was traveling between Jerusalem and Jericho and fell among thieves and robbers, they stripped him of all he had, they left him wounded, bleeding and dying. Then, there came a Priest going in that direction, as the priest went in that direction,the man probably had some little hope when he looked up and he saw somebody (wearing dress like I am wearing now with stole and everything). He must have felt – O God, what a loving God you are, I didn’t know that I will be rescued so quickly. And so the priest went and when he got near him and the man was expecting a rescue, all of a sudden, the feet (priest) started going and he was gone.
And then a Levite was coming (and if I look like a priest, a Levite is probably like one of the ushers or singers). The man said it’s not too bad, I mean the other man didn’t come, this time around – another church man, I’m sure he will come. And he (Levite) came and saw him and went again.
Then the third man came, when he looked up, he said Wow, I’m finished. I will die now . Oh, those who left me wounded, bleeding and dying; they left me half dead, now this Samaritan will come and finish me up. And he closed his eyes ‘God, into your hands, I commit my spirit, as I die no, Oh God’ and then the man (Samaritan) dropped from the donkey – I am gone. He was surprised, the man (Samaritan) brought out his wine, he brought out his oil and he began to undo all that the thieves and robbers have done in the life of this man, carried him on his donkey (which was his ambulance) and took him to an inn for him to be restored.
And then Jesus said ‘which of them showed love to him’ and they answered: the one who ministered to him
In the journey of life, sometimes we can find ourselves wounded, bleeding and dying. Sometimes, the people we expect to come and help us, they are the very ones who will walk away from us. But Jesus said that what that Samaritan did was the right thing because he showed love at the time of need.
Today, we have come because if anything happens to COZA church, it happens to the Body of Christ in Nigeria. We are all part of the Body of Christ and I thank God and thank God again and again for a church like this. Because this church is not doing things the way some of us are doing things. I just finished preaching about David and goliath and talking about ‘slaying your champion or slaying the giant’.
And I said one of the ways of slaying the giant is you don’t have to use the approach of another person. David – they put the uniform of Saul on him and put the armour of Saul, David could not walk, he said I cannot walk, I cannot even use it. So he took it and threw it away. And then he went and picked 5 smooth stones, he used his own approach. All we needed for David was victory, he had the victory without their uniform, he had the victory without their office. And I believe that
God has set COZA church up for our generation, to do things differently and our goal is to the victory into the kingdom of God. And I pray that nothing will bring this church down in the name of Jesus Christ.
So how can we (FCT CAN Chairman and Chairman of North Central): I could have been living in Nassarawa state or Benue state or Kwara state or Kogi state or Niger state or Plateau state. I could have been living in any of those places. By God’s mercy, I am presently living in Abuja.
* How can I (and then the FCT chairman) hear that one church that God has a plan and purpose for is going through this Jerusalem – Jericho road and then we will walk and walk away. We will not do such a thing.
* We are here to just let you know like he (Rev Dr Jonah Samson) said we are with you in prayer: The Lord will bring you out even stronger. Our pastor here, by the grace of God, will continue to be the voice of God, to proclaim to the whole nations of the world, the mystery of Jesus Christ. So we pray that the Lord will stand by you. And we want you to know that you are not alone, you have many brothers and sisters that are praying for you.
In conclusion, we just want to have a short prayer with you before we go, don’t worry if it’s ‘those days kind of prayer’, it is still prayer – God answers all of us when we pray.
Let’s us pray: Almighty God, thank you for this church. We thank you for the pastor, we thank you for the associate pastors, we thank you for the elders, we thank you for the leaders.
The Nigerian Army has just released the postings and appointments of its officers. The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai is a routine exercise carried out to reinvigorate the system for greater professional efficiency.
The highlight includes the appointment of the newly promoted Lt Gen LO Adeosun, the erstwhile Chief of Training and Operations now redeployed as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj Gen AO Shodunke from Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Logistics, Maj Gen AA Tarfa from Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre to Training and Doctrine Command Minna as Commander, Maj Gen EO Udoh from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics becomes Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Maj Gen MS Yusuf who was the General Officer Commanding 81 Division is now Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen JI Unuigbe the former Corps Commander Ordnance becomes the Chief of Logistics (Army) while Maj Gen OF Azinta former General Officer Commanding 2 Division is appointed Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation.
Others include; Maj Gen AB Omozoje of Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans is now the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan. Also, the newly promoted Maj Gen AB Biu is substantive General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri, Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade from Defence Headquarters becomes the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto, while Maj Gen JO Irefin from Defence Headquarters Garrison is appointed General Officer Commanding 81 Division Lagos.
The erstwhile Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen KAY Isiyaku is now Commander Defence Headquarters Garrison Abuja, Maj Gen AA Jidda from Defence Headquarters is appointed Coordinator Peacekeeping Operations at the Ministry of Defence. Maj Gen JO Oni from Army Headquarters Department of Army Administration takes over as Director Procurement Defence Headquarters from Maj Gen OA Akintade who becomes Corps Commander Ordinance Lagos, Maj Gen OW Ali from Defence Headquarters is now Director Army Physical Training Zaria.
Maj Gen EN Njoku remains at Defence Headquarters and redeployed as Director Communications, Maj Gen CG Musa from Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited is appointed Commander Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno while Maj Gen OT Akinjobi from Headquarters Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE becomes the Director Standards and Evaluation at Defence Headquarters.
Also, Brig Gen KA Kazir is to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Projects and Programmes and appointed Acting Executive Director of Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, Brig Gen AE Attu moves from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to National Defence College and appointed Acting Deputy Commandant, Brig Gen MT Usman from Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade moves to Headquarters Guards Brigade Abuja as Commander taking over from Brig Gen UT Musa who becomes Acting Commandant Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre Jaji, Brig Gen GO Adesina remains at the Department of Policy and Plans and redeployed as Acting Director Policy.
Similarly, Brig Gen LA Fejokwu from National Defence College is now the Acting Director Personnel Services at Army Headquarters, Brig Gen EAP Undiandeye from Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation becomes the Acting Director Foreign Liaison at the Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja, Brig Gen JY Nimyel from Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja takes over as the Commandant Amphibious Training School Calabar from Brig Gen OO Oluyede who is now Commander 27 Task Force Brigade Buni Yadi. Brig Gen PP Malla moves from 82 Division Garrison Enugu to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade Chibok and appointed Commander.
Others are; Brig Gen OM Bello of Headquarters 6 Division Port Harcourt becomes the Commander 1 Brigade Sokoto, Brig Gen MA Etsu-Ndagi from Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja becomes the Commander 9 Brigade Lagos while Col RC Emeh from Defence Headquarters is appointed Assistant Director Army Physical Training at 3 Division Physical Training Group Jos. In the same vein, Col MO Erebulu who just completed a course at Higher War College Egypt is appointed Commander 2 Provost Group Ibadan, Lt Col SA Abimbola from Nigerian Army Operations Centre at Army Headquarters is appointed Commanding Officer 343 Artillery Regiment Elele whereas Lt Col SM Ahmed from 375 Artillery Regiment Baga becomes the Commanding Officer 332 Artillery Regiment Shendam, amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai whilst wishing all of them well in their respective appointments charges them to take their new responsibilities seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to Service and Nation. All the appointments take immediate effect.
The Nigerian Army has dispelled reports circulating on the internet of a video clip-containing photograph of an alleged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) purported to have been bought by the Nigerian military.
The clip according to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col Sagir Miss was produced, uploaded by Njenje Media TV on its YouTube channel, and circulated through whatsApp and other social media platforms.
The video is reported to have shown a photograph of group of persons with the equipment, which they compared it to those ostensibly, owned by other nations including some of our African neighbours.
The Army described it as far from the truth and urged members of the public to disregard it in its entirety.
Col Sagir said, apart from questioning the motive of this mischievous falsehood, it is imperative to state that the Nigerian military has far more sophisticated UAV and equipment than what the medium is broadcasting. Which accounts for the tremendous success in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country. It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force has designed and produced far more superior and sophisticated UAVs and other platforms such as “Gulma” and “Tsaigumi” than what the medium was showing.
Recall that the Nigerian Army has just commissioned an aviation hangar in Jaji, Kaduna State for its Aviation Corps while another hangar and runway in Bama, Borno State, are on the way where bigger and far more sophisticated UAVs will be deployed and used.
Col Sagir noted that the African countries mentioned in the clip are not in anyway compared to Nigeria in military technology, equipment and platforms as they do not have UAVs as alleged, rather an American military base on their soil.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of a federal high court, Abuja, on Friday upheld the suspension of the Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Malcolm Fabiyi.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Fedetal High Court in Abuja has restrained the suspended National Chairman of the African Action Congress, AAC, and the Presidential candidate of the party in the last presidential election to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.
The party had filed a suit praying the court to to stop Sowore and Fabiyi from parading themselves as officers of the party.
The Court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from further recognizing the suspended Chairman, Sowore pending the determination of the motion on notice .
Justice Ekwo in his judgment said by s
The provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, AAC is a political party registered by INEC and as such the court cannot meddle into its internal affairs.
”The party as an association is bound to conduct its affairs in line with its constitution”, he said.
He further said in his judgement that the failure of the defendants in the matter to enter defence means that the claim of the plaintiff remains uncontroverted.
Justice Ekwo who held that the defendant treated the case before the court with levity also held that the averment Dr. Joshua Adeoye, who deposed to an affidavit of evidence for the defendants amounts to no issue.
The Newly sworn in Acting Chairman Leonard Nzenwa, who dragged the suspended chairman to court described the judgement as victory for democracy and urged all stakeholders to join his reform agenda.
Sowore was suspended as the Chairman of the party and in his place appointed Dr. Leonard Nzenwa, as the Acting National Chairman.
In the affidavit in support of the motion on notice, the party alleged that Sowore failed to fulfil the mandatory statutory requirement of holding the National Executive Committee meeting if the party quarterly.
He was also accused of receiving money from foreign donor and used it for his personal use in contravention of the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The party said despite appeals made to him to call for NEC meeting of the party to respond to allegations against him, he failed to do so.
