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French man who allegedly repairs weapons for Boko Haram arrested in Sambisa French

French man who allegedly repairs weapons for Boko Haram arrested in Sambisa French

A French man was reportedly arrested during the capture of Boko Haram's strongest enclave in Sambisa forest last week Friday.

DailyTrust reports that the man worked for Boko Haram as a specialist in repairing and unlocking armored personnel vehicles and other fighting equipment.

Although the Federal government and the military authorities are yet to comment on his arrest, a source within the military says the Frenchman was arrested along the Bama axis of the dreaded forest.

“He was arrested along the Bama axis of the Sambisa forest and agreed to give vital information provided he would be spared. I learnt that he is from France but authorities do not want to make his real identity known for diplomatic reasons…They  don’t want to jeopardise the success recorded,”the source said.

The source added that the sect members might have moved to another location alongside the yet to be rescued Chibok girls.

“It is likely they (Boko Haram) are somewhere because they moved away with their equipment and prized possessions, including the Chibok girls in possession of Shekau group”

NIGERIA MILITARY: SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL SOLDIERS

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. Merry christmas to all military troop in war front...

Seasons Greetings to all Officers and Men of 

the Armed Forces of Nigeria

NIGERIAN MILITARY PROMOTION

DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS DECORATE 13 SENIOR OFFICERS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has  decorated 13 newly promoted Senior Officers serving in the Defence Headquarters in recognition of their hard work, dedication to duty and loyalty to the country

The breakdown of the newly promoted Officers indicated that one Airforce Squadron Leader promoted to wing Commanders, two navy lieutenant commander promoted to commander Six Army Lieutenant Colonels promoted to Colonels while four Colonels were promoted to Brigadier Generals

Among the newly promoted Brigadier General were; Abiodun Bolarinwa, Victor Ebhaleme, Olufemi Odunuga and Brigadier General GB Audu of the campaign planning Cell

The CDS who was  represented by the Chief of Policy and Plan, DHQ Air vice Marshal Bashir Saidu charged the newly promoted officers to justify their promotion by working hard and exhibit exemplary character in their various offices.

He reminded the promoted Officers that to whom much is given, much is expected from him, the newly promoted officers were admonished to always uphold their oath of allegiance to the commander in chief of the Armed Force of Nigeria and subordinate themselves to civil authority 

NIGERIAN ARMY TO BUILD CATTLE RANCHES TO FEED SOLDIERS

The Nigerian Army has revealed a plan to establish cattle ranches across the country to provide meat for soldiers.

The plan was made public by Major General Patrick Akem, the Chief of Army Logistics, on Tuesday, December 20. at the Commissioning of Mogadishu Cantonment New Mammy Market (former Abacha Barracks) in Abuja.

Under the plan, a cattle ranch will be established in each army division in the country.

There is the need for training in mechanized farming if the plan will be successful. The Nigerian army is however, working towards this.

According to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, a group of officers have been sent to Argentina, to study modern, sophisticated cattle rearing practices.

“Argentina has a population of 41 million people, but it feeds about 400 million people around the world with its beef.

“To take it to the next level, we want to adopt a system where the cattle are not just free ranging coming from Sokoto to Port Harcourt, thereby making their meat tough to eat, the products will soon be coming from our own farms and ranches,” the Chief of Army Staff said.

Buratai also stressed that the Barrack Investment Initiative was created as a platform to afford family members of soldiers to build fishing ponds, start vegetable and fruit gardens, raise livestock and chicken.

He added: “We want to tell our wives that they can live beyond the salaries of their husbands, so we are trying to empower the women in the barracks to be able to form co-operatives, so as to access loans and to a large extent be able to fend for themselves and their families, even without the salaries of their husbands.”

HOW BOKO HARAM IS CAUSING INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF FERTILIZER – AUDU OGBEH

December 21, 2016

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe, has claimed that Boko Haram is using components of fertilizer to make bombs and other explosives, which is the reason for the increase in price.

He was speaking on Tuesday, at a Special Town Hall Meeting for Youths, organized by the Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.

Ogbe stated that fertiliser was being sold for N10,000 per bag because the security agencies placed hold on its distribution.

He said: “Fertiliser came late this year due to security challenges.

“We started moving fertiliser in February to meet up with the farming season but the national security agency stopped us from moving it.

“Over 400 trailer loads of fertilisers were held down in Lokoja for two months because Boko haram were converting urea among other fertilizer component to make bombs.

“It took two and half months to get arrangement from security agencies to escort fertilisers from the factories to the farms.

“We were cut between security problems and food security for the people.”

Ogbe, however, assured farmers that the price will reduce to less than N5,000 in the next planting season

IDP FUNDS’ SCANDAL: STEP ASIDE, SGF

December 21, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war is delicately poised. A series of allegations against Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, epitomise this. Lawal is accused of abuse of office, inflation of contracts and misappropriation of funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East. The Presidential Initiative on the North-East had mobilised billions of naira on behalf of those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency, but there is outrage about the harrowing living conditions in the IDP camps. Now, the President’s anti-graft crusade faces an acid test and it may succeed or fail by the way he manages the crisis.

  Principally, a Senate ad hoc Committee on the Mounting Humanitarian Crisis probe on the IDP crisis uncovered widespread corruption in the management of the funds. It detailed how the SGF allegedly exploited his office, awarding a consultancy contract to Rholavision Engineering Limited, an IT company which he established in 1990. A controversial multimillion naira contract was also awarded to Josmon Technologies “on the removal of Invasive Plant Species along river channels and 115 hectares of simplified village irrigation operation” in an IDP camp in Yobe State in March. Shortly after, Josmon allegedly made suspicious payments to Rholavision in several tranches. If this is true, it is a subversion of the system.

The Nigerian state has an unassailable case against a public officer that exploits his position to benefit himself or his cronies, according to the Fifth Schedule, Part 1, of the 1999 Constitution. It states, “A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.” The Senate report also tabulated other alleged violations by the SGF. Dantex Nigeria Limited, which was to supply 1,225 units of temporary tarpaulin cabins, had reportedly been paid N108 million, but had not supplied 125 units valued at N37.7 million, just like some other companies. These are weighty allegations.

Corruption is the Achilles’ heel of a typical Nigerian public officer. Stealing and diversion of funds meant for IDPs are perhaps the worst form of the vice. It is as terrible as the sharing of the $2.1 billion allocated for the buying of weapons to fight the Boko Haram war by the erstwhile administration of Goodluck Jonathan. The funds were diverted, allowing Boko Haram to occupy vast parts of the North-East zone and kill thousands of victims. There is widespread suffering, malnourishment and deaths of children and the aged in the IDP camps because the funds to be used in catering for their welfare are being mismanaged by public officials. This is callous. Buhari must bring an end to this charade. We take exception to the defence of Lawal that the probe is a witch-hunt. This is tenuous. The proper thing is for him to step aside and surrender himself to a probe. This will pave the way for a decent investigation into the scandal. Although Buhari has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation to probe all the officials accused of corruption, the global best practice, which Buhari should adopt, is for the officials involved to step aside while investigation is being conducted.

In 2014, Maria Miller, the British Culture/Sports secretary, David Laws, Andrew Mitchell, Liam Fox and Chris Huhne all resigned from Prime Minister David Cameron’s cabinet following scandals. Lagos State set a good precedent recently when it suspended its Head of Service, Olabowale Ademola, who is standing trial alongside her husband, Adeniyi Ademola (a Federal High Court judge), on corruption charges.

Grave danger inheres in a system when corruption runs riot, particularly for a government whose key mantra is the combat of sleaze in national life. But recent allegations levelled against some of Buhari’s officials cast a shadow on this resolve. Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has had his confirmation rejected by the Senate, which claimed that “his integrity is in doubt.” The Senate based its decision on an investigative report by the State Security Service, which alleged that Magu had a chink in his armour.

He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. For Magu to lead the anti-graft war successfully, he must be seen to be totally clean. Even Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, is not left out of these swirling allegations. The President should free himself of this burden by allowing an untrammelled investigation into the conduct of all his officials accused of corruption.

However, the current fiasco is capable of derailing the war against corruption. If officials saddled with the war are enmeshed in questionable deeds, it is possible for Buhari to miss the bigger picture. In all of this, it is evident that corruption is fighting back. There is systemic graft in the legislature, judiciary and other areas of national life, like the military, that has to be exorcised. Instead of forging ahead with the prosecution of National Assembly lawmakers such as Senate President Bukola Saraki and former governors in the Senate, the President will be forced to slow down because those in his inner circle are portrayed not to be on the same page with him.

For him to change the public perception that his anti-corruption crusade is selective and foggy, Buhari should move swiftly against perceived corruption among close aides. The impression that there are sacred cows is a disincentive to achieving success. Therefore, Buhari should first clean up his inner sanctum so that he will regain the focus of his anti-corruption agenda.

CHALLENGE OF COMBING NIGER DELTA CREEKS, GULF OF GUINEA WITH ‘EAGLE EYE’

December 21, 2016

 

The task of protecting Nigeria’s maritime area, where a large chunk of the country’s revenue comes from, is, no doubt, herculean, as bunkering activities, illegal refining of crude, militancy, sea piracy and others pose a challenge to smooth operation of profitable ventures.

The Nigeria Navy and other security agencies are quite conversant with these challenges, and have, over the years, strived to curb the menace.

When the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, flagged off the second phase of the 2016 yearly Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) sea inspection codenamed ‘Exercise Eagle Eye’, it was not only to assess the readiness and operational state of the Nigeria Navy (NN) Fleet, it was equally to test the capability of the operational command in the conduct of riverine and choke point regime operations.

Sailing in the big Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Centenary, the CDS was shown some of the platforms as well as the capacity of the NN at sea. He inspected some practical exercises, which he commended and expressed satisfaction that personnel have displayed remarkable competence.

It was also intended to showcase their dominance at sea, using available platforms, by carrying out some drills like, firing and Visit, Board, Search and Seize (VBSS), meant to demonstrate how men of the NN enforce the takeover of any vessel at sea, impound and seize the vessel and its contents, if such is conveying contraband good, even if the suspects are armed.

Also firing exercise was carried out at the Agbami oil field, where the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, was also present to see the display of ability to confront objects and carry out successful rescue missions.

The security situation in the Nigeria maritime space has being most precarious, with the restive youth perpetually agitating for one form of compensation/gratification or the other and criminals either toying with critical national assets, stealing crude, illegal refining or piracy at sea.

In the course of the exercise, which held from December 1 to 5, 2016, five militant camps, four illegal refineries and five suspects were arrested and equipment, weapons recovered in Delta and Rivers states. Two other suspects arrested along the cutting channel waterways, while conveying two different badges suspected to containing stolen petroleum substance earlier during first phase of the exercise.

While expressing shock at the relentlessness of the militants and other criminal elements in perpetrating their acts in the Nigerian waters, Rear Admiral Muhammad Garba the Tactical Command/ Commander Task Group 16.3, (OTC/CTG 16.3), planning team Officer recounted the achievements of the exercise, after explaining that the mapping was done covering a sea area of 39,600 square nautical miles and a coast line of 220 nautical miles, extending seawalls to 180 nautical miles, within the targeted coordinates.

“Five suspects arrested and pumping machines recovered in Delta, seven boats destroyed and five militant camps were also raided. At FOB Bonny, four illegal refineries sited at Ijokiri, five boats laden with products suspected to be crude and another boat loaded with drums of illegal Diesel (A G O), 12 tanks loaded with illegal refined A G O and six tanks loaded with products suspected to be crude oil, three pumping machines and two Yamaha outboard engines were recovered, while five suspects were arrested.

“Also, within the first two days of the exercise, four suspected sea robbers were also arrested and weapon reportedly recovered from them, among several other achievements, which included raiding of more militant camps and destruction/impounding of boats, petroleum products suspected to be properties of the criminal suspects at FOB Bonny, Rivers State, while two Navy ships were on constant patrol on Brass Bayelsa and Rivers entrance to Agip facility in the period.”

Within the first two days of the exercise, Militant camps were raided and destroyed, to which Garba said, “the militant camp raided at FOB (Forward Operation Base) Formoso, was almost like a military base; this is because the equipment found in there were things that can be used not only for tactical operation, but for operational of co-operational reading, this is because the radio sets we recovered there were not just radio sets for listening they could also use it for transmitting.”

Also, the Special Boat Service (SBS) were on hand during the special creek patrol, which was commended by the Commander NNS Soroh Commodore Habib Usman.

During the exercise, which was said to have proved to those who challenged the capacity of the NN and are involved the myriad of insecurity, threats and other criminal activities like piracy, armed robbers at sea, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, illegal oil refining, kidnapping as well as sabotage/attacks on national Oil and Gas installations by miscreants among others, that they have they capability to deal with the situation.

The deployment was as colourful as it was intimidating, with a total of 13 vessels, 80 Inshore patrol crafts, two helicopters and two private maritime security vessels, this aside the detachment from sister agencies, like the Army, Nigeria Air Force, Marine Police, Customs Service, Immigration, Civil Defence among others.

In giving an assessment of the exercise, which showcased the capacity of the Navy at sea to protect Nigeria interest offshore, Ibas conceded that there were some noticeable lapses in some of the drills, which would be worked on with a view to improve on them, even as he expressed satisfaction at the display of capability by the naval forces at sea.

He said, “this is going to be a continuous exercise, you have seen the need for the Navy to maintain presence at sea, you have seen the Nigerian critical oil and gas infrastructure (Agbami oil field) at sea which need to be protected. We have also used that opportunity of being at sea to evaluate the readiness of the various platforms that took part in the exercise that were conducted and the different demonstrations. “We been able to note what short comings that we have, all these will be put together as we go back to the headquarters to ensure that they are corrected. Assessing the overall exercise, I can say we’ve been able to achieve the main objectives for which the exercise was put in place.”

To assess the operational readiness of the Nigerian Navy fleet and their ability to conduct maritime policing operations, including anti-piracy and riverine operations.

NIGERIAN ARMY REACTS TO VIRAL VIDEO OF HUNGRY AND THIRSTY SOLDIERS

The Nigerian Army has reacted to a viral video of some Nigerian soldiers crying for food and water which surfaced recently on the internet.

According to the Nigerian Army, the video which went viral on Tuesday is untrue and shot by “mischievous and disgruntled elements”

The video showed some men of the Nigerian Army posted to Alargarno in Borno State begging for food an water while soliciting the intervention of the Federal Government.

However, in a statement released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman on Tuesday, he noted that the disgruntled elements have been punished accordingly.

The statement released said: “We wish to state that the video clip was shot more than six months ago by some mischievous and disgruntled elements when 29 Task Force Brigade captured Alagarno Forest and environs in Borno State.

“It is disheartening that some mischievous elements have decided to circulate it now, creating the false impression that it is a recent occurrence.

“We wish to state further that the matter was conclusively investigated at the time, several months ago. The Board of Inquiry actually showed that, as of the time of the incident, the unit’s water tanker still contained water, but a soldier mischievously concealed it. That soldier was charged and punished accordingly.

“In addition to the unit’s water tanker, a borehole was subsequently drilled at the location and it is still serving both the military and adjoining communities.

“We wish to restate with utmost concern the continued commitment of the Nigerian Army to the total welfare of all its personnel.”

BRITISH MILITARY TRAINS MORE REGIMENTAL PERSONNEL FOR NIGERIA

Five officers and 200 airmen trained by British military in a 5-month Basic Regiment Courses have graduated recently from the Regiment Training Centre. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its collaboration with the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) has produced another batch of trained NAF Regimental personnel.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, and made available to newsmen in Abuja. According to Famuyiwa , the grandaunts comprised five officers and 200 airmen who graduated recently from the Regiment Training Centre (RTC), Kaduna State, having undergone 5-month Basic Regiment Courses for officers and airmen respectively.

He explained that the objective of the basic courses was to impact the participants with basic regiment skills and knowledge to enable them meet the complex demands of emerging security challenges. “BMATT handled the airfield defence and force protection aspects of the training that lasted for 6 weeks.

“Among the graduands are additional 35 members of Defence Headquarters Special Forces trained in rappelling to impact in them the basic insertion/extraction skills for special operations,” he said. Famuyiwa explained further that earlier in the year, the RTC in collaboration with BMATT, had graduated two batches of students totaling 313.

This, he said, included NAF officers, airmen and airwomen as well as personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Defence Headquarters. Famuyiwa said that the new graduands were expected to be deployed to the North-East to boost the current strength of personnel involved in the fight against the insurgents. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that RTC had trained a total of 518 officers and men since its establishment in Jan. 20.

MILITANTS REGROUPING

OGUN: AMOSUN RAISES ALARM OVER MILITANTS REGROUPING

December 20, 2016

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has put the Nigerian Army on red alert over militants regrouping in some parts of the state.

Amosun raised the alarm yesterday while playing host to the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of Nigeria Army, Major General Ebenezer Babatunde Oyefolu, in his Oke-Mosan office, Abeokuta, the state capital.

Amosun who recalled how the militants sacked various communities of the state in June 2015 said the militants had started regrouping in Ijebu Ode and Ogere areas of the state.

The governor, who lauded the military for its efforts at combating the deadly Boko Haram insurgent group in the North East, assured that his administration would do everything necessary to dislodge the re-grouping of the militants in the state.

“When we bring it back home here, not too long ago, we had this issues with these criminals; I don’t call them militants, they are just criminals who took over all our riverirne areas. We ran to Mr. President and all Service Chiefs were invited and debriefed and they were sent away.

“But let me sound another note now, that what we are hearing is that they are now regrouping, they have moved from where they were sent away from, they are now moving very close to Ijebu Ode towards Ogeere.

“Before now, they were in Arepo, Sagamu, Ikorodu, but they have been sent away. What they are now doing is that they are regrouping and taking hostages around border areas of Ogun State now. They are now relocating there, it’s a very good avenue for me to inform you but we would be ready for them and it’s good that I am putting you on notice.”

Amosun also commended the security operatives in the state, saying that the challenge at the beginning of his administration was combated.
According to him, the investment of the government in the area of security has paid off with the state hosting over 100 industries in various areas of the state.

“But I want to thank you sincerely. Indeed, before we came, security was a serious challenge; may be it is still but not as pronounced, and that shows the level of combative activities in the state.

“We are creating an enabling environment for industries to strive and one of the key things before anybody would want to invest is the security. We have to do more, especially in the area of kidnapping that is rearing its ugly head now. Hardly would a week or a month go without the incident; we know it’s the sign of time but we must be ready for them and be ahead of

NIGERIAN MILITARY: LACK OF WATER AND FOOD KILL SOLDIERS

Report show 70 soldiers have fallen due to lack of water and food.

Some soldiers drafted to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast have come out to complain the poor state of livelihood on the field. A video showing some of them already fainted and receiving medical care was obtained by the  eye reporters

Video shows the agonies of Nigerian Soldier fighting Bokoharem  

One of the voices in the video said for over two years, they have been battling short supplies of food and water, a situation which has led to some of them dying and fainting.
Efforts to reach the Army Spokesperson, Col. Sani Usman were futile as at the time of publishing this report

similar story reported by naij.com on the 30th of November 2016 prove that soldiers in the Northeast are been neglected

In the report by Naij.com one Mr Moses, the man who claimed to be the Nigerian soldier, on the behalf of his colleagues serving in the north-east, writes an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. The soldier asks the president to change the troops on the frontline of the battlefield with the Boko Haram insurgents, saying that army generals are not interested in the end of this war.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com.

Dear sir,

It is with a lot of sadness I am writing this letter to you because we, the soldiers in the north-east, are getting tired here. Some of us have spent three years, others two years and above while some locations have changed two or three commanding officers as their co. I keep asking myself the same question that if it was other missions outside Nigeria where we are paid good money the army would have found all means to change us.

But the case is different here. We are begging because some of our senior officers do not want this fight to finish because of their selfish interest and we keep on losing soldiers and good officers day by day.

Sir, it will be wise for you to change your technique on some of our senior officers in charge of the areas where there is fighting in the state because the more the fight get longer the more money they make.

Sir please I am pleading on behalf of myself and my colleagues that have overstayed in this north-east to be changed.

We are begging before we lose our sense of reasoning. The Nigerian army generals are not ready to finish this fight now. I am ready to die fighting for my country but seeing how things are happening here is never encouraging.

People give the wrong command here because they feel that they are senior officers that must be obeyed and we end up losing soldiers but they will always turn back to put the blame for someone to carry.

I get to understand these days that Nigerian army always lives with lies because most of the story we see on the net are cooked up stories given to the press to tell the whole world.

Mr President, Sir, I am not fighting for anything but for love and peace to restore back in my country. Please, Sir, use your good office to look into our problems.

SHIITES DENY PLOTTING TERROR ATTACKS

The leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as Shiite, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) have faulted a statement credited to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the movement was planning to unleash terror on the country.

The movement contended that its tagging as a terrorist group by the state government in a white paper was a ploy to “give the dog a bad name in order to hang it.”

The Islamic group’s spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, alleged that “in the aftermath of the brutal attack on Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and IMN by the Nigerian government in December last year, frantic steps have been undertaken by state officials and security agencies to portray the movement as violent.

“This is to give retroactive justification to its hostile actions against the IMN. The hallmark of this misnomer was the recent declaration by the Kaduna State governor that the movement is even an insurgent group.”

Musa noted that “this has appeared to garner currency among security agencies in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Plateau and lately Jigawa states, with officials parroting the ridiculous pronouncement, and some going steps further to insist that IMN should be monitored because it is a violent group.”

He went on: “The maintenance of this false position without basis is an indication that there is a sinister scheme by these government officials to create an insurgency in our name, out of desperation to stamp out the Islamic movement.

“We wish to strongly reject such unjustified tagging of the IMN. For the avoidance of doubts, we would like the world to know that we have never and do not even contemplate taking up arms against anyone. Our leader, El-Zakzaky, has in the over four decades of the existence of the movement taken a non-violent posture, repeatedly saying that guns and other weapons are the tools of the insane.”

Musa added: “In all this time, our weapons have been truth, perseverance, sacrifice and a firm belief that no force or weapon can crush the truth no matter how powerful it appears. That has been the secret of the IMN remaining non-violent throughout the harrowing experience of the Zaria massacre.”

 

NIGERIA: BOKO HARAM STILL CARRY OUT ATTACKS IN MADAGALI, ADAMAWA - LAWMAKER

19 December 2016

Despite the efforts of soldiers, Boko Haram member still carry out sporadic attacks in Madagali, Adamawa State, a lawmaker has said.

The lawmaker who represents Madagali/Michika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Adamu Kamale, also said that Madagali Local Government Area is the worst affected by insurgency in the state.

Mr. Kamale told journalists in Yola on Saturday that Madagali is now a ghost of its former self and needed urgent government attention, particularly in areas of more security and relief supply.

"The situation in Madagali calls for the attention of Mr President; in fact, the view of the people of Madagali is that the president will do them a favour by visiting the area to boost their morale and that of the military.

"Madagali is still experiencing sporadic attacks and kidnappings by the insurgents and needed urgent attention," Mr. Kamale said.

He lauded the effort of the Presidential Committee on North East and other intervention groups for their effort in rebuilding areas affected in Adamawa, and urged for priority to be given to Madagali, being the worst hit.

"Madagali should have the highest percentage of any intervention coming to Adamawa, then Michika", Kamale said.

The lawmaker said that sufficient funding was being expected in 2017 budget for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the North-east.

While lauding the effort of the military and other security agencies in his constituency, Mr. Kamale urged the people to be more vigilant and security conscious, particularly at the yuletide period to forestall any danger.

"I want my people to comply with all security tips or advice given to them by the security regarding the festive period", he said.

FALANA URGES PARDON FOR JAILED SOLDIERS

December 19, 2016

Lagos lawyers, Femi Falana (SAN), on Monday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant pardon to 70 soldiers found guilty of mutiny by various military courts since 2014.

He made the request in a letter written to the President dated December 19, 2016.

The soldiers whose death sentence had since been committed to 10 years imprisonment are currently held in custody at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos.

Falana argued that since the demand of the convicted soldiers and others for weapons found justification in the criminal diversion of the huge funds provided for the purchase of arms and armament to fight the terrorists, there was no legal and moral justification for the conviction and sentences imposed on them by the courts-martial.

“In Your Excellency’s interview aired by the BBC Hausa service on December 28, 2015 you rightly observed that “The government at that time sent the soldiers to the battlefield without arms and ammunition to prosecute the war. That was what led some of them to mutiny. They were arrested and detained because of this.”

“In the light of the foregoing, Your Excellency will agree with us that since the armed forces were not equipped to defend the territorial integrity of the nation the convicts did not commit mutiny or any other offence whatsoever in demanding for adequate weapons to fight the well-armed insurgents. But assuming without conceding that our clients committed any offence they have suffered enough having spent over three years in dehumanizing prison conditions.

“However, since the demand for weapons to carry out counter-insurgency operations in the north east zone was legitimately made by our clients under the Armed Forces Act, we urge Your Excellency  to grant  them pardon  pursuant to Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended,” he pleaded.

Falana listed grounds upon which he based his appeal.

“The courts-martial which tried our clients deliberately failed to take cognizance of Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act which permits “a soldier, rating or aircraftman to make a complaint to his commanding office and that he shall not be penalized for having made a complaint.

“The Arms Procurement Panel set up by Your Excellency has confirmed that the huge fund earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition was criminally diverted by former services chiefs and other senior military officers,” he stated.

COURT ORDERS 24/7 POLICE PROTECTION FOR SHI’A LEADER, EL-ZAKZAKY AND HIS WIFE UPON RELEASE

DEC 19, 2016

An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court ordered 24/7 police protection for the leader of the Shi’a Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife once they are released from custody. It would be recalled that Mr. El-Zakzaky was arrested by the military on December 14, 2015, after a clash between the movement and officers of the Nigerian army. The army killed at least 347 members of the group.

Justice G.O. Kolawole of the Federal High Court Abuja ordered El-Zakzaky, and his wife to be released from unlawful detention following the lawsuit filed on their behalf by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN.

The court in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 between Sheikh Ibraheem Elzakzaky and State Security Service; the Nigeria Police Force; and the Attorney General of the Federation ruled that, “The Respondents shall within 45 days of this Judgment make proper and decent arrangement of a residential abode for the Applicant and his family in Kaduna State or anywhere of their choice within the Northern Region, where the Applicant and his wife and their children can relocate when released upon the expiration of 45 days from today (that is, 2/12/2016).”

The judgment dated  December 2 2016 reads in part: “Let me state clearly and for the avoidance of doubt that the failure by the government to effect the release of the Applicant and his wife from its custody or any illegal custody whatsoever, upon the expiration of the 45th day from 2/12/2016, such failure shall not only constitute a deliberate acts of disobedience of these orders, but it will crystallize into fresh cause of action of infraction of the Applicant’s rights and his wife to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”

“The Inspector General of Police or any of its subordinate officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector General when he received the Applicant and his wife as ordered, shall take immediate step within 24 hours of receiving the Applicant and his wife convey the Applicant and his wife under necessary security escort to their place of abode as would have been provided by the 1st Respondent working in conjunction with the 3rd Respondent. The 2nd Respondent shall then provide the Applicant and his wife police protection which shall operate 24/7 until the alleged threats which were not provided by any admissible evidence but left in the realm of speculation are moved or significantly diminished.”

“Let it be clearly stated and for the avoidance of doubt that the protection which the 2nd Respondent shall accord to the Applicant and his wife shall not be used under any guise by the 2nd Respondent to place or confine the Applicant and his wife under any form of restriction which would invariably translate to the 2nd Respondent substituting its own ‘safety custody’ with the 1st Respondent’s ‘protective custody’.

“The essence of the order which I have made is to enable the Applicant and his wife to be able to live their normal lives whilst being under constant protective watch by the 2nd Respondent’s officers in their new place of abode. It is the primary responsibility of the 2nd Respondent to protect lives and properties of every Nigerian and even non-Nigerian within our country’s boundaries.”

“Applicant and his wife in the said sister suit have cumulative general damages which I have fixed at N50 million. The Applicant’s suit and the wife’s sister suit succeed on the basis of the reliefs which the Court has granted.”

“When I reflected on all the issues and questions which I had raised in the course of reviewing the processes filed and exchanged by both parties, not only was I unable to set my eyes on the provision of any law or the Constitution by which the Applicant’s detention, albeit in a ‘protective custody’ can be justified.”

“By my modest understanding of constitutional law, every act of detention is presumed to be unlawful and having to the omnibus provision of Section 35 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended, to be unconstitutional. The evidential burden to prove that the detention of any citizen or non-citizen who resides within the boundaries of Nigeria in the context of the exceptions in Section 35(1)(a)-(f) invariably lay on the State or any of its agents or agencies as the jailer.”

“The Court has not been afforded any believable evidence (for instance, to produce the Applicant in court in order for him in the full glare of the public, to denounce the suit filed on his behalf by Femi Falana, and to state as a free citizen, that he had consented to his being held in the custody of the 1st Respondent’s custody for his own safety) to prove the alleged consent of the Applicant to be held in protective custody.”

“The issues which the instant suit has thrown up are in my view too serious and of fundamental importance to the health of our national psyche in a democratic setting that this Court will fail the legitimate and expressed expectations of the Rules to enforce the Applicant’s fundamental rights allegedly breached by the Respondent. If I leave to borrow a folklore saying in the Yoruba language, a more deleterious ailment of leprosy as it were, and begin to grapple with the lesser issue of ‘ringworms.'

“To do so by dancing to such niggling issues of technicality will be a disservice to the demands of justice, and the legitimate expectation of majority of Nigerian people who look up to the Judiciary as the only arm of government empowered by virtue of the provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution to serve as the bulwark against possible violations of the Constitution and occasional mindless abuse of powers by any of the arms or agencies of government.”

“While both learned Counsel have been duly heard on their respective processes, in the course of adjourning the case for Judgment, I deliberately engaged both the Applicant’s lead Counsel Femi Falana, Esq. SAN, who over the years has remained unarguably one of Nigeria’s legal profession’s constant and unwavering ‘combatant’ in the field and on the frontline of human rights advocacy and the Respondents’ Counsel.”

“My judicial intervention in this regard was to protect our country from further needless global exposure which the instant case has occasioned, and to minimize whatever damage the incident may have caused to our national image with the international community amongst friendly democratic states.”

INSURGENCY: LET’S PAT BRAVE TROOPS ON THE BACK

December 20, 2016

I am ok. God is in control. Maiduguri is safe now and life has returned fully.”
This was the response from a colleague, an award winning journalist. I rang him to find out the security situation in Borno State and Adamawa. He missed my call, and I sent him a text. His response quoted above became a decider for two families resolved to hold back their graduating sons who were North-east bound on mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. They expressed grave anxiety about their safety in the front line states of Boko Haram insurgency.
While their sons were zealous to adorn the national colours and wanted to proceed with their call up letters, their parents refused to let go. Their fear was understood.

Realising I could provide some needed information, patriarch of one of the families dialled me, and that resolved the impasse.
Writing from Boko Haram frontlines in the North-east, my colleague had won several media awards reporting for one of the popular national dailies. He knows virtually all the flash points in the region and his informed situation report can hardly be faulted.
Therefore, when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, in his recent motivational message, told troops that December was a month of decision, it was not an empty boast. If anything, he was acknowledging troops’ exploits in significantly decimating the potency of the terrorists, and strongly believes in their capacity to finish the terrorists off.
For a military that had in recent past shirked from battle before the deadly terrorists, it is not out of place to celebrate to high heaven their new found courage under the leadership of Buratai. How do we sustain troops’ success in many fronts and ensure lasting security in the villages?

In this unconventional war, the military would liberate villages hitherto under Boko Haram siege, occupy, and maintain the areas. They would also protect the IDP camps, provide security for convoys and people passing through the routes that have been cleared. In all fairness, the military have been overstretched. Yet, some critics find it convenient to criticise rather than encourage Buratai and his men.

We must not forget in a hurry what the security situation in the region had been, and realise that a lot have been achieved in the insurgency war since Buratai mounted the saddle as Chief of Army Staff about a year ago.
Those who are in Maiduguri know that the checkpoints all over town are all gone as the military are all about the township, and there’s a lot of confidence in the people today that they could now sleep and wake up with their eyes closed.

Three remaining local governments in Damasak axis of Borno including Kalabalge, Abadam and Morkpa have been entirely liberated. In the Konduga axis, the military have been up and running, going in and coming out every now and then. And lately, they have turned on the heat on the much dreaded Sambisa forest, combing the areas while the Airforce sustained their interminable air raids within the past two months. For every operation troops carried out, they destroyed over four to five villages of Boko Haram, killed hundreds of their members, and liberated thousands of captive natives including children and women.

Buratai with his troops has embarked on a final aggressive action and comprehensive sweep of all fortresses, camps, dens and enclaves of the criminals to completely flush them out and dominate these areas to ensure they are not reoccupied.

It is for this reason that his message to troops about a week ago is reassuring. He wrote: “I hope to be with you sometime this month – December, to motivate and positively influence the ongoing operations. This is with a view to having a colourful end of year and peaceful Yuletide in the North-east and indeed Nigeria.
“I urge all commanders to plan and embark on effective patrols, raids, ambushes and deliberate attacks in conjunction with other Services especially the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, to rescue all those abducted by the terrorists.

“I also wish to remind all troops that captured and surrendered Boko Haram terrorists must be treated humanely and fairly and in strict accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Laws of Armed Conflict,” he said.

“I wish to reiterate that December is a month of decision. It is either we succeed in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists or we continue to live in perpetual circle of their atrocities in the North-East.
“I, hereby, want to reassure all troops that I intend to return everybody to Barracks in 2017 only leaving behind a strong, highly mobile, effective and motivated force that will continue to do the good work that we have already started,” he said.
Buratai had before now rekindled the morale of troops, paying all allowances and benefits of soldiers hitherto withheld by their superior. To further get them more committed to their military career, the military headquarters has directed Army Post-Housing Development Directorate to work out modalities for housing scheme for all soldiers, mostly those exposed to ongoing anti-terrorism fight. If the housing scheme scales through, all military personnel may own their personal houses on retirement.

Massive renovation of residential and office accommodations, building of new military barracks being undertaken across the country are some of the ambitious projects to change fortunes of the military across the country.

The Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia Kaduna State, Office of the Military Secretary, Army Barracks building in Oturkpo Benue State, massive renovations of military barracks across Lagos and the entire South-west and many more are some of the projects embarked upon by the military leadership.
In equal measure, the military helmsman has demonstrated keen preference for peaceful resolution of ethnic agitations using alternative means other than coercive use of legitimate force.
Always urging troops deployed to volatile areas to exercise caution and restraint against the use of force, Buratai has repeatedly warned all military personnel to respect the rights of law abiding citizens in their areas of operation.

For him, the civilian populace are critical to the success of every military operation, and therefore must be treated with respect as partners in business.

A practical demonstration of how Buratai’s military dearly regarded civilian populace could be seen in his free healthcare delivery services to civilian populace in many communities in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states. Now, Imo State has been added to the number.
In addition to this, soldiers have gone out of their line of duty to rescue kidnap victims in the volatile states including Imo, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Abia, and many more. They have been able to tame abductions and kidnappings that had become a daily ritual in these regions.

For this government, two major achievements even the most virile critic of the administration cannot deny are the exploits of the Buratai-led military in counter-terrorism fight, and the Ibrahim Magu-led ambitious fight against corruption. Those behind this isolated success story of restoring hitherto elusive peace and security in the North-east and other hotbeds of crime like Niger Delta, Arepo in Ogun State, and parts of Lagos State ought to be celebrated.

In fighting this unconventional war, it is important to appreciate that security is everyone’s responsibility. Working out a system of safeguarding returnees in their homes, farms and markets is as important as food assistance.

Therefore, North-east leaders, the police, DSS, the Interior Ministry and other stakeholders should join hands with the military to put in place a security arrangement within the communities to protect lives and property in areas liberated by gallant soldiers. The battle is not Buratai’s alone.

BOKO HARAM LEADER SHEKAU REPORTEDLY CAPTURED IN BORNO

DEC 19, 2016

The leader of the deadly Boko Haram terrorist group Abubakar Shekau may have been captured by ‘king of hunters’ around Gafa Mountain in Borno state.

According to reports by Daily Sun, there has been speculation about Shakau’s capture for over a week.

An highly placed source quoted in the report revealed that troops of the Nigerian army fighting in the area had surround the Gafa Mountain area last week over intelligence report that top Boko Haram leaders were hiding there.

Recall that severally, the Nigerian military had pronounced Shekau either arrested or killed only for the Boko Haram leader to bounce back alive, with YouTube video releases

The Nigerian army, earlier this year had announced the death of three key commanders of the extremist Boko Haram sect. The army said the terrorists were killed in a major air strike on their location in the dreaded Sambisa Forest.

Also, on May 12, 2014, the DSS, through its former spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, insisted that the man in the videos released by the sect was not the real Shekau.

"Boko Haram has become a franchise; anybody can assume and lay claim to any name. What I know is that the original Abubakar Shekau is dead; the person claiming to be the national leader now is not the original Abubakar Shekau,” she had stated.

Efforts to reach Army spokesperson, Col.S.K Usman proved abortive as calls placed to his telephone line were left unanswered. Text message was also not responded to.

NIGERIAN NAVAL OFFICER PRESENTED WITH BRITISH BRITANNIA SWORD AWARD

December 19, 2016

A Nigerian naval officer has been rewarded for enthusiasm and commitment to his training at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in the UK.

Abdulrahman Buniyamin, a sub lieutenant, was presented with a ceremonial sword by Royal Marines, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Gordon Messenger, during the final passing-out-parade held at BRNC on Friday.

Among the VIP guests invited to attend the parade was the Defence Advisor at the Nigerian High Commissioner, Gbolahan Oyefesobi, a Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army

The sword, sponsored by the Britannia Association, the College Alumni, also recognisec the Cadet who improved the most during training.

Mr. Buniyamin trained at the College between February and October 2015, completing the 30-week initial naval training course alongside his UK counterparts.

Through hard work and dedication, he overcame initial difficulties to meet the standards required of him, putting in extra hours of study and foregoing his free time for private tutoring.

During his time at the world-renowned College, Mr. Buniyamin achieved a Royal Yacht Association Powerboat Level 2 qualification and became known as the first to volunteer for any extra task.

Mr. Buniyamin, who is currently serving on the Nigerian Navy ship Burutu, said:  “I am very happy to receive this prize.  I put in my best effort for every activity, be it assessed or not assessed.  My knowledge has improved by being here, which has made me a better Naval officer back at home.”

BRNC is a modern military College steeped in traditional values.  In 2016 the College provided initial naval training for nearly 500 cadets destined for careers in the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or overseas naval and defence forces.

In addition the Royal Naval Leadership Academy has provided professional development courses for almost 6,000 Officers and Ratings across the Service.  Members of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Cadet Forces have also had extensive use of the facilities at the College.

As part of the UK’s commitment to Nigeria, a resident British Military Advisory and Training Team in Nigeria coordinates an expanding programme of UK support in capacity building for the Nigerian Armed Forces. A Liaison and Support Team provides specific guidance and medical provision.

Some 2,000 Nigerian military personnel have received UK training prior to deploying on operations in the North East. Several thousand more have benefitted from UK specialist military training.

More than 300 UK military personnel provided training to the Nigerian Armed Forces this year (2016). This is more than double the number of UK personnel who deployed to Nigeria on training tasks in 2015