Biafra: Army investigates extrajudicial killings in Aba

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the army has commenced investigations into the alleged extrajudicial killings of unarmed pro-Biafran protesters in Aba, Abia State.

Biafran fear dead

Buratai said this on Thursday in Enugu.

About 10 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra were reportedly killed when troops opened fire on them during the agitation for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in February.

There were also reports that about 30 other members of the group sustained serious injuries during the incident.

The Amnesty International had condemned the development, accusing the army of ‘excessive use of force’ against the pro-Biafran activists.

Fielding questions from journalists on Thursday after addressing officers and men of the 82 Division, in Enugu, Buratai said the army was investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings.

“We are already investigating it. When such incidents involve the loss of lives, we usually conduct an investigation – that is our procedure,” the army chief said.

Buratai, however, said he believed soldiers could not have opened fire on the activists without provocation.

He said, “We have our rules of engagement, the troops cannot just open fire.”

Earlier, while addressing officers and men of the military formation, Buratai said the army’s rules of engagement permitted the use of force, where other measures failed to address a security challenge.

Instructing soldiers on the need to be professional in the discharge of their duties, Buratai said, “We have to ensure that we work within the framework of our rules of engagement.

“You know that the rules of engagement provide for the protection of human rights, especially the protection of innocent citizens.

“But in situations that entail the use of fire, the protection of human rights does not apply.

“So, when you apply the rules of engagement and it is necessary to open fire, human rights will not apply.”

The COAS stressed that both the 1999 Constitution and the Armed Forces Act provided for the use of force when necessary.

Buratai also told the soldiers to be ‘decisive’, in order to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

“You must apply the rules of engagement and also be decisive – you have to be professional in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.

The army chief stressed the need for loyalty and patriotism among soldiers.

“You must make the President proud because he is behind us,” he added.

In the same vein, he urged the soldiers to protect and assist the families of their colleagues who were on military campaigns.

Biafra: Army investigates extrajudicial killings in Aba

Nigerian Troops Are Better Equipped For War Against Terror – Buratai

Nigeria’s Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the troops on the front line are now better equipped for the counter-terrorism war.

The army chief gave the assurance while assessing the equipment recently acquired to prosecute the war against terror in Nigeria’s north east region.

Buratai further told journalists that despite pockets of desperate attacks by the insurgents, troops have been making progress.

Buratai has also said the collaboration between Nigerian army and neighbouring countries under the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) arrangement is paying off.

He listed Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), unmanned camera drones and desert motorbikes as part of the equipment acquired.

Buratai said that the Nigerian Army is effectively using satellite and communication facilities for proper coordination, maintaining that the war is now technology driven.

Nigerian Troops Are Better Equipped For War Against Terror – Buratai

Zaria killings: Prosecute Buratai, others - Falana urges Buhari

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and other soldiers, who took part in the violent attack and arson in Zaria, Kaduna State, in which scores of members of the Shi’ite movement were killed, were prosecuted.

Femi Falana

Falana, in a statement titled, ‘Armed soldiers who attacked Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaki should be prosecuted,’ also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to allow detainees arrested with respect to the December 13 clash between the army and the Shi’ites have access to their family members, doctors and lawyers.

The lawyer reminded the police and the Army authorities that in the 1996 case between the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the Court of Appeal had ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police and the operatives of the Department of State Services to allow the late Fawehinmi’s wife and personal physicians to have access to him in prison “at all reasonable times.”

Falana said, “It is pertinent to remind the army and police authorities that even under a repressive military junta, the right of access to detainees was fought and won in Nigeria. Thus, in Chief Gani Fawehinmi vs General Sani Abacha (1996) 5 NWLR (PT 447) 198 at 202, the Court of Appeal ordered the Attorney-General of Federation, Inspector-General of Police and the operatives of the State Security Services to allow the wife and personal physicians of the appellant, a political detainee, to have access to him in prison custody ‘at all reasonable times.’

“In requesting the Inspector-General of Police to allow access to the detainees, his attention ought to be drawn to Section 14(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which provides as follows:

“A person who has the custody of an arrested suspect shall give the suspect reasonable facilities for obtaining legal advice, access to communication for taking steps to furnish bail, and otherwise making arrangements for his defence or release.

“In the light of the foregoing, we urge the police boss to allow the detainees access to their family members, personal physicians and legal practitioners at all reasonable times. Having undertaken to end impunity in the country, President Buhari should ensure that the Chief of Army Staff and all the soldiers who took part in the violent attack and arson in Zaria are brought to book without any further delay.”

Zaria killings: Prosecute Buratai, others - Falana urges Buhari

Zaria Massacre: Army had “predetermined mandate” to attack Shi’ites – Group

A non-governmental organisation, Access to Justice, has alleged that the Nigerian Army had a “pre-determined mandate” to attack members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, in Zaria on Saturday.

SHITES MUSLIMS KILLED

The deadly clash left scores of the sect’s members dead. The Army claimed the sect made attempt on the life of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

But Access to Justice, during a press conference, addressed by its Director, Joseph Otteh, on Friday in Abuja, said the Army’s claim that the protesters were armed was untrue.

“The response of the Army towards the Shiite protesters was a crime against humanity,” said Mr. Otteh

He, therefore, warned that his organisation would not “hesitate to head for the International Criminal Court, ICC” and insisted that “the Army had a predetermined mandate to do what they did.”

Even as he said the organisation was not in support of blockade of a highway or violent protest by the Shiite Muslim group, Mr Otteh said “the Army lacked constitutional mandate to disperse protests or procession of any kind”‎.

In his view, what the Army ought to have done was to reach out to the police high command in Kaduna State to deploy personnel towards handling the protest.

He said, “The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff could have, in order not to escalate an already violate situation that was unraveling along Zaria Road, chosen another route into Kaduna.

“This would have been a course of action you would expect from a very senior official of government who wants to avoid possible, in fact, likely repercussions of engaging in violent confrontation with the protesters.

“It was reasonably foreseeable that violence can further inflame religious passions which were already very high among members of the Islamic movement, who had already lost many members to military attacks last year and previous years.

“Such confrontation could also trigger a violent blackash and radicalise members of the group in the same way that Boko Haram was transformed after security and law enforcement officials attacked their members and extra judicially executed many of them.

“This history should have figured in how the military chooses to respond to protesters.

“The people of Nigeria have a right to assemble freely, even on public streets. Where protests offend against traffic laws, the protesters should be managed or restrained and if necessary, prosecuted.”

The organisation asked President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a high-powered independent commission of inquiry to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the massacre condemned by United States, United Kingdom, Iran and both chambers of the Nigerian National Assembly.

“Access to Justice demands that a thorough, independent and impartial inquiry be carried out by the Federal Government over this incident.

“It should be noted that this is not the first time the Nigerian Army has attacked members of the sect.

“In July 2014, scores of members of this group, including two sons of Sheik El-Zakzaky were killed by officers of the Nigerian Army as they were holding a peaceful procession along a road.

“Up till this time, the Nigerian government has yet to investigate the incident neither has anyone been brought to account over the attacks,” Mr. Otteh said.

He noted that the failure of government to investigate the 2014 killings may have contributed indirectly to the Saturday incident.

“Where governments do not show serious concern for the safety and integrity of human life and allow security or law enforcement agents to act with impunity, it strengthens the hands and minds of abusers,” he added.

Zaria Massacre: Army had “predetermined mandate” to attack Shi’ites – Group

Army/Shiite clash: I escaped by the will of God — Buratai

*Death toll hits 1,000, says sect spokesman

*El-Zakzaky, wife in our custody

By Henry Umoru, Luka Binniyat, Joseph Erunke & Mayen Etim

ABUJA—CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said yesterday it was by divine intervention that he escaped being assassinated on Saturday, by members of the Shiites Muslim sect.

The sect on its part claimed that at least one thousand of its members had been killed and that soldiers had evacuated their bodies following the weekend clash between its members and the military.

The Nigerian Army also said “the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife are in the custody of the Nigerian Army, “safe and sound” in a secured and protective custody.”

The army boss said contrary to claim that members of the Shiites group were not armed, they were not only heavily armed but also violently confronted him and his convoy on his way to Zaria.

The Army chief spoke to newsmen at the National Assembly complex, shortly after attending an interactive meeting called by the Senate Committee on Defence, for service chiefs.

“You want to know how I escaped? It was by the will of God that I was able to escape from the place,”he said, while advising citizens to be law abiding wherever they are.

Insisting that the group was violent, Buratai stressed: “ I think NTA was there and they aired the clip, it was very clear . They were violent and the clip is there.”

Meanwhile, the sect spokesman, Ibrahim Musa said. “We have reports that bodies of our members killed outside the house of our leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky are being evacuated in trucks by soldiers and our leader was arrested this morning (yesterday) in his demolished home by soldiers where he had been holed up in a room that was spared from the fire that gutted the house from grenades.”

Ibrahim Musa, in a statement he issued in Kaduna alleged that the army was not only selectively killing its members yesterday, but it had instigated the public to join in the killings.

The Nigeria Police, and Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were mute yesterday over the claims.

El-Zakzaky, wife in our custody — Army

The Nigerian Army said yesterday that the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife are in its custody “safe and sound” in a secured and protective custody,

Addressing a late evening press conference yesterday, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division of Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said the order given to the troops was to ensure that the sect leader was taken into a safe custody and as at 09:15am he was brought into the custody the Army with his wife and some family members.

The GOC further said that the sect leader would soon be allowed access to his members.

General Oyebade added that in the course of operation there were casualties on both sides, but did not mention the number of casualties.

He said: “On December 12, 2015, myself and the Commissioner of Police were with President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state for an assignment when I received a distress call that the life of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was threatened by some hoodlums who blocked his way on Sokoto road in Zaria city.

“After much persuasions from senior officers on the entourage, the hoodlums who were later identified as Shi’ites members remain adamant and in line with our rules of engagement, we have no option but to clear the road for the COAS and in the course of doing that, the hoodlums started throwing missiles on us; and our men responded which resulted to minimum casualties.

“From there we received information that they have started mobilizing in one of their temples at Husainiyya, the resident of the leader at Gyellesu and on Dambo road. That was on Saturday night, this lead to a long night of battle.

“We have nothing against the Shi’ites because they’re all Nigerians and our duty is also to protect them. But we cannot tolerate them forming a government within a government. I call on all shi’ites members to be law abiding and go about their religious activities without tampering with the freedom of others,” he said.

In its own statement, Shiite said: “Following the brutal attack on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army in Zaria where scores have been extra-judicially killed, we wish to state as follows: “A source has confirmed that the Army has taken the revered leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) from his house this morning and is receiving treatment for injuries he sustained during the attack.

“About a thousand of members of the Movement have been massacred at the moment as counting continues, but the soldiers are now busy evacuating the dead bodies to unknown destination.

“There are hundreds of others that have received various degrees of injuries that are in need of assistance that have currently been denied access by the soldiers on ground who are in a killing spree, shooting anyone identified as a member of the Movement.

“The army is deliberately exploiting religious sectarian sentiment to instigate uninformed public, some of whom are now busy killing innocent and unarmed members of the Movement at sight using local weapons.

”The Army is at present dressing corpses of members of the Movement with their military attire and snapping still pictures to probably display them as soldiers killed by the Movement during the attack as a means of propaganda, whereas it was solely an attack by the army on armless citizens.”

“The army has also stationed road blocks in Zaria picking out innocent unarmed people that look like members of the Movement and killing them in cold block. Even today they put an army road block in Zaria to Kaduna highway near Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, searching for any member of the Islamic Movement. The most weird of many of such cases is that of an army road block at Dogarawa near Zaria where they killed thirty of our members traveling to Zaria yesterday Sunday.

“We wish to state here that some of those earlier declared dead through various sources might not have been killed but might be severely injured and in need of assistance.

“In connection with the above mentioned, we wish to declare as follows:

“Members of the Movement should be allowed immediate access to Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) as a means of taming the the situation from aggravating unnecessarily.

“We believe that the army is clearing the corpses to unknown locations for mass burials to cover up for it’s crime. We hereby demand unequivocally that they should release the corpses to us, so that we can give them a proper Islamic burial. The people they killed are not foreigners, they are citizens with their relatives known.

“The Army should stop the unnecessary stage management of the whole incident making it look like what it is not through false and provocative press statements, incitements and ground activities which might not augur well for everyone.

“Access to health facilities should immediately be allowed to those injured anywhere in Zaria.

“We believe that this incident is planned and executed by the government which has been looking the other way while the army was killing members of the Movement for a period of over 27 hours from Saturday on without any statement and is still quiet as the army continues with its killing spree.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria is a peaceful and unarmed Movement with members in every cadre of the society that are entitled to every rights enjoyed by every other Nigerian, including religious rights, whose fundamental rights have been trampled upon by the government in its claim to be fighting against violent extremism, but instead spreading violence and hatred using state machinery.

“Finally, as the Army continues its genocide on members of the Movement, with support of the government, we hereby call on peace lovers and the international community to join us in condemning the act for it is virtually ridiculous to think that the government can kill the millions of members of the Movement”.

Meanwhile, Vanguard findings showed that normalcy has returned to the affected parts of Zaria town and government offices, markets, shops and other business activities as well as bus town services had commenced.

But Banks in Zaria remained under lock and key.

“We are grateful things are gradually coming back to shape,” said Makama Sani, to our reporter on phone.

“As I am taking to you now I am just from PZ area, I went round Sabongari and came back to Tudun Wada area,” he said.

Army/Shiite clash: I escaped by the will of God — Buratai

Shiites muslims attack Buratai in Kaduna

The Chief of Army  Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Saturday, escaped assassination attempt, as members of the Muslim sect, Shiites allegedly attacked his convoy in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Seven persons reportedly lost their lives in the clash between soldiers attached to Buratai’s convoy and the Shiite Muslim sect.

However, at the time of filing this report, Vanguard can’t independently confirm the cause of the clash.

This came as President Muhammadu Buhari was a guest in Kaduna today, to grace the Kaduna Music Festival, as well as received a honorary award given him by the Kaduna State University (KASU), at its convocation ceremony.

Details later

Shiites muslims attack Buratai in Kaduna

We did not lose 105 soldiers - Nigerian Army

Abuja – Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has waved aside reports that about 105 soldiers prosecuting the war against Boko Haram terrorists met their untimely death when they failed to return in a bid to annihilate the terrorists in the North East.

The media had been awashed with news that about 100 Nigerian soldiers were missing after Boko Haram attacks in the epicenter of the battle.

But General Buratai in a telephone conversation with Vanguard said, “It is not true that our soldiers are missing. The soldiers went on a mission for the Nigerian nation and they have since returned and joined their Battalions”.

The confident Chief of Army Staff said that insinuation is a figment of imagination of the authors of the story.

Media reports had indicated that the Army may have lost about 150 of its men to an attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Gudunbali, Borno State.

It was claimed that the terrorists attacked at Gudunbali in Borno State, on Wednesday and as a result the 157 Battalion of the Nigerian Army could not account for at least, 105 soldiers including their commanding officer.

According an online media, the terrorists also captured a T-72 tank as well as several artillery weapons from the unit.

“Gudunbali was attacked this morning and some weapons were captured from the battalion. Two officers and 105 soldiers are still missing”.

The terrorists captured a T-72 tank from the unit and some artillery weapons were also captured. The commanding Officer (CO) of the battalion is yet to be seen but no one has been confirmed dead yet,” the source added.

Another source however said the T-72 tank was recovered after a prolonged fight with Boko Haram insurgents. The gunner and tank commander were injured in the process, he said.

Also reportedly captured by the insurgents were eight vehicles, a truck loaded with 60,000 rounds of AA ammunition and three artillery pieces.

Similarly, soldiers of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) stationed at Baga, Borno State also recently came under attack. The attack occurred in Geringiwa at about four kilometers to the headquarters of MNJTF, PREMIUM TIMES has also been told.

According to a source, the military has been unable to completely clear the insurgents from Baga and nearby towns due to inadequate equipment.

Boko Haram carried out a series of mass killings in Baga between January 3 and January 7, 2015, after the army headquarters there was sacked by the insurgents.

Although the military later liberated the town, soldiers stationed in the area have come under constant attacks from the insurgents.

.

The attacks on the military came on the heels of the suicide attacks on Yola and Kano respectively.

We did not lose 105 soldiers - Nigerian Army

Ekiti poll: ‘How military, DSS men caged opposition’

•Capt. Koli, 13 others testify before army’s panel

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Olajide Awe, has said the role of the Army during the June 22 governorship election in Ekiti State was “better imagined than experienced”.

Fayose, Omisore, Obanikoro

He and 14 others yesterday testified before the Army panel of inquiry investigating the involvement of its officers and soldiers in the 2014/2015 governorship and presidential elections in Ekiti, Osun, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.

It was gathered that Army officers and personnel, including the famous Capt. Sagir Koli, who released the voice clip which alleged that former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, rigged the election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had last week appeared before the panel.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna, who is also the President of the panel, Maj-Gen. Adeninyi Oyebade, had on November 9, inaugurated the panel on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Gen Oyebade said the Army was deeply concerned about the alleged misconduct of its officers and men before, during and after the elections.

Testifying yesterday, Awe told the panel that the role of soldiers in the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti was better imagined because according to him, it was more of a battle field between the soldiers and voters.

He alleged that before the election, party bigwigs, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, were prevented from entering the state for the party’s rally. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was grounded in Benin on the orders of the power-that-be.

The APC chairman said over N30 million meant for party agents and election works were confiscated by some soldiers, whose identity, particularly their name tags, were concealed with black bands.

Awe said 36,000 security personnel, including soldiers, invaded the state on the eve of the election, harassed and arrested party leaders, members and supporters.

He added that he received phone calls from party loyalists on election day, alleging the maltreatment soldiers were meting out to them.

The APC chairman said the whereabouts of the Director-General of the Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Bimbo Daramola, who escaped arrest in Ire, was still unknown even after the election.

Awe told the panel that there was no election in the state, noting that former Governor Kayode Fayemi accepted the outcome of that election for peace to reign in the state.

He said while he objected, Fayemi replied that “look if we say we cannot accept the election result, we will put the lives of our people in danger”.

The APC leader added that “Fayemi accepted the result in the name of peace. Some of this did not go down well with our people. We took the decision to accept the result for the sake of peace in the state.”

Asked by Gen. Oyebade if there was a report of killing during the election, Awe said there was none.

He, however, said that in his village, several houses were razed, 15 vehicles destroyed and several people kidnapped.

“Some of these kidnapped victims were later found at Sagamu, Ogun State, with bruises on their bodies.

“Sir, there was no reports of anybody killed, but of robbery, harassment and intimidation,” Awe added.

The APC chieftain also fingered operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police in the party’s misfortunes, saying that the “DSS did a lot havoc because its officials were close to the people”.

He explained that while the DSS officials wore hoods, the soldiers covered their name tags.

His words: “Prior to the June 22, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, we were excited when told that the Army will be involved in maintaining peace. A week or so after the soldiers arrived, our expectation was short-lived.

“On Wednesday, we started seeing that things were not as we thought. Thursday, we had a rally where most of our guests, especially party bigwigs were prevented from coming into the state.

“Nearly all major roads in Ekiti were blocked by the military. The stop and search was beyond what it should be. Money meant for the party agents and other logistics were taken by the soldiers.”

He urged the panel to allow him file photo evidence of his claim.

Gen Oyebade granted Awe’s prayer and asked him to submit the evidence within 48 hours.

When it was the turn of the Ekiti State PDP Secretary, Tope Aluko, to testify, he pleaded to be heard behind camera. The panel members obliged him for security reasons.

Ekiti poll: ‘How military, DSS men caged opposition’

Buratai set up panel to investigate army involvement in Ekiti, Osun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom election

KADUNA – The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Gen. Tukur Buratai, has constituted a five-man board of generals to investigate alleged partisanship of members of the Nigeria Army during the 2015 general election.

General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, said he was made the Chairman of the board by Gen Buratai.

Other members of the board are Brig. Gen. Sunday Araoye, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, Brig. Gen. Baba Ibrahim and Col. Danladi Salihu who will serve as its secretary.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, Gen Oyebade said: “There are allegations made by the general public on the gubernatorial elections conducted in some states such as Ekiti, Osun, Rivers and Akwa Ibom among others.

“These allegations are weighty and Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Buratai is determined to get to the root of the matter. The COAS insists on maintaining a professionally responsive Nigerian Army determined on discharging its constitutional roles, and as such instituted this Board of Inquiry.

“The panel is to investigate these allegations and recommend appropriate measures to prevent a re-occurrence in the future. The military as a noble profession must remain apolitical in our democratic dispensation.

“Politics, we strongly believe should be left entirely to politicians. The role of the military must strictly be in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“I must hasten to add, however, that despite these worrisome allegations, the military has to a large extent performed creditably as the foremost guardian of the nation’s democracy.”

“All petitions/memorandum are to be forwarded not later than Fri 20 Nov 2015. The panel shall commence its sitting from 9am – 5pm daily except Sundays starting from today Monday 9, 2015,”

Buratai set up panel to investigate army involvement in Ekiti, Osun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom election

Buratai asks troops to give Boko Haram final push

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday urged troops in the North-East to remain focussed in their final push to end insurgency in the country.

Buratai, who visited the front line unit of 113 Task Battalion in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno, commended the troops for the successes recorded so far.

“You have done well and you must maintain the tempo.

“You must be on the offensive and waste no time in giving a final push in ending Boko Haram.”

He assured the soldiers that there was no cause for alarm over their salaries and allowances, stressing that the issue was being sorted out.

“There may be a little delay, but everything is being sorted out,” Buratai said.

The Army chief was also at the 118 Task Force Battalion, where he urged the troops to sustain the final offensive against insurgents.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buratai also visited the site of the newly formed 23 Task Force Brigade located in Jakana, and participated in a night operation with the troops of 29 Task Force Brigade along the Jakana axis.

Buratai asks troops to give Boko Haram final push

Army declares 100 Boko Haram members wanted

The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Wednesday declared 100 members of the Boko Haram insurgents wanted.

According to him, the arrest of the wanted members of the sect would help a great deal in the final push against the Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast region and the country in general.

 Lt Gen Tukur Buratai who spoke at the lunching of the Anti-Boko Haram Terrorists Campaign materials at the Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, Head-quarters of the 7 Division Nigeria Army also displayed  the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram militants.

He solicited for the support of the general public to assist in  the arrest and prosecution of the suspected insurgents who have allegedly unleashed terror on the people in the region.

His words: “The fight against Boko Haram insurgency is a collective responsibility of all, including the media. These photographs of terrorists’ suspects are to be identified with their numbers attached to each of the 100 photos, while members of the general public could send in more information on the locations or whereabouts of these Boko Haram sect members that appeared in these special photo identifications. Each of the suspects must have either participated or involved in the ongoing war in the theatre operations of Lafiya Dole.

“If any member of the general public identifies the location and whereabouts of these suspects, please contact these three telephone numbers in this launched anti-terrorism campaign materials in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital,” Buratai  requested

He disclosed that most of the suspects are teenagers, adding that  only three are above the age of 70 years.

 Though he was not specific with an amount of  any  ransom placed on the wanted terrorists, Buratai however announced a handsome reward for any person with useful information leading to their  arrest.

The Chief of Army Staff assured that all information provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality of the informant.

The public were therefore enjoined to use the following GSM nos to reach the military, the nos are;  0818155888, 08160030300

and 07053333123.

Army declares 100 Boko Haram members wanted

Chief of Army Staff representative discredits APC at Rivers Tribunal

*says Army, Security Agencies did not assist PDP in rigging goveenorship election

*says he did not witness illegal thumb printing

Plot by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai to help the Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Dakuku Peterside at the tribunal suffered a major setback as his representative, Captain Garba Sani told the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal that the Nigerian Army did not participate or assist the PDP in any rigging activities in Tai Local Government Area as alleged by the petitioner.

Captain Sani said that he received a signal from the Chief of Army Staff instructing him to testify on behalf of the Rivers State APC.

He led other soldiers to Tai LGA to maintain the peace for the governorship election. He testified on Wednesday.

The Representative of the Chief of Army Staff also declared that he did not see the Police or any other security agency assisting the PDP to manipulate the governorship election.

Captain Sani who was cross examined by Mr Okey Wali (SAN ) counsel to Governor Wike added that he did not see anybody illegally thumb printing ballot papers at any location.

Asked if he wrote a report on the said governorship election in Rivers State, Captain Sani agreed, but said it has been submitted to the Chief of Army Staff. He said that the report was not released to him on his way to the Tribunal.

The Chief of Army Staff said that he led 38 soldiers who he claimed were crammed in two Hiliux Vans.

Asked how the soldiers were able to convey arrested thugs since they had only two Hiliux Vans, Captain Sani could not explain.

He was further asked to explain how the Policemen he claimed they handed over arrested persons conveyed them to a separate location, since they had no vehicle. The Army Captain said he could explain.

The Representative of the Chief of Army Staff said he did not get the identities of the so-called thugs who disrupted elections as he merely handed them over to the police.

Asked if he was aware if those allegedly arrested by him have been prosecuted, the Chief of Army Staff representative said it was not his business to get such information.

Counsel to Governor Wike put it to the representative of the Chief of Army Staff that his testimony was mere hearsay and cannot be relied upon by the Tribunal, since he admitted that he didn’t participate or see anybody rigging.

The so called 38 soldiers in two Hiliux Vans allegedly monitored elections in 10 wards and 91 polling units of Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It remains unclear who directed the Chief of Army Staff to send a Representative to the Tribunal. Many believe that he received the directive from his overall employer.

Rivers APC Governorship petition runs into troubled as Tribunal Strikes out critical paragraphs containing criminal allegations

The Rivers State APC Petition against Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike ran into troubled waters on Wednesday as the Tribunal Struck out all the core paragraphs alleging electoral violence, snatching of ballot boxes, criminal manipulation of accreditation process and use of security agents and thugs to manipulate the election outcome.

Nyesom Wike

Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, Chairman of the Tribunal ruled that the paragraphs were incompetent because they contained criminal allegations against security agents and persons not joined in the petition by the Defeated Rivers State APC Governorship candidate, Mr Dakuku Peterside.

According to the tribunal, such persons ought to have been joined to defend themselves before the court.

The striking out of the paragraphs alleging several criminal actions during the governorship election has weakened the petition of the Rivers State APC Governorship candidate, Mr Dakuku Peterside as it implies that no irregular actions took place during the April 11, 2015 election as earlier alleged by the APC.

It will be recalled that the PDP through its counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN ) urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the ground that it contains incompetent grounds for challenging the victory of Governor Wike or in the alternative strike out all the offending paragraphs that bordered on criminal allegations. The tribunal opted for striking out the offending paragraphs.

It will therefore expunge from its records all the paragraphs containing criminal allegations. No further arguments will be taken on such paragraphs.

On the eligibility of Dakuku Peterside to contest the election, the Tribunal ruled that it cannot disqualify the petitioner because the respondents ought to have approached a High Court to determine the issue of 21 day notice to INEC.

On the issue of inappropriate service of the respondent outside Abuja without seeking leave of the Tribunal, Justice Ambrosa ruled that Governor Wike waived his right to challenge the illegality by appearing before the Tribunal.

Chief of Army Staff representative discredits APC at Rivers Tribunal

Nigerian Army releases 128 alleged Boko Haram detainees in Borno

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday released 128 detainees after certifying that they had no link with the Boko Haram terrorists group in Borno.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, handed over the detainees to Governor Kashim Shettima at a ceremony in Maiduguri.

He said the detainees included 109 men, seven women, 11 boys and one unattached teenager.

He said they were arrested at different parts of the state by the military in its anti-terrorism campaign.

Mr. Buratai said after thorough screening by a team of military intelligence officers, the police and the Department of State Security Service, the suspects were found to be clean and were released.

“The task of Operation Lafiya Dole can be seen in three terms – to defeat the insurgents, to facilitate humanitarian activities and observe human right and restore the administrative functions in the liberated area.

“We are here to formally hand over those arrested in the process of our operations; we are pleased to hand over the 128 suspects that have been cleared by the joint intelligent core, which comprised the Army, the police and DSS,” he said.

The COAS said the action was an indication that the military was made up of highly trained officers, who believed in observing human right.

“This is clear manifestation that the army is clearly professional,” Mr. Buratai declared and expressed optimism that the Boko Haram terrorism would soon come to an end.

“We will continue to emphasis that this terrorism will soon come to an end.

“We have been supported by President Muhammadu Buhari; we are getting more equipment and we are getting more of our troops redeployed to the operation,” he said.

He commended the Borno government for its support for the military in the anti-terrorism war.

The military had, earlier on July 6, freed 182 suspects, after a team of investigators cleared them of involvement with the group. (NAN)

Nigerian Army releases 128 alleged Boko Haram detainees in Borno

Falana petitions Chief of Army Staff over unjust treatment on three soldiers

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, over ‎alleged unjust treatment meted out to three groups of soldiers who are either being currently prosecuted or convicted at the General Courts-Martial.

Femi Falana

Falana, in his petition dated September 5, 2015, is asking for the review of the cases of the three groups of soldiers, on the provisions of section 149 of the Armed Forces Act and section 42 of the Constitution.

The petition addressed to Buratai’s office was titled, “Petition brought pursuant to section 149 of the Armed Forces Act and section 42 of the constitution for the review of the cases of convicted officers and soldiers and others who are on trial.”

‎The lawyer argued that the judgment of the courts-martial sentencing some soldiers to death for mutiny constituted grave injustice in view of the “belated” revelation by the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh (retd.), “that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to fight the insurgents in the North -East region.

The statement read in part, “Following the commendable decision of the Buhari Administration and the military authorities to reinstate 3,032 officers and soldiers who were illegally dismissed from the Nigerian Army last year, we have been instructed by three groups of officers and soldiers to appeal to your good self to review the unjust treatment meted out to them over their role in the prosecution of the war on terror. The three groups are:

“The 70 soldiers who were convicted and sentenced to death in September and December 2014 by two General Courts-Martial whose findings have not been confirmed.

“Scores of officers and soldiers who were convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment by General Courts-Martial.

“Senior officers and soldiers who are currently being prosecuted in Special and General Courts-Martial in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

“As you are no doubt aware, the convicts and the suspects undergoing trial are alleged to have committed mutiny, cowardly behaviour, loss of equipment, failure to perform military duties and sundry offences.

“In the course of the concluded trials, it was established that the said offences arose from the negligence of the authorities to provide adequate weapons for the armed forces in line with section 217 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

“In other words, the only “offence” proved against the convicts by the Prosecution was that they had the temerity to ask for weapons to fight the war on terror.

“In view of the grave injustice which informed the conviction and sentences passed on the officers and soldiers by the Courts-Martial we made a passionate appeal to the Army Council and the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah, not to confirm the iniquitous findings.

“But for some inexplicable reasons, the findings were not reviewed as the record of proceedings of the Courts-Martial were not transmitted within 60 days from the date of the verdict.

“Thus, by refusing to confirm and promulgate the findings the convicts have been denied the opportunity to file any appeal against the convictions and sentences at the Court of Appeal in line with section 175 of the Armed Forces Act.”

Falana petitions Chief of Army Staff over unjust treatment on three soldiers

APC hails service chiefs for leading anti-Boko Haram battle

The All Progressives Congress has commended the Service Chiefs for showing what it described as leadership by example by ‘personally’ leading the ongoing “stepped-up fight” against Boko Haram.

It sees the development as a breath of fresh air in the counter-insurgency battle.

The party said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,.

APC believed that the report that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, were personally coordinating the efforts of their troops in the theatre of war was the best news to have emerged from the front line of the Boko Haram battle.

It added, ”There can be no bigger boost to the morale of the gallant troops, who are combating Boko Haram than the sight of their Service Chiefs personally leading the charge from one village to another, battling the insurgents or flying in a reconnaissance aircraft coordinating the various NAF platforms involved in the operation to provide close air support to ground forces.

”By their actions, Lt.-Gen. Buratai and Air Marshal Abubakar have shown that they care deeply for their troops and are determined to lead them to beat the deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari to end the Boko Haram insurgency.”

It described the Service Chiefs and the troops they led as pride to the military and Nigeria.

APC reiterated its earlier call on Nigerians to continue to support, in all ways possible, the nation’s gallant men and women, who were making every sacrifice, including the supreme sacrifice, to keep the country safe.

Meanwhile, the party also commended the state governors, mostly in the North-West, who have decided to work together to address the security challenges in the area, especially the worsening cases of cattle theft, which had been negatively affecting the economic well being of the people of the region.

It said the efforts, which had led to the recovery of over 3,000 cows and the arrests of many bandits by the joint security task force, set up by the states, must continue unhindered.

”Cattle rustling and the other security challenges in the North-West in particular are all inter-linked and must be addressed holistically.

“This is why we are delighted that the governors of states within and outside the North-West, that is Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kano and Sokoto states, have decided to pool their resources to ensure that there is no hideout for criminals or terrorists,” APC said.

APC hails service chiefs for leading anti-Boko Haram battle

Boko Harma ambushes Buratai convoy in Borno

• One soldier, 10 terrorists killed       


• 
  

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri




The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was Saturday ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Faljari village between Mafa and Dikwa, during the Army Chief’s visit to Borno State, THISDAY gathered.




The attack, which left one soldier and 10 terrorists dead, occurred while Buratai was on a morale-boosting visit to the troops in the insurgent-threatened areas of  Mafa,  Dikwa and Logomani.




The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the failed terrorist ambush in a statement. The statement, however, did not specifically used the word convoy, it said ‘leading column.’ He said: “The terrorists encountered an overwhelming fire power from the troops in which 10 of them were killed”, while five others were captured.




Usman also quoted the CoAS as commending the troops at 112 Task Force Battalion location in Mafa and enjoined them to continue to be hardworking and dedicated.




“During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds”, he said.




The DAPR also disclosed that the arrested terrorists were being interrogated, while the remains of the ‘gallant soldier’ and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri.




He also gave assurance that the wounded soldiers were stable and responding to treatment at 7 Division Hospital and Medical  Services.




“At Dikwa, Usman said the CoAS interacted with a mammoth crowd of internally displaced persons where he assured them of their safety.




“Thereafter, he addressed some elements of 112 Battalion and told them that the Boko Haram terrorists should not have  any freedom  of action or movement within their area of responsibility. At Logomani,  where troops of 7 Division Strike  Group were refitting, he informed them that Nigerians were very proud of them”, he stated.




The Army Spokesman recalled that the unit recaptured Dikwa and  was now heading to the next objective. According to him, Buratai who delivered President Muhammadu Buhari’s goodwill message also said that he was adequately  briefed by the GOC 7 Div about their problem.




One interesting aspect of the visit, Usman noted,  was that  Nigerian Air Force led by the Chief of Air Staff (CoAS), Air Marshal Sadique  Abubakar, gave air cover and conducted armed air reconnaissance on the general area.




“While the IDPs were excited with presence of the CoAS, troops at various locations were equally in high spirit and good to go.




“The troops indicated their readiness to carry out assigned tasks,” he said.

It also emerged yesterday that Boko Haram militants are strengthening ties with the Islamic State (IS) group as reports have shown that Nigerian militants are fighting in Libya, while recent arrests in Lebanon and India and the blocking of thousands of suspected extremists from leaving Nigeria are other strong indications of the reinforcement of ties with the IS.




Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to IS in March and in June was declared its West African province.




A report in Associated Press quoting Nigeria analyst, Jacob Zenn, in The Sentinel magazine of the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation, stated that an estimated 80 to 200 Boko Haram fighters were in the Libyan city of Sirte.




Zenn noted that Algerian security forces believed Boko Haram fighters had joined other militants in northern Niger.




“The openness of migration routes from Nigeria through eastern Niger to Libya makes travel … fairly straightforward, and the Islamic State can easily afford to pay smugglers to carry militants (and weapons) along that route,” wrote Zenn.

Further evidence of Boko Haram’s links with IS was the arrest on August 15 by Lebanese authorities of hardline IS cleric Ahmad al-Assir at Beirut airport. He was said to have planned to fly to Nigeria on a forged Palestinian passport with a valid Nigerian visa.




The Nigeria Immigration Service reported barring 23,472 people from leaving the country between January 2014 and March 2015.




“There have been reports in recent times of some Nigerians departing to join terrorist groups especially in the Middle East and North Africa,” said PR Nigeria, which publishes government news.




Two Nigerians studying in India were arrested August 7 as they tried to cross illegally into Pakistan, planning to join IS in Iraq, it said.




More than 1,000 people have been killed in the insurgency since President Muhammad Buhari was elected in March and pledged to halt the 6-year-old Islamic uprising blamed for the deaths of some 20,000.




Meanwhile, in an effort to bring an end to cattle rustling and other security challenges in dreaded Kamuku and Kuyanbana Forests, governors  of  states in the  North-west zone  and Niger met again on Saturday in Kaduna to review  security strategies.




Governors of the five states, bordering the forest, namely Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states had earlier met in June which led to the establishment of  a joint security operation against armed robbery and cattle rustling in the dreaded Kamuku Forest.




The effort had led to the recovery of over 3000 cows while several arrests were made  by the joint security task force made up of the military, police and civil defence corps.




Saturday’s meeting which reviewed the operations of the joint task force was said to have been attended by the governors and their security chiefs.




Although Kano and Sokoto states are not bordering the forest, the governors of the two states, were said to have joined the meeting in order to avoid a spillover of security challenges in their states when the criminals are flushed out of the forest.




In an interview with newsmen after the meeting which was held behind closed door and which lasted for about three hours, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State said the governors would leave no stone unturned to ensure maximum security in their domains.




He commended the collaborative approach adopted, especially by the states surrounding Kamuku and Kuyanbana forests, noting that the effort was yielding positive results.




“We have resolved to support the security agencies both material, financially and morally to improve security situation and ensure that there is no hideout for criminals in the North-west sub-region.




“The collaboration between the states and Federal Government had been very helpful. So, we just sat to review the way forward and how to bring about peaceful coexistence in our region.




“With reports reaching us so far from the security operatives, we are satisfied that the operation is successful and moving smoothly. And we are hopeful that in no distance future, peace will return to the region.




“Initially, it was only five states of Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi but today other states like Sokoto and Kano have decided to join hands with the movement to ensure that no hideout for the criminals or terrorists.




“So far, we have made lot of arrests and recovery of property belonging to innocent persons and were returned back to their owners. But it is still ongoing and we will brief you adequately at the end of the operations on the successes recorded.




“We are calling on the people to cooperate and support us by making available necessary information and by reporting suspicious movement around their neighbourhood to security operatives to ensure they are apprehended” the governor said.



Boko Harma ambushes Buratai convoy in Borno

Army dissolves courts martial

Strong indications emerged on Saturday that the new Chief of Staff, Maj. – Gen. Tukur Buratai, has begun the process of reviewing cases of soldiers dismissed from service as a result of alleged acts of cowardice, insubordination, mutiny and related allegations.

Our correspondents learnt that the Army under the leadership of Buratai was revisiting all the cases against military officers and soldiers which emanated from the ongoing operation against the insurgents in the North- East.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt on Saturday that the army chief had constituted a committee to review all the cases involving some soldiers who had either been convicted or still facing trial in the three General Military Courts Martial in Kaduna, Lagos and Abuja.

It was further learnt that the army chief had dissolved all the ongoing General Military Courts Martial in Nigeria.

It was learnt that the officers and soldiers involved are expected to report at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, for the screening exercise.

A reliable source, who confided in one of our correspondents, said the committee which would begin sitting on August 7, would sit for 25 days for a holistic re-visitation of the cases involved in the operation.

It was gathered that a good number of the soldiers might be given a second opportunity to continue their careers in the military.

A good number of those detained or sentenced and dismissed for various offenses in various batches in their thousands belong to Special Forces Battalions who fought in different parts of the North East.

It was further learnt that those who might be lucky enough to benefit from the second chance from the new Army Chief might be given a short retraining exercise and given the opportunity to join their colleagues in the fight against the insurgents.

The source said, “The new Army Chief has constituted a committee to revisit the cases of all officers and men of the Nigerian Army who are either dismissed or undergoing trial in various General Military Courts Martial for alleged offences committed in the ongoing war against Boko Haram.

“I think the directive involved those dismissed without trial in their various formations, those tried and dismissed and those still facing trial. The cases are general, they involve cases from the military operation in the North East.

“Those to report in the NDA would be given the opportunity of retraining and being brought back into the campaign against insurgency.”

The Army’s Acting Director, Public Relations, Col. Sani Umar, said the Army was reviewing “all recent disciplinary cases due to wave of litigations by some aggrieved personnel.”

Umar said the directive didn’t mean a total recall of dismissed and deserter soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has unearthed an abandoned college of education’s chemistry laboratory in Borno State which Boko Haram had turned into the centre for the manufacturing of improvised explosives devices.

The latest discovery was made during the clear out of the terrorist group from Dikwa which was recently liberated by the Nigerian troop, according to the Deputy Director Army Public Relations and spokesman for the 7 Division Nigerian Army with headquarters in Maiduguri, Colonel Tukur Gusau.

Gusau in a statement on Saturday said, “Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army conducting mop up operations to clear Dikwa and environs of Boko Haram terrorists recovered 4 Toyota Hilux vehicles today (Saturday).”

Army dissolves courts martial

New Attack: Boko Haram burns Buratai"s family home

Suspected Boko Haram militants on Tuesday burned down houses, including the family home of the new Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Tukur Baratai, in a village in the North-east of the country, a policeman, military source and witnesses told Reuters.

At least two people were killed and eight injured in Buratai, Borno State, a resident, Adamu Talba and the military source said, but General Baratai was not present at the time of the attack in the early hours of Tuesday.

Boko Haram has waged a deadly campaign to carve out a state adhering to strict Islamic law in Nigeria’s North-east for the past six years.

After being pushed out of most of the territory they gained earlier this year, the group scattered and returned to attacking soft targets.

President Muhammadu Buhari has made ending the insurgency his priority and discussed how to tackle it during his first trip to Washington to meet President Barack Obama.

New Attack: Boko Haram burns Buratai"s family home

Fraudsters open Facebook accounts on Buratai"s name

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has alerted the public that some identity thieves have opened Facebook profiles in his name.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, these Facebooks are extorting the general public.

The statement reads”It has come to our knowledge that some unscrupulous and criminal elements have started using the name of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Tukur Yusufu Buratai through Facebook platform requesting for friendship, extort and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“So far, three such accounts exist with various types of names using photographs of the COAS in uniform and that of Director Defence Information as profile photographs.

“While the matter has been reported to Facebook and relevant security agencies for tracking, arrest and prosecution of the criminals, the public is please requested to note and advised not to accept any friendship request or overture from any of such Social media accounts.

‘Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations”

Fraudsters open Facebook accounts on Buratai"s name