Nigerian Army

Nigerian gov’t confirms death of Albarnawi’s successor

By Muhammad Sabiu

The National Security Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, General Babagana Mungono, has confirmed Thursday that Malam Bako, the top Boko Haram commander, who recently took over the leadership of the deadly Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) from the late Abu Mus’ab Albarnawi, has been killed.

General Mungono, who spoke to journalists at the State House, stated that the military had launched an attack on the insurgents “two days ago”, which led to the elimination of the commander.

Mungono was quoted as saying, “Two days ago, the man who succeeded him, one Malam Bako, one of the prominent leaders of the Shura Council of the Islamic State of West African Province, was also taken out.

“They are also contending with leadership crisis. You know these things are also accompanied with inherent issues of trust, conflicts, mutual suspicion and other things.

He added that the efforts of the military are really making an impact in the fight against terrorists.

“So, the operations being conducted by the armed forces in the Northern parts of the country put a lot of pressure on the Islamic State of West African Province, Boko Haram and also the tangential group known as Islamic State in the Greatest Sahara,” he said.

No Maulud procession in Plateau this year—Troops

By Muhammad Sabiu

 

The troops saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order due to the fragile peace in Plateau State have declared that there would be no Maulud procession across the state this year.

The Troops, also codenamed as Operation Safe Heaven, have in a statement signed by their spokesperson, Major Ishaku Takwa, said they had been directed “to ensure that no group organises any form of procession during the period of the Maulud.”

According to the statement, “Operation Safe Haven has noted the arrangement by some Muslim Youths on the Plateau to hold a procession to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) on Tuesday, 19 October 2021.

“Information received also indicated that the procession is organised without the knowledge of Jamaatul Nasir Islam (JNI), security agencies and the Plateau state government.

Nevertheless, the troops indicated that “While felicitating with the entire Muslim ummah on the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) and recognising the right to such processions under different circumstances, it is, however, expedient to state that the fragile peace on the Plateau does not present a conducive atmosphere for any form of procession at the moment.

“Further to this, Operation Safe Haven, therefore, wishes to draw the attention of the youths and members of the public on the ban of any kind of protest and procession in force in the state.

“The Military task force encourages Muslim faithfuls to observe the Maulud without any form of procession.

“The Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali has directed troops to ensure that no group organises any form of procession during the period of the Maulud.”

Recall that there were in recent months a series of ethno-religious violent attacks and reprisals that led to the death of many and many others sustained injuries.

In gun duel, Nigerian soldiers neutralise 3 gunmen

By Muhammad Sabiu

Nigerian soldiers working under the platform of Sector 5 of Exercise GOLDEN DAWN in Enugu have successfully neutralised three unknown gunmen who raided a police checkpoint on October 7.

This was announced today by Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, via the Nigeria Army’s official Facebook page.

The soldiers engaged the gunmen in a shootout which forced the latter to flee the duel scene, and the soldiers recovered one vehicle and two motorcycles.

However, Mr Onyema regrettably stated that one soldier lost his life.

The southeastern region has been seeing a series of tensions and rampant attacks on government facilities by suspected IPOB members, which could not be unconnected with their secession agenda.

Army condemns dehumanisation of NYSC member in viral video

By Hussaina Ahmed Sufyan

The video that went viral on the internet during the early hours of Thursday left the Nigerian Army in disarray and Nigerians in shock. The video showed a female Nigerian Youth Service Corp Member (NYSC) identified as Ezeiruaku Ifeyinws Fidelia being molested by an officer named Lt. Chika Viola Anele.

 

An unidentified onlooker recorded the dehumanising act and shared it online. In it, we see the officer pouring on the Corps member an unknown substance.

It is said that there was an argument between the duo which led to the officer punishing the Corps member. The incident happened in 13 Brigade Calabar, Cross River State.

 

The Nigerian Army, however, released a statement condemning the act.

 

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations under the Nigerian Army, Cross River State, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu condemned the act and tagged it “unprofessional”. While being apologetic, he also stated that Lt. Anele had been sanctioned.

 

“The Nigerian Army, therefore, condemns in strong terms this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer’s actions have caused the NA embarrassment and is highly regrettable. This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in any way represent the Nigerian Army and will not be confined in its entirety.”

 

“The NA wishes to tender an apology to the victim, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment melted out to the corps member”.

Army to investigate murder of taxi driver by own personnel in Jos

By Muhammad Sabiu

The alleged murder of a taxi driver by some men of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) for allegedly flouting the 10:00 pm curfew imposed on some parts of Plateau State is going to be investigated.

This was disclosed on Saturday by the spokesperson of the operation, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, in Jos.

Recall that the taxi driver, identified as Abdullahi Karafa, was alleged to have been beaten to death by soldiers around the Farin Gada axis in Plateau State.

During a condolence visit paid to the family of the deceased, the Commander of the Task Force, Ibrahim Ali, gave assurance that any soldier culpable of the murder would be punished.

The statement reads, “OPSH received with shock a report that its personnel deployed at Farin Gada beat and murdered a commercial taxi driver, Mr Abdullahi Karafa.

“Immediately we received the report, our commander visited the deceased family and condoned them over the unfortunate incident.

“The commander has since constituted a board of enquiry to unravel those behind the heinous act.”

Since after the murder of some 30 Muslim travellers in the Rukuba community of Plateau State, there has been tension which is as a result of attacks and reprisals, and that forced the Plateau State Government to impose a night curfew on some parts of the state.