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NIGERIAN ARMY: SITUATION REPORT ON THE ATTACK AND KILLING OF MILITARY PERSONNEL ON PEACE MISSION BY OKUOMA COMMUNITY

NIGERIAN ARMY: SITUATION REPORT ON THE ATTACK AND KILLING OF MILITARY PERSONNEL ON PEACE MISSION BY OKUOMA COMMUNITY


The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State While on peace mission to OKUOMA community in BOMADI LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State. 


The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers. 


The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Govt.  

 

 However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack. Additional details later.


TUKUR GUSAU

Brigadier General

Acting Director, Defence Information. 

16 March, 2024.


The troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State While on peace mission to OKUOMA community in BOMADI LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State. 


The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers. 


The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Govt.  

 

 However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack. Additional details later.


TUKUR GUSAU

Brigadier General

Acting Director, Defence Information. 

16 March, 2024.

Nigeria needs strategy overhaul!

Nigeria needs strategy overhaul!

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



As of today, the basic problem with Nigeria on the war against terrorism is that she is following a defective strategic front. This is what the situation is and it is very sad! All the empirical evidence in the last ten or so years have shown that Nigeria has been following a wrong policy in her counterterrorism warfare and all eyes can see it. The problem is that we are fighting unconventional warfare in which our security forces are not trained in terms of equipment, strategy and mindset. To get things right, the reboot must start from the military academy and the method of recruitment, for the people who are recruited to fight unconventional warfare might not be exactly the same as those who are recruited to fight conventional warfare. In other words, it is a multidimensional problem which must start from the military and its structure.


For Nigeria, her problem with terrorism dates back to the Maitatsine Riots of the early 1980s, during the Shehu Shagari era. A Judicial Enquiry was set up and its Report was prophetic. For example, it saw the plans being developed and suggested ways of ameliorating the social crisis which was bound to get deeper. Had the Judicial Report on the Maitatsine Risings been taken seriously and implemented, starting from the time of Shagari, Nigeria would most certainly not have gotten to where she is at the moment, if not nipped in the bud. It’s not possible! But the political will, even the interest, was not showing. That’s why we are now spending about 20% of our national budget on something that was preventable. Regrettable, there is no end in sight! It is now inevitable for Nigeria to go back to the Maitatsine Report if she must find a solution. It is important dear fatherland learns from other places about how to prevent a never-ending war by engendering an effective Defence Budget.


In 1959, General Dwight Eisenhower in his last major speech as President of the United States of America warned about the entrenchment of a military industrial complex. Of course, Eisenhower’s warnings foretold the future. Unfortunately, Nigeria is among the countries that are currently bearing the brunt of not taking his forebodings about the future seriously. The fact of the matter is that the military industrial complex, once entrenched, becomes self-perpetuating, leading to ever-increasing Defence Budgets and never-ending wars. President John. F. Kennedy, who succeeded Eisenhower, took the warning seriously by appointing Robert McNamara, the then Chief Executive Officer of one of the world’s largest corporations, Ford Motors, as his Defence Secretary. McNamara’s job was to devise and implement _Planning, Programming, Budgeting Systems_ (PPBS) in order to streamline the Defence Budgeting System, eliminate waste and duplication and make it more effective.


In 1983, President Shagari, in his 2nd Term, brought in the late Omowaye Kuye as Director of Budget to work out a PPBS across the board, not just for the military but also Housing, Health, Roads and other sectors. Sadly, that regime did not last 100 days! Basically, if Nigeria is to avoid the trap of a never-ending terror war, it’s time she devised her PPBS in order to have a more cost-effective Defence Budget which will at the same time robustly tackle terrorism. There is no alternative! The PPBS should also be applied to all the internal security mechanisms: Military, Police, Civil Defence, Intelligence Agency, even Customs Service.


That 287 innocent schoolchildren could be kidnapped from a school and Nigerians are moving on as if nothing has happened is not only surprising but also infuriating. So, where are the Emirs and why are they keeping silent in the face of a deep cavity in their region’s future? For God’s sake, is there something the suffering masses need to know which successive governments have been keeping away from us? By the way, who says Kuriga cannot happen to the Southwest and who says Ekiti cannot resurrect, especially in the region’s low-hanging states? In rebooting therefore, it’s better for other regions to learn fast and get fully prepared. Since it may not be politically expedient to hire mercenaries, Nigeria must develop and equip Special Forces with the fierce urgency of now even as technology such as sensors, drones, aerial surveillance systems, magnetics and artificial intelligence must not only be incorporated but also be at the heart of the reevaluation of the Defence package. Data scientists and forensic experts such as industrial chemists, biochemists and others in that mould must also be incorporated into the heart of the new strategic framework.


Nigeria has to start anew as she has already fallen into a trap. Those in authority are well-advised to move into the realm of critical thinking and take more than a cursory look at the magnificent works of the past such as the former Commander of the British Land Forces, Lt. General Frank Edward Kitson’s path-breaking ‘low intensity operations’. Originally published in 1979, about 17 contemptuous chapters of Kitson’s work are still not published and that’s on the orders of successive British governments, for it gives a valuable insight into the nature and strategies of the anti-insurgency warfare.


Throughout history, once policy is not separated from procurement, a never-ending war becomes an option because some people are bound to benefit from the spoils of a failed system. Tragically too, the more out-of-school children the country produces, the more it continues to feed the war machine because those untrained and uncatered-for children are ready recruits. Since counterinsurgency war in Nigeria has become as big a business as the Ministry of Works, the country must reevaluate its spending pattern if it must make headway. Feeding the procurement machine without working out the strategic imperative can only be likened to moving amiss. So, Nigeria must embrace a collective sense of responsibility and countermeasure devoid of ethnic and other primordial sentiments if she is to make any gains in the onslaught on the blood money merchants.


One advantage that Nigeria has today is that she has as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces a man who came into office from the managerial background. So, President Bola Tinubu must see the current war against terrorism and banditry as a crisis of project management and strategy. Thus, Nigerians expect Tinubu as a proven manager of men and resources to deploy his proven managerial skills which he demonstrated as governor of Lagos State into the war against terrorism and let the madness come to an end now.


Well, yours sincerely has never been an apostle of the declaration of a state of emergency because its usefulness has not been felt in Nigeria. The more reason the presidents has Tinubu also has to up his game for Nigerians will be disappointed if he goes the Muhammadu Buhari way. At a time like this, Nigerians need clarity on some burning issues and the national government needs to communicate to Nigerians but it seems as if the president’s men are not looking in that direction. The notorious truth is that we can’t keep talking about attacking insecurity in Nigeria without building trust and this is where sincerity of purpose on the part of the government is most useful. So, the president has to recalibrate his plans. He also needs to change his style, if need be. Tinubu will do well by suspending other not-so-important engagements for decisive decisions that will make his regime different from his predecessors. Nigeria is burning and the president needs to reassure Nigerians that he is up to the task. In sane climes, the police and army chiefs would have long relocated to the forests to rescue the victims.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected]

 _●08098614418 - SMS only_

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



As of today, the basic problem with Nigeria on the war against terrorism is that she is following a defective strategic front. This is what the situation is and it is very sad! All the empirical evidence in the last ten or so years have shown that Nigeria has been following a wrong policy in her counterterrorism warfare and all eyes can see it. The problem is that we are fighting unconventional warfare in which our security forces are not trained in terms of equipment, strategy and mindset. To get things right, the reboot must start from the military academy and the method of recruitment, for the people who are recruited to fight unconventional warfare might not be exactly the same as those who are recruited to fight conventional warfare. In other words, it is a multidimensional problem which must start from the military and its structure.


For Nigeria, her problem with terrorism dates back to the Maitatsine Riots of the early 1980s, during the Shehu Shagari era. A Judicial Enquiry was set up and its Report was prophetic. For example, it saw the plans being developed and suggested ways of ameliorating the social crisis which was bound to get deeper. Had the Judicial Report on the Maitatsine Risings been taken seriously and implemented, starting from the time of Shagari, Nigeria would most certainly not have gotten to where she is at the moment, if not nipped in the bud. It’s not possible! But the political will, even the interest, was not showing. That’s why we are now spending about 20% of our national budget on something that was preventable. Regrettable, there is no end in sight! It is now inevitable for Nigeria to go back to the Maitatsine Report if she must find a solution. It is important dear fatherland learns from other places about how to prevent a never-ending war by engendering an effective Defence Budget.


In 1959, General Dwight Eisenhower in his last major speech as President of the United States of America warned about the entrenchment of a military industrial complex. Of course, Eisenhower’s warnings foretold the future. Unfortunately, Nigeria is among the countries that are currently bearing the brunt of not taking his forebodings about the future seriously. The fact of the matter is that the military industrial complex, once entrenched, becomes self-perpetuating, leading to ever-increasing Defence Budgets and never-ending wars. President John. F. Kennedy, who succeeded Eisenhower, took the warning seriously by appointing Robert McNamara, the then Chief Executive Officer of one of the world’s largest corporations, Ford Motors, as his Defence Secretary. McNamara’s job was to devise and implement _Planning, Programming, Budgeting Systems_ (PPBS) in order to streamline the Defence Budgeting System, eliminate waste and duplication and make it more effective.


In 1983, President Shagari, in his 2nd Term, brought in the late Omowaye Kuye as Director of Budget to work out a PPBS across the board, not just for the military but also Housing, Health, Roads and other sectors. Sadly, that regime did not last 100 days! Basically, if Nigeria is to avoid the trap of a never-ending terror war, it’s time she devised her PPBS in order to have a more cost-effective Defence Budget which will at the same time robustly tackle terrorism. There is no alternative! The PPBS should also be applied to all the internal security mechanisms: Military, Police, Civil Defence, Intelligence Agency, even Customs Service.


That 287 innocent schoolchildren could be kidnapped from a school and Nigerians are moving on as if nothing has happened is not only surprising but also infuriating. So, where are the Emirs and why are they keeping silent in the face of a deep cavity in their region’s future? For God’s sake, is there something the suffering masses need to know which successive governments have been keeping away from us? By the way, who says Kuriga cannot happen to the Southwest and who says Ekiti cannot resurrect, especially in the region’s low-hanging states? In rebooting therefore, it’s better for other regions to learn fast and get fully prepared. Since it may not be politically expedient to hire mercenaries, Nigeria must develop and equip Special Forces with the fierce urgency of now even as technology such as sensors, drones, aerial surveillance systems, magnetics and artificial intelligence must not only be incorporated but also be at the heart of the reevaluation of the Defence package. Data scientists and forensic experts such as industrial chemists, biochemists and others in that mould must also be incorporated into the heart of the new strategic framework.


Nigeria has to start anew as she has already fallen into a trap. Those in authority are well-advised to move into the realm of critical thinking and take more than a cursory look at the magnificent works of the past such as the former Commander of the British Land Forces, Lt. General Frank Edward Kitson’s path-breaking ‘low intensity operations’. Originally published in 1979, about 17 contemptuous chapters of Kitson’s work are still not published and that’s on the orders of successive British governments, for it gives a valuable insight into the nature and strategies of the anti-insurgency warfare.


Throughout history, once policy is not separated from procurement, a never-ending war becomes an option because some people are bound to benefit from the spoils of a failed system. Tragically too, the more out-of-school children the country produces, the more it continues to feed the war machine because those untrained and uncatered-for children are ready recruits. Since counterinsurgency war in Nigeria has become as big a business as the Ministry of Works, the country must reevaluate its spending pattern if it must make headway. Feeding the procurement machine without working out the strategic imperative can only be likened to moving amiss. So, Nigeria must embrace a collective sense of responsibility and countermeasure devoid of ethnic and other primordial sentiments if she is to make any gains in the onslaught on the blood money merchants.


One advantage that Nigeria has today is that she has as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces a man who came into office from the managerial background. So, President Bola Tinubu must see the current war against terrorism and banditry as a crisis of project management and strategy. Thus, Nigerians expect Tinubu as a proven manager of men and resources to deploy his proven managerial skills which he demonstrated as governor of Lagos State into the war against terrorism and let the madness come to an end now.


Well, yours sincerely has never been an apostle of the declaration of a state of emergency because its usefulness has not been felt in Nigeria. The more reason the presidents has Tinubu also has to up his game for Nigerians will be disappointed if he goes the Muhammadu Buhari way. At a time like this, Nigerians need clarity on some burning issues and the national government needs to communicate to Nigerians but it seems as if the president’s men are not looking in that direction. The notorious truth is that we can’t keep talking about attacking insecurity in Nigeria without building trust and this is where sincerity of purpose on the part of the government is most useful. So, the president has to recalibrate his plans. He also needs to change his style, if need be. Tinubu will do well by suspending other not-so-important engagements for decisive decisions that will make his regime different from his predecessors. Nigeria is burning and the president needs to reassure Nigerians that he is up to the task. In sane climes, the police and army chiefs would have long relocated to the forests to rescue the victims.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected]

 _●08098614418 - SMS only_

NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS NEUTRALIZE TERRORISTS IN TARABA, THWART KIDNAP ATTEMPT IN KOGI, RESCUE PASSENGERS

NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS NEUTRALIZE TERRORISTS IN TARABA, THWART KIDNAP ATTEMPT IN KOGI, RESCUE PASSENGERS


Nigerian Army troops have  neutralized 2 terrorists in Taraba State, thwarted a kidnap attempt in Kogi State, where they rescued kidnap victims and successfully carried out an offensive operation in Zamfara State.


Responding to actionable intelligence, on the movement of terrorists in Mayinawa, Garin Daniel and Garbatau axis in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, troops swiftly mobilized and made contact with the terrorists, neutralizing 2 of them in an exchange of fire. The terrorists have been reported to frequently terrorize the residents of the communities. 


The troops recovered  2 AK- 47 Rifles, 4 AK- 47 Magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.


Similarly troops  successfully thwarted a kidnap attempt by criminal elements, who attacked passengers onboard three commercial buses along Akpata – Obajana road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. The vigilant troops arrived timely to avert the situation, rescuing the passengers and engaging the criminals in a hot pursuit. Some of the rescued passengers who suffered injuries during the kidnap attempt have been promptly evacuated to a hospital for medical attention.


In a separate operation, troops deployed for Counter Insurgency Operations in the North West, have  conducted a successful raid  operation into a kidnappers' den  in Kuyambana general area, along Road Magawa-Migetso in Zamfara State. The troops made contact with the insurgents neutralized 2 in a gun duel. After a thorough search of their camps, troops recovered one pump action gun, one locally fabricated gun, 2 live cartridges, one locally made pistol, one handset and a  tying chain used to fasten kidnapped victims. The troops have also destroyed the camp.


The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its commitment to sanitizing troubled areas and maintaining peace and stability in the country. We continue to solicit the support and cooperation of the public in the ongoing operations across the country.


ONYEMA NWACHUKWU

Major General

Director Army Public Relations

15 March 2024


Nigerian Army troops have  neutralized 2 terrorists in Taraba State, thwarted a kidnap attempt in Kogi State, where they rescued kidnap victims and successfully carried out an offensive operation in Zamfara State.


Responding to actionable intelligence, on the movement of terrorists in Mayinawa, Garin Daniel and Garbatau axis in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, troops swiftly mobilized and made contact with the terrorists, neutralizing 2 of them in an exchange of fire. The terrorists have been reported to frequently terrorize the residents of the communities. 


The troops recovered  2 AK- 47 Rifles, 4 AK- 47 Magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.


Similarly troops  successfully thwarted a kidnap attempt by criminal elements, who attacked passengers onboard three commercial buses along Akpata – Obajana road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. The vigilant troops arrived timely to avert the situation, rescuing the passengers and engaging the criminals in a hot pursuit. Some of the rescued passengers who suffered injuries during the kidnap attempt have been promptly evacuated to a hospital for medical attention.


In a separate operation, troops deployed for Counter Insurgency Operations in the North West, have  conducted a successful raid  operation into a kidnappers' den  in Kuyambana general area, along Road Magawa-Migetso in Zamfara State. The troops made contact with the insurgents neutralized 2 in a gun duel. After a thorough search of their camps, troops recovered one pump action gun, one locally fabricated gun, 2 live cartridges, one locally made pistol, one handset and a  tying chain used to fasten kidnapped victims. The troops have also destroyed the camp.


The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its commitment to sanitizing troubled areas and maintaining peace and stability in the country. We continue to solicit the support and cooperation of the public in the ongoing operations across the country.


ONYEMA NWACHUKWU

Major General

Director Army Public Relations

15 March 2024

EFCC Arraigns Fake Afghan Soldier for $1000 Internet Fraud in Port Harcourt

EFCC Arraigns Fake Afghan Soldier for $1000 Internet Fraud in Port Harcourt


The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for impersonating an Afghanistan soldier and obtaining money under false pretence.


Ikeaghichi is facing trial on two-count charges, which run contrary to Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.


The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for impersonating an Afghanistan soldier and obtaining money under false pretence.


Ikeaghichi is facing trial on two-count charges, which run contrary to Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

EFCC Arrests Barber, 11 other Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Uyo

EFCC Arrests Barber, 11 other Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Uyo


Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday March 14, 2024, arrested a barber, and  eleven suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.


They were arrested following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.


Source: EFCC


Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday March 14, 2024, arrested a barber, and  eleven suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.


They were arrested following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.


Source: EFCC

How Man Bags Jail Term for Currency Racketeering in Lagos

How Man Bags Jail Term for Currency Racketeering in Lagos


The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Fabian John Itafor before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for an offence bordering on currency racketeering. 


He was arraigned on a one- count charge.

The count reads: “That you, Fabian John Itafor on or about the 24th day of February. 2024 at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, in Lages within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court hawked the sum of N347,000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty-seven Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4)l of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007."


He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.


Following his guilty plea,   prosecuting counsel, A.S. Wara  called on Jude Owolabi, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.


Owolabi told the court that the defendant was arrested on February 24, 2024 , hawking naira notes at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.


 "His arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Commission," he said. According to him, ATM cards, a POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5 euros were recovered from him at the point of arrest.


“In his statement, he confessed that he was into money racketeering and hawking of Naira notes," he said. Defence counsel, Kolapo Gbadamosi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy by granting him a non-custodial sentence or an option of fine.

Justice Ogundare convicted and sentenced him to three months community service with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only).


The Judge also ordered that the POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5euro recovered from him at the point of arrest  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

Itafor bagged his imprisonment by flouting extant laws against Naira mutilation.  


Specifically,  he was arrested for hawking new Naira notes for commercial purposes.  


He was later prosecuted and convicted.

 

Source: EFCC 


The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Fabian John Itafor before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for an offence bordering on currency racketeering. 


He was arraigned on a one- count charge.

The count reads: “That you, Fabian John Itafor on or about the 24th day of February. 2024 at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, in Lages within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court hawked the sum of N347,000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty-seven Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4)l of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007."


He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.


Following his guilty plea,   prosecuting counsel, A.S. Wara  called on Jude Owolabi, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.


Owolabi told the court that the defendant was arrested on February 24, 2024 , hawking naira notes at Leisure Event Center, Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.


 "His arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Commission," he said. According to him, ATM cards, a POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5 euros were recovered from him at the point of arrest.


“In his statement, he confessed that he was into money racketeering and hawking of Naira notes," he said. Defence counsel, Kolapo Gbadamosi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy by granting him a non-custodial sentence or an option of fine.

Justice Ogundare convicted and sentenced him to three months community service with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only).


The Judge also ordered that the POS machine, N347,000, $1 and 5euro recovered from him at the point of arrest  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

Itafor bagged his imprisonment by flouting extant laws against Naira mutilation.  


Specifically,  he was arrested for hawking new Naira notes for commercial purposes.  


He was later prosecuted and convicted.

 

Source: EFCC 

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