Nigerian army ranked 39th bravest in global firepower index – Lagbaja

The Nigerian Army has been ranked as the Army has persevered and grown to be the 39th bravest in terms of confronting any adversary out of over 145 countries assessed in the Global Firepower Index in 2024.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed this on Monday, at a press briefing to kickstart activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024 with the theme “Transforming the Nigerian Army: Imperative for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges within a Joint Environment”.

NIGERIAN ARMY in recent years has been confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits kidnapers among others.

Insecurity: Nigerian Army gets Aviation Wing, acquires fighter helicopters

The Nigeria's Federal Government has established an aviation wing for the Nigerian Army, and acquired fighter helicopters for its operations.

Major General Onyema Nwachukwu who is the Director of Army Public Relations confirmed that the BELL UH-1H, HUEY helicopters were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.

Nigeria since 2009 has been facing series of insecurity threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, herdsman and kidnapping among others.

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM: NIGERIAN ARMY PARTNERS NIGCOMSAT TO EXPAND FRONTIERS OF COMMUNICATION, BOOST MILITARY OPERATIONS

The Nigerian Army has expressed its willingness to partner with the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) to enhance its communication capabilities and improve its military operations. The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja gave the assurance today, Thursday 16 May 2024, when he received in audience the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idereyen and her delegation at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.   

According to a statement signed by Major General ONYEMA NWACHUKWU who is the Director Army Public Relations, the Army Chief declared the partnership with NIGCOMSAT is crucial to provide reliable and secure communication services and enable the Nigerian Army (NA) to access a wide range of satellite-based services, including telecommunication, navigation, and surveillance, which will significantly improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The COAS appreciated the vital role of NIGCOMSAT, which he observed, serves as a formidable foundation for NA operations, especially in the North East and North West regions. Gen Lagbaja averred that NA is committed to the Executive Order 5 of President, Commander-in-Chief Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, compelling departments and agencies to patronize made-in-Nigeria goods.

He described NIGCOMSAT products as top-notch and affirmed his desire to expand the frontier of cooperation and partnership that exists between NIGCOMSAT and the NA. The COAS also pledged to partner the Communication Company in the launching of its new satellite into space to improve NA operations.   

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idereyen in her remarks lauded the NA for its service to the nation and pledged to continue to support the NA with requisite technology to tackle security challenges.

She disclosed that NIGCOMSAT intends to launch a satellite into orbit, co-designed and dedicated to the Armed Forces to enhance the military's capabilities and contribute to bolstering military operations, taking into consideration the importance of the services the NA is rendering to the nation.

The NIGCOM boss acknowledged the long standing relations with the NA and the zeal of the NA in tackling security challenges in the country. She noted that the partnership between the duo is expected to have far-reaching implications for the country's military operations and national security as well as leverage satellite technology to drive economic growth and development.

WAR AGAINST TERRORISM: NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS INTENSIFY OFFENSIVE, OVERRUN ISWAP/BOKO HARAM STRONGHOLD, RECOVER HEAVY ARTILLERY GUN, GUN TRUCKS

In a major victory against terrorism, Nigerian Army troops have successfully overrun a Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) stronghold in Borno State. The intense offensive is part of Operation Desert Sanity III, involving  a combination of artillery and air bombardments, as well as ground battle along Ngumne, Kawaran, and Mangu Axis in the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle. .

Despite facing threats of improvised explosive devices and resistance from the terrorists, troops engaged them with heavy firepower, rooting out the terrorists from their stronghold. As a result of the successful operation, the gallant troops recovered vital armaments and other equipment, including two gun trucks, a 105mm Pack Howitzer, two exploded improvised explosive device cases, and a burnt Rocket-Propelled Grenade tube. The enclaves were also destroyed by the troops.

This audacious operation demonstrates  Nigerian Army's commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of the region. The recovery of heavy artillery and Gun trucks marks a significant setback for the terrorists.

Source: NIGERIAN ARMY

ASO ROCK SOLDIER CAUGHT SELLING AK47 GUNS TO BANDITS AND KIDNAPPERSA

A soldier attached to the Muhamadu Buhari cantonment in Tungan Maje in the FCT has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services for allegedly hiring out and selling guns to kidnappers.   

 He was arrested last week around Dankogi Park in Zuba in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the area.    

Reports say the soldier hired a gun to the kidnappers for 300,000 in one of the operations and in another instance, he recieved 200,000 for one gun.   

 Unfortunately for the soldier, the kidnappers were arrested and they mentioned him as their gunrunner.   

They contacted him for another deal to supply them with AK 47 rifles to buy at three million naira and he fell for it.    They went to the agreed site in Zuba and took position.   

 He arrived in his car to present the arm and the security men swoop on him. An AK 47 rifle as well as a fully loaded magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition was found in his car.

How Nigerian Air Force pays terrorists/bandits N20 million to avoid shooting down Buhari’s plane

The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.

The Nigerian Air Force coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, The Wall Street Journal said, in a desperate deal that was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina.

The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over. 

The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned. 

“The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”

The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded. 

The Journal did not specify when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned. The president has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July. 

Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs. 

Last month, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed. The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.

Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians. 

The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject without and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah. 

It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes. 

Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.

The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan. It also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.

The Gazette has yet to hear back from the Nigerian Air Force about the reported N20 million ransom to bandits.

Source: SM

THE PICTURE: Bandits Attacked NDA - Nigeria has been Hopelessly compromised

Let me tell you from the outset:

What Nigeria has on its hand at the moment is worse than Afghanistan.

Do you hear me?

Bring your head out of the sand and face up to reality before it's too late.

Let me help you get a clearer picture of what's happening.

In the 90s, I worked at the National War College, Abuja.

As a staff who worked Monday-Friday and known by different personnel that are routinely posted to the entrance, you do not just stroll in like taking a walk in the park.

That was over 25 years ago.

No bandit, no rogue, no criminal will dare to breach the sanctity of that place.

Not even when bombs were going off in the FCT.

Then, Nigeria woke up yesterday to the news that bandits violated the territory of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Who are those writing the script?

Are they so hopelessly dumb?

Bandits entered the Nigerian Defence Academy, made for the officers quarters, killed some officers, kidnapped one and took him out of the territory, successfully.

And the bandits suffered no casualties.

No bandit was killed.

No bandit was injured.

No bandit was captured.

In fact, there was nothing in any report that the bandits were engaged.

Seriously?

How dumb can a script be?

The officer that was kidnapped and taken out of the Academy happened to be a Major.

A Major!

That's a senior NCO.

Not a Private.

Not a Corporal. 

Not a Sergeant.

Not a Staff Sergeant.

Not even a Warrant Officer.

A Major!

A Major was kidnapped right inside the Nigerian Defence Academy and smuggled out successfully without resistance.

No casualties on the side of those we are told exhibited such audacious breach.

Among those killed right in the officers quarters in the territory of the Nigerian Defence Academy is a Squadron Leader.

Squadron Leader!

That's the equivalent of Major in the Air Force.

Who are those writing the script?

Are they this dumb?

How did they arrive at the conclusion that all Nigerians are idiots?

C'mon!

And the conclusion is simple:

Nigeria has been compromised.

Hopelessly compromised.

You may choose to deny it, or take refuge in the brainwash of religion.

*Right this moment, there are thousands of citizens in countless kidnappers camps scattered across the country.*

Among them students, and children that are less than 12 years.

Some have been separated from their families for over three months.

The kidnappers communicate freely with parents and families without fear of any consequence.

Now we are told that they have the audacity to go right inside the Nigerian Defence Academy to kill and kidnap officers.

*And Nigeria still shamelessly proclaim it has security architecture.*

What is worse than Afghanistan is here already.

On one hand, the military is supervising the rehabilitation of "repentant" terrorists.

Terrorists who have slaughtered citizens and military personnel.

*On the other hand, terrorists successfully rechristened as "bandits" are raking in billions of naira from kidnapping, and invading military strongholds as bonus.*

*As compromised as Afghanistan military is suggested to be, it is never on record that they rehabilitated any Taliban.*

Afghanistan is thousands of miles away, but the Taliban is already at the door.

*THAT IS THE PICTURE .*

Source: Social media