Nigerian Troops Sustain Raids on Bandit Camps in Sokoto, Benue

Nigerian Troops Sustain Raids on Bandit Camps in Sokoto, Benue

In an intensified effort to rid the North West part of the country of bandits and other criminal elements, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to record successes, as combined forces of 818 Battalion deployed for CLEARANCE OPERATIONS in conjunction with troops of Operation SHARAN DAJI recently over ran and cleared bandits enclaves in Sabon Birni and Dangulbi villages in Sokoto State.

In a coordinated operation, the troops further raided and dislodged bandit camps at Gobirawan and Gidan Garba forests, killing 5 bandits while others fled in dissarray abandoning their camps, following the superior fire power of the troops. The gallant troops also recovered 4 Motor Cycles, 2 Ak 47 riffles and one locally fabricated gun.

In a similar operation, troops conducted Cordon and Search operations in some suspected hideouts in Zaki Biam, in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. During the sting operation, troops arrested suspected bandits who revealed their hideout, where troops recovered 1 locally made rifle, a pistol, 3 shotgun cartridges and 1 stolen motorcycle.

In a separate operation also in Benue state, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Agagbe in Gwer West Local Government Area, last Thursday had a fierce encounter with armed herdsmen along Azoom river bank. In the fire fight that ensued, troops routed the herdsmen and recovered 3 locally made rifles, 1 AK 47 magazine, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 1 machete. The troops are currently on the trail of the fleeing criminals.

We call on members of the public to provide credible information on banditry and other criminal activities in their localities for proactive intervention by the security agencies.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information
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THEATRE COMMANDERS CHARGED ON JOINT OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE

Theatre and Field Commanders have been charged to strictly adhere to the joint operational structures to further combat emerging security challenges in Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin gave the charge while addressing participants at the just concluded Training Conference organized by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), held at the Main Auditorium of the National Defence College, Abuja.

According to the participants who were mostly top echelon of the military, strict adherence to extant joint operational procedures and structures will boost further synergy and decisive defeat of the adversary in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, banditry and other transnational crimes.

During the DHQ Maiden Training Conference, participants exchanged ideas on modalities to address lapses identified in joint training doctrines, concepts, procedures and policies within the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). This is with a view to further enhance capacity development of the AFN to effectively tackle current asymmetric threats bedeviling the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Defence (MOD), Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali, who was the Guest of Honour, described training and retraining as critical component essential to shore up efficiency in any organization, especially, the Armed Forces. In his words, “For the AFN, a training conference such as this is crucial to the success of our efforts to maintain conducive security environment for the economy to thrive”.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, the Defence Minister, commended the CDS and the Service Chiefs for placing premium on improving the capacity of military personnel, which he noted, is a primary factor in determining the roles played by the AFN in the security of the country.

The Honorable minister further expressed the Federal Government’s commitment towards providing the AFN and security agencies with requisite support, and urged the AFN not to relent in the protection of lives and property, as well as securing the territorial integrity of the nation.

In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin stated that military operations were among the approaches adopted by the FG to confront the security challenges in the country. He added that the conference was part of the AFN’s initiative towards addressing these challenges. The CDS emphasized the collective resolve by the military and other security agencies to ensure a safe and secure society for social-economic growth.

The CDS catalogued some of the ongoing DHQ coordinated Joint Operations to include Operations WHIRL STROKE, WHIRL PUNCH, DELTA SAFE, SAVE HAVEN and SHARAN DAJI, describing them as so far successful.

General Olonisakin urged all stakeholders to fully harness the decisions of the conference in order to promote jointness in future operations.

Addressing the participants earlier, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations (CDTOPS), Major General LEO Irabor said the Conference was intended to metamorphose into series of training conferences that would be organized by the DHQ to standardize and harmonize the training doctrines and operational concepts in the AFN. General Irabor noted that the outcome of the deliberations would indeed add value to the military institutions, both in joint and combined training and operations.

At the Conference, a total of eleven papers were delivered by erudite military scholars from the three Services and tri service institutions of the AFN.

The lead paper titled “Joint Command and Development” was presented by former United Kingdom Commander Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Sir David Capewell (Rtd).

Dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and representative of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, who is the Chief of Training and Operations, Headquarters Nigeria Air Force.

Others were former Chiefs of Defence Staff, as well as serving and retired senior military officers.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information
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DHQ UNVEILS CDS ARMED FORCES AND SECURITY AGENCIES HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP LOGO IN ABUJA

The Defence Headquarters today Friday 10 May 2019 unveiled the official Logo for the Third Edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Armed Forces and Security Agencies Half Marathon at the Defence Headquarters Conference Hall, Abuja. The official Logo which is a new innovation added to the athletic event, was launched alongside the star price which is a brand new SUV and a Hyundai salon car respectively donated by Innoson Motors and Mujaf Automobile Company, who are among the lead sponsors of the CDS Half Marathon Championship.
While unveiling the Logo on behalf of the CDS, the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nurudeen Abiodun Balogun, disclosed the theme for this year’s CDS Half Marathon as “Together We Are.” This he said signifies unity of purpose amongst security agencies in the country.

AVM Balogun recalled that the sporting event, is an initiative of the incumbent CDS, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, with the first edition held in 2017. He added that the championship aims at ensuring the physical fitness as well as the promotion of espirit-de-corps amongst the members of the Armed Forces as well as security and response agencies. He pointed out that “sport would foster cooperation and synergy, which further translates into enhanced capacity for security agencies to combat security challenges facing our nation.”

AVM Balogun stated further that the Half Marathon Championship is one of the tools which the CDS is leveraging upon to further enhance the existing cordial relationship amongst military personnel and other security outfits in the country.

He expressed delight on the contributions toward the racing event, describing the involvement of private and public institutions as a testimony of the support and encouragement which the stakeholders have hitherto shown to security agencies in the protection of the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman Central Organizing Committee of the Championship Commodore Nuhu Bala, disclosed that this year’s edition of the Championship would take place on the 15 of June 2019 with eleven Security Agencies and the Armed Forces participating and competing for laurells in the 21.5 km Half Marathon.
He also indicated that the starting point is Kubwa, while the finishing point is at Aguiyi-Ironsi Cantonment, Abuja.

Earlier, the Executive of Mujaf Automobile, Mr Ibrahim Abubakar presented one of the star prices, a Hyundai Salon Car to the Half Marathon Central Organizing Committee.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information