Security

During the clearance operations, a soldier paid the supreme price, while the troops killed 58 terrorist

As part of the collective effort by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to expeditiously bring to an end the war against insurgency in the Northeast, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft successfully attacked suspected Boko Haram Logistics Base at Allagarno on Friday, 18 March 2016. The target was selected after careful Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) by NAF Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

The troops also rescued 67 hostages from the terrorists. The freed hostages are undergoing screening at Internally Displaced Persons in Dikwa. Unfortunately, during the operation the troops Mine Resistant Anti-Personnel (MRAP) vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device and had a damaged tyre.

The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps[NSCDC], Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, says that 15,000 Officers and Men of the Corps has been trained nationally and internationally in rapid response, disaster mitigation, early warning signal alert system, rehabilitation of victims of both natural and man-made disasters.

The attention of Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to the existence of fake Facebook accounts being operated in the name of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin. The popular facebook accounts created by some cyber fraudsters, goes by different fake identities and official photographs of the Chief of Defence Staff are used.

Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry during the encounter. Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degree of injury lost their lives.

This Press Conference has become necessary in order to debunk a rumour which is being dangerously spread in Ekiti State by some mischief makers to the effect that Hon. AFOLABI has died in custody. Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that AFOLABI is hale and hearty as he is being presented to the Press today.

The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, North East, Major General Hassan Umaru has handed over the mantle of leadership of the command to Major General Lucky E. Irabor who was his Deputy Commander. During the handing over and taking over ceremony at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, General Umaru said that his transfer to the Nigerian Army Headquarters was to take over as the Chief of Training and Operations after the demise of Major General Yushau Abubakar Mahmood who died recently in a road accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on an official assignment.

One of the most significant aspects of the operation was the recovery of Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) earlier captured by the terrorists during an attack on Buni Yadi on 9th July 2015. The APC was discovered at Golgore River line and it has since been evacuated. This operation has further proven our commitment to rid our country of the menace of Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in the society.

Troops, security agents and care givers have been mobilized to scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment. The troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues.

The Benin Republic has announced its readiness to deploy 150 military troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military cooperation established by Nigeria with some neighbouring African nations to fight Boko Haram insurgents and other terror acts next month.

The former National Security Adviser, Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki has dragged the Federal Government before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice over his continued detention without trial since December 2015.

Justice Haliru who cautioned the EFCC and the Army which he said acted as if Nigeria was still under military, said "We all support the fight against corruption but it must not be done with utter impunity and disregard to rule of law. The right to personal liberty is guaranteed every citizen of Nigeria by our constitution."

Troops of Operation Sharan Daji engaged in anti-cattle rustling, armed banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in various states of the North-western part of the country, have recorded yet major successes against rustlers, killing several of them, destroyed their camps and recovered many livestock, arms and ammunitions.

At the encounter, one of the suspected wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders who is serial number 95 on the first Nigerian Army wanted list of 100 Boko Haram terrorists leaders, was fatally wounded in the exchange of fire. He later gave up while receiving medical attention at the base, while other members of his team escaped with gun shot wounds. The troops recovered 7 Jerri cans of 30 litres containing 210 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), motorcycles and food stuff in addition to arms and ammunitions.

The success of the air attack paved way for the follow-up clearance operation by own troops of 121 Task Force Battalion who consolidated on the gains of the air strikes to flush out the remnants of BHT as well as destroyed their leftover camps. During the ground movement, the Mi-35 Helicopter gunships were overhead to provide Close Air Support for the advancing troops while the Beechcraft aircraft supported with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.

The Nigerian Army confirms the death of Chief of Training and Operations of the Army, Major General Yushau Mahmood Abubakar in a road accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road. He was the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole before his recent deployment to Army Headquarters, Abuja.

While responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olonisakin thanked the South African Chief of National Defence Force for the visit and solicited for more cooperation in defence related matters. This, he said would go a long way in strengthening the two countries bilateral cooperation. General Olonisakin also requested for training of more Special Forces and other equipment that could be used in the operations against Boko Haram which has been substantially decimated and degraded. He said the war against terror is closing up and would soon end.

According to General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Okwudili Ezugwu, prior to the clearance operation, Dure 1 and 2 were Boko Haram strong holds in the mainland of Sambisa forest. The operation further revealed the new and desperate strategy of Boko Haram terrorists; hiding their logistics especially grains for the rainy season in dugouts and the use of hand held radios primed with Improvised Explosive Devices as booby-traps.

DSS/SSS has arrested Musa Garba ABUBAKAR (Engr) aka Muhadis Musa Bin HADDAD in Jos, Plateau State, during a special tactical operation by the Service. He is a major gun fabricator, arms-runner and a covert linkman/courier for the Boko Haram group.