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Showing posts with the label Nigerian Army

Police Raid PREMIUM TIMES Head Office; Arrest Publisher Journalist

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Th e Nigeria police have raided PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher. The publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. Plain-clothed officers conducted a search at the office shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid. “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.” He said the paper would continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility, and patriotism, even at great risk to our per

Former Aviation Minister Hirse Who Was Kidnapped At President Buhari Cousin's Home In Kaduna Has Regained Freedom – Family

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Mr Bagudu Hirse, former aviation minister, who was abducted by gunmen in Kaduna on Sunday, Nov. 20, has regained his freedom, his brother, Mr John Hirse, has confirmed. “Bagudu was released in the early hours of Saturday,” John, retired permanent secretary in the federal civil service and currently District Head of Mangu, in Plateau, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Saturday. He said that the former aviation minister is “hale and hearty”, and thanked Nigerians for the prayers and words of encouragement “during the tỳing period”. “May God reward everyone who stood by us during the tough period,” he said. John, however, did not give further details, and also refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid to the abductors. NAN recalls that Bagudu was abducted by gunmen at the Kaduna residence of Ambassador Mamman Daura, where he had gone to condole the family over the death of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. Bagudu’s abduction took pla

Gunmen Storm Mamman Daura's House and kidnap Ambassador Hirse

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Gunmen, today engaged in a gun duel with security operatives guarding the home of the powerful cousin of President Muhammadu Buhari and abducted Mr.  Hirse. Mr. Daura was shocked by the kidnapping, but left unharmed. Security operatives have subsequently been drafted to protect Mr. Daura's Kaduna residence. Police are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

Panic At Lagos Airport As Nigerian Air Force Carries Out Counter-Terrorism Exercise

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Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos as personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with other security agencies, carried out a counter-terrorism exercise at the airport.  Our correspondent reported that most of the passengers and users of the airport were caught unaware as a group of men who posed as terrorists seized the departure hall and put the air travelers under intense terror.  Several eyewitnesses told our correspondent that, at first, they thought the terminal was under terrorist attack. “People were running in every direction, scampering for safety,” said a passenger who said he was bound for London. He said the people posing as terrorists took over the entire departure hall and shot sporadically into the air.  Another source revealed that one passenger’s blood pressure seemed to spike dangerously, adding that a member of the crew of Ethiopian Airline wet herself. Medics reportedly rushed a woman to a

Burial Photographs of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali

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Burial Photographs of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali, the late Lt. Col was laid to rest today at the National Cemetery, Abuja, alongside 5 other soldiers. 

Body of Slain Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali Arrives for funeral rites

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Nigerian Army performs last funeral rites for heroic officer Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali who was killed by Boko Haram terrorists. His body was flown aboard a NAF Helicopter

President Buhari Appoints New Supreme Court Justices

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President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate to consider and confirm the nominations of two judges as Justices of the Supreme Court. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, read the letter conveying the request after the Senate returned from a closed-door session on Tuesday. The nominated judges are Sidi Bage, Nasarawa State, North Central; and Paul Jauro, Taraba State, North East. In the letter read by Mr. Saraki, Mr. Buhari said his request followed Section 231(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, as amended. The President sought the expeditious attention of the Senate, Mr. Saraki read. Mr. Jauro, who was born on June 26, 1954, became a judge of the High Court in 1998. Ten years afterwards, he was appointed Justice of the Court Appeal. Mr. Bage, born on June 22, 1956, became Federal High Court Judge in 1992 before his appointment as Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2000. The two Judges had been recommended for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court by the National Jud

Independence Day: Nigerian Army Releases 348 ‘Cleared’ Boko Haram Suspects

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Borno State capital Maiduguri today October 1st 2016 and Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary was celebrated by the Army through the handing over of 348 "suspected" but "cleared" Boko Haram suspects to the Borno State Government. The General Officer Commanding, 7 Division Nigeria Army, Victor Ezugwu, said the army had upon the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, investigated the suspects who were arrested at different locations in the state and those who were innocent were released unconditionally. Some of the cleared suspects said it took the army over five months to screen them and establish that they did nothing wrong. The Brigadier General, said “the review of the cases of terrorists suspects in our custody involves a painstaking and continuous process as directed by the Chief of Army Staff who emplaced measures to guarantee societal and individual human rights”. Among those cleared were 114 males, 107 females, and 127 children. Among th

Kidnappers Release Wife Of Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Emefiele

Margaret Emefiele, wife of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was kidnapped by heavily armed abductors on Thursday, has been released.  Mrs. Emefiele who was kidnapped along the Benin-Agbor Road on Thursday alongside four others was released exactly 1 am Nigeria time.  It is further speculated that the kidnappers who earlier demanded N1.5 billion released Mrs. Emefiele after receiving N80 million ransom. The Police Public Relations Officer of Delta State has just confirmed the release,  but declined to comment on the issue of ransom being paid.

Explosion And Fire Rock Shell Facility In Ogoniland

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Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist who visited the site, said the inferno occurred just a few meters away from a military surveillance post. A trunk line carrying crude oil in the Goi community in the Ogoniland area of Rivers State became engulfed in dark plums of smoke and flames on Monday morning. The trunk line belongs to the Shell Petroleum Development Company. Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist who visited the site, said the inferno occurred just a few meters away from a military surveillance post. According to her, the fire immediately followed the sound of an eruption affecting the Agbada/Bomu trunk line. "Goi, another Ogoni community, is on fire this early morning from an eruption on the 28-inch Agbada/Bomu trunkline belonging to Shell, which is just a few meters from the surveillance post," she told our correspondent. "The first eruption which led to a serious fire outbreak occurred in the same community last July 10, 2016, leading to a

Police To Upgrade Counter-terrorism School In Rivers

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The Nigerian Police Force, yesterday,  announced plans to upgrade facilities at the Police Counter-Terrorism Unit Training School in Norway, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The school,  currently headed by ACP Ebong Eyibio has over the years turned out elite forces capable of withstanding and overpowering elements of the terror group, Boko Haram and other militia groups from other parts of the country.  The  upgrade is in addition to the establishment of a Marine Police Training School in Bayelsa State, in order to dominate the creeks of the Niger Delta region. Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, made the disclosure on Wednesday while addressing Commanders of counter-terrorism and special police units in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. He also revealed plans by the police authority to reposition the special units of the force, in line with global standards. The Police Chief warned various Commanders of special police units to ensure strict obs

IGP, Meets with Squadron Commanders

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K Idris today,  met with Squadron Commanders of the various Mobile Police Units of the Force at The Police Headquarters,  Abuja  yh E Federal Capital Territory. In attendance,  were the Commanders of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Anti Bomb Squad,  and Mopol Squadrons (1-58)

Abuja Protest: Islamic Students Demand Release of El Zakzaky

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Students mainly Islamic took to the streets of Abuja,  the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday to demand the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria , who has been in military detention since December 2015. The Sheikh was arrested after a clash between members of his Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a Shi'ia group, and the military, which left at least 347 Islamic Movement of Nigeria dead The protesters tendered a statement concerning the protest.  PRESS RELEASE OUR DEMAND IS SIMPLE: IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF OUR LEADER, SHAIKH ZAKZAKY, HIS WIFE AND OTHERS We are all aware of the unfortunate event that occurred at Zaria between 12th and 14th December 2015. Proofs abound to establish that the operations by the Nigerian Army were well coordinated and preplanned. It was not as a result of provocations due to "clash". Independent investigations by renowned and reputable human rights organizations have affirmed gross violation

Boko Haram Ambush Military Escort

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Today afternoon, suspected elements  of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who were foraging for food, ambushed troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri, at Sanda general area, Borno State. Unfortunately, 5 civilians lost their lives at the incident and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries. The wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. Consequently, another robust patrol team has been despatched to reinforce the troops, clear the general area and pursue the terrorists. This unfortunate incident has brought to the fore the need for more vigilance and cooperation amongst all. We would like to assure the public that we would not allow this isolated incident to thwart the peace and security commuters enjoy along the route and all other opened routes in the North East. Troops are on the heels of the attackers and would not relent till they are apprehended or killed. Additional secu

Bodies of Three Drowned Soldiers Recovered

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Assisted by military personnel, local divers in Bayelsa State have recovered bodies of three drowned soldiers yesterday in Brass LGA area. This was contained in series of statements issue by the Bayelsa State Chapter Chairman of The National Maritime Union,  Mr. Lloyd Sese, He said the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of four soldiers in Brass Local Government area was due to poor logistics and use of low powered engine boats to convoy military personnel. Mr. Sese, who commented on the incident yesterday in Yenagoa, said the preliminary investigation conducted by the Brass Unit of the Maritime Union showed that the accident could have been avoided if adequate logistics were arranged with high capacity engine boats used. He stated that “they used small boats with low capacity engines.” He called on the military authorities to consult the Maritime Union for logistics and transport during such movements, while we commiserate with the Nigerian Military on the loss of their m

Wanted Journalist Salkida arrested by DSS at Nnamdi Azikiwe Intl Airport

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Ahmad Salkida, one of the three people wanted for alleged knowledge of Boko Haram and the whereabouts of over 200 Chibok girls, was arrested in Abuja on Monday. Mr. Salkida, who arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785, was taken from the door of the aircraft by members of the security forces. A passenger seated next to Mr. Salkida during the journey informed SaharaReporters that Mr. Salkida was nervous throughout the flight. She said she recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight. Mr. Salkida told her that he expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He expressed fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial. Mr. Salkida further told the passenger that he did not know the

Four Soldiers Drown In Boat Mishap In Bayelsa State

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The military operation dubbed Operation Crocodile Smile suffered a major loss on Monday following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, leading to the death of four soldiers by drowning.  Also missing are service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers. It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10 a.m. on Monday, created panic among newly deployed soldiers. ‎The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident, "but [we] don't have details on the number of casualties." Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development, calling it a "natural incident." Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint Military action known as Operation Delta Safe (ODS) failed, as the Acting Coordinator of the Joint M

14 NestOil Staff Kidnapped in Rivers State

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Unknown Gunmen on Saturday abducted fourteen workers from the Nestoil oil company in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State while travelling in their company van. According to eyewitnesses, the employees were returning from their work site at Omoku area and were en route to Port Harcourt when they were ambushed by the kidnappers. Reporters was unable to speak to anyone from the company’s management to issue a statement at the time of publication. When our correspondent contacted the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development and stressed that their men have swung into action. He added that police have located the staff van. Mr. Omoni said policemen have moved into the bushes in that area and expressed optimism that the workers will be rescued.

Exercise code-name "Crocodile": Nigerian Army Releases Photographs

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The Nigerian Army through its Twitter handle released photographs of their training exercise in the South-south.  The exercise code-name CROCODILE will take place between 00:00hours of Friday 26th and end around 24:00 hours of same day.  This exercise will be similar to the Oban games exercise/drill of the Nigerian Navy

Boko Haram wants Prisoner Exchange for Chibok Girls

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Boko Haram just posted a video showing the 219 abducted Chibok Secondary School Girls,  demanding for a swap deal,  which will see their detained comrades exchanged for the school girls. They Boko Haram also alleges that the Nigerian Army Killed Most of the Chibok Girls Video https://youtu.be/icWLwtfGMKs Video credits... www.cnn.com