Army uncovers plot to undermine counter-insurgency operation

                         
The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.

Vanguard

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

Gunmen kill 6, steal cows in Plateau

The Plateau State Chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Boro Huseni, has reported the killing of six of their members in an attack on Tuesday evening in Bindima, Foron district, Barkinladi Local Government Area of the state.

Mr. Boro also said the attackers stole 28 cows after killing their guides, he said in Jos, on Wednesday at a briefing in the Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ press centre.

Mr. Boro said the remains of one of the victim was found on Wednesday by security agents.

“The body of one of the victims was found today (Wednesday) by security men, because we had reported the matter to Police in Barkinladi yesterday (Tuesday) at about 5 p.m. The rest of the victims are yet to be recovered.”

The Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police in Plateau State, Abuh Emmanuel, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Emmanuel, a DSP in the Nigeria police said the police will investigate the incident, and arrest the culprits involved in the act.

Mr. Boro gave names of the victims to include Yusuf Sadari, Iro Lamo, Mubarak Danladi, Abdullahi Anas, Dajuma Wada and Samsu Yadwo.

Mr. Boro said the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Barkinladi and Riyom by the state government following persistent attacks is ineffective

“As far as we are concern the curfew impose on the two council areas is not effective, our people are being killed on daily bases even after the curfew in place.”

Mr. Boro solicited for an end to the killings of persons in the state “we are calling on government at all level to come to our rescue.” He appeal.

Traders protest plan to transfer Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra

Thousands of traders at the various markets in Awka, Anambra State capital, yesterday closed shops and staged protests across the major streets in the capital city over the alleged plan by the Federal Government to transfer Boko Haram prisoners to the prisons in Anambra. During the protest which started in the morning after the Saturday sanitation exercise, the traders of which included market women who carried placards marched through the Arthur Eze Avenue and down to the ever busy Regina Caeli Junction of the Awka to Onitsha Expressway, which was barricaded as they chanted solidarity songs and voiced their rejection of the alleged move by the federal government to move Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra. The traders who were led by the President of Awka Traders Association, Emeka Jude Agumadu, insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari jail the Boko Haram prisoners to the North, where they rightly belong. And as the protesters continued in their action, they created heavy traffic jam that lasted for several hours, before security agents stormed the Regina Caeli junction of the Awka to Onitsha Express Way Expressway, branshing guns and tear gar canisters apparently to frighten the protesters, who remained defiant until their leader directed them to clear from the Expressway and move towards the old Awka to Enugu road (Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue) where the protest would continue. The protesters displayed anti Buhari placards bearing the inscriptions like, “Buhari, Anambra is not Borno State”, "Bring federal investment to Anambra State not Boko Haram", “We don't want Boko Haram prisoners in Anambra State". The restive traders urged Buhari to realise that their collective wish is to the effect that if he wants to help Anambra State that he( Buhari) should give Anambra ministerial positions, schools and other developmental projects, stressing that they don't want Boko Haram prisoners at all. Agumadu who spoke to the journalists at the Regina Caeli junction of the Awka to Onitsha Expressway, said they used their protest to send signal to Buhari to take the prisoners to another state. Agumadu stated that they have since sent their protest to the governor and that no market was opened for routine trading and other commercial activities throughout the state yesterday. Similar protests which were accompanied with markets closure, also took place in Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia among others and it started after the environmental sanitation exercise when the traders got to their respective markets to open for the days business, only to be told that all the markets were shut for the protest.

national mirror 

70-year-old Man Gets 5 Strokes Of Cane For Stealing Goat

An unusual scenario recently occurred in Kaduna as a 70-year-old man who has allegedly been stealing for over 15 years was arraigned before a court.

In a report made available to NAN, the Upper Customary Court, Sabongari, Zaria in Kaduna state, on Tuesday sentenced Isa Hussaini,70, to five lashes of the cane for stealing a she-goat.

The accused, a resident of Funtua Local Government Area in Katsina State, was convicted of a charge of theft, after he pleaded guilty.

Just after Hussaini pleaded guilty to the charge, Judge Atiku Sarki-Yohanam said the Court was merciful with the accused because he did not waste in admitting his guilt.

On his verdict, Judge Sarki-Yohanam ordered that Hussaini be given five lashes, warning him not to be involved in any criminal act again.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Hafsat, who spent almost a year in Boko Haram before her rescue has revealed she was flogged daily for 11 months.

InformationNG

Boko Haram: COAS takes over command in N’East

In compliance with the Presidential directive relocating the military high command to Maiduguri, Borno State, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Leutenant-Geneneral Kenneth Minimah, has resumed command and control in the North East, having announced the relocation earlier in the week.

According to a statement issued by Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, Minimah on Wednesday had an operational and morale boosting visit to troops in the frontline, fighting the war against the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno and Adamawa states.

Usman said, during the visit Minimah addressed and encouraged the troops of 7 Division Strike Group (7 DSG) and 121 Special Force (SF) Battalion that comprised the Armed Forces and Nigerian Army Special Forces located in Pulka, adding that the COAS also addressed troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, 28 Task Force Brigade and 174 Battalion in Mubi.

“In Pulka, the Commander, 7 DSG, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Faruq Abubakar and the Commanding Officer of 121 SF Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Murtala Danjuma Abdulsalam, briefed him on their respective commands. “He commended them for their performances.

The COAS thereafter, addressed the troops in which he said that he came to thank and commend them for their valour, courage and bravery, which turned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorists and their accomplishments thus far.

“The COAS informed the troops that the president and indeed the whole nation are proud of them. He reiterated his determined effort to continue to support and encourage them and enjoined them to maintain the momentum.

He also urged the soldiers to be more dedicated, disciplined, professional and continue with the same zeal and determination till attainment of the set objective of locating and destroying Boko Haram camps and enclaves are achieved.

“The exploits of these troops are quite numerous; apart from recapturing most Boko Haram held territories such as Pulka and Gwoza, they were able to destroy quite a number of the terrorists’ camps in Kirawa and Kinene, as well as their workshops, training camps and arms stores, weapons and equipment.

They also recovered a T-55 Battle Tank, 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, various calibres of arms and ammunitions from the insurgents.

“At the headquarters of 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza, the COAS was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Colonel Irenuma Irabor, who was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Chidozie Amoha, Garrison Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade.

National Mirror 

N8bn Fraud: 22 Bank Officials Know Fate Today

The 22 bank officials who were remanded at Agodi Prison by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State will today know their fate as proceedings into their bail application commence.

The officials were arraigned in three batches before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for theft and recirculation of defaced and mutilated currencies of over N8billion into the public.

The first nine bank officials who were involved in the fraud with two others at large, were however charged with conversion of N10million mutilated currencies of N1, 000 denomination meant to be destroyed by the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and substituting them with newspapers cut to its size, there by subverting the apex bank’s effort at reducing dirty money in circulation.

The bankers who were arraigned before Justice Ayo Emmanuel were: Patience Okoro Eye, Afolabi Olufemi Johnson, Ilori Adekunke Sunday, Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, and Fatai Adedokun Yusuff.

Others were Salami Ibrahim, Odiah Emmanuel, Toogun Kayode Phillips, as well as Roy Akinsiku and Sobowale O. (who were both at large).

The accused persons were arraigned on a five-count charge, which they all pleaded not guilty to.

Also, another 14 bank officials including a nursing mother were arraigned at the same court charged with the same offence.

During the last batch, five of them were arraigned.

Despite spirited oral bail applications by the lawyer to the accused persons, to which the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) opposed, the judge ordered them to be remanded in prison custody till June 9 when proper and formal bail applications would be argued.

The five bank officials included three from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the remaining two from commercial banks in the state.

They were yesterday remanded at Agodi Prison by a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The accused who were arraigned before Justice Adeyinka Faaji, were Kolawole

Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philip, Ajuwon Bolade and Samuel Ogbeide.

They were said to have conspired with two other suspects, Onabanjo Olumayowa and Tijani Olusoga, who are now at large, between 2011 and 2012 in Ibadan, and delivered on false pretence a sum of N1,060,000,000 to the CBN, Ibadan branch, instead of N159,431,700, that should have been in the 106 boxes containing the supposed mutilated currencies.

The lead prosecution counsel to EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the accused had allegedly committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advanced Free Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

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