Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: DHQ

NOA, DHQ To Collaborate on Value Reorientation For Citizens, Military
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The National Orientation Agency , NOA, and the Defence Headquarters is to collaborate on proper value reorientation for both citizens and the military.
The agreement was reached when the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, held a meeting at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Issa-Onilu explained NOA’s mandates and highlighted its programmes aimed at modernizing its structures by establishing twenty-first-century platforms accessible to all arms of government and agencies.
According to the NOA Director General, the military plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history, as he emphasized the importance of the collaboration in creating institutions that instill in citizens a clear understanding of Nigerian values.
He reiterated NOA’s commitment to ensuring that the National Value Charter, NVC, is not just a rhetoric, but a catalyst for substantial societal change.
Acknowledging that youths constitute over 70% of Nigeria’s population, the Director General advocated for youth-centric policies tailored to address their needs.
The NOA boss part of programmes the Agency is embarking on to include Implementation of nationalism studies from primary to tertiary levels. Launching a 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade aimed at fostering model citizenship.
Others include incorporating local content in cartoon characters to instill Nigerian values in children aged 1-12, promoting respect for elders, one another, and the military.
Meanwhile, the DG disclosed the upcoming training sessions for both first-class and second-class kings across Nigeria as part of peace and conflict resolution process.
In response, Gen. Musa assured of the Nigeria Defense’s full support, and urged that the Armed Forces’ be involved in the planning committee, citing their historical wealth of knowledge.
Also, emphasized the significance of national pride, urging positive narratives about Nigeria in the creative industry and the incorporation of Nigerian symbolic monuments into souvenirs.
He emphasized that achieving peace requires a multifaceted approach, particularly with the military.
February 23, 2024
2023: Military Not Under Pressure To Compromise Polls – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters on Friday said the military and other security agencies are not under pressure from desperate politicians to compromise the 2023 general elections.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, also debunked reports attributed to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, that the military is pressurised to scuttle next year’s polls. He described the reports as “false and a deliberate or inadvertent attempt to twist what was said, to convey a sinister meaning.”
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to several headlines and news purporting to suggest that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor CFR, had alluded to the military (and other security agencies) being under pressure to compromise the 2023 elections,” the statement read.
“This impression was reportedly made during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing, which featured the Chief of Defence State on 8 December 2022.”
See the full statement issued below:
PRESS RELEASE
NIGERIAN MILITARY, AND SECURITY AGENCIES NOT UNDER PRESSURE TO COMPROMISE 2023 ELECTIONS
The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to several headlines and news purporting to suggest that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor CFR, had alluded to the military (and other security agencies) being under pressure to compromise the 2023 elections. This impression was reportedly made during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing, which featured the Chief of Defence State on 8 December 2022. The Defence Headquarters however, wishes to say categorically that, this impression is not only erroneous, but false and a deliberate or inadvertent attempt to twist what was said, to convey a sinister meaning.
It is pertinent to mention that the referenced briefing was broadcast live on Nigeria Television Authority – NTA Channel 419 on DSTV and Channel 46 on GOTV. After the briefing by the Chief of Defence Staff, one of the correspondents asked, “You have spoken on military neutrality in times of elections. Specifically, based on what the Commander-in-Chief directed. Just this week, the President gave a directive to the Armed Forces to remain neutral during the 2023 elections. But my worry is that politicians have a way of piling pressure on security forces and we are witnesses to some of the things that occurred in the past exercises. Now, given this kind of scenario, where politicians or political actors try to pile pressure on your men, how far have you prepared to go to ensure that neutrality, as directed by the President, is protected?”
In response, the Chief of Defence Staff said, “I am glad you reiterated what the Commander-in-Chief said or his directive to the Armed Forces. I am afraid you said you had to worry. Rather than worry, I would think that trust in our cause (is paramount), why? Of course, in our training, there will always be pressure from all quarters, wanting to induce security forces, not just the military, security forces. That is what criminal enterprise is all about, that is what someone that is wrong is all about. But, what makes the difference is, the professional approach to dealing with the issues, and that is what the military intends to do. That is the reason why we have ramped up our training in that regard. Sensitization, a lot of engagements across formations and units are going on daily. And then, more so, to articulate a Code of Conduct for all our personnel, which has been done and distributed. So, what, why we should act before, during and after the elections? These have been codified in SOPs (Standing Operating Procedures) issued to them. And so, it remains the duty of commanders to ensure the directive as indicated, that the content of SOPs is adhered to by every personnel of the Armed Forces. So, my good friend, please seize from worrying, rather trust and also engage others to trust that we will keep faith with these desires that we have.”
The Defence Headquarters chose to err on the side of verbosity by transcribing the entire response by the Chief of Defence Staff so that everyone can see the quantum misrepresentation of the Chief of Defence Staff’s comments during the briefing. The Armed Forces of Nigeria however, stands ready to aid civil authority in assuring free and fair 2023 elections. Already, ongoing military operations all over the country (in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies), are creating enabling environment for electioneering campaigns to hold. These military operations would be escalated or re-calibrated, when called upon to do so, to support the successful conduct of the 2023 elections. The Defence Headquarters, therefore, seriously frowns on misrepresentation of the military leadership at any forum at this critical time of our nationhood.
JIMMY AKPOR
Major General
Director Defence Information
9 December 2022
December 9, 2022
DHQ Declares 19 Terrorists Wanted, Places N5m Bounty On Each
The Defence Headquarters on Monday published details of 19 wanted terrorists with a reward of N5 million reward for any person who brings information leading to the arrest of any of the insurgents.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor said Nigerians should contact the military on 09135904467 with relevant information that can lead to their capture.
The statement sighted by Channels Television saw the identities of 19 terrorist commanders who have been wreaking havocs in North-East, North-West and North-Central zones of the country.
They are:
Sani Dangote – ORIGIN: Dumbarum Village. Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State
Bello Turji Gudda – ORIGIN: FAKAI Village of Zamfara State
Leko – ORIGIN: MOZOJ VIllage, Mutazu LGA of Katsina State
Dogo Nahali – ORIGIN: YAR TSAMIYAR JNO Village. Kankara LGA of Katsina State
Halilu Sububu – ORIGIN: SUBUBU Village in MARADUN LGA of Zamfara State
Nagona – ORIGIN: ANGWAN GALADIMA in ISA LOA of Sokoto State.
Nasanda – ORIGIN: Kwashabawa, Village in Zurmi LGA of Zamara State
Isiya Kwashen Garwa – ORIGIN: KAMFANIN Daudawa Village of Faskari, Katsina State.
Ali Kachalla aka Ali Kawaje – ORIGIN: KUYAMBARA VILLAGE in Danaadau MARU LGA of Zamfara State
Abu Radde – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA Katsina State.
Dan-Da – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State
Sani Gurgu – ORIGIN: VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State
Umaru Dan Nigeria – ORIGIN: RAFI village. MADA District in GUSAULGA of Zamfara State
Nagala – ORIGIN: MARU LGA of Zamfara State
Alhaji Ado Aliero – ORIGIN: YANKUZO Village Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State
Monore – ORIGIN: YANTUMAKI Village, Dan LGA of Katsina State
Gwaska Dankarami – ORIGIN: SHAMUSHELE Village in Zuri LGA of Zamfara State
Baleri – ORIGIN: SHINKAFI LGA of Zamfara State
Mamudu Tainange – ORIGIN VARANDA Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State
November 14, 2022
Nigeria needs $6bn in three years to tackle insecurity – DHQ
The Nigerian military will need a budget of not less than $6bn in three years to effectively tackle the growing security crises across the country, the Defence Headquarters has said.
According to the Director of Production, DHQ, Air Vice Marshall M. A. Yakubu, the country will have to budget not less than $2bn annually and consecutively for at least three years to be able to make the Armed Forces efficient.
Yakubu made this known in Abuja on Monday at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Defence, on the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2021.
Director of Production, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshall M. A. Yakubu, who spoke during the public hearing on the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill said even the sources of funding which the Bill specifies would be inadequate to tackle the problem.
The House had introduced the bill over the growing security crises across the country. It seeks to “creatively make funds available through deductions from statutory receipts of the Federal Government as well as voluntary donations” for five years, subject to extension.
However, Yakubu stated the annual N100bn being projected to be an additional fund to the Armed Forces would still leave them underfunded.
The AVM said, “The last time – about two weeks ago, we had a brief discussion of what we intend to generate from this. We are estimating something in the range of N100bn per annum. Convert that to dollars because virtually all the equipment is imported. This will go nowhere! And it would not address the problem we are seeking to address unless we expand the sources.
“Nigerians, I know, are tired of being asked to pay for something. The level of poverty is severe. However, nobody wants to sleep with only one eye closed. Everybody is scared of travelling on the road because of insecurity. Therefore, I would urge that all stakeholders must educate citizens to understand the need to sacrifice because if we do not do that to address this problem, sincerely speaking, it would continue to be a mirage.
Yakubu added, “If we are not able to raise a minimum of $2bn per annum in the next three years for a start, subsequently maybe we can begin to taper down the percentages; but for a start, we need a bulk sum because many of these manufacturers of equipment require 100 per cent down payment to even start production.
“So, you cannot sign a contract, for example with the US manufacturers, and pay 15 per cent mobilisation as required by the Procurement Act. Nobody will look at you. Their terms must be followed. Many times we are asked to pay 100 per cent. An example is the Super Tucano. This one is on a government-to-government (basis). They insist on 100 per cent payment within 30 days. No budgetary allocation will fund that.”
The AVM noted that he was conversant with procurement and logistics in the military, with his experience of being a Defence attaché with the United States from 2014 to 2017, Director of Procurement at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force for another two years, and Chief of Logistics also at the headquarters of the NAF for another two years.
He said, “Every year, how do we get our budget, capital budget specifically? An arbitrary envelope is simply thrown at us. This year, for example, your budget cap should be N20bn. It does not take into consideration what the actual needs are; what do you need to meet those needs? Now that is one.
“Secondly, we are all aware of the exchange rate fluctuations. We have run into problems where even working with approved budget envelopes, we have gone ahead to sign contracts for procurement of equipment and suddenly, the exchange rate collapses on us and we are unable to fund it. We have found ourselves every year running back to the Federal Government for interventions. This is not sustainable.”
May 17, 2021
How Bandits Moved abducted Katsina Student -DHQ Reveals
The Nigerian Army on Monday gave more insight on the abduction of schoolchildren in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche explained that the bandits moved the abducted students from their hostels via motorcycles.
“They were moved on the motorcycles they (gunmen) brought and after a short distance, some of them continued with the motorcycles, others dismounted,” Major General Enenche explained on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to him, “That is their usual characteristics – those abductors. It is the same system; the same approach they used. There was no evidence, no information about them using other modes of transport.”
Enenche also corroborated the figure earlier given by Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State on the number of students missing following the attack which took place on Friday night.
“As at 2 pm yesterday (Sunday), the students that could not be accounted for reduced to 333,” he added. “Out of that 333, before I came into the studio, one escaped out of wherever they kept them.”
As efforts to rescue the students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in the north-western state intensify, Governor Masari on Monday said the abductors had contacted them.
“The Governor, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of the state, Manir Yakubu, said the kidnappers had made contact and discussions were already on pertaining to safety and return to their homes,” the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu said in a statement after Masari’s visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura.
Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, expressed optimism that with the efforts put so far, “the outlook is positive.”
The 70-year-old former Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that it was only appropriate to visit the president and give him more details of rescue efforts.
December 14, 2020
DHQ: Amnesty’s Report Designed to Discredit Military
Military authorities yesterday tackled human rights group, Amnesty International (AI) over its recent report on military operations in the North-east, saying it discredited the military.
It said in a statement that the report, which, among other issues claimed that the military killed aged people who were fleeing conflict areas.
It said the research the AI claimed it conducted did not meet the universal academic or global best practice criteria of having the justifiable percentage of sample in the population, claimed to have been investigated and thus may not be credible.
The statement signed by the Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, queried the loyalty of the respondents interviewed by the organisation and wondered whether they were loyal to Boko Haram or peace loving Borno citizens.
“The attention of the Nigerian military has been drawn to the recent report released by Amnesty International (AI) in its chapter 3 as ‘Nigerian military crimes.’
“In as much as the Nigerian military do not wish to join issues, it is imperative to clear the air. In the first place, the so-called research does not meet the universal academic or global best practice criteria, of having the justifiable percentage of sample in the population, claimed to have been investigated and thus may not be credible”, it said.
The DDMO noted that “for the entire so called research, the question is, to whom is the loyalty of the respondents selected by AI; Boko Haram or peace loving Borno citizens? However, it is desirable in the interest of the general public to bring out some contradictions in the report that tends to criminalise the Nigerian military which is not true”.
It argued that “on page 34 of the report it stated: ‘AI interviewed only a few older people who had fled Boko Haram areas during 2020, so was unable to determine if there had been changes in the military’s behaviour over the last year’.
“Note; the inability of AI to determine the military’s behaviour. Additionally, in the said report, the AI claimed that soldiers killed older people, among others who were trying to flee from their homes.”
“This accusation is also baseless as the military is guided by extant regulations and Rules of Engagement”.
Enenche maintained that “AI also admits on page 36 of their report that ‘during previous Amnesty International research, some former detainees, including children, admitted openly that they had been in the armed group – sometimes through recruitment and other times through abduction. AI cannot rule out that older people interviewed for this report at times supported Boko Haram’.This is to buttress the fact that the military will and cannot detain civilians unlawfully”.
Additionally, AI stated that “In recent years, soldiers and CJTF members involved in ‘screening” have sent fewer older people, among other groups to detention. This report also states that “Conditions have improved in recent years, especially as the Red Cross received more access to some military detention facilities, including GIWA”.
Furthermore, the report stated that, “in recent years, soldiers have increasingly refrained from detaining older people fleeing Boko Haram controlled areas”.
The statement said: “These among several others in the report are obvious contradictions to the portrayal of the Nigerian military by AI. As such, it is a deliberate attempt to discredit the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North-east which should be resisted.”
The statement further maintained that Nigerians should be assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not be deterred in the fight to rid the country of terrorists and criminals in the country despite the allegations.
“The report is clear desperation targeted at blackmailing the Nigerian military. Thus, the report should be discountenanced,” it said
December 10, 2020
Borno killings: COVID-19 affecting equipment production, delivery in North East —DHQ
The Defence Headquarters, on Monday, says the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the production and delivery of equipment including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles vital for military surveillance operations in the North-East part of the country.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, spoke on Monday while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme monitored by The PUNCH.
He also said the military authorities are restrategising to combat terrorism in Borno and other north-east states. The DHQ official was reacting to Saturday gruesome murder of at least 43 rice farmers in the Zabarmari area of the Borno.
Enenche said, “My own conceptualisation and definition of rejigging the architecture is about the strategy that we apply in the field, not anything beyond that. The strategy is what we are working on. We hold meetings every other time, particularly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and also at short notices. We think about how to make the strategies better always. Just like what happened on Saturday.
“Rejigging now is how do we make it better to avert another attack. We are looking at the composition of the force, the approach, tactics and the operational moves that we do there. If there is the need to change some tactics, we will change them.”
The DHQ official also said the military authorities are working on strengthening surveillance in the north-east area but said some equipment have not been delivered by Original Engine Manufacturers because of the pandemic which disrupted activities globally.
He said, “The COVID-19 pandemic gave all sectors setback has far as I am concerned. We are all aware that we have to make UAVs and other devices that can provide surveillance for us beyond human surveillance and intelligence.
“The production of military equipment is not something that is like cooking; it is a mechanical device. Production was on but COVID-19 gave this a setback.
November 30, 2020
Troops eliminate another top Boko Haram commander Abu Usamah – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) have eliminated another top Boko Haram commander, Abu Usamah in an encounter on March 22 at Gorgi in Borno.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said that the military communication confirmed by accurate intelligence that Abu Usamah was among Boko Haram insurgents killed during the encounter.
He explained that Usamah had earlier sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the fire fight that ensued during the encounter before his foot soldiers hurriedly evacuated him and withdrew.
“Nevertheless, Abu Usamah died in the process.
“His death has no doubt created a consequential vacuum in the Boko Haram leadership particularly as the gallant troops remain resilient and continue to rout the criminal elements from their last enclaves in the North East.
“It would be recalled that on March 22, troops of OPLD, while conducting a special clearance operation in a subsidiary Operation called Operation AYISO TAMONUMA, decimated some key Boko Haram elements in an encounter at Gorgi in Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.
“In our earlier Briefing, we reported over 100 Boko Haram insurgents neutralised while scores of them escaped with gunshot wounds.
“This was in addition to several equipment casualty suffered by Boko Haram insurgents,” he said.
Onyeuko further disclosed that troops of 159 Task Force Battalion on March 27, neutralised scores of the Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents who attempted to infiltrate their location at Forward Operating Base Kanama, Yunusari LGA of Yobe.
He said the terrorists were severely decimated by the gallant ground troops supported by the Air Component of OPLD.
“They withdrew in disarray under superior fire power and were subsequently crushed by own troops.
“Furthermore, during the encounter several terrorists were neutralised while one Gun Truck and various arms and ammunition were captured by the troops.
“These include; one DSHK Gun, two AK 47 Rifles and magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 273 rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun ammunition, 101 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 15 Jerri cans of Premium Motor Spirit and a Boko Haram Terrorists flag.
“Meanwhile, the Military High Command has congratulated the gallant troops for their resilience, courage and dedication to the noble cause of defending our fatherland against the criminal elements. They were equally enjoined to continue to be steadfast and relentless against the enemies of our nation,” he added.
March 30, 2020
DHQ harmonises communication channels for military operations nationwide
The Defence Headquarters has established the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DMO) to ensure seamless and harmonised information dissemination on the various military operations across the country.
The Coordinator of DMO, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this at the maiden media briefing of the directorate on Wednesday in Abuja.
Enenche said that the new outfit of the Armed Forces was the latest strategic initiative of the Chief of Defence Staff, in line with the military effort on media operations.
According to him, the channel of communicating the operational activities of the Nigerian military to the public has been streamlined to one source which is henceforth the Directorate of Defence Media Operations.
“This implies that the directorate is now the clearing house for all information relating to the operational activities of the armed forces, which will provide authentic information on all issues bothering on military operations.
“Additionally, the directorate is to disseminate information on multi agency operations of which the Nigerian military is the lead agency.
“In clear terms, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations is responsible for press briefings, releases and other press activities on all military led multi agency operations, for internal and international engagements.
“The purpose of this establishment is to ensure that the armed forces communicate its operational activities through one channel to the general public.
“It is envisioned to achieve “information delivery for positive effect”, at strategic, operational, tactical and other levels of our target audience,’’ he said.
Enenche, however, called for cooperation and support of the media for the directorate to enable it to deliver on its mandate.
He assured that the military would continue to review and restrategise to tackle the security challenges in the country in order to ensure adequate security of lives and property.
On his part, the Director of the Directorate, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyiukwu, said the directorate was created out of the need to interface with the media and the public on all Armed Forces of Nigeria military operations both internal and external.
Onyiukwu added that it would collate and disseminate timely and credible information to the media in order to create a balanced understanding of military operations and their objectives.
He said it was imperative for the armed forces to keep the citizens abreast with the activities of its various operations towards addressing the myriads of security challenges confronting the country.
According to him, the current security challenges in the country range from activities of insurgents in the North East; cattle rustling, banditry and kidnapping in the North West; farmers/herders conflict in the North Central.
“The South generally is characterized by militancy, oil theft, and cultism.
“Currently, we have a total of nine ongoing Armed Forces of Nigeria operations in different parts of the country, besides the Multinational Joint Task Force Operation, with its headquarters at N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.
“The operations are Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Delta Safe, Operation Safe Haven, Operation Awatse, Operation Safe Corridor and Operation Whirl Stroke.
“Others are, Operation Whirl Punch, Operation Thunder Strike and Operation Hadarin Daji.
“The directorate is established to coordinate, collate and disseminate information from the theatres of all Armed Forces of Nigeria led operations,’’ he said.
The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said that the new directorate emanated from lack of harmonised information management from the various theatres of operation across the country.
Nwachukwu said that the Directorate of Defence Information would no longer speak on the military operations, but would continue to perform its statutory duties.
March 18, 2020