Tag: Maj. Gen. John Eneche

  • The Armed Forces have checkmated Terrorism – DHQ

    The Armed Forces have checkmated Terrorism – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters says the armed forces of Nigeria have done well in the fight against terrorism by decimating the potency of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the initial delay in tackling the menace made it to gain momentum, taking over territories and setting up administrative structures before there were knocked off in 2016 by the military.

    He said that the open display of powers and authority by the Boko Haram members no longer exist in the North East, adding that no single district or community could be said to be under the control of the insurgents.

    “The issue of bombings that even spread to other places like Abuja, Kano, Niger and Kogi States, including their slipper cells no longer exist.

    “What about suicide bombing, which is one of the signs of terrorism? It was rife and even at our checkpoints they come and detonate bombs as well as public gatherings; all these have been nipped properly.

    “If you put all these together, I can tell you that terrorism has been checkmated.

    “However, the signs are still there with isolated action here and there; common with terrorism,” he said.

    Enenche said that history had shown that terrorism was a very resilient type of enemy activity against the people, adding that the type of terrorism in Nigeria was not a smart one, but rooted in the state of mind of a group of people.

    He said the Boko Haram and ISWAP forms of terrorism were hybrid threats that had become protracted with immediate and remote causes.

    According to him, the actual terrorism started about 10 years ago, it gained momentum and as it were, the state actors then were not clear about the motive, because of other issues that came up.

    The spokesperson said the actions of the Federal Government and the military since 2015 had greatly checkmated the intensity of terrorist activities across the country and the North East in particular.

    He urged the populace to be bold in coming out to provide information on activities of the terrorists to aid the security agencies to track their locations.

  • Troops Rescue Three Abducted Victims, Kill Bandit, Several Insurgents

    Troops Rescue Three Abducted Victims, Kill Bandit, Several Insurgents

    Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued three persons kidnapped by bandits in Nasarawa State.

    The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche Major General, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

    He explained that the rescue operation was conducted on Thursday at Mararaba Udege general area in Nasarawa Local Government Area.

    Enenche noted that the soldiers killed one bandit in the ensuing firefight while the kidnapped victims were subsequently reunited with their respective families.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until all enemies of the country are neutralised and normalcy is restored to all troubled zones,” he said.

    Several Terrorists Killed

    Elsewhere, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.

    The military spokesman noted that the troops took out the terrorists’ hideouts in Alagarno, including a compound housing some high-value Boko Haram leaders.

    “The compound, concealed under thick vegetation and located 2.3Km North East of KAFA, was being used by the terrorists to coordinate their nefarious activities.

    “The destruction of the locations was achieved through multiple air strikes executed on 6 January 2021 as the ATF dispatched appropriate force packages of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and attack helicopters to engage the target areas in day and night raids,” he stated.

    Enenche noted that the insurgents were spotted under the dense vegetation of the locations and the NAF attack aircraft took turns to engage the targets, killing several of them in the process.

  • 2,403 Criminals Killed, 864 Kidnapped Victims Rescued in 2020 – DHQ

    2,403 Criminals Killed, 864 Kidnapped Victims Rescued in 2020 – DHQ

    No fewer than two thousand criminals have been killed by troops between March and December across various parts of the country, the military has said.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing a press conference in Abuja.

    He explained that a total of 2,403 criminals were neutralised in a bid to contain the excesses of insurgents, kidnappers and others whose activities threaten the peace and security of Nigeria.

    General Enenche added that troops rescued a total of 864 kidnapped victims across the country and arrested 1,910 criminals with a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered during the period.

    He stated that the military would continue to sustain the offensive against all criminal elements and not relent until peace was restored to every troubled zone in the country.

    The military spokesman also reassured Nigerians that the military remained committed to its duty of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

    He, however, called for the provision of timely and credible information that would aid the military in the fight against insurgency and emerging security challenges.

    Read the full text of General Enenche’s briefing below:

    PRESS BRIEFING

    RECORD OF ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2020 FROM 18 MARCH TO 30 DECEMBER

    As you are aware, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) came into full operations from 18 March 2020.

    Since its establishment, the DDMO have worked assiduously to meet its mandate; to manage military operations information from all theatres of operation across the Country.

    All through, the Directorate provided a single, coordinated voice to disseminate timely and credible information on all Defence Headquarters-led operations.

    We have achieved these through daily press releases, weekly press briefings, as well as quarterly updates and sometimes personal appearances on different media houses, and these would not have been possible without your cooperation and support, gentlemen of the press. We honestly appreciate you.

    As we come to the end of the year, it is necessary for us to jog memories on the unrelenting and committed efforts of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to resolve the security challenges across the country.

    This would give a better perspective of the cumulative results of our operational activities and achievements. Against this backdrop, I will be giving a record on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operations from 18 March to 30 December 2020.

    The efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers and men of the Military as well as other security agencies that conduct these operations have been progressive.

    Within the period under review, troops engaged in a series of land, maritime and air operations, involving both kinetic and non-kinetic activities across the country.

    The land operations conducted among others across the various theatres of operation include; clearance, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments and aggressive patrols.

    Others were maritime operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-crude oil theft and anti-pipeline vandalism operations as well as other duties such as anti-smuggling operations.

    Furthermore, comprehensive air operations including air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support and air cover for ground troops.

    Although some of our troops paid the supreme prize in the course of the operations, our dogged troops have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations.

    Within the timeframe in focus, troops neutralised scores of terrorists and bandits, while many others were incapacitated, and their camps destroyed.

    Our operations also inhibited activities of economic saboteurs as well as exposed and obviated other criminal activities.

    In addition, several other criminal elements, including high profile ones were either killed in action or arrested, sometimes together with their families as well as informants and gunrunners.

    Besides, there are records of scores of criminals surrendering due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower and intelligence activities.

    Other feats recorded in the course of our operations were the rescue of kidnapped victims, prominent among which, is the recent rescue of 344 schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, as well as the Islamiya children, all in Katsina State.

    Others were repelling and forestallment of terrorists and bandits’ attacks on civilians and troops. Troops also recovered caches of arms and ammunition, equipment, vehicles and oodles of livestock within the period.

    You may as well recall that, in the maritime environment, troops in major and subsidiary operations were able to disrupt smuggling activities, immobilise illegal refining sites, arrest perpetrators, seize foreign parboiled rice and recover tons of petroleum products.

    In the North-West zone of the country, between 18 March and 31 December 2020, a cumulative total of 5,281 livestock, 6,951 rounds of ammunition and 120 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by the gallant troops in the Zone.

    Furthermore, a total of 455 kidnapped victims were rescued and 473 armed bandits were killed in action.

    In the same vein, a total of 461 arrests were made in the Zone including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandits’ collaborators, while total cash of N6,365,550 was recovered from armed bandits and their informants in the Zone.

    Progressively, in the North-East zone of the Country within the period, 200 kidnapped victims were rescued by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    A total of 1,385 rounds of ammunition, 45 grenades as well as 95 assorted rifles were recovered from BHT/ISWAP fighters. In addition, several gun trucks were captured, while some others were destroyed during air strikes.

    Equally, 1,805 insurgents/terrorists including commanders were killed by the troops aside scores killed by air raids/attacks. Additionally, within the period, a total of 79 arrests were made including high-value targets.

    In the North-Central zone of the country, within the period, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and THUNDER STRIKE have achieved appreciable successes.

    A total of 130 kidnapped victims were rescued and 105 assorted rifles as well as 513 rounds of ammunition and 1,055 rustled cattle, were recovered from armed bandits and other criminal elements in the Zone.

    In the same vein, a total of 1,250 criminals including family members of the Darul Salam sect were arrested within the period. Furthermore, troops neutralised a total of 125 armed bandits including militia gang leaders.

    In the South-South Zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies recorded remarkable results in their efforts against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes in the Zone.

    Within the period under review, a cumulative total of 8,890,300 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,00 litres of DPK were impounded by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE.

    In the same vein, the gallant troops immobilised a total of 185 illegal refining sites, 85 dugout pits and 163 metal storage tanks within the period.

    Additionally, troops impounded a cumulative total of 31,236.8 barrels of stolen crude oil as well as 12,272,652 litres of stolen PMS from oil thieves in the Zone. Also, a total of 47 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 72 vandals and criminals were arrested.

    Furthermore, a total of 4,250 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled smuggled rice were impounded and 45 boats engaged in illegal activities were arrested.

    Troops also arrested a total of 53 pirates and 25 trucks as well as recovered 23 rifles, 65,330 rounds of ammunition and destroyed 23 sea pirate camps.

    Similarly, troops of Operation AWATSE in the South-West Zone between 18 March and 30 December 2020, impounded a total of 10,458,600 litres of PMS; 15,345 barrels of stolen crude oil and 345,000 litres of stolen AGO.

    Additionally, troops recovered a total of 3,594 rounds of ammunition and 14 assorted rifles. Also, within the period, a total of 23 illegal refining sites were immobilised, while 15 boats and 23 trucks engaged in illegal activities were arrested.

    In the same vein, within the period 35 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 48 arrests were made.

    In addition to the kinetic operations, the Armed Forces of Nigeria carried out non-kinetic operations in form of Civil-Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC).

    A total of 92 boreholes were sunk for host communities and 16 schools and worship centres were renovated across the Country.

    Additionally, 16 clinics and dispensaries were constructed and donated, including buses to host communities.

    Moreover, the Armed Forces of Nigeria constructed roads installed transformers and solar power equipment in some host communities. The military also fostered several stakeholders and reconciliation meetings between hostile communities and carried out medical outreaches.

    In summary, the Armed Forces of Nigeria from 18 March to 30 December 2020 neutralised 2,403 criminal elements across the Country. This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes.

    Troops also rescued a total of 864 kidnapped victims across the Country. In addition, a total of 9,684,797 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,000 litres of DPK were recovered.

    Equally, 1,910 criminal elements were arrested, and a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment were recovered during the period.

    Furthermore, a total of 46,581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22,881,257 litres of stolen PMS were recovered by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    Gleaning from the available information as I have just presented, there is no gainsaying that the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the Year 2020 yielded appreciable results.

    Our operational performance for the year is a show of our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our great Nation.

    We will continue to sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to protect our economic assets anywhere.

    The High Command of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public for their support and further solicit their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive engagements in our operations.

    The Military High Command also commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment.

    Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the country.

    Once again, I thank members of the press for their understanding and support for our course.

    JOHN ENENCHE

    Major General

    Coordinator

    Defence Media Operations

    Defence Headquarters

    31 December, 2020

  • Nigerian Army Confirms 333 Students Missing

    Nigerian Army Confirms 333 Students Missing

    The Nigerian Army on Monday December 14, confirmed that 333 students are still missing after bandits attacked Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina on Friday night.

    Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche corroborated the figure earlier released by the Katsina State Government while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today. 

    Eneche said; 

    “The principal reported that he had 839 in the boarding house; and as at the time they were abducted, shortly after that, some came back and it was about five hundred plus that did not return. 

    “As at 2 pm yesterday (Sunday), the students that could not be accounted for reduced to 333. Out of that 333, before I came into the studio, one escaped out of wherever they kept them.”

    Eneche also gave an insight on how the students were moved from the school. According to the Defence Spokesperson, the abductors used motorcycles to ferry the schoolchildren into the bush from where some of the students escaped.

    He said; 

    “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.”

  • Defence Headquarters Cant Decide On Hiring Of Mercenaries To Fight Insurgency In Borno Even Foreign Military Facilitators Shun Nigeria

    Defence Headquarters Cant Decide On Hiring Of Mercenaries To Fight Insurgency In Borno Even Foreign Military Facilitators Shun Nigeria

    By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

    Defence Headquarters has reacted to the call for the federal government to recruit foreign mercenaries to assist  the military in executing the counter-terrorism war in the Northeast, claiming that it was not  in a position to decide for the Federal Government .
    It could be recalled that, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State  recently appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to engage services of foreigners to rout the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria.

    He made the call while receiving a federal delegation that was on a condolence visit over the recent killing of 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere council area of the state.

    He said that, former President Goodluck Jonathan hired expatriates, including South Africans, to fight the terrorists in the build-up to the 2015 general elections and that the mercenaries were believed to have contributed to the feats the Nigerian Army recorded in the weeks leading to the polls, but that Buhari’s government, however, jettisoned the idea, promising instead, to equip the military for better result.

    Coordinator, Defence Military Operations (DMO), Major General John Enenche, spoke at the weekly press briefing on operations of the armed forces, in Abuja, noted that the military had evolved, pointing out that, “The armed forces we have 150 years ago are not the same with what we have now.“

    I want to say that the kind of armed forces and security agencies we have now is normally determined by the people. It is not in our powers to say yes or no. So, it is what the government wants,” he explained.

    And faulted the claim by the Boko Haram insurgents that the Borno massacre was in retaliation for the arrest of one of theirs as contained in a video released on Tuesday, the terrorists had also accused the farmers of revealing their itinerary to soldiers.

    The coordinator said the allegation was a propaganda geared at discouraging the people from cooperating with security agencies.

    He said intelligence revealed that the farmers were called for a meeting with the insurgents on the day they were slaughtered.

    MEANWHILE, it was gathered that those foreign troops recruited in the past have vowed not to return.

    Pleading anonymity, one of the facilitators of “Soldiers of fortune” bemoaned the alleged humiliation and persecution of foreign mercenaries with their Nigerian counterparts by current administration in the country.

    He said: “In fact, some of our covert operations and activities of operatives in Nigeria, including incurred casualties, were exposed as working for mercenaries. Imagine that even highly classified and coded transactions for operational purposes were exposed as corruption.”

    While stating that some of them were still being owed, he added: “It’s easier to confirm what we did because we were able to recover dozens of towns from Boko Haram in at least three states in the North East at the time. This is an open secret.”

    He regretted that some Nigerian military and intelligence officers that participated in the operations were not only were retired, but also prosecuted and convicted.

    The facilitator stated that the mercenaries find it difficult to work in a country where their operations, strategy and thinking are exposed to the media and judicial processes.

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    VGN Condoles Borno State Government, Urged FG To Includes Community policing In Fighting Insecurity

    Attack On Borno Farmers is Satanic – Tinubu

    Nigeria Association Of Women Journalist, Nawoj, Condemns Zabarmari Massaccre Of Farmers In Borno.

  • What we have counted with the locals is still 43 Not 110 bodies – Maj. Gen. John Eneche counters UN

    What we have counted with the locals is still 43 Not 110 bodies – Maj. Gen. John Eneche counters UN

    Nigerian Defence Headquarters’ Director of Information, Maj. Gen. John Eneche has countered the United Nations’ claim of 110 people being killed over the weekend in Borno. 

    LIB reported earlier that United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon said no fewer than 110 farmers were killed in Saturday, November 28 attack on rice farms in Zabarmari community in Borno state.

    Reacting to this in an interview on Channels Television today November 30, Eneche stated that what the military have so far counted with the locals is 43 bodies. He noted that the military is still searching for dead bodies, while also admitting that some people ran into the bush during the attack. 

    He added that while there is a possibility of the death toll rising, he is however hopeful that those who ran into the bush will return alive.