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Lekki massacre: Nigerian Army denies shooting #EndSARS protesters, says Lagos govt asked its officers to intervene
The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) has denied the allegation that soldiers opened fire on #ENDSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Tuesday, October 20.
In a statement released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations (ADPR), Major Osoba Olaniyi, the Division confirmed the involvement of soldiers in restoring order in Lagos following the imposition of a curfew on the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Read the statement below
“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilian protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki Toll Plaza. This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country.
At no time did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian. From the onset of the ENDSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division Nigerian Army Lagos were involved.
However, the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government (LASG) after a 24- hour curfew was imposed.
This was as a result of the violence which led to several police stations being burnt, policemen killed, suspects in police custody released and weapons carted away.
The situation was fast degenerating into anarchy. It was at this point that LASG requested for the military to intervene in order to restore normalcy.
The intervention of the military followed all laid down procedures for Internal Security operations and all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Internal Security operations.
Finally, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army reiterates Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
This allegation is the hand work of mischief makers who will stop at nothing to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army. The general public is hereby enjoined to discountenance this allegation as there is no iota of truth therein.”
October 28, 2020
Nigerian Army says it has arrested the soldier who recorded a video begging his colleagues not to shoot at #EndSARS protesters
The Nigerian Army says it has arrested the soldier who recorded a video begging his colleagues not to shoot at #EndSARS protesters
The soldier now identified as Lance Corporal Harrison Friday, wore a hood in a video he made in which he begged his colleagues not to shoot at end SARS protesters even if they were sent to do so.
In a post shared on its Twitter handle this morning October 21, the Nigerian Army says Harrison carried out ‘cybercrime’ and that he has now been arrested.
October 21, 2020
#EndSARS: Crocodile Smile VI is not targeted at #EndSARS protesters – Nigerian Army assures
The Nigerian Army on Sunday assured that its Operation Crocodile Smile drill was not targeting anti-SARS protesters.
Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Musa Sagir, said contrary to insinuations, the operation was not aimed at stifling the ongoing nationwide protest.
Sagir disclosed this in a statement he issued, on Sunday.
He noted that the Army has been professional since the protest started “nearly two weeks ago”.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some social media stuff wrongfully condemning the Army and its Leadership over the announcement of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI particularly the Cyber Warfare Component of the Exercise. This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020 has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever,” the statement read.
“For the records, Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is a yearly exercise in the NA Calendar/Forecast of Events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year.
“Thus, to now insinuate that it is an exercise meant to stifle the ongoing ENDSARS protest is to say the least highly misinformed. Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI has nothing to do with the ongoing protest and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protest in any form whatsoever. So far, the army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago
“The army hereby enjoins all law abiding Nigerians to go about their lawful activities unhindered as the Exercise has nothing to do with ENDSARS protest, but a yearly event set out to train NA officers and soldiers in its efforts to ensuring safety and security of Nigeria and her citizens.”
October 19, 2020
Army launches ‘Crocodile Smile’ as #EndSARS protest spreads to more cities
The Nigerian Army says it is set to start its annual exercise “Crocodile Smile” to identify, track and “counter negative propaganda” in the social media and across the cyberspace.
In a statement, Musa Sagir, army spokesman, said the exercise will begin from Tuesday.
“This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE V1 is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020,” Sagir said.
“The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace.
“This is the first ever Cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central and North Western parts of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise.”
The exercise is coming at a time when young persons are out on the streets in major cities across the country.
October 17, 2020
#EndSARS: Army threatens ‘decisive action’ against ‘trouble makers, anti-democratic forces’
The Nigerian Army has issued a warning against persons it tagged “subversive elements and trouble makers” and warned them to desist from such acts.
The army said it remained committed to defending the country and her democracy “at all cost.”
In what could be described as a veiled warning to the #EndSARS protesters, who have been occupying the streets for the past one week, and demanding the reform of the Nigeria Police, the NA threatened to “deal with any situation decisively”.
The army authorities stated this in a statement titled, ‘Nigerian Army remains resolute to the peace and stability of the nation,’ signed by the acting Director Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa,
on Wednesday.
It read, “The Nigerian Army wishes to reassure law-abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria.
“As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the NA reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the country.
“The Nigeria Army hereby, warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defending the country and her democracy at all cost.
“The Nigeria Army is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively.”
The military authorities directed officers and men “never to be distracted by anti-democratic forces and agents of disunity.”
October 15, 2020
Boko Haram commander, 4 wives surrender to Nigerian Army
A top Boko Haram Commander has surrendered alongside his four wives to troops of the Nigerian Army.
Also, seven bandits have been killed and eight kidnapped victims rescued from bandits at Fankama and Sabon Layi area of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State by the troops.
This was disclosed by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche while addressing journalists on Wednesday, in Abuja.
Although Enenche did not give further details on the surrendered Boko Haram commander, he said the success was recorded as a result of actionable intelligence by the troops.
“In the north-east, within the period under review, troops of operation Lafiya Dole conducted a series of air and ground operations on terrorist enclaves t different locations in Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa State.
“Notably, a high profile Boko Haram terrorist commander surrendered with four of his wives to our troops,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops of Army Super Camp Malumfatori at the Lake Chad Basin destroyed several identified terrorists’ camps and hideouts located at Tunbun Gini, Tunbun Nbororo, Tunbun Kayoma, Tunbun Kaza, Tunbun Fulani at the fringes of Lake Chad in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Several top BHT/ISWAP commanders including Abu Usman, Alhaji Shettima, Modu Mainok, Bukar Gana, Abu Summayya, Amir Taam and Amir Kuraish were killed during the operation.
Major General Enenche announced this in a statement on Thursday.
He added that “the Armed Forces of Nigeria working together with other security agencies are highly committed to ending the insurgency and other security challenges in the country.”
He then assured that the troop are committed to the safety of lives and property within the North-East, they are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with timely and credible information that will assist them in the conduct of their operations.
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September 24, 2020
Nigerian army to investigate attack on Borno governor’s convoy
The Nigerian Army is to investigate Wednesday’s attack on the convoy of Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Musa said that the governor’s convoy came under terrorists fire while visiting Baga town.
He said the governor had earlier paid a visit to the Commander, 19 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Super Camp Baga where he was briefed about the prevailing security situation in the general area.
According to him, the unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the Governor and his entourage departed the Super Campaign to visit other parts of Baga town.
“The incident forced the Governor to abort his planned movement to Baga.
“Although, details of the unfortunate incident is sketchy and under investigation, efforts are ongoing to comb the area where the incident occurred with a view to track down and deal decisively with the attackers.
“An investigation is also in progress to identify the circumstances that led to the attack,” he said.
Musa however, said that the attach was an isolated and most unfortunate incident owing to the fact that normalcy had since been restored to Baga with socio-economic activities picking up.
“Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that it will continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally with respect for the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians and in compliance with the extant rules of engagement.
“The good people of Baga town and indeed the entire Borno State are enjoined to continue to provide credible information that will assist the security agencies to successfully combat terrorism as well as apprehend and flush out the perpetrators of the attack,” he said. (NAN)
July 30, 2020
Nigerian troops neutralise ISWAP leaders, destroy its structures in Borno
The Defence Headquarters says that several leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and fighters have been neutralised in a successful air interdiction mission by Nigerian forces at Alinwa in Borno.
The Acting-Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko added that the air strike also destroyed the dwellings of the terrorists as they gathered for meetings in a cluster of settlements West of Alinwa on the Lake Chad green fringes in Northern Borno on Wednesday.
He disclosed that the feat was achieved during the ongoing subsidiary Operation Decisive Edge.
According to him, the air strike was executed on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports, indicating that some top ISWAP Commanders with their fighters and designated suicide bombers had assembled at the location for meetings.
The meeting was aimed at orchestrating coordinated attacks against a number of targets in Borno and environs.
“Operation Lafiya Dole therefore dispatched its fighter jets to the location, recording devastating hits on many of the structures housing the ISWAP leaders and fighters, destroying them and neutralising their occupants.
“The Nigerian military will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our nation.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, enjoins the troops of OPLD to maintain the momentum” he said. (NAN)
March 20, 2020
Nigerian Army showcases innovations at Science, Technology EXPO
The Nigerian Army on Wednesday showcased its innovations in defence equipment at the ongoing Science and Technology EXPO 2020.
The expo is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja.
The expo with the theme “Enhancing the growth of Diversified Economy through Science and Technology”, is aimed at highlighting the role of innovation in economic diversification.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, led other senior army officers to visit the various stands where military wares were on display on Wednesday in Abuja.
Buratai was conducted round to inspect some of the indigenous fighting equipment manufactured by Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in collaboration with Command Engineering Depot (CED) in Kaduna.
Some of the locally made Combat and Support equipment displayed by the army include military kits, EZUGWU Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) amoured vehicles and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
The SPVs come in multiple configurations with specific built to meet client’s need and mission purpose.
Other equipment on display were fabricated Mobil Drilling Machine, Infantry Patrol Vehicle normally used for quick personnel insertion patrol and Special Forces related operations, among others.
Other exhibition stands inspected by Buratai include the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFRA), which showcased mobile bakery, fish feed, Bio Tea and Cassava flour, among others.
The COAS also visited the Nigerian Army Schools of Medical Sciences (NASMS), where Surgical/Orthopaedic processing, fabrication of Dental appliances, brewery and food Industries, including POP ceiling products were unveiled.
He also inspected the Nigerian Army Systems Development Centre where the COAS was shown some other products including Under Vehicle Inspection Robot, Under Vehicle Inspection System, Mobile Combat Surveillance with Ballistic Helmet and Fuelless Power Generator.
Buratai also visited some stands meant for the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, including other government agencies and private sectors where very strategic equipments were introduced.
The expo, which started on Monday, is expected to end on Friday. (NAN)
March 19, 2020
Army begins training engagement with Californian National Guards
The Nigerian Army on Monday commenced training engagements with Californian National Guards of the United States.
The engagement which is ongoing at the Warrant Officers Academy in Jaji, Kaduna, was part of the measures toward curtailing security challenges in Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, noted that the engagement with the Californian National Guards on Training Nigeria soldiers was due to the growing insecurity witnessed in the last two decades around the world.
Buratai, represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Stephen Olabanji, said that the transnational nature of the security threats necessitated multilateral and bilateral efforts in the forms of alliance and coalition between states and inter-governmental organisations.
According to him, the United States is spearheading the war on terror both within her territory and in faraway regions making her one of the most experienced countries in the handling of irregular warfare.
“This training engagement is timely and a great opportunity for the United States and Nigeria to share their vast operational experiences,” Buratai said.
He charged the participants of the training to derive maximum benefits and the Americans to give their best for the benefit of Nigeria’s peace and security.
In his speech, the Commandant, Warrant Officers Academy, Brig.-Gen Sale Kawugana, said that the reason for the engagement with the Americans was due to the vast nature of security threats faced in Nigeria.
“We need alliance and coalition with other countries in order to curtail the security challenges we are facing.
”The engagement with the Americans would help the soldiers to adjust and improve on approaches to our perception of issues and method of tackling the threats,” he said.
The team leader of the Californian National Guards, Sgt. First-Class Kelvin Brandy, said that soldiers were the backbone of the fight against terrorism and therefore had to be engaged in all sorts of military tactics and training.
“By teaching them, we are also learning from them, it will all translate into a better understanding of what is needed for a proper security.
“A lot of times, it’s just not understanding what we are fighting, once we learn, understand and share knowledge with one another we can adjust properly to each of those concerns throughout the country, not just in one area or region,” Brandy said. (NAN)
March 10, 2020