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Health

Nigerian Army de-worms 5,000 children in Kaduna

Nigerian Army de-worms 5,000 children in Kaduna
NAN-H-5
Outreach
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, March 7, 2018 (NAN) The 1 Division of Nigeria Army, Kaduna, on Wednesday said it had de-wormed no fewer than 5,000 children and 3,970 adults in Guruku and Kankaji communities, Birnin Gawri Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The representative of the 44 Army Reference Hospital and Army Medical Corps, Lt.-Col. Sunny Ogoh, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Ogboh said the medical outreach took place on March 5 and 6 in Kaduna, adding “today (March 7) we will be in Tegina in Niger state’’.
He explained that the medical outreach was aimed at reaching residents of the communities who lack access to medical health facilities.
According to him, 650 treated mosquito nets were offered to residents of the two communities, while drugs and free reading eye glasses were given free.
“So far, we treated cases such as malaria, fever, eye problems and has successfully de-wormed about 2,000 children in Guruku community,’’ Ogoh said.
He said some of the patients have been referred to the 44 Army Reference Hospital and 1 Div Hospital, Kaduna, for further treatment free of charge.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Col. Mohammed Dole, said the medical outreach programme was conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and Kaduna State Ministry of Health in Birnin Gwari and Pandogari.
Dole said the beneficiaries of the outreach are settlements and villages that the army was conducting exercise “Ayem A’Kpatuma’’ (Cat Race) in Birnin Gwari and some parts of Niger state.
He explained that the operation was aimed at curbing security challenges such as armed banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and terrorism in the affected area.
“The operation had recorded achievements in rescuing victims of kidnap, rustled cattle as well as arresting kidnapping syndicates,’’ the spokesman said.
NAN reports that exercise “Ayem A’kpatuma” covers six states, including Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Taraba.
The exercise began on Feb. 15 and is expected to end on March 31.
NAN further reports that 1 Division Nigeria Army in collaboration with the Police, Civil Defence and Department of Security Service is also conducting the exercise in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area and Pandogari community in Niger state. (NAN)
TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Rescue: Army confirms killing of 3 kidnap suspects in Kogi

Rescue: Army confirms killing of 3 kidnap suspects in Kogi
NAN–H–41
Rescue
Lokoja, Feb. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of three kidnap suspects and a soldier
in Kogi during a rescue operation on Tuesday.

The spokesman of the Command Army Records, Lokoja, Capt. Weri Finikumor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone in Lokoja that some of the suspected kidnappers have been arrested and helping the military in its investigations.

Finikumor assured residents that operation “exercise cat race” was ongoing to curtail criminality and boost security in the state.

He said that the army would make details of the exercise public as soon as it was concluded.

NAN had gathered that a soldier and three suspected kidnappers lost their lives in Okene area of Kogi on Feb. 26 during a gun duel between some soldiers and a gang of kidnappers.

It was gathered that the gun duel ensued when the soldiers were attempting to rescue an oil magnate, Alhaji Momoh Otinau, from the suspected kidnappers that abducted him on Feb. 17.

Otinau was kidnapped in front of a mosque in Okene while relaxing with friends.

A relation of the kidnapped victim who has been negotiating with the kidnappers was said to have informed soldiers believed to be part of those prosecuting “exercise cat race” of his intention to go and drop a ransom for the kidnappers.

The soldiers then decided to follow him with the intention to rescue the victim and arrest the suspects.

This, however, proved fatal as the kidnappers on sighting the relation approaching the designated point with the armed soldiers immediately opened fire on them.

In the exchange of gun shots that followed, a soldier and three suspected kidnappers lost their lives while Otinau also sustained gunshot injury.

A source at the General Hospital, Lokoja, also confirmed to newsmen that the corpse of the soldier was deposited at the morgue. (NAN)
KKA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Council boss commends Army for renovating PHC

Council boss commends Army for renovating PHC
NAN-HG-3
Commendation
By Awayi Kuje
Akun (Nasarawa State), Feb. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Emma Yaro, the Overseer of Akun Development Area, Nasarawa State, on Thursday commended the Nigerian Army for renovating a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) at Akpata.
Yaro made the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Akpata, headquarters of the development area.
The council boss said this shortly after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. – Gen. Tukur Burutai, inaugurated the renovated clinic.
He said the commendation became imperative considering the importance of healthcare to the socio-economic development of the people.
“We are grateful to the Nigerian Army as the project would go a long way in meeting the health needs of the people of this area and the state at large.
“I told my people that the military that you see around are not for war, but for war against diseases,’’ he said.
Yaro assured that the facility would be put to good use for the benefit of the people.
He also commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for his developmental strides in all fields of human endeavours.
He urged the people to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari and Al-Makura in their efforts at improving the lives of Nigerians.
Yaro also appealed to the people to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
Buratai had earlier said the gesture was executed under the civil-military relations project to complement government efforts in providing medical services to the needy. (NAN)
AKW/MOL/MST
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

Retirement: Court sets March 15 to hear Gen. Sani’s applications against Army

Retirement: Court sets March 15 to hear Gen. Sani’s applications against Army
NAN-H-104
Retirement
By Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Abuja, Jan. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has slated March 15 for the hearing of two applications challenging the alleged illegal retirement of Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Sani from the Nigerian Army.
The court was billed to hear an application for an order compelling the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, and the Judge Advocate of the Nigerian Army Court Martial, Col. S.I Musa, to produce the records of the proceedings before the court.
The court was also expected to hear an application seeking to stay the execution of the decision of the army panel.
A three-member panel of justices presided by Justice Abubakar Yahaya on Wednesday adjourned to enable the new counsel to Sani, Magaji Mahmoud (SAN), to file the relevant processes.
Counsel to the Nigerian Army, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who initially opposed the application on grounds that the army is ready to go on with the application, however, agreed with the justices that the adjournment would be in the interest of justice.
Earlier, counsel to Sani, Paul Sule, had written the Nigerian Army to produce the record of proceedings of the Special Court Martial, while informing it that the justices of the Court of Appeal had on Dec. 12, 2017, directed parties to maintain status quo ante bellum.
He added that: “It is therefore only pertinent that we point out that nothing must be done by either of the parties to the pending application for stay of execution which will or has the effect or tendency to render the application nugatory or foist upon the Court of Appeal a hopeless and or helpless situation.”
Sani is challenging the decision of the Special Court Martial set up by the Chief of Army Staff, which convicted him and was purportedly affirmed by the Army Council on Nov. 4, 2017.
The suit is an appeal against the ruling of the court-martial and two letters from the headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Ministry of Defence with Reference number: AHQ DOAA/GI/300/197, dated Nov. 17, and signed by Maj.-Gen. F.O. Agugo.
It was titled: “Third Army Council Decision for Implementation Maj.-Gen. I Sani (N/7361)’’.
There was also another letter signed by Brig.-Gen. F. Yahaya, the Acting Military Secretary, Headquarters, for the Nigerian Army with reference number: AHQ MS/GI/226, dated Nov. 23, 2017.
The letter was captioned: “Notification of Retirement: Age Ceiling on Rank Brigadier General Ibrahim Sani (N/7361)’’.
Both letters advised the applicant to “apply for voluntary retirement on ground of Age Ceiling on rank pursuant to paragraph 02.10 (B) of Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for officers 2012 (Revise)’’.
The court action followed the judgment of the Special Court Martial delivered on July 20, 2017, which was confirmed by the Nigerian Army Council on Oct. 16, 2017, retiring Sani on age ground.
The retirement was conveyed to the appellant by a letter dated Nov. 17, 2017, and delivered on Nov. 23, 2017.
In the Motion on Notice before the court, Sani is asking the court to make an order “directing and or compelling the respondent by itself and by its servants, agents, representatives and employees and in particular the Chief of Army Staff (Lt.-Gen. TY Burutai N/7630) who convened the Special Court Martial and to whom the records of proceedings were submitted and Col. S.I Musa (N/9822), who was the Judge Advocate of the Special Court Martial, to forward the record of proceedings of the Special Court Martial in Court Martial case no: NA/COAS/GI/39 Nigerian Army vs Maj.-Gen. I. Sani to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, within seven days upon service of the orders of this court.

“An order of this honourable court directing all parties to this application to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the motion on notice for stay of execution pending before the court dated the 4th of December, 2017, but filed on the six of December, 2017.” (NAN)
MST

Defence/Security

Troops arrest barge laden with 456,600 litres of illegal commodity

Troops arrest barge laden with 456,600 litres of illegal commodity
NAN-H-48
Troops
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Oct. 15, 2017 (NAN) Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, participating in the on-going Operation Crocodile Smile II, have arrested a barge laden with 456,600 litres of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

This is contained in a statement signed by Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Benin on Sunday.

Maidawa said that the arrest was in a bid by the army to checkmate the activities of illegal oil bunkering and other forms of vandalism.

He said the arrest was made during a routine patrol following a tip off on suspected oil bunkering activities in Yokri, near Warri, Delta.

He said the troops intercepted a thug boat pushing a barge laden with the suspected illegally refined petroleum product.

He said the intercepted barge had eight out of its 12 apartments filled with about 454,600 litres of the illegally refined AGO.

Also arrested on board the thug boat, according to him, are five suspected illegal bunkerers; namely Samuel Dino, Eric John, Paul Golo, Felix Sunday and Mr Solomo Doloebiowie.
He said that preliminary investigation was already in progress and suspects would be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

The army spokesman also said that in a related development troops on routine patrol along Nana Creek, also destroyed an illegal oil refining camp at EGWA 1, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.

He said in the statement that items destroyed in the Camp included three large storage facilities, dug out pits containing substances believed to be illegally refined products, cooking ovens and other bunkering materials.

“While flagging off the Exercise Crocodile Smile II, Friday, in Sapele, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Chukwunedum Abraham, charged the troops to ensure that those who sabotage our economy, destructs pipelines, illegal refineries and other vices were completely deprived from carrying out such activities.

“He further said that our water ways must be kept clear of pirates and other criminal elements so that those who carry out their legitimate businesses can do so without any interference”, Maidawa said in the statement. (NAN)
DCO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Army Day: 1 Division offers free medical services in Kaduna

Army Day: 1 Division offers free medical services in Kaduna

NAN-H-37

Outreach

By Tijjani Mohammed

Kaduna, July 6, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Army, 1 Division Kaduna, says it has provided free medical services to Hayan Dan-Mani community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by Col. Kingsley Umoh, Deputy Director, Army Public Relation, 1 Division Nigerian Army.

Umoh said the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2017 is celebrated annually in commemoration of the first shot fired at Gakem, Ogoja, in 1967, in what started as a police action but ended in the 30-month civil war that has today become a critical issue of history for the Nigerian nation.

According to him, the celebration for this year is designated as “low-keyed”, but in spite of this, activities to mark the day started on June 30 with Juma’at prayers in all mosques in Nigerian Army (NA) Cantonments nationwide.

Special Church services were held in designated churches, also in all NA Cantonments.

“In Kaduna, on Saturday 1 July, a special community service activity was conducted when troops of HQ 1 Division went out to clean up the environment and clear blocked drainages around Kawo motor park and market.

“On Wednesday, 5 July the Flying Horse football team of 1 Division engaged the Nigerian Police Team in a friendly match that ended 1-0 in favour of the 1 Div team.

“The match was played at the 41 Division Engineers football field in Ribadu Cantonment,” he said. (NAN)

TJ/OFN/MST

Edited Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Army hands over 86 bags of seized Indian hemp to NDLEA

Nigeria Army handover seize 86 bags of Indian hemp to NDLEA

NAN-H-38

Seizure

By Suleiman Shehu

Ibadan, July 7, 2017 (NAN) The 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Ibadan, on Thursday handed over 86 bags of seized cannabis sativa to the Oyo State Command of National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Handing over the illicit drugs to NDLEA in Ibadan, the Garrison Commander, Brig-Gen. Usman Yusuf, said that the 86 bags were seized at Nigeria border with Benin Republic.

Yusuf said that the seizure was made as a result of a tip off given to the Army troop that were on patrol at the Division Area of Eruwa in Iberapa Local Government Area.

The commander said that the troops were on June 24 informed of a certain cannabis sativa hidden in that location and mounted surveillance in the area in order to be able to arrest the owner.

“The troops were on surveillance for three days and unfortunately the owner of the cannabis sativa stayed away completely from the area.

“We decided to pack the Indian hemp because of the security situation of the area, but our operatives are still on surveillance in the area.

“We are making transfer of the 86 bags of  seize cannabis sativa totaling 868 kg to the Oyo State Commander of NDLEA,” he said.

Receiving the items, Mrs Omolade Faboyebi, Oyo State Commander of NDLEA, thanked the Army on their relentless effort at securing the nation.

Faboyebi said that NDLEA on its part would continue to discourage people from dealing in hard drugs by prosecuting them at the appropriate court.(NAN)

SYS/YMU/MST

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Army provides free medical services to IDPs in Chibok

Army provides free medical services to IDPs in Chibok

NAN-H-36

Outreach

Maiduguri, July 1, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Army says it has so far provided free medical treatment to about 300 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)  in Chibok, Borno, as part of activities marking this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

Col. Samuel Kingsley the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations said this in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

“As part of their contribution to the host community and also activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration,

“Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army were at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp, Chibok, rendering free medical service to the community,’’ Samuel said.

He added that the task force had so far attended to more than 300 persons “since morning and still counting’’. (NAN)

ABI/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Army to hold 2nd quarter security workshop in Kaduna

Army to hold 2nd quarter security workshop in Kaduna

NAN-H-30

Workshop

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, April 14, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Army said on Friday that it would conduct the second quarter Office Management and Document Security Workshop at 1 Division Headquarters from April 19 to April 17, in Kaduna.

Col. Kingsley Umoh, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division Kaduna, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Umoh said the workshop is aimed at sensitising clerks from various army formations on document and information security.

According to him, the workshop will be organised by Army Headquarter Department of Administration with the ‘A’ Team Unique Professionals Limited as facilitators.

“The objective is to refresh NA Clerks with the essential knowledge and skills of document handling and security;

“Acquaint the NA clerks with modern office management procedures including professional ethics and values expected of office staff and impact the clerks with requisite skills and knowledge for them to function effectively and efficiently in their various formations and units.”

He said the Chief of Administration, Army, representing the Chief of Army Staff, Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and representative of the General Officers Commanding 1 Division would grace the training.

The spokesperson said more than 60 clerks drawn from 48 formations, schools and units of the NA and personnel of sister services are expected at the workshop.

NAN recalls that the first quarter workshop was held in Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. (NAN)

TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Buhari to declare open Small Arms Championship in Sambisa

Buhari to declare open Small Arms Championship in Sambisa

NAN-H-4

Championship

Maiduguri, March 24, 2017 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to declare open this year’s Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship in Sambisa forest in Borno.

Maj.-Gen. David Ahmad, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army headquarters, disclosed this at a news conference on the championship in Maiduguri on Friday.

Ahmadu said the event was slated for March 27 to 31 at the former stronghold of the Boko Haram insurgents.

He said that the championship was part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army aimed at sharpening marksmanship of its personal.

“The Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship otherwise known as NASAC is part of the training activities scheduled for 2017.
“It is a championship among the formations of the Nigerian Army, the objective of the event is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the army personnel,’’ Ahmadu said.

He said: “All formations of the Nigerian Army will be competing with the best carting away the prestigious Chief of Army Staff trophy.’’

Ahmadu said that the championship was aimed at consolidating on the total defeat and routing out of Boko Haram terrorists from their operational headquarters in camp zero in Sambisa forest.

“Furthermore, the championship will also mark the commencement of the ongoing plan to move speedily and make the Sambisa forest general area safe for habitation.

“It is also to make the place an area for the Nigerian Army training activities,’’ he said.

Ahmadu said: “To this end provisions had already been made for the reopening of more roads, construction of culverts and bridges by army engineers to facilitate easy movement to the general area.

“There is no gain saying that the championship is set to another epoch making event that will further emphasise the Nigerian Army efforts and resolve in meeting its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation,’’ he said. (NAN)

ABI/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola