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Defence/Security

Participants laud military on building relationship to combat terrorism

Participants laud military on building relationship to combat terrorism

By Mohammed Mamman
Insurgency
Damaturu, Nov. 1, 2019 (NAN) Participants at the counter insurgency and violent extremism seminar organised by the Nigeria Army said the programme had strengthened the synergy for collective participation in the fight against terrorism.
The participants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday in Damaturu that the seminar had also strengthened civilian military relationship in the state.
Imam Musa Aliyu, a Muslim cleric, said: “Initially the relationship between civilians and the military was weak.
“Until recently, there was no trust between civilians and security, the relationship was full of suspicion but such platforms provide room for the building of trust.’’
Malam Bukar Mustapha, another cleric, said with the new development, the populace now see the fight against insurgency as a collective responsibility.
Alhaji Sani Abubakar, an Islamic scholar, said “the people are now carried along and are willing to provide useful information in the counter insurgency programme”.
Malam Muhammad Musa, a teacher, said the military has evolved a healthy relationship based on mutual trust to collectively combat terrorism.
Mr Tanimu Ishaku, a student, said “with this trust and understanding, l am willing to cooperate and volunteer information to the security without fear of molestation”.
NAN reports that office of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday organised a one-day sensitisation for religious leaders and students on Counter Insurgency and Violent Extremism in Nigeria through authentic religious enlightenment. (NAN)
MM/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

DHQ, film makers partner to correct wrong narratives of Nigerian military

DHQ, film makers partner to correct wrong narratives of Nigerian military

By Sumaila Ogbaje
Partnership
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2019 (NAN) The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) have commenced collaboration to engage the Nigerian movie industry to tell the story of Nigerian military in correct perspectives through movies.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, disclosed this at an interactive meeting between stakeholders in the Nigerian Film Industry and Defence Department of Civil Military Cooperation, on Thursday in Abuja.

Olonisakin, who was represented by the Defence Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, Rear Adm. O.H Ngalabak, said that the relationship between the defence and Nigerian film industry started about 40 years.

He said that DHQ realised that there was need to change the narratives about the story of Nigerian military being told in Nigerian movies.

Olonisakin said that the experience of American military during their operation in Somalia, made them to collaborate with Hollywood to retell their story.

He said that there was a need for the military to have the kind of collaboration between the American army and the Hollywood.

“You always here that somebody was being killed in Maiduguri or that a soldier died but we need to pass the explanation across.

“It is the film makers that can do that and that is the reason for the collaboration,” he said.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, said the objective of the meeting was to put in place necessary procedures to project the armed forces in proper perspective through film makers.

Maduekwe said that the DHQ was as concerned as many Nigerians on the occasional appearances and portrayal of its personnel in some Nigerian films.

He said that such images sometimes tend to fall short of national aspirations of many proud Nigerians.

“We are indeed a great nation that has contributed so much to internal, regional, global peace and security.

“As such our armed forces are continuously paying the supreme sacrifice to maintain the sovereignty of this country.

“They certainly deserve our support and encouragement in all ramifications particularly on global viewing screens.

“Presently, there are many exploits by our armed men that such stories can easily be produced as epic movies under effective supervision of our globally acclaimed Nigerian film makers,” he said.

Maduekwe also disclosed that the DHQ was prepared to partner with the film industry, through NFC to produce world standard films that would be good for both local and global consumption.

He added that military hardwares and software, and the needed funding required for such feature films, would henceforth be made available for such collaboration.

He said individuals wishing to produce independent and private films shall be free to seek the needed assistance from DHQ for guidance and training on how best to portray the military in Nigerian film.

“NFC is very optimistic that outcome of this interactive meeting will definitely provide the fulcrum on how best to portray our nation’s armed forces personnel in our films,” he said.

A participant, Mr Desmond Ekeh, who is a Lecturer at the Nigerian Television (NTA) College, Jos, said that most film makers in Nigeria in the past do not usually make movies based on research.

Ekeh said that while they make their films based on their thinking and feelings, others sometimes did from their personal experience or what they see.

“We see American military as number one not because there are no ills in their military but because that is what they portray.

“So if we are able to portray this in the right light with the Nigerian military, we are going to earn respect for our military and as well as the citizens,” he said. (NAN)
OYS/JPE/MST
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
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Health

Military: ICRC drums support for international humanitarian law

Military: ICRC drums support for international humanitarian law

By Talatu Maiwada
Law
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2019 (NAN) mr Peter Maurer, the President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), says International Humanitarian Law (IHL) helps to protect everyone engaged in hostilities and do not put Military in security disadvantage.
Maurer disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 70th Anniversary of Geneva Convention on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that it was important for the armed forces and armed opposition groups to respect and apply IHL during armed conflict.
He however said that when a country endorses the Geneva Convention; they commit themselves to promoting IHL, not only among soldiers but also among the civilian population.
“It is our strong conviction that the respect for IHL does not put the military in a security or strategic disadvantage.
“The respect for IHL allows continues good relationship between armed forces and civilian population which will make them experience minimal impact of warfare, however not respecting the law puts them in strategic disadvantage.
“The ICRC mission is to raise awareness and ensure respect for the rules of IHL, by all parties of armed conflict, because if respected, the rules protect everyone,’’ Maurer said.
The ICRC president dismissed allegations that ICRC aids guerrilla groups in the North-eastern Nigeria by supplying food items, water and assisting the injured.
He stressed that ICRC neither supports the government nor the opposition groups; noting that such is outside the ICRC rules of procedure.
Maurer said that the operations of ICRC was strictly delivered according to needs assessed in spaces they had access, saying they consider population and individuals, make need assessment and try to cover the needs.
“In our need assessment, we cannot of course exclude from being a recipient of medical assistant to patients who eventually is a fighter of a government or a non-state armed group.
“We treat them in hospitals weather they are members of the non-state group or a member of the government, as medical assistance is part of our humanitarian work.
“We never said justice should not prevail on a wounded fighter that we picked up at the battle field and treated, neither did we say states should not arrest and detain such persons after being treated.
“In humanitarian law, basic needs comes first and our humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality states that we treat everyone equal to needs and not according to affiliations,’’ Maurer said.
Prof. Tawfiq Ladan, the Director Legislative Support Services, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, said the role of ICRC was to provide humanitarian needs for the needy people during hostilities.
Ladan said that under the IHL neither the non-state actors nor the military officers who are combatants were allowed to use starvation as a strategy in the conduct of war.
“Under the IHL, it is prohibited to use starvation in the conduct of war, anyone caught in such a malicious act with evidence, will be prosecuted for war crime, post war.
“The role of ICRC is to provide humanitarian need for the needy, when there are people in need, all ICRC needs is access and people usually think by so doing they are aiding the non-state actors,’’ Ladan said.
He said the ICRC engage key stakeholders to promote, improve and respect IHL, through national training programmes in IHL for police, security forces and armed groups who must also comply with IHL. (NAN)
TIM/NNO/MST
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Kidnapping: Nasarawa residents demand military base

Kidnapping: Nasarawa residents demand military base
By Awayi Kuje
Abductions
Garaku (Nasarawa State), March 29, 2019 (NAN) Some residents of Garaku in Nasarawa State have called for the establishment of a military base to curb incessant kidnappings and armed robbery along Keffi/Garaku/Akwanga road.
They said that the establishment of a military base along the route would help curtail the activities of criminals and criminality in the area.
Some of the residents, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Garaku, also called on the state government and security agencies to provide 24 hours surveillance across the rural areas in order to tackle the insecurity.
Mr John Andrew, a resident of Garaku, said that the spate of insecurity in parts of the state had become worrisome hence the need for the federal government to establish a permanent military base along the Keffi-Akwanga highway.
He said that there was need to beef up security and ensure 24 hours police patrol along the roads in order to achieve peace in the area and the state at large.
“The incessant armed robbery attacks, kidnappings in communities especially along Keffi/Akwanga road had become a serious concern not only to the residents of this area but to the entire state.
“Just yesterday, we heard that kidnappers attacked some journalists, kidnapping the wife of the Nasarawa State Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, among others, that are also kidnapped.
“It is in view of this that I want to urge government to establish the military base to curtail these activities,’’ he said.
He also called on the people of the area to be security conscious and to report any suspicious movement of persons or groups to appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Another resident, Mrs Grace Dauda, also said: “Insecurity is a treat not only to the health of the women but it is also a threat to the health of the entire community and the state at large.”
“The activities of armed robbers and kidnappers have created fear in people especially women because some of the kidnappers and armed robbers usually rape their female victims.
“Beefing up security along this road will not only help in curtailing the activities of armed robbers but will also help in checking the influx of criminal elements who will want to disguise as good people in the area,” he said.
She said that no nation or society could develop with high rate of crime, rancour and confusion, adding that the security challenges facing the state and some parts of the country had already affected the lives and socio-economic development of the country negatively.
Malam Abubakar Isah, another resident, said that the insecurity in the state was not only embarrassing but unfortunate and uncalled for, hence the need for government to beef up security in the state.
He condemned the attack and kidnapping of a journalist’s wife among others along the Garaku/Gudi road on March 27.
NAN recalls that on March 27, unidentified gunmen allegedly attacked Suleiman Abubakar, Chairman of the Correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Nasarawa State and abducted his wife, Yahanasu Abubakar.
Suleiman told NAN that the incident happened at about 7 p.m. along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
According to Suleiman, the gunmen shot at the union bus they were travelling in from Keffi, where his wife went to register at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.
He said the bus ran into a ditch after being shot at while the gunmen swopped on them, took his wife, the wife of a former state assembly member, whom they gave a lift as well as two other women from another vehicle during the attack.
Meanwhile, ASP Samaila Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, said the command had mobilised officers to the area to search and rescue the abducted women. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physical, mental fitness business of military – GOC

Physical, mental fitness business of military – GOC
By Mohammad Tijjani
Fitness
Kaduna, June 30, 2018 (NAN) The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen Mohammed Mohammed, says physical mental fitness is the business of the military all the time.
Mohammed said this during the Second Route March Exercise of 10kms walk and jog organised by the Nigerian Air Force, Air Training Command (AOC), Kaduna.
The GOC, who was the Special Guest of Honor at the occasion, said “the business of the military is about been active all the time’’.
According to him, you cannot be active if you are not engaged in exercise of this nature.
“Once you are fit, it determines your performance in any field of exercise in operation.
“Physical strength, health wise in terms of Biomedics and others at the end of the day relives you,’’ he said.
The GOC said a better able body man is more deployable than who is not physically fit.
He said that fitness of officers and men of military was a pre-requisite for successful operations.
The commanding officer thanked the Air Officer, AOC Kaduna, AVM Muhammad Ademu, for honouring him, saying 1 Division will participate fully in the next exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prizes were given to those who excelled during the exercise.
NAN also reports that some sister agencies who participated in the exercise include Prison Service, Police, DSS and Civil Defence Corps.
The event is a routine activity of the NAF designed to encourage physical fitness of the NAF personnel. (NAN)
TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

PCNI interventions smooth with Military success in North-East – Vice Chair ‎

PCNI interventions smooth with Military success in North-East – Vice Chair
‎
NAN-HG-11
‎Interventions
‎By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
‎Bauchi, Feb. 23, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah, the Vice Chairman, Presidential Committee on North East Initiative ( PCNI), says the intervention of medical outreach in the North-East is smooth following successes recorded by the military in the region.

‎Tumsha said this on Friday after monitoring the medical outreach conducted at Bayara General Hospital, Bauchi.

He said: “Nigerian military has been making success in recovering areas in the North-East as such more areas are becoming smooth and available for intervention and outreach programmes.”

‎“So, the challenge we see is in delivering the resources as and when it is required.

“Like you can see, we are here for four days and it seems there is no end to the number of patients.
‎
“We wish we can have a longer plan and reach more people. That will be our target and that is the target of the federal government through the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative.’’

Tumsah expressed satisfaction with the medical assistance being given to the people.

“As one of our medical interventions that is in Buhari plan we want to offer this medical‎ assistance to all range of people who have no access to medical care.

“This medical outreach is free. It is part of the PCNI initiative to bolster medical care in all the six states of the North East.
‎
“The exercise has achieved quite a bit of success. Unfortunately, it ends after seven days.

“But we intend to continue with this exercise rotationally within the states of the North-East.

“We will definitely come back to Bauchi again and do the exercise and make a lot more people happy,” he said.

The vice chairman said the medical intervention which was supported by ProHealth International and other health NGOs had a team of qualified doctors in various fields attending to the people. (NAN)
MAK/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Nigeria has dedicated military under Buhari administration–Gov. Gaidam

NAN-DS-10

Military

Damaturu, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Thursday said Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari had a new military with determination to fight and defeat insurgency.

Gaidam stated this in Damaturu while receiving the new Commandant of the 27 Joint Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Chinenye Ekwesi.

He said the Buhari-led administration gave the military a rebirth and necessary equipment to fight and defeat Boko Haram insurgency.

He assured the military of continuous support and cooperation to effectively defeat Boko Haram in the state and the country.

“We are confident that Boko Haram will in the next few months be history in Nigeria,” he said.

Earlier, Ekwesi solicited the support of the government and people of the state, especially by offering useful information to the military to enable it to succeed in the fight against terrorism.

“We have the mandate of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to ensure that Yobe is safe and secure, we will leave no stone unturned to achieve that,” he said. (NAN)

MM/DUA/AMY
Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled by Abdullahi Yusuf