Tag Archives: CIVILIANS

Nigerian army detains six soldiers for allegedly brutalising woman

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A fresh case of soldiers’ brutality against a female Nigerian citizen is being investigated, the Nigerian army has said.

Six soldiers, the army said, are currently in detention over the incident.

This is the third time such incident would be occurring within a month.

The victim whose name was given as Ruth Orji was said to have been beaten on Sunday by soldiers from 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, Lagos State, for daring to challenge a soldier who reportedly slapped her brother.

Graphic photos of the brutalised woman were shared on the social media, prompting Nigerians to call for immediate action against the culprits.

The army said on Thursday that the incident was “highly regrettable”.  It thanked the press for “bringing such incidences to (the) fore”.

“A Board of Inquiry has been constituted by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Elias Attu to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident, determine the level of the soldiers involvement, submit its findings and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures,” the army said in a statement issued by a spokesperson, O. M Daudu, a lieutenant colonel.

Ms. Orji has been taken to the hospital for treatment, the army said.

The army in February had demoted and imprisoned two soldiers for assaulting a physically challenged man in Onitsha, Anambra State. Another soldier was jailed, also in February, for 28 days for molesting a civilian in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

We have zero tolerance for Human Rights abuse – Army Chief

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The Nigerian Army says it will continue to maintain zero tolerance for Human Rights abuses in the ongoing anti-terror war in the North East. Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation, Lafiya Dole, gave the assurance Monday while receiving a delegation from the UN Security Council in Maiduguri.

Irabor said that troops deployed to the theatre were made to undergo special training on code of conduct before their deployment.

“The theatre has zero tolerance for any form of Human Rights abuse.

“To that extent, we have instituted measures to ensure that our troops operate within the provision of International Human Rights laws,’’ he said.

He added that the International Human Rights laws were well entrenched in Nigerian Army’s code of conduct and rules of engagement.

“Prior to induction of any unit into the theatre, troops go through training where the issues of code of conduct are taught to ensure that they keep to the rules of engagement,’’ he said. He also said that there were dos and don’ts that soldiers were made to abide by in operations.

“For anyone who defaults, we have a standing court martial in Maiduguri to try cases of misdemeanour. “Some soldiers have been court martialed, awaiting sanction and ratification by appropriate authority,’’ Irabor said.

He said that the military was also working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to ensure the protection of Human Rights in its detention centre.

“We are collaborating with the ICRC on our detention centre and they have free access to our detention facility.

“We have been collaborating with them and they have been supportive,’’ the military commander said. Earlier, Amb. Matthew Rycroft, leader of the UN delegation, commended the military for its gallantry in fighting the Boko Haram.

“We recognise the threat Boko Haram had created in your country and its neighbours.

“We commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria engaged in this operation and the Multi-National Joint Task Force,’’ Rycroft said. The ambassador also commended the Nigerian Army for the success it recorded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgence.

“We know that the fight has not been won; we encourage you to continue your efforts.

“We are also firm in our determination to assist in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region,’’ Rycroft said.

We’ve rescued over 7,000 civilians from Sambisa forest – Nigerian Army

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The Nigeria Army says so far, it has rescued about 7,898 civilians from Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram sect in Borno state.

Lucky Irabor, theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this during a press conference in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Irabor also revealed that eight foreigners, including four Chadians, three Nigeriens and one Cameroonian were recently arrested.

He said troops have continued to record remarkable progress in the fight against insurgency.

“On the 7 February, troops killed 13 Boko Haram insurgents at  Sabarmari, Siraja Anzayi, at Chongodo village, while  arms and ammunition, vehicle and anti aircraft guns were recovered as well as  five women and children whom we suspected to be family members of Boko Haram,” he said.

“Nineteen Boko Haram terrorists were also killed at Butali Kura in Bulabulin axis and arms, ammunition were also recovered. List of terrorist names were also found one of the terrorist and four copies of the Holy Quran. During the operation, 59 women and children were rescued and are currently being profiled here at the theatre command.

“On the 22nd of February, troops along Damasak and Malamfatori also cleared 13 Boko Haram in an ambush operation.”

 

Source: The Cable

Buhari To Relaunch ‘War Against Indiscipline’

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President Muhammadu Buhari is set to relaunch the War Against Indiscipline and Corruption in his patriotic bid to wipe out corruption from Nigeria.
This was revealed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja yesterday, to enlist their support in the on-going war against terrorism.
It will be recalled that as a military Head of State, Buhari alongside Tunde Idiagbon launched a nationwide campaign called “War Against Indiscipline” (“WAI”). The WAI campaign was aimed at tackling the most anti-social Nigerian characteristics such as indiscipline, corruption, and lack of environmental sanitation.
He further said the new attitudinal change programme was tagged “Change Begins With Me”, adding
that the National Orientation Agency (NOA), with offices across the 774 local government councils will be saddled with the responsibility of driving it.
He further explained that another campaign against corruption would also be unveiled shortly after the commencement of the “Change Begins With Me’’ programme.
Aware that some members of BON are privately-owned outfits that need to make money to remain afloat, the minister argued that they could only carry out their operations when the nation is at peace.
He equated the situation in the country to war, reiterating that the media cannot afford to be neutral at this time.
“This war against terror is our war, not the military’s war,’’ he stated, charging them to assist government in disseminating security awareness campaign messages across the country.
The minister said the essence of the campaign was to educate Nigerians on the need to support the military which, according to him, had availed itself creditably in the battle.
It was also aimed at alerting the citizenry to the need to be more security conscious, to be able to identify Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the weapon of choice deployed by the Jihadi terrorists.
Another reason was for the campaign is that Nigerians be able to identify suicide bombers before they are able to strike since “they live amongst us”.
Mohammed explained that the messages will be produced in various local languages to make them more potent.
He also alleged that some beneficiaries of corruption who did not want the nation to be at peace were behind the funding of the Boko Haram insurgency from proceeds of corruption.
“We believe that the change we so desire must start with each and every one of us, if it is to endure. The change must also come from within the heart, rather than being forced,” the minister stated.
On a request by one of the BON members that the government should assist them in protecting broadcast installations, the minister said he would reach out to the Inspector General of Police, to provide security to all broadcasting premises and facilities

Source: HeraldNG

Soldiers Take Over Capital Oil,Scare Civilians And Load Drums With Fuel

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After the announcement by Ifeanyi Ubah that Capital Oil would release 13 million liters of fuel to aid the suffering of Nigerians over the fuel scarcity,officials of the Nigerian Army on Monday took over the Ojodu Berger outlet of Capital Oil, buying petroleum products in drums, after scaring away thousands of consumers.
The armed personnel came in the guise of maintaining peace and order, but they soon abandoned their primary responsibility for fuel racket. They shoved, maltreated and sent away those who were on queue to be attended to, thereby gaining access to have their drums loaded with fuel.

As of press time, the unregistered white Isuzu truck they use for the ‘deal’ had visited the filling station for the fourth time.The fourth truck was being loaded as of 8:50pm.

The vehicle, on each visit, left with at least 14 drums and dozens of gallons filled with fuel.
The helpless consumers, some of who slept at the filling station, suspected the soldiers were feeding the growing Lagos black market with the product.

The military officials who were fully dressed had taken over the only two pumps that dispensed the Premium Motor Spirit.Those who protested the act were beaten and given scares on their bodies.

Meanwhile, consumers, who had spent the entire Monday at the filling station without getting the product to buy, had described the announcement by Ifeanyi Uba as a publicity stunt.
By 9pm on Monday, not more than a hundred cars left the station with fuel.
Besides the military, officials of the Nigeria Police Force and black market dealers took over the show while thousands of motorists who had crowded the place since 5am were abandoned.

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