Tag Archives: Defence

We’re committed to making Nigeria succeed – UN Envoy

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Nigeria has been described as an important nation that is very strategic, not only to Africa but to the whole world while her success determines Africa’s success in the social, political and economic emancipation of the continent of Africa.

The Commander of the United States African Command, General Thomas Waldhauser, said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

General Waldhauser said he was happy with the level of warm and cordial relationship between the United States and Nigeria.

He pointed out that the US would do all that is needed and necessary to make Nigeria succeed in its leadership role in Africa, especially in its untiring effort at wiping terrorism from Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

The Commander AFRICOM stated that the United States is committed to maintaining productive and fruitful relationship with Nigeria by stepping up her assistance in the areas of training, intelligence sharing, capacity building and hardware.

He noted that fight against terrorism is a multifaceted problem that demands concerted efforts of the world to completely eradicate in the interest of mankind.

In his remarks, Olonisakin expressed appreciation of the US Government for its tremendous contributions to the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the fight against insurgency and other sundry crimes across the country.

He stressed that the US has been forthcoming in manpower training, equipment support, upgrading of Special Forces, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and other relevant areas as required by the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

He noted with gratitude the US supports, which he admitted have provided the Armed Forces of Nigeria with some critical capabilities that have gone a long way to help in containing the spate of security challenges that threaten our nation, Lake Chad Basin and West African Sub-Region.

The AFRICOM Commander was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington; US Defence Attachee to Nigeria, Colonel Patrick Doyle; and some senior staff of US Embassy, while the CDS was assisted by the representatives of the Service Chiefs and Principal Staff Officers from the Defence Headquarters.

IPOB killings: Defence HQ describes Amnesty’s claims as fabrications

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The Defence Headquarters has described a recent report by the Amnesty International, alleging death of 240 people including babies in Borno and 177 pro-Biafran agitators as yet “another spurious fabrications’’.

The Acting Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the report was aimed at tarnishing “the good image of the Nigerian military’’.

Abubakar rejected the reports in its entirety and appealed to Nigerians to disregard it and discountenance its contents as they were meant to paint Nigeria in a bad light.

He said, “Without mincing words, the allegations contained in the said report are not only inconceivable but has no place in the Nigerian military.

“The report is rather contrived lies orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian Armed Forces which the amnesty international has unsuccessfully tried to do in the past.”

Abubakar said it was on record that the organisation embarked on such series of false allegations against the military and sister agencies since the inception of military action against terrorists in the North East.

He said, “Amnesty International would only encourage activities of non-state actors who take up arms against the state, killing, maiming and destroying public property but would always accuse security forces who are sacrificing everything to restore peace and normalcy.”

Abubakar said that the military welcome constructive criticism of individuals, groups or even international organisations, including amnesty international.

He, however, said that it would not “fall for nor accept the deliberate falsehood that has no bearing with the fact or reality on ground.”

He added, “The truth is that the Nigerian military has always been open in its operations and do not hide its activities from the probing eye of the public.

“Amnesty International chose to bandy fabricated reports and concocted stories instead of seeking clarifications from the relevant authorities.

“The Defence Headquarters run an open door policy in terms of information on its activities in the North East or elsewhere and is ever ready to provide clarifications on any issue.

“On a number of times, the National Human Rights Commission had sent its delegation to seek clarification on issues they are not comfortable with, and in each occasion, the DHQ always oblige them with the information they sought.

“Amnesty international will rather contrive their report to suit their intention which is to cast slur on the image and integrity of the Nigerian military.

“It smacks of mischief for the amnesty international to insist on publishing unverified and unsubstantiated report as it is only the organisation that knows why it embarks on such dishonourable venture over a period of time.”

Abubakar reassured Nigerians of the commitment of the military to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing our country in spite of the unfounded reports and cheap blackmail by amnesty international.

 

Source:

http://punchng.com/ipob-killings-defence-hq-describes-amnestys-claims-fabrications/

 

Defence Minister establishes Airforce unit in Zamfara State.

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The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali today laid the foundation stone for the establishment of a unit of the Nigerian Air Force in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State. The new unit is named 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) and was established about two months ago under the Special Operations Command with Headquarters in Bauchi.

 

The establishment of the Unit is intended to consolidate the presence of the NAF in the North West region of the Country with a view to better position the Service to combat emerging security challenges.

 

Addressing the gathering at the foundation laying ceremony, the Honourable Minister stated that the purpose of establishing 207 QRG Gusau is to consolidate on the gains so far recorded in the fight against insurgency while leaving no gap in the security architecture of the Nation.

 

In his words, “the establishment of a quick response group in Gusau is part of efforts at consolidating on the current gains in the fight against insurgency and other forms of crime in the Nation. It is on the premise of this consolidation that the scope of operations and expansion of the Nigerian Armed Forces are being considered in order to leave no gap in the security architecture of our nation,” the Minister said.

 

While making his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Mshl Sadique Abubakar disclosed that the NAF intends to deploy men of its Special Forces to the Unit to enable it provide timely and efficient response to meet the Nigerian national security imperatives in the North West region.

 

“Once fully activated the Unit would ensure the containment of ethno-religious crisis, terrorism, cattle rustling, armed banditry and other acts of violence” the CAS said. Meanwhile, the Governor of Zamfara State, Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has eulogized the initiative by the Federal Government to establish a NAF Unit in the State, noting that the establishment of 207 QRG would go a long way to complement existing military and paramilitary outfits in Zamfara State while boosting the combined efforts at maintaining security.

#2017Budget: Defence gets N465 billion.

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Defence is one of the four sectors that got the highest allocation in the 2017 budget, an official has said. A total of N465.87 billion was allocated to defence in the 2017 budget that is before the National Assembly for consideration.

 

According to the breakdown given by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, on Monday, the Ministry of Defence received N325.87 billion as recurrent vote in the N7.29 trillion budget proposal.

 

It, however, came fourth in capital allocation with N140 billion.

 

The Ministry of Interior got the highest recurrent allocation of N482.37 billion and N63 billion capital vote for the period.

 

The other sectors that got high allocation were Education, N398.01 billion and Health with N252.86 billion.

 

Mr. Udoma explained that defence and the three other sectors needed to be well financed because they employed large manpower and provided critical services to the nation.

 

In 2016, the defence got recurrent expenditure of N294.556 billion and N134.572 billion as capital vote.

Minister denies directing service chiefs to retire

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The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has denied that he directed two service chiefs to relinquish their offices and proceed on retirement on or before December 16.

 

A statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Tukur Gusau, a colonel, on Monday in Abuja said his attention was drawn to some online publications purporting that he directed the two service chiefs to hand over on that date.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two service chiefs in question are the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, a Lt. Gen., and the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a Vice Admiral.

 

The statement said: “Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.

 

“The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.”

Super Eagles must improve in defence – Rohr

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Gernot Rohr has said that Nigeria’s defence must improve despite their 3-1 victory over Algeria in the 2018 Africa World Cup Qualifying Group B match.

 

John Obi Mikel’s goal sandwiched by Victor Moses’ brace secured a much deserved three points for the Super Eagles with Nabil Bentaleb’s scorcher proving a mere consolation for Georges Leekens’ side.

 

The former Bordeaux boss said his side’s ‘only problems’ in the game surfaced in the second half when Riyad Mahrez and his fellow attackers started throwing tantrums at their defence.

 

“The only problems we had during the game were the chances Algeria were creating in the second half,” Rohr told media.

 

“It was tough stopping the Algerians but our defenders showed solidarity and we held on. It’s clear that we must improve our defence.

 

“We have tried three different players at right-back; they have done their best but we have to continue to find the ideal players for the defence.

 

“We will improve. I’m happy though that we’re strong offensively.”

 

Rohr also had good words for stand-in goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who he claimed fought early nerves to have a good game.

 

“Daniel had a good game; you can’t blame him for the goal. He was nervous early on but he grew into the game and did well for us.”

Boko Haram: Defence Minister mourns gallant army commander

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The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, has described the death of Lt-Col. Muhammad Abu-Ali as tragic and unfortunate development in the theatre of operations in the North East.

Abu-Ali was killed by the Boko Haram terrorists in their failed attack to capture Malam Fatori in northern Borno on Friday.

The minister in a statement issued by his Public Relations Officer, Col. Tukur Gusau, on Sunday also described the late Abu-Ali as a major pillar in the war against terrorism and insurgency in the region.

Dan-Ali, who said he received the death of officer with sadness, prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the “war hero an eternal rest”.

The minister also commiserated with the father of the deceased officer, Etsu of Bassa-Nge Kingdom in Kogi, retired Brig-Gen Abu-Ali, his family and the Nigerian Army.

Until his death Abu-Ali was the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Battalion at Malam Fatori.

He was nicknamed “Sarkin Yaki” in Hausa language (literally war chief) and led the army unit that recaptured Gamboru-Ngala, Baga and several communities from the terrorists in 2014.

Power, Defence, Transport Take Lion Share Of Capital Releases From 2016 Budget

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The Ministry of Power has received the highest capital release of N209.246 billion (as of October 31, 2106) out of the total of N753.633 billion budgeted for 2016 capital projects for the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

Data exclusively obtained in Abuja showed that the Ministry of Defence came second in capital releases with N69.512billion, followed by Transport, N30,540,042,428; Agriculture, N29,578,929,050; Water Resources N25,201,857,951; Interior, N21,210,059,596; Health, N18,472,539,524; and Education, N16,743,672,981.

Others include Niger Delta, N8,161,196,486; Science and Technology, N6,681,349,721; Mines & Steel, N3,360,000,000; Petroleum, N2,413,847,044, and others, N312,511,048,789.
The federal government stated recently that it had so far spent N3.577 trillion out of N6.060 trillion budgeted for the 2016 fiscal year, which translates to 79 per cent performance of the prorated budget for the three quarters.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said in addition to the total of N2,439.9trillion so far released for capital, non-debt recurrent and service-wide vote expenditure, a total of N1,137.7 trillion had also been paid out in domestic and foreign debt service expenditures.

This includes N44 billion transferred to the sinking fund to retire maturing obligations on bonds issued to contractors. The national planning ministry further stated that budgeted personnel cost and debt service obligations had been fully met on schedule till date.

“Additionally, the federal government has done reasonably well in the challenging circumstances with respect to capital expenditures. It is noteworthy that the total amount of N753.6billion already released for capital expenditure in 2016 is the highest in the nation’s recent history, even in the era of high oil prices,” the Ministry of Budget and National Planning had stated.

The minister added that the capital that had been released to date exceed the aggregate capital expenditure budget for 2015 of N700billion, inclusive of capital expenditure in statutory transfers.

At an interactive session with members of the Senate Committee on Appropriation in Abuja recently, Udoma said in spite of the shortfall in revenue expectations, the federal government was committed to its debt obligations and had also made efforts in funding the critical sectors to enable government function smoothly, while seeking lasting solutions to revenue shortfalls.

The minister explained that although the 2016 budget was well conceived, with reasonably conservative benchmarks, it recorded unanticipated revenue shortfalls along the line due to militants’ activities in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, a development which seriously affected the budgeted production levels for the fiscal year.

He further explained that government adopted a targeted approach with respect to capital expenditure to ensure that releases are consistently made to those sectors whose activities have the capacity of driving economic growth and fostering job creation.
He said particular attention was focused on infrastructure, agriculture and other areas with high job creation potentials, saying that all the releases had been cash-backed.

It was further gathered that the debt service, which has been implemented up 77 per cent as at September 16, 2016 covers domestic, external and transfer to sinking fund for maturing debts—-full year budget provision for debt service was N1,475.3trillion.

country’s  revenue  generation  mechanism.
He however, stated that the state government would support the auditing and generation of statistics  of the non oil revenue sector by RMAFC.
Leader of the commission’s delegation and Federal Commissioner, Sanya Omirin, said the team was in the state to conduct a wholistic auditing of the non-oil sector, verify mining companies with licenses, verify mining  leases and confirm  royalties that  accrue from mining.

He added that the commission  was working to bring all mining operators within the tax operations  of the government  for revenue generation .
He said the steps have become necessary  because  of  the  need to diversify  the nation’s economy .

Credit: thisdaylive

Naming Of New Boko Haram Leader Is Just Propaganda – Defence HQ

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The Defence Headquarters has described the naming of a new leader for the Boko Haram group as propaganda by terrorist group, ISIL. Defence spokesman, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, said this while reacting to yesterday’s report by BBC that the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL) has named Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new leader for Boko Haram.

According to Rabe, the announced change in leadership of the terrorist group would not in any way affect the military’s operations nor cause it to lose focus.

“It is the desperation of a drowning man, he gropes for even his shadow. The group knows they are on the losing side. They are using every available propaganda to remain relevant. What we have achieved is not propaganda, the reality on the ground is that they are decimated,” he said.

 

Buhari Promises To Sanitize Defence Procurement Processes

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President Muhammadu Buhari said Monday in Abuja that his administration was taking urgent and appropriate actions to restore order, due process and probity to the procurement processes of the nation’s Armed Forces.

Speaking at a meeting with the British Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Michael Fallon, the Nigerian President lamented that the procurement of equipment for the country’s Armed Forces which followed due process in the past, had become open to corruption and shady deals under the last administration.

“They just put foreign exchange in a briefcase and travelled to procure equipment for the military. That is why we have found ourselves in the crisis we are now facing,” the President said.

Credit: ChannelTV

INEC Closes Defence In Akwa Ibom Election Petition Tribunal

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has on Thursday closed its defence in the Akwa-Ibom State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Lawyer to the INEC, Alex Ojiekeme, who announced the closing of the defense said INEC is satisfied with the testimonies of the witnesses filed which he says are sufficient to prove there was election in Akwa Ibom State.

The tribunal has adjourned till October 8 giving the lawyer’s three weeks to prepare their final addresses, which will be taken alongside all pending applications.

Credit: channelstv

Buhari Meets Hollande On Defence, Security

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President Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja for Paris today on a three-day official visit to France at the invitation of President Francois Hollande.

Buhari would be accompanied on the visit by the National Security Adviser, Major-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), Permanent Secretaries, Federal Ministries of Defence, Finance, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari’s talks in Paris with Hollande and other senior French Government officials would focus on strengthening and consolidating on ongoing bilateral cooperation between both countries in the areas of defence, security, trade and investments.

Apart from his scheduled meeting with Hollande at the Elysee Palace, Buhari and his team would also confer with the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Finance and Public Accounts, Mr. Michel Sapin, Minister of Economy and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mr. Laurent Fabius.

Read More: nationalmirroronline

AU defence chiefs meet in Mali over terrorism

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African Union chiefs of defence staff and ministers of defence have agreed on the need to enhance cooperation to increase the effectiveness of member states’ action against threats of terrorism.

 

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar. The statement stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, presented Nigeria’s counter-insurgency report at the forum holding in Bamako, Mali.

 

It said that the meeting would strengthen cooperation in furtherance of multinational approach to fighting against terrorism that was ravaging African regions.

 

“The meeting is aimed at engendering participants to partner on the enhancement of security cooperation and the conceptualisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture in the Sahel-Saharan region.

 

“The meeting will discuss terrorism which has become a global problem and requires collective approach toward addressing the menace.’’

 

It said the meeting was also focusing on threats posed by Boko Haram in Nigeria and other member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the threats of Al-Shabab in Central Africa.

 

“This is to promote a shared assessment of the threats and risks in the affected regions.

“The meeting proposes to classify the threats and risks in the regions into four major categories which include Terrorism, Organised crime (Drugs, Arms and Human Trafficking), Illegal Immigration and Separatism.”

 

It said the meeting marked a new phase in the promotion of regional security and a united front by AU members in the fight against terrorism.

 

NAN recalls that Olonisakin, since assumption of office, had been working round the clock and collaborating with other countries to tackle insecurity and terrorism in the sub-region.

 

-NAN

19 Defence/ Service Chiefs, 8 Former Defence Ministers, Others To Face Arms Deals Panel

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The arms purchase probe panel will examine contracts executed during the administrations of no fewer than 19 former military chiefs. They are five Chiefs of Defence Staff, 14 Service Chiefs; four National Security Advisers (NSAs) and eight former Ministers of Defence.

Some of the officers, according to sources, have started making moves to have access to “vital records”.

It was also learnt that five Israelis, who played major roles in arms procurement for the military in the last six years, are to be invited by the committee, whose members were named on Monday after President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

The Israelis reportedly left the country on the eve of the general elections, following signs that Buhari might win the poll.

The government has directed that tight security be provided for members of the panel.

Read More: thenationonlineng