Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, has directed troops to assault regions where the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have imposed a sit-at-home order across the South-East states.
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Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has urged all field commanders to scrupulously follow the Rules of Engagement (RoEs) during the 2023 elections.
He urged them to sensitise personnel and ensure that all soldiers deployed for security duties during the elections are given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines contained in the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct, which are currently being reviewed for successful free and fair general elections.
Yahaya gave the directive yesterday, while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Third Quarter Conference 2022 in Abuja.
He said the Army was also firming up its preparations to provide the necessary security assistance a successful electoral exercise.
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The COAS noted that the commanding officers remain tactical commanders, who lead or deploy troops.
Yahaya continued: “Talking to them directly through the conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills and competencies, thus enhancing the outcomes of our operations while the RSMs are well respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of NA ethics, customs and traditions and regimentation.”
The military chief assured the electorate that the Army remains committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities and assisting in providing a secure environment for the conduct of the general elections through ‘Operation SAFE CONDUCT.’
He commended the commanders for diligence in the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference.
“Our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents, resulting in massive surrender of terrorists.
“This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must, therefore, be geared towards leveraging the gains to stamp out the miscreants permanently,” the COAS stated.
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He added that the successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East recently had impacted positively on the security situation in the region, “even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists.”
He said the troops deployed in the South South region under ‘Operation DELTA SAFE’ have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors.
He added: “ Concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South South region.”
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Major-General Farouk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has asked commanders to get ready for an increase in security challenges in the country in 2022.
Speaking on Friday at the closing ceremony of the COAS Annual Conference in Abuja, Yahaya also directed the commanders to train troops on night operations and anti-ambush drills to tackle the activities of criminals and violent state actors.
He said: “In the course of the conference, we discussed vigorously salient issues affecting the performance of our constitutional roles and the sustenance of professionalism.
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“We have equally considered the various security issues plaguing our nation. Consequently, our focus for the coming year would be on developing capacities for improved performances across board. Emphasis will be placed on both individual and unit training that will enhance teamwork and professionalism.
“Furthermore, commanders must ensure that their troops master the art of night operations and anti-ambush drills by engaging in effective night operations and anti-ambush drill training. We must take the fight to the adversary in order to neutralise and defeat them.
“Commanders are also urged to develop contingency plans to ensure our forces always retain the initiative in all our theatres of operation.
“In that vein, commanders must plan for the possible increase in scope and dimension of the activities of violent state actors in the coming year.”
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The Army Chief said the activities of the army have been appraised and efforts are being put in place towards better positioning to face the tasks ahead in 2022 and beyond.
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On Wednesday 7th July 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari decorated the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya.
The ceremony was witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and key government officials.
President Buhari had appointed the chief of army staff on May 27 to replace Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash in Kaduna.
The National Assembly last month confirmed Yahaya’s appointment.
The brief event at the State House, Abuja, was held before the start of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) and was attended by the chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume.
Meanwhile, President Buhari is currently presiding over the federal cabinet meeting at the First Lady’s Conference Room in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In attendance is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, among others.
Some members of the cabinet are participating virtually from their various offices.
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Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru after his plane crashed in Kaduna.
Anaedoonline.ng reports that the incident occurred on Friday at the Kaduna International Airport.
It was learned that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm and about eight people on board are all feared dead.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has also confirmed the crash of a military plane on Friday at the Kaduna International Airport.
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Confirming the crash, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained but promised to release more details soon.
However, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to mourn the death of Attahiru, describing the sudden death of the Army chief as devastating.
Below are some of the reactions to the death of the Army Chief.
In a normal country, the Chief of Army Staff and the 7 others had no business dying!
Two military aircraft crashes and another disappearance in just one year were enough prompting for internal assessment of the safety of these machines and the airspace in general.
But Nigeria?
— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 21, 2021
BREAKING: Video At The Site Of The Plane Crash: Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru Killed In Plane Crash In Kaduna State. pic.twitter.com/F8FnL98n1x
— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) May 21, 2021
Breaking: Chief of Army Staff General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in Kaduna
— Abdulbaki Jari (@Bahaushee) May 21, 2021
I hope the news about Chief of Army Staff is not true 💔
— Mohammed Jammal (@whitenigerian) May 21, 2021
The Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, General Attahiru Ibrahim, has been killed in an air crash together with a number of his officers and aides. This is a monumental tragedy and a big blow to our nation. May their souls rest in peace & may God help Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/8rHZlPLHPE
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) May 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/SAMKLEF/status/1395816336148901888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1395816336148901888%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.naijanews.com%2F2021%2F05%2F21%2Fnigerians-reacts-to-death-of-chief-of-army-staff-ibrahim-attahiru%2F
https://twitter.com/TundeEddnut/status/1395823808079089664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1395823808079089664%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.naijanews.com%2F2021%2F05%2F21%2Fnigerians-reacts-to-death-of-chief-of-army-staff-ibrahim-attahiru%2F
Ibrahim Attahiru was a fine officer & brilliant gentleman. When we last saw barely 48 hrs ago, he reminded me of all the attributes why most of his officers & men saw his tenure as #COAS of @HQNigerianArmy as hopeful. This is tragic!#JannatulFirdausi
https://t.co/2C9qAWB8TW— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) May 21, 2021
This news about the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Attahiru Ibrahim doesn’t look good at all. 😢
— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) May 21, 2021
Chief of Army staff just died in another Military Aircraft Crash.
— Sammy Desh (@Deshysmalls) May 21, 2021
Inalilahi Inalilahi Inalilahi wa ina illaihir 💔💔raji’un i just lost my unlce in a plain crash together with the chief of Army staff😩😩😩💔💔💔please a prayer for them pop
— Huda kuliya ESQ🌹 (@hudamansur) May 21, 2021
I weep for our dear nation going through some tweet here, how on Earth do you jubilate one's death forgetting we are all mortal & you maybe next?
Rest in peace Chief of Army staff. Indeed your death is untimely, but Allah knows best. May Aljannatul firdaus be your final home pic.twitter.com/fFvXMO3yrW
— MOHNICE ⚔️ (@Mohnice_) May 21, 2021
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The Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, died in a military plane crash that occurred in Kaduna State, on Friday.
The incident occurred on Friday at the Kaduna International Airport according to military sources.
It was learnt that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm and about eight people on board are all feared dead.
The Chief of Army Staff was not alone in the plane that crash and the identity of the military officers have been revealed.
Breaking: The Chief Of Army Staff Gen. Attahiru Is Killed In A Plane Crash
See the list below
LT Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.
Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir.
Brig Gen Olayinka.
Brig Gen Kuliya.
Maj LA Hayat.
Maj Hamza.
SGT Umar.
Crew
FLT LT TO Asaniyi
FLT LT AA Olufade.
SGT Adesina.
ACM Oyedepo.
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The COAS died with seven others, including his aides, in the crash that occurred in Kaduna. The aircraft involved in the crash belongs to the Nigerian Air Force.
The Nigerian Air Force, in a statement by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, on Friday night, said the crash is being investigated.
The statement read, “An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport.
“The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon.”
An Igbo group of intellectuals and professionals worldwide, Nzuko Umunna has written an open letter to the Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, that the shoot-on-sight order given to the Army troops in the South-East was an attempt to wipe out innocent citizens.
The group stated that if such a command was true, it is the same as a declaration of war against the people in the area, adding that the Army Chief should have publicly announced if there is a war between the region and the military personnel so that innocent people could vacate the environment.
This was contained in the letter signed by Dr. N Odumuko and Dr. P. Mbanefo, and made available to Newsmen.
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Nzuko Umunna wrote the letter in reaction to a warning given by a Nigerian soldier a few days ago that the troops had been commanded to shoot civilians in Orlu, Imo State as the military fights operatives of the Eastern Security Network.
“We feel duty-bound to inform you that there is palpable fear over a shoot-on-sight directive reportedly given to Army troops in the South-East in recent days, a scheme for which new batches of men were moved over the weekend.
“By some accounts, this directive seems to have been given unofficially in a hush-hush manner, making the situation all the more ominous.
“A shoot-on-sight directive is tantamount to an order to extrajudicially exterminate innocent citizens as there is no telling who might be part of the collateral, unintended casualties.
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“Throughout history, such military strategies or policies have always run the risk of going contrary to all accepted conventions and protocols on the rules of engagement, particularly the Rome Statutes
“In fact, it can be read as genocide where as in this case, there is clear and evident danger of such action resulting in high casualties.
“If the speculation of a shoot-on-sight order were to bear any atom of truth, then it amounts to a declaration of war on the area. However, even if, for any reason, the Federal Government is minded to declare war on the South-East or a part of it, there are standard international conventions and protocols that must be observed.
“One of such is the requirement to publicly and unambiguously declare that a war situation has arisen in such a place so that those who wish to, especially the civilians and innocent citizens, can withdraw from such a place. That has not been done,” the letter stated partly.
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The group, further, urged Attahiru to put the public in the know about the shoot-on-sight order and reverse it if in any case it was issued, to restore peace in the region.
“But it is our well considered contention that there do not exist in the South East of Nigeria any peculiar situation which does not exist in even worse forms in other parts of the country to warrant or justify such a Shoot-On-Sight order. And we put whoever thinks to the contrary to the strictest of proof.
“Based on these, our position is that it is in the overall interest of the country that you use your good offices to not only clear the air on this very disturbing issue but also counter any such directive in case it has, by some fluke or stroke of overzealousness, been issued.
“We most respectfully urge you to use your good offices to intervene, as a matter of urgency, in this very critical matter to douse the tension and apprehension in the region arising from rumours and the expectation that the killings and unnecessary waste of human lives will escalate.
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“We are by this letter bringing this properly to your notice with the hope you will take preemptory action,” the letter added.
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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has sent strong words to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, on his recent warning that the Nigerian military would deal precisely with individuals and groups threatening the corporate existence of the country.
We recall that the army chief, on Tuesday issued a warning to all separatists agitating for secession in the country to desist from such acts or face their wrath.
He vowed to ensure that those inciting disintegration such as the Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho who recently declared the Oduduwa Republic and his South South counterpart, ex-militant, Asari Dokubo are all dealt with.
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Reacting, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful said the group refused to be intimidated by the Nigerian military, adding that the army and police are all cowards propagating fake news.
According to Powerful, the Nigerian military can not be compared with their security outfit, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, stressing that they are equal to the task.
The statement added that what they would do to the Nigerian army would surpass the oppressions from the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
“The Nigerian Military can run their mouth for all we care when the time comes they will know the stuff ESN is made of, they can threaten any other group, not IPOB and ESN. We are seven miles away from them. Nigerian Army and police are cowards, they can’t test us, if they do they will regret their actions against this outfit,’ Powerful said in a statement.
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“The defence minister and his army chief of staff can brag about what they will do to IPOB, which is a lie. What Boko Haram members are doing to them in the North-East will be a child’s play compared to what they will receive from ESN and its operatives because we are owners of the land”, the statement reads in part.
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Former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika on Tuesday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ihejirika, who was the Chief of Army Staff between 2010 – 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, made his declaration to join the APC at Isuikwuato country home in Abia-North Senatorial District.
His joining the party has ended speculation that he wants to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and has as well, heightened the speculation that he might be running for the governorship seat in the state in 2023 as it is expected that power would be moving to the Abia North if the Abia Charter of Equity is anything to go by.
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Information has it that the former COAS made his declaration and subsequently registered at Ezere ward 2; his registration was conducted by the APC ward Chairman Mr. Iheanyi Chukwu in the presence of stalwarts of the party which include: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, State Secretary of the party, Barr. Perfect Okorie; Deputy State Women leader of the party, Lady Franca Osuwa; Chairman Abia APC Registration panel, Amb. Bala Mohammed Mairiga; Chief Ameobi Ogah; Dr. Lilian Obenwa; Abia-North APC Zonal Chairman, Chief Chris Ajah; Member Abia House of Assembly representing Isuikwuato constituency Hon Barr. Emeka Okorofor, party faithful, and others.
In his remarks, Senator Kalu applauded the decision of the former COAS to join the party, Kalu emphasised that Ihejirika’s decision is a result of the internal democracy in APC.
In his words “Gen Ihejirika’s decision to join us today in the APC is no doubt a great one and I must commend him for taking the bold step after over a year of convincing him to join the party.
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“He should be assured that his membership of our party will be a very fruitful one. I am loyal to the party this is why I have always subjected myself to the party’s decision-making process.
“My appreciation also goes to the chairman Abia APC Registration panel, Amb. Bala Mohammed Mairiga and his team for joining me to be grace this exercise.
“The chairman can see for himself that the APC in Abia is deeply rooted, in the last few days he accompanied me to some decamping ceremonies of people from other parties into our party. On behalf of our national chairman Gov. Buni I welcome you to our great party.”
Disclosing his reasons for joining the party, General Ihejirika said that he’s coming into politics by joining the APC is to contribute to the progress of the party at the state and national level.
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The former COAS said further that having served in the Army for almost 38 years he has gathered sufficient experience to contribute to the democracy of the nation and the fortunes of the party.
In his words “I am delighted by the presence of the leader of the party in our state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to honour this event.
“Having served almost 38 years in the military, I am convinced that it will be a waste of experience for me to remain outside government activities.
“This is because I have a lot to offer and assure you all that I will operate an open-door policy, I will also learn fast.
“My first goal is to unite the party, unity is very important because if we are united we can achieve all our goals for the state and the nation at large.”
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In a telephone interview, the State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa who said that he was on official assignment outside the state said that Ihejirika’s entrance into the party is a great addition.
Nwankpa added that the coming of Ihejirika and other bigwigs is a product of years of hard work by the leadership of the party and other leaders such as Orji Kalu, Nyerere Anyim and among other leaders.
He restated his earlier statement that “the incumbent PDP administration will be the last PDP-led government in Abia before 2023.
Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR (born February 13, 1956) is a retired Nigerian Army lieutenant general and former Chief of Army Staff.