Defence Headquarters – Channels Television

18 Persons Killed In Ambush On Borno Govt’s Convoy – Defence Headquarters

The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche absolves the military of sabotage as claimed by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

The Defence Headquarters says 18 persons were killed in the Boko Haram ambush on the Borno State Government’s convoy on Friday.

Disclosing this in a communique, the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said only 10 policemen, four soldiers and four civilians were killed in the ambush at Barwati village.

According to the military spokesman, the victims were killed by an explosion from the multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted on the road by the terrorists.

He further revealed that two police vehicles were carted away, but adds that Troops on hot pursuit of the insurgents successfully recovered the vehicles and captured a Boko Haram gun truck.

According to General Enenche, the Nigerian Army has since deployed bomb and IED disposal teams to ensure effective route scanning and clearance to forestall future occurrence.

Buhari Condemns Attack On Zulum’s Entourage

Zulum Saddened By Killing Of 11 Security Personnel – Spokesman

Below is the full statement as sent out by the military spokesman.

The convoy of the Borno State Civilians Relocation Committee comprising Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force and Civilian Joint Task Force was ambushed by members of the BHT/ISWAP at Barwati village on 25 of September 2020.
The attack/ambush was however successfully repelled by the gallant troops. Sadly, a total of 18 lives including 4 soldiers, 10 Policemen and 4 civilians were lost during the sad incident.
Troops on hot pursuit of the insurgents successfully recovered 3 vehicles.
Two of the vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police that were earlier carted away by the terrorists during the attack. Similarly, one BHT gun truck was also captured.
The casualties recorded were as a result of the explosion from the multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted on the road by the terrorists.
The Nigerian Army has since deployed bomb and IED disposal teams to ensure effective route scanning and clearance to forestall future occurrence.

Troops Invade Militants Camp In Bayelasa, Kill 6

The Defence Headquarters has said that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, on Tuesday, in Bayelsa State, invaded a Pirates’ camp killing six militants.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the military spokesman, the troops acted on credible intelligence and monitored movements of a suspected pirate/sea gang leader, who sneaked into town from Port Harcourt.

The troops later raided the pirates’ camp at Tukugbene-Ayama Ijaw Local Government Area where they arrested both suspects and their gang members.

General Enenche disclosed that upon arrival at the personal jetty of the suspect, troops engaged in gunfire from pirates/militants in five boats that approached from adjoining creek.

He further revealed that three AK47 rifles with a magazine, two 200 HP Yamaha outbound engines and three 115HP Yamaha outbound engines were also recovered during the operation.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their dexterity and advised them to remain resolute in curtailing the activities of pirates/militants in the Niger Delta region.

Below is a full statement of the operation as published by General Enenche.

TROOPS OF OPERATION DELTA SAFE RAID PIRATES/MILITANTS CAMP AT TUKUGBENE AYAMA IN SOUTHERN IJAW LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE acting on actionable and credible intelligence on a suspected pirate/sea robber gang leader one Mr LANRE mounted surveillance on the suspect who came into town from Port Harcourt with one AYI ABUH also a notorious Kidnapper/pirate. Subsequently, troops conducted a raid operation of the pirates’ camp at Tukugbene-Ayama ijaw LGA Bayelsa State on 4 Aug 20.
The operation was aimed at extracting both LANRE and AYI ABUH as well as other members of the gang from the community. Upon arrival at the personal jetty of the suspect, troops met heavy resistance from harassing gun fire from pirates/militants in 5 boats that approached from adjoining creek. The overwhelming fire power of own troops led to the forceful withdrawal of the pirates/militants with various degree of gunshots wounds. The gallant troops sustained the fire fight until 5 of the pirates/militants were neutralised ashore.
Furthermore, three of the attacking boats were sunk while the occupants with various degree of gunshots wounds escaped into the river. In the process, troops recovered 3 boats from the pirates. Additionally, own troops took over the jetty and advance to the objective area which was empty. It was believed that while the exchange of fire was ongoing LANRE and AYI ABUH escaped. A complete cordon and search was carried out on the building where the suspects were believed to be residing and thereafter the building was cleared. In the process, troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles with a magazine, two 200 HP Yamaha outbound engines and three 115HP Yamaha outbound engines.
Relatedly, troops acting on credible and actionable intelligence about a notorious criminal/kidnapper and oil thief popularly known as AKALAMI High Chief AKA SAMMY. Troops swiftly mobilized to conduct raid operation at his identified hideout along Mbiama East West road. During the operation, the kingpin was neutralised while attempting to escape. Items including a localliy made pistol and cartridges were recovered from the criminal. Sammy is reported to be a close ally to a notorious criminal known as VIP suspected to be one of the mastermind of the killing of 5 Battalion Soldiers around East West road.
The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for their dexterity and encourages them to remain resolute in curtailing the activities of pirates/militants in the Niger Delta region of the country.

Military Ready To Enforce COVID-19 Lockdown In Lagos, Abuja, Ogun – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says the military is ready to implement the presidential order on the restriction of movement to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, announced this on Monday while briefing reporters at the DHQ in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

This comes a day after President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In his Sunday broadcast, the President imposed a curfew on Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He also highlighted some of the measures put in place by the Federal Government to curtail the spread of the disease and mitigate its effect on the Nigerian economy.

The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, briefing reporters in Abuja on March 30, 2020.

Addressing reporters on the lockdown order, Enenche said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is to implement all restriction on movement, in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the presidential directive given by the President, Commander-In-Chief, during his address to the nation on the COVID 19 pandemic, on 29 March 2020.”

The major general stressed the need for members of the public to adhere to the order aimed at curtailing the spread of coronavirus.

He outlined the efforts of the military to assist in the fight against COVID-19, adding that the only military officer who contracted the virus was already recovering at the isolation centre located at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.

According to Enenche, a committee headed by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations is in place interfacing with all relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government managing the situation.

He noted that a number of Armed Forces of Nigerian medical personnel have been earmarked to be trained on the management of COVID 19 cases, in liaison with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“In the same vein, about 48 Disaster Response Units of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are on Notice To Move in conjunction with NEMA.

“These units will handle operations other than medicals that may arise in the course of this non-kinetic military operation,” the military spokesman explained.

He added, “The High Command of Nigerian Military hereby solicits for the support of the general public in this trying period of the fight against COVID-19.

“This can be achieved by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by government at all levels.”

Enenche also disclosed that 17 isolation and treatment centres have been earmarked across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

They are 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba and 2 Division Hospital, Ibadan in the South West, as well as the Military Hospital, Port Harcourt; Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar and Military Hospital, Benin in the South South.

Others include 211 Regiment Group Medical Centre, Owerri and 82 Division Military Hospital, Enugu in the South East, and 161 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Makurdi and 22 Brigade Medical Centre, Ilorin in the North Central.

The rest are 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna; 465 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Kano; 263 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Daura and 119 Composite Group Medical Centre, Sokoto in the North West, as well as 261 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Bauchi; 163 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Yola; 7 Division Military Hospital, Maiduguri and 27 Task Force Brigade Field Ambulance, Damaturu in the North East.

Amnesty Must ‘End Its Reckless Distortion Of Facts’, Military Reacts

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has responded to the allegation that troops deployed in the North East razed some villages in Borno State.

The Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, dismissed the claim by Amnesty International in an interview with Channels Television on Friday.

Rather, he accused the human rights group of frustrating the effort of the military in restoring peace to the troubled region.

The DHQ spokesman warned Amnesty International to stop what he described as “its reckless distortion of facts in its desperate bid to satisfy its puppeteers.”

According to him, Nigeria is at war against terrorism but the group is undermining the campaign by the military against insurgency in the region.

Earlier, Amnesty International that security forces set villages on fire and displaced residents of the affected villagers in response to escalation in attacks by Boko Haram insurgents recently.

It said its facts were drawn from interviews with affected villagers and satellite data analysis, but the military accused the group of targeting troops to support terrorists.

Read the full statement issued below:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TARGETING NIGERIAN MILITARY IN SUPPORT OF TERRORISTS
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has taken cognizance of yet another falsified report by Amnesty International (AI) in a campaign of calumny targeting the Nigerian Military and deliberately supporting the callous acts of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
This inglorious campaign is contained in a recent report alleging the employment of unlawful tactics of razing down villages and unlawful detention of locals by troops.
This is line with the AI’s usual mannerism and tenacious efforts aimed at disparaging the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unambiguously that the allegations being touted by AI are nothing but a betrayal of its lack of in-depth knowledge of the goings-on in the North East (NE) theatre of operation.
It is expedient to state that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who are conducting Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations in the NE do not employ arson as an operational tactic.
It is a well-known fact, going by the modus operandi of BHTs, that they have more often than not engaged in the atrocious acts of looting and burning of villages, as well as destroying infrastructures.
It, therefore, beats one’s imagination that AI is attributing these atrocities to AFN troops who are legitimately defending the country guided by extant rules of engagement and operational codes of conduct.
AI must understand the fact that Nigeria is at war against terrorism in the NE and that the troops have a constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, even if it means conducting an evacuation to save and secure lives of civilians in the conflict.
Protecting civilians by evacuating them from the line of fire during combat is not a violation of the international law of conflict or a war crime.
It is rather a commendable effort by the troops to prevent collateral damage during combat.
Our troops should, therefore, be commended for making deliberate efforts to evacuate civilians in order to protect their lives and property.
It is also crucial to point out, that troops deployed to fight terrorism in the NE do not attack or raze down villages, communities or settlements, rather they launch offensive on terrorists’ camps, enclaves and hideouts.
Based on actionable intelligence, persons who provide logistics and other forms of support to the terrorists are arrested and subjected to a thorough investigation by a combined team of professionals drawn from the intelligence community of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Anyone not found culpable is not held in custody for further investigations.
AI must, therefore, put an end to its reckless distortion of facts in its desperate bid to satisfy its puppeteers by undermining Nigeria’s Military campaign against terrorism in the NE.
We urge members of the public to please discountenance AI’s report, as it is not a true and realistic reflection of troops’ counter-terrorism operation in the NE.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Acting Director, Defence Information

We Are Not Recruiting Boko Haram Ex-Fighters Into The Military – Defence HQ

The Defence Headquarters has denied the absorption of some deradicalized Boko Haram ex-fighters into the Nigerian military.

In a press release signed by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier Onyema Nwachukwu, the military says the claims are not only bereft of the truth, but laced with mediocrity emanating from poorly researched and uninformed positions.

He adds that no Boko Haram ex-fighter has been recruited into the Nigerian military and no such plan is in the offing.

The de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration program Brigadier -general Nwachukwu further stated is a Federal Government program conducted under the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor as a non-kinetic operation targeted at low-risk combatants and has become a classical example in the Lake Chad Basin region and West Africa.

He concluded that over 250 repentant insurgents who willingly abandoned their struggle and surrendered to federal troops have been de-radicalized, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society by their respective state governments in conjunction with traditional and religious institutions.

Below is the full statement as published by the Defence Headquarters

NIGERIAN MILITARY NOT RECRUITING BOKO HARAM EX FIGHTERS
The Defence Headquarters has been notified of false information peddled in some online media, insinuating that deradicalized Boko Haram ex- fighters are being absorbed into the Nigerian military. One of such insinuations is contained in a trending video footage published by Roots TV, where one Balhatu Musa Ezekiel claimed the Nigeria Army had recruited de-redicalized Boko Haram Ex-fighters into the Army and was therefore recycling insurgency.
The Defence Headquarters wishes to unambiguously state that Balhatu’s claims are not only bereft of truth, but laced with mediocrity emanating from poorly researched and uninformed position.
Contrary to his claims , no Boko Haram ex- fighter has been recruited into the Nigerian military and no such plan is in the offing.
The de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration program is a Federal Government program conducted under the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor as a non- kinetic operation.
Nigeria’s De-radicalization model is a very effective one, targeted at low risk combatants and has become a classical example in the Lake Chad Basin Region and West Africa.
Over 250 repentant insurgents who willingly abandoned their struggle and surrendered to federal troops have been de-radicalized, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society by their respective state governments in conjunction with traditional and religious institutions.
Nigeria’s De-radicalization model is therefore not new in the global community, as such model exists in Algeria, Colombia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, where persons involved in violent extremism have been de-radicalized and rehabilitated . This process is therefore an internationally acceptable practice now.
So far in Nigeria, the de-radicalized ex-fighters are doing well in their respective communities, as no adverse report has been recorded against the de-radicalized repentant ex fighters by Operation Safe Corridor’s monitoring unit. There has not been report of molestation or harassment of any sort against them by members of the communities, where they are resettled. As a matter of verifiable fact, the reintegrated ex- fighters are doing well in their various endeavours and are positively impacting on their respective communities.
It is also expedient to state, that the Federal Government of Nigeria has continued to prosecute BHT/ISWAP suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction and over 500 terrorists have so far been convicted. Meanwhile, the next round of prosecution of another batch of terrorism suspects is due to commence shortly.
Members of the public are therefore enjoined to please discountenance the misinformation and misguided views peddled by Balhatu Musa Ezekiel, as it constitutes outright aberration of extant recruitment procedures and practice of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Defence Headquarters reiterates its commitment to ensuring a well motivated, trained and equipped Armed Forces that is professionally responsive to national security commitments.
Please disseminate this information through your news medium.
Thank you for your cooperation.

138 Bandits Killed, 50 Victims Rescued In Two Months – Military

The Defence Headquarters has said that over 138 suspected bandits have been killed, while over 50 kidnapped victims were rescued by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and the Joint Task Force Operation Thunder Strike between May to July 2019 in the Northwest part of the country.

Both operations were launched in May in a bid to tackle the spate of security challenges confronting some states in the North-Western part of the country.

At a briefing in Abuja to update journalists on the progress of the joint operation, the Director of Defence Information, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said that the troops also recovered firearms and ammunition during several mop-up operations carried out.

“Since inception, troops of OPHD have recorded strings of successes against the criminals, including a daring rescue operation in which troops neutralized 54 armed bandits in an encounter in fortified enclaves in Moriki, Madada and Dumburum forests in Zamfara state. Several assorted firearms were also recovered from the bandits.

“It will suffice to mention that in the last 2 months, since the commencement of the joint operations, the gallant troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have in series of successful encounters rescued over 50 kidnapped victims and neutralized about 78 armed bandits from various fortified enclaves in Zamfara and contiguous states.

“The troops have also recovered a total of 39 firearms which include 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 Light Machine Gun, 14 Dane guns, 2 Pump-action rifles, 3 semi-automatic rifles, 3 pistols and 2,437 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”

He added that over 25 suspected bandits have been arrested and are undergoing investigations.

Colonel Nwachukwu explained that the bandits used cattle rustling to fund their criminalities and the troops began anti-cattle rustling operation, which led to the interception of 2,278 cows.

“On the realization, that bandits were generating financial resources through cattle rustling to fund their criminality, troops of OPHD also embarked on anti-cattle rustling operations, which led to the interception and stalling of cattle rustling activities. This culminated in the recovery of 2,278 cows, which have been duly returned to their respective owners.

He also revealed that kidnappers, bandits, cattle rustlers along major highways and adjoining villages around Kaduna-Abuja axis were not spared, as troops identified flashpoints and arrested 14 suspected kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition.

“These operations led to the successful interception and arrest of 14 suspected kidnappers, while 6 bandits were neutralized. In a unique occurrence, troops while on aggressive patrol along Abuja-Kaduna highway discovered a group of bandits dressed in military camouflage who would have been ordinarily perceived by unsuspecting members of the public as military personnel on routine checks along the highway mounted an illegal roadblock. The courageous troops moved tactically to the scene, engaged them in a firefight and neutralized the bandits.

“The troops have so far recovered a total of 38 firearms comprising, 11 AK 47 rifles, 1 Semi-automatic rifle, 1 Revolver Pistol, 23 Dane guns, 2 locally made pistols, 157 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, 8 cartridges, 2 AK 47 magazines, 5 Mobile phones, and 4 solar panels. “

Other recoveries made by the troops include “seven Motorcycles used by bandits and 695 cattle.

“The cows have been returned to their respective owners,” he added.

Army Claims Victory Over Armed Herdsmen In Benue

The defence headquarters says all territories in Benue State which were deserted due to attacks by armed herdsmen have been recovered by the owners and more residents are returning home.

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, who disclosed this on Saturday, explained that the development was as a result of the Army’s counter-insurgency activities through Operation Whirl Stroke.

According to him, all known armed herdsmen camps in the state have been destroyed.

Agim said the operation recorded success not only in Benue but also in neighbouring Taraba and Nasarawa state.

According to Agim, no herdsmen territories are standing in Benue and farmers who fled their communities are returning to their ancestral homes.

Agim also said the activities of militia groups in the state have been degraded, rendering them incapable of carrying out attacks.

‘No Rapists Among Us’, Military Tells Amnesty International

The Defence Headquarters has responded to the allegations of sexual offences levelled against the military by Amnesty International.

Addressing a news conference on Friday in Borno State, the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, warned that the military would no longer tolerate such accusations.

He stated this after leading a team from the DHQ to Maiduguri, to investigate the allegations of rape and other sexual offences allegedly by soldiers positioned in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Brigadier General Agim told reporters that the team visited caregivers, camp officials, and women leaders in the camps, after which the military concluded that Amnesty International’s claims were untrue.

“I have interacted with the stakeholders in the camps that the Nigerian Armed Forces has neither molested, sexually assaulted nor raped any IDP as alleged by Amnesty International recent concocted report,” he said. “In the Armed Forces, we maintain that we do not condone rape and do not have rapists among us.

“You have also established that soldiers are not deployed inside the IDP camps; hence, the need to take you round the two most populous camps in Borno State which are Bakassi IDP Camp with over 35,000 displaced persons from five different local governments areas namely: Marte, Monguno, Gwoza, Gwuzamala and Nganzan, as well as Dalori IDP Camp with over 7,800 persons from Bama and Konduga local governments respectively,” the military spokesman added.

He explained that on gender-based violence, the DHQ specifically considers rape as an outright aberration and a grievous offence that cannot go unpunished.

The Brigadier General, however, decried allegations contained in the report of the human rights group as ineffective methodologies to address the matter.

He noted that it was about time the issue was addressed squarely, rather than resorting to blanket allegations.

The Defence spokesman further questioned the motives of Amnesty International for repeatedly making allegations allegedly capable of presenting the Nigerian Army personnel as monsters.

To this end, he alleged that the organisation has not only positioned itself as an enemy of the Nigerian Army but the country as a whole.

“If you look at what happened this year from January to this moment, every month Amnesty brings out a report; before now we used to hear about their annual report.

“It is intended to ensure that foreign countries that are ready to collaborate with the military in the fight against insurgents do not do so – it is the same kind of report that made the US not to sell us weapons in 2014/2015.

“Why are they doing that, because they want the crisis not to finish? So, we also are compiling the activities of Amnesty International and by the time the military command looks at what they are doing, there may be a time that they will take action,” Agim said.

Amnesty International Plans To Publish ‘Malicious Report’ Against Nigerian Military – Defence HQ

Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim (File photo)

The Nigerian Military has accused Amnesty International of planning to publish a false report against members of the military operating in the North East.

According to a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, the military has “credible intelligence” about the plan and that the report contains claims of fictitious rape incidents in internally displaced persons’ camps in the insurgency-ravaged North East.

The military is unhappy with what it says is becoming a frequent ritual by the human rights watchdog, which had previously accused it of rights violations.

In February and March, the military condemned two reports by Amnesty, the first accusing it of rights violations in its operations and the second accusing it of ignoring warnings about the raid by Boko Haram on Dapchi in Yobe State that led to the abduction of schoolgirls.

The military warned that the planned unsavory report by amnesty and such reports were capable of demoralising its members and hurting the war against insurgency.

“This malicious trend by AI is becoming a frequent ritual and it is rather unfortunate,” the statement read in part.

“In times like this, Amnesty International is expected to apply the natural law of liaison by working with security agencies as partners.

“This would have been the best way to ensure that insurgency and crisis are completely wiped off rather than engaging in falsehood, maligning the military and painting her in bad light at any slight opportunity.”

Amnesty International Plans To Publish ‘Malicious Report’ Against Nigerian Military – Defence HQ — FILE PHOTO: Nigerian soldiers sit on a military pick-up truck at a military base.

The military assured Nigerians that it remained committed to abiding by all human rights regulations endorsed by the country and carry out its constitutional role.

It, however, called on Amnesty to “desist from cooking reports from time to time to demoralise the entire military system and nation as a whole”.

Stressing that troops are sacrificing their lives in the fight against Boko Haram and other enemies of the country, the military called for an end to reports it described as fictitious.

“These false reports which are capable of derailing the good work being done by our patriotic and selfless soldiers must stop,” it said.

In March, while denying the claim by AI that the military failed to take action to stop the abduction of over 100 school girls from Dapchi, Brigadier General Agim had accused the human rights organisation of lacking credibility in its operations in Nigeria.

In his statement on Monday, he called on the organisation to carry out its activities with credibility.

“We are not in any way implying that AI should not do their job, but such must be done with a level of integrity and credibility by seeking clarification when the need arises,” he said.

“This way a lot will be achieved as both will form partners in the fight against extremism and other vices.”

Amnesty International has yet to react to the statement by the military.

Dapchi Abduction: Nigerian Army Describes Amnesty’s Claims As ‘Outright Falsehood’

The Defence Headquarters has refuted the claims by Amnesty International (AI) that the Nigerian military failed to prevent the abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Yobe State despite being warned.

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said this claim by Amnesty International is outright falsehood and misleading.

“It is pertinent to state that most of their narratives are outright falsehood and a calculated attempt to whip up sentiments and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians. To demoralise friendly nations and people collaborating with security forces to end the forces of evil in the North-East,” they said.

Amnesty International had earlier alleged that the Nigerian Military and security forces were informed that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters were heading towards Dapchi in Yobe State to abduct some schoolgirls and failed to act on the information.

In reaction, the Nigerian Army, in a statement signed by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, denied this claim and said that they were not informed by Amnesty International.

“For the avoidance of doubts, no security force was informed of Dapchi schoolgirls abduction as alleged by Amnesty International.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military and has attained the highest form of professionalism in line with International best practices. And so, could not have ignored the warning of Boko Haram attack only to work tirelessly to get the girls back,” the statement read in part.

Nigerian Army also took a swipe at Amnesty International stating that it is not proper for the organisation to denigrate the reputation of Nigeria’s security forces.

The also challenged the international group to expose the unit they informed about the impending attack.

“The question Amnesty International has not answered satisfactorily is; which of the security forces and what unit was informed that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters heading towards Dapchi where they abducted Dapchi school girls?

“What was the telephone numbers used to inform the Military or the Police? Why has Amnesty International refused to communicate its findings with the Federal Government’s Committee set up to investigate what happened before, during and after Dapchi girls abduction? Is Amnesty International trying to undermine the outcome of this committee?,” the Nigeria military questioned.

The Nigerian army, however, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria is poised to bring the activities of Boko Haram terrorist to a complete end and “no amount of discouraging fabrications aimed at deterring the military from achieving its constitutionally assigned responsibilities.”

Defence Headquarters Gets New Spokesman

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters military has appointed a new Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim.

The military announced this in a statement from the DHQ and signed on Monday by Wing Commander O.O. Ademosu

Brigadier General Agim replaces Major General John Enenche who is now the Commandant at the Army War College, Nigeria.

Until his appointment as the new DHQ spokesman, Agim was Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Public Relations.

According to the statement, his appointment takes immediate effect.

IPOB Denies Being A Terrorist Group

The Indigenous People of Biafra has reacted to the declaration by the Defence Headquarters that the group is a terrorist organisation.

In a phone interview with the Channels Television, the group said it is a non-violent movement and that it has never carried arms or killed anyone.

“It is very, very laughable that that is coming from a military intelligence officer. One, IPOB is a non-violent movement,” Prince Kanu, the younger brother of IPOB leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the group said.

“We do not carry arms; we’ve never asked anyone to kill for us neither have we killed anyone. If you look at our records, our records are clean and straight.”

Reasons given by the Defence Headquarters for declaring the group a terrorist organisation include the formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads; extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal roadblocks, and militant possession and use of weapons (stones, Molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on September 10, 2017.

But the group denied the allegation, insisting that it had neither carried arms nor harassed civilians.

“From inception, Nnamdi Kanu made it clear to the whole world that we are non-violent freedom fighters and that is the way it has been,” Prince Kanu said.

Tag: Defence Headquarters

18 Persons Killed In Ambush On Borno Govt’s Convoy – Defence Headquarters

Troops Invade Militants Camp In Bayelasa, Kill 6

Military Ready To Enforce COVID-19 Lockdown In Lagos, Abuja, Ogun – DHQ

Amnesty Must ‘End Its Reckless Distortion Of Facts’, Military Reacts

We Are Not Recruiting Boko Haram Ex-Fighters Into The Military – Defence HQ

138 Bandits Killed, 50 Victims Rescued In Two Months – Military

Army Claims Victory Over Armed Herdsmen In Benue

‘No Rapists Among Us’, Military Tells Amnesty International

Amnesty International Plans To Publish ‘Malicious Report’ Against Nigerian Military – Defence HQ

Dapchi Abduction: Nigerian Army Describes Amnesty’s Claims As ‘Outright Falsehood’

Defence Headquarters Gets New Spokesman

IPOB Denies Being A Terrorist Group

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