** Army arrests saboteur soldiers
May 23, 2013
By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA—THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said, yesterday, that soldiers who leaked information to terrorists about the movement of troops to Mali for AFISMA operations, thereby leading to the ambush and killing of two soldiers along the Okene-Lokoja road, have been arrested and are to face a military court martial.
This was just as he disclosed that the Army will, this week, take delivery of 10, 000 bullet proof vests, as well as 10, 000 bullet proof helmets for use of troops deployed in several operations.
Ihejirika who spoke at the 2013 Nigerian Army transformation seminar, noted that contrary to insinuations that the battle to dislodge terrorists from the North had led to shortage of troops for other operations; the Nigerian Army had enough manpower that was battle ready to undertake more challenges and tasks as may be directed by the Federal Government.
His words: “I want to say that our troops have really done well with regards to assigned tasks in ongoing operations. Moreover, we have set up Standing Monitoring Teams for all such ongoing operations and they update us with regards to ensuring that rules of engagement are followed.
“It was through the work of the monitoring team in AFISMA operation in Mali, that we got to know that one of our soldiers fell sick and later, DIED. Let me at this juncture THANK MR. PRESIDENT for approving a PRESIDENTIAL JET to bring home the body of the Sergeant from Mali.
“Presently, we are training 1,000 soldiers to become better and more effective amphibious soldiers for JTF operations in the Niger Delta. They will become better seamen. In this regards, the Navy has been of tremendous assistance by allowing us use of the Navy’s Amphibious training facilities.
“As I am talking to you, we have established a Battalion known as the 101 Reserve Battalion to be directly under Army headquarters. It will not be deployed for ongoing terrorism clampdown. It will just be on standby for any assigned task. Already out of the 100 percent requirements needed for its take off, we have met about 60 percent.
“This shows that we are ready and prepared to take on even more challenges. This also explains why in building capacity,we made it mandatory that all troops and officers coming out of depot and other military institutions must undergo counter-terrorism courses”.
Speaking further, the COAS said, “Since the end of military era and commencing of democratic rule, the Nigerian Army has not witnessed as much support and provision of accommodation facilities as we have now and this has impacted seriously on the morale of officers and soldiers”.
“This administration has done a lot for the army. Tomorrow, I will take delivery of 10, 000 bullet proof vests and 10, 000 bullet proof helmets from the office of the National Security Adviser for our operations”.
“Let me at this point warn against giving out vital information both at Army headquarters and formations level which put at risk, our operations or that of our troops. The consequences will be appliedto the letter. A Soldier who gave out information that led to the killing of troops going to Mali hasbeen arrested and will soon face court martial”.
“Some soldiers give out information through internet and online services that compromise the fight against insurgents and compromise our operations. I have directed the Directorate of Military intelligence and the Military Police to search for these officers, who should get appropriate punishment”.
May 23, 2013
By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA—THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said, yesterday, that soldiers who leaked information to terrorists about the movement of troops to Mali for AFISMA operations, thereby leading to the ambush and killing of two soldiers along the Okene-Lokoja road, have been arrested and are to face a military court martial.
This was just as he disclosed that the Army will, this week, take delivery of 10, 000 bullet proof vests, as well as 10, 000 bullet proof helmets for use of troops deployed in several operations.
Ihejirika who spoke at the 2013 Nigerian Army transformation seminar, noted that contrary to insinuations that the battle to dislodge terrorists from the North had led to shortage of troops for other operations; the Nigerian Army had enough manpower that was battle ready to undertake more challenges and tasks as may be directed by the Federal Government.
His words: “I want to say that our troops have really done well with regards to assigned tasks in ongoing operations. Moreover, we have set up Standing Monitoring Teams for all such ongoing operations and they update us with regards to ensuring that rules of engagement are followed.
“It was through the work of the monitoring team in AFISMA operation in Mali, that we got to know that one of our soldiers fell sick and later, DIED. Let me at this juncture THANK MR. PRESIDENT for approving a PRESIDENTIAL JET to bring home the body of the Sergeant from Mali.
“Presently, we are training 1,000 soldiers to become better and more effective amphibious soldiers for JTF operations in the Niger Delta. They will become better seamen. In this regards, the Navy has been of tremendous assistance by allowing us use of the Navy’s Amphibious training facilities.
“As I am talking to you, we have established a Battalion known as the 101 Reserve Battalion to be directly under Army headquarters. It will not be deployed for ongoing terrorism clampdown. It will just be on standby for any assigned task. Already out of the 100 percent requirements needed for its take off, we have met about 60 percent.
“This shows that we are ready and prepared to take on even more challenges. This also explains why in building capacity,we made it mandatory that all troops and officers coming out of depot and other military institutions must undergo counter-terrorism courses”.
Speaking further, the COAS said, “Since the end of military era and commencing of democratic rule, the Nigerian Army has not witnessed as much support and provision of accommodation facilities as we have now and this has impacted seriously on the morale of officers and soldiers”.
“This administration has done a lot for the army. Tomorrow, I will take delivery of 10, 000 bullet proof vests and 10, 000 bullet proof helmets from the office of the National Security Adviser for our operations”.
“Let me at this point warn against giving out vital information both at Army headquarters and formations level which put at risk, our operations or that of our troops. The consequences will be appliedto the letter. A Soldier who gave out information that led to the killing of troops going to Mali hasbeen arrested and will soon face court martial”.
“Some soldiers give out information through internet and online services that compromise the fight against insurgents and compromise our operations. I have directed the Directorate of Military intelligence and the Military Police to search for these officers, who should get appropriate punishment”.
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