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Showing posts with the label NIGERIANARMY

Police Raid PREMIUM TIMES Head Office; Arrest Publisher Journalist

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Th e Nigeria police have raided PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher. The publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. Plain-clothed officers conducted a search at the office shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid. “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.” He said the paper would continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility, and patriotism, even at great risk to our per

Former Aviation Minister Hirse Who Was Kidnapped At President Buhari Cousin's Home In Kaduna Has Regained Freedom – Family

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Mr Bagudu Hirse, former aviation minister, who was abducted by gunmen in Kaduna on Sunday, Nov. 20, has regained his freedom, his brother, Mr John Hirse, has confirmed. “Bagudu was released in the early hours of Saturday,” John, retired permanent secretary in the federal civil service and currently District Head of Mangu, in Plateau, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Saturday. He said that the former aviation minister is “hale and hearty”, and thanked Nigerians for the prayers and words of encouragement “during the tỳing period”. “May God reward everyone who stood by us during the tough period,” he said. John, however, did not give further details, and also refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid to the abductors. NAN recalls that Bagudu was abducted by gunmen at the Kaduna residence of Ambassador Mamman Daura, where he had gone to condole the family over the death of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. Bagudu’s abduction took pla

Gunmen Storm Mamman Daura's House and kidnap Ambassador Hirse

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Gunmen, today engaged in a gun duel with security operatives guarding the home of the powerful cousin of President Muhammadu Buhari and abducted Mr.  Hirse. Mr. Daura was shocked by the kidnapping, but left unharmed. Security operatives have subsequently been drafted to protect Mr. Daura's Kaduna residence. Police are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

Panic At Lagos Airport As Nigerian Air Force Carries Out Counter-Terrorism Exercise

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Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos as personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with other security agencies, carried out a counter-terrorism exercise at the airport.  Our correspondent reported that most of the passengers and users of the airport were caught unaware as a group of men who posed as terrorists seized the departure hall and put the air travelers under intense terror.  Several eyewitnesses told our correspondent that, at first, they thought the terminal was under terrorist attack. “People were running in every direction, scampering for safety,” said a passenger who said he was bound for London. He said the people posing as terrorists took over the entire departure hall and shot sporadically into the air.  Another source revealed that one passenger’s blood pressure seemed to spike dangerously, adding that a member of the crew of Ethiopian Airline wet herself. Medics reportedly rushed a woman to a

Burial Photographs of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali

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Burial Photographs of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali, the late Lt. Col was laid to rest today at the National Cemetery, Abuja, alongside 5 other soldiers. 

EXCLUSIVE: 21 Chibok Girl Released By Boko Haram

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Twenty one of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in April 2014 has been released to the Nigerian government, a government source told SaharaReporters. The sources disclosed that the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today. The release of the 21 girls comes as President Buhari began a three-day trip to Germany to discuss assistance for the rebuilding of the northeastern part of Nigeria ravaged by Boko Haram. Citizens Reporters could not immediately obtain the names of the girls released today.

Abuja Protest: Islamic Students Demand Release of El Zakzaky

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Students mainly Islamic took to the streets of Abuja,  the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday to demand the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria , who has been in military detention since December 2015. The Sheikh was arrested after a clash between members of his Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a Shi'ia group, and the military, which left at least 347 Islamic Movement of Nigeria dead The protesters tendered a statement concerning the protest.  PRESS RELEASE OUR DEMAND IS SIMPLE: IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF OUR LEADER, SHAIKH ZAKZAKY, HIS WIFE AND OTHERS We are all aware of the unfortunate event that occurred at Zaria between 12th and 14th December 2015. Proofs abound to establish that the operations by the Nigerian Army were well coordinated and preplanned. It was not as a result of provocations due to "clash". Independent investigations by renowned and reputable human rights organizations have affirmed gross violation

Boko Haram Ambush Military Escort

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Today afternoon, suspected elements  of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who were foraging for food, ambushed troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri, at Sanda general area, Borno State. Unfortunately, 5 civilians lost their lives at the incident and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries. The wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. Consequently, another robust patrol team has been despatched to reinforce the troops, clear the general area and pursue the terrorists. This unfortunate incident has brought to the fore the need for more vigilance and cooperation amongst all. We would like to assure the public that we would not allow this isolated incident to thwart the peace and security commuters enjoy along the route and all other opened routes in the North East. Troops are on the heels of the attackers and would not relent till they are apprehended or killed. Additional secu

Bodies of Three Drowned Soldiers Recovered

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Assisted by military personnel, local divers in Bayelsa State have recovered bodies of three drowned soldiers yesterday in Brass LGA area. This was contained in series of statements issue by the Bayelsa State Chapter Chairman of The National Maritime Union,  Mr. Lloyd Sese, He said the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of four soldiers in Brass Local Government area was due to poor logistics and use of low powered engine boats to convoy military personnel. Mr. Sese, who commented on the incident yesterday in Yenagoa, said the preliminary investigation conducted by the Brass Unit of the Maritime Union showed that the accident could have been avoided if adequate logistics were arranged with high capacity engine boats used. He stated that “they used small boats with low capacity engines.” He called on the military authorities to consult the Maritime Union for logistics and transport during such movements, while we commiserate with the Nigerian Military on the loss of their m

Wanted Journalist Salkida arrested by DSS at Nnamdi Azikiwe Intl Airport

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Ahmad Salkida, one of the three people wanted for alleged knowledge of Boko Haram and the whereabouts of over 200 Chibok girls, was arrested in Abuja on Monday. Mr. Salkida, who arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785, was taken from the door of the aircraft by members of the security forces. A passenger seated next to Mr. Salkida during the journey informed SaharaReporters that Mr. Salkida was nervous throughout the flight. She said she recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight. Mr. Salkida told her that he expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He expressed fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial. Mr. Salkida further told the passenger that he did not know the

Four Soldiers Drown In Boat Mishap In Bayelsa State

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The military operation dubbed Operation Crocodile Smile suffered a major loss on Monday following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, leading to the death of four soldiers by drowning.  Also missing are service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers. It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10 a.m. on Monday, created panic among newly deployed soldiers. ‎The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident, "but [we] don't have details on the number of casualties." Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development, calling it a "natural incident." Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint Military action known as Operation Delta Safe (ODS) failed, as the Acting Coordinator of the Joint M

14 NestOil Staff Kidnapped in Rivers State

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Unknown Gunmen on Saturday abducted fourteen workers from the Nestoil oil company in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State while travelling in their company van. According to eyewitnesses, the employees were returning from their work site at Omoku area and were en route to Port Harcourt when they were ambushed by the kidnappers. Reporters was unable to speak to anyone from the company’s management to issue a statement at the time of publication. When our correspondent contacted the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development and stressed that their men have swung into action. He added that police have located the staff van. Mr. Omoni said policemen have moved into the bushes in that area and expressed optimism that the workers will be rescued.

Exercise code-name "Crocodile": Nigerian Army Releases Photographs

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The Nigerian Army through its Twitter handle released photographs of their training exercise in the South-south.  The exercise code-name CROCODILE will take place between 00:00hours of Friday 26th and end around 24:00 hours of same day.  This exercise will be similar to the Oban games exercise/drill of the Nigerian Navy

Gas Explosion kills one, Injures many in Yobe Damarutu

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A gas explosion on Wednesday claimed one life injuring six others in Damaturu the Yobe state capital. Eye witnesses said an Army personnel brought a pipe to be constructed for the hoisting of flags while construction work was going on, the explosive devices went off killing the welder, one army personnel and others close to the welding point. The witness suspected that explosive devices may have been embedded in the pipe unknowingly to the security personnel by the militant group, Boko Haram. But the Army Spokesman for the 27th Taskforce Brigade Lieutenant, George Okupe while speaking to newsmen at the scene of the explosion, confirmed the death of the welder as well as the injured Army Personnel who is currently receiving treatment at the Sani Abacha specialist’s hospital in Damaturu the state capital. He said the cause of the explosion is yet to be known but members of the Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) have been deployed to the area to ensure no further explosive devices are

Nasarawa State Government denies Slashing Workers Salaries by 50%

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This is according to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Nasarawa State, Yusuf Usman during an interview on Sunrise Daily. “The strike was as a result of labour’s inability to comprehend the situation on ground, they had no reason to go on strike without actually taking into account the real situations on ground, Mr Usman told Channels television. “Here is a state that for five years consecutively has been paying without failing and without any default. “I emphasised this point because as we are talking with you there are so many states that are far behind in the payment of salaries, owing arrears of five, six, seven months. “So if Nasarawa State would, despite all the hardship in the country, keep fit with the payment of salaries for 5 years without arrears I think there is no reason. Mr Usman also debunked the allegations that the state government slashed the workers’ salaries by 50 per cent saying it was a reduction of the bonuses the government gave the worker

Nigerian Army Killed Most of The Chibok Girls: Video

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Associated Press, yesterday released a statement credited to Boko Haram alleging that dozens of the 219 Abducted Chibok Girls have been killed in the ongoing coordinated air strikes against its members,  this was contained in series of tweets sent out by Ahmad Salkida.  Recall that Ahmad Salkida was just recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for withholding statements concerning the whereabouts of the abducted school girls. Ahmad Salkida, a journalist with links to Boko Haram, in a series of tweets yesterday on his Tweeter Handle @ContactSalkida, confirmed watching “horrifying” images of some of the Chibok girls allegedly killed by the Nigerian military airstrikes. Salkida said the video was exclusively released to him by Abubakar Shekau, the ousted leader of militant group. “I’m studying the video of the Chibok girls that was sent exclusively to me before their abductors upload on it You Tube later, @ BBOG_Nigeria,” he tweeted. Salkida had earlier tweeted: ”Just in: Jama’