BREAKING NEWS, Security
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Nigeria Army is on the trail of “Patriotic Officers” who use stolen prototype of the official letter headed paper of the Department of Administration in their nefarious activities
| By Maureen Chigbo | May 21, 2015 @ 03:50 GMT |
THE Nigerian Army is on the track of unpatriotic army officials who uses stolen official letter headed paper to engage in nefarious activities. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting director, Army Public Relations, in Abuja, on Wednesday, May 20, told journalist that previously the army raised alarm about certain faceless interest group deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army through propagation of falsehood and misrepresentation of facts. The group which was previously writing as “Concerned Officers” and now have adopted “Patriotic Officers” uses stolen prototype of the official letter headed paper of the Department of Administration in their nefarious activities. “The group’s activities are dubious and highly criminal. I want to assure you that both the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the Military Police are on their trails and have made significant progress in that regard. I also wish to state that the members of the group are anything but patriotic and do not mean well to either the Nigerian Army or the nation. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any good intention, the military has laid down procedures to channel suggestions, complains and observations,” he said.
According to him, there are currently two separate Court Martial’s going on in Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism, he said, adding that the passing out parade of 2,388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army Zaria comes up on Friday, May 22. There is no doubt this would boost the strength of the Nigerian Army. He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s unalloyed loyalty and subordination to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The Nigerian Army also wishes to emphasize its adherence to the principles and respect for human rights in the discharge of its Constitutional duties.
This monthly media briefing is in line with Nigerian Army’s desire of keeping the public informed of its activities. You may recall that during my maiden briefing on 25 March, 2015, I mentioned the concerted efforts of the Nigerian Army in the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram Terrorists in the area of capacity building of our troops. It is heartwarming to note that within the last month, 481 personnel of the Armed Forces Special Forces which comprises personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police have completed their training and inducted into the theatre of operations within 7 Division Area of Responsibility. Recent achievements recorded in the North East can be attributed to the exploits of this elite force.”
Similarly, one additional battalion (151 Battalion) has also completed its training and inducted into the theatre while 2 battalions, 152 and 153 Battalions are currently undergoing training and will be inducted on completion. Additionally, Army Headquarters Task Force Group is currently in the last phase of their training while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi, has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel and the personnel training on improvised explosive devices, IEDs, in the United Kingdom and United States is ongoing.
According to him, recent successes recorded in operations against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North East and indeed other operations within the country are manifestations of Nigerian Army’s huge investment in human and material resources within the period. “The Nigerian Army considers welfare of its personnel as one of the most important and key aspects that determines the success of its operations and day-to-day administration. To this end, the Nigerian Army administrative policies and procedures have recently been reviewed to be in line with current and future realities. The last review of this document was in 2005. To ease the problems associated with retiring Nigerian Army officers, a one-stop documentation procedure was devised recently. An office of the deputy director retirement and documentation was established at the Army Headquarters Department of Administration with a 90 day time line of documenting and processing retiring officers’ benefits.”
Similarly, a system of annual update of Nigerian Army personnel next-of-kins has been devised. This is intended to eliminate the hardship hitherto experienced by families and in particular, the next-of-kins of our fallen colleagues. As a prelude to this, last month 20 next-of-kins received cheques for payment of group life insurance entitled to them while a total of 235 next-of-kins benefitted from the special assistance by the office of the National Security Adviser. Also, more than 2000 children of deceased personnel were screened and passed for NA scholarship for 2014/2015 Academic Session. Furthermore, up to 20 families have also benefitted from the official burial expenses within the last month in addition to the chief of army staff’s token which was intended to provide immediate succour to the families.
He further urged Nigerians “to remain vigilant and report any suspected breach of peace to security agencies. This has become necessary in view of the fact that the Boko Haram terrorists group have been routed out of their strongholds; they have now resorted to using under aged children as couriers and suicide bombers. This calls for more security consciousness and vigilance among all Nigerians.”
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