Category: Armed Forces - Page 4 - African News Today

May God Bless Our Troops By Femi Adesina

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria

May God Bless Our Troops By Femi Adesina

President Joe Biden has a favourite sign-off at the end of every major speech: “May God bless America and may God protect our troops.” In August 2020, when he gave a speech at the Democratic Convention, Biden ended that way. Same for his November 7, 2020 speech after he won the election. And of course, the line was there when he got inaugurated as President on January 20, 2021. Biden never served in the military, but his son, Joseph Beau, did, rising to become a Major, but sadly dying of brain cancer in 2015, aged 46. The American First Lady, Dr Jill Biden, has equally written a children’s book, with the title; ‘Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops.’ And like the Biden family, I believe it should be the daily desire of every decent, patriotic Nigerian: May God Bless and Protect O...

Nigerian Army Arrest Bandit in Military Uniform With Charms Heading to Oyo State

22Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Security

Nigerian Army Arrest Bandit in Military Uniform With Charms Heading to Oyo State

Gallant men of the Nigerian Army along the Mokwa-Jebba Road have arrested an on the run bandit during a stop and search operation along the road. The bandit was heading to Ogbomoso in Oyo State. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in a release on Tuesday, said the bandit was nabbed in the late hours of Sunday when the troops intercepted a car travelling from Zuru to Ibadan. Personnel of the Nigerian army spotted an occupant of the vehicle, who claimed to be a military man, Sergeant Aminu Sule. Nwachukwu added, “Upon a body search, the occupant was found to be in possession of a pair of camouflage uniform, military boots, knife and substance suspected to be charms. “On further interrogation, the suspect confessed to be traveling to Ogbomoso in Oyo ...

Buhari Calls Wife of Late Chief of Army Staff, After Failing to Attend Burial

24May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria

Buhari Calls Wife of Late Chief of Army Staff, After Failing to Attend Burial

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday called Mrs Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, the wife of the late Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and the wives of the other dead officers (through her) to console them over the ill-fated death of their spouses in a plane crash. The President lauded the sacrifices of the deceased gallant soldiers and the Armed Forces in general. Buhari in the telephone conversation assured them that Nigerians would not relent to appreciate and support the fearlessness with which our courageous soldiers are confronting the threats facing the nation. The president described the late COAS as an outstanding soldier and an institution builder who fought valiantly for Nigeria until he breathed his last, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The president gave the grieving families ...

‘Gallantry of Our Heroes will Always be Remembered’ – Osinbajo mourns officers killed in air crash

23May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria

‘Gallantry of Our Heroes will Always be Remembered’ – Osinbajo mourns officers killed in air crash

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed sadness over the ill-fated passing of Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff and other officers who died after a plane crash that took place in Kaduna on Friday. The aircraft was conveying 11 military officers on Friday evening before it crashed around the Kaduna international airport. Reacting to the development, Osinbajo in a statement on Saturday describes the crash as unfortunate, adding that it reflects the commitment of the military to carrying out their duty. He said, “I received with great sadness the news of an air crash involving the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and other officers of the Nigerian military yesterday. “Their death while in active service in the defence of our country reflects the depth of s...

NGF Mourns as Nigerian Army Buries COAF, Others

22May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria

NGF Mourns as Nigerian Army Buries COAF, Others

Following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Nigeria Governors Forum has expressed shock and dismay over their sudden passing in a plane crash on Friday. This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi titled, ‘Demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru,’ in Abuja, on Saturday. Fayemi in the statement said the NGF received news of the death of the senior and junior military officers as well as members of the crew of the ill-fated aircraft with shock. He said, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) received with deep shock and utter disbelief the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, in a plane crash at the Kaunda International Airpor...

Police arrest Four Suspects for Burning its Command in Imo

15May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Crime, News, Nigeria, Security

Police arrest Four Suspects for Burning its Command in Imo

Officers of the Imo State Police Command have arrested four suspects on the suspicion of razing the Okigwe South Area Police Command headquarters. Recall that some unknown gunmen had on April 26 invaded the station, killing five officers in the process. In a statement issued on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police. Abutu Yaro, said that when attackers departed the station, some youths of the community invade the command building and carted away the station’s arms and ammunition and later set it ablaze. Yaro said that the tactical unit in conjunction with the Quick Intervention Unit of the command arrested the suspects in the Ehime Mbano area of the state, Daily Trust reports. He said: “Operatives of the command deployed to Orieagu, in Ehime Mbano LGA to fish out the perpetr...

Nigerian Army Debunks killing Igbo, Christian Soldiers

3May

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Nigerian Army Debunks killing Igbo, Christian Soldiers

The Nigerian Army has reacted to the allegation of deploying soldiers based on ethnic and religious lines to get killed on duty, describing peddlers of such narrative as callous and cowardly enemies of Nigeria’s peace and unity. This was contained in a statement issued in reaction to a publication titled, "Secret Fulani plan unveiled – The Compromised army chief", which alleges that the military is now using its deployment to kill Igbo and Christian personnel. It alleged that "two Igbo officers, Lt Col Okeke and Lt Col Ajah alongside 44 others, predominantly Southern and Middle Belt Christian officers, lost their lives in a conspiracy hatched by Fulani senior officers." Reacting to the news, Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima, the Army's Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement iss...

Nigerian Air Force Reacts to Boko Haram’s Claim of Shooting Down Alpha Jet

3Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Boko Haram, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Nigerian Air Force Reacts to Boko Haram’s Claim of Shooting Down Alpha Jet

The Nigerian Air Force has debunked claims by Boko Haram terrorists that it shot down the missing NAF 476 Alpha Jet, which remains uncounted for after it went off the radar in Borno State. Reacting to Boko Haram’ claim, the NAF on Saturday stated that the jet had an accident for several reasons, which the military was investigating and was not shot down as shown in the video. It said the video was doctored by the Boko Haram sect. The NAF Alpha Jet – a major asset in the onslaught against the insurgents in the North-East went missing on Wednesday evening with the whereabouts of the two pilots on board not known as of Saturday morning. On Friday, the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram, Jama'atu Ahlussunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, released a video of it shooting down the mis...

Identities of Two Pilots in Missing NAF Fighter Jet Revealed

2Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Transportation

Identities of Two Pilots in Missing NAF Fighter Jet Revealed

The identities of the two pilots in the Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet which went missing in the North-East on Thursday has been given as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele. The NAF in an update issued on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the location of the two pilots remains unknown. Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of the Air Staff, on Thursday arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State to coordinate the ongoing search and rescue mission for the missing Alpha Jet which was lost during the Boko Haram combat mission in the North-East. Gabkwet said, “The air chief arrived in Maiduguri on Thursday morning, where he was briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing...

Missing Fighter Jet May Have Crashed, Two Pilots Unaccounted for – Air Force

2Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Safety, Science, Transportation

Missing Fighter Jet May Have Crashed, Two Pilots Unaccounted for – Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet which went off the radar during a Boko Haram operation in the North-East on Wednesday may have crashed. Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force on Friday said the jet might have crashed although the whereabouts of the jet or the two pilots on board remain unknown. According to SaharaReporters, military sources said the jet crashed in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, although the NAF has not confirmed any location. Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday to coordinate the ongoing search and rescue mission for the Alpha Jet which got lost during the Boko Haram combat mission in the North-East. Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF Director of Public Relations and Informat...