The Nigerian Army yesterday said about 600 of its officers and soldiers were facing court martial for various offences, before the general courts-martial sitting in Lagos and Abuja.
The army authorities also explained that the Army Council had not sat to either confirm or reverse the death sentence passed last year on 66 soldiers convicted for mutiny by a general court-martial, making it difficult for the victims to appeal the verdict.
Addressing journalists, the acting director of army public relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman said, “There are currently two separate courts-martial going on in the Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army, with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism.”
Usman further said that 473 of the soldiers were facing the court martial at the Army Headquarters Garrison, while 106 soldiers were standing trial at 81 Division, Lagos State.
The soldiers were said to be facing trial for offences ranging from insubordination and disobedience to acts of cowardice, refusal to carry out military duties and indiscipline, amongst others.
According to Usman, it was common practice in the military to court martial any soldier who runs foul or the law and whom the authorities feel cannot be summarily dismissed.
Usman also said that since the detention of the soldiers had depleted the number of personnel prosecuting the war, the army was already adding to its personnel strength in the North East.
Col Usman however said that not all the court-martialled officers were guilty of mutiny, but that an “unprecedented number of them was on trial.”
He said that 481 personnel of the Armed Forces Special Forces, which comprises personnel of the army, navy, air force and the police, had completed training and had been inducted into the theatre of operations within 7 Division’s area of responsibility.
He said an additional battalion, 151 Battalion, had also completed its training and induction into the theatre, while two other battalions, 152 and 153 Battalions, were currently undergoing training and would be inducted on completion.
“Additionally, Army Headquarters Task Force Group is currently in the last phase of its training, while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi, has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel. Moreover, personnel training on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the United Kingdom and United States is ongoing,” Usman said.
He also disclosed that 2,388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State, would pass out on Friday May 22, which would also boost the personnel strength of the army.
275 women and children rescued from Sambisa taken to an unknown destination
The 275 women and children rescued from the dreaded insurgent sect, Boko Haram, in Sambisa Forest and brought to Malkohi Camp in Yola on May 2 2015 have all been taken to an unknown destination, LEADERSHIP can authoritatively reveal.
When this paper paid a visit to the Malkohi camp where the displaced persons were kept it was found deserted, as all the women and children had been moved to an unknown destination by military authorities.
A source at the camp said no reason was given by the military authorities before the evacuation.
“Soldiers came with buses and started packing them Tuesday afternoon in a hurry and when we asked the motive for their action, they said it was an order from above.
“They hurriedly took them to Yola International Airport where a military aircraft was waiting and they were whisked away,” the source said.
Another source at the camp however said the action of the military may not be unconnected to speculation that some of the women in the camp were communicating with Boko Haram members at night.
“Some women in the camp are allegedly communicating with Boko Haram members and there is heightened fear that if the activity is left unchecked, the issue may degenerate into a serious security threat. I believe that the issue may be responsible for the military action,” the source added.
When contacted, the senior information officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Datti said he was aware of the development but could not comment on it, noting that the issue was entirely a military affair.
Efforts made to contact the army spokesman of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Captain Nuhu Jafaru proved abortive, as calls made to his cell phone did not connect.
Niger Republic journalist arrested for collaborating with insurgents
A journalist and rights activist known for his outspoken criticism of the humanitarian crisis in Niger Republic has been arrested for collaborating with Boko Haram militants, the interior ministry of the country has said.
The country’s interior minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou told AFP news agency that Moussa Tchangari had been collaborating with Boko Haram for some time and that he was actively spreading propaganda and false news in liaison with Boko Haram.
“All his propaganda aims to show… that Niger’s defence and security forces are the criminals… [and] not Boko Haram. [Niger cannot] tolerate such an active collaboration with terrorists, [or such] systematic spreading of false news,” the minister said.
Tchangari was arrested and charged with “criminal links to the terrorist group Boko Haram,” he said.
Tchangari’s organisation, Alternative Espace Citoyen, has been critical of the humanitarian crisis in southeastern Niger, where the army is fighting Boko Haram.
Boko Haram: Chadian lawmakers extend mandate of troops
Chadian lawmakers yesterday voted to indefinitely extend the mandate of troops participating in a regional effort to combat Boko Haram insurgents, until the joint mission was completed.
Chad had deployed some 2,500 troops to Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger in a joint operation aimed at tackling the insurgents’ attacks, which have threatened the stability of countries in the Lake Chad region.
The resolution, voted on in the parliament, said the National Assembly had authorised the prolongation of Chad’s military engagement in Nigeria and Cameroon. The country’s opposition parties had unsuccessfully voted against the bill, demanding more detailed explanation from the government on the financial and human cost of the deployment.
The sect, which had seized large swathes of northern Nigeria and carried out attacks in neighbouring countries, including raids and kidnappings, has been beaten back by the joint military campaign.
Military intelligence in search of terrorist financing
Nigerian military intelligence, with its international counterparts, has intensified efforts towards tracking the financing of the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group, within and outside the country.
The chief of defence intelligence (CDI), Rear Admiral Gabriel Okoi made this known yesterday at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Headquarters, Abuja, while speaking to journalists at the end of the Deputy Defence Advisers/Attaches/Librarians Training Conference 2015, with the theme, Refocusing the Activities of Nigeria’s Defence Missions to meet Contemporary Security Challenges.
He said the banking sector had proved to be a challenge, but that the security agencies and federal government were determined to block any loophole through which funds for terrorists might be channelled.
He said that the DIA “are going after funds that are being used to finance their (Boko Haram/terrorists) activities within and outside the country… The banking sector has been a problem, but the security agencies are working to checkmate any challenge.”
In addition, the intelligence chief lamented that the austerity measures being adopted by the federal government as a result of dwindling oil revenue was having adverse effects on their work. He solicited better funding in order to function effectively, noting, “Every sector is clamouring for funding and we are no different.”
Despite the austerity measures announced by the minister of finance following dwindling oil prices, Okoi said, “I assure you of government’s commitment and support in providing the wherewithal for the implementation of the resolutions, within the limits of available resources.
“I must let you know that I am aware of your various individual and collective administrative challenges and efforts would be geared towards addressing them.”
The CDI assured that the DIA, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Services Headquarters, would do all with the resources available, to alleviate their challenges.
“On your part, I enjoin you to ensure prudent and judicious utilisation of resources allocated to you, in view of dwindling government resources,” he admonished.
Speaking further, Okoi urged the deputy defence attaches (DDAs) to synergise and collaborate with sister agencies and personnel of their host country, as well as those outside the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment