NIGERIAN ARMY CONTINGENT TO LAGOS CITY 2017 MARATHON SMILES HOME WITH PROMOTIONS AND CASH GIFT

The Nigerian Army contingent at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2017, has beat its last year’s performance with improved records.

In view of their wonderful feat at the event that fielded world class marathoners, and to encourage them, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has directed their elevation to the next higher rank respectively and donation cash gift of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (150,000.00k) to each of the athletes.

CLARIFICATION ON THE LIBEL ALLEGATION AGAINST THE PREMIUM TIMES - ARMY

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to erroneous impressions and insinuations on a libel case against the Premium Times to whip up sentiments .

Therefore, we wish to clarify that the issue at hand is purely allegation of libel in which Premium Times falsely and unjustifiably accused the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, of false declaration of assets, owning mansions and estates in Dubai and further stated that he was being investigated by Code of Conduct Bureau for false declaration of assets in their publication of 12th December 2015.

Consequently, concerted efforts were made to make Premium Times retract the story and apologize, to no avail. As a law-abiding citizen, he took appropriate legal steps of seeking redress through the courts.

SAHARA REPORTERS AND CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAIINST THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF BY COL. USMAN

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and his family by some unscrupulous elements as contained in Sahara Reporters story titled “Revealed: Buhari's Chief Of Army Staff, General Buratai, Wives Own Dubai Property”, alleging that Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction posted on the website, this evening. (yesterday 24th Junee, 2016)

It is important to know that these baseless allegations were not new. In March this year, some groups of individuals under the aegis of “Concerned Citizens”, tried same smear campaign to their disappoinment, it could not fly, because it is not true.

You will recall early this week, there was similar campaign of calumny by yet another online news medium, The Cable, in which among other things, it alleged that wounded in action Nigerian Army personnel were abandoned by the Army, government and the nation which is not true.

WARNING TO MISCHIEF MAKERS: NOBODY IS PLANNING ANY COUP - ARMY

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another campaign of calumny and distraction by faceless criminal gang of economic saboteurs that hide under the aegis of Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) alleging that some officers of the Nigerian Army approached them for support to overthrow our duly elected present democratic government.

This is baseless and most unfortunate allegation that existed in the warped minds of the originators of such weighty allegation. The Nigerian Army wish to state that this is not true and hereby distanced itself from this weighty allegation.

We also see this speculation as a dangerous distraction to our effort in fighting insurgency and other criminal elements in the country.

War Against Insurgency: UPDATE ON OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE - GWOZA RETURNED HOME IN 26 VEHICLES

As you are aware, Nigerian troops in the north eastern part of the country under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have been working round the clock to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their hideouts. Said the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman in his latest statement released to the public today. Consequently, various formations and units have embarked on clearance operations that ranged from outright offensive operations, to raids, cordon and search operations and patrols.

He added: You may recall that a soldier was wounded during an offensive operation by 21 Brigade yesterday, we regret to inform you that he died this morning. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

The 22 Brigade on its part, has conducted clearance operations in which it cleared 4 towns and villages of Boko Haram terrorists. In the process, they killed 3 Boko Haram terrorists, while 9 of them that hid in a fox holes and dug outs were found out and captured. The troops also recovered weapons and rescued 400 persons held hostages by the terrorists. This is in addition to the recovery and handing over of 300 cows rustled by the terrorists.