SAUDI SEEKS NIGERIA’S MILITARY COLLABORATION TO FIGHT TERRORISM

 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is seeking for partnership with Nigeria to fight terrorism. A 7- man delegation from the country’s Ministry of Defence today visited Headquarters Nigerian Air Force to discuss areas of possible collaboration as part of the global efforts to stamp out insurgency and terrorism. 

The delegation was led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Yahya Ahmed Massiri. While commending the Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Mshl Sadique Abubakar for the successes recorded so far in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, 

Nigerian Air Force High Powered Committee on Investigation of Rann misfire visits Gov. Shettima

Nigerian Air Force High Powered Committee on Investigation of Rann bombing visits Gov. Kashim Shettima to condole him and the people state over the unfortunate tragedy.

The committee led by Air Commander Salihu Bala Ribah was received by the Governor on Saturday evening at the Government House, Maiduguri.

EFCC Graduates 331 Operatives

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on January 13, 2017 graduated 331 detective cadets trained alongside 1498 officers of the Nigerian Air Force at the Ground Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna.

The colorful passing out parade climaxed 6 months of rigorous training to equip the officers in becoming anti-graft warriors instilled with discipline and integrity.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S. B. Abubakar, who doubles as the Reviewing Officer, congratulated the operatives of the EFCC for their gallantry and brilliance.
“I want to congratulate the operatives, I am sure you will find the training useful in your career", he said.

Arms Deal: How Badeh Wanted Me to Claim Own Property - Witness

The trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh, continued on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja with the prosecution witness, Mustapha Yerima, further stating how he was pressured by the defendants to claim the property allegedly acquired with the proceeds of crime.

 Badeh is standing trial alongside Iyalikam Nigeria Limited for allegedly abusing his office as Chief of Defense Staff by using the dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion (One Billion, One Hundred Million Naira) removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December, 2013 - an offence which contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.. 

PHOTONEWS: Air Vice Marshal Rufus A. Ojuawo In Court With Full Airforce Regalia, EFCC Docks Him For N40m Bribe

Air Vice Marshal Rufus A. Ojuawo

Air Vice Marshal Rufus A. Ojuawo, a serving officer of the Nigerian Airforce, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC at the FCT High Court, Apo Abuja for fraud. 

He came to court in his full Airforce regalia. 

Indeed, with EFCC, nobody is above the law. 

Therefore, in line with its relentless efforts to bringing corrupt public officers to book, the EFCC, on June 23, 2016, arraigned Air Vice Marshal Rufus. A. Ojuawu, a former Director of Operations, Nigerian Air Force, NAF, before Justice M. B. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory( FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja on a two-count charge bordering on bribery to the tune of N40, 000,000.00( Forty Million Naira). 

EFCC Docks Air Vice Marshal Mamu for N5.9m Bribe

The EFCC, on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 arraigned Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mohammed Mamu, a former Air Officer Training Command and a member of the Committee for Procurement, Ministry of Defence, before Justice Salisu Garba of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 3-count charge of bribery. 

Mamu, while being the Air Officer Training Command and member of Committee for Procurement under the Ministry of Defence, allegedly collected a cash gift in the sum of N5.9million (five million, nine hundred thousand naira) for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque, $300,000 (three hundred thousand US dollars) and two vehicles (Ford Expedition SUV and Jaguar XF Saloon) valued at N15million and N12million respectively from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force. 

War Against Insurgents: NigerianTroops Arrest Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Leader, Other Reports

In continuation of Operation CRACKDOWN deep inside Sambisa forest, troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations within the theatre of operations.

According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman: "At about 1.35pm yesterday troops of 143 Battalion arrested one Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted. He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation."

"Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open."

Confession: How I helped Badeh divert N558.2m monthly – NAF cashier

A cashier at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters, Emmanuel Abu, on Wednesday narrated to a Federal High Court in Abuja, the role he played in the alleged monthly diversion of N558.2m from NAF accounts by an ex-Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd).

Abu, who was testifying as the second prosecution witness in Badeh’s ongoing trial, said he routinely converted the N558.2m to dollars which the prosecution alleged was being handed over to the former Air Force chief monthly.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Badeh alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on 10 counts of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97bn from the Nigerian Air Force’s account.

DEADLY: ARMY TROOPS AMBUSH ESCAPING BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS

At the early hours of today, Sunday 24th April 2016, troops of 81 Battalion and some elements of 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade, ambushed suspected Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Sambisa forest to Fulawani village. 

The ambushed terrorists were trying to link up with other terrorists or members of their families to relocate to other places.

It will be recalled that the troops intercepted a group of women and children yesterday who claimed to have escaped from the terrorists enclave in Sambisa forest.

Zero Violence in N’East is Impossible Now - COAS

The Nigeria's Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has said violence cannot be eradicated totally in the North Eastern region of the country, adding that security agencies are doing their best to tackle insurgency. He made statement on Tuesday during his visit to the Logistics Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Sam Ethnan Base, Ikeja, Lagos.


The COAS Abubakar who also made a visit to the Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode, inaugurated several projects at the base, noted that the fight against terrorism had improved under the present administration, saying the era of Boko Haram terrorists moving in convoys and destroying villages had become a rarity. “In the North Eastern part of Nigeria, we are making progress. We may have challenges of suicide bombings here and there, but that will end soon.

“There cannot be zero violence; violence will still be there. But everything humanly possible will be done to have a peaceful and stable environment in the North-East so that people can go about their business in peace. “We are doing so much in terms of close air support. We are providing an enabling environment for the surface forces to function. We soften the ground for the surface forces to function. We are providing logistics-in-supply, rotational transportation, and also moving equipment.

BOKO HARAM POISONS WATER SOURCES IN SOME VILLAGES - Army

Information reaching the Theatre Command, OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE indicates that Boko Haram terrorists have now resorted to poisoning water sources like wells and streams in areas they were dislodged by gallant troops or areas threatened by offensive operations.

The latest being the poisoning of the cattle water ponds in KANGALLAM village along MARTE and ABADAM axis in Borno State where a large number of cattle died after drinking water from the ponds. Credible information available to the Theatre Command indicates that though no human life was lost as a result of the barbaric act of the terrorists, however, some cattle were killed after drinking water from some poisoned sources.

Army Statement: 80 BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS SURRENDER TO TROOPS

In a land mark event today, 80 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered en mass to troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE in Bama, Borno State.

The terrorists among whom were commanders, suppliers and foot soldiers confirmed to have partook in several terrorists attacks especially on Bama town, Borno State, surrendered as a result of the intense heat and continuous offensive action embarked by troops.


It will be recalled that we have repeatedly stated that surrender is the only option available to insurgents as the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with other security agencies are totally committed to the achievement of the 3 months Presidential deadline for the eradication of terrorism in Nigeria.

Solution to End Bokoo Haram? Defense Minister Calls for More Collaborations in the Army

The Nigerian Minister of Defence,  General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), has called for greater collaboration among the armed forces in the fight against Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in the country, speaking on Monday in Abuja at a dinner and award night to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, and also to honour the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, on his elevation.

Gusau, who commended the Nigerian Air Force for its support and participation in “operations” within and outside Nigeria,, said the Nigerian Air Force, in the last 50 years, had proved itself to be a competent force to rely on and reckon with in the continent.

Army begins operation to stop clashes in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa

The Nigerian Military troops has started a major anti-terrorist operation in three states in the North Central region of Nigeria. Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, made the hint on Monday that the operation is aimed at putting an end to criminal activities in the concerned states.

The three troubled North-Central states are Nassarawa, Plateau and Benue where there are incessant communal clashes. Olukolade said military troops have been deployed to these states to launch offensive attack and bring an end to the recent killings and property destruction in the affected areas.

Defense spokesperson said the army operations in the three state will focus on Internal Security, capturing and neutralizing all criminal hideouts. He affirmed that the Nigerian Air Force, Police and other security agencies are also participating in the operation designed to restore peace in the troubled states.

Islamist sects Boko Haram writes Army, threatens to attack Maiduguri barracks

The members of the Boko Haram Sect have written to the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army threatening to attack Maimalari Barracks on Friday (today). Investigations revealed that security had been beefed up in the Maimalari Barracks which has the Headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division of the Artillery Corps, the Ordinance, the Signal and other crucial units of the Army in Maiduguri.

It was gathered that while security agents saw the letter as a ploy to instill fear into security operatives, all efforts were being made to ward off any attack on the foremost military formation in the North-East.  A source said that the insurgents might have compelled one of the drivers to get the letter to the military of their plan to attack the barracks.

Dialogue now or get crushed, CAS tells Boko Haram

 The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Wednesday, advised Boko Haram insurgents to embrace dialogue now or get crushed by the military. Minimah gave the advice when he spoke with newsmen shortly after an unscheduled visit to Maiduguri.

“The dialogue table is still open, or else the federal might is available to the armed forces to crush the insurgency,’’ he stressed.