Defence News Direct

19/12/2023

YULETIDE: NAOWA PRESIDENT DONATES FOOD ITEMS TO OVER 1500 WIDOWS/SOLDIERS WIVES, OTHERS
_Assures of NAOWA's Commitment to Betterment of the Barracks Community_

Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja was agog with festivities recently when the President of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja distributed food items to over 1,500 widows of fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price in the service to our dear nation, members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers' Wives Association (NASWA) and members of the Military Officers' Widows Association (MIOWA) during a grand humanitarian outreach as part of NAOWA's end of year 2023 activities.

The humanitarian outreach which took place yesterday, 16 December 2023 was organized as part of NAOWA's robust Civil Military Cooperation drive, in line with the President's transformative vision of "Sustaining Legacies through Unwavering Commitment to Unity and Service for the Betterment of Humanity".

Speaking at the event, the NAOWA President affirmed that the event was organized as a demonstration of her commitment, love and solidarity for the barracks community.

She also noted that it was a forum to come together in harmony and celebrate in the spirit of Christmas as one great community bonded in love, unity and respect for one another.

"We are here as one body to celebrate this season of love by giving out food and other items which would support the household during this festive season. Please accept these items as a symbol of NAOWA’s commitment to the betterment of the barracks community," she noted.

Mrs Lagbaja also thanked all NAOWA and NASWA members for their roles in keeping the home-front, while their spouses are away carrying out their assigned duties.

In her words, "I must say, that our dedication, resilience and sacrifice has helped immensely in the operational successes of the Nigerian Army, and also in the development of the barrack community".

She thereafter urged them to ensure that peace reigns supreme in their homes, emphasizing that peace remains the bedrock for Sustaining development and progress.

Finally, the NAOWA President enjoined the beneficiaries to always imbibe the culture of savings and investment while re-echoing the Association's continuous support.

Highlights of the event were the distribution of food items to over 1,500 persons comprising widows, NASWA and MIOWA members, cultural dance performances and group photographs.

14/03/2023

The Nigerian Army Headquarters has affirmed its neutrality and commitment to constitutional roles, while also debunking a trending news linking its Field Commanders to election-related misconduct during the 2023 general elections.

This was contained in a press statement issued to pressmen by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in Abuja on Monday 13th March 2023.

In the statement, the Army spokesman described the trending news as "politically-motivated fake news", and a " deliberately calculated smear campaign in the Social Media and other fora against some of our senior commanders and officers."

EXCERPTS FROM THE STATEMENT ARE PRESENTED BELOW:

While these unconscionable acts are inexplicable, the motivation behind them are not far-fetched. In the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, officers and men of the Nigerian Army adopted a firm and resolute stance in providing security support for the Elections in a manner that effectively curbed and prevented ill-intentioned groups from violently interfering with the process.

There is no doubt that Nigerians are excited at this responsible posture and the democratic opportunity it offered them. However, some interest groups, that were effectively prevented from hatching their nefarious plots to influence the course of the elections through violence, are understandably piqued by this assertiveness of the Nigerian Army.

As constitutionally conceived, the Nigerian Army is nationalistic in its make-up and organization, drawing strengths from the diversities in our great nation. Our responsibilities, so far as elections are concerned, remain that of providing support to primary law enforcement and stakeholders in the Electioneering process towards ensuring that Nigerians are allowed to choose their leaders and representatives in a peaceful manner. This goal remains our only focus and one we would continue to pursue, mindful that the average citizen expects nothing less from his Army.

The Army Headquarters wishes to assure the public that any misconduct against any of its personnel would be responsibly investigated and any subsequent substantiation would attract the appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with established practices and extant laws. In the same vein, it should equally be appreciated that the character and reputation of a senior officer earned over 3 decades of meritorious service cannot be allowed to be destroyed by misguided elements through mere speculations. The resort to the sentiments of ethnic and religious colourations would not also diminish the Nigerian’s Army resolve to carry on its roles professionally.

The Nigerian Army, therefore, urges all Nigerians to ignore the mischief being propagated by ill-intentioned individuals and groups, and continue to go about their civic responsibilities without any fear of molestation. We would continue to work with sister Services and other Security Agencies to meet all security-related expectations of citizens as enshrined in the laws of the Federation.

The Inferno is a blog about the global anti-terror campaign. It provides Breaking News on the campaigns of the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram

11/03/2023

Breaking: 443 Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender as Death Toll Rises to 300 After Military Bombardments, Clash with ISWAP |

No fewer than 443 more Boko Haram (BH) terrorists who escaped attacks by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State, North East Nigeria, have surrendered to Nigerian and MNJTF troops. This is as the death toll on the BH members following military bombardments and clashes with ISWAP has risen to 300.

Read more

The Inferno is a blog about the global anti-terror campaign. It provides Breaking News on the campaigns of the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram

09/03/2023

Real Time Updates from Op HADARIN DAJI, NW

Update: Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) North West (NW) Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) are sustaining aggressive kinetic actions against bandits in Zamfara State with a well- coordinated clearance operation within Zamfara state.

The encounter led to the neutralization of several bandits while others luckily escaped with severe gunshots wounds as traces of blood were seen along their escape routes during exploitation. Also 4 AK 47 rifles, Magazines and Cartridges of ammunition were recovered. There was no casualty on own forces side..

Similarly the courageous troops of OPHD acting on intelligence reports have cleared other bandits camps at Alwala, Tudun Doki, Kwargawo, Falau and Malamei villages respectively. During the encounter, the fleeing bandits abandoned several motorcycles which were destroyed insitu.

Air interdiction operations by the Air Component of OPHD has also destroyed several enemy camps and neutralized scores of terrorists.

Credit: Yatab Network

09/03/2023

Troops of 13 Brigade Rescue Kidnapped Commissioner |
https://www.yatabnetwork.com.ng/2023/03/troops-of-13-brigade-rescue-kidnapped.html

08/03/2023

Troops of Hadarin Daji Neutralize Several Bandits in Zamfara |

The Inferno is a blog about the global anti-terror campaign. It provides Breaking News on the campaigns of the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram

08/03/2023

GOC 8 Division Reiterates Commitment to Support NAOWA |

The Inferno is a blog about the global anti-terror campaign. It provides Breaking News on the campaigns of the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram

01/03/2023

Counter Insurgency War: MNJTF Forces Neutralize Scores of Insurgents, Destroy Boko Haram Camps , Recover Arms and Ammunition |

The Inferno is a blog about the global anti-terror campaign. It provides Breaking News on the campaigns of the Nigerian Military against Boko Haram

02/02/2023

EMIR OF BAMA COMMENDS 7 DIVISION FOR SAFEGUARDING HIS DOMAIN

_...As GOC assesses troops' operational posture in 21 SAB_

The Emir of Bama, His Royal Highness, (HRH) Dr Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi has extolled the professionalism and resilience of troops of 7 Division deployed under 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) Bama, in safeguarding his kingdom against marauding Boko Haram Insurgents.

The Shehu gave the commendation on Wednesday, 1 February, 2023 when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Major General Waidi Shaibu paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Bama. The Shehu lauded the GOC and his troops for the tremendous efforts and commitment of troops which have brought peace and tranquility within his domain. He affirmed that these efforts had paved way for social and commercial activities to thrive, adding that his people would continue to collaborate with the military in all aspects towards ending insurgency in the general area, and in the State at large.

In a similar vein, the GOC appreciated the support and cooperation received from HRH and the good people of Bama in ensuring that troops decisively curtailed the activities of terrorists in the general area. He assured that the Sector, and indeed the Division, under his watch, would continue to carry out its assigned responsibilities with determination and fervor.

In a related development, the GOC equally paid an operational visit to Heaquarters 21 SAB, Bama, to assess the operational posture of troops in the Brigade's Area of Operation. On arrival, the GOC was received by the brigade commander, Brigadier General UV Unachukwu who briefed him on the Brigade's operational readiness.

In his remarks, the GOC expressed satisfaction with the performance of the troops in effectively securing their AOR, lauding them for dominating and denying the insurgents any freedom of action. He thereafter charged them to maintain an aggressive and offensive posture, while also sustaining the momentum in ensuring the all-round defeat of the remnants of the Terrorists.

Present during the visit were the Commander, 21 SAB, Brigadier General UV Unachukwu, Comd 37 Arty Bde, Brig Gen NUC Ogili, Comd 57 Sig Bde, Brig Gen AJ Ahmad, Comd 77 ST Bde, Brig Gen JB Adams, other formations and Unit Commanders, Principal Staff Officers of Heaquarters 7 Division amongst others.