DEFENCE
US Terror Alert on Nigeria Not New, Says Defence Headquarters
By Gom Mirian, Abuja
The Nigerian military high command, Thursday responded to the alert by the United States of America that the Al-Qaeda terrorist group has started penetrating Nigeria through the north-western region, saying it was not the first time America would raise such alarm.
The reaction came barely two days after the United States Command Africa (US AFRICOM) warned the Islamic state and Al- Qaida terrorist groups were exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and gradually taking over the West African region after losing ground in Syria, Iraq as well as in the Middle East.
US Special Operations Command Africa, Maj.
Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, while updating newsmen on the recent operations conducted across the country by the military at its headquarters in Abuja, said the Force was not oblivious of the potency of such infiltration, and noted that the alarm is as old as five to ten years ago.
Enenche said “it was the Nigerian Military who raised alarm of movement of terrorists from the Middle East to West Africa and is conscious of it.
“Our attention being drawn to the fact that terrorists from other zones are coming here, I think it would be good for us to be keeping records of events as they unfold.
“For me this is not the first time they are raising such an alarm, the alarm is as old as maybe five or ten years ago and the armed forces and the country is conscious of it.
“When the conflict in Libya was declared officially that it ended, which did not end what happened? It was we, our NIA, state service and all that raised the information that this people are moving.
“Have we not captured foreigners among the people that have been terrorizing us in this country?
“So it is just like a call to keep doing what you are doing, so the general public should know that the security agencies are on top of that one,” said Enenche.
He further explained that recently some of the criminals were captured by the Nigerian troops in the neighboring Niger State of the country.
He, however, urged Nigerians not to Panic as it was not new, adding measures have been put in place by the military to halt the terrorists.
“Recently we captured some in Niger state from our neighbouring country, where are they coming from”?
“Why do we have ISAWP here now,was ISWAP indigenous to Nigeria, No! So it’s just like telling you the obvious and I want to take like an advice to continue to ensure you have measures in place to continue checking them.
“There is no doubt that, that we already have that challenge as far back as when the war in Libya was declared, and even in Iraq.
“It’s just like a wake up call, which is readily welcome, all the security agencies have that at the back of their plan and they factor it in implementation.
“The general public should not be afraid of that at all. It’s not a new thing, it’s already in our schedule of activity. Enenche added.
DEFENCE
Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival
The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.
Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.
According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.
He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.
“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”
“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said
He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.
NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.
He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.
He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.
“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.
“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue to build the capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.
The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.
Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.
“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our
skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.
The GOC said this was in line with the Chief of
Army Staff’s command philosophy.
It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.
Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and
advancement in technology.
“In view of this, armies world over
are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”
According to the GOC, the Nigerian Army equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its
operations.
He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.
The GOC said the 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.
“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.
Saraso urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.
The GOC appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)