Defence/Security

Army debunks alleged deployment of only Northern officers to S/East

Published

4 years ago

May 10, 2021

The Nigerian Army on Monday dismissed an allegation that it was deploying only commanders of Northern extraction to quell tension in the Southeast.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said there was no truth in the allegation.

He was reacting to an online publication entitled: “Nigerian Army shuns Southern officers, deploy Northern commanders to quell tension in Southeast.”

Gen. Yerima stated that ordinarily, the Nigerian Army would have ignored the illogical narrative by the online medium, but for the good of members of the public, it must respond.

He said the report was targeted at steering discord and disunity among peace- loving Nigerians who had refused to support the senseless attacks on security apparatuses in the Southeast and South-South geopolitical zones.

He stressed that the army, as a national force, does not promote or post its personnel along ethnic or religious lines.

The Army spokesperson added that postings were routine exercises based on professional competences not as portrayed by the said publication.

“For the records, let it be clear in everyone’s mind that the Nigerian Army does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal or regional divides.

“Senior officers are posted to command units based on their capability and competence taking into consideration their posting history.

“Furthermore, officers are the most frequently posted personnel of the Nigerian Army.

“However, because of the bias and seed of discord that the author of the report wanted to sow, he did not do a thorough background check of his report,’’ Gen. Yerima stated.

Discrediting the report further, he added that while the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is from Southwest, the Commander 34 Brigade Owerri. Brig.-Gen. Raymond Utsaha is from the North Central.

He stated also that the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi is of Southeast extraction.

Gen. Yerima stressed that Brig.-Gen. Farouk Mijinyawa was never the Commander of 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army as claimed by the online publication.

He added that it was clear that the concocted story lacked everything in terms of credibility and exists only in the figment of the author’s imagination.

Gen. Yerima noted that several subversive elements had attempted to discredit the formidable security network in the Southeast in the past months.

He stated that the Army deployed officers and men to checkmate the activities of the bad elements who were bent on wreaking havoc in the region in line with its Constitutional role of aiding the civilian authority.

“The uncoordinated and poorly written article exposes the real intent, albeit the very low Intelligence Quotient of the author and that speaks volumes about the motive of the publisher.

“The Nigerian Army would like to request all peace-loving Nigerians to disregard the content of the article as it lacks logic.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as protecting lives and properties of all citizens and residents.

“It solicits for the continuous support of all patriotic Nigerians in stamping out activities of criminals including subversive and divisive elements for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,’’ Gen. Yerima stated.

Defence/Security

DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

Published

4 days ago

October 29, 2025

Our Reporter

The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.

Posting on his “X” handle “@TheAgroman,” Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to “suspend the Nigerian government.”

He posted, “A coup in Nigeria is needed.
Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,” Chukwuma posted.

A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.

Defence/Security

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Newly Appointed Service Chiefs

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

The letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja, listed the nominees for the country’s top military positions.

Those named include:

General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Major-General Waheedi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence

In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the new military heads to assume their duties without delay.

The Senate has since referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation of the nominees, scheduled to take place next week.

Defence/Security

Terrorists Threaten to Bomb National Assembly — Lawmaker Raises Alarm

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued threats to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Hon. Garba made the disclosure on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, a new body proposed to strengthen security and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.

“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex, and also from protesters planning to lock up the premises,” Garba stated.

He warned that Nigeria’s seat of democracy faces growing security risks, including vehicle and motorcycle theft, vandalism, infiltration by unregistered persons, and the use of fake identity cards.

According to him, failure to address these lapses could have grave consequences.
“It is clear that if proper security measures are not implemented, legislative activities could be truncated. Without sittings, there will be no representation, oversight, annual budget, or plenary — and that will destabilize both the legislature and the nation’s democracy,” he cautioned.

Garba emphasized the need for a coordinated security framework to ensure a safe and functional parliamentary environment.
“That is why this Bill is crucial. It aims to tackle these challenges and align Nigeria’s parliamentary security system with global best practices,” he added.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632)”, was considered at the House Conference Hall 028 in Abuja.

While acknowledging the importance of keeping Parliament accessible to citizens, Garba insisted that public access must not compromise security.
“The need for effective security in the National Assembly cannot be overstated. This Bill is committed to ensuring the best possible security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.

He further encouraged state Houses of Assembly across the country to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen legislative security nationwide.

“With these few points of mine, I wish us a peaceful and productive hearing that will mark a turning point in the National Assembly’s security system,” Garba concluded.