Headlines

Controversy Trails Casualty In Boko Haram Ambush

Published

10 years ago

April 25, 2016

Angry Soldiers Refute Claims Of Only Injury, Insist They Lost Men
2 Officers, 22 Others Wounded, As Troops Retreat, Retake Kareto– Army

The Nigerian Military may still taking stock of the actual casualty figure following last week’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a Military formation in Kareto, in Mobar Local Government Area of Borno state, even as reports indicate that it has deployed aerial offensives to disperse the insurgents who seem to be giving their last fight.
nationalTRAIL gathered that at the time the General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Victor Ezugwu was battling with another set of insurgents on the Maiduguri-Bama axis, Nigerian troops camped in Kareto, in preparation for advancement on Boko Haram locations were also running for their lives following a dawn ambush by yet another set of Boko Haram insurgents.
Reports indicate that the GOC lost one soldier in the encounter along the Maiduguri –Bama road, while the exact casualty figure in the incident in kareto could not be ascertained as some of the soldiers who dispersed in different directions following the ambush are still finding their ways back to their bases in Gubio in trickles, as at time of filling this report.
Nigerian Army on Monday last week said, 2 officers and 22 Soldiers were wounded in action after Boko Haram attacked military formation in Kareto, Damasak local government area of Borno State, but soldiers returning from the battle field said, the military had lost men in the battle which lasted hours before reinforcement came.
According to them, two suicide bombers approached the military camp earlier, and were gunned down when suddenly there was rapid fire by the Boko Haram who are using RGPs and Rocket Propel Grenade to attack the military formation.
“We took position and tried to fire back but we do not have the weapons to repel as aspects, and we all retreated when the battle was fierce to allow fighter jet to come in. The most annoying or rather sad thing is that, reinforcement did not come in time and we lost many men.” A soldier told newsmen in Maiduguri.”.
According to them, fighting Boko Haram is far from being over until politics ceases to play out and government becomes serious about fighting the insurgents.
“We are at the war front but it was not our voices that is heard about the ongoing war in the northeast. Those who are feeding the world with information are not at the battle front. The truth is that, war is ongoing in the northeast and the earlier they stop playing politics with the issues the better for Nigeria,” another Soldier said.
It could be recalled that, last year the President has said, that the Boko Haram insurgents have been weakened, but the Kareto experience observers say is an indication that government needs to wake up to its responsibility to ensure total clearance of the terrorists group.
Several attempts to get the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman Kukasheka to speak on the number of casualty failed as he could not reply many call trying to have him react to what the soldiers told newsmen about the incident last week.
Military authorities were not forthcoming on the actual figure of casualties, but our correspondent reports, hospital sources confirmed that corpses which he suspects were that of soldiers were being deposited in the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Defence spokesman, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar could not also confirm the casualty figure on enquiry as he did not reply sms sent to his phone by the editor of the paper, nor respond to calls put through to him, but sources confirmed that an investigation has been ordered into the incident, as part of the stock taking.
Although there is no official confirmation of the casualty figure, our correspondent learnt that more than 100 insurgents may have been killed in the counter offensive by fighter jets, and many soldiers could not be accounted for, as they were yet to report back to base as at the time of filing this report.
According to one of the soldiers who was amongst those ambushed, the insurgents may have received information of the planned offensive by the troops, and decided to cause panic in the troops’ camps by firing untargeted gunshots at the camps, and at the same time trying to scoop food items from panic stricken residents.
Our correspondent further reports, at the time the Military is reported to be recording successes in the fight against terror, rag tag Boko Haram insurgents, who are believed to be starving have in apparent desperation re-launched attacks in some areas in Borno State.
In the last one week, the Military has reported the repelling of several attempts by Boko Haram to coordinate attacks in several locations in Borno State, even as reports indicate that life is gradually returning to normal in most areas hitherto sacked by Boko Haram.

By Yahaya WAKILI, Maiduguri

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.