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Troops of the Nigerian (NA) Army have been commended for the successes so far recorded in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country. The Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume gave the commendation when he led members of the Senate Committee on Army on a working visit to the Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya at  the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu and made available to the press on 16 September 2021
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume while  expressing appreciation to the NA for the feat achieved in recent times against BHT/ISWAP insurgency, banditry and other criminalities said the NA under the current leadership has shown commitment and determination to end security challenges bedeviling the country. He added that the NA has recorded tremendous success in all its operations which according to him has led to total disarray of  bandits in North West and North East Nigeria.He  therefore urged the NA not to rest on their oars until the country is free from the grips of insecurity. He assured the NA of the senate’s support in all its operations. 
Senator Ali Ndume  also called on Nigerians to give the NA the desired support needed in their operations by sharing actionable information that will aid their operations.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya expressed gratitude to the committee  for the visit  to  Army Headquarters, which he said will encourage officers and soldiers of the NA.  He assured the Senate Committee of the support of the NA in providing adequate security for the Committee’s tour to various  NA units and formations to assess ongoing NA operations and also obtain firsthand information.
In attendance were Principal Staff Officers and other senior officers of the Army Headquarters.

The Force Commander (FC),Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim continued his engagement with senior military hierarchies of the Troops` Contributing Countries (TCC) for consultation and in a bid to achieve greater synergy.

A statement signed by the Chief of Military Public Information
HQ MNJTF, N’Djamena Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole, dated September 11, 2021, said the FC visited the Chadian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud on Tuesday September 7, 2021 in his Headquarters in Ndjamena Chad as part of his familiarization visit to strategic stakeholders.

General Ibrahim intimated the CDS of his resumption of command and his visit to all sector locations. The FC solicited the support and direction of the CDS in mitigating some observed challenges in the fields.

He expressed appreciation for the conducive and secured environment in which the HQ MNJTF is assiduously working to achieve its mandates. Adding that, his support is critical in the execution of various MNJTF operations across the Lake Chad region.

Responding, the CDS reiterated his readiness for continuous support to MNJTF in its efforts to clear the Lake Chad Islands and environs of the scourge of the terrorists. He stressed the need for effective collaboration among all sectors as a sure way to succeed in the fight against terror.

In a related development, the FC paid a familiarization/working visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Saturday 11 September 2021.

The Theatre Commander (TC) Major General Christopher Musa warmly welcomed the FC during the visit to the HQ Theatre Command.

“Having concluded familiarization visit to all MNJTF sectors, I found it very necessary to meet the TC, brief him and then seek support and closer collaboration in the counter insurgency operations,” the FC stated.

General Ibrahim recalled the operationalization of the MNJTF in its improved format in 2015 which was as a result of the strong political will of the leaders of the lake Chad basin area countries, emphasized the need for greater synergy and prompt intelligence sharing among all the components to achieve the mission of restoring total normalcy and a return of the displaced communities to their ancestral homes in the Joint Operating Environment of the Lake Chad basin area.

Speaking further, the FC told the TC, that he has observed significant security improvement in the Northeast theatre of recent, he therefore commended the TC and his team for this achievement since he took over command and urged him to sustain the tempo.

General Ibrahim reiterated that better cooperation and team work with the MNJTF can stabilize the situation and bring peace to the entire region. He intimated him of the pending support from the EU which when fulfilled would be welcomed enablers in helping the MNJTF achieve its mission.

The TC, OPHK, Major General Christopher Musa was elated with the visit, calling it a home coming for the FC, having served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1. Operation Lafiya Dole.

Describing the visit as another opportunity to explore ways and means to further synergize and collaborate against common enemy, General Musa assured the FC of his maximum support and assistance to work together for the common interest, which is to speedily end the nefarious acts of the insurgents.

He described the Lake Chad basin area as strategic to all the countries therein and that every effort must be made to make the place free of insurgent activity.

The TC welcomed the recent surrender of the insurgents stating that over 7,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered so far and called for a multi sectoral approach in handling all aspects of the surrender.

He said, with the renewed spirit of team work and determined concerted effort by all involved in the counter insurgency operations, the end of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist is not far.

Both visits were hitch free.

A Group Known as Got Your Back Nigeria has thrown their support for Governor Yahaya Bello of kogi state.

Prof Chris Nwakobia, the Convener of the group in a statement titled “Don’t Swear On Their Falsehood: Kogi is Not Owing Salaries And Kogi Tops The Chart In The Servicing Of Local Debts”.

Called out certain individuals who have decided to descend so low in choosing to propagate falsehood against truth and facts all for political reasons , he all called that such individuals should desist from lies and do research before coming out to the press.

“I was compelled to do this write up by a debate I had a few days ago with someone who should have proper figures about governments and governance in Nigeria, but refusing to research and authenticate the figures, he was ready, and chose against facts and logic to swear on the falsehood bandied everywhere by the political adversaries and opponents of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello”.

“The truth is that the Government of Governor Yahaya Bello inherited a workers wage bill of over 50billion naira, the truth is that at some point Kogi was owing over 24months of salary, the truth is that at some point every Dick and Harry pilloried the government of Yahaya Adoza Bello for owing workers in the State, and at some point the cliche was ‘Yahaya Bello is owing workers several months of salary’, in all of the hoopla no one cared to know how the huge wage bill came about. However the story is absolutely different today, not seeking any justification for the huge wage bill and the months of unpaid wages, the young man fondly called GYB went to work, he was able to increase the internally generated revenue of the State from 300/400million naira to over 1.4billion naira, and he was also able to prudently and proficiently deploy the Federal Government Bailout funds to clear the backlog of Salaries in Kogi State. And today, Kogi State is not owing her workers”.

“Against glaring facts, naysayers would swear that Kogi State under Yahaya Bello is not doing profound, unfortunately they are either blinded by hate or too lazy to verify, research and or interrogate the figures. They swear that Yahaya Bello is not an exemplary leader and that he is not the worthy bastion of the Youth O’Clock movement ditto the call for a Youth to become the President of Nigeria come 2023. But what more can be further from the truth”.

“At 46 Governor Yahaya Bello sits as the second term Chief Executive Officer of the State of Kogi, and not only has he been able to clear the over 50billion naira backlog of workers salary, he has reduced the local debts of the State more than most Governors have been able to do in their States. Indeed Kogi tops the chart in the servicing and reduction of local debts, which attests to the credence, the integrity, the competency and the capacity of the young man who superintend the State of Kogi”.

“From Kogi being the State where bombs and IEDs were manufactured by Boko Haram before the Yahaya Bello administration, to Kogi being the second safest State in Nigeria under the Governor Yahaya Bello GYB watch, what more attests to competency and capacity? Or have we forgotten that the primary responsibility of government is the safety of lives and property? On Security, GYB has done better than 95% of the other Governors in Nigeria, that makes him the unassailable bride of the Youth O’Clock fervency, and the lead choice for President come 2023”.

“Do you know that Kogi is the most gender sensitive State in Nigeria? Do you know that Kogi State has one of the most effective and functional Rice mills in Nigeria? Do you know that from the COVID-19 stimulus package Kogi State is 60% gone in building the biggest and the best Health facility in the whole of West Africa? Do you know that Kogi State is not owing Resident Doctors even a week of Salary? Do you know that Lokoja the capital of Kogi State is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa? And do you know that the average age of the Kogi State cabinet is 42, GYB is therefore the most credible validation of the Youth O’Clock fervency”.

“Compatriots, when politicians churn out falsehoods and perfidy, please don’t swear on their lies, verify, validate and interrogate the figures, for only the truth can set us free”.

“I will close this piece with the indelible words of Sir Walter Scott which shall pass for a reprimand to those whose stock in trade is falsehood, deceit, blackmail and chicanery, ‘O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive’. Be guided, for on Yahaya Bello your deceit and falsehood will not stick. We shall continue to win going forward with no greater weapon than TRUTH. God Bless Nigeria”.

The Convener , Got Your Back Nigeria, Professor Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr ,has condemned in totality the deliberate plan by some desperate Nigerians who wants to tarnish the Image of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

Addressing the press on Friday, Prof. Chris called out the EFCC to resist the temptation of been used by those desperately seeking the office of the president come 2023 , who fear Governor Yahaya Bello as the only possible visible front runner to their ambition.

Prof Chris also said come 2023, We must as a nation resist and refuse the chicanery of political operators who seek through falsehood and deceit to narrow the confines of political contestation.

“I raised three strong points in my last Press Release regarding the desperation of those seeking the High Office of President come 2023 and the ploy to deploy damaging falsehood, perfidy and deceit to hoodwink the media and the people against the very visible front runner Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Like I clairvoyant I stand vindicated”.

“I warned that if zoning and rotation of power which appears to be their short cut to the Presidency come 2023 becomes difficult, they will resort to blackmail and spurious litigations cum media mudslinging, but also left a caveat that we shall not suffer fools gladly, and that we shall conquer their falsehood with the efficacy of Truth. Such and no other is my Cross”.

“And I warned that any attempt to tar or mar the urgency of now and the fervency of a reinvigorated call for a New Deal in Nigeria ala the Youth O’Clock protocol and the Yahaya Bello Movement with fake brush, fake news, fake litigations, fake Court Orders and Preposterous Rulings will not stand, because this is a Movement of intellectuals, egg heads and principled ideologues ready, willing and able to shoot down every fake, false and fictitious kite that his political adversaries may fly. And such is our creed. That said, here is the truth that defeats the present falsehood and confines their perfidy to the ignoble pit of history”.

“Do you know that unlike most States in Nigeria today, the State of Kogi has cleared almost all the outstanding salaries and arrears owed workers, and presently pays workers as at when due? Do you know that the State of Kogi is amongst the States topping the chart in the payment of pensions? Do you know that the State of Kogi is one of the few States that is not owing Medical Doctors and Workers any salary? And have you realized that not having anymore that old cliche and refrain ‘Kogi State is owing workers and not paying salaries’, they have devised the present falsehood and lies, but it won’t stick”.

“The present lie and falsehood fails because the action purportedly brought before the Court by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission EFCC regarding a certain 20billion naira allegedly fixed by the Kogi State Government in Sterling Bank for interest is patently false and fictitious. There is no Account in favour of Kogi State with such deposit in Sterling Bank, and the Bank is presently taking steps against the EFCC on the spurious claim”.

“It is on record that the balance in the Kogi State salary account with Sterling Bank is about 46 million naira only since the 19.3 billion naira meant for Salaries were deployed to that purpose in 2019”.

“To those who have gone to town with the raging falsehood about a certain 20billion naira belonging to Kogi State that was allegedly frozen by the Court, the question is, where is the 20billion that the EFCC deceived the Court into freezing? In what account is it? Can they make public the balance on the alleged Account as at the 31st of August, 2021 when the said account was frozen? Can you cage, freeze or detain what is not? How wicked and sad. As we journey towards 2023 we must as a people implore the EFCC, the ICPC and the other investigative agencies of State to ‘shine their eyes’ and resist any attempt to be used as cannon fodders for falsehood, deceit, blackmail and lies by politicians. Because the lies won’t stick”.

“Need I say clearly, that to further put the naysayers to shame and to right the wrong so done to Kogi State by the EFCC, and their fellow travelers on the path of infamy and treachery, the Kogi State Government has gone to Court against such grievous faux pas. And shall come out clean before the Law Court, and the Court of Public opinion, because this falsehood orchestrated against it will fall like a pack of cards. Yes, the lies won’t stick”.

“We must as a nation resist and refuse the chicanery of political operators who seek through falsehood and deceit to narrow the confines of political contestation. Nigerians must insist that all contestants come before the people with proof of competency and capacity not blackmail and mudslinging. We must challenge the media, the civil society and the clergy to etch new paradigms of truth over falsehood, facts over blackmail, and sound policy over pettiness as 2023 beckons”.

“Finally, may I State without an ounce of equivocation that we shall continue ceaselessly to debunk all lies against the person of Yahaya Bello, against State of Kogi, and against the call for a New Deal for the masses of our Country. Remember it is Youth O’Clock, and the Nigerian Youths along with the masses of our dear Country will purge our politics of the smear campaigns and the vile tendencies of the past. All lies and falsehood in the works for 2023 won’t stick, believe me, so try something else, folks”.

Recall that the Kogi State Government yesterday dismiss the claims by EFCC and has vowed to seek redress in Court.

The Nigerian Army and its Turkish counterpart have pledged to  strengthen military bilateral relations between both countries to tackle terrorism. This was made known today Monday 30 August 2021, when the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria,  Ambassador Hidaye Bayraktar paid a  courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja. 
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu and made available to the press on 30th August 2021Ambassador Bayraktar stated that the purpose of the visit was to improve upon the existing relationship between the two countries and to assist Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
The Ambassador further averred that like Nigeria, Turkey had equally been confronted with challenges of insecurity, pointing out that the Defence Corporations of both countries have to  come into mutual agreement in order to curtail the activities of terrorists in both countries.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),  described the visit as an opportunity to further enhance the existing cordial relationship between both countries, particularly the Land Forces of Turkey.He disclosed that during his recent tour of Turkey, he paid a visit to the Turkish Defence Corporation, describing it as a very insightful tour.Gen Yahaya further stated that the relationship between the  two countries will shore up  the fighting capabilities of the armies of both countries through sharing of intelligence and operational experience. Present at the visit were Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters.

The Nigerian Army has debunked allegations that kidnappers of Abia University lecturers were released by its personnel after a call from an unnamed army officer.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, dated August 24, 2021.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a spurious allegation by an assembly member representing Isuikwuato Constituency of Abia State who alleged that when security agents arrested suspected kidnappers of Abia State University lecturers, a certain call came from a high military formation ordering the release of the arrested suspects despite strong evidence linking them with the said crime.

“Much as we do not want to join issues with the insinuators, it is crucial to set the record straight. If truly the claims in the said report emanated from the lawmaker, then we must state without mincing words that they are not only unfounded but a travesty of facts and reality,” it said.

According to the statement titled, “STOP THE BLACKMAIL – ARMY IS NOT ABBETING CRIMINALITY IN ISUIKWUATO LGA OF ABIA STATE” the Army said that the claim is completely devoid of truth.

“It is most unfair for anyone at that height of the social ladder to sponsor a smear campaign against the Nigerian Army for whatever reason; particularly knowing that he has access to the leadership of the military,” it said.

Nigerian Army explained that contrary to the narrative being peddled in the said report, it took the gallantry of their men on patrol to rescue the victims of the said kidnap incident before handing them over to the police.

“How then could the same Army that was instrumental to the rescue of the victims, turn around to order the release of the suspects. Evidently, this is illogical and a blatant lie,” it pointed out.

The Nigerian Army therefore, stated that the misguided report is actually an abysmally failed attempt at blackmailing the NA for denying unscrupulous elements the freedom of action to foist lawlessness and violence on the good people and government of Abia State.

“The honourable lawmaker should have abinitio, sought clarifications from the Army before resorting to media trial,” it added.

The Army therefore, appealed to members of the public to approach the Army on any issue requiring clarification rather than resorting to blackmail.

“The Nigeria Army is firmly commited to the fight against banditary and criminality in the country. Nigerians, including residents of Abia State as are assured of their security as we relentlessly continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities,” it assured.