Equity Reporters

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal SB Abubakar, has challenged Passing Out Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy to always place national interest beyond self-interest and to be dispassionate in carrying out their professional responsibilities. The CAS gave this charge while addressing passing out cadets of 66RC (Army), 67RC (Navy and Air Force) and SSC 45 (Army) during the Academy Regimental Dinner Night organized in their honour, ahead of their October 5 Passing Out Parade. "You must always try to prioritize national interest before your personal interest and pursue excellence in various tasks and activities during the course of your service", the CAS admonished the graduating cadets. While charging them to remain apolitical, Air Marshal Abubakar further noted, "The nation must always come first in your scale of priorities and you must also note that the whole nation is your constituency, and as such, when deployed, you must eschew sentiments and carry

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) by name Organisation of Environmental Agric and Health Development (OEAHD), has asserted that the reform agenda championed for the Nigerian Army (NA), by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, is already paying off.  "Sir, your reforms in the Nigerian Army, sophisticated strategy, motivation to our troops, rapid deployment of equipment and the vigour with which you are pursuing the task of fighting insurgency and several other crimes across the country, is yielding positive results," she said.  The NGO's Founder and President, Mrs. Tabitha Isechap Nzuta, noted that prior to Lt. Gen. Buratai's assumption of office as COAS, issues of insecurity, banditry and terrorism were quite widespread and alarming, particularly in northern Nigeria and in a few other locations in the country.  But according to her, Buratai's assumption of office has since changed the narrative, as large swa

By Ajogwu Jerry A statement by the Acting Army Spokesman, Col Sagir Musa hinted that the Nigerian Army is set to launch revamped operations and trainings to checkmate varying the form of criminality in the country. The exercise is scheduled to hold in various Geopolitical zones of Nigeria. According to the statement: "The exercises are Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II in the North Central and parts of North Western States of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba as well as Kaduna and Niger States in 1 and 3 Divisions Area of Responsibilities (AOR) including Headquarters Command Army Records, Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade, Exercise EGWU EKE 1V which will be carried out in the South Eastern part of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States in 82 Division AOR, while Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 1V will as usual  take place  in the South South and parts of South Western States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Ri

By Ajogwu Jerry The Nigerian Army has identified saboteurs of counter insurgency operations in Nigeria's Northeast. A statement by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col Ado Isa identified one of the Non Governmental Organizations operating in the region, Action Against Hunger (AAH) as one among the numerous saboteurs. Read full statement: "The Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE (TC - OPLD)) has observed with utter disappointment and concern the notorious activities of some Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) working in the North East (NE) Nigeria.  The subversive and actions  of the NGO Action Against Hunger (AAH) persisted despite  several warnings to desist from aiding and abetting terrorists and their atrocities  The TC - OPLD has on many occasions raised alarm over this unwholesome practices of some NGOs and expressed same position during  meetings with the NGOs operating in the NE Theater of Operation. Consequently, the AAH has

 Following a revamped counter insurgency operation by the Nigerian Army promoting a robust combined onslaught on identified hideouts of  criminal elements,  bandits and erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters by troops and the MNJTF, intelligence reports revealed mass exodus of terrorists out of Lake Chad Tumbus to North and Central Africa sub-regions.  According to a statement credited to the Army Spokesman, Col Sagir Musa, the ongoing operation at the fringes of Lake Chad region is yielding results. Sagir said credible reports from reliable sources indicates massive movements of criminal groups out of the area towards Sudan and Central African Republic as a result of successful artillery and aerial bombardments of their settlements and as the heat of the onslaught is becoming unbearable. "This mass movement for their lives was necessitated following the sustained air and artillery bombardments by the Nigerian Armed Forces and Coalition forces of the MNJTF, which killed unco

The Save Humanity Advocacy Center (SHAC) has accused France of repeatedly providing funds for Boko Haram and arming them with sophisticated weapons to keep up the insurgency momentum in the country. The Centre made this known at a press conference by Executive Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Abubakar, in Abuja, on Wednesday, in reaction to reports that the radical Islamic fighters had obtained ultra-modern drones. The group fingered France and its allies in this latest scheme, owing to previous history and by doing so the European nation is undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty. Having continually remained mute, the SHAC, therefore challenged France to “ tell the world who was responsible for arming Boko Haram in the past”. The Centre, however, urged the Nigerian military to maintain its onslaught on the terrorist while calling on member states committed to the new funds to break free of colonial loyalties. Read full press statement below: Gentlemen of the pres

The Nigerian Army High Command on Tuesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try Major General Hakeem Otiki, General Officer Commanding 8 division Nigerian Army, over the stealing of large sums of money put between #400million and #600 by soldiers attached to the GOC. The GCM whose President is Lt. General Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Policy and Plans at Army Headquarters, also has seven other Major Generals as members while Major A. Mohammed is the Judge Advocate. The members are Major General AA Tarfa, Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Major General John Malu, Commander, Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, Major General CT Olukoju, Director General, Nigerian Army Land Simulation Center, Major General CC Okonkwo, Special Adviser, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Major General Aguguo, Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Nigerian Army and Major General M Mohammed, former GOC 1 division, Kaduna. While the prosecuting counsel is led by Major

By Ajogwu Jerry In compliance with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai for enhanced inter agency collaboration, the commander 707 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi, Brig Gen Emmanuel Emekah recently hosted  the Nigerian Police football team, Benue state command to a novelty match at Joe Akahaan Cantonment Makurdi. According to a statement by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations 707 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi, Capt Samson Zhakom, the two teams displayed professional football skills and doggedness amidst cheers from supporters of both teams.  "It was actually an epoch making event as personnel from both the Army and the police played soccer together and exchanged pleasantries. It was a case of no victor, no vanquished as the match came to a climax in a goalless draw,".  According to the Commander, the novelty match is aimed at strengthening the mutual working relationship between the Nigerian Army and other securi

A foremost sociopolitical interest group, Kogi Youth Roundtable has thrown their weight behind the mandate of Engr Musa Wada in the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state. In a statement made public by the National Publicity of the group, Comrade Jerry Ochada, the forum endorsed the ambition of Musa Wada at the end of its 27th Stakeholders council which reached a climax in Lokoja on Saturday. According to the resolution, the decision of the youths to endorse Wada is in line with the obvious lapses of the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello attested by majority of Kogites and Nigerians as an unrepentant failure. Excepts of the statement read: "Kogi Youth Roundtable is a household name in Kogi State foremost for criticizing the lingering deficits trending sour in the confluence state. It is on record that we have never at a point in time endorsed the ambition of any aspirant but the emergence of Engr Musa Wada as the flag bearer of the Peoples Dem

By Ajogwu Jerry The Chief of Army Staff Lt General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has charged officers and men of the Nigerian Army on the need to be mentally and physically fit and alert for them to be able to discharge their  responsibilities deligently and professionally. The Army Chief gave the charge on Friday at the end of The Nigerian Army 10 kilometers Monthly Route March for September 2019 at the Guards Brigade Headquarters, Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Abuja. Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Army,  Lt Gen Lamidi Adeosun, Buratai urged troops to sustain the tempo throughout the month of September and beyond in their offices and duty post. “We should not forget our calling as officers and soldiers. Discipline is the watchword. Anything we do without discipline will not only rubbish whatever we are as individuals, body or as an institution, so we keep up our discipline, dedication, regimentation and physical well being to face our duties seriously as expected

Nigeria has recalled it High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala, and also pulled out of World Economic Summit holding in Cape Town on Wednesday. A source close to the presidency told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria also demanded for full compensation for the loss of life and property of Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attack. Details shortly....

By Ajogwu Jerry Ochada Each time our beloved country is rated the Giant of Africa it instigates a musing aura of mixed feelings amidst obvious grumblings of deception perhaps because we are living in the shadows of our past glories. It boggles my wild (though innocent) imagination to withstand the fact that citizens of the most populous black nation are being intimidated, persecuted and killed more cheaper the worth of poultry birds within the confines of their own continent without redress.  The killing of Nigerians living in South Africa is fast becoming a hobby for South African nationals and it is high time leaders of both countries reach an armistice or better still severe diplomatic ties because majority of Nigerians are not weaklings. I am not seeking a reprisal attack because Nigerians are hospitable but the inimical tendencies of South Africans showcased in the barbaric killing of Nigerians (our blood brothers and sisters) by some group of hopeless ignor

By Ajogwu Jerry The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has commended Nigerian troops for the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the country. Magashi gave the commendation when he paid a maiden Operational visit to the Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE.  During the visit, the Minister was briefed by the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maj Gen OG Adeniyi on the state of the operation.  The Minister commended troops of the Nigerian Army for their commitments and the obvious achievements recorded so far in the fight to end insurgency and assured them of the support President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of providing necessary logistics. In his words, "With the caliber of well trained, experienced and committed senior officers that I see here, I have no doubt that you are capable to effectively prosecute this war to the end". The minister conducted a tour of selected locations at Magumeri where h