NEW PLOT AGAINST OPERATIONS OF NIGERIAN MILITARY

 

The Defence Headquarters has been alerted of a plot by some interest groups to embark on a renewed campaign aimed at attracting international  condemnation and  indictment of  the Nigerian military and its operations in the Northern part of the country. The campaign which is to rely heavily on doctored and falsified audio visual materials, some of which are already trending in the social media, is to be coordinated and funded by a prominent political leader whose state is presently under the State of  Emergency.

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX BADEH (CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF)

The details of the plan which is already being fine-tuned by a group of media practitioners,  is to be presented for the final ratification and funding by the political figure. The design is expected to forcefully whip up sentiments of genocide allegedly targeted against a particular religious group.  The planners of this multi-media crusade also hope to use it to gain some mileage in the drive to secure international attention as they have not achieved this sufficiently despite previous efforts. The programme which is also meant to reinforce the ongoing media campaign against the military was adopted as an alternative by those who are bent on politicizing the ongoing counter terrorists operations in the northern part of the country.
It will be recalled that a newspaper, apparently testing the waters, last week published some of the doctored pictures which the Defence Headquarters instantly repudiated, pointing out that they do not represent activities or operations of the Nigerian military.
This Headquarters wishes to reiterate its rejection of pictures and video footages from unverifiable sources claiming to reflect activities or so called  atrocities purportedly perpetrated by Nigerian security forces. They do not reflect or depict the true state of affairs or operations of Nigerian military or any of the security forces. The public is advised to watch out and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by these acts of infamy orchestrated by this desperate group.

 

Once again, it must be emphasized that the dastardly acts of terrorism are against all Nigerians and all peace loving people all over the world.  No amount of propaganda by apologists of terror group can justify the evil acts of terrorism by attempting to cast the Nigerian military and security forces in bad light.

CHRIS OLUKOLADE

Major General

Director Defence Information

#BRING BACK OUR GIRLS: CENPEVNI AND REHABILITATION AND INTEGRATION OUTREACH MISSION FIGHTS HARDER

SPEECH OF DR. (MRS.) MERCY JUMMAI SOKOMBA , THE DIRECTOR GENERAL, CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF ETHICS VALUES AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION/NATIONAL COORDINATOR REHABILITATION AND INTEGRATION OUTREACH MISSION ON THE OCCASION OF A PRESS BRIEFING ON #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THEIR RETURN ON 28^TH MAY, 2014

 

Good morning Gentlemen of the Press, ladies and gentlemen and our dear guests and sisters from Borno State.

Today, 28^th May marks the 43^rd day since over two hundred (200+) girls were abducted from a government Secondary School in Chibok while they had gone to sit for an examination that will help shape their future and provide them with opportunities to achieve their dreams and goals. This life advancement effort they went for is the dream of most Nigerian children. The dream of not only the ability to read and write but to pass their Senior Secondary School / WAEC etc Examinations so that they can get into the university or other tertiary education institutions of their choices and become empowered women and leaders in the future.

Among the abducted girls are definitely future mothers, Leaders of their community representing their community at various levels – from Local Government to the Federal Level in all possible elective and appointive positions. But suddenly terror struck on the night of April 14, 2014, over 200 of the girls were abducted in the most daring abduction/kidnapping exercise that the world has ever witnessed in this magnitude. This is the most unethical, unpatriotic and deviant behavior ever displayed in the world by men who have lost or never imbibed family, individual, community or national values or respect for Human Rights or right to life and freedom of association etc. Since the unpleasant event parents and families of the victims, security agencies, Nigerians from all works of life, States, Local Governments, even opposing Politicians/Political Parties and the caring world at large have lost their sleep as well. Protesters on #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS have since taken to the streets daily reminding our Security agencies, government and the dreaded BOKO HARAM who are the master minders to act speedily by bringing our girls back and alive. Victims are innocent of whatever the grouse of Boko Haram is.

The Federal and Borno State Governments are working round the clock along with some international communities (e.g. USA, Britain, China, Israel and African countries) are “on top of the situation”. BUT days have dragged into weeks, weeks now into months yet SAMBISA Forest remains unconquered. The “top of it” is still very hazy and far away. By the grace and mercy of God and the fervent prayers and fasting programmes of Nigerians, SAMBISA or where ever they are will be conquered by patriotic and gallant soldiers who believe in the sanctity of life, patriotism and indivisibility of Nigeria and our girls brought back so that the un-going horror, nightmare, blood shedding especially in the North Eastern Axis of Nigeria where terrorism is being launched on our people, youths, women, girl-child and innocent communities on a daily basis will be brought to an end.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all the Parents/families of the Chibok Girls over the definite psychological trauma and nightmare they are going through and we believe in God’s Miracle and deliverance of the girls from the hands of their abductors.

PURPOSE OF THE PRESS BRIEFING

Gentlemen of the Press, you are invited this 28^th Day of May, 2014 Press Briefing to be informed as well as to pass the information to the public that we are confident that the girls will come back. We join all the voices calling for their safe return using various strategies especially daily Marches and vigils. However, we have gone ahead to prepare for their return. Consequently, The Center For Promotion of Ethics Values and National Integration in our ongoing partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values and in collaboration with some NGOs – Zee Karatu, League of Women Democrats, Grassroots Movement Group, SAISY’S Home and After School Hours/ Crayola, Pavonia International, Professional bodies in Health, Psychology, Security, Entrepreneurship, Education etc. have put together a Rehabilitation and Integration Outreach Mission which will be based in Chibok preparatory to the reception of the girls.

All attention at the moment is focused on the safe return of our girls, alive and well! That is not negotiable. However, we are not ignorant of the psychological trauma this long separation from their parents, relations and communities that will be daily bugging the minds of the victims. Beyond the local and global daily protests and matches, beyond the professional search by our gallant security forces and international assistance, our concern is what happens when they are released and returned? And indeed they will be released and returned

Our fears and concerns for the psychological trauma the girls are going through are weightier than the abduction. Questions that motivated the setting up of the Professional/ Technical Mission team include the form /type of rehabilitation and integration plan to have on ground at the following levels:

• With their parents, siblings and extended family members;
• With the community and society at large,
• With their peers,
• continuation of their education, alternative education/ skills acquisition etc.

Tagged REHABILITATION AND INTEGRATION OUTREACH MISSION we are considering the following multi-disciplinary approaches:

1. Setting up a Professional / Multi-Disciplinary Committee to train as many Volunteers, youths especially the National Youth Vanguards on Ethics and Values and other youth groups. This first set of training is train-the trainers. The trainers include Psychologists, Trauma experts, Counselors, entrepreneurs for acquisition of skills/ Alternative Education Strategies, Interfaith Mediators, Criminologists, NEMA and security agencies etc.
2. The trainers will train members of the Chibok Community through town hall meetings etc.
3. This is a continuous exercise for a minimum of six months with similar plans for all the flash points and troubled spots in the North east and elsewhere where whole families are wiped out, children made orphans, women turned into widows and men into widowers. All these are of grave traumatic consequences

PROGRAMME CONTENT

Our Programme Content for the Rehabilitation and Integration Outreach Mission include the following in addition to other areas being worked on:

1. Trauma and Psychology
2. Health Education
3. Basic Security Training
4. Inter-Faith Counseling Programmes
5. Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
6. Education which includes continuing education and Alternative Education Strategies

We invite as many volunteers-individuals and organizations to register with us at our Programme Office. Register to contribute your suggestions, service and assistance where necessary:

The National Project Coordinator,

Center For Promotion of Ethics Values and National Integration,

Suite 12, Asokoro Shopping Mall/Offices,

T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro Abuja.

Tel No: 07057760439

Or

Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values,

The Presidency,

Federal Secretariat,

Abuja

Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in this Press Briefing and please keep the prayers on for the safe return of our girls.

 

 

Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Jummai Sokomba,

Director General/National Coordinator

DEMOCRACY DAY: IGP ASSURES HITCH FREE CELEBRATIONS, Calls for vigilance amongst the populace

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar CFR, NPM, mni, psc has assured the citizens that effective security measures have been put in place towards ensuring a hitch free Democracy Day which comes up on the 29th May, 2014.

Inspector General of Police, M. D. Abubakar

The IGP who gave this assurance during a brief closed door meeting with his Management Team today, 28th May, 2014 at the Force Headquarters, Abuja directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Intelligence, Command Commissioners of Police and the Commissioners of Police in-charge of the various Police Special Squads such as the Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force and Special Protection Unit (SPU) to be on high alert and ensure effective and strategic deployment of all Police personnel.

The IGP, while promising the citizenry of the total commitment and focus of the Nigeria Police along with other security agencies towards ensuring the safety and security of the citizenry at all times, also called on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and security conscious against the backdrop of the security challenges confronting the country.

CSP FRANK MBA FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

2015 Each Governor Should Have a Female Running Mate, Amb Hycinth GLIM

By Joy O Idam, Abuja

The Founder, Senior Pastor‎ & General Overseer of Great Light Impact Ministry (GLIM)( aka. Light Assembly), Apostle Amb Chiaka Hycinth, a Peace Ambassador has called on all Gubernatorial Candidates and those seeking reelection in the 2015 election to make females their automatic running mates.

He made this call at the Yar Adua Centre Abuja, shortly after his induction as a Peace Ambassador.
He dedicated the Award to God and Amb Audu Emeje, former First Lady Kogi State.

Amb Hycinth of GLIM noted that Nigerian Women have indeed paid their dues. And that God made women to be beside men not under Men. He said any nation seeking rapid development must carry the women along.

The very best place to start is with ensuring that come 2015 all Deputy Governors of the 36 States Must be Women. I also wish to see more Women elected into the National Assembly. Moreso I wish for every Government and Private establishment to have females as the Head.

On his assessment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he noted that he is the best Civilian Leader Nigeria has ever produced in terms of achievements, humanity etc.He follows due process and he is not a destroyer. He has also attracted the highest foreign good will to Nigeria.

But noted that President Jonathan has only two problems. The first being that he is Minority Ijaw. He was quick to ask can any of us determine the home, tribe or religion to be born into. ? No. Then why are Nigerians bent on crucifying him because he is minority.

On this I urge Politicians to ammend their ideologies and mind set do not support a person because of where he is from but his Party Manifesto.

Amb Hycinth also noted that President Jonathan’s second offence is that he is not a Killer. If he were very few people can open their mind and speak evil of him.  But hav we evered linked any killing with or to him. No. In this same Nigeria a few years back a Past Leader committed genocide sent the army to wipe out a particular race in Bayelsa State.

Many people fled the country several deaths occured including that of Bola Ige, to date his killers hav not been brought to book. What we owe President Jonathan and our Leaders is our profound prayers.

None of the two major religion in its Holy book tolerates killing or shedding innocent blood. As a Peace Ambassador I’m urging the Perpetraitors of this dastardly act to stop.

On what he and his colleagues in CAN are doing Apostle Hycinth, noted that they have been praying for Nigeria and interceding. And that soonest God will intervene and Peace will return to Nigeria.

” Its a huge burden to my heart especially the abducted girls I pray daily for them and President GEJ at GLIM and we know God will intervene.  My colleagues are also very concerned. We have been meeting and been interceeding. It is well with Nigeria. “

Amb. Chiaka Hycinth

On my advise to Nigerian youth , I urge them not to allow peer pressure or any politician derail them. Be yourself, be focused above all embrace God and you will not be misled.  Most youth are confused.  They should look up to God and not be tempted by all they see and love for Money.

The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. From age 14, I already knew what I wanted and separated myself.  My mum from that age started addressing me as Man of God, MOG.  She knew and the world could see it. In GLIM we run a close circuit family ties we see ourselves as one family under God.

We are one Nigeria, we are stronger together, we have no other nation but Nigeria, let’s not allow infidels under any name, colour or group to destroy our nation. Let’s join hands in prayers to fight this terrorists and send them back to wherever they are coming from.

Nigeria will still be together after 2015.  God gives us second chance. Whatever prophecy or security report have been made on Nigeria. We can go back to God and make a case and turn things around. The Federal Republic of Nigeria will not break up.

What Happens after the Return of Chibok Girls?

By Joy Idam, Abuja.

The Centre for Promotion of Ethics Values and National Intergration, CENPEVNI, in partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser on Ethics and Values, the National Orientation Agency, both technical partners, are organising a One Day Symposium/Media Brief On Bring Back Our Girls Project:What Happens After Their Return? In colloaboration with some NGOs namely; Zee Karatu, Grass Roots Movement Group, League of Women Democrats, National Youth Vanguard on Ethics and Values on 28th May, 2014 at the Asokoro Shopping Mall at 1030am Prompt.

According to a press release signed by Dr Mercy Jummai Sokomba, the Converner/ Executive Director CENPEVNI, she noted that ” Family and individual ethics and Values as well as National Integration, has created so many negative effects on our society especially in the areas of sanctity of life, patriotism, corruption, dignity of Labour, inequality and lack of access to fair level playinf ground /empowerment for sound take off for our youth. ”

The resultant effect being visible in so many societal and criminal behaviour we are witnessing in Nigeria today, in form of unrests, kidnapping, abductions, thuggery etc.

However, the Boko Haram insurgence which has now been classified as a global threat and terrorism is of GRAVE concern to the survival of Nigeria as a nation and to individuals and families.

The whole saga of BH and the abduction of over 200 girls is of the highest ethical concern to all, with mothers in the forefront.  It throws so many issues on erosion of ethics and Values in our society , especially on the sanctity of life, human rights abuse, disrespect, hooliganism and worst still terrorism.

We are therefore joining Nigerians in any way help can be rendered especially in the aftermath of the abduction when the girls are brought back alive by proposing and putting a Rehabilitation and Reintegration Outreach Mission.

Our fears bother on the psychological trauma the girls have gone through and how to reach out to them.

Thus we intend to set up Professional Committee to train as many volunteers , youths especially the National Youth Vanguard on Ethics and Values and other Youth groups.

This first set of training is train the trainers.  The trainers includes Psychologists, Trauma Experts, Counselors, Entrepreneurs for Skills Acquisition/Alternative Education Strategies, Interfaith Mediators , Criminologists, NEMA etc.

The trainers will in turn train members of the entire Chibok community through town hall meeting etc.

Finally draw up rehabilitation and reintegration plans for their parents, siblings and extended family, the community and society at large and their peers.  Continuation of their education must also be taken seriously , Dr Sokomba emphasized.

NO “MUTINY” IN MAIDUGURI BARRACKS

The online report titled “Second Mutiny in Maimalari Barracks as Soldiers Manhandled Commander” is not true. What the online outlet garnished and dubbed as ‘mutiny’ was just a presentation of complaints by representatives of personnel families who wanted the ban on motorcycles as a means of public transportation in the barracks reversed. Soldiers were not involved and there was no single shot fired by soldiers throughout the period as claimed in the report. That the ban was part of security measures put in place for the safety of the soldiers and their families. The Acting General Officer Commanding obliged their request and directed a suspension of the ban pending when the planned alternative transportation arrangement is put in place. He was not insulted or manhandled as reported. The imputation of mutiny was concocted by the online medium ostensibly to raise false alarm and create the impression of disquiet in the military. It is very obvious that a section of the media is feasting on the current security challenges and is desperate to sustain the tempo of the crisis through sensational reportage. Mutiny is a very grievous breach that attracts severe sanctions in the military and should not be trivialized by those who do not understand its ramifications. The general public is therefore requested to discountenance the rumours as no such incident took place. The mass media is again requested to beware of lifting stories on the military from online media as this has become the main channel of disseminating falsehood on happenings in the system.

In another development, cordon and search exercise has led to the discovery of Rocket Launcher production facility at Dorayi District in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State. The discovery follows the arrest of a prominent member of the terrorists group. Locally made Anti-Aircraft Gun and Mortar accessories as well as Rocket Propelled Grenade tubes and Launcher along with accessories were recovered. Also seized were three AK47 rifles and hundreds of rounds of assorted ammunitions as well as drilling machines and other fabricating equipment. The general public is once again reminded to report suspicious persons to security agencies in their localities to prevent unwholesome act by terrorists.

Major General AC OLUKOLADE

Director Defence Information

KILLING FIELD IN BORNO: NIGERIAN TROOPS NOT INVOLVED

 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has found the latest allegation of genocide against the Nigerian military by a Kaduna based cleric as not only diversionary but unfortunate.  The DHQ wishes to unequivocally dissociate the Nigerian military from any involvement in the alleged genocide as depicted in the graphic pictures which appeared in the front page of Blueprint newspapers of 22 May 2014 edition entitled, “Alleged Killing field in Borno”.

 

While the military will continue to respect freedom of expression of Nigerians, it will not submit to desperate blackmail and propaganda aimed at diverting attention and pitching public opinion against the armed forces.  Although the real motive of the report and presentation with the apparent intention to impute military complicity in the event depicted in the pictures is yet to unfold, the DHQ sees this allegation as the manifestation of yet another grand design to tarnish and denigrate the image of Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

The Nigerian military remains a professional force whose operations is guided by high standard of professional ethics and will not be party to such dastardly act.  At no time or event in the course of the counter-insurgency operation have the troops embarked on the extra-judicial killing of civilians as exhibited in the gory pictures.

 

The location and occasion where the events captured in the pictures were taken is unknown and has no bearing whatsoever as insinuated in the report by the Blueprint newspaper. The individual holding stick which the paper mischievously described as “a soldier stand(ing) guard…” is certainly not a Nigerian soldier neither is any of those captured in the pictures.

 

The media are once again advised not to make themselves available to those who are desperate to tarnish the good name of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

CHRIS OLUKOLADE

Major General

Director Defence Information

FOREIGN ALLIES HAVE NOT CARRIED OUT ARREST OR OPERATION

There has been no arrest or operation by any foreign military or security allies in the ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted girls or the conduct of the  ongoing counter terrorist campaign in Nigeria as reported by national dailies today and currently being circulated online.  Contrary to the reports and the pictures being circulated to illustrate the claims, there has been no incident or record as reported.  The pictures being circulated to illustrate the claims in the story are not related to the situation in Nigeria as they were taken from scenes in other countries.

 

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX BADEH (CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF)

Indeed, no troop of the American Marines has so far been deployed in any part of Nigeria as is being circulated in certain media.

 

International coalition is quite appropriate in handling terrorism being a trans-border and global crime. The public will be duly briefed on the areas of collaboration with allied forces in the mission to bring back our girls as the need arises.  There is therefore no need to engage in misleading speculations while the mission is in progress.

POLICE NOT AGAINST PEACEFUL ASSEMBLIES…

• As IGP reaffirms commitment to protection of citizens right

Against the backdrop of the recent local and international clamour  for the immediate and unconditional release of the school girls who were abducted from Chibok, Borno State, through protests and other forms of advocacy, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc has restated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and other Law Enforcement Agencies to the protection and enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens, particularly their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association amongst others as enshrined in Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

 

Inspector General of Police, M. D. Abubakar

Noting that the Law Enforcement Agencies are duty-bound to enforce these rights, the IGP charged his Zonal and State Command Officers to ensure that citizens embarking on rallies and other peaceful demonstrations are provided adequate security in line with the standard operational practice of the Force. The IGP however, called on leaders and organizers of such rallies to work in concert with the Police to ensure the safety of participants and orderliness of the exercise. He further urged them to take measures to deter hoodlums from hijacking the assemblies.

While calling on the citizens to provide the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies with useful information in the fight against terror and other related crimes, the IGP reassured them that all necessary steps are being taken towards ensuring that the abducted Chibok School girls are rescued and returned to their loved ones.

 

CSP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

GOVERNMENT STUDYING VIDEO RELEASE OF CAPTIVE CHIBOK GIRLS

The Federal Government has seen the online video reportedly issued by the Jama’atu  ahlul sunnah lidda’awati wal jihad (Boko Haram Sect) of the abducted Nigerian School girls who Have been in captivity since 15 April 2014

Government is reviewing the content of the video and the accompanying statement issued by the sect.

Government will continue to explore all options for the release and safe return of our girls back to their homes.

An earlier report by a section of the media purported to have been issued by Government is totally false.

 

 

Above being press statement  by Mike Omeri, DG NOA from the National Information Centre