Armed Forces of Nigeria

By Clement Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep sadness over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed the lives of 25 passengers.

Atiku, in a condolence message posted on his X handle on Tuesday, described the incident as a tragic loss, saying the scale and circumstances of the crash were heartbreaking.

He said the victims included airmen, soldiers and members of their families, noting that lives devoted to service, as well as lives filled with promise and innocence, were lost in the tragedy.
“Atiku said his thoughts and prayers were with the families of all those who died, stressing that no words could adequately comfort parents who had lost their children, children who had lost their parents, and families suddenly deprived of their loved ones.

He extended his condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.

The former vice president prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for God to comfort their grieving families.

He also prayed that God would grant the Nigerian Air Force and the nation the strength to bear the loss.

Precise Post recalls that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State on Monday, killing all 25 passengers on board.

ABUJA – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel in Nigeria to support the training and capacity development of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Uba said the U.S. personnel and associated equipment had arrived at the Bauchi Airfield as part of a structured bilateral defence engagement.

According to him, the deployment follows a formal request by Nigeria to the U.S. Government for clearly defined military training, technical support and intelligence-sharing assistance.

According to him, the collaboration stems from deliberations reached during a joint working group engagement between Nigerian and U.S. defence delegations.

“The U.S. personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity. They are not combat forces,” he said.

The defence spokesman stressed that all activities would be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the AFN.

He noted that the cooperation would provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorist threats and strengthen the protection of vulnerable communities.

According to him, Nigerian troops will commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused initiatives with the advisers to boost operational effectiveness against extremist groups.

Uba reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to degrading and defeating terrorist organisations threatening the country’s sovereignty and national security, assuring Nigerians of transparency and timely updates on the ongoing military partnership. (NAN)

ABUJA – The Arewa Restoration Alliance, a coalition of professionals from Northern Nigeria, has warned that the region would continue to lag behind unless urgent steps were taken to tackle insecurity.

President of the group, Muktar Danfulani, stated this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Danfulani said that insecurity had remained the single biggest obstacle to economic growth and investment in the North.

He called on Northerners to rally behind the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, saying the military had shown resilience and achieved major successes against terrorists and bandits.

“Presently, it is difficult for any organisation or foreign country to consider the North for economic investments due to the security challenges.

“We want to commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for the arrest of two leaders of Ansaru, an al-Qaeda franchise in Nigeria – Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeria, notoriously known as Mallam Mamuda,” he said.

According to him, Abu Bara’a was the overall coordinator of the group’s sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of several kidnappings and terrorist financing operations.

He added that Mahmud al-Nigeria headed the notorious Mahmudawa faction of Ansaru based in and around Kainji National Park, and had trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

Danfulani also hailed troops for their rescue operations across Sokoto and Adamawa States where they rescued 23 kidnapped victims, including 17 girls abducted by bandits and six persons seized by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

He also commended Operation Hadin Kai troops for repelling an ambush along the Gubio–Damasak road in Borno, where 13 insurgents were killed and arms recovered.

“The attack, which occurred on Wednesday near Kareto in Mobbar Local Government Area, targeted a military convoy escorting humanitarian supplies to Damasak.

“The terrorists reportedly detonated two improvised explosive devices before opening fire, but our gallant troops stood their ground,” he said.

“We call on the Armed Forces under our son, Gen. Musa, to deal decisively with individuals who refuse to surrender and give up arms.

“The North cannot make progress until insecurity is brought under control.” (NAN)

ABUJA – The Russian Government has expressed its willingness to share with Nigeria the new strategies it has developed to support the country’s fight against terrorism.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Monday in Abuja.

He said Lt.-Gen. Andrei Averianov, Russian envoy, made the pledge on Monday, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa in Abuja.

Gusau said that Averianov said Russia was engaged in special operations in 39 countries, during which she developed new methods, and was willing to share them with Nigeria to support the fight against terrorism.

He said it had been 80 years since Russia fought Nazism, adding that the security landscape had however, evolved, with asymmetric threats such as Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram now emerging.

Gusau said the head of the Russian delegation expressed Russia’s delight for being part of the fight to create a more secure environment for future generations in Nigeria.

He pledged Russia’s support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, while recognising Nigeria’s significance as a major stakeholder and power in the region.

According to him, Russia has been observing and learning from Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts over the years, Gusau attributed the envoy as saying.

“As brothers in arms, we are ready to assist, particularly with the provision of the full range of weapons required by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to prosecute its war on terror,” he said.

Gusau said that responding, the CDS welcomed the delegation on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the members of the Nigerian military.

Musa said that both Russia and Nigeria were undergoing challenging times, resulting in the loss of personnel and necessitating the conduct of special operations.

According to him, Musa thanked the delegation for the support from the Russian Federation.

Musa, he said, noted that Russia and Nigeria had long enjoyed strong ties, emphasising the need for continued partnerships in the areas of training and operations.

The CDS further emphasised the importance of exchanging instructors and students between the two countries for trainings.

“For the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, there is the need to expand training in Special Operations and provision of requisite equipment, special boats, fast attack craft and amphibious training.

“Others include the need for assistance in the maintenance of Russian platforms and the provision of air surveillance, respectively,” he said.

Gusau further quoted the defence chief as stressing that Nigeria had several Russian-made platforms that were currently unserviceable.

He requested support through the provision of spare parts and the deployment of Russian experts for in-country maintenance or arrangements for backloading such equipment to Russia for repairs.

Musa appealed for enhanced intelligence sharing from Russia to Nigeria, noting that the Russians had gained valuable experience and capacity from their extended operations, particularly in the Sahel region.

He said that Musa also thanked the delegation for their gesture for personally delivering equipment and providing a team of experts to assist in their testing.

The CDS added that the Russian Federation had fulfilled its commitment to Nigeria as promised,” Gusau said. (NAN)