₦airaland Forum

Mike..ZA:
The Israeli soldiers trapped at some outpost on frontlines reported to HQ seeing Egyptian soldiers with "strange tubes"(man portable SAMs). I agree with you,Israel recovered well after supplies were flown in. Egypt fighter jets couldn't handle the well trained Israelis. Egypt held any advantage from surprise,numbers,allies and quality of equipment(some never being used).

That's right. When the USA saw the attrition rate of the Israeli fighter jets, new ones were rushed to them.

Yom Kippur War: October 1973

When the fourth Arab-Israeli war began on October 6, 1973, many of Israel's soldiers were away from their posts observing Yom Kippur (or Day of Atonement), and the Arab armies made impressive advances with their up-to-date Soviet weaponry. Iraqi forces soon joined the war, and Syria received support from Jordan. After several days, Israel was fully mobilized, and the Israel Defense Forces began beating back the Arab gains at a heavy cost to soldiers and equipment. A U.S. airlift of arms aided Israel's cause, but President Richard Nixon (1913-94) delayed the emergency military aid for a week as a tacit signal of U.S. sympathy for Egypt. On October 25, an Egyptian-Israeli cease-fire was secured by the United Nations.


http://www.history.com/topics/yom-kippur-war

Anambra Government partners Navy to establish Onitsha Out-post
By Joe Chukindi on October 17, 2013

The Anambra State government is partnering with the Nigerian Navy to establish a naval out-post in Onitsha which would boost security in the commercial city and enable businesses to thrive.

Governor Peter Obi, who was in Ogbaru, Thursday, presented a cheque of N200 million to Nigerian Navy in Odekpe at the ground breaking ceremony of the Naval Base.

Obi said the assistance was part of the commitment of the state to host the out-post, which, according to him, would boost businesses in the town by contributing to security of the state, especially its waterways.

While extolling the contributions of the Navy to the reduction in oil theft, he also announced that the State Government would commence immediate reconstruction of the access road to the base and would continue to work closely with the Navy to achieve the set goals.

The Governor assured the Odekpe community that the State Government would pay all necessary compensation for the land in line with its policy.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph Ezeoba, who commended the outstanding performance of Gov. Obi in advancing the growth and development of the State and Nigeria, thanked him for appreciating the fundamental role of the Navy in protecting the water ways and supporting a permanent structure that would enable Navy personnel carry out their responsibilities effectively.

Ezeoba observed that the out-post would further promote conducive environment for socio-economic activities to thrive, and expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the Navy and people of the State.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/10/17/anambra-government-partners-navy-to-establish-onitsha-out-post/

zaandrew: They a news network run basicaly by a contray that does not reconise israile.

I only watch there documantrys on africa not Middiel east since they cherey pic info.

They all have a leaning. The Arab stations generally are biased against Israel while the opposite is the case for most western media, although I have noticed that the BBC has a left liberal leaning and tends to look at the Middle East situation through the Palestinian perspective on things. That is Israel generally is the baddie while the Palestinians are the goodies in their eyes.

Henry120: Yeah man. You saw the documentary finale last night also?

The isrealis are a strong force though. The americans are indispensable to the Israelis. They (israel) simply cannot do without the americans.

The Israelis even use American made weapons more effectively that the Americans themselves and improve on them through their defence industries.

Henry120: Israel also had massive numbers. You didn't see how Egyptian SAM's were taking down Israeli planes like fire-flies? Numbers are just as important as weaponry. Anyway, The superior Israeli tanks and the ability of the isrealis to muster reservist in just under 18hours proved to be the difference.

The Russians supplied advanced SAMS and anti-tank weapons that the Israelis didn't know about. They recovered well though.

YAWN! But George stated, “In our view, Nigeria’s government has the capacity to address the violence successfully. The problem appears to be one of will, not ability .

Anybody with any news out there?

CraigB: Too much yada-yada from Naai-gerians.

Listen to your president declaring a state of emergency in your northern states. The objective was to "take extraordinary measures to return normality." The troops had orders "to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorist".

Has this been done? No!

Will it be done this year? No!

Will it be done next year?No!

Will it be done the year after? No!

Failed, has Naai-geria. Failed, has the military. Failed, has the state of emergency. Don't tell us about the supposed death of Shekau. Tell us about the orders that your commander in chief gave having been executed.

The opposite has happened. Men and women have died in detention. Kids have died in school - killed in retaliation for your pathetic military-sponsored vigilanteism. The killers have gone underground and are uncontrollable. Engage your brains Naai-gerians. Leave the brawn alone. Unless you want to break records and have the longest running state of emergency in the world.

Fix your social issues!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMXElS8h8QA

Nobody is interested because you don't want a debate, you just hate Nigeria

CraigB: Too much yada-yada from Naai-gerians.

Listen to your president declaring a state of emergency in your northern states. The objective was to "take extraordinary measures to return normality." The troops had orders "to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorist".

Has this been done? No!

Will it be done this year? No!

Will it be done next year?No!

Will it be done the year after? No!

Failed, has Naai-geria. Failed, has the military. Failed, has the state of emergency. Don't tell us about the supposed death of Shekau. Tell us about the orders that your commander in chief gave having been executed.

The opposite has happened. Men and women have died in detention. Kids have died in school - killed in retaliation for your pathetic military-sponsored vigilanteism. The killers have gone underground and are uncontrollable. Engage your brains Naai-gerians. Leave the brawn alone. Unless you want to break records and have the longest running state of emergency in the world.

Fix your social issues!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMXElS8h8QA

Nobody is interested because you don't want a debate, you just hate Nigeria

Mike..ZA:
Weak navy,how are you gonna win a naval battle against SAN with your weak navy. Failing to combat piracy. ewn.mobi/news/Local/pirate-attacks-off-nigerian-coast-surge/11172

You have obviously not been following the news lately with several pirates killed recently on 2 seprate occasions. Google is your pal, use it.

A weak navy that sailed to Australia

Nigeria navy kills 6 pirates
2013-08-28 22



Lagos - An official says Nigeria's navy killed six pirates and injured one in an attack against the outlaws expanding their territory in the Gulf of Guinea.

Delta state navy spokesperson, Delightsome Yohana, said on Wednesday that pirates engaged the navy in a gun battle late on Sunday off the coast of Calabar in Nigerian and Cameroonian waters. He says Nigeria's navy fired back, killing the pirates. The wounded attacker is in custody.

The operation is the latest in a string of victories for Nigeria's navy. Yohana said in the last two weeks the navy has killed 18 pirates and arrested five.

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Nigeria-navy-kills-6-pirates-20130828
(Reuters) - The Nigerian navy killed 12 pirates in a gun battle as they tried to flee from a fuel tanker they hijacked off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea last week, the navy said on Monday.

Pirates took control of the St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged MT Notre on August 15, but an emergency signal was sent to the navy and several gunships were deployed to recover the vessel, Navy Flag Officer Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Hassan told reporters.

Navy gunships caught up with the vessel and forced it into Nigerian waters but while negotiating the ship's release, the pirates tried to escape on a speed boat. The navy boats pursued but were fired upon by the hijackers.

"The gun battle lasted for about 30 minutes after which they were overpowered. On taking over the speed boat, four of the militants were alive and unhurt while the rest of the pirates were killed in the crossfire," Sidi-Ali Hussan said.

The crew were all rescued unharmed from the MT Notre, which was carrying 17,000 metric tons of gasoline, he said.

Pirate attacks off West Africa's mineral-rich coastline have almost doubled

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/19/us-nigeria-piracy-idUSBRE97I0PY20130819


Improved Nigerian maritime surveillance and response cuts crude oil theft and piracy

Written by Staff Writer, Wednesday, 09 October 2013

Piracy, crude oil theft and other illegal operations in Nigeria’s maritime environment are a major source of revenue leakage and the Nigerian Navy (NN) has put measures in place to ensure this sector of the national economy is properly protected.

In the first seven months of this year it has seized 25 vessels suspected of involvement in crude oil theft and bunkering.

That the Nigerian military has to provide protection to more than 5 700 oil wells, 9 717 km of pipeline, 112 flow stations, 16 gas plants and 126 floating platforms in the country’s maritime environment underscores the need for adequate maritime security a statement said.

The Nigerian maritime arm of service is employing a three-pronged approach based on the first NN Strategic Guidance (SG-01) policy issued last October. It defines deliverables including the elimination of piracy, sea robbery and crude oil theft.

Surveillance is the first priority, which has seen NN regional maritime awareness facilities installed along the Nigerian coastline to ensure adequate electronic surveillance of the nation’s coastal areas.

A response initiative involving deployments of boats and/or vessels to interrogate/arrest suspicious vessels picked up by electronic surveillance is the second step in the SG-01 policy.

“To improve response capability, naval presence and deterrence, the NN carried out force restructuring which included the creation of an additional operational Command, new forward operating bases (FOBs), outposts, coastal observation posts and flying units among others for increased reach to counter crude oil theft and piracy,” the statement continues.

“Equally, the NN asset recapitalisation drive has resulted in acquisition of seaward defence boats and other mixes of platforms, helicopters and support facilities to enforce its statutory responsibilities. Two new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are under construction in China to boost the fleet. It should be noted that for capacity building one of the OPVs will be built in China and the other will be completed in Nigeria. For maintenance and ensuring availability of platforms, the upgrading of ship support and repair facilities is also being carried out by the NN. All these have greatly enhanced NN response initiative capabilities.”

The third SG-01 step sees suspects handed to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, the country’s Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police for prosecution.

The need for and result of improved maritime surveillance and response is illustrated by the fact that 968 crude oil tankers successfully lifted more than 82 million metric tons of crude oil on behalf of the Nigerian federal government between January and September this year without a single successful attack by sea robbers or pirates.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32168:improved-nigerian-maritime-surveillance-and-response-cuts-crude-oil-theft-and-piracy&catid=108:maritime-security&Itemid=233[b][/b][b][/b]

zaandrew: So nigeria abodon a mission there due to BH. That makes BH a regional threat.

That is too simplistic. The UN boastfully said they would be replaced by other forces. We are waiting.

For the record, we left when it shifted from an African Mission to a UN mission the same as France, although we still have some troops there. It was never about being overstretched. After all, we are continuing to rotate troops to Darfur, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Plenty of troops in reserve.

There may be an element of truth in leaving because of not being in command and the troops in Mali are a useful addition to the 7th Division because of their CT/COIN training.

Oh! dear UN, maybe it is time for some begging. The reality is now hitting home. Where are the extra troops going to come from?

UN peace force in Mali 'needs troops and equipment' United Nations (UN)

The United Nations has appealed for more troops and equipment for its peacekeeping force in Mali.

The UN force, which took over security duties in July, has less than half of its mandated strength of more than 12,000 military personnel.

Bert Koenders, the UN's special representative to Mali, said recent attacks had been a "wake-up call".

He said the force, known as Minusma, needed more resources in order to stabilise the north of the country.

French forces led an operation to oust Islamist militants from the region in January.

A presidential election was held in Mali in July but militant attacks have resumed in the north where separatist Tuareg rebels and Islamist fighters are based.

Protect civilians
Bert Koenders, the UN's special representative to Mali, Bert Koenders, the UN's special representative to Mali, says key security challenges remain
A suicide bomb attack hit the northern city of Timbuktu on 28 September and an Islamist group fired shells into Gao on 7 October.

"We are faced with numerous challenges," Bert Koenders told the UN Security Council.

"The mission lacks critical enablers - such as helicopters - to facilitate rapid deployment and access to remote areas to ensure the protection of civilians. Troop generation will have to accelerate."

The UN peacekeeping force was dealt a further blow in August by the withdrawal of a large Nigerian contingent who returned home to tackle their own Islamist insurgency.

This left Minusma with less than 6,000 troops. It is due to reach full strength with 12,640 uniformed personnel by December.

The UN force is replacing French troops, which intervened in January when Islamist militants threatened to march on the capital Bamako.

An al-Qaeda group and its allies extended their control of the north of Mali following a coup in March 2012 but they have since been forces out of the region's major cities such as Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24560559

You get funnier all the time. The opposite has happened. The military is a lot stronger and in no way handicapped. A division of 7,000 CT/COIN soldeirs trained up is not a Handicap [ The Army will soon be 150,00 strong. There is even a battalion, The Counter Force, that can deal with any conflicts outside the country and don't get involved with internal matters. Add to that the special forces battalions, the airborne and amphibious battalions (some are even currently training/on excercise at the moment with British, American, Dutch & Spanish special forces).

So I beg to disagree.

CraigB: You asked me to move on. I have - rapidly, as per your request. Deal with the source of the opinions posted. This is more than the video, the audio or Shekau.

Your fellow Naai-gerian states ever so clearly:

The military effort is useless and as per your admission, Shekau's "death", futile. It won't end the insurgency. Where is the intelligence in this?

You are asking for me to deal with the opinions? Very funny. I am afraid I have much better things to do than reply to those opinions. There are many opposite opinions out there. That is why they are called opinions, not facts.

The insurgency won't end straight away, because that is the nature of insurgencies. The ideology will gradually be worn down. Don't forget, a lot of the fighters are foreign as well.

CraigB: You wish he were dead.

Don't tell us about a supposedly "faked video".

Explain the audio below (09 October 2013). Once you are done with that, tell us why Shekau's death will stop Boko Haram (if you were to prove it). There have been deadly attacks even after his supposed death. Effectively, you would have created another leader whose identity you don't know. From the frying pan and into the inferno.

The Naai-gerian army is incapacitated and effectively useless outside Naai-geria. Recovery from this mess will take you years. You should be downgraded on the rankings because you are useless in and outside Naai-geria, at this point in time.

Nobody said it would end the insurgency, but it has dealt them a major blow and will continue to. The audio is a patch work of someone who couldn't even maintain Shekau's accent.

On the contrary, it has greatly improved the Nigerian Army and facilitated the creation of a new CT/COIN based division. Not even SA can boast of that.

CraigB: You wish he were dead.

Don't tell us about a supposedly "faked video".

Explain the audio below (09 October 2013). Once you are done with that, tell us why Shekau's death will stop Boko Haram (if you were to prove it). There have been deadly attacks even after his supposed death. Effectively, you would have created another leader whose identity you don't know. From the frying pan and into the inferno.

The Naai-gerian army is incapacitated and effectively useless outside Naai-geria. Recovery from this mess will take you years. You should be downgraded on the rankings because you are useless in and outside Naai-geria, at this point in time.

Nobody said it would end the insurgency, but it has dealt them a major blow and will continue to. The audio is a patch work of someone who couldn't even maintain Shekau's accent.

On the contrary, it has greatly improved the Nigerian Army and facilitated the creation of a new CT/COIN based division. Not even SA can boast of that

CraigB: The most confused statement of the year.

*Moving along.

Yes, rapidly please.

Oh! someone's opinion? It must be true then .

Maybe you can ask USA, Aghganistan, Pakistan, India, Columbia, Peru etc why they bother o knowlegeable one

CraigB: I seem to recall that South Africa is being begged by France to go back to CAR (?)

"Short" thoughts, indeed.

So because I said short memories instead of short-term memory you think you are clever? Don't make me laugh, it was intended

Henry120: Navy

@Henry120. I was going through the thread admiring the photos again when I realised that the vessel in the fourth photo on page 0 with the 3 photos of Aradu is that of a French Frigate (I forget her name). Look at the national flag flying at the stern, it is a French flag. They, like the USA, use their national flags as their Ensign.

Nigeria Army Depot, trains 9000 soldiers
Our Reporter October 16, 2013 No Comments »

By MOLLY KILETE (burmeserc21@gmail.com)

A total of 9,000 soldiers are currently undergoing training at the Nigerian Army, Depot, Zaria. This is the first time in the history of the Nigerian Army in training recruits in such large number.

Before now, the army had trained not more than 3,000 recruit soldiers at a time at the Depot. The duration for recruits training is six months. However, the recruits are expected to spend four months at the Depot in basic military training from where they will proceed to the headquarters of Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) at Kotangora, Niger State, for tactical and counter terrorism training for two months. They would be posted to the various corps of the army thereafter.

The huge number of soldiers needed to be recruited into the force, according to our source, is a direct response by the military to the security challenge raised by the Boko Haram sect. The source say it is a security strategy by the army to contain the increasing wave of terrorism and other crimes that threaten the nation.

From facts, available to Abuja Metro, the training also involved heavy financial costs, which was described as “necessary cost to safeguard the nation.”

Commanding officers course commences in Jaji

The Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji has commenced the mandatory three months training for prospective Commanding Officers.

The programme, which started last month, has officers in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and senior Major in attendance.

They are to train in tactics, strategy and unit administration, at the end of which they are expected to be posted out as commanding officers to units and formations of the army.

The program which is aimed at preparing the officers for command responsibilities and administration is attended by 18 officers who will be graduating in December.

Maj-Gen. Buratai, is the commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/specials/abuja-metro/nigeria-army-depot-trains-9000-soldiers/

saengine: You logged on, decided to type all of this about unguided rockets? Unguided aim and shoot rockets You are more delusional than I thought. Let us assume your source is real (which we all know he's not ).....you are completely and utterly out of your depth if you believe Nigeria will develop anything resembling the pic below in the next year. In the next ten years for that matter. Stop believing the voices in your head fool.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/30/article-2136795-00460B0700000258-473_634x386.jpg

Every country has to start from somewhere. Look at China, now their equipment is as good as and in some cases probably better than some western systems.

It looks like you don't want to see progress anywhere unless of course it is SA. What a jaundiced approach

Mike..ZA:
Biafra The civil of mercinaries?......Nigerian armed forces. Have no conventional warfare experience. Your forces will be wiped out before your commanders can realise what's going on. Ask the Americans what happens when "overconfident and ill experienced" soldiers are thrown into combat against a experienced General and his men(soldiers).

Aahh! Our fantasist again with his sweeping statements .

Mike..ZA:
You don't know a thing about the bush war. By saying "the 1987 bush war" only proves it well. What is known about the bush is: Every time when Cuban troops made contact with the South Africans they took heavy casualties. Ask what happened when tried to help their swapo brothers during the battle of cassinga. Or maybe ask about the Bridge 14 battle. Cuban troops or commanders had Soviet advisors,to make up for their ill experience,and received massive quality equipment from the communists.

Just like you don't know anything about the conflicts the Nigerian Armed Forces have been in.

chris365: You dont seem to know that boy. He's like a llama that spits all över the place without direction. Too dull to inderstand the art of propaganda.... Or should i say too stup1d to have än independent point of view without relying so much on cut and paste information.

I think I am beginning to get a clearer picture .

Mike..ZA:
You say so? When did Nigeria fight any conventional war against a well organised and supplied foe with air force and navy!!!!! I'm talking blood and steal!!! Mechanised war,special forces......From artillery,tank battles,helicopter insertions,dogfights,EW,joint operations,supplies,armour camouflage and ground bombings.

Whether you like it or not, Biafra, Chad (Armourd corp under Buhari);

In 1983 Chadian soldiers invaded and took 19 islands in Lake Chad within Nigerian territory. The then Brigadier Buhari, who was the General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Armoured Division (which he did from November 1981 - December 1983) successfully carried out a blockade of Chad. After which all the territories were returned. The Nigerian Army under Buhari then pursued the Chadian Army as far as 50 km into Chadian territory. The 21st Armoured Brigade carried out the blockade and the fighting.

http://transparencyng.com/index.php/people2/116-politicians/3246-muhammadu-buhari-

Babangida oversaw the maturation and massive expansion of the Armored corps including huge foreign armament purchases, training opportunities and career development for upcoming junior officers and soldiers during the heydays of the late seventies and early eighties

[b]During the civil war the range of armored fighting vehicles was expanded to include the Fox, Saladin and Saracen family.The Inspectorate of Recce (led by an “Inspector”) evolved after the civil war into four Recce regiments (1, 2, 3, and 4Reconnaissance Regiments, respectively).Then in 1976/77 it matured into the Armoured Corps (led by a “Commander”) at a time of significant expansion of its range of Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) to include French Panhard AML 60s and 90s and light Tanks (like the British Scorpion CVRT).Armored Brigades were created in Enugu (21st), Ilorin (22nd), Bauchi (23rd) and Epe (24th) in the place of regiments.These have long since been reorganized.

Just after the civil war, the School of Armour was located along old Ife Road in Ibadan but moved to ‘Tank terrain’ in Bauchi sometime in October 1979.Later on, medium Tanks (like the Soviet T-55)and heavy Tanks (like the Vickers “Eagle” Main Battle Tank) were acquired.

http://www.waado.org/nigerdelta/nigeria_facts/MilitaryRule/Omoigui/PalaceCoup-1985.htm

Plenty of stories and photos out there in regard to artillery fire in SL & Liberia not to talk of during the civil war.

NAF Hercules as well NN LST's deployed thousands of troops to the above locations as well not to talk of the bombings carried out by Alpha jets in SL, Liberia and even the current onslaught against BH enclaves.

Special ops in Ivory Coast, Mali, NE Nigeria.

They are all too numerous to mention. if you really are that interested, google is your closest pal.

Henry120: Has anyone seen the video the DSS released of shekau lying lifeless on the bed? After seeing that video, I know that shekau is dead for sure.


That been said, as we have seen, killing the leader of a terror group doesn't end the insurgency in anyway. We saw same in turkey when the leader of the kurdistan workers party( PKK) was arrested in the 80's in tanzania, we've also seen it in the Philippines, thailand and indonesia, and also with the death of osama bin laden and al' alawki.

We would just have to continue pressing the terrorists to the border region into Cameroon, chad and niger.

You are right, just like Al-Queda, they just replace the leaders that's why as you say, they have to continue pressing the terrorists with no let up.

Mike..ZA:
This shows discipline? I use reports,records,expert analyses and experience. "Nigeria urged to probe 'custody killings'
Last updated: 4 hours ago
Amnesty International says nearly 1,000 people
with suspected Boko Haram links have died in
military detention centres.
The London-based rights group Amnesty
International is seeking an investigation into the
alleged deaths of hundreds of people in detention
facilities during a crackdown on Muslim groups in
Nigeria, saying it has evidence.
In a report on Tuesday, the organisation said that
"credible information" from a senior Nigerian
army officer indicated that more than 950 people
suspected of having links to Boko Haram died in
military custody in the first six months of this
year.
Boko Haram, an armed group, wants to topple
the Nigerian government and impose an Islamic
state, and has been responsible for thousands of
deaths.
Amnesty International said prisoners had been
suffocated, starved and subjected to extra-judicial
killings in the army-led operation in the country's
northeast.
It said senior Ministry of Defence officials had
not responded to written details about soldiers on
April 19 depositing 60 bodies at the main hospital
mortuary in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital,
claiming they were killed in a shootout.
But a source told Amnesty International they
were detainees taken from their cells and shot.
It said other detainees have suffocated and
starved to death in horrendous conditions.
The Nigerian army has consistently rejected
accusations of human-rights abuses."

Yawn! We all know the inaccuracies of Amnesty and their cohorts up north. They always have sources, quotes etc, but no material evidence.

If you wanted to carry out extra-judicial killings as they claim, would you allegedly openly dump bodies at mortuaries or would you make them disappear.

And just by the by, name a country involved in a major conflict that there hasn't been a report of major alleged abuses.

You still avoided answering the question as this story came after your flippant comment. Show your alleged sources.

Mike..ZA:
Let's talk about conventional warfare.

Okay by me, that is the Nigerian army's bread and butter.

Underground: Makes you wonder what happened to the guy holding the camera cos he apparently didn't flinch.

He probably didn't realise what had just happened If you look at the soldiers behind, they were the first to 'leg it' even though they were further away

Army kills 40 terror suspects in Borno clash Tuesday, 15 October 2013 00:00 From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and Msugh Ityokura (Lafia) News - National E-mail Print
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Military_maiduguri• CAN presses Shettima on compensation for losses

• Soldiers seize 60 AK47 rifles, 100 machetes from Ombatse

[b]NIGERIANS were spared a horrendous slaughter of residents of Bama and Konduga local councils of Borno State when the Nigerian Army 7 Division troops foiled a planned Boko Haram attack on the area, killing no fewer than 40 of the insurgents and injuring many others in a surprise assault on Sunday.

[/b]The troops, acting on information that the gunmen were planning an attack on Konduga and Bama local councils’ headquarters on the eve of Eid-el-Kabir celebration, engaged the sect at the fringes of Sambisa Forests and repelled the armed militants.

Also, soldiers drafted to maintain peace in the volatile Nasarawa State have reportedly seized 60 AK47 rifles and 100 machetes from the Ombatse militia group, which allegedly killed scores of police and SSS personnel in Alakyo in May this year.

Acting on a tip-off at the weekend that group had convened a meeting in Tudun Adabu, a settlement in Obi Local Council, the soldiers invaded and discovered the cache of arms with the group.

Military sources also told The Guardian that an unnamed top government functionary was also arrested at one of the numerous military check-points in the state with fire-arms in his vehicle.

Similarly, the police in Kaduna yesterday successfully repelled gunmen who invaded Makarfi Local Council during their manhunt for the armed men.

Some of the residents of Makarfi community in the council said that for the timely intervention of the police, who engaged the gunmen in a gun dwell, the insurgents would have over-run the town after they had attacked Keystone Bank Plc.

However, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has called on members of the public to assist the security agencies with useful and timely information to enable them secure lives and property in the state.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday called on Governor Kashim Shettima to compensate victims of February 2006 sectarian crises and the lingering Boko Haram insurgency that destroyed several lives and 158 churches in the state.

Speaking at the commissioning of CAN office complex in Maiduguri, its chairman, Rev. Titus Pona, said the issue of compensations has to be revisited after the Ahmed Jidda-compensation committee submitted its report to government for implementation.

While commending Shettima for demonstrating genuine interest in restoring peace to the state, he also expressed CAN’s sympathy to those affected by the sectarian crises and insurgencies in the state.

The cleric further appealed to the governor to allow Christians teach Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in public schools and also provide places of worship for them in government’s housing estates built across the state in order to give them a sense of belonging among the various faiths.

In his remark at the occasion, the governor’s representative and Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Joshua Ishaku Shara, assured of government’s readiness to work with CAN in the state, adding that the issues raised would be looked into.

Acting spokesman of 7 Division, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja, said yesterday in Maiduguri that the clash and eventual repulsion of Boko Haram suspects at the fringes of Sambisa Forests “were based on intelligence report available to our troops on ground and air that over 100 armed sect members had mobilised at a nearby bush, which is 10 kilometres to Bama township, with arms to launch attacks on Konduga.”

He further disclosed that before the terrorists could move to launch their attacks, the 7 Division ambushed them with armoured patrol tankers and rocket-propelled grenade, killing no fewer than 40 suspects.

He added: “Our troops were also able to recover arms and ammunition from the fleeing terrorists that sustained various degrees of injuries in the repulsion that lasted for over two hours on Sunday.”

The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, also confirmed the incident yesterday in Maiduguri.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/national-news/135643-army-kills-40-terror-suspects-in-borno-clash

Nigerian war ship to dock in Albany

By Andrew Collins, Chloe Papas


Thunder is the flagship of the Nigerian navy, and Albany is the furthest that the ship has ever sailed.

The ship and its crew have been in Sydney participating in celebrations for the International Fleet Review.

During usual working periods, Thunder fights piracy on the high seas.

ABC's Andrew Collins spoke with Lieutenant Shane Cook from the Royal Australian Navy, who is currently hitching a ride on the ship.

"No Nigerian ship and no person on this ship has ever been to Australia before."

"We have a lot of proud people on this ship right now," says Lieutenant Cook.

Click the audio link to listen to the full interview.

Nigerian war ship NNS Thunder (Royal Australian Navy - images.navy.gov.au)

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/10/15/3869702.htm?site=southcoast

Underground: Not to digress, put I found this too funny not to share:

https://i.imgur.com/YIEao.gif

This is hilarious

CraigB:
Hollande praised South Africa for contributing troops to a United Nations mission with a mandate to help fight rebels in eastern Congo. He also commented on South Africa's role in regional efforts to ensure peaceful elections later this month in Madagascar, as well as South Africa's political support for France's intervention in Mali earlier this year to fight Islamic militants.

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I seem to recall not too long ago you dismissing praise by the Malian president about the good work done by the Nigerian military in Mali as just diplomacy. Short memories indeed.