Armée Nigériane / Nigerian Armed Forces

Citation :

FIELD IMAGERY FROM THE FRONTLINES OF NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Posted on December 16, 2015 by beegeagle



A Nigerian Army commando and a BTR-4 APC, delivered in 2014


A BTR-4 APC with cage armour


A column of REVA MRAPs and T72 battle tanks on the move inside the Sambisa Forest


An array of REVA MRAPs


Bofors FH-77B 155mm artillery pieces (foreground and centre) and a RM-70 122mm rocket artillery system


A Nigerian Airforce Quick Response Force commando and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher


A Nigerian soldier trains on an anti tank guided missile


Nigerian troops and a BigFoot MRAP in the 6,000+ square kilometre Sambisa Forest

https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/

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A SOUTH AFRICAN AFICIONADO SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY ON NIGERIA’S PROSPECTS OF LANDING SUPER HIND MK.3 ATTACK HELICOPTERS & THE SOURCE OF HER GAZELLE “COMBAT” HELICOPTERS

Posted on December 21, 2015 by beegeagle


BEEGEAGLE’S BLOG
21 December, 2015

As a strong believer in the potential for South Africa-Nigeria defence collaboration, I thought I should intervene (to clear the air on certain assumptions which appear to have gained currency among Nigerian watchers of defence & security developments).

The Super Hind attack helicopter is a Paramount asset, and all Hind helicopters upgraded to such standards have to go through Paramount HQ in South Africa. I can assure your readers that Paramount has not received any such order from Nigeria.

I suspect that the confusion arises from three historical reasons, laid out below and in chronological order:

1)ATE of South Africa initially upgraded 34 Algerian Mi-24 helicopters to Super Hind Mk. III in South Africa; the company experienced financial difficulties which resulted in an agreement with the Ukrainian firm, AVIAKON, for future upgrades;

2) Whilst ATE was under receivership, Azerbaijan decided to upgrade her Hind helicopters and this was done in Ukraine for 2 reasons:

a) ATE was under a financial cloud;

b) Ukraine had supplied the original ten Azeri Hind helicopters and supplies; the Azeris decided to save money by sticking with the already supplied Ukrainian Bar’yer ATGM in place of DENEL’s Ingwe or Spike-ER offered as standard on the Super Hind Mk.III; hence the Azeri Hinds are officially designated Mi-24G, with the G standing for ‘Gele’ or night in Azeri and the Super Hind name not used eventhough it’s effectively a Super Hind Mk.IV with a slightly less sophisticated cockpit and has standard intake filters; and

3) Algeria decided to upgrade the Argos 550 sensor turret with the newer, cheaper and smaller equivalents that have emerged over the past few years like the Argos II HDT (the 550’s successor) and the IPZ TITAN 410 SD; performed by AVIAKON in Ukraine.

In conclusion, since Paramount rescued ATE by buying it, the Super Hind has been upgraded to Mk.5, putting it at par with the South African-made Rooivalk and other similar modern attack helicopters in terms of avionics, weapons, sensors, combat radius etc.

Additionally, all work is now done in South Africa,in collaboration with Russia’s Yakovlev Design Bureau.

The only way to acquire Super Hind Mk.III and the unofficial Mk.IV is through second-hand variants either from Algeria or Azerbaijan. Even then, Paramount would have to be involved. With Algeria looking to have its entire attack helicopter capability upgraded to Super Hind Mk.5 and Mi-28, perhaps a deal is in the offing?

Concerning the purportedly impending sale of Super Hind attack helicopters to Nigeria by Ukraine, I sincerely hope Nigeria is not being taken for a ride, yet again.

Nothing stops your military procurement officials shipping your Hind helicopters to South Africa for the necessary upgrades to the Super Hind Mk.5 or forcing the Paramount Group to perform the work in Nigeria.

After all, they (Paramount Group) are already working on your Gazelle helicopters as the largest Gazelle contractor outside France.


https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/a-south-african-aficionado-speaks-exclusively-on-nigerias-prospects-of-landing-super-hind-mk-3-attack-helicopters-the-source-of-her-gazelle-combat-helicopters/

Citation :

FIELD IMAGERY FROM THE FRONTLINES OF NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Posted on December 21, 2015 by beegeagle



T72 battle tanks and REVA Mk.III MRAPs


A Beryl rifle-wielding commando and a BTR-4 APC of the Nigerian Army

https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/field-imagery-from-the-frontlines-of-northeastern-nigeria-2/

Citation :

PHOTOS FROM THE NIGERIAN NAVY 2015 ANNUAL FLEET REVIEW AT SEA

Posted on December 25, 2015 by beegeagle


NNS SAGBAMA, a Chinese-built (modified Type 062) 47m patrol ship donated by the Chinese in 2015


NNS ANDONI, crafted with pride in the Federal Republic of Nigeria hy Nigerian naval architects and engineers


NNS PROSPERITY, a 65 metre 1,020 ton ex-Irish Naval Force OPV


NNS OLOGBO A502 (foreground), a 1,041 ton ex-US Foast Guard patrol ship donated to Nigeria in 2003. In the background, NNS CENTENARY, a 1,800 ton Chinese-built OPV(right) anchored beside two 3,250 ton patrol ships(NNS Thunder and NNS Okpabana) donated by the United States Coast Guard, post-2010.


A pair of SUNCRAFT(Singapore) 17 metre MANTA MK.II ASD Littoral Interceptors. These are typically armed with Singapore Technologies Kinetics CIS-50 12.7mm heavy machine guns

https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2015/12/25/photos-from-the-nigerian-navy-2015-annual-fleet-review-at-sea/  

Citation :

BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT PRESENTS THIRTY TOYOTA LANDCRUISER TRUCKS & JEEPS TO THE NIGERIAN ARMY AS TOKENS OF OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

Posted on December 28, 2015 by beegeagle




Gun trucks…wahala comes to town. BH, take note


Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin standing beside a SUV variant of Landcruiser expresses his gratitude to Governor
Shettima for the supportive gesture on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces


Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (second right) beside a SUV variant of Landcruiser

PHOTO CREDIT: NATIONAL HELM

https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2015/12/28/borno-state-government-presents-thirty-toyota-landcruiser-trucks-jeeps-to-the-nigerian-army-as-tokens-of-operational-support/

Citation :

Imagery Confirms New Cessna 208 Caravan of Nigerian Air Force


Jan 4, 2016


DG (04NOV15) Nigerien Air Force’s Base Aérienne 101 in Niamey


The latest commercial satellite imagery acquired by DigitalGlobe confirms the arrival of two Cessna-208 Caravan to Nigerien Air Force’s Base Aérienne 101 in Niamey. In October 2015, it was reported that the U.S. Ambassador presented the two Caravan along with $36 million worth of additional equipment and training.

The U.S. Embassy in Niger notes the aircraft are equipped for the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission.

Along with the Caravan, imagery shows what appears to be a new hangar under construction. The new construction activity may suggest that the aircraft will be based in Niamey. A total of three Caravan are visible in imagery acquired in November 2015. Niger previously received two Caravan with FY 2012 Section 1206 Funding which included expenses like maintenance and pilot training.

Read more at www.offiziere.ch

http://defence-blog.com/news/imagery-confirms-nigerian-air-force-new-cessna-208-caravan.html

Citation :

Thursday, 7 January 2016
United States donate 24 MRAP Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to Nigerian Army

United States donate, Thursday, January 7, 2016, 24 mine-resistant and armor-protected vehicles to the Nigerian Army. The vehicles, which are valued at $11m, would be handed over to the military authorities at the Nigerian Army, 9th Brigade Parade Ground, Ikeja Army Cantonment in Lagos.








http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

Nigeria Air Force expected deliveries first three JF-17 Thunders in 2016
Jan 6, 2016


The Federal Government is proposing to spend N65.03bn for the acquisition of various military aircraft, combat equipment, trucks and maintenance of boats among others in the 2016 fiscal period.

The Nigerian Air Force has a total budget of N85.61bn, made up of N62.15bn for recurrent expenditure and N23.46bn for capital expenditure.

Giving details of the weapons to be acquired for the operation of the Navy, the fiscal document states that the sum of N5bn is budgeted for the procurement of three JF-17 Thunder-multi role combat aircraft.

Nigeria and Pakistan enjoy good defence relations, with Pakistan training Nigerian officers. Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Malam Dauda Danladi, recently said that 120 officers attended various courses in Pakistan, with 40 currently undergoing training this year.

The JF-17 is jointly produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The Pakistan Air Force has 50 in service and has been flying the type since 2007, although only officially inducting the aircraft in 2010. Pakistan may acquire up to 200.




http://defence-blog.com/news/nigeria-air-force-expected-deliveries-first-three-jf-17-thunders-in-2016.html

Citation :

PHOTO NEWSREEL: USA PRESENT 24 MRAP VEHICLES TO THE NIGERIAN ARMY

Posted on January 8, 2016 by beegeagle






COURTESY: EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IN NIGERIA

https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/photo-newsreel-usa-present-24-mrap-vehicles-to-the-nigerian-army/

Citation :

Israel's new guided missiles system Romah will soon be operational

A new GPS-guided artillery rocket, Romah developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) firearms manufacturer, will soon be operational. The Romah is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 35 kilometers with a precision of less than 10 meters.


Last month Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced a step up in training to help Nigerian forces stamp out the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat the murderous Boko Haram extremists. Stepping up our training efforts will help support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for crucial counter-insurgency operations.”

The enhanced commitment announced last month by the Defence Secretary includes:

An intention to more than double the number of British personnel deployed on training tasks in Nigeria in the coming year, with up to 300 expected to provide support during 2016.

The deployment of a specialist team to provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice; 2 R ANGLIAN, based in Cottesmore, Rutland, provided support to the AFN throughout 2015, which included the deployment of Short Term Training Teams, and support to smaller training tasks to assist the resident British Military Advisory and Training Team – which has grown in size over the last year.

Around 130 UK military personnel deployed to Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks last year. This included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media operations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

Almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel have benefited from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in north east Nigeria, and the work by 2 R ANGLIAN is now well-recognised across the AFN.

The UK also supports a Nigerian intelligence and analysis cell focussed on the north east and based in Abuja, and nearly 30 UK Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Nigeria on an enduring basis in training and advisory roles.



http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/uk_to_send_soldiers_to_nigeria_to_train_local_forces_to_combat_boko_haram_31401161.html

Citation :

Nigeria to Establish an Air Force Special Forces Command
January 22, 2016


Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has announced the establishment of a Special Forces Command, equipped to tackle the menace of insurgency particularly in the north east and other parts of the country. The CAS disclosed this yesterday [January 21] in a lecture he delivered at the National Defence College in Abuja titled: “Nigeria Air Force: Challenges and Future Perspectives.”

He stated that the new command is envisioned to serve as a veritable tool in addressing lapses noticed in “Operations Zaman Lafiya” in the north east. He said the aim was to ensure a self-reliant air force in the years ahead by using indigenous research and development. Abubakar added that the air force is expecting new platforms to train special personnel who can engage better with ground troops during warfare. He said the establishment of the new command will increase the number of Air Force Commands to five, but did not give the time and place the Command will kick off. Earlier, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase while delivering a lecture titled: “Nigeria Police: Challenges and Future Perspectives,” advocated for alternate funding for the Police. He argued that funding an efficient Police Force cannot be dependent on federal allocations only but said an alternate Trust Fund can be created with a committee to manage the disbursement.

As reported by Ronald Mutum for the Daily Trust








http://www.african-defense.com/defense-news/nigeria-to-establish-an-air-force-special-forces-command/

Citation :

Nigerian Show of Naval Force
January 20, 201

Chiemelie Ezeobi who was part of the recent Exercise Treasure Guard, a show of force by the Nigerian Navy at the Bight of Benin, writes that it was targeted at among other things, reinforcing a zero tolerance for maritime illegalities in the country’s territorial domain

For a show of force, it was long overdue given the industrial scale at which Nigeria keeps losing its scarce oil resources to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. According to a Chatham House report, an estimate of about 100,000 barrels per day, valued at N1.18 billion are stolen daily, which when translated amounts to N433.62 billion annually.

It is also pertinent to note that the statistics did not include the amount of oil suspected to have been stolen from export pipelines, cost of oil spillage cleanup, loss of income to fishing communities and environmental degradation. The report blamed the alarming scale of oil theft to poor law enforcement presence in the waterways.

Also, another quoted report submitted by International Oil Companies (IOCs), showed that the country lost about 160 million barrels of crude oil valued at 13.7 billion dollars to theft from 2009 to 2012. The estimate was gotten from the records of three IOCs – Shell Producing Development Company (SPDC), Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

The report of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) monthly financial and operations report for September 2015, was more damning. The report said that with an average price of 97.59 dollars per barrel in 2013, Nigeria lost 3.9 billion dollars (N858 billion) between January 2013 to April 2015 to the activities of pipeline vandals and crude oil theft. According to the report, between January and September of 2015, Nigeria lost about N48bn to crude oil theft.

Also, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was reported to have said that Nigeria was losing about 3.72 million dollars about N632.4 million daily, even as the Federal Government said crude oil theft had dropped to about 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) from a high of about 200,000bpd, which Madueke attributed to efforts by security agencies and other government agencies in reducing the menace of crude oil theft.

Although the Nigerian Navy is constitutionally tasked with the protection of the country’s maritime assets, many have attributed its seeming inability to completely stem the tide of criminality in the nation’s waters to lack of adequate funding to purchase adequate capital ships and other necessary weaponry.

Thus, it was in furtherance of the need to rid the nation of maritime illegalities that the operation ‘Exercise Treasure Guard’, a sea exercise aimed at maintaining professionalism and improving personnel capability, was espoused in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, zero tolerance for maritime illegalities on the nation’s waterways.

As a testimony to that, the Nigerian Navy (NN), under Ibas’ watch has arrested over 20 vessels and their crew, as well as destroyed 149 illegal refineries, 19 barges, 75 wooden boats and 93 auxiliary equipment, from July 15, 2015 till date.

The Prelude It all started with a call from the DINFO, Commodore Aliyu Kabiru, intimating this reporter of the sea inspection exercise. On the scheduled date, this reporter flew down to Port Harcourt in preparation for the exercise proper.

Alongside other reporters from the Nation and Sun Newspapers and two reporters from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), we were graciously picked up from the VIP lounge of Port Harcourt International Hotel by the Command Information Officer (CINFO) of NNS PATHFINDER, Lieutenant Commander Ahmed Hamman and taken to Onne.

The next day was the commencement of the exercise, which took off with the arrival of the guest of honour, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin. But before the flag off ceremony could take off, the CNS led the CDS on an inspection of the three vessels seized previously by the navy.

Boarding two naval boats, we all sailed to where the three illegal ships were anchored. The ships had armed naval personnel on board each of them. The seized vessels were Merchant Vessel (MV) Purity, Atlantic 1&2, Solutions 3.

After the inspection, the flag off ceremony was held at the Onne Jetty. After the welcome address of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) East, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, the CTOP read his speech and was shortly followed by the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, who elucidated on the core objectives of the exercise.

In his speech, the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibas, who recounted the achievements of the navy said upon assumption of office he promulgated his strategic directives 2015-1 with emphasis on maintaining zero tolerance for illegalities within our maritime environment.

He said, “The sea exercise marks the culmination of the activities of the NN for the year, and is designed to work up the ships and personnel in line with NN doctrine of operations. The exercise is a precursor of our determination to remain combat ready and brace up to meet our mandate.

“Furthermore, as part of efforts to maintain professionalism and improve personnel capability, sea exercises such as this one are organised periodically. Some of the exercises involve navies of friendly foreign countries while the others are purely carried out by the NN.

“The exercise is a precursor of our determination to remain combat ready and brace up to meet our mandate. These modest achievements would have been impossible without the support, intervention and encouragement of President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal legislature and other stakeholders. It is in this regard that I pledge a significantly repositioned NN capable of degrading maritime security challenges as we prepare for year 2016.”

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who was the special guest of honour, said the sea exercise was a necessity for the navy because it was the only way to ascertain the operational state of the force.

He said, “Suffice to say that such exercises are needed to ensure that NN ships are in optimal working capacity to contain the various criminal activities in the Nigerian maritime environment

“This shows that the NN has at its very heart to improve on its combat position within the limits of available resources and combat myriads of criminalities and illegalities on the nation’s maritime domain. This exercise therefore buttresses the point that it is with operational ships that the NN can carry out its constitutional responsibility. It is evidently clear that a sea exercise like this can only take place if there are maximum operational platforms.”



A Formidable Fleet at Sea

For a show of force, it was an impressive fleet deployment of both ships and aerial power of the Nigerian Navy to sea. The entire fleet at sea was a record of 14 ships and two CPN helicopters.

The ships were Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Burutu, NNS KYANWA, NNS BADAGRY, NNS ANDONI- the first indigenously built Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) by the NN, NNS PROSPERITY, NNS SAGBMA, NNS THUNDER, NNS CENTENARY, NNS OKPABANA, NNS BENIN, NNS IKOT ABASI, NNS MAKURDI, NNS AGEDE two Special Boat Services (SBS) boats. Also, the two NN CPN helicopters were deployed too for landing and taking off whilst at sea.



The Naval Contingent

At the entourage of the CDS and CNS were several rear admirals, Commodores and captains. It would be safe to say that the Naval headquarters relocated to sea for the period of the exercise. Among the contingents were the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango; the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Rear Admiral Henry Babalola; Rear Admiral Goddy Anyankpele; Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo; Rear Admiral SO Paul, Rear Admiral DG Albehu, Rear Admiral Dacosta; Director, Naval Information Office (DINFO), Commodore Aliyu Kabir; an observer, Commodore James Iliya; Commanding Officer (CO) NNS OKPABANA, Captain Olusegun Ferreira and CO Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim.

Exercise Treasure Guard The Exercise Treasure Guard, a sea exercise aimed at maintaining professionalism and improving personnel capability, was held at the Bight of Bonny, and this saw 14 capital ships and boats, as well as helicopters of the NN being deployed across the length and breadth of the seas. Starting from Port Harcourt waters to Calabar and then Brass, the three-day sea exercise sent a strong signal that the navy meant business.

After the opening ceremony at the Onne Jetty, where the sea exercise was flagged off by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, all 14 ships set sail. Whilst the ships sailed the breadth and length of the waters, there was no dull moment onboard NNS OKPABANA, where the three print journalists were boarded. While at sea, the ship flew the rank of a two-star general to indicate the presence of some rear admirals onboard, chief among them- the naval COA, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango.

Also, so many exercises were conducted ranging from the emergency fire, boarding and searching, fleet manouever and then Gunnex. There were also boarding and searching exercises which were simulated like that of real life situations. The first scenario was how the navy gives chase to a smuggling vessels and how they board and search it. While NNS THUNDER, codenamed MT Uji for the purpose of the exercise, was used as the smuggling ship, other naval ships like NNS OKPABANA, BURUTU, SAGBMA and CENTENARY gave chase

The scenario was like this; “while protecting the environment and our resources, which is our treasure, we are after the pipeline boys who are into smuggling of arms into the country for pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal fishing.

“The brief was to prevent the smuggling ship from entering our waterways. This is because the pipeline boys brought in arms and ammunition to sell to the pipeline vandals. So it’s our job to conduct a boarding and searching exercise and then seize the weapons.”

So armed with that brief, the boarding party at about 3.12pm gave chase to the vessel, boarded it from the port side and made arrests accordingly.

Other exercises conducted were the helicopter landing and taking off while the naval ships are in motion and then the tactical manouever. For the tactical manouever, which also heralded the man at sea cheer, it was formation Foxtrot to Port, it started off with NNS BURUTU (P174) overtaking NNS OKPABANA, followed suit by NNS SAGBAMA (P184) and then NNS THUNDER (F90). Also, NNS PROSPERITY followed suit before NNS OKPABANA joined up. Each vessel paid obeisance to NNS CENTENARY, which was carrying the CNS, with a man at sea cheer.



The Gunnex Show of Force

For one of the main exercises at sea, which is the Gunnex, NNS OKPABANA maintained Formation 1. Having achieved the formation, other safety measures were taken before the computerised firing took place. Some of the safety measures were activating the fire service water host and putting it on standby for any emergency.

Also, fresh water was used to cool the barrel as it was releasing hails bullet. Meanwhile, the fire alarm was on to intimate the crew about the shooting.

For the exercise, the gun, a 76/62mm man gun by Italian Oto Melara, which is capable of firing 40 rounds per minute, has the capacity of reaching a target of 6,000 metres at angle 45 degrees. But for the exercise, it was fired at a target of 2,000 meters and 20 rounds were fired in 30 seconds.

At inquiry, it was discovered that the purpose of the exercise was to test the efficiency of the weaponry, to send a signal that the navy does not only bark but bite as well and then as a means of training for the men, seeing that it boosts their efficiency and capacity.

Giant Strides of the Navy Despite the challenges of funds and lack of adequate equipment needed in the war against maritime crime, Ibas said in the period under review, the NN has been more aggressive in her patrol. He said, “She had thus been deploying at least five ships on a daily basis to sea to carry out routine patrols. Additionally, there are at least 65 boats of various sizes patrolling numerous rivers and creeks daily.

“The NN patrol operations cover crude oil theft and anti illegal bunkering operations, anti kidnapping and anti hostage taking operations, anti illegal fishing and anti marine pollution as well as maritime safety and administration operations.

“The NN addresses these patrols to interdicting, arresting and recovering a considerable number of vessels, equipment as well as subversives persons. From July 15 to date, the NN has arrested 20 vessels and their crew. Furthermore, over 149 illegal oil refineries, 19 barges, 75 large wooden boats and 93 auxiliary equipment were destroyed within the same period. These efforts have put crude oil thieves on the defensive.

“The NN has therefore been focusing on various operations aimed at combating the myriads of criminalities and illegal activities in the nation’s maritime domain as well as supporting the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North-east and internal security operations in different parts of the nation.

“Amongst the major achievements of the NN are enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities, regular policing operations, commitment to fleet recapitalisation as well as sustained human capital development through training and exercises. Other major achievements are improved logistics support, determined research and development efforts, continued infrastructural development and enhanced personnel welfare.

“In times of our maritime domain awareness capabilities, the NN has increased the number of RMAC sites from seven to 10 through the completion of the new sites at Brass, FOB FORMOSO and the headquarters of the Central Naval Command at Yenogoa.

“This has increased the NN capacity to monitor and checkmate maritime crimes, especially crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery and piracy. There is also the ongoing Falcon-Eye project undertaken by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

“A key component of this project was recently commissioned at NNS QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos, on December 3, 2015. On its full completion, the project will help to substantially make good the observed gaps in RMAC coverage and facilitate the extension of the range of NN surveillance capability to about 200 nautical miles.

“In the area of fleet recapitalisation, the NN has adopted a double pronged strategy towards acquiring ships to carry out her operations. On one hand, ships are being acquired from some friendly countries and on the other hand, the NN is complementing the foreign acquisition with domestic construction of ships and boats. Based on this approach, four ships including NN’s first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV); NNS CENTENARY were recently commissioned into service.

“The NN also received five interceptor boats (K-13 boats) early this year that were constructed in the Netherlands. Additionally, five NN ships and two tugboats are currently undergoing refit at the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL).

“The two mine counter vessels; NNS OHUE and BARAMA have also been reintroduced into the NN fleer after extensive local refit. The NN has ordered for 30 inshore patrol boats from indigenous manufacturer in the first instance to enhance operational effectiveness and promote local content development.

“About 70 more from the manufacturer and from Sri Lanka as well as other countries will hopefully join the fleet before the end of the first quarter of 2016. With these acquisitions, and the choke points control regime, the NN will be better positioned to dominate our brown waters, thus creating a secured area for legitimate economic activities.

“In the area of training and in line with my current strategic directive, the NN personnel are being trained both locally and outside the country. The objective is to enhance the professional competence of personnel to acquire requisite skills to meet contemporary and evolving challenges within Nigeria’s maritime domain. In this regard, the NN is placing great emphasis on training its personnel to acquire advanced electronic surveillance skills through the RMAC and the Falcon-eye projects.

“Overall, in the pursuit of its training objectives, about 223 personnel have been trained abroad in various specialisations in the period of January to November 2015. As a follow up, a review of the curriculum in the professional training schools is being undertaken to reposition the service to respond optimally to envisage security challenges in the nation’s maritime environment.”



The Assessment

At the end of the exercise, the CNS assessed the entire exercise. In an interview onboard NNS Centenary he further said, “The treasure base of Nigeria is its maritime domain and we have had various illegalities at sea such as crude oil theft, piracy, smuggling etc. It is on this note that Exercise Treasure Guard was conducted because the Navy is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the asset therein. So Exercise Treasure Guard was conducted to consolidate other exercises various commands have carried out.

On his candid assessment of the performance of the personnel and fleet used in the exercise he said, “So far, the fact is that we are making progress and the exercise was successful considering the amount of people gathered and the resources put in place for the exercise.”

Speaking on the recent incidents of armed robbers escaping through the waterways after robbing on land, he said it is the job of the marine police to checkmate robbery at creeks, adding that however, where they do not have the capacity, the navy can. He also said most crimes at sea originate from land, however, adding Navy is here to fight it.

Giving an account of what went into the exercise he said, “Participating in the exercise were 14 Naval vessels, 2 NN helicopters and 1 aircraft belonging to the Airforce. Our ships, NNS OKPABANA and NNS CENTENARY take above 850,000 litres of AGO. To have a sea going navy, a lot must be put in. Though President Muhammadu Buhari has been gracious hence, the efficient performance of the Nigerian Navy.

“On our agenda for 2016, we shall continue to improve on our achievements. The wealth of the nation lies at sea thus we will protect it. Also, we shall improve on the training, welfare of the men, continuous research and development, less foreign dependence and pursuit of policing functions. In 2016, we shall be more at sea, bringing illegalities to the barest minimum.

“For now, the challenges of the Nigerian Navy is the need of more ships, financing and more infrastructural development.”

Given the huge amount of money expended for the exercise, it’s however expected for the navy to go back to the drawing board, having seen its strong points and weaknesses, and then build on becoming a stronger force capable of maintaining constant presence at sea and eliminating maritime illegalities to the barest minimum.

This is because the exercise afforded the navy the opportunity to assess logistics onboard ships, Nigerian Navy air aspect onboard ships, as well as assess the participating capabilities of the entire fleet.

As reported by ThisDay





http://www.african-defense.com/defense-news/5633/

Citation :

Nigeria re-militarises two Alpha Jets

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

26 January 2016

   
One of the two Alpha Jets that the NAF has militarised. Aircraft 475 was spotted during its delivery flight from the US to Nigeria in May
2015. Source: Nigerian Air Force



The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on 26 January that it has successfully armed two of the four demilitarised Alpha Jets bought from the United States in 2015.

To help meet the urgent requirement for additional strike aircraft to support counter-insurgency operations in northeast Nigeria the NAF launched a programme to remilitarise the aircraft, which had been limited to training by their inability to carry weapons, said a statement released in the name of NAF spokesman Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa.

Gp Capt Famuyiwa said some foreign companies asked for USD20,000-30,000 to carry out initial assessments of the project, so the NAF decided to form its own team to carry out the work.

"The model worked on the ground, and has since been mounted on the Alpha Jets, and test flown successfully," he said. "This feat is a major research and development breakthrough for the NAF and the nation as a huge foreign exchange saver, given the project only cost about N400,000 [USD2,000]."

Cpt Famuyiwa did not detail the weapons that had been integrated with the aircraft, but the announcement was accompanied by a photograph showing an Alpha Jet with what appeared to be a pod for launching 68 mm SNEB rockets and a 250 kg unguided bomb attached to its hardpoints.

Citation :

Nigeria Monitoring Hijacked Ship in Benin Waters
February 5, 2016


The leadership of the Nigerian military has confirmed that a liaison with the Naval Forces of Benin Republic is in force to keep a closer watch on the allegedly hijacked merchant ship, even as the Defence headquarters has warned those threatening violence in the oil rich regions.

Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, told The Guardian yesterday in Abuja that “the merchant ship, MT Leon Dias, that was allegedly hijacked by gunmen is currently off the Coast of Cotonou in the Benin Republic, about 7.5 nautical miles off Cotonou Port and is closely under the watch of the Benin Republic Navy in close collaboration with the Nigerian forces.

“For now, we do not have sufficient information to give out, but we would as soon as it is available, as it is a combined effort as now”, Rabe said.

The ship MT LEON DIAS, a chemical vessel registered in Liberia, said to be owned by Leon Shipping and Trading in Greece, was allegedly hijacked by pro-Biafra supporters said to be from the Niger Delta, who threatened to blow up the ship if the detained Nnamdi Kanu is not released within 31 days from last weekend when the ship was captured.

Abubakar has, therefore, in a statement yesterday warned all groups and individuals against what he called hiding under the constitution to stir up trouble and insecurity in the land, saying “the military and other security agencies will not condone any act by individuals or groups that is capable of breach to security and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta or in any part of the country.”

The statement reads in part: “Much as the military recognises the supremacy of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and association, the constitution also frowns against individuals or groups hiding under it to stir up trouble and insecurity in the land.

As reported by Karla Tsokar for The Guardian




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South African Special Forces Likely to Extend Mission to Nigeria
March 8, 2016


The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Mansur‎ Dan-Ali, on Monday [March 7] said arrangements are currently on-going between South Africa and Nigeria’s military for the extension of their military special forces to Nigeria.

This, he said, was a follow-up to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2013, prompting the Chiefs of Defence of the two countries to meet and thrash out all the areas that are relevant to the two countries.

The Minister disclosed this while receiving the South African delegation led by the Minister of Defence , Ms. Nobise Mapisa-Nqakula.

According to him, “The two countries should look at how the two industrial complex would come into being. It is a very good thing that we are thinking that South Africa being the closeness ally to us should come and help us in developing our industrial complex, that is the Defence Corporation of Nigeria.”

He added, “We are of the opinion that very soon when the two Commander in Chiefs meet, and the visit is finalised, we will look into going deep how the two countries will work together and coming to an agreement ‎between the MoU and technical expertise between the two countries.”

As reported by ThisDay




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Nigerian Army Chief of Training Dies
March 9, 2016



The Nigeria army has announced the death of its Chief of Training and Operations Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar. He died in a road accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on Tuesday [March 8].

The Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General MSA Aliyu who was also involved in the accident was injured, Daily Trust learnt.

A statement by army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public of the involvement of its Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar and the Acting General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General MSA Aliyu in a road traffic accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu road today.” [March 8]

He added that: “Sadly, we lost Major General Yusha’u Abubakar as a result of the incident, while Brigadier General Aliyu sustained some injuries and is receiving treatment.”

Daily Trust gathered that the accident happened at about 2:30 pm when car they were traveling had a tyre burst and summersaulted.

As reported by Ronald Mutum for the Daily Trust




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Nigeria Begins Recruitment Drive for 10,000 New Officers
March 24, 2016


The Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned that there would be no short-cut into the Nigeria Police Force in the recruitment of 10,000 personnel.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2015 approved the recruitment of 10,000 policemen at the National Security Summit in Abuja.

In a statement Wednesday [March 23], Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, told journalists that Mike Okiro, Chairman of the commission, gave the warning while unveiling a portal for the exercise in Abuja.

The statement said that the portal would be opened to the public on April 1 to herald the commencement of the exercise.

“The process leading to the recruitment of 10,000 Policemen as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Security Summit in Abuja last year, has commenced,” the statement said.

It said the unveiling of the portal was in actualisation of the presidential directive on the recruitment of the 10,000 Policemen.

The statement noted that the exercise was remarkable because there had not been recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force for more than five years.

It said that thousands of policemen who died in the course of service, dismissed or retired, had not been replaced since the last five years.

The statement stressed that the recruitment would strengthen and re-energise the force to tackle more security challenges facing the country.

It explained that the exercise could not begin last year because the funding was not captured in the 2015 budget.

The statement urged interested applicants to access the portal through the commission’s website: www.psc.gov.ng or that of the Nigeria Police Force: www.npf.gov.ng.

It said that no fee would be charged for the processing of the forms which would be filled on-line.

“We are not charging money. It is free, absolutely free,” it said.

The statement said that the exercise would be in three entry points of Constable, Cadet Inspector and Cadet ASP, while there would also be recruitment into the Specialist cadre.

It said that applicants for Police Constables are expected to possess five credits including Mathematics and English Language at Senior School Certificate Examination in not more than two sittings.

It said that for Cadet Inspectors, in addition to having the requirements of Police Constables, candidates would be expected to have an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Advanced Level (A level), National Certificate in Education (NCE) or their equivalents.

The statement said Candidates for Cadet ASP must possess a University degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND).

As reported by Premium Times




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Nigeria Unhappy with US MRAP Donations?
March 28, 2016



Military insiders have branded the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP/MRVs) recently donated by the United States Government to Nigeria as a ‘Greek gift’ that is costing the country time and money.

But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked such feelers, saying that the vehicles are being used in the ongoing clearance operations in the North-east with much success.

THISDAY was informed by reliable military sources that the $11-million worth 24 MRAP was yet to be put into use because most of them at the time of hand over to the Nigerian Army were unserviceable.

Investigations had revealed that the land mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) rather than Boko Haram terrorists, constitutes the major obstacle to clearance and mop up phase of the Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency (CT COIN) operations in the North East, especially in the mine-littered Sambisa forest.

While the Nigerian Army has since deployed minesweepers to detect and demine the operational areas, the use MRAP donated by the US, which are designed specifically to withstand mine explosions, IEDs attacks and ambushes is still in doubt.

“I can tell you that serious efforts are being made by the military and federal government to address the issue (land mines) as quickly as possible. But as for the American gift, that can best be described as a Greek offer. None has been put to use and none can be in the nearest future,” the intelligence source stated.

Also a senior officer who spoke to THISDAY on the issue noted that while the US donation was a symbolic diplomatic gesture, the equipment was in actuality a “carcass” which very few, if any has been put in use.

“I am not sure the number of the US Greek offers that have been put to use by the Army for now but remember, they were more or less like carcasses when donated,” the source said.

However, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the concerns about the possible “unserviceability” of most of the MRVs, saying they are perfectly in order.

Abubakar said the vehicles have been helpful in the ongoing operations, adding that there was a plan to add more to the Nigerian military inventory.

He said: “The MRVs are working and helping us well even in the ongoing operations where the vehicles drove through mines and nothing happened to our troops and we killed more terrorists.”

“So it is helping and we are adding more arsenal to that. The most important thing is that donations have been made to the Nigerian Armed Forces to enhance our operations. Two, we are making a lot of successes as a result of that. Three, fighting insurgency requires a lot of synergy between nations, and just of recent the Germans too requested to assist Nigeria.”

“We are equally impressed by the representative of the UK government and also other countries, including America because the terrorism we are dealing with is not just a national issue but a global one. At least there has been donation, and it’s helping us to fight this insurgency. We are making a lot of progress,” he added.

On January 7, the US Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Patrick Doyle, officially handed over the 24 MRAPs to the Nigerian military at a brief ceremony in Lagos, saying it was part of the US commitment to assist Nigeria in its war against insurgency.

Doyle who assured that eight more of the crucial mine-clearing armoured vehicles were expected to arrive the country soon, added that half of the 24 vehicles were in good working condition but will need “minor work.”

Responding then, the Chief of Policy and Plans, DHQ, Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), said the vehicles were needed to prosecute the war in the North-east but asked for assistance to put it in use.

Ndiomu noted that there are many land mines buried by the Boko Haram terrorists across the North-east.

“We appreciate what you have done, although like Oliver Twist, we would appreciate if you can do even more,” he said, adding that some of the armoured vehicles were not ‎serviceable and requested for help from the US to procure their spare parts.

But since then, the usability of the vehicles in the theatre of operations have been in doubt with the Nigerian Army going ahead to acquire mine sweepers, the first of its kind into its inventory.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, had confirmed the deployment of the newly acquired hi-tech mine clearing equipment in the ongoing military operation against Boko Haram terrorists last month.

Usman said the commissioned equipment were the first mine clearing machines in the inventory of the Nigerian Army and among the best in the world, saying “the introduction of new equipment for the northeast operation had begun to yield results.”

However, some military authorities who spoke on the condition anonymity have also noted much more of the minesweepers and MRAP will be needed to complete the operations in the North-east, and clear the terrorists particularly from the Sambisa forest.

THISDAY had reported how the Sambisa-Allargano forest area are heavily mined and the available mine-sweepers are not enough to clear the operational area for the ground troops to move in.

Investigations also revealed that the aerial bombardments are not usually complemented by ground troops’ advancement because of the challenges of terrain, deadly land mines and IEDs.

AS reported by Senator Iroegbu for ThisDay




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Nigerian Army Aviation Corps Soon to be Operational
April 7, 2016


The Nigeria Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday [April 6] said the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps would become fully operational before the expiration of the present administration.

Buratai disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of the COAS 2016 First Quarter Conference.

He said the first batch of pilots undergoing training would graduate in May 2016, while the aviation technicians have completed their training and subsequently deployed to the northeast for the counter-insurgency operation.

According to Buratai, the take-off of the aviation corps remains key to the vision of the present Army administration in transforming its operations and efficiency of its workforce.

“The Nigerian Army Aviation Corps is still in progress. It is hoped that very soon, the Army would be able to acquire its own platforms to enable the corps kick off wholly.

“So far, the main activities being undertaken are the training of pilots and technicians and also the necessary negotiations for the acquisition of helicopters.

“The trainee pilots comprising 10 officers are still undergoing flying course at the International Helicopter Flying School in Enugu and would complete their training before the end of May 2016.

“The 20 aviation technicians who recently completed the six months refresher course in aircraft maintenance have been deployed to the northeast and the immediate training of engineers is being considered.”

Buratai added that the Army authority had compiled a list of platforms it planned to acquire from Russian, American and Chinese origin including simulators and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

He said the corps would take-off with any platform the authority was able to acquire in the interim with the target of developing into an effective support to Army operations anywhere in the world.

On the counter-insurgency operation, Buratai commended the efforts of troops and urged brigade and corps commanders to give their troops the required support to hasten the ongoing clearance operations.

He affirmed that the insurgents have been seriously decimated and hinted that the operations would soon be brought to a close by the military.

On the conference, Buratai said it was aimed at evaluating the Army’s performances in all operations in the last quarter of 2015 with the view to making adjustments in its engagements in the second quarter of 2016.

He said troops operations, logistic requirements were among issues that would dominate discussions at the conference.

Buratai informed participants of efforts made by the present Army administration to address welfare needs of personnel and their families in the barracks.

He assured soldiers and officers that schools and medical facilities in military barracks would receive special attention from the Federal Government in the 2016 fiscal year.

Earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Jack Ogunewe, said the conference would provide the opportunity to assess the activities of the different Army formations and units.

He said it was also an opportunity for the authority to evaluate its strategies and tactics with the view to reviewing them to align with emerging threats and challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the conference include branch chiefs at the Army headquarters, corps commanders and heads of military institutions and units across the country.

NAN also reports that the high point of the opening session was the launch of the second edition of the Nigerian Army Doctrine by the COAS.

As reported by The Guardian




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Citation :

Nigerian Army COS Wants Simulators, UAVs, Mi-17 Helicopters, Possibly Rooivalk
April 8, 2016


Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has promised troops on counter insurgency operations in North Eastern Nigeria to address logistics deficiencies hindering operations.

He made this known Wednesday [April 6] while declaring open the two days first quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference 2016, in Abuja.

Buratai, who commended troops for their commitment in decimating the Boko Haram group, acknowledged that there are numerous challenges confronting the army in the course of discharging its roles.

He said: “The logistics deficiencies which have hindered the optimal conduct of the Nigerian Army’s counter insurgency operations in the past are being addressed.”

“Let me reiterate that I have issued sustainment and logistics directives for Operation Lafiya Dole and have to a large extent made resources available to meet operational requirements for effectiveness,” he added.

Buratai further said: “I have also taken necessary steps to ensure the optimum utilization of scarce resources while we await delivery of more platforms very soon.”

He also said efforts towards building the Nigeria Army Aviation Corps is still in progress, noting that, soon, the army would be able to acquire its own platforms to enable the Corps kick start wholly.

Buratai said there has been ongoing training of pilots and technicians and negotiations towards acquiring the necessary helicopters.

He said a list of platforms have been compiled mostly of Russian, American and Chinese origins including simulators and UAVs.

However, Buratai said emphasis is on the Russian made Mi-17 helicopter due to its ruggedness, operability and multi-role capability.

He further said the army considered the South African made Rooivalk attack helicopters after witnessing a demonstration of its capability.

Buratia said it is hoped the Nigeria Army Aviation will eventually develop to the desired standard to effectively support Army Operations.

The Army Chief also launched the 2nd Edition of the Nigerian army operational and administrative doctrine 2016.

He directed that all Nigeria Army training facilities and Divisions adhere to the new doctrine which provides the guidelines for the Administrative and operational functions of the army.

As reported by Ronald Mutum for the Daily Trust




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Citation :

Nigerian Defence Academy Commandant Meets with Simulator Company
April 15, 2016



Insurgency and terrorism is a new phenomenon in Nigeria. There is therefore the urgent need to nip it in the bud by creating awareness and consciousness and by training soldiers and officers in counter insurgency and counter terrorism.

This was the dominant mindset during an interaction between the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General MT Ibrahim, and Zen Technology LTD, a wholly indigenous Indian Training Simulation Company that was incorporated in 1993 and listed in Bombay Stock Exchange, at the Academy Headquarters recently. The Commandant, while addressing the visitors, had solicited for the support and partnership of the company to enhance the individual and collective skills of the cadets and soldiers, and to provide specialized training in the area of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), body straps and neutralization. This, he disclosed, will boost defence research and development in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In his Presentation, the Representative of the Company, Captain Rhonhit Nandal, a retired captain from the Indian Army said the company boasts of high-tech land based military simulators, aviation simulators and advanced weapon simulators. He recommended that the Training Simulators be adopted in the NDA in the training of cadets and soldiers because of its strengths and adaptability, which according to him include Flight Sensor Modeling, Flight Simulation and Driving Simulation, with high resolution. He further said that the features of the Simulator which have two versions – tethered and untethered weapons are adaptable to any military equipment and enables force – to – force arms training, collective training through routes and targets illumination for night firing and cross fire detection.

Responding, the Commandant thanked his guest for the presentation and admitted that NDA as a training institution looks at the concept of tackling terrorism and insurgency. He said he is interested in the sound and effect of real gun shots at the NDA Indoor Shooting Range and will appreciate the superimposition of electronic components to make it a Multipurpose Range. He assured that he will make NDA a Center of Excellence where the Cadets will fit into any configuration. He further promised he will install Training Simulators in the Indoor Gallery on the 20 range stand, featuring AK 47, RPG and FM Riffle. With this, the Commandant said, he hopes to achieve a combat training center in the counter terrorism aspect.




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