The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said that Buratai made the remarks during a meeting with Principal Staff Officers, Commanding Officers and field commanders on Monday in Abuja.

Musa briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting at a news conference.

Buratai told the PSOs, GOCs and field commanders that there would be no room for disloyalty amongst all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

He directed that they must reiterate to all their subordinates that the army was determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria as the only panacea for development and progress.

According to him, the best system of governance was democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remained stable and steady.

“We will not allow any force, elements or destabilising agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire.

“We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilisation”.

Buratai stated that the events of the past few days in the country had shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilise Nigeria by all means.

He said that those individuals, groups and other undesirable elements eventually hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest marches that resulted to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country.

These acts according to him, led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation.

The COAS added that the army had been aware from the onset of the #EndSARS protest about the grand design by the sponsors of the protests to draw it into the crisis.

He added that the plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government, so as to set the people against the army once it was called out to aid civil authorities.

According to him, the army being aware of the plan was careful not to be dragged in, and issued the initial warning through a press release on Oct. 14 of its resolve to secure and safeguard a united Nigeria.

“Now the detractors alongside their local and international collaborators have mischievously and deliberately misrepresented troops’ efforts to ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by legitimate civil authorities in Lagos and other states.

“These agitators are falsely accusing the army of being responsible for the activities of the miscreants in spite of glaring evidence to the contrary.

“They have continually threatened to report the army to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families.

“Thankfully, however, a large percentage of Nigerians and the international community have started seeing through the smokescreen of falsehood, and deliberate misrepresentation of facts being orchestrated by enemies of Nigeria and have retracted their earlier false publications,” he said.

Buratai stressed that the army had continued to exercise restraint and fully abided by the internationally recognised rules of engagement as contained in its published Standard Operating Procedures for Internal Security Operations.

He said the processes were derived from the International Human Rights Laws in accordance with the international principles guiding the use of force.

The COAS, however, encouraged officers and soldiers not be afraid of the ICC for carrying out their legitimate duties as stated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and other extant laws, rules and regulations of Nigeria.

He said they had every right under the constitution to carry out assigned and legitimate roles of maintaining law and order in aid of civil authorities and other security agencies.

He stressed that anyone who doubted their commitment to their constitutional responsibilities must be made to know that they remained committed, loyal and unwavering in ensuring the unity, stability and security of our dear country Nigeria.

He charged them to show the detractors and other elements of destabilisation that they are neither part of them nor in anyway supportive of their activities at all times.

He directed that any act of arson or attempt to kill or maim any military or security personnel and other law abiding civilians must be responded to quickly and decisively.

He charged them to fully cooperate with the police and other security agencies to ensure that they are in full compliance with imposed curfews and any other extant security instructions in force.

Buratai said the recent activities by unscrupulous elements had shown their desire to acquire arms and ammunition at all cost from security personnel.

He disclosed that no fewer than 10 AK-47 rifles have been lost to these miscreants in the past two weeks across the country with the attendant loss of lives of personnel.

The COAS, however, charged commanders to nip in the bud these emerging trends at all cost, and directed them to warn their troops on internal security or on guard duties outside the barracks to be at maximum alert at all times, and to also deal decisively with any attack on their duty locations.

According to him, there was no choice between a democratically united, strong and prosperous Nigeria and a nation disunited in a state of anarchy and retrogression.

“We must all strive for a united, strong, stable and progressive Nigeria,” he said.

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Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, the incoming Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this at the burial of five fallen heroes, at the Nigerian Army Cemetery, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Adeniyi said that the military would not rest until it ensured total defeat of the insurgency and restoration of peace to the war tone region.

He described the fallen heroes as “gallant, courageous and brave soldiers”, who sacrificed their lives in the defence of the country.

“On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I wish to commiserate with the families of the fallen heroes.

“What happened is sad, but I want their families to know that they did not die in vain; they die for Nigeria, they die for their fatherland.

“You can be proud; they were good citizens, brave, honourable good men. They did not beg or run away from the enemy, they fought gallantly to the end.

“Nigerian Army is proud of them and I want you to know that one of your love ones paid the supreme price for nation building. We thank God for their lives and we celebrate them.

“I promised you; we will not sleep, rest or give Boko Haram insurgents any respite, we will return normalcy to the North-East,” Adeniyi said.

He added that the army had put in place effective welfare scheme to take care of the families and children of the fallen heroes.

He advised the Next of Kin (NoK) of the deceased soldiers to contact him or Commanders of the Sector 2 and 29 Brigade, under which the slain soldiers served, if they experience difficulties or misunderstanding regarding their welfare.

Adeniyi listed the fallen heroes to include Col. Kenneth Elemele, Lance Corporals Ajijola Sunday, Oguntuase Ayo, Dimos Danial and Private Akinola Ayoola.

The commander prayed for the repose of their souls and the families’ fortitude to bear the loss.

It was reported that the fallen heroes were laid to rest in accordance with the Christian religious rites and military etiquette.

It was also reported that each of the families of the fallen heroes was presented with the National Flag at the end of the exercise.

The event was attended by Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, and other military officers in the theatre of operation.

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Zuma confirmed that Mugabe told him during a telephone call that he was fine.

Also, in a statement, Mr Zuma’s office said: “President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier today who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine.”

Troops are patrolling the capital, Harare, after they seized state TV and said they were targeting “criminals”.

The move may be a bid to replace Mr Mugabe with his sacked deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa’s dismissal last week left Mr Mugabe’s wife Grace as the president’s likely successor.

Heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of Harare early on Wednesday.

Mr Mugabe, 93, has dominated the impoverished country’s political scene since it gained independence from the UK in 1980.

The UK Foreign Office advised Britons “currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer”, while the US embassy in Harare advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to “shelter in place” until further notice.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has that its Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15.  Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15.  Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely. @StateDept @usembassyharare @usembassyharare

China, Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, says it is closely watching the situation and hopes that the relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs.

A Zimbabwean army officer, Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo, went on TV after the takeover to say Mr Mugabe and his family were “safe and sound and their security is guaranteed”.

“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country,” Maj Gen Moyo said, reading out a statement.

“As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”

Major-General Moyo also said advised the citizens to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement, assuring that the Zimbabwean judiciary independence is guaranteed.

He also stated that the security services should co-operate for the good of the country and any provocation would be met with an appropriate response.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, it is not clear who is leading the military action.

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Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, who disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri, said this was part of efforts by the armed forces to degrade the remnants of the insurgents.

Kukasheka said that the troops engaged the terrorists in their hideouts at Jango, Nduma, Gobara, Bala Ibrahim, Fulani Rogo, Takwala villages and adjourning communities.

He explained that the troops also captured one Boko Haram fighter while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Kukasheka added that they recovered four rifles, charged magazines and a pair of military camouflage uniform from the terrorists.

The Army spokesman disclosed that the captured terrorist would be investigated before being transfered to relevant agencies.

“Troops of 121 Battalion of 26 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in furtherance of the ongoing clearance operations on Friday, 27th October, 2017; displayed gallantry as a potent fighting force by routing out Boko Haram terrorists who were taking refuge in the surroundings of Dure, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

“The troops engaged the terrorists and smoked them out of their hideouts at Jango, Nduma, Gobara, Bala Ibrahim, Fulani Rogo and Takwala villages and environs in Gwoza Local Government Area.

“During the operations, the troops neutralized 3 Boko Haram terrorists and captured one other terrorist alive. While several terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The troops also recovered one Fabrique Nationals (FN) rifle, one G3 rifle, charged magazines and a pair of military camouflage uniform suspected to be used by the terrorists to disguise as military personnel.

“Unfortunately one soldier sustained injury during the operation. He has since been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post, for more medical attention”.

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Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister for State of Aviation

In what could be termed a comprehensive mission, Sirika had quite some surprises and a handful of seemingly simple solutions to longstanding problems and issues. One surprise: Government plans to concession four major airports to the private sector. The Minister believes that by bringing in the private sector, the country can achieve better infrastructural development and improve the efficiency of service delivery at these airports. The airports in question are the international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

And it’s also the month of May, 2016, which makes it one year since this administration came on board, it was an opportunity for stock taking.

Sirika said that some of the challenges facing the country’s airports were that of obsolete equipment and dilapidated infrastructure; obsolete equipment and inadequate capacity. These challenges, according to him, are expected to be addressed by the newly initiated concession programme, the much awaited completion of five new, world class, ultra-modern airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt later this year.

On the focus, the Minister said that “ the present administration is focussing on issues that will rapidly develop the aviation industry within the shortest possible time.” These issues, include aviation safety and security, infrastructural development, the establishment of a national carrier, lack of a world class aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul,(MRO) facility in the country.

Others are: How to quickly develop our air cargo capacity in order to participate actively in multi-billion dollars global agro-allied export trade. The restructuring of the country’s aviation agencies and the setting up of an aerospace University in the country.

In his usually forthright manner, Sirika states the administration’s position on all of these tough issues, perhaps, leaving no one in doubt about the policy direction of the Buhari administration as regards the aviation industry. On safety and security at our airports, the minister was of the view that government’s response should include the development of a new security strategy framework in partnership with international security organisations, the determined implementation of a certification programme for all our airports and a comprehensive security threat and vulnerability assessment of our airports. The Minister of state recently inaugurated a technical committee with the mandate to look into security at the country’s airports.

On the vexed issue of a national carrier, Sirika was emphatic that the administration will establish a national carrier because of the benefits that the country would derive from it, especially from the various Bilateral and Multilateral air services agreements signed by the government with other countries, worldwide. It would also help stem current capital flight due to foreign airlines exploiting the current absence of a Nigerian national carrier.

He said however, that the carrier will be floated on the stock exchange and listed whereby Nigerians can buy its shares and own it. Furthermore, to realise this laudable goal, he said that government would engage the services of a transaction adviser “to develop an appropriate business model and framework to establish a national carrier using a public/private partnership concept.” When in place, the national carrier would be expected to form alliances and joint ventures with other carriers, in order to increase its reach and routes, Sirika said.

There is also the issue of national prestige and national pride when talking about a national carrier, as some smaller African countries such as Ethiopia proudly fly their countries colours on their national carriers, many of which have become successful ventures, the Minister said.

On the appalling lack of a world class aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, (MRO)l facility in West and Central Africa, the Aviation helmsman challenges Nigerian investors to key into the bountiful opportunity. He said that the current administration was determined to create an enabling environment that would provide an impetus to willing investors. He hoped that such investors could go beyond only MRO but actually initiate the local manufacturing of light aircraft spare parts in the country, which would help save foreign exchange and create more jobs for Nigerians in-country.

The issue of air cargo facilities ties with the country’s hopes of generating more foreign exchange from agricultural produce and other non-oil exports. As the Minister noted the country is current losing a lot in potential income from export of perishable agricultural produce including fresh flowers and vegetable as a result of the absence of adequate air cargo facilities.

Apart from generating forex, it has far reaching socio- economic impact as it will improve farmers’ income significantly and help stem rural to urban migration. Government is therefore working hard to meet this challenge, with several of the required facilities under construction in strategic areas round the country, Sirika noted.

The country’s target is to get 40 per cent of the market for agro-allied and perishable agric produce export coming from Africa to global markets, he said.

A thoroughbred and experienced air pilot himself, the minister noted, howbeit sadly, that many well trained professional aviators, especially pilots are unemployed. Whereas, on the other hand, their foreign counterparts are having a field day in the country working for foreign airlines operating in the country. Not mincing words, the minister said that government would henceforth vigorously enforce expatriate quotas for staffing of foreign airlines operating in the country, so that foreigners do not continue to take jobs meant for Nigerians. And review the policy on validation of foreign licenses (no aviator left behind policy.)

The Minister said that it is a policy of the All Progressives Congress, APC administration to set up an Aviation Development Bank, which he said, will offer Nigerian aviation entrepreneurs long term, low interest loans in single digits to help finance their airline businesses. This, accordingly, will boost the growth of the industry and help create stability.

Other salient industry issues which the Minister addressed are that of the supply and pricing of Aviation Jet A-one fuel, sourcing of foreign exchange by airlines for their operations and aircraft leasing. On Jet A-1, Sirika said government has made arrangements to start local production of the fuel which is currently 100 per cent imported.

Discussions are also in top gear with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to ease forex supply shortfall to airlines, especially foreign airlines because they operate and pay for several services in foreign exchange whereas, tickets are sold in naira locally, putting airlines at a disadvantage.

Sirika said that the administration will continue with the current policy of granting duty waivers on imported aircraft and spare parts, so as to support the industry. Further, government is well aware of financing difficulties faced by Nigerian airlines in the leasing of aircraft. They have limited access to capital even then at high interest rates of about 27 per cent currently. They are also faced with inadequate numbers of aircraft, while they have high debt profiles. The Minister said that the government intends to set up an aircraft leasing company to assist these Nigerian airlines, to have better access to leased aircraft for their operations.

Then, it was time to highlight some achievements of the Ministry of Transportation in the area of aviation, since last May(2015).The Minister noted with pride that Nigeria passed the recent ICAO security audit of the country’s airports with flying colours at a score of 96 per cent. The aviation industry similarly passed the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit of the country, reflecting the enormous hardwork and expertise of Nigerian aviation authorities.

The Buhari administration has been able to provide bomb containment vessels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and at the Port Harcourt International Airport. The administration has also installed solar-powered field lighting systems at 10 airports round the country including Port Harcourt , Sokoto, Akure and Enugu. In addition, Air traffic control tower operations at the Malam Aminu Kano Airport have been automated, allowing for more efficient services.

The Minister of State rounded off by promising that the Nigerian aviation industry would soon have a master plan in place, which he said will be integrated into the National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan, NIIMP. He said that the development of Nigerian aviation is “a joint responsibility of the public and private sectors.”

Above all, Sirika is confident that the Nigerian aviation industry” can become profitable, self-sustaining and beneficial to all stakeholders,” with our concerted efforts and cooperation.

***Dati, is the spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, wrote from Lagos

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