The document outlines the achievements of the Ministry of Defence and Nigerian armed forces from June 2012 to present. Key achievements include establishing joint task forces that reduced violence, acquiring new equipment for the military, strengthening international peacekeeping missions, refurbishing military infrastructure, and increasing maritime security capabilities. The Ministry of Defence and armed forces have been working to improve security, support counterterrorism operations, and modernize the military through new acquisitions and training programs.
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#MP2013 Presentation of the Minister of State for Defence
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BRIEF FOR MINISTERIAL PLATFORM ON THE ACTIVITIES AND
PROGRAMMES OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
FROM JUNE 2012 TO DATE
INTRODUCTION
1. The Ministry of Defence is strategic for the achievement of the security
objectives of the Federal Government as specified in the Transformation
Agenda. The Ministry through series of policy interventions, strategic plans and
Annual Budget Implementation has continued to sustain the protection and
defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity by the Armed Forces of Nigeria. It
provides administrative and support services for the effective performance of the
Defence Sector and the Nigerian Armed Forces. These activities will enable the
Ministry of Defence achieve its vision of actualizing a Defence Sector with
modernized and well trained Armed Forces, fully professionalized, compact and
mobile with adequate equipment, firepower and communications.
2. Contemporary global security imperatives coupled with the current geo-
strategic setting in sub-Saharan Africa have significantly altered the dynamics of
the operating environment thereby increasingly necessitating the need to
reposition the Defence Sector in line with international best practices. This is in
order to implement and institute result oriented programmes within the context of
the Ministry’s vision and objectives as encapsulated in the Nation’s Vision
20:2020 and in consonance with the Transformation Agenda of President
Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR.
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AIM
3. The aim of the presentation is to highlight the achievements of MOD from
June 2012 to date.
SCOPE
4. The presentation will cover the following areas:
a. Achievements of Ministry of Defence.
b. Achievements of Defence Headquarters.
c. Achievements of Nigerian Army.
d. Achievements of Nigerian Navy.
e. Achievements of Nigerian Air Force.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
5. In realization of the objectives of the Ministry of Defence as spelt out in the
Transformation Agenda, the Ministry and the Armed Forces have carried out a
number of activities to deliver on its mandate. Some notable achievements of
the Ministry include:
a. Coordinating the activities of the Armed Forces in providing aid to
civil authority. To this end, a number of joint operations were set up by
Defence Headquarters and the Services in various parts of the country.
These operations have achieved tremendous success, leading to a
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substantial reduction of casualties of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and
other criminal activities.
b. A number of acquisitions were made in 2012 to improve on the
equipment holding of the Armed Forces. The Ministry has also supported
initiatives aimed at maintaining various platforms using the ingenuity of
our local engineers thereby saving the nation scarce foreign exchange.
c. The Ministry has negotiated defence cooperation agreements with
many countries in 2012 and the country stands to benefit from these
arrangements. No country can defend itself in isolation given the dynamic
nature of the international environment especially with the rise of global
terrorism. A number of engagements were therefore made with our
neighbours and international partners and a lot stands to be achieved in
terms of information sharing, capacity building and exchange
programmes.
d. The Ministry has continued to support the Armed Forces in
Research and Development. It is one of the major objectives of this
Administration to develop the Military Industrial Complex of Nigeria as part
of its industrialization drive. To this end, the Federal Government in 2012
set up a high powered committee headed by the Vice President to
reposition the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for
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greater efficiency. The report of the committee has been submitted to
Mr President and it is expected that the recommendations would help
initiate a transformation in the local production of military equipment. In
the meantime, DICON has gone into partnership with foreign companies
for the manufacture of weapons, bullet proof vests and other equipment.
DICON is also in the process of partnering with a private organization
under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the production
of Armoured Personnel Carriers.
e. Support to peacekeeping missions especially in terms of improving
the state of Contingent Owned Equipment of Nigerian peacekeepers in
various missions.
f. Improving the administration of military pensioners as evidenced in
the approval granted in 2012 by the Federal Government for the inclusion
of all military pensioners in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
g. The Ministry has provided support services to the tri-Service
institutions and defence parastatals to ensure effective accomplishment of
their mission objectives within the period under review. The tri-Service
institutions are National Defence College, Armed Forces Command and
Staff College, Nigerian Defence Academy and Nigerian Armed Forces
Resettlement Centre. The defence parastatals include Defence Industries
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Corporation of Nigeria, Military Pensions Board, Defence Health
Maintenance Limited and the Presidential Committee on Barracks
Rehabilitation.
h. In the area of health care, the Ministry of Defence HIV Programme
Emergency Plan Implementation Committee (EPIC) in partnership with the
United States Department of Defence HIV Programme has offered HIV
counseling and test services to many Nigerians and placed over 25,000
on Anti-Retroviral Therapy. In the last one year, 15 new sites were
established and the services are rendered free. The Emergency Plan
Implementation Committee has established the Defence Reference
Laboratory which will be accredited internationally by the College of
American Pathologists.
i. The plight of orphans and vulnerable children from HIV/AIDS has
been a major focus of attention of the Ministry. Accordingly, the Ministry
inaugurated a Board of Trustees to oversee that their needs are fully
catered for and already 50 children are benefitting from this arrangement.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
6. The Defence Headquarters’ major role is the coordination of joint Services
operations both in and outside the country. It is also administratively in charge of
all tri-Service institutions. During the period under review, Defence
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Headquarters’ primary focus had been in the area of internal security
challenges. In addition, it had been actively engaged in missions such as, United
Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Nations African Union Hybrid
Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Mission in Cote d’voire (ONUCI),
ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) and the African led International
Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA). AFISMA will be transforming into United
Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
on 1 July 2013 following United Nations Security Council Resolution 2100 of 25
April 2013 which approved the establishment of the mission under the auspices
of the United Nations.
INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS
7. The success recorded by setting up of the various Joint Task Forces in
some parts of the country is a major achievement of DHQ.
a. Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The Multinational Joint
Task Force is a tripartite operation involving Nigeria, Chad and Niger
Republics. The task force is charged with the responsibility of containing
cross border banditry and criminal activities around the international
borders of Chad, Nigeria and Niger. Some achievements of the task force
within the last one year include:
(1) Checkmating the influx of illegal arms within its Area of
Responsibility through robust patrols.
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(2) Arrest of some members of the Boko Haram Group including
those who escaped to other countries.
(3) Establishment of Forward Operating Bases from where Quick
Response Force is launched.
b. Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN. Operation SAFE
HAVEN was established on 21 January 2010 following the crises that
engulfed Jos Metropolis on 17 January 2010 and later spread to other
Local Government Areas. It was tasked with the maintenance of law and
order and protection of law abiding citizens within Plateau State and some
parts of Bauchi State. Some of the achievements of the task force within
the period under review include:
(1) Establishment of Forward Operating Base at Gashish District.
The district has much grass which generates conflict between Birom
farmers and Fulani herdsmen. Since the establishment of the base
in August 2012, no report of clashes have been received in the area
except isolated cases of criminalities.
(2) The task force has also established Civil Military Relations
Network through the purchase and distribution of 1000 mobile
phones to selected locals across the state for timely passage of
information. This has reduced the reaction time of the Special Task
Force and instilled caution on would-be criminals. It has also
demonstrated the professionalism of our troops and endeared them
to the hearts of the populace.
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c. Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD. Operation PULO
SHIELD in the Niger Delta region was established with the aim of
protecting oil installations and curbing oil theft following the dissolution of
OPERATION RESTORE HOPE due to the Amnesty Programme by the
Federal Government. The Area of Responsibility of this operation has
been expanded to cover 9 states in the South East and South South
regions of the country. Some of the achievements of the Task Force within
the last one year include:
(1) Enhanced protection of oil and gas facilities through
increased air and ground patrols of pipeline networks to deter
vandals from sabotage activities. Troops were deployed on most
critical platforms on a 24/7 basis to enhance their security. While
criminalities in the industry have not been completely eliminated,
efforts of the Joint Task Force have reduced the level of crude oil
theft drastically within the period under review.
(2) Conduct of incisive anti-illegal oil bunkering patrols led to the
arrest of 1,653 suspects and destruction of 3,778 illegal refineries
within the last one year. Similarly, 120 barges, 878 Cotonou boats,
161 tanker trucks, 178 illegal fuel dumps and 5,238 surface tanks
were destroyed by the Joint Task Force.
(3) Within the last one year, the Joint Task Force has destroyed
militant camps at Oron in Akwa Ibom State, Ikang in Cross River
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State, Foropa in Bayelsa State, Ojoma Creek and Ferupakama
Community in Rivers State.
(4) The Joint Task Force recovered many arms, ammunition and
explosives following raids conducted on militant camps on 25
August 2012.
d. Joint Task Force Operation RESTORE ORDER. Operation
RESTORE ORDER was established in Borno State to contain the
activities of Boko Haram. The following were achieved by the Task Force
within the period under review:
(1) Restoration of normalcy and confidence building between the
troops and the populace.
(2) The operations of the Joint Task Force had made Maiduguri
and environs untenable for the miscreants.
(3) Destruction of some identified Improvised Explosive Devices
(IEDs) production factories and recovery of large caches of arms,
ammunitions and explosives.
(4) Identifying, monitoring and controlling the influx of illegal
immigrants into Borno State and their repatriation as appropriate.
e. Operation BOYANA. Following the declaration of State of
Emergency in 3 states, Operation BOYONA was established to contain
the excesses of Boko Haram. The operation has so far been very
successful. The insurgents as you are all aware have been dislodged from
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their stronghold at Sambisa forest. Some of the images of the area are
shown on the screen.
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS
8. Nigeria has continued to honour international obligations through
contributions to peace and security across the globe particularly in Africa. To this
end, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is participating in 9 United Nations
peacekeeping missions within and outside Africa with about 5,000 officers and
men including military hardware deployed to various missions in the period
under review. In November 2012, a total of 186 personnel were deployed to
Guinea Bissau as part of the ECOWAS military intervention force to restore
normalcy to the troubled West African country. Similarly, following the United
Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 which approved the formation of the
African-led International Support Mission in Mali to flush out the rebels operating
in the country, Nigerian deployed a reinforced infantry battalion on 17
January 2013. Some of the achievements in the area of Peace Support
Operations within the last one year include:
a. Repairs and upgrading of the Contingent Owned Equipment in
Darfur, particularly Armoured Personnel Carriers and other logistics
vehicles by a team from the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers.
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b. Effective conduct of Pre-Deployment Training at the Nigerian Army
Peacekeeping Centre Jaji for all units inducted into the mission area and
also for Military Observers deployed to various missions.
c. Acquisition of new Armoured Personnel Carriers for troops
deployed in Darfur and Liberia.
d. Production of national cost data for Peace Support Operations. This
entails the articulation of all Contingent Owned Equipment requirements
for Troop Contributing Countries and Police Contributing Countries in line
with United Nations specifications for a period of 2 years.
9. The DHQ has also worked hard in strengthening and promoting Civil
Military Relations through public enlightenment and sensitization programmes
organized at the various locations of the Joint Task Forces. These programmes
have been a huge success especially in acquainting the civil populace with the
activities of the Joint Task Forces.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY
10. The Nigerian Army (NA) has made some significant achievements in the
last one year. The Army has refurbished a large number of Armoured Personnel
Carriers, Armoured Fighting Vehicles and the Shilka guns which are aimed at
enhancing its capacity for internal security operations. Some refurbished
vehicles and guns are shown on the screen. The NA has modernized the firing
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range at Jaji Military Cantonment with the installation of electronic target display
machines to enhance troops’ accuracy and precision. As part of efforts to boost
research and development in the military, the NA manufactured the first
indigenous Armoured Personnel Carrier ‘IGIRIGI’. In another vein, the Nigerian
Army has established a Dog Centre at Abuja for deployment at strategic areas in
order to enhance search operations and for detection of explosives. A number of
personnel from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police have been trained
both at home and overseas in the handling of the dogs. The Nigerian Army has
also established the Army Transformation and Innovation Centre to provide the
lead and guidance for promotion of improvements through reduced operational
risks and increased operational efficiency.
11. The Nigerian Army has established many Forward Operating Bases
across the country to curtail the activities of terrorists, kidnappers and oil
pipeline vandals. The Nigerian Army in a bid to improving the operations of
troops deployed in the creeks of Niger Delta commissioned 8 gun boats with
enhanced speed and firepower. Welfare of personnel was accorded a high
priority through series of renovation works, rehabilitation of dilapidated
infrastructure and construction of new facilities using direct labour in almost all
the barracks across the country as shown on the screen. Similarly, many
abandoned projects were reactivated and completed as shown on the screen.
The Nigerian Army also constructed new barracks at Ohafia and Kuje using
direct labour while the barracks in Gwagwalada is under construction. Bungalow
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apartments were also constructed for 3 Nigerian Army officers who were victims
of the ill-fated Dana air crash and handed over to the next of kins. In the area of
healthcare, a medical centre was commissioned in Benin, Edo State.
12. The Army has strengthened its intelligence network in order to checkmate
the activities of terrorists and criminals. In addition, there have been series of
joint military training with the Police and other Para-military agencies at
combating the spate of terrorism in the Country. One of such trainings is the
Counter Terrorists and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) training extended to the
Nigerian Police (NP) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC)
personnel conducted at the Nigerian Army Training Centre Kontagora. There
have also been some tremendous efforts by the Army at improving Civil Military
Relations (CIMIC) by conducting seminars, conferences and enlightenment
campaigns on military activities. The Nigerian Army is also involved in national
development such as construction of roads and bridges for some states of the
Federation.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY
13. The Nigerian Navy (NN) on the other hand espoused the Trinity of Action
concept which entails enhanced surveillance, response initiative and
enforcement in order to enhance Nigeria’s maritime security. This initiative was
targeted towards revamping the requisite sea power for maritime control and
protection of Nigeria’s economic wealth particularly in the Gulf of Guinea and the
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Niger Delta. Accordingly, to enhance surveillance of Nigeria’s coast, the
Nigerian Navy integrated the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Centre
(RMAC) with the Coastal Maritime Radar Surveillance System (COMARASS)
assets which were previously under PICOMMS thereby increasing the radius of
coverage. The Navy conducted 4 major exercises under the response designed
to refresh participants on the fundamentals policing operations, interdiction at
sea, as well as to practice techniques and procedures. The exercises are
FARAUTA, ICHUNTA, INDIKARA and SEIOTU DUOPAMO. The Nigerian Navy
also participated in a United States sponsored multinational maritime interdiction
exercise involving navies from 10 nations, Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS
which took place in Douala Cameroon in February 2013. The exercise was
aimed at updating countries in the Gulf of Guinea on the fundamentals of
conducting policing operations at sea and also the exchange of techniques and
procedures. NNS THUNDER and NNS BURUTU participated in the exercise
which was a huge success.
14. The Nigerian Navy in a bid to provide a secure and enabling environment
for maritime resource management organized a retreat for maritime
stakeholders at Uyo. Furthermore, the Navy has made new acquisitions of
platforms, marine gun boats and patrol vessels to enhance security. Among
these are the Shaldag and Ocea boats. Other platforms acquired by the
Nigerian Navy are as shown on the screen. The Nigerian Navy has also
commissioned a locally manufactured Seaward Defence Boat, named NNS
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ANDONI. The boat was commissioned by Mr President on 1 June 2012 in
Lagos. His Excellency also laid the keel for the construction of the second
Seaward Defence Boat at Naval Dockyard.
15. It is also noteworthy to state that from June 2012 till date, increased
patrols by the Nigerian Navy led to the arrest of over 50 vessels for various
infractions and illegalities in Nigerian waters. Some of the arrested vessels and
barges are shown on the screen. Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy is currently
running a joint security maritime patrol with the Republic of Benin
(Operation PROSPERITY) and the operation has drastically reduced the
menace of piracy and other criminal activities in the waters of the 2 countries. In
furtherance of the war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the
Nigerian Navy launched a new website, www.cot.navy.mil.ng to provide details
relating to movement and trans-shipment of crude and petroleum products as
promulgated by relevant authorities. The Navy in conjunction with the Joint Task
Force in the Niger Delta has destroyed 671 illegal refineries between January –
March 2013. Details of illegal refineries destroyed by Nigerian Navy units are
shown on the screen.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF NIGERIAN AIR FORCE
16. During the period under review, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) improved its
operational capability by reactivating more of its unserviceable platforms. The
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NAF engaged in airlifting troops and equipment to mission areas within and
outside the Country. It airlifted Nigerian contingents and those of other sister
African countries for missions in Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sudan and Mali. The
NAF has enhanced National Security through air maritime patrol operations to
curtail illegal maritime activities and to support surface forces. Several missions
were also flown with NAF helicopters in support of disaster relief operations in
conjunction with National Emergency Management Agency.
17. The NAF has also engaged in mass training of pilots within and outside
the Country to enhance operational effectiveness. Twenty (20) pilots were
winged after successful completion of pilot training including the first female pilot
in compliance with presidential directive. Thirty two (32) other student pilots are
expected to graduate this year. Similarly, the NAF made giant strides in
promoting the aviation industry by establishing the International Helicopter
Flying Training School in Enugu, a project that will conserve foreign exchange
for many stakeholders in the industry. In infrastructural development, the NAF
comprehensively upgraded the Kainji runway facilities to accommodate night
flying operations for the first time in the 28 years history of the Base.
18. In the area of domestic aircraft engineering, the NAF conducted Periodic
Depot Maintenance of its fleet of Alpha Jets, Dornier 228 aircraft including one
from Niger Republic, as well as one C130H aircraft which is almost concluded.
The NAF is also taking advantage of the Public Private Partnership Initiative.
Pursuant to providing needed airlift support for the Armed Forces, African Union
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and United Nations operations, the NAF Holding Company through one of its
subsidiaries, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, has
entered a Joint Venture Agreement with the objective of improving our airlift
capability. The company has acquired a Boeing 737-500 aircraft towards
achieving this objective while an additional aircraft is expected to augment the
fleet in August. This venture is an important step towards building the desired
Military Industrial Complex. Another project designed to bring Nigeria to
aeronautical prominence internationally, is the conduct of the biennial Air EXPO.
Air EXPO 2012 was exceptionally remarkable in this regard. The next edition of
the Air EXPO will be in 2014 with a centennial dimension.
19. The NAF has made significant break-throughs in the field of Research and
Development (R&D). The NAF has entered into various Memoranda of
Understanding with 12 Universities and 5 research agencies to promote
innovative activities in the Service as well as develop the capacity of its
personnel and vice versa. In its quest for excellence, the NAF recently
commissioned the Centre for Innovative and Adaptive Technology at the Air
Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna. Furthermore, the R&D department of
the NAF carried out the re-modification of the Augusta 109 LUH Helicopter in its
fleet. The department also produced a protective cover for the drag chute switch
of the F-7 aircraft to prevent inadvertent activation. Other achievements of the
NAF include the re-modification of the battery compartment of the F7/FT-7Ni
aircraft to accommodate more durable batteries, production of hydraulic
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diaphragm for the Mi-35P helicopter using locally sourced expertise and
resources, and the production of power supply unit for high frequency RF5800
radio as shown. Additionally, a link trainer (simulator) for the ABT-18 aircraft
and aircraft ejection seat stand were produced.
20. In the area of administration, the cancer screening centre in the NAF
Hospital Abuja is currently the best in Nigeria while the Medical Laboratory in the
NAF Hospital Ikeja is the only 5 star rated Laboratory in the West African Sub-
region. The Laboratory received an international award for its excellent services
in December 2012. The NAF carried out various projects during the period under
review. While some projects have been completed, others are at varying levels
of completion. Among the completed projects are the Centre for Innovation and
Adaptive Technology, the construction of residential accommodation and the
provision of equipment and kitting for personnel. Other projects executed by the
NAF are shown on the screen.
CONCLUSION
21. In conclusion, we have heard in the past few minutes that the key policies
of the Ministry of Defence are centered towards the building and maintenance of
flexible, compact and highly trained Armed Forces as encapsulated in the
Transformation Agenda of the present Administration. These have been
achievable through series of Key Programmes and Plans by the Ministry. The
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Ministry has made modest achievements through its efforts at re-
professionalizing, training/re-training and equipping the Armed Forces. Some
achievements have been made through internal security efforts at curbing the
activities of terrorists and criminals in some parts of the country. Nigeria still
remains an active player in both regional and world peace efforts. Finally, the
military is ensuring the oneness and unity of Nigeria. Thank you for listening.