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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.