Owanlen:
Quite agree with you on some points. I'm very proud of the Nigerian army myself but I think tactics and training in warfare nowadays prioritize on the lose no soldier approach. No doubt, the NA will go in there and kick those militants butts but how may will return? This may be an already accepted fate for the NA but is not acceptable as an international standard. Yes no doubt with appropriate training and equipment the NA will come back victorious with every soldier accounted for.

I agree with you we may not be at the top in terms of 'avoiding casualties'. But I have to remind you that not many countries in the world can boast of tactical ground troops like Nigerian Army. Forget all those shakara images you see on CNN of oyinbo soldiers. They have mastered the art of surveillance and air control, but they get caught out on ground patrols even with air cover . Over time, it has been proven that air battles never affect ground battles. The Malian rebels have no fighter jets, but they have deadly Ghaddaffi weapons. Weapons that are capable of holding even Nigeria to a warfare for months!
I would really love to see a video of our fighter jets actually dropping some akara on some desert congregation of rebels.

cyril83: We have known this for a very long time its just that some people wouldn't allow us to speak the truth all in the name of nigeria my country Smh..these men lack discipline and tactical training though our government has a lot to do in terms of equipments but the fact stil remains NA is weak

SO, THEY ARE AS GOOD AS SECURITY GUARDS ONLY?
NO WONDER BOKO HARAM DOES NOT FEAR OR RESOECT THEM AND EVEN GO INTO THEIR MILITARY BARRACKS TO BLOW UP PLACES.

Massive disgrace
We cant even get things right in our own country, and we want to go to other countries to help?!
SMH ... What a pathetic country!

Blyss: I'll admit that they made a lot of improvement, but they still got some way to go. Look at this ignorant foolishness, would you call this being professional?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQISQdlRT0

I call it being childish and very unprofessional. They look like a bunch of fools.

And what is unprofessional about the video?
You want them to behave like North Koreans?
And please kindly post a Youtube video of the "Professional" pre-deployment activities of your favourite national army for all of us to see.
In fact post the one from the US, the worlds #1 army.

****Waiting****

[quote author=imperiouxx]

Ile-Ife:

loooool.... Bro, na the bad mouthed lady that thought Nigeria army is Ghanian Civil defense corps I dey talk not you. Abeg, nothing do you bro. You do nothing to me to tell you that abeg.

imperiouxx:

loooool.... Bro, na the bad mouthed lady that thought Nigeria army is Ghanian Civil defense corps I dey talk not you. Abeg, nothing do you bro.

Abeg no vex. sorry.

Ile-Ife:


Abeg no vex. sorry.

It's ok. I will edit the initial post to suite what I was trying to say. Thanks

That lady must be fired.
The president should ban her from entry Nigeria for the rest of her life.
She think say to carry gun easy, not to talk of to go fight for desert!

See this silly ghanaian woman, AFUA hirsch or what ever her name is. Her hate for nigeria would continue to give her nightmares. Her country ghana sent 120 electricians and plumbers to mali, while a tiny state like benin republic pledged 300 combat soldiers. Togo another tiny state, pledged 500 combat soldiers.

Nigeria pledged 1200 soldiers combat. nigerian air force quick response force AKA special forces sent 66 tavor-21 wielding paratroopers. The navy also sent a couple of their battle hardened special forces soldiers, SBS wielding state of the art tavor-21 assault weapon. Nigerian army special forces members were embedded with the troops from mali national army and senegal the first 2days of this war. let me also add that our troops are all kitted with made in nigeria hardware, the desert camo, the bullet proof vest and their ak-47/ AKM/ AK-74 rifles carried by our troops are made in nigeria. Our troops have the requisite training and experience to carry out their mission, have been trained by the best nigerian military trainers.

The airforce, in addition to the 66 special forces troops( paratroopers) already sent to mali, would also deploy MI-35p attack helicopters, MI-24hind and MI-17 terminator attack transport helicopters. 2 Alpha jets( up graded, up gunned and up armoured) have already been deployed, we read about the miracles NAF pilots did with their alpha jets aka "DUDU BIRDS" in SLR and liberia, just wait and see what they are going to do with these upgraded version. The airforce would also deploy G222 medium transport planes, 1 of our C-130 big birds, charlie would also be deployed. Our F-7's would also be deployed, a lot has been said about this bird, unfortunately all negative, however it is left for our pilots to use them in real combat in mali, then we can know for certain whether it is a good bird or not.

At the moment we do not know the the types of vehicles that would be deployed, but we are sure to see our OTOKA COBRA, and french made panhard ( also used by the french in mali) in mali. As for artillery pieces we do not know what would be deployed.


Nigeria has a total number of about 100 thousand troops, deploying 1200 troops to mali which has been a base camp for training terrorists who have killed 2900 nigerians since 2010 is the right thing to do. It is in our own interest to be proactive in mali, the FG has shown willingness to tackle this problem head on, since last year a couple of nigerian secret service (NIA) agents have been embedded in mali. This french intervention provides nigeria a quick, less expensive route in dealing with terrorists operating in nigeria from their base camp in mali. We have to tackle the root of the problem. The army over the last few months have succeeded in landing major blows on terrorist, we just have to carry on with the tempo. Pound them to obliteration, all terrorists must die.


We owe members of our armed forces a great debt of gratitude, it is true that some of them act like animals, but the action of a few cannot, should not cloud our judgement of the bravery of the majority. Thank you to all of them, GODS SPEED.



As for that silly ghanaian self hating m.oron afua hirsch, make she go look bush or watch p.or.n.

Blyss: I'll admit that they made a lot of improvement, but they still got some way to go. Look at this ignorant foolishness, would you call this being professional?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQISQdlRT0

I call it being childish and very unprofessional. They look like a bunch of fools.

Bunch of fools eh? Can you do better? since when is dancing a bad thing? Some American troops use drugs (combat cocktails) to fight, they also listen to (stairway to heaven) during combat does that make them less equipped? Go look yourself in the mirror and you will really see the fool looking back at you!

nollywood20:

SO, THEY ARE AS GOOD AS SECURITY GUARDS ONLY?
NO WONDER BOKO HARAM DOES NOT FEAR OR RESOECT THEM AND EVEN GO INTO THEIR MILITARY BARRACKS TO BLOW UP PLACES.

imagine that! Av lost hope in NA since

Na true the woman talk, why r we deceiving ourselves.


is this not the same Nigerian army that was disarmed and ran leaving their APC in retreat wen rebels attacked them early last year in Sudan

Those shouting Propaganda should goo n compare the level of training & weaponry countries like South africa & Sierra leone have now & uld shut up!.

You think na by AK-47?

That rifle has bn abandoned by progressive nations tey-tey, bt trust nnaija, its cheap n ​ so ​ ofcourse that's d choice.

F7 & migs for fighter jets?? ..Dats like having a curve 2 or 3 wen others r using Bold 5 and an Iphone4 .


#its a Shame

UNA SEF EH? why are you Nigerians getting into the band wagon of an article written by a Ghanaian journalist working for the UK guardian?
Do you expect her to write anything good about Nigeria? Gosh! you guys are dumb! Look at the first pic, does that show soldiers that are poorly kitted?! Nawah oh! As foreigners are saying that we look professional Nigerians are saying other wise. Some people are just plain retarded.

Boyoorisha: There are speculations that due to lack of adequate training and discipline, the over 1,200 Nigeria troops would not be directly involved in combat operations to oust the militiamen from the northern region of Mali.

A United Kingdom (UK)-based newspaper, The Guardian,on its website yesterday alleged that men of the Nigerian Army deployed in Mali lacked the capacity to fight on the front line.

The paper quoted a senior source in Mali that the military contingent from Nigeria lacks the needed training and discipline to be relied upon to oust the Islamists from northern Mali prompting suggestions that the role of the men would be limited to security and logistics.

“The Nigerian Army is in a shocking state,” said the source, “in reality there is no way they are capable of forward operations in Mali – their role is more likely to be limited to manning checkpoints and loading trucks.

“The Nigerian forces lack training and kit, so they simply don’t have the capability to carry out even basic military manoeuvres. They have poor discipline and support. They are more likely to play a behind-the-scenes role in logistics and providing security.”

The source added that under plans for the enforcement of a United Nations (UN) Security Council-backed military intervention in Mali, Nigeria, alongside troops belonging to member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) are expected to lead forward operations.

The reality on ground as reported by the paper may have forced the governments of France, Germany, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) to consider the idea of further providing the Malian army with the necessary training, equipment and logistics support.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/45501/2013/01/20/nigerian_troops_illequipped_war_mali.html

Ah ah!@Op this argument has been debunked & thrown into the heap of cheap,disingenuous propaganda & lies.

REJOINDER: “NIGERIAN ARMY’S MALI MISSION STALLS AMID DOUBTS IT CAN FIGHT” ; AFUA HIRSCH/’GUARDIAN(UK)’ MISLED THE WORLD THROUGH A DELIBERATE DISTORTION OF THE FACTS

Going into Mali, the core requirement is for troops who are trained in Counterterrorism, Counterinsurgency and Desert Warfare. Against the backdrop of the fact that unlike no time before in its history, the Nigerian Army are currently churning out CTCOIN-biased troops, the report which was scripted by Afua Hirsch was calculated to defame and to mislead.

* In 2012 alone, the Nigerian Army have trained over 8,000 troops in the RELEVANT counterinsurgency and counterterrorism skills of Close Quarter Combat, Fighting In Built-Up Areas, IED/Ambush Defeat, Hostage Rescue, House Clearing and trained combat engineers and K9(War Dog) teams, both at home and in the United States of America.
As we write this, another batch of 1,500 troops are undegoing training in the same arts at the all-new Nigerian Army Training Centre, ensuring that within the next few weeks, the total number of CTCOIN-biased troops trained in this one year alone would rise to 9,500 officers and men.

Afua Hirsch’s article becomes even more laughable against the backdrop of the fact that as recently as October 1st, the Nigerian Army commissioned a new 176 Special Forces Battalion. That would complement the older 72 Special Forces Battalion which has been in existence for a few years now and has already seen action in the Niger Delta and in our War on Terror.

This is to say that by the end of this month, the Nigerian Army should be in a position to say that they have put together enough Special Operations Forces and CTCOIN-biased troops to form an army division. More importantly, they have been inducted into battle, gaining relevant combat experience in the process.

Even if ECOWAS decide to send in 4,000 troops to Mali with Nigeria making up half of that number, how can a Nigeria with that number of troops(11,000) with tailor-made skills and experience applicable to the Malian situation be objectively assessed by any journalist worth her onions, as not having the men with the requisite skills sets? The Nigerian Armed Forces similarly undertake mandatory desert warfare field training – the geographical imperative for operating in Mali.

Concerning KITTING, there is nothing else to do than follow up the obtuse claims advanced by Afua Hirsch by showing photographs of the troops who are currently leading the War on Terror at this time inside Nigeria and from whose ranks the troops who shall be going to Mali will be drafted. Photographs presumably are still worth a thousand words.

It is instructive to note that the ONLY factory which manufactures night vision goggles and bulletproof vests anywhere in West, East or Central Africa was commissioned this year, a joint venture between Isreali firm MAROM DOLPHIN and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria. What other items do we need going into Mali? For goodness sake, we even now produce Night Vision Goggles(essential for CTCOIN operations) and bulletproof jackets in Nigeria. So what was she saying about kitting?

http://beegeagle./2012/11/11/rejoinder-nigerian-armys-mali-mission-stalls-amid-doubts-it-can-fight-afua-hirschguardianuk-misled-the-world-through-a-deliberate-distortion-of-the-facts/

Thus,Afua Hirsch and her minders at “The Guardian”(UK) WILFULLY and against the grain of professional ethics MISREPRESENTED the Nigerian reality as it concerns the Malian crisis.
WHAT skills or experience for that matter which would be relevant for that mission which are currently not domiciled in the Nigerian Army? The same Nigerian Army which has been training in Nigeria and the USA and deploying straight for action at the frontlines, thereby striking a balance between training and combat experience?

YOU BE THE JUDGE

rdokoye: The story is old and baseless and was written by a Nigerian hating Ghanaian woman.

Thank you for that information my brother. All these reports quoting anonymous sources self. Who exactly labelled Nigerian army as weak is it the US secretary of defence or the french or British minister of defence? all we are being told is that a source said so. To hell with the Ghanaian toad. These Ghanaians hatred for Nigeria is really beginning to tick me off. They should all go to hell!!!

lacasa: Na true the woman talk, why r we deceiving ourselves.


is this not the same Nigerian army that was disarmed and ran leaving their APC in retreat wen rebels attacked them early last year in Sudan

Those shouting Propaganda should goo n compare the level of training & weaponry countries like South africa & Sierra leone have now & uld shut up!.

You think na by AK-47?

That rifle has bn abandoned by progressive nations tey-tey, bt trust nnaija, its cheap n ​ so ​ ofcourse that's d choice.

F7 & migs for fighter jets?? ..Dats like having a curve 2 or 3 wen others r using Bold 5 and an Iphone4 .


#its a Shame

Well, except you are using an iPhone5 or better, you are 'I'll equipped' to comment on Nairaland. Get real!

Henry120: See this silly ghanaian woman, AFUA hirsch or what ever her name is. Her hate for nigeria would continue to give her nightmares. Her country ghana sent 120 electricians and plumbers to mali, while a tiny state like benin republic pledged 300 combat soldiers. Togo another tiny state, pledged 500 combat soldiers.

Nigeria pledged 1200 soldiers combat. nigerian air force quick response force AKA special forces sent 66 tavor-21 wielding paratroopers. The navy also sent a couple of their battle hardened special forces soldiers, SBS wielding state of the art tavor-21 assault weapon. Nigerian army special forces members were embedded with the troops from mali national army and senegal the first 2days of this war. let me also add that our troops are all kitted with made in nigeria hardware, the desert camo, the bullet proof vest and their ak-47/ AKM/ AK-74 rifles carried by our troops are made in nigeria. Our troops have the requisite training and experience to carry out their mission, have been trained by the best nigerian military trainers.

The airforce, in addition to the 66 special forces troops( paratroopers) already sent to mali, would also deploy MI-35p attack helicopters, MI-24hind and MI-17 terminator attack transport helicopters. 2 Alpha jets( up graded, up gunned and up armoured) have already been deployed, we read about the miracles NAF pilots did with their alpha jets aka "DUDU BIRDS" in SLR and liberia, just wait and see what they are going to do with these upgraded version. The airforce would also deploy G222 medium transport planes, 1 of our C-130 big birds, charlie would also be deployed. Our F-7's would also be deployed, a lot has been said about this bird, unfortunately all negative, however it is left for our pilots to use them in real combat in mali, then we can know for certain whether it is a good bird or not.

At the moment we do not know the the types of vehicles that would be deployed, but we are sure to see our OTOKA COBRA, and french made panhard ( also used by the french in mali) in mali. As for artillery pieces we do not know what would be deployed.


Nigeria has a total number of about 100 thousand troops, deploying 1200 troops to mali which has been a base camp for training terrorists who have killed 2900 nigerians since 2010 is the right thing to do. It is in our own interest to be proactive in mali, the FG has shown willingness to tackle this problem head on, since last year a couple of nigerian secret service (NIA) agents have been embedded in mali. This french intervention provides nigeria a quick, less expensive route in dealing with terrorists operating in nigeria from their base camp in mali. We have to tackle the root of the problem. The army over the last few months have succeeded in landing major blows on terrorist, we just have to carry on with the tempo. Pound them to obliteration, all terrorists must die.


We owe members of our armed forces a great debt of gratitude, it is true that some of them act like animals, but the action of a few cannot, should not cloud our judgement of the bravery of the majority. Thank you to all of them, GODS SPEED.



As for that silly ghanaian self hating m.oron afua hirsch, make she go look bush or watch p.or.n.

OMG. We got all those heavy war fare equips what are they waiting for...smoke out those rag heads and come back west african heroes.Im so impressed with the "made in Nigerian gears" truly im impressed.

As an outsider I would like to disagree with "some" points in the article.

The NA soldiers is adequatly trained and fairly equiped for the mission, but however I must stress there's is a lack of APV's and gunships to support the soldiers especially those from Ecowas.

What some of u dnt understand is that these rebbels are heavilly armoured with some of them even carrying SA-7(Grail) sams in some instances, weapons that were stolen from Libyan army infantry depo's. This is one of the reasons why France has increased there troops size from 800-2500 plus currently.

There is a danger that the Mali conflict can turn into a protracted war which can take 1-3 years to conclude or in wurse case become a second front like AFGHAN.

In my oppinion there are a lot of challenges the NA will face with regards to infantry troop deployments especially because of the size of Mali particulary the Northern part which is the size of France.

I read a post here that the NA is better equiped and will do a better job then French Legion regiments, no offense but that is a foolish patriotic statement. Nigerian/Ecowas lacks the military budget and modern GEAR, but what I do respect though is there commitment to there calling as soldiers Goodluck to them.

A baseless story, nigeria effort in Liberia n Sierra leone civil war had been applauded by the committee of nations. Though if you compare an american soldier fighting in Afghanistan to a Nigerian soldier now in Mali you will like to join d American army because of the kit up of d american army, french or British or German Army, modern rifle not AK47 oh, walkie talkie, grenade, knife etc, still I duff my heart for Nigerian army. They are gallant. I think Nigerian army should upgrade their rifle to d modern ones used by america or british.

NIGERIAN NAVY SPECIAL BOAT SERVICE
They are currently carrying out covert ops in Mali. Haters are gonna hate!
Coutesy of beegeagle

Dem don turn our military to watchnight finnish. That's some serious *insert preferred curse word here*!!

Blyss: I'll admit that they made a lot of improvement, but they still got some way to go. Look at this ignorant foolishness, would you call this being professional?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQISQdlRT0

I call it being childish and very unprofessional. They look like a bunch of fools.

indeed

snydergp: As an outsider I would like to disagree with "some" points in the article.

The NA soldiers is adequatly trained and fairly equiped for the mission, but however I must stress there's is a lack of APV's and gunships to support the soldiers especially those from Ecowas.

What some of u dnt understand is that these rebbels are heavilly armoured with some of them even carrying SA-7(Grail) sams in some instances, weapons that were stolen from Libyan army infantry depo's. This is one of the reasons why France has increased there troops size from 800-2500 plus currently.

There is a danger that the Mali conflict can turn into a protracted war which can take 1-3 years to conclude or in wurse case become a second front like AFGHAN.

In my oppinion there are a lot of challenges the NA will face with regards to infantry troop deployments especially because of the size of Mali particulary the Northern part which is the size of France.

I read a post here that the NA is better equiped and will do a better job then French Legion regiments, no offense but that is a foolish patriotic statement. Nigerian/Ecowas lacks the military budget and modern GEAR, but what I do respect though is there commitment to there calling as soldiers Goodluck to them.

Someone is talking...

pro01:

Especially if you're an unarmed "bloody civilian". Their so-called training and soldiering skills are only useful against defenceless civilians.

It's quite unfortunate, no ounce of patriotism remains with a lot of Nigerians. I had the previledge to watch news report from the U.S, China, s/korea and japan. In all that was said, they all agreed that we alone among the volunteered Ecowas countries is dependable. In all the roundtable dialogue,everyone agrees the Ecowas forces should quickly takeover from the french. Therefore u don't need any pastor to tell u..there is propanda in the makin here..they flashed our flag on our cargo plane then back to the flag by the arm of their uniform and back to their smartness and ruggedity in them. Stand up for once for something untrue about ur country.

EFX001: NIGERIAN NAVY SPECIAL BOAT SERVICE
They are currently carrying out covert ops in Mali. Haters are gonna hate!
Coutesy of beegeagle

No mind some people jaree. Very quick to condemn those who are giving their best in service to their Country while the only contribution they've ever made to their country are silly posts on NL. Very quick to call our soldiers "foolish" and "animals" while the citizens of those countries whose soldiers they can't wait to paint better than ours look upon their servicemen with respect.
These people go to war, man checkpoints under harsh weather conditions while you tuck yourselves into bed, sleep, wake up, come to NL and spew trash on them.

"foolish this, stupid that..." Wetin u dy wait for? No be your mates full line for embassy and dy cross desert? Siddon dia waiting for someone else to come make your country better. Arm-chair critic.
(If only we had military conscription......)!

delgroveng:
It's quite unfortunate, no ounce of patriotism remains with a lot of Nigerians. I had the previledge to watch news report from the U.S, China, s/korea and japan. In all that was said, they all agreed that we alone among the volunteered Ecowas countries is dependable. In all the roundtable dialogue,everyone agrees the Ecowas forces should quickly takeover from the french. Therefore u don't need any pastor to tell u..there is propanda in the makin here..they flashed our flag on our cargo plane then back to the flag by the arm of their uniform and back to their smartness and ruggedity in them. Stand up for once for something untrue about ur country.

The only thing true about our country's armed forces is what I stated in my previous post. I can NEVER take an unprofessional, rag-tag army of primitive bullies seriously, let alone "stand up" for them. When they stop the frequent undisciplined and animalistic acts of oppression and brutalisation against unarmed and defenceless Nigerian civilians, only then would I begin to look for reasons to be 'proud' of them. As it is, they are enemies of the Nigerian people. Yes, I said that. Bloody, cowardly brutes. They deserve the cruel fate that awaits them in Mali.

EFX001: NIGERIAN NAVY SPECIAL BOAT SERVICE
They are currently carrying out covert ops in Mali. Haters are gonna hate!
Coutesy of beegeagle

Really NN SF carrying out spec ops, in ARID-DESERT-LAND where water is the most precious resource.

Please...!!!

snydergp:

Really NN SF carrying out spec ops, in ARID-DESERT-LAND where water is the most precious resource.

Please...!!!

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! This is what we keep saying! Don't just dispute ooooooo.

The SBS is a special force modelled after and trained by the Brisitsh Special Boat Service (SBS). More like the U.S Navy SEALS (pls don't tell us they don't operate on land)!

Kudos to the soldiers, it takes a lot to risk your life for your country.[size=10pt][/size] but they do not have the kind of training, discipline and kit to represent the N1 trillion the country is spending on Defence.

1- Being transported by road rather than military plane
2- No real special forces - US has the Navy Seals, UK has the the SAS, even countries like Poland and Bangladesh have their respective special forces. Please don't say Navy SBS, because they don't go on missions (I stand to be corrected).
3- Indiscipline in peace time can only lead to indiscipline in the field.
4- With the level of corruption going on in the country and within the top hierarchy of the military, you can not expect to have a stellar armed forces, even if the soldiers are good and courageous men.
5- Our military has been unable to put a stop to the BH problem (they just attacked one of the most important men in the North).
6- The Motive - the army commanders are alleged to chop most of the UN allowance the soldiers get, this is allegedly the reason they send out as many troops as possible. A retired General who very knowledgeable said that approximately 70% of Nigeria's army is abroad on peace keeping missions.

The Nigerian military like all other public institutions (police, customs, civil service etc) needs an overhaul

.