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Tag: attack

  • Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Actress Funke Adesiyan under attack for supporting OPC

    Popular Yoruba actress and lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Funke Adesiyan, has been getting flaks for saying the march on Monday, by hoodlums under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was peaceful.

    According to organisers, the rally was to ask for the sack of Prof. Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Adesiyan, who plans on seeking re-election as a lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted in a BBM group chat, naijahottestgist.com that, contrary to the reported violence which took place during the march, no violence was recorded.

    “Good morning Parliamentarians, I was part of the walk by Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) led by Otunba Gani Adams,” she said, Tuesday.

    According to the actress, who is running for the Ibadan South-East Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the protest was not politically motivated and not sponsored by anybody. “We are only asking for an explanation on the allegation against Prof. Jega saying that under-age youths were registered to vote in the north. We say NO to postponement of elections because of shortage in PVC collection. We say NO to creation of 30, 000 illegal polling units in the North. We ask for equity in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. We are one great nation and we don’t need Prof. Jega to divide it for us,” she addressed the over two hundred members and supporters of the APC and PDP of the group, who cut across Nigeria and the Diaspora.

    “On this premise,” the thespian continued, “we call on Jega to go on his break due on the 24th of March, 2015 and allow another credible officer from INEC conduct this election. We broke nothing, touched no one, and maimed no one. It is the most peaceful rally I’ve witnessed in recent times. It was sponsored by no one. All of us that got involved did it voluntarily based on our passion for equity, justice and unity of Nigeria. It’s unfair that APC is trying to frame us. Nigerians know propaganda is APC’s style and we shall not lose focus on achieving our aim peacefully.”

    However, some fans of the actress and pro-APC members on the forum were quick to take her on, in what soon generated in a hot debate, counter accusations and resentment.

    “I have pictures of vandalized cars and stuffs by the OPC goons unleashed on Lagos by GEJ, Fasheun and Gani Adams. Guys please stop defending the indefensible,’ a Prof Chris Nwaokobia Jnr, responded.

    A member named KJV also berated Adesiyan for being part of Monday’s controversial protest.

    “The issue of the 30, 000 additional polling units has been put to rest by INEC,” KJV wrote. “Where are your facts that under-age youths were registered by INEC and if you do have them, is Ikorodu road the headquarters of INEC? How has INEC divided Nigeria exactly? On the issue of six geo-political zones, how is the removal of JEGA going to help with actualising that? Okay, let us say your intents are pure, how come 70% of the people I saw at Motorways yesterday are wearing OPC T-shirts instead of CCN? How come flyers litter the entirety of the street instead of your association speaking to and handing same to people? You didn’t see the matches, charms and guns brandished by some hard looking boys yesterday? How come Channels TV and AIT showed pictures of billboards demolition in the midst of the “peaceful” walk? My sister, it is better to keep quiet considering that you are running for elective office now.’

    Another respondent, by the name TW expressed surprised at Adesiyan’s post.

    “I will not join issues with you on the misplaced issue of the suspended polling units by INEC. But take very strong exception to the lies on what happened yesterday on Ikorodu road. As an Attorney, your right and that of other members of the OPC to protest is inalienable and protected by the laws of the land (The 1999 Constitution of the FRN, as amended). But my dear sister, that right does not allow you brandish guns, machete and other dangerous weapons and destroying properties…’

    Another poster, Mr. Porsche, however, saluted what he termed Adesiyan’s ‘civil approach’ but went ahead to pose some questions for the actress.

    “Did you guys notify the Commissioner of Transport to assist in traffic control on Monday morning?” He asked. “If yes, what was the official response and, is it detailed and can we as Nigerians read or see it? Did you guys consider the plight of those who would get queried yesterday by their bosses or organisation heads for coming to work late? Did you guys think having such a rally on a Monday morning and locking down Ikorodu road which is the most reasonable alternative route to 3MB (Third Mainland Bridge) is the right way to go? You mentioned the Jega issue and him embarking on his leave on the 24th of March, 2015. Permit me to ask you truthfully, how will our democracy not get truncated if Jega leaves office four days to the Presidential Elections? Will the new man understand the system within four days? If you want Jega out four days to the election, so why keep him till 24th?’

    Although supporters of PDP on the forum also added their voice, claiming Adesiyan couldn’t have lied by saying she didn’t notice any violence, another member, Kabaat, has a contrary opinion.

    Obviously bitter, Kabaat said, “Playing Politics with issues as sensitive like what you guys did, is not only condemnable but treasonable to say the least. No matter the Party, such show of brutish brigandage, wanton destruction, violence and intimidation, should have no place in our polity. When you claim it was the ‘most peaceful’ protest, I am wondering if you were talking about that or another because images, facts coming from so called ‘walk’, tells the contrary.”

    Kabaat then advised politicians not to repeat history. “History is replete with instances like this, except if you don’t appreciate history. Boko Haram started like that, so did the Niger Delta militants. An OPC unleashed in the South west like BH in the North East, will not be an interesting proposal, I believe you agree. I personally was disappointed yesterday when I saw my ‘egbon’ Uncle Alex Osifo, in the company of these misfits and traducers who do not give a damn if this country burns. Are there no better modes or formats to express yourselves rather than the wanton destruction unleashed on the citizenry of Lagos? What happened to peaceful walk or press conference or an artistes’ jamboree to spread your message? Look here…anybody who tells me it’s about Jega, needs to have their heads examined. Jega is not our problem. We are our own problem. If going to the streets and destroying public properties is your solution to get Jega out of office, then… I will reserve my comment.’

    Adesiyan however insisted that there was no violence at all.

    “I do not speak from both sides,” she said. “I stand by what I believe in and I stand tall. I was there. There was no iota of violence all through the rally. I still drove back home on Ikorodu road where the rally took place and I repeat- No Vandalised vehicles.”

    It was, however, widely reported that the protesters wielded weapons and harassed Nigerians as they went about on Monday, causing traffic jams in some parts of Lagos.

    Also confirming the chaos, a Bosun Osifowora wrote of his wife’s experience at Mushin. “Someone beside her had pellets removed from her body from the shooting,” Osifowora noted. “We need to condemn the act of the president; things are degenerating into base levels with this campaign. Police was protecting OPC members wielding guns and machete. It took me three hours to drive from Isaac John to Police Command (within Ikeja). Things are getting worse, the president should dissociate himself from these things. He is creating a monster which he may not be able to tame all in the name of second term. These things will come back to haunt him. I guess u still remember the mayhem that these OPC guys caused during Obasanjo’s tenure. Now that they have the backing of the president, I guess you can’t imagine what will follow. We have only one country and if things disintegrate because of one man’s ambition, we will pay for it.”

    It will be noted that similar rallies had taken place by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) last week.

  • Gunmen attack LP candidate’s home in Calabar

    GUNMEN,  on Tuesday evening, attacked the home of the Labour Party’s House of Representatives candidate for Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, Dr Alex Egbuna in Ekorinm, Calabar, Cross River State.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred about 7pm when four young men stormed the home in a black Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    They were resisted by the security men on guard, but a policeman was said to have been shot and his rifle taken. The policeman is receiving treatment in a hospital in Calabar.

    Egbuna, a former chief of staff to Governor Liyel Imoke, was not home when the incident occurred.

    This is the latest in a spate of violence that has characterised this election season in the state.

    In his reaction,  Chairman of the state’s Inter-Party Advisory Council Mr Goddie Akpama called on leaders to call their supporters to order and urged security agents to curb the violence.

    He said: ‘’Do or die politics is bad. If candidates want to win votes and you are killing the people that are coming out to vote how do you get the votes?

    “Again, people may stay away because they don’t want to be killed. This will not help our democracy and can contribute to voter apathy. Our state is low in terms of voting strength. If you now start the do-or-die politics, by way of killing ourselves, who will come out to vote?

    “We won’t even have the strength to talk at the national  level. So, the party leaders should call their supporters to order. It is a viral thing. It is not the best. I am calling on security agencies to bring calm to the situation. They should sign a peace accord. They have to sign undertakings.”

    Police spokesman ASP Hogan Bassey could not be reached for comments.

  • Three dead as thugs attack LP supporters

    Three dead as thugs attack LP supporters

    Three persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured, following attacks on Labour Party (LP) supporters at Amaigbo Ward in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State by suspected thugs of a popular party.

    One of the deceased was Osu Emegha, while the identities of the other two could not be ascertained.

    A witness, Nkumah Okoro Agha,  told our reporter  that the thugs besieged their meeting, brought out machetes and other weapons and attacked  people.

    He said they cut the deceased’s neck and he later died at Mater Hospital, Afikpo.

    “Over 10 other supporters were injured. Most of them are being treated at Mater Hospital, Afikpo”, Agha added.

    Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu said  he was yet to be briefed. He assured of the command’s readiness to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

    Anyanwu urged youths to desist from unleashing mayhem on the supporters of other parties, adding that the matter would be investigated and the case referred to the Police Command in Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State.

  • Nigerian coaches condemn attack on Ogunbote

    Nigerian coaches condemn attack on Ogunbote

    •Want NFF to fish out perpetrators

    The Nigeria Football Coaches’ Association has condemned the fans’ attack on one of their members, Gbenga Ogunbote and has charged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to properly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.

    Ogunbote, who is the head coach of Sharks of Port Harcourt, had it rough in the hands of some fans of the club who beat him black and blue over allegations that he dropped most of the indigenes in the team for those from other parts of the country.

    The former Sunshine Stars’ coach is still in the hospital recuperating from the injury sustained in last Wednesday’s attack.

    The Secretary-General of the association, Solomon Ogbeide told SportingLife that the body is almost through with its strongly-worded letter to the NFF wherein its position will be to demand that the perpetrators are fished out and banned from all football activities after they might have faced the full wrath of the law.

    “We the (members of the) coaches’ association are not happy about what happened to coach Gbenga Ogunbote. We reject it in all entirety and we are writing a broadside to the NFF so that they will be alive to their responsibilities and strive to get the doer of such heinous act.

    “We are going to write our own letter to the NFF so that investigation of the matter will be immediate and thorough, so that the person(s) responsible for the action will not go unpunished,” Ogbeide told SportingLife.

    The Bayelsa United head coach urged the NFF and states’ governments to make the security of sportsmen and women their watchword, adding that what happened to Ogunbote should be handled properly so that it doesn’t become the norm in the country.

  • Fleeing Boko Haram insurgents attack villages near Chibok, kill 30

    Fleeing Boko Haram insurgents attack villages near Chibok, kill 30

    No fewer than 20 people were killed on Thursday by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists  close to Chibok,Borno State,from where they kidnapped over 200 school girls a year ago.

    Attacked were the villages of Gatamarwa, Lehu and Makalawa all of which were torched by the vandals.

    An eyewitness said the that the attacks began from Gatamarwa market, south of Borno and later spread to the two other communities which are not very far from each other.

    A security source said that the insurgents were fleeing from the military offensive currently ongoing in the  State.

    “What we observed is that the Boko Haram insurgents attacking in this manner are the ones running from the ongoing military offensive to flush them out from their camps in  the state,” the military source said.

    Shehu Bukar Ali, a local official in Chibok said that the “insurgents entered Gatamarwa market at about 9am on Thursday and opened fire on traders in a crowded part of the market. “He said more than 10 people were killed there.

    He added that the same attackers moved to Makalawa and Lehu on motorcycles shooting sporadically before setting  the entire communities ablaze.

    The insurgents were passing through the three neighbouring villages as they fled the nearby town of Askira Uba, which they invaded on Monday evening, one resident said.

    Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters stormed Askira Uba, burning homes and public buildings, despite a regional campaign to crush their six-year insurgency.

    Residents who fled the town said they appealed to troops based in Chibok some 25 kilometres away but they allegedly refused to deploy.

    The militants fled when soldiers were eventually sent. Some left towards Gwoza, on the border with Cameroon, and the Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram has camps.

    Boko Haram seized Gwoza in June last year  and later declared it a part of their Islamic caliphate. The town is considered to be the group’s headquarters.

    The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that fighter jets had bombarded Sambisa Forest after Chad, which is involved in the regional fight-back, attacked the nearby town of Dikwa.

    Chibok gained notoriety last April when Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, causing global outrage and a social media campaign to release them.

    Fifty-seven managed to escape but 10 months on, 219 are still being held.

    Reports from Adamawa State last night said Boko Haram terrorists also killed up to 40 residents of Gaya-fa and Zang,both close to the Sambisa forest in Borno which has come under severe bombing by the air force in a bid to smoke out the insurgents hiding and training there.

    Premium Times quoted a resident as saying that the hoodlums “ ransacked our villages for almost two days, they first attacked Gaya-fa in a killing spree, over 30 people were shot.”

    The residents were able to regroup and succeeded in repelling the invaders only for the terrorists to return Friday with more fury, killing over 10 people.”

    “We are set to repel them now,” said the resident, Baba Jibrin, who is the chief hunter of the area.

    Other residents said the insurgents also set fire on several buildings in the communities, looting home utensils and food stuff, including mattresses.

    Another fleeing resident said, “They killed over 30 people and burned down several buildings in the community.”

  • Gunmen attack Benue APC guber candidate’s vehicles

    Gunmen in Adikpo on Friday shot and damaged three vehicles on the convoy of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Chief Dr Samuel Ortom, at the funeral of the late Dr Samson Sambe which they also disrupted.

    Chief Dr Ortom was delivering funeral oration when sporadic gunshots were heard and sympathizers started to scamper for safety.

    Elder brother of the deceased and Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Asen Sambe, had to appeal for calm as the funeral was hurriedly concluded.

    In spite of the shots which intensified, Chief Dr Ortom concluded his speech before he was informed that three of his vehicles parked near the Magistrate Court close to Adikpo Comprehensive College, ACC, Adikpo had been targets of some of the shots.

    The glass on the owner’s side of a branded Ford Hillux van was shattered and the bullet exited through the roof even as another branded pick up was hit at the tail board and the bullet went through, came out of  the left side and brushed a journalist’s car parked close by.

    Another bullet flattened the right front tyre of the third vehicle.

    The gunmen sped off through the street that passes by the side of ACC.

    While inspecting the vehicles an informant told Chief Dr Ortom that the gunmen belonged to a group headed by a prominent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, thug in Adikpo town.

    The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment, proceeded to the Adikpo police station where he lodged a formal complaint to the Divisional Police Officer.

  • Hoodlums attack petrol stations, injures 65-yr-old guard, others

    Hoodlums attack petrol stations, injures 65-yr-old guard, others

    Residents of Itamasa village in Ijofin, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, were thrown into panic on Monday February 9, 2015, when suspected hoodlums attacked two petrol stations, injuring a 65-year-old night guard, Hungbeme Asogba, and customers at the stations.

    The affected petrol stations are Exalt and Jokuns Petrol Stations.

    Asogba, who suffered machete cuts on his face and several parts of his body, is now receiving treatment in a hospital in Benin Republic. He was not allowed to speak with our reporter, who visited him in company with other sympathisers last weekend.

    Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums looted the petrol stations and carted away unspecified amount which was the proceed of the day’s sales.

    The hoodlums were said to have been led by one Samuel, who claimed to be collecting unsubstantiated fee for an amorphous association in the council area.

    Recalling the incident, the Manager of Jokuns Petrol Station, Mr Hunpevi Mathew, said the hoodlums who were armed with dangerous weapons swooped on the station and dispossessed customers and workers of money.

    “We were selling fuel to customers around 6.30 pm, when some members of the gang stormed our station and demanded for the payment of an unsubstantiated levy for selling fuel to customers. When they noticed that I was not going to accede to their demands , one of them handed his phone to me and asked me to speak with their boss called Samuel, but insisted that I would not talk to anybody because I am not the owner of the station. The hoodlums then forcibly took away some jerry cans of fuel from customers.

    “Again, the (hoodlums) returned in a Nissan car around 9pm same day, led by Samuel. They were armed with cutlass, axe and gun and they switched off our generator before unleashing terror on us. They hijacked a Ford bus from a customer and loaded it with fuel stored in several jerry cans and took away all the proceeds of the day’s sales. They also robbed many of our customers who were buying fuel at the time of the incident. We had to run for our dear lives.

    ‘’As a matter of fact, I trekked through the bush path to town, following which I contacted Ipokia Police Station for help. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station immediately led his men to the scene and they searched everywhere for the missing bus that was stolen from our customers, all to no avail. It was much later that the bus was sighted in a particular place in the community, where it was abandoned by the hoodlums.”

    The Baale of Itamasa, Chief Suru Poviwhede, explained that Samuel and his boys had been terrorising petrol stations owners in the community lately.He recalled the incident: ”Samuel has become the nemesis of petrol dealers in our community and beyond. On the day of the incident, I received information around 6 pm that he (Samuel), was planning to invade the community and attack some filling stations. I quickly informed the Ololo of Ijofin, Oba Moruf Awode, and the monarch asked me to inform  one Titus Jide Oppressor, who Samuel claims to be his boss. When I spoke with Oppressor on the telephone, he said he was not willing to reprimand Samuel, because he was no longer under his authority. Oppressor added that he had warned Samuel to desist from harassing petrol station owners, all to no avail.

    “About 9pm on the day, distraught residents, who fled from the scene, informed me that Samuel had led his boys to attack workers and injured a guard at Exalt Petrol Station. They even raided some customers who were buying fuel into their vehicles and kegs. They were said to have also robbed customers and fuel attendants of a lot of money before moving to another petrol station called Jokuns, located in the neighbourhood. They vandalised the station, dispossessed customers and workers of the station of money and wounded a night guard and several others before stealing a Ford bus with number plate, XC 961 FST, from a customer.

    ‘’It was the DPO of Ipokia Police Station that took the night guard that was attacked with cutlass by Samuel and his gang to a hospital, while a number of customers and residents that also sustained various degrees of injuries are now being treated in various hospitals in Ipokia and Benin Republic.”

    It was gathered that Samuel is now at large, while nine members of his gang have been arrested and are now being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, alongside their operational vehicle allegedly stuffed with dangerous weapons and three motorcycles.

    A source, who asked not to be named, explained that the residents of the community are yet to get over the shock of the attack.

    She said: ”My brother , we have not overcome the shock which the attack  by Samuel and his boys  has left in us. We fear he might regroup his boys and unleash terror on this community because the residents actually played an important role in apprehending some members of his gang when they were trying to escape after the attack.”

    Several attempts made by our correspondent to get Samuel’s response were futile as he did not respond.

    A female voice, who answered his call on Tuesday, claiming to be his wife said: “I am Samuel’s wife. He is not around now, he forgot his phone at home. Please drop your identity and comments and he would call you back when he returns.”

    Samuel did not revert to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

    In a telephone conversation with our correspondent,  Samuel’s lawyer, who simply identified himself as Barrister Jide, said his client was a concerned resident that was simply fighting against illegal sale of fuel to a ‘petrol smuggling syndicate’ in the community.

    “As a concerned resident, my client (Samuel) was miffed by the fact that some petrol dealers have been using their stations to perpetrate illegal sale of fuel to trans-border petrol syndicate.

    “He told me that he visited the two stations to prevent the nefarious transactions and that he was also wounded in the course of carrying out a ‘patriotic’ responsibility. He had lately written several petitions to various police formations and other law enforcement agencies without fruitful intervention. I have, however, advised him not to take laws in his own hands.”

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman of Ogun Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, explained that the command has arrested Samuel.

    He said: “ The man called Samuel, has been terrorising the community lately. It will be recalled that he carried out similar attacks on petrol station operators in the community last year. He is fond of attacking people violently and running to the police to claim that he was attacked. This is what he has also done in this case by lying to the police that he had been attacked, whereas he was the one that led his boys to attack people who were carrying out their transactions at the petrol stations. He went to the two petrol stations and attacked the people there, including a night guard, who sustained injuries and has been taken to a hospital by the police.’’

    The PPRO, however, said that the police could not jump into conclusion until the ongoing investigation is concluded.

    “The DPO of Ipokia Police Station said he was surprised to find out that contrary to Samuel’s statement, he was the one that actually attacked the two petrol stations. However, we have also arrested nine members of his gang that participated in the attack and they are now being held at the SCID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, where further investigation is ongoing,” Adejobi added.

    It will be recalled that Samuel was accused of complicity in the attack on Alpha Petrol Station, Ijofin on April 3, 2014, where a 70-year-old Pa Simeon Hunkokoe and his four sons who were the station’s attendants were attacked with cutlasses.

    Samuel was said to have stormed the petrol station to demand for the sum of N50,000 as ‘settlement’. Samuel and his gang were said to have been angered by the posture of one of the attendants called Mathew Hunkokoe, who asked for time to get clearance from the owner of the station on the telephone, hence, the gang attacked Mathew and his three brothers with cutlasses and dangerous weapons, while their father, who rushed to the scene to rescue his son, was also severely brutalised.

  • APGA women decry attack on Obiano, Umeh

    APGA women decry attack on Obiano, Umeh

    Women for Good Governance (WGG), a group in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has condemned the attack on Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Victor Umeh and other members of the APGA campaign team at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government.

    Obiano, APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Umeh and other members went to the hometown of former Governor Peter Obi to campaign when youths attacked them, destroying their vehicles and billboards.

    The group decried the attack, describing it as despicable, detestable, reprehensible and repugnant to democratic ethos. It alleged that it was the handiwork of desperate politicians.

    A statement on behalf of the group by its coordinator, Mrs. Grace Chike, called for an end to such an action, which it said was not in the interest of democracy.

    The statement reads: “We wonder why failed politicians should hire and hoodwink youths in Agulu to stone Governor Obiano, APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Chief Umeh and supporters campaigning in the area. They destroyed vehicles and billboards.

    “We frown at this primitive, do-or-die politics in this era of issue-based civilised politicking.”

    The body also condemned the attack on the party’s campaign team of former Minister of Information Labaran Maku, who is gunning for the Nassarawa State governorship on APGA’s platform. It described it as the height of irresponsible politics.

    WGG said those behind the attack were afraid of the ex- minister’s popularity and grassroots support, which had changed political equation in the state, alleging that the cabal that held the state hostage since 1999 sponsored the attack to intimidate Maku.

    “The former minister has remained focused and will never be distracted by frustrated politicians with no vision for a greater Nassarawa State.”

    The APGA women said they were shocked by the destruction of four campaign offices and 15 vehicles of the party’s governorship candidate, Sani Shinkafi, in Zamfara State. They wondered why APGA candidates had become target of violence.

    The women said: “This is man’s inhumanity to man and a giant step backward in our democratic process. We demand a stop to this madness. Let the word go out to the perpetrators of this crime and their sponsors that APGA is a mass movement and a change agent that cannot be crushed by disgruntled elements. If the objective is to quench APGA’s progressive flame, it has failed. We demand a stop to this dangerous political naivety.

  • Two killed as police repel attack in Kano

    •Two suspects arrested

    The Kano State Police Command has said it killed two suspected insurgents at Kibiya, about 60 kilometres from Kano city, when the terrorists attacked a police division in the area.

    The police said the casualties were among the six suspected Boko Haram members who stormed the police station on two motorcycles.

    Police spokesman, Musa Magaji Majia, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told our reporter yesterday that one of the gunmen was killed in an exchange of fire while the other was lynched by the residents as the other gunmen attempted to escape.

    Majia said the incident happened at 5.30pm on Saturday.

    The police spokesman said the police repelled the insurgents.

    According to him, two of the gunmen were arrested and were assisting police investigation.

    Majiya said: “No policeman was killed or injured during the incident.”

    The spokesman said the gunmen abandoned one of their motorcycles before fleeing.

    He said security had since been tightened in the area, adding that the neighbouring states had been alerted to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.

  • Troops foil another attack, kill 100 insurgents

    Troops foil another attack, kill 100 insurgents

    Over 100 insurgents were said to have been killed by troops in Maiduguri yesterday.

    Sixteen civilians were feared dead and about 36 people injured.

    Though the military was silent on the casualty figures, it merely said “the terrorists incurred massive casualties.”

    Nigerian troops and those of allied neighbours (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon) have also sacked the insurgents from Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in Borno State.

    Troops were said to have engaged the insurgents for about eight hours to curtail their incursions into Maiduguri.

    The Defence Headquarters confirmed the breakthrough in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

    “The terrorists attack on Maiduguri in the early hours of Sunday was quickly contained.

    “The terrorists incurred massive casualties. The situation is calm as mopping up operation in the affected area is ongoing.

    “The ongoing operation is in coordination with activities in the Multinational Joint Task. The terrorists are meant to be engaged in all fronts including their previous safe havens and hide outs in the region.

    “It is in line with the arrangement for a comprehensive and coordinated military operation with inputs by military forces in the Lake Chad Basin Commission namely Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.”

    A top military source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are mopping up the operation in Maiduguri but over 100 insurgents were killed by troops. The figures could be higher at the end of the day. The insurgents suffered worst casualties because “Operation No Mercy” is on now against them.

    “We are tackling them headlong to put the insurgency behind this nation. We are optimistic of winning the battle.”

    “Most of the encounters took place in the outskirts of Maiduguri. So, some innocent villagers were killed by the insurgents. About 16 civilians died and 36 others were injured.

    The DHQ said Nigerian troops and those of allied neighbours (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon) have sacked the insurgents from Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in Borno State.

    The forces have also recovered several weapons, arms and ammunition including two armoured tanks, two artillery guns and 17 Hilux vehicles.

    The statement added: “The terrorists who in their disarray strayed towards Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in the night have now been effectively contained. Mopping up operation is ongoing.

    “Several weapons, arms and ammunition including two armoured vehicles and two artillery guns as well as 17 Hilux vehicles have been captured from them. Several terrorists also died.

    “The affected locations have been secured and soldiers wounded are being treated.

    “Patrols and pursuit of fleeing terrorists is continuing in coordination with allied forces.”