The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bama Local Government

  • Troops claim rescue of sex slaves from Boko Haram

    The Nigeria army has announced the rescue of some hostages from the hands of Boko Haram in Modu Kimeri village of Bama Local Government, Borno State.

    In a statement released by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations,  Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole  said the hostages totaling about 148 were been used as sex slaves and forced labourers by Boko Haram.

    Col. Onyeama explained that upon profiling, the troops discovered that the female members of the hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used in forced labour.

    He stated that the operation was carried out by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force as part of the counter insurgency operation of the Theatre when the hauled on the civilians.

    Read Also:146 Boko Haram members surrender to troops in Borno

    The statement reads in full:

    “Troops of 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct Counter terrorism and Counter insurgency operations in the North East have rescued 148  civilians held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists in Modu Kimeri,  a remote village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.

    “The troops rescued the hostages during an extensive Clearance Operation on Sunday 3rd June 2018, to rid the general area of Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 Women and 75 Children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves. Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons. The rescued persons further disclosed that the men were not spared, as they were regularly engaged in forced labour while in the captivity of the terrorists. They will be prompty handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops have also successfully cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages. Other areas cleared by troops along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, troops recovered 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags,  a motorcycle and one Bow and 20 Arrows.

    “The gallant troops remain resilient and are carrying out further exploitation” the statement said.

  • Boko Haram: ‘Bama farmlands still unsafe for farming’ – Army

    Boko Haram: ‘Bama farmlands still unsafe for farming’ – Army

    The last may not have been heard of farming activities in some parts of Borno State especially Bama Local Government Area as the military have declared farmlands in the area unsafe from farming activities due to landmines planted by Boko Haram insurgents

    Addressing the UN Deputy Secretary General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed who visited Bama yesterday in company with Gov. Kashim Shettima to assess the rebuilding of the liberated town once over-ran by Boko Haram insurgents, the Brigade Commander 21 Armored Brigade, Brigadier General G.B Audu informed that Bama is largely safe but still faced with the challenges of farmlands littered with landmines by Boko Haram which has made farming difficult for the local people.

    Represented by the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. A.A Adekeye, the army called on the UN DSG to impress on the United Nations to fast track the clearance operations of landmines in farmlands to enable the displaced people quickly return to their farms.

    He also informed the delegation of other support it has been carrying out in the area including providing support for the unaccompanied children as well as providing free medical healthcare to the community.

    Also briefing the UN DSG, Borno state Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Boko Haram victims, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum said Borno State government has so far reconstructed 11,000 private homes, 170 classrooms and other school buildings in 11 schools, township electrification and rehabilitation of 10 boreholes in Bama.

    The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Hajiya Amina Mohammed who visited different places in Bama including IDP Camp, Community Clinic for the Acute Management of Malnutrition, schools and other on-going rebuilding projects in the said she was in Bama to assess gaps in humanitarian needs, and reconstruction efforts recorded by Government so she could report back to the UN in order to identify areas of intervention.

    At one of the schools visited, Governor Shettima ordered the release of 250 bags of rice and 50 bags of beans to enable pupils start benefiting from daily meal per student to boost nutrition and encourage good learning outcomes. ‎The Governor also ordered release of free uniforms to all 4,503 pupils while he directed all teachers under the primary education in Bama to return to in order to increase number of teachers in IDP schools.

    Our correspondent reports that Hajiya Amina Mohammed arrived Maiduguri on Wednesday before proceeding to Bama in company of Governor Shettima, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed and Nigerian (Country) Representative of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Mairo Mandara on board helicopter provided by the UN Humanitarian Air Services.

    They were received by the Chairman of Bama Local Government, Alhaji Baba Shehu Gulumba at the Bama Stadium where the chopper landed.

  • Troops Kill Boko Haram terrorists in Bama

    Troops Kill Boko Haram terrorists in Bama

    Two Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in an ambush at the weekend by troops of the 202 Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole operating in Bama local Government of Borno State.
    A statement on Sunday night by the Nigerian Army Director of Public Relation, Brig General Sani Usman said: ” On Friday 22nd September 2017, based on confirmed information, 202 Battalion, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, dispatched 2 ambush teams towards Feri-Feri and Tashan Goto axis in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
    ” Both teams came in contact with suspected Boko Haram terrorists trying to cross and dealt decisively with them by neutralizing 2 terrorists and recovered 2 bicycles and 3 wheel barrows.
    “The teams also canalized suspected Boko Haram terrorists while trying to circumnavigate the ditch at Shetimari, causing them to flee into the bush with gunshot wounds as traces of blood were seen during exploitation.
    “Meanwhile, At about 9.00am on Saturday 23rd September 2017, troops of 201 Battalion, 21 Brigade Nigerian Army while on fighting patrol in conjunction Mobile Strike Team 21, discovered an Improvised Explosive Device along Bama-Aulari road. It was however safely detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Device team attached to the patrol team.
    “In a related development, troops of 7 Brigade Garrison on 20th September 2017, arrested a suspected physically challenged Boko Haram terrorists’ informant, Mr. Audu Usman at Doron Baga, northern Borno State.”
  • Police confirm seven dead in Borno multiple attack

    Police confirm seven dead in Borno multiple attack

    The Borno Police Command, on Wednesday confirmed the death of seven persons in a multiple suicide attack in Maiduguri.

    Mr Damian Chukwu, the Commissioner of Police told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suicide bombers targeted three “unauthorized” Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Muna area of the city.

    He said that the first attack was at a camp sheltering displaced persons mainly from Gulumba community in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    “All together seven persons were killed made up of three suspected suicide bombers and four innocent Nigerians.

    “The attack happened around 4.30 am on Wednesday around Muna area of the metropolis.

    “The first attack took place at a place called Gulumba where IDPs mainly from Gulumba community are staying.

    “The suicide bomber sneaked in and detonated his explosive killing himself, a woman and a kid, nine others were also injured.

    “The second attack occurred in a place called Muna Dagalti in the same environment where unauthorized IDPs are staying.

    “The suicide bomber detonated his explosive inside the tent killing himself and one other person, six others were injured.

    “The third attack was at a place called Muna Baya where the suspected suicide bomber met some Muslim faithful performing ablution for early Morning Prayer.

    “He ran to them and detonated his explosive killing himself and one other person, four others were also injured.”

    NAN reports that an official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), however, said five suspected suicide bombers were involved in the attacks.

    NEMA North East Information Officer Malam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, in a statement in Maiduguri, said five suicide bombers and three innocent people died in the attack.

    “Series of bomb blasts have occurred in three locations around Muna Garage area of Maiduguri metropolis. The incidents occurred at about 4 am.

    “A total of five suicide bombers all male adults were involved in the incidents killing three persons,” he added.

    According to the NEMA spokesman, 20 people with various degree of injuries were administered with first aid by emergency response teams before they were transported to the state specialist hospital.

    He said that the remains of the dead have been deposited in the mortuary.