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Tag: Boko Haram attack

  • Police confirm five dead in Boko Haram attack on Michika

    The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed that five residents of Michika died following an attack on a bank in the town on Monday night.

    Against earlier impression that the attack was the usual Boko Haram mission of causing a scare and destroying things and killing people and going away, the police command said that the insurgents, from all indications, went purposely for a raid on the town’s only bank.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Othman Abubakar, who gave an update on the attack to our correspondent Thursday afternoon, said, “Five people died and the place they went to attack, that’s Union Bank, was badly destroyed. But they were unable to gain access to the strong room. They couldn’t penetrate.”

    Explaining the command’s view that the insurgents had the sole purpose of carting money away, the PPRO said, “Their motive must have been to go and get money. That would be why they went directly to hit the bank. I was made to understand that money was moved to the bank earlier that day. They must have monitored the bank and went purposely for the money.”

    Read Also: Police kill four suspected robbers, injure three in Delta

    He said the insurgents were however unable to get to the money, especially as soldiers and other security agents stormed the place and succeeded in forcing the insurgents off and seizing cars and motorcycles they used in entering the town.

    He said the five residents who died might have been victims of stray bullets as they ran helter-skelter, or directly from the guns of the insurgents as they shot sporadically to scare people off.

    “They must have died from crossfire and from the sporadic shootings by the insurgents,” Othman said.

    The attack on the bank caused much dislocation within Michika, as hundreds were scared out of their houses into surrounding bushes and mountains, some apparently not comfortable about immediately returning to their homes.

    A native of Michika who lives in Yola, Felicia Jacob, said her mother was on her way to Yola, “to rest from the horror of the deadly attack.”

  • Troops inflict more casualties on Boko Haram terrorists

    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops have inflicted heavy casualty on fleeing Boko Haram terrorist after an attack at Gajigana on Saturday.

    Its Deputy Director of Public Relations, Colonel Ado Isa, said in a statement that the troops recovered weapons from the terrorists.

    Colonel Isa said :”Following the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) attack at Gajigana on Saturday 16 February 2019 at about 1850hrs and successfully repelled and fatally dealt with by the gallant troops deployed at Gajigana Forward Operating Base (FOB), an early hours exploitation operation was conducted today 17 February 2019 through their withdrawal route to mob up and clear the general area of the remnant elements of the BHTs.

    “During the exploits, it was confirmed that members of the BHTs suffered heavy casualty based on the splits and flow of bloods around the parapets and the tracks where their deads were dragged away through the escape route.

    “Items recovered along the route includes: One 36 hand grenade, Five 60 Millimetre (mm) Mortar rounds, 13 X 12.7mm rounds, 142 X 7.62mm rounds, one AK 47 magazine and a Night Vision Goggle.

    “Based on the occurrence, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu and his team visited the location on Sunday 17 February 2019 to assess the situation and the success of the operation.

    “General Bulama addressed the troops and salute their fighting spirit and urge them to maintain the momentum with assurance that the Division will promptly support them at all times.

    “In that regards, the troops were replenished with more ammunitions and other logistical support on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to boost their morale and effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.“

  • Breaking: Three killed as Boko Haram attacks Shettima’s convoy

    A soldier and two civilians were feared dead on Wednesday when Boko Haram fighters ambushed the convoy of Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima during a campaign in Borno North.

    A credible source from the convoy confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Maiduguri.

    He said the convoy was attacked along Gajibo in Dikwa Local Government of Borno State.

    The source revealed Shettima escaped unhurt because the incident occurred at the tail end of the long convoy.

    The governor and others were said to have driven past before the attack.

    Read Also: Soldiers kill invading Boko Haram insurgents in Madagali

    “It’s very unfortunate that the Boko Haram boys took advantage of the long convoy and attack at the end of the convoy. By the time the incident happened, the Governor has already passed,” he explained.

    Speaking on fatality, the source disclosed: “Only three people died-one soldier and two other civilians. We are just returning into Maiduguri now,” he said.

    Another competent security source confirmed the casualty was three, adding many persons also sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack.

    “Governor Kashim Shettima’s convoy was attacked on Wednesday and those that were killed are members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) that were far behind.

    “The Governor and other top politicians escaped unhurt. But many other persons were injured,” the sources informed.

    The Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau could not be reached for comment at the time of filing the report.

  • Anger in Senate over troops death in Boko Haram attack

    Committees to probe killings, welfare

    Lawmakers to visit officers

    SENATORS yesterday bemoaned the reported killing of 44 soldiers attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

    A sombre atmosphere enveloped the plenary as the lawmakers took turns to condemn the “monumental loss”.

    The casualty figure and details of the attack remained hazy yesterday. Some sources said the figure was higher than 44; others said it was not up to that.  Military spokesmen did not respond to inquiries by our reporters.

    The upper legislative body ordered its committees on Army and Defence to investigate the killings and examine the welfare and wellbeing of troops engaged in counter insurgency operations.

    The senators also resolved to visit officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the counter insurgency campaign in the Northeast.

    Their resolution followed a motion by Deputy Majority Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South) at the instance of the Senate President.

    Na’Allah decried the plight of military personnel fighting insurgency in the Northeast, stressing that one of the officers killed in the attack was his cousin.

    After observing a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen soldiers, the lawmakers resolved to pay a condolence visit to the Chief of Army Staff and families of the slain soldiers.

    The senators plan to conduct a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and the welfare of soldiers. The standing committee on Army was mandated to carry out the investigation.

    Other contributors, including Deputy Senate President Ike  Ekweremadu, bemoaned the hazardous tasks of men and officers of the Armed Forces fighting Boko Haram.

    They called on the Federal Government and the military authorities to adequately equip the personnel and address all welfare-related issues.

    Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC, Rivers East), suggested that the Senate shut down for the day, instead of just observing a minute’s silence for the slain soldiers.

    Uchendu said: “Mr President and dear colleagues, I have no reason to doubt the figure of the 44 dead soldiers. But if that figure is correct, then this Senate must come out and show massive concern, not just one-minute silence.

    “We must shut down for one whole day in honour of those fallen heroes.”

    The plenary was brought to an abrupt end.

    There were reports that about nine farmers in the community were killed in the attack.

    Read also: Senate bemoans killing of 44 soldiers by Boko Haram

    Addressing journalists shortly after the plenary session, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, deplored the “lackadaisical attitude” of the committee.

    According to him, the situation in the Army would have been different if the committee had lived up to its oversight responsibilities.

    Danbaba blamed the chairman of the Army Committee, Senator George Akume, for the lapse, saying there was a clear case of dereliction of duties on the part of Akume.

    He lamented that the committee had remained dormant since Akume assumed its headship in 2017.

    Some soldiers were allegedly killed on Monday when insurgents attacked the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Guzamak Local Government Area of Borno State.

    A large cache of arms, ammunition and military equipment were reportedly carted away by Boko haram fighters during the raid.

    The Monday evening attack was described as a huge setback for troops fighting to end insurgency.

    All efforts to confirm the incidents last night proved abortive.

     

  • The continuous Boko Haram attack

    The recent attack on the Nigeria Army in a town called Zari near the Niger Republic by the Boko Haram insurgents where it was reported that about thirty soldiers were killed has proved to the world that it is not yet over with Boko Haram.

    The rate at which the insurgents are raiding army formations in recent days killing and carting away military hardware is a source of concern to a lot of Nigerians and even the world in general.

    It is disgusting for one to be seeing how the Boko Haram insurgents are killing the soldiers at random and carting sophisticated weapons that were recently acquired with the citizens’ hard-earned money only to be left for the insurgents to come and cart them away. The irony is the fact that the leaders at the army headquarters are opening some formations within the Sambisa forest fringes equipped with top military hardware and later, when the Boko Haram insurgents launched an attack, the soldiers on ground fled and they carted away the sophisticated hardware that included gun trunks and ammunitions which in turn are being used on the soldiers by the insurgents.

    There is no reason whatsoever for the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, to be opening military formations and equipping them only for the insurgents to raid, kill and cart away high military hardware.

    The big puzzle is why are the soldiers running away from the insurgents in spite of the training they received here at home and abroad? It is imperative for the army hierarchy to come back to the drawing board to get the way to deal with the Boko Haram menace that is getting into the ten years now.

    It is a thing of worry for the people of the Northeast who have suffered and to continue lamenting how those that should protect them are being killed like chickens.

    There is the need for the army hierarchy to fully understand, that if this ugly situation continues unabated the people that went back to their various communities, would not have any choice than to return to safe places as internally displaced persons to the towns and cities.

    Therefore, the army has to stamp its feet in the fight so that peace can reign in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. The situation is so dicey now with the rampant attacks by the insurgents.

     

    By Usman Santuraki

    Jambutu, Yola.

  • Fleeing Boko Haram attack military base in Yobe

    Fleeing Boko Haram attack military base in Yobe

    A group of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a military base in Kanama, headquarters of Yunusari Local Government in Yobe State.

    The Chairman of the Local Government, Ali Yerima, who confirmed the attack to our correspondent said the insurgents came in large numbers in seven Hilux trucks and made their way through the middle of the town and headed straight to the military base in the town at about 6.30pm where they launched their attack.

    He said though he could not confirm any casualty in the attack, he was however confident that the insurgents did not attack any civilian in the town.

    “The information I got is that the insurgents were loaded in seven Hilux trucks. They passed through the town to attack the military base. My sources informed me that no civilian was attacked, only the military base was attacked but I also gathered that the soldiers fought very well to repel their adversaries,” he said.

    The chairman also informed that the movement of the insurgents through the town caused panic and fear among residents who ran in different directions for safety.

    An impeccable security source informed that the insurgents were fleeing from the heat in Borno State.

    “There has been a serious heat on the insurgents from Borno axis. You notice there was a fighter jet hovering over Borno and Yobe,” the source said.

    The spokesman for 3 Division Nigeria Army Col. Kayode Ogunsaya did not respond to calls and text message sent to him by our correspondent.

    Yobe State Police Commissioner Abdulmaliki  Sunmonu said he cannot give details of the attack because “the area is fully under military operations and control but I think they are in control of the situation.”

  • Army repels Boko Haram attack on Gulak

    Army repels Boko Haram attack on Gulak

    •Residents return home

    Normalcy is gradually returning to Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as the military repelled a Monday night attack on the town.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the insurgents, about 7pm, engaged the military in a gun battle as they attempted to enter the town.

    The Councillor representing Gulak Ward, Mohammed Abubakar, said residents who escaped to the bush and mountains are now returning.

    “I am on my way back home; just about 49 kilometres to Gulak, but I have spoken to my wife in Gulak, and she said the family is back home, with the return of normalcy,” Abubakar said.

    Commissioner of Information and Strategy Ahmad Sajoh said reports from the area showed that the attack was successfully repelled by the military and other security operatives, including local hunters and vigilantes.

    “I have spoken to the council chairman, and he said people have returned, including the district head and other personalities.

    “As for casualty, we are yet to ascertain the level of destruction, death and the injured,” Sajoh said.

    He added that the government would send a delegation to assess the situation.

    Chairman of the council Yusuf Mohammed refused to give the number of casualties, but said the insurgents suffered heavy casualty.

    “I also know of the death of two women, a 70-year-old and a 30-year-old, hit by stray bullets while trying to escape,” Mohammed said.

     

  • Boko Haram kills eight farmers in Borno

    Boko Haram kills eight farmers in Borno

    Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed eight famers during raids on communities on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The places attacked were Mallan, Kesa Kura and Manjita, according to fleeing residents.

    Two persons were killed at Mallan when the terrorists struck on Thursday night.

    That was about 24 hours after attacking the same village during which three people were shot dead.

    On the same Wednesday night, the gunmen killed three residents of nearby Kesa Kura.

    Eyewitnesses said the gunmen came in pickup trucks and on motorcycles.

    They set homes on fire and seized food and livestock.

    No one was killed at Manjita because residents managed to flee after being tipped off about the looming danger.

    Residents said the attacks appeared to be a reprisal against young men joining the civilian militia, which helps the military with security.

    NAN

     

  • Police foils suicide attacks on Catholic Church in Maiduguri 

    Two suicide bombers were in the early morning of Friday averted from wreaking havoc on Saint Hilary Catholic Church, Maiduguri located at Jidari Polo area.

    The church and the check point where the suicide bombers were apprehended is not far from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese.

    A security source informed that the bombers were apparently heading for the church targeting early morning worshipers who normally come for morning mass.

    One of the priests who does not want his name mentioned said the sound of the exploded bomb shook the their building and sent everyone in fear of a possible Boko Haram attack.

    “We heard a loud bang which shook our entire building. I thought we were under a Boko Haram attack until I latter found out it was suicide bombers that exploded at the check point,” the priest informed.

    Our Correspondent gathered Student of the  school managed by the Catholic Church Stayed away From coming to school  because of the blast.

    The Borno state police spokesman Victor Isuku who confirmed the incident disclosed that the suicide bombers, two females and one male tried to penetrate a mobile police check point at Jidari Polo but were prevented before one of them blew of herself killing the second bomber while the other female was arrested.

    He also added that normalcy has been restored in the area after police EOD successfully diffuse the live IEDs on the bodies of the dead suicide bombers.

    Mr.  Isuku said, “By 3:50am today,  mobile police personnel on guard duty  opposite the federal high court, sighted three suspected suicide bombers (2females & a male) running towards their sandbag. They ordered them to a halt for questioning.

    “In the process, one of them detonated the IED strapped to her body, killing herself and one other male accomplice. The other female survivor was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the military for further exploitation and necessary follow up actions.

    “Police bomb disposal units also mobilized to the scene to detonate unexploded IEDs on the bodies of the deceased suicide bombers.

    “The second bang was as a result of the demolition of the remaining IEDs by police EOD units. Normalcy has already been restored,” Isuku explained.

  • Five soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack

    Five soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack

    Five soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole were killed and 19 others injured in an attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Ugundiri, Damboa Local Government of Borno State.

    This was after a successful clearance operation in Talala and Ajigin in the Southern Borno.

    Three vigilance members and a member of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) also died in the attack.

    Their bodies have been evacuated to Maiduguri. But the injured are receiving treatment and are stable.

    The troops, however, destroyed the terrorists’ gun truck and recovered two anti-aircraft guns, two spare gun barrels, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one rocket-propelled grenade, one AK-47 rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

    According to the Army leadership, troops have been mobilised into blocking positions to neutralise fleeing terrorists.

    Also, some terrorists attempting to form a cell around Bori, about 16 kilometres away from Mainok, on the outskirts of Maiduguri,  were dislodged. Three motorcycles, one hand grenade, one round of 7.62mm ammunition, solar panel, a pair of Niger Republic military camouflage uniform, one Gionee mobile phone, one wet cell battery and a half bag of groundnuts were recovered.

    Soldiers on patrol from Bama to Pulka intercepted Boko Haram drugs and logistic suppliers as they were crossing into Sambisa forest at the Firgi and Zawan axis in Bama Local Government.

    After a hot pursuit, the troops apprehended Kadiri Umate, 35.

    Thirty-five packets of 500ml Glucose Intravenous Infusion (Drip), assorted analgesics and pain killers, clothes, bathroom slippers, insecticides, salt, kolanuts and a bicycle were recovered from him.

    Also, logistics and fuel supplier, Fantoma Lasani, was arrested at Muna garage when he came to pick his wife to finally relocate from Maiduguri.

    The suspect, who hails from Flatari, is said to be a long term supplier of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to the insurgents.