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Tag: Boko Haram suspects

  • ‘No Boko Haram suspects held in Lagos’

    ‘No Boko Haram suspects held in Lagos’

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh has described as false, claims that 30 suspected terrorists were arrested in Lagos.

    Jimoh refuted the claims in a telephone interview with The Nation, yesterday, urging residents to dismiss the claim in its entirety.

    According to the police boss, such unsubstantiated reports would only create panic among residents, clarifying that at no time was any Boko Haram terrorist seen or apprehended in Lagos.

    Jimoh explained that what might have been misunderstood was the arrest of 27 persons by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) during a raid in Lekki.

    “The KAI (LAGESC) officials carried out a raid based on information received about activities of some fraudulent people in Lekki. During the raid, they arrested 26 suspects for fraudulent activities who were of  no fixed address.

    “The officials moved the suspects including children to their head office at Bolade Oshodi, where they were handed over to the police for further action.

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    “Those arrested were found with fake foreign currencies. The suspects are also foreigners,” said CP Jimoh, assuring residents that the police and relevant agencies were living no stone unturned to ensure safety and security in Lagos.

    Meanwhile, LAGESC on its official X account signed by spokesman, Lukman Ajayi, said 27 suspects were arrested for alleged illegal oil bunkering and possession of counterfeit naira notes.

    It said the suspects were caught during an enforcement operation in Lekki, noting that they constituted serious safety and environmental risks.

    Quoting Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole (rtd), Ajayi said: ‘‘We discovered via intelligence reports how the activities of an unlicensed depot and oil bunkering enclave impacted the environment negatively thereby constituting a threat to public health and safety.’’

    “The place also provided cover for miscreants found in possession of fake naira notes used to transact at night from unsuspecting vendors.”

    LAGESC said the facility was being used for storage, adulteration and distribution of petroleum products, adding that several drums filled with suspected adulterated diesel were found there.

    Also, the Kogi State Police Command has denied rumours of bandits’ invasion of communities within the state capital, Lokoja.

    The command insisted that the rumours were meant to instill fears in the residents and cause panic in the state..

    In a statement, the Command’s spokesman,Chief Superintendent of Police William Aya, yesterday said there was no bandit invasion in Felele, Zango and Crusher communities.

    The command added that it had deployed  tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force and counter-terrorism units, to strategic locations in the state  to ensure safety of lives and properties.

    The Command urged residents to go about their activities. It also warned rumour peddlers of the police readiness to deal with whoever is caught spreading false information.

    The statement read: “The Kogi State Police Command is assuring residents that there’s no truth to rumors of bandit invasion in Zango, Crusher, and Felele communities in Lokoja. The story is “fake news” meant to create unnecessary tension in the state.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, has warned those peddling rumors of bandit invasion to desist from spreading false alarms, causing unnecessary fears and panic among the good people of the state.

    “ Anyone found guilty of spreading false alarms will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    “The CP reaffirmed the deployment of tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force and counter-terrorism units, to strategic locations to ensure safety. Residents are being urged to go about their daily activities as usual and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

    “Security is a shared responsibility, and everyone is asked to work together to keep the state safe.’’

  • 28 Boko Haram suspects held in Adamawa

    About 28 suspected Boko Haram insurgents were arrested yesterday in Dar, Madagali Local Government of Adamawa State, following the murder of four persons in Driff, another town in Madagali.

    Their arrest followed a combined operation by the Army and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

    Coordinator of the State Security Nigerian Hunter’s Association Garba Salvia Tarfa, who addressed reporters yesterday, said the suspects were planning to attack Mbutuku when they were arrested by officials of the CJTF.

    One of his members, Ishaya Jamari, was killed while another, Jiabada John, was shot in the leg.

    Tarfa added that some of the insurgents who attacked Driff went to Dar but were resisted.

    They returned yesterday and were resisted by his men.

    He said: “Last night, leader of the insurgents, Ahmed Buba Barkindo, and his assistant, Sudi Ijaduwa, who operate from Sabon Gari boundary between Madagali and Sambisa, were apprehended after planning to attack more villages in Madagali.

    “Our men got wind of the operation, sent for the Army, and the insurgents were arrested.”

  • FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    FG concludes first phase of Boko Haram prosecution

    The Federal Government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phase to begin soon.

    The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr Dayo Apata, who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, said the government was determined to bring all Boko Haram detainees to justice.

    He spoke at the closure of public sitting/hearing by the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.

    Apata, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, stated that the prosecution would be done speedily but fairly and efficiently.

    Although he did not say how many suspects were prosecuted in the first phase, Malami had earlier said the trials of 13 had been concluded.

    In a statement in September, the minister said over 1,600 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were then in detention facilities in the country, and that their trial would begin on Oct. 9.

    There have been calls from the public, especially members of the human rights community and civil society organisations, for the prosecution of the suspects in accordance with the law.

    But the solicitor-general emphasised at Wednesday’s event that government “cannot sacrifice human rights in a bid to achieve speed in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects’’.

    “We are, however, committed to reducing the time frame for which these detainees have to wait for their trial.

    “We are presently working on the modalities for a prosecution guideline for processing of Boko Haram detainee,’’ Apata said.

    He commended the Chairman and members of the panel for the successful conclusion of their public hearings.

    The solicitor-general said Nigerians and the international community were eagerly awaiting the panel’s report, which he hoped would end all allegations of human rights violations against military personnel.

    He said the government was also looking forward to far-reaching and practical recommendations from the panel that would ensure the military complied with international human right conventions and laws.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “volumes of memoranda and presentations were received from Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations and international humanitarian organisations.

    “Furthermore, the panel decided to conduct public sitting/hearing where people and groups who have allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance to rules of engagement against the Armed Forces were given opportunity to substantiate their cases.

    “In the interest and spirit of fair-hearing, members of the Armed Forces were also invited to give their own account of defence on each matter brought before the panel.

    “The panel deemed it necessary to take the public sitting to all the six geo-political zones of the country in order to avail Nigerians who may not be able to come to Abuja the chance to present their cases.

    “Also, the panel visited detention facilities, military formations, prisons, including the military commentary in Maiduguri during its tour, all in search of truth,’’ Georgewill said.

    He said with the conclusion of its public hearing, the panel would now go behind closed doors to consider all the submissions made to it.

    The chairman thanked Nigerians for their confidence in the panel, and the military for their cooperation.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Real Admiral Muazu Salami, thanked members of the panel for their commitment.

    Olonisakin said the “maximum cooperation’’ from the military was a demonstration of its deference to the panel and the importance of its task.

    “I wish you well as you enter the concluding phase of your job, and it is my hope that when your report is ready, the Defence Headquarters and its services will be adequately briefed.

    “This is to ensure that whatever recommendations you come out with are implemented,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated the panel on Aug. 11.

    Its mandate includes investigation of allegations of human rights violations against military personnel in local conflicts and insurgencies across the country.(NAN)

  • UNICEF hails Army for releasing Boko Haram suspects

    UNICEF hails Army for releasing Boko Haram suspects

    The United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has lauded the Army for releasing about 600 suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
    It said the Army’s action was a major step towards protecting children affected by the insurgency.
    A statement by WHO said: “It provides hope in a conflict that continues to have an enormous impact on people’s lives. These children were held under administrative custody, on alleged association with Boko Haram militants. They are victims of the conflict and it is crucial they receive medical care, psychosocial support and other basic services that will help them to regain their dignity.
    “Once that process of recovery has started, we can help them return to their families, school or learn new skills that will give them hope for the future.”
    UNICEF maintained that it will continue to work with relevant authorities to access children who are held for screening in order to safeguard their care and protection.
    “When military screening is needed, children should only be held as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible, in accordance with national and international standards. These children are first victims of the conflict and require support to recover from their experiences and reintegrate with their families and communities,” the statement added.

  • Army hands over 593 cleared Boko Haram suspects to Borno

    Army hands over 593 cleared Boko Haram suspects to Borno

    •Suicide bombers found dead near varsity fence

    The Army has handed over 593 cleared Boko Haram suspects to the Borno State government for psycho-social rehabilitation. Most of the suspects were rescued from the Sambisa Forest.
    Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahman Kuliya, said the exercise would be a continuous one.
    He assured the government suspects were cleared of any complicity with Boko Haram, noting that their release was in line with promise of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, that nobody will be kept in military custody if not guilty.
    According to Kuliya, only 469 were cleared and conveyed to rehabilitation centre in Bulunkutu, Maiduguri, while the remaining 124 will be handed over in a few days. He said the delay was logistics-based as the suspects were fragile and needed to be handled with care due to their psycho-social state.
    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Amna Abubakar, who received the suspects on behalf of Governor Kashim Shettima, thanked the Army for their efforts. She promised the suspects will be well-catered for as arrangements are on ground for their comfort.
    Hajiya Abubakar, who was represented by Director of the Rehabilitation Centre, Mrs. Ladi Clark Musa, said necessary facilities for their training and comfort have been provided.
    Two suicide bombers were found dead behind the perimeter fence of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, the police have said.
    Spokesman Victor Isuzu, in a statement, said the incident must have occurred prematurely, stressing that only the two bombers were killed.
    The statement said: “In the early hours of yesterday, the bodies of two male suicide bombers were discovered behind the perimeter fence of the University of Maiduguri. Their death is reasonably believed to have been due to a prematurely detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) before they got to their target.
    “The bodies have been evacuated by SEMA to the specialist hospital.”

  • DSS: four fleeing Boko Haram suspects held in Lagos

    DSS: four fleeing Boko Haram suspects held in Lagos

    •24 other dangerous men held

    Four fleeing Boko Haram members have been arrested in Lagos by the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
    Also arrested in Okene, in Kogi State, is a commander of the sect.
    They are among the 28 dangerous suspects, 14 members of various kidnapping gangs and two robbery suspects arrested in various covert operations by the DSS.
    In a statement, DSS spokesman Tony Opuiyo, said in Abuja yesterday, that the secret police in recent operations across the nation, helped foil plans to kidnap a member of the National Assembly.
    He added that terrorist suspects who fled from the Northeast and kidnappers who absconded from their usual hideouts, were also rounded up.
    “The Service also arrested four suspected fleeing members of the Boko Haram; Fanayi Bukar Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar, and Amina Abubakar on 10th January, 2017 at Oko-Oba, Ifako-Ijaiye LGA of Lagos State.
    “They are suspected to have fled to the state to evade arrest in the ongoing military offensive in the Northeast.
    “On the same day, (10th January, 2017), at Okene town, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, the leader of the Boko Haram sect in Okene, Abdullahi Mohammed aka Huja, was arrested; he had been responsible for the coordination of Boko Haram activities in Okene axis of Kogi State,” the DSS stated while urging citizens to patriotically volunteer information that can enable it tackle various security challenges across the federation.
    “In its determined counterterrorism efforts to consolidate on the gains it has made in the sustenance of offensive against identified criminal gangs, kidnap syndicates and terrorist elements across the country, the Department of State Services (DSS) has recorded major successes which have further degraded the capability of these elements to operate in the county.
    “On 1st January, 2017, at Mutum Biyu in Gassol LGA, Taraba State, Bale Kolomi GREMA and Kolomi ADBA-AJI were arrested in a mosque after they had fled Marte, Borno State, where they were involved in Boko Haram terrorist activities.
    “Also on the same 1st January, 2017, a kidnap suspect, Amadu Bello, was apprehended at Hotoron Arewa, Nasarawa LGA of Kano State for his involvement in a kidnap operation at Zomo village, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State from which he got a share of N3m from the ransom.
    ” In a related development, on 6th January, 2017, one Paul Ali (aka Simplee), a high profile leader of a kidnap syndicate was arrested at Hill Flower Hotel, Asaga Ohafia, Abia State; Ali, who operates camps at Ikot Abasi and Mbo LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, is responsible for notable kidnap incidents across the Niger Delta and he is also a member of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) which has carried out attacks against oil installations in the area.
    “At the time of his arrest, Ali, with his associate, Chidiebere Kanu, who is presently at large was planning the kidnap of a Federal lawmaker and an expatriate.
    ” In another incident, two (2) suspected Boko Haram insurgents, Ibrahim Mala and Abdallah Modu were arrested on 6th January 2017 at Amba and Gudi villages of Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State; the suspects who are indigenes of Maiduguri, Borno State, had fled the military action in Borno State and were regrouping in the state under different trade covers.
    “While Modu sells children’s wears, Mala, who trades in perfumes, confessed to his membership of the sect and disclosed that he (Mala) joined the Yusufiyya faction in 2007.
    “Similarly, Abdulkarim Dahiru, a key terrorist commander and an indigene of Okengwe, Okene LGA of Kogi State, was arrested at the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja; the suspect was identified as the main coordinator of several kidnappings as well as other robbery activities in Kogi and Edo states,” the DSS stated.
    According to the DSS, seven men suspected of involvement in the abduction of an official of Dangote Company and an officer of the Customs and Excise Department were among those in its custody.
    “Furthermore, security operations conducted from 3rd to 7th January, 2017, across some flashpoints in Lagos State led to the arrest of seven kidnap suspects, six of whom, namely; Gilbert Koku Nelson, John Nelson, Adekoya Kazeem, Muhammad Lawal, Abu Yahro and Kelvin Nwanaji; were arrested in connection with the kidnap of a management staff of Dangote Company.
    “Two other suspects, Abdullahi Bello, a Customs Officer and Bello Gumel, were apprehended at Navy Town, Ojo LGA, and Naval Base, Alakija, respectively, in connection with the kidnap of another Customs Officer, on 20th December, 2016; members of the above gang specialized in spying on senior company executives and laying ambushes for kidnap and robbery operations for huge ransoms.
    “On 7th January, 2017, one Muhammad Auwal was arrested at Andaza village, Kiyawa LGA of Bauchi State in connection with Boko Haram terrorist activities; Auwal who was arrested with the sum of three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000.00) on him, is believed to be a drug supplier to the Boko Haram sect in Sambisa Forest.
    “Also on 7th January, 2017, the Service also arrested the trio of Elijah Awua, Joseph Ejaka and Hope Nathan, at Kanshio, Otukpo road, Makurdi, Benue State; the suspects are members of a notorious kidnap syndicate that has been responsible for several kidnap operations in Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states.
    “Their most recent venture was the gang’s abduction of a staff of Radio Benue, Makurdi on 2nd December, 2016.
    “The suspects were arrested with a silver coloured Toyota RAV4 vehicle marked ABJ AQ 720 KUJ; two other members of the syndicate identified as Gabriel Joshua and Timothy are currently on the run and being trailed.
    “On 8th January, 2017, one Bello Mohammed (aka Awilo), the leader of a syndicate that specialized in car theft and burglary in Gombe State was arrested at Jekadafari area of Gombe metropolis; Mohammed confessed to being the kingpin of the syndicate in the state.
    His confession led to the arrest of an associate, Abdullahi Ibrahim (alias Dibal), who is seen as the arrowhead of the gang in the Northeast; Ibrahim disclosed that he has stolen 10 cars in Gombe and based on his confession, two buyers of the stolen cars identified as Surajo Ali Gombe, and Danjuma Baka, have been arrested.
    According to the DSS, a 22- year old cab operator has also been picked up over the abduction of a final year female student of Osun State University just before Christmas last year.
    “On 8th January, 2017 about 1500 hours, one Elijah Oyebode, aged 22 years, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of one Damilola Rofiat Adebisi, a 400 level student of the Department of Chemistry Education, Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa campus, Oriade LGA; the incident occurred on 22nd December, 2016.
    “Oyebade confessed to picking the victim along with two other men on 22nd October, 2016 and claimed to have dropped them off at a house in Ikirun; investigation is ongoing”.

  • ‘Govt’ll prosecute Boko Haram suspects’

    ‘Govt’ll prosecute Boko Haram suspects’

    The Federal Government has said it will prosecute Boko Haram terrorists and anyone engaging in terrorism.
    National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) spoke yesterday in Abuja during consultations on how to prosecute, rehabilitate, and re-integrate former insurgents.
    Monguno said Nigeria would win the war against terrorism through its core values, including respect for human rights, as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, and relevant international rights conventions.
    Monguno said: “Whereas, violence does not respect human rights and share no such values, we are committed to ensuring that every suspect charged with terrorism has a day in court.”
    The NSA said Nigeria would partner the European Union (EU), United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and other agencies to find the best “approach to prosecute, rehabilitate and re-integrate former members of Boko Haram”.
    “We are, therefore, looking beyond the counter-insurgency campaigns in Northeast to the next phase where Violent Extremist Offenders (VEOs), who had either repented or passed through the criminal justice process, are rehabilitated and re-integrated into society,” he added.
    Representative of EU delegation Mr. Richard Young noted that there are those believe terrorists, who surrender and are captured, be sent to prison, de-radicalised and re-integrated into society, and others who think terrorists should be prosecuted and made to face the law.

  • DHQ declares 55 Boko Haram suspects wanted

    DHQ declares 55 Boko Haram suspects wanted

    The Defence Headquarters yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, unveiled photographs of 55 suspected Boko Haram terrorists it declared wanted.
    This brings the number of wanted terrorists to 257.
    It declared 202 insurgents wanted in two batches last year.
    Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, who unveiled the photographs at the headquarters of the Theatre Command, called on Nigerians to join in the search for the ‘terrorists’.
    Gen. Olonisakin said counter-insurgency was a field operation, which required adequate awareness by stakeholders.
    “With this launch of additional photographs of wanted Boko Haram terrorists, it is hoped that the public and other peace loving citizen will provide information that will aid in ridding the society of these terrorists and criminal elements,’’ he said.
    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai noted that many of the 202 terrorists declared wanted had either been killed or arrested during operations.
    “We have earlier, in the course of our campaigns against the insurgents from late 2015, published two editions, comprising 202 individuals that have been identified as key members of the Boko Haram insurgents.
    “In the course of our counter-insurgency operations, quite a significant number of these wanted terrorists have either been killed or arrested.
    “Those arrested have been providing useful information that has assisted the Army undertake successful operations,’’ he said.
    Gen. Buratai called on Nigerians and the media with information about the suspects to provide it, saying such information will be treated with “utmost confidentiality’’.
    “No item of information is too little or should be ignored,’’ he said.
    He said the Army had achieved significant progress in the fight against the terrorists by degrading their combat power as well as decimating their ranks.
    The Army chief restated that 60 per cent of the remnants of the terrorists were not Nigerians and appealed to citizens to contribute to efforts to flush them out of the country.

  • Army releases 348 ‘cleared’ Boko Haram suspects

    Three hundred and forty eight suspected members of the terror sect, Boko Haram, were let out of incarceration yesterday in Maiduguri by the army to mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary.

    The suspects were handed over to the Borno State government after investigation showed that they had no links with the sect. The event held at the Ramat Square civic centre.

    The General Officer Commanding, 7 Division Nigeria Army, Brigadier-General   Victor Ezugwu, said the review of the cases of the suspects “involves a painstaking and continuous process as directed by the Chief of Army Staff who emplaced measures to guarantee societal and individual human rights.”

    He said the army had investigated all suspects arrested and found 348 of them to be in the clear. The number comprises 114 males, 107 females, and 127 children. Among the children, 115 are minors.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, who received the cleared Boko Haram suspects, commended the army for ensuring that the suspects’ human rights were protected during their days in custody.

  • DHQ hands over freed Boko Haram suspects to states

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, on Friday handed over three cleared Boko Haram suspects to their states.

    The suspects are – Bakura Tijani, Saidu Lawal and Muhammed Umoru from Yobe and Borno States respectively, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Olonisakin said the gesture was to further demonstrate the level of adherence, observance of rule of law and transparency by the military in the prosecution of fight against terror in the Northeast.

    He was represented by the Chief of Administration, DHQ, Rear Adm. Andrew Dacosta, at the event.

    The CDS said the suspects had been investigated and cleared, hence the need to officially hand them over to their state officials.

    He noted that such professional conduct had been exhibited by the military in the past, particularly by the Nigerian Army.

    “The exercise is a continuous one and as many suspects that are cleared will be released, “he said.

    He said the military is committed to the observance of the rule of law, human rights and international best practices.

    Olonisakin said it was in this regard that the DHQ recently initiated the operation SAFE CORRIDOR to de-radicalise, rehabilitate and integrate surrendered Boko Haram members into the society.

    He said the initiative was yielding results as some members of the group were surrendering.

    Responding, the Yobe State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Ahmed Gonori, who represented the state government, said the state is committed to the plight of its citizens.

    “The state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, is committed to the plight of citizens of the state wherever they are,” he said.