The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Boko Haram terrorists

  • Army: our weapons superior to Boko Haram’s

    THE Army yesterday denied claims that it was using obsolete weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, asserting that such claims were part of the on-going propaganda campaigns against the military.

    It said it would keep fighting the insurgents until the battle is won, irrespective of challenges.

    The response was contained on its social media pages to counter series of videos in circulation alleging that soldiers were bitterly complaining in respect of their welfare and equipment handed to them to fight the insurgents.

    “Boko Haram terrorists are not better equipped than the Nigerian Army. Nigerian Army is the pride of the nation,” the Army said.

    In a recent video following the Metele attacks, a soldier lamented: “Many of our men have died. We have to go home. If Nigeria is ready, they can call us back to fight those idiots (terrorists).

    “But we do not have adequate weapons to fight them. We are going home to be with our families. Weapons make a soldier. Without weapons, you are not a soldier.”

    But, the Army maintained that such claims are untrue, insisting that its men were given superior weapons to fight the terrorists.

    “Fake news, false publication, hate speech and terrorist propaganda cannot deter our resolve from protecting our nation. No retreat, no surrender. Victory is sure,” it asserted

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman has, however, warned the public against fallen into the trap of one Dr. Perry Brimah, who claimed to be raising funds for the welfare of troops in the war fronts.

    He described the claim as fraudulent and had nothing to do with the Nigerian Army.

    Brig.-Gen. Usman, who advised Nigerians to ignore Brimah, said in a statement: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a fraudulent and criminal fund-raising by one Dr. Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, tagged: ‘Global campaign to provide food for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram’.

    “The criminal embarked on this fund-raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style. The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund-raising: https://www.gofundme.com/ feed-nigerian-soldiers/

    info @ ENDS.ng. Tel: +1-929-427-5305; WhatsApp: +234-903-420-3031.

    Read also: Boko Haram: Air Force strikes terrorists

    “We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed in the Northeast or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe. The Nigerian Army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras, especially during festive periods.

    “Therefore, this move by Dr. Brimah is nothing but a scam as there is nowhere in the world where troops were fed through donations by members of the public.

    “We would like to further state that there has never been complaints of lack of food by soldiers, talk-less of starvation. The so-called Dr. Perry Brimah or his agents do not represent the Nigerian Army or her soldiers.

    “Whoever believes and falls victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk. In addition, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the INTERPOL are working hard to declare him wanted and extradite the international fraudster to face justice. Therefore, we request the general public for any information on the whereabouts of this fraudster.”

     

  • One soldier dead as troops kill four Boko Haram terrorists

    The Nigerian Army has said troops eliminated four Boko Haram terrorists and recovered weapons from them.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said the terrorists were killed when they engaged troops at Maibukarti village on Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State.

    In a statement yesterday, Usman said the troops operated alongside the Air Force, which provided air support.

    Read also: Fayose squandered N18b Paris Refund to Ekiti, says Fayemi

    The spokesman added that a soldier was killed during the attack.

    He said: “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Sunday, December 16, neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists and recover weapons. The terrorists came at 5 p.m and attacked Maibukarti village on Maiduguri-Damboa road. They were engaged by the gallant troops.

    “The troops were further reinforced and went on hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, while the Nigerian Air Force provided close air support.

    “Unfortunately, one soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter with the terrorists.

    “The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five AK-47 rifles magazine, two motorcycles and one bicycle. Other items recovered include one Bandolier, one GSM handset, three SIM cards, an earpiece, some phone accessories, kolanuts, gloves and drugs. The exploitation continues in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).”

  • Buhari pledges to ensure release of remaining kidnapped Chibok girls

    President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his government will not rest until the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014 are safely released.

    He renewed his commitment on Monday in Katowice, Poland, at a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP24.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, had spent the whole day at the International Conference Centre, Katowice, where he delivered his national address at the opening of the 12-day meeting of COP24, and met with several world leaders and visited the impressive Nigerian pavilion at the climate summit.

    During his meeting with the Swiss President, the Nigerian leader thanked the Swiss Confederation for its efforts and important role as intermediaries to secure the release of some Chibok girls and assured him that the issue of the remaining kidnapped girls and other abducted persons will remain a ”key priority” for the Nigerian government.

    President Buhari and his Swiss counterpart discussed joint strategies to ensure the safe return of the girls, building on the past successes of securing the release of some of the Chibok girls and other abducted persons in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

    He also welcomed the Swiss President’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and to ensure the safe release of the abducted school girls.

    ”We will continue to make the safe release of the remaining Chibok girls a priority and will welcome any kind of support from any quarters to make this happen, ” the President said.

    In separate bilateral meetings with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda and the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, President Buhari commended the country for a successful outing at the opening of the COP24 meeting in Katowice.

    The President told his Polish counterpart that Nigeria was facing serious climate change challenges, particularly the receding Lake Chad, which is a source of livelihood to some 40 million people living in the region.

    ”Nigeria is totally committed to global efforts to mitigate and adapt to effects of climate change,” President Buhari told the Polish leader, whose country is the president of COP24.

    In his meeting with Prime Minister Morawiecki, the President lauded the plan by the Polish Government to open a Trade Office in Lagos soon, promising that investors who look to Nigeria can be ”guaranteed” of safe returns on their investments.

    ”We have a vibrant and active young population and our government is doing so much on the Nigerian economy, including diversifying to non-oil sectors.

    ”We welcome increased cooperation with Poland and will encourage investments in other sectors of the economy like solid minerals and information technology, ” the President said.

    Morawiecki told President Buhari that traditionally 96 per cent of oil imports to Poland come from Saudi Arabia and Russia, adding ”but now we are looking at importing oil from Nigeria.”

    The Prime Minister noted as the fastest growing economy in the European Union, Poland has identified Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, as three top investment destinations in Africa.

    ”We want the hub of our investment destination to be in Nigeria,” the Polish Prime Minister told President Buhari, welcoming the pledge by the Nigerian leader to immediately put in place a framework to encourage more Polish investments in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the President’s bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Van der Bellen, focused on the challenges of Lake Chad and what was required to recharge it.

    Noting that the Lake faced the two challenges of technology and financing, President Buhari told the Austrian leader that enormous financial resources and technology were required to transfer water to Lake Chad from the Congo Basin.

    Van der Bellen, who indicated his country’s interest to cooperate with Nigeria on recharging the Lake Chad, talked about climate change challenges in Austria including drought, glaciers melting, among others.

    President Buhari also met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and both leaders followed up on their past discussions, during their last meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, in July, which centred on trade, investments and partnerships in agriculture.

    The President welcomed the proposal by the Dutch Prime Minister to visit Abuja soon and promised that the Nigerian government will continue to provide a conducive business environment for existing and prospective Dutch investors.

    On the sidelines of COP24, President Buhari also met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas.

    The Prime Minister of the Northern European country sought Nigeria’s support on its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

    The two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and climate change mitigation.

  • Buratai warns Troops against fake news

    Troops deployed to the northeast against Boko Haram Terrorists have been cautioned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur  Buratai, to be wary of Boko Haram  terrorists and their sympathizers, especially in the way and manner they employ propaganda to achieve certain objectives.

    Buratai said if troops get expose to social media and fake news there is the likehood that it would demoralize their fighting spirits and undermine national security.

    The Army Chief made the observations at a dinner for the troops of Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion (AFSF Bn) and Army Headquarters Strike Group in Maiduguri at the weekend.

    Speaking further, he stressed that the troops should be mindful of what they see and read on the social media as most of the stories are either doctored or fake.

    Believing these stories would demoralize their fighting spirit, thus undermining national security, the COAS added.

    Buratai was also quoted as saying that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are now fighting terrorism as the days of insurgency has long gone.

    In a statement by Army Spokesman , Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, Lt. Gen. Buratai emphasized that Boko Haram terrorists have no claim to any territory in Nigeria as of today and therefore enjoined the troops to flush out remnants of the terrorists wherever they are hiding..

    Buratai who asked the troops to use tactics acquired at different stages of their training as Special Forces, added that more attention would be given to In-theatre training and intelligence gathering and capabilities of personnel would be enhanced.

    He also urged them to maintain the peace in the country and work hand in hand with other security agencies to defend the democratic system.

    Every commander is already aware of what is expected of him especially, in the upcoming general elections of 2019, therefore you should live up to expectations of the authorities, Buratai said.

    In his vote of thanks on behalf of the officers and men of both units after the dinner, the Commanding Officer of the AFSF Bn, Navy Commander G B Osuobeni, lauded the Army Chief for the visit and the kind gesture of hosting them to a dinner.

    He said that the event signifies the Chief of Army Staff’s appreciation and support of their efforts in the fight against terrorism in the north east under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    The Commanding Officer stated that the occasion would remain indelible in their minds and that the troops of both units were highly motivated by the visits and interaction, assuring that they would continue to do their best to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the border areas and other areas of the north eastern part of Nigeria.

  • Metele attack: Army confirms 23 dead, 31 wounded

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 23 of its personnel were killed and 31 others wounded when Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops locations on Nov. 18 at Metele in Northern Borno.

    The figure contradicts reports of 44 to 100 army personnel allegedly killed in the attack.

    In a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday, the army, however, said that between Nov. 2 and Nov. 17, the insurgents attacked troops’ positions at Kukawa, Ngoshe, Kareto and Gajiram.

    He said troops repelled those attacks but 16 soldiers were killed, while 12 others sustained injuries in those incidents.

    “The sacrifices of these fallen heroes will not be in vain.

    “We also wish all those wounded in action speedy recovery and assure them of our continued support and care,” Usman said. .

    Usman said the incident of Nov. 18 happened at a time when the Nigerian Army was planning to hold the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference for 2018 in Benin City.

    “On account of this incident, the Conference had to be moved from Benin City to Maiduguri to enable the Nigerian Army leadership get closer to the troops on the ground and to better appraise our activities, assess our performance and identify our shortcomings as an army.

    “We are also sensitive to the fact that the nation is approaching an election year and thus we must be prepared to assist in providing security for the peaceful conduct of elections.

    Accordingly, the theme for this year’s annual conference is aptly titled, “Optimizing the Operational Efficiency of the Nigerian Army Towards Safeguarding Democracy and National Security in Nigeria,” Usman said.

    Read also: Metele attack: Surviving soldiers accuse military authorities of procuring obsolete weapons

    He assured Nigerians and the international community that the army would work optimally, in conjunction with other security agencies to provide a secure environment for peace and unity in Nigeria.

    Usman noted that since 2015, the army in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies had systematically degraded the capabilities and capacity of Boko Haram terrorists and recorded many successes.

    However, he said in the last two to three months, there were daring moves by the terrorists, who had used drones against troops’ defensive positions and infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks.

    “These potent threats require us to continually review our operations.

    “The Nigerian Army, wishes to reiterate and pledge its total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We wish to reassure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend our country at all costs.

    “We shall also continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles. (NAN)

  • Buhari convenes meeting of Heads of State and Government of LCBC

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), has convened a consultation of Heads of State and Government of the LCBC scheduled to take place in N’Djamena, Chad, on November 29, 2018.

    Read Also:Buhari reiterates commitment toward improved welfare for Army

    The one-day meeting, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, will review the security situation in the areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

    According to him, the meeting is also to adopt measures to enhance the capacity of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to meet the challenges of securing the areas.

    The statement reads “The presidents of the LCBC member countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic have been invited to attend the meeting. The President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country, has also been invited to attend.

    “The MNJTF and the national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies,” he stated.

  • Boko Haram highly degraded, expiring – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has urged troops in the North-East not to relent in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents as the terrorists have been highly degraded and are expiring.

    Buratai described the recent sporadic skirmishes from the Boko Haram terrorists as a desperate effort from a highly degraded and expiring adversary striving to maintain its notoriety.

    In a goodwill message to troops in the frontline in the North-East on Friday, the chief of army staff said also that the recent skirmishes from the terrorists should be seen as an attempt by the group “to portray itself as formidable and cohesive; something that is completely false.”

    He, therefore, charged the troops not relent in their gallant efforts and draw back the hands of the clock.

    “It is merely the last kicks of a dying horse. We have achieved great successes over the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “Thus, absolute and conclusive victory is just inches away, he said.”

    According to Buratai, the Nigerian army is not known for cowardly behaviour.

    ” We have contained several incursions and several security challenges bedeviling our dear country within the last three years and now would not be an exception.”

    He warned that any soldier that turned away in the face of enemy incursion would be appropriately sanctioned and made to face “Field Court Martial in accordance with our extant laws.”

    Buratai stressed that the consequences could be grave.

    “Do not be complacent by being contented with repelling their attacks, instead, go after them, capture them, and when absolutely necessary, be decisive with the daring ones.

    “Some women and children have been held captive, you are therefore to ensure that adequate rules of engagement are employed to extricate them before any offensive action,” the army chief said.

    He assured the troops that as their chief of army staff, he had never relented in his pursuits of ensuring that their welfare was adequately catered for.

    “To this end, I have directed that your allowances are paid regularly as and when due.

    “I have also directed that troops’ rotation be carried out as scheduled. As soldiers in battle, I am aware of the effects of battle fatigue.

    “Consequently, I have also directed that passes be issued to officers and soldiers that require same to visit their families.

    “Recall that I approved the special promotion of more than 5000 troops for gallantry.

    “Be rest assured that the process is continuous. Your kitting has also been improved drastically,” he added.

    Buratai recalled that special uniform allowance was paid a month ago directly into the troops’ individual accounts.

    He said through the various intervention programmes to the army by the government, the stock of arms and ammunition had greatly improved.

    He said recently, the army took delivery of large consignment of high calibre weapons and ammunition which were already being injected into the theatre.

    “I, therefore, urge you to make use of them judiciously and ensure that they are effectively used against the terrorists and not taken away by them.”

    Buratai also noted that in a bid to swell their depleting ranks, the terrorists had continued with their false teachings and instilling fake ideologies in the youths of the North-East.

    To curb this, he said, he had directed the Department of Civil Military Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Nigerian Army Chaplain/Imam Services “to immediately provide counter narratives through the community resilience and stabilisation campaign programme.”

    “I have also established the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command to among others, prevent online terrorism, online radicalisation as well as online recruitment.

    “To this end, do not let the false propaganda and narratives being spread by the rag-tagged terrorists sway your thoughts and actions about our dear country.

    “We should continue to stand and fight even when the going gets tough and the ignorant and enemies of the state choose to castigate us,” he said.

    The chief of army staff reminded the troops that many people had returned to their respective communities that were hitherto abandoned, but that the terrorists had taken advantage of the large population in the towns and villages to infiltrate them.

    “You must, therefore, be extra vigilant and establish good civil military relations with the locals.

    “You are to use this to acquire actionable intelligence to prevent any attack on the communities as well as your positions,” he said.

    He thanked Nigerians from all walks of life for their support, prayers, encouragement and goodwill toward the Nigerian army in the service of “our fatherland.”

    “I wish to also convey my appreciation to you all, the troops, for your selfless service toward the defence of our dear country.

    “Your courage and gallant demonstration of our core values of sacrifice and selflessness amidst the daunting challenges being confronted daily in the theatre speak volumes of your professionalism and patriotism to the Nigerian State.

    “I implore you to continue to uphold the trust the nation has placed on your noble shoulders for the maintenance of the sanctity of her territorial integrity. We must all remain steadfast.

    “We must see this victory to a conclusive end.

    “We must justify our oath of allegiance to our fatherland and dedication to her sovereignty.

    “I once again salute your courage and wish you the best of successes out there,” Buratai added.

    NAN

     

  • Air Force kills Boko Haram terrorists in Borno operation

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said yesterday it had killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists in their camp at Ngwuri Gana in Borno State in air strikes.

    NAF also said it neutralised suspected terrorists in the operation.

    In a statement by its spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF said the air operations were conducted after intelligence reports established the presence of insurgents in the area.

    Daramola said: “In continuation of operations to seek out and destroy remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the Northeast, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, on November 5, destroyed a BHT camp and neutralised several terrorists at Ngwuri Gana in Borno State.

    “The operation was carried out based on human intelligence reports indicating that the settlement was one of the locations from where BHTs launch attacks against own troops’ positions and villages around the general area of Kumshe.

    “Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions later confirmed the presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement and identified a suspected communications centre with BHT flag and solar panels mounted.

    “Accordingly, the ATF launched a coordinated attack on various targets within the settlement, employing Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft as well as Mi-35 attack helicopters, leading to the destruction of BHT communication centre and neutralisation of several BHTs.

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying all remnants of the terrorists in Borno State.”

     

     

  • Air Force Strikes Boko Haram members in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force Monday said scores of Boko Haram Terrorists have been killed at their hideout in Bogum, Borno state.

    Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the attacks on the terrorists were carried out with two Mi-35 Helicopter gunships.

    Read Also:Air Force bombs Boko Haram training camp

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) hideout and neutralized several terrorists at Bogum in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was carried out Monday, 14 October 2018, after intelligence reports indicated significant BHT activities within the settlement.

    “The ATF scrambled two Mi-35 Helicopter Gunships to engage and destroy the identified BHT positions in the village.

    “Overhead the target, the concentration areas of the BHTs were attacked in successive waves by the helicopters with direct hits recorded on the targets, leading to the neutralization of several BHTs. The few surviving BHTs were tracked and mopped up in subsequent follow on attacks.

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying all remnants of the terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.

  • Troops kill seven Boko Haram terrorists, rescue 73 hostages

    The Nigerian Army said Monday night that seven Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by troops while 73 hostages have been rescued during two operations.

    The operations took place in Borno State.

    The Director of Army public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that some weapons were also recovered from the terrorists.

    Read Also:Boko Haram: Ndume hails military, urges concentration on 3 black spots

    The statement reads: “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in Sector One of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have successfully neutralized 7 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and rescued 73 persons in two separate clearance operations in Sirdawala and Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu commended the troops for the feat.

    “The troops of 121 Battalion under 26 Task Force Brigade in 7 Division Area of Responsibility/Sector One recorded the victory over the terrorists following a midnight clearance operation to Sirdawala in Gwoza Local Government Area on Sunday 23 September 2018, upon receipt of intelligence that Boko Haram Terrorists where hibernating around Pulka general area.

    “Troops of 121 Battalion in rare display of professionalism tactically located, engaged and neutralized the terrorists hibernating within the community where it achieved the following: Neutralised 6 Boko Haram Terrorists, Rescued 19 persons comprised of 7 women and 12 Children and rescued some animals.

    “In a related development, the troops further proceeded on another offensive operation in the early hours of Monday 24 September 2018 to raid Boko Haram Terrorists hideout in Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area Borno State, recording huge successes as follows:

    “Neutralised one Boko Haram Terrorist, Rescued 54 persons comprised of 18 women and 34 Children.

    “Regrettably an officer sustained injury during the operation and is receiving treatment in a military facility while all the rescued persons are being managed and documented for further handover to the appropriate agency.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, has commended the gallantry of the troops through the Commander 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Sanusi Dahiru.

    “He urged the troops to maintain the aggressive posture to rout the Boko Haram Terrorists from their enclaves”.