The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    A  Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, otherwise called  2Face or 2Baba has said the protracted Boko Haram crisis which has claimed the lives of millions and traumatized thousands with billions on property lost has nothing to do with religion but rather the failure of the political leadership of the country.

    According to the music maestro, “unless government and politicians step up their games by doing the needful in eradicating poverty among the masses, particularly youths, ensure  justice to all manner of people or else,  ending the Boko Haram  insurgency and other violent clashes across the country  will be difficult and unrealistic”.

     Mr. Idibia who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri as he winds up his visits to displaced people in the state where he visited the Camps in Banki, a border community with Cameron Republic and other resettlement areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as part of his Foundation’s collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to drum support for the IDPs said he was particularly “sadden by the pathetic living conditions of the IDPs in the camps”.

    He announced that he will donate part of the proceeds from his new song launched on World Refugee Day this year to support the affected population through UNHCR., adding that he will be  staging  a concert in Abuja at the Hilton Hotel on 24 July as part of continuing efforts to support IDPs and returnees in Nigeria.

    He Urged  government, security agencies, Media Practitioners and other Humanitarian agencies to scale up a coordinated efforts in addressing the plights of IDPs and other victims of violence, as well as tackling  terrorism in the bud.

    his world, ” I am here in Maiduguri with support from UNHCR to use my music in contributing to alleviate the suffering of our IDPs and other victims of insurgence.

    “I feel honoured to work with organization like UNHCR, am just one person, when I went round some of these camps, I was saddened, I saw fear, sorrow and trauma, I feel disappointed looking at the faces and eyes of the IDPs. You will see hunger and object poverty. Unless Government and politicians shun injustice, corruption and remained focus and committed to our collective development, these same set of traumatized and displaced people in camps may turn up to be more dangerous in the society.

    “Although, I have seen hope of life among some of these IDPs, all hands must be on deck to the needful by rendering support no matter how little it is. Presently I have a song, titled ‘Hold my Hands’, this song is on many platforms, all people need to do is to download it and use it ringing tone. It will only cost you N50 per month, but will surely contribute in giving hope of life to our traumatized victims of insurgency.

    “In my little way, I have come and seen the live in camps and next week, when I go back to Abuja, we are going to do a concert as my proceed donation in alleviating the suffering of the IDPs”, 2Face stated.

    He particularly praised working Journalists in the region, while encouraging them to continue their good efforts and sacrifices in reporting activities of government, security agencies, Humanitarian partners in the fight against insurgency in the north east sub- region.

    The Nation recalls that in February this year,  2Face Foundation donated more than US$11,000 to UNHCR for IDPs and returnees and has embarked on a series of activities to scale up the support.

  • Amnesty accuses Cameroon of torturing suspects in fight against Boko Haram

    Amnesty accuses Cameroon of torturing suspects in fight against Boko Haram

    Amnesty International on Thursday accused Cameroonian forces of torturing suspects in their campaign against Islamist group Boko Haram.

    Amnesty’s report documented 101 cases of arbitrary arrest and torture by Cameroonian troops charged with fighting the insurgents between 2013 and 2017.

    The human rights watchdog, said that much of the torture happening at a base that has also been used by American and French troops.

    Amnesty said some of the victims were tortured to death.

    The Nigerian militant group has been fighting for the past eight years to create a medieval Islamic caliphate around Lake Chad, where Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad meet.

    According to aid agency figures, Boko Haram attacks have killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 2.7 million in the region.

    Atrocities such as the kidnapping of more than 200 school girls from the Nigerian village of Chibok in 2014 persuaded Western countries, especially the U.S. and France, to provide counter-insurgency assistance to some of the countries affected, including intelligence and training.

    The U.S. Africa Command said it had not received any reports of human rights abuses by Cameroonian forces at the base mentioned.

    French Defence Ministry officials did not immediately comment.

    A Cameroon defence ministry spokesman accused Amnesty of “bad faith” and of trying “to transform killers into victims”.

    The torture techniques, which Amnesty described as “chilling”, include a “stress position described as ‘the goat’: the detainee’s arms and legs are tied together behind his back and he is left on the ground and beaten.”

    “In a common suspension technique known as ‘the swing’, the victim’s arms and legs are again tied behind his back, before he is lifted and suspended on a bar fitted between two poles … and further beaten,” Amnesty said.

    Other torture documented included being tied standing up in stress positions for 24 hours, being subject to simulated drowning, being deprived of food, forced to drink urine, given electric shocks and burned.

    Victims included women, the disabled and the mentally ill, the report said.

    “Our army is professional and disciplined,” Cameroon’s army spokesman Col. Didier Badjeck said, reacting to questions from Reuters.

    “It has better things to do than to spend time justifying itself against people who have preconceived ideas.”

    Amnesty reported that eighty of the 101 cases of torture took place at the elite Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) headquarters at Salak, in Cameroon’s Far North region, the heart of the insurgency.

    Amnesty said its delegates had observed French troops at the base in May 2015.

    It also said it had still and video images “clearly showing the regular presence of U.S personnel in numerous locations across the base, including making use of a makeshift gym and a trailer converted into an office.

    It urged the U.S. and France to investigate whether their military personnel knew that torture was taking place on the site, and whether or not their assistance “has contributed to the commission of these crimes and violations.”

    “To date, U.S. Africa Command has not received any reports of human rights abuses by Cameroonian forces at either of these locations,” Robyn Mack, a spokeswoman at the U.S. military’s Africa Command, said in a statement.

    “Any foreign military unit that receives security assistance receives training on the law of armed conflict and human rights law.”

  • NANS expresses displeasure over bombings in UNIMAID 

    NANS expresses displeasure over bombings in UNIMAID 

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed displeasure over the bombing of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, by the Boko Haram.

    The association blamed the federal government for its slow action on the bombings of the university.

    The NANS President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, said this when addressing reporters on the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Obasi said the association had raised a committee on the northeast which was discreetly making investigation into the bombings.

    He said: “The remaining Chibok girls still in terrorists’ captivity are also part of Nigerian students. It is unfortunate that the government has not taken any drastic measure on UNIMAID.

    “They have not shown action in securing lives and property. The government only sends condolences. NANS is about to take a decision and it is a decision that will not favour the government.

    “We have a committee which we constituted on the northeast but we did not bother to make it open. We do not want it public so that those against the interests of Nigerian students will not truncate our decisions.

    “We have also encouraged our students to be vigilant. We have carried out some safety measures lectures. We do not depend on the government, but we can tell the government what we want.”

    The NANS president said the association had lent support to the anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government by exposing some vice chancellors who mismanaged the funds allocated to their universities.

     

  • Army intercepts wives, children of Boko Haram fighters

    Army intercepts wives, children of Boko Haram fighters

    The Army said on Wednesday it intercepted 37 people suspected to be wives and children of Boko Haram militants after they escaped from the insurgents’ custody.

    A statement issued by the Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said 30 escapees were intercepted on Tuesday at Gujba local government area of Yobe.

    Usman said they comprised eight women and 22 children.

    “On preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed to have escaped from Boko Haram terrorists’ custody at Kafa and Abagajiri villages in Damboa local government area of Borno,’’ he said.

    The army spokesman said the other seven persons that included women and children were intercepted on Tuesday at Kamuya in Yobe.

    “They claimed that they escaped from Boko Haram terrorists’ hideout at Goropcha village, Damboa local government area of Borno.

    “Both sets of escapees are currently being screened and profiled,’’ Usman said.

    NAN

  • Multiple explosions rock Maiduguri

    Multiple explosions rock Maiduguri

    Powerful multiple explosions rock Maiduguri on Tuesday night.

    At least six powerful explosions occurred between 10:45 and 11:00 PM.

    About four explosives were detonated simultaneously while two other powerful sounds were also heard some 15 minutes later.

    Unlike the previous explosions, the current blast has a wide-range sound effect, sending its powerful sounds to many parts of the metropolis, forcing roofs to shake.

    It is not clear where the blast occurred yet and efforts to get the details of the blasts were not successful as none of the official  security spokespersons was available for comments.

    However, a security source told NAN  that soldiers had fired an artillery at a convoy of suspected Boko Haram insurgents who were trying to attack the city which caused series of explosions.

    A series of blasts have hit the metropolis recent the latest happening on Monday where 12 persons were said to have died.

  • UNICEF radio education helps 1.3m children displaced by Boko Haram

    UNICEF radio education helps 1.3m children displaced by Boko Haram

    UNICEF has initiated a radio education programme in the Lake Chad basin as part of efforts to support the 1.3 million children displaced by the activities of Boko Haram.

    Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa said: “This crisis has unique challenges, so we are developing unique solutions.

    “With many hundreds of schools still closed, and children exposed to numerous risks, we developed a radio education regional prototype that will keep children in a positive education routine.

    “This is the first step, and the Governments have pro-actively engaged to make this available for children in this crisis.”

    The 144 episodes of educational programming on literacy and numeracy, life-saving and other child protection messages will be broadcast in French and three local languages, namely: Kanuri, Fulfulde and Hausa.

    The radio education programmes offer an alternative platform for the 200,000 children in crisis affected areas who are unable to access schools in the Far North of Cameroon and in the Diffa region of Niger.

    Education has been at the centre of the conflict since it began in 2009,  UNICEF said adding Boko Haram has sought to ban education and has targeted teachers and schools in attacks.

    The EU-supported Education in Emergencies initiative has equipped UNICEF to enhance a protective environment for children in schools and communities affected by the crisis.

    This has included expanding education programs to areas where schools remain closed either because they have been destroyed or because of fear of further attacks, UNICEF noted.

    The UN agency added that the radio programmes have the potential to reach children in areas that remain inaccessible for humanitarian assistance and other out-of-school children.

    With support from the EU, UNICEF and the Governments of Cameroon and Niger have developed a radio education program for children impacted by the conflict, UNICEF said.

    “The broadcasts are supported by community outreach efforts to ensure adults allow children to listen to existing radios and facilitate guided listening. UNICEF and the Governments are engaging radio listening groups in communities to help children get the most out of the broadcasts.

    Yvan Hildebrand, Head, EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) in Cameroon, said “radio education helps us reach the children who are out of school as a result of the conflict.

    “We’ve worked with UNICEF to develop a high quality interim solution that will help hundreds of thousands children engage in an educational routine.

    “We are very proud of the positive role the EU is playing in this crisis and I am sure that all Europeans can see the value of this investment in children”.

    Beyond radio programming, Education in Emergencies will reach 159,000 children with a range of support including child protection services and risk informed learning programmes adapted for the needs of children living in crisis affected areas in Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

    “This radio platform has potential for even larger numbers of out-of-school children in Niger, Cameroon and in the region.

    “Being on air with a program ‘validated’ by the Government is the first important step for the continuation of learning in emergencies and the protection of children who are not in school.

    “In the very near future, we hope that children who learn by radio will also receive a certification and pass the school year,” Poirier said.

    In spite of the achievements of this project, the needs of children in the Lake Chad basin remain dire while ongoing conflict and security concerns have hampered the humanitarian response.

    UNICEF has called for 38.5 million dollars to meet the education needs of children in the crisis and this appeal has received 19.6 million dollars, just 50 per cent of the amount required.

  • UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) partnership with the singer, Innocent Idibia, (2 face Idibia), have inaugurated awareness campaign to garner support for victims of violence.

    The UNHCR and the singer-songwriter are focusing their campaign to those who were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region.

    Edibia said this at a musical concert organised by the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    He said decided to partner with UNHCR because he was deeply touched by the condition of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “I visited some of the IDP camps. Their condition is heart-breaking and saddening.

    “At the same time; I see hope in their eyes and eagerness to return to homes. And that hope could not have been there without the effort of the army,” he said.

    Edibia also commended the Nigerian Army’s efforts towards ending the insurgency and protection of lives and property in the country.

    The singer commended the Army for ensuring peace in the country.

    “Words alone cannot not express how wonderful you have been doing toward ensuring the return of peace in the country.

    “You are doing a wonderful work, putting your life on the line to defend and protect our country.”

    He, however, promised to extend the campaign to other parts of the country, with a view to drumming support for IDPs and the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Also speaking, Cesar Tshilombo, the Head of the UNCHR, Sub-Office in Maiduguri, said that the organisation would collaborate with 2Face to raise awareness on its operations in the region.

    “Having 2Face here will make the visibility of UNHCR operations. It is to let the people know that they not being neglected.

    “Today we are in Ngala, visited some of the camps and interacted with some of the displaced children. I think having 2Face around is a good partnership,” Tshilombo said.

    “We are specifically working

  • Teenager killed in Borno explosion

    Teenager killed in Borno explosion

    The Borno State police command said on Tuesday that a 12-year-old cattle breeder, Gambo Bukar, was killed in a bomb explosion in the state.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Victor Isuzu, in a statement, said another boy was wounded in the incident.

    He said the incident, which affected the teenagers, occurred on Saturday at Delti village, Jere local government area of the state.

    The police spokesman said: “The explosion affected two boys, Gambo Bukar and Umar Bukar, aged 10 and eight-year-olds, Fulani boys of Delti village in Jere local government council of the state.

    “On Saturday at about 10:00 a.m., they went out for grazing at Baram and Tamsongamdu villages in Mafa local government area.

    “The boys came in contact with Boko Haram insurgents. One of them was strapped with an IED vest and set free.

    “They returned home at about 4:00 p.m. and failed to disclose their encounter with the terrorists.

    “In the process of unstrapping the vest, the IED exploded and killed Gambo Bukar alone.

    He said the command has deployed Explosive Ordinance Detective (EOD) team to secure the area, adding that normalcy has been restored to the area.

    NAN

  • Presidency to Nigerians: ignore Dasuki’s claim on Boko Haram

    Presidency to Nigerians: ignore Dasuki’s claim on Boko Haram

    The Presidency yesterday denied claims by former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), which maintained that the Goodluck Jonathan administration cleared the Northeast of Boko Haram terrorists to make elections possible in 2015.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the remark was untrue and should be dismissed.

    According to him, the claim was another attempt to rewrite the history of Nigeria.

    He said: “The superlative claims by the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki that the Goodluck Jonathan administration cleared the Northeast of Boko Haram terrorists to make elections possible in 2015 is untrue and should be dismissed as an attempt to deceive Nigerians with blatant lies.

    “The claim as contained in a new book by a journalist is just another unfortunate attempt by inglorious Nigerians to rewrite the history of our country in such a way as to cover the sins of the past.

    “We will have to read the entire text to offer a full and adequate response.

    “As a public relations goon for the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, the author did not surprise anyone by dismissing the acclaimed success of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the fight against Boko Haram, claiming that this government simply took the glory for the achievements of the previous government in the war against terrorism.”

    Shehu said: “For those interested in the facts, as at the time elections were held in March 2015, a number of local government areas in Northeast were completely under the control of Boko Haram – to the extent that elections in those areas had to be moved to safe areas. The residents of areas, such as Gwoza, Banki, Kukawa, Monguno, Bulumba, Baga, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, etc., were able to vote, not in their hometowns but in refugee camps in other parts of Borno State, under special arrangements made by INEC.”

    He explained that many residents of the Northeast have returned to their homes as Boko Haram was eradicated from their areas since the Buhari administration came into power.

    According to him, institutions such as schools, police stations, markets and courts have been re-established or in the process of being re-established in many of the areas.

    The presidential aide said despite Dasuki’s attempt to rewrite history, Nigerians could not have forgotten the embarrassing stories of failed weapons that plagued Nigeria’s military during the previous administration.

    He noted that under the previous administration, there were cases of unserviceable weapons, expired ammunition and fake armoured vehicles, which caused untold grief to valiant armed forces on the battlefield, with arms exploding willy-nilly and guns failing to fire.

    “It is for trespasses like these that the Buhari administration is determined to get to the bottom of the $2.1 billion arms procurement scandal and ensure that no single one of the culprits goes scot-free,” he stated.

  • Malala to FG: Declare State of emergency in education sector

    Malala to FG: Declare State of emergency in education sector

    Pakistani rights activist, Malala Yousafzai, on Monday called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare State of emergency in Nigeria’s education sector.

    She made the call at the end of closed door meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Malala, who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education, had paid similar visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

    She had campaigned for the freedom of schools girls abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, Borno State in 2014.

    Speaking with journalists at the Villa, she said that she called for the state of emergency because education of boys and girls in Nigeria is very important.

    She urged the Federal Government, states and local governments to work together and fashion out the modalities for the state of emergency.

    She said: “It was a very good meeting. We had a fruitful discussion with his excellency, the Acting President.

    “I highlighted on the need to scale up education, that the government should declare a state of emergency in education because education of girls and boys in Nigeria is important.

    “The federal, state and local governments need to be united on this.” she added

    According to her, she also spoke on the child right act.

    She added “Secondly, the spending should be made public and thirdly, the Child Rights Act should be implemented in all states. I was really happy to hear positive response from the Acting President that they are happy with the suggestion of implementing emergency for education and that they are happy to work more on education and that they are united.

    “I’m happy to hear positive responses from the Ministers as well that they are ensuring that education is prioritised in every girl and in every boy and education in Nigeria is given priority.

    “In the morning, I met Chibok girls and I was very happy at what the Honourable minister is doing to support the Chibok girls. I’m really excited to see them going back to their homes and to their families and continuing their education. But I hope the other girls who are still under abduction of Boko Haram are released,” she said.