The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Blast kills two children, injures five others in Adamawa

    Blast kills two children, injures five others in Adamawa

    The Chairman of Hong Local Government in Adamawa, Alhaji Haliru Lala, has confirmed the death of two children in a blast in Fadaman-Rake Village.

    Lala told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Yola that five others were also injured in the incident which occurred late on Thursday evening.

    He said that some children playing by the road side were given a polythene bag containing explosives, which was later exploded by an unknown person passing by in a car.

    “In all, seven of them were affected; two died on the spot, four are on admission while one sustained minor injury and has been treated.”

    The chairman expressed the concern of the council over the incident suspected to be the work of insurgents.

    He said that the council had therefore, directed the Mobilization Committee to commence mass enlightenment on the need for parents to caution their children against accepting parcels and gifts from strangers.

    In another account, a resident of the village who simply identified himself as Adamu, said that the strangers who gave the bag to the children were riding in a Toyota Starlet car.

    “They gave one of the children the bag and told him that it was sent by his father to take home.

    “While taking it home with his friends, the curious boys, most of them between six and seven years, decided to open the bag before reaching home and it exploded,” Adamu said.

    Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the Police Command in Adamawa, SP Othman Abubakar, has confirmed the incident.

    NAN reports that the incident is the first of its kind in area since its recovery from Boko Haram occupation in 2014.

  • 13 killed in Borno attacks

    13 killed in Borno attacks

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 13 persons in Wednesdays attacks in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The state Police Commissioner,  Mr. Damian Chukwu, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday.

    He said: “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Alidawari Village near Jiddari Polo area in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    “The terrorists entered the village through Molai general area, an outskirt of Maiduguri.

    “They fired anti- aircraft guns to Jiddari Polo near the Federal High Court.”

    Chukwu said the attackers razed few houses in the village.

    “They set fire on some houses and makeshift tents in the neighborhood.

    “However, the police, comprising the Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) and others were swiftly deployed to the scene to engage the attackers,” he added.

    The police commissioner told journalists that the military also mobilised and repelled the attack.

    “The military massively mobilised and repelled the attack in a gun duel that lasted about an hour.

    “The command also invited the fire service who promptly put out the fire on the affected houses,” Chukwu said.

     

     

  • Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    There is tight security in and around Maiduguri metropolis as the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is expected to arrive Maiduguri today to flag off a Special Relief Intervention to states of the Northeast affected by the Boko Haram crisis.

    All major roads in Maiduguri from the Airport, through Borno Express down to the Post Office and to the Government House have been blocked making clearance for the Acting President and his entourage for easy movement. The road to the venue of the event which is Bakasi IDP Camp is also under heavy security.

    The tight security in the town is not far from last night Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri which has left many people in panic with some leaving their houses in confusion.

    Apparently, the blockage of roads in the town has caused heavy traffic challenge to residents and motorists in the metropolis as many are been stuck into traffic jam at different locations in the town.

    While in Maiduguri, the Acting President is expected to distribute over 30, 000 metric tons of cereal.

    In a statement from the Head, Media and Public Relation, NEMA, Sani Datti said the distribution would be done directly to the affected people and communities by NEMA.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government will distribute 30,000 metric tonnes (1,032 trucks) of cereal directly to affected persons in the Northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe. The exercise is expected to be flagged off by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo on Thursday 8th June, 2017 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “This special relief intervention has the objective of highlighting the strategies that would be adopted for distribution of relief materials approved by the federal government for displaced persons in the North East in accordance with the humanitarian principles.

    “It will also serves as litmus test for full cycle of intervention adapting world best practices while considering our own local peculiarities, exhibiting the best of transparency, accountability and in full consideration of the protection and integrity of the affected persons.

    “Each household beneficiary would be issued with a voucher, which is redeemed at the receipt of the household allocation of the food basket. It also involves taking the materials to the doorsteps of the affected persons.

    “The distribution, which is based on Dry ration calculations of 6 persons per household and food ration per individual for 30days at 280grams x30/1000k = 8.4 kg times individual requirement per household, is 50.4 kg.

    “Relief intervention will be also airlifted for areas that have inaccessible roads or security threat by the Nigeria Air force,”.

    The statement disclosed that the DG NEMA Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has assured of transparency in the distribution of the relief materials to the beneficiaries.

    “The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that the distribution was done in transparent manners for optimal accomplishment of task and operational objectives,” the statement said.

  • Maiduguri under dawn attack by Boko Haram 

    Maiduguri under dawn attack by Boko Haram 

    Fresh fight erupted Wednesday evening between Boko Haram and security forces in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
    The incident which occurred around Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri caused panic among residents.
    A resident of Polo area, Aliyu  told our correspondent on phone that his family was stuck in the house with gunshuts and bullets flying everywhere.
    Another resident who said he escaped the gunfire said  that people were fleeing in all directions, adding that the gunshots began since 5.00pm.
    But the Deputy Director Army Public Relations 7 Division, Lt. Col. KM Samuel in a statement called on residents not to panic.
    He also added that the situation is under control.
    “The situation in Maiduguri is under control. The general public is requested not to panic and stay calm,” the statement read.
  • Sambo, ex-DSS chief aware of my contact with Boko Haram, says Ndume

    Sambo, ex-DSS chief aware of my contact with Boko Haram, says Ndume

    •Court to rule on no-case submission July 4

    FORMER Vice President Namadi Sambo and the erstwhile State Security Service (SSS) Director-General under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, were aware of Senator Ali Ndume’s interactions with a Boko Haram member, Ali Konduga, the senator’s counsel claimed yesterday.

    The counsel to suspended senator (APC, Borno State), Ricky Tarfa (SAN), said his client’s link with Konduga, who has since been convicted on terrorism related charges, was at the behest of the presidential committee set up under the Jonathan government to help address security challenges in the Northeast.

    Ndume, who was former Senate Leader, made the claim in a no-case submission in his trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The senator was arraigned on December 12, 2011, on a four-count terrorism charges.

    He was accused of, among other counts, sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, maintaining a link with the sect member and failing to disclose the phone number of Konduga, which was alleged to be in his (Ndume’s) possession.

    The prosecution commenced trial on July 3, 2012 and closed its case on June 22, 2016, after calling nine witnesses, following which Ndume opted for a no-case submission.

    Adopting Ndume’s no-case submission yesterday, his lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), urged the court to discharge and acquit his client on the ground that the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against the defendant.

    Tarfa said the prosecution failed to give sufficient evidence linking his client with the alleged offences.

    He said Ndume’s contact with Boko Haram came about when the senator was a member of the Presidential Committee on Security Matters in the Northeast.

    Tarfa said: “We have taken the counts from one to four and have analysed them. Clearly, there is nothing in the evidence led by the prosecution that will necessitate the defendant to be called upon to enter his defence in the charge.

    “Clearly from the totality of the evidence placed before the court, the defendant coming into contact with the Boko Haram sect came about when he was acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the presidential committee set up to look at the security challenges in the Northeast part of the country.

    “The evidence is clear and has been confirmed through cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses. We have shown how the alleged analysis of the mobile phone did not disclose any fact which will necessitate the defendant to defend the charge.

    “Clearly, having regards to the four counts before the court, we have analysed the ingredients of the counts and shown how the prosecution has failed to proffer any evidence in support of the ingredients in the four counts.”

    Arguing on point of law, Tarfa said the allegation that Ndume failed to disclose material facts about his communication with Konduga, was baseless on the grounds that all necessary information was disclosed to then vice president and the then director-general of the SSS.

    Tarfa said: “We have made the point on the issue of non-disclosure of information and we have demonstrated clearly that the defendant has done everything possible to bring peace and security to the country, the Federal Republic Nigeria.”

    Responding, prosecuting lawyer, Mrs. G.N Okafor, argued that the prosecution has sufficiently linked the defendant to the alleged crimes and that there was the need for him to offer some explanations through his defence.

    Mrs. Okafor said: “The prosecution submits that at the stage of no-case submission, the court as the umpire is called upon to determine whether a prima facie case has been established against the defendant to warrant him to enter his defence or whether the defence discredited the evidence offered by the prosecution.

    “The prosecution submits that the charge before this honourable court against the defendant has to do with the failure of the defendant to disclose material information to law enforcement agency as well as rendering support to a terrorist group, Boko Haram.

    “My lord, the prosecution has tendered in evidence, exhibits P1, P2, P3, which are the statements made by the defendant. This statement by the defendant connect him the charges levelled by the prosecution.

    “We submit that the defendant has even corroborated the evidence of the prosecution to the effect that there was a communication between the defendant and members of the terrorist group.”

  • Court discharges Boko Haram suspect

    Court discharges Boko Haram suspect

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday discharged a Boko Haram suspect, Usman Abubakar, who was arraigned alongside six others for terrorism.

    Abubakar, the 6th defendant, was allegedly involved in the abduction of seven foreigners from a construction site in Bauchi, who were taken to Sambisa Forest, in Borno, where they were murdered in February 2013.

    He was charged alongside Mohammed Usman (a.k.a Khalid Al-Barnawi), Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (a.k.a Abu Azzan), Mohammed Salisu (a.k.a Datti), Yakubu Nuhu (a.k.a Bello Maishayi) and a lady, Halima Haliru.

    They were arraigned on an 11-count charge, bordering on abduction and murder of their victims.

    At the resumed trial, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Shuaibu Labaran, informed the court of the development, which was filed on June 5, saying that the prosecution has nothing against the 6th defendant.

    Labaran said that among other features in the amended information is the “striking out’’ of Usman Abubakar as a defendant, in line with the information filed on Feb. 23, 2017.

    The prosecution added two other defendants- Mohammed Sani and Abubakar Habib.

    They are to be arraigned, bringing the number of defendants to eight.

    Labaran prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him produce the two new defendants for arraignment.

    The discharged defendant’s counsel, Mr K. Abdulkarim urged the court to speed up his discharge processes.

    The judge, Justice John Tsoho, in a short ruling, struck out the name of the 6th defendant, who has spent four years in custody.

    Tsoho adjourned the matter until June 19 for the two defendants to take their plea.

  • Boko Haram men in Taraba – Governor

    Boko Haram men in Taraba – Governor

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has lamented that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents were taking refuge in the Bali forest area of the state, posing security threat to residents.

    He spoke when Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Army, Yolanda, Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, visited him.

    Ishaku said crime had increased in all local governments bordering Bali forest following the presence of the insurgents.

    He also alerted to the increasing rate of insecurity at Gashaka Gumpti National Park, which threatens tourism.

    According to him, criminals have infiltrated the park, thereby making it unsafe for tourists. He called for security intervention to flush out the criminals.

    Ishaku lauded the military for its role in helping to restore peace to communities affected by crises, saying they always responded anytime they are called, even at night and under poor weather conditions.

    “This has to be so because the scope of the crises, sometimes, is beyond the police. The situation now is such that herdsmen carry sophisticated weapons instead of sticks, which they were known for, and they often overwhelm security agents sent to confront them,” he said.

    Gen. Mohammed assured Ishaku of the Army’s preparedness to assist the state in the pursuit of its peace agenda.

    “Our men are always ready and willing to respond any time they are called to help restore peace. I will, however, consult with the governor in handling security matters always,” he added.

  • Boko Haram infiltrating my state, Gov. Ishaku cries out

    Boko Haram infiltrating my state, Gov. Ishaku cries out

    Taraba state governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku has said that fleeing members of the Boko Haram insurgents were taking refuse in the Bali forest area of the state, posing potential security threat to residents of the state.

    Speaking when he received the Brigade Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yolanda, General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, Governor Ishaku said the presence of the fleeing insurgents who were displaced from the Sambisa forest has led to increase in crime rate in the state.

    He said that as a result of the heat on them by military, the insurgents have fled the Sambisa forest and are now occupying the Bali forest which is equally a vast forest, adding that as a result of that, robbery, kidnapping, rape and other forms of crimes have now become a daily occurrence in all the local governments close to the forest.

    Governor Ishaku also drew the attention of the military to the increasing state of insecurity at the Gashaka Gumpti National Park which is threatening tourism in the state.

    He said criminals have infiltrated the Park, thereby making it unsafe for tourists and called for intervention by the security forces to flush out the criminals to make the Park which has been attracting a lot of local and foreign tourist safe again.

    He commended the military for its role in helping to restore peace to communities affected by communal crises in the state in the past, saying that they were always there any time they were called, even in the wee hours of the night and under  poor weather conditions.

    “This has to be so, because the scope of the crises, sometimes is beyond the police to tackle. The situation now is such that herdsmen carry sophisticated weapons instead of sticks which they were known to carry and they now often overwhelm security agencies sent to confront them”, he said.

    While lamenting the incessant crisis between farmers and herdsmen, Governor Ishaku said in the past, “herdsmen and farmers enjoyed a cordial and symbiotic relationship.

    “Farmers wanted herdsmen to leave their cattle on their farms long enough to eat up grass and remnants of harvested crops and in the process fertilize the farms by excreting their wastes there.

    “Even when the cattle ate the farmers’ crops, the matter was always amicably resolved with the herdsman paying a token compensation. These never resulted in any fight or crisis”, he said

    Speaking earlier, the Brigade Commander, General Mohammed assured the Governor of the preparedness of the army to assist the state in the pursuit of its agenda for peace in the state.

    “Our men are always ready and willing respond any time they are called to help restore peace. He said he will consult with the Governor for advice and guidance in handling security matters always”, he said.

     

  • Boko Haram: NSCDC deploys 600 personnel to worship centres in Maiduguri

    Boko Haram: NSCDC deploys 600 personnel to worship centres in Maiduguri

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno Command, has deployed about 600 personnel to various worship centres in Maiduguri to assure worshippers of their safety.

    The State Commandant of the Corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure on Sunday in Maiduguri in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the deployment was part of efforts to curtail suspected suicide bomb attacks by Boko Haram at worship centres, especially during the month of Ramadan.

    He said that the team included men of the anti-riot squad, bomb detection and disposal unit as well as intelligence and detective unit.

    “We have also boosted our security checks and patrol at various institutions of learning especially University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) that had suffered many attacks this year.

    “The students should therefore have no course for alarm as they go about their studies,’’ he said.

    Abdullahi said the command had also increased its surveillance at commercial centres, markets, motor parks, amusement parks and shopping malls in the state capital to ensure protection of the populace.

    “ We therefore appeal to residents to assist the security agencies with relevant information that will enable us nip any suspected threat of Boko Haram or any other elements in the bud.

    “We advice all worship centres in the areas where we are not stationed our personnel to ensure that some persons be on the watch while others are praying.

    “They should also be alert to strange faces,’’ Abdullahi cautioned.

  • 21 killed as Boko Haram sacks villages near Chibok

    The Chibok axis in Borno State seems to be back under the radar of the terror sect, Boko Haram.

    The group has, in the last one week, killed 21 people in two separate attacks in villages close to Chibok, according to residents.

    Chibok attracted world attention for the first time in April 2014 after the sect invaded the Government Girls Secondary School in the town, abducting about 275 students.

    Five of the girls managed to escape soon after the kidnapping, while 21 were first released after lengthy negotiations in October last year and another 82 last month.

    The latest attacks on Kaya, 27 kilometres from Chibok occurred last Sunday and a village close to Gumsri last Wednesday.

    The insurgents reportedly swooped on Kaya on the fateful day on motorcycles, bicycles and started firing at everyone in sight.

    They burnt houses and killed those who were unable to run into the bush.

    The survivors have relocated.

    The second attack came 72 hours later when the terrorists attacked the next village close to Gumsri .

    “As it is all the villagers in those communities have deserted, they have packed their belongings and come to Chibok. So many attacks and innocent lives have been lost in Damboa LGA but it is usually not reported,” online publication, The Cable, quoted a resident as saying.

    “To us here in Chibok, we are living in fear because that it is the only place that has been like a roadblock to them coming to us. Some people that cannot withstand the situation are even moving to Maiduguri which is safe for them.”

    On whether there are no soldiers on ground during the attacks, he said the soldiers around find it difficult to get to the place of the attacks “because of the far distance from where they are to the village.”

    “Even with the presence of a brigade, the problem the security people are having here is that mostly, the communities attacked are under Damboa council but the soldiers are closer to Chibok,” he said.