The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • US, UK say Boko Haram wants to kidnap foreigners in Nigeria

    US, UK say Boko Haram wants to kidnap foreigners in Nigeria

    Terror sect Boko Haram is said to be planning to kidnap foreigners in the northeast.

    The extremists, according to the United States and Britain, are targeting Western foreign workers in the Bama area of Borno State, close to the Cameroon border.

    Both countries said in separate travel advice that the affected area was “along the Banki-Kumshe axis”, which is near the border with Cameroon.

    The US embassy in Abuja said in a message to its nationals that the report was ‘credible’.

    Boko Haram has kidnapped thousands of women and children, including more than 200 Chibok school girls.

    At least 20,000 people have been killed since 2009, but abductions of foreigners have been rare.

    There was a spate of kidnappings of foreign workers in the wider north from 2011 to 2013, claimed by a Boko Haram splinter group, Ansaru, which was more ideologically aligned to Al-Qaeda.

    The leader of Ansaru, Khalid al-Barnawi, has been charged with the abduction and murder of foreign workers, among them an Italian, a Briton, a German, Greek, Lebanese and Syrians.

    Most were engineers or construction workers. International aid workers now account for the majority of foreign nationals in the northeast, with most of them based in the Borno State.

    Hundreds of thousands of people in the Lake Chad region require urgent food aid as a result of the conflict, which has made more than 2.6 million people homeless and ravaged farmland.

    Boko Haram has been pushed out of strongholds by military efforts but continues to control parts of the northeast.

    That has challenged aid groups’ efforts to address a hunger crisis that the United Nations says has left 4.7 million people in urgent need of food aid.

    Nigeria is part of what the U.N. has called the largest humanitarian crisis since the world body was founded in 1945. The World Food Program has warned of aid cuts if more help doesn’t arrive.

  • Boko Haram: Catholic bishop commends Borno governor for rebuilding churches

    Boko Haram: Catholic bishop commends Borno governor for rebuilding churches

    THE Catholic Arch Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Oliver Doeme Dashe, has praised the exceptional contributions of Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima over the rebuilding of churches destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the diocese. Doeme Dashe controls the largest Catholic Dioceses in the country which cuts across the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe which incidentally are the worse hit by Boko Haram.

    The Bishop who spoke at the three days convention of Catholic Women Organization (Zumun ta Mata) of Maiduguri Diocese, holding in Damaturu, said credit should be given to Shettima for his commitment to the Christian community, especially the Catholic church towards the rebuilding process in Borno State, just as he called on other northern governors affected in the crisis to emulate Gov. Kashim Shettima by assisting Christians to rebuild their churches.

    “Government has not given us anything yet in the rebuilding process except the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima who has rebuilt our two churches and we have to acknowledge and give him the credit for that and we pray he will continue to do that and I call on other governors in the affected states to emulate him. “I also commend the laity for their various physical contributions so that we will continue to rebuild our churches as you can see in Potiskum, Damaturu, Maiduguri and many other churches destroyed by the insurgents,”, Bishop Doeme said.

    The bishop also disclosed that the churches built by Gov. Shettima include ; Saint Augustine Catholic Church Mufa and Our Lady of Consolation otherwise called Saint John’s Evangelists Mushara, all in Askira Local Government Area of Borno State. The bishop disclosed that the diocese has embarked on the physical and spiritual rebuilding of the church, hoping that the Christian community in the Maiduguri will come out stronger. “As far as the Boko Haram crisis is concern, Maiduguri Diocese is the worse hit structurally and spiritually as the faith of our people has been affected but the good news is we have begun the rebuilding process which is in two dimensions. That is the structural rebuilding and the spiritual dimension.

    “The structural rebuilding is the springing up of churches which you can see going on speedily across the diocese in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, while the spiritual is the rebuilding and re-enforcement of confidence in our followers which I am here in Damaturu to psyche our mothers who are on a three day convention here,”, Doeme explained. He added that despite the Boko Haram insurgency, the church has continue to grow from strength to strength and the diocese he said would be celebrating its 50th anniversary. He attributed the successes recorded so far to the resilience of the laity and called on them to continue to work towards the development of the catholic faith in the diocese.

  • Boko Haram suspect remanded in Kogi prison

    A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered that a 27-year-old man, Adamu Anas Mohammed, be remanded in prison over alleged membership of Boko Haram sect.

    Chief Magistrate Alhassan Husaini ordered that the accused be remanded in Koton-Karfe Prison pending further investigation into the alleged offence.

    Hearing in the case resumes on May 31.

    Prosecutor Mohammed Abaji had told the court that Mohammed was arrested by security agents on April 6 at Obajana in Kogi, following intelligence report.

    Abaji branded the accused a Boko Haram member from Jimeta, Adamawa State.

    Mohammed, the prosecutor  said, recently moved to Obajana for an undisclosed undercover terrorist mission being investigated by security operatives.

    He said the offence contravened Section 16 of the Terrorist (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

    Mohammed, who denied the allegation, said he used to worship with some members of the sect at NEPA Mosque in Jimeta, Yola.

    The accused added that although at a point, he was approached for enlistment by members of the sect, he declined the offer.

    He admitted that he was arrested and remanded in prison for eight months in Adamawa over alleged membership of the sect but was later released.

    Mohammed said he was on his way to Warri in Delta but made a brief stopover at Obajana when security operatives arrested him.

     

  • Seven killed in Borno attack

    The Borno State Police Command on Friday confirmed the death of seven persons after two suspected female suicide bombers attacked Mandarari ward in Konduga local government area of the state on Thursday.

    Spokesman for the command, Murtala Ibrahim said in a statement in Maiduguri that two suspected female suicide bombers “detonated explosives strapped to their bodies at Mandarari ward in Konduga LGA, killing themselves and five others.”

    Six persons sustained various degrees of injuries, he said.

    “The corpses and injured persons were evacuated to General Hospital Konduga, and normalcy restored to the area.”

    A separate source said four of the casualties were children

    The attack came 24 hours after three suspected female suicide bombers were killed while attempting to attack a military outpost near Muna garage in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

  • Court remands suspected Boko Haram member in prison

    Court remands suspected Boko Haram member in prison

    A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered that a 27-year-old man, Adamu Anas Mohammed, be remanded in prison over alleged membership of Boko Haram terrorist group.

    Chief Magistrate Alhassan Husaini ordered that the accused be remanded in Koton-Karfe Prison pending further investigation into the alleged offence.

    Husaini adjourned the case until May 31.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mohammed Abaji, told the court that Mohammed was arrested by security agents on April 6 at Obajana in Kogi, following intelligence report.

    According to the prosecutor, Muhammed is a member of Boko Haram sect from Jimeta in Adamawa State and had been severally arrested for alleged involvement in terrorist activities.

    Abaji further alleged that the accused recently moved to Obajana for undisclosed undercover terrorist mission being investigated by security operatives.

    He said the offence contravened Section 16 of the Terrorist (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

    Mohammed, who denied the allegation, said he used to worship with some members of the sect at NEPA Mosque in Jimeta, Yola.

    The accused added that although at a point, he was approached for enlistment by members of the sect, he allegedly declined.

    He admitted that he was arrested and remanded in prison for eight months in Adamawa over alleged membership of the sect but was later released.

    Mohammed said that he was on his way to Warri in Delta but made a brief stopover at Obajana when security operatives arrested him.

    He said he was neither on recruitment drive nor trying to propagate the beliefs of the sect in the state.

  • Book Haram: Army bans commercial sale of fish in Maiduguri 

    Book Haram: Army bans commercial sale of fish in Maiduguri 

    The Nigerian Army has re-inforced the ban on the movement and sales of fish on commercial scale along Maiduguri/Monguno/Baga road.

    According to a statement from the Operation Lafiya Dole theater command signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations Col. Onyeama Nwanchukwu said some people are taking advantage of the re-opening of the route to smuggle fish to Boko Haram and replenish their logistics.

    The statement warned the general public of the illicit act, adding that only fish movement for subsistence consumption will be allowed on the route with defaulters to be arrested and prosecuted.

    The statement reads; “It has been observed that following the reopening of Maiduguri -Monguno -Baga Road, the illicit act of fish smuggling has been on the increase.

    “Unfortunately most of the fish or its proceeds end up in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents, thus providing logistics replenishment for the insurgents.

    “In view of this untoward development, the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to remind the general public that the ban on transportation of fish in commercial quantity along the aforementioned route is still very much in force and defaulters will be arrested and sanctioned.

    “Only subsistence fishing for inhabitants’ consumption is permitted,” the statement said.

     

  • Nigeria will take its rightful place at the UN –Amb. Bande

    The Nigeria’s new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, say his assumption of duty signifies that Nigeria has come to take its rightful place at the global body.

    Bande stated this after the presentation of his credentials to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday evening.

    “It’s extremely important that we take our rightful place in the system (UN) here. What’s important is that we have a lot of issues relating to security and peace and development.

    “In terms of the efforts being undertaken in Nigeria, we do need partners to understand what it is that we are doing and in what ways not only can we be assisted but also in what ways we can contribute to the effort globally.

    “Because Boko Haram, for example, is an issue but it is not just a Nigerian issue; it’s a global issue relating to terrorism.

    “There are questions concerning UN reform. These are important issues that are being discussed for decades and there is a new push that this should be done equitably.

    “Nigeria has offered itself to serve in any capacity relating to that new reform of the UN Security Council.

    “So these are extremely important issues – peace and development, conflict matters, the issue of Lake Chad.

    “And what support can be given to revive communities in that region, which includes not only West Africa but Central Africa; lives and livelihood are affected.

    “But it is important that we join the system, offer ourselves for leadership and give support to issues that concern not only Nigeria but also Africa and the world.”

    The Nigeria’s envoy pledged that Nigeria would bring its influence to bear on the UN, particularly on the issues of security and development on the African continent.

    The Permanent Representative also commended the world’s body for its support to Nigeria and Africa over security challenges.

    “The Secretary-General has shown leadership, he has shown commitment to the African region.

    “He supported the highest-powered body to go to the continent to see for themselves the ravaging effects of Boko Haram.

    “There was a renewed commitment by the international community through that effort to support Nigeria and the Lake Chad region to address the Boko Haram challenge.

    “This is because Boko Haram is not Nigeria’s problem; it’s a problem affecting Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon,” Bande said.

    The new Permanent Representative assumed office at the Nigeria’s Permanent Mission on Monday.

    Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje, Head of Chancery, Dr Cyprian Heen and the Mission’s Spokesperson Akinremi Bolaji were on Bande’s entourage to the UN House.

     

  • Boko Haram plants more mines than during civil war, says Idris

    Boko Haram plants more mines than during civil war, says Idris

    Mines and explosives buried in the Northeast by terrorist group Boko Haram exceeded those buried by forces during the Nigerian Civil War, Inspector General (IG) Ibrahim Idris said yesterday.
    Idris spoke in Lagos at the training of 60 policemen on anti-bomb and mines detection and detonation.
    Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Operations, Joshak Habila, stated that plans were on to deploy trained policemen to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to sweep the communities before the returned of displaced persons.
    He said the four-week training was part of efforts to equip the police to finally take over from the military, areas reclaimed from the terrorists, adding that some of the personnel would also be deployed to the Niger Delta and other troubled areas, where criminals use IEDs.
    The IGP said the trained personnel are to ensure the communities are cleared of all explosives for the safe return of displaced persons to their lands.
    He said: “It is on record that mines buried by Boko Haram in the Northeast are far above the one buried during the Nigerian Civil War. So, we are fortunate to have U.S. anti-bomb experts train us on how to detect buried mines.
    “We are about going into another phase in the operation in the Northeast. Our responsibility is to assure displaced persons of their safe return to their communities. It is incumbent on the police to restore peace within reclaimed communities.
    “Our duty is to identify remnants of these explosives and take them for safe keeping for analysis, with a view to detect where they were manufactured and who manufactured them.
    “We would also enlighten and train the civil populace on bomb detection so that whenever they see unfamiliar items, they would not touch.
    “Nigeria Police have given a good account of itself in the past, particularly in detecting and detonating IEDs. So, we must take advantage of this training because we would soon deploy those trained to affected areas on post-blast investigation.”
    He added: “For the trainees, they should also bother about chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, which are the new threats globally. Before now, people didn’t believe we could have suicide bombers in Nigeria. So, the trainees should not take any information for granted.”
    The facilitators, Jon Demarthino and Rick Hahn – both from the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Assistance Group – hailed the trainees for their gallantry.
    Demarthino, who said the training would be hard and tasking, urged the participants to give it their all to achieve the desired results.
    Expressing optimism that the training would positively impact the force and the country, Demarthino urged the participants to extend the knowledge gained to their colleagues.
    “There’s no way we would train all Nigeria Police personnel at a time. But with this 60 we have, we believe it would spread round to a greater percentage of the force.”
    Commissioner of Police Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD) Chika Maidama praised the IG and the Americans for the project, adding that it would increase his personnel’s knowledge.
    Noting that the participants were officers between Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) ranks, Maidama said the idea was to train unit leaders, who would go back and train their subordinates.
    Also at the event was the Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.

  • 60 policemen benefit from U.S. anti-bomb training

    The U.S. on Monday  began an anti-bomb training for 60 Nigerian police officers to equip them to clear explosives from reclaimed communities in the North-East and ensure safe return of citizens.

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Idris Ibrahim, said at the commencement of the four-week training in Lagos that the communities are in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    The I-G who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Operations, Mr Joshak Habila, said that the training would also improve the capacity of personnel to be deployed to the Niger Delta.

    According to the I-G, the officers are from the Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD).

    “These trained personnel are to ensure that the communities were cleared of all explosives for the safe return of displaced persons to their lands.

    “We are about going into another phase in the operation; our responsibility is to assure displaced persons of safe return to their communities.

    “We will also enlighten the civil populace on bomb detection so that whenever they see unfamiliar items, they will not touch them,’’ Ibrahim said.

    He said that it was on record that mines buried by Boko Haram in the North-East were more than those buried during the civil war.

    “We are fortunate to have U.S. anti-bomb experts to come and train us on how to detect buried mines.

    “The police have given a good account of themselves in the past, particularly, in detecting and detonating Improvise Explosives Ordinance.

    “We must take advantage of this training because we will soon deploy those trained to the affected areas on post-blast investigation.

    “It is our duty to identify remnants of these explosives and take them safely for analysis with a view to detecting where they were manufactured and who manufactured them.

    “For the trainees, they should bother about chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, which are the new threats globally,’’ Ibrahim said.

    One of the facilitators, Jon Demarthino from the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Assistance Group, commended the trainees for their gallantry.

    Demarthino, who said that the training would be hard and tasking, urged the participants to give it their best in order to achieve the desired results.

    He expressed the optimism that the training would positively impact on the police and the country.

    He urged the participants to extend the knowledge gained to their colleagues.
    “There is no way we will train all Nigeria Police personnel at a time.

    “However, with this 60, we believe it will spread round to a greater percentage of the force,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, EOD, Chika Maidama, hailed the I-G and the Americans for the training, hoping that it would deepen the officers’ knowledge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants are from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to that of Superintendent of Police (SP).

  • Mines buried by Boko Haram exceeds civil war, says police

    Mines buried by Boko Haram exceeds civil war, says police

    …As US trains 60 cops on anti-bomb, others

     

    The Nigeria Police have disclosed that mines and explosives buried in the Northeast by terrorist group, Boko Haram exceeded those buried by forces during the Nigerian Civil War.

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris stated this Monday in Lagos, during the training of 60 policemen on anti-bomb and mines detection, detonation.

    Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police  (DIG) Operations, Joshak Habila stated that plans were on to deploy trained policemen to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to sweep the communities before the returned of displaced persons.

    He said the four-week training was part of efforts to equip the police to finally take over from the military, areas reclaimed from the terrorists, adding that some of the personnel would also be deployed to the Niger Delta and other troubled areas where criminals use IEDs.

    The IGP said the trained personnel are to ensure the communities are cleared of all explosives for the safe return of displaced persons to their lands.

    He said: “It is on record that mines buried by Boko Haram in the Northeast is far above the one buried during the Nigerian Civil War. So, we are fortunate to have US anti-bomb experts train us on how to detect buried mines.

    “We are about going into another phase in the operation in the northeast. Our responsibility is to assure displaced persons of their safe return to their communities. It is incumbent on the police to restore peace within reclaimed communities.

    “Our duty is to identify remnants of these explosives and take them for safe keeping for analysis, with a view to detect where they were manufactured and who manufactured them.

    “We would also enlighten and train the civil populace on bomb detection so that whenever they see unfamiliar items, they would not touch.

    “Nigeria Police have given a good account of itself in the past, particularly in detecting and detonating IEDs. So, we must take advantage of this training because we would soon deploy those trained to affected areas on post-blast investigation.

    “For the trainees, they should also bother about chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, which are the new threats globally. Before now, people didn’t believe we could have suicide bombers in Nigeria. So, the trainees should not take any information for granted.”

    The facilitators, Jon Demarthino and Rick Hahn both from the US Anti-Terrorism Assistance Group, commended the trainees for their gallantry.

    Demarthino, who said the training would be hard and tasking, urged the participants to give it their all in order to achieve desired results.

    Expressing optimism that the training would positively impact the force and the country, Demarthino urged the participants to extend the knowledge gained to their colleagues.

    “There’s no way we would train all Nigeria Police personnel at a time. But with this 60 we have, we believe it would spread round to a greater percentage of the force.”

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD) Chika Maidama praised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and the Americans for the project, adding that it would increase his personnel’s knowledge.

    Noting that the participants were officers between Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Superintendent of Police (SP) ranks, Maidama said the idea was to train unit leaders who would go back and train their subordinates.

    Also the event was the Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.