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Tag: boko haram

‘Nigeria spent $2.6bn on Boko Haram humanitarian crisis in 2016’

Nigeria spent more than $2.6 billion in 2016 to address the humanitarian challenges caused by Boko Haram terrorists, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has said.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olonisakin stated this at the meeting of the ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’ in Washington, D.C.

“After over 2.6 billion dollars was spent by the Nigerian Government to address humanitarian needs in 2016 – more needs were seen when areas were recovered from Boko Haram.

“Many in this room joined us in Oslo, Norway just last February to show support with Nigeria.

“Coalition is fundamental. We, therefore, commend Secretary Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump for remaining committed to fighting the global enemy of us all – terrorism,” Olonisakin said.

The defence chief explained that Iraq’s story in the war against ISIS was similar to Nigeria’s story in the fight against Boko Haram.

“This meeting, therefore, will further strengthen our collective resolve and determination to destroy and defeat ISIS.

“To this end, Nigeria is prepared to work with the coalition in the pursuit of the first lines of efforts towards the realisation of the aims of the global coalition,” he said.

He commended the steady progress made in Iraq, and Syria in denying ISIS access to territories and closing up their supply routes.

According to him, it is, therefore, imperative that as part of the objectives of the meeting, global leaders consider the value of timely sharing of information and best practices on addressing cross-border threats.

He also emphasised the need for mobilisation of resources for partners in the conflict and confronting violent extremist organizations with the digital battle space or cyberspace.

He added that reshaping the public narratives around ISIS to one of failure, was also critical in the battle to defeat ISIS.

“Let me also add that this meeting is of great importance to Nigeria.

“This is because, Nigeria’s effort to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists is viewed as part of wider efforts to combat violent extremism globally especially, the defeat of ISIS.

“Nigeria is open and willing to adopt strategies from the coalition that could further enhance its success story,” Olonisakin said.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in his welcome remarks, said “it is indeed encouraging to see the attendance”.

“When the forces of ISIS tune into their TVs and their computer monitors, they will see the strength of a combined 68 nations and organisations.

“Together, we share a resolve to deal ISIS a lasting defeat. Our coalition is united in stopping ISIS resurgence, halting its global ambitions and discrediting its ideological narrative.

“And we’re ready to grow stronger and stay aggressive in this battle.

“President Trump, in his recent address to the joint session of Congress, made clear that it is the policy of the United States to demolish and destroy this barbaric terrorist organisation”.

NAN reports that the meeting was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and senior leaders of the 68 countries of the global coalition working to defeat ISIS.

NAN also reports that among those who attended the meeting were Chargé d’affaires of the Nigeria Embassy in Washington, Hakeem Balogun and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

March 23, 2017
Post insurgency: Yobe holds humanitarian submit for key actors

As part of its post insurgency and recovery plan for the Boko Haram insurgency in the state, Yobe State Government has convened a humanitarian submit for all stakeholders in the humanitarian community to discuss better ways of humanitarian coordination in the state.

The submit which took place in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital at the WAWA Hall of Government House Damaturu has the theme, Consolidating Humanitarian Recovery Plans.

The event which was put together by the State Committee for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation headed by the State Deputy Gov. Engr. Abubakar Aliyu brought together all humanitarian actors in the state including traditional rulers, local government chairmen, Civil Societies Organizations, Faith Based Organizations across the state.

In his address to the event, the State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said the meeting is a positive step towards having a master plan of intervention that will mitigate wastages and duplication of efforts which will have direct impact on the victims.

“…we however believe that a streamlined and well-coordinated intervention in humanitarian support and socio-economic assistance will maximize the desired impact on the victims, reduce wastage and ensure value for money. This therefore informs the need to have an intervention master plan such that no felt need of the victims shall be left out, or assistance of any agency or organization discounted,” Gov. Gaidam said.

The governor also stated that the assistance being received from International and local donor agencies have been a source of consolation for him and the people of the state.

Speaking on the enormity and scale of the crisis and its attendant consequences, Gov. Gaidam noted that, given the monumental humanitarian crises before us, no government, agency or Non-Governmental Organization, however endowed, can handle the situation alone”, which is while the gathering was convoked.

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam also observed that the task of rebuilding, and rehabilitation of the destroyed communities by the Boko Haram insurgents will be made easier as according to him the committee has, “set the stage that will provide window of opportunity to governments, Development partners, inter-governmental Organizations, humanitarian bodies and individual to identify and explore areas of interventions”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Yobe State Committee for the Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Victims of Boko Haram, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu said his committee was faced with conflicting demands due to lack of proper coordination and understanding among the affected people and the actors involved.

He stated that the lack of an effective synergy and coordination of all agencies and actors in the humanitarian activities in the state informed the need for the committee to put up the summit, stressing that a comprehensive document is expected to be produce that will be called ‘Yobe State Government Post Insurgency Integrated Intervention Plan’, encompassing all the various sector of the intervention.

Engr. Aliyu called on all participants to give out their best so as to achieve the objective of the meeting for the victims of terror in the state.

Goodwill messages were presented by other actors in the humanitarian community including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Victim Support Funds (VSF), Presidential Committee on North East Initiative(PCNI), etc.

March 23, 2017
Boko Haram, others: DSS arrests suspects in Ekiti, Bauchi

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has dismantled Boko Haram’s aggressive fundraising operations to finance its plans through kidnapping, armed robbery and gun-running.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the DSS said it was questioning two suspects, Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu, who were arrested on March 13, at Nasarawa town in Kaduna State for alleged involvement in the kidnap of two Germans – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger – at Pahkogo village in Kaduna State on February 22.

According to the DSS, about 32 suspected members of Boko Haram, kidnapping and other criminal gangs were arrested in operations conducted in Ekiti, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi states between February and March.

The statement said: “Determined to sustain the prevailing peace and stamp out all cases of kidnapping in various states where it is taking root, the Service staged vigorous operations, which recorded successes.

“The duo of Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu were arrested on March 13, 2017 at Nasarawa town, Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State for their suspected involvement in the kidnap of two German nationals – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger – on February 22, 2017 at Pahkogo, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.

“On March 20, 2017, a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam, was arrested in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by a Joint Military/DSS operation team and an Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect, who is presently undergoing investigation; Abdulsalam was in the final stages of kidnapping some high level targets in Ekiti, not only to raise funds but to terrorise communities in the State.

“Prior to this arrest, several other Boko Haram suspects had been apprehended in various parts of Northern Nigeria, especially in Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi.

“Typical cases of arrest include that of 29-year-old Boko Haram member, Usman Ladan Rawa (a.k.a Mr. X) on March 17, 2017 at Lafia, Nasarawa State. He was discovered to have rented accommodation at Lafia for Abdullahi Isa, known for his notorious terrorist actions and his plan was to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining states.

“On March 15, 2017, Nasiru Sani (a.k.a Osama) was arrested at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi. He is a Boko Haram top commander, and discovered to have escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“Similarly, on the same March 13, 2017, at Jeka-da-Fari Market, Gombe State, Adamu Jibrin was arrested. He operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule and served as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders, especially the one simply identified as Kanumbu.”

According to the DSS, Adamu Jibrin along with Abdulazeez Umaru, who was arrested in Ngalda Town in Fika LGA, Yobe State on March 1 and Nuhu Usman, alias Okadigbo, who was arrested in Nagazi area in Adavi LGA, Kogi State on March 2, have allegedly confessed membership of the Boko Haram sect.

On February 2, 2017, one Suleiman Yahaya, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested during a raid in Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, for his role in several terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

March 23, 2017
DSS arrests 32 Boko Haram fighters, others

The Department of State Services (DSS) has claimed success in new operations aimed at dismantling Boko Haram’s aggressive fundraising operations to finance its plans through kidnapping, armed robbery and gun-running.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the DSS disclosed said it is questioning two suspects, Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu, who were arrested on March 13 at Nasarawa town in Kaduna State for alleged involvement in the abduction of two Germans – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger at Pahkogo village in Kaduna State on February 22.

According to the DSS, about 32 suspected members of Boko Haram and other criminal gangs were arrested in operations conducted in Ekiti, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nassarawa, Kaduna and Kogi states between February and March this year.

The statement said, “Determined to sustain the prevailing peace and stamp out all cases of kidnap in various states where it is taking root, the Service staged vigorous operations which recorded successes.

“The duo of Ibrahim SULE and Bello SHEHU were arrested on March 13, 2017 at Nasarawa town, Nasarawa LGA of Kaduna State for their suspected involvement in the kidnap of two German nationals – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger – on February 22, 2017 at Pahkogo, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.

“On March 20, 2017, a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam was arrested in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State by a Joint Military/DSS operation team and an AK-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect who is presently undergoing investigation; Abdulsalam was in the final stages of kidnapping some high level targets in Ekiti, not only to raise funds but to terrorize communities in the state.

“Prior to this arrest, several other Boko Haram suspects had been apprehended in various parts of Northern Nigeria especially in Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi States.

“Typical cases of arrest include that of 29 –year-old Boko Haram member, Usman Ladan Rawa (a.k.a Mr. X) on March 17, 2017 at Lafia, Nasarawa State; he was discovered to have rented accommodation at Lafia for Abdullahi Isa, known for his notorious terrorist actions and his plan was to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining states.”

March 22, 2017
Police arrest fake cripple in Kano

The Police on Tuesday said they had arrested a fake cripple, who specialised in criminal activities in Kano metropolis.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone I, DSP Sambo Sokoto, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

He said the suspect, who posed as a cripple for two years, was apprehended on Monday near the headquarters of Kano Foundation following a tip-off.

Sokoto said the suspect had also been operating as a street beggar before some residents of the area reported the matter to the office of Asst. Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone one, Kano.

“We got the information about the suspect but when our men arrested him, he was found to be physically fit because he doesn’t have any deformity,” Sokoto said.

He said the police had commenced investigation into the matter after which the suspect would be charged to court.

He dispelled rumours that the suspect was a Boko Haram member, saying that only investigation would reveal his identity.

He commended residents of the area for alerting the police and called on them to be security conscious.

March 21, 2017
Boko Haram leader Shekau threatens more bombings in new video

•Four soldiers killed in operation against sect
•Deaf and dumb terrorist arrested with eight mobile phones

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday claimed responsibility for the recent spate of suicide bombings in Borno State.

That was 24 hours after the latest suicide attack in Borno State in which two persons were killed when four female suicide bombers detonated their explosives.

He said the terror sect was “responsible for all the suicide explosions in Maiduguri and we will continue with them.”

He denied claims by the armies of Nigeria and Cameroon that scores of his fighters have been killed in recent encounters.

Shekau spoke in a video message, saying he is in good health.

There were speculations that he might have been hit in a recent attack by the Nigerian military.

But he looked subdued in the video recording compared with previous appearances.

He vowed that Boko Haram will not back down until it establishes Sharia in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Mali.

Shekau picked on President Paul Biya of Cameroon for saying Yaounde’s soldiers   killed 60 Boko Haram fighters and arrested 21 others in recent weeks.

“We fought along the Cameroonian border. You lied that you killed 60 of our fighters, that you arrested 20 of our men, that you freed 5,000 of your people,” the Boko Haram leader said.

“Paul Biya, is it that you can’t live off lies? Is it with this that you are going to convince the West, your leaders? It is unfortunate. Be careful, Paul Biya.”

Shekau also said that the caliphate he declared in August 2014 “is running smoothly,” apparently in a bid to rubbish reports that the terror sect has lost much of the territory it used to hold in the Northeast, especially the Sambisa Forest that once served as its base.

Shekau was last seen on camera in a video message in December last year after the Nigerian army declared it had flushed out Boko Haram fighters from Sambisa Forest.

An army officer and three soldiers were confirmed killed in a clash with Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

Men attached to Operation Lafiya Dole were on the trail of a band of terrorists in Doho, Mina, Maideni, Donari, Salari and Lawari villages in the northern part of the state when the incident happened late Wednesday.

The extremists, according to the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman had attempted to infiltrate Magumeri village.

They were however repelled by soldiers who gave them a chase.

He said that after a hot chase and mop up, the troops were able to neutralise an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists.

They also recovered one gun truck, two anti-aircraft guns, two extra barrels,   two rocket propelled grenade bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm bombs, one roll of Nitrogen cable and a 60mm mortar bomb.

Others are: assorted General Purpose Machine Gun and anti-aircraft ammunition and their links, three spare vehicle tyres with rims, one vulcanizing machine, one Qlink motorcycle, foodstuff and three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

Besides, troops of the 22 Brigade of the army, have   cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Gujari village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. This followed information about the convergence of the extremists in the area preparatory to launching attacks on nearby communities.

The army spokesman said that during the operation, the troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while an unspecified number escaped with gunshot wounds into the forest.

At the location, the troops discovered and destroyed a tailoring shed and recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, three Dane guns, one double barrel pump action guns, two bandoliers, 23 empty cases of Shilka gun ammunition, two initiation water container and one motorcycle battery among other items.

Similarly,soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State arrested a deaf and dumb suspected member of the terror sect.

Recovered from the man were eight functional mobile handsets, a bunch of keys, two passport photographs, two amulet charms and a transistor radio.

But the suspect’s name could not be immediately ascertained because of his disability.

Usman said,no fewer than nine members of the sect willingly surrendered to soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road in northern Borno after claiming to get tired of life under Boko Haram.

The former terrorists who came from Tambashe Village in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state are currently been held and interrogated by the army to determine the veracity of their claim.

Usman said the armed forces are continuing with clearance operations in suspected Boko Haram locations through patrols, ambushes and raids with appreciable progress.

Such raids ,he said,led to the arrest of   one Mallam Makinta Ibrahim , 45, at Bayemari, by troops of the 159 Task Force Battalion.

The suspect who hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area is believed to be a Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dealer to the terrorists.

March 18, 2017
Four soldiers killed in Boko Haram operation

An army officer and three soldiers have been confirmed killed in a clash with Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

Men attached to Operation Lafiya Dole were on the trail of a band of terrorists in Doho, Mina, Maideni, Donari, Salari and Lawari villages in the northern part of the state when the incident happened late Wednesday.

The extremists, according to the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman had attempted to infiltrate Magumeri village.

They were however repelled by soldiers who gave them a chase.

He said that after a hot pursuit and mop up, the troops were able to neutralize an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists.

They also recovered one gun truck, two anti-aircraft guns, two extra barrels, two rocket propelled grenade bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm bombs, one roll of Nitrogen cable and a 60mm mortar bomb.

Others are: assorted General Purpose Machine Gun and anti-aircraft ammunition and their links, three spare vehicle tyres with rims, one vulcanizing machine, one Qlink motorcycle, foodstuff and three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

Besides, troops of the 22 Brigade of the army have cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Gujari village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. This followed information about the convergence of the extremists in the area preparatory to launching attacks on nearby communities.

The army spokesman said that during the operation, the troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while an unspecified number escaped with gunshot wounds into the forest.

At the location, the troops discovered and destroyed a tailoring shed and recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, three Dane guns, one double barrel pump action guns, two bandoliers, 23 empty cases of Shilka gun ammunition, two initiation water container and one motorcycle battery among other items.

Similarly, soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State arrested a deaf and dumb suspected member of the terror sect.

Recovered from the man were eight functional mobile handsets, a bunch of keys, two passport photographs, two amulet charms and a transistor radio.

But the suspect’s name could not be immediately ascertained because of his disability.

Usman said, no fewer than nine members of the sect willingly surrendered to soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road in northern Borno after claiming to get tired of life under Boko Haram.

The former terrorists who came from Tambashe Village in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state are currently been held and interrogated by the army to determine the veracity of their claim.

Usman said the armed forces are continuing with clearance operations in suspected Boko Haram locations through patrols, ambushes and raids with appreciable progress.

Such raids, he said,led to the arrest of one Mallam Makinta Ibrahim , 45, at Bayemari, by troops of the 159 Task Force Battalion.

The suspect who hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area is believed to be a Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dealer to the terrorists.

March 17, 2017
Shekau in new video claims responsibility for Borno bombings

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, on Friday claimed responsibility for the recent spate of suicide bombings in Borno State.

That was 24 hours after the latest suicide attack in Borno State in which two persons were killed when four female suicide bombers detonated their explosives.

He said the terror sect was “responsible for all the suicide explosions in Maiduguri and we will continue with them.”

He denied claims by the armies of Nigeria and Cameroon that scores of his fighters have been killed in recent encounters.

Shekau spoke in a video message, saying he is in good health.

There were speculations that he was hit in a recent attack by the Nigerian military.

But he looked subdued in the video recording compared with previous appearances.

He vowed that Boko Haram will not back down until it establishes Sharia in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Mali.

Shekau picked on President Paul Biya of Cameroon for saying Yaounde’s soldiers killed 60 Boko Haram fighters and arrested 21 others in recent weeks.

“We fought along the Cameroonian border. You lied that you killed 60 of our fighters, that you arrested 20 of our men, that you freed 5,000 of your people,” the Boko Haram leader said.

“Paul Biya, is it that you can’t live off lies? Is it with this that you are going to convince the West, your leaders? It is unfortunate. Be careful, Paul Biya.”

Shekau also said the caliphate he declared in August 2014 “is running smoothly,” apparently in a bid to rubbish reports that the terror sect has lost much of the territory it used to hold in the Northeast, especially the Sambisa Forest that once served as its base.

Shekau was last seen on camera in a video message in December last year after the Nigerian army declared it had flushed out Boko Haram fighters from Sambisa Forest.

March 17, 2017
One officer, three soldiers killed chase of terrorists

One officer and three soldiers have died after troops from the Nigerian Army on Operation Lafiya Dole chased fleeing Boko Haram terrorists to five villages in northern Borno.

The terrorists had earlier attempted to infiltrate Magumeri village but were repelled by a strong force from the Nigerian Army. The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman later accused the villagers of conniving with the terrorists.

According to him, after hot pursuit and mop up the troops were able to neutralize an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists and recovered one Gun truck, two Anti-Aircraft Guns, two Extra Barrels, two Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm Bombs, one roll of Nitrogen cable and a 60mm Mortar bomb.

Others are: Assorted General Purpose Machine Gun and Anti-Aircraft ammunition and their links, 3 spare vehicle tyres with rims, one vulcanising machine, one Qlink Motorcycle, foodstuffs and three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

Meanwhile troops of 22 Brigade Nigerian Army during a fighting patrol cleared Boko Haram out of Gujari village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. This followed information about the convergence of the terrorists at area aiming to launch attack on some of the nearby communities.

The Army spokesman said during the operation, the troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while an unspecified number escaped with gunshot wounds into thick forest.

At the location however, the troops discovered and destroyed a tailoring shed while they also recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, three DaneGuns, one Double Barrel Pump Action Gun, two Bandoliers, 23 Empty cases of Shilka Gun Ammunition, two Initiation water container and one Motorcycle battery among other items.

March 17, 2017
We are tired of life under Boko Haram, say repentant terrorists

At least nine members of the Boko Haram terrorists group have willingly surrendered to the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road in northern Borno saying they were tired of life under Boko Haram.

The former terrorists who came from Tambashe Village in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state are also currently being held and interrogated by the Nigerian Army to determine the truth of their case.

Meanwhile, soldiers have continued with clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram terrorist’s locations through patrols, ambushes and raids with appreciable progress in their respective areas of responsibility.

According to the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sani Usman, the efforts have led to arrest, interception and neutralizing of quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists, as well as recovery of arms, ammunition and equipment. The aim of the exercise he said is to ensure security in the areas and prevent infiltration by Boko Haram terrorists among the communities.

He further said the exercise has led to the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, one Mallam Makinta Ibrahim aged 45 years at Bayemari, by troops of the 159 Task Force Battalion.

The suspect who hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area was also confirmed to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dealer to the terrorists. He said troops also arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist whose name, age and origin could not be ascertained for now as he pretend to be deaf and dumb.

However, he was found to be in possession of 8 functioning mobile telephone handsets, bunch of keys, 2 passport photographs, 2 amulet charms and a transistor radio.

March 17, 2017