The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Human rights abuse: GOC assures Human Right commission of Cooperation

    The General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigeria Army Maj. Gen. Peter Dauke has assured the cooperation and support of the Nigeria Army to the National Human Rights Commission into investigation of Human Right Abuses alleged to have been carried out by soldiers in Yobe State.

    The visit of the delegation of Human Rights Commission to 3 Div. Tactical Headquarters Damaturu came barely 24 hours after the GOC had also hosted a Special Board of Inquiry on Alleged Human Rights Abuse by soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole, headed by Maj. Gen. Ahmed Jubrin (Rtd) set up by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukar Yusuf Buratai to investigation allegations of human right violations published by Amnesty International.

    Maj. Gen Dauke while receiving the members of the Human Right Commission charged them to continue to sensitize the general public on the measure of finding an end to the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

    According to him, cases of human right abuse were not reported in Yobe State, while calling on the commission to get more involved in organizing seminar/workshop on Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law which would be beneficial in the ongoing fight against terror in his Area of Responsibility.

    While briefing the GOC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu who represented  the Executive Secretary of Human Rights Commission said the is in partnership with  Human Rights Agenda Network and European Union to promote Human Rights Accountability in Yobe State and the North east in general.

    His words, “as part of the project work plan, the partners are pleased to visit you today to intimate you on the project and solicit your collaboration in achieving the objective of the project,” Mr. Ojukwu said.

    He therefore thanked the GOC for granting them audience and look forward to working together to achieve human rights accountability.

     

  • Boko Haram kills Police sergeant

    Boko Haram kills Police sergeant

    Borno Police Command on Thursday confirmed that a police sergeant was killed in Wednesday’s terrorists attack at Magumeri in Magumeri Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr Victor Isuku, confirmed the incident in a statement in Maiduguri on Thursday.

    “On Wednesday evening, information was received that Magumeri town was under attack by Boko Haram elements.

    “On receipt of the report, teams of Anti Robbery Squad and other personnel were quickly mobilised to the scene.

    “A mobile police sergeant, Haliru Aliyu, deployed with the military in Magumeri on special duty, was killed while Sgt. Lawrence Ayeni sustained gunshot injury and is currently at the military hospital receiving treatment,” Isuku said.

    He added that a water tanker and a bus belonging to Magumeri Local Government and two other civilian vehicles were burnt in the attack.

    According to the police spokesman, military reinforcement from Damasak and Maiduguri engaged the escaping terrorists and recovered one Hilux vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft gun from the terrorists. (NAN)

  • Army indicts Borno community in Boko Haram attack

    The Nigerian Army has indicted the indigenes of Magumeri town, in Magumeri local government area of Borno State of sponsoring a Boko Haram attack on the community.

    The town had on Wednesday evening come under a Boko Haram attack but was thwarted by the troops of 8 Task Force Division, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    The terrorists, who came with some vehicles at about 6.00pm, attempted to set the town ablaze and kill the residents while the troops were able to neutralize some of the attackers and those that escaped with gunshot wounds were pursued.

    The troops also recovered three vehicles and large quantity of arms and ammunition.

    But in a suprising turn of event, Director Army Public Relation, Brig. General Sani Usman, said investigations have shown the attackers came from the community itself and are well known to the people.

    Usman said: “While troops are still consolidating and mopping up, it is imperative to state that preliminary investigation shows that the attackers of Magumeri came from the same community. The terrorists that attacked the village are well known to the people.

    “It should also be noted that the village was never attacked throughout the period of the insurgency for some inexplicable reasons.  The terrorists and their collaborators hibernating in the area were never exposed. There seems to be unholy alliance between the terrorists and the villagers.

    “Consequently, we are constrained to state that it’s now high time for the people to take up the fight themselves and help the Nigerian military and other security agencies to protect them. It is a grievous mistake and criminal offence to continue to shield or harbour any known Boko Haram terrorist in their midst.”

    While stressing the need to report terrorists’ activities to security agencies, the army spokesman said terrorists are inhuman and barbaric, therefore cannot be trusted to spare anyone in perpetuating their inhuman acts.

    “It is imperative that all communities in the North East especially Borno State, should fully cooperate with the military and the security agencies by exposing Boko Haram terrorists in their respective towns and villages,” he said.

  • Regional forces free 5,000 Boko Haram captives

    Regional West African forces freed 5,000 captives from a Boko Haram base in a more than week-long operation that also completely destroyed the militants’ hideout in mountains along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, Cameroon said Wednesday.

    The “hostages freed consisted mostly of women, children and elderly people,” Communications Minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, told a news conference.

    He added that 21 Boko Haram suspects had been arrested in the raid in the Mandara Mountains between February 26 and March 7, which destroyed a fuel depot and recovered weapons, motorcycles, around 50 bicycles and “various propaganda objects.”

    Reuters reported that Boko Haram has been fighting since 2009 to try to establish a medieval Islamic caliphate in the Lake Chad region, where Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad join.

    A coordinated push by the militaries of these four nations dismantled much of the territory Boko Haram once held, but it remains capable of launching lethal attacks, often targeting the civilian population.

  • Boko Haram insurgency distorted religious values – Kukah

    The Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Wednesday said the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have distorted religious value.

    Bishop Kukah stated this in Sokoto during a two- day National Conference organised for Directors of Social Communication of Catholic Dioceses nationwide.

    He said the insurgents’ activities have negatively influenced the spiritual power of religion due to distorted views.

    “Anything tie to religion tend to be more complex.

    “We need to sit up and be focused against the impending experiences,” he added.

     

     

  • Boko Haram attacking soft targets to remain relevant – Army

    The Nigerian Army has said the recent suicide attacks by Boko Haram fighters on soft targets in Borno State are indications that the insurgents have lost focus and are determined to remain relevant at all costs.

    The deputy Director of Army Public Relation Col. Onyema Nwanchukwu, in a statement in Maiduguri said “these attacks on soft targets are indicative of a drowned Boko Haram group. They have lost ground and focus, hence the only way to remain relevant is to callously attack soft targets using person- borne IEDs and other forms of IEDs.”

    He assured that the army will continue to give the general public the desired protection, saying “we are countering this development with constant patrols and monitoring of the metropolis and other populated areas. We are equally sensitizing the public on the need to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious moves and persons to security agencies.”

    Col. Nwanchukwu, while confirming the suicide attacks in Maiduguri on Wednesday, said the three female bombers killed themselves and one civilian after their attempt to enter Maiduguri metropolis was foiled by residents of the community.

    “At about 1:30 a.m. today, three suicide bombers attempted infiltrating Maiduguri metropolis through Mulai or Usmanti but were intercepted by vigilant civilians in that community. Realizing that they had been busted the suicide bombers detonated their suicide vests killing themselves.

    “Regrettably however one civilian died in the explosion and seven others suffered injuries of varying degrees. Troops were immediately deployed to cordon off the area and the injured are currently receiving medical attention at the UMTH,” the army spokesman added.

     

  • Boko Haram factional leader Al Barnawi, five others arraigned for killing foreigners

    Boko Haram factional leader Al Barnawi, five others arraigned for killing foreigners

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered that six Boko Haram leaders and a woman be remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja pending the conclusion of their trial.
    The order for their remand was made by Justice John Tsoho after they were arraigned on an 11-count charge.
    The Boko Haram leaders, who are members of a splinter group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k.a Ansaru), were arraigned with a wife of one of them.
    They were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking, giving support to terrorist group, being members of terrorist group, being in illegal possession of firearms and concealment of information about acts of terrorism.
    The defendants are the leader of Ansaru, Mohammed Usman (aka Khalid Al Barnawi) and Mohammed Bashir Saleh.
    Others are Umar Bello (aka Abu Azzan); Mohammed Salisu (Datti), Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi), Usman Abubakar (Mugiratu) and Halima Haliru, the second wife of Mohammed Usman.
    Halima was charged, in count 11, with concealment of information from security agencies about her husband’s involvement in the activities of a terrorist group
    Usman, Saleh, Bello, Salisu, Nuhu, Abubakar and others said to be at large are accused of conspiring between 2011 and 2013 in Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and other states in the northern part of Nigeria “to commit act of terrorism”.
    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
    They were also accused of hostage-taking contrary to Section 15(c) of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
    The defendants were accused of being involved in the murder of “internationally-protected persons” contrary to Section (3) (a) of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
    They were said to have in February 2013 at Ikirima Boko Haram Camp of Sambisa Forest murdered seven “internationally protected persons”.
    Usman and one late Abu Mohammed allegedly on March 8, 2012 murdered four others.
    Usman and the late Mohammed were also accused of kidnapping Christopher Mcmamus (Briton) and Franco Lamoliara (Italian) at Birni Kebbi on May 12, 2011. The defendants allegedly detained the two expatriates at Mabera area of Sokoto State up till March 8, 2012.
    The two expatriates were said to be carrying out construction work in Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State, on May 12, 2011, when they were kidnapped by the two alleged terrorists.
    Usman and the late Mohammed were said to have murdered  and buried Mcmamus and Lamoliara in a shallow grave on March 8, 2012.
    It was also alleged that the accused persons, on February 18, 2013,  kidnapped Carlos Bou Azziz, Brendan Vaughan, Silvano Trevisan, Konstantinos Karras, Ghaida Yaser Sa’ad, Julio Ibrahim El-Khouli and Imad El-Andari, at Life Camp Yard of the SETRACO Construction Company in Jama’are, Bauchi State.
    The defendants were said to have detained the seven expatriates at Ikirima Boko Haram camp in Sambisa Forest for a period of 10 days.
    They allegedly “intentionally murdered” and  buried the seven foreigners in a shallow grave.
    The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court.
    Only two of them claimed to understand English, prompting the court to engage the service of an interpreter, who explained proceedings to them in Hausa.
    Justice John Tsoho said the state was with sufficient capacity to provide security for any category of defendant, irrespective of their detention facility.
    He said since it was the provision of the constitution that the place of remand after arraignment was prison, the court could not act otherwise.
    The judge consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja and adjourned to April 11 for further hearing.

  • Court remands six Boko Haram leaders, wife in Kuje prison

    Court remands six Boko Haram leaders, wife in Kuje prison

    …Fixes April for hearing of prosecution’s witness protection motion

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja Tuesday ordered that six Boko Haram leaders and a woman be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja pending the conclusion of their trial.

    The order for their remand was made by Justice John Tsoho shortly after they were arraigned on an 11-count charge.

    The six, who were said to have later formed a splinter group from the Boko Haram known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k.a ANSARU), were arraigned with the second wife of one of them.

    They were charged with conspiracy, hostage taking, giving support to terrorist group, being members of terrorist group, being in illegal possession of firearms and concealment of information about act of terrorism.

    The defendants are Mohammed Usman (aka Khalid Albarnawi), described as the leader of boko Haram splinter group known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k.a ANSARU) and Mohammed Bashir Saleh.

    Others are Umar Bello (aka Abu Azzan); Mohammed Salisu (Datti), Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi), Usman Abubakar (Mugiratu) and Halima Haliru, second wife of Mohammed Usman.

    Halima was charge, in count in 11, with concealment of information from security agebcies about her husband’s involvement in the activities of a terrorist group

    Usman, Saleh, Bello, Salisu, Nuhu, Abubakar and others said to be at large of conspiring between 2011 and 2013 in Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and other states in the northern part of Nigeria “to commit act of terrorism”.

    The offence is said to be contrary to section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

    They were also accused of hostage taking contrary to section 15(c) of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

    The defendants were accused of being involved in the murder of “internationally protected persons” contrary to section (3) (a) of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended in 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

    They were said to have in February 2013 at Ikirima Boko Haram Camp of Sambisa Forest, murdered seven “internationally protected persons”, while Usman and one late Abu Mohammed allegedly, on March 8, 2012, murdered four others.

    Usman and the late Mohammed also accused of kidnapping Christopher Mcmamus (Briton) and Franco Lamoliara (Italian), at Birni Kebbi on May 12, 2011, and continuing to detain the two expatriates at Mabera area of Sokoto State up till March 8, 2012.

    The two expatriates were said to be carrying out construction work in Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State, on May 12, 2011, when they were kidnapped by the two alleged terrorists.

    Usman and the late Mohammed were said to have murdered and buried Mcmamus and Lamoliara in a shallow grave on March 8, 2012.

    It was also alleged that the accused persons, on February 18, 2013, kidnapped Carlos Bou Azziz, Brendan Vaughan, Silvano Trevisan, Konstantinos Karras, Ghaida Yaser Sa’ad (F), Julio Ibrahim El-Khouli and Imad El-Andari, at Life Camp Yard of the SETRACO construction company in Jama’are, Bauchi State.

    The defendants were said to have detained the seven expatriates at Ikirima Boko Haram camp in Sambisa Forest for a period of 10 days.

    They allegedly “intentionally murdered” and buried the seven foreigners in a shallow grave.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court.

    Only two of them claimed to understand English, prompting the court to engage the service of an interpreter, who interpreted proceedings to them in Hausa.

    Shortly after the defendants’ pleas were taken, prosecuting lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran told the court that the prosecution intends to bring an application for witness protection as required under the Terrorism Prevention Act.

    He said the prosecution intends to open it case shortly after its witness protection motion is heard and determined.

    Before then, Labaran urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody o the Department of State Service (DSS) where they have been since they were arrested.

    Defence lawyers, M Attah and  K. Abdulkareem (who represented only the 6th defendant – Abubakar) opposed Labaran’s application as it relates to the place of remand.

    They expressed preference for prison, noting that their clients have not had access to members of their families and lawyers since they were arrested by the DSS about five years ago.

    The defence lawyers argued that beside that the law requires that defendants must be remanded in prison after arraignment in court, it will be easier for their clients to see their lawyers and relatives if they were remanded in prison.

    Ruling, Justice John Tsoho rejected Labaran’s argument that the state would prefer that the defendants were kept in DSS’ custody.

    The judge said the state was with sufficient capacity to provide security for any category of defendant irrespective of their detention facility.

    He said since it was the provision of the Constitution that the place of remand after arraignment was prison, the court cannot act otherwise.

    The judge consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja and adjourned to April 11 for further hearing.

     

  • Orji Kalu says Buhari’s return stabilised polity

    Orji Kalu says Buhari’s return stabilised polity

    A former governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, says the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from the United Kingdom on Friday has brought stability into the polity.

    Kalu told newsmen in Lagos on Sunday that Nigerians were happy that the president was back in good health.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president went on vacation to the UK on Jan. 20, and also met with his doctors during the trip before returning on Friday.

    Kalu said: “Now that the president is back, I am very happy; we have been praying.

    “Both Christians and Muslims have been praying because the country has been so polarised that the fabrics of our nation have been eaten with tribalism and religion.

    “So I am very happy that the president is back and I want him to listen to his doctor’s advice and continue to take his medication, if any’’.

    The former governor noted that the president had kept his campaign promise of restoring peace to the North Eastern part of the country, which had been facing insurrection from the Boko Haram sect.

    “I know that the president has done well in the area of defence and pursuing Boko Haram; I congratulate him as Commander in Chief.

    “I also praise the service chiefs – the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector General of Police as well as the Director of State Service for their backup operation on Boko Haram,’’ he said.

    He, however, called on the government to intensify efforts towards improving the economic situation in the country.

    “Buhari took over when there were a lot of doubts in the economy; he took over when the oil prices went down sharply.

    “And whenever your expenditure is more than your income, then there is already recession.

    “So I am not sure that recession is just going to end so soon.

    “I believe now that the president is back, he should be able to fine-tune the economic team and put some recovery policies in place’’.

    He advised the economic team to be more serious, out looking and no to take anything for granted.

    “The most important thing government should look into is the issue of electricity and internal security.

    “Internal security and electricity are the engine room that drives development and the future of any country.

    “I believe these things can be done,’’ Kalu said.

    He also commiserated with the families of Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, former governor of the Old Western Region and Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of the defunct Bendel State, who passed on recently.

    Kalu said their wealth of experience would be greatly missed by the country and he prayed God to grant them eternal rest.

    NAN reports that Kalu, formerly a staunch member the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 defected to the ruling APC.

    The former governor had told the gathering that he joined the APC to help “diffuse tensions that the party is an ethnic or religious contraption”.

     

  • Troops rescue 211 civilians, clear terrorists from 2 villages

    The Nigerian Army has rescued 211 civilians held captive by the Boko Haram terrorists at Cingal Murye and Maja villages in Northern Borno on Saturday.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director Army Public Relations, said in a statement on Sunday that troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, Operation Lafiya Dole, rescued the victims during an operation in the villages.

    The statement said that one terrorist was neutralised while 11 bicycles were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

    “In addition, the patrol team escorted two heavy duty trucks and 18 pickup vans to recover Internally Displaced Persons’ food stuff from Mala Maja,’’ it added. (NAN)