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Tag: boko haram

  • AU, Lake Chad basin countries sign pacts on Boko Haram

    The African Union and member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Friday in Abuja, to boost the fight against the Boko Haram.

    The agreements were signed at a meeting of Ministers of Defence of LCBC member countries, comprising Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, rounding off a four-day conference of the commission in Abuja.

    The two agreements are on Mobilisation of Additional Support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), fighting the terrorists in the basin and Support Implementation Agreement (SIA).

    AU’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Amb. Smail Chergui, signed on behalf of the union, while the Executive Secretary and Head of Mission of the MNJTF, Mr. Sanusi Abdullahi, signed for the LCBC.

    The agreements will enable the AU commission to receive funds from international partners on behalf of member countries of the LCBC and administer same in support of the MNJTF.

    Chergui commended member countries of the LCBC for their determination in combating the Boko Haram terrorists in the region.

    He said, “This regional initiative is a true reflection of our collective effort for attaining sustainable peace and stability on the continent, using African resources as the primary means for intervention.

    “This collective effort by the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic, the African Union and the international community was instrumental to the operationalisation of the MNJTF.

    “As a result, significant progress has been made toward enabling it (MNJTF) to effectively carry out offensive operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

    “Further to this success, the group has been disorganised and has lost the ability to hold territory.”

     

     

     

     

  • Senators, Reps raise alarm over 14.8m Boko Haram victims

    Senators, Reps raise alarm over 14.8m Boko Haram victims

    National Assembly members from Borno State Friday raised the alarm over the fate of over 14.8 million people affected by the Boko Haram induced humanitarian crisis in the state.

    The lawmakers said that unless immediate steps were taken to address continuous poor budgetary provisions meant to ameliorate mounting humanitarian crisis in the North East, disastrous consequences may not be averted.

    Former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who spoke on behalf of other National Assembly members from the state said that they resolved to ask the Federal Government to work in synergy in coordinating the Humanitarian Response Action in the North East and other crisis affected areas in the country to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability.

    Ndume also said that they resolved to appeal to the government to increase the allocation to PCNI from N45 billion to at least N100 billion while other State Governments, individuals, religious organisations, NGO should help the affected states.

    The media, he said, should also continue to galvanize support to the affected region.

    Ndume spoke on the theme “Relief efforts in the North East especially Borno: The world is worried and doing something” at a press conference in Abuja.

    He said, “Norway, together with Nigeria, Germany and UNOCHA is hosting an international donor conference in Oslo today 24th February 2017.

    “The Nigerian delegation includes the Governor of Borno State, Hon Kashim Shettima; The Minister of Foreign Affairs and The Minister of State for Budget and Planning who is also a member of the Presidential Committee for North East Initiative (PCNI).”

    The Borno South Senator lamented that although the Federal Government is concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in the region, it is not doing enough.

    On the budgetary provision he said, “In the 2016 Appropriation Act only N12 Billion was allocated to PINE to address the humanitarian crisis in the North East out of which only 75% was released. This is less than 10% of the $449 contributed by International Donor countries and Agencies.

    “In the Budget proposal under consideration by NASS only N45 Billion is allocated to PCNI. This is grossly inadequate to address the emergency humanitarian crisis we are faced with compared to the $1.0 Billion which is equivalent to over N305 that the International Donor Countries and Agencies are trying to raise.

    “PCNI; NEMA; BOSG SEMA; VSF; DANGOTE FOUNDATION are the visible government Agencies on ground but International NGOs are more visible and active.

    “Except few individuals particularly Gen T. Y Danjuma and Aliko Dangote, some organizations and NGOs, Nigerians are just watching us going through this horrific experience in our life time.”

    Ndume said that it is obvious that the state government is overwhelmed:

    According to him, “With the meagre resources coming to the state, there is little the State Government can do.

    “However, the state and local governments are using almost all they get to do the basics of feeding the IDPs, payin’g salaries and Reconstructing, Resettling and Rehabilitating the recaptured and accessible areas.”

    On impact of the crisis he said, “The conflict between Boko Haram and military counter operations in North East Nigeria resulted in widespread forced displacement, a major food and nutrition crisis, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, severe protection concerns and a growing humanitarian crisis of global proportion. Now in its eighth year, insecurity continues and is adding to the long history of marginalization and chronic under-development as well as a higher rate of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Long-standing environmental degradation, Closure of markets and disruption of regional trade also contributes to eroding livelihoods, while conflict has caused forced displacement and human suffering on a massive scale.” UNOCHA.

    On key figures engendered by the crisis, he said that14.8 million people are affected by the crisis while estimated cost of destruction is put at over $9 billion.

    Ndume said that up to 7.0 million people in the North East are in need of humanitarian assistance while 1.8 million people are IDPs out of which more than 80% are living in host communities and the rest in camps.

    He said that 2.5 million children are said to be malnourished, majority of them are in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe while 1.3 million children are without access to education.

    Ndume said that over 65,000 children are orphaned due to the crisis while over 500 schools have been destroyed in Borno alone.

    He said that over 100 churches and mosques were destroyed while about 1.0 returning lDPs without anything to start life with.

    Ndume said that over 100,000 people lost their lives as a result of the crisis while about 250 health centers are destroyed

    Other figure he gave included about 800 Municipal Buildings comprising of Police Stations, Secretariat , Prisons and other public buildings amongst others are destroyed 800,000 houses were destroyed; about 500,000 livestock lost,  about 726 energy distribution lines were destroyed, high damage to the ecosystem.

    He listed nine steps needed to save more lives and assist people in North East as adopted NGOS operating in the affected areas include the following: “Step 1: Prioritize the Protection of Civilians. Step 2: An urgent scale up of the food and nutrition response is needed, Step 3: Increase Access to More, Better and Safe Quality Education, Step 4: Safe access to people must be guaranteed.

    Step 5: Ensure greater investment in further strengthening UN, government and NGO leadership, decision making, coordination and the accountability of the humanitarian response. Step 6: Ensure All Returnees are Safe, Voluntary and Dignified  Step 7: Build Resilience and Increase Local Capacity to defend and fend for themselves,  Step 8: Increase security and protection around the Lake Chad Region to encourage safe return of Fishermen and Farmers and Step 9: Kick start the process to recharge the Lake Chad.

  • NAF destroys Boko Haram camp in Gwoza

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) struck a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) location at Tagoshe/Mandara Mountain general area about 10km Southwest of Gwoza .
    Intelligence report by Sister surface forces had it that remnants of fleeing BHTs were gathered at the location.
    The report was confirmed by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft before combat platforms were called in to strike the location.
    The Director Of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said follow-up battle damage assessment confirmed that the air attack was successful as shown by the declassified footage of the operation.
  • NAF destroys Boko Haram camp in Gwoza

    NAF destroys Boko Haram camp in Gwoza

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Friday struck a Boko Haram Terrorist location at Tagoshe/Mandara Mountain general area about 10km South-west of Gwoza in Northern Borno.
    The intelligence report by Sister surface forces had it that the remnants of fleeing insurgents were gathered at the location.
    The report was confirmed by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft before combat platforms were called in to strike the location.
    The Director Of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said follow-up battle damage assessment confirmed that the air attack was successful as shown by the declassified footage of the operation. 

  • Gaidam inspects renovated schools in Yobe

    Gaidam inspects renovated schools in Yobe

    …says Boko Haram will not stop him from work

     

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim has said that the activities of Boko Haram will not deter him from changing the face of education in the state.

    Gaidam who was on an inspection tour of the renovation of secondary schools at Guyio Kura in Bade Local Government area of the state  said, he is focused on bringing back all schools that were destroyed by the insurgents, adding that “Boko Haram is already history so there is no need to be afraid of them anymore”.

    The governor who expressed happiness over the high spirit of the students despite the bad shape the school was encouraged them to study hard so as to become responsible people in the society.

    He expressed displeasure over the state of the school in the past, while promising to employ more teachers for the school to raise the standard of learning in the school.

    “After the construction and renovations of the structures, I am going to employ more teachers for you to raise the quality and standard of learning in this school,” Gaidam said.

    The governor, on discovery of poor feeding in the school, directed the state ministry of education to without delay improve the feeding arrangement for the students in the schools.

    “I got reports from a journalist here that your feeding is not sufficient. You cannot learn very well on an empty stomach. It is only when the stomach is full that you can concentrate and learn better. On that note, I have directed the commissioner of education to immediately effect the necessary changes on your feeding arrangements. I want every one of you to eat and satisfy so that you can study hard,”Gaidam said.

    Investigation gathered that over one thousand students were fed on 17 measures of rice and 5 measures of beans – a ration which does not go round the students as some of them come to the dinning and leave without food.

    Earlier, while briefing the governor, the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mohammed Lamin informed that three secondary schools have been selected for comprehensive renovation and overhaul in the three senatorial districts of the state at the cost of over N1billion.

    He informed that the work at the Guyio Kura secondary school is more than 70% completed, adding that the  student’s will soon begin to enjoy the new facilities and make learning more conducive.

  • Army arrests two Boko Haram members, 15 others in Kogi

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday paraded 17 suspected criminals including two Boko Haram members arrested in Okene, Kogi State.

    The suspects were paraded before journalists at the Command Army Record in Lokoja with various dangerous weapons, including 10 AK 47 rifles, locally made guns, 12 masks of different sizes, munitions, a local dagger knife, pump action guns, grenade and five Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs).

    The Commandant, Army Records, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowea, while parading the suspects said in the last three weeks, troops have been working round the clock alongside other security agencies in the state to end kidnapping and the invasion by insurgents.

    He said all the 17 suspects, including Fulani bandits terrorizing the area were arrested in Okene and environs, noting that following the capture of Sambisa forest by the military, many of the insurgents have invaded Kogi State.

    “Boko-Haram members have scattered and many of them have made their ways to Kogi State. We took the security situation very serious and that is why we went after them,” he said.

     

     

     

  • Boko Haram recruits 2,000 children – UNICEF

    Boko Haram recruits 2,000 children – UNICEF

    The terrorist Boko Haram group recruited about 2,000 children in 2016 and used them as child soldiers, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.

    UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, disclosed this as global leaders gather in Paris on the anniversary of the Paris Commitments to end the use of children in conflict, according to a UN report.

    Lake said estimates indicated that tens of thousands under the age of 18 were being used in conflicts worldwide.

    According to the UNICEF chief, exact data on the number of children used and recruited in armed conflict is difficult to ascertain because of the unlawful nature of child recruitment.

    “For instance, since 2013 an estimated 17,000 children have been recruited in South Sudan and up to 10,000 have been recruited in the Central African Republic (CAR).

    “Similarly, nearly 2,000 children were recruited by Boko Haram, in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, last year alone, and there have been nearly 1,500 cases of child recruitment in Yemen since the conflict escalated in March 2015.

    “We cannot give up the fight to end child recruitment,” the UNICEF chief said.

    According to him, even though over the past 10 years, more than 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups, tens of thousands of boys and girls under the age of 18 continue to be used in conflicts around the world.

    “It is not only about looking back at what has been accomplished  but looking forward to the work that remains to be done to support the children of war,” he said.

    Adopted 10 years ago, the Paris Commitments, together with the Paris Principles and Guidelines, lay out guidance for protecting children from recruitment and use by armed forces or armed groups.

    The Paris Agreement also assists the release of child soldiers and their reintegration, with other vulnerable children affected by armed conflict in their communities.

    “There has also been progress: since it was adopted, the number of countries endorsing the Paris commitments has nearly doubled from 58 countries in 2007 to 105 at present, signalling an increasing global commitment to end the use of children in conflict.

    “Globally, more than 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups, including 20,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    “Nearly 9,000 in the Central African Republic; and over 1,600 children in Chad. But more needs to be done,” the UNICEF chief said.

    According to him, seeking to build on the current momentum, the Paris International Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts is urging for unconditional release of all children – without exception – and putting an end to child recruitment.

    “It is also calling for increased resources to help reintegrate and educate children who have been released, and urgent action to protect internally displaced children, child refugees and migrants.

    “As long as children are still affected by the fighting, we cannot give up the fight for the children,” Lake added. (NAN)

  • Kogi now haven for Boko Haram – Governor

    Kogi now haven for Boko Haram – Governor

    Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Tuesday said that following the technical defeat of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, its fleeing members had found a haven in his state.

    Bello made the disclosure in Abuja while speaking at the seventh edition of the National Security Seminar entitled: “Consolidating on the Gains of Counter Terrorism Operations in Nigeria’’.

    He, however, warned that the insurgents had chosen a wrong place because he was ready to collaborate with the military to rout them out of the state.

    “Kogi is now a haven for Boko Haram, because many of them have relocated to my state.

    “Just last night, four high profile Boko Haram members were arrested in Kogi by the military.

    “I want to assure them that they have chosen a wrong place to relocate, because we will never allow them.

    “We will work together with the armed forces to consolidate on the victory and gains recorded in the North-East,’’ he said.

    The governor commended the military for their efforts at “technically defeating’’ the insurgents in the North-East, and underscored the need to consolidate on the victory to avoid a relapse.

    Bello said the government had actually done a lot in safeguarding lives and property and in reclaiming the territorial integrity of the country.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, said that for the nation to consolidate on the gains of counter terrorism operations, national security agencies must work in synergy.

    Abubakar also appealed to the government to look into and implement several suggestions made by experts at previous security seminars held in the country.

    He said it was high time the government developed the political will to implement suggestions proffered by experts to prevent making security seminars mere talk shows.

    Meanwhile, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Temlong, the President, Alumni Association of National Defence College, described terrorism as a global threat that had affected over 65 million globally.

    He commended the armed forces for the victory recorded against the Boko Haram, but emphasised the need to brace up and consolidate on the exploit in order to put a final end to the threat.

    NAN reports that the seminar is jointly organised by the National Defence College of Nigeria, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Alumni Association of National Defence College. (NAN)

  • Buhari saved Aso Rock from being taken over by Boko Haram – Garba Shehu

    Buhari saved Aso Rock from being taken over by Boko Haram – Garba Shehu

    But for President Muhammadu Buhari’s election in 2015, Boko Haram insurgents might have taken over the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has said that President Muhammadu Buhari stated this during an interactive session with Nigeria students and youths organized by the Citizen Support for Good Governmence in Nigeria (CSGGN) in Abuja at the weekend.

    “Look at all the efforts that have been put in rolling back Boko Haram. There are many people who believe that if not for president Buhari, and if PDP had continued to rule this country in 2015, Boko Haram would have taken over Aso Rock by now. ”

    Shehu said President Buhari was not interested in building a legacy that will disappear within a short period or attract newspaper headlines, but wants to build a country that will stand the test of time.

    According to him, Buhari is working hard to restructure the Country and reposition the economy for better.

    Describing the President as a long distant runner, Shehu said Nigerians misunderstand the real intentions of the President, adding that no nation has ever developed when it rely solely on importation of all its needs.

    ” We have achieved so much in terms of security. On the war against corruption people are stealing money, huge amounts of money, the kind of money that they don’t need, what do you need that kind of money for?,” Shehu said.

  • Boko Haram: Borno governor holds emergency security meeting

    Boko Haram: Borno governor holds emergency security meeting

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has held an emergency security meeting over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state.

    Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to Gov. Shettima on Communication and Strategy in a statement said, the meeting was held behind closed door in attendance with all heads of security agencies in the state including Nigerian Army, Air Force, Police and the Department of State Security where proactive measures were taken on how to increase surveillance against Boko Haram attacks.

    The statement also disclosed that the meeting lasted for about three hours after the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Leo Irabor had briefed the governor on recent attacks and ongoing military operations, adding that discussions were also centred on wave of suicide attacks following the dismantling of Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest.

    Isa said the meeting was held for over three hours at the council chambers of the Government House, the meeting had in attendance ‎the G.O.C, Seven Division of the Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu; the Commander, 79 Composite group of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Charles Oho; the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu; the Garrison Commander, 7
    Division of the Army, Brigadier General Jibrin G. Mohammed; the State Director of the DSS, Suleiman Kankia; Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi; the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa, the attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Permanent Secretary in charge of security.

    The statement said, “At the end of meeting, new guard locations were established in some routes across the State to curtail the movement of remnants of Boko Haram fighters; deployment of security personnel to various locations were increased with more members of Civilian JTF (youth volunteers involved) while the Governor gave approval for release of additional patrol vehicles to security agencies for increased surveillance.

    “ The Governor also approved logistics to compliment efforts of the federal government in strengthening armed forces while measures were adopted to strengthen the Civilian JTF and hunters. The meeting also reviewed synergy between formal armed forces and volunteers with steps adopted to increase collaboration and clamp down on cattle rustling used by insurgents to raise funds.
    ” The council deliberated on recent false information spread by mischief makers to cause disaffection between armed forces and volunteers particularly the Civilian JTF with the council warning mischief makers against destabilizing the emerging peace across the State,” the statement said.

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