The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Four Boko Haram members arrested in Borno

    Four Boko Haram members, carrying concealed 100 motorcycles have been arrested by Nigerian troops.

    The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman, said the fleeing terrorists were arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Madaki village in Biu local government area of Borno State by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade.

    The terrorists were named as Muazu Gogobir, Mamman Shuaibu, Muhammadu Muhammadu and Isah Ibrahim.

    “They were intercepted along with 100 concealed motorcycles at the outskirt of the town. The suspected Boko Haram terrorists are undergoing preliminary investigation,” Sani stated.

    According to Usman, following the dislodgement and sequent occupation of Boko Haram stronghold at Camp Zairo, Sambisa forest, the terrorists have been fleeing the theatre to avoid capture and prosecution.

     

  • NSCDC arrest two Boko Haram members in Niger

    The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspected Boko Haram members in Minna.

    The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Yahaya, said the duo of Usman Al-Amin and Sanusi Ibrahim Bala were arrested at different locations in the state capital.

    Yahaya said Al-Amin was under surveillance by undercover officers due to some strange behavior exhibited by him.

    “The officers discovered that Al-Amin pretended to be insane during the day but reverted to his normal self at night when he would make several calls to his members elsewhere.

    “Apparently unaware that he was being monitored, he would make calls at night to persons we suspected were their members. It was at this point that it became clear to us that he is not a lunatic,” the NSCDC spokesman said.

    Yahaya said the suspects are presently undergoing interrogation which would aid security agents in arresting other members of the group.

     

  • Boko Haram: Troops recover bodies of Lt.-Col., 15 soldiers

    Boko Haram: Troops recover bodies of Lt.-Col., 15 soldiers

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have recovered the body of Lt. Col  K Yusuf, the former Commanding Officer of 223 Tank Battalion and 15 soldiers who were declared missing.

    The bodies  were recovered  after troops conducted clearance operations and dislodging of some Boko Haram elements at Asaga village along Kamadugou river line in Borno State.

     The late Lt Col. Yusuf and his soldiers were declared missing in action on October 16, 2016 after Boko Haram fighters dislodged them from their station in Gashiga.

    The Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole , Major General Lucky Iraboh, who announced this yesterday during a review of the operations under his command, said the fallen soldiers were buried at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery “with full military honours.”

    Maj. Gen Irabor said the troops successfully conducted several clearance operations and arrested 963 civilians as Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) suspects while two Boko Haram members surrendered to the troops during the operations conducted between January 4-11.

     Gen. Iraboh said following reports of an attempt by Boko Haram members to regroup, troops embarked on clearance operation and clashed with Boko Haram at Wulge village. In the fire fight that ensued ,11 Boko Haram members were killed while nine others were arrested .

    Also, six Boko Haram members were killed while two soldiers were injured in a clearance operation on January 8, 2017. The operation involved troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force in Dogon Chuku towards Tumbun Rago.

    The theatre commander said: “ On 8 Jan 17 at 0830hrs, own troops conducted clearance operation in MANAWASI and GAREL villages. The troops encountered BHT at BULAKESA village. The troops successfully cleared the BHT with support from Air Component and dominated the village.

    “Sadly, an officer and four soldiers were killed in action while three other soldiers were wounded. A total   of 50 BHT were killed in action while 3 AK47 rifles and several weapons and grenade were recovered from the BHT. Also, 9 BHT adults and 18 minors were arrested during the operation,” he said.

     Gen. Iraboh said on January 3rd, four women and 13 children were apprehended by vigilantes at BUNI YADI and were later handed over to troops. He said preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of BHTs who fled from Sambisa Forest as a result of the operations.

     The theatre Commander said:  “On 4 Jan 17 at about 1300hrs, own troops at KATARKO while on patrol along GUJBA-NANAMAJI road arrested four BHT suspects fleeing TALALA. Their names are Babagana Mohammedu from HONG in MICHIKA LGA, Usman Usman from FUNTUA Katsitna State,  Murtala Dan-azimi from KOFAR GOMBE Bauchi State and Sanusi Dahiru from SAKWAYA in Jigawa State. Arrested suspects are in own custody undergoing further interrogation.

    “On January 5,2017 own troops and CJTF arrested four BHT suspects at SHUWARI village ahead of own checkpoint following a tip off that there were some BHT amirs lurking around. The suspects are Modu Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji. During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified Modo Auwami as the one who used to provide medical treatment to injured BHT and had been seen wielding AK47 rifle on several occasions. The other 3 suspects claimed they were abducted by the BHT but only spent few days in their camps. The suspects are all from DAGUMBA and GUMSHE in MAFA and DIKWA LGA respectively. The suspects are in custody undergoing further interrogation.

    “On 8 Jan 17 at about 2317hrs, following a tip-off a suspected BHT member one Abubakar Babagana Tijani (also known as Mafiyo) was arrested at GONGE area of MAIDUGURI. The suspect is believed to be among those at the top hierarchy of the BHT sect as he is especially known for his cross border activities. He has been to Chad, Cameroun and Republic of Niger at various times. The suspect has been undergoing interrogation.

    “On 6 Jan 16 at about 2120hrs, own troops deployed at BUNI YADI arrested 2 men who were wandering forward of own troops location. On challenge, one of them identified himself as an ex-soldier. Troops arrested them and preliminary investigation revealed that the ex-soldier was dismissed from the military in Jan 16 at NASI while the other suspect was his friend. The suspects are undergoing interrogation. “

    General Iraboh explained that a total of 119 Nigerian refugees were handed over to Nigerian troops at Banki by the Cameroonian forces. They were made up of 20 male adults, 25 female adults and 74 children. They were screened and moved to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

     He said the troops had reconstructed many bridges. “ I am hopeful that my earlier call to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies for equipment support for construction and rebuilding of infrastructure will be fruitful,” the military chief said.

  • Army recover more Boko Haram items in Sambisa

    Army recover more Boko Haram items in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had recovered more suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ items during a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest.

    Maj. – Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    Irabor said that the items included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design often used by security guards of Abubakar Shekau in his videos.

    “On Jan. 5, at about 1000hrs, our troops conducted a mop-up operation around Camp Zairo general area and recovered additional Boko Haram terrorists’ items.

    “They included a pair of black uniform with camouflage design on the edges, a précis on motar operation written in Arabic, one big size of the Qur’an, and 4 notebooks containing names of terrorists, “he said.

    ” The items also include a list of the terrorists locs, a list of IED materials and method of preparation and breakdown of quantities of arms and ammunition issued to their members.

    “There were also some instructions written in Arabic and a small Boko Haram flag with Arabic inscription,” he said.(NAN)

  • Four suicide bombers killed in Nigeria’s border

    Four female suicide bombers were killed Wednesday after crossing into northern Cameroon from Nigeria, according to local officials.

    The news underscores the continued threats in Nigeria’s border areas.

    The governor of Cameroon’s Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakari, told Voice of America (VOA) that self-defense groups spotted the four young women crossing the border in pairs early Wednesday.

    Three of them detonated their suicide vests, killing only themselves, the governor said, while the fourth was shot and killed by soldiers.

    Bakari said he is congratulating the military and self- defense groups who had dedicated their lives to fight the terrorists.

    He said the population should know that the war against Boko Haram has not ended, so they should double their vigilance knowing Cameroon is still fighting the war.

    Cameroon Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Issa Tchiroma, told VOA that troops have been pushing back on the cross-border threat.

    He said a series of joint raids by Cameroonian and Nigerian troops that begun in mid-December has destroyed a Boko Haram logistical base in Goshe. He said the base was used to mount deadly cross-border attacks on civilians.

    “Several manufacturing units of explosive devices were destroyed. A dozen explosive devices were neutralized. Training camps were dismantled. Hundreds of terrorists were definitely neutralized. Over 30 fighters were captured and handed over to Nigerian forces. Hundreds of hostages were freed and handed over to Nigerian forces,” said Tchiroma.

     

     

  • Army arrests 963 Boko Haram suspects in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it has arrested about 963 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists during an operation in Borno State.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this  at the weekly review of the Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    “On January 3 at about 1240hrs, four women and 13 children were apprehended by vigilantes at Buni Yadi and were later handed over to our troops,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Gen. Irabor as saying at the forum.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of Boko Haram terrorists who fled from Sambisa forest as a result of our operations. All suspects are in our custody undergoing investigation.

    “On January 9, a surrendered Boko Haram member was identified as a male sympathiser and spy in Monguno area. We also identified two wives of Amir (Boko Haram Commander) from the arrested members.”

    He added that on January 5, at about 1030hrs, following a tip-off, troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested four Boko Haram suspects at Shuwari village.

    “The suspects are: Modu Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji.

    “During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified Auwami as one who provided medical treatment to injured terrorists.

    “The other three suspects claimed they were abducted by the terrorists and that they only spent few days in their camps,” the army commander said.

    He said the suspects were now in the Army’s custody undergoing further interrogation.

  • Insurgency: Army recovers corpses of 15 soldiers, officer declared missing

    Insurgency: Army recovers corpses of 15 soldiers, officer declared missing

    The Nigerian Army said it had recovered corpses of “one officer and 15 soldiers’’ earlier declared “Missing in Action” during an operation to dislodge the Boko Haram insurgents from Gashigar Area in Borno on Oct. 16, 2016.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this at a weekly review of Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, on Wednesday.

    “The corpses were recovered along Kamadugou River line area in Maiduguri.

    “Among the recovered corpses was that of Lt.-Col. K Yusuf, the former Commanding Officer (CO) of 223 Tank Battalion.

    “They have since been buried in Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery with full military honours,’’ Irabor said.

  • DSS arrests four Boko Haram members in Lagos

    The Department of State Service (DSS) on Tuesday said it has arrested four fleeing Boko Haram members in Lagos.

    DSS in a statement signed by one Tony Opuiyo added that a commander of the terror group was arrested in Okene, Kogi State.

    The statement said the terrorists fled their locations in the North East following the ongoing military operations in that region.

    Those arrested in Lagos are Fanayi Bukar Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar, and Amina Abubakar, while the one taken in Okene was listed as Abdullahi Mohammed.

     

     

  • Army reveals Boko Haram’s new tactics

    Army reveals Boko Haram’s new tactics

    •Four dead in Borno blasts

    The army yesterday warned Nigerians of the new tactic being used by Boko Haram.
    Yesterday’s announcement came as suicide bombers struck again on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
    Apart from the three suicide bombers who were killed, a member of the Civilian JTF also died.
    Spokesman of the, Army 7 Division, Col. Mustafa Anka,said: “This is to draw the attention of the general public to recent trend used by desperate remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT). Recently, two female suicide bombers knocked at the door of one Bulama and Usman about 200 meters apart in Kalari general area of Maiduguri.
    “ The daughter of Bulama opened the door, while Usman himself opened his own door immediately the suicide bombers detonated their suicide vest, in the process killing the unsuspected little girl, Usman and the two female suicide bombers.
    “The general public is hereby advised to be cautious and wary of strange persons knocking at their doors. Security is a collective responsibility; the public is to engage in neighborhood watch. Suspicious movement of persons should be reported to security agents without any delay. The public is once again reminded that curfew is still enforced by 10pm daily, any defaulters will be prosecuted accordingly.”
    During the Maiduguri blast, a security source said three of the dead were the three suicide bombers, all females, while the other one is an operative of the Civilian JTF in the state.
    More than two loud bangs from the explosions were heard on Sunday night at about 10.30pm, sending many residents into panic.
    Another security source said the multiple explosions occurred at Kaleri village in Gwange general area outskirt of Maiduguri.
    Borno state police spokesman Victor Isuku who confirmed the incident, said the two separate attacks were recorded on Sunday night, orchestrated by Boko Haram suicide bombers in an attempt to infiltrate Maiduguri.
    Isuku said: “At about 2020hrs of yesterday 8/1/2017, three male suicide bombers shot sporadically and attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri via Garki Muna village close to a military checkpoint. The IED strapped to their bodies exploded killing all of them, and a civilian JTF, Two Ak47 rifles were recovered, while one was completely destroyed as a result of the explosion.
    “Then about 2230hrs same date, there were two suicide bombers attack at Kaleri area of Gwange. Four persons including two female suicide bombers died in the explosion. Both scenes were swept and rendered safe for public access by personnel from EOD, FSARS and patrol teams of the command at the wee hours of today. Normalcy has since returned to these areas,” the statement reads.

  • Police alert Kwarans on fleeing Boko Haram terrorists

    Kwara State police command has alerted residents of the state on the probability of the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents dislocated from the Sambisa forest, Borno state, infiltrating the state.
    The command also alerted the public “to watch out for person/persons finding asylum in different communities across the state”.

    In a statement the command spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, advised the public to watch out for people posing as new converts into religious
    folds in order to attract sympathy of the unspecting communities.

    It warned that such strategy might be a calculated attempt “to create sleeper-cells in order to enable them to hibernate and restrategise for terrorist activities”.

    “Hence, landlords, tenants, religious and traditional community leaders are to report any of the above tendencies to the police.

    “Landlords, ward/district Heads and property agents are to report strange faces seeking accommodation and ensure that accommodation
    whether for rent or sales are not offered without the consent and proper documentation with security agencies.

    “Denial of insurgents to have any foot hold in the State must be ensured”, the command said