The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Troop rescues 85 hostages near Lake Chad

    Troop rescues 85 hostages near Lake Chad

    At least 85 Boko Haram hostages mostly women and children have been rescued in Chukungudu on the fringe of Lake Chad by troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, led by the General Officer Commanding of the Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

    Chukungudu on the southern fringes of Lake Chad Region in the northern part of Borno state is a strategic hub town from where Boko Haram conducts it’s strategic operations. However the maneuvering Brigade led by 3 Battalion of 22 Brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu.

    The  troops neutralized five Boko Haram terrorists fighters in a fierce encounter that made several of the terrorists running into the Lake Chad waters.

    The troops recovered 4 rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, 1 Double Barrel Gun, 349 packets containing various rounds of ammunitions, 3 Magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and 1 AK-47 rifle magazine.

    During the clearance operations, the troops made spectacular discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Geram. In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests. They also discovered a well equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts warehouse at Chukungudu village.

    The troops recovered 3 vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles. ‎However, a soldier died during the encounter.

  • Boko Haram kills Army’s most decorated officer in night attack

    Boko Haram kills Army’s most decorated officer in night attack

    An army officer decorated by the authorities for his courage in the fight against the terror sect Boko Haram, has fallen in a battle with the insurgents.

    Lieutenant Col. Muhammad Abu Ali died yesterday along with three of his men while repelling an attack on a location of 119 Battalion   of the Army at Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

    Ali was, until his death, the commanding officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.

    Four other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

    The troops however repelled the attack and killed 14 of the insurgents.

    The loss of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali was a big blow to the Nigerian Army as he has been described as one of the finest and most courageous officer currently deployed against Boko Haram.

    Ali’s exceptional bravery and gallantry earned  him an accelerated promotion from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel and was personally decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on September 9, 2015 during an operational visit.

    His colleagues recalled the gallant role he played in the recapture of Baga from insurgents.

    That February 2015 battle is often cited in military circles as one of the army’s fiercest-ever with Boko Haram.

    He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala.

    During that decoration, Buratai praised Ali for his “courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.”

    A soldier who served under him attested to his leadership qualities especially in Baga.

    “He led us with the T-72 when we advanced on Monguno and Baga, and he collected those places,” he said of Ali.

    The troops recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), seven AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition from the defeated insurgents.

     

  • Boko Haram kills top Army officer

    Boko Haram kills top Army officer

    A highly decorated officer of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Col. Muhammad Abu Ali was on Friday killed after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State.
    Until his death, Ali was the commanding officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
    The troops which fought gallantly to repel the attack, killed 14 of the attackers.

    However, four soldiers were killed, while four others sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter.
    The loss of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, was a big blow to the Nigerian Army as he has been described as one of the finest and most courageous officer currently deployed against Boko Haram.

    Ali’s exceptional bravery and gallantry gave him an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on 9th September 2015 during an operational visit.
    The late officer played a gallant role in one of the army’s fiercest-ever battles with Boko Haram, in February 2015, culminating in the recapture of Baga from insurgents.
    He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala. During that decoration, Buratai praised Ali for his “courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists”.

  • Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    Troops of 8 Task Force Division, Nigerian Army, on Thursday intercepted a group of suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly on a mission to loot logistics supplies in surrounding villages.

    Col. Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations Department, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri.

    He said that the troops were patrolling the Monguno-Brimari road when the incident occurred.

    “On sighting the patrol, the insurgents engaged the troops in a shootout that lasted for about fifteen minutes before they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the patrol.

    “In the encounter, 2 insurgents were neutralised and their weapons including one FN rifle loaded with a magazine of 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK 47 rifle with 3 magazines were captured.

    “Also recovered from the insurgents were 2 motorcycles, drugs, wrappers and clothes,” the statement said. 

  • Cameroon Military court jails men who joked about Boko Haram

    Cameroon Military court jails men who joked about Boko Haram

    Amnesty International has condemned the 10 years imprisonment  imposed by a Military Court in Cameroon  on three young men,  Fomusoh Ivo Feh, and his friends Afuh Nivelle Nfor and Azah Levis Gob – who were convicted of ‘non-denunciation of terrorist acts’ following a  trial in Yaoundé.

    Samira Daoud, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa said Fomusoh Ivo and his two friends should never have been arrested in the first place, as they were simply exercising their right to freedom of expression.

    “Instead of being in school like their friends, these three young men will now spend years of their lives in prison for a simple joke.

    “This ruling is clear evidence that Cameroonian military courts should not have jurisdiction to try civilians. The Cameroonian authorities must quash their conviction and sentence and immediately and unconditionally release all three of them,” Daoud stated.

    Ivo, 27, whom Amnesty International considers to be a prisoner of conscience, was arrested on 13 December 2014 after forwarding his friends a sarcastic SMS referring to Boko Haram. He was held in police custody in Douala before being transferred to Yaoundé Prison in January 2015.

  • Eight suicide bombers blown off at military check point

    Eight suicide bombers blown off at military check point

    …Troops rescued 38 women and children held captive by Boko Haram

     

    Eight Boko Haram suicide bombers loaded in a pick-up van detonated themselves in a failed attempt to cross over a military check point at Gubio town, Gubio Local Government of Borno State, the Army has said.

    According to a statement by the Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman, the incident occurred at about 9.15am on Tuesday at a check-point when the suicide bombers got frustrated after troops insisted on searching the vehicle before one of them detonated his explosive ridden bodies killing the rest of his colleagues.

    Gubio town is 80 km away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital

    The statement reads: “Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed at a checkpoint in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State at about 9.15am this morning, foiled a suicide attack on Gubio town by 8 Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The suicide bombers who came in a Bedford pick up vehicle primed with Improvised Explosive Devices including suicide vests attempted to force their way through the checkpoint but met stiff resistance from troops who insisted that the vehicle be thoroughly checked.

    “The suicide bombers refused and blew up themselves by detonating one of the suicide vests killing all the 8 Boko Haram terrorists on board,” the statement said.

    Earlier today, nine people were killed in a car explosion along Gubio road in Maiduguri.

    The Police State Public Relation Office DSP Victor Isuku told our correspondent that “There was an explosion today along Gubio road just before the military check point.

    “According to preliminary report, a pick up van with nine persons onboard, emerged from a bush path to join the road to Gubio town, when it exploded killing all the persons onboard,” DSP Isuku said.

    In another development, troops of 8 Task Force Division through operation HARDKNOCK have rescued 19 women and 19 children from the northern axis of Borno State where the clearance of Boko Haram remainants is ongoing.

    In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relation 8 Task Force Division said: “The troops of 8 Task Force Division has commenced an Operation codenamed Operation HARDKNOCK to clear pockets Boko Haram terrorist hiding in remote areas of northern Borno State, along Nigeria-Niger borders.

    “As the operation progresses, troops have cleared pockets of insurgents from their hideouts in Momo and Tunshe villages around Marte general area Borno state.

    “The troops have rescued 19 women and 19 children held hostages in Dumba village by the terrorists. During the rescue operation, the troops neutralized 6 Boko Haram insurgents while others fled with gunshot wounds leaving behind 22 motorcycles, flags and other items”.

  • Borno youths selling fuel to Boko Haram

    •Sect members ‘sending stolen cattle for sale’ 

    The Boko Haram sect has devised survival strategies after being degraded by the troops.

    The objective of this is to enable them to get cash, food and fuel supplies.

    Commandant of the Borno Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi , told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Borno state capital Maiduguri, yesterday that youths were being recruited by Boko Haram to supply fuel to Gamboru Ngala in the northern part of the state.

    Abdullahi said his men had intercepted a reasonable quantity of fuel packaged in cartons of groundnut oil, bound for Gamboru Ngala.

    He said since Boko Haram were running out of food and other supplies, they had employed all sorts of means to replenish their stock.

    “The command arrested a suspect, who confessed that he did not know the owner of the consignment that he was asked to deliver to the insurgents trapped in Gamboru Ngala.

    “He later confessed that each of the five litres of fuel is sold at N15,000 to the insurgents.

    “You will recall we raised the alarm that some agents of Boko Haram were transporting stolen cows from Mafa, Kalabalge and Bomboshe axis in the state to cattle market in Maiduguri.

    “The Boko Haram men usually send the cows to their agents in the city who will then sell them and repatriate either cash or fuel to the terrorists.

    “We are therefore warning the people especially drivers not to accept or convey any form of message that looks suspicious to any one, especially along the Gamboru axis.

    “We are also warning the drivers, park owners and union groups to always check their passengers and their luggages to avoid transporting bad elements that would cause havoc in the society.

    According to him, the command is working with other relevant security agencies to bring all the collaborators of terrorists to book.

    Also yesterday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advised Borno residents, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to be more vigilant, following increased suicide attacks targeted at the displaced persons in Maiduguri.

    Malam Muhammad Kanar, the North East Coordinator of the agency said the attacks were a sign of desperation by the Boko Haram insurgents to cause havoc in the IDP camps.

    “It is true that they have been trying all these while to gain access into the city and wreak havoc, but the security agents have been up and doing in preventing them.

    “Those that came in on Saturday were the first two and then today we had another one that was detected early enough by the security agents, ” he said.

    Kanar said that residents must collaborate with the security agents by being more vigilant to prevent future attacks.

    “This is the kind of challenge we sometimes face in carrying out humanitarian service.

    ”But definitely, we have confidence in the military and other security agents, the challenges shall come to pass,” he said.

    Nine persons were killed in a twin suicide attacks in Maiduguri on Saturday while another suspected suicide attack was foiled by the military on Sunday near the scene of that of Saturday.

  • Boko Haram hires youths to supply fuel – NSCDC

    The Borno command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday raised the alarm that youths in Maiduguri are now being recruited by Boko Haram to supply fuel in Gamboru Ngala area of the state.

    The Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi made the revelation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Abdullahi said the command had intercepted a reasonable quantity of fuel packaged in a carton of groundnut oil, bound for Gamboru Ngala local government area in the state.

    He said since Boko Haram are running out of food and other supplies, they have employed all sorts of means to replenish stock.

    “The command had so far arrested a suspect, who confessed that he did not know the owner of the consignment that he was asked to deliver to the insurgents trapped in Gamboru Ngala.

    “He later confessed that each of the five litres of fuel is sold at N15,000 to the insurgents.

    “You will recall we raised the alarm that some agents of Boko Haram were transporting stolen cows from Mafa, Kalabalge and Bomboshe axis in the state to cattle market in Maiduguri.

    “The Boko Haram usually send the cows to their agents in the city who will then sell them and repatriate either cash or fuel to the terrorists.

    “We are therefore warning the people especially drivers not to accept or convey any form of message that looks suspicious to any one, especially along the Gamboru axis.

    “We are also warning the drivers, park owners and union groups to always check their passengers and their luggages to avoid transporting bad elements that would cause havoc in the society.

    According to him, the command is working with other relevant security agencies to bring all the collaborators of terrorists to book. (NAN)

  • Cameroonian Army lauds Nigeria on fight against Boko Haram

    The Cameroonian Army has commended the gallant effort of the Nigerian Army in chasing away Boko Haram terrorists from the country.

    The Commander Sector 1 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Brig.-Gen. Bouba Dobekreo said this when he visited General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division, Nigerian Army Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu in Maiduguri.

    Col. Mustapha Anka, spokesman of the division stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Dobekreo commended army for its gallantry in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, saying that such action has shown the determination of the Nigerian government to end terrorism.

    Anka quoted the visitor as saying that the Boko Haram insurgency since its inception had affected the economy of Cameroon, especially as it concerned that Trans Sahara Trade.

    Dobekreo described the GOC as a strategist, professional and team player, who believed in synergy and cooperation to achieve set objectives.

    He thanked the GOC for all the support his troops enjoyed from his command, especially in the area of information sharing, and promised to maintain the already existing synergy between the two countries.

    Dobekreo also described the challenges posed by the terrorists as a test for West African countries to handle security threats in the region by themselves.

    He called on West African countries to always be security conscious along the borders of the Chad Basin.

    The Cameroonian Commander promised to stand by Nigeria to end the insurgency in the shortest possible time.

    Responding, the GOC thanked the Cameroonian Commander and then attributed their success to the relationship between the two countries through collaboration and capacity building in the fight against insurgency.

    He described the visit as timely, saying it would afford the Commanders the opportunity to sit and re-strategise for the final onslaught against the terrorists.

  • ‘Chibok schoolgirl’s child not for Boko Haram’

    ‘Chibok schoolgirl’s child not for Boko Haram’

    One of the Chibok schoolgirls that came back with a child was already pregnant before she was abducted along with 219 other girls by Boko Haram gunmen on 14 April 2014.

    A source close to negotiations to free the remaining schoolgirls told NAN that there was no truth whatsoever in stories making the rounds that the girl was impregnated by one of her Boko Haram abductors.

    The informed source clarified that contrary to some media reports, the girl had conceived before her abduction after being properly married.

    “The girl and her parents have confirmed this. The child is not a Boko Haram Child,’’he said.

    The source also debunked stories that one of the girls came back pregnant, with some reports specifically saying one was four months pregnant.

    The NAN source trashed the stories as unfounded.

    “None of the girls released was sexually harassed or abused while in captivity by their abductors,” he said.

    “The current state of the girls is a source of joy as they are receiving the best medical, psychological and other forms of support from the authorities as directed by the Federal Government

    “All groups including the families, The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) and Chibok Community are happy with their condition as medical experts work to address their health conditions.

    “The girls have been visited by members of International Committee of the Red Cross, which played a great role in getting the girls freed.

    “It is obvious to everyone that having been in captivity, the girls were traumatised but since their release, they are showing signs of recovering well,’’ he said.

    Rumours, speculative reports about the state of the 21 released Boko Haram captives, are said to be creating stumbling blocks to further talks with the insurgents.

    The insurgents were said to be angry with Government for breaching some understanding reached with them when the 21 girls were being handed over 13 october.

    However, government sources have denied any link with various speculative reports, especially in the social media.