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Tag: boko haram

  • Arms procurement scam extended Boko Haram’s reign – Buhari

    Arms procurement scam extended Boko Haram’s reign – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday maintained that the embezzlement of funds meant for equipping the armed forces under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan strengthened the Boko Haram and extended its activities in the Northeast.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, made the remark at the lunch of the Reviewed National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) in Abuja.

    The embezzlement, he said, led to the death of thousands of Nigerians and destruction of properties.

    The President described the action of those who embezzled the funds as wicked and disgraceful.

    He said: “Sadly because of the disgraceful deed and the wickedness of some in governance and some in high office in the armed forces at the time, funds meant to equip soldiers to continue the fight against terror was embezzled. The incredible selfishness caused the nation of thousands of lives, extended the reign of terror and strengthened the enemy.

    “In the past few years our nation faced the threat of terrorism characterized by mindless killing of our people including children. The massacre of the Buni Yadi boys in their hostels at night, the bombing of churches, mosques and market places, the kidnap of the Chibok girls and many others.

    “The sheer recklessness of the killings, the shootings and the executions were meant to terrorize and produce maximum fear. To further establish their reign of terror, the insurgents hoisted their terror flags in almost 27 local government areas in the northeast.”

    ‎President Buhari said his administration since inception has emboldened the morale of the armed forces and ensure absolute defeat of the terrorists.

    He, however, noted that the visages of the activities and the warped ideologies of the sect still linger.

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  • I will keep my promise on Boko Haram – Buhari

    I will keep my promise on Boko Haram – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday vowed to fulfill his promise of protecting Nigerians and securing its territory from the menace of Boko Haram and other violent extremists in the country.

    The President stated this when he launched the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, condemned the activities of Boko Haram militants, describing it as “mindless killing of children and innocent citizens.”

    President Buhari said: “The government is determined to ensure that the safety of every single Nigerian is a priority this is why I have repeatedly ordered our law enforcement agents to ensure that perpetrators of violent acts are arrested and made to face the law.

    “We will not allow anyone, under any guise, whether it is politics, culture or religion to violate life or property of another citizen. This is the oath to which I swore and I will uphold it at all cost.”

    The President said terrorism is not static and Nigeria’s response must therefore be dynamic and versatile.

     

  • NAF kills top Boko Haram fighters

    Nigeria’s Air Force said on Tuesday it had killed several senior Boko Haram fighters and possibly their overall leader.

    Government planes attacked the group inside the Sambisa forest in its northeast heartland on Friday, the air force said, adding that it had only just confirmed details of the impact of the raid.

    “Their leader, so called ‘Abubakar Shekau,’ is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders,” Reuters quoted the military spokesman, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, as saying in a statement.

    There was no immediate reaction from Boko Haram, which communicates with the media only by videos.

    The military has reported the death of Boko Haram’s Shekau in the past, only to have a man purporting to be him appearing later, apparently unharmed, making video statements.

  • Boko Haram: Shakau seriously wounded – Military

    The Nigerian military Monday claimed that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shakau has been seriously wounded following an air raid carried out by the Nigerian AirForce (NAF).

    Spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman who disclosed this in a statement released on his Facebook page, said several leaders of the terrorists group were killed.

    According to Usman, the air raid was spectacular and most unprecedented, adding that it occurred last Friday.

    “We have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the NAF, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded.

    “The air interdiction took place August 19, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village, Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.

    “Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others. While their leader, so called “Abubakar Shekau”, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were also wounded,” he said.

  • Military believes Shekau ‘fatally wounded’

    In an “unprecedented and spectacular” air raid, dreaded Boko Haram terrorist leader, Abubakar Shekau has been “fatally wounded in the shoulder” while at least three other commanders were killed.
    In a statement released early on Tuesday, the Nigerian Army said an interdiction air raid was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force jets on Friday, August 19, 2016 in Taye Village, Gombale general area in Sambisa forest. The raid occurred Boko Haram terrorists were carrying out their friday rituals.
    The news of the “fatal injury in the shoulder” for Shekau and the death of many of his commanders will come as a relief to the country’s military hierarchy which has come under scathing criticism for its inability to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls two years after their abduction.
    According to a statement released in Abuja by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman,the Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include: Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others.
     Usman said: “In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded.
    “The air interdiction took place last week Friday 19th August 2016, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village,  Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.
    “Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include : Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others. While their leader, so called “Abubakar  Shekau”, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were also wounded.”
  • Shekau wounded as Air Force kills three Boko Haram commanders

    Shekau wounded as Air Force kills three Boko Haram commanders

    In an “unprecedented and spectacular” air raid, Boko Haram terrorist leader, Abubakar Shekau has been reportedly “wounded in the shoulder” while at least three other commanders were killed.

    In a statement released early on Tuesday, the Nigerian Army said an interdiction air raid was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force jets on Friday, August 19, 2016 in Taye Village, Gombale general area in Sambisa forest. The raid occurred Boko Haram terrorists were carrying out their friday rituals.

    The news of the “injury in the shoulder” for Shekau and the death of many of his commanders will come as a relief to the country’s military hierarchy which has come under scathing criticism for its inability to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls two years after their abduction.

    According to a statement released in Abuja by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman,the Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include: Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others.
    Usman said: “In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were wounded.

    “The air interdiction took place last week Friday 19th August 2016, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village, Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.

    “Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include : Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others. While their leader, so called “Abubakar Shekau”, is believed to be wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were wounded.”

  • DSS arrests Boko Haram suspects

    DSS arrests Boko Haram suspects

    The Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday said it has made progress in its ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade the capabilities of criminal gangs and syndicates across the country.

    In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, the DSS said it arrested one Aikhoje Moses on August 19, 2016, at Azagha by-pass off Benin-Asaba Expressway in Edo state. Moses was accused of sending threat messages to the diplomatic community in Nigeria especially to the Consular-Generals of Switzerland and Denmark and their embassies.

    The Service also arrested one Mudaisiru Jibrin at Sauna quarters in Kano. He  was alleged to be the spiritual leader of a newly uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano.  Preliminary investigation by the DSS also revealed that he was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School (GSS), Mamudo village near Potiskum, Yobe State, in 2013.

    The DSS made other arrests. ukhtar Tijani, a suspected Boko Haram fighter and three of his accomplices – Isiaku Salihu, Abdullahi Isah and Hindu Isah – were arrested. The four suspects, who were arrested at Kinkinau in Kaduna metropolis, were said to be planning for major coordinated attacks at selected targets and locations in Kaduna. The Service also apprehended three members of the Ansaru terrorist group in Auchi, Edo State, who it said were planning to launch attacks.

    Terfa Jirgba and two  others – Terzungee Kwaghaondo and Mathias Aende – were arrested at Badagry Street off Esther Aka Road in Makurdi, Benue State. Jirgba is alleged to be an active ally and gang member of Terwase Agwaza, a notorious kidnapper who runs a kidnapping and criminal network in Benue State.

    In a follow-up operation, one Terungwa Abur was apprehended on 16th August, 2016 in Port-Harcourt. Abur is said to be the second- in-command to Agwaza and a key member of the kidnapping gang. The DSS said Abur acts as a courier for the underworld gang and was the negotiator of the Four Million Naira (N4, 000,000.00) ransom paid to the gang for the release of two Indians, who are officials of Dangote Cement Company. They were kidnapped on 29th July, 2016, in Markudi city. He was also said to have participated in the killing of one Ortin in Gboko Township on 1st August, 2016.

    The DSS also arrested a group of criminals who kidnapped Senator Patrick Ani on July 6,2016, in Cross River State. The suspects are:  Benjamin Emomotemi, Gabriel Ambrose, Godbless Taliboth Mattias, Blessing Sunday, Edet Effiong Asanagasi and Rose Williams.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Army trains officers on maneuverability

    Boko Haram: Army trains officers on maneuverability

    The Nigerian Army (NA) yesterday commenced a five-day training on tactical maneuverability to boost its fight against terrorist sect Boko Haram.

    This training, according to the General Officer Commanding  (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet was aimed at improving the quality of officers and soldiers with regards to maneuverist approach to warfare process.

    Edet who declared the training open at the Army Officers’ Mess, Marina, Lagos, reiterated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s high premium on training which has recorded successes in the Northeast.

    According to him, the Planning Cadre training would also improve the planning capability of commanders and staff officers within the division’s  Area of Responsibility (AOR) to conveniently compete with their counterparts globally.

    “Topics have been deliberately selected and tailored to focus on maneuverist approach to warfare process, estimate process as well as contemporary operations within Nigeria,” he said.

    Reminding his men of the security challenges facing the countey,  Edet warned them to be cautious and vigilante.

  • DSS nabs Boko Haram ‘spiritual’ leader

    DSS nabs Boko Haram ‘spiritual’ leader

    The Department of State Services on Monday disclosed that it arrested one Mudahsiru Jibrin, who was described as spiritual leader to a newly uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano.

    The DSS claimed that preliminary investigation so far conducted revealed that the suspect was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School, Mamudo village near Potiskum, Yobe State, in 2013.

    According to spokesman for the agency, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, who stated this in a statement in Abuja, said the agency has also made other arrests. Opuiyo noted that following threat messages against some members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja and Lagos, the Service responded and subsequently apprehended one Aikhoje Moses, on August 19, at Azagha by-pass off the Benin–Asaba Expressway in Edo State.

    Before his arrest, Moses was alleged to have threatened the diplomatic community in Nigeria, particularly the Consular-Generals of Switzerland and Denmark and their Embassies, warning them to leave the country.

  • Activist urges Buhari to reject Boko Haram swap

    Activist urges Buhari to reject Boko Haram swap

    A United Kingdom based Nigerian activist, Philip Agbese has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to accept the call to swap Boko Haram prisoners with the Chibok girls, saying such move will put the country in grave security risk.

    Agbese in a letter to the President described the offer of the prisoners swap as a “poisoned chalice”. He said it is best imagined what the realease of 1000 Boko Haram detainees will do to the current security situation in the country.

    It would be recalled that the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) say they are planning a protest to pressure government into trading the girls as demanded by Boko Haram.

    But the activist said when it happens, their protest is going to offer a needed distraction to the western media that are by now tiring of their newfound poster boy in Syria, adding that the Nigerian government and military would be demonised and the protestors would offer the validation that is needed to make the image of a failing state stick.

    According to him what they are however asking for could eventually sink not just Nigeria but the entire West Africa and the Maghreb with some spill over to Central and East Africa.

    He said, “The ongoing orchestra that is whining for terrorists considers everything with the exception of one. Recidivism. These groups and individuals that have been canvassing a swop of Boko Haram prisoners for the abducted Chibok Girls do so without regards for the penchant for recidivism among terrorists like any other type of criminals.

    “Recidivism is the chances of a previously arrested, detained or convicted terrorist returning to extremism or violence. Military records would probably show that some of these people we are being asked to free are in incarceration because it was not their first time of being tied to terror.

    “Mr President, recidivism is difficult to measure, particularly so in a country like Nigeria where we are still working to bring our statistics and research capabilities up to date. But cases like the US Guantanamo Bay facility and Indonesia record anywhere between 10 and 30 percent instances of re-offense among released terrorists. That means if Nigeria frees 1000 Boko Haram detainees there is a fair chance that we are putting anything in the range of 300 terrorists back on the streets. It took fewer than that number to abduct the girls in the first place.”

    He said in the case of what has been witnessed in Nigeria so far, not many of those that would be released would return to being farmers, artisans or becoming informants to the security agencies. Instead, the reality is there is the risk of them returning to the war front to re-stock Boko Haram’s fighting ranks.

    He said worst still is the fact that the level of our infrastructure equally means the released terrorist cannot be adequately tracked so they could flee to Syria, Somali, Yemen or other terror strongholds, make new connections there, build new cells and revive a Boko Haram that is almost completely wiped out.