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Tag: boko haram

  • BBOG identifies girl in Boko Haram video as Dorcas Yakubu

    BBOG identifies girl in Boko Haram video as Dorcas Yakubu

    Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) advocacy yesterday identified the Chibok girl who spoke on behalf of her mates in the Boko Haram video as Dorcas Yakubu.

    Dorcas, who was abducted over two years ago with her school mates, was identified by a member of #BBOG and spokesperson of the Kibaku Area Development Association  (KADA) Dr. Allen Manaseh.

    This was in the presence of her parents in Abuja.

    The campaigners told reporters that the recognition of many of the girls leaves no room for doubt that they are the Chibok girls.

    In a statement signed by leaders of the group, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, the #BBOG said: “After listening to the call of Dorcas Yakubu, we demand an immediate, transparent, action and results-oriented response plan by the government.

    “Today, 853 days since the abduction of our #ChibokGirls, we woke up to a video on the state of our girls. We are left with mixed feelings of grief and strengthened hope as the chilling words continue to sink in.

    They gave a direct translation of the Kibaku dialect spoken by the girl in the video as follows:

    “Our parents please exercise patience. We are suffering here. There is no kind of suffering we haven’t seen. Our sisters are injured; some have wounds on their heads and bodies.

    “Tell the government to give them their people so we can also come to be with you. We are all children and we don’t know what to do. The suffering is too much, please endeavour as we also have exercised patience.

    “There is nothing you, or we can do about this but to get their people back to them, so we can go home. Exercise patience as we also have endured.”

    The interpreter, Dr. Allen Manaseh, who is the Spokesman of the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) in Abuja, identified the speaker as Dorcas Yakubu, whose parents Esther and Yakubu live in the Abuja area. They were present at the conference.

    Manaseh said: “Since we last met with the President in January, we have continued to call on him to be responsive to the needs of our Chibok parents, our movement, and the Global Community for timely updates on the rescue operation. In the aftermath of an earlier video, we repeatedly called for the Government to treat the information as the missing piece of “credible intelligence” it was seeking. Not even the return of Amina Ali a #ChibokGirl, inspired the sort of response we demanded.

    “After listening to the call of Dorcas Yakubu, we demand an immediate, transparent, action and results-oriented response plan by the Government. We state categorically that the excuse of a split within the terrorists’ ranks or a period of validation of the authenticity of their claims will not suffice this time. We shall press these demands with a march to the Villa in the next few days.

    “Nothing short of the Nigerian state being in contact with the parents, confirming identities of our girls, providing psychosocial support where necessary, and most importantly, articulating an action plan will be acceptable.

    “Today, 28 months since the abduction, we call on the Governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, China, Australia, Israel, agencies like the United Nations and African Union, and all who previously expressed intentions to support the rescue efforts, to reengage and adopt a strategic rescue position. As global citizens, this is the least our #ChibokGirls deserve.

    “We appeal to all citizens empathetic to the cause of our girls to hold them and their parents in prayers, and commit to joining our march to the Villa in the coming week. Our government, and the World, cannot continue to fail these innocent young women whose only crime is their decision to be educated. If we do, we would have failed to defend our civilization and shared humanity.”

     

  • Boko Haram: NEMA reunites 200 kids with parents in Borno

    Boko Haram: NEMA reunites 200 kids with parents in Borno

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday it had   reunited more than 200 children with their parents after being separated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Sa’ad Bello, the Head of Operations, Adamawa and Taraba office of the agency told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the successful reunification was conducted with the collaboration of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under Restoring Family Link Programme.

    The  children, mostly between the ages of five and 12, are from Bama and Baga in Borno State.

    There are still about 165 unaccompanied children in four designated camps in Adamawa  State, he said.

    The official said some families from Bama visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Yola where they identified their children.

    He said after intensive investigation by appropriate authorities concerned, the children were handed over to their parents.

    He said the agency with the support of the ICRC was working hard, through appropriate channels, to identify the parents of the remaining unaccompanied children.

  • Boko Haram: NEMA reunites 200 children with parents in Borno

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Friday it had reunited more than 200 children with their parents after being separated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The Head of Operations, Adamawa and Taraba office of the agency, Sa’ad Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the successful reunification was conducted with the collaboration of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under Restoring Family Link Programme.

    The children, mostly between the ages of five and 12, are from Bama and Baga in Borno State.

    There are still about 165 unaccompanied children in four designated camps in Adamawa State, he said.

    The official said some families from Bama visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Yola where they identified their children.

    He said after intensive investigation by appropriate authorities concerned, the children were handed over to their parents.

  • Troops arrest fleeing Boko Haram members in Borno

    Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested four members of the Boko Haram sect who claimed they were about to surrender.

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the insurgents were arrested as soldiers acting on information from an arrested Boko Haram member, Lawan Abbai, cleared out landmines and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along military supply routes at Gombori, Borno State.

    The troops also rescued five women and a baby from Boko Haram terrorists at the same general area.

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  • Boko Haram : NEMA re-unites 200 children with parents

    Boko Haram : NEMA re-unites 200 children with parents

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said it had reunited more than 200 children with their parents affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Mr Sa’ad Bello, the Head of Operations, Adamawa and Taraba office of the agency, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

    Bello said that the successful re-unification was conducted with the collaboration of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under Restoring Family Link Programme.

    He said that the children, mostly of between the age of five and 12, were from Bama and Baga in Borno.

    “Meanwhile, we still have about 165 unaccompanied children in four designated camps in Adamawa,” he said.

    The official said some families from Bama visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Yola where they identified their children.

    He said after intensive investigation by appropriate authorities concerned, the children were handed over to their parents.

    He said that the agency with the support of ICRC, was working hard, through appropriate channels, to identify the parents of the remaining unaccompanied children.

    NAN reports that family reunification during armed conflicts is a right under international law.

    The development is in line with the fourth Geneva Convention.

    The convention states that governments should facilitate the reunification of separated families according to the standards of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

  • There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    There will be no more Boko Haram attack- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai has assured residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital that they will never witness frequent bombing at markets, schools and worship centers as they witnessed in Jos in recent past.

    Gen Buratai gave the assurance in Jos on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace in Jishe Jos.

    Gen Buratai who was on a familiarization tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army told the Gbong Gwom that the Nigerian Army has already defeated Boko Haram and rendered the insurgent incapacitated.

    In his words, Gen Buratai said, “Your Royal Majesty I’m here this morning to pay a courtesy call on you before embarking on my familiarization tour to units and formations under the 3Division and indeed Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) here on the Plateau.

    “You can see that our efforts in the Northeast has really paid off as you can recalled the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and population areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau state that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.

    “For a long time now we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North East, we have been able to blocked these criminal elements from crossing up to this areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

    “I want to assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties, I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.

    “Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army, it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State. I know there has been little challenges here and there and the most recent one is the one that happened last two to three weeks or about, but not withstanding we still got your full backing and full support and the Army in particular will ensure that we maintained the needed peace at all time.

    “The Commander Operation Safe Haven just assumed duty I personally chose him to head this Command because of his experience and knowledge and diplomatic skills when he was the Chief of Civil Military Affairs in Army Headquarters. I want to assure  you that the Army will give all the corporations within it’s duties as enshrine in the Constitution, and we want to reassure you that permanent peace will return back to Plateau State” said Gen Burati.

    In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said, “The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army

    historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.

    “Let me on behalf of Plateau State thank you and your men whom over the years have been paying sacrifices to work towards restoring peace, law and order not in Plateau State but all over Nigeria. Just some months back, Nigerians were apprehensive to whether Boko Haram will consumed Nigeria or Nigeria would overcome it.

    “But we thank God Almighty for your efforts and that of your men by restoring hope to Nigerians. The sacrifices you have made that have translated to almost a total end to this destructive elements

    “We note that upon the discharge of this responsibility you have lost some men who sacrifice their lives for peace of this Country, we pray that God in his Mercy would grand them internal rest and console their families.

    “My appreciation goes to the President and Commander in Chief of the Army Forces, President Muhammad Buhari for waging a successful fight against insurgency in the country.

  • ‘Military’s plan to rehabilitate Boko Haram members okay’

    Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC) said yesterday the initiative by the Defence Headquarters to rehabilitate, de-radicalise and re-integrate about 800 repentant Boko Haram combatants into the society will quicken the peace process and boost reconstruction efforts in the Northeast.

    Describing the initiative as novel, bold and courageous, they said it would inspire hope, strengthen faith and restore confidence among Nigerians in the unity, stability and indivisibility of the country.

    The group’s Coordinator, Tukur Musa Tilde and Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwapa, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the move by the nation’s military high command to de-radicalise the sect’s repentant ex-combatants and offer them opportunity to contribute to the growth of the society  will advance the frontiers of humanity in the nation.

    Expressing regret at the incalculable but avoidable damage which the activities of the sect had done to the destinies of families, institutions, communities and careers in the last five years, the group praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN)  for galvanising the patriotic and gallant efforts of its troops in alliance with other security forces to downgrade Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, thereby setting the stage for robust global interest for rebuilding programmes.

    It further observed that Operation Safe Corridor offers the nation and its citizens an opportunity of reinventing and reinforcing its unity, sovereignity and indivisibility in line with the aspirations, dreams and philosophy of one nation, one destiny of its founding fathers.

    The group argued that Liberia and Sierra Leone were instances of countries with worse cases of crimes and criminalities committed by citizens against fellow citizens as well as felony against the state but are today living in admirable peace and harmony because the ex-combatants surrendered and were de-radicalised, rehabilitated and re-integrated by their people into the society.

  • Boko Haram: Minister orders speedy completion of UN house

    Boko Haram: Minister orders speedy completion of UN house

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to hasten the rehabilitation of the United Nations House for quick handover.

    Bello gave the directive Thursday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the House in the Central Business District, Abuja to ascertain the level of completion.

    The Minister said that the completion would allow the UN Agencies presently staying at different locations in the FCT to return to base, thereby making their operation more efficient.

    It would be recalled that the UN House was bombed on 26th August, 2012 by Boko Haram terrorists and the Nigerian government awarded contract for its rehabilitation on the 27th December, 2012 and the project is 80 per cent complete as at today.

    Bello stressed that the authorities of the FCDA should sit down with the contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Nigeria to resolve all grey areas that would lead to the completion and early handover.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said:  “It is all our duty to see that all the United Agencies staying around Abuja are back here. And I think it will send a strong signal to those that bombed this place. Whatever they do to us, we will continue to be strong.”

    He used the opportunity to thank the UN for the support it has been giving to Nigeria; stating that such humanitarian gesture would always be appreciated.

    Taking the Minister round the site, the UN Resident Co-ordinator who is also UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough thanked the Minister for the special attention he has been giving to the rehabilitation works.

    The FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some officials of the FCT Administration accompanied the Minister on the unscheduled visit.

  • Troops arrest Boko Haram militants in Borno

    Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have arrested one of the wanted Boko Haram terrorists, Mohammed Mohammed Zauro at Sabon Gari, Damboa local government area of Borno State.

    He was arrested at about 8:30am on Tuesday.

    The Army Spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said preliminary investigation showed that the suspected terror kingpin was arrested while fleeing from Sambisa forest to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

    Usman said the troops recovered a Gionee mobile telephone handset, a fake SAIE/JIBWIS identification card and the sum of N7, 900.00 from the terrorist.

    The army spokesman told journalists that troops also intercepted another suspected Boko Haram member, Lawal Aboi, along Damboa-Bale Road.

    He said Aboi voluntarily surrendered to the military because he was tired of fighting “for no just cause.”

    Usman  said both suspects are being interrogated by military authorities.

  • Al- Barnawi replaces Shekau as Boko Haram arrowhead

    Al- Barnawi replaces Shekau as Boko Haram arrowhead

    The Islamic State militant group on Wednesday announced that its West African affiliate Boko Haram has a new leader.

    Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who was previously spokesman for the Nigerian-based terror group, is featured in the latest issue of ISIS magazine, the BBC reports.

    ISIS does not say what has become of the group’s former leader, Abubakar Shekau.

    He was last heard from in an audio message last August, saying he was alive and had not been replaced – an ISIS video released in April said the same.

    Boko Haram, which has lost most of the territory it controlled 18 months ago, is fighting to create a Sharia caliphate in the predominantly Muslim Northeast Nigeria.

    Its seven-year insurgency has left 20,000 people dead, mainly in the region.

    Shekau took over as Boko Haram leader after its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009.

    Under his leadership Boko Haram became more radical, carried out more killings and swore allegiance to ISIS in March 2015.

    In numerous videos, Shekau taunted the Nigerian authorities, celebrating the group’s violent acts including the abduction of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.

    The Nigerian Army has claimed to have killed him on several occasions.