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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram: UN cautions FG against returning IDPs to communities

    Boko Haram: UN cautions FG against returning IDPs to communities

     

    The United Nations yesterday advised the Federal and State Governments to consider the safety of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) caused by the Boko Haram sect and avoid returning them to their communities.

    This is even as Federal and State governments from the Northwest geo-political zones has given adequate assurance of their safety.

    Speaking at the three-day Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin, the Regional Representative for West Africa for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Liz Kpam Ahua, maintained that even though Boko Haram may not be occupying any local government, fresh spontaneous attacks and unexplored (IEDs) from the Islamic extremists group still pose serious threats to the returnees.

    The Regional Coordinator of the Central Africa Republic and Nigeria Situations further said that: “I have the honor on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as the agencies that are here assembled from various countries within and outside of the region to express our sincere thanks to the government of the federal republic of Nigeria for hosting and making this event possible.

    “Permit also to join my voice to the ministry of Interior to welcome delegates drawn from headquarters and various councils of operations to Nigeria for this very important function. The Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin within the context of the High Commissioners’ work for the protection of refugees, assistance to IDPs and other persons of concern is the first of its kind in this region, coming at a very critical time.

    “The Lake Chad Basin today faces a fundamental protection crisis in Nigeria and across the neighboring states. The Boko Haram insurgency and the spill over in Cameroon, Niger and Chad has led the loss of thousands of lives and massive displacement of over 2.7 million people in the region and affected the lives over 20 million persons in the countries.

    “Even as at today, it is feared that another 50,000 persons have been dislocated from their homes in a town in Niger following an attack that took place on that town on Friday June 3. The numbers in Niger will certainly swell to 180,000 IDPs while Cameroon and Chad are reported to be hosting over 160,000 and 54,000 IDPs respectively.

    “It is important to note that around 60 per cent of the affected population is children and we insist on that. Among these affected children we have 20,000 unaccompanied. Many of them are living in areas where the humanitarian and civilian government actors have limited access to help them because of insecurity.

    In Nigeria alone, 3.5 million IDPs and host communities live in areas of Borno and Yobe states that are still largely inaccessible to humanitarian actors. We take note and rejoice on the successes achieved by the military operations that have brought back a number of areas in the northeastern Nigeria occupied by Boko Haram under government control as well as the capacity of the insurgence to engage militarily.

    “However, these have not fully degraded the capacity for the harassment, the maiming and killing of the defenseless civilians. Consequently, conditions of live in the northeast are not yet fully conducive for the return of Nigerian refugees and IDPs particularly in Borno State.

    “We note that there are returns that are taking place even as we talk today, but I will simply would want to underscore that the conditions are not fully ripe yet because we still have persistent threats from Boko Haram, presence of mines, unexploded Improvised devices as well as absence of some basic services. All of these put acute humanitarian and protection risks for the populations affected. We have visited these areas and we know precisely of what we are saying,” she added.

    The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Bassey Okon Ekpanyung, reiterated that the federal government has deplored several police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel to the reclaimed communities.

    “The Ministry of Interior working in close collaboration with relevant institutions is currently in the process of re-establishing civil authority in the liberated areas to free more military personnel to engage the insurgent group. The Nigeria police and NSCDC already have significant presence in the affected towns, while the other agencies will follow suit,” he noted.

     

  • Northeast not conducive for return of IDPs – UN agency

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday said the Northeast t is not yet conducive for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    The UNHCR Regional Representative for West Africa, Ms Liz Ahua, said this at the opening ceremony of the Lake Chad Regional Protection Dialogue in Abuja.

    Ahua said the persistent threat from Boko Haram, presence of mines and absence of basic services constitute acute humanitarian and protection risks for the affected population.

    She said the situation was not only peculiar to Nigerians but all countries bordering the Lake Chad Basin.

    She explained that the regional meeting was meant to adopt a workable blueprint on regional protection of the Lake Chad basin and safe return of refugees and IDPs.

    “This meeting is meant to exploit how we can better ensure IDPs physical safety, access to asylum and protection, including protection from forced expulsions.

    “Many refugees and IDPs have experience high levels of violence, many suffer from trauma, and are in need of support in practical and systemic ways can we help them,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the UNHCR official as saying at the forum.

    She said over 2.7million people in the region had been displaced, while 20million people had been negatively impacted by insurgency in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

     

  • Fed Govt hosts dialogue for Boko Haram victims 

    The Federal Government will today host a dialogue for victims of Boko Haram insurgency at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) said the dialogue, which would be held in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has become imperative in view of the adverse effects of the Boko Haram insurgency on the livelihood of the population of the Lake Chad Basin, consisting of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Bassey Akpanyung, said the dialogue would adopt measures to support governments in ensuring the protection of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and host communities.

    He said emphasis would be on vulnerable groups, such as women, children and the elderly, noting that the dialogue would provide the opportunity to decide on common solutions to the problems of those affected by violence and displacement.

    “Participants at the Dialogue will include the Ministers of Interior of the affected countries, as a ministerial meeting on June 8, 2016 will validate the findings for full implementation,” the statement added.

  • Niger loses 32 soldiers in fight with Boko Haram

    Thirty-two Nigerien soldiers have been killed in a clash with Boko Haram fighters on Niger’s border with Nigeria, Niger’s defence ministry said yesterday.

    It is one of the deadliest tolls inflicted by the jihadists.

    “Hundreds of assailants” reportedly attacked a military post in Bosso town on Friday evening, the defence ministry said in a statement that gave a “provisional toll” of 30 Nigerien and two Nigerian soldiers killed and 67 wounded.

    “On the enemy’s side, several dead and injured were taken away,” the ministry said.

    “Boko Haram elements effectively took control of the town temporarily, but now they were dislodged,” a security source said.

    Local resident and former MP Elhaj Aboubacar said: “They drove up at twilight, shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great), they fired a lot of shots and torched many places in Bosso.”

    “We don’t know where our military went, but one thing is for sure, Boko Haram were able to do what they liked until dawn,” Aboubacar said.

    “The situation is under control and calm has returned,” the defence ministry said, adding that a “mopping up” operation was underway by land and air.

    Since February 2015, Niger has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region.

    The Islamists frequently stage cross-border raids from their stronghold in Nigeria.

     

  • Troops clear Boko Haram terrorists out of Chukungudu

    Troops clear Boko Haram terrorists out of Chukungudu

    •Kill “Ameer”

    Soldiers battling Boko Haram in Borno State have attacked the insurgents’ bases at Muskari, Gilam, Hausasi and Chukungudu, killing 19 suspected members of the sect.

    The dead include a man described as the sect’s leader of Ameer in the area, Abubakar Gana.

    The troops also destroyed an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making factory belonging to the sect.

    Four primed IEDs were found and successfully detonated.

    Besides, the troops  recovered two  anti-aircraft guns, one  AK-47 rifle, a pistol, one  rocket propelled gun (RPG), one AK-47 magazine, 267 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) metal links ammunition and 23 rounds of 12.7mm belt ammunition.

    Other recovered items include a Canter truck, one Gun truck, one Land Rover vehicle and a Toyota Hilux vehicle.

    Two soldiers suffered gunshot wounds but were promptly given medical attention and are out of danger.

  • Troops kill 19 insurgents in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said on Saturday that it had killed 19 suspected Boko Haram insurgents, including one of their commanders during a “clearance operations” in Chukungudu village and surrounding communities in Borno.

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the operation followed the receipt of credible information on the presence of the camps and facilities of the insurgents in the village.

    He said a carefully planned and deliberate attack, comprising troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, 153 Task Force Battalion of 7 Division, 8 Task Force Division, Nigeria Air Force Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and some Civilian JTF, was carried out.

    “While advancing to the location, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists ambush positions at Muskari, Gilam and Hausasi, before descending on their main objective at Chukungudu.

    “During the encounter at the camp, the troops killed 19 Boko Haram terrorists, including their notorious leader in the area called Ameer Abubakar Gana,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Usman as saying in the statement.

    He said the troops also uncovered and destroyed Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) making factory during the operation.

  • Troops rout Boko Haram insurgents, says military

    Troops rout Boko Haram insurgents, says military

    A soldier died yesterday when troops of the 112 Battalion on patrol from Mafa to Dikwa in Borno State were ambushed at Ajiri village, by Boko Haram terrorists.

     The military said although the terrorists were successfully cleared from the ambush, an officer and three soldiers were injured. One Civilian JTF man,  accompanying the patrol team was also injured.

    Also yesterday, troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade in Operation LAFIYA DOLE ambushed Boko Haram elements and killed three, while one was arrested at Sabsawa-Boarding road and BOCOBS-Ngurusoye road between June 1 and 2.

    The captured Boko Haram terrorist, Umar Mustapha, who claimed to have come from Sabsawa, has been handed over to the Brigade Headquarters for further interrogation and processing.

    The troops have continued with their clearance operations of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists within the Sambisa forest.

    The team killed eight Boko Haram terrorists and recovered arms and ammunitions at the ambush site. The recovered items include, 1 Rocket Propel Grenade (RPG), AK-47 Rifles, 2 Rocket Propel Grenade bomb, 3 AK-47 Rifle Magazine and 120 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

    The troops also discovered 3 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed by the edge of the road which were safely detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) team.

  • Lawyers to AGF: Prosecute sponsors of Boko Haram

    The Lawyers United for Equality and Human Rights Advocacy, has urged the Federal government to ensure the investigation and prosecution of sponsors of terrorists group, Boko Haram.

    The lawyers also asked the government to ensure the prosecution of the sponsors at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    In a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the group asked the federal government to avoid the grave mistake of past administration that led to the intermittent resurrection of Niger Delta militancy.
    The convener of the group, Mr. Edward Omaga, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, said recent developments in Nigeria which are capable of causing serious political upheavals are pointers to the fact that top politicians in Borno State who created Boko Haram were still in touch with their “foot soldiers.”

    The statement reads: “We are afraid that the senseless killings by this animalistic bunch will not stop unless their sponsors are identified, tried in our local courts or dragged to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and accordingly imprisoned for facilitating heinous crimes against humanity. This is the only way that enduring peace would return to the North and Nigeria in general.
    “As we mark the 2016 Democracy Day today being 29th May, 2016 as well as one year anniversary of the present administration, we consider it imperative to DEMAND that you invoke your powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and other relevant statutes as the Chief Law Officer and Minister of Justice to impress it on President Muhammadu to constitute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry within 5 (Five) working days from the date hereof.

     

    “This will avail Nigerians the opportunity of presenting vital information capable of fishing out the sponsors of Boko Haram and bringing them to book. We submit that the monstrosity of Boko Haram insurgency is too enormous to be imagined. A situation whereby no less than 10,000 persons have been killed in various brutal activities spearheaded by the group is alarming.”
    The lawyers said it is their duty as a group of refined legal minds to fight and preserve Nigeria- the country that gave every Nigerian a home and heritage.
    The group condoled with those who lost their loved ones to insurgency and insisted that the time to end Boko Haram was now otherwise the innocent blood spilt over the years would hunt us.

  • President Buhari’s forgotten promise

    President Buhari’s forgotten promise

    Nigerians are in a frenzy. It is one year since President Muhammadu Buhari entered office and everyone is focused on the big picture. His promises to Nigerians are many and people are focusing on the big ones – security, economy, anti-corruption and the whole long list. One promise is being overlooked because the seemingly big promises take national attention.

    Mr President had promised to bring those behind Boko Haram to book. This should have been one promise kept within the first six months. Not one year. But these characters are still free men. They walk the street, it will seem, as saints since no one has been unmasked as a sponsor.

    There is free counsel to President Buhari on what can be done. For one: classify the different forms of being behind Boko Haram. There are those that offer monetary and logistic support to the group. Nigeria now has BVN. Tracing funding and financing should not be difficult. Smoking out Boko Haran financiers is therefore possible in a matter of a few clicks.

    Those that offer logistics and intelligence support to terrorists cannot continue to fleet like wraiths among us. They must of necessity communicate. SIM cards are now fully registered. Phone numbers of captured or killed terrorist are starting points. There is a treasure trove of intel there. Who have the terrorists been talking to in military circles, government circle, religious bodies, business world? We should know. We should act.

    Captured terrorists must have spilled the beans more than once. Who did they name higher up in the command chain? Who has benefitted from or is still benefitting from their atrocities? Who stands to gain if the attacks continue? Amirs – commanders of the terror group have been captured in several instances, what stops authorities from further investigating those that have been named.

    Who is the new Dasukigate leader? 

    Before President Buhari there was a gang that stole the country blind in the name of buying weapons to combat terror. They allowed terrorism to fester so they can keep harvesting their loots. Billionaires were made. Nigerians were killed. Who are the people that have stepped into those shoes? Are they too keeping terrorism alive for pecuniary gains? How much of this is tied to 2019 general elections.?Contenders have started campaigns even before President Buhari’s term in office properly begun. Are they trying to give PMB the GEJ moment? They reportedly infiltrated the former government. Have they infiltrated President Buhari’s government in just under one year? What hold do they have over the federal government that politicians in the axis are not having the searchlight beamed on them for whatever their roles may be in the endless carnage of the northeast.?

    Mr President must know that discerning Nigerians have not forgotten his promise. His promise was to bring those behind Boko Haram to book. On this promise, he must not and cannot fail. Other promises to Nigerians is hinged on it. The sponsors are like the brainbox or the heartbeat of the terror group. Arresting and prosecuting them will deal a deadly blow to Boko Haram. Finishing Boko Haram off would be a promise kept. Stamping out Boko Haram will free resources to commit to other sectors.

    Unmasking these sponsors would be hard. They possibly have clouts. They can hide behind their positions and public office. Mr President must look out for those that can be temporarily kept away from their positons to allow investigators have free hands. They need unfettered access.

    The President must also look inward. Ineptitude in executing mandates could be a cover to create conducive atmosphere for Boko Haram. Appointees connected with security must be assessed for meeting key job performance indicators. Those that have performed below expectations must not only be shown the way out but must also prove their incompetence is not deliberate sabotage.

    In the meantime, one year is enough to know those to weed out. If Mr President is I doubt of who to sack the National Security Adviser (NSA) would be a good start. The office, its occupant or both appear overwhelmed. The Defence Minister, Alhaji Mansur Dan Ali is no less overwhelmed. They have been invisible in the whole anti-terror efforts. The damage of their prolonged stay in office would be damaging to progress made on other fronts. Any other official that has performed below par qualifies for exit followed by investigation.

    President Buhari should keep this promise. In this his word is his bond. If Nigerians can exercise patience for another one year without Boko Haram sponsors being busted, the country’s security situation cannot. The military are needed elsewhere. Fighting a Boko Haram that is mutating because of highly placed sponsors would affect our fighting forces, unfortunately not in some marshland but in the Sahel and desert.

    Awolowo writes from Oregun, Lagos.

  • Troops rescue 247 Boko Haram captives, capture 77 terrorists

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday said troops prosecuting the war against Boko Haram in the North East have rescued 247 people taken hostage by terrorists in the region.

    The troops also arrested 77 Boko Haram fighters during raids on the terrorists’ hideouts in Borno State.

    The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Wednesday that captives were rescued by the troops of the 81 Battalion, the 251 Task Force Battalion, and 25 Task Force Brigade on May 30.

    He said, “Nigerian troops deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole and their neighbouring counterparts under the Multinational Joint Task Force have been very busy clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their respective areas of responsibilities.

    “In the process, they were able to rescue quite a number of abducted persons, arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists and recovered weapons and equipment. “