The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • No retreat for the military in Sambisa forest – CDS

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, on Wednesday reaffirmed that the military would intensify its offensive in the Sambisa Forest until the area was completely rid of terrorists.

    Speaking at the inauguration of some projects at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, he said the “Operation Crack Down” recently launched into Sambisa was yielding positive results.

    ”The operation is progressing and part of the benefits was the rescue of the two Chibok girls.

    ”The operation is ongoing and we will continue until we rid that place of all terrorists,” he said.

    Olonisakin said Boko Haram had been decimated, adding that it had become increasingly difficult for the insurgents to carry out their nefarious acts.

    ”We will continue to step up our game with the multinational task force,” he said.

    He commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, on the projects which were initiated to improve the welfare of personnel.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects inaugurated by the CDS were the refurbished Intensive Care Unit at Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, as well as residential and administrative buildings.

  • Boko Haram: Nigerians in Diaspora want Borno Stake holders investigated

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the role being played by the various stake holders in Borno state in the intractable nature of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    It pointed out that even as others celebrated this year’s Children’s Day, the abducted Chibok girls continue to be in Boko Haram’s slavery because several persons and groups are making political capital and possibly economic gains out of the captives’ unfortunate situation.

    NDMG explained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, that the development around the two rescued Chibok girls, information reportedly supplied by other freed Boko Haram abductees and the reported confessions of captured fighters of the terror group have confirmed earlier held beliefs that the insurgency has the blessing of highly placed persons in the State.

    The statement by the UK Coordinator of NDMG, Engr. Adeka Onyilo, stressed that the Presidency can no longer shy away from ordering a special investigation into what is truly going on in that state, particularly when other states to which the insurgency spread are now back on the way to recovery while Borno state continues to relapse.

    “Our recommendation at this point is for the Federal Government to set up a Board of inquiry into the roles being played by all those that present themselves as the leaders of that State.

    “Events in Borno have shown that Boko Haram terrorists thrive on more than the support of urchins and unemployed youths.

    “The insurgents have proven that the support they enjoy in the area is at an organizational level and possibly with State dimension. The Federal Government can therefore not make headway in the place if those that pretend to support it in the anti-terror fight are actually undermining its efforts by deliberately creating situations that allow the crisis to persist.

    “To make sure that the terror group is dealt a final blow that will allow the country know peace, anyone or group implicated in sustaining Boko Haram, whether directly or through acts of sabotaging the Federal Government’s efforts must be made to face the law.

    “Mr President can no longer allow such compromised persons to continue wielding influence in Borno and environs as their continued support for terrorism could drag the ongoing fight into a stalemate,” the statement warned.

    It stressed that the abducted girls, being people’s children must not be allowed to spend another Children’s day in captivity.

  • 12 Boko Haram fighters killed in Niger

    Security forces in Niger killed at least 12 fighters of the Boko Haram sect who launched an attack in the southeastern region of Bosso close to the border with Nigeria on Friday.

    “Three members of the security forces were lightly wounded during Friday’s battle and government forces captured machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and mobile telephones from the enemy, “Reuters quoted army spokesman, Col. Moustapha Ledru, as saying on national radio.

    “The vigorous reaction of the Defence and Security Forces of Niger put the enemy to flight. Around a dozen terrorists were killed and several dozen others were wounded and carried away by the fleeing attackers.”

    It was not possible to verify the casualty figures independently.

  • U.S commends Buhari for hosting security summit

    United States Alternate Representative to the United Nations, David Pressman, Friday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for hosting a recent regional security summit in Abuja.

    Pressman said in a statement that the U.S Government was encouraged by Buhari’s decision to host the security summit for leaders committed to ending the activities of Boko Haram.

    ‘’The United States is encouraged that under President Buhari’s leadership, a security summit of regional leaders, committed to carrying out a ‘sustained, comprehensive approach’ against Boko Haram was organised.

    “This, couples with rights respecting security operations and civilian efforts to restore stability, promote governance and economic development to break the cycle of violence in all countries where Boko Haram is active.

    ‘“The UN system, including the Special Representatives for West Africa and the Sahel and Central Africa, should continue to assist the Lake Chad Basin region to implement such a comprehensive strategy,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the U.S official as saying in the statement.

  • Gambari proffers multi-faceted approach to war against terror

    A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Thursday in Abuja, called for a multi-faceted approach against the Boko Haram insurgency, in addition to the military onslaught.

    Gambari, who spoke on the theme: “Terrorism in Nigeria: Effects on the Polity and Development,” at the ongoing Nigeria National Security Summit, said Boko Haram represented the greatest threat to Nigeria.

    “Degrading the military capability of Boko Haram is only one of several strategies that are needed to really, in a very sustained way, deal with violence extremism.

    “Following the recent success recorded by the military in the fight against Boko Haram, which must be commended and built upon, the non-military threats to national security must now be given utmost priority,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the ex-minister as saying at the forum.

    Gambari said national security focus must now be the enhancement of human security, which encompasses non-military threats, such as environmental hazards, socio-economic conditions and transnational crime, affecting the individual, communities and states.

    “In other words, while a state or part of a state such as the Northeast Nigeria may be physically secure, there may be human insecurity within its border, ”he said.

    He regretted that in 2014, Boko Haram killed 6,644 people and rendered more than one million homeless, making it the world’s deadliest militant group, according to Global Terrorism Index.

     

  • Military declares war on militants, criminal herdsmen 

    Military declares war on militants, criminal herdsmen 

    The Nigerian military Wednesday vowed to sustain its onslaught against Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram and criminal herdsmen across the country.

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas made this disclosure Wednesday at the International Maritime Conference organised by the Nigerian Navy  NN) as part of activities to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

    This is just as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Tukur Buratai inaugurated six communication vans which are to be deployed to the various troubled areas across the country.

    Olonisakin stated that the military has stepped up its game against armed conflicts, warning those sabotaging pipelines to desist from it.

    Speaking to reporters after the conference, Ibas said the military was expanding its technical aspect of its surveillance to ensure the menace was contained.

    “We have made some inroads by ensuring that we are at least out there at sea especially when you consider that we have over 3000 creeks, rivers and actuaries and the navy has over the last 10 years been building its capacity to operate in the backwaters.

    “What we have for now might not be adequate but we are expanding the technical aspects of our surveillance to ensure that we adequately contain the menace,” said Ibas.

    Buratai who was in Lagos to inaugurate some buildings renovated by the 81 Division, Nigerian Army as well as address the troops as part of his maiden official visit to command also assured that the military was leaving nothing to chance in combating armed conflicts.

    He said: “We are still pursuing the terrorists and we will continue to do that. So far so good, as the troops are doing very well.

    “We are fighting the insurgents in the north east. We are also handling militants in the Niger Delta and combating the criminal elements disguising as herdsmen.

    “We will continue to operate the way we have been doing. We may not be able to divulge our strategy because it is an operational issue.”

  • Niger to hand over Boko Haram fighters to ICC

    Niger to hand over Boko Haram fighters to ICC

    The Niger Government has arrested scores of Boko Haram militants and would hand them over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Mahamadou Issoufou, has said.

    This is contained in a document from the World Humanitarian Summit, ongoing in Istanbul, Turkey, made available to reporters in New York.

    It indicated that Issoufou spoke on Tuesday during a high-level leaders’ round table titled: “Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity.”

    He said the Nigerien government would ensure the militants are tried by the ICC.

    “This is something that all countries should do,” he said.

    The best way to protect civilians, he added, was to ratify humanitarian conventions.

    “Political, military and administrative authorities must be aware of pledges made by Governments and of the sanctions provided for under those conventions, ” he added.

    Issoufou added that all countries must take on commitments to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law and human rights instruments, as well as guarantee that populations in need received humanitarian aid.

    He said that Niger faced multiple humanitarian issues, including population displacement due to terrorists’ attacks.

    The president, according to the News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN) said Niger had ratified the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

    Also speaking, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ján Eliasson said: “International humanitarian law and human rights are under assault around the world.”

    Eliasson said civilians were being indiscriminately killed, while summary executions, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances and torture were daily realities.

    “Lives are being shattered by sexual violence.

    “Indeed, more than 150 years of achievements to protect the most vulnerable during conflict were unravelling.

    “The Geneva Conventions seem to have been forgotten,” he said.

  • Police rescue woman abducted by Boko Haram

    Police rescue woman abducted by Boko Haram

    Vigilant Security Operatives from the Kano State Police Command last Saturday night in Hotoro quarters of the metropolis rescued a mother of three, identified as Khadeja Ibrahim, who miraculously escaped from the hands of her abductors, as she was kidnapped from Maiduguri, Borno State.

    She was rescued at about 11 pm last Saturday in the Hotoro area of Kano State from the grips of her captives, who drove her to Kano after kidnapping her at a bus stop on her way to the hospital in Maiduguri.

    Briefing reporters in Kano Sunday, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abbati Maigari Dikko, disclosed that Khadija’s captives picked her from a bus stop, pretending to offer her lift.

    According to the CP, no sooner she boarded the vehicle than she was hypnotized, with some undisclosed substances, which promptly rendered her unconscious, not realizing, where she was until the vehicle in which they were travelling developed a technical hitch at the outskirts of Kano.

    While the vehicle was on transit, the CP said that her captives asked her whether she is familiar with Kano metropolis but she replied that she had no idea.

    Thereafter, according to the Police Commissioner, her captors told her that they were taking to Kano to perform:” Aiki Allah (like a Jihad).

    Furthermore, the CP disclosed that as soon as Khadeja regained consciousness, she realized that the clothes she earlier wore had been removed and substituted with something that looked like a locally made bullet proof jacket, adorned with so many chains and nails.

    Meanwhile, according to the CP, while efforts were been made to fix the vehicle, which was also carrying two men, Khadija and another woman, and in the process she attempted to remove the jacket because she heard about the Aiki Allah, which aroused her suspicion that she is at the wrong hands (Boko Haram insurgents).

    Fortunately for Khadeja, according to the CP, she was able to remove the jacket, jumped out of the car and ran out, as one of the captors pursued her, threatening that wherever she escapes to she would be traced, emphasizing that they are all over the environment.

    But however, the CP noted that God in His infinite mercy enabled her to make good her escape, during which she ran into some Security operatives, who rescued and took her to Hotoro Police Station, from where she was transferred to the Kano Police Command Headquarters in Hotoro between 11 and 12 Saturday midnight.

    Meanwhile, Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has cautioned Kano people to be extra-vigilant, particularly market men and women, following information that Boko Haram insurgents may launch an attack in any of the markets in the commercial city of Kano.

    This followed information extracted from the Boko Haram insurgents that they may launch an attack in any of the Kano markets, sooner or later, hence the need to be extra vigilant.

  • Boko Haram ready to discuss surrender and release of Chibok girls

    Boko Haram ready to discuss surrender and release of Chibok girls

    Terror sect Boko Haram seems to willing to broker a deal with the federal government to release the remaining kidnapped Chibok school girls in return for escaping prosecution.

    Over 200 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were seized two years ago and have not been traced or found.

    The Times of London believes only a third of them remain alive.

    The paper reported that senior members of the terrorist group said it was prepared to negotiate a surrender and release the hostages on the condition they would not be not betrayed by the government or killed for giving up arms.

    “We want to surrender because things are getting worse,” said Amir Muhammad Abdullahi, who is reportedly Boko Haram’s second in command. He said no side was winning the battle and that only a third of the girls remained as “the rest have been martyred”.

    Two Chibok girls have been found in the last one week – one of whom called Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki – was found near Sambisa forest.

    However, there was confusion mounting over whether the second girl, Serah Luka, who was freed in a raid on a Boko Haram camp on 19 May, was from Chibok.

    A strategic member of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign group, Jeff Okoroafor said yesterday that the body would  stand by the report from the just rescued Amina Ali that only six of the Chibok girls had died.

    Okoroafor said the group’s leaders were not aware of the latest report that only one third of the Chibok girls were alive.

    According to him, “We stand by Amina’s report. Until we get some more concrete and verifiable, we will hold on to what she has said that only six of the girls have died and others are still alive.”

     

  • Treat IPOB, other militants like Boko Haram, Northern groups tell FG

    Treat IPOB, other militants like Boko Haram, Northern groups tell FG

    The Coalition of Northern Nigerian organisations under the auspices of Northern Consensus Movement has called on the federal government to treat violent groups, especially in the South East like the terror sect Boko Haram.

    The movement at a press conference in Kaduna yesterday said, “All groups including separatist elements that use violence as an instrument of expression of grievance, such as, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should be given same treatment as Boko Haram.

    The movement comprises Arewa Liberation Movement, United Arewa Youth Organisation, Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Northern People Unity and Reconciliation Union, Amalgamated Northern Youth for North Central, Northern Youth Assembly, Salvage Nigeria Forum, among others.

    Leader of the movement, Comrade Jibrila Gadzama said it was unfortunate that the North and its people remained unappreciated even when that part of the country accommodated a vast number of Nigerians from other geo-political zones.

    “The North contributed immensely to Nigeria’s foreign reserve earnings through agriculture even before the discovery of petroleum in Nigeria. Our groundnut pyramid era shouldn’t be forgotten so soon,” he said.

    “Regrettably, despite the critical role played by the North and Northerners, we have observed growing tendencies of attacks on our brothers living in the South-eastern part of the country by Southerners with virulent separatist sentiments.

    “Since the last general elections, hundreds of innocent law abiding citizens of northern extraction living in the South-eastern part have been killed in cold blood, with their businesses and property destroyed.

    “This madness cannot be allowed to continue. We therefore demand that full inquiries be conducted into the incidents of aggression against northern citizens residing in the south-east and the perpetrators be brought to justice. And that all lives and property lost be compensated in the appropriate and adequate manner.

    “That adequate protection is given to neighbourhoods, places of worship and businesses of northerners in the south east. It is necessary for all Nigerians to live with one another as a pre-requisite to nation building. This must be done in a spirit of respect and brotherliness. We cannot continue to watch innocent people killed, maimed and brutalized for no reason other than being Northerners.”