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Tag: boko haram

  • US, France, others storm Abuja for Boko Haram summit today

    A security summit  on ending the Boko Haram menace is coming up today in Abuja  amidst  increasing signs of closer military cooperation between regional powers and international support.

    Expected at the event are French President Francois Hollande, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Britain’s top diplomat Philip Hammond, among the senior foreign dignitaries.

    The US will be represented by Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, along with the State Department’s Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Justin Siberell.

    The  U.S. diplomats will huddle with their African counterparts in hopes of escalating the fight against Boko Haram, just as analysts say signs of real progress are finally emerging in the fight against the brutal jihadi terror group.

    They are likely to push for an expansion of informal education centres for children of families displaced by Boko Haram, some 300 of which the State Department says have already been established.

    But behind the scenes, the Obama administration is also expected to seek greater influence over the direction of the multinational African military campaign against Boko Haram.

    Presidents Idriss Deby (Chad), Patrice Talon (Benin Republic),Paul Biya (Cameroun) and Mahamadou Issoufou (Niger Republic)  are also invited, along with delegations from the European Union and the West African and Central African blocs.

    Nigeria said this week “the successful conclusion of ongoing military operations” and “the speedy resolution of the humanitarian crises” would dominate the talks.

    Boko Haram was named in the latest Global Terrorism Index as “the most deadly terrorist group in the world” in 2014. An estimated 20,000 people have been killed since 2009.

  • Boko Haram claims responsibility for Maiduguri bombing

    Boko Haram on Friday claimed responsibility for Thursday’s suicide bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed 15 people.

    The sect said, “After planning in advance, it was possible for the brother Abu Anas al Ansari to detonate his explosive belt in the middle of the apostate Nigerian parliament gathering in Maiduguri.”

    Just hours before the attack at the Secretariat, another suicide bomber was confronted in the village of Sulaimanti just outside of Maiduguri.

    According to Nigerian officials, the bomber was attempting to enter a local mosque to detonate his bomb during early morning prayers.

    Residents attempted to restrain him before he detonated the bomb, which injured five people.

  • Troops foil attack on Maiduguri mosque

    Troops of 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri, in conjunction with the civilian joint task force on Tuesday foiled another attempt by Boko Haram to bomb a mosque in Sulaimanti area of the city.

    A bomber carrying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) attempted to attack worshippers at Sulaimanti mosque during early morning prayer.

    But the attacker was prevented from gaining access to the mosque.

    Five persons were seriously wounded during the failed attack.

    A team of Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) later detonated the remaining IEDs and combed the area.

    The injured persons were taken to the hospital, while security agents have intensified patrol in the area.

     

  • NSCDC deploys 200 personnel to Boko Haram liberated towns

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 200 of its personnel to Boko Haram liberated towns in Borno.

    Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    “We have already deployed 100 to Dikwa and we are preparing 30 for Munguno, while 20 of our men were drafted to Nganzai Local Government Area.

    “Some of them are already in Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas.

    “The officers include special armed squad and counter terrorism squad.

    “Also officers in the Anti-riot Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Unit as well as Rescue and Medical Team will also be deployed to all the liberated towns in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    The Commandant commended Borno government for its support which had enabled the corps serve the country better.

     

  • Boko Haram and America’s new song

    A Reuters Exclusive should get us all worried. The headline reads: “U.S. seeks to approve attack aircraft for Nigeria in Boko Haram fight”. When someone insists you should hire tarpaulin tents from them for a night time event in the dry season, then one must find out their relationship with rainmakers. The development around the United States of America’s reported (possible) acquiescence to sell weapons to Nigeria has all the markings of a red flag operation that should send all those responsible for our security into panic mode.

    First, the story cited sources that spoke on condition of anonymity for aspects pertaining to the possible aircraft sales while the analysts that provided clarity were clearly named. In the event that decision makers in Nigeria have cause to reject the crazy demands that will come attached to the several millions dollars bill for the 12 units of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft we could be buying, the story has already created grounds for deniability. All the US administration has to do is to carry on as if nothing of such was ever discussed since no senior officials were named speaking on the plan.

    As a guarantee that Nigeria would be boxed into a corner should we be unwilling to smooch the devil in the deal, “The possible sale – which the officials said was favored within the U.S. administration but is subject to review by Congress”, is another groundwork that ensures the deal can be easily torpedoed should the Buhari administration fail to deliver on some conditions that could amount to Nigeria having resident colonial masters.

    The brightest red flag is perhaps to be seen in the comments of J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank, which the Reuters report acknowledged as cautioning that the Super Tucano aircraft’s “ability to counter Boko Haram could be limited”.

    “When you’re fighting a group that’s no longer holding towns and villages, that’s no longer massing forces in a conventional way, the aircraft – attack aircraft – have a much more limited role in that kind of fight”, Pham was reported as saying.

    So why is the US suddenly willing to assist Nigeria when their support to Nigeria is coming too late? If it is that they find a darling in President Buhari, why did it take the whole of one year before the support is coming? We all know that in the one year, despite the President’s pleas during several visits to USA, UK, France and Germany, no support came.

    The recall threshold of Nigerians is not that short that they would have forgotten the humiliation heaped on the country as it struggled to procure weapons to stop the killing machine that Boko Haram became. The Nigeria Air Force suffered several frustrations and outright blockade to procure needed platforms to fight the insurgent Boko Haram in the country. Things went tough enough that a local automobile company has to start fabricating spare parts for Nigeria’s fighter jets in what has emerged as a blessing in disguise.

    All manners of excuses were cooked up to ensure the Nigerian military could not get direly needed hardware. This was at the same time that “moderate” terrorists were able to get their hands on state-of-the-art weaponry, some of which ended up with Boko Haram to further compound the difficulty the military had in fighting them.

    Then just when Nigeria is winning the war without tangible support from the USA, now that the Nigerian military is in the heart of Sambisa on its own, the leading nation in the free world has found a voice and willingness to support the Nigerian government. This is too little too late. Those who hold unto this announcement of US support will soon discover it is a mirage, a mere rhetoric with no concrete and actionable support. It is like scrambling to sign onto a winning team just when the garlands are about to be handed out.

    To get a sense of what Nigeria is being offered, the Afghan Air Force ordered for 20 Super Tucano aircraft in 2012 and only began taking delivery in January. That is a waiting time of four years. So, assuming the US Congress gives approval for sales to Nigeria under six months and we factor in three years for delivery, we will be looking at getting the aircraft into service in 2020. At the current rate of the success of Nigeria’s military, even with the cancerous nature of terrorism, the concern by year 2020 should be very different in terms of improvement. We would have thus helped oil the US economy and sustaining jobs in that country by paying for what we no longer need, the same ones they once refused to sell to us.

    What is driving this zeal to sell us wartime aircraft at a time we are hopeful of entering peacetime? As an expert pointed out, if we get the aircraft this minute, it would not contribute anything meaningful to the current stage of military operations and it definitely will be even more pointless by 2020 when agricultural aircraft would be the need in the north-east of the country.

    Post-degradation of Boko Haram, surveillance would become priority and the country may just as well order Rotorway Helicopters at $100,000 apiece instead of selling ourselves down the river.

    The Reuters report alluded to the convincing anti-corruption fight of the current administration as part of the factors that brought about the change of mind that is making the US consider selling the aircraft to Nigeria. That is an angle that simply doesn’t wash. One must urge at this point that President Buhari, while he may not be able to go public, must be on the same page as his security chiefs on this matter and hold nothing back from them. If the noxious U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) is part of the sweetener for this deal, Nigeria wants no part of it. The military chiefs have discharged their duties credibly to the admiration of Nigerians who have acknowledged that the President got it right with their appointment. He should listen to them.

    If the US is truly committed to rendering assistance in finishing off Boko Haram, considering the progress our military has made on their own, there are several other areas it can step in. The first is to champion a global drive at recovering the weapons in the hands of “moderate” rebels since they have an uncanny way of ending up in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents. Then it can help clean up the mess in Libya, where a report by Andrew Malone for the Daily Mail noted that “There are an estimated 15 million Kalashnikovs in a country of just six million people”. With the nature of the region, this has continued to impact incidence of terrorism in Nigeria.

    Let no one be deceived. The offer to sell Super Tucano aircraft has everything wrong about it. The US should hold unto its support in this instance as we not only survived but also made headways without it in the recent past. One is tempted to ask, are we expecting a new Boko Haram?

     

    • Odoma is National Coordinator, Africa Arise for Change Network based in Abuja.
  • 800 repentant Boko Haram insurgents undergoing training – NEMA DG

    800 repentant Boko Haram insurgents undergoing training – NEMA DG

    Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, Monday said that over 800 repentant Boko Haram insurgents are currently undergoing skill acquisition training.

    The NEMA boss who stated this at a two day Public Hearing on the North East Development Commission Bill, 2016 said that the skill acquisition exercise is being handled by the military and monitored by the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

    Although he did not say where the exercise is taking place, it is believed that the repentant Boko Haram insurgents are being hosted in Maidugiri, the capital of Borno State.

    Alhaji Sidi was responding to the comment of a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kaka Kyari Gujbawu, who canvassed general amnesty for returning Boko Haram insurgents.

    Sidi said, “It is not true that the Federal Government has no amnesty package. There is what is called safe corridor. I do know that 800 plus (Boko Haram) have been registered. I don’t want to be specific. They have exited Boko Haram through the window. They are currently receiving various skill acquisition training. The military is handling it. It is being monitored by the Office of the CDS.”

    Hon. Gujbawu had in his presentation at the event said that the NEDC Bill should include amnesty for repentant Boko Haram insurgents because most of the insurgents were conscripted and forced to fight along Boko Haram members.

    He said that a second life should be given to the repentant insurgents.

    He also said that provision should be made for the Civilian Joint Task Force members who he said were used and dumped.

    Gujbawu said that some form of integration in the line of employment should be evolved for the Civilian JTF members who helped tremendously to push out Boko Haram insurgents from Maidugiri.

    Chairman, Joint Committee on the North East Development Commission Bill, Senator Abdul-Aziz Murtala Nyako, assured that his committee would consider the amnesty aspect “critically” as well as discuss with the Executive on the issue.

    Nyako said that it is only after such critical consideration that the committee would determine whether amnesty would party of the Bill.

    He acknowledged the motion against the insurgency that was moved by Senator Thompson Sekibo and 40 others as part of the off-shoot of the Bill.

    He said that the NEDC Bill was sponsored by 18 Senators of the North East zone across party lines led by the Senate Leader, Senator Mohammad Ali Ndume.

    Nyako added that Nigerians should come to terms with the alarming fact that the North East zone is rapidly deteriorating as a result of the insurgency that began in 2009.

    He said, “We often consider death as the most noticeable effect of this insurgency, but we need to look at our current situation holistically.

    “Hundreds if not thousands of schools have been reduced to rubles; magistrates courts that used to resolve communal conflicts have been destroyed; hospitals and small clinics that used to treat nursing mothers, children and the elderly are non-existent, police and law enforcement structures have been demolished; homes, markets, public parks and community centers are completely ruined; women, men and children fleeing their homes have been forced to take shelter in completely foreign  communities; our fellow brothers and sisters have been murdered, tortured, raped, dehumanized and rendered homeless.”

    On his, Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North) noted that the Borno State Government was already doing something for the Civilian JTF.

    He noted that the state government has trained them under the supervision of the military and provided vehicles and uniform for the group.

    Kyari also said that the state government is paying stipends to members of the Civilian JTF out of its meager resources.

    He noted that it would wrong to say that nothing is being done for the members of the Civilian JTF.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who inaugurated the Public Hearing, noted that what had been witnessed in the North East demanded special attention from all well meaning Nigerians and not just from government.

    He said, “We must all rise up and say never again. We have seen families wiped out, children orphaned, incomes plunged below a tenth of what they were a decade ago.

    “Families that have survived this onslaught have largely survived with little to live by and now rely directly on handouts for food rations.

    “More than a quarter of the children in this area are either malnourished or in danger of malnourishment. Schools have become deserted and the social fabric of our national unity severely perforated in this area, threatening to create deep set divisions amongst us, fueling animosities amongst Muslims and Christians, leading to the entire economy of the region bleeding profusely.

    “It is in this unique and dire context that we must appreciate the importance and urgency for us as a legislature and government to act, to restore hope and rebuild the North East.”

    Saraki said that for members of the 8th National Assembly, the Bill is more than a National priority, because “it reflects our mandate to make laws for the good governance, peace and security of the entire country.”

    He said, “The effort at this bill therefore, is aimed at creating the legislative framework to enable government provide the basic structures and capacities that will enable it rebuild the North East.

    “It will also provide an avenue for external collaborators such as international development agencies to make effective contributions towards the region; further ensuring internal stability, a base for restoration, rehabilitation and conflict resolution.

    “All the aforementioned are crucial not only for the sustained futures of the people of the North East but also for the country as a whole.

    “This is a peculiar time in our history. Thankfully we can talk about rebuilding due to the remarkable bravery, patriotism and courage of our Armed Forces who continue to take the fight back to the Boko Haram who have now largely retreated to sporadic soft attacks. We are therefore here to show solidarity to their gallantry and act like leaders of a united and indivisible nation.

    “However, we must not forget that this war against terrorism cannot be won by might but through the hearts and minds of citizens who are certain that they have a secure and guaranteed place within the fabric of our society and thus choose to live and act in harmony towards collective growth. Thus, in making a conscious, collective decision to focus development efforts in this region, we are fostering a strong sense of place and rebuilding a positive, shared identity.

    “It is my firm hope that your contributions to this public hearing would further enrich the bill, deepen our discussion at Senate plenary and help provide us the missing links if any towards the process of giving back hope, belief and optimism to our people that wherever they may be, their welfare and security will remain the central purpose of government.

    “I urge you to make haste in bringing this Bill to pass. Every day we wait to take legislative action, we delay the opportunities that ought to abound within and from the North East.”

     

  • Appeal Court affirms 25 years jail for Boko Haram convicts

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has affirmed the September 30, 2015, judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which convicted three men of participating in terrorism and belonging to the Boko Haram sect.

    In a judgment by Justice Y.B. Nimpar, the appellate court upheld the decision of the lower court, which sentenced Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi and Ibrahim Usman, to 25 years’ imprisonment each.

    They were arraigned in November 2013 with 14 others before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who found them guilty in September 2014.

    Displeased with their conviction and imprisonment, the convicts approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the judgment.

    But the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which charged them to court and secured their convictions, said in a statement yesterday by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Bola Akingbade, that the appeal was dismissed for lacking in merit.

    According to the ministry, the convicts had contended that they were charged and convicted under an inapplicable law.

    They had also contended that the 25 years’ imprisonment imposed on them was excessive and urged the appeal court to reverse their conviction.

    But the appellate court refused their prayers.

    Mohammed, Karumi and Usman were arraigned on eight counts in November 2013 before Justice Buba along with 14 other suspected Boko Haram members.

    Those charged with them were Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala and Kadiri Mohammed and Mustapha Daura.

    Others were Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya and Musa Audu and Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

    But the then Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, entered a nolle prosequi, discontinuing criminal charges against 13 of the suspects, leaving only  Mohammed,  Karumi,  Usman and Haruna.

  • Boko Haram: Army clears seven Borno villages

    The Army says it has cleared seven more villages taken by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, in its bid to end terrorism in the Northeast.

    The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday in Maiduguri, said: “As the clearance and rescue operations gain momentum, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade have cleared the enclaves of Boko Haram terrorists at Galtha Baba, Galtha Musa, Bulakurma, Shatimari, Chukruk, Bulangaje and Disa villages.

    “During the operation, one insurgent was captured.”

    He said three motorcycles, bags of grains, terrorists’ flags and uniforms were recovered.

    Usman listed other recovered items to include: suicide bomber’s hijab, a mobile phone, one Dane gun, as well as foodstuffs and cooking utensils.

    “The soldiers rescued 15 persons held hostage by the terrorists,” the acting Army spokesman said.

    He said unfortunately, two Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) overran an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), but the formation did not sustain casualty, as the damage to the AFVs was minimal.

    Usman said the captured terrorist was being interrogated and would soon be handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution.

     

  • Appeal court affirms 25 years jail for Boko Haram convicts

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has affirmed the September 30, 2015 judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which convicted three men of participating in terrorism and belonging to outlawed Boko Haram sect.
    In a judgment delivered by Justice Y.B. Nimpar, the appellate court upheld the decision of the lower court which sentenced Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi and Ibrahim Usman, to 25 years imprisonment each.
    They had been arraigned in November 2013 along with 14 others before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who found them guilty as charged in September 2014.
    Displeased with their conviction and imprisonment, the convicts subsequently approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the judgment.
    But the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which charged them to court and secured their convictions, said in a statement on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Bola Akingbade, that the appeal was dismissed for lacking in merit.
    According to the ministry, the convicts had contended that they were charged and convicted under an inapplicable law.
    They had also contended that the 25 years’ imprisonment imposed on them was excessive and urged the higher court to reverse their conviction.
    But the appellate court refused their prayers.
    Mohammed, Karumi and Usman were arraigned on eight counts in November 2013 before Justice Buba along with 14 other suspected Boko Haram members.
    Those charged with them were Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala and Kadiri Mohammed and Mustapha Daura.
    Others were Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya and Musa Audu and Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.
    But in the course of trial, the then Lagos State, Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, entered a nolle prosequi, discontinuing criminal charges against 13 of the suspects, leaving only Mohammed, Karumi, Usman and Haruna.

  • Army clears 7 more villages occupied by insurgents

    The Nigerian Army says it has cleared seven more villages taken by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno in its bid to end terrorism in the North East.

    Col. Sani Usman, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, stated this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Sunday.

    “As the ongoing clearance and rescue operations gained momentum, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade have successfully cleared enclaves of Boko Haram terrorists along Galtha Baba, Galtha Musa, Bulakurma, Shatimari, Chukruk, Bulangaje, and Disa villages.

    “During the operation, one Boko Haram terrorist was captured alive,” Usman said.

    According to him, three motorcycles, bags of grains, terrorists’ flags and uniforms have also been recovered.

    He listed other items recovered to include: suicide bomber’s hijab, a cell phone and one Dane gun, as well as foodstuffs and cooking utensils.”

    “The troops also rescued 15 persons that were held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists in the area,” Usman said.

    He said that unfortunately, two Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) over ran an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), but however, said the formation did not sustain any human casualty as the damage to the AFVs was minimal.

    The spokesman said that the captured terrorist was being interrogated and would soon be handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution.” (NAN)