The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • UN Security Council condemn Dalori attack

    The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attacks on 30 January, 2016 attributed to Boko Haram in Dalori village in north eastern Nigeria.

    The insurgents’ inhuman attack resulted in a large number of deaths and casualties.

    The members of the Security Council expressed their deep condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of those killed and injured by these heinous acts, as well as to the people and the Government of Nigeria.

    The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of the region, including through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to effectively combat Boko Haram and encourage further progress in this regard.

    The Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

    The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.

    They stressed that those responsible for these terrorist attacks should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

    The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever, and by whomsoever committed.

    They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

  • Boko Haram: Funding short fall delays MNJTF take off

    Funding for a multinational force to combat Boko Haram insurgency in West and Central Africa remains well short of its target, an African Union official said Tuesday.

    So far donors, including Nigeria, Switzerland and France, have pledged about $250 million to fund the 8,700-strong regional force, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council said after a meeting in Addis Ababa to discuss funding.

    The talks followed the militia’s latest attack, which killed at least 65 people in northeast Nigeria on Saturday, Reuters reported.

    The $250 million includes both previous pledges and those made during Monday’s conference, said Orlando Bama, communications officer for the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. He did not give further details.

    That covers just over a third of the $700 million budget announced for the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) last year.

    The task force – to be made up of regional African militaries -has yet to mobilise. Instead, national armies are tackling Boko Haram individually, but they often cannot follow the insurgents across the region’s long, porous borders.

    The region threatened by Boko Haram is one of the poorest in the world, and all the countries in the task force, barring Benin, are oil producers whose budgets have been battered by falling prices.

    Boko Haram has killed thousands of people and driven more than two million people from their homes during its six-year insurgency.

     

  • ONSA conducts counter- terrorism exercise

    The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Tuesday carried out a simulation exercise on counter terrorism in Abuja.

    The exercise which was developed by ONSA is aimed at testing the country’s response to new strategies adopted by insurgents to attack soft targets.

    The Deputy Director, Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre, ONSA, Mr. Shehu Saidu said this at a press briefing to flag off the exercise in Abuja.

    He said the exercise code named: “Daukin Gagawa” meaning rapid response, is the simulation of a terrorist attack on soft targets using pyrotechnic Improvised Explosive Devices and blank ammunition to measure the swift response by all agencies involved in crisis management and counter-terrorism.

    “You will recall that this is the new trend of terrorism worldwide.  You saw it in France, Ouagadougou, Bamako and other places. This exercise is organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser to practice the synergy of effort between the security agencies and the cooperation therein expected of them during such crisis,” he said.

    Saidu said at the end of the simulation exercise, the stakeholders would evaluate the efficiency of the doctrine for amendment or retooling.

    He urged members of the public not to panic during the simulation exercise, which was designed for their protection and safety.

     

     

  • Fresh explosions averted in Maiduguri

    Security operatives on Monday said they have demoblilised materials suspected to be Improvised Explosive Devises (IED) planted near the office of the Borno state pilgrims’ welfare board in Maiduguri.

    The state’s police public relations officer, Victor Isuku, stated this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    He said the IEDs, which were planted by people suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents, were demobilised by a joint security team.

    “I can confirm that it was a joint police/military operation that demobilised the IEDs. But thank God, no life was lost or injuries recorded,” Isuku told NAN.

     

     

  • Boko Haram kills 85 in Maiduguri

    Boko Haram kills 85 in Maiduguri

    Eighty-five people have been confirmed dead in last Saturday night’s attack at Dalori, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Haruna Mshelia told the deputy governor and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) at the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, that 65 bodies were deposited at the Specialist Hospital, 10 at the University Teaching Hospital, while 10 were buried at Dalori village.

    An eyewitness said he saw over 20 bodies burnt beyond recognition, but unofficial sources said more than 100 died.

    However, a rescue worker with one of the humanitarian agencies said over 100 people were killed.

    A civilian joint task force operative, Hassan Aliyu,  told The Nation on phone that more than 100 people died.

    “As at Saturday night, the people who died were over 100. I’m sure many might have died today. Anybody who tells you that the figure is less than 100 is not saying the truth,” he said.

    Modu Ajari, who escaped, told our correspondent on the phone in Maiduguri that the insurgents shot sporadically and people ran for safety.

    He said a bomb detonated by a suicide bomber caused the high casualty.

    The terrorists reportedly arrived the village in a convoy of Golf vehicles and motorcycles, carrying explosives and petro-bombs. They were said to have fled towards Alau Dam at 6 p.m.

    Dalori is a farming and herding community, 12 kilometres east of Maiduguri.

    Modu Anfoni, a villager, said the insurgents stormed the community through Yale village in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles in the evening, into Maiduguri without passing through the military posts on the Maiduguri-Bama Road.

    Confirming the attack, the Media Coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Mustpaha Anka, in a statement, said: “The insurgents came in Golf cars, motorcycles and opened fire, burnt houses. They wanted to cause confusion and penetrate the crowd with suicide bombers.

    “While people were running to Gomari Kerkeri village, three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd, but were intercepted and got blown up.”

    He said during the 45-minute military “fierce repulsion”, lives were lost, while people were injured.

    Anka said: “The insurgents attempted to enter Dalori IDP camp, but they were resisted by troops, which resulted in the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the suicide bombers.”

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Umaru Hassan, yesterday consoled the District Head of Dalori, Alhaji Lawal Bashir and his subjects on the attack.

    He assured them that the command would end insurgency in Borno State soon.

    Hailing the villagers for their resilience, he urged them to be strong and committed in the fight against terrorism.

    Gen. Hassan said: “I praise the National and State Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA and SEMA), Red Cross and others for rescuing and resettling displaced people in camps.”

  • Boko Haram kills 85 in Maiduguri attack

    Boko Haram kills 85 in Maiduguri attack

    Not fewer than 85 people have been confirmed dead in the Saturday night attack that took place at Dalori village outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The Commissioner for Health in Borno State Dr. Haruna Mshelia briefed the Deputy Governor and the GOC at the Specialist Hospital Maiduguri that 65 bodies were deposited at the Specialist Hospital, 10 others at the University Teaching Hospital while another 10 have been buried at Dalori village.

    Eyewitness disclosed that they saw more than 20 copses burnt beyond recognition.

    There are unofficial sources that inform that the death tool in the attack is over one hundred.

    A rescue worker with one of the humanitarian agencies who is not authorized to speak with the press disclosed more than one hundred people were killed during the attack.

    A Civilian JT, who identified himself as Hassan Aliyu in Maiduguri also informed The Nation on phone that the death toll in the attack is more than one hundred even as at last night when the attack happened.

    “Even as at last night, the people that died were more than one hundred. I am sure many may have died today. Anybody that tells you that the figure is less than one hundred is just not saying the truth,” Hassan Aliyu informed.

    Modu Ajari, who escaped the attack, told our correspondent on phone in Maiduguri, that the insurgents came and were shooting sporadically and people started running from all direction.

    He disclosed that what caused the high casualty was a suicide bomber who detonated.

    The Boko Haram terrorists were said to have arrived the village in a convoy of Golf Volkswagen vehicles and motorcycles laden with explosives and petro-bombs and attacked the village killing the hapless villagers , before torching the village and fled towards Alau Dam by 6pm Saturday.

    Dalori is farming and herding community, and 12 kilometres east of Maiduguri, the state capital.

    Modu Anfoni , a villager, also said that the insurgents burst into the community through Yale village in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles in the evening to sneak into Maiduguri without passing through the military posts on Maiduguri-Bama road.

    Confirming the reprisal attack in Maiduguri, the Media Coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Mustpaha Anka in a statement said: “The insurgents came in Golf cars, motorcycles and started opening fire and burning houses. Their motives were to cause rancor and penetrate crowd with suicide bombers.

    “While people were running for their dear lives to Gomari Kerkeri village, three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd, but were intercepted and subsequently got blown up.”

    He said during the 45-minute military “fierce repulsion” lives were also lost, while some people sustained various degrees of injuries, while fleeing the attacked village in the evening of Saturday.

    Anka also disclosed that : “The insurgents also attempted to penetrate Dalori IDP camp, but it was resisted by the troops; which resulted into detonation of IEDs by the suicide bombers.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Umaru Hassan condole the District Head of Dalori, Alhaji Lawal Bashir and his people over the attacks.

    He assured the people that the Theatre Command was committed to bringing an end to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state the Northeast sub-region of the country.

    While commending the villagers for their resilience, he urged them to be strong and fully committed in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

    “I also commend the humanitarian assistance of the National and State Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA, SEMA), Nigerian Red Cross and other Stakeholders for their tireless humanitarian efforts of ‘rescuing and resettling’ displaced people in camps,” said Hassan in Maiduguri.

    NEMA officials have also informed that they have screened some of the people that fled from the attacks before allowing them entry into the Dalori IDP camp.

  • African leaders urge member states to support fiight against Boko Haram

    African leaders urge member states to support fiight against Boko Haram

    African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa have called on member states of the AU to volunteer resources to combat the spread of the Boko Haram across the Lake Chad Basin and the Al Shabaab in East Africa.

    The Peace and Security Council (PSC), holding its regular meeting at the Heads of State and Government level to discuss a response to terrorism, the crisis in Burundi and the stagnant efforts to end the political crisis in South Sudan, called for stronger measures to deal with the crises affecting the continent.

    “Nobody can deny that our security is threatened by global terrorism,” said Teodoro Obiang Nguema, President of Equatorial Guinea and Chairman of the Council.

    “This situation demands collective mobilization on our part in addition to cooperation and coordination.”

    In an effort to enhance the cooperation and coordination, the PSC Chairmanship proposed to all African countries to consider providing support to countries affected by the Boko Haram crisis in West Africa.

    “The PSC is ready to make its contribution to enhance this process and to help build a stable and prosperous Africa.

    “Africa has continued to deal with conflicts, faced threats and increase in terrorist attacks, organized crime and the illicit smuggling of small arms,” the PSC Chairman warned.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who also attended the high-profile Summit, said the extent of radicalisation and the expansion of terrorism threats across borders was a cause for great concern.

    “There is urgent need for coordination…as I have said before, bullets make the terrorist but development prevents terrorism.

    “I urge member states especially in Africa to be at the forefront of adopting the plans to enhance border security and efforts to stop kidnapping across borders,” Ban said.

    Boko Haram, which has carried out a series of attacks in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, emerged as the world’s deadliest terror group with its killing of 6,664 people in 2014, according to the Global Terrorism Index, which has been tracking the extent of deaths inflicted by terror groups.

    Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was among the African leaders who attended the PSC Summit.

    Several other African heads of state, including President Omar El Bashir of Sudan, Macky Sall of Senegal and Allassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire attended the debate.

    In her opening remarks, the AU Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said the extent of terror attacks have grown to their highest proportions in the last 10 years, marked by “grim stories” of terror attacks against civilians.

    “The Boko Haram attacks in West Africa, the attacks in Kenya and Somalia and other individual countries targeted by the threat of terrorism show it is a universal threat we need to tackle.

    “We must also fight for the hearts and minds of our people, especially our young ones,” Zuma said.

  • Chibok girls: NAF raids Boko Haram hideouts

    The military in Maiduguri, Borno State, said on Saturday that more air strikes have been launched on Boko Haram targets and locations by the Air Component team of Operation Lafiya Dole as part of efforts to locate the Chibok girls and by extension wipe out the insurgents.

    The Deputy Theatre Commander (Air), Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, said this at a press briefing held at the media centre of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The briefing, according to Air Vice Marshal Amao, was to keep the public abreast of recent operations conducted by military in some parts of Borno State.

    He said, “In continuation of the counter insurgency, the Air Component in the last one month conducted 286 operational sorties against terrorists’ targets from December  25 to date in the Sambisa Forest covering an area of 157,000km2 which is equivalent to the total land mass of South Korea, Portugal and Togo.

    “A total of 536 hours 21 minutes were flown by various platforms engaged in the operations, translating into 316,637.5 litres of aviation fuel which amounts to N60.3 million, excluding the cost of maintenance and armament expended.”

    One of the missions, according t him, was an airstrike on December 25 last year  that hit some  terrorists’ leaders and junior commanders that converged for a leadership meeting in Sambisa Forest apparently to plan an attack, but  were neutralized by a precision strike that killed several terrorists.

    Another milestone in the military mission, Amao said, was conducted on January 17 following intelligence report on the location of a “high value terrorists’ leader” at South of Arra village in the Sambisa Forest.

     

  • 10 killed in Bauchi suicide attack

    Up to 10 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up on Friday at a busy market in a town in Bauchi where the Boko Haram group is waging an insurgency, residents and a Red Cross official told Reuters.

    Boko Haram has been waging an almost seven-year campaign in Nigeria’s remote north to build an Islamic state. Thousands have been killed and more than two million people displaced by the campaign.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has been using suicide bombers since the army, helped by neighbours Chad and Cameroon, expelled the group from territory it had captured previously.

  • Boko Haram: Air and ground operations have improved, says GOC

    •10, 000 soldiers promoted in Yobe

    The General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army Brig. General Mohammed Adbullahi Aliyu has said that the bureaucracy once associated with air operations and ground troops in the fight against Boko Haram has long been removed and the operations are quicker, more effective and responsive at the moment.

    The GOC while briefing journalists in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, as part of his working tour, noted that all Brigade Commanders in the Northeast could make direct calls for air assistance in any part of the region in the event of any Boko Haram attack unlike in the past where long protocols must be observed before a pilot flew to a troubled area.

    Brig. Gen. Aliyu also spoke on the effort the military is putting in place to ensure that displaced people are returned to their liberated communities without recurrent attacks from the insurgents.

    He noted that about 400 soldiers had been deployed to Yobe State to ensure that commercial activities return to the liberated areas, especially the Damaturu/Buni Yadi/Biu road which had been closed from public travel for more than year.

    After assumption of office, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, declared the road open to motorists but many refused to ply the road except security agencies that relocated to Buni Yadi.

    Speaking on the recent pockets of attack in Yobe, the GOC who is in charge of the Tactical Command, Damaturu explained that his troops have been generally on top of the situation, adding that the insurgents failed to wreak greater havoc because of the flow of useful information from the general public which he maintains is key to the success of the fight.

    He disclosed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked 120 Batalion at Goniri on January 15 this year were pursued to the villages of Ajgin, Talala and Kafa, while about 14 Boko Haram terrorists were killed on the same day in Churokusko in Tarmuwa Local Government of Yobe State with different kinds of ammunitions recovered, including six AK-47 riffles, three IEDs, four 36 handheld grenades, one GPMG, four magazines and 382 Rams of 7.62 mm (NATO).

    In another attack in Babangida village on Sunday morning, the GOC said that the terrorists attacked a police station and took off with two Hilux vehicles belonging to the police. They also burnt down the Airtel telecommunication mast in the DPO’s compound.

    The GOC regretted that the attack on Babangida must have been aided by collaborators in the village, noting that the “Headquarters of 3 Division Civil Military Coordination Cell (CIMIC) is working hand-in-hand with the state government to sensitise the locals in order to discourage the collaborators aiding BHTs in achieving their aims”.

    Speaking on the morale of soldiers in the theater of operation, Brig. Gen. Aliyu disclosed that about 10, 000 soldiers have been given special promotion for exemplary fight against the insurgents in the state, with 1, 500 awaiting promotion.