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Tag: boko haram

  • We’ve driven Boko Haram to fall-back positions, says Buhari

    We’ve driven Boko Haram to fall-back positions, says Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that Nigeria has made significant progress towards ending Boko Haram insurgency since his assumption of office.

    Speaking at a meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki Moon on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Buhari said in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces have driven the terrorist group from Nigerian territory into “fall-back positions”.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “They are currently not holding any territory today as we speak.”

    He told the United Nations Secretary-General that Nigeria would persistently pursue global action to reverse the drying up of Lake Chad and save the lives of those who depend on it for survival.

    “With all due respect to our neighbours, Nigeria has been worst hit by the drying up of the Lake Chad and we are hoping that the global community will support the process of halting the drying up of the lake, ” Buhari said.

    Ban hailed the President for his courage in fighting terrorism and corruption.

    The secretary-general said Nigeria has made amazing progress against terrorism since the President assumed office.

    He added that Buhari’s war against corruption has boosted global confidence in the Nigerian economy.

    He urged the President to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into Nigeria’s economic and environmental vision.

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that Nigeria has made significant progress towards ending Boko Haram insurgency since his assumption of office.

    Speaking at a meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki Moon on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Buhari said in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces have driven the terrorist group from Nigerian territory into “fall-back positions”.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “They are currently not holding any territory today as we speak.”

    He told the United Nations Secretary-General that Nigeria would persistently pursue global action to reverse the drying up of Lake Chad and save the lives of those who depend on it for survival.

    “With all due respect to our neighbours, Nigeria has been worst hit by the drying up of the Lake Chad and we are hoping that the global community will support the process of halting the drying up of the lake, ” Buhari said.

    Ban hailed the President for his courage in fighting terrorism and corruption.

    The secretary-general said Nigeria has made amazing progress against terrorism since the President assumed office.

    He added that Buhari’s war against corruption has boosted global confidence in the Nigerian economy.

    He urged the President to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into Nigeria’s economic and environmental vision.

  • Boko Haram: UN tasks Nigeria on rehabilitation of IDPs

    Boko Haram: UN tasks Nigeria on rehabilitation of IDPs

    A delegation of the United Nations (UN) has warned that the nation risks future crisis if it fails to properly resettle those currently displaced activities of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

    The UN delegation, which visited the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja, was led by two Special Rapporteurs of the global organisation.

    The visiting UN experts were led by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children Prostitution and Child Pornography, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio‎, and her counterpart on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, Dainius Puras.

    They said they were in the country to assess measures‎ which the government had put in place for the rehabilitation and the reintegration of returnee Boko Haram victims in the country.

    Speaking on their mission to the country, Boer-Buquicchio, said the delegation would make appropriate recommendations to the Nigerian government after its meetings with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and individuals at the various Internally Displaced Persons’ camps in the region ravaged by insurgency.

    “Without these measures, the future of Nigeria is at risk because this involves women and children who are future of the country and whose attitude to life as full-fledged citizens is important,” Boer-Buquicchio added.

    ‎On his part, Puras said the delegation would be assisting Nigeria in tackling the challenges of rehabilitating and reintegrating the returnee IDPS with its “expertise and knowledge” in the areas of provision of “essential healthcare” to victims of the insurgent activities.

    He said his team would also‎ assist Nigeria in ensuring that the victims were protected from violence and other crimes.

    In his welcome address, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, commended the international community for the e support rendered to Nigeria shortly after over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.

    “The display of solidarity by the international community resulted into new efforts being put in place by the Federal Government to address insurgency i‎n the country,” Angwe said.

    Angwe, who commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for its efforts towards addressing the plights of the returnee victims of Boko Haram activities, lamented the state of abandonment in many IDP camps in the North East.

    “Let me inform you that most of the returnees have no home to return to. Most of the returnees’ homes have been destroyed.

    “The present administration in Nigeria is putting in place some measures to address these concerns.

    “The Federal Government has put in place initiatives to address the problems of the IDPs.”‎

  • We’ve driven Boko Haram to fall-back positions – Buhari

    We’ve driven Boko Haram to fall-back positions – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that Nigeria has made very significant progress towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency since his assumption of office on May 29 last year.

    Speaking at a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, President Buhari said that in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces have driven the terrorist group from Nigerian territory into “fall-back positions”.

    In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said: “They are currently not holding any territory today as we speak, ”

    He also told the United Nations Secretary-General that Nigeria will persistently pursue global action to reverse the drying up of Lake Chad and save the lives of those who depend on it for survival.

    “With all due respect to our neighbours, Nigeria has been worst hit by the drying up of the Lake Chad and we are hoping that the global community will support the process of halting the drying up of the lake,” President Buhari said.

    Mr. Ban Ki Moon commended the President for his courage in fighting terrorism and corruption.

    The Secretary-General said that Nigeria has made amazing progress against terrorism since President Buhari assumed office, while the President’s war against corruption has boosted global confidence in the Nigerian economy.

    He urged President Buhari to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into Nigeria’s economic and environmental vision.

  • Army kills 14 Boko Haram members as sect attacks military base in Yobe

    Army kills 14 Boko Haram members as sect attacks military base in Yobe

    Boko Haram insurgents yesterday  attacked the  120 Task Force Battalion of the  Army at Goniri  in   Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state.

    The   insurgents appeared to have come from Shettimari  in  the Borno axis of the town and engaged the soldiers in a fierce fight that lasted for almost four hours.

    A military source  said the attack  was  effectively repelled.

    “But  we lost one soldier in the fight,” the source said .

    Spokesperson for  the 27 Task Force Brigade in Damaturu Lt. George Okupe  who confirmed the attack told our correspondent that no soldier  lost his life in the attack  except one soldier that was wounded.

     He  said  that the terrorists came by foot to the 120 Task Force Battalion in Goniri at about 5.50am on Friday and  immediately launched an attack.

    They were  over-powered and the rest fled,he said.

    Lt. Okupe  said about 14 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in Tashan Fulani Village around Chorokusko in Babangida Local Government Area of Yobe State while weapons including  6AK 47 riffles,   3 IEDs,  four  36 handheld grenades 1GPMG,  4 magazines, 382 Rams  of 7.62 MM Nato were recovered from the terrorists.

    Goniri is one of the communities in Yobe state recently recovered  from Boko Haram by soldiers and it is currently being cleared of deadly mines laid by the terrorists.

    Yesterday’s  attack  came less than 24  hours after the  Minister of Interior  Abdulrahman Dambazau   visited Yobe  in company of all the service chiefs   including  Police  Inspector General  SolomonArase, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Martins Kure Abashe, Comptroller  General of Prison Service, Dr. Peter Ekpendu ,and the Commandant General,  Nigeria  Security and Civil Defense Corp, Abdullahi Gana  to assess the extent of destruction to police and other security formations .

  • Terrorists now disguise as fruits, vegetable vendors – DHQ

    The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has said the Boko Haram terrorists now hide explosive devices in fruits and vegetables which they hawk in wheel barrows in markets and crowded places in the Northeast.

    A statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said the aim of the terrorists was to disguise as fruits and vegetable vendors to gain ample room to detonate the explosives.

    The statement said, “The terrorists now hide IEDs under vegetable wares in carts and wheelbarrows and move to crowded places where they detonate them for maximum casualties. The recent terrorists attack in the Northeast is a case in point.

    “Having been effectively dislodged and decimated, the Boko Haram terror group has begun some systematic isolated attacks mainly on soft targets in their desperation to remain relevant.

    “The Defence Headquarters hereby advises the general public to constantly be alert to this latest terrorist tactics and to report promptly any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest security agency.

    “While commending the general public and the media for their continuous support so far, all citizens are once again reminded that security is everybody’s concern therefore, they should join hands with the security agencies to eliminate the remnant of the terrorists.”

     

  • Suspected Boko Haram insurgents arrested in Ondo

    Suspected Boko Haram insurgents arrested in Ondo

    No fewer than 150 people suspected members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram were Thursday arrested by the Police in Ondo, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo state.

    They were reportedly armed with various offensive weapons and loaded themselves in a truck before being intercepted and arrested by the Police.

    It was gathered that the Police at the Funbi-Fagun Police division intercepted the truck conveying the suspects to an undisclosed location.

    The suspects who were said to be people from the northern part of the country, were conveyed in a truck with registration number KANO NSR 97 XZ, and they were said to be coming from Kebbi state and heading towards Ore town in Odigbo Local
    Government Area of the state before they were apprehended by the police at Lipakala junction in Ondo town.

    The operation which was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Funbi-Fagun Police division, Mr Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole, also involved men of the Special Ant-robbery Squad (SARS) of the state police command.

    The suspects were initially detained at the Funbi-Fagun police division before they were later conveyed in a truck that brought them to the State headquarters of the Police command in Akure.

    Items said to be recovered from the suspects include 18 locally made guns, two jack knives, 22 cutlasses and many torch light.

    The incident attracted the attention of many residents of the town as hundreds of people gathered at the Police station where the suspects were initially taken to.

    It was learnt that officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) joined the Police in the arrest of the suspects.

    One of the suspects who identified himself as Abdulahi Sheriff, said they are not members of Boko Haram, saying they are all farmers coming from Benin-Kebbi to seek greener pastures in the southern part of the country.

    He explained that their movement from the North was due to the prolong dry season in the area which, he said has affected their activities.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Funbi-Fagun police station, Mr. Ogunmoyole said the suspects were intercepted during a surveillance operation carried out by the ant-robbery squad attached to the division.

    He explained that the suspects were transferred to the command headquarters for further investigation.

  • UN plans to rehabilitate escapees from Boko Haram

    UN plans to rehabilitate escapees from Boko Haram

    A team of United Nations (UN) Human Rights experts would be paying a five-day visit to Nigeria from Monday to assist in the rehabilitation of women and children that escaped from Boko Haram’s captivity.

    The UN Human Rights office of the High Commissioner said this in a statement released in Geneva, Switzerland and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

    The statement said that the experts had been mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to promote comprehensive strategies to prevent and protect the rights of women and children.

    “ Some United Nations human rights experts will visit Nigeria to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the women and children who escaped or were liberated from Boko Haram captivity.

    “During their five-day visit, the experts will gather information on the various initiatives adopted by governmental, international and non-governmental actors to support these women and children,’’ it said.

    The statement said that such information would assist the women and children in coping with their suffering, trauma, and stigma and possibly return them to their normal lives.

    It also said that the UN Special Rapporteurs, who were invited by the Federal Government, would meet with representatives of ministries, civil society and relevant UN agencies.

    The Special Rapporteurs, who would present a report of their visit to the UN Human Rights Council later in the year, would also be visiting some detention centres.

    According to the rapporteuers, all measures will be taken to ensure that the right care, recovery and reintegration of these women and children are carried out in line with international human rights standards.

    “In that regard, we look forward to engaging all parties and put our expertise at their disposal,” the Special Rapporteurs said

     

  • Boko Haram: UK deploys team to train Nigerian troops

    Boko Haram: UK deploys team to train Nigerian troops

    United Kingdom (UK) military has deployed a team to train Nigerian forces fighting Boko Haram.

    The team, comprising more than 35 personnel from the Second Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (2 R ANGLIAN), will deliver infantry training to Nigerian military personnel.

    Last month, British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced a step up in training to help Nigerian forces stamp out the threat posed by insurgents.

    Fallon said: “We stand united with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat the murderous Boko Haram extremists. Stepping up our training efforts will help support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for crucial counter-insurgency operations.”

    UK’s enhanced commitment as announced last month by the Defence secretary include an intention to increase  British personnel deployed in training tasks in Nigeria in the coming year, with up to 300 expected to provide support this year.

    It comprises the deployment of a specialist team to provide assistance in countering improvised explosive devices, as well as medical training and advice.

    It also include a new Royal Air Force (RAF) training team to improve the knowledge and skills of the Nigerian Air Force in airfield defence and counter insurgency, which is part of the 300 personnel.

    The Royal Anglian Regiment, based in Cottesmore, Rutland, provided support to the military throughout last year, including the deployment of Short Term Training Teams, and support to smaller training tasks to assist the resident British Military Advisory and Training Team.

    Around 130 UK military personnel were deployed in Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks last year.

    This included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media operations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

    Almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel have benefited from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

  • Boko Haram: UK deploys 35 to train Nigerian troops

    The United Kingdom will soon deploy more than 35 personnel to Nigeria to train troops fighting Boko Haram in the Northeast.

    About 130 UK military personnel were deployed to Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks last year.

    Also, the UK has trained more than 1,000 troops for counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

    These disclosures were contained in a statement by the Press and Public Affairs Officer of the British High Commission, Joe Abuku.

    The statement said:  “More than 35 personnel from the Second Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (2 R ANGLIAN), will be shortly deploy to deliver infantry training to Nigerian military personnel preparing to tackle the extremist group in the north of the country.

    “The 2 R ANGLIAN, based in Cottesmore, Rutland, provided support to the Armed Forces Nigeria throughout 2015, which included the deployment of Short Term Training Teams, and support to smaller training tasks to assist the resident British Military Advisory and Training Team – which has grown in size over the last year.

    “Around 130 UK military personnel deployed to Nigeria on a wide range of training tasks last year.

    “This included training in infantry skills, civil-military affairs, media operations, command and leadership, IED-awareness, and support to Nigerian military training schools and establishments.

    “Almost 1,000 Nigerian military personnel have benefited from training to prepare them for counter-insurgency operations in northeast Nigeria, and the work by 2 R ANGLIAN, known as The Poachers, is now well-recognized across the AFN.

    “The UK also supports a Nigerian intelligence and analysis cell focused on the northeast and based in Abuja, and nearly 30 UK Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Nigeria on an enduring basis in training and advisory roles.”

    The statement said the latest assistance was in line with the pledge of the UK Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, when he visited Nigeria in December 2015.

     

  • Suicide bomber kills 10 in Cameroon

    A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people and wounded at least one at a mosque in northern Cameroon on Wednesday, officials in the Far North region told Reuters.

    The Boko Haram sect from neighbouring Nigeria has stepped up attacks in Cameroon, Chad and Niger since last year.

    Many of the Cameroon attacks have been conducted by women.