The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • We won’t bombard civilian locations in Sambisa – NAF

    We won’t bombard civilian locations in Sambisa – NAF

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday assured that its ongoing strike mission in Sambisa forest would not affect civilian targets.

    Air Commodore Isiaka Amao, Air Component Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Amao explained that the air force conducted series of intelligence gathering on the area before embarking on the mission.

    According to him, we are on a mission to wipe out the Boko Haram terrorists from their Sambisa forest hideout.

    ‘’We are also aware that the terrorists usually keep abducted women and children among them; so we carry out series of intelligence-gathering before striking at any target in the hideout.

    “We do not carry out strikes in women and children locations because we know that they are innocent persons kept by force by the terrorists.

    “Our job is to degrade the terrorists and rescue vulnerable persons forcefully abducted in their hideout,” he said.

    Amao said that the air force had continued to intensify its effort in support of the ground troops and had conducted no fewer than 40 intervention missions, with over 80 per cent success in the forest.

  • Why we closed Yobe markets – Army

    Why we closed Yobe markets – Army

    The Army in Damaturu, Yobe State has explained that the decision to close all weekly market activities across the state has led to blocking of logistics supply to Boko Haram terrorists in the bush and the arrest of some of their major logistics suppliers.

    The commander of 27 Task Force Brigade, Col. Dahiru Bako in Yobe State at a press briefing in Damaturu noted that serious progress has been recorded in the on-going operation against the insurgents.

    Col. Bako explained that “the massive onslaught has made the insurgents to be on the run everywhere. That is one area that we require the cooperation of the general public.

    “The insurgents are on the run and are now filtering into the communities. This is a very serious issue and we are appealing to the communities and the general public to without delay report such criminal elements and not harbor them  so that they would be picked up,” Col. Bako explained

    “On the issue of the closure of Sunday Market in Damaturu and other weekly markets across the state, the Commander said; the issue of the closure of the markets is very crucial because, it has helped us in blocking logistics supplies to the terrorists in the bushes. It has also helped us in picking up most of their logistics suppliers.

    “We are appealing to the people to understand that we are not doing this to punish anybody but it is for the safety of everyone. But I must add that the military has only stopped the operations of weekly markets across the state where people normally converge in large numbers,” Col. Bako said.

    In another development, Col. Dahiru Bako also informed that three of the top wanted Boko Haram members have been arrested by men of the 27 Task Brigade in Yobe State.

    Though he did not state details of their arrest apart from locations, he however informed that one of the wanted kingpins was picked while he was pretending to be working as a tailor at Don Etiebet Housing Estate in Damaturu while the other one was picked in Jakusko in Jakusko Local Government of Yobe State. He added that the third wanted Boko Haram terrorist was arrested at a checkpoint on his entry into Damaturu from Maiduguri.

    He commended the local hunters and vigilante, describing them as crucial partners to the success of the operation.

    He also represented the poster of the 100 wanted Boko Haram terrorists to the public.

  • Insurgency: IDP population rises to 2.2m – UNHCR

    Insurgency: IDP population rises to 2.2m – UNHCR

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that the population of Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the North East had risen to 2.2million.

    The UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue- Atangana gave the statistics in Abuja during the UNHCR 2015 stakeholders’ briefing of the commission’s representation in Nigeria.

    Dikongue- Atangana, however, said that the increase was not as a result of new displacement.

    She also said that the agency would not relent in its humanitarian support to Nigeria, urging partners and donor agencies to assist refugees and displaced persons.

    “The number of IDPs is not really increasing as a result of new displacement.

    “There could be some relatively small new displacement in the course of combating insurgency and knowing that the insurgents themselves still remain active, especially in this hit and run tactic.

    “ The number is increasing specifically because regaining control of the territory by the military opened further access for the humanitarian officials so they can count many more IDPs, be they old IDPs or very recent ones,’’ she said.

    The country representative disclosed that UNHCR had recorded success in its 2015 operational activities in Nigeria including addressing refugee and IDP plights, advocacy on statelessness, and collaboration with ECOWAS.

    According to her, the commission in its action plan supervised the voluntary repatriation of 452 Cameroonian refugees back to their country.

    She said that plans were already in progress to repatriate 165 others back to their country before the end of the year, while resettling others to a third country in Europe, and the U.S.

    She said that UNHCR was working closely with relevant bodies to ensure that IDPs had their basic rights especially the right to existence, food, shelter, education, security, amongst other amenities.

    The UNHCR representative said that in line with the global campaign in eradicating the scourge, it had engaged the National Assembly in domesticating the frameworks that would prevent and reduce statelessness in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Ms Liz Ahua, UNHCR regional representative to West Africa urged donors and partners to take a trip to the field to be aware of the level of destruction for a better understanding of tge situation.

    According to her, the rate of displacement in Nigeria was alarming and actions needed to be taken fast as the displaced population could amount to the population of other smaller African countries.

  • Army refutes report on missing 105 soldiers in Borno

    Army refutes report on missing 105 soldiers in Borno

    The Nigerian Army has denied an online media report that 105 soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno were missing.

    Maj.-Gen.Yushau Abubakar, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, while fielding questions from newsmen in Maiduguri on Thursday, said the report lacked substance.

    “I read the report on social media too, some were even saying that the SO was abducted, but I spoke with him a while ago.

    “It is true that our troops were attacked after we captured Gulumba town in Borno, however, our men have successfully repelled the attack,” he said.

    Abubakar said that the military had consolidated its grip on the town by stationing its troops.

    “Our men are very visible in the area, I do not know of any report about the missing 105 soldiers.

    “I am telling you that our soldiers are standing firm in the area and they are flushing whatever Boko Haram remnants in the area,” he said.

    Abubakar said that he had no details of the report on the situation, as the area was under the command of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF)

  • UN vows to mobilize support against Boko Haram

    The Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General in West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, on Thursday expressed sadness at the continuous killing and destruction of properties by the Boko Haram sect.

    Chambas disclosed that UN will mobilize support for war against the group.

    He described terrorism as international phenomenon which required international collaboration to defeat.

    Chambas commended Federal Government’s efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency, adding that the UN would mobilize resources to support the nation’s crusade against terrorists.

    Speaking during a visit to the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) in Abuja, the UN representative said the global body would also support Nigeria in the area of training and capacity building for security forces.

    He said, “The UN supports Nigeria’s war against insurgency, terrorism is a big fight. It is an international phenomenon and therefore should be an international fight.

    “The UN will mobilize support for Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram, we acknowledge the ongoing efforts against insurgents and we would like this to continue.”

     

  • Boko Haram: Chad extends state of emergency

    Chad’s national assembly extended a state of emergency in the western Lake Chad region by four months on Wednesday following a double attack by Boko Haram militants that killed some 12 people.

    “The state of emergency is prolonged by 147 unanimous votes by the parliament for four months. That is to say it will end on March 22, 2016 “a ruling party deputy told Reuters. The initial emergency was authorized on November 9 and was set to last 12 days.

    The government wanted a six-month extension but deputies opposed it, another deputy told Reuters.

    Chad helped force Boko Haram to cede territory earlier this year, undermining the sect’s six-year campaign to carve out a Nigerian caliphate. The rebels have since ramped up attacks in remote border areas around Lake Chad.

    Oil-producing Chad is a key ally in the fight against the Islamist threat across West Africa, playing a central role in offensives on al Qaeda-linked groups in Mali and Boko Haram militants in neighbouring Nigeria.

  • Army destroys Boko Haram rocket factory

    Army destroys Boko Haram rocket factory

    • Captures two more leaders

    As top officials from Nigeria and Cameroun began fresh discussion on trans-border military operations on Wednesday, the Nigerian Army has announced a string of successes with the destruction of a Boko Haram rocket factory and the capture of two more Boko Haram leaders.

    A statement issued by Nigerian Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman also disclosed that troops captured two of the top 100 wanted Boko Haram leaders who were lying low as a ‘maiguard’ (night watchman) while another suspect on the list was arrested in Maiduguri metropolis.

    He further noted that troops from 154 Task Force Battalion of 29 Task Force Brigade who dismantled another Boko Haram camp at Matali in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    He stated that during the operation, some insurgents were killed and some weapons and Improvised Explosive making Devices (IEDs) were recovered while other troops in another battalion also achieved their objectives.

    “The troops of 111 Special Forces Battalion, 7 Division Garrison Nigerian Army, during a special raid operation carried out on Tuesday at Delwa general area, discovered and knocked out Boko Haram terrorists’ rocket factory at Jamrari, Borno State.

    “This unprecedented development has put paid to the much touted ability of the terrorists to fabricate rockets and their launchers using rudimentary materials.

    “This has further crippled the terrorists and greatly emboldens the troops in carrying out more offensive actions against the terrorists till they are defeated.

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who is on constant communication with the troops, commended them for this singular act and other similar feats and encouraged them to do more more so that the terrorists are on the verge of being defeated,” he stated.

    According to Usman, soldiers and policemen, in separate operations, captured two of Nigeria’s most wanted Boko Haram leaders.

    “Wednesday, troops of 101 Task Force Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, along Lagos Street Maiduguri, Borno State, arrested yet another declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader.

    “The suspect who gave his name as Abubakar Sadiq, works as night watchman to one Muhammad Daggash; a closer look at him shows that he was suspect number 28 among the suspected Boko Haram terrorists that were declared by the Nigerian Army last month.

    “In a related development, the Nigeria Police, Borno State Command, arrested yet another suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Mohammed Usman, at Abuja Talakawa Ward of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno state yesterday.

    “The suspect who matches the photograph of suspect Number 40 on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 wanted suspected Boko Haraam terrorists, was arrested after painstaking effort and tracking by the police.

    “There is no doubt that the arrests of the suspected terrorists are important milestones which show the synergy of effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria among the security agencies and the public.

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commended the vigilant troops and the Nigeria Police in particular, Borno State Command, for their great efforts.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that as we move for the final onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists, there is the urgent need for all of us to be more vigilant and security conscious,” Usman stated.

    At the opening ceremony of the Fourth Session of Nigeria-Cameroun Trans-Border Security Committee Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu (rtd), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Goeffrey Onyeama and the Camerounian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Rene Emmanuel Sadi all reaffirmed the two countries determination towards defeating Boko Haram.

    Mongonu said that the Fourth Session of the meeting was timely with regard to the resolve of President Buhari and Paul Biya of Cameroun, for peace and stability of the two countries, in particular and the sub-region in general.

    “To put an end to the scourge of terrorist activities, the Nigerian Government recently issued a marching order to the Nigerian military to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists by the end of this year 2015.

    “ It should be noted that the order is presently being carried out with military precision,” he said.

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Onyeama who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Bukar Abba expressed confidence that the two countries’ resolute and determined efforts towards defeating Boko Haram terrorists through collaborative efforts would effectively improved border security.

    “Nigeria and Cameroun remain resolute and determined to defeat Boko Haram; the terror attacks over the weekend in Paris, France draws, once again, into sharp focus the global dimension and reach of terror.

    “We must remain resolute and very determined to stand with the rest of the world to defeat these evil purveyors of hate and extremism,” the Minister stated.

  • Buhari vows to ‘wipe out’ Boko Haram

    Buhari vows to ‘wipe out’ Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja called for increased vigilance among the civilian population to help ward off terror attacks on soft targets around the country.

    He also condemned in strongest terms the barbaric suicide attacks which took place in Yola and Kano on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

    Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Adamawa and Kano States respectively.

    He reassured Nigerians that his administration is very much determined to wipe out Boko Haram in Nigeria and bring all perpetrators of the heinous crime against humanity to justice.

    The President urges Nigerians not to despair in the face of cowardly terrorist attacks but to have confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon.

    He, however, believes that vigilance is a potential life saver, since security agents cannot be everywhere to deter every planned attack.

    Citizen’s vigilance, he said, will therefore help to reduce the frequency of such attacks.

  • Borno schools to re-open Monday – Shettima

    Borno schools to re-open Monday – Shettima

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno on Tuesday said public secondary schools in the state, shut down since March 2013, would re-open for academic activities next Monday.

    Shettima gave the directives while receiving Mr Rolf Ree, the Norwegian Ambassador in Nigeria in his office in Maiduguri.

    He said however that the action was limited to day schools only.

    “As from Monday, academic activities will commence in earnest in all day secondary schools across the state.

    “Very soon, we will make effort to re-open all the boarding schools too,” Shettima said.

    He commended the Norwegian government for its numerous support to the state.

    “I wish to thank you for the numerous support you have given to us; you have done so much to us.

    “You have shown so much support to our traumatised people,” Shettima said.

    Ree had told the governor that his visit was aimed at solidifying relationships between the two governments.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the schools were closed down, after deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in schools in neighbouring Yobe.

    The state government had last week commenced the construction of 2, 500 family shelters for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in public schools in Maiduguri to give room for the relocation of the IDPs and allow the schools to re-open.

  • Troops destroy Boko Haram arms factory

    Troops destroy Boko Haram arms factory

    •Kingpin held

    Troops have uncovered and destroyed a factory being used by Boko Haram insurgents to fabricate rockets and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),  Army spokesperson Col. Sani Usman said yesterday.

    Col. Usman said the Nigeria Air Force’s aerial support facilitated the destruction of the factory located at Bama-Gonin Kurmi on the outskirts of Bama town, Borno State.

    In a statement, he added that gas cylinders, welding machine, pipes and poles as well as locally made rocket shells, large quantity of assorted chemicals, unprimed IEDs and various laboratory equipment suspected to have been stolen from schools’ laboratories around Bama, which was once under the control of Boko Haram.

    He added that troops also arrested a Boko Haram kingpin.

    “Troops of the Seventh Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army engaged in Operation Lafiya Dole on Sunday made remarkable progress by arresting a Boko Haram terrorist kingpin, John Trankil, at Kasuwar Shanu in Maiduguri metropolis”.

    He said the timely arrest of Trankil averted what would have been multiple bombings in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

    ”Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect said that nine of them were sneaked into the Maiduguri, armed with AK 47 assault rifle each and a Hilux vehicle laden with 20 Improvised Explosive Devices meant to be detonated at some selected targets in the city.

    “The Theatre Commander operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar, commended the efforts of the troops and renewed calls for troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious particularly at all check points, markets, worship centres, motor parks and schools,” he added