Military authorities in Borno have disclosed that over 200 Boko Haram terrorists gave up fighting and surrendered to troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Borno State on Sallah day.
According to the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole (Peace is Must) in the north east, Major General Mohammed Abubakar , the decision of the terrorists is not unconnected to the ongoing offensive raid going on in the boarder communities of Banki, Bama local government in Borno State and Cameroon Republic.
Many communities on that axis have been under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents until they were recently recaptured by the Nigerian military.
The Theatre Commander who was speaking at an interactive session with journalists on Friday at the military Command and Control Centre in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, revealed that those who surrendered were mainly women and children.
“I am happy to inform you that over 200 terrorists group surrendered to may troops around Banki town on Thursday. The field commander just called me and briefed me about the development.
“We are calling on other terrorists to surrender as anyone who surrender will be reintegrated into the society.
“Presently, we have 36 Internally Displaced Persons Camps in the north east and all those who surrendered to troops were screened before taken to these camps pending when the closed down roads will be reopen for motorists so that the displaced people will go back to their liberated communities.
“We have started sending our engineers to repair all the destroyed bridges. Already our engineers have started reconstructing the destroyed bridges along Gamboru-Ngala- Maiduguri, Gombi- Garkida- Biu roads among others and very soon the menace of Boko haram madness will be over, but this can never be achieved without the full cooperation of the media and the general public.
“The fight against terrorists is a collective responsibility and all hands must be on deck to nip terrorism in the bud,” he said.
He also disclosed that troops of the 7Division averted tragedy on Sallah day in Maiduguri with the arrest of a suspected terrorists who went to Madinatu Mosque in Maiduguri to plant an Improvised Explosive Devises(IED).
He announced that the suspect is under investigation and he is providing useful information to track down other accomplices.
Tag: boko haram
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Over 200 Boko Haram insurgents surrendered on Sallah day – Army
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Boko Haram leader Modu, 43
A key official of Boko Haram and 43 other suspected members of the sect have been captured by troops in Borno State.
Spokesman of the Army, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman yesterday said: “Advancing troops along Banki axis cleared two camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages. They arrested 43 suspects and a kingpin, Bulama Modu, who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri. 241 women and children were rescued in the operation.
“Bulama Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 at Jangurori and apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows were recovered from Modu and he confirmed that the terrorists gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.
“The troops also arrested another suspect, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village. Gambo said the terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in northern Cameroon were from Dara Jamel in Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory.
“He said the bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel. He however said the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village.
“The troops have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves,” Usman said.
The spokesman said troops also seized pieces of metal roofing sheets and bathroom slippers used by the insurgents to make IEDs.
“The recovered items have confirmed earlier intelligence that the terrorists used corrugated metal roofing sheets and bathroom slippers in making improvised explosive devices which affects troops advance.
“It is also clear that the campaign against the terrorists is yielding the desired result because they are fast running out of arms, ammunitions and other logistics. It is equally important to state and hail the synergy, intelligence and information sharing between our forces and those of our neighbouring countries under the Multinational Joint Task Force.
“Consequently, the troops are optimistic that the Boko Haram terrorists would be defeated very soon and as the terrorists are on the run, there is need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. There is need for more alertness to pre-empt the terrorists and other criminal elements in the society.
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Boko Haram days are numbered, says Buhari
President Muhammed Buhari has again assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram insurgents are numbered.
He gave the assurance in a message to facilitate with Muslims in the country as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
“Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved,” the President stated.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President has directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation during Eid-El-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Buhari congratulated all Nigerian Muslims who are currently in the Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.
” As they join the global Islamic community in celebrating Eid-El-Kabir, President Buhari urges Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of all mankind.
” The President calls for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its current security, economic and developmental challenges.
” President Buhari assures all Nigerians that their safety, well-being and progress remain uppermost in his thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation.
” The President seizes this opportunity to extend heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri and North-Eastern Nigeria who have sadly lost beloved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.
” President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers for Divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.” -
Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos
Security operatives attached to Operation Mesa (OP Mesa) have arrested a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect in Ijora area of Lagos State following a tip-off by residents of the community.
The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Adamu, was apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the security outfit comprising the Army and the State Security Service (SSS).
Aminiya (Hausa newspaper) published weekly by Daily Trust had reported the arrest of the suspect on page 8 of its last week’s edition in which his photograph appeared.
In the circumstances, therefore, residents who saw the suspect’s published photograph were apprehensive and on the lookout. They informed the operatives who raided the area.
The raid, which took place at the Ijora 7-Up area of Lagos, came after a tip-off on the activities of a terror network allegedly co-ordinated by Iranians.
The suspects was arrested after soldiers ransacked one of the buildings in the area.
Adamu was said to have concealed some devices suspected to be explosives in boxes, which were stacked in the ceiling of the house. Also recovered alongside the suspected explosives were two AK47 rifles.
•Oba Aromire The suspect was taken to the palace of the paramount ruler, Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora before being whisked away by the operatives.
The leader of the Hausa community, who resides in the area, Ahmed Hamanbade, said the suspect had made some suspicious moves, which attracted the surveillance of some people in the community.
“This morning, while in my shop, I was called upon that a Boko Haram suspect was in our midst, because everyone in the community had been duly notified that when we see any strange face, we should always question the person. When we caught him, he responded to our questions in the Hausa language and we learnt that he had escaped from Mubi in Adamawa State to Lagos,” he said.
In a chat with Southwest Report, Oba Fatai Ojora expressed worry over security lapses in the country.
•Ahmed Hamanbade His words: “We have been calling on the state government to do something about this. This is the second time we will arrest Boko Haram suspects in this community and nothing has been done on that. The one we caught now had even admitted that he is a terrorist. You know that majority of the northerners in Lagos live in Ijora, Agege and Badia.’’
Also speaking, a community leader, Mr Sadiku Fashola said: ‘’During the civil war, the only place that experienced havoc was the Casino Cinema at Yaba. When any bomb was thrown during that time, it entered into the sea and would not explode because the olokun (sea goddess) stood as a protection to the people at that time. If anything wants to happen in this community, the people will come and inform the Kabiyesi.’’
Another member of the community who does not want his name in print said: “People came to me that they saw one man on the internet and that he is a member of Boko Haram, saying they know where he lives. They said they are going to his house and identify him. They arrested him and handed him to Oba of Ojora,” he said.
A member of the OP Mesa who spoke in confidence because he was not competent to speak on the matter confirmed the raid but did not state whether the suspect is a member of the Boko Haram sect or not.
He said similar raids were also carried out in other volatile areas of the state, adding that Thursday’s raid was carried out following information on the activities of the suspects.
“OP Mesa as a joint security outfit carried out its routine raids and made some arrests.
“The raids were simply part of those carried out everyday based on information at our disposal. The raids give the public confidence that security bodies are working.
“It is the way the OP Mesa was designed and once our sources give us tips, we swing into action,” he said, advising residents of Lagos to go about their normal businesses without fear.
There have been fears that the ongoing violence propelled by the Boko Haram sect in some northern states of Nigeria may spread southwards.
In February, three persons said to be members of Shiite sect were arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as they were planning to attack some Israeli and American interests in Lagos.
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Military dismisses Shekau’s audio message
Nigerians should dismiss the purported audio message from Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau and draw more confidence from the military’s continuing success in the fight against insurgency, the Nigerian military has said.
According to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the audio clip is a fake and the Boko Haram sect which it describes as a “devilish and anti-human group” is being decimated by the Nigerian armed forces’ ongoing operations.
In a statement issued on behalf of the armed forces by the Acting Director Defence Information, Colonel Rabe Abubakar on Tuesday, he urged citizens to go about their normal business as all areas liberated from Boko Haram sect’s control can now be freely explored.
“The military viewed as irrelevant and fruitless effort the motive behind the recent audio clip presumably released by Shekau, the acclaimed leader of Boko Haram sects.
“The Armed Forces is using this medium to appeal to the good citizens of Nigeria not to lose sleep over the concocted audio rhetoric of the waning terrorist sect which is a usual antic of a drowning person struggling to hold on to anything to remain afloat.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces is not considering any particular person in the terror group to be much relevant in the ongoing onslaught against insurgency in the North East. Shekau or any of his cohorts would not deter the spate of the military operations to rid the country of criminals hiding under strange religious ideology to kill innocent Nigerians,” he stated.
Stressing that members of the Boko Haram and their strange ideologies are being effectively wiped off in the military’s areas of operation, he advised that Shekau or his impersonators should give serious consideration to surrendering.
“The Armed Forces wishes to reiterate that It is a well known fact that the terrorists have been seriously decimated and the tremendous effort and achievement recorded in the recent time by combined forces of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force is commendable.
“The Armed Forces did not lie about the successes recorded so far in its counterinsurgency operations and for avoidance of doubt, the liberated communities in the North East, which were hitherto under the throes of Boko Haram terrorists, are free for interested person or body to explore.“The military does re-state that in the recent time a number of Boko Haram members have been surrendering and denouncing radicalization.
“Our candid advice to Shekau or his ghost; cohorts or impersonators is to toll the line of their fellow comrades and surrender now as no more hidden place for him or his criminal gang to operate freely any longer.
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Boko Haram: Army begins soldiers’ ‘rotation’ in Yobe
The rotation of soldiers and officers who have stayed too long in the battle front against Boko Haram sect in Yobe State has started with the heavy influx of new troops to the state.
The General Officer Commanding, 3 Division (Tactical), Damaturu, Maj. Gen. Hassan Umaru, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists in Damaturu.
He spoke when the Yobe State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Zanna Ibrahim, visited him in his office.
Gen. Umaru dismissed claims that some of the over-stayed soldiers are frustrated, stressing that the morale of the troops is very high because they have everything required to prosecute the war against the insurgents.
He said, “There is no personal of this division that is frustrated in any way. The issue is that, having stayed for quite some time in the battle field, it is mandatory that we find some sort of relief for them by rotating them, or we give them welfare passes to go and see their families for two to three weeks and come back. I want to repeat, there is no soldier that is frustrated. I have not heard of that since I came here and I don’t know where you got your own information.
“We have a program now. If you look at what is happening in the last one week, you will discover that more troops are coming in. In the next few days, they will now jump into the battle areas and these ones will now pull out.”
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Should govt negotiate with Boko Haram?
Since President Muhammadu Buhari spoke about his administration’s talks with Boko Haram, many Nigerians have been wondering how the dialogue will end. They recall that the Jonathan administration burnt its fingers negotiating with the sect. But lawyers endorse the talks since, according to them, they are all about getting back the Chibok girls. Precious Igbonwelundu reports.
President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government was talking with Boko Haram on the release of the over 200 girls abducted at the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, last year.
He was responding to questions from members of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), France. The President told his audience that the sect was demanding the release of its Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) strategist in exchange for the girls.
The kidnap of the girls from on their school remains a big blow to the nation, especially because the insurgents, dressed in military camouflage, were said to have conveyed them in seven lorries. Their school was razed.
Unable to withstand the emotional and psychological trauma of having their children with the group, which alleged that it had married them off, some of the parents died. Others are yet to recover from strange illness.
Despite efforts by the multinational joint security team and experts from other parts of the world, the girls have not been rescued.
The military has combed every area, including the Sambisa Forest where it is believed the girls are being held.
There is a clamour for the girls’ return, which President Buhari noted during his France trip.
Buhari said: ‘‘The issue of Chibok girls has occupied our minds and because of the international attention it drew and the sympathy throughout the country and the world, the government is negotiating with some of the Boko Haram leadership.
‘‘They wanted us to release one of their leaders, who is a strategic person in developing and making IEDs that is causing a lot of havoc in the country by blowing people in Churches, Mosques, market places, motor parks and others. But it is very important that if we are going to talk to anybody, we have to know how much he is worth.
Belgore “Let them bring all the girls and then, we will be prepared to negotiate. I will allow them to come back to Nigeria or to be absolved in the community. We have to be very careful, the concern we have for the Chibok girls, one only imagine if they got a daughter there between 14 and 18 and for more than one year and a half year, a lot of the parents, who have died would rather see the graves of their daughters than the condition they imagine they are in.
“This has drawn a lot of sympathy throughout the world, that is why this government is getting very hard in negotiating and getting the balance of those who are alive.’’
Although Buhari’s disclosure was to reassure the people of government’s commitment to rescuing the girls as promised, critics have described the negotiation as an acknowledgment of weakness by the Federal Government.
They condemned the government’s move on the grounds that the sect has killed over 20 thousand people in very gruesome ways since 2009; kidnapped hundreds, including women and children, some of whom have been used as suicide bombers; razed public and private property; made millions fugitives as well as taking up arms against the state.
According to them, the terrorists should have been flushed out by the military, which is already winning the battle, or arrested alive and prosecuted for treason and war crimes.
The critics believe that the negotiation will not yield any positive outcome, especially because the previous administration tried negotiating with the sect without success.
To them, it will be impossible to negotiate with a sect whose purpose for fighting is to islamise the country, and which has various factions, is faceless and has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State (IS).
Agbaje However, many Nigerians, including the Centre for Crisis Communication, see nothing wrong in exploring and exploiting every opportunity that will lead to freeing all Boko Haram captives and ending terrorism.
But they argue that the issue must be thoroughly debated to ensure a practical and enduring end to the menace if the government was considering amnesty for the insurgents.
To this group, dialogue should be open for genuine leaders of the sect who are committed to keeping their side of the bargain, with the interest of humanity at heart, just as they noted that every conflict or crisis usually ends on the negotiation table.
They insisted that the government must ensure it negotiates from a point of strength by ensuring that the terrorists surrender their arms and promise never to engage in such activities again. It must also ensure that they are rehabilitated before being absorbed into society.
The supporters argued that the terrorists were feeling the heat of the seriousness of the current government to nib terrorism in the bud, and have as such, reached out for negotiations in order to embrace peace, which the government should consider.
Lawyers, who shared their view on the issue, said there was nothing wrong with negotiating with the terrorists, as long as the government got the girls back and put an end to the menace. They advised the government to ensure a comprehensive list of the abducted girls is available, before starting the negotiations, to avoid being fooled by the insurgents.
Those, who spoke on the issue include professor of law, Itse Sagay (SAN); constitutional lawyers, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Dele Belgore (SAN), Dr. Fred Agbaje and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch Chairman, Monday Ubani.
sagay Sagay said the government is right to negotiate because of the girls, whose situation has left a void in the heart of the country and the world.
“Each side has to give something. I thought the terrorists will seek to surrender without grievous consequences since many of them have committed treason and war crimes. But with their demand that their bomb maker be released, it is left for the government to consider the consequences of releasing the suspect.
“If the government can ensure that they can no longer assemble these explosives to continue killing people. It will be a bitter pill to swallow if that should happen. If that is taken care of, there is nothing wrong with the swap.
“Government will be given a list of the number of persons in the terrorists’ net that they are willing to release. I think the action that will be taken at the end will be based on the number of people available, alive and whom the terrorists are willing to release.’’
Akintola said it was a great idea and practised globally.
“There is nothing wrong with negotiation as long as the government is not blackmailed. There is nowhere in the world
Niyi Akintola where crisis does not end on the negotiation table. I do not see anything wrong with it, but government must negotiate from a point of strength, so that new groups are not motivated to pick up arms against the state.
Belgore criticised the fact that the planned negotiation was publicised.
“The classical view in this kind of engagement is that you don’t negotiate with terrorists, but we all know that even countries who proclaim this view do negotiate through the backdoor where the situation demands.
“We live in an imperfect world and ideological or policy positions frequently have to give way to practicalities.
“Bringing back our girls would in itself be a victory in the war against Boko Haram, even if it’s a negotiated release. What I don’t understand is why it has to be announced before hand,” Belgore said.
Similarly, Agbaje supported the moves on grounds that the insurgents must release all the girls, including pregnant ones, if there are any.
He said: ‘‘Initially, I was adamant about negotiation with terrorists, but now, in view of the fact that the girls have suffered alot, as well as their parents, I do not think any sacrifice is too much.
“But the terrorists must release all the girls whether pregnant or not, in exchange for the bomb maker; they must assure Nigerians that the truce will be the end of Boko Haram, or any other terrorist group, any of their members might want to start.’’
To Ubani, the government should be cautious in negotiating and swapping the suspect for the girls if their intentions are genuine.
“I think that negotiation with caution should be advised in the situation. The government is advised to discuss with genuine and credible leaders of the terrorists. If the terms include an honest swap with our stolen girls, I will support such negotiation that will lead to the release of our girls without any harm.
“Should their leaders be swapped? Yes, if they will honestly release all our girls complete and intact! Should they be exonerated? Very serious question that requires wise and careful answer. If they will stop the killings, repent of their evil ways and undertake never to disturb the peace of the country, then we can take a look at them with some level of forgiveness.
“Remember I said with some level of forgiveness, they must not be forgiven totally. However, the government must, as of necessity, pay heavy compensation to families that lost lives and properties as a result of the madness of these fellows, who took up arms against their country and against their fellow citizens.
“The country must, in addition, institute a strong panel to unravel the genesis of this madness, what precipitated it, the quantum of loss of lives and properties and what should be done to ensure that never again should we as a nation pass through this inglorious road of shedding of blood and wanton destruction of properties of the country and that of fellow citizens by any group whatsoever.
“The country must be sincere to itself by agreeing to ask all the ethnic groups in Nigeria whether we want to stay together as one indivisible nation? If the answer is in the affirmative, the terms and conditions of staying together should be well spelt out in a constitution drawn and affirmed to by the people of Nigeria.
“If the answer is resounding “NO”, then the process for separation should be worked out peacefully to enable the separation take place without loss of lives or properties. Unity is not forced, it is earned, we must not continue to endure this forced marriage if it is not working out.
“If it must work out, the ingredients of justice and equity must be brought in generously to ensure the happiness of all ethnic groups in the union. The present leadership at the centre possess all it takes to bring in these ingredients to make Nigeria work and live in peace again; yes they can.’’ he said.
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Gombe: New ways to fight Boko Haram
Hitting the insurgents from the air and outgunning them on the ground are just fine, but in Gombe State, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) is involving everyone, including council chiefs and residents, in strategies to keep the terrorists at bay. VINCENT OHONBAMU reports
This is not Boko Haram’s finest hour. A rejuvenated military offensive is posting good results against its fighters, hitting them so hard that many of them are laying down their arms in surrender. Still, the authorities in Gombe State are not sitting back and waiting for the latest success story from the federal troops. They are constantly initiating their own anti-Boko Haram strategies.
For instance, the state government is building better protected markets and parks to make it harder for violent criminals to strike as they did months back, killing scores. Now, the Department of State Services (DSS) is driving a fresh campaign with everyone playing a part. One point stressed at a workshop with caretaker council chairmen in Gombe, the state capital, was how to ensure that the bloodthirsty insurgents do not cash in on the state’s open vast land to enter its communities unnoticed.
The characteristic short trees, shrubs and parched sandy plains of the Sahel Savannah of the Northeast make it easy to stand at one point and see as far as the eyes could travel, save for the abundant rocky ranges that adorn the terrain. The sparse vegetation made possible by the thin rainfall of the vegetative belt makes it possible to crisscross the terrain with or without established roads or pathways. The rocky or undulating nature of the zone’s topography also makes for good hideouts because of the obstacles to smooth movement.
The DSS told the council chiefs to take the vigilance message to their areas and ensure that their people at the grassroots imbibe it. On noticing anything suspicious, they should quickly pass the information to the appropriate authorities. That way it would be easier to contain the schemes of the bad guys.
That was not all. Close circuit cameras are being installed to make kidnapping more difficult. Also, there are emergency numbers for residents to call. And when you speak in public, be careful in whose company you are and what you say. Do you feel like giving out cash to people? Good idea, but just be careful what information is passed on to characters who might use it against you or your loved ones.
Located in the expansive savannah belt, Gombe shares common boundaries with all five states in the northeast: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Taraba and Yobe, all interconnected through bush paths. The Udawa herdsmen who in the past created so much trouble and concerns for farmers, government and people of the state had no other routes but these bush paths.
Aware of this vulnerability, the new State Director of Security (SDS) in the state DSS command, Mr. Reuben Amao convened a two-day workshop to enlighten the newly constituted caretaker chairmen of the 11 local government areas of the state on security tips and how to deal with security situations that may occur in their domains.
The SDS said the workshop was informed by a thorough analysis of trends and manifestations of security threats which indicated that Boko Haram insurgents and other criminals usually enter the states through bush paths in rural areas.
“The idea of convening the workshop by this command was informed after a thorough and meticulous timeline analysis of the trends and manifestations of security threats, particularly those of insurgency being orchestrated by Boko Haram group, which indicated that the insurgents and other members of criminal gangs usually accessed the state through bush paths along villages at the rural areas.
“To effectively checkmate movements of these elements into the state, there is the need to alert and re-awaken the consciousness of the newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, who are the Chief Security Officers of their respective local government areas”, said Amao who was bringing to the fore his experience, having been the Director of the state command.
Objectives of the workshop according to him, included: “To equip the newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen with requisite security tips to aid in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“To sensitise them on security threats prevailing in their areas and proffer practical solutions; to adopt security strategies collaboratively to achieve security goals and to critically examine security lapses at the LGAs with a view to nipping them proactively.”
The Chairmen were also given tips on personal security, security of home/office environments and security of documents as well as the need to properly use the security apparatus (operatives) at their disposal so that others do not hijack the apparatus and turn them against the council bosses.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr. Charles Iliya who declared the workshop pen on behalf of his boss reminded the Chairmen that much was expected from them in every respect. He urged them to put the lessons into practice, adding that the workshop was the first of its kind in the state.
He told them to be careful, patient, tactful and logical in dealing with people in order to get the best of their cooperation, especially in the area of security tips.
Reverend Timothy Burak, the Caretaker of Shongom Local Government Area who responded on their part described the workshop as exhaustive and that they had definitely learnt a lot, while promised bring the lessons to bare in the discharge of their responsibilities at their respective localities.
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Boko Haram: Army promotes 5,000 soldiers
The Army has approved the promotion of 5,000 soldiers fighting insurgents in the Northeast and others involved in other operations, as part of steps to boost their morale.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, made the announcement yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 2015 Chief of Army Staff third quarter conference held at the Army Headquarters conference hall.
He said the approval of the promotion of the soldiers was one of the many measures introduced by the Army under his command to boost troops’ morale and reposition its operations.
He added that it was also in line with the vision of the Army command to reward gallant troops in any way deemed fit to boost their combat readiness and willingness to serve their fatherland.
He said troops serving in the Northeast and in other operations in the country would regularly receive rewards from the Army high command for their selfless service to the nation.
“Since we came on board, we have introduced several measures aimed at encouraging our troops to give their best in the service of their nation.
“The approval of the accelerated promotion of 5,000 soldiers was to redeem the promise made by my predecessor to the troops fighting insurgents in the North-East.
“It is my belief that this promotion, coupled with other incentives, will encourage our troops to fight for our country,” he said.
Buratai said the Army, under his watch, within the short period, had recorded major successes in the areas of fighting insurgency, improving its human rights credentials as well as improving the welfare of troops.
He said his vision of entrenching professionalism and bequeathing a combat ready Army to the nation was on course as commanders and troops had been fully briefed to key into the vision.
He warned commanders and senior officers to guard against acts that could undermine efforts of the present administration to rebuild the image of the Army.
“You will all agree with me that the renewed breath of change flows directly from the President in his directive to our operations and other directive on his vision for the Army.
“I therefore demand that you all react with corresponding appropriateness with regards to the directive because majority of our requirements within the limited period has been provided for,” he said.
The COAS charged the officers and all personnel of the Nigeria Army to constantly maintain the required level of physical fitness.
He gave all Army officers and soldiers a Dec. 15, 2015 deadline to shape up or face the medical board for the appropriate disciplinary actions.
He also warned against leasing or selling of Nigeria Army lands across the country to private individuals or organisations and directed lands already sold be recovered with immediate effect.
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Boko Haram’s ‘Shekau’ blasts army in new audio message
A new audio message purportedly from Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, called the Nigerian army liars for saying troops have regained territory from the sect.
Nigeria’s military said on Friday it had recaptured villages and rescued 90 people in a process that involved the “continuous elimination” of the group from Nigerian territory.
“They have lied about us saying that they retaken our territories, taken weapons and driven us away,” the group said in the recording posted online.
“They are actually the ones whom we have driven away. They are all liars.”
[ad id=”403656″]Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio message. The Twitter feed of jihad monitoring site Site Intelligence said the Hausa language audio message was released by Shekau on Saturday.
Boko Haram has been fighting for six years to set up a state adhering to strict Islamic laws and at the start of 2015 controlled vast swathes of territory across three states in northeast Nigeria.
Nigeria’s army, aided by troops from Chad, Niger and Cameroon, said it pushed Boko Haram out of most of the territory earlier this year.
Suspected members of Boko Haram have killed around 800 people in Nigeria in a spate of bombings and shootings since President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated as president on May 29, according to a Reuters tally.
In the recording, Shekau also made references to Buhari’s visits to United States President, Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande in July and September respectively.
