The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Atiku laments renewed attack in Northeast

    Atiku laments renewed attack in Northeast

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock over the recent blasts which ravaged the popular Jimeta Market in Yola, Adamawa State and Maiduguri, Borno State, respectively.

    In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku lamented that the renewed attacks have sowed seeds of fear, violence and destruction in many parts of the Northeast.

    While asking the people in the affected areas to unite against the terrorists and support government’s efforts to degrade activities of the insurgents, Atiku said the recent attacks highlighted need for improved vigilance on the part of the people and security agents to forestall future attacks.

    The Turaki Adamawa said the Boko Haram offensive against the Nigerians would eventually fail, adding that measures and alliances being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s administration would end insurgency in the region.

  • Breaking News: Explosion hits Yola market

    Breaking News: Explosion hits Yola market

    An explosion has reportedly hit a major market in Yola, the capital of Adamawa state on Thursday evening.

    The explosion which occurred at about 7:00 p.m near the Jimeta main market,  eye witness reported, left scores injured.

    The Nation was unable to contact the security operatives concerning the cause of the blast, it was however suspected to be an activity of suicide bombers.

     

    Details later…

  • Nigeria, Chad renew commitment on Boko Haram

    Nigeria, Chad renew commitment on Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby Itno, on Thursday in N’Djamena reaffirmed the commitment of the countries to greater cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram.

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of President Buhari’s one-day official visit to Chad, both leaders agreed on the need to quickly make the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fully operational to effectively combat terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast and “everywhere” that Boko Haram operates.

    According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, the two leaders called on the international community to provide the Lake Chad Basin Commission and neigbouring countries with all necessary support to combat terrorism and insurgency

    It reads: “Both Heads of State agreed that the war on Boko Haram should be supported by emergency development initiatives in areas affected by this insurgency group.

    “This will help to overcome the harmful effects faced by local populations.”

    President Buhari commended the gallantry of Chadian soldiers who were involved in operations against Boko Haram and consoled the families of the comrades killed in action.

    While in the Chadian capital, President Buhari also held a closed-door meeting with Major-Gen. Tukur Buratai of Nigeria, who was recently appointed Force Commander of the MNJTF, with headquarters in N’Djamena.

     

  • Buhari seeks more action against Boko Haram

    Buhari seeks more action against Boko Haram

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called on member-countries of the Lake Chad Commission to redouble their efforts to intensify the operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) established to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He spoke during bilateral talks between Nigeria and Chad in N’djamena, Chad.

    Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mal. Garba Shehu, noted that the security of Nigeria and her neighbours were intrinsically linked and that it is very essential that they cooperate on security issues in a robust and sustained manner.

    The President also said he is quite certain that when it is fully deployed and functional, the MNJTF, which comprises troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon will be able to secure and stabilize all the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He reaffirmed his conviction that with greater cooperation among Nigeria and neighbouring countries, the Boko Haram insurgency will be brought to an end very soon.

    His remarks came on the heels of Wednesday’s appointment of Major-General Tukur Buratai of Nigeria as the Force Commander of the reorganised MNJTF, which also has Benin Republic as honorary member.

    Buhari thanked Chad for her invaluable support in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

    He said: “Your troops have stood shoulder to shoulder and fought gallantly with ours in the fight against the forces of evil.

    “This is a remarkable show of good neighbourliness, which we must reinforce in the years ahead,’’ he told President Idriss Deby Itno.

    President Buhari, who is on his first visit to Chad, after assuming office on Friday, expressed concern that the insurgency has taken a huge toll on citizens of both countries, many of whom  have been forced to flee their homes.

    He said the harrowing images of displaced citizens of both countries, in search of safety and succour, must spur their governments and others in the sub-region to do more “to restore their dignity and give them the relief they need.”

    On the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Chad, Buhari noted that both countries were bound by “nature,” adding that they must therefore work together to find lasting solutions to issues of border management, migration and movement of goods and services.

    The President, who had earlier thanked President Deby for attending his inauguration ceremony on May 29 in Abuja, said that he would return to Nigeria with the assurance that Nigeria and Chad are poised to intensify their cooperation.

    In his remarks, President Deby commended Buhari for his “wise decision’’ to relocate the Nigerian Military Command center from Abuja to Maiduguri.

    The Chadian President said the decision, which was announced in President Buhari’s inaugural address, was a right step towards restoring peace and security to states affected by terrorism, and the sub-region.

    He assured President Buhari that Chad will continue to work with Nigeria to achieve lasting peace and security in the sub-region, given their historic, cultural and economic ties.

     

  • Military will defeat Boko Haram – Buhari

    Military will defeat Boko Haram – Buhari

    … President holds talks with Nigerien leader

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to overcome the Boko Haram sect.

    Speaking at an interactive session with journalists after holding talks with Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou in Niamey, Buhari said the Nigerian Army which has earned a good reputation across the world remains a virile fighting force.

    The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “I am four days in office today and we have already started the process of ending the insurgency.”

    He said the ongoing operations against Boko Haram were reviewed for better results in over five hours meeting with heads of Nigeria’s Armed Forces and security agencies on Tuesday.

    President Buhari said because of the peculiarities of terrorism, the movement of terrorists across borders and the unconventional nature of the war against terror, Nigeria will continue to seek the support of neighbouring countries in its bid to overcome Boko Haram.

    Buhari said his visit to Niger was to seek more support from the country in bringing a quick end to the atrocities of Boko Haram.

    The President said he would hold similar meetings on security and the war against terrorism with the Chadian authorities after leaving Niamey on Thursday.

    Nigeria, he said, would also require the assistance of other nations and multi-lateral institutions to rebuild areas that have been adversely affected by Boko Haram insurgency and rehabilitate displaced persons.

    In his remarks, the Nigerien leader commended President Buhari for making Niger the first country he will visit after his inauguration.

    He said: “Your decision to move the Nigerian military command to the Northeast has further strengthened our conviction that the war against terrorism will soon come to an end.”

    Issoufou assured that Niger will continue to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.

     

  • Buhari will shock Boko Haram – Oyegun

    Buhari will shock Boko Haram – Oyegun

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, on Tuesday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari will surprise the, Boko Haram sect.

    According to him, the increase in Boko Haram’s attacks after Buhari’s inauguration was to test the President’s resolve against the group.

    He spoke with journalists after he led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to a meeting with the President at the Defence House, Abuja.

    He said: “Well he has spoken on security all through the campaign, the insurgents are trying to test his resolve and I have a feeling they will be in for surprises.”

    On the plan to relocate the military ‎to the northeast, he said: “There is nothing like lives, he was elected to protect Nigerian lives ‎and that is even his first priority.”

    Oyegun told journalists that he led his colleagues in the NWC to pay their respects to the President.

    He said: “We have not done so before‎ now because we wanted the event to move to the ultimate climax which is his installation as President and Commander –in- Chief and that has occurred.”

     

  • Boko Haram: Buhari goes to Chad, Niger

    Boko Haram: Buhari goes to Chad, Niger

    … Condoles with Anambra, Joe Biden

    Towards blocking the activities of Boko Haram from neighbouring countries, President Muhammadu Buhari will on Wednesday embark on two-day visit to Chad and Niger Republic.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja.

    The two-day visit, he said, will focus on “matters of security.”

    Buhari, who was sworn in last Friday, had vowed to crush the sect, which he described as “mindless and godless” in his inaugural speech.

    Boko Haram’s fatal attacks have continued in parts of northern Nigeria after Friday’s inauguration ceremony.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed condolences to the governor and people of Anambra State, over the petrol tanker crash, which killed 60 people at a busy bus station in Onitsha.

    Shehu in a statement said the President described the incident as a sad and unfortunate loss.

    He said the crash was made even more unfortunate by the number of families who are currently mourning the loss of their loved ones.

    The President said: “My deepest sympathies are with you at this most trying time,”

    President Buhari also extended condolences to the Vice President of United States, Joe Biden, who lost his son, Beau Biden, to cancer, on Monday.

    “As someone who has lost a child, I understand how painful and almost inconsolable it can be. The government and peoples stand with you at this trying moment for your family,” he said.

     

  • Four injured in Borno Boko Haram suicide attack

    •Sect members loot food stuff in Yobe villages

    A suicide bomber yesterday hit the Kasuwan-Gamboru market near the Nigeria Customs House in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, injuring four people. Only on Saturday, a suicide bomber killed 16 in a mosque in the same city.

    An official of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) Abbas Gava said the explosives may have been concealed in some sacks of charcoal. He said one of the injured lost a hand. The Gamboru market has suffered several of such attacks in the last three years

    A witness said the bomb exploded at about 1.pm when most of the traders were gearing up for the days sales.

    According Hasimu Bello, the bomb must have been buried on the spot the previous day.

    “It was suspected to have been buried near the spot where charcoal traders sell. We believe that they buried the explosives maybe yesterday,” :Hashimu said.

    .”Four persons sustained injury; but one has more serious injury because one of his arm was cut off by the bomb.”

    The insurgents appear to have re launched their dastardy campaign although President Muhammadu Buhari has warned he won’t tolerate their activities. He has even moved the central command of the military to Maiduguri until Boko Haram is conquered.

    Also at the weekend, members of the sect attacked two Yobe towns – Fika and Ngalda – carting away foodstuff.

    The extremists shot sporadically upon their arrival to scare away people so as to have ample opportunity to loot.

    Chairman of Fika Local Government Area Alhaji Baba Abare, told reporters yesterday that the major targets of the militants were shops in which they looted food items and beverages.

    He said nobody was killed.

    A resident of the area,one Ibrahim Mohammed, told reporters that the terrorists first launched an attack on Ngalda, which is the Yobe/Gombe border town.

    He said they proceeded from Ngalda to Fika town, the headquarters of Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    The resident said the gunmen also attacked the local government secretariat, the magistrate court and the Divisional Police station.

    Yobe State Police Commissioner Markus Danladi, declined to comment on the attack, saying the Military Joint Task Force was the only body that was in a better position to comment on the development.

    Senator Ali Ndume, Borno South yesterday praised President Muhammadu Buhari for directing the military high command to relocate to Maiduguri and concentrate on the fight against insurgents.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the move was a ‘right step in the right direction’.

    “For people like us that had been in the fore-front, looking for solutions to the problem of insurgency, it is a heart-warming development.

    “We have been anticipating that immediately he(Buhari) takes over, he will do something drastic and effective, in making sure that the issue of insurgency comes to an end,” Ndume said.

    “With the new directives, we are hoping that insurgency in Borno and other states will come to an end sooner or later.

    “With the good intention of the president, we are very optimistic that this madness will come to an end soonest,” he said.

    Alhaji Jubrin Gunda, a legal practitioner and a former chairman of the Biu branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) spoke in the same manner.

    “The action is highly commendable. If the military high command moves to Borno, there will be no room for excuses or failure, like we witnessed in the past,” he said.

    Gunda, who is also the Legal Adviser of the Civilian JTF, said that it was certain that the military would wipe out the insurgents in a short time.

    “The military will wipe out the insurgents in a couple of days or weeks. It is indeed a right step in the right direction,” Gunda said.

    He said that stakeholders in the state had been waiting anxiously for the inauguration of Buhari as the president.

    “Everybody must commend the president for taking such a laudable step towards tackling the insurgency.

    “If you go round the state, you will see people in high spirit; we are all hoping that the insurgency will be crushed soon,” he added.

    Mallam Iliya Ibrahim a businessman, appealed to the president to strictly monitor the operation of the military against the insurgents, to avert failure, similar to what was experienced in the past.

     

  • Boko Haram attacks will be over soon, says Buhari

    Boko Haram attacks will be over soon, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Friday’s terrorist attack on Maiduguri, warning that his new administration won’t tolerate wanton and willful destruction of life by criminal elements that are bent on anarchy.

    Reacting to the attack, which left scores of people dead, injured and maimed, President Buhari said in a statement issued by his Head of Media Team, Garba Shehu, that his administration meant business in its determination to tackle terrorist violence with all the resources available to his government.

    He described terrorists as cowardly murderers that target innocent people.

    President Buhari explained that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he has sworn to protect the security of Nigerians everywhere.

    The President while calling for increased vigilance by local communities, assured that his administration would give security close attention, and that his government was committed to boosting the morale of our armed forces by effectively funding them and attending to their welfare.

    He condoled the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri and assured them that the worst days of these criminal elements will be over soon.

  • Boko Haram launches fresh attack on Maiduguri

    Boko Haram launches fresh attack on Maiduguri

    Barely 24hrs after the take over of the Mohammadu Buhari administration and the successful swearing ceremony of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, the Boko Haram insurgents made a daring attempt to lunch a heavy attack on Maiduguri metropolis.
    Our correspondent reports that residents of the town were thrown into fear early as heavy bombardment between the insurgents and security rocked the town for over three hours on Friday night through Saturday morning.
    There are indications that scores of people may have died in the exchange of gunfire between the insurgents and the military as details of the attack are still sketchy.
    Adamu Hamza, a resident of Bulunkutu area in Maiduguri told our correspondent that the neighbourhood had a terrible experience as the insurgents tried to penetrate Maiduguru from Dala village.
    There were reports that the insurgents engaged the security firing Rocket Propelled Grenades in the town, which according to Hamza is ” why there may be heavy casualties because I learnt some of the grenade torched people’s houses,”
    Another source informed that heavy explosions has left four residents dead, several other injured and houses destroyed.
    “The terrorists came prepared to take over the town but after realizing the heavy fire power from troops, started firing their rocket Launchers into the city, which led to the killing of a taxi driver, Mallam Bukar around Borehole area of Gomari airport of Maiduguri, while the three other residents died in different locations”, the source said.
    Another Resident of Gomari who shared fence with one of the victims said part of their fence was destroyed from the grenade that failed on their house.
    An inpecable security source informed that “the terrorists were sighted around a village near Dala and outskirts of Maiduguri which has a link road to Sambisa Forest”
    The source however claimed that many of the terrorists were killed in the botched attack by troops.
    So far there is no official statement from the 7 Division Nigerian Army Maiduguri.