The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram: Uduaghan solicits support for Jonathan

    Boko Haram: Uduaghan solicits support for Jonathan

    DELTA State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for support and collaboration with President Goodluck Jonathan to enable him tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The governor, who spoke at a service at the Avenue Baptist Church, Warri, Delta State, said the support was necessary because of the peculiar security challenges facing the country.

    He said: “There is no President that faced the type of challenges our President is facing today. Let us rally round him and continue to pray for him and our brothers and sisters in the North because they are facing a lot of challenges.

    “As a nation, we have the challenge of Boko Haram. We should pray that those who do not want others to live will not also live.”

    Uduaghan scored his administration high in the area of security, noting that the peace and security agenda of his administration had ensured that gunshots, which were a familiar occurrence in Warri before his election, were no longer heard.

     

  • Sponsors of Boko Haram insurgency

    The trade of allegations between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) that the sponsors of that menacingreligious insurgency in the north-eastern part of Nigeria are members of the opposing political party has been hijacked. While the PDP has to a large extent successfully cast the APC, as populated by religious extremists who are sympathetic to the Boko Haram cause, especially within a swath of their Christian sympathizers; the APC have in recent times sought to debunk that insidious allegation, while tamely casting that aspersion back on their opponent, particularly their agent, the former Governor of Bornu state, Ali Modu Sheriff who is now back to the PDP, after an unsuccessful stint at unsettling the fledgling APC.

    To add kerosene to the stoking fire, one Mr. Stephen Davis a shadowy Australian, recently promoted in the media as a federal government negotiator with the Boko Haram over the abducted Chibok girls, has rehashed the old tale against Ali Modu Sherriff and added a new twist, by linking the former Chief of Army staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika to the alleged list of sponsors. Mr. Davis strangely refused to name the other alleged top Central Bank official and the other sponsors of the group, on the rather ridiculous claim that it will affect the police investigation of the bombing in Kubwa, Abuja. Let me say right away that General Azubuike has my sympathy over the second attempt by what appears to be very powerful forces to rubbish the record of his public career. The first attempt was the threat by the so called Bornu elders to have him charged before the International Criminal Court, Hague, for alleged war crimes, during his tour of duty as the then Chief of Army staff.

    Unfortunately the Bornu elders instead of calling on the armed forces, to prosecute the war against Boko Haram with diligence to safeguard the rights and safety of their people, rather decided to personalize their position against General Ihejirika, which immediately staked ethnic bias over their claim. Now again, Mr. Stephen Davis acting as if he has been hired by the detractors of the General, has fired an unreasonable and unsubstantiated salvo against the retired General. To make their unbelievable allegations, substantially worthless, the Australian reportedly claimed that he got the information from leaders of the same Boko Haram that General Ihejirika as army commander was famed to have worsted mercilessly. Here again like the case by the Bornu elders, General Ihejirika is singled out as an individual that is capable of sponsoring the insurgents, even when he was seen as personally being too high handed in dealing with that national menace, as the head of he army.

    In sympathising with the retired General Ihejirika for what is likely an invidious libel against his person, it needs to be noted that the old Australian in seeking fame from the Nigerian debacle, relied on the wily tactics of the lazy Nigerian elite. When the PDP’s garrulous propagandists willfully tagged General Muhammadu Buhari because of his obvious piousness as an extremist and sympathizer of the Boko Haram, they were foolishly applying a dangerous and lazy antidote to a ranging national crisis. So while they may have gained an undue political advantage from that unsubstantiated claim, they succeeded in laying a dangerous precedent which any other crooked person can emulate to gain attention.

    With respect to the allegations against the former Bornu state governor, he remains a prime suspect of being responsible for organizing and funding the politico-religious pressure group, which metamorphosed into the Boko Haram insurgency. The attempt by Mr. Steven Davis to claim any credit for that stale allegation is therefore of no moment. Interestingly Mr. Davis was represented in the press as an expert negotiator, whose services have been retained by the federal government to secure the release of the Chibok girls, who have been in the custody of the Boko Haram criminals since April 15. How he transformed into a secret service investigator in the course of his job is a matter for conjecture. Surprisingly, the federal government which all the while allowed the common believe that they employed the Australian to deal with the Boko Haram crisis to fester, has now denied ever employing his services.

    If the Australian journeyman wants to be taken seriously, he should provide the evidence of the alleged sponsorship by General Ihejirika. If his only evidence is the allegations allegedly made by the commanders of the Boko Haram insurgency, then he should get ready to pay heavily to stem a libel suit by General Ihejirika, even if Alhaji Sheriff may be daunted by the existing prejudices against his innocence. As General Ihejirika rightly said in the interview he granted the press, “If this accusation was made in a country like US or Uk, it would not be discussed for one hour because they would wave it aside”. Indeed I doubt if the Australian would have made such damning allegation against a General of any serious country in Africa talk less of the leading countries of the world. The wily fellow knows he is dealing with Nigeria, with a strong reputation for the frivolous, unfounded and unfathomable.

    In fairness to the Australian, he is filling the vacuum created by our challenged intelligence and security agencies. If they had been able to contain the Boko Haram menace as we all patriotically hoped, the old man would have found better things to do with his time. But because we have become incapable of helping ourselves, all manner of people have turned our advisers and helpers. The lesson from this Janjaweed allegation is that it is dangerous to throw up sand in the market, for you never know who would bear the dirt.

    The trade of allegations between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) that the sponsors of that menacingreligious insurgency in the north-eastern part of Nigeria are members of the opposing political party has been hijacked. While the PDP has to a large extent successfully cast the APC, as populated by religious extremists who are sympathetic to the Boko Haram cause, especially within a swath of their Christian sympathizers; the APC have in recent times sought to debunk that insidious allegation, while tamely casting that aspersion back on their opponent, particularly their agent, the former Governor of Bornu state, Ali Modu Sheriff who is now back to the PDP, after an unsuccessful stint at unsettling the fledgling APC.

    To add kerosene to the stoking fire, one Mr. Stephen Davis a shadowy Australian, recently promoted in the media as a federal government negotiator with the Boko Haram over the abducted Chibok girls, has rehashed the old tale against Ali Modu Sherriff and added a new twist, by linking the former Chief of Army staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika to the alleged list of sponsors. Mr. Davis strangely refused to name the other alleged top Central Bank official and the other sponsors of the group, on the rather ridiculous claim that it will affect the police investigation of the bombing in Kubwa, Abuja. Let me say right away that General Azubuike has my sympathy over the second attempt by what appears to be very powerful forces to rubbish the record of his public career. The first attempt was the threat by the so called Bornu elders to have him charged before the International Criminal Court, Hague, for alleged war crimes, during his tour of duty as the then Chief of Army staff.

    Unfortunately the Bornu elders instead of calling on the armed forces, to prosecute the war against Boko Haram with diligence to safeguard the rights and safety of their people, rather decided to personalize their position against General Ihejirika, which immediately staked ethnic bias over their claim. Now again, Mr. Stephen Davis acting as if he has been hired by the detractors of the General, has fired an unreasonable and unsubstantiated salvo against the retired General. To make their unbelievable allegations, substantially worthless, the Australian reportedly claimed that he got the information from leaders of the same Boko Haram that General Ihejirika as army commander was famed to have worsted mercilessly. Here again like the case by the Bornu elders, General Ihejirika is singled out as an individual that is capable of sponsoring the insurgents, even when he was seen as personally being too high handed in dealing with that national menace, as the head of he army.

    In sympathising with the retired General Ihejirika for what is likely an invidious libel against his person, it needs to be noted that the old Australian in seeking fame from the Nigerian debacle, relied on the wily tactics of the lazy Nigerian elite. When the PDP’s garrulous propagandists willfully tagged General Muhammadu Buhari because of his obvious piousness as an extremist and sympathizer of the Boko Haram, they were foolishly applying a dangerous and lazy antidote to a ranging national crisis. So while they may have gained an undue political advantage from that unsubstantiated claim, they succeeded in laying a dangerous precedent which any other crooked person can emulate to gain attention.

    With respect to the allegations against the former Bornu state governor, he remains a prime suspect of being responsible for organizing and funding the politico-religious pressure group, which metamorphosed into the Boko Haram insurgency. The attempt by Mr. Steven Davis to claim any credit for that stale allegation is therefore of no moment. Interestingly Mr. Davis was represented in the press as an expert negotiator, whose services have been retained by the federal government to secure the release of the Chibok girls, who have been in the custody of the Boko Haram criminals since April 15. How he transformed into a secret service investigator in the course of his job is a matter for conjecture. Surprisingly, the federal government which all the while allowed the common believe that they employed the Australian to deal with the Boko Haram crisis to fester, has now denied ever employing his services.

    If the Australian journeyman wants to be taken seriously, he should provide the evidence of the alleged sponsorship by General Ihejirika. If his only evidence is the allegations allegedly made by the commanders of the Boko Haram insurgency, then he should get ready to pay heavily to stem a libel suit by General Ihejirika, even if Alhaji Sheriff may be daunted by the existing prejudices against his innocence. As General Ihejirika rightly said in the interview he granted the press, “If this accusation was made in a country like US or Uk, it would not be discussed for one hour because they would wave it aside”. Indeed I doubt if the Australian would have made such damning allegation against a General of any serious country in Africa talk less of the leading countries of the world. The wily fellow knows he is dealing with Nigeria, with a strong reputation for the frivolous, unfounded and unfathomable.

    In fairness to the Australian, he is filling the vacuum created by our challenged intelligence and security agencies. If they had been able to contain the Boko Haram menace as we all patriotically hoped, the old man would have found better things to do with his time. But because we have become incapable of helping ourselves, all manner of people have turned our advisers and helpers. The lesson from this Janjaweed allegation is that it is dangerous to throw up sand in the market, for you never know who would bear the dirt.

     

  • Who are Boko Haram’s sponsors?

    Who are Boko Haram’s sponsors?

    Who are the brains behind Boko Haram? An Australian, Dr Stephen Davis, fingers former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff as the sect’s sponsors. The duo have since denied the allegations. The Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) has also given Gen Ihejirika a clean bill, but said it would investigate Sheriff. Lawyers believe that a judicial panel of enquiry is needed to unravel the mystery of those behind Boko Haram, PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

    It was not the first time former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff was being linked with Boko Haram. So, when Australian Stephen Davis described Sheriff as a Boko Haram sponsor, many were not surprised. But they were stunned that he also fingered former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika as a sponsor of the sect.

    Gen. Ihejirika and Sheriff have since denied the allegations. The Directorate of Security Service (DSS) has also given Gen. Ihejirika a clean bill, but said he would investigate Sheriff. Many are surprised that the DSS had not investigated him before now. Should Gen. Ihejirika’s and Sheriff’s denial lay the matter to rest? Or should there be a probe of who is behind Boko Haram?

    While some have called for Ihejirika’s and Sheriff’s trial, others have argued that they should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. Can they be tried on mere allegation?

    The DSS has exonerated Ihejirika, describing the allegation against him as wicked and uncharitable.

    “For us to accept that he (Ihejirika) is associated with the same sect, whose activities he, together with this Service, succeeded in bringing to a halt in Kano, Okene and other places, pursuing them down to the Sambisa Forest; to accept that the same man was sponsoring Boko Haram is wicked and uncharitable. We should not allow people to use our liberal nature to perpetrate all sorts of evil in our society,” said Merilyn Ogar, spokesperson for the SSS.

    Sheriff is threatening to go to Australia to sue Davies for defamation; Ihejirika says labelling him Boko Haram sponsor is a ploy to distract the armed forces and further disunite the country.

     

    Sheriff’s defence

    Addressing a press conference, Sheriff, who described himself as a victim and not a sponsor of Boko Haram, said his political enemies were launching a campaign of calumny against him, just as he denied meeting Yusuf.

    He said: “… It may interest you to know that it was the government of my predecessor in office, the late Alhaji Mala Kachallah (May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace) that introduced Sharia Law in the state in  2000 through the Borno State Sharia Administration of Justice Law 2000.

    “As a matter of fact, late Mala Kachallah signed the bill into law at an elaborate ceremony at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri and appointed the Borno State Sharia Law Implementation Committee in February, 2001 under the chairmanship of Prof Abubakar Mustapha, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri.

    “Interestingly, the late Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the Boko Haram sect, was a member of the committee among other Islamic scholars. If, indeed, there was an agreement between the sect and my predecessor on the issue of Sharia implementation, I am not aware of it, as I was neither in government then nor was I a party to it.

    “Let me state categorically at this point that I do not share the ideology of the Boko Haram sect, which is against western education, western culture and modern science or any other sect with similar ideology.

    “From my background, it could be easily seen that we are completely opposed to one another in terms of our viewpoints and convictions. By my nature and upbringing, I have neither associated myself with nor shared the beliefs of religious fundamentalists such as the Boko Haram sect or any other sect for that matter.

    “While in office as governor, I did my best to curtail the activities of the sect. I have never associated myself with any terrorist in any part of the world. I have never in my life met Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of the Boko Haram sect, who died in circumstances that are being investigated.”

     

    Ihejirika’s position

    For Ihejirika, the allegation that he is a sponsor of Boko Haram is spurious and frivolous, just as he warned stakeholders not to be distracted by the baseless accusations aimed at diverting attention from the counter-terrorism efforts being carried out.

    The former army chief spoke at a gathering of the alumni of 18 Regular Course of the National Defence Academy, where he said he was not moved by the attention being given the unfounded allegation, but concerned about national security.

    His words: “We are yet to come to terms with the motives of the terrorists and their desire to bring this nation down.

    “I want to advise that baseless, frivolous and unfounded allegations like this have the capacity of diverting our attention away from the main problem. It is an issue that would have been dismissed within an hour in developed countries, such as America and United Kingdom.

    “The terrorists are currently exploiting the country’s ethno-religious, socio-political and multi-cultural faultiness to advance their cause, which they have not been able to achieve through violence.

    “I have chosen to talk at length today because we cannot allow national security to be toyed with; the need for security awareness still persists. I want to urge all Nigerians to join hands to support the president and members of the armed forces in their onerous task to rid this country of terrorism.

    “That we are where we are today is a lesson to us. The lesson is that the terrorists are not sleeping; what they cannot achieve through bombing they want to achieve through media warfare. War is no longer fought in the traditional three dimensions of air, land and sea; we have clearly seen the fourth dimension of warfare.

    “The army under my command in a bid to crush insurgency, recruited 9,000 soldiers in 2013 to beef up strength and effectively monitor the borders. I owe no apologies to those who feel I was high handed in the way i handled insurgency during my stay as COAS. They should know that Nigeria must exist before anyone can hold a single political office and there is no compromise in the effort to have a peaceful and united Nigeria.”

    However, observers argued that given the seriousness of the allegation, they should not be swept under the carpet. Some suggested that an international and independent investigator be contracted to probe Davis’ claims; others urged the government to constitute a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the matter.

     

    Is judicial panel the way out?

    Lawyers were divided on constituting a judicial commission of enquiry to probe the allegations. While some supported the call and stated modalities for its establishment, others said it would amount to a waste of time and resources.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said a judicial panel would be useless if evidence are is available or provided by security agencies.

    “Indictment for offences of the nature of sponsoring insurgency is certainly not common place. Let’s ask ourselves, are our agencies equipped to handle serious investigations? No! Our agencies are bogged down with corruption and, no doubt, most inefficient. They have not been able to investigate and secure indictment for simple offences. To expect them to have any serious evidence to ground indictment of the individuals concerned is mere fantasy hence the seeming reluctance.

    “A commission of enquiry will be of no use where the evidence needed is either not available or will not be made available by corruption laden agencies. Except we are prepared to accept foreign experts assistance to carry out thorough investigation we shall be embarking on a futile exercise if there are no confessional statements-obtained under duress or rightly as is done rarely- the only basis of most convictions secured by our agencies,” he said.

    To George Oguntade (SAN), the call for a judicial commission of enquiry is misplaced and unnecessary because they are mere allegations by a foreigner.

    He said: “The bare allegations of a foreign national ought not to be the basis of the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry. The call for a judicial commission is therefore misplaced and most unnecessary.

    “The allegations and the consequences thereof are extremely serious, indeed. The proper step is for the appropriate apparatus of state, the SSS and the NPF to conduct a thorough investigation of the allegation and come out with their report.

    “If it then turns out that a prima facie case is established against the individuals accused, they will be arrested for interrogation and where found necessary, the matter should be referred to the Attorney-General of the Federation who will file appropriate charges.”

    Lagos lawyer Olukayode Enitan said: “While there is need to find out the financial backers and all others surreptitiously supporting the Boko Haram terrorists, I’m of the view that a judicial commission of enquiry is not the appropriate body to do the investigation, that investigation is squarely within the premise of the Department of State Security.

    “With regards to those who have been alleged to be sponsors of the insurgents, I believe the thing to do is to look first at the person making the allegation; ask him to support the allegation with facts and supporting documents if any. Secondly, who are those alleged, what are their antecedents, no one becomes a sponsor of terrorism in one day. From their antecedents that have been properly investigated with utmost discretion, you will discover all that had predisposed them to what has been alleged against them if there is any such thing.”

    But Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) is supporting the constitution of a commission of enquiry on the grounds that its proceedings must be public.

    “The allegations are grievous, serious and embarrassing to the government and people of Nigeria. If the person of a former COAS and a former governor are so alleged, it is an issue that should not be swept under the carpet.

    “I would have considered it a political ruse if it had not come from Dr. Davies, who claimed to have been hired as a Federal Government negotiator. If the allegation is true, it means the Federal Government has been playing to the gallery that is why the war against insurgency has not been won.

    “Having said so, it is still an allegation and should remain so until properly investigated. I support the call for thorough investigation through a judicial commission of enquiry. It should be an open investigation where the processes shall be televised.

    “If the two are found to be so involved, they would have committed treason against Nigeria and should be adequately dealt with.

    “When there is a problem, the crisis being sponsored inhouse is difficult to quell. The people allegedly involved are insiders, so, it must be adequately handled. I suggest that not just the two of them be investigated but all top government officials who have been fingered as collaborators.

    “At this point, handing them over to the ICC would not yield fruitful outcome since there are no facts for prosecution. It is still and allegation that we must investigate to ascertain their culpability.

    “If found guilty by the commission, they can be handed over to the ICC for transparent prosecution. I think what should happen now is that we give the government benefit of doubt in investigating thoroughly.

    “Everybody including the DSS is a suspect in this matter. Their coming out to absolve the former COAS of sponsoring Boko Haram is too early. They are already putting the cat before the horse.

    “For a pocket of insurgents to take over some towns and declare an independent state, without our military overcoming them, the problem is definitely deeper,” he said.

    Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Yinka Farounbi, said: “There is no doubt that the greatest challenge facing our nation today is the insecurity of lives and properties stemming from the activities of Boko Haram. Thus, everything and I mean everything, that ought to be done must be seen done to eliminate the unpleasant and unacceptable situation we found ourselves .

    “It is in the light of this that I will throw my weight behind the patriotic calls by genuine, well-meaning and honest Nigerians that a judicial commission of enquiry be set up to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.

    “It is the reasonable belief of an average Nigerian that Boko Haram is getting heavy financial support for it to carry out its dastardly activities. The commission will, therefore, be able to establish whether the allegation is correct or otherwise.”

    Supporting the constitution of an enquiry commission, immediate past NBA Ikeja Branch chairman, Monday Ubani, said such a commission should comprise retired Supreme Court justices and renowed progressive lawyers

    He said allegations against everyone, not just Ihejirika and Sheriff, must be painstakingly investigated to unravel the truth to bring the mindless killings to a halt.

    “I will prefer judicial commission of enquiry made up of retired justices of the Supreme Court and renowned and progressive legal practitioners so that the membership of such commission will not be cowed because of the personality of the accused persons.

    “Nigerians have a right to know the veracity of the grave allegations against these two personalities by the Australian negotiator. The battle against terrorism in Nigeria can be won if and only if the political elites want it to be won. They brought about this insurgency and they only can abate it. There is hypocrisy in the present fight against the terrorists.

    “There are some elites who are benefitting heavily from the insurgency while to some it  is a political asset if the insurgency continues. It confers on them political advantage in terms of political sympathy if the fight, violence, killings and bloodletting persist against Nigerians.”

    Similarly, constitutional lawyer, Ike Ofuokwu subscribed to the need for a well powered and independent commission of enquiry, constituted by men of impeccable integrity without any political affiliation to investigation the allegation and sundry issues regarding Boko Haram sponsorship.

    “Why is the spokesperson of the DSS is so quick to dismiss the alleged involvement of Gen. Ihejirika on mere emotion and sentiment without any investigative evidence? It is a shame.

    “It beats my imagination and only goes to show how shoddy and myopic the DSS has been operating over the years. Hence, they can no longer be trusted to investigate these very weighty allegations.

    “Sheriff’s alleged intimacy with this group from inception has been a thing of public knowledge over the years. We have just been informed that even the government of Cameroon has questioned him over this same matter in the past.

    “If the DSS is so quick to dismiss the allegation of Dr Steven Davis against Ihejirika why then are they inviting Sheriff for a third time for questioning over an allegation by the same Davis?

    “I, like the DSS, do not also want to believe that Ihejirika will have any romantic relationship with this monster but for God’s sake everyone seems a suspect until investigation reveals otherwise,” Ofuokwu said.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Alex Muoka, an independent special investigator should be contracted with powers to investigate and prosecute suspects if the Australian’s claims are true.

    He said setting up a commission is a sure way of tying everything up in bureaucracy.

    “Talk is cheap! Elsewhere in the civilised world, before the kind of allegations that Dr. Davis made are released publicly, investigations into the veracity of the claims would have been concluded. Here we are used to trial by media.

    “Dr. Davis was working for the Presidency. It is inconceivable that he would have made such damaging discoveries (some of which he claims to have been aware of for three to four years) and our security agencies are in the dark. It does not make sense. This supports suggestions of a high-level cover-up or compromise, and lends voice to the calls for an independent investigation.

    “I would rather suggest an independent special investigator with wide ranging powers to investigate the claims and (if found to be true) prosecute suspects…With a commission, we are not likely to see a report until three-six months, and then a panel will have to be set up to consider and advise on implementation of the report, and then…we will be in the middle of the 2015 elections!” Muoka said.

    Lagos lawyer Theophilus Akanwa, said: “I support the call for a judicial commission of enquiry to determine the veracity of the allegation. I also support the trial of whoever found involved in sponsorship of Boko Haram by the appropriate court. Such a commission must be made of men and women of highest integrity who will entertain no fear or favour in the course of its assignment. It does not lie in the mount of DSS to exonerate one of the parties on this allegation. The commission of enquiry or a law court should be allowed to determine this allegation.

    “There is no one that is above the law. Thousands of innocent Nigerians and non Nigerians have been killed by this dreaded group for no just course. The battle against Boko Haram cannot be won until their sponsors are brought to book. The courage exhibited by Boko Baram to thus far sustain this heinous crime and to takeover part of our sovereign nation as witnessed in Borno State is embedded on the strength from their sponsors. Wherever and whoever their sponsors are, they should be unveiled and immediately prosecuted no matter how highly placed.”

    A member of the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi said it was needless setting up such a commission, since the negotiator can be used as a witness in court.

    He said: “Once an allegation of this magnitude of crime is levied against certain persons with facts and evidence in support, such person/s should be investigated, arrested and charged under the prescribe law where a prima-facie case can be substantiated based on the evidence as provided by the witness who alleged the offence.’

     

    Terms of reference of commission

    Lawyers who supported the institution of the enquiry commission said its terms of reference should include establishing the existence of the Australian and acknowledgment that he made the allegation; the source of his information; the parties and status of his source of information as well as empirical evidence to back up the allegations including facts such as figures, dates and other necessary details to corroborate the evidence.

    They suggested that visits can be carried out by the commission to ensure authentication of their findings and reports, which must be thorough and conclusive; identify the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram; the role of religious and political groups in the misnomer and should spearhead the immediate prosecution of any one found guilty.

    “The terms of reference of the commission should amongst others be to identify the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram. The role of religion and the political class (if any) in this whole evil called Boko Haram and to ensure the immediate prosecution of everyone found guilty.

    “The battle against the insurgents can only be won with commitment, honesty and integrity of the military, political class and all Nigerians. It’s a monster that if not brutally defeated by all and sundry will defeat us,” Ofuokwu said.

    Farounbi added: “I will like to suggest that the term of reference of the commission should not be limited to investigating the duo alone, but should be made to cover the entire activities of the Boko Haram sect. In this regard, the commission should look beyond those mentioned with the view of determining whether some other individuals are involved.

    “Upon the identification of the individuals involved, the commission should be empowered to investigate their wealth, particularly the finances and the disbursements with the view of recommending the frozen of the accounts and the prosecution the backers.

    “More importantly the government, particularly the Federal Government should stop playing politics with the security of its citizens. Nobody should be considered a sacred cow in the investigation and prosecution. Let the law take its course.”

  • Book Haram: Pupils desert schools in Cameroon border towns

    Book Haram: Pupils desert schools in Cameroon border towns

    The 2014-2015 academic year began in Cameroon with thousands of students and teachers deserting schools in towns along the border with Borno State, which is home to the Boko Haram sect.

    With some schools either destroyed or occupied by the militants, Cameroon officials said they will relocate populations to more secure areas.

    In Kolofata this week, 1,000 children were expected to start in government schools, but only a few students showed up.

    Foncha Rene, 17, who was one of the few who arrived, said Boko Haram attacks in the area have scared his fellow students away.

    “There is no way we can go to school. Some time ago the Boko Haram kidnapped some students in Nigeria and they have been attacking schools in the border zone of Cameroon,” he said.

    Foncha’s school was attacked two weeks ago. Walls were knocked down in an armed confrontation between the Nigerian insurgents and Cameroon soldiers.

    English teacher Pamela Singeh, who works at the government school in Kolofata, spoke to VOA while taking refuge in a military camp.

    “I cannot advise any child to go to school in the border zone because it is dangerous,” Singeh said. “Look at some classrooms, they have been destroyed by Boko Haram. They even come here to pray, so I would not advise or allow any child to go to school in this area.”

    In Mora, 100 of the 700 expected students showed up only to find more than 2,000 Nigerian refugees in their school building.

    The area’s senior administrative official, Babila Akao, said he has asked the Ministry of Education to postpone the beginning of the school year.

    “So what we are expected to do is to make proposals to the ministers of basic and secondary education to postpone the date of the school year here. People are suffering; the situation is a bad situation,” Akao said.

    Kolofata and Mora are just two of the 25 localities on the border with Borno State.

  • Boko Haram can’t disclose its source of funding – Sani

    President of Civil Right Congress, Comrade Shehu Sani, on Monday ruled out the possibility of Boko Haram sect disclosing its source of funding and sponsorship to the Australian hostage negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis.

    Davis in an interview with the media had alleged the involvement of some prominent politicians, military officers and government officials in the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Reacting to the Australian allegation on his facebook wall on Monday, Sani who also facilitated the meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the group in Maiduguri in 2011 said it was impossible for genuine Boko Haram members to disclose to any negotiator the sect’s source of funding.

    Sani, who dismissed the allegation said, “I have been asked by many people to confirm whether the statement credited to the Australian negotiator about the involvement of some people in the Boko Haram insurgency is true or false.

    “The truth and the little I know is that it is very impossible for genuine Boko Haram top rank members to disclose to any negotiator their source of funding.

    “Any negotiator who deviates from his acclaimed role of a broker and tried to seek information about their source of funding will likely be treated as a spy.

    “How logical is it for the group to be sponsored by persons they consistently despised and targeted?

    “The government has denied any link with the mediator and I believe the group will make their  statement on the issue,” Sani stated.

  • Boko Haram has declared war on Nigeria – NLC

    Boko Haram has declared war on Nigeria – NLC

    The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to use maximum force to repel the activities of the Boko Haram sect, saying the group has declared war on Nigeria through its recent activities.

    In a statement in Abuja entitled: “We Must Not Lose Any Part of Nigeria to Insurgents,” and signed by its President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, the Congress said the fact that members of the group have decided to come out in their number to attack towns and villages in the North East is a clear indication that they have declared war on the country and must be repelled by every force available.

    The umbrella body’s of Nigerian workers expressed concern at the speed at which the insurgents are taking over towns and villages hitherto under the control of security agents, pointing out that if not curtailed, the development is capable of discrediting the Nigerian armed forces that has performed creditably in peace keeping missions across the world.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress is worried about the recent incursion into some towns and villages, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States in the north eastern part of the country by the Boko Haram terror group.

    “These violent attacks and reported seizures and declaration of an Islamic republic remain unacceptable and must never be allowed as a republic cannot exist within a republic.

    “While we appreciate the commitment of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the armed forces, to the battle against insurgency in Nigeria, we strongly warn that the consequence of allowing any part of the country to be forcefully seized by any group will be overwhelmingly harmful to our collective unity and socio economic advancement, just as it would also endanger the growth of democracy.

    “We are worried at the speed at which the insurgents are taking over communities even in areas reported to have heavy security presence. It is time the Nigerian armed forces prove their preparedness to protect and defend the Nigerian people and their territories by using all within their armoury to protect our territorial integrity.

    “The credibility and professional image of our armed forces would be at stake, even in global ratings, if our forces who have been widely acclaimed to have performed so well during peace keeping operations in different parts of the world would allow themselves to be overrun by insurgents back home.

    “While we commend the Federal Government for providing necessary human and material needs for the battle against these insurgents, we believe the government can do more in ensuring the troops are well kitted with modern weapons and all that is required to fight contemporary wars as the situation has obviously moved beyond mere insurgency.”

  • State varsity shut as Boko Haram takes more towns

    State varsity shut as Boko Haram takes more towns

    50 insurgents killed, says army 

    Borno SSG: situation critical

    A University was shut yesterday and students sent home as Boko Haram fighters continued their incursion into Adamawa State.

    To prevent an attack on students, the Adamawa State Government shut the state university in Mubi as the insurgents overran Uba, a town five kilometres from Mubi.

    Other towns taken at the weekend by Boko Haram fighters are: Michika and Bazza.

    Both towns, along with Uba, are in Hong Local Government Area .

    But the sect suffered a major setback, with no fewer than 50 of its men killed in a military raid in Borno State. The army said yesterday that security forces raided a “hideout” of suspected Boko Haram members in Kawuri, a village about 37km from Maiduguri, the state capital, on Saturday.

    The suspected fighters were planning an attack, the military said.

    Heavy artillery, including anti-aircraft guns and an armoured vehicle, were seized in the raid. Three soldiers were injured, the army said.

    But the sect’s fighters seized more towns in Adamawa State, following the success they recorded in attacks on some villages on Friday when they took Gulak, the headquarters of Magadali Local Government, Kirchinga, the hometown of Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, Duhu and Shuwa.

    Uba, a town five kilometers to Mubi was also overrun by the sect.

    Some Michika residents, speaking on the telephone, said the insurgents commanded some of the youths to join them for the “work of Allah”.

    Another resident said: “When the insurgents met me on the road in Michika, they said I should follow them to work for Allah. They asked me to go home and prepare to follow them to fight the cause of Allah but I decided to run and hide.”

    A resident of Bazza spoke of how the sect’s fighters stormed the town, “shooting sporadically, using artillery gun and other heavy weapons but from time to time Air Force jets were dropping bombs”.

    The Adamawa State Government on Saturday confirmed that the government had lost to the insurgents many towns, including Gulak and Michika.

    The Associated Press reported yesterday that Boko Haram fighters seized more towns along Nigeria’s northeastern border with Cameroon. They were adopting a new strategy of encouraging civilians to stay, witnesses told the news agency.

    “They assured us that they will not attack us, but people began to run for their lives. Some of us have fled for fear that after subduing the soldiers, the insurgents will turn their [gun] barrels on us,’’ Michael Kirshinga, a resident of Gulak, said after the town was attacked.

  • Tales of horror from Boko Haram child-victims

    Tales of horror from Boko Haram child-victims

    A report released at the weekend in New York, United States by Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (“Watchlist”), which strives to end violations against children in armed conflicts and to guarantee their rights, bears horrific tales from Boko Haram victims, writes Asst. Editor Olukorede Yishau

    Boko Haram and the Civilian JTF are opposite sides of the war in the Northeast. But, both of them, said   the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict in a report released in New York, United States at the weekend, use children inappropriately to feather their nest.

    “Children as young as 13 are being recruited by both sides of the conflict and have nowhere to turn,” said the report.

    The report, “Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict”, said the sect has subjected boys and girls to forced recruitment, detention, attacks at school, abductions, rape, and other forms of sexual violence.

    The gravity and scale of these violations warrant urgent action from the Federal Government, the United Nations, and other child protection actors,   the 64-page report said.

    The report titled “Who Will Care for Us?”  details grave violations by some parties to the conflict since December 2012 and provides recommendations on how to better protect children. “While the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno State, has shed some light on how children are affected by the conflict in the northeast, most abuses are still poorly documented, understood, and addressed by key actors,” said Janine Morna, Researcher at Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict.

    It added that security forces who encounter child soldiers in Boko Haram’s ranks often detain these children in unofficial military detention facilities known for the mistreatment of detainees, instead of protecting and rehabilitating them, in accordance with international standards.

    “The government of Nigeria should denounce the recruitment of children by all armed groups, take immediate steps to release child soldiers in their custody, and develop procedures to transfer child soldiers to civilian actors,” said Morna.

    Watchlist also researched attacks on schools in the region which, according to their media survey, has resulted in the death, injury, or abduction of at least 414 students, teachers, or other civilians on school premises between January 2012 and July 2014. “Continuous attacks on schools have devastated education in the region, creating a climate of fear for students and teachers, and leading to school closures from as early as April 2013. Relevant actors must bolster school security through programmes like the Safe Schools Initiative,” said Morna.

    Watchlist documented abductions of boys and girls by Boko Haram, including Christian girls who were forced to convert to Islam and coerced into marrying members of the group, along with other female abductees. Boko Haram abducted these girls and young women from schools and markets, and during raids on villages in areas across Borno State since at least December 2012. Some members of the group raped girls and young women in the camps. None of the girls and women who escaped, and were interviewed by Watchlist, had access to counseling and other health services.

    “The humanitarian response to violations against children has been slow, fragmented, and unable to meet the fast-growing needs of those affected by the conflict,” said Morna. Few international actors currently engage in the northeast, leaving the government and local groups, with limited capacity, to support survivors. “The Nigerian Government, United Nations, and non-governmental agencies must take urgent steps to recruit experts with experience operating in a conflict situation and scale up programming to support some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable and marginalized children,” said Morna.

    The executive summary of the report reads: “Conflict between the armed group Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, Nigerian security forces, and civilian self-defense militias, is ravaging Nigeria’s fragile northeast. Despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, the level of violence and the scale of grave violations against children have worsened. The conflict in the north-east, along with inter-communal violence, has displaced an estimated 650,000 people, primarily women and children, and affected millions of others. The parties to the conflict have subjected boys and girls to forced recruitment, attacks on their schools, killing and maiming, abductions, rape and sexual violence, and arbitrary detention. In April 2014, the seriousness of these abuses came to the forefront when JAS abducted over 200 girls from Chibok in Borno State, sparking national and international outcry.

    “The humanitarian response has been slow, fragmented, and unable to meet the fast-growing needs of those affected by the conflict. Few international actors engage in the northeast, leaving the government and local groups, with limited capacity, to address violations and support survivors. The overall lack of expertise on child protection in conflict-related emergencies has left critical gaps in the response including, inadequate protection-related data, a lack of standard operating procedures to manage children encountered in conflict, and limited emergency preparedness planning to address the continuous attacks on schools.”

    The report also bears horrific tales from child-victims of both Boko Haram and the Civilian JTF.  One Friday in late December 2012 in Gwoza, Borno State, a 16-year-old girl was late for school. Soon after she arrived and greeted her friends, suspected members of JAS attacked the school and abducted her and five other girls before detonating a bomb on or near the campus.

    She said: “I found myself in an Imam’s house. I don’t really remember how I got there … The men said [to us], ‘You are the real strong Christians. We want you to become Muslims. We will give you men to marry and if you refuse, we will kill you.’ The five other girls accepted. I said, ‘rather kill me.’”

    Boko Haram decided to prepare her and the other girls for marriage. Over a roughly one-month period, she cooked meals for the members and rehearsed prayers and verses with the girls. Just before her marriage, she seized an opportunity to escape when a core group of suspected members of Boko Haram left the compound for an attack. The other girls have not been seen by the community since their abduction.

    A young woman who was 21 at the time of her abduction told Watchlist that she was abducted while riding public transport from her polytechnic in Maiduguri to her home in Gwoza on March 15, last year.

    Her bus was traveling in convoy with several other buses. The driver and passengers received information that JAS was coming and decided to take an alternate route to Gwoza. Unfortunately the drivers had been misled. The young woman explained: “When we were going we saw people in military uniform. They stopped us. But the insurgents were dressed like the military… They held many buses. They checked if you were Christian, in which case they would kill you. If you were Muslim you were allowed to pass. They identified… (Christians/Muslims) by their mode of dress. After searching and killing, and because it was getting dark, they assembled us to go to a camp. Many people were taken captive.

    The young woman reported seeing many abducted girls at the Boko Haram camp. She escaped 19 days later.

    Another 19-year-old young woman told Watchlist that she was abducted while travelling to her home in Gwoza from Konduga Local Government College.

    She was 18 years old at the time and had just completed her final exams. On May 10, last year, she travelled home with six female classmates below the ages of 18. En route, four men holding guns stopped them. The men asked if there were Christians in the car. One of the Muslim girls provided a hijab for each of the other girls in the car who then pretended to be Muslim. The girls were held captive for three days before JAS commanders arrived and released them. Women and girls have also been abducted during and after attacks on villages.

    A young woman who was 19 at the time of her abduction explained to Watchlist: “I ran to the hills. I was short of food so I went to get corn… When people came, they came in a number and I ran and hid. When they started beating my grandmother, I surfaced from the hiding and I was caught. They started beating her and said we should go. I was the only person taken. I was caught with a gun.”

    In June 2014, reports emerged of JAS invading and abducting scores of women and girls in villages in Borno State.

    Sixty-three women and girls from one of these attacks successfully escaped in July 2014.

    Soon after Christian women and girls arrived in the camps, they were forced to convert and were told they would be married to members of the group.

    A young woman who was 19 at the time of her abduction in Gwoza explained how she was forcibly converted: “They were pulling the noose around my neck and dragging around and said I should come back to Islam.”

    She eventually relented to save her life and the group set her dowry between N10,000 and N15,000 (approximately USD $60 to $90). The reports of forced conversion and marriage received by Watchlist are consistent with other reports appearing in the media.

    Four of the former abductees interviewed by Watchlist said they were raped during their abduction. The rape appears at times targeted and at other times opportunistic. A former abductee speaking to a local news organisation explained that JAS leaders raped young virgins, while other members of the group took turns raping married and elderly women.

    In two cases cited by Watchlist, members of Boko Haram took advantage of an opportunity to rape the abductees when either the commanding officer was away or when the woman or girl was alone and vulnerable.

    A young woman who was 18 years old at the time of the abduction said: “They gave us an axe to dig a hole to ease ourselves. In the night I wanted to ease myself. I was trying to ease myself and as I was in the process [he approached] and I started screaming. He abused me.”

    He slipped away. He tried to penetrate, but when people came, he didn’t enter.

    According to the report, women and girls sometimes escape from Boko Haram camps but often lack sufficient support, counseling, and health services when they return home. Reports indicate that these women and girls are rescued from the camps by the military and Civilian JTF, or through family members who pay ransom and negotiate their release.

    All of the women and girls interviewed by Watchlist returned to their families, but often had to leave home for fear of their safety. In one case, the parents had to leave because they were targeted by Boko Haram following their daughter‘s escape.

    Other reports suggest that families sometimes send their children to other cities to avoid the stigma of rape and pregnancy outside of marriage.

    Few of the women and girls interviewed by Watchlist officially reported the abduction because of either mistrust of the authorities, fear of retaliation by Boko Haram, or a feeling that reporting was futile because authorities have limited capacity for individual assistance.

    A mother of one of the abductees said: “The issue of reporting is a waste of time… The cases are so rampant.”

    In addition, none of the women and girls received support or counseling. Civilians, particularly in remote areas, have limited access to health and other services.

    Many of the interviewees were traumatized by their experiences. One woman told Watchlist:”Immediately I left this place (the camp), it made me insane,” while another said, “When I remember, I normally cry.”

    While the government and other partners are providing some support to the families of the abducted Chibok girls, as well as the girls who escaped, it is unclear to what extent other survivors of abduction and sexual violence can access such services.”

  • Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to probe the claim that former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Azubike Ihejirika are sponsors of Boko Haram.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Fabunmi Aiyesoro, and Vice-Chairman Ogunwale Ogunshola, the group said the matter must not be swept under the carpet.

    Rising from a meeting in Bauchi State at the weekend, the group said if no probe was conducted after 40 days; it would “pursue legal action against Sheriff and Ihejerika for the destruction of our shrines in three states and claim monetary compensation for the destruction of forests which serve as a source of livelihood for our members. From 2011 to date, 48 members have lost their lives in the hands of Boko Haram members and their families are suffering untold hardship due to the loss of their breadwinners”.

    It added: “The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has suffered unquantifiable human and material loss as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency like other Nigerians and feel deeply pained that Boko Haram is gradually forming another country within the Nigerian state.

    “Our members source herbs from forests like Sambisa, Biu, Gwoza and Hong and the taking over of these areas by this retrogressive group has denied us the opportunity of treating our clients.

    “We call on the Federal Government to dislodge Boko Haram members from all towns and forests in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This will restore our member’s right to freedom of worship as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. Babalawos are Nigerians and deserve the same recognition accorded imams and pastors by the government. Many churches and mosque have received compensation from state governments for the destruction of their place of worship, but not one Babalawo has received a condolence message or any form of monetary compensation since the Boko Haram problem started three years ago.”

  • Boko Haram: Borno is grounded, SSG cries out

    The Secretary to Borno State Government, Amb. Baba Ahmad Jidda(OFR) on Sunday raised an alarm that the state is already dislocated by Boko Haram insurgency.
    He asked all political leaders and stakeholders in Borno State to come together and meet with President Goodluck Jonathan on how to salvage the situation.
    He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the proposed bye-election for Jere LG House of Assembly Constituency.
    Jidda, who made his views known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, said there is urgent need for peace in the state.
    He said he issued the statement in his private capacity having been disturbed by the deteriorating situation in the state.
    The statement  said: “A deep appraisal of the condition prevailing in Borno State at the moment shows a disrupted environment that is in desperate need of peace and restoration.
    “As a result of the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, large swathes of the land in the state is currently inaccessible. Normal governmental, economic, social and political activities have been dislocated with huge numbers of displaced persons living in refugee camps in Maiduguri, neighbouring states as well as Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
    “The State of Emergency is still in force with its attendant curfews and restrictions on free movement and assembly.
    “The Maiduguri Airport is also closed limiting access significantly to and out of Borno State. The threat to security of lives and property as a result of the criminal activities of the Boko Haram insurgents is everywhere and indeed the limited peace prevailing in Maiduguri and the few other areas is achieved largely due to alertness and corporation of the Civilian JTF and the security agencies.
    “Moreover the search and rescue efforts for the abducted Chibok School girls remain on the front burner.
    The above scenario presents a troubling condition that affects all and sundry in Borno State and the North-East as a Zone.”
    He gave insights into the biting effects of the insurgency on the citizenry.
    Jidda said: “At this very moment, most parts of Borno State are being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents. Government presence and administration is minimal or non-existent across many parts of the state, with economic, commercial and social services totally subdued. Schools and clinics remain closed.”