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Tag: boko haram

  • APC seeks new strategy to curtail Boko Haram

    APC seeks new strategy to curtail Boko Haram

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Monday’s deadly attack on military and other facilities in Maiduguri, saying it is shocked and saddened by its enormity and the deaths of innocent civilians.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the attacks on Nigerian Air Force planes and helicopters at the NAF base in the city was particularly disturbing, considering the hitherto effective use of aerial attacks against Boko Haram, which is widely believed to have carried out the attacks.

    It said nothing in the world could justify such deadly attacks on the military and the collateral deaths and damages inflicted on civilians.

    The APC called for a renewed strategy to combat the sect, which seems to retain the capacity to carry out such a massive attack in a major city, despite the successes which the military said it had recorded against it since the declaration of a state of emergency in three states – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe – last May.

    The party said such a strategy must emphasise the intelligence gathering through which such attacks can be nipped in the bud, adding that failure of intelligence, more than anything else, made Monday’s attack possible.

    It called for a probe into how hundreds of attackers could so easily infiltrate military facilities, which are believed to be highly secured.

    ‘’The probe must unravel why the security personnel in the city in general and the military installations in particular were apparently caught unawares by the attackers, who were reported by some newspapers to number as many as 500, riding in trucks and motorcycles.

    ‘’If military installations in a major city can be so easily overrun by a band of marauders, then no one and no facilities are safe. That is why the government and the military must work hand in hand to unravel why such a massive attack on military installations was possible in the first instance,’’ APC said.

  • ASUU: Blackmail won’t work

    ASUU: Blackmail won’t work

    Hardball is often torn between frustration and pity for President Goodluck Jonathan. Frustration because he cannot seem to get the country going and pity because though he means well, in his incapacitation, he cannot muster the requisite acuity, charm and even wiles to cut through crap and get the kind of critical results that define administrations. Few examples will help explain. In the Boko Haram affair, it took him an age to understand that the very sovereignty of Nigeria was being threatened and there was an urgent need to stem the insurgence. But he has been incapable of doing the needful and Nigeria has continued to be held by scruff of her shirt by a band of desert militia men.

    Another example is the oil industry (including the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB) which has been in the mire since he took office. Now remember that this is Nigeria’s most strategic asset which ought to be the president’s top priority. But what do we have? A rotten state oil corporation; comatose refineries; fraudulent products import scheme; mindboggling fuel subsidy scandal and suddenly, oil theft racket. Nigerians don’t hear any good news anymore from our most prized sector. One can mention half a dozen other telling instances of k-legged inertia but what is the point?

    Back to ASUU, the issue of the day which is a raging example of presidential doodling, one is pained that Goodluck Jonathan could not gather up all the presidential powers at his disposal to break the six-month old impasse. The Academic Staff Union of Universities has been on a protracted strike. When it seemed all had failed, the president intervened personally, sitting through several meetings with senior members of ASUU executives. The last meeting reportedly lasted 13 hours yet came to naught. This has, apparently, enraged the president who in obvious frustration, reached for the rod: return to work or get sacked. But Hardball must advise that force and violence are the tools of stupid and cowardly people. They are, of course, not instruments for construction.

    Constructive engagement has been thrown out the window in place of arm-twisting, threats and blackmail. In a barrage of propaganda, ASUU leaders are being painted as recalcitrant, as saboteurs and enemies of Jonathan. Some columnists (some of who carry the tag of ‘professor’) make such loose argument that ASUU ought to go back to work just because of the fact that it sat at a meeting with the president for 13 hours. What did the president offer anew? It is calamitous, to say the least that Jonathan could not wring out some agreement from the lecturers at this critical moment in this ASUU affair; we had hoped that he wouldn’t fail after all else had failed.

    Hardball could have thrown in the entire country (including ASUU) if that was what it required; if he had it to do. And for heavens sake where is the presidential chutzpah? If the salaries of the last four months were the issue, the president could have ordered it paid immediately. Everything but trying to force the lecturers back to the classrooms would have been smarter.

    And whose advice was it to draw a line in the sand with the lecturers? Who thought it through? It is obvious that the Education Minister, Nyeson Wike is out of his depth here. He simply lacks the capacity to handle this one. Being a political weasel, he would insist and advise accordingly that ASUU members are ‘political enemies’ and that instantly drains the matter of all logic. But ASUU has a good case, they are simply asking government to live up to one of its promise and responsibilities; that is not too much to ask.

    As you read this, the lecturers would have defied the ultimatum of the presidency; the president has bungled it all up once again.

  • Court to try 17 Boko Haram suspects ‘in camera’

    The 17 suspected members of the proscribed Islamic sect, Boko Haram, arrested in different parts of Lagos on March 21, will be tried in camera, a Lagos Federal High Court ruled yesterday.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba held that it was in the national interest to hold the trial out of public view.

    He was ruling on an application brought by the prosecution, which was not opposed by the defence.

    The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Ade Ipaye, prayed the court to order that the trial be conducted behind closed doors.

    He said his application was based on Sections 203 and 205 of the Criminal Procedure and Section 36 (4) (a) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Ipaye also sought an order that the prosecution witnesses, who are operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), be allowed to give evidence wearing mask.

    He prayed for an order restricting the press from the coverage of the proceedings.

    The first to third and seventh defendants’ lawyer, Mr O.E. Nwagbara, did not oppose the application.

    Counsel for the remaining 13 defendants also did not oppose the application.

    Granting the application, Justice Buba said the media would not be allowed to cover the case.

    When the suspects were arraigned last week, SSS operatives prevented journalists from covering the proceedings.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of terrorism acts, possession of

    prohibitted firearms and ammunition preferred against them.

    Justice Buba ordered that they be remanded in prison.

    They are Ali Modu, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim

    Ali, Ibrahim Bukar, Mohammed A. Mohammed, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadri Mohammed, Mustapha Hassan, Abba Duguni, Sani Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Bala, Bala

    Daura, Farouk Haruna and Abdula Zuladaini.

    The charge said the defendants were arrested at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase 1 Housing Estate; 24 Oyegbemi Street, Ijora Oloye, Apapa and an unnumbered

    bungalow on Oyegbemi Street, behind Celestial Church, in Ijora Oloye on March 21.

    The government said they conspired “to commit felony, to with: acts of

    terrorism” by having in their possession explosive substances, including three packets of explosive construction pipes and 15 detonators.

    They were also said to be in possession of 11 AK-47 rifle magazines loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition each; 200 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 rifle magazines with three rounds of live ammunition each, two suitcases containing explosives and one water container of explosives.

    Also recovered from the suspects, the charge said, were one bag containing canisters, one HP laptop, five Nokia handsets and one red Volkswagen Golf car with registration number Lagos: SMK 427 AZ, allegedly meant to transport the explosives.

    The offence is contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 17 (b).

    Another count alleged that Ibrahim Bukar and Kadri Mohammed, on the same day “knowingly entered into an arrangement for which

    money would be made available for the purpose of terrorism for a proscribed organisation to wit: Boko Haram sect.”

    The government said the offence was contrary to Section 13 (2) of the Terrorism Prevention

    Amendment Act 2013 and punishable under the same Act.

    According to the fifth count, the defendants were arrested by security agents for being

    members of the proscribed Boko Haram.

    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 and punishable under the same

    Section 2 (3) (1) read in conjunction with Section 33

    (1) (b) of the Act as amended.

    The sixth count said they had in their possession prohibited firearms without a licence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of

    the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section.

  • Shettima: Warming up for second term

    Shettima: Warming up for second term

    Uneasy lies the head of Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, as he confronts the menace of Boko Haram and mounting internal opposition to his government by his estranged godfather, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The governor is not a run-of-the-mill politician. He is a professional in politics trying to do things differently. But his attention has been diverted by the insecurity in the Northeast zone, where the insurgents are on rampage. At least, four local governments are paralysed by the sect. Shettima inherited the challenge, but he has not been able to overcome it, despite the declaration of a state of emergency by the Federal Government. The only solace is that Maiduguri, the state capital, is now relatively peaceful.

    When the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors visited Borno early in the year, they marveled at the achievement of the governor, who they described as a silent worker. He was hailed for his strides across the sectors. “You will be surprised that Shettima has achieved a lot, despite the problems facing the state. He has lived to expectation”, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was on the entourage, later told reporters in Lagos.

    Described by stakeholders as a kind, intelligent and humble administrator, Shettima has demystified power by not allowing power to use him, instead of using power for public good. His strength lies in the power of his ideas and devotion to principles. Those attributes came into play during the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) crisis. Guided by his conscience and principle, he refused to sign on the NFG consensus candidate, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, despite pressures. Shettima reasoned that, although he belonged to the Northern Governors’ Forum, he could not go against the position of the APC Governors’ Forum, which stood in antithetical relationship with the mission of the Northern governors.

    Sources said that, when he was also contacted to show interest in the NGF chairmanship, the Borno State governor objected, saying that Boko Haram insurgency was enough challenge. He said nobody in his position should covet another responsibility that will frequently take him out of the state.

    To many people, Shettima has made a lot of difference in the state. His consensus building spirit has inspired him to extend frontiers of cooperation and spread tentacles of influence in the troubled state. Following his inauguration, he appealed to the indigenes to jettison politics and brace up for the work of development. Ahead of the poll, he collaborated with influential blocs in the state. In fact, a source said that his deputy was nominated by Kasim Imam, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.

    The governor also set up a cabinet of talents. Although he deferred to the party elders in selecting the members of the State Executive Council, he refused to sacrifice merit and standard on the altar of partisanship. Besides, the governor is a bridge builder and unifying factor. In his cabinet are special advisers of Igbo, Hausa and Niger Delta origins. Many believe that he has an unfinished business, which makes a second term compelling.

    The governor has a cosmopolitan disposition. That is the point of departure. His benefactor, Sheriff, has converted his rural essence into a potent political asset. He is the man of the people. Those who hate him politically, owing to this political aggression and ruthlessness, have not seen another alternative leader in the state. As vindictive as the senator is, the public perception of his personality as the towering strategist and tactician has not diminished. Thus, party followers, despite their admiration for Shettima, still wait for instruction on the way forward in Borno in 2015 from him.

    Sheriff is a popular progressive politician with deep links with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governor for eight years, he had largely succeeded in insulating the state from the PDP control, despite his intimacy with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Now, even as the APC leader in the Northeast, he still enjoys close relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan. A source said that the relationship may even yield a ministerial slot for his camp.

    The APC has become a blessing to Borno under Shettima. Defectors from the ANPP are returning to the new mega party.

  • Boko Haram: FG rules out foreign military assistance

    Boko Haram: FG rules out foreign military assistance

    The Federal Government will not seek foreign military assistance in the fight against terrorism, Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said.

    The minister, however, said the government would continue to seek the cooperation and collaboration with foreign powers in the areas of training and information sharing.

    Maku, who is also the supervising Minister of Defence, stated this on Tuesday at a briefing in Abuja to mark the 2014 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations.

    He spoke against the backdrop of Tuesday’s attacks on military bases in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital by the Boko Haram sect.

    Military aircraft were destroyed and several people killed in the attacks.

    Describing the Boko Haram as a local wing of international terrorist organisation, Maku assured that the nation’s armed forces are adequately equipped to counter the insurgents.

    He, however, admitted that the nation had never experienced security challenge of this magnitude since the Nigerian civil war, even as he disagreed with foreign analysts on the classification of Boko Haram insurgency as a civil war situation.

    Maku said: “We are facing a very stubborn enemy that is really committed to destabilizing the peace of the country. But I can say with pride that the incident was not only repelled but that those who participated in the operation faced the fire from our armed forces.

    “The point must be made that Nigeria is facing an international enemy that has a long line of supply and that we are not taking it lightly. Insurgency of this type is not easy to overcome.

    “But I must say confidently that our armed forces are doing everything possible not only to ensure we deal decisively with this incident; but indeed to be sure that the larger war, which is to secure the northeast of Nigeria and to secure our boundaries, is on.

    “I can assure Nigerians that occasionally, you may have things like this because we are in a state of war and we are dealing with an enemy that does not wear uniform. We are dealing with an enemy that will occasionally strike by surprise.

    “It is a guerrilla warfare and in this type of urban guerrilla warfare, we will have occasional incidents. But what is most important to us is that we are combing this entire region.”

     

     

  • Boko Haram members’ trial to hold behind closed doors

    A Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday ordered that trial of 17 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect charged with terrorism be held behind closed doors.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba granted an application made by the prosecution, urging that the trial be held in camera.

    The accused are Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya and Musa Audu.

    The others are Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that they are standing trial on an amended seven-count charge of acts of terrorism.

    The Prosecution Counsel who is also the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye, relied on the provisions of Section 36 (4) (a) (b) of the 1999 Constitution while making the application.

    In the application supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit, Ipaye had prayed for five orders.

    He sought an order directing that prosecution witnesses, being operatives of the State Security Service, should be allowed to give evidence while wearing masks.

    The counsel also sought an order restricting journalists from covering the proceedings, as well as other orders.

    The counsel to the accused had supported Ipaye’s application.

    Buba relied on the provisions of Sections 203, 204 and 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation.

     

  • Senate demands comprehensive report of Borno attacks

    The Senate on Tuesday demanded a comprehensive account of the devastating attacks carried out by suspected members of Boko Haram in parts of Borno State on Monday.

    The upper chamber was forced to reschedule its meeting with Service Chiefs due to the attacks.

    The crucial meeting was scheduled to allow the Service Chiefs to brief the Senate on security situation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States especially the ongoing emergency rule in the states.

    The briefing, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba said, would now take place on Thursday.

    Ndoma-Egba, who moved a motion to reschedule the briefing, told his colleagues that the Service Chiefs expected to appear and brief the Senate have moved to Borno State to observe things for themselves.

    “Because of the massive security breach that occurred in Borno State yesterday (Monday)” and the need for the Service Chiefs to be on top of the situation, the briefing would be differed until Thursday, December 5.

    The Senate Leader noted that apart from the effect of the ongoing emergency rule in the three north eastern states, the Senate will demand a comprehensive account of Monday bombings in Borno State from the Service Chiefs.

    The Senate Leader described the incident as “most unfortunate.”

     

  • Military kills 24 as Boko Haram attacks bases, airport

    Military kills 24 as Boko Haram attacks bases, airport

    Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, were jolted yesterday from sleep by heavy gunfire.

    Boko Haram militants launched a ferocious attack on the military. The government responded to the peace threat with a 24-hour curfew that shut airspace and cut off roads, the army, state government and eyewitnesses said.

    Residents said hundreds of heavily armed gunmen besieged an Air Force and army base, destroying aircraft, razing buildings and setting shops and petrol stations ablaze in a deadly rampage. The attack is the most devastating in recent time.

    Maiduguri’s airport and major roads were closed.

    “I saw two Air Force helicopters burnt while in the whole of the 79 Composite Group (of the Nigerian Air Force) few buildings are still standing. Most of the structures have been attacked and destroyed,” said one man, who lives nearby, of yesterday’s attacks.

    “At the 33 Artillery (battalion of the Nigerian Army), the terrorists destroyed the barracks and took away an armoured (personnel) carrier but left it along the highway.

    “We heard women and children in the barracks crying and wailing. At the gate, I saw some vehicles destroyed and the checkpoint there in shreds,” said the man, a local government official, who asked to remain anonymous.

    The man, who said he watched the attacks unfurl with his wife from his house, added that two people had been shot dead.

    There was no immediate confirmation of fatalities or other casualties from the authorities.

    “Frankly speaking, if the insurgents had wanted, they could have killed all of us… because they came in large numbers… some with explosives, some with rocket-propelled grenades and some with AK-47 rifles,” he added.

    The state government and the military both confirmed the attack and the curfew.

    But Army spokesman in Maiduguri, Colonel Muhammed Dole, said the Boko Haram fighters had been “successfully repelled” and had suffered “serious casualties”.

    The areas around the airport were “calm and under control”, Col. Dole said, adding: “Our troops supported by the Air Force aircraft are presently pursuing the terrorists towards the Maiduguri-Benisheik road.”

    A state of emergency is in force in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    The violence began at around 3:00 am (0200 GMT) and included bomb and gun attacks, said an AFP correspondent in the city, where Boko Haram was founded more than 10 years ago.

    “They entered Maiduguri from the bush, chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great),” said one intelligence officer, adding that some insurgents had been detained, without specifying numbers.

    Ambulances were seen moving out of the Air Force base and the adjoining Ngomari neighbourhood, according to the correspondent. Roads in the city were deserted and the sound of sirens from military vehicles could be heard, he added.

    The insurgents had also ambushed military checkpoints on the outskirts of the city. Shops and petrol stations were also said to have been set on fire, local residents said.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Baba Ahmed Jidda called for calm, saying that only emergency service vehicles were allowed to move during the curfew, which would be lifted “as soon as the situation improves”.

    Boko Haram militants killed 24 people in two strikes in the state last week – attacks that came after a military pledge to tighten security in border regions due to fears of Christmas and New Year attacks.

    Boko Haram (Western education is s sin), wants to impose sharia in the North and has been blamed for thousands of deaths since 2009.

  • ‘Boko Haram destroys three aircraft, two helicopters’

    ‘Boko Haram destroys three aircraft, two helicopters’

    The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that three de-commissioned aircraft and two helicopters were incapacitated by Boko Haram insurgents.

    It said movement in the city had been restricted while troops are running after the fleeing insurgents, who were mortally wounded.

    The DHQ also said normal flights had resumed at the airport after the insurgents were repelled.

    The Defence Headquarters gave the situation report in a statement in Abuja by its spokesman, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja.

    The statement said: “Nigerian security forces today repelled a pre-dawn attack on Maiduguri by suspected terrorists.

    “Military locations, such as Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri, were targeted during the attack.

    “Three decommissioned military aircraft as well as two helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack. Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of fire.

    “Security forces are in pursuit of the terrorists in the Djemtillo general area along the Maiduguri/Banishek axis.

    “Movements in Maiduguri and environs have been restricted. Citizens are enjoined to report any of the fleeing insurgents, most of whom could be identified with gunshot wounds whenever they are sighted.

    “Meanwhile, normal flights operations to and from the Maiduguri Airport, which were earlier temporarily disrupted, has resumed.”

    The Borno State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Jidda, said: “In consultation with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew

    “During the period of curfew, government pleads with all citizens to remain calm.

    “Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves.”

  • Why Boko Haram struck again in Borno

    Why Boko Haram struck again in Borno

    Three reasons may have accounted for the over-running of Maiduguri International Airport by Boko Haram members, it was learnt yesterday.

    The factors are the capturing last week of a key commander of Boko Haram by the military, the continuous air raid of the sect’s cells on Maiduguri-Damaturu Road and the need for reprisals, and alleged anger over plans by former Governor Modu Ali Sheriff to visit the state and attend a reception where he will speak on the sect.

    According to a top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, the arrested commander was said to be the sect’s “key strategist”.

    The source said: “We are suspecting reprisals following the capturing of the key commander, who had been vital to Boko Haram operation.

    “They probably felt that the commander, who was captured last week, would be revealing a lot to the military.

    “They must have acted on false intelligence report that the suspect was still either being detained in Maiduguri or was being flown out of the city.

    “They have not been able to locate the said commander. This might have accounted for spontaneous attacks on military installations and some parts of Maiduguri.”

    Another source said the recent air raids on Sambisa Forest and various cells of the sect along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway might have also provoked counter-attacks.

    The source added: “We saw the attacks from purely the angle of reprisals because Boko Haram has suffered some setback in recent times.

    “They decided to lay ambush for the military to prove a point that they are still intact in spite of the destruction of their base and cells.”

    On where the fighters are coming from, the source said there is a suspicion that the sect might have been using some villages in Chad as operational bases”.

    It was learnt that Sheriff planned to use the forum to prove his innocence – that he did not breed the sect, as being alleged in some quarters.

    Although the reception was scheduled twice in the last two and a half months, it was cancelled at the last minute.

    There were fears that Boko Haram sect might have got wind of the plans and decided to take over the Maiduguri International Airport to stall the reception.

    A group, Borno League of Professionals, alluded to this yesterday in a statement by its Chairman, Modu Bukar Ngala and Secretary, Abba Shuaib.

    In a memo to the President, the group said it suspected a proposed grand entry and rally by Sheriff for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks on Maiduguri.

    The memo said: “Mr. President, Commander in Chief, the Senate President and Speaker; the National Security Adviser and rest of our eminent service chiefs, we are writing you this memorandum for the second time this year. The first time, we issued a press release but this time we gathered our had-earned naira to pay for an advertorial in defence of Borno people and Nigerians at large.

    “Until yesterday, our city of Maiduguri was very peaceful in the last seven months, thanks to your decisive declaration of emergency and deployment of patriotic and professional soldiers. Thanks also to our youths, the Civilian JTF and we must also acknowledge in the spirit of objectivity and say thanks to the untiring efforts of the Borno State Government under Shettima Kashim, the Governor.

    “Mr President, residents became very apprehensive, there was serious panic and fear since Saturday when the news filtered all over Maiduguri that the infamous former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff (alias S.A.S) had finished preparations and he was coming into Maiduguri today, Tuesday, 3rd of December, 2013 for a grand political entry and a rally, whether anybody likes or not.

    “We do not know if the latest attack yesterday was a reaction to his planned visit but everybody in Borno knows for sure that nothing pains the Boko Haram members like seeing SAS in Borno State moving with arrogance and pride, in convoy of security details and brandishing his banbanriga or binjima as we call it, opening his chest as if he is the President of G-8 countries and rest of Africa fused into one. It is usual for residents of Borno State to be in state of fear anytime that man is coming, for his visits signify trouble.