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Tag: boko haram

  • 35 killed in Army, Boko Haram clashes in Borno

    At least 35 people have been killed in two separate gun battles between Nigerian security forces and Islamist sect Boko Haram in Borno State, the army said on Monday.

    Boko Haram, which wants to impose sharia law in Nigeria’s north, and other spin-off Islamist groups, had become the biggest threat to the country’s stability, Reuters reports.

    In mid-May, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency and launched an offensive against the group in its stronghold in the northeast. The insurgency was initially weakened but remains active and is stretching the army.

    Boko Haram gunmen on Sunday attacked a police base in Bama, a town close to the Cameroon border that has been frequently hit by violence in recent months.

    “Troops have successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorist attacks on a police base in Bama … on August 4,” said military spokesman Sagir Musa.

    Musa said one policeman and 17 members of Boko Haram were killed during the fighting, while two soldiers were injured.

    He said four trucks, three motorbikes, dozens of explosive devices, three rocket-propelled grenades, 10 AK47 rifles and over 100 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the Islamists.

    Boko Haram members also attacked a military base in the town of Malam Fatori, triggering a gun battle that left two soldiers and 15 of its members dead, Musa said.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Police commence 24-hour patrol of Jigawa schools

    Oforestall any possible attack on schools in Jigawa State, the state police command has directed a 24-hour surveillance and patrol around all secondary schools across the state. This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Theophilus, while addressing newsmen at the end of a special security meeting between police, officials of the ministry of education and school principals, held yesterday in Dutse, the state capital. He said the measure became necessary to prevent any possible attack on schools in the state, and charged all Area Commanders (AC) and Divisional Police Officers (DPO) to collaborate with authorities and stakeholders. The police boss, however, urged the state government to erect security fences around all schools in the state to curtail unnecessary intrusion into the schools. He said security is the responsibility of all the residents of the state, and urged all school principals, stakeholders and the general public to be proactive and alert the police on any strange movement around them. In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Haruna Wakili, said the state is ready to provide all necessary support to security agencies.

  • CAN: Boko Haram kills 16 in Borno church

    CAN: Boko Haram kills 16 in Borno church

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor yesterday alleged that Boko Haram members handcuffed and burnt to death 16 Christians in a church in Biu, Borno State.

    CAN, in a statement, said Pastor Oritsejafor was saddened by the twin explosions by Boko Haram in Kano metropolis where about 53 people were killed and scores injured.

    The statement by Pastor Oritsejafor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kenny Ashaka, said: “He is particularly traumatised by the unreported news from Biu in Borno State that 16 Christians were handcuffed and burnt to death by members of the Boko Haram sect within the precinct of a church in the ancient city on Sunday, a day before one of the explosions in Kano went off at the Christ Salvation Pentecostal Church at the peak of evening worship.

    “On behalf of CAN, the President commiserates with the victims of the bomb attack, the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Kano and Biu tragedies and insists that these happenings are a further confirmation that the primary targets of the Boko Haram sect are Christians and their churches. He prays that God should grant unto the families of the departed the grace of comfort at this trying moment.

    “Pastor Oritsejafor says with the bombing of the Pentecostal Church, the killing of non-indigenes of Christian faith in Kano and the 16 Christians burnt to death in Biu, the Federal Government should consider the handshake to the Islamic militant group as having extended beyond the elbow.”

    According to him, the Boko Haram sect is becoming more untrustworthy and that this latest killings of non-indigenes and Christians in their places of worship have further stirred the sensibilities of the people, adding that “with the persistent and continuing attacks on innocent Nigerians who are largely non-indigenes and churches in the northern part of the country for four years on by the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, the need for an all-round strategy to rein in the Islamic insurgents has become more persuasive now more than ever before.

    “We in CAN commend officers and men of the special forces for taking extra-ordinary steps to protect the lives and property of innocent Nigerians.

    “The police and the State Security Service, SSS, should do the same and, in addition, sharpen their investigative skills. As it is, we would not be wrong to think that those who buy the extreme ideologies of the Boko Haram sect have infiltrated the ranks of all the security arms of the nation as intelligence sharing and management seem thwarted by agents of the sect within the system.

    “If personalities who do not have the mandate of the people speak as though representing them, those mushrooming as champions of the North would also add to inspire the terrorist into action against those who are from other regions and religions.

    “In the meantime, we plead with Islamic scholars to begin to restructure the unsymmetrical unity among them which has manifested in the evolution of five denominational ideologies, namely Suni, Shia, Tijania, Izala and Ahmadiyya. The real Islam that CAN knows should make true leaders of the faith to rectify the contradictions of arbitrary knowledge of the Qur’an to remind those pushed out of the line to seek the good of all.

    “Having waved the olive branch, constituted a committee to dialogue with the result that more Nigerians, especially Christians, are being killed during the month of Ramadan, CAN believes that her members are targeted for annihilation. This is a war of ethnic and religious cleansing by the Islamic fundamentalists. There is, currently, a particularly tiny tribe of contaminous and irascible Islamic clerics who take delight in inflaming passions. We urge them to keep passion aside and rally behind the Special Forces in order to defeat the current enemy. We urge them to tone down their rhetorics and take more and far reaching actions that would see an end to this undeserved violence on innocent Nigerians.

    “By doing this, they will be joining the league of the ‘civilian JTF in Borno State’ who have since been fired by nationalistic fervour to fight against terrorists. They should not throw barbs when the Northeast part of the northern region is a hotbed of the terrorists. As true believers in the fact that fundamentalism and terrorism are not of Islam, fearlessness, courage and determination should be their major weapons. Once again, we appeal to well meaning Nigerians, friendly nations in Africa and indeed the international community to come to the aid of Nigeria in her bid to stem this evil tide of violence.”

  • Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    Boko Haram leader, others captured in Niger Republic

    The Defence Headquarters on Thursday gave insights into how a Boko Haram leader and other suspected members of the sect were captured in Niger Republic.

    All the suspects are presently undergoing interrogation in an unnamed military facility.

    According to a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the breakthrough was recorded through intelligence gathering.

    He said the intention of the sect leader and those arrested was to rearm from Niger Republic and launch deadly attacks on Nigerian communities.

    The statement said: “The plan by a band of terrorists who relocated to Niger Republic to remobilize and rearm insurgents with the aim of carrying out fresh terrorists attacks on some Nigerian communities has been foiled.

    “The leader of the group who had fled Nigeria when the terrorist camps were sacked was reportedly recruiting fresh hands and training them for renewed terrorist activities in Nigeria.

    “The intention of the group is to focus its attacks on some towns around the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.”

    “Intelligence operatives of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had been on the trail of the leader until he was eventually arrested in Karanga, Niger Republic on Saturday with the cooperation of Nigerien forces.

    “His other accomplices were later picked up in other villages in Nigeria. They are currently being interrogated.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, added: “Investigation revealed that following their dislodgement from their camps in Nigeria, the Boko Haram leader relocated to Niger Republic with his cell members.

    “While in Niger Republic, they tried to regroup and recruit more hands to be able to attack Nigerian communities. When we got intelligence report, we contacted our Nigerien counterpart. The Boko Haram suspects were trailed and their leader was captured.

    “We succeeded in arresting other members of the cell and they were brought down to Nigeria from Niger.”

     

     

  • No room for complacency

    No room for complacency

    Kano bombings, an indication that the terror war is far from over

    THERE is no doubt that the on-going massive military offensive against the Boko Haram terrorist group, attendant on the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan has substantially crippled the capacity and capability of the extreme sect to wreak violence on the horrendous scale hitherto witnessed, particularly in the North-East zone of the country. Yet, the multiple explosions that rocked the Sabon-Gari area of Kano on Monday night, claiming at least 45 lives, according to community leaders, shows that it is still a long way to victory over terror in the country, and there must be no room for complacency. As their fortified strongholds in the North-East are routed by the Nigerian military, the Islamic extremists will naturally get more desperate as well as operate more randomly, arbitrarily and unpredictably in a way that can maximally undermine the country’s cohesion. It is certainly not by accident that the explosions in Kano were targeted at the Sabon-Gari area, mostly populated by non-indigenes. The Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, was thus right when he described the barbaric act as an attack on Nigeria. In his words, “This attack on Sabon-Gari is an attack on Nigeria because Muslims and Christians are involved. Several people of different ethnic extractions have either lost their lives or are critically injured. Whoever did this thing targeted Nigeria”. Political leaders and security strategists should, therefore, expect that the extremist sect will, in future, most likely strike in ways that can incite inter-ethnic, religious and regional animosity and strife. It is important to keep on enlightening Nigerians to see through the sect’s antics and refuse to fall for any such bait by maintaining the peace no matter the provocation. Also instructive is the observation of a community leader in Kano, Prince Ajayi Memaiyetan, that “What happened is that for the past two months, we in Kano have been enjoying the peace of the graveyard. We are waiting for security agencies to give us details on what really happened … The truth is that the security is not as effective as before because of the lull in attacks”. Increasing successes of the security agencies in containing the Boko Haram menace will, therefore, breed fresh challenges of its own that the authorities must be ready to tackle by continuing to fine-tune their anti-terror strategies in accordance with changing situations. At no time can we afford a lull in security alertness in any part of the country because the war on terror cannot be over until the extremists are completely subdued. The recent arrest of 42 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos and Ogun states adds a dangerous dimension to the saga of terrorism in the country. It is an indication that the sect plans to extend its destructive activities, so far limited to the North, to other parts of the country. We commend the vigilance of the security agencies which, acting on intelligence reports, apprehended the suspects at Ibafo trailer park and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State, as well as such locations as Aviation Quarters, Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile Trailer Park and the Bar Beach, all in Lagos. This kind of efficiency was also evident in March and June, respectively, when Boko Haram suspects were arrested in Ijora-Badia and Kotankowa areas of Lagos before carrying out their alleged plan to bomb specified designations in the state. While urging the security agencies to remain vigilant as well as continue to sharpen their intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency skills, we also call on the political authorities to expedite the pace of economic recovery in order to create jobs, boost prosperity and reduce the capacity of terror groups to recruit new members.

  • We need a new amnesty

    Law and grace are essential aspects of society. Law prescribes sanctions to ensure social order. But grace advocates pardon, compassion and unmerited favour. Through grace, we exhibit the divine nature replicated in man. So, amnesty is the law of grace. But what is the essence of a pardon without penitence?

    Now, wisdom demands we put cause and effect in perspective. You don’t take mounds of sedatives to cure an HIV infection. More so, the salvation of a part does not translate into the redemption of a whole. So, amnesty is like throwing flesh to a group of starving lions and expecting the rest to look on while one of them devours the whole food. What about other disgruntled elements who could be potential terrorists? What programme has been put in place to engage the jobless youth languishing in the brooks of Ughelli or the miserable lad wasting away in the turbulent regions of Borno? So, we need amnesty for various classes of Nigerians.

    We need amnesty for victims of terrorist attacks. I am yet to see any touching narrative about the family in Kogi State who lost their breadwinner in a church bombing or the young man in Bauchi who has be turned into a wretched orphan by Boko Haram. What about the innocent girl who lost members of her family in one fell swoop in Mandala bombing? You could see despair from the rivulets of tears dripping from her eyes. There must be re-integration plans to assimilate this sort of persons into the larger society. They should not be left to gnash their teeth alone. Society should assure their survival and security.

    We need amnesty for bright kids whose educational pursuit is hampered by the claws of poverty. We need to revisit our scholarship schemes and put our brilliant kids back to school. Nigeria is endowed with smart kids who can give the likes of Larry Page or Mark Zuckerberg a run for the money. Check out the Young Inventors programme on NTA network and you will appreciate the ingenuity of Nigerian youth in providing real-time solutions to problems. But many of them are victims of a society that has no regard for the poor. Rather, they are left to blush unseen and waste away their sweetness in the desert air, as poet Thomas Gray noted.

    We need amnesty to save our helpless undergraduates. Many of them still live in the 70s since lecturers still pride in an outdated curriculum. They lack employability skills and attitudes to thrive in what Peter Drucker called the Knowledge Society. We need massive reforms in our tertiary education. We need a 21st Century education that is relevant, enduring and problem-solving. That is why John F. Kennedy asserted that ‘’our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.’’ Let’s save them.

    We need amnesty for morally vulnerable Nigerians. We can create social security nets especially for the elderly and the handicapped. Many of these folks served the nation in their prime. Some of them fought wars and defended Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Others were the denizens of the once-efficient Nigerian Civil Service. We have to cultivate a genuine culture of reward for excellence, service and sacrifice. That’s how to restore patriotism in a people.

    We need amnesty to revive the reading culture in the country. A society can only lead as it reads. Today, the average Nigerian lacks the patience to read a scanty page in a newspaper. We are what a writer called a generation in a hurry. We have no appreciation for history. We have no understanding of our civilization. We need organisations that would include literary initiatives in their corporate social responsibility to stir our creative energies. We are tired of spending 90 days watching nudity and sexual provocations in the name of reality shows. These sort shows do not build society. Rather, it destroys civilisation.

    We need amnesty to revive various sectors of our economy. This could come in form of a stimulus package that is clear and well-thought out. Power generation, for instance, is still very poor. If South Africa with a population of about 49 million people can boast of 45, 000 megawatts, then it is appalling that a nation of over 160 million people cannot generate 5,000 megawatts. So, what is the hope for small businesses? How does a next-door barber or welder cope? We need amnesty to save these segments from collapse.

    The palliatives of amnesty should not be limited to militants and rebels alone. It should be extended to these vulnerable Nigerians. We can shine this light of hope and defeat the forces of darkness. A package like amnesty is enough to work the miracle. Nigeria needs an amnesty that provides answers to our collective existence as a people. It is the amnesty of healing tribal, political and religious wounds. It is the amnesty of reconciliation and social rehabilitation. We need a new amnesty.

     

    Gilbert, 400-Level Foreign Languages, UNIBEN

  • Arewa to Boko Haram: Let’s give peace a chance

    Arewa to Boko Haram: Let’s give peace a chance

    The pan northern socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Tuesday asked those involved in violent activities in the country to embrace the offer of dialogue and give peace a chance in the overall interest of the country.

    Reacting to Monday’s explosion in Kano which claimed many lives, the ACF in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani ,said violence has never been the solution to perceived grievances anywhere in the world.

    While expressing shock over the explosion coming at a time when Muslims were observing the holy month of Ramadan, the forum said that such killings have no place in any religion and in any decent society.

    The statement reads: “the ACF is shocked and sad over the reports of four bomb explosions which killed and wounded many people on Monday in Kano.

    “The killing of innocent people had no place in all religions and in decent societies; and amounts to desecration of the month of Ramadan. They should, therefore, be condemned by all those who cherish core values of peaceful societies like freedom, justice and common decency.

    “It is still the considered opinion of ACF that violence can never resolve any perceived grievances, besides inflicting pains and self-immolation and destruction of innocent people.

    “Only constructive engagement can address concerns positively. Many examples abound across the world that support this contention. That is why ACF would not be tired of asking perpetrators of violence to avail themselves the offer of dialogue by the government for the good of all.

    “This is because there is no alternative to peaceful coexistence needed for the socio economic development of this large country that holds a lot of promises to generations to come. Let us give peace a chance.

    “Our heart goes to the government and people of Kano State, is with those who lost their loved ones, is with those who have been wounded and is with those who lost properties.”

     

  • 42 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos, Ogun

    42 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos, Ogun

    Army alleges plot to attack Southwest

    20 feared dead in Kano bombings

    Forty-two suspected Boko Haram members were paraded yesterday by the Army in Lagos.

    They were arrested in various parts of Lagos and Ogun states, after fleeing the military intervention in some parts of the North. The suspects were arrested between July 12 and 23.

    Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the 81 Division, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Gen. Obi Umahi, said they were seized during raids done in conjunction with intelligence operatives following plans by the sect to unleash terror in parts of the Southwest.

    One of the suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar Bori, said they took part in several major operations in Borno State, where several military personnel and civilians have been killed since the insurgency started in 2009.

    “We were involved in several major operations in Maiduguri, where several security agents and civilians were killed.

    “I and some others here were recruited by Mallam Hassan Ibrahim.”

    Ibrahim, 22, admitted recruiting some of the suspects and disclosed that he went with Ibrahim Ismaili and Alhaji Black to kill a soldier and a man described as Buka.

    He said: “We rode in a tricycle and it was Alhaji Black that pulled the trigger.

    “I met both Ismaili and Alhaji Black in Lagos, while I was riding Okada. We all went to Maiduguri, where we carried out some operations.”

    However, some of the suspects denied being terrorists, alleging that they had been in Lagos for many years.

    Black, who was indicted by Ismaili, said he had been staying in Lagos for about five years, riding Okada (commercial motorcycle).

    He said the army came to Kirikiri to arrest some suspects and he was taken along with them.

    The Army said the raids were conducted at Ibafo trailer park and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State; Aviation Quarters at Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile Trailer Park; Lekki new extension and Bar Beach, which are fast becoming Boko Haram terrorist enclaves.

    Gen. Umahi said the suspects, who were arrested at various intervals, gave information that led to the arrest of others.

    The GOC reiterated security agencies’ determination to rid Nigeria of terrorists, adding that the suspects would be handed over to security agencies.

    Gen. Umahi, however, refused to disclose if weapons were recovered during the raids.

    He said: “In response to intelligence report on the influx of Boko Haram terrorist elements into Lagos and Ogun states, 81 Division headquarters organised and conducted raids with intelligence operatives in these states between July 12 and 23.

    “The Boko Haram trickling influx is adduced to their plan to unleash terror in some parts of the Southwest.

    “During interrogation, they confessed to have participated in various major terrorist attacks in the North, especially Maiduguri, where majority of the suspects fled from.

    “We are bent on ensuring that Lagos and its environs remain safe for Nigerians and will not hesitate to fish out criminals,” Gen. Umahi said.

    Security agents March 14, raided Ijora Badia, Lagos following intelligence reports, which led to the arrest of over 14 suspected Boko Haram members.

    The suspects were said to have disclosed during interrogation, their planned massive attacks on Lagos, with designated 16 landmarks slated for simultaneous bomb blasts.

    That foiled attack was the second in March. No fewer than three suspected Shiite sect members were arrested in Illorin, the Kwara State capital in February, with the allegation that they had plans to bomb Israeli and America’s interest in Lagos.

    The group allegedly planned attacks on the Lagos offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Haifa-based ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Limited and the Jewish Cultural Centre.

    Also in June, the army said it arrested about 15 Boko Haram suspects at various parts of the metropolis, with most of them arrested at Ijora Badia and Kotankowa areas between February and May, who were handed over to security agencies.

    Sophisticated weapons were recovered including explosives and remote controls during the previous raids

    The vehicles that were to be used to transport the bombs to their designated places were also among other items recovered during the raid.

    When the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security, visited Lagos, it emerged that about 104 Boko Haram members arrested in the Northern part of the country, were being detained in Lagos prisons.

  • Army parades 42 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos

    Army parades 42 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos

    …Suspects confirm involvement in major operations

    The Nigerian Army on Monday paraded 42 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in different parts of Lagos and Ogun States.

    They were said to have fled the ongoing military intervention in some parts of the north and were arrested between July 12 and 23.

    Parading the suspects at the headquarters of 81 Division, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Gen. Obi Umahi said the organised raid, was done in conjunction with intelligence operatives.

    The suspects were said to be planning  to unleash terror in parts of the South West, including 81 Division’s area of operations.

    He said the raids were conducted at Ibafo trailer park  and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State;  Aviation quarters at Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile trailer park; Lekki new extension and Bar beech, which are fast becoming Boko Haram terrorist enclaves.

    Umahi said at interrogation, the suspects who were arrested at different intervals gave useful information that led to the clamping down on others.

    The GOC reiterated security agencies’ determination to rid the country of terrorists, adding that the suspects will be handed over to relevant agencies.

    He however refused to disclose if weapons were recovered during the raid, “The Boko Haram trickling influx is adduced to their plan to unleash terror in some parts of the South West.”

    Meanwhile, one of the arrested suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar Bori, confirmed to newsmen that they took part in several major operations in Borno State, where several military personnel and civilians have been killed since the insurgency stated in 2009.

     

  • Boko Haram: Special Forces regain control of 25 LGAs in Borno

    Boko Haram: Special Forces regain control of 25 LGAs in Borno

    •Military: No GSM restoration yet in Borno

    Twenty-five of the 27 local government areas of Borno State controlled by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have been reclaimed by the Special Forces deployed to restore order in the state as well as Adamawa and Yobe under the state of emergency in parts of the Northeast.

    Operations are intensifying in the remaining two local government areas – Magumeri and Gwoza- to flush out the insurgents, it was gathered yesterday in Abuja.

    The sect members are said to have bases in Gwoza hills.

    A reliable source said the Special Operation against the insurgents has recorded a huge success.

    However, the claim could not be independently confirmed.

    The source said: “The Special Forces have chased away the Boko Haram insurgents from 25 out of 27 Local Government Areas in Borno State. So, the troops have secured a substantial part of the state. We have also restored people’s confidence in the system.

    “The final battle is focused on Magumeri and Gwoza LGAs in the state, especially within the hilly terrain in Gwoza. It is a question of weeks before we rout out the insurgents in these hilly areas.

    “The challenge in Gwoza is informed by the fact that some locals are cooperating with the Boko Haram sect but this will be a thing of the past soon. They have brainwashed some of the locals that they are fighting a cause to Islamise Nigeria. These locals in Gwoza have bought into this idea of Islamising the country but the situation is changing in the past two weeks.”

    But a military source said: “I don’t think it is appropriate to say that we have regained the control of some LGAs from Boko Haram because they were never in control. Do not glorify the insurgents as if they had ever taken control of a part of Nigeria. We have addressed the insurgency; we have substantially chased away Boko Haram members from Borno State.

    “The mandate of the Special Forces involves asserting the territorial integrity of Nigeria and they have done very well in the three states under emergency rule. We have some remnants still lurking around some hilly places but we will deal with them. Everywhere is just being combed now to finally chase them out.”

    On GSM services in Borno State, the military source added: “Time is not ripe.”

    When contacted, the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the Special Operation in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states had achieved its target of tackling insurgency.

    He said: “To the best of our understanding, the operation has achieved its objective. A major testimony to the success of the operation is the improved socio-economic life of the people of the states covered by the emergency and the increased confidence in the military and security agencies which we now see in terms of cooperation from the populace.”

    He, however, explained that the security situation in Borno State has not given room for the restoration of GSM services.

    “When the security analysis of the environment confirms that the GSM service should be restored, we will do so immediately,” he said.

    Olukolade said in spite of the success achieved by the Special Forces, they are not relaxing.

    He said: “The tempo of the Special Operation is still maintained everywhere, it is not as if we have relaxed. Anywhere there are insurgents, we will chase them out accordingly.”

    The state of emergency was declared in May by President Goodluck Jonathan in response to the then growing threat to national security by terrorists.