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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram: NAF Jets destroys meeting venue, Kill insurgents

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) disclosed on Monday that Boko Haram meeting place at Jabullam in Borno state has been destroyed with air strikes.

    The Spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the strikes were conducted through the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole after an intelligence report had established the presence of the terrorists in the buildings.

    Air Commodore Daramola also said some terrorists were killed during the air strikes.

    The statement reads: ” The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) meeting venue at Jabullam in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was carried out on 28 September 2018 following credible human intelligence reports indicating that some buildings within the settlement were being used for meetings attended by BHT leaders.

    “Accordingly, following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which identified the target building and surrounding structures, the ATF detailed a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, which attacked the location and recorded direct hits on the target leading to the obliteration of the building and neutralization of the BHT occupants. ”

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the momentum of operations with a view to destroying remnants of the terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.

     

  • Boko Haram kills commander over surrender bid with 300 captives

    A high ranking Boko Haram Commander has been killed by his colleagues following his secret plans to surrender.

    A credible source disclosed his colleagues were more angered after they discovered he planned to surrender and escape with about 300 captives from their camp.

    The source gave the name of the commander as Ali Garga, a Fulani man from Taraba who was forcefully conscripted by the Mamman Nur’s faction three years ago after his cows were seized by the insurgents.

    The source added Gaga became a very priceless asset for the camp because of the extraordinary geographical knowledge of the busy terrain in the northeast that he possessed as a herdsman.

    “Gaga was trained how to fight wars and engage in combat operations.

    “He also possessed an extra ordinary ability of knowing the terrains because he was a herdsman.

    “This elevated him to a level of a Commanding Officer by the Mamman Nur’s Faction.

    “Gaga was not interested in holding captives for ransom like others.

    “What is paramount to him is getting his livestock and continue what he was doing as a herdsman and reunite with his family,” the sources explained.

    The sources also said Ali Garga was making the right contacts even with foreign influencers to facilitate those who would rescue him and others before he was killed.

  • Buhari welcomes OIC’s support in fight against insurgency

    President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the pledge by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help Nigeria tackle Boko Haram insurgency through sound education, among others.

    The president made his position known during a bilateral meeting on Thursday, with OIC Secretary-General, Youssef Ahmed Al-Othaimeen.

    The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the meeting was held on the margins of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.

    Buhari underscored the importance of education in purging the mind of indoctrination, particularly on religion.
    He noted that the problem in Nigeria was aggravated by climate change and population explosion.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari assures Nigerians in diaspora

    The Nigerian leader emphasised the need for the recharge of Lake Chad through inter-basin water transfer, “to take care of about 45 million people who depend on the lake for agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, and many others”.

    The OIC scribe had told the Nigerian president that the organisation had passed a resolution committing member states to support Nigeria in combating extremism.

    He said that the body was ready to use its facilities and institutions to correct the wrong narrative that the Boko Haram insurgency was about Islam.

    Al-Othaimeen, who noted that development was essential to addressing extremism, also pledged assistance for Nigeria in that respect.

  • Army inflicts heavy casualties on Boko Haram

    The Nigerian Army has inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram when they attacked Garshigar community of Mobar Local Government Area in Borno on Wednesday.

    Texas Chukwu, Army Director of Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    Chukwu stated that the insurgents, who were in nine gun trucks, were repelled by troops of 145 Battalion deployed for Operation Lafiya Dole following superior power of the vigilant troops.

    He added that “preliminary battle damage assessment reveals that the overwhelming superior power of the troops devastated the insurgents, inflicting human and equipment casualty on the insurgents which forced them to withdraw in disarray.”

    The director said that the gallant troops regrouped after the fierce encounter and dominated the general area of Garshigar and its environs with fighting patrols.

    “The good people of Mobar Local Government are urged to remain calm and be assured of troops’ commitment to provide adequate security in the general area,” he added.

  • Troops kill seven Boko Haram terrorists, rescue 73 hostages

    The Nigerian Army said Monday night that seven Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by troops while 73 hostages have been rescued during two operations.

    The operations took place in Borno State.

    The Director of Army public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that some weapons were also recovered from the terrorists.

    Read Also:Boko Haram: Ndume hails military, urges concentration on 3 black spots

    The statement reads: “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in Sector One of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have successfully neutralized 7 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and rescued 73 persons in two separate clearance operations in Sirdawala and Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu commended the troops for the feat.

    “The troops of 121 Battalion under 26 Task Force Brigade in 7 Division Area of Responsibility/Sector One recorded the victory over the terrorists following a midnight clearance operation to Sirdawala in Gwoza Local Government Area on Sunday 23 September 2018, upon receipt of intelligence that Boko Haram Terrorists where hibernating around Pulka general area.

    “Troops of 121 Battalion in rare display of professionalism tactically located, engaged and neutralized the terrorists hibernating within the community where it achieved the following: Neutralised 6 Boko Haram Terrorists, Rescued 19 persons comprised of 7 women and 12 Children and rescued some animals.

    “In a related development, the troops further proceeded on another offensive operation in the early hours of Monday 24 September 2018 to raid Boko Haram Terrorists hideout in Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area Borno State, recording huge successes as follows:

    “Neutralised one Boko Haram Terrorist, Rescued 54 persons comprised of 18 women and 34 Children.

    “Regrettably an officer sustained injury during the operation and is receiving treatment in a military facility while all the rescued persons are being managed and documented for further handover to the appropriate agency.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, has commended the gallantry of the troops through the Commander 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Sanusi Dahiru.

    “He urged the troops to maintain the aggressive posture to rout the Boko Haram Terrorists from their enclaves”.

  • Priortise Leah Sharibu’s release, NUNS tells new DSS boss 

    The leadership of National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) has hailed the appointment of Malam Yusuf Bichi as the new Director General of Department of State Service (DSS), asking the new service boss to priortise the release of the remaining Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu.

    NUNS, a splinter group of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said asked the new DSS boss to consider restructuring the service for better security of lives of Nigerians.

    The students’ union in a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Salahudeen A. Lukman described Bichi’s appointment as a round peg in a round hole, considering his antecedents in the service, his intimidating wealth of experience cum integrity and professional disposition in time past.

    According to NUNS President, “The leadership of National Union of Nigerian Students NUNS express satisfaction with President Muhammad Buhari recent appointment of Mallam Bichi as New Director General of Department of State Service DSS, it is indeed a round peg in a round hole considering the antecedent of Mr. Bichi in the service, his intimidating wealth of Experience cum integrity and professional disposition in time past convinced our leadership of his fitness to champion the security service of our dear nation.

    “While congratulating Mr. Bichi on his well-deserved appointment as DG of the DSS, we call for all and sundry support for the new DSS boss, implore Nigerians to always do away with sentiment and tribalism in the course of security appointment, competency should rather be our concern not the origination of the appointee.

    “We charge the New Director General to prioritize the reunion of Leah Shuaib with her family as she remains the only Dapchi School girl left with Boko Haram since the release of her colleagues kidnapped by the terrorist group over 120 days ago as well ensure restructuring of the service for more professionalism in the course of providing security for Nigerians.

    “In the same vein, NUNS leadership congratulate the newly elected President of Nigerian Football Federation NFF, Dr. Amaju Pinick, his reelection is a reward for excellent performance in the first tenure, we call on the NFF to deepen football talent hunt in our various Tertiary institutions games, this will ensue discovery of more talented players who can make Nigeria more proud in all competitions.

    “We call on the honorable Minister of sport and Youth Development to embrace the newly elected leadership of NFF led by Amaju Pinick and move Nigeria sport sector forward.” NUNS President said.

  • Igbo Professionals applaud repel of Boko Haram

     

    The Igbo Professionals in Diaspora, has lauded the recent  landmark victory of the troops of the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents in some communities it described as the black spots of the insurgent group, in the North Eastern part of the country.

    Reacting to the Nigerian Army’s recent operations which foiled the attempt by the terrorist group, to recapture some liberated towns in Borno  State, leader of the Igbo group, Engr. Fidelis Nze KSR, described the army’s effort, led by the Chief of Army Staff,  as a milestone in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

    It said this latest development also justifies the group’s believe, that the Nigerian  military is truly fully in control and have maintained his victory over the Boko Haram.

     

    Read also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

     

    “We wish to salute the men and officers of the Nigerian Army for their untiring and gallant commitment at making the Boko Haram insurgents feel the tremendous heat of our military power, which has been unleashed on them; therefore, ensuring further Return Of peace and stability to the Northeast and other insurgency ravaged part of our country”

    The group also decried what it termed as the mischievous reportage of the war against terrorism by some sponsored medium and their foreign collaborators. It said the actions of the said media organizations, are aimed at disparaging the efforts of the Buhari’s administration, towards ending the insurgency, while tacitly emboldening the terrorists.

    The group also lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for continually providing leadership for the Army by being in  the frontlines always, thereby justifying President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise  of leading the war against terrorism in the country, from the front at all times.

     

     

  • Deal mercilessly with Boko Haram, Theatre Commander tells troops

    Maj.-Gen. Abbah Dikko, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole has ordered troops to mercilessly deal with Boko Haram whenever they attack any military formation

    Dikko gave the order while addressing troops of Sector 3 conducting Operation LAST HOLD in Munguno on Friday.

    The commander described a great achievements  the successes recorded during the counter-attack in Damasak where Boko Haram fighters were outgunned and their equipment recovered while attempting to attack 145 Battalion.

    He charged the troops to be more committed, focused and proactive in the conduct of their operations.

    He explained that troops of the Rapid Development Force (RDF) will soon arrive Kinnasara Cantonment, Monguno for deployment to support the ongoing operations.

    Dikko added that the command would also organise an in-house training on counter terrorism campaign for new troops that would be deployed to the sector.

    The Acting Commander Sector 3 Brig. Gen. Uwem Bassey, also promised that the Sector will continue to maintain high level of fighting spirit and professionalism which the Nigerian Army is known for.

    Bassey praised the recent feats recorded by troops and hoped they would ginger troops of the sector to put in more efforts.(NAN)

  • NGO urges humanitarian workers to defeat Boko Haram’s tactics

     

    A Non Governmental Organization, the Peace , Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Initiative, PRRI has urged local and International aid workers to put to an end Boko Haram scare tactics.
    The group also condemned in strong terms the killing by the dreaded Boko Haram sect of one its captive, Saifura Khorsa of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) saying that it is time that the world apply pressure in the right places to end the bloodthirsty activities of what is left of the terrorist group.
    PRRI Media Officer, Bukola Olasanmi in a statement issued today in Lagos said the greatest tribute the nation can pay to Saifura is to ensure that terrorism does not win and that the murderers that cut short the life she had devoted to caring for others are hauled before the law to answer for their crime.
    She said, ” We must not allow terrorism to win by falling into fear as the terrorists intended.
    “If Boko Haram intended to scare off intervention and aid workers from helping people in the northeast, we at PRRI have resolved to react different from what the terrorists expected by continuing to provide succour to the communities they have afflicted and we believe that other aid agencies will join in sending similar clear messages to them that humanity will always triumph over the barbaric path they tread”she added
    The PRRI Media Officer urged local and international aid workers not to be deterred by Boko Haram’s twisted action in killing a care giver, something she described as a taboo even in situation of full blown war.
    She said this perverted action of the terrorists should open the eyes of those that have passively advocated for them to see from a better perspective the threat they constitute not just to the immediate geographical area where they are now confined but to the entire world if stakeholders delay further in finding closure by urging decisive action against them.

    Read Also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

    “We encourage NGOs that already work in the northeast to continue supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including those that have elected to return home to areas that have been totally cleared by the Nigerian Army.
    ” It is important that they are reassured and not allowed to become despondent by panic reactions.
    “PRRI invites the Bring Back Our Girls group (BBOG), Amnesty International and other groups that have sustained advocacy for those being held captive by Boko Haram to explore new tactics that take the advocacy from the comfort of the nation’s capital to and move into the trenches, closer to the theatre of unfolding events in the hope that this will strike a chord and yield results.
    “The expectation is that Amnesty International will, with the dispatch it is known for, approach the International Criminal Court – directly or through its affiliates – to file a petition of war crime and crime against humanity against Boko Haram.
    “This should have the strategic benefit of helping to further isolate the group and criminalize any entity that might still have dealings with it”she said
    PRRI also appealed to the international community and the United Nations Security Council to activate a process of unmasking the foreign countries and international interests that have been reported to be aiding Boko Haram with a view to getting them to cut off such support in view of the sacrilegious act that the terrorists have committed by killing an aid worker.
    “Our position is summed up as there is need to make the repercussions for this singular sad incident costly for Boko Haram and it must be done immediately”she concluded

  • Boko Haram: ANRP expresses ‘deep sadness’ over murder of Saifaura

    Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party ( ANRP ) has expressed `deep sadness’ over the murder of Saifura Hussaini Ahmed, a midwife and humanitarian worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Borno by Boko Haram.

    Mr Sesugh Akume, the National Publicity Secretary, ANRP, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja expressed deep condolences to the family and loved ones of Saifura, and wished them the strength to bear the loss.

    The late Saifura Hussaini was abducted by the terrorists on March 1, alongside two other colleagues, Alice Loksha Nggadah of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Hauwa Muhammad Liman, also of ICRC.

    Akume said that images of Saifura Hussaini had early been released by the terrorists before and after she was gruesomely shot in the head.

    He said that messages warning that the same fate would befall the other two abductees in the next one month if nothing was done were also released.

    It would be recalled that the three aid workers had released messages, one handwritten note, and the other a voice message pleading to their employers, their families, and President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure their rescue.

    “We were there for the vulnerable but now we are vulnerable,” they had cried out.

    Akume expressed disappointment at the manner in which the international aid agencies, ICRC and UNICEF had handled the unfortunate incident.

    Read Also: Army tightens noose on Boko Haram terrorists, says Buratai

    “This was rather handled in a lackadaisical manner leading to the murder of one of the abductees,’’ he said.

    He lamented that such agencies had a dichotomy between ‘expatriate’ and ‘local’ staff, noting that the three compatriots were deemed local staff and therefore treated as such.

    Akume expressed doubts that the treatment the three compatriots received would not have been accorded them if they staff from other countries.

    He insisted that all lives mattered equally and must be accorded same dignity and importance.

    He expressed disappointment at the manner the Federal Government had attended to the matter, noting that there was no communication on the murder of its citizen and the fate of those in captivity.

    “The president has not only been silent but has been occupied with political activities in the light of this gruesome murder of its citizen.

    “This insensitivity of our collective conscience and consciousness, as well as trivialising the lives of Nigerians stand vehemently condemned.

    “We appeal to Mr President to come to the aid and rescue of the life of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He said that the threat to murder Sufaira’s colleagues and other dear compatriots in captivity should not be allowed to happen and urged that all necessary measures to ensure their safe release should be adopted.