The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Jang vows to tackle Boko Haram, herdsmen killings

    One of the presidential aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jonah Jang, has vowed to effectively tackle the bloody attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents and herdsmen in the country.

    Jang, who was on Monday at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP where he submitted his nomination forms, said with the killings, Nigeria was gradually becoming a Banana Republic.

    He lamented a situation where stories of killings of innocent citizens in different parts of the country dominate media reports almost on a daily basis.

    Said he, “Our people have been suffering ‎in the Northeast unabatedly. We have been told that Book Haram have been defeated at one stage, the moment they make such announcement, you will get to know that Boko Haram has either even taken over a military unit or have ambushed our soldiers”.

    The former Plateau State governor was of the view that restructuring the country would go a long way in addressing the various social, economic and security challenges.

    “There is total imbalance in the federation and the federal system must be such that all the units of the federation must  be established in such a way that there will be proper power sharing.

    “The administrative machinery of the various local governments, states and the federal government work in such synergy that can ensure development of this country.

    Read Also: The continuous Boko Haram attack

    “I intend to get the former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s conference’s report and get the stakeholders again to look at it, so that whatever areas that need to be negotiated will be negotiated.

    “For that, we can now send a bill to the National Assembly for the amendment of the Constitution so that we can now bring in restructuring

    “And in this restructuring, the security will be looked at because  I believe that the military has to go back to its traditional role and be re-organised properly”, Jang added

    The aspirant decried the federal government’s borrowing spree, particularly from foreign countries, saying some of the loans obtained by the government were not necessary.

    Jang said, “We have both human and material resources to run this country so enough of this borrowing. We are just borrowing without seeing ‎what is being done with the money and we are going to leave our generations with a lot of problems.

    “I want to believe that some of these borrowings that we are doing like building the railways, even building the roads can be done by Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    “There are people who want to come and participate in the economy of Nigeria not that we have to borrow money to do it”.

    Senator Jang also harped on the need to practically fight corruption in the system, saying however that if elected President, he would adopt a different approach.

    “Fighting corruption will be our priority but not the way this administration is fighting it. The EFCC and the ICPC are not established to just follow a political opponent.

    “These organization’s must be properly organised so that they can work according to international standards”, he said.

  • Air Force launches more attacks on Boko Haram in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Air Force said yesterday that the air strikes against the Boko Haram Terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and Sambisa forest are being sustained through Operation Thunder Strike II to ensure that the remnants of the insurgents are completely degraded.

    The Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the attacks on the insurgents at Kollaram and Bula Korege within Sambisa were conducted after the Intelligence, Survaillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms had established the presence of the terrorists in the areas.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: ”  As Operation THUNDER STRIKE 2 entered Day 5 yesterday, 7 September 2018, the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded another set of successful air interdiction missions against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) targets at Kollaram on the Lake Chad Green fringes as well as Bula Korege within Sambisa Forest.

    ” The attack at Kollaram was conducted following successive days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, coupled with Human Intelligence reports, that led to the identification of a BHT hideout within the settlement. Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ hideout which was destroyed and several BHTs killed.

    ”  Further ISR missions  had also observed significant BHT presence in the middle of Bula Korege on the fringes of Sambisa Forest, with several buildings identified as locations where some BHT leaders reportedly resided. Consequently, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft and 2 helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction at the location.

    “The attacks by the fighter jets destroyed about 12 BHT dwellings and several solar panels in the area of interest. A few BHT survivors were seen fleeing the area and appropriately engaged by the Mi-35M helicopter gunships. The NAF will sustain the momentum of the operation with a view to decimating the remnants of the insurgents”.

  • Troops lauded for repelling Boko Haram attack in Guzamala

    Brig. Gen. Uwem Bassey, Commander Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE has lauded troops deployed at Gudumbali, Guzamala for gallantly  repelling Boko Haram  attack on the military base on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), report that scores of jihadists in gun trucks and carrying various calibre of arms, stormed the town and engaged the troops in fierce battle that lasted for many hours.

    NAN learnt  that the fighters were said to be with the Boko Haram faction under the leadership of Abu-Mosad Al-Barnawi.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director Army Public Relations, said Bassey commended the troops during an assessment visit to Gundumbali.

    “The Commander urged the troops to continue to remain courageous while confronting the insurgents,”he said.

    Chukwu provided more details of the incident. He said that the insurgents came to extort, terrorise law abiding citizens as well as to attack the military base in the town.

    However, they met a serious resistance by the gallant troops.

    He did not disclose the figure of casualty or injuries sustained from both parties during the attack.

    “The troops inflicted  overwhelming casualty on the terrorists due to superior fire power while some of the terrorists fled  to the fringes of Lake Chad,” he said.

    According to him, efforts are on by the troops to get other fleeing members of the terrorists group.

    He advised locals in the area to be vigilant and  carry out their legitimate businesses in their communities as well as  report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest military base.

    NAN reports that the residents  of Magumeri were yet to recover from the panic caused by  Saturday’s  attack, as many of them have relocated  to Gubio and Monguno.

    NAN recalled that about 2,000 IDPs comprising of 200 households had returned to Guzamala to resettle and resume their traditional occupation of farming and fishing, as well as other socio-economic activities following relative peace.

    But the peace was broken Saturday when scores of insurgents in gun trucks and bearing various calibre of arms stormed the town and engaged the troops in fierce battle that lasted for many hours.

    Malam Bukar Mele, who escaped from the fighting, told NAN that the attackers invaded the town unexpectedly and asked the villagers to run away for their lives.

    Mele said he immediately took his family and began running just as they (Boko Haram) instructed the residents, leaving behind his belongings.

    “They told us in Kanuri to vacate the place so that what they came to do will not affect us. So we all took to our heels in different directions for safety,’’ he said.

    Mr Abdul Bari, another local in the area, said the insurgents assured that they did not come with intention to kill civilians.

    “Their target was the military and not civilians. This is what they told us as they ask us to get out of their sight within a blink of an eye. The insurgents were fully kitted with khaki and covered their faces.

    “After one minute, they began shooting from the gun truck facing the military location. There were sounds of sporadic gunshots from many directions. I don’t know what happened but the army was engaging with the terrorists,” he said.

    Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, the Deputy Governor of the state, who confirmed the development, said security forces were on top of the situation.

    “It is unfortunate to confirm to you that there was an attack by Boko Haram extremists on a military base and other communities of Gudumbali.

    “Thousands of the people who were displaced and spent some years in resettlement camps in Maiduguri have returned back recently after the liberation of those surrounding communities by our gallant security forces.

    “I regret to inform you that there was another attack by insurgents in Gudumbali, but I am yet to get the number of casualties.

    “I just spoke with the Police Commissioner, Mr Damian Chukwu, and the Brigade Commander in Monguno. Both confirmed to me that the attack actually took place, and our security forces were on top of the situation,” Durkwa said.

    Reacting, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Army Director Public Relations, who confirmed the attack on phone, said the troops had promptly repelled the attack and restored sanity in the area.

    “I can confirm that there was an attack in Gudumbali, but the situation was brought under control contrary to the report that the Boko Haram had taken total control of the area,” he said.

  • Boko Haram attacks Borno town, Guzamala

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday repelled a deadly attack on its troops by Boko Haram at Gudunbale in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno in the early hours of Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that scores of insurgents in gun trucks and various calibre of arms stormed the town and engaged in fierce battle that lasted for many hours with the troops.

    NAN learnt that the fighters were said to be with the Boko Haram faction under the leadership of Abu-Mosad Al-Barnawi.
    Malam Bukar Mele, a returnee, told NAN that the attackers invaded the town unexpectedly and asked the villagers to run away for their lives.

    Mele said he immediately took his family and began running just as they (Boko Haram) instructed the residents, leaving behind his belongings.

    “They told us in Kanuri to vacate the place so that what they came to do will not affect us. So we all took to our heels in different directions for safety,’’ he said.

    Mr Abdul Bari, another local in the area, said they insurgents assured that they did not come with intention to kill civilians.

    “Their target was the military and not civilians. This is what they told us as they ask us to get out of their sight within a blink of an eye. The insurgents were fully kitted with khaki and covered their faces.

    “After one minute, they began shooting from the gun truck facing the military location. There were sounds of sporadic gunshots from many directions. I don’t know what happened but the army was engaging with the terrorists,” he said.

    Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, the Deputy Governor of the state, who confirmed the development, said security forces were on top of the situation.

    “It is unfortunate to confirm to you that there was an attack by Boko Haram extremists on a military base and other communities of Gudumbali.

    “Thousands of the people who were displaced and spent some years in resettlement camps in Maiduguri have returned back recently after the liberation of those surrounding communities by our gallant security forces.

    “I regret to inform you that there was another attack by insurgents in Gudumbali, but I am yet to get the number of casualties.

    “I just spoke with the Police Commissioner, Mr Damian Chukwu, and the Brigade Commander in Monguno, both confirmed to me that the attack actually took place, and our security forces were on top of the situation,” Durkwa said.

    Reacting, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Army Director Public Relations, who confirmed the attack on phone, said the troops had promptly repelled the attack and restored sanity in the area.

    “I can confirm that there was an attack in Gudumbali, but the situation was brought under control contrary to the report that the Boko Haram had taken total control of the area,” he said.

    NAN recalls that about 2,000 IDPs comprising 200 households had returned to Guzamala to resettle.

    The returnees are encouraged to resume their traditional occupation of farming and fishing as well as other socio-economic activities following relative peace in the area. (NAN)

  • Boko Haram: NAF destroy terrorists’ facilities in Sambisa forest

    The Nigerian Air Force says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has successfully destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) facilities and equipment at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa forest.

    According to the Air force, ATF has also destroyed a suspected BHT ammunition depot in Kusuma on the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said that the air strikes was in continuation of OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE 2 which commenced on Sept.3.

    “The air strikes against BHTs at Alafa Yagayaga were targeted at structures within the settlement identified via previous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to be rendezvous (RV) points for the insurgents.

    “Consequently, a combination of NAF fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the locations while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).

    “The attack platforms acquired the targets and took turns to attack the location, destroying the structures and killing most of the BHTs in the process.

    “The few surviving BHTs, seen fleeing the area, were strafed and neutralised by the helicopter gunships,” he said.

    Daramola said that the attack at Kusuma was initiated, following credible intelligence indicating the presence of a BHT logistics/ammunition depot within the settlement.

    “Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ position while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted BDA.”

    He explained that at end of the attacks, the BDA revealed a direct hit on the ammunition depot which was engulfed in fire.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information added some other adjoining BHT structures were also destroyed and the occupying terrorists neutralised.

  • Army kills 14 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages

    The Nigerian Army said it had nutrialised 14 Boko Haram insurgents and rescued 21 hostages in Pulka village in Gwoza Local Government area of Borno.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the insurgents had on Tuesday, ambushed military escort at Amdaga area in Pulka and burnt one passenger vehicle as well as abducted some travelers.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Friday said the terrorists were alleged to have haboured the insurgents that ambushed the civilian vehicle.

    “The troops have nutrialised 14 Boko Haram and rescued 21 civilians, comprising six women and 11 children.

    Read Also; Army  kills Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    “Troops of 192 Battalion of 26 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised the insurgents on Thursday.

    “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists, following a superior fire power of troops in the village.

    “Four men injured during the attack are being attended to at the military hospital,” he said.

  • 2019: Group to buy Buhari’s nomination form as reward for returning peace to north east

    …. To hold rallies in Abuja, 6 other states 
    The North East Vanguard for Peace (NEVP), a pressure group committed to the sustenance of peace in North East Nigeria has elected to purchase the presidential nomination form for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a reward for restoring peace in the once ravage northeast region.
    The group while promising to lead the re-election bid of President Buhari said though they are aware that other groups have volunteered to purchase the same form, but emphasized that by virtue of his fight against terrorism and bringing about peace in the north east, the President deserves the nomination form from people of the north east who have witnessed the return of peace to the region
    National president of NEVP,  Dogo Danlami in a statement made available to journalists said this gesture is symbolic for members of the group  because as critical stakeholders in North East region, whose members have been directly and indirectly affected by the Boko Haram menace, it behoves on them to lead the re-election campaign of President Muhammdu Buhari.
    “As stakeholders in the ongoing war against Boko Haram Terrorists in North East Nigeria, we are conversant with the efforts and the grounds that have been gained in rooting Boko Haram terrorist from the region, and also regaining local government areas that were once under their enclave before 2015,” he stated.
    Danlami explained that before 2015, the NEVP in some of its community outreach programmes witnessed firsthand, the wanton destruction of lives and properties by Boko Haram terrorist, and how life was unbearable for most families.
    But according to him, all of these changed after the election of President Muhammdu Buhari, whom he said demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of ordinary Nigerians, especially those in the war-torn North East Nigeria.
    The statement reads further, “The North East Vanguard for Peace has elected to purchase the presidential nomination forms for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, regardless of whether other groups have chosen to do the same.
    “The North East Vanguard for Peace would also use its network in the North East region to canvass for votes for President Muhammdu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential elections because as stated earlier, we were witness to the decimation of the North East region. And we are also witnessing to the enormous efforts the Buhari Led administration had committed into bringing peace to the area. For all of these, we are grateful.
    “We also wish to crave the indulgence of Mr President to graciously approve our mobilisation efforts by giving the go ahead for the NorthEast Vanguard for Peace to organise mobilization rallies in the 6 states and a grand event in Abuja for Nigerians to further appreciate the impact of the Buhari administration on curtailing Boko Haram terrorism in our country.”
    Dnlami explained that members of the group are excited that as at today, 99 percent of the communities once held by insurgents have been liberated, and today things have all returned to normalcy for the good of the citizens of Nigeria, except for a few political thugs masquerading as Boko Haram.
    He said markets have all been opened, and everything has returned to normalcy. Elections can now hold in all the LGA, towns and villages.
    He stated that the group is aware that the Nigeria Military has been working round the clock to root out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the region.

  • Army kills several Boko Haram members, recovers livestock

    An unspecified number of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by the Nigerian Army in clearance operations in Borno State.
     
    A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. General Chukwu Texas also disclosed that a total of 147 animals rustled were recovered and returned to their owners.
     

    Two AK47 riffles were also recovered from the operation.

    The statement reads; “troops of Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with 82 Task Force Battalion following a tip off embarked on a long range clearance and link up patrol resulting in the killing of many Boko Haram terrorists in Gesada village, Guzamala Local Government Area Borno State.

    “The terrorists met their waterloo when they came to the village to extort money and rustle livestock belonging to the villagers.

    “Items recovered include  Some  livestock  Two  AK47 rifles

    “Similarly, troops returned 147 livestock recovered from Boko Haram terrorists in Matasari village to their owners after proper screening and confirmation  by the Bulama and Civilian Joint Task Force in Jentilo village of Kukawa Local Government Area”.

     

  • Army denies alleged killing of 30 soldiers in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied alleged killing of 30 soldiers by Boko Haram at Zari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an international wire service had reported that troops deployed in Zari in Guzamala Local Government Area were killed when Boko Haram lunched a deadly attack on the village on Thursday evening.

    According to the report, scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari village, in northern Borno State late Thursday and briefly seized it after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed.

    But Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, who denied the report in a phone interview with NAN on Sunday.

    He said that the alleged killing was the “figment of the imagination of the news agency”.

    Chukwu said contrary to the claim, the insurgents did not attack any military formation but rather came to loot foodstuffs and extort money from the locals.

    He said that the insurgents were repelled by the land troops of 82 Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole, who were closely supported by the Air Task Force.

    “During the fire-fight, overwhelming volume of fire was unleashed on the insurgents from both the air and ground troops, neutralising several of them and their weapons.

    “The Boko Haram took some of their corpses and fled while others escaped with bullet injuries, adding that normalcy and sanity was restored in the affected communities.

    It is very unfortunate how people will just sit in the comfort of their zones and fabricate stories that don’t exist, most especially the international media.

    “Such false narratives, we have always believe are deliberate attempts to promote Boko Haram and their activities against the sovereignty of the country.

    “That media organisation was said to have gotten their information from a security personnel and went ahead to file their report without making further inquiries.

    “This is unethical and unprofessional to say the least,” Chukwu added.

    He said Nigerians should disregard all the propaganda stories credited to Boko Haram terrorists as troops were doing their best to ensure that terrorists were expelled from the region. (NAN)

  • ‘Trial of Boko Haram suspects, good progress for Nigeria’s justice sector’

    Amnesty International has commended the Federal Government over the trial of suspected Boko Haram terrorists, describing the ongoing trial as ”good progress for the justice sector”.

    The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), by Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said that a copy of the letter was made available to his office by the AGF.

    The minister said the Amnesty International Nigeria said its delegates, who were invited to observe the proceedings at the third phase of the trial at Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, New Bussa, Niger State from July 8 to July 11, ”were treated with respect and decorum”.

    ”Amnesty International has repeatedly and unequivocally condemned the
    attacks by members of Boko Haram.

    “We have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to conduct thorough and independent investigations into the alleged human rights violations and abuses.

    “This is with a view to bringing suspected perpetrators to justice in a fair trial without recourse to the death penalty and this indeed is a good progress for the justice sector,” the minister quoted the global rights campaigner’s letter.

    He said Amnesty International Nigeria expressed the hope that it would also be
    invited to observe future trials.

    Commenting on the letter, Malami said it was a ”clear demonstration of the strategic role of the Federal Ministry of Justice and its commitment in adjudicating terrorism cases, implementing the Criminal Justice Act, and promoting the rule of law and human rights”. (NAN)