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Tag: boko haram

  • Troops rescue 148 hostages in Borno

    The Nigeria Army said on Monday that 148 Boko Haram hostages have been rescued in Modu Kimeri village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

    A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Relations at the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the hostages were used as sex slaves and forced labourers by Boko Haram militants.

    He said upon profiling, the troops discovered that the female hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used in forced labour.

    According to him, the operation was carried out by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force as part of the army counter insurgency operation.

    The statement reads:

    “Troops of 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the North East have rescued 148  civilians held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists in Modu Kimeri,  a remote village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

    “The troops rescued the hostages during an extensive clearance operation on Sunday, 3rd June 2018, to rid the general area of Bama,  Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 women and 75 children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves. Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons. The rescued persons further disclosed that the men were not spared, as they were regularly engaged in forced labour while in captivity of the terrorists. They will be promptly handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops have also successfully cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages. Other areas cleared by troops along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, troops recovered 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags, a motorcycle and one Bow and 20 Arrows.

    “The gallant troops remain resilient and are carrying out further exploitation.”

     

  • Troops claim rescue of sex slaves from Boko Haram

    The Nigeria army has announced the rescue of some hostages from the hands of Boko Haram in Modu Kimeri village of Bama Local Government, Borno State.

    In a statement released by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations,  Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole  said the hostages totaling about 148 were been used as sex slaves and forced labourers by Boko Haram.

    Col. Onyeama explained that upon profiling, the troops discovered that the female members of the hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used in forced labour.

    He stated that the operation was carried out by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force as part of the counter insurgency operation of the Theatre when the hauled on the civilians.

    Read Also:146 Boko Haram members surrender to troops in Borno

    The statement reads in full:

    “Troops of 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct Counter terrorism and Counter insurgency operations in the North East have rescued 148  civilians held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists in Modu Kimeri,  a remote village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.

    “The troops rescued the hostages during an extensive Clearance Operation on Sunday 3rd June 2018, to rid the general area of Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 Women and 75 Children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves. Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons. The rescued persons further disclosed that the men were not spared, as they were regularly engaged in forced labour while in the captivity of the terrorists. They will be prompty handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops have also successfully cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages. Other areas cleared by troops along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, troops recovered 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags,  a motorcycle and one Bow and 20 Arrows.

    “The gallant troops remain resilient and are carrying out further exploitation” the statement said.

  • Troops kill 10 horse-riding Boko Haram fighters

    At least 10 Boko Haram fighters have been killed in an operation by the Nigerian Army at Ngelkona in Ngala local government area of Borno.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations of the Nigerian Army’s Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, confirmed the operation on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu said the operation was conducted by troops of 153 Task Battalion with support of the Cameroonian Defence Forces deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole at about 11:30 a.m.

    “The terrorists, who were mounted on horse-back were overpowered by the troops in a fierce shoot out, as the troops killed the insurgents and recovered two AK 47 rifles from them.

    Other items recovered from the insurgents include one Boko Haram flag, a set of bow and arrows, two mobile handset and one Cameroonian International Passport.

    “In a separate clearance operation, troops of 82 Task Force Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday night attacked and routed fleeing elements of Boko Haram insurgents at Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area.

    “During the attack, troops killed one insurgent and recovered one AK 47 rifle, 41 rounds of locally fabricated ammunition and four Improvised Explosive Devices(IED).

    The recovered IEDs have been safely defused by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team he said .

    “In another operational encounter, troops of 27 Task Force Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole, on a long range fighting patrol, on Friday 1st June 2018 successfully conducted a raid operation on Boko Haram camp in Yaridiri forest in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe state.

    “During the raid, the superior fire power of the troops forced the insurgents to flee in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning a huge sum of money and several other items,” he said.

    He added that the troops also recovered three AK 47 rifle magazines, 21 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a motorcycle and two mobile handsets.

    According to him, the troops also recovered the N2,280,000 from the hideout.(NAN)

  • Boko Haram: Human rights group blasts international bodies, others for frustrating relocation of IDPs back home

    Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution In Nigeria has accused foreign organizations of frustrating the moves to return the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, back to their country homes.

     

    The group alleged that some international agencies have continued to enrich themselves in the name of rendering aid to victims of the Boko Haram attacks in the north eastern part of the country.

     

    Maxwell Gowon, Executive Director/ National Coordinator, who made this revelation while presenting report after assessment of ongoing military exercise in Borno axis, called on the federal government and the military authorities to immediately unveil a roadmap for returning and reintegrating IDPs into their original communities.

     

    He also opined that stakeholders should convene a forum to audit the roles being played by all organizations with presence in the northeast of Nigeria.

     

    He said, “The decision to focus on these aspects was informed in part by feedback from residents of affected communities who are concerned that full return of peace to their towns and villages is being prevented by factors that stakeholders in Nigeria may not have much control over. The concerns were tempered by the understanding that anything that offers the slightest boost to Boko Haram risks not only reviving the terror organization but would also position the terrorists to fully overrun the country.

     

    “These boosts, sadly, exist in form of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps that have remained operational in the areas years after the communities from where the IDPs were displaced have been fully liberated by troops and are being rehabilitated by the relevant level of government.

     

    “The camps constitute soft targets for Boko Haram’s person borne IEDs and suicide bombers who continue to attempts attacks at the facilities to create the impression of still being deadly. The camps have also been exploited by sympathizers of the terror group as a recruitment ground to replenish the decimated ranks of the terrorists.

     

    “Questionable international organizations like Amnesty International leverage on the existence of these camps as propaganda props. There have been reports that they monetarily induce IDPs to pose as victims of sexual abuse in order to malign soldiers. Diseases and other mishaps that are natural consequences of people being dislocated and confined to restricted areas are easily blamed on the military by an organization like this.

     

    “Those profiting from Boko Haram terrorism continue to use the camps as avenue to steal money through diversion and theft of funds and relief materials. The presence of the IDPs at the camps does not therefore guarantee that intended interventions gets to them.

     

    “The upcoming 2019 General Elections further expose the camps to the risk of becoming political prop with the risk that they could become epicenter of violence since politicians already exploit the vulnerability of the IDPs.

     

    “IDPs are unable to return to lives of active economic engagement and therefore continue to be dependent on aids. This opens them up to being recruited as actors and actresses as recently demonstrated by the fictitious report published by Amnesty International that alleged that they were raped. It turned out in some cases that persons who have been forced into compromising position as a result want have to allege abuse to escape social rejection and get sympathy.

     

     

    “Liberated but unoccupied communities provide safe haven for fleeing Boko Haram terrorists that are able to hide within such communities to plan attacks on soft targets. Failure of inhabitants to return to these towns and villages means the civil police does not allocate resources for covering them.

     

    “Agencies of the United Nations like UNICEF, WHO, IOM and others have not done much to motivate the IPDs to return to their original communities. Staff of these agencies rather continue to encourage the IDPs not to return home. This is an arrangement that favours the staff as they continue to draw allowances when the camps remain open.

     

    “Foreign NGOs are exploiting the IDPs to source funding that do not come to the need but are instead diverted to execute agenda that further undermine the security situation of the entire region so that the IDPs will not be willing to return home. A vicious circle has so been created. Some local NGOs have allied themselves to their foreign counterparts to share from the booty accruable from manipulating the IDPs situation. Most international NGOs and their allies in the north east have now abandoned their core mandates to engage in blackmailing the military to extend their stay in the north east without providing any succor for those affected by violence.

     

     

    “The federal government and the military must immediately unveil a roadmap for returning and reintegrating IDPs into their original communities.

     

    “Stakeholders should convene a forum to audit the roles being played by all organizations with presence in the northeast of Nigeria.”

     

  • Five soldiers killed as troops neutralize scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army last night said five soldiers were killed on  Thursday as troops fought through an ambush laid by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state.

    According to a statement by the director of Army public relations Brig Gen Texas Chukwu,  scores of Boko Haram terrorists were killed during the encounter with the troops.

    Brig Gen Chukwu added that decease soldiers have been evacuated to a military hospital.

    He said :”Troops of 271 Tasks Force Battalion deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole today Thursday 31 May 2018, while on clearance operation along Pridang – Bitta in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, fought through an ambush staged by elements of Boko Haram Terrorists.

    “During the fight troops ran into Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried along Pridang – Bitta road by Boko Haram Terrorists before encountering the ambush.

    ” In the fire fight that ensued, the gallant troops fought through the ambush, they neutralized several Boko Haram Terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

    “Sadly,  five military personnel paid the supreme price as a result of the Improvised Explosive Device attack.

    “The remains of the deceased personnel have been promptly evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.”

  • Foundation urges Boko Haram, bandits to stop killings

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) has called on bandits and Boko Haram to sheath their swords.

    It enjoined them to stop what it called “senseless killings” of innocent souls.

    Speaking at the annual Ramadan lecture held at Mercy Hall, Magodo, FCF President Hajia Bintu-Fatima Tinubu described various killings in some parts of the country as callous and ungodly.

    Hajia Tinubu called on those behind it to fear Allah and allow peace to reign in the country.

    “What do they stand to gain in shedding blood of innocent people? They should take advantage of the month of Ramadan to repent and stop the criminal acts. Allah has blessed mankind with this holy month. It is therefore very important for us to take its advantage to seek for His forgiveness.

    “We, on our part has taken the responsibility to organise this lecture as part of our effort to re-direct the minds of our Muslims brethren to their creator and appeal to Him to solve challenges facing us individually and collectively as a country,” she said.

    On the topic of the lecture, “Redefining our ways of lives before Allah,” Hajia Tinubu, who is also the Iyalode of Lagos, said it could not have been more relevant that now, adding “looking at the social environment in our country today, is a cause for concern to all well-meaning citizens going by the degree of moral decadence and the spate of security unrest, incessant killings and all forms of breakdown of law and order. These pose a threat to the future of our dear nation.”

    The FCF President prayed to Allah to help bring the crisis to an end, saying “if it our sins that are causing these killings and crimes, may He forgive us.”

    Guest Speaker Sheikh Dr Muyideen Ajani Bello expressed optimism that the challenges facing Nigeria will come to an end if justice is returned to the polity.

    He warned Nigerian leaders to fear Allah in their dealing with the masses or face His wrath in this world and hereafter.

    Sheikh Bello enjoined the gathering to be fair in relating with their fellow human beings.

    “You should all know that one day, you will stand before Allah to give account of your activities on earth,” he said.

    Wife of Information Minister Alhaji Kudirat Lai Mohammed said redefining oneself is leaving ungodly actions for the ones loved by Allah.

    “We should observe our five daily prayers at their right time. Avoid wasteful spending during Iftar. Allah loves those who are moderate. If you obey Allah, your will live a life of ease and contentment. We should be generous and humble,” she said.

  • 146 Boko Haram surrender to Operation safe Corridor in Borno

    No fewer than 146 suspected Boko Haram have willingly surrendered their arms to Nigeria troops under the operation safe corridor of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Roger Nicholas disclosed this at news conference while parading 17 suspects who recently renounced their membership at the military command in Maiduguri.

    Rogers said, “70 of them had surrendered in Munguno, 60 Bama while this set of 17 just willingly surrendered to our troops”.

    Maj. Gen. Nicholas explained that Operation Safe Corridor has given the insurgents to repent and surrendering adding that the operation is yielding results as many of them are coming out from their fighting camps to surrender.

    Read Also: We surrender due to FG’s offer of amnesty – Boko Haram suspects

    He disclosed that the army has established designated centers at various commands and formation where the insurgency can come out and surrender and would be treated with utmost respect.

    According to him, the 17 insurgents had testified that they were no longer interested in staying in the bush as Boko Haram fighters but to come out and live a better life again.

    He stated that the repentant insurgents would be properly profiled, de-radicalized and re-integrated to the society.

    Some of the paraded Boko Haram who spoke to newsmen said they were tired of the crimes they have committed fighting as Boko Haram insurgents.

    One of the suspect, Mustapha Umar, said;  “I m a commander at the lake area. My operation was mainly on the water. My regret was the number of persons I have killed and took their money. I have killed many people but I am asking for forgiveness,” he said.

     

  • We surrendered due to FG’s offer of amnesty – Boko Haram suspects

    Seventeen suspected Boko Haram on Monday said that they surrendered to the Nigerian military due to the Federal Government’s pledge to offer them amnesty.

    One of the suspects, Ahmed Alhassan, disclosed this when Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas paraded the suspects at Theartre Commander of Operation Dole in Maiduguri.

    He said they heard President Buhari’s appeal through the radio at their camp known as “Marcas of Nguma” at the shores of Lake Chad region.

    “We have been contemplating to surrender ourselves after we realised that we were being recruited into false movement.

    “What pulled us back was the fear of been caught and killed by either our members or the military.

    “But after the announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari on granting amnesty to those who surrender, drop their arms and accept peace, we decided to defile all the fear and eventually came out.

    “We also made up our minds to sacrifice our lives in a bid to secure freedom, knowing fully that God will forgive us for attempting to embrace peace and stop the killings,’’ he said.

    The suspect said that he was forcefully initiated by the Mamman Nur’s faction after the insurgents stormed their town in Munguno four years ago.

    “They gathered all of us and selected some of us, which they said we shall be working for the cause of God. Those who refused were eventually killed.

    “Many have been conscripted and recruited, some have spent one and half, some two and some of us have spent four years,” he said.

    He commended the military for treating them with respect and dignity, urging other members to embrace the Federal Government’s peace avenue to surrender.

    “We eat the best of food and sleep in a conductive atmosphere.

    We are also allowed to interact with some our colleagues. They listen to us and share our pain,“ he said.

    Mustapha Umar, another suspect, who claimed to be from Abubakar Shekau’s faction, said he had worked as a commanding officer for the group for about three years.

    Umar said he laid his arms because he was tired of the atrocities being committed under the guise of fighting for the religion of Islam

    “We realised that the group was serving the course of the devil by committing all forms of atrocities. There was a lot of hardship in the camps. Many have been killed by one form of disease or the other.

    “I am happy to be out here. The military have been treating us very humanly and I want to ask for forgiveness for all the pain I may have inflicted on the people while fighting for the baseless course,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Roger Nicholas, The Theartre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, said that the 17 suspects willingly surrendered themselves and renounced their membership to the fighting troops.

    Nicholas said that about 70 suspected Boko Haram surrendered in Munguno and 60 in Bama, adding that many others had continued to drop arms in different designated military centres.

    “You can see that they are finding it easier to surrender. We have our designated centres where such persons can come out and surrender and it is yielding result,” he said.

  • Suicide bombers kill three in Borno

    At least three persons were killed by female suicide bombers in Borno State on Sunday.

    The Chief Security Officer of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Bello Danbatta, said on Monday the incident occurred in Mashamari area of Konduga, near Maiduguri, the state capital.

    He said: “Three people were killed in two attacks and seven others injured in a suicide bomb attack on Sunday evening.

    “One of the bombs was detonated near a mosque while residents were preparing for the evening prayers and moments later the second one detonated inside a house.”

     

  • Children’s Day: Our kids, Our future

    A child in Nigeria is any youth/citizen between the ages of 0 to 17 years. At that period, the individual is not responsible for him or herself, and therefore has to be taken care of by parents or guardians

     

    It cannot be debated that children are the future of every country. They are the future of a great nation only if given a solid foundation on which a better society can be built. The direction of a nation therefore can be gauged by the importance that nation places on its children and youths.

     

    Children’s Day is annually observed in Nigeria on May 27. The holiday is celebrated by government and non-governmental organizations. The standard practice is to select children from each school to participate in a match-past to salute the state leader in the stadium in competition with other schools.

     

    The government of Nigeria also organizes an annual parade and selects schools or any other organization that can participate in this event. Sometimes primary and secondary schools participate in military parades and children have an opportunity to do jobs that adults would normally do.

     

    Statistics has shown that about 42% of the Nigerian population are children and 1/3 of children aged from 6 to 14 don’t go to schools. Many children leave schools for different purposes and children’s rights are often violated on daily basis. Unfortunately, the government of Nigeria don’t make much to solve the problems connected with children’s right violation and imperfect system of education.

     

    More also, Seventy percent of children live below the poverty line with Nigeria also having a very high infant mortality rate of 93.93 per 1000 births. (This compares to 6.3/1000 in the US).

    Read Also: Sweet Sensation to feed 5,000 Indigent Children on Children’s Day

    The children are also exposed to kidnapping, street trading, lack of qualitative education, malnutrition and a host of others.

     

    Meanwhile, the idea of dedicating a day for children’s day in Nigeria started in 1964 through the endorsement of the United Nations children’s effort. This initiative was introduced as a way of protecting the children’s rights against violation of any kind within the member states of United Nation.

     

    Going forward, the current pathetic situation in Nigeria should sincerely propel us to inquire about the rationale behind this year’s observance of the Children’s Day celebration where the Boko Haram insurgent group kidnapped some Chibok girls, while in a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State where they were writing their West African Senior School Certificate examination since April 14, 2014.

     

    It is therefore the opinion of the writer that the 2014 edition of the celebration should have been shelved in solidarity with the adverse prevailing circumstances weighing heavily against Nigerian kids. This would not have diminished whatever achievements the government is making against being held hostage by the Islamic militants, but rather portray the government as sensitive and caring for citizens it swore an oath to protect.

     

    Nigeria has in the past made many mistakes where it concerns her citizens, it might not be too late for government to start showing empathy and commitment to things that will make the ordinary Nigerian have a sense of belonging and regale in the thought of being a Nigerian. We are indeed waiting for the end to this whole drama.

     

    However, this year celebration should be channeled towards protecting the children’s rights that are being violated by the rather seem unruly evil men covered in human skin. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and we can’t avoid ruining their future on the altar of killings, kidnapping, and child trafficking among other anomalies in our society.

     

    In summary, as we celebrate this year children’s day, we should have this in the back of mind that the greatest asset we can ever invest for our future is to make a champ out of our children by giving them the best gift they would ever imagine. Remember that our kids are our future and they must be cared for if we must achieve our dream as parents or guardians.