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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram: Committee submits reports, identifies 6,512 detainees

    The Presidential Committee on Boko Haram Detainees has submitted its reports, identifying 6,512 detainees including toddlers, who followed their mothers into detention.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, commended the efforts of the committee, when he received the reports in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Mr Lawrence Ojabo, the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) quoted the SGF as giving the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mustapha, who received the final report of the Presidential Committee on Special Detainees linked to Boko Haram Insurgency, thanked the committee for a good job.

    He noted that the report was compiled in five chapters, with detailed information on detainees’ profiles and categorisation.

    The SGF spoke through Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, at the presentation of the report by the Chairman of the committee, General Abdullahi Mamman (rtd).

    Mustapha also applauded the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazzau (rtd), for initiating the committee and the idea of looking into the welfare of the unfortunate citizens.

    He promised to forward the report to President Muhammadu Buhari immediately, due to its urgency as stated by the chairman of the committee, especially on the aspects of international relations, inadequate infrastructure, and human rights.

    The SGF further reiterated the commitment of the present administration to address all security challenges ravaging the country.

    He also assured the committee that the report would be given quick attention with the view to implementing all the recommendations.

    Earlier, Mamman said the committee was inaugurated in December 2016 with the mandate of profiling and categorising the Boko Haram detainees in detention across the country.

    He disclosed that 6,512 detainees were identified including toddlers, who followed their mothers into detention.

    Mamman also mentioned that some detainees had spent up to nine years awaiting trial, calling for justice for suspects who might be innocent.

    The chairman commended President Buhari for taking the plight of Nigerians seriously, thanking him for giving them this task.

    He added that they were ready to make themselves available for future assignment.

    The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, OSGF, Mr Gabriel Aduda, also commended the Committee for its patriotism, passion and doggedness in carrying out the assignment.

    NAN

     

  • FG receives final report on Boko Haram detainees

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha on Wednesday received the final report of the Presidential Committee on Special Detainees linked to Boko Haram Insurgency.

    A statement by Lawrence Ojabo, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), said that the 5 chapters, 47-page report contained detailed information on detainees’ profiles and categorization.

    Receiving the report from the chairman of the committee, General Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman, the SGF represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle Esq. commended the committee for their painstaking efforts, and for doing a good job.

    He lauded the Minister of Interior, Lt General (rtd) Abdulrahaman Danbazzau for initiating the committee and the idea of looking into the welfare of  the unfortunate citizens.

    He noted the urgency expressed by the chairman of the committee on the aspects of international relations, inadequate infrastructures, and human rights of the detainees, and promised that the report would be forwarded swiftly to Mr. President for his action.

    The SGF further reiterated the commitment of the present administration to rein in all security challenges ravaging the different parts of the country and assured that the report would be given quick attention with the view to implementing all the recommendations.

    Read Also: Troops kill Boko Haram fighters, rescue five hostages

    In his earlier remarks, the chairman of the committee, Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd) said the committee was inaugurated in December 2016 with the mandate of profiling and categorizing the Boko Haram detainees in the various detention prisons across the country.

    He disclosed that 6512 detainees were identified including todlers who followed their mothers into detention.

    According to him, some detainees had spent up to nine years awaiting trial.

    He called for justice for suspects who might be innocent.

    General Mamman commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the plight of Nigerians seriously.

    He thanked government for given them the task and also ready to make themselves available for future assignment.

    The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda commended the Committee for its patriotism, passion and doggedness in carrying out the assignment.

  • Freedom of Leah: CAN declares peaceful protest, prayers

    The Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) has declared intention to embark on peaceful protest and prayers against unending killings and freedom of Leah Sharibu and Chibok school girls on Sunday, April 29.

    CAN made the declaration in a statement following the killing of two Catholic priests; Rev.Fr Joseph Gor, Rev.Fr Felix Tyolaha and 17 worshippers of St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor-Mbalom, Gwer East LGA of Benue State.

    The statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the killing as an Anomie.

    He said that the protest is going to hold in every church’s premises to ask the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.

    Oladeji urges all and sundry to continue to pray for peace and tranquility of Nigeria and most importantly, for the parents and relations of all abducted school children.

    He called on Christians to also pray for the bereaved families of those attacked by the Boko Haram terrorists, armed herdsmen, bandits and other criminals.

    He reminded Christians across the federation the importance of the forthcoming general elections and the need for them to fully participate by going to obtain their voters cards.

    The cleric noted that Christians were expected to carry placards on April 29 with inscriptions meant to address issues about sustained killings, attacks and destruction of their property in Nigeria.

    The inscriptions on placards would read enough of bloodshed in Nigeria; enough of unlawful killings in the country, FG, Release Leah Sharibu from bondage, FG, Stop Herdsmen Killings and CAN reject insecurity.

    “We call upon the government to perform their constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens now.

    “No excuse should be given for this wicked act again and perpetrators must be brought to book now,’’ he said.

    Oladeji appealed to the government to mount different effective plans aimed at disarming herdsmen across the northern states and in communities where they have been wreaking havoc across the country.

    He noted that the failure to raise an effective campaign against the killings by herdsmen was the reason they have continued to kill, adding that there was need for visible plan to pacify the aggrieved.

    He also called on the heads of the security agencies to wake up to their constitutional role of protecting lives and property across the federation.

    The CAN official stressed the need for the government to prevent Nigeria from descending into a lawless country.

    He recalled with pains, disappointments, and worries how Nigerians in the North East, Middle Belt and southern parts of Nigeria became endangered with attacks from Boko Haram, herders and bandits.

    “It contends that such developments are not only inimical to the progress and development of Nigeria, they will continue to weaken the unity of the country, if left unchecked,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Troops kill Boko Haram fighters, rescue five hostages

    The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that troops have killed a number of Boko Haram fighters and rescued five people held hostage by the terrorists.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the troops also destroyed a bunker and an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) factory belonging to the terrorists.

    He said: “Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and Civilian Joint Task Force while on clearance operation on 22 April 2018 destroyed another Boko Haram enclave at Buk in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “During the operation, some members of the Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while others fled the scene following the superior fire power of own troops.

    “Items recovered include: one truck, one gun truck, three motorcycles, one tricycle, a bunker and an IED factory.

    “These were discovered and subsequently destroyed.

    “Five aged women who were held hostage by the terrorists were also freed during the operation.

    “Unfortunately, two soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the military facility.”

  • Borno: Troops destroys Boko Haram IED factory, rescues hostages

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said its troops destroyed a Boko Haram insurgent’s Improvised Explosive Device ( IED ) at Buk village in Damboa Local Government of Borno in its ongoing clearance operation.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the troops on Sunday destroyed the insurgents’ camp, killed a number of them and rescued some persons from captivity.

    Chukwu said: “Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF ) in the ongoing clearance operation destroyed another Boko Haram enclave.

    Read Also: Army destroys Boko Haram training camp in Borno, kill one insurgent

    “During the operation, some members of the Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while others fled the scene following the superior fire power of the troops”.

    “Five aged women held hostage by the terrorists were also freed during the operation. Unfortunately, two soldiers sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a military facility.”

    Chukwu said that the troops also recovered one truck, one gun truck, three motorcycles and one tricycle.

    The army spokesman added that a bunker and an IED factory were destroyed by the troops during the operation.

    NAN

  • Police foil suicide bomb attack in Bama

    The Police in Borno said they had foiled a suicide bomb attack, coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents in Bama town, Bama Local Government Area of the State.

    Mr Edet Okon, the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ) for the command in the state said this on Tuesday in a statement in Maiduguri.

    He said that the three suicide bombers were neutralised by police men on guard in the area.

    Okon said: “On Monday April 23; at about 10: 00 pm, three suicide bombers who attempted to infiltrate Bama town through Ajilari area were sighted and challenged by security operatives at a guard location.

    “The suicide bombers hurriedly detonated the Improvised Explosive Device  ( IEDs ) strapped to their bodies, killing themselves only”.

    Read Also: Police at Melaye’s Abuja residence

    Okon also said that the Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal ( EOD ) team had sanitised the area and normalcy had been restored.

    He quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Damian Chukwu, as calling on the people to go about their lawful activities without fear.

    The commissioner of police assured them that the police would continue to do their best to protect lives and property.

    NAN

  • Army destroys Boko Haram training camp in Borno, kill one insurgent

    The Army in Borno State, North East Nigeria has said it destroyed a Boko Haram training camp at Beneshiek, Kaga Local Government of Borno State.

    A statement released by the Army Deputy Director of Public Relation Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said the information was obtained through a tip off that the insurgents were undergoing training in Afa general area of Benesheik.

    Col. Nwanchukwu stated that a condon and search operation was carried out in the area where some elements of Boko Haram were encountered in a gun battle as they hurriedly try to escaped. He added that one of the insurgents was killed in the process as well as one hostages rescued from the insurgents.

    The statement reads; “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed at a Forward Operational Base in Benisheikh have uncovered a Boko Haram training camp where instructional training was provided to its foot soldiers. Troops uncovered the Camp located in a hide-out in Afa general area on Sunday morning at about 9.30 am, following a tip off that insurgents were being trained in the hideout.

    “Armed with the information, troops immediately mobilized to the area where they conducted a cordon and search operation. During the operation, troops encountered elements of Boko Haram insurgents who were withdrawing hastily from the camp. In the shootout that ensued, troops killed one of the insurgents and recovered one Dane gun. Troops also rescued one Mallam Abba, who was held hostage in the camp by the insurgents.

    “The entire training camp has been destroyed by the gallant troops”.

  • Troops destroy Boko Haram training camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Monday said its troops had destroyed a Boko Haram insurgents’ training facility at Benisheikh, Borno. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu said that the troops also killed one insurgent and rescued one person held captive by the terrorists at Afa hideout in the area on Sunday.

    He said that the troops acting on intelligence discovered the camp used for providing instructional training of insurgents’ foot soldiers.

    “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed at a forward operational base in Benisheikh, have uncovered a Boko Haram training camp where instructional training was provided to its foot soldiers.

    Read Also: ‘Don’t send refugees back to Boko Haram violence’, UN urges Cameroon

    “The camp, located in a hideout in Afa general area, was discovered on Sunday at about 9: 30 a.m. following a tip-off that insurgents were being trained in the hideout.

    “During the operation, troops encountered elements of Boko Haram insurgents who were withdrawing hastily from the camp.

    “In the shootout, troops killed one insurgent, recovered one Dane gun and rescued one Malam Abba, who was held hostage in the camp by the insurgents,” Nwachukwu said.

    He added that the troops had destroyed the camp.

    NAN

  • ‘Don’t send refugees back to Boko Haram violence’, UN urges Cameroon

    The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged Cameroon  not to send Nigerian refugees back to the Boko Haram violence they fled from.

    Despite warnings, Nigerian refugees and asylum-seekers who fled Boko Haram violence continue to be returned from Cameroon, UNHCR said, underscoring the need to accord international protection to those in need.

    It urged protection for those fleeing insecurity and persecution in Nigeria.

    “This is in accordance with Cameroon’s national and international obligations,” UNHCR said.

    Since the beginning of 2018, 385 Nigerians refugees and asylum-seekers had been forcibly returned from Cameroon, the majority of them in March, including 160 on April 10 and a further 118 a week later.

    In total, the UN agency has registered some 87,600 Nigerian refugees in the country.

    UNHCR said: “The forced returns are in violation of the principle of no forced return. They are also a significant setback to progress previously achieved by Cameroon in granting asylum to Nigerian civilians fleeing Boko Haram violence.”

    UNHCR also noted that it recognised legitimate national security concerns of States affected by the Boko Haram crisis, and stressed that it is important that refugee protection and national security are not seen as being incompatible.

    “Properly functioning screening, registration and asylum systems help safeguard host country security,” it said.

    UNHCR reiterated its support to the Government of Cameroon to ensure that all those seeking international protection have access to efficient screening and registration procedures, as well as appropriate reception arrangements.

     

  • Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said on Saturday its troops successfully repelled attack by Boko Haram insurgents at Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that one insurgent was killed while several others fled.

    Chukwu said: “Troops of 3 Battalion on operation LAFIYA DOLE had successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists’ attack at Gamboru Ngala, Borno State.

    “One Boko Haram terrorist was neutralised during the encounter while other members of the group fled following a superior fire power from the troops.

    ”Unfortunately, one soldier lost his life during the attack.”

    Chukwu disclosed that the troops recovered one Rocket Propelled gun, seven tube, one Anti- Aircraft gun, two AK 47 rifles and two empty magazines.

    The army spokesman urged the people to cooperate with troops and provide useful and timely information to security agencies.

    NAN