The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Court frees two suspected Boko Haram members

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday discharged two persons, Ibrahim Ahmed and Sani Argungu, who were arraigned for alleged ties with Boko Haram, for lack of diligent prosecution.

    Discharging the defendants, Justice Binta Nyako noted that Ahmed had been in detention since 2013 while Argungu had been detained since 2012 and the prosecution had yet to call its witnesses.

    “The defendants have been in custody with no trial because the prosecution cannot bring its witnesses to court. So, I discharge the defendants and the suit is hereby struck out,” she said.

    Nyako, however, said that whenever the prosecution was able to get its witnesses to attend court, the defendants could be re-arraigned.

    The judge added that the defendants, although discharged, would be monitored and warned not to associate with any person of questionable character.

    Ibrahim, who said in his statement that he was a security guard at the Government House, Sokoto, was alleged to be responsible for giving passage to Boko Haram members.

    NAN

  • Army nabs ‘Boko-Haram’ bomb expert in Gombe

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had arrested one Adamu Hassan, a  ‘Boko Haram’  insurgent who specialises in making Improvised Explosive Devices  (IEDs).

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, said in a statement that the military apprehended the suspect in Kaltungo town of Gombe during a joint operation with Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    He said that the suspect, also known as ‘Baale’, was apprehended at a check point in the town along the busy Gombe to Yola highway during a Stop-and-Search operation.

    In a separate incident,the army spokesperson disclosed that troops also killed three ‘Boko-Haram’ insurgents in two separate encounters at the Bokko Hilde mountainous region along Ngoshe to Pulka road and Mujigine general area in Borno, on April 9.

    “The troops neutralised the insurgents during clearance operations and recovered two AK 47 rifles and a motorcycle,” he said.

    Nwachukwu added that in another joint operation with members of vigilante group, the troops foiled a raid by  terrorists rummaging for food and logistics at Kudiye community along Dikwa to  Gulumbagana road in Borno.

    He said the insurgents were intercepted following a tip- off to the effect that they (insurgents) were on their way to loot the community.

    According to him, the insurgents have admitted that they belong to the Abubakar Shekau’s faction, adding that they are now in custody assisting with useful information.

    He said two motorcycles, bags of grains and tamarind, were recovered from them.

    “It is expedient to bring to public awareness that in their desperation to survive troops’ onslaught and remain relevant,  the Boko Haram terrorists have continued to make frantic efforts to infiltrate communities with Person Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (Suicide bombers) to callously unleash terror and fear on the populace.

    “Members of the public are therefore enjoined to remain vigilant and watchful while going about their normal activities, and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to appropriate security agencies”. (NAN)

  • NAF kills Boko Haram militants in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday the Air Task Force unit of Operation Lafiya Dole in a combined operation with NAF carried out air strikes against Boko Haram terrorists in Arege and Tumbum Rago areas of Borno State, killing several insurgents in the process.

    The NAF Spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that ISR Platforms were used for the strikes which destroyed Boko Haram vehicles and killed the occupants inside.

    He said: “The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole in a combined operation with the Nigerien Air Force on 8 April 2018 launched a coordinated air strike on Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) locations at AREGE and TUMBUN RAGO in Borno State.

    “The successful attacks followed reports received sequel to an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission conducted by an aircraft belonging to Nigerien Air Force, which revealed BHT activities at Arege and Tumbum Rago.

    “Consequently, the ATF detailed Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft to conduct Air Interdiction strikes on the locations while the ISR aircraft from Niger provided necessary support and also conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).

    “The subsequent BDA revealed that during the first wave of attacks at Arege, several vehicles belonging to BHTs were totally destroyed, killing all the occupants in the process. Furthermore, the NAF fighter aircraft neutralized fleeing BHTs in subsequent waves of attack.

    “Thereafter, NAF fighter aircraft and the ISR aircraft from Niger again combined to successfully attack BHT locations at Tumbum Rago.

    “The combined operations by the air forces of both countries are part of renewed efforts at clearing BHT elements from their known locations in North East Nigeria.”

     

     

  • Boko Haram: More wounded soldiers to be flown abroad – Army

    Seven wounded soldiers referred to the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospitals (NARH), Yaba, Lagos, from the battlefront in the North East would be flown abroad for advance treatment, the acting Chief Medical Director of NARH, Brig.Gen. Adekola Dada said on Monday.

    He said the approval for their advance medical treatment was given over the weekend by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    Dada spoke while leading journalists round the hospital in reaction to an allegation by an unknown army captain that soldiers wounded in battlefront were not properly catered for.

    The said captain had written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari four months ago, alleging that he was wounded in battle in 2014 and was yet to be treated by the army.

    In the letter which went viral on social media, the captain added that many wounded soldiers were abandoned at army hospitals and urged the President to intervene in the matter.

    In reaction to the allegations, Buratai reportedly directed the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) in divisions with reference hospitals to show journalists round the facilities to either confirm or debunk the claims.

    According to Dada, there was only one soldier from the North East at NARH, adding that the soldier sustained leg injury during training.

     

  • NAF, Army foil suicide attack in Borno, kill bombers

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Monday its Special Forces in conjunction with Nigerian Army troops foiled a Boko Haram suicide attack at the University of Maiduguri, Borno state.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that a suicide bomber and another Boko Haram fighter were killed during the operation.

    He said: “Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with some Nigerian Army (NA) troops, successfully foiled a suicide bombing attack by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at University of Maiduguri, Borno State in the night of 8 April 2018.

    ” The BHT suicide bombers tried to gain access into the university but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces. Meanwhile, the vest on one of the suicide bombers was detonated before they could gain access into the hostel, leading to a commotion.

    “However, there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire on them. The NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing BHTs, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralized.

    “The NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing BHTs at the time of filing this report. Members of the public, especially those around the university premises are, therefore, requested to be very vigilant.”

     

  • Troops foil fresh suicide attack on Unimaid

     

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Monday gunned down a female suicide bomber attempting to infiltrate the University of Maiduguri campus to wreck havoc on the institution.

    The foiled suicide bomb attack took place at about 21:45 p.m. on Sunday.

    According to residents of the university, the movement of the female suicide bomber was relayed to troops at the gate of the institution by some vigilante members.

    The Borno State Police Command in a short message made available to press in Maiduguri said the two bombers; male and female were gunned down by a joint patrol of police and NAF personale  at the university general area.

    The Statement reads: “At about 2045hrs yesterday, two (2) suicide bombers (male &  fem),in an attempt to infiltrate University  of Maiduguri through the  Eastern end of the  Campus were sighted & promptly shot by F/Nos 378110 Sgt Obiora Elias,411295 Sgt Umoh Onosai & 449193 Sgt Danjuma Soda of 51PMF Oghara on special duty mine & a NAF personnel,16/29333 AM Monday B. on joint patrol.

    “Resulting explosions killed both bombers only. Scene/vicinity sanitized by personnel of EOD. Normalcy restored”.

    The Nation checks has  gathered that Boko Haram members have been making several attempts in recent time to gain entrance into the university but for the alertness of the troops on guard, they have not succeeded.

  • Troops rescue 149 persons, kill three Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday said its troops rescued 149 persons in the ongoing clearance operation against remnants of Boko Haram insurgents at Yerimari-Kura community in Sambisa axis.

    Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the troops killed five insurgents and captured five others in the encounter.

    “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued to make progress in clearance operations to smoke out Boko Haram insurgents who escaped from their previous stronghold in the Sambisa Forest.

    “On Saturday, the troops made further operational exploit into Boko Haram’s hideout at Yerimari-Kura, in a deliberate operation to extricate and rescue hostages held by the insurgents in their hideout.

    “In the encounter, troops killed three Boko Haram insurgents and captured five,” he said, adding that the troops also destroyed insurgents’ logistics in the operation.

    Nwachukwu explained that the rescued persons included 54 women and 95 children, noting that they were being profiled and receiving medical attention at the 21 Brigade Medical Centre.

    According to him, the troops also neutralized two suicide bombers at Mandanari community in Konduga, Borno, when they attempted to infiltrate the community on April 7.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that the suicide bombers strapped with Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) vests, attempted to sneak into the community at about 8:00 pm on Saturday.

    “The suicide bombers were sighted by vigilant troops who challenged them from a safe distance. The patrol engaged them as they refused to halt and ran towards the community, detonating their IEDs.

    “Only the suicide bombers were killed in the incident, while three persons who sustained minor injuries were receiving medical attention”. (NAN)

  • Troops kill five Boko Haram fighters in Adamawa

    The Nigerian Army said on Saturday its troops have killed five Boko Haram insurgents in a gun duel at Barkin-Dutse Area of Adamawa State.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that troops engaged and killed the insurgents following a distressed call by hunters on Friday.

    He said: “Troops of operation LAFIYA DOLE on April 6 neutralised suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Barkin Dutse area of Adamawa State following a distress call from hunters.

    “The terrorists on sighting the troops opened fire which resulted in exchange of fire.

    “Five Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while some of them escaped into nearby caves during the encounter.

    “Also, one hunter lost his life during the operation.”

    Chukwu said the troops recovered five AK 47 rifles, five magazines and 22 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

    He added that troops were in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and urged the people to report any suspicious movements in their area to security agencies.

    Meanwhile, troops had arrested two suspected insurgents in Bauchi and Borno in separate operations.

    Chukwu, who made the disclosure in Maiduguri, said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade on April 5 arrested one Saidu Jenga, 33, on Maiduguri Bye pass Road, Bauchi, in connection with Boko Haram activities.

    He said the suspect was allegedly overheard discussing movement of arms and ammunition on phone.

    “Items recovered include one techno phone with two sim cards as well as N6, 870 cash,” he said.

    Chukwu added that troops of operation LAFIYA DOLE also arrested one Umar Ali, 59, a suspected Boko Haram insurgent at Galdimare ward in Biu local government area of Borno State.

    NAN

     

     

  • Adeboye prays for release of girls in Boko Haram captivity

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Saturday prayed for the immediate release of all the abducted school girls still in Boko Haram captivity.

    This formed part of his sermon at the church’s April 2018 Holy Ghost Service and Vigil held at its prayer ground in Mowe, Ogun State.

    The monthly programme was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, as well as thousands of Christian faithful.

    Adeboye expressed happiness at the release of 105 students of the Federal Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, by Boko Haram terrorists.

    “We thank God for the release of the girls and pray that all the girls yet to secure their freedom should be freed,’’ he prayed.

    He also offered special prayers for those afflicted by strange ailments and problems.

    NAN

  • FG relocated 3,000 IDPs to Bama – IOM

    The International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ) said the Nigerian Government has relocated no fewer than 3,000 Internally Displaced People ( IDPs ) of Bama origin in Borno to their hometown.

    IOM said the relocation followed the reopening of the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki road on March 24 by the Nigerian Military after four years of its closure due to Boko Haram activities.

    The road, which runs from Maiduguri through Konduga, Bama, Gwoza and also connects to the neighbouring countries of Cameroon and Chad, was shut to commercial and public traffic in September 2014.

    In a flash report, IOM said the return had increased the population of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

    IOM said: “Following the reopening of the road, about 3,000 IDPs of Bama origin at Dalori I and II Camps in Maiduguri were relocated to Bama town by the Government of Nigeria, on April 2, 2018.

    “The population of people in need of humanitarian assistance has increased significantly due to the influx, and larger number of returns are expected in the coming days/weeks”.

    The UN migration agency said Bama Local Government Area (LGA) had an IDP population of 49,139 individuals from 14,064 households as per the Displacement Tracking Matrix Round XXI.

    It explained that Bama is the LGA of origin for the largest number of 203,374 of displaced persons in Borno and neighbouring states.

    “Majority of the original population in Bama were displaced to other locations due to insecurity and inaccessibility.

    “Prior to the recent population return to Bama, over 95 per cent of the remaining people in the LGA resided in Banki Camp with 33,081 individuals and Government Secondary School Camp with 16,058 individuals.

    “The Government has rehabilitated some communities in Shehuri and Kasugula wards of Bama, and IDPs are being assisted to return to these rehabilitated areas,” it said.

    Flow monitoring and emergency tracking:

    IOM also presented the displacement emergency tracking in Bama and flow monitoring along Maiduguri-Bama-Banki road showed that since March 24 when the road was reopened.

    The UN agency said: “21 buses with capacity of 75 passengers each and 67 wagons transported about 3,000 returnees from Maiduguri to Bama on April 2.

    “IOM has registered 1,688 new arrivals – returnees – in Bama since April 2, and registration activities are ongoing “.

    It added that 55 trucks carrying relief items and commercial products had made trips to Bama and surrounding locations through the reopened road.

    According to the migration agency, more than 200 public vehicles have been witnessed carrying people to and from Bama.

    The UN agency noted the activities of the Federal Government had mainly through the State Emergency Management Agency and Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation.

    It said the government functionaries had trucked food items, non-food items, tricycles, small power generators and other logistical items to Bama, with the aim of encouraging people to return to the area.

    IOM said: “Traffic along the road has increased significantly, with flows involving people travelling to Bama for business, individuals visiting to ascertain the safety situation and status of their properties.

    “And many who are returning to their homes due to the improved access. It is estimated that about 4,100 people have moved along the newly opened road since March 24th”.

    NAN