The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Dapchi schoolgirl Leah Sharibu to be freed —IGP Idris

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said the abducted Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, will be freed today from the Boko Haram captivity.

    Idris spoke with newsmen when he visited the Military Command and Control Centre, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

    ‘Obviously, I am aware and that is what we are just discussing. I am supposed to go to Dapchi today but because of the girl, I learnt she may be released.

    “It is a sort of understanding that we do not create much security situation and I move with a helicopter. By the time I fly there, they might think I break and that was why I postponed the visit to Dapchi,” he said.

    Idris disclosed that he had directed the deployment of four mobile police men and female personnel in each of the schools in the northeast to assist in providing protection of the students and teachers.

    He said that he embarked on the assessment tour of the northeast to appraise the situation to forestall the reoccurrence of the Dapchi incident.

    “I have visited the schools to assess our deployment to the schools; I am here now to visit the military and I spoke to all my officers in the three commands, to encourage them to have a greater synergy with the military and other security agencies.

    “I believe with this we are going to have enhanced security to all communities in the northeast region”.

    Idris noted that there was significant improvement of the security situation in the region, adding that credit should go to the military and other security agencies.

    Also, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, described the visit as part of mutual working relationship, adding the military and police were working as a team to facilitate successful implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Nicholas said that the military in collaboration with the police had re-opened the Maiduguri-Bama-Banki Highway, stressing that there was effective synergy between the military and police in the theatre of operation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris had visited police formations, schools and liberated communities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in the past two days. (NAN)

  • Amnesty for Boko Haram provocatively premature

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari was not all threat when he received the Dapchi schoolgirls abducted and released by a more amenable faction of the violent Boko Haram sect. He had threatened those who were disposed to politicising what he described as security situation for selfish gains. But he was unhelpfully not specific. He also spoke of redeeming his pledge to rescue every Nigerian abducted by the sect, including some 112 Chibok schoolgirls still held by the sect. But, controversially, he also offered amnesty to repentant Boko Haram insurgents. Said the president: “While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, the government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group, who shows strong commitment in that regard. We are ready to rehabilitate and integrate such repentant members into the larger society. This country has suffered enough of hostility. Government is, therefore, appealing to all to embrace peace for the overall development of our people and the country.”

    Predictably, and much more than the threat to deal with those politicising security, the amnesty offer has become quite controversial. The controversy is healthy.  While some fear that the process — of rehabilitation and reintegration — has not always been impeccable, leading to some of the fighters rejoining their violent cohorts, others fear that granting amnesty to killers would send wrong signals to armed robbers, kidnappers and ritual murderers. The amnesty offer has, however, been in operation for a while, even predating the Buhari presidency. With no studies done yet to ascertain the efficacy of the measure as applied in the past, why would the government simply forge ahead with the questionable policy?

    The measure is not just opaque and dubious, it is even premature. The government said it had technically defeated the sect, whatever that means, and degraded it as a fighting force. Though it tried unlawfully to raise more money to fight a force it claimed to have defeated, it is not surprising that it is still seeking a welter of ad hoc measures to tackle an insurgency about which it does not have a comprehensive understanding. What is clear from the confusion is that there is no concise and coherent policy to end the insurgency. Quite apart from not showing proof that the country has learnt the appropriate lessons from the costly and sanguinary revolt in the Northeast, nor yet determine how to bring a closure to the crisis, the government is now embarking on a policy drive it has not shown any evidence it has thought  through.

    The government gives the impression that the final extermination of Boko Haram is imminent. It should press ahead and do what it promised. But importantly too, if it is not to open itself needlessly to allegations of being cosy with the sect in one form or the other, the Buhari presidency should develop a concise and practicable amnesty programme far deeper and more convincing than its present ad hoc approach suggests. It is difficult to resist the feeling that , sometimes, the government forgets it was elected into office and that it needs to carry the people along in its decisions, not only because democracy demands it but also because it needs various inputs from diverse sections of the society to fine-tune the policy. For now, the policy is premature, raises suspicion about the government’s altruism, and shows that no serious reflection whatsoever has been done upon the critical subject of how to deal with mass murderers.

    The scale of the destruction in the Northeast and elsewhere, the huge population displaced by the fighting and terror, the deaths occasioned by the sheer violence practiced by the sect, the initial connivance at the atrocities by regional elite, and the infrastructural damage caused by the sect, all suggest that at the end of the insurgency, a crime against humanity tribunal not dissimilar to the Nuremberg trials of post-World War II should be empanelled. By waving amnesty under the noses of insurgents, the government seems to be sending a cavalier message that the moment the insurgency ends, the country can return to its default mode. It will not, at least not easily. The problem of the Northeast is huger and deeper than the government has cared to admit. The government will require cerebral depth to be able to handle the post-insurgency period far better than it has handled the shooting part of the crisis.

  • ACF to Boko Haram: surrender arms, embrace FG amnesty offer 

    THE apex northern socio-cultural group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has asked the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace federal government’s amnesty offer.

    ACF said the offer of unconditional amnesty by the federal government to Boko Haram terrorists and other groups was a welcome development considering the insecurity posed by the insurgence in the last nine years.

    A statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu yesterday recalled Biafran rebels and Niger Delta militants who denounced their rebellion and militancy against the state were not only granted amnesty but also empowered with skills and re-integrated into the society to contribute to its socioeconomic development.

    According to ACF, the spirit of amnesty is therefore to stop the killings, destruction of property and also denounce further rebellion and militancy.

    “So, any step taken by the Government to end the current security challenges in the country cannot be too costly as long as it is done in accordance with worldwide best practices.

    “ACF therefore urges the insurgents and other militia groups to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty as the only means to peaceful coexistence and development,” the statement explained.

    The forum argued the amnesty offer by the federal government will also pave way for Nigeria to pursue order, justice, liberty, peace and prosperity for all.

  • ACF to Boko Haram: Surrender arms, embrace FG’s amnesty offer

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Saturday asked the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s amnesty offer.

    ACF said the offer of unconditional amnesty by the federal government to Boko Haram terrorists and other groups who surrender their arms, denounce militancy and then pledge their loyalty to the government is a welcome development considering the insecurity posed by the insurgents in the last nine years.

    In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, and made available to journalists, ACF recalled that the Biafran agitators and Niger Delta militants who denounced their rebellion and militancy against the state were not only granted amnesty but also empowered with skills and re-integrated into the society.

    According to ACF, the amnesty is to stop the killings, destruction of property and rebellion against the state.

    It said: “So, any step taken by the government to end the current security challenges in the country cannot be too costly as long as it is done in accordance with worldwide best practices.

    “ACF therefore urges the insurgents and other militia groups to lay down their arms and embrace the federal government’s offer of amnesty as the only means to peaceful coexistence and development.”

     

     

  • Pastor Adeboye prays for defiant schoolgirl still held captive by Boko Haram

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has prayed that God might ensure the safe return of the lone Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, remaining in the captivity of Boko Haram.

    The terror sect refused to release Leah, a Christian, with other abductees on Wednesday because she would not renounce Jesus Christ and her religion.

    Adeboye, in a tweet on his official handle, prayed that the Lord should ”visit the camp of the captors and “in a way that You alone can, see to the safe release and return of the missing girl, Leah Sharibu, in Jesus name.”

    In another tweet, he said: “Isaiah 49:25: But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”

    On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to facilitate Leah’s release.

    ”The biggest litmus test for President Buhari and the APC government in this Dapchi girls saga is the case of Leah Sharibu, the only kidnapped Dapchi girl yet to be released by Boko Haram,” Badejo told reporters.

    ”Leah, on the evidence of her colleagues, was not freed because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.

    “Anyone who thinks this is just a Christian problem will be making a big mistake,” he said.

    “No amount of accolades will suffice to congratulate the girl and her parents who nurtured her to be that strong in her faith as to demonstrate such courage.”

  • Buhari offers amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members

    Boko Haram members willing to surrender their arms will be granted amnesty, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    The President made the offer while receiving 105 Dapchi secondary schoolgirls and two Dapchi Primary School pupils earlier abducted by the insurgent group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The insurgents had invaded Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19 and abducted 111 girls.

    Receiving the girls in Abuja two days after they were returned by the militant sect, Buhari said the Federal Government was ready to rehabilitate penitent members of the sect and reintegrate them into the society.

    He said: “While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, Government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard.

    “We are ready to rehabilitate and integrate such repentant members into the larger society.

    “This country has suffered enough of hostility. Government is, therefore, appealing to all to embrace peace for the overall development of our people and the country.”

    Making a formal announcement of the return of the abducted girls, the President said: “I am delighted to formally announce to Nigerians and our International friends and partners this morning that 107 Dapchi students previously abducted have been unconditionally released by their abductors.

    “This cheering and hearty development signifies our commitment to the security and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

    “We are never in doubt about our focus and direction since the assumption of this Administration. Security, anti-corruption and revamping of our economy are the main focus of our government.

    “You will recall that on the 14th of this month, I paid a visit to Yobe State during which I sympathised with the parents, families, government and people of the state for the tragic abduction of the students in Dapchi.

    “I made a solemn pledge on my word of honour that this administration would do everything possible to ensure the unconditional release of the girls.

    “I further tasked all the appropriate security agencies to safely bring back the girls.

    “We also reached out to our contacts at home and abroad. We embarked on backchannel shuttles with a clear view to bring this tragedy to an end.

    “We entered into negotiations solely to make sure that no single girl was hurt. This strategy paid off as the girls have been released without any incidents.”

    Turning his attention to the rescued girls, the President assured them of their security and freedom to pursue their dreams as Nigerian citizens.

    He said: “To the rescued students, we want to reassure you as our daughters that you will freely live and pursue your dreams in Nigeria of peace and order without fear of violence or molestation.

    “While parents of the Dapchi girls rejoice because of their reunion with their children, I want to appeal to the Chibok community never to lose hope or to despair.

    “We are determined as never before, to bring back our remaining Chibok daughters. This we must accomplish, and that will be soon by God’s grace.”

    The President also warned politicians who play politics with security issues to desist from it, saying that government would no longer tolerate it.

    He said: “May I also warn against those elements who have chosen to make political fortune of our citizens’ misfortune.

    “Government would not tolerate any attempt by any person or group to trivialise or politicise security issues for politically motivated ends.

    “Accordingly, security agencies would not hesitate to decisively deal with such unscrupulous characters.”

    The President also warned security agencies against any laxity that could result in any form of abduction, saying that those involved in such laxity will be viewed seriously.

    The President said: “Let me re-emphasise our administration’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and also call on all Nigerians to join in this task.

    “The security services have since been directed to put in place further measures around all schools vulnerable to attacks to ensure the safety of our pupils/students and teachers and school workers.

    “I have tasked all the security agencies to work to ensure that we do not witness any reoccurrence of these incidents. Security Chiefs have been warned in clear terms that any lapse on their parts will be viewed seriously.” he said

    He thanked all Nigerians, who prayed and showed solidarity with families of the abducted students during the period of the abduction in spite of their political differences.

    “This, undoubtedly, is the Nigerian spirit. We can and should sustain it beyond moments of sorrow.

    “I remain thankful to the International Community and our friends who offered varying degrees of assistance during the backchannel communications.

    “May I on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria extend our appreciation to the security agencies for their loyal and tireless efforts in making this day a reality.”

    One of the pupils, Fatima Bashir, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked God for saving their lives.

    The 14-year-old JSS 3 pupil concluded her speech by saying “God bless you sir.”

  • Boko Haram: Aid operations resume in Rann – UN

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has announced the resumption of humanitarian operations in Rann town, in Borno.

    The UN relief wing said the resumption of aid operations in the community followed several security assessments by the UN and non-governmental organisations.

    The UN had on March 2, suspended aid operations and withdrew its workers from Rann after a March 1 attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, who killed eight persons, including three aid workers, and abducted a nurse.

    “However, UN aid workers have not yet been authorised to stay overnight in Rann, and daily operations are expected to continue until security conditions are met by the Nigerian authorities.

    “The UN and partners are providing life-saving emergency assistance in Rann including food, shelter and medicine to over 80,000 women, children and men, among them 55,000 internally displaced people.

    “The World Food Programme is planning to distribute food to at least 61,000 people this month.

    “Pre-positioning of food is also key ahead of the rainy season, which starts in June, cutting off road access to Rann,” the UN said on Friday.

    It said following the resumption of humanitarian activities in Rann, camp management and displacement tracking activities for impacted people have resumed, in addition to medical services. (NAN)

  • ‘Boko Haram can’t stop us from sending our children to school’

    When Boko Haram returned the Dapchi school girls that they abducted one month ago, they left a strong warning to the residents not to send their children back to school again. As if that was not enough, the bigger threat issued was re-emphasized from the testimonies of some of the freed girls that the insurgents told them that should they go back to western education again, they will risk their freedom should they get abducted again.

    Many have sat to ponder on the threat as some of the girls even before the threat of the insurgents became skeptical of going back to school having witnessed the black Monday of 19th February when the insurgents stormed their school and carted away with over 100 of their classmates.

    With the comments of most of the parents, it is as good as the advice of the insurgents have fallen on deaf ears as the threats did not in any way  deterred the resilience of the parents to continue to educate their children and ensure they accomplish  their dreams.

    Musa Kalla, the father of Zara Musa who was also abducted and brought back safely told our correspondent that, “no one can stop me to educate my daughter. It is not possible for me to obey Boko Haram for that kind of advice. God is the creator and the maker of everything that happens in this world. My daughter Isha Allah will continue with her school and become what God has destined her to be,” Musa said.

    Kachalla Bukar is the secretary of the Forum of Parents of the missing Dapchi Girls. He  had a good time with the insurgents when they came to Dapchi and  dropped  off the girls including his daughter, Aisha.

    He told our correspondent that from the kind of confidence and the weapons he saw the Boko Haram insurgent carried in their vehicles, he is convinced that nobody can stop them to go anywhere they want to go, adding that, “in fact they can even enter Damaturu and abduct girls in any school they want to”.

    On whether he is contemplating of hiding to the advice of Boko Haram to keep his daughter at home, Kachalla said, “We cannot send them to that particular school. It’s not safe for us to keep them at home either. There is no security in that school. i can send her to either school in Nguru or Maiduguri or any other state apart from Yobe because,  I have confidence that those guys can come to Damaturu and abduct girls if they want to. I feel that Nguru is safer because there is a barrack there and it has only one road and plenty river unlike Damaturu and  Potiskum that are so porous. There are many roads in Damaturu that Boko Haram will follow and you will not catch them”.

    Asked if Government secure the school in Dapchi and makes it safe for the students to return, Kachalla answered, “were they not asked to leave when Boko Haram came?, how will I trust this knid of people again. The same way they left is the same way they will still leave when Boko Haram will come again”.

    The story of Adamu Jumbam has no excitement. While the people were rejoicing for the safe return of their daughters, his head was down in grief with many unanswered questions on his mind when this reporter visited his house.

    The women were so distraught to speak with the press summoned courage amidst his grief to narrates how sad he felt when it was confirmed that his daughter died during the abduction.

    “I was troubled when other girls were seen on arrival but my daughter Aisha was said to have died along with four others on the day of their abduction. All the same, I thank Almighty Allah for this and prayed for the repose their soul. We can say the government has tried”.

    Having submitted to the will of God for the death of his daughter Jumbam asked a fundamental question as to the operations of the insurgents in the entire events that played out.

     “The surprising thing is that Boko Haram abducted these girls and still returned then in the heart of the town in  broad day light and went  back freely is absolutely amazing. This troubles our imagination.  How will Boko Haram abducted these teenagers over one month, returned them and nothing was done to them?,” he asked.

    Jumbam also added, “We might be regarded as villagers but it’s surprising to us and I wish to say without mincing words that we have been cheated. If government is serious we need to see her seriousness with this abduction saga. But if they feel we are not Nigerians then let it be,” he concluded as he tried to fight back tears from his eyes.

    Fatima Abdullahi, the mother of Fatima Abdullahi said she did not go school herself but she can never compromise the education of her daughter.

    “Myself didn’t go to school but I know that education is very important for now. It is not possible for somebody to stop the education of my daughter except God says so. What Boko Haram is saying is not possible for us to follow. Our children will continue to go to school. Islam does not forbid knowledge”, Fatima said.

    Like Kachalla, Fatima said her daughter will no longer school in Dapchi but she won’t be against any change of school for her.

    “We cannot say now because our children are not in our custody but in the custody of the government, but like I said my daughter will go to school even if government decide to return her back to me but not this school in Dapchi because we cannot have any rest of mind if our children are in that school,”.

    The growing fear of a possible reopening of Government Girls Science Technical College has continue to burden the minds of the residents and parents especially recasting the mental picture of what they saw on Monday February 19th 2018.

    Faiza Mohammed, one of the girls who escaped Boko Haram onslaught at the school on that ill-fated day had told this reporter that  she will not go back to the  school except the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai is the gateman of the school.

    Faiza statement underscored the need for authorities to beef up security in the school so as to build confidence both among the students and parents who are at the moment apprehensive of the renewed attacks on schools.

    In an attempt to ensure the students don’t miss their examinations especially the Senior Secondary III, the school management has relocated all them to Government Girls College Nguru to prepare for their certificate examination.

    A short statement signed by the school management of GGSTC Dapchi reads: “This is to inform the general public that GGSTC Dapchi SS3 students are hereby called to resume back to GG Nguru, on Monday 25/03/2018 in preparation for WAEC Examinations commencing 3/4/2018”.

    Read Also: Boko Haram and the Dapchi school girls’ abduction

     

  • I-G assigns four mobile police personnel to schools in Borno

    The Inspector- General of Police ( I-G ) Mr Ibrahim Idris has assured all schools in the North-Eastern parts of the country currently threatened by Boko Haram terrorists, of adequate police protection.

    The I-G gave the assurance on Friday in Borno during a visit to Government College and Yelwa Government Girls College Maiduguri.

    Idris said the police were determined to end the spate of kidnappings in the region and assured the students that each school would have 4 policemen, except in Yelwa Government Girls College where 10 police personnel were attached.

    The I-G explained that in the Girls College, five female and five male officers details would be attached.

    He, therefore, appealed to the students and the managers of the schools to cooperate with the policemen attached to their schools by reporting all suspicious characters to them for immidiate action.

    He urged them to shun all social vices and be law abiding to avoid jeopardising  their future.

    He gave a personal donation of 20 bags of rice and a cow to the students of Government College Maiduguri.

    In their separate responses, the Principal of Government College,  Mr Abba  Gana,  and  that of Government Girls College,  Hajia Bintu Abakura, commended the I-G for the visit.

    They both assured him of their support in reporting all suspicious cases to the police and lauded him for the initiative.

    NAN

  • Buhari offers amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members

    … Six Dapchi girls unaccounted for – DSS

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday reiterated his desire to offer amnesty to repentant members of Boko Haram sect willing to surrender their arms and embrace peace.

    The President stated this while receiving the recently released students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said the government is ready to rehabilitate the repentant Boko Haram fighters back to the society.

    He warned politicians politicizing security issues that the situation would no longer be tolerated.

    The President also warned security agencies against any laxity in the discharge of their duties.

    He said those involved in such laxity would be viewed strongly and sanctioned appropriately.

    The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawan Daura, said 105 out of 111 girls abducted by Boko Haram on February 19 were released.

    He said the remaining six girls have not been accounted for.

    According to him, two pupils of Dapchi primary school were also released with the secondary school girls on Wednesday.