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Tag: boko haram

  • Leah Sheribu to mum: Pray for will of God to be done

    Mrs Rebecca Sheribu, the mother of the Christian Dapchi Girl that was held back by Boko Haram for refusing to renounce Christianity said her daughter sent a message to her that her family should pray for the will of God to be done in her life.

    According to the mother who spoke to our correspondent in Dapchi, Yobe State said she has not lost hope that her daughter would be returned to her, just as she also promised to continue praying and hoping on to God for her safe return.

    The Nation recall that Leah’s mother, Mrs. Sheribu went to comma after she gathered that her daughter was held back by Boko Haram insurgents when the girls were dropped off by Boko Haram after holding them in captivity for a month.

    Though Mrs. Sheribu has regained consciousness, she still looks visibly distraught and gloomy as she was surrounded by sympathizers and relatives who are keeping her company at their house in Dapchi.

    “The released girls told us that the insurgents insist that my daughter must denounce her religion. But she told them she has no single knowledge of Islam and can’t be. She was then left out of the Dapchi trip on the condition that any day she accepts Islam she will be released.

    “Leah, we were told was left with three other Boko Haram women there and she sends message that we should pray for the Will of Gods to  be done in her life”, Mrs. Sheribu informed.

    In her agony and frustration, she called on the Federal Government to reconsider a renegotiation to free her daughter from the hands of the insurgents.

    “So I plead that Government and the negotiation team should revisit the terms of the agreement to enhance the release of my daughter.

    “Everybody has his religion and no one should be compelled to practice a religion he or she never wishes to”.

    Mr. Nathan Sharibu, the father of Leah thanked Dapchi Community for standing by him and his family for the trying time.

    He described his relationship with the people of the community over the years as excellent and outstanding, adding that; for all the years I have stayed in this community, the people have accepted me as their son. I feel very much at home here with my family. I will forever be grateful to this community”.

    In a similar vein, the people of Dapchi Thursday offered special  prayers for the five girls that died during abduction by  Boko Haram insurgents. The people also called on the government to ensure the unconditional return of the only Christian girl held back by the insurgents.

    Read Also: Leah Sharibu won’t be abandoned – Buhari

  • 2019: APC chieftain mobilises support for Buhari’s reelection

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Mike Okoro, says President Muhammadu Buhari deserved a second term in 2019 to consolidate on the achievements recorded in his first term.

    Okoro, also an Aba-based business mogul, stated this in an interview with the News men on Thursday in Abakaliki.

    He listed road infrastructure, anti-graft campaign, and job creation, and youth empowerment, defeat of Boko Haram insurgency and maintenance of fiscal discipline as some of the landmark achievements of the President

    “Mr President has defeated the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and reclaimed territories annexed by the group.
    “Nigeria’s economy is gradually bouncing back and our external reserve streaming back to live.

    “Corruption in public service has reduced while fiscal discipline and responsibility are strictly adhered to in public procurement.
    “The present challenges which are part of the development challenges will be overcome with our support and prayers.

    “I think what we need do as person is to renew the mandate of Mr President so that he can consolidate on the achievements so far made,” Okoro said.

    He said that the President needed the patience, support and cooperation of every citizen to steer the country back to economic, social and political greatness.

    Read Also: Former Delta commissioner hails Buhari’s anti-graft war

    Okoro noted that Buhari’s administration was committed to restoration of hope and confidence of local and international investors.

    He said that recent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in parts of the country could be addressed through constructive dialogue and negotiation.

    The party chieftain, however, urged government to take a second look at the proposed establishment of cattle colonies, saying that it might not be a panacea to the recurring killings between herders and farmers.

    According to him, the proposal may also trigger more crises.

    “The nomads have been in the business of rearing their cattle from one part of the country, especially from the North to every other part of the nation.

    “We have not had the type of clashes and killings that have become the order of the day between the herders and farmers in the country.

    “I am not in favour of carving out portions of lands for the purpose of creating colonies for cattle rearing, rather I will ask that there should be a negotiation to find a middle cause for the problems,’’ he said.

    He urged eligible voters that not were registered in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to ensure they were registered to avoid self-disenfranchising during the election.

    NAN

  • Four Boko Haram suspects arrested in Adamawa

    The Army anounced yesterday the arrest of a high profile Boko Haram insurgent, Bubayi Isa, in Adamawa State.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said Isa was arrested with three other suspects – Muhammad Buba; Yakubu Abubakar and Yakubu Abdullahi.

    Isa is number 37 on the Army’s list of wanted Boko Haram suspects.

    He hails from Panama, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. He was arrested on Tuesday following an intelligence report.

    According to Gen. Chukwu, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects participated in operations coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The statement reads: “Troops of 23 Brigade, Operation Lafiya Dole, on March 20, arrested a wanted Boko Haram suspect, Bubayi Isa, from Panama village, Gunda District, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, following a tip-off.

    “Further investigations showed that Bubayi is the 37th suspect on the list of wanted Boko Haram suspects published by Army Headquarters.

    “Other suspects arrested with him are Muhammad Buba and Abdullahi Abubakar, from the same area, while Yakubu Abdullahi hails from Sabon Gari-Gado in Bayo Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The suspects were arrested in Kalaa village, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. They have confessed to belonging to a Boko Haram terrorist group and their various involvements.”

    The Army yesterday began a comprehensive rotation of 3,000 troops engaged in counter-insurgency campaign in the Northeast.

    Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, who addressed the rotated troops yesterday, said the exercise was approved by the Army Headquarters to boost the morale of troops and enhance operation.

    He said: “The Chief of Army Staff has graciously considered that, and gave us men to do the rotation. This is the first batch of soldiers to be rotated; about 1,500 of them will be leaving today and in the next few days, another 1,000 or more will leave.

    “We are rotating about 3,000 soldiers on Operation Lafiya Dole. It will be a continuous exercise to ensure that most troops who stayed long rejoin their units and families.”

    Gen. Nicholas added that the military authorities had adopted effective modalities to ensure the payment of outstanding allowances to the troops.

    He called on troops to use their off-duty period to stay with their families.

    Warrant Officer Francis Adama and Cpt. Adederan Akanbi hailed the gesture, saying it would avail them the opportunity to rejoin their families after four years of duty tour.

  • Aisha Wakil rejoices over release of Dapchi girls

    A human right activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, on Wednesday expressed joy over the release of the Dapchi school girls from Boko Haram captivity.

    The News men reports the Federal Government announced the release of the girls abducted by the insurgents at Government Science and Technical School, Dapchi on February 19.

    The insurgents transported the girls back to Dapchi in the early hours of today.

    Wakil, popularly called “Mama Boko Haram”, who appeared highly elated, told the News men that she received the news of the release of the girls with “great joy.”

    She commanded the Federal Government and other parties who contributed to the development, and expressed the hope that the remaining girls including Chibok girls would also be released soon.

    “I am highly elated over the release of the girls, it is a welcome development,” she said.

    The News men  report Wakil had earlier indicated interest to work towards the release of the abducted girls.

    Also, Malam Bashir Manzo, the Chairman, Parents Association of the Dapchi Abducted Girls, said that they were happy over the development.

    Read Also: Aisha Wakil: complex lingo of the mother hen 

    Manzo disclosed that they were currently taking head count of the girls, adding most of them had returned to their homes.

    Similarly, Mr Maina Musa and Ayuba Alamson, parents of abducted Chibok school girls, expressed joy over the development.

    They, however, tasked the government to secure the release of the remaining school girls in insurgents’ captivity.

    “It is disheartening on our part to see that our remaining children are still languishing in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents in the past four years,” Alamson said.

    Alamson noted that over 100 Chibok girls were in Boko Haram captivity since 2014.

    He called on the international community to support the Federal Government secure release of the girls and others still in captivity.

    The News men  reports also that representatives of the Chibok Parents Association had this morning paid a solidarity visit to Dapchi, to rejoice with the affected families.

    NAN

  • Adamawa lauds release of Dapchi school girls

    Adamawa Government has expressed joy over the release of Dapchi school girls by Boko Haram.

    Speaking to News men on the development, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, said it was good news to the government.

    “As a government we are indeed very happy, we thank God for the release which signified the beginning of the restoration of confidence in our security operatives,” Sajoh said.

    Also speaking, the member representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency, Adamu Kamale said he was happy with the development which he described as “answer to our prayers.”

    Read Also: Army arrests four Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa

    “We thank Mr President for his effort and urged for its sustenance to secure the release of others abducted in other places like my constituency,” Kamale said.

    Some students interviewed also expressed happiness over the development and urged government to take more concrete steps to avoid further abduction.

    NAN

  • Army arrests four Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had arrested an alleged high profile Boko Haram insurgent, Bubayi Isa, in Adamawa.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations said in a statement he issued in Maiduguri that Isa was arrested alongside three other suspects.

    Chukwu listed the names of other suspects as Muhammad Buba, Yakubu Abubakar and Yakubu Abdullahi, adding that Isa was number 37 on the list of Boko Haram insurgents published by the army.

    Chukwu explained that Isa was arrested on March 20, following an intelligence report, adding that the suspect hailed from Panama village of Biu Local Government of Borno.

    The army spokesman said that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects participated in operations, coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents at various times.

    “Troops of 23 Brigade, Operation Lafiya Dole on March 20, arrested a wanted Boko Haram suspect, Bubayi Isa from Panama village, Gunda District, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State following a tip off.

    “Further investigation reveals that Bubayi is the 37th suspect on the list of Boko Haram terrorist suspects, published by Army Headquarters.

    “Other suspects arrested with him are: Muhammad Buba and Abdullahi Abubakar from the same area while Yakubu Abdullahi hails from Sabon Gari Gado in Bayo Local Government Area of Borno.

    “The suspects were arrested in Kalaa village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.

    “The suspects have also confessed of belonging to a Boko Haram terrorists group and their various involvements, following a preliminary investigation by the troops.”

    NAN

  • Dapchi Girls: IGP absolves Police

    …Deploys Mobile Police to schools in Northeast 

    …IG gives 20th April as deadline for withdrawal of personnel

     

     

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has absolved the Nigeria Police Force in the abduction of Dapchi school girls.

    Over 100 girls were abducted in February from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State.

    The IG also disclosed that Police Mobile Force would be deployed to all the schools in the northeast as part of measures to forestall future occurrence.

    The Police chief said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Force Headquarters during a meeting with Squadron, Countet Terrorism Unit (CTU), and Special Protection Unit (SPU), Commanders.

    The meeting was held as part of preparation for the withdrawal of personnel from VIPs.

    On the deployment to schools in the northeast, the police chief said: “You are all aware of the abduction of Dapchi school girls by this horrible Boko Haram in Yobe States.  Though not the fault of the police, the incidence was a national embarrassment.

    “It is not the fault of the police because from what we had from the Commissioner of Police in the state, he said he was not informed or alerted before that attack took place but I think it is incumbent on us to take action.

    “Consequently, in compliance with the Presidential order, I have given a directive that all schools in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno state must have PMF personnel deployed to the schools. The PMF are to provide security in those schools.”

    Read Also: IGP withdraws policemen attached to VIPs, others

    The IG also said he will be going to the Northeast on Wednesday  (today) with the DIG Operations in order to have on the spot assessment of the deployment.

    On the withdrawal of Police personnel, the IG said the withdrawal would be nationwide.

    He said the men would be withdrawn latest 20th April, 2018.

    He said: “We are trying to seek the permission of the Commander in Chief before we conduct this withdrawal because it is going to be a massive withdrawal all over the country.

    “Of course you know the sentiment of people, whenever you take such actions; there would be lots of complaints. So, we are going to do it in a sound footing to make sure that once we withdraw people,  they are not taken back.

    “The Squadron and Commanders of PMF, CTU and PMF will sign an undertaken and any violation of those directives is going to be met with strict disciplinary action.

    “You have up to 20th April March to comply with these directives”, he added.

    The IG also described as worrisome attacks on Police personnel.

    He said the successes of the the attack shows that the personnel indulge in unprofessional conducts and poor training.

    The IG said: “Attack on Police personnel who are on official duties is quite worrisome. The rate at which personnel on special duties are killed and weapons carted away is alarming.

    “These incidences are due to lack of supervision, and unprofessional conducts by the men. They don’t have the training and therefore they don’t know what to do in the event of an attack.

    “They are never at alert and tend to forget themselves in the environment they operate. This attitude must be checked and solution must be found”.

    The IG said men posted to crisis areas must be fully kitted with guns, body armour, and enough ammunition.

  • Corruption can’t be wiped out anywhere – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Tuesday that it was practically impossible to completely wipe out corruption from any society, but said the Buhari government will ensure that corruption is degraded to the extent where it will no longer have impact on the nation’s economy.

    Chief Oyegun who spoke when he received the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida who came to inform him of the decision to confer on him the Polytechnic Fellow also said that uncharitable Nigerians will not give the government credit for degrading the Boko Haram insurgency which no longer has the capacity to hoist its flag anywhere in the country.

    Oyegun will be honoured alongside Governors Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state, Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at the institution’s combined convocation ceremony scheduled for March 28, 2018.

    Oyegun said even though there still challenges facing the nation, the Buhari government has taken drastic measure to address some of the ills facing the country, pointing out that while corruption is fighting back, it is no longer business as usual in the country.

    He said the country was in such a situation that it needed a man of courage to establish stability in the country and create an enabling environment for the economy to thrive, stressing that inspire of the challenges, the APC government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari has delivered in its promises.

    Chief Oyegun said the current government has been able to tame the Boko Haram insurgency to the extent that they no longer has the capacity to occupy any part of the country, but only attack soft targets.

    Oyegun said: “It is the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, a leadership that has been impossible for the opponents to distract or to derail that has made some of the things done so far possible. Yes, there are still challenges. As you rightly said, we took over in very difficult circumstances and one fundamental problem was the collapse of the price of oil in the international oil market.

    “The condition was such that we needed an extra ordinary man of courage to be able to lead the country out of the crisis that we inherited, to the increasing stability of economy and the progress that this nation is clearly beginning to attain. So, I consider that I am receiving this award on behalf of the President and government of this nation who has performed such tremendous miracle in reviving the Nigerian economy in a situation of declining resources.

    “We know how the fight against corruption is going on and that corruption is fighting back. It is not a problem you solve with the flip of a switch because corruption is very rich, it is very wealth and elitist and it is fighting back. But the President has a single mind about taming that scourge and tame it we will. 

    “We know now that corruption today is not as it was before. You can no longer take money from the government coffer and distribute to politicians and the rest of them. That alone is already a benefit and all the leakages have all been blocked. 

    “Nobody is saying that corruption has been wiped out because there is no country in the world where corruption has been wiped out, but it is being tackled in Nigeria and will degraded to the extent that it will no longer be a threat to the national economy or become an acceptable way of lodging business.

    “Boko Haram is tamed, but uncharitable people will go and say there are still explosions and killings. As at yesterday, there was still explosion in tenUnited States of America. 

    “Those crazy isolated incidents are aimed at soft targets. When a person is crazy and aiming at soft target, it is only God and inspiration that can stop such people. But what is clear is that Boko Haram has been totally degraded to the extent that it does not occupy any inch of Nigerian territory where it can raise its flag.

    “A lot of facilities are being out on ground especially the modern railway system that is going to be the bedrock of development in this country. You cannot carry meaningful development on trucks on the High way. 

    “It has to be carried on a modern railway system and the President has made that a priority and today we can say that on the implementation plan it now, is 5000 kilometer of modern standard gauge of railway line cutting across the entire length and breadth of this country.”

    Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi said the Polytechnic decided to honour the APC National Chairman because of his achievement in leading the party to a major victory in the 2015 election, and putting in place a government that achieved a lot in repositioning the country.

    Describing Oyegun as a master strategist and a silent achiever, the Rector said the achievement of the Buhari government in repositioning the country, especially in the area of security and agriculture among others was worth commending.

    Read Also: Kalu to Buhari: probe Obasanjo to prove your anti-corruption war

  • Soyinka condemns spate of killings, kidnappings in Nigeria

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday condemned the spate of killings and kidnappings in several parts of the country.

    Soyinka made the condemnation in Lagos while speaking at a programme “The Ripples Dialogue: Rebuilding a Divided Nigeria.”

    He described wanton killings of innocent Nigerians by criminals and herdsmen as “homicidal fiesta”, saying the situation was unfortunate.

    Soyinka said the government’s response to the security challenges was poor, especially those associated with herdsmen.

    He said it was bad for herdsmen to invade and kill people across communities in the country to graze their cattle.

    “The Lake Chad Basin is receding.The water is drying up. But that should not be a reason for herdsmen to attack people in Bayelsa, down in Oyo and Ogun, that should never be an excuse,”he said.

    Soyinka also condemned the abduction of school girls in Daphchi in Yobe State by Boko Haram members .

    He said that the abduction would have been prevented if those saddled with ensuring security in the school had done the right thing.

    The Nobel laureate described Boko Haram as “blood sucking “, saying their activities are a threat to humanity.

    On  the myriads of problems facing the country, Soyinka said Nigeria would be a better country if leaders were committed to service and the welfare of the people.

    The Nobel Laureate, however, said the followership also had its share of blame for some of the problems.

    He said working nations were not built by leaders alone but by good followers too.

    On the “shit hole” remark made by President Donald Trump about Nigeria and some other countries, Soyinka said the American president latched on the numerous problems in the country.

    According to him, if Nigerians had made the country work, Trump would not have had the opportunity to use such derogatory term to refer to the country.

    Soyinka, however, said he was not disappointed by President Trump’s  comment as he had always seen him as not fit for the office.

    The Nobel laurate condemned a bill being proposed by the National Assembly prescribing death penalty for those who made hate speeches.

    He said the bill was an attempt by the lawmakers to silence speech so that they could be immune to  scathing criticisms.

    While describing hate speeches as “dangerous and destructive”, he said hanging people was not the right  punishment.

    “Hate speech is bad and destructive, but do I want anybody hanged? No, I would rather want people shamed, “he said.

    Soyinka also urged the government at all levels to be alive to their responsibility.

    In his contribution, Dr Reuben Abati, immediate past  Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, said there was a disconnect between leadership and followership in the country .

    He  attributed the disconnect to  the mistrust between the two, in the light of failure of leadership to deliver the goods.

    Abati urged  leaders to discharge their responsibilities to the people, not only to earn the trust of their followers, but also to promote the development in the country.

    NAN

  • Reps vow to unravel alleged rape cases in IDP camps

    The House of Representative on Wednesday vowed to unravel alleged rampant cases of raping across Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camp in the country.

    This followed a motion by Rep. Hassan Saleh (Benue-APC) on the “need to investigate the untoward activities going on in the various IDPs camps in Nigeria.”

    Moving the motion, Saleh said government’s effort concerning the care and protection of the IDPs was not enough, hence the need for government to do more to protect the victims.

    He expressed concern over the publication in one of the nation’s dailies of Dec. 17, 2017 on how the IDPs in Nigeria were poorly managed.

    “There are several IDP camps all over the country due to the continuous invasion by Boko Haram which has led to displacement of many innocent citizens from their communities” he said.

    According to him, there are a lot of stories in National dailies including New York Times of the harrowing Experiences of rape allegedly committed against women and girls by men in the camps, especially those who are supposed to protect them.

    He expressed worry that the stories of rape, sex for food and materials, rampant pregnancy and abandonment of young mothers and their children were the same in all the camps across the country.

    “There are also cases of pilfering of relief materials and extortion ravaging the camps.

    “Human Right watch had reportedly written to various government agencies requesting comments on the various allegations emanating from all the camps but has not received any response.

    “The National Emergency Management ( NEMA ) is mandated by its Act to provide relief materials to victims of natural or other disasters and to assist in their rehabilitation but it unable to do so.

    “NEMA and the Refugee Commission which have expanded mandate for IDPs are unable to cope with the level of displacement,” he said.

    The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on IDPs, Refugees and Initiative on North-East to investigate cases of rape, teenage pregnancy, extortion and stealing of relief materials in IDPs’ camps.

    The committee has eight weeks to carry out the assignment.

    NAN