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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram faction contacts Aisha Wakil over Dapchi girls

    Boko Haram faction contacts Aisha Wakil over Dapchi girls

    The Barnawi faction of Boko Haram has contacted human rights activist, Mrs. Aisha Wakil, admitting it has in its custody the abducted students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    The sect also hinted that the girls might be released.

    Wakil, popularly called Mama Boko Haram on account of her closeness to many of the sect members, said on Friday that the Abu Musab Al-Barnawi faction called her on Thursday to confirm that it is keeping the girls.

    She said the abductors told her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.

    She did not say how many of the girls are with the terrorists, although the Federal Government put the number of the missing girls at 110.

    The sect had called her following an earlier interview she granted PRNigeria in which she pleaded with the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.

    She said in the interview that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.

    Wakil said: “They were even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you have said and told me that they were with the girls and they were going to release them.

    “I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.

    “I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.

    “I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son, Habib, (Abu Musab Al-Barnawi) and his friends.

    “Habib is a nice guy, he is a very nice boy. He will not harm them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.

    “He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.

    “They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down and be prayerful. Everything will be over in God grace.”

    NAN

     

     

  • Boko Haram attack Rann, kill UNICEF doctor, eight others

    Boko Haram attack Rann, kill UNICEF doctor, eight others

    Not fewer than eight security personal were killed Friday after a deadly Boko Haram attack on a military and police location in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government of Borno State.

    Though there is no confirmation yet from the military and police authorities in Borno state, a senior security official told our correspondent that a doctor working with the UNICEF clinic, including other aid workers could have been killed in the attack.

    The attack which was carried out by heavily armed Boko Haram terrorists also carted away with some military gun trucks.

    In Yobe State, Police have confirmed a suicide attack at a mosque at fulatari area  in Buni-Yadi, Gujba Local government area.

    The Nation gathered that the bomber, female killed herself and injured two others at  5:30am muslim prayers.

    Commissioner of Police Abdulmalik Sunmonu confirmed the attack, saying his men have reported the incident to him, “One person who tried to block the suicide bomber is injured but receiving treatment “, he said.

    Buni Yadi has not witnessed any serious attack since its liberation in 2015.

    A local source disclosed that the teenage bomber attempted to enter the mosque when a worshiper tried to stop her.

    Read Also:Nigeria, Cameroon troops kill 35 Boko Haram insurgents

  • Sokoto to assist school for kids orphaned by Boko Haram

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has promised to assist a school founded by a Sokoto philanthropist, Alhaji Umarun Kwabo, to cater for over 150 children orphaned by Boko Haram.

    The school is expected to provide shelter, clothing and basic Islamic and Western education to the children in Sokoto, away from Northeast region, the conflict area.

    “This gesture is not only commendable, but worthy of emulation by all persons. Seeing these children happy is both touching and encouraging. In my personal capacity and as government, we will render our assistance to ensure that the children are comfortable,” Tambuwal was quoted as saying via a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto.

    Speaking further when he visited the school’s boarding facility for the children, Tambuwal directed officials from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare Development to constantly monitor the children’s progress and ensure they are comfortable at all times.

    “These are our children. The unfortunate incidence that brought them here notwithstanding, we will step in and act as all parents should. They are home in  Sokoto and it’s our collective responsibilities to cater for their needs,” he added.

    Conducting the Governor round the premises, Kwabo said he was touched by the plight of the children and decided to assist to ensure a future for them.

    He said some of them were as young as three years, adding that they spoke only their mother tongue.

    “So we took extra effort to recruit teachers who speak such languages to make their stay here as comfortable as possible,” he added.

  • Boko Haram: NSA inaugurates Helipad in Borno

    Boko Haram: NSA inaugurates Helipad in Borno

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, on Wednesday inaugurated a helipad set up by the Nigerian Air Force in Monguno, Borno to enhance its operation against the Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad region.

    Monguno also commissioned an office complex and residential accommodation built for officers and airmen at the newly- established 171 NAF Detachment in the area.

    The NAF 171 detachment was set up in the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Monguno in Monguno Local Government Area, Borno.

    Monguno said the new Air Force unit would add value to the counter-insurgency operation, restoration of peace and stabilisation process in the troubled region.

    He described the projects as significant milestone in NAF’s drive to enhance air power in all the nooks and crannies of the country.

    The NSA added that the project was designed to provide additional military options in conducting aerial surveillance on the border with Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republics to check terrorists’ activities and cross border crimes.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique  Abubakar, explained that the service detachment was designed to enhance the endurance limitations of air power in the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East and the Lake Chad region.

    “The establishment of the unit will expand and increase the reach of the service platforms in operations around border areas,” Abubakar added

    The projects include: a block of 11-rooms for airmen and a block of flats for officers and a helipad.

    NAN

  • Mama Boko Haram begs Albarnawi to release girls

    Mama Boko Haram begs Albarnawi to release girls

    A former member of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Hajia Aisha Alkali Wakil (a.ka. Mama Boko Haram), yesterday asked the Abu Musab Al-Barnawi-led faction of Boko Haram to release the kidnapped 110 Dapchi girls.

    Her plea followed a lead that the Al-Barnawi faction had been operating around Yobe State and might have abducted the Government Girls Science College, Dapchi, students.

    Al-Barnawi (named as Habib at birth) is said to be the son of the late founder of Jamâ’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihâd (Boko Haram), Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in police detention on July 30, 2009.

    Following irreconcilable differences on modus operandi of the sect, Al-Barnawi parted ways with Abubakar Shekau.

    Speaking with PRNigeria, Hajiya Wakil, a Northeast human rights activist with strong links with Boko Haram, said:  “This thing that is happening; is really breaking my heart. These children don’t even know what they are doing. Some of them were not even born at the time this thing started.

    “Wallahi, I will go after them, even if it will take my life to save these girls. They call me Mummy, but they don’t listen to me.

    “I keep on talking to them, begging them to lay down their arms and embrace peace but they will say ‘Insha-Allah mummy we are going to stop.’ Sometimes they will say they are scared that they are going to be killed but I will tell them nobody is going to kill you.

    “I heard you are now being called ‘Abu Mussad Albarnawi’ but I know you as Habib and I am begging you to stop the killings and abductions.

    “ I have sent many messages to you. I don’t know if you are getting these messages or you just chose to continue to hurt your mother and make her cry.

    “Dear Habib, Nuru and others, I was told you may be the ones responsible for the kidnap of these girls. Whereever you may be, if you are listening to me, I beg you in the name of Allah to release the girls back to their families.

    “What type of children will continue letting their mother to continue crying. Dear Habib, I pray Allah touches your heart and that of your colleagues to stop what you are doing. “

    She pleaded with Al-Barnawi   to lay down his arms alongside his members.

    Hajiya Wakil  added: “Please, come out. I will never deny you even if the whole world did. Those who know you know your heart. They know you are no longer interested in the fight anymore.

    “Respected by many in her community, Aisha Wakil has been actively involved in efforts to end Boko Haram through her NGO “Complete Care and Aid Foundation” aimed at restoring peace to the Northeast by rehabilitating the youth against warped ideologies that mislead them to join the terror group.

    A security source said: “Intelligence report indicated that the girls might have been abducted by Al-Barnawi faction and not the Shekau group which would have made political capital of the situation.

    “The same Al-Barnawi faction, which is against killing of abducted hostages, recently released the three University of Maiduguri lecturers and 10 women from Lassa.

    “The girls are suspected to have been moved to a desert camp of the Boko Haram faction in Niger Republic. Air surveillance has not picked the site.”

  • U.S. designates Boko Haram leader Al-Barnawi, others global terrorists

    U.S. designates Boko Haram leader Al-Barnawi, others global terrorists

    THE United States (U.S.) Department of State has designated three ISIS-affiliated groups – ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Philippines and ISIS-Bangladesh – as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 and as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

    As a result of these designations, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Philippines, or ISIS-Bangladesh.  The groups’ property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.  In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to the organisations.

    The Department has also designated four other ISIS-affiliated groups and two ISIS-affiliated leaders as SDGTs under Section 1(b) of E.O. 13224.

    The groups are ISIS-Somalia, Jund al-Khilafah-Tunisia, ISIS-Egypt, and the Maute Group, and the individuals are Mahad Moalim and Abu Musab al-Barnawi.

    The E.O. 13224 imposes strict sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S.

    In announcing these designations, Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan A. Sales emphasized that “these designations target key ISIS-affiliated groups and leaders outside its fallen caliphate in Iraq and Syria.  Today’s actions are a critical step in degrading ISIS’s global network and denying its affiliates the resources they need to plan and carry out terrorist attacks.”

    In March 2015, the leader of the FTO and SDGT group Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS and changed the group’s name to ISIS-West Africa.  ISIS accepted the pledge of allegiance.  In August 2016, ISIS-West Africa split into two factions, due to infighting.  ISIS appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi as leader of ISIS-West Africa; the other faction, which remained loyal to longtime leader Abubakar Shekau, reverted to the previous Boko Haram name.  Al-Barnawi is the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.  Prior to his appointment as leader of ISIS-West Africa, al-Barnawi was the spokesperson for Boko Haram.  Under his leadership, ISIS-West Africa has carried out numerous attacks in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

  • Mama Boko Haram begs Al -Barnawi to release abducted Dapchi girls

    Mama Boko Haram begs Al -Barnawi to release abducted Dapchi girls

    A former member of Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Barr. Aisha Alkali Wakil (a.ka. Mama Boko Haram) on Tuesday asked the Abu Musab Al-Barnawi-led faction of Boko Haram to release the 110 girls abducted from the Government Girls’ Science Technical College, Dapchi.

    Wakil’s appeal followed fresh lead that the Al-Barnawi faction had been operating along Yobe State axis and might have abducted the girls.

    Al-Barnawi (named Habib at birth) was said to be the son of the late founder of Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (now known as Boko Haram), Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in police custody on July 30, 2009.

    Following irreconcilable differences on Boko Haram’s modus operandi, Al-Barnawi parted ways with the sect.

    But Wakil, a North-East human rights activist with strong links with Boko Haram, spoke with PRNigeria in Maiduguri, Borno State, and urged Al-Barnawi to spare the girls.

    According to PRNigeria, the activist who cried profoundly said:  “This thing that is happening, is really breaking my heart. These children don’t even know what they are doing. Some of them were not even born at the time this thing started.

    “Wallahi I will go after them, even if it will take my life to save these girls. They call me Mummy, but they don’t listen to me.

    “I keep on talking to them, begging them to lay down their arms and embrace peace but they will say ‘Insha-Allah mummy we are going to stop.’ Sometimes they will say they are scared they are going to be killed but I will tell them nobody is going to kill you.”

    “I heard you are now being called ‘Abu Mussad Al-Barnawi’ but I know you as Habib and I am begging you to stop the killing and abduction.

    “I have sent many messages to you. I don’t know if you are getting these messages or you just chose to continue to hurt your mother and make her cry.

    “Dear Habib, Nuru and others, I was told you may be the ones responsible for the kidnap of these girls. Where ever you may be if you are listening to me, I beg you in the name of Allah to release the girls back to their families.

    “What type of children will continue letting their mother to continue crying. Dear Habib, I pray Allah touches your heart and that of your colleagues to stop what you are doing. “

    She pleaded with Al-Barnawi to come out and lay down his arms alongside his members.

    She added: “Please come out. I will never deny you even if the whole world did. Those who know you know your heart. They know you are no longer interested in the fight anymore.

    “I will hold all of you and wrap you with my wrapper and bring you out and no one is going to shoot you. If they will shoot you, they will have to shoot me first. I don’t mind sacrificing my life if you will stop what you are doing.  If I die to stop Boko Haram, I know I will go to paradise.”

    The PRNigeria said the female “activist was reported to have helped in the circumcision of some kids over two decades ago who later became Boko Haram members. Her relationship with the sect members earned her the name ‘Mama Boko Haram.’

    “Disturbed about the latest abduction of 110 students of Government Girls Technical College Dapchi, Aisha has renewed her commitment to help end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “Respected by many in her community, Wakil has been actively involved in efforts to end Boko Haram through her NGO “Complete Care and Aid Foundation” aimed at restoring peace to the North East by rehabilitating the youth against warped ideologies that mislead them to join the terror group.

  • Boko Haram carried out 60 suicide attacks in Cameroon in 2017

    Boko Haram carried out 60 suicide attacks in Cameroon in 2017

    Boko Haram carried out 60 suicide attacks in Cameroon in 2017, UN Assistant-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ms Ursula Mueller has said.

    The UN deputy relief chief stated said this on her arrival in Chad for a two-day visit to see first-hand the humanitarian situation in the country.

    Mueller would assess efforts of the humanitarian community to respond in a context of chronic underfunding, multiple humanitarian crises and development challenges in the country.

    She said that Cameroon was the country most impacted by the regional extension of the Boko Haram conflict.

    “In 2017, there were more than 60 suicide attacks in the Far North representing a 50 per cent increase compared to 2016.

    “Some 3.3 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance. In the Far North, one out of every three people is facing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity.

    “But Cameroon’s Humanitarian Response Plan has only received five per cent of the U.S. 305 million dollars required to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs,’’ she said.

    Mueller is expected to meet with Chadian authorities, humanitarian and development partners as well as impacted populations.

    She would visit the Lac region on Saturday to see for herself the humanitarian consequences of the Lake Chad Basin crisis in Chad.

    Her visit aims to generate greater international visibility and donour support for humanitarian needs in Chad.

    According to her, a third of the population or 4.4 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2018.

    Before travelling to Chad, Mueller wrapped up her visit to Cameroon where she called on the international community and the government to step up support for humanitarian action in the country.

    NAN

  • Photos: Buhari receives released Boko Haram Captives

    Photos: Buhari receives released Boko Haram Captives

    President Buhari receives released Boko Haram Captives in State House on Monday.

  • Video: Buhari meets freed UNIMAID lecturers, Police woman

    Video: Buhari meets freed UNIMAID lecturers, Police woman

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday held closed doors meeting with the three University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) lecturers and one Police woman released after negotiations with terrorists sect, Boko Haram.

    The meeting started by 12 noon.

    Also Read: Dapchi: it’s a national disaster – Buhari

    The lecturers were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State, while  the women were kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa road, near Maiduguri.

    Their release followed series of negotiations as directed by President Buhari and was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.

    They were examined by  a team of doctors and psychologists.

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