”Similarly, Sector III in Nigeria reported the surrender of one terrorist fighter, Ibrahim Malam, 28, to the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga.
”Preliminary investigations revealed that Malam had been a Boko Haram fighter living in Kwaleram, south of Lake Chad, for six years,” he said.
“As Operation Lake Sanity II progresses, MNJTF urges other terrorists to surrender and lay down their arms for lasting peace and prosperity in the region,”he said.
The Emeritus Dean of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN) has said that the emergence of Boko Haram has escalated sexual and gender-based violence against women in the country.
The law teacher noted that the abduction and trafficking of girls as mercenaries and comfort to provide sex for the insurgents, forced marriage to terrorists and ‘sex-for-food further escalated GBV in the country.
She noted that these untoward practices are having a significant impact on women, children and persons with disabilities, resulting in huge unmet justice needs.
Ezeilo stated this in Abuja while speaking at the launch of three books: “Effects of Bwari conflict and Enugu sit-at-home on women,” Experiences and conditions of domestic workers in North West Nigeria’ and ‘Impact of the farmer-herder crisis on women and girls in IDP camps’ published by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (RSL) West Africa.
The don noted that gender-based violence on women and girls are rising because of low prosecution of perpetrators.
She said: “Offenders get away with their crimes due to a lack of due diligence in investigation and prosecution, evidence, and witness support, including delays and corruption in the administration of the criminal justice system.”
Title: Boko Haram and other Security Challenges in Nigeria
Author: Abdullahi Y. Shehu
Reviewer: Bukar Usman
Pagination: 669
Publisher: National Open University of Nigeria
Year of Publication: 2024
A reading of Chapter 13, being the concluding chapter of this book reveals that it was virtually finalised after the February 2023 general elections in Nigeria, but before the new administration assumed office later in May of the same year. However, the issues discussed in the book remain vividly topical.
The book was written while the author was serving at a diplomatic post as Nigeria’s Ambassador. In spite of the demanding nature of the job, he said that he made time on weekends and during holidays to write the book. And even though he lost the original manuscript, he remained determined and started writing afresh. This kind of determination is a good lesson for public officers who are interested in writing.
Motivations
The author stated his motivations for writing the book in its first few pages. One of the motives was that he was driven by patriotic zeal to contribute to knowledge about the security problems facing his country. He further elaborated on this at p.34 where he said that he wanted to help in boosting better understanding of the phenomenon of Boko Haram and related security issues of banditry and kidnappings, especially in Northern Nigeria with information. In discussing these issues, he focuses on the origins, causes and spread of the insurgency; and assessed Nigeria’s response to the threat of terrorism and analysed the efficiency of Nigeria’s defense and security framework. He then proceeded and made informed recommendations towards improving Nigeria’s security situation and putting an end to the current state of insecurity as well as checking future occurrences.
Certainly, monetary considerations are not among the motives as he has declared in his letter inviting me to review this book that the proceeds from this event would be used by his Foundation ‘towards humanitarian assistance to victims of Boko Haram and other violent conflicts in Nigeria.’
He also dedicated the book to military, law-enforcement and security personnel who lost their lives in the course of fighting terrorism and other security breaches and threats in Nigeria. Civilian victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria are no less remembered.
The author notes that Boko Haram was formed in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf, although other accounts suggested that it was formed earlier by other persons. However, it was Boko Haram of Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, Borno State, North-eastern Nigeria, that took to terrorism gradually and eventually launched an armed insurgency in 2009. It was in 2014 that the Government proscribed the organization along with Ansaru as they engaged in activities that were manifestly terroristic in nature.
And although government declared in 2018 that Boko Haram had been ‘technically defeated’, unfortunately up to the year 2024 when this book was published, we are sadly witnessing its atrocities, albeit on a much lower scale, and living with the aftermath of the impact of its atrocities and methodologies.
To help the reader understand the issues involved, the author devoted Chapter Two of the book to definitions and explanations of the differences between ‘terrorism’ and ‘insurgency.’ He discussed the incidences and manifestations of the two phenomena in Chapter Three.
As it is well known that, terrorists and insurgents need money to sustain themselves and for their heinous operations, the author discussed ‘terrorist financing’, ‘money laundering’ and several other means through which they raise funds locally and from outside the country in Chapter Six. It is my firm opinion that these should be areas of particular interest to the academia and more especially the security-intelligence operatives. A clear understanding of the terminologies and their manifestations will greatly be of guidance to operatives in evolving an effective system of monitoring and disrupting financial flows to perpetrators of violence and save members of the public from the wicked activities of the criminal gangs.
It should be borne in mind that for the generality of members of the public all they want from operatives and the authorities is to be able to go about their leisure or pursue their legitimate means of livelihood anywhere and anytime unperturbed.
The Issues
Boko Haram is the main subject of the book. This is highlighted boldly in white colour in the title of the book. However, much of the book is based on a review of literature and general discussions on insurgency and terrorism as global phenomena; the factors responsible for their emergence, growth and spread as well as the types of responses and approaches deployed to stop and prevent them.
The author made copious references to local and external sources backed by staggering statistics, though some of the statistics are questionable because their bases were suspect; particularly, those rendered in percentages are liable to abuse. He also draws from statements of the principal leaders of the insurgents as well as debriefings of captured insurgents.
According to his findings, Boko Haram was ‘homegrown’. It grew out of the fertile ground of Borno State as the epicentre before spreading to other parts of the country. In his view, the phenomenon could have been nipped in the bud if only the government had heeded intelligence reports and advice of well-meaning individuals and recommendations of committees set up by the government at the initial stages. However, elements of disbelief and concocted ‘conspiracy theories’ fouled the air, leading to a tragic miscomprehension of the Boko Haram phenomenon and failure to face the situation squarely. Government was somewhat hesitant in entertaining dialogue and looking into their grievances with an open mind. Initially the military was ill-equipped to face the insurgents’ guerrilla and unconventional mode of operations.
Even when the phenomenon of Boko Haram spreads, dialogues and deals entered into by lower tiers of government could not hold because of multiplicity of bandits and other insurgency groups. The military is deployed virtually to every part of the country in order to bring respite at great cost to the country. There were allegations of misappropriation of colossal amounts of funds voted for logistics and welfare of personnel.
The author noted accurately that several other security challenges, namely kidnappings, banditry, communal clashes and violent separatist tendencies, existed before the emergence of Boko Haram. The nation has been grappling with them to this day. However, sadly, these crises assumed greater and sinister complexities after the manifestation of the Boko Haram terrorism which turned into an insurgency.
The author identifies the components of the security challenges nationwide as the products of bad governance; some of the challenges date back to the colonial times and lack of proper appreciation of the problems and addressing their root causes. Bad governance is manifested in acts of corruption such as outright embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. There were allegations that through diversion of public funds many members of the governing class acquired properties abroad and fleet of private jets.
Other causative and factors leading to and fueling terrorism, insurgency and kidnapping include: drugs, indoctrination, fundamentalism, guns and human trafficking, hate culture, religion, revenge, ideology, poverty arising mainly from lack of job opportunities, illiteracy, corruption characterised by bad governance and lack of political will to deal with it and associated problems, foreign dimensions
The author acknowledged that poverty cannot be the sole push factor for engaging in acts of terrorism. He cited ample examples in other parts of the world where people got involved in terrorism to promote some causes or ideological beliefs. However, poverty, unemployment and illiteracy worsened by unbearable living conditions, may generate protests and render individuals to be easily recruited into terror and kidnapping cells. A few terror operatives of course could be conscripted against their will as demonstrated by Boko Haram in its operations.
Foreign Dimensions
Foreign dimensions to the activities of Boko Haram were discussed by the author from two broad perspectives: the perspective of Boko Haram and the perspective of the Nigerian Government. From the perspective of Boko Haram, there were sufficient evidence from the pronouncements of the leading personalities, video recordings and debriefings to show that Boko Haram forged alliances with like -minded outside groups that offered logistics, personnel, finance and training facilities. Logos and designation of certain places of operation with foreign names were clear signatures of foreign connections and involvement.
From the Nigerian government perspective, outside supports was varied. Soothing resolutions were passed by the United Nations Organisation and regional organizations, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States with reference to acts of terrorism in Nigeria and other parts of the world. External humanitarian supports were received from the United Nations Organisation, several aid organizations, foundations and individuals. Government had misgivings that some of the supports were being used as a cover for some sinister motives. Some international organizations focused more on condemning the mode of operation of the Nigerian military to the total exclusion of the horrendous atrocities committed by the insurgents. When it comes to military hardware, there were some reluctances to sell to Nigeria and undue insistence on payments in advance. And even after meeting these conditions, delivery of equipment paid for were inexplicably delayed in what amounted to sabotaging the military campaign against the terror groups. In some cases, there were outright refusal to deliver the hardware and influencing others not to sell weapons to Nigeria. Yet the countries treating Nigeria in that way in her hours of national needs are supposed to be friendly, or even allies. The same pattern of behaviour was manifested by more or less the same set of countries during the Nigerian war of national unity.
At this juncture, I wish to strongly advocate that, for Nigeria to ensure and guarantee its existential survival as a sovereign nation state, and end reliance on unreliable outwardly friendly, but double-faced nations, Nigeria should take the path to the development of a national defence industry. It is simply essential. It should be rigorously pursued. Immediately, purposefully. The country has what it takes to do that. Countries facing long-standing multiple sanctions have looked inward and successfully developed defence capabilities that deter predator nations from threatening their existence. Nigeria can do the same and that should be done without delay.
The author observed, perhaps correctly, that the Nigerian Government did not press hard for international support from outside the immediate neighboring countries bordering the theatre of the war against the insurgency. From the experience of the Nigerian Civil War or war of unity, it was good to keep them out. However, given the era of globlisation with no respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity, one needs not invite outside powers. They could have gate-crashed; and in fact they were somehow indirectly involved remotely: they don’t need to be physically on the ground. After all, current warfare is not fought by military hardware alone. The author gathered that when trouble broke out somewhere in Europe, their attention was diverted to where their hegemonic interests were at more perilous stake.
The author concludes that while government efforts have not successfully addressed the problems from their roots, international support has fallen short of expectations in terms of promises and measurable results; and that Boko Haram and other security challenges facing Nigeria are products of bad governance as earlier adverted to.
Solutions
The author in a nut shell strongly recommends that solutions to Nigeria’s terrorism and insurgency problems squarely lie in the ‘home front’ and on Government addressing the problems from their roots. While external support may not be entirely discounted, he advocates that Government must have a sustainable agenda for the youth population; combating corruption, ensuring accountability, and providing transparent and fair justice to all, must take their true place in our national life. All this are predicated on demonstrable and observable ‘political will’, however defined, and conducting credible elections. He underscored the point made in our National Defence Policy that, security is the cornerstone of development and progress as well as guarantor for the well-being of citizens and stability of the state. Furthermore, it is emphasized in the Nigerian Constitution that ‘security and welfare’ of the citizens are the primary functions of government.
Flow of ideas
I recall that some years back a lady, Maria Sokenu of blessed memory, came from Wema Bank and met Chief SO Falae, then Secretary to the Government of the Federation in his office at the presidency, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. The meeting took place in my presence. She came purposely to sell the idea of the establishment in Nigeria of a bank similar to ‘grameen bank’ in Bangladesh. The proposal received instant approval from higher quarters. The name, ‘bank of the poor’ was rejected in favour of “peoples’ bank”. In no time the first bank with that name was established in Ajegunle and subsequently spread to other parts of Nigeria; it later metamorphosed to what is now called ‘community bank’ or ‘microfinance bank’. The point to bear in mind here is that ideas could flow to the public service from anywhere. The author has devoted a lot of time to write this well-researched book, and his antecedents indicate that he knows what he is talking about; the public service should therefore do well to look into the points he has made and see what use could be made of them for the betterment of Nigeria’s security situation.
Mentorship
AY Shehu, the author, graciously credits me as being his mentor. It is true we were together in the federal public service and interacted very closely. The interaction continued to date. He may well have gathered some ideas in the course of our interactions. Beyond that, he was on his own. He followed his religious injunction that says one should seek knowledge even unto Siam (China). And so, he went not quite to China but to the then Hong Kong, that later was returned to China, to acquire a PhD. degree. I did not read up to PhD level. He went into teaching and became a professor. I didn’t. He became an international public servant of repute, interacting with various leaders in the West African sub-region. I wasn’t so privileged. He represented Nigeria as a top diplomat at Ambassadorial level, and was accredited to one of the most powerful nations of the world. In the process, he garnered a great deal of exposure and experience. Aside from the two books being presented today, one of which he asked me to review, he had written several other books in the past. The two books being presented today may not be the last from him. He has set the pace for fellow public officers, both serving and former and indeed every Nigerian, to emulate. By so doing, ideas are contributed to help advance our dear country to a stage we and succeeding generations would all be proud of.
And so, here is a mentee who has outperformed a mentor in many respects. I thank him very much for the kind compliments and wish that God gives him long life in good health and the wisdom to further consolidate and share more of his worthy ideas for the betterment of Nigeria and humanity at large.
I thank you all.
· Bukar Usman, OON, former Permanent Secretary in the Presidency and current President of the Nigerian Folklore Society.
A major Christian denomination with headquarters in Adamawa state and church branches mostly across the North East, Ekklesiyar Yan’uws of Nigeria (EYN), has told the story of its resilience in face of attacks by Boko Haram.
The EYN, also known as the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, which faced severe attacks by Boko Haram in 2014, relocated its headquarters to Jos in Plateau State.
During its general meeting at its headquarters in Kwarhi, Adamawa State, the EYN stated that it has rebuilt 87 churches destroyed by Boko Haram over the last eight years.
At the 77th General Church Council meeting in Kwarhi, Adamawa State, President of the EYN, Rev Joel Billi who is rounding off his eight-year tenure, spoke of how the church sourced funds to rebuild the 87 church buildings, among other projects that his leadership has implemented between 2017 and now.
The projects include establishment of the church’s Brethren Microfinance Bank in 2017; completion of the headquarters office complex and church auditorium and provision of furniture; establishment of a college of health technology in Galkida, Adamawa State; setting up of a confectionary company that produces table water and bread in Kwarhi, among others.
Throwing further light on how the church has overcome its challenges, General Secretary of the EYN, Dr Daniel Mbaya said the church has advanced by not focusing on the crises it faced.
“We were in Jos when we (outgoing executives) were elected. The first major thing we did afterwards was to return the administrative structure here (Kwarhi) to pursue effective rebuilding,” the EYN general secretary said.
The Nation reports that the EYN which entered Nigeria 101 years ago as an offshoot of the Church of the Brethren in America, is today the largest national body of the Church of the Brethren in the world.
A civil society group, Alliance for Truth, has warned supporters and adherents against joining Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other groups as they are morally bankrupt.
The group noted the disregard for human life and disrespect of Islamic faith the terror groups have exhibited.
In a statement, Truth Alliance, said its warning was aimed at exposing the truth behind recent kidnapping and killing”.
It said the groups were “morally bankrupt” for lying to Nigerias who suffer everyday from their violence.
Ahmad Mustapha, a member, said: “Violent extremist groups always hide the truth about their activites. They harm people. They lie, they cheat and commit crimes. They claim to represent Islam, but this is not true.”
Commenting on the death of Muslim worshippers after a suicide bombing in Northeast, members described the killing as having no part in Islam, saying instead it showed “disregard for those worshipping during Ramadan.”
The group said it was out to fearlessly advocate for justice and transparency, adding that it was committed to unmasking the truth behind extremists agenda by empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence.
“Through education, outreach, and collaboration, the Truth Alliance strives to build a safer, more resilient society for all.
“The Truth Alliance has come together to expose the truth behind how violent extremist groups draw young people into their ranks. Their message is simple: These groups manipulate, they deceive, they control, they kill, they kidnap, they destroy, and their movement as well as ideology are inherently weak.”
A civil society group, Alliance for Truth, has warned supporters and potential adherents against joining Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other extremist ideology groups as they were morally bankrupt.
The group noted with dismay, the utter disregard for human life and the disrespect of the Islamic faith these terror groups have continued to exhibit especially in light of recent atrocities allegedly committed by the sects.
In a statement released at the weekend on its official website, the Truth Alliance, said its warning was aimed at exposing the truth behind recent kidnappings and killings describing them as “very destructive to the fabric of our once peaceful society.”
It said the terror groups were “morally bankrupt” for lying to the people of Nigeria who continue to suffer everyday from their acts of violence that leave trail of destruction and death.
Ahmad Mustapha, a member of the Truth Alliance said: “Violent extremist groups always conveniently find ways to hide the truth about what they do. They are always out to harm innocent people. They lie, they cheat and they commit all sorts of crimes against every member of the society. They claim to represent Islam, but the truth is far from that.”
Commenting on the death of innocent Muslim worshippers after a recent suicide bombing in the northeast, some members of the Truth Alliance described the killings as having no part in Islam, revealing instead their “utter disregard for those who choose to worship during the Holiest month of the year.”
The group said it was out to fearlessly advocate for justice and transparency, adding that it was committed to unmasking the truth behind extremists agenda by empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence.
“Through education, outreach, and collaboration, the Truth Alliance strives to build a safer, more resilient society for all.
“The Truth Alliance has come together to expose the truth behind how violent extremist groups draw young people into their ranks. Their message is simple: These groups manipulate, they deceive, they control, they kill, they kidnap, they destroy, and their movement as well as ideology are inherently weak.”
Over 90 per cent of houses in Borno State were destroyed by Boko Haram,Governor Babangana Zulum said yesterday.
He said fortunately in the last twelve years, his predecessor and himself have so far rebuilt more than 30-40 per cent of such houses in the state.
Zulum said despite the effort by the administration, the state still has a huge significant deficit, amounting to not less than 500,000.
The Governor said this yesterday in Abuja at the International Organisations for Migration’s (IOM) housing design award ceremony titled, ‘Home after Crisis’, that brought together about 1,600 designers, architects, engineers from over 100 countries.
He said: “The Government of Borno and that of the Northeast would provide the political will needed to partner with IOM and other organisations in order to build more homes for the families of displaced communities.
“Very soon, we would be entering into an agreement with IOM to see how we can partner together and build more houses.
“The security situation In Borno state has improved by over 90 per cent, we are doing very well, we have many safe areas so we are going to do everything possible to ensure that houses are built and communities resettled in a dignified manner, according to the Kampala convention.
“When it comes to the deficit of housing in Borno state, I can’t give a specific figure but I can say that almost 90 per cent of our houses were destroyed by Boko Haram but within the last 12 years, beginning with my predecessor till date, I think we have built more than 30-40 per cent but we still have a huge significant deficit, amounting to not less than 500,000.”
Chief of Mission IOM Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck said the organisation is working on constructing about a million houses in Maiduguri and Yola using the wining designs of the competition.
He added, “We have already started building the housing prototypes in Maiduguri, we would soon do same in Yola.
“As for the prototypes we have looked into accessing some lands where the safety is offered and then we start building. The spectacular thing is that it is low cost, using local materials, we are training the population there to also build themselves and recycle what exists around them like metals for covering the houses. We have the aim of a million houses in Maiduguri and Yola but we hope that it would also go further to other parts of the country because we are working with the private sector for potential support. So we are hoping that we can shapen how houses are built not only in the Northeast but Nigeria.”
The three wining designs from the competition won €10,000 Euros in Total with the first and second positions won by Nigerian architects and the third by a German team and the teams won €5000 for first prize, €3000 for second and €2000 for the third.
A bloody clash has occurred in Borno State between Boko Haram fighters and those of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), claiming scores of lives.
The wave of insecurity in the Northeast at the weekend also saw the convoy of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni come under insurgents’ attack, leaving a policeman dead.
Kaduna and Sokoto states were also not spared the horror of insecurity as gunmen killed a pastor in the former and abducted his wife while a clash between some youths and bandits in Sokoto State also left one person dead.
A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the clash between Boko Haram and ISWAP in a post on his social media platform X on Saturday, said the casualty figures on both sides could add up to more than 60 as the infighting continued.
According to Makama, a heavy fight broke out between the two militant groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA at about 1400hours, culminating in the death of some commanders of the warring groups.
He said the attack was in retaliation of the massive killing of ISWAP fighters by the Buduma factions which had seized most of their hideouts.
He wrote: “Scores of fighters from the Jam’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihd (Boko Haram), and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including their commanders, were killed during an infighting in the North East of Borno State.
“Reports indicated that a heavy fight broke out between the two groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA at about 1400hours.
“Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, that six boats belonging to the Bakura Buduma faction and four JAS elements boats, all filled with fighters, were destroyed.
“The sources said the casualties on both sides could be more than 60 as the infighting continued.”
Buni’s convoy attacked on Maiduguri/ Damaturu highway
No fewer than six security personnel were wounded while a policeman was feared killed as Boko Haram terrorists attacked Governor Buni’s convoy on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway at about 6 pm yesterday.
The convoy was returning to Damaturu from Maiduguri after the governor attended the 24th combined convocation of University of Maiduguri only to run into an ambush laid by the terrorists between Mainok and Benishiek communities.
The governor was, however, not in the convoy as he had jetted to Abuja after the convocation ceremony.
Among the top Yobe Government officials in the convoy were the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali; the Special to the Governor on Security, Brig-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd) and his Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Babagana Malam Kyari.
There were also military escorts with two mine resistant ambush protected (mrap) vehicles and 3 Toyota gun trucks, police escorts, DSS operatives and members of Yobe State Hunters Group who had accompanied the governor to the convocation ceremony.
A witness who survived the attack said the attack was launched at both the front and the rare of the convoy simultaneously.
Sources said that the troops leading the convoy with MRAP, a gun truck and another vehicle conveying the police and DSS were shot at, while the vehicle at the end of the convoy only had to drive rims as all the tyres were deflated with gunshots.
A source at the Gen. Sani Abatcha Specialist Hospital Damaturu source informed that one military truck driver, four police escorts and one DSS operative, who all sustained gunshot injuries, were in stable conditions.
The source further informed that one of the injured police escorts died shortly after arriving at the hospital in Damaturu.
Gunmen kill Kaduna pastor, abduct wife
There were also echoes of insecurity in Kaduna State where some gunmen invaded Damakasuwa in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Friday, killing the pastor in charge of the second Evangelical Church Winning All, Damakasuwa, and abducting his wife.
A resident of Damakasuwa, who witnessed the incident, said about three months ago, the gunmen had attempted to kidnap the son of the clergyman but were repelled with the help of the community, even though he (the son) was injured.
“Again, yesterday, they stormed his house, gunned him down and kidnapped his wife.
“The gunmen had earlier called in the morning, demanding N3 million ransom from the family. They have not called again,” the witness stated.
According to him, there has been tension in the community since the incident occurred.
He added: “We are calling on security agencies and the government to help rescue the widow who is traumatised at the moment.”
The police were yet to react at press time last night.
In Sokoto State, one person lost his life when the youths of Kwakwala, a community in the state, resisted some bandits who wanted to attack their village.
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the bandits, in an attempt to attack Kwakwala community in the Sokoto metropolis, engaged in a shootout with the youth of the area.
He said: “Based on the report at our disposal, the suspected bandits numbering about 10 and armed with cutlasses and guns attacked a community behind the main campus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.
“The youth of the area resisted the attack and in the process, the bandits shot one of the youths named Usman, who died instantly.
“Four other youths of the Kwalkwala and Dundaye communities also sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack.”
The PPRO, however, assured that the command under the leadership of CP Ali Kaigama was doing everything possible to ensure that the culprits were apprehended.
The joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services have successfully averted an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. In a dawn raid operation carried out on the terrorists’ hideout in the early hours of Friday, November 3, the troops of the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, in close cooperation with the Department of State Services (DSS), conducted a raid in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The operation was aimed at uncovering and apprehending suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) believed to be planning a major operation in Kano State.
Consequently, the troops apprehended two suspects, who are now in custody. During the operation, the joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the DSS recovered five AK 47 Rifles, five AK 47 Rifle Magazines, one Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), five RPG Bombs, six Hand Grenades, five pairs of Desert Camouflage Uniforms, 10 pairs of magazine pouches and some Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials.
The inter-agency cooperation between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as exemplified in the conduct of this operation, is a testament to the strength of our collective resolve to defeat insurgency and other security challenges.
The successful raid operation reinforces the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of our citizens.he NA remains resolute in its effort to counter and degrade insurgency and other forms of security challenges across the country.
Joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully foiled an imminent attack on Kano by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The planned attack was to take place in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said this in a statement on Friday, November 3, in Abuja.
The personnel of the two agencies during a joint operation carried out in the early hours of Friday uncovered the planned attack and apprehended two suspected terrorists.
It said: “Joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services have successfully averted an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents.
“In a dawn raid operation carried out on the terrorists’ hideout in the early hours of today Friday 3 November 2023, troops of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army in close cooperation with the Department of State Services (DSS), conducted a well-coordinated raid operation in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
“The operation was aimed at uncovering and apprehending suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) believed to be planning a major operation in Kano State.
“Consequently, the troops swiftly swung into action and apprehended two BHT suspects, who are now in custody. During the operation, the joint troops of the Nigerian Army and the DSS recovered five AK 47 Rifles, five AK 47 Rifle Magazines, one Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), five RPG Bombs, six Hand Grenades, five pairs of Desert Camouflage Uniforms, 10 pairs of magazine pouches and some Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials.
“The interagency cooperation between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as exemplified in the conduct of this operation, is a testament of the strength of our collective resolve to defeat insurgency and other security challenges.”
