The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Buhari must act now on herdsmen’s menace

    It is a pity that here in Nigeria that we love to play politics with everything. When the issue of Boko Haram first came to public knowledge, many of us were satisfied to blame the then President Goodluck Jonathan for not responding with the required speed. As feared, that blunder is still being referred to as one of the major reasons for the eventual growth of the organisation into the monster we all know it to be today.

    Today, the menace of Fulani herdsmen is poised to repeat the national tragedy. As was in the case of Boko Haram, the current federal government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is not being assertive and proactive enough. What we are seeing so far is a government that seems tied by both ethnic and political biases. Why in the world would any sane person not see it clearly that only modernisation of cow rearing method in the country will save us from the looming national bloodbath.

    If Buhari and other policy makers do not know, may I remind them that an average Nigerian believes in the traditional ownership of land, so any law or perceived negotiation that would make cattle rearers to take over peoples’ land would not likely been taken kindly. It will only serve as a tonic to endless confrontations.

    I and many other Nigerians suspect that Mr. President’s hands are tied because he seems to share in the belief of the majority of his people that the interest of his ethnic tribe would be affected negatively if we decide on ranching. As a national leader, I advise Buhari to see beyond this petty view and act now. Herdsmen from northern Nigeria cannot and will never be allowed to come here in the south to take over the peoples’ land. I consider it a divine responsibility that this issue will come up now that he, a Fulani cattle owner, is president. May he be informed that we are all looking at him to take the right step and at the right time. The legacy he leaves today will go a long way to determine his place in history. Nigeria has already had enough bloodbaths.

    –             Augustine Idewoh, an agriculturist, wrote in from Benin, Edo State

     

  • Joint military operation with Cameroon ongoing in North East – Dan-Ali

    Joint military operation with Cameroon ongoing in North East – Dan-Ali

    A joint military operation involving the armed forces of Nigeria and Cameroon is currently ongoing in the North East, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has said.

    Dan-Ali stated this during chat with journalists after the Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja, to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Day.

    He said the joint operation was aimed at flushing out remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

    The minister said: “In the North East, I can say we have made great success. As I am talking to you, there is an operation going on between Nigeria and Cameroon.”

    He urged other neighbouring countries to collaborate with Nigeria in routing the insurgents.

    Dan-Ali pledged the readiness of the military to continue to defend the territorial boundary of the country and in addressing internal security challenges.

    Also, the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), said government had put in place structures to address internal security challenges and was “re-enforcing those structures.’’

    NAN

     

     

  • Boko Haram: ‘Bama farmlands still unsafe for farming’ – Army

    Boko Haram: ‘Bama farmlands still unsafe for farming’ – Army

    The last may not have been heard of farming activities in some parts of Borno State especially Bama Local Government Area as the military have declared farmlands in the area unsafe from farming activities due to landmines planted by Boko Haram insurgents

    Addressing the UN Deputy Secretary General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed who visited Bama yesterday in company with Gov. Kashim Shettima to assess the rebuilding of the liberated town once over-ran by Boko Haram insurgents, the Brigade Commander 21 Armored Brigade, Brigadier General G.B Audu informed that Bama is largely safe but still faced with the challenges of farmlands littered with landmines by Boko Haram which has made farming difficult for the local people.

    Represented by the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. A.A Adekeye, the army called on the UN DSG to impress on the United Nations to fast track the clearance operations of landmines in farmlands to enable the displaced people quickly return to their farms.

    He also informed the delegation of other support it has been carrying out in the area including providing support for the unaccompanied children as well as providing free medical healthcare to the community.

    Also briefing the UN DSG, Borno state Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Boko Haram victims, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum said Borno State government has so far reconstructed 11,000 private homes, 170 classrooms and other school buildings in 11 schools, township electrification and rehabilitation of 10 boreholes in Bama.

    The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Hajiya Amina Mohammed who visited different places in Bama including IDP Camp, Community Clinic for the Acute Management of Malnutrition, schools and other on-going rebuilding projects in the said she was in Bama to assess gaps in humanitarian needs, and reconstruction efforts recorded by Government so she could report back to the UN in order to identify areas of intervention.

    At one of the schools visited, Governor Shettima ordered the release of 250 bags of rice and 50 bags of beans to enable pupils start benefiting from daily meal per student to boost nutrition and encourage good learning outcomes. ‎The Governor also ordered release of free uniforms to all 4,503 pupils while he directed all teachers under the primary education in Bama to return to in order to increase number of teachers in IDP schools.

    Our correspondent reports that Hajiya Amina Mohammed arrived Maiduguri on Wednesday before proceeding to Bama in company of Governor Shettima, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed and Nigerian (Country) Representative of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Mairo Mandara on board helicopter provided by the UN Humanitarian Air Services.

    They were received by the Chairman of Bama Local Government, Alhaji Baba Shehu Gulumba at the Bama Stadium where the chopper landed.

  • Boko Haram: UN deputy secretary lays wreath to fallen heroes

    Boko Haram: UN deputy secretary lays wreath to fallen heroes

    Mrs Amina Muhammad, the UN Deputy Secretary General, on Wednesday in Maiduguri, laid wreath in remembrance of soldiers who lost their lives in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.

    Muhammad, accompanied by Mrs Zainab Ahmad, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, visited the military cemetery at the Maimalari Cantoment prayed and laid a wreath in honour of the fallen heroes.

    “We are here today to present our special prayers to the fallen heroes and their families.

    “We thank God for their service to the nation and fight against Boko Haram insurgency to bring peace and stability to the country.

    “We remember today is the most appreciable; May their souls rest in peace,”

    Other dignitaries at the event include Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Mrs Mairo Mandara, the Head of Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation as well as other UN officials.

    Also, Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Kulliya and Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, offered prayers for repose of the souls of the departed soldiers.

    The UN deputy secretary had earlier visited the Military Control and Command centre, and held a closed door meeting with  the Theatre Commander.

    Muhammad had also paid a brief visit to Bama, one of the communities liberated from Boko Haram insurgents. (NAN)

  • Buhari has done well, can seek second term- Momoh

    Buhari has done well, can seek second term- Momoh

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Prince Tony Momoh on Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in the delivery of his electoral promises.

    Momoh, a former Minister of Information, gave the assessment in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

    He said though there were still some challenges in the country, Buhari had acquitted himself remarkably well as president of the country.

    Momoh pointed out those who said Buhari had not done well were either playing politics or refused to check the facts.

    He said the president had achieved a lot in the areas on which he anchored his campaign promises despite the herculean problems he met on ground.

    “President Buhari has done well based on the facts available and not sentiments. He has done well in the delivery of his campaign promises despite the big problems he met on ground.

    Read also: What is President Buhari up to?

    “For example, let us look at the area of security, before Buhari came in, the Boko Haram insurgents was operating almost uninhibited, to the extent of seizing territories.

    “But for Buhari’s intervention, Only God knows what would have happened to the country because of Boko Haram.

    “Also, while some other countries are still wriggling under recession caused by crash in commodity prices, the country is out and is even doing well in the area of diversification.

    “Even the World Bank has just predicted that the country’s GDP will further grow in 2018, there are also monumental gains in the fight against corruption.

    “I reviewed a book recently on the scorecard of the president and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the revelations about Buhari’s performance.

    “Those who do not know, should go and check the facts, Buhari has done well as president,” he said.

    He said the opposition was behind the cacophony of voices asking Buhari not to seek re-election based on the way they rated him.

    Momoh said they were only seeing Buhari’s performance based on their perspectives which did not reflect the facts.

    He said Buhari had the moral and legal right to seek re-election so long he made the decision and the party endorses him.

    “The opposition cannot stop Buhari from contesting if he decides to do so and the party endorses him. The facts are different from the prism through which they are looking at his performance,’’ he said.

    Momoh called for caution in treating the killings in parts of the country as being caused by Fulani herdsmen.

    He said criminal, including Boko Haram, might be hiding under Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror in some communities in the country.

    “We should be careful in the way we see the killings in some parts of the country, so that we can have a better understanding of dealing with the problem.

    “Some criminals, such as cattle rustlers and even Boko Haram insurgents can also hide as Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on Nigerians.

    “The herdsmen we used to know were not carrying AK47, how we have come to this problem of killings calls for proper understanding.

    “It is not a political matter but a matter that needs understanding and attention because it involves lives,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Troops avert major suicide attack in Borno

    Troops avert major suicide attack in Borno

    The Nigerian Army command in Maiduguri, Borno State, said on Wednesday that troops have averted a major suicide attack in Gamboru Ngala.

    The incident, according to the army, occurred on Tuesday.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the suicide bombers were well coordinated and tried to unleash havoc on the town but for the vigilance of troops who neutralized their devious plans.

    The army spokesman said two female bombers were killed by the troop, while one other was arrested.

    She confessed having two other accomplices.

    The statement reads:  “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed around Gamboru Ngala have successfully averted what would have been a major devastating suicide attack carried out by three female Boko Haram terrorists against innocent citizens in Gamboru town in Gamboru Ngala local government area of Borno State in the early hours of Tuesday.

    “Two of the suicide bombers, strapped with suicide vests had attempted infiltrating Gamboru town at 6:45 a.m.  when they were sighted by a joint patrol team of vigilant troops and Civilian JTF at Unguwar Yobe area shortly before entering the town.

    “They were halted by the patrol team from a safe distance and were ordered to unstrap their suicide vests, to which they vehemently declined. All efforts and entreaties by the patrol team to make the suicide bombers remove their IED vests failed as the duo adamantly approached the troops armed with their IED vests. They were immediately neutralised by the troops, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EOD) safely unstrapped and detonated the suicide vests.

    “A third female suicide bomber was detected and intercepted within the same general area and  subsequently confessed to the joint patrol that she and the other two terrorists had been dispatched at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday to unleash mayhem on Gamboru town. She also revealed the location she hid her suicide vest and led the troops to recover it. The recovered vests and the surviving suicide bomber have been taken into custody for further interrogations.”

     

     

  • Minister wants Islamic scholars to propagate religious doctrines

    Minister wants Islamic scholars to propagate religious doctrines

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has underscored the need for versatile Islamic scholars to propagate religious principles and doctrines in the country.

    Adamu gave the charge in a statement signed by Mrs Chinenye Ihuoma, Director of Press in the Ministry in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The director quoted the minister as saying this when the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, led his Management team on a courtesy visit.

    He said that competency coupled with knowledge should be the only criteria for granting permission to Islamic scholar to embark on open preaching in public places including mosques.

    Read also: Unilorin produces 89 First Class graduates

    Adamu explained that when the relevant authorities do this they would help check the activities of queer characters pretending to be knowledgeable but ending  up  to  influence  young people negatively in the name of Islam.

    He restated the resolve of the Federal Government to take necessary measures to safeguard lives and property of students and officials of the University of Maiduguri, who have been incessantly attacked by Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal gangs.

    He also commended the university community for their resilience and perseverance in promoting teaching and learning in such a hostile environment.

    “Whatever extraordinary actions taken by the Ministry to alleviate their predicament is in exercise of its statutory duties of superintending over the education sector,” he said.

    Earlier, the vice-chancellor thanked the Federal Government for approving funds meant to erect fortress in the university campus against attacks by the insurgents.

    Njodi also expressed appreciation to the minister for personally visiting the institution to formally commiserate with them over their predicament.

    The vice-chancellor said the minister’s action had served as a motivation for them to work harder and achieve the set objectives of the university.

    NAN

  • Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday warned against providing sanctuary to fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The army also called on the people to report suspicious persons in their communities to security agencies nearest to them.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts to avoid the ongoing military offensive against them.

    Read also: Army urges vigilance against suicide bombers

    “This is to warn residents in the North-East not to harbour the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who are trying to flee from their waterloo.

    “Credible intelligence revealed that several of the insurgents have resorted to taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts in some communities along their escape routes from the Sambisa Forest in order to evade the sustained bombardments from air and ground troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Any unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons especially in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe found providing safe sanctuaries or any assistance to the criminals will be treated as accomplices and given same treatment as  terrorists,” he said.

    The director appealed to the people to cooperate with the military by reporting any fleeing terrorists immediately to the nearest security agency or call the Nigerian Army Information Call Centre Number 193.

    NAN

  • Troops neutralise Boko Haram camps, capture weapons

    Troops neutralise Boko Haram camps, capture weapons

    Troops on Monday neutralised Boko Haram camps in three villages and captured high calibre weapons during operation “ Deep Punch II” in the Lake Chad general area.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    He said Metele, Tumbun Gini and Tumbun Ndjamena villages in the area had been cleared of terrorists.

    “During the clearance operations, Boko Haram terrorists abandoned the area in disarray leaving behind livestock, large quantity of foodstuff, motorcycles and donkeys.

    The troops also discovered terrorists’ logistics base at Tumbu Ndjamena which held stocks of fish, foodstuffs, fuel and motorcycles.

    All these items were promptly destroyed.

    Read Also: Troops hit Boko Haram hideouts, kill several insurgents

    “They captured one Anti-Aircraft Gun, 116 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition with metal links, four Ak-47 rifles, 57 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (Special), two Light Machine Guns, two Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 (RPG 7) Tubes, with one RPG Bomb and two already primed 36 Hand Grenades.

    “Other recovered items include one Small Solar panel with a Gionee mobile phone, one Holy Qur’an, six Hadith Books, as well as five Gun trucks (which were destroyed),” he said.

    Usman explained that the three soldiers and a civilian JTF died, while nine others were wounded when a Boko Haram vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Devices rammed into an MRAP vehicle.

    He said the vehicle exploded, killing three soldiers, a Civilian JTF and wounding the others.

    NAN

  • Army hands over rescued Chibok girl to Borno govt

    Army hands over rescued Chibok girl to Borno govt

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday formally handed over the rescued Chibok school girl, Salomi Pogu, to the Borno State Government.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, presented two rescued girls, including Pogu, to the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said Pogu was rescued on January 4, alongside one other girl, Jamila Adams, by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at Pulka in Gwoza local government area of the state.

    He called for proper registration of the girls before handing them over to their parents and guardians.

    Read also: Troops rescue Chibok girl Solomi Pagu

    Receiving the girls, Durkwa lauded the military for their commitment to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    “We waited for long for the rescue of the girls. It is a welcome development that the theatre commander was able to rescue the girl within one week,” the deputy governor said.

    He expressed the hope that the remaining abducted girls would soon be rescued from the Boko Haram insurgents.