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Tag: boko haram

  • Eight soldiers feared dead as Boko Haram attack Yobe community

    Eight soldiers feared dead as Boko Haram attack Yobe community

    About eight soldiers have been feared killed after Boko Haram lunched a dastardly attack on a military base in Sasawa, a community close to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

    The spokesman of 3 Div. Nigerian Army Col. Kayode Ogunsanya confirmed the attack but could not give details of the casualty figure. He however mentioned that “there was casualty on both side of the army and the insurgents”.

    An anonymous soldier who survived the attack told our corespondent in a phone interview that eight soldiers including an officer and a civilian were feared to have been killed the attack.

    He also added that many soldiers took to their heels after sighting the insurgents driving into the community with about seven gun trucks and other riding on motorcycles.

    “I can authoritatively confirm to you that there was an attack at dawn yesterday at Sasawa and eight soldiers including an officer as well as a civilian were killed during the raid.

    “The insurgents over ran the military base having come with seven gun trucks took the soldiers by suprise.

    “Many of our colleagues ran for their lives because the fire power of the insurgents was much and our guys have to take cover,” the source informed.

    The source also revealed that the soldiers at Kukareta sighted the insurgents heading to Sasawa but could reach their colleagues to alert them due to poor communication system.

    A resident of Sasawa, Alhaji Shehu Goni Sasawa confirmed that the insurgent attacked and killed many soldiers.

    Alhaji Goni called on the military to take proactive steps and smoke thideouts of the insurgents which is well known to them.

    “I am afraid many of the security forces may have been killed because they insurgents laid siege for very long time.

    “We have been telling the military about the hideouts of these guys but they have been treating it with kid gloves” the locale lament.

    Sasawa is one of the communities that was under the control of the insurgents before being liberated by the security forces with an established military base.

    The military base has suffered several attack’s by the insurgents.

    Yesterday”s attack is the fourth since the beginning of this year.

  • Fitdasi Shekau’s wife feared dead after airstrikes on Durwawa – NAF

    Fitdasi Shekau’s wife feared dead after airstrikes on Durwawa – NAF

    Human Intelligence has indicated that the wife of Boko Haram leader, Malama Fitdasi Shekau, appeared to have been killed in recent successful airstrikes on Durwawa settlement on the outskirts of Urga, near Konduga.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Adesanya, Fitdasi was reported to have been representing her husband in a coordinating meeting with other insurgents at the location of the airstrikes.

    He said NAF had carried out aerial attacks on large number of insurgents at Durwawa on Oct. 19.

    “Battle Damage Assessment had indeed revealed that the aerial attack set off a fire, causing damage to the insurgents’ structures within the settlement.

    “The airstrike also succeeded in neutralising most of the insurgents with a few of them fleeing the location,” he said.

    Adesanya said further that efforts were ongoing to confirm the reported killing of Shekau’s wife, alongside other insurgents.

    Read Also: Troops kill 3 Boko Haram insurgents, recover arms in Borno

  • NAF Jets Bombs Boko Haram hideouts, kill scores

    NAF Jets Bombs Boko Haram hideouts, kill scores

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) said on Wednesday that it has carried out two aircraft attacks and bombardments of Boko Haram hideouts in Borno state to signal the commencement of Operation Ruwan Wuta II, to further decimate the ability of the terrorists.

    It added that the air strikes coupled with two helicopter attacks on the terror group has led to the death of scores of them and complete destruction of their structures.

    The Director of the NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement noted that the operation was carried out after series of survaillance and intelligence reports.

    Air Commodore Adesanya said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced Operation RUWAN WUTA II, as part of efforts to further decimate the ability of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) to freely operate in the country.

    “The Operation, which commenced on 23 October 2017, is essentially an intensive day and night aerial bombardment that is designed to rain significant fire on freshly discovered hideouts of the BHTs.

    “On the first day of the operation, the NAF conducted several Air Interdiction missions in the Northeast, including one on a location in Garin Maloma.

    “Previous intelligence reports, gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF ISR platforms had revealed the presence of a large number of BHTs in some dispersed structures in Garin Maloma.

    “Consequently, the location was attacked, in succession, by two Alpha Jet aircraft. The first Alpha Jet aircraft attacked the settlement with bombs, which destroyed the targeted structures and caused fire around the structures where the BHTs were hiding, sending a few survivors scampering for safety.

    “The second Alpha Jet aircraft, which strafed the area with rockets, subsequently took out some of the fleeing BHT survivors. Similarly, BHT locations in places such as Arra and Boboshe, amongst others, were successfully attacked by the NAF Mi-17 helicopter and the newly acquired Mi-35M helicopter.”

    Read Also: Boko Haram kill three soldiers, injure five in an ambush 

  • Troops kill 11 Boko Haram insurgents, destroy IED factory in Borno

    Troops kill 11 Boko Haram insurgents, destroy IED factory in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said its troops had killed 11 Boko Haram insurgents and destroyed a bomb making factory at Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Rations said this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said that the troops, in joint operations with the Air Force and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), on Tuesday attacked insurgents’ hideouts at Mogole, Ngaiwa, Tongule, and Warsele villages of Ngala Local Government Area of the state.

    He disclosed that the troops destroyed the insurgents’ logistics base and a workshop at Ngaiwa village and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Tongul.

    The director further said 85 persons were rescued from the insurgents in the villages.

    Kukasheka said that the troops also recovered a gun truck; four suicide bomb vests, various IED making materials, three Dane guns.

    Others, he said were: one Barretta pistol, 22 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 motorcycles, 13 bicycles and a wheelbarrow.

    “Tuesday Oct. 24 will go down as one of the best in the outing of troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in their daily clearance of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, especially in northern parts of Borno.

    “The unit in conjunction with gallant 22 Mobile Strike Team accompanied by Civilian JTF, based on credible information carried out offensive operations at suspected Boko Haram terrorists hide outs at Mogola,” he said.

    Other areas where the soldiers carried out operations he said were Ngaiwa, Tongule and Warsele villages in Ngala Local Government Area of the state.

    “The operation which was supported by the Nigerian Air Force was very successful in achieving its objectives”.

    NAN

  • Falana, activists urge to present cases of right abuses

    Falana, activists urge to present cases of right abuses

    A presidential investigation panel investigating cases of right abuses by the military has urged activist lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and other counsels representing Boko Haram suspects to come forward and present their cases before the panel

    The panel was set up by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)  to review compliance of the Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.

    Chairman of the nine-man panel, Honorable Justice Biobele  Georgewill also urged counsels handling cases of abuses by soldiers to come before the panel.

    He stated this on the second day of the tribunal hearing holding at the Ikeja high court.

    Justice Georgewill said it is imperative that people in Southwest with allegations against the armed forces should appear before the panel.

    During its sitting Tuesday, the panel heard how a Sergeant with the Nigerian Army killed an okada rider by viciously kicking him in the stomach.

    Led in evidence by a representative of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Lucas Koyejo, the brother of the deceased, Salihu Mohammad narrated that his brother Abubakar Alhaji died a day after he was brutalized by one Sergeant Taiwo Owoeye of the Nigerian Army.
    According to him, the incident happened on January 27, 2017.

    “According to what I gathered, my late brother picked up a passenger on his motorcycle around Morrocco in Yaba.

    “He parked his motorcycle behind a stationary car, not knowing that there was someone in the car. Suddenly, the car reversed, and my brother beat the boot of the car in order to notify the occupant that there was someone behind him.

    “Sergeant Taiwo Owoeye angrily got down from his car and slapped my brother twice. He thereafter proceeded to kick him several times in the stomach.

    “When onlookers challenged him, he said that there was nothing anybody could do even if my brother dies.

    “My brother thereafter became unconscious and we had to rush him to the military hospital. By that time he had started vomiting blood and other things. He could also not talk.

    “Sadly, he died the next day. We reported the matter at the Panti Police Station where they declined to give us a police report.

    “My brother’s body was not released to us for burial until after four months. When we inquired about the reason for the delay, we were told that the army was trying to conduct an autopsy,” Mohammed said.

    Responding, counsel to the military, Bola Oyebanji said the military has investigated the matter and found the allegation to be true.

    Oyebanji said Sergeant Owoeye has been arrested and detained and will soon be tried for “wilful murder of the okada man, late Abubakar Alhaji.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Georgewill advised officials of National Human Right Commission (NHRC) to follow up on the report presented by counsel to the military and ensure justice is done in the matter.

    In another development, the panel dismissed a petition by a business man, Okorie Onwuchekwa for illegal arrest and detention.

    Onwuchekwa Tuesday failed to convince the Presidential panel to consider his petition in which he was seeking redress.

    According to Oyebanji, the counsel to the military, Onwuchekwa was arrested sometimes in 2004 on the allegation of importing weapons to bring down a presidential plane.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill declared that the panel cannot hear  his petition on the ground that it does not fall within their mandate.

    He was advised to seek another means other than the panel to seek redress.

    The panel adopted the argument of the counsel to the Military, Bola Oyebanji which opposed hearing of Onwuchekwa’s petition when the matter was raised.

    Oyebanji had told the panel that Onwuchekwa was arrested for alleged treasonably felony 13 years ago and detained and tried along with the former Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha based on a ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Based on the submission of the counsel to the military, Justice Georgewill ruled that the issue presented before the panel was beyond the terms of reference of the panel inaugurated on August 11, 2017 by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    Justice Georgewill said the objectives was to review extant rules of engagement applicable to the armed forces of Nigeria and the extent of compliance.

  • Fresh suicide attacks kill 15, injure 18 in Maiduguri

    Fresh suicide attacks kill 15, injure 18 in Maiduguri

    Borno State Police Commissioner Mr. Damian Chukwu has confirmed the killing of 16 people in a fresh multiple suicide explosions in Maiduguri.

    The suicide attack was said to have occurred on Sunday night at the Muna Garage, a notorious suburb at the outskirts of Maiduguri highly vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks in the recent past, while another attack was carried out at Mauna Dalti, an unregistered IDP camp.

    In a text message to our correspondent, the Borno State Police Commissioner disclosed that, the first suicide attack was carried out by a male suicide bomber at Muna Garage who strapped his body with Improvised Explosives Device(IED) killing himself and thirteen others with five people injured.

    At the Muna Dalti Garage, the CP informed that the heinous act was executed by two female bombers who killed themselves after detonating their body strapped IED injuring thirteen people.

    Mr. Damian Chukwu also explained that the injured persons have been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). He added that all the dead bodies have been evacuated, while the police EOD team has been deployed to sanitize the area and render it safe.

    The Borno State Police Commissioner has also assured citizens of their safety, just as he disclosed that the command is monitoring the security situation in the state with his men deployed on intelligence surveillance.

    In another development, CP Chukwu has also disclosed that his command intend to open more of their divisions hitherto closed following successful military operations in those areas.

    He added that a feasibility study has already been carried out in Kukawa Local Government to reopen the division to pave way for the restoration of civil authority in the area, stressing that, the mission carried out in the area was hitch-free.

    Read Also: 16 killed, others wounded in Maiduguri attacks

  • SUBEB trains 7,000 teachers in Borno – Official

    SUBEB trains 7,000 teachers in Borno – Official

    The chairman, Borno State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) Alhaji Shettima Kullima said the board has trained 7,000 teachers.

    Kullima in Maiduguri said that the teachers were drawn from public schools in the three senatorial districts of the state.

    He said that the  teachers were exposed to post crisis and best teaching methodologies with a view to reinvigorate the basic education sector.

    Kullima explained that the exercise was also designed to address psychological trauma in the teachers and encourage them to improve their performance.

    He said the training  was conducted in collaboration with the United States’ Education Crisis Response (ECR) programme.

    The Chairman disclosed that 477 teachers were killed while many pupils were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Read Also: Unity Bank donates vehicle to Borno SUBEB

    According to him, the state government is building 21 mega schools each with the capacity to accommodate 2, 000 pupils.

    He said that the project in Borno was designed to decongest classrooms and provide conducive teaching and learning environment.

    “The state government had reconstructed and rehabilitated classrooms and schools destroyed by the insurgents in Maiduguri and other liberated communities,” he added.

    NAN

  • NAF Jet bombs Boko Haram structures, kills scores

    NAF Jet bombs Boko Haram structures, kills scores

    The Nigerian Air Force, NAF said at the weekend that it has carried out air strikes against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast resulting in the death of a number of them and destroying their structures.
    According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya the air interdiction was conducted by one Alpha Jet aircraft following intelligence reports indicating the presence of Boko Haram terrorists in the area.
    Adesanya said in a statement supported with a short video clip of the operation that the aircraft acquired and attacked the target twice with bombs which resulted in neutralizing most of the Boko Haram Terrorists.
    The statement reads: ” On 19 October 2017, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF ) Component of Operation LAFIYA DOLE conducted an attack on a location in URGA area close to KONDUGA.
    ” Previous intelligence reports, gathered through Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF ISR platforms, had indicated the presence of a large number of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in DURWAWA settlement in the outskirt of URGA.
    ” Accordingly, one Alpha Jet aircraft was detailed to carry out air interdiction on the target. Overhead the location, the aircraft acquired and attacked the target twice with bombs.
    “Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the aerial attack set off a fire, causing damage to the Boko Haram Terrorists structures within the settlement and neutralizing most of the Boko Haram Terrorists while a few of them fled the location.
    “The aerial attack by the NAF is in furtherance of efforts at ensuring the complete decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorists and breaking their will to continue their terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians”.
  • Troops kill 3 Boko Haram insurgents, recover arms in Borno

    Troops kill 3 Boko Haram insurgents, recover arms in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops had killed three Boko Haram insurgents at Missini village of Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Director Army Public Relations, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Usman said that the insurgents on Friday laid ambush for a military patrol team at Missini village along Dikwa-Ngala Road.

    He added that the troops repelled the attack, killed three insurgents and recovered ammunition from the scene of the attack.

    “Troops of 3 Battalion under 22 Brigade on Friday, 20th October, 2017; at about 11: 30 a.m. while on routine patrol came under Boko Haram terrorists ambush close to Missini Village along Dikwa – Ngala Road, northern part of Borno State.

    “The gallant troops cleared the ambush and neutralized three Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The team recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number KO357026 and 39 rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition from the terrorists,” Kukasheka said. (NAN)

  • Boko Haram: Army Warrant Officer promoted Captain for gallantry

    Boko Haram: Army Warrant Officer promoted Captain for gallantry

    The Nigerian Army Council has approved accelerated promotion for Garba Abdullahi from Master Warrant Officer to Captain for gallantry, bravery and selfless service.
    The army authorities described the development as a reward for unprecedented show of bravery culminating in an Executive Commission for Abdullahi who moved from Master Warrant Officer to a Captain.
    Abdullahi is of the 159 Battallion, Nigerian Army with serial number 79NA/31553.
    A statement Thrusday night from the Director of Army public Relations, Brig General Sani Usman, noted that Abdullahi displayed exceptional acts of bravery while carrying out his assignments against the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast to the admiration of his superior commanders.
     The statement reads: “In recognition and reward for gallantry, unprecedented show of bravery, courage and selfless service, the Army Council has on Monday 16th October 2017, approved the granting of Executive Commission to 79NA/21553 Master Warrant Officer Garba Abdullahi of 159 Battalion, Nigerian Army, to the rank of Captain for gallantry.
    “The accelerated promotion was due to observed outstanding qualities of military professionalism such as gallantry and dedication to service demonstrated by the Non–Commissioned Officer.
    “Garba Abdullahi’s leadership qualities endeared him to his Commanding Officer who deemed it fit to assign him a higher responsibility as platoon commander of one of the arrow head sub-units of the Battalion, the role he played excellently to the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates alike.
    “Under his able leadership, his platoon achieved great exploits of daring, bravery and courage for which the Battalion was reputed. The 159 Battalion is of one the rugged and most experienced cohesive fighting unit that make up Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
    army
    “The Battalion covers five Local Government Areas in Yobe State and serves as the Brigade’s first line of defence in the northern front adjoining Niger Republic and Borno State.
    “The Battalion primarily occupies a blocking position from where it conducts Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency operations to defeat Boko Haram terrorists, deny them freedom of action and assist the civil authority in maintenance of law and order and restoration of socio-economic activities within its area of responsibility.
    “Since their deployment into the theatre about two years ago, the unit has contributed immensely to the decimation of Boko Haram terrorists and also involved in humanitarian activities to the host communities.
     “The elevated Garba has played a significant role in all the successful operations achieved by the unit. The newly commissioned Garba Abdullahi has since been decorated with the badge of his new rank of Captain at the Battalion Headquarters located in Geidam, Yobe State by his Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Owoicho Augustine Obochi, to the admiration of both officers and soldiers of the unit.
    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai has congratulated the newly commissioned officer”.