The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Army kills 40 Boko Haram, arrest 18

    Army kills 40 Boko Haram, arrest 18

    • Also rescues 230 in sambisa forest 

     The Nigerian Army said it has made significant effort in the push towards routing out the ruminants of Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest and other location in the theater of operation.

     

    Briefing journalists at the monthly press briefing, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Wednesday at the Command Control Center, Maiduguri disclosed that his troops killed a total of 40 Boko Haram insurgents, arrested 18 and rescued about 230 victims during combat in Sambisa forest in the last one month.

    Maj. Gen Attahiru also added that total of ten insurgents surrendered within the period under review, stressing that the Theatre had recorded many successes against the insurgents after  the newly-launched  Operation DEEP PUNCH 2 and Operation RUWAN WUTA in Sambisa forest.

    According to him, two operations focused on coordinated aerial bombardments by the air and artillery platforms supported by land operations to decimate the insurgents.

    He also explained that the Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) inaugurated in August has drastically gained momentum and had continued to ensure that the Main Supply Routes of the insurgents (MSRs) were firmly secured.


    Gen Attahiru noted that     the operations had enhanced safety of commuters as well as ensured the gradual return of economic activities in some affected rural communities.

    His words: “Some of the operations led to the killing of two  key Boko Haram commanders, Abdu Kawuri and Abubakar Benishek, in a successful operation on Sept. 1  at Alafa in Bama Local Government Area.

    “Additionally, a prominent Commander, Ba’abba Ibrahim, and two other commanders died after sustaining injuries during their last encounter with our Special Forces in an ambush at Magumeri council.

    “In another encounter, our troops had repelled an attack on IDPs camp at Banki. The attack followed discreet insurgents’ infiltration into the area through the Nigeria – Cameroun border.

    “The fire fight between our troops and the insurgents resulted in the death of two insurgents and caused others to flee. Unfortunately, eleven IDPs were killed and two others were wounded in the process.

    “Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched in a concerted effort to locate the missing IDPs while the wounded civilians were evacuated for medical treatment,” he said.

    Speaking on the number of arrests, The Theatre Commander said that the troops also arrested 18 Boko Haram terrorists and their collaborators after they infiltrated into IDPs camp and that the suspects were currently undergoing investigation.

    He disclosed that six members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed in a bomb attack by Boko Haram on IDPs camp in Ngala.

    Attahiru further said that during the period under review, troops foiled several suicide and other forms of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks, “thereby causing the adversary to drown in its own blood”.

    “I want to reassure you that Boko Haram will finally be brought to its knees in no distant time as troops had conducted precursor operations and other offensives geared toward their final defeat.

    On ambush operations, The Theatre Commander said troops had denied the insurgents any freedom of action through its ambushes along Road Ngurosoye – Bama near Borno State College of Basic Studies (BOCOBS) and Mararaba Kirawa.

    “Also, on Sept. 12, 17 own troops successfully sprung an ambush against insurgents using the Firgi crossing point in Bama Local Government Area to access the Sambisa forest.

    “The ambush was extended to Mallam Gonare where 2 Boko Haram terrorists were killed.  Troops also recovered unexploded ordnance and 7.62 mm ammunition during the operation.

    “In the same vein, on Sept. 12, 17, troops ambushed fleeing elements along Road Ngoshe – Bokko Kugile and killed one of the insurgents.

    “Troops also recovered 3 bicycles, 2 wrist watches, 2 SIM cards and the sum of N1, 140.

    “Similarly, on Sep.14 17, our troops in conjunction with vigilantes sprung ambush against insurgents around Lokodisa in Gwoza Local Government Area.

    “One terrorist was killed while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, 117 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 14 rounds of 21mm, 7 bicycles, one trolley, a machete and 2 jerry cans.”

  • Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Borno says about 40 Boko Haram insurgents have indicated willingness to surrender to the Corps in the state.

    The Commandant of the corps in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    Abdullahi said that the insurgents had indicated their intention to renounce membership of the terrorist group but through an intermediary.

    He said that negotiations between the command and the insurgents were conducted through a firewood vendor.

    He also said that six insurgents had earlier surrendered to the Corps in the last one month in the state.

    The commandant stated that the extremists surrendered voluntarily under the Federal Government’s Safe Corridor Initiative( SCI ).

    “About 40 of the insurgents have come forward to surrender. They indicated that many of them are willing to lay down their arms,” Abdullahi said.

    According to him, the command has also conducted town hall meetings with communities and religious leaders to enhance security in the state.

    NAN report that hundreds of the insurgents had surrendered to the Nigerian Army under the SCI in the past three months.

    The surrendered insurgents are currently undergoing De-radicalisation process at the Military Rehabilitation Centre, Gombe, to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

    NAN

  • Wearing of Hijab: The travails of the contemporary Muslim woman

    Wearing of Hijab: The travails of the contemporary Muslim woman

    For a lot of Muslim women, the wearing of Hijab is definitely a priority. In simple terms, it is a cloth worn by Muslim women to cover their heads and bodies.

    In spite of the many benefits of wearing Hijab, the Muslim woman sometimes feel out of place and outcast in the Nigeria society.

    For instance, there are some organisations where the wearing of Hijab is prohibited especially in some corporate organisations like banks and also in some schools. This prohibition placed on it by such organisations is mostly interpreted by the Muslim woman as an overt display of sentiment.

    Also, for those who bicker that the wearing of Hijab does not really portray who you are or your sense of decency, yes I agree, however, it is sometimes is a litmus that indicates how decent and religious you are.

    It helps the Muslim woman to identify herself especially with her religion and where she belongs to. Till date a lot of Muslim women still get insulted and discriminated against for no just cause for wearing their Hijab.

    No thanks to those who have in the past smeared and wrongly brandished the sacred culture of Hijab wearing on the canvass of debauchery, malpractices, indecency and other social vices.

    Also, the wearing of Hijab has received a corrosive publicity especially in the wake of Boko Haram insurgency. Quite a number of suicide bombers (females) have been reported to have worn it to conceal their nefarious intentions.

    Thus, all “Hijab wearers” are now being perceived of threats to our nation’s security owing to the above explanations. However, it should never be a basis for generalization.

    To set the records straight, it is pertinent that the writer explains the persona of the Hijab-wearing Muslim woman. She is:

    1. Honest
    2. Has integrity
    3. Loyal
    4. Decent
    5. Religious
    6. Congenial
    7. Peace loving
    8. Law abiding

    Please note that the above qualities are in no way exhaustive.

    Now, a piece of advice to our lawmakers: There should be a law in the constitution of our beloved county that protects the Muslim woman to freely express herself especially when it pertains the wearing of Hijab both in corporate, secular, government and non-governmental organisations.

    This will go a long way to creating and maintaining a peaceful and convivial environment for us all.

    God bless Nigeria!

  • ISIS didn’t kill 30 soldiers in North East – Army

    ISIS didn’t kill 30 soldiers in North East – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed as “falsehood” the reported killing of 30 troops by Islamic State (ISIS) in the North East.

    Reports had said ISIS ambushed and killed 30 Nigerian troops on Friday in the  North East.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement in Maiduguri that contrary to the report, there were no such attacks on troops of operation Lafiya Dole by ISIS or any other adversary within or outside the theatre of operation.

    He described the report as another set of media propaganda and attempt by the Boko Haram terrorists to remain relevant at all cost.

    He said the report was unsubstantiated and lacked credibility.

    Nwachukwu said: “The graphic images used to support the article were closely studied and lacked nexus to any recent operational engagements of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “It is very pertinent to state that the photographs culled were not a reflection of recent operational encounters of Operation Lafiya Dole.”

    The army spokesman said there was neither encounter between the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole with ISIS terrorists nor had they suffered such fictitious attack as claimed.

    He dismissed the said article and graphic images as “bundle of unprofessionally packaged falsehood, designed to misinform and create fear in the people and build an aura of false potency around the terrorists.”

    He stressed that the troops had sustained devastating attacks on the Boko Haram insurgents in precursor operations in the theatre of operation.

    “Apart from neutralising their hideouts on the fringes of the Nigerian-Nigerien border through coordinated air and artillery bombardments, troops recently killed two fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in an ambush at Futchinam village in Geidam local government area of Yobe.

    “The troops also killed three insurgents in another ambush in Lingir village where they recovered five AK-47 rifles, five magazines and 11 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.

    “Troops have dominated the theatre of operation and have denied Boko Haram terrorists freedom of action,” Nwachukwu added.

    NAN

     

  • Boko Haram: Yobe Governor seeks N13 billion refund

    Boko Haram: Yobe Governor seeks N13 billion refund

    …Tambuwal briefs Buhari on security, oil exploration in Sokoto basin

     

    Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State on Monday said that his state spent N13 billion to fight the insurgents Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    According to him, he would be glad if the Federal Government could refund at least 30% of the N13 billion.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that his state has already submitted a request for refund to the Federal Government.

    If refunded, he said that the money would enable the state government carry out some developmental projects including the construction of new hospitals as well as provision of other infrastructural facilities.

    He said “We have not received a single kobo in terms of cash but in terms of materials, food and non-food items, we have been receiving a lot which I cannot tell you precisely in a quantify form.

    “But, doing the last administration in Yobe, we took care of the Joint Task Force, a combination of the military, the SSS, the mobile Police, who were carrying out the war against the insurgency.

    “We even paid their allowances, all their logistical needs including patrol vehicles. We spent huge amount of money in that direction up to about N13 billion during the time of the insurgency.

    “We have submitted to the federal government if they could refund even 30 per cent of that amount so that we can use the money on some developmental projects like construction of hospitals.” he said

    On his meeting with the President, Geidam said that he briefed him on the return of all Yobe Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their respective domains following the relative peace achieved in the state.

    According to him, the state has not encountered any attack by the insurgents in the past two years.

    He said: “I told him that we have gotten relative peace in Yobe state in terms of insurgency. For the past two years or so we have not encountered any attack by the insurgents in Yobe state.

    “I accordingly briefed him that and told him that all our IDPs have returned to their basis and resumed their normal businesses.

    “Our problems now border on resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the destroyed areas by the Boko Haram and I told him that as government we have been doing our best to ensure we restore all those facilities which were destroyed by the Boko Haram.

    “But we need some kind of assistance from the federal government which he promised to assist.’’ he said

    The governor acknowledged that the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative had offered some assistance to the IDPs in the state.

    He, however, called on the committee to do more, adding that “some of our people lost their means of livelihood and they need to be given some amount of money either by the federal government or through the presidential committee to assist them to rebuild their houses so that they could start their normal life.’’ he said

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal said that he discussed with President Buhari on security situation in the country and the possibility of oil exploration in the Sokoto basin.

    He said; “I came to see our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari and we had discussion  on quite a number of issues, of specific mention is the issue is the general well- being of the country, security situation of  the country. I am sure you are aware that recently we were in the south east, as governors from the north went to interact with our brothers in the south east and south south and  particularly  people of the North   residing there so there was a need for a feedback.

    “Also we have discussed with the President, if you remember very well recently, I was personally at the NNPC towers where we engaged the GMD of the NNPC on possible oil exploration in the Sokoto basin and I have had cause to brief the president on that particular interaction.

    “There is a need for the Federal government to continue to support that endeavour which I believe will help in more provision of oil and gas which we believe is very much in abundance in this basin  but also in bringing about agricultural revolution in that area.

    “If you have gas it will support the power supply which will in turn enhance and influence agro- allied industries that are likely to come on board and also have a positive impact economically on the lives and well- being of the people that are along the basin. These are some of the issues we discussed with Mr President.

    “It has always been there since 1957, when the first attempt was made but with the discovery of oil in the Delta which we believe from the information we have is easier to exploit, there was a shift in focus to that of Niger Delta.

    “We believe particularly the issue of gas, we need it for our local consumption, we have the conviction that what we have in that area is more than sufficient for an upward of 20 to 30 days of use by the people of the area. If   explored, we don’t have to make pipelines from the Delta region up north to North West states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, if you do that you will ease the problem of evacuation and transportation or piping as it were of gas and Petroleum products. So it’s a way of providing cheaper services to the people,” he said.

    On what the president’s response was, he simply said “It was very positive.”

    Also speaking with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, dismissed the social media report claiming that the Jigawa House of Assembly was plotting to impeach him.

    According to him, the relationship between the executive and legislature in the State has remained cordial.

    On his meeting with the President, the governor, who is the chairman of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, said he updated him on issues bordering on agricultural development in the country.

    He said “We believe agriculture and solid minerals are key to our development and we discussed a lot on how to improve our international competitiveness in agricultural production.

    “As you are aware also that I’m the chairman of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, we have been discussing on fertilizer on agriculture for quite a long time with Mr President and I’m sure he is happy with the suggestions and encouraged us to work hard and to be sure we safeguard the country,’’ he said.

    The governor disclosed that the government was looking into possibility of reducing the cost of inputs as well as to increase farmers’ yields so as to make them competitive.

  • Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says it’s troops killed three Boko Haram cattle rustlers at Mairari village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 8 Task Force Division, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

    Antigha said that the troops on Sunday ambushed the insurgents cattle rustling syndicate while trying to cross into Maiduguri.

    He said that the insurgents were on their way to the Lingir village market to sell the rustled cattle.

    Antigha disclosed that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds while one soldier sustained injuries in the encounter.

    He explained that one other Boko Haram insurgent was also killed by the troops at Buruwa village.

    Atigha added that the troops recovered assorted ammunitions, dresses and a horse from the insurgents.

    “In furtherance of clearance exercise of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, troops of 8 Division Mobile Strike Team (MST) deployed at Forward Operations Base Mairari, on Sunday 8th October, 2017; ambushed a Boko Haram terrorists’ cattle rustling syndicate trying to cross into Maiduguri to sell the rustled cattle, at Lingir village.

    “During the encounter, the ambush party neutralized three Boko Haram terrorists, while some of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops recovered 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 Magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 metal box containing clothes and a horse.

    “Unfortunately, one soldier sustained injury during the encounter. The injured soldier has been evacuated to the 8 Task Force Division Medical centre at Monguno, where he is receiving further medical attention.

    “The MST also followed up with pursuit up to Buruwa village around Gassawa general area, where they neutralized another Boko Haram terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle from him”.

    NAN

  • Fishermen happy as trading resumes at Maiduguri fish market

    Fishermen happy as trading resumes at Maiduguri fish market

    Fish traders in Borno have expressed joy over resumption of activities at the Baga and Maiduguri fish markets, following the restoration of peace in the area.

    A cross section of the traders on Saturday in Maiduguri said that the development would boost trade and stabilise fish prices.

    Malam Amadu Na-Ai, said that trading had resumed fully at the two markets after they were closed down in the past three years due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Na-Ai said that buyers were now coming from the southern parts of the country to buy fish in Maiduguri.

    “Traders from Lagos, Port Harcourt and Aba are coming to buy fish here.

    “Presently, we are enjoying high patronage and the market condition is good,” he said.

    Another trader, Sadiq Kowanaka, added that the resumption of trading activities at the market had pushed prices down.

    Kowanaka explained that prices were going down on daily basis due to improvement in the supply chain.

    He said that a basket of dried fish was sold at N25, 000 as against its previous price of N40, 000.

    “Fish prices have gone down by about 35 per cent following resumption of trading activities at the fish market,” he said.

    Kowanaka, however, lamented that most the traders lost their capital due to the insurgency, and called for support to enable them to return to the trade.

    Abubakar Gamandi, Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Fishery Association, noted that the provision of modern fishing and conduct of weeds clearance exercise in the river would encourage fishing, reduce wastage and end scarcity of fishery products.

    Gamandi said that lack of modern fishing tools and processing equipment was a major obstacle militating against sustainable development in the sector.

    He said the Boko Haram insurgency had negatively affected the trade and resulted in acute scarcity of fishery products.

    “The insurgents had destroyed canoes, tools and ravaged fishing communities in the Lake Chad basin.

    “In the wake of the insurgents’ attacks, about 204 fishing communities were destroyed while about two million fishermen were displaced.

    “The activities of the insurgents disrupted fishing in the past four years forcing thousands of people out of job,” he said.

    The chairman said that some of the fishermen had returned to resume their activities sequel to the lifting of ban on fish trade by the military.

    He, however, lamented that members of the union could not carry on with fishing due to lack of canoes and other tools.

    “Initially, we relied on wooden canoes and local tools, but they were vandalised by the insurgents.

    “Devastating weeds had also outgrown in the river which made fishing practically impossible,” he said.

    Gamandi said the grass obstructed free flow of water and destroyed most of the fish species.

    He said the association had so far registered over 3, 000 fishermen in the affected areas and conducted weeds clearance, to enable them to resume fishing activities.

    Gamandi listed the affected communities to include Buduram, Doronbaga and Baga.

    The chairman called on the federal and state governments to provide the necessary equipment to enable more fishermen to re-join the trade.

    Gamandi also called on the Lake Chad Basin Development Commission to conduct weeds clearance exercise to save the aquatic species from extinction.

    “The military are providing support to fishermen to enable them to conduct their activities without fear of attack by the insurgents.

    “They also provide personnel to escort the fishermen to carry their fish to the market in Maiduguri,” Gamandi added.

    Baga is one of the major fish trading centres in the North-East, where various types of fish are bought and transported to other parts of the country.

    There is also a big population of fishermen in the area due to the availability of fish and other aquatic species in the lake.

    NAN

  • Army kills two Boko Haram insurgents in Bama, Borno

    Army kills two Boko Haram insurgents in Bama, Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops had killed two Boko Haram insurgents at Mayanti village of Bama Local Government Council of Borno State.

    Lt. Col. Kingsley Samuel, the Deputy Director Army Public Rations, 7 Division, said in Maiguri the troops had ambushed a group of insurgents while trying to cross into the Sambisa Forest.

    He explained that the troops neutralised two insurgents while many others escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that some food items were also recovered from the insurgents.

    “The Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE resolve to rout out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

    “MST yielded yet another result with the troops successfully ambushed unsuspecting terrorists at about 10: 45 p.m. on Friday, 6th October 2017.

    “The insurgents were attempting to cross into Sambisa Forest from Mayanti village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops sprung the ambush on the terrorists and neutralised two of them, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. The troops also recovered two bags of maize from the ambush site.

    “The MST has been a potent deadly mobile lethal force engaging and neutralising the insurgents in several staging areas”.

    NAN

  • B/Haram: Anxiety in Ondo community

    SECURITY has been beefed up in Ondo State following the arrest of the suspected Boko Haram member Bashir Mohammed in Isua-Akoko in Akoko Southeast Local Government.

    Our correspondent observed that soldiers at  check points have embarked on intensive search of vehicles and passengers.

    The 20-year old suspect while being paraded by the Police last Tuesday in Akure, said some of his colleagues were scattered in some southwest state especially Ondo.

    At various motor parks and other public places, it was noticed that the photographs of the wanted Boko Haram members were conspicuously pasted.  The Chief Imam of Ikare Akoko,Sheik Abbas Abubakar urged residents not to entertain unknown persons in their houses or mosques.

    He called for security consciousness to prevent unforeseen circumstances. Also, at a meeting of the Ansar Ud Deen(AUD)society of Nigeria held yesterday in Ikaran-Akoko, its National Organising Secretary,Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, condemned terrorism, stressing that Islam abhors killers of innocent souls.

    Kilani urged the people especially those in the border towns of Akokoland such as Ajowa,Isua and Akunnu to be more vigilant and report strange faces to security operatives around for prompt action. The Commissioner of Police in the state,Olugbenga Adeyanju, said the committment of his command led to the arrest of the two suspected insurgents.

     

  • Anxiety in Ondo over arrest of Boko Haram insurgent

    Anxiety in Ondo over arrest of Boko Haram insurgent

    Following the last Sunday’s arrest of a suspected Boko Haram insurgent, Bashir Mohammed in Isua-Akoko, Akoko Southeast local government area of Ondo state, security has been beefed up especially in the four local government areas.

    Our Correspondent observed that soldiers at various check points have embarked on intensive search of vehicles and passengers travelling on various routes in the area.

    The 20-year old suspect while being paraded by the Police last Tuesday in Akure, said some of his colleagues were scattered in the Southwest states including Ondo state, thereby causing anxiety in the state.

    At various motor parks and other public places, it was noticed that the photographs of the wanted Boko Haram members were conspicuously pasted.

    The Chief Imam of Ikare Akoko,Sheik Abbas Abubakar urged residents not to entertain unknown persons in their houses or mosques.

    He called for self-security consciousness to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

    Also, at a meeting of the Ansar Ud deen(AUD) Society of Nigeria held on Saturday in Ikaram-Akoko, its National Organising Secretary,Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani condemned terrorism, stressing that Islam abhors killers of innocent souls.

    Kilani urged the people, especially those in the border towns of Akokoland such as Ajowa,Isua and Akunnu to be more vigilant and report strange faces to security operatives around for prompt action.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state,Olugbenga Adeyanju said the commitment of his command led to the arrest of the two suspected insurgents.