Tag: Borno attack

Those behind the Christmas Eve suicide attack in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, will be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law, the Federal Government said yesterday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered troops to beef up security in the Northeastern state.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the President’s directive, condemned the bombing that killed five people and injured dozens of others in the attack on Gamboru market.

Expressing confidence in the country’s security architecture, the Vice President said ongoing operations would not only lead to the arrest of the attackers but also unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

He described the incident as a despicable assault on innocent citizens and the peace of the nation.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, added in a statement that the Federal Government had moved swiftly to prevent further violence and ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.

The Vice President said: “The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation.

“Our security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice immediately.”

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Shettima said President Tinubu had ordered the immediate intensification of security operations in Maiduguri.

This, he said, includes the deployment of additional tactical teams to track down those responsible for the attack at the bustling Gamboru Market area.

“We sympathise with the Government of Borno State, residents, and families who have lost their loved ones in this attack,” he said.

Shettima assured that those behind the attack would face “the full weight of the law.”

He reaffirmed that the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to national security remained unwavering, stressing that the protection of lives and property was a core constitutional responsibility of government.

Boko Haram behind attack, says military

Operation HADIN KAI of the Joint Task Force (Northeast) Headquarters said preliminary findings indicated that the incident was caused by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist (BHT) suicide bomber, who detonated an improvised explosive device, killing himself and two civilians on the scene.

Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said in a statement: “A total of 32 civilians sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“Regrettably, two of the injured civilians were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others are currently in critical condition.

“The remaining injured persons are stable and receiving appropriate medical care.

“Troops and other security agencies have since intensified surveillance and security measures within Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm and security conscious, especially during the yuletide season.

“The public is also urged to be on the lookout for teenagers with suspicious looks.

“It is advised to avoid crowded places and maintain extra vigilance at religious places, especially churches, during the yuletide.

“Citizens are urged to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security post.

“OPHK commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”

Northern governors, ACF condemn attack

The Northern Governors’ Forum also condemned the suicide attack, describing it as barbaric, dastardly and cowardly.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, in a statement, said targeting a place of worship was a grave violation of human conscience and religious sanctity.

He called for enhanced security around places of worship and public spaces, especially during festive periods.

Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described the bombing as sad and deeply troubling, noting that it was a painful reminder that terrorism had not been fully tamed.

“It is utterly inconceivable and totally unacceptable that criminal elements would be allowed to bring the country to its knees,” the ACF said.

It called for heightened vigilance at places of congregation.

PDP urges tightened security

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Federal and state governments to take immediate and practical steps to protect citizens.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ini Ememobong, described the incident as totally unacceptable.

“We commiserate with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless attack.

“No one should lose their life while worshipping God.

“If these attacks on places of worship continue unchecked, they will not only violate the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely worship but will also create an atmosphere of fear that threatens the very fabric of our religious society,” the party said.

• IPOB’s  IED manufacturers  nabbed in Delta

• Suspected  kidnappers arrested in Lagos, FCT

• Plateau, Katsina  attacks aborted

• 16 kidnapped victims rescued

Darul Jamal, a town of about 105 kilometers east of Maiduguri,had only been rehabilitated by the Borno State government recently to resettle its residents who had been turned into refugees for  several years by Boko Haram terrorists.

And just as they began to  feel nostalgic about life in the community in times gone by,the forces that ravaged  them before staged a furious and deadly come back.

And that was regardless of the military base in the community.

The guns boomed. Houses were torched. Terror enveloped the vicinity.

The  North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai ‘ aided from above  by  the Air Component mounted a response by which time about 63 people had been killed.

The ensuing battle forced a retreat by the terrorists  into the massive Sambisa forest,leaving about 30 of them killed.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum drove to the town close to the Nigeria-Cameroun border yesterday for an on the spot assessment.

“It’s very sad,” he said of the development.

“This community was resettled some months ago and they went about their normal business,” Zulum said.

“As of now, we confirm that 63 have lost their lives, both the civilians and the army.

“The numerical strength of the Nigerian army is not enough to contain the situation.”

For the  security agencies ,it has been a weekend of renewed onslaught against gunmen across the country during which fresh attacks by bandits in Plateau and Katsina states were thwarted.

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However, eight people were killed in Magajin Wando village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State before the attackers were repelled, while eight personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) , lost their lives in an ambush by suspected kidnappers in  Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

A Chinese is reported missing.

Katsina State  Internal Security and Home Affairs Commissioner Nasir Danmusa said yesterday that the Magajin Wando attack occurred on Friday night.

According to him, preliminary findings indicated that the ambush was carried out by criminals who wanted to  avenge the death of some of their colleagues during  a resistance by the  Magaji Wando Community.

The commissioner commended members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps for their swift and courageous intervention, and for preventing what he said could have been a far more devastating outcome for the community.

Danmusa restated the government’s commitment to intensifying security operations across the state, and pledged its determination to continue to work closely with the military, police, and other security agencies to track down and dismantle the criminal networks behind the attacks.

He extended deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

He asked  residents to remain vigilant and promptly share any useful information with security agencies to support ongoing operations.

“In the immediate aftermath, those who sustained injury during the attack were evacuated. However, they were ambushed on their way to the hospital by the same group that had divided itself. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, their vehicle being riddled with bullets, the Community Watch Corps fought bravely, escaped the ambush, and returned to safety, and CWC vehicle was burnt during the ambush by the bandits.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the ambush was carried out by the same group of criminals, who moved to avenge so many of their members who were killed in the Magaji Wando Community during the repel by the Community Watch Corps.

“The Katsina State Government, through the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, commends the bravery and sacrifice of the Community Watch Corps for their prompt response and their continued commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities under very dangerous conditions.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pray for the quick recovery of the injured.

“The government remains resolute in its commitment to intensify security operations across the state. We will continue to work closely with the military, police, and other security agencies to track down and dismantle the criminal networks behind these attacks.”

Troops thwart bandits attack in Plateau, arrest suspects

A similar attack on Fan community  in Bakin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State was foiled by troops of Operation Enduring Peace on Thursday

Spokesman of the task force, Major Samson Zhakom said in Jos that acting on a distress call,the troops laid ambush and intercepted an armed militia at Kaskra in Ropp District in Barkin Ladi LGA of the State.

Found and seized from the suspects were one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and 11 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

According to the army spokesman,preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were   mobilised from a nearby community to launch attacks on communities under Nding Village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

“The suspect is in custody undergoing interrogation for information to aid follow-up operations,” he said.

How eight NSCDC personnel were killed in Edo

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said its personnel  assigned to provide security for expatriates attached to the BUA Cement Company ran into an ambush by armed kidnappers.

Eight of the NSCDC officials were killed, four were injured

Four Chinese were rescued while one  is still missing.

Spokesman of the  Corps, Babawale Afolabi,said in Abuja that the attack was launched during a routine patrol.

The NSCDC Commandant General Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi s directed the Edo State Commandant and other Management Staff Officers to pay condolences to the families of the operatives who lost their lives in line of duty and further make arrangements for their burial with full honour.

The NSCDC Boss said  the labour, commitment and patriotism displayed by the operatives would  forever be remembered.

He also said that those under intensive care would have their medical bills covered and adequate treatments given to make them recuperate speedily.

“Prof. Audi appreciated the relevant security agencies who have collaborated with the NSCDC to ensure that the forest where the kidnappers escaped are properly combed in order to rescue the abducted expatriate and the Perpetrators immediately apprehended and brought to book, ” the Public Relations Officer said.

IPOB’s IED manufacturers arrested in Delta

The Nation gathered that the army,in separate operations, arrested two men suspected to be improvised explosive device (IED) manufacturers for the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN),and suspected  armed robbers, kidnappers, drug peddlers across the country.

A source at the Army headquarters said  troops of the Chief of Army Staff intervention Battalion in Sokoto State arrested two terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the source, troop operations in the Northwest over the past week yielded significant results, leading to the neutralization of several bandits/terrorists in the general areas of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna States, as well as the rescue of many kidnap victims.

The military source said, “In the North West, a joint operation by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and ground troops struck terrorist hideouts at Zango in Katsina State, killing up to 15 terrorists according to intercepted communications, and forcing others to flee with gunshot wounds.

“In the Northcentral region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized one armed herder during a firefight in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.

“In Niger State, troops rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered 28 rustled cows following air and ground operations in Mariga Local Government Area.

“Other nationwide operations also yielded major results. In Kaduna State, 19 suspects were arrested during raid operations in Unguwan Dosa, Rigasa, Mando, Tudun Wada, and other areas.

“In Rivers State, troops uncovered 35 sacks of illegally refined products amounting to about 1,750 litres, arresting one suspect despite resistance from suspected bunkers.”

Police: We have rescued 16 of 18 kidnapped victims

Edo State Police Command said yesterday it  rescued 16 of  the 18 passengers who were abducted on Friday night on  the Benin-Abuja highway.

The victims were on their way  to Abuja in an Edo line bus when they were abducted.

Edo Police spokesman, SP Moses Iyamu said the rescued victims had been debriefed.

He said a rescue search was in progress  with local vigilance group and hunters to ensure the release of other passengers.