The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Borno State

  • Troops Kill Boko Haram terrorists in Bama

    Troops Kill Boko Haram terrorists in Bama

    Two Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in an ambush at the weekend by troops of the 202 Battalion of Operation Lafiya Dole operating in Bama local Government of Borno State.
    A statement on Sunday night by the Nigerian Army Director of Public Relation, Brig General Sani Usman said: ” On Friday 22nd September 2017, based on confirmed information, 202 Battalion, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, dispatched 2 ambush teams towards Feri-Feri and Tashan Goto axis in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
    ” Both teams came in contact with suspected Boko Haram terrorists trying to cross and dealt decisively with them by neutralizing 2 terrorists and recovered 2 bicycles and 3 wheel barrows.
    “The teams also canalized suspected Boko Haram terrorists while trying to circumnavigate the ditch at Shetimari, causing them to flee into the bush with gunshot wounds as traces of blood were seen during exploitation.
    “Meanwhile, At about 9.00am on Saturday 23rd September 2017, troops of 201 Battalion, 21 Brigade Nigerian Army while on fighting patrol in conjunction Mobile Strike Team 21, discovered an Improvised Explosive Device along Bama-Aulari road. It was however safely detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Device team attached to the patrol team.
    “In a related development, troops of 7 Brigade Garrison on 20th September 2017, arrested a suspected physically challenged Boko Haram terrorists’ informant, Mr. Audu Usman at Doron Baga, northern Borno State.”
  • Three Boko Haram escapees arrested in Lagos

    Three Boko Haram escapees arrested in Lagos

    …Police call for vigilance

     

    Three suspected Boko Haram terrorists who fled Borno State were arrested in Lagos last month, an Islamic cleric, Mohammed Abdullahi said Monday.

    Abdullahi stated this during a meeting between acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal and stakeholders in Area D Command held at the Isolo Townhall.

    According to the cleric, bulk of Boko Haram terrorists who escaped the northeastern part to Lagos were arrested at Ajao Estate, wondering why they always ran to the area.

    He said: “A lot of people think Boko Haram issue is just about the Northeast, but they are mistaken. We have been arresting fleeing Boko Haram members in Lagos.

    “I do not know if it is as a result of the proximity to the airport. Most of the escapee Boko Haram members who came to Lagos have been arrested in Ajao Estate. Just three weeks ago, we arrested three of them who ran from Borno State.

    “We have a way of identifying them. The Seriki Hausa in Ajao Estate has the contact of all the Local Government Chairmen in Borno State. That way, we usually know those Boko Haram elements who have fled the area to other parts of the country, “We have been doing this since 2014 and we have been working in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno. Once we identify them, we contact the JTF and they come and arrest them.

    “We were not working with the police because we thought the police would not collaborate with us. But now that the CP has indicated commitment to partner all stakeholders and enthrone community policing, we would be working with the police.”

    Reacting to Abdullahi’s disclosure, Edgal assured that the police would verify the claims by the cleric because there were serious security issues.

    He urged residents to be more vigilant, noting that Lagos cannot be isolated from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    Edgal said: “The issue raised by him is a vital security issue. I have taken his number. We must verify the facts. Nevertheless, it calls for increased vigilance. We cannot isolate Lagos from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    “We all know that Lagos is the melting pot of the country. Because Lagos is functioning, we are getting influx of people at astronomical rate.

    “We are going to have a meeting with and all Arewa leaders in the state so that localities where they have majority of their people are policed more closely.

    “Already, based on this community policing, I have extended hands of partnership to them. Like I said, I intend to partner their leaders to ensure every new face that comes into Lagos from that part of the country is monitored.

    “The final points of the partnership would mean that every community leader in Lagos would assist the police profile their members. We do not want strays. Anyone who comes into the state must identify with their communities and it is incumbent on the leaders to bring the persons forward for biometrics so that we would have records.”

    Ealier, the police chief noted that the prevalent crime in Area D Command was cultism, which he said the command would tackle headlong with the support of residents.

    Edgal reiterated that no police the world over could effectively fight crime without the collaboration of the people.

    He said: “I came here to introduce and explain my policing plan, aimed at reducing crime to the barest minimum and also enthrone rule of law. My plan is based on community policing and partnership initiative.

    “We have come to the realisation that it is not possible for any police force to police society without imput of members of that society. Policing is a localised activity. It is members of the community that know the inner streets/routes. They are the ones who know their policing needs.

    “It is our goal to partner society to ensure that our major highways, streets and communities are safe. At Isolo, I know that the major issues you have are those of neighbourhood robbery and cultism. Area D does not have issues of violent crimes.

    “We are putting in place measures to tackle crime and insecurity headlong. Before now, we lacked vigilance, strategy and structure to deal with issues of cultism and armed crime. But with functional partnerships, that would be contained.

    “For those who have been observant, you would see that Metro Patrol Vehicles are now stationed at all major junctions across the state. The deployment is to enable residents have first point of call when in distress.
    “You should run to the policemen and tell them your problem. They must not direct you to any police station. They have to take your complaint.

    “As we are in the ember months, ensure your neighbourhood has vigilante groups. Call out your neighbours to volunteer and assist local guards and police keep you safe.

    “Screen them and take list to your Divisional Police Officer (DPO). They would be called for profiling and documented. Armed policemen would be attached to them because no vigilante member is allowed to carry arms.”

    At the event were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence (SCIID), Bolaji Salami; Area D Commander, Olasoji Akinbayo; Chairmen, Isolo and Ejigbo Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), Olaleye Shamsudeen and Bello Oba, as well as traditional rulers, market and religious leaders among others.

  • Borno: SEMA spends N2bn on distribution of food, condiments to IDPs – Official

    Borno: SEMA spends N2bn on distribution of food, condiments to IDPs – Official

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) on Saturday said it expended over N2 billion on distribution of food items and condiments to IDPs in the last four years.

    SEMA’s Chairman Alhaji Satomi Ahmad, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satomi said that the amount went into procurement and distribution of food stuff, firewood, drugs and condiments to persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    He said that the gesture was to augment the Federal Government and development agencies’ efforts to support the displaced persons and address humanitarian crisis.

    “Previously, the agency spent about N20 million on procurement and distribution of firewood alone to displaced households in the camps and liberated communities.

    “The trend resulted in unprecedented upsurge in the demand and supply of firewood in the state.

    “ This also naturally resulted in depletion of forest resources and destruction of the environment which left us with no options than to start using charcoal,” he said.
    Satomi said the choice of charcoal came with high cost as the initial funds for firewood went up astronomically.

    The chairman said the agency had also concluded arrangements to de-worm and immunise all children in IDPs camps and liberated communities.

    He said that the exercise was designed to protect children against diseases, reduce morbidity and mortality.

    According to him, the agency had deployed nine mobile clinics to enhance rapid response and disaster management services in the state.

  • FG channels assistance to troubled Northeast through WFP

    FG channels assistance to troubled Northeast through WFP

    The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a donation of 5,000 metric tons of rice from the Federa Government.

    A statement from WEP said this initiative will help feed nearly half-a-million internally displaced people in the conflict-ravaged northeast of the country, where the threat of famine endures.

    The statement added that WFP has already begun moving the first batch of donated rice – and expects a further 2,000 metric tons of millet pledged by the Nigerian authorities.

    “As a responsible government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in recognition of the efforts of humanitarian actors and the need to ensure food security for the people affected by insurgency in the north east, has not only approved the distribution of 35,905 metric tons of grains to the people, but has also approved the release of 5,000 metric tons of rice for distribution by World Food Programme (WFP) in some communities affected by insurgency,” said Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Director General of Nigeria’s emergency relief agency, NEMA in the statement.

    Since launching operations last year, WFP has rapidly expanded its offer of food, nutrition and cash to reach more than a million people a month. Having overcome a funding challenge, it has now set its target at 1.36 million people during the current pre-harvest lean season, the hungriest time of the year.

    “This donation once again testifies to the quality of relations between WFP and Nigeria,” said Ronald Sibanda, WFP’s interim Country Director. “Our partnership with the Government’s specialized emergency agencies, both at the federal and state level, have been crucial in allowing us to assist those who need it most.”

    As part of a US$100 million contribution to WFP’s Nigeria response, the United States will cover the associated costs of getting the donated rice to those displaced in the hardest-hit states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    Nigeria’s crisis has spilled over borders, leaving millions in the broader Lake Chad Basin region uncertain of where their meal is coming from. Experts have warned that without sufficient and timely humanitarian assistance, northeast Nigeria risks tipping into famine.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Borno: Nine soldiers feared dead as Book Haram attacks oil workers

    Borno: Nine soldiers feared dead as Book Haram attacks oil workers

    The prospects of oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria in Borno state  has suffered a major setback as Boko Haram have on Wednesday reportedly ambushed and attack a team of workers between Magumeri and Gubio on their way back to Maiduguri, security sources have revealed.

    The source informed that the workers were ambushed around Borno Yeso area of Magumeri, adding that “security personal providing protection and security to the workers including geologists from the University of Maiduguri were also badly affected in the ambushed.

    Another source speculated that out of the ten vehicles that conveyed the oil workers including security, only one ten seater bus returned to Maiduguri with five wounded people hospitalized at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri.

    The source added that many have been feared dead or taken alive as no contact has so far been made by some of the members of the team during the attack

    There is no official statement from the military command in Borno State and the State Police Command on the attack.

    A credible military source also informed our correspondent that   some students of the Geology Department of the University, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and other security personnel were victims of the attack

    The Military source regretted that a conspiracy by head of the securities in trying to shield the information from the public.

    His words: “As at 9:00 today Wednesday, no rescue plan has been put in place as far as I am aware   from either the Nigeria Airforce component from the Theatre.

    “Between Wednesday and today, only ten of the victims can be confirmed to be alive. The five oil workers that escaped the attack Wednesday were hospitalized at the Borno State Specialist Hospital.

    “Also this morning around 5:00 precisely five others who escaped also called and told us their location.

    “The five victims at the state specialist told us that out of the ten vehicles conveying the team from magumeri, only their vehicle escaped the attack with bullets shots, flat tyres and smashed wind screen.

    “They said the insurgents had chased them for more than ten kilometers adding that most of the vehicle and the persons involved did not make it out of Magumeri,” the source disclosed.

    The Nation recalls that President Buhari last year issued directives to the NNPC to resume the exploration of oil in the Lake Chad Basin and River Kolnami.

    In compliance with the Presidential Directives, the GMD of NNPC sent a delegation to Borno State in May this year who paid courtesies on Gov. Kashim Shettima and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi with the assurance that the exploration will begin in six weeks’ time as peace was gradually returning to the state.

    The latest attack has however cast a dark shadow on the prospect of the continuation of the exploration with renewed Boko Haram attacks and the increasing insecurity in the Lake Chad.

     

  • Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    Boko Haram is political, not religious – 2face

    A  Nigerian Music icon, Innocent Idibia, otherwise called  2Face or 2Baba has said the protracted Boko Haram crisis which has claimed the lives of millions and traumatized thousands with billions on property lost has nothing to do with religion but rather the failure of the political leadership of the country.

    According to the music maestro, “unless government and politicians step up their games by doing the needful in eradicating poverty among the masses, particularly youths, ensure  justice to all manner of people or else,  ending the Boko Haram  insurgency and other violent clashes across the country  will be difficult and unrealistic”.

     Mr. Idibia who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri as he winds up his visits to displaced people in the state where he visited the Camps in Banki, a border community with Cameron Republic and other resettlement areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as part of his Foundation’s collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to drum support for the IDPs said he was particularly “sadden by the pathetic living conditions of the IDPs in the camps”.

    He announced that he will donate part of the proceeds from his new song launched on World Refugee Day this year to support the affected population through UNHCR., adding that he will be  staging  a concert in Abuja at the Hilton Hotel on 24 July as part of continuing efforts to support IDPs and returnees in Nigeria.

    He Urged  government, security agencies, Media Practitioners and other Humanitarian agencies to scale up a coordinated efforts in addressing the plights of IDPs and other victims of violence, as well as tackling  terrorism in the bud.

    his world, ” I am here in Maiduguri with support from UNHCR to use my music in contributing to alleviate the suffering of our IDPs and other victims of insurgence.

    “I feel honoured to work with organization like UNHCR, am just one person, when I went round some of these camps, I was saddened, I saw fear, sorrow and trauma, I feel disappointed looking at the faces and eyes of the IDPs. You will see hunger and object poverty. Unless Government and politicians shun injustice, corruption and remained focus and committed to our collective development, these same set of traumatized and displaced people in camps may turn up to be more dangerous in the society.

    “Although, I have seen hope of life among some of these IDPs, all hands must be on deck to the needful by rendering support no matter how little it is. Presently I have a song, titled ‘Hold my Hands’, this song is on many platforms, all people need to do is to download it and use it ringing tone. It will only cost you N50 per month, but will surely contribute in giving hope of life to our traumatized victims of insurgency.

    “In my little way, I have come and seen the live in camps and next week, when I go back to Abuja, we are going to do a concert as my proceed donation in alleviating the suffering of the IDPs”, 2Face stated.

    He particularly praised working Journalists in the region, while encouraging them to continue their good efforts and sacrifices in reporting activities of government, security agencies, Humanitarian partners in the fight against insurgency in the north east sub- region.

    The Nation recalls that in February this year,  2Face Foundation donated more than US$11,000 to UNHCR for IDPs and returnees and has embarked on a series of activities to scale up the support.

  • Borno’s abduction, atrocious, cowardly – Osinbajo

    Borno’s abduction, atrocious, cowardly – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday condemned the atrocious and cowardly abduction of women which occurred recently in Borno State.

    He sympathises with the families of the abducted women, and assures that the Federal Government will spare no efforts to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the victims.

    The Acting President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, has therefore directed Nigeria’s military and intelligence agencies to take all necessary steps including coordinating with our international partners to rescue the abducted women, as well as to ensure further tightening of security in and around Borno State.

    The Buhari presidency assured that the ongoing efforts of security agencies, including the establishment of additional military and police bases in parts of the country, as well as the improved intelligence gathering will continue, and commends some of the recent significant breakthroughs in combating kidnapping and banditry in the country.

  • NANS expresses displeasure over bombings in UNIMAID 

    NANS expresses displeasure over bombings in UNIMAID 

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed displeasure over the bombing of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, by the Boko Haram.

    The association blamed the federal government for its slow action on the bombings of the university.

    The NANS President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, said this when addressing reporters on the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Obasi said the association had raised a committee on the northeast which was discreetly making investigation into the bombings.

    He said: “The remaining Chibok girls still in terrorists’ captivity are also part of Nigerian students. It is unfortunate that the government has not taken any drastic measure on UNIMAID.

    “They have not shown action in securing lives and property. The government only sends condolences. NANS is about to take a decision and it is a decision that will not favour the government.

    “We have a committee which we constituted on the northeast but we did not bother to make it open. We do not want it public so that those against the interests of Nigerian students will not truncate our decisions.

    “We have also encouraged our students to be vigilant. We have carried out some safety measures lectures. We do not depend on the government, but we can tell the government what we want.”

    The NANS president said the association had lent support to the anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government by exposing some vice chancellors who mismanaged the funds allocated to their universities.

     

  • Scores feared dead as another suicide attack hit Maiduguri

    Scores feared dead as another suicide attack hit Maiduguri

    Many people have been feared killed in a heavy suicide attack near NNPC Mega Station along Biu/Damboa road in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The detail of the casualties is not yet unknown, but residents said, so many people have been killed in the attack.

    The Executive Secretary of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Ahmed Satomi who confirmed the incident on his Facebook wall last night called for a better technology that will curb the spate of suicide bombing in the state.

    “Just came back from the response, I am down details tomorrow may Allah safe my state. We must to imbibe the technological age to counter this deadly suicide bombing and other act of criminality in our dear state #safe city project #smart city project”. Engr. Satomi wrote.

    The city of Maiduguri has recent come under series of attacks, including the University of Maiduguri where over a dozen people have been killed including a professor.

     

    Details later…

  • Borno records 3,000 births in IDPs camps in six months

    Borno records 3,000 births in IDPs camps in six months

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Monday said it registered 3,000 births among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the past six months.

    The SEMA Chairman, Satomi Ahmad, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satomi said that the births were registered at various camps located in the state capital between January and June.

    He explained that the birth records showed significant increase in view of the high number of couples staying at the camps.

    He added that “we recorded 3,000 births among IDPs in the last six months. The mothers were supported with drugs and reproductive kits.”

    The SEMA boss said the agency was working in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health to support expectant mothers and enhance reproductive health management in the camps.

    The chairman said SEMA had provided ambulances to enhance referral services and reduce mortality.

    Earlier, SEMA said it registered 13,000 births in IDPs camps in the past four years.

    It also said that it helped the mothers and babies with food items, nutritional supplements and dresses for the new born.