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Tag: Borno State

  • 15 candidates withdraw, adopt Shettima for senatorial race

    Fifteen candidates with their political parties vying for Borno central senatorial seat on Wednesday withdrew and adopted Gov. Kashim Shettima for Saturday’s re-scheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The candidates said they took decision to endorse Shettima above other candidates due to his unparalleled experience.

    Chairman of the forum, Abdulkadir Fema, who is also the senatorial candidate of Action Peoples Party (APP) for Borno Central, disclosed the position of the political parties at a news conference in Maiduguri.

    He said:  “No one has acquired the kind of experience necessary to represent Borno central in terms of understanding the demands of the military’s operational efforts, the existing gaps, the humanitarian issues and the next phase of rebuilding as much as the APC’s candidate for Borno central, Alhaji Kashim Shettima”.

    Fema, in company of ten other candidates at the briefing, mentioned other parties involved in the endorsement as  candidates of Action Peoples Party (PPA), Better Nigeria Progressives Party (BNPP); Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA); New Progressive Movement (NPM); Yes Electorates Solidarity  (YES); Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN); Nigerian Elements Progressive Party (NEPP); Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Nigeria Community Movement Party (NCMP); Coalition for Change (C4C); Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP); Independent Democrats (ID) and Democratic Alliance (DA).

    There are 20 candidates for Borno central senatorial election.

    They said: “We, the under-signed candidates of 15 political parties for Borno central senatorial election, have after consultations with our supporters and amongst ourselves, resolved to withdraw from the February 23, 2019 re-scheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections in unanimous support for candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for Borno central senatorial, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

    Read Also: Shettima wins four media awards in two weeks

    “We took this decision based on our conviction that even though each of us has the capacity and the patriotic zeal to competently representing the people of Borno central in the 9th Senate, we are of the opinion that in the next national assembly, three major issues will largely define the representation of Borno people.”

    They added: “As every objective and reasonable mind will agree with us, of all the candidates for Borno central senatorial election, no one has acquired the kind of experience in necessary to represent Borno central in terms of understanding the demands of the military’s operational efforts, the existing gaps, the humanitarian issues and the next phase of rebuilding as much as the APC’s candidate for Borno central, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

    “He has in Borno’s most difficult time, been serving as Governor. He has proved to sufficiently understand these issues. We believe that the experiences he has gained and the contacts will be necessary for Senator representing Borno to engage relevant me ministries and agencies of the federal government including engagements with the Ministry of Defense and different service chiefs, Ministry of interior, Ministries of foreign affairs, Education and Industry and agencies like the North East Development Commission and the UN amongst others to deploy legislative tools of lobbying and the exchange of support through legitimate trade by barter negotiations to help in fast-tracking the kind of support Borno needs and deserves.

    “We are so confident that Kashim Shettima will, insha’Allah, represent Borno as much and even better that the way we intended to do.

    “Allah has, by making him Governor in Borno’s challenging years, afforded him a superior advantage that the people of Borno stand to gain from his potentially efficient representation, as the next Senator for Borno central senatorial zone, insha’Allah.

    “We shall be willing to pass to him our suggestions with the hope they will further enrich his representation of our people. We thank members of our respective parties and supporters for accepting our unanimous position that is the best interest of Borno State.

    “We appeal to all of them and the entire electorates of Borno central senatorial zone to cast their votes for the APC in favour of Alhaji Kashim Shettima.”

  • Borno, Yobe ready for Saturday’s polls – RECs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Borno state has assured it has taken delivery of all the sensitive and non- sensitive materials for Saturday’s rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner Mohammed Ibrahim told reporters at the headquarters of the Commission in Maiduguri on Tuesday that deployment of election materials and personnel will commence from Wednesday to local governments far from the state capital.

    He assured “polls would open by 8pm on Saturday across the state”.

    He also announced the state headquarters of INEC has taken custody of sensitive materials from all the twenty seven local government areas and re-deposited at the Central Bank.

    The INEC Commissioner informed over five thousand smart card readers have been recalled and reconfigured.

    On the safety of materials and personnel for the election, Ibrahim said adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure they are well protected.

    The Borno REC explained the over 160,000 uncollected PVCs will be deposited at the Central Bank until after the general elections.

    In Yobe State, his counterpart Ahmad Makama also assured all the sensitive materials dispatched across the 17 local government councils have been returned intact and re-deposited at the Damaturu branch of Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “We initially kept the sensitive materials at the Police armory of respective local government headquarters and asked our Electoral Officers to keep vigil until clear directives were received from headquarters.

    “On receiving that directive on Sunday, all materials were safely returned intact to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Damaturu and that has been confirmed by the CBN Controller.

    “The consignments are now kept local government by local government for easy re-distribution either on Wednesday or Thursday,” Makama informed.

    Speaking on the security challenges in Gujba local government where the Boko Haram launched attacks on military base on Saturday, the REC said: “The voters and ad-hoc staffs must have been frightened and the case will be tabled at the security meeting scheduled for Tuesday so that the commission will solicits for guidance if the situation is not containable but i assure you that no one will be disenfranchised”.

    Our correspondent discovered INEC in Yobe had earlier relocated all voting/polling units to three centres in Goniri, Gujba town and Buni Yadi due to security threats.

  • Buhari, govs, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and some governors from the northern part of the country.

    The meeting started around 11am at the President’s office.

    Governors at the meeting included Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, Borno State, Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai.

    Also at the meeting were Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau.

    Read Also: Buhari didn’t order Nigerians to be shot summarily, says Tinubu

    The meeting was not unconnected with the security situations in the country.

    The recent killings before the postponed presidential election at the weekend resulted in the death of some Nigerians in Kajuru, Kaduna State.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • 3 terrorists, 4 civilians killed in fresh Boko Haram attack

    The Nigerian Army yesterday said three Boko Haram terrorists and four civilians were killed as troops engaged the insurgents who launched attacks to scuttle the general elections in Jere local government area of Borno state.

    Its acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said in a statement that the troops of 251 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Civilian JTF repelled the attacks from the terrorists and conducted mop up operations in the area.

    Colonel Musa said: “In the early hours of today, there was an attack by unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists using Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) at Jidimari community in Jidari Polo area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State. This is in their highly desperate, orchestrated and collaborative resolve with their cohorts and sponsors to scuttle the 2019 General Elections.

    “Consequently, troops of 251 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Civilian JTF immediately repelled the attack, mopped up and cleared the general area. The encounter led to the elimination of 3 Boko Haram terrorists and recovery of 2 AK 47 rifles. Unfortunately, 4 innocent civilians lost their lives as a result of terrorists gun fire in addition to lethal explosion arising from PBIED mainly targeted at a mosque at a prime time of early morning prayers.

    “The carrier of the PBIED and a CJTF who strived to prevent the suicide bomber from accessing the mosque also lost their lives due to the IED explosion. At the moment, troops have dominated the area, cordon and search as well as exploitation are concurrently ongoing. Situation in the area is now calm. Normal routine activities are gradually going on. The army wishes to reiterate its resolve to bring an effective and enduring end to terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria”.

  • Troops neutralise three Boko Haram terrorists

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said three Boko Haram terrorists and four civilians were killed as troops engaged the insurgents who launched attacks to scuttle the general elections in Jere local government area of Borno state.

    Its Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said in a statement that the troops of 251 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Civilian JTF repelled the attacks from the terrorists and conducted mop up operations in the area.

    Colonel Musa said: “In the early hours of today, there was an attack by unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists using Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) at Jidimari community in Jidari Polo area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State. This is in their highly desperate, orchestrated and collaborative resolve with their cohorts and sponsors to scuttle the 2019 General Elections.

    “Consequently, troops of 251 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Civilian JTF immediately repelled the attack, mopped up and cleared the general area.

    “The encounter led to the elimination of 3 boko haram terrorists and recovery of 2 AK 47 rifles. Unfortunately, 4 innocent civilians lost their lives as a result of terrorists gun fire in addition to lethal explosion arising from PBIED mainly targeted at a mosque at a prime time of early morning prayers.

    “The carrier of the PBIED and a CJTF who strived to prevent the suicide bomber from accessing the mosque also lost their lives due to the IED explosion.

    “At the moment, troops have dominated the area, cordon and search as well as exploitation are concurrently ongoing.

    “Situation in the area is now calm. Normal routine activities are gradually going on. The army wishes to reiterate its resolve to ending the remnant of Boko Haram criminals thereby bringing an effective and an enduring end to terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria”.

  • Breaking: Three killed as Boko Haram attacks Shettima’s convoy

    A soldier and two civilians were feared dead on Wednesday when Boko Haram fighters ambushed the convoy of Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima during a campaign in Borno North.

    A credible source from the convoy confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Maiduguri.

    He said the convoy was attacked along Gajibo in Dikwa Local Government of Borno State.

    The source revealed Shettima escaped unhurt because the incident occurred at the tail end of the long convoy.

    The governor and others were said to have driven past before the attack.

    Read Also: Soldiers kill invading Boko Haram insurgents in Madagali

    “It’s very unfortunate that the Boko Haram boys took advantage of the long convoy and attack at the end of the convoy. By the time the incident happened, the Governor has already passed,” he explained.

    Speaking on fatality, the source disclosed: “Only three people died-one soldier and two other civilians. We are just returning into Maiduguri now,” he said.

    Another competent security source confirmed the casualty was three, adding many persons also sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack.

    “Governor Kashim Shettima’s convoy was attacked on Wednesday and those that were killed are members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) that were far behind.

    “The Governor and other top politicians escaped unhurt. But many other persons were injured,” the sources informed.

    The Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau could not be reached for comment at the time of filing the report.

  • Atiku: APC has failed Yobe, Borno

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the people of Yobe and Borno States.

    Atiku, who stated this Wednesday during the PDP presidential rally in the two insurgency ravaged states, listed security, job creation, health, education and other social amenities as key  areas in which the APC failed the two states.

    Addressing the crowd at the rally, Atiku said, “People of Yobe, over three years ago, you voted for APC; please I want to ask you all, what has APC done for you?

    “APC promised security, is there security now? APC promised to create jobs, are there jobs now? APC also promised to revive the economy, is the economy better now?

    “Today you are poorer, there is hunger everywhere, insecurity everywhere. People of Yobe State, what I want to tell you is that, these people have destroyed everything. Don’t let them take us backward, don’t vote for APC. This is not a party. They will not create wealth”

    Atiku restated his promise to reserve 70 percent of appointments the for women and youth population if elected President.

    Appealing to sentiments, Atiku reminded the gathering that it’s the first time one of their own from the Northeast geopolitical zone would be vying for the Presidency and urged them not to allow the opportunity slip off their hands.

    He said, “The entire people of Nigeria said this time around they want the President to come from the Northeast. Do you all agree? Will you all vote PDP?

    “If you vote PDP, I want to promise you all, that we will bring about lasting peace to the Northeast and the entire Nigeria. All those who know me know that I don’t lie and am not afraid. We will return peace and after that, I promise every one of you will return back to their local governments.

    “Also there will be jobs for the youth, schools will be open, hospitals will treat the sick and the poverty that is disturbing us will be stopped.

    Read Also: Atiku cautions security agencies on polls

    “Initially, they said the Northeast is the centre of poverty in Nigeria. We will put an end to that poverty. We shall create wealth, businesses will grow, there will be peace everywhere”

    He told the electorate in Yobe and Borno not to allow anyone steal their votes on election day, as he urged them to wait for their votes to be counted and results announced before departing their polling centres.

  • Troops neutralise four terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said on Monday that four Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by troops during an encounter with the terrorists at Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

    A statement signed by Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said three soldiers were however wounded during the exchange of fire by troops and the insurgents.

    He added that weapons of different types were recovered from the terrorists by the gallant troops.

    Colonel Nwachukwu said: “Troops of 118 and 119 Task Force Battalions of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in northern Borno have neutralised 4 Boko Haram terrorists in an encounter yesterday night at Mallam Fatori, a border town in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno state.

    “On Saturday 2nd February 2019, a group of Boko Haram terrorists attempted to attack the town taking advantage of darkness but met their Waterloo in an encounter with gallant troops of 118 and 119 Task Force Battalions.

    “The vigilant troops engaged the terrorists with heavy firepower and instantly despatched 4 of the attackers to the great beyond, while some of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The fleeing surviving terrorists abandoned some of their weapons and equipment which were recovered by the troops.

    “The recovered items include 1 Light Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 (RPG 7) tubes, 3 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 3 Rocket Propelled Grenade Chargers, a belt of 200 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO type) ammunition, 5 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition and 4 Hand Grenades.

    “The gallant troops are unrelenting and are further exploiting their success, as they engage in hot pursuit of the fleeing insurgents.

    “Three soldiers, however, sustained various injuries during the encounter. They are all in stable condition and receiving medical attention.”

  • Breaking: Governors in meeting with NSA over security, elections 

    Governors and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, are locked in a meeting ahead of the forthcoming general polls.

    The meeting which is at the instance of the NSA is currently ongoing at the national secretariat of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abuja

    The country’s security situation is expected to dominate discussion.

    Read Also:Failed e-transactions: report defaulting banks to us, says CBN

    The same scenario played out few weeks to the 2015 general elections which eventually led to the postponement of the poll so as to allow the military make a last push against the Bono Haram sect who were then occupying almost the entire Local Government Areas in Borno and some part of Adamawa and Yobe states.

    A source said the meeting was called to update the governors on the security situation in the country ahead of the general elections.

    It was also gathered that the NSA intends to present to the governors the security arrangement with the aim of ensuring their support.

    A communique is expected to be released at the end of the meeting.

     

    Details later…

  • Air Force strikes insurgents in northern Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force on Monday said Boko Haram terrorists have been neutralized in Limberi, northern parts of Borno State.

    Accordingly to the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, air strikes were conducted against the insurgents following credible intelligence reports on their presence in the area.

    He said in a statement that their structures were also destroyed.

    He said:  “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed another terrorists’ hideout and neutralized some terrorists at Limberi, a cluster of small, co-located settlements made up of mud and thatched roof structures located about 92Km Northwest of Monguno in Northern Borno State.

    Read also: 2019 polls: Buhari, APC senators meet to boost victory

    The air strike was conducted on 26 January 2019 following credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that the location was being used by the terrorists as a staging area.

    “This was later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which tracked a group of terrorists heading to a location about 3km North of the settlements, where they had converged.

    “The ATF therefore dispatched 2 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location as the fighters were emerging from their meeting venue; hitting them in successive passes and recording successful strikes resulting in the destruction of several structures, which were seen engulfed in flames.

    “Each pass was targeted at the various compounds where the terrorists had dispersed resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists. ”