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Tag: Borno State

  • Senate bemoans killing of 44 soldiers by Boko Haram

    The Senate Thursday bemoaned the killing of 44 Nigerian soldiers attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion located in Melete, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    A sombre atmosphere enveloped the plenary session when the matter was brought to the floor as the lawmakers took turns to bemoan the development, which they described as monumental loss to the nation.

    Consequently, the upper legislative body has ordered its committees on Army and Defence to investigate the killings and also look into the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian troops engaged in the counter insurgency operations.

    The senator also resolved to visit officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces presently on the counter insurgency campaign in North East.

    The resolutions followed a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn  Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South) at the instance of the President of the Senate.

    In his motion, Na’Allah, decried the plight of military personnel currently fighting insurgency in the North East, lamenting that one of the officers killed in the attack was his cousin.

    After observing a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen soldiers, the lawmakers also resolved to pay a condolence visit to the Chief of Army Staff and families of the slain soldiers.

    The senators have also resolved to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and welfare of serving soldiers. The standing committee on Army has been mandated to carry out the investigation.

    Other contributors, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike  Ekweremadu, bemoaned the hazardous tasks of men and officers of the Armed Forces in fighting Boko Haram insurgency.

    They called on the Federal Government and the military authorities to adequately equip the personnel and address all issues concerning their welfare.

    Making his contribution, Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC Rivers East) suggested that the Senate shut down for the day, instead of just observing a minute’s silence for the slain soldiers.

    Uchendu said, “Mr President and dear colleagues, I have no reason to doubt the figure of the 44 dead soldiers. But if that figure is correct, then this Senate must come out and show massive concern, not just one-minute silence.

    “We must shut down for one whole day in honour of those fallen heroes”.

    Uchendu carried the day and the plenary session was brought to an abrupt end.

    Reports indicate that about nine farmers in the community were also killed in the attack.

    Addressing journalists shortly after the plenary session, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, deplored the lackadaisical attitude of the committee.

    According to him, the situation in the Army would have been different if the committee had lived up to its oversight responsibilities.

    Danbaba blamed the chairman of the Army Committee, Senator George Akume for the lapse, saying there was a clear case of dereliction of duties on the part of Akume.

    He lamented that the committee has remained dormant since Akume assumed its headship in 2017.

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said Tuesday that Boko Haram terrorists camp at Ngwuri Gana in Borno state has been destroyed through air strikes while scores of terrorists were also neutralised.

    The Spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the air operations were conducted after intelligence reports have established the presence of the insurgents in the area.

    Read Also:Air Force strikes Boko Haram base in Borno

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “In continuation of operations to seek out and destroy remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the North East, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE yesterday, 5 November 2018, destroyed a BHT Camp and neutralized several terrorists at Ngwuri Gana in Borno State.

    “The operation was carried out based on human intelligence reports indicating that the settlement was one of the locations from where BHTs launch attacks against own troops’ positions and villages around the general area of Kumshe.

    “Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions later confirmed the presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement and also identified a suspected Communications Centre with BHT flag and solar panels mounted.

    ” Accordingly, the ATF launched a coordinated attack on various targets within the settlement employing Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft as well as Mi-35 attack helicopters leading to the destruction of BHT Communication Centre and neutralization of several BHTs.

    ” The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying all remnants of the terrorists in Borno State”.

  • 1,350 Borno Corps members observe 2018 Batch ‘C’ Orientation in Katsina

    As a  result of growing insecurity in Borno State occasioned by increased attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, the 2018 Batch ‘C’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to serve in the state have been relocated to Katsina State where they began their three-week orientation course.
    Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony at the temporary camp located within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training College in Katsina, the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima noted that their relocation was due to the temporary security situation in his state, urging the corps members to re-dedicate themselves to nation building.
    Shettima, who was represented by the state Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, Mahdi Gazali, however, noted that the state government under his watch was doing everything humanly possible through its programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation to return the state to the path of peace and development.
    He said “The government and good people of Borno State are doing everything humanly possible through our programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation to return the state to the pedestal of peace, security and development it has been known for before the insurgency problem that nearly crippled the socio-economic of the state’’.
    “I therefore wish to assure you of your safety during the three weeks orientation exercise and the service ahead. It behoves you to be part of the problem solving team by expressing your potentials through rendering honest and dedicated services to your host communities’’.

    Read Also: Boko Haram sacks two communities in Borno

    “I urge you to summon courage to come and stay in Borno and you will understand the fact that the security situation of the state is not bad as it is being propagated by some media.”
    Governor Shettima said the NYSC scheme has provided a platform to develop great virtues of discipline, industry and patriotism, adding that as change agents, government believes in the scheme in view of its importance in nation building and selfless service to humanity.
    Speaking earlier, the Borno State NYSC Coordinator Rabiu Aminu said 1,350 corps members were posted to the state and enjoined them to exhibit high level of respect and discipline, adding that the camping period is filled with vigorous activities which need active participation.
    While applauding the state government for providing remedies to the operational challenges confronting the scheme in the state, the state NYSC coordinator tasked the corps members to be security conscious, saying issues of security does not only rest on security personnel alone but all the citizenry.

  • ACF to FG: Review negotiation strategy with Boko Haram

    …condemns killings of aid workers

     

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF ) has condemned the killing of another aid worker, Hauwa Amina Liman by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

    While describing the killing of Liman as clear desecration of Islam which preaches sacred inviolability of the individual, ACF said, the action of the terrorists to say the least was callous, barbaric and inhuman and totally against the tenets of Islam.

    The Forum therefore called on the Federal Government to review its negotiation strategy with the terrorists group, to ensure that the other aid worker, Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls still in captivity are rescued and reunited with their families.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said Federal Government should no longer wait for deadline from the terrorists before taking necessary actions to rescue the captives, saying that, actions by the government and its allies on the rescue mission should be quick in order to assuage the fears of Nigerians of what may happen to those still in captivity.

    The statement read that, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is saddened and pained by the sad news of the execution of another aid worker Hauwa Amina Liman by the Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

    “It would be recalled that Hauwa and two other aid workers with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were abducted by the terrorists about six months ago during an attack on the military base in Rann, Borno State,and have since then been in their captivity.

    “Earlier on, one of the aid workers kidnapped named Saifura Hussaini Ahmed was killed by the terrorists on the grounds that the Federal Government (FG) failed to meet up some of their demands, the same fate befallen Hauwa.

    Read Also: Bagudu counsel Igbo community on peaceful coexistence

    “The action of the terrorists to say the least was callous, barbaric and inhuman and totally against the tenets of Islam. The killing is clear desecration of Islam which preaches sacred inviolability of the individual.

    “The Federal Government’s assurances that it has been working with some friendly countries and other international organizations to save the lives of the innocent aid workers has not yielded the desired result.

    “ACF therefore urges the FG to review its negotiation strategy and ensure that the other aid worker, Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls still in the captivity of the Boko Haram are rescued and released to their families.

    “The FG should not wait for deadline from the terrorists before taking necessary actions to rescue them. Any actions by the FG and the allies on this issue should be quick in order to assuage the fears of Nigerians of what may happen to those still in captivity.

    “ACF extends its condolences to the families of Hauwa and Saifura who were brutally executed by the terrorists for serving humanity and equally commiserates with the families of those still captivity.” Said ACF.

  • Air Force Strikes Boko Haram members in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force Monday said scores of Boko Haram Terrorists have been killed at their hideout in Bogum, Borno state.

    Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the attacks on the terrorists were carried out with two Mi-35 Helicopter gunships.

    Read Also:Air Force bombs Boko Haram training camp

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) hideout and neutralized several terrorists at Bogum in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was carried out Monday, 14 October 2018, after intelligence reports indicated significant BHT activities within the settlement.

    “The ATF scrambled two Mi-35 Helicopter Gunships to engage and destroy the identified BHT positions in the village.

    “Overhead the target, the concentration areas of the BHTs were attacked in successive waves by the helicopters with direct hits recorded on the targets, leading to the neutralization of several BHTs. The few surviving BHTs were tracked and mopped up in subsequent follow on attacks.

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying all remnants of the terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.

  • CSOs applaud Borno APC‎’s primaries for credibility

    … Says election standard compare to Presidential primaries in Abuja

    Coalition of Civil Society organizations have commended Borno State Government for a highly organized, credible and  peaceful primaries in the country.

    The Coalition which is headed by Omooba Kenneth Aigbegbele, President, Coalition  of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria who is also the executive  Secretary, Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN), said in a statement made available to journalists in Maiduguri explained that  “because of the interest generated by the number of governorship aspirants in Borno’s APC which was as high as 21”, he added, “coalition of civil societies decided to quietly enter Maiduguri to monitor all processes in the conduct of the primaries from accreditation of delegates, transportation of delegates to the venue, voting and the conduct of electoral officials sent from the APC headquarters in Abuja”.

    “Borno State recorded the highest number of governorship aspirants in the APC and because of that we expected a chaos situation which was why we came into Maiduguri silently for very serious monitoring of all processes.

    “We monitored every step from accreditation of delegates at the state hotel on Sunday to access of all aspirants to meet with delegates, the conduct of electoral officials and the voting.

    ” We saw a complete neutrality of electoral officials, voting, collation and sorting of votes were done transparently before agents of all aspirants; we saw all aspirants going round to meet delegates, we also saw that aspirants had agents, ballot papers were sealed on arrival and procedures were well read it and followed.

    “In summary, the standard of what we saw during the APC governorship primaries was one that can compare to well organized presidential primaries of a ruling party in Abuja. All delegates had tents seated orderly and were invited in orderly manner, voting was done through secret balloting to guarantee freedom of choice and all aspirants were given time to address  delegates and every one from the podium.

    “We saw ten aspirants announcing they were stepping down for the eventual winner and we saw five aspirants took part freely without any iintimidation. We commend the conduct of Borno APC governorship primaries and recommend their standard to all political parties whether now or in future” Aigbegbele said.

    Our correspondent reports that the election was won by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, a former commissioner of reconstruction, rehabilitation and Resettlement who scored 4,‎432 votes and he was trailed by Idris Mamman Durkwa who scored 115 votes.

    All four other contestants who took part in the election including a party chieftain, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, accepted the outcome and congratulated the winner with a promise to work for the party’s victory in the 2019 general election.

  • Air Force Jets destroys Boko Haram meeting venue

    …Kill scores of insurgents

     

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) said on Monday that Boko Haram meeting place at Jabullam in Borno state has been destroyed with air strikes.

    The Spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the strikes were conducted through the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole after an intelligence report had established the presence of the terrorists in the buildings.

    Air Commodore Daramola also said some terrorists were killed during the air strikes.

    The statement reads: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) meeting venue at Jabullam in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was carried out on September 28, 2018 following credible human intelligence reports indicating that some buildings within the settlement were being used for meetings attended by BHT leaders.

    “Accordingly, following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which identified the target building and surrounding structures, the ATF detailed a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, which attacked the location and recorded direct hits on the target leading to the obliteration of the building and neutralization of the BHT occupants.”

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the momentum of operations with a view to destroying remnants of the terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno.”

  • Pilot canvasses public private partnership as solution to infrastructure deficit

    Governorship Aspirant in Borno State under the Labour Party and Chief Executive of WestLink Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia,  has said that Public Private Partnership  (PPP), if handled transparently is a lofty idea and would help the nation  improve on infrastructure deficit.

    Mshelia who is chairman at the National Union of Air a Transport Employees (NUATE) 10th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference holding in Asaba, Delta State made this known when he gave the opening address.

    The aspirant however said the concept is not catching on in Nigeria due largely to shoddy and lopsided agreements that have stalled the development of the arrangement from the controversies that bedeviled Maevis to the one generated in the BiCourtney agreement.

    Mshelia said, “On the surface, this is a very lofty idea. If done transparently, we all should encourage it because that is the modern practice in all fast growing economies across the world. ”

    “However, the PPP seems not to be walking on the fast lane in the Nigerian aviation sector. This is largely due to shoddy and lopsided packages that oftentimes constitute grave and lethal therapy for the growth of the sector. ”

    “Examples fresh in our minds today are the controversies that bedevil the Maevis and Bicortney contracts. There is no gain saying that the sector can only succeed in the drive towards PPP when we have a government that is answerable to the people in place. ”

    Read Also: Senator advocates private, public partnership in ICT

    According to him, a Public Private Partnership  (PPP) arrangement involves the private sector  in aspects  of  the  provision  of infrastructure assets and or Services, new or existing that have traditionally been provided by the government.

    Stating that through such private engagements, governments broaden their options  for  delivering  better  services to its people and  increase  the  economic  multiplier effects while the private sector provides finance and  expertise to  ease  fiscal  constraints  and  increase efficiency .

    He further called on the unions to begin marking out plans to make their umbrella party, the Labour Party (LP) great by working to instal a responsive, responsible, intellectual and worker friendly government, stating that’s why he entered the fray for Borno State Governorship.

    He said,”The upcoming election is around the corner. We need to begin to mark out plans and back them with actions to ensure we grow our own party, The Labour Party (LP), to relevance, so that through that platform we can install a government that will be responsive, responsible and workers friendly. ”

    “Sequel to this drive, I want to implore that as we are looking unto NUATE to turn out a new set of leaders to pilot the affairs of the aviation workers for another four years from this assembly, we must not also loose focus on the ultimate goal of installing our own government and marshal our programs towards that target.”

    “Some of us have already begun the move by taking the bold step to creating the change that we all desire. I am happy to inform you, as my first constituency, that I will be contesting to be the Executive Governor of Borno State under our party, the Labour Party come 2019.”

    “I greet all of you here with the message of hope, optimism and change that can be brought about by purposeful and focused leadership. That is what you and I are offering to our nation. I have this strong conviction that the Nigerian workers have all it takes to drive the country away from this track of perdition.”

  • Troops kill seven Boko Haram terrorists, rescue 73 hostages

    The Nigerian Army said Monday night that seven Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by troops while 73 hostages have been rescued during two operations.

    The operations took place in Borno State.

    The Director of Army public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that some weapons were also recovered from the terrorists.

    Read Also:Boko Haram: Ndume hails military, urges concentration on 3 black spots

    The statement reads: “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in Sector One of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have successfully neutralized 7 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and rescued 73 persons in two separate clearance operations in Sirdawala and Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu commended the troops for the feat.

    “The troops of 121 Battalion under 26 Task Force Brigade in 7 Division Area of Responsibility/Sector One recorded the victory over the terrorists following a midnight clearance operation to Sirdawala in Gwoza Local Government Area on Sunday 23 September 2018, upon receipt of intelligence that Boko Haram Terrorists where hibernating around Pulka general area.

    “Troops of 121 Battalion in rare display of professionalism tactically located, engaged and neutralized the terrorists hibernating within the community where it achieved the following: Neutralised 6 Boko Haram Terrorists, Rescued 19 persons comprised of 7 women and 12 Children and rescued some animals.

    “In a related development, the troops further proceeded on another offensive operation in the early hours of Monday 24 September 2018 to raid Boko Haram Terrorists hideout in Valley of Gwoza Local Government Area Borno State, recording huge successes as follows:

    “Neutralised one Boko Haram Terrorist, Rescued 54 persons comprised of 18 women and 34 Children.

    “Regrettably an officer sustained injury during the operation and is receiving treatment in a military facility while all the rescued persons are being managed and documented for further handover to the appropriate agency.

    “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, has commended the gallantry of the troops through the Commander 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Sanusi Dahiru.

    “He urged the troops to maintain the aggressive posture to rout the Boko Haram Terrorists from their enclaves”.