The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Borno State

  • Borno police obeys court order, cedes land to plaintiff

    Borno State police command have ceded part of their land in Maiduguri  to one Goni Kawu following a judgement of the Appeal Court in Jos in his favour.

    The State Chairman Public Relations, DSP Edet Okon said, the compliance of the police to the judgement is in line with the organisation’s respect for the rule of law.

    The land is question is located at Wulari close to the Police Mammy Market.

    Goni has secured two judgments both at the State High Court and the Appeal Court Jos in his favour despite the police appeal against the first judgment 2017 but the police waited until 2018 to comply with the judgment.

    Read Also: Troops kill seven insurgents in Borno village

    The PPRO said; “This decision was communicated to the various stakeholders of the mammy market in a meeting held at the office of the Commissioner of Police last month, August, 2018.

    “Also, in compliance with the directive from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Command approved the demarcation and subsequent handing over of a portion of the said land to Alhaji Goni Kawu in line with the delineation set on the judgment papers of the courts.

    ” It is noteworthy that only a portion of the entire Police land was ceded and handed over to the plaintiffs.

    “The command further wishes to reaffirm that, the decision to cede the said portion of land were neither made by the Force Headquarters nor by Borno State Command; but by Courts of competent jurisdiction for which the Police is duty bound to obey”.

     

     

  • Troops Kill Scores of Boko Haram Members in Damasak, Restore Order

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said scores of Boko Haram insurgents who attack troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno state, were killed by gallant troops after a fierce battle.

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, in a stament issued in Abuja said

    “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior fire power of troops in Damasak”.

    According to him “The troops aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in neutralizing many Boko Haram Terrorists”.

    Brig. Gen Chukwu debunked social media reports that Boko Haram captured Damasak 24 hours after the visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai to the area.

    The Army spokesperson said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the claim is not only untrue but capable of misleading members of the general public and the world at large.

    “In the said story, the report stated inter alia that, Damasak is the location of 134 Battalion. The Nigerian Army wishes to state that, there was no such battalion in Damasak.

    Read Also: Boko Haram repelled in attack on Borno town

    “The Nigerian Army earlier released a statement that, troops of 145 Battalion in DAMASAK, Borno State are engaging Boko Haram Terrorists who came to attack their location at about 6pm on 12 September 2018.The statement also stated that “fierce battle on going right now and the troops are dealing with the terrorists.

    “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior fire power of troops in DAMASAK. The troops aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in neutralizing many Boko Haram Terrorists.

    “Consequently, the Nigerian Army wishes to state that the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North Eastern parts of the country is yielding positive result.

    “The Nigerian Army therefore advised members of the public particularly residents of the affected areas to go about their legitimate businesses and disregard the said report, as the Nigerian Army will continue to protect lives and property of citizens at all times.

    “The Nigerian Army also calls on the media to always exercise caution, verify facts as well as balance their reports before rushing to the press to avoid misinforming the public on sensitive issues.”

  • Borno Cholera update: Death toll hits 18, more cases recorded

    The death toll in the Borno Cholera outbreak has risen from fourteen to eighteen between 5th and 7th September, 2018.

    According to a document emailed to journalists by Abiodun Banire,  National Public Information Officer I UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also stated that the number of cases have gone up from 380  to 680 spreading to eight local government areas of the state within the period mentioned.

    The statement informed that that the fatality rate of the outbreak so far is 2.6 per cent.

    Cholera outbreak was declared in Borno State, north-east Nigeria, on 5 September 2018 by the state Ministry of Health.

    The Nation reports that the first suspected cases were recorded on 19 August 2018 in the following local government areas:  Jere (218 including 2 deaths) Magumeri (156 including 4 deaths) Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) (141 including 5 deaths) Chibok (85 including 3 deaths) Konduga (38 including 3 deaths) Kaga (28 including 1 death) Damboa (8) Shani (6).

    The statement requested for additional resource mobilization to match the speed of the outbreak in other places.

    “Additional resources are urgently needed to strengthen the response for timely containment of the outbreak. Health partners are currently using existing resources from regular emergency operations which are not enough for a full scale response and in case of a spread of the outbreak to other areas,” the statement explained.

    The statement listed some of the responses being carried out to mitigating the spread of the outbreak to include

    • The State Ministry of Health, with the support of humanitarian partners, is coordinating the response through the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). Coordination meetings are currently held twice a week at the EOC, and daily at LGA level.
    • A 100-bed Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) is operational in Dala (a locality in MMC), and in Magumeri LGA a Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU) has been set up in an existing health facility. Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) have also been set up in El-Miskin, Muna Garage and Customs House camps for internally displaced people.  Additional ambulances are required in all affected LGAs to transport those seeking treatment.
    • Health organizations are carrying out risk communications, which include making regular and frequent visits to households to encourage individuals with cholera-like symptoms to be screened. By communicating at household level in this way, health partners have visited 1,163 households which resulted in the identification of 18 suspected cases of cholera.
    • The most effective prevention measures against cholera are basic hygiene practices, including the use of clean and safe water and proper sanitation. Hygiene promotion activities, including radio broadcasts in English, Hausa, Kanuri and Shuwa, is underway in the affected LGAs to sensitize people to the risk of cholera, teach them how to prevent and manage diarrhea at home, and educate them on the use of chloride tablets for household water treatment and safe water storage.
    • In terms of sanitation, humanitarian organisations are working to dislodge latrines and repair damaged latrines in the affected camps for internally displaced people where the risk of transmission can be high due to congested living conditions”.

    Some of the  Key partners involved in the response include, but  not limited to (in alphabetical order): Action Against Hunger – International Rescue Committee – Intersos – Médecins du Monde – Médecins Sans Frontières – Rural Water and Sanitation Agency – Solidarité International – State Borno Ministry of Health – UN Children’s Agency – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – World Health Organisation – ZOA.

  • Troops neutralise three terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army said on Friday that three Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in Borno by troops of operation Lafiya Dole.

    The spokesman for the Army, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu said in a statement that some weapons were also recovered from the terrorists.

    The statement reads : “Troops of 151 Battalion deployed in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has successfully neutralized three members of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the early hours of Wednesday, during an ambush along Banki Junction- Mayanti village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “Items recovered include

    Three AK 47 rifle.

    3 Magazines.

    32 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

    One motorcycle.

    Two Android phones.

    “Efforts are on by the troops to get the other fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.”

  • Spurious bomb blast : Presidency faults CNM chieftain’s Ill wish

    The Presidency on Thursday faulted the claim of bomb blast in Borno State by a chieftain of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM).

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that by telling lies of bomb blast betrayed a mind taken completely over by ill wishes against his own country.

    According to him, the lie was a futile effort to rubbish the successes recorded by the Buhari government in the area of security.

    Adesina said “On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, Akin Osuntokun, a chieftain of the stillborn Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), appeared on Politics Today programme of Channels Television, and made the false claim that a bomb blast had gone off earlier in the day, killing about 88 people in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “Osuntokun, a newspaper columnist and public affairs commentator, has never hidden his antipathy towards the Muhammadu Buhari administration, but to go on national television and tell lies of the most heinous kind betrays a mind taken completely over by ill wishes against his own country.

    “Sallah Day had passed quietly and peacefully, without even a firecracker going off, let alone bomb blast.

    “That was contrary to what used to happen before the advent of the Buhari administration, when such festivals were turned to orgy of killings in many parts of the country by insurgents.

    Read Also: INEC strategizes on election in Borno State

    “Apparently, enemies of peace and progress had expected a return to the infamous past, thus Oshuntokun appeared on television with his bag of lies.

    “When those on the programme remonstrated with him that they were not aware of any bomb blast on that day, he stood his ground, all in a futile bid to puncture the successes recorded by government in the area of security.” he said

    He pointed out that till the Sallah holidays ended, no bomb blast was recorded in any part of the country, adding “to the shame and discomfiture of the naysayers.”

    He went on “One wonders: if there were bomb blasts, and more than 80 people truly died, what would be the gain of anybody, except those who have become blinded by malediction and morbid wishes? Is carnage something now to glory about? Is the struggle for power now so ghoulish that some people have lost their humanity over it?

    “Oshuntokun and his ilk should realize that this is the only country we have, and we can’t swallow poison and expect it to kill the next person. What we sow is what we reap.” he said

    He happily noted that Nigerians for a peaceful, united and cohesive Nigeria are more than those against it.

    “That is why those with baleful, hateful thoughts would never win.” he added

    He said that the tripod goals of securing the country, fighting corruption, and reviving the economy are central to the Buhari administration.

    Stressing that the Government is making strides in the three areas, he said that the conquests continue.

  • Air Force bombs Boko Haram facility in Borno

    Kill scores of insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that it has again bombed a training facility of the Boko Haram terrorists located in parts of Borno State.

    It added that several members of the insurgent group were killed during the air interdiction.

    A statement from the spokesperson of the Air Force, Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the operations were carried out after its intelligence platform had established the presence of the terrorists in the area.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded further gains in the ongoing air interdiction operations designed to wipe out remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) within the fringes of Lake Chad.

    “This occurred as the ATF on Monday, 20 August 2018, conducted air strikes on BHT camps at Zanari and Tunbun Rego in Borno State.

    Read Also: Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    “The air strikes at Zanari were planned and executed based on intelligence reports indicating that the BHTs had established a training camp in the village and were converging in an area prior to departing for an attack on own troops locations around the Lake Chad area.

    “Accordingly, the ATF scrambled 2 NAF Alpha Jet aircraft for a pre-emptive strike on 2 specified locations within Zanari, where the BHTs were assembled.

    “The fighter aircraft acquired and attacked both locations, neutralizing several BHTs, with only few survivors seen fleeing the area. These were later mopped up by follow-on rocket strikes.

    “Similarly, another identified BHT rendezvous point and staging area on the outskirts of Tunbun Rego was also attacked and destroyed by the Alpha Jets.

    “The NAF will continue to deploy its platforms to conduct intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the entire Northeast aimed at discovering the possible locations of remnants of BHTs and neutralizing them. “

  • Air Force Bombs Boko Haram members in Sambisa Forest

    The Nigerian Air Force Monday said it has launched series of air strikes on members of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) group who were regrouping at the fringes of the Sambisa forest in Borno state.

    According to the spokesman of the Air Force, Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the massive attacks were conducted night and day against the terrorists’ facilities in the general area.

    Read Also:Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    Commodore Daramola said in a statement supported with the video clip of the attacks that fleeing Boko Haram members were also dislodged in their abode with helicopter gunships.

    The statement reads: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, between 10 and 18 August 2018, conducted massive day and night attacks against remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and their facilities.

    “The attacks, which were preceded by days of intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, were planned and executed based on credible intelligence indicating that the BHTs were making moves to regroup around the fringes of Sambisa.

    “The first air strike was a daytime mission executed on 10 August 2018 at a location 4.5 Km Northwest of Arra around the fringes of Sambisa, where ISR had confirmed that BHTs were regrouping to launch attacks against our troops in the general area. Accordingly, the ATF detailed an Alpha Jet to attack the location.

    “Overhead the area of interest, the Alpha Jet acquired and engaged targets, destroying parts of the settlement and neutralizing several BHTs. Intelligence reports later revealed that some of the surviving BHTs had converged at another location 4.8Km West of Arra.

    “Consequently, the ATF deployed Mi-35M helicopter gunships for a night attack on the new location on 18 August 2018, resulting in the death of dozens of BHTs.”

  • Labour party aspirant canvass support for Buhari

    A Labour Party governorship aspirant in Borno State, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia has canvassed support for the re- election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mshelia said his support for Buhari was predicated on the persona of the President, which has earned him respect in his drive to transform the country.

    Speaking in an interview at the weekend in Lagos, the pilot turned politician said Buhari’s developmental ideology has put the country on the right track.

    He said: “A nation or person with no ideology is not going deliver social justice to its people. look at the work done quietly by Buhari, it’s because he does not collect kickbacks or bribe that’s why contractors dare not to deliver. Look at the railway from Warri to Abuja, go and see roads abandoned in Abuja now all completed if not near completion.

    “We cannot afford to continue to allow men with no ideology to run the affairs of a country with beautiful ideology like Nigeria. See how evidently the politicians have shown themselves by the series of defection and counter defections; it’s all about them and not the country. We are wiser now and God has used Buhari to show us that indeed development is easily achieved if you elect a leader and that will not take bribe.

    Read Also: Mimiko’s return excites Labour Party

    “Let us therefore not continue to allow the mismanagement of our dear country by people who have had inferior patriotism, knowledge and ideas to take it forward.

    “Everyone needs to pool together and save our country and if every good person sits on the sidelines, the country will not get saved.”

    On his aspirations as governor of Borno State, Captain Mshelia said his ambition was borne out of the selfless reason to change the narrative in his home state of Borno, especially with the current humanitarian situation there.

    He said, “Borno has a lot to give and it would take ideas, dexterity and a hands-on approach to ensure that the state becomes viable again through its agrarian resources and trade. If harnessed right we have a comparative advantage in farm produce and we can tap into that and utilise it to develop the state.

    “This   is one of the reasons I have thrown my hat in the race under Labour Party.

  • UN says global conflicts has displace 65 Million People

    …26, 000 killed in the Northeast Nigeria

    The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon on Friday said global conflicts and violence have caused the displacement of 65 million people, just as he informed that over 26,000 people have been killed in Northeast Nigeria.

    Kallon disclosed this in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital at a courtesy visit to Gov. Kashim Shettima to mark World Humanitarian Day (WHD) at the Government House.

    The WHD he said was set aside by the United Nations to express solidarity with people affected by humanitarian crises and pay tribute to workers that helped victims of conflict and violence.

    His words: “This year’s commemoration marks the 15th Anniversary since the attack on the United Nations in Baghdad, Iraq in which 22 of our colleagues were killed.

    “Since that tragedy, which led to this day’s designation as WHD; over 4,000 humanitarians aid workers have been killed, injured, detained or kidnapped.”

    He noted that global conflicts, including Boko Haram insurgency in

    Northeast Nigeria kills an average of 300 people each year, adding that, “Globally, conflicts are forcing record numbers of people from their homes, with the displacement of over 65 million.

    “Children are recruited by armed groups and used to fight, while women are also abused and humiliated.”

    Mr. Kallon regretted that in as much as  humanitarian workers deliver aid , medical supplies and sucor  for those in need, they are however;  either targeted or treated as threats.

    He said in Northeast region, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict that leding to widespread forced displacement, abuse and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law including sexual and gender-based violence on a daily basis.

    Mr. Kallon also condemned the abduction of thousands of women and girls just as children continue to be used on regular basis as so called “suicide” bombers.

    Continuing, he added: “Thousands of families have been forced to flee their villages and communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

    Read Also: 68.5m people displaced globally – UNHCR

    “Aid and medical workers, who care for people affected by the violence, suffer the consequences of insecurity.”

    Speaking on conflict’s abduction and death tolls, Kallon said: “Three aid workers were killed and three abducted in March this year in Rann; an aid worker was killed in Ngala in May. A member of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was killed in Damasak just last week.”

    While condemning the killings and abduction of aid workers, he urged the parties to the conflict to enable the work of humanitarian workers free from undue threats and loss of lives.

    According to him, “This will facilitate their access to people in need, and in line with International Humanitarian Law”.

    The UN chief called on the immediate and unconditional release of the aid workers, who have been abducted.

    “I call on Nigerian leaders to do everything in their power to protect the people caught up in conflict,” adding that those who are concerned are to join the UN at worldhumanitarianday.org to show that civilians are #NotATarget.

    “Together, we stand with the Government of Nigeria, in solidarity with civilians in conflict, and with the humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help them”, he said.

    Governor Kashim Shettima in a short remark said that 1.5 million people have been displaced due to the Boko Haram crisis in the last nine years.

    Governor Shettima also informed that out of the figure of the displaced people , 164,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their liberated communities in Mobbar, Dikwa, Gwoza, Ngala, Konduga, Bama, Damboa, Mafa and Askira/Uba councils.

    He however regretted that Abadam and Marte council areas are not secured enough for IDPs return to their communities because they are still vulnerable to Boko elements that were recently pushed by the military drom the Lake Chad Basin.

    Governor Shettima was however optimistic that the situation will be better soon.

  • Police arrest 19-year-old tailor over murder of sister

    The police in Borno have arrested a 19-year-old tailor, Abba Umaru, over the murder of his 35-year-old pregnant sister, Ya’Amsa Umaru.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu, made the discourse in a statement on Friday in Maiduguri.

    Chukwu disclosed that the suspect on May 25 hit his sister with a pestle at Magumeri town in Magumeri Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that Abba was aggrieved with the demand by his sister requesting him to sew a dress for their father.

    He stated that “On 25th May, 2018,  at about 9.40 a.m., one Abba Umaru hit and killed his sister, Ya’Amsa Umaru with a pestle in Magumeri town, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno.

    “The suspect is said to have been aggrieved because the sister asked him to sew piece of cloth she bought for their father.

    “Consequently, he killed his sister, who was at the time, eight months pregnant, and buried her in a shallow grave in a room.”

    Chukwu stated that the suspect would be arraigned as soon as investigations were completed.

    The police boss also stated that the police had arrested a 20-year old man, Hassan Garba, over the murder of two persons in Biu Local Government Area of the state.

    Read Also: Woman murdered in Anambra

    He revealed that the suspect on May 18, stabbed Hussaini Alhassan, 20 and Naziru Haruna, 19; to death, whom he accused of adultery.

    He noted that “Garba, armed with a knife and axe, attacked and killed Alhassan and Haruna in their sleep.

    “The suspect claimed that the deceased were committing adultery; and that he was duty-bound to execute judgment on them.”

    According to him, the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Meanwhile, the police have also arrested a 19-year-old building apprentice, Inusa Abubakar, over the murder of his 24-year-old master, Ba’Ana Bukar.

    Chukwu stated that the suspect, a bricklayer apprentice, stabbed his master with a knife on May 26 in an uncompleted building where they were working at Pompomari area of Maiduguri.

    He added that the suspect buried the body in a shallow grave, proceeded to the deceased’s house and carted away N62, 000.

    The commissioner noted that the amount was the proceed from sale of the deceased’s vehicle.

    Chukwu said that the police recovered a knife and money from the suspect.