The Nation Newspaper

Tag: borno

  • Buratai and the price for national honour

    I reflected intensely, on the presidential and national assembly elections held February 23, 2019. My thoughts meandered far and near.  The gory images of violence before and after the elections kept assaulting my psyche. I feared and dreaded February 23. I wanted to relocate to a neighboring country for safety.
    I wasn’t alone in this cage. Nigerians were generally apprehensive. The signposts of phobia were everywhere in the country and President Muhammadu Buhari knew it. Mr. President, a security czar of the military ilk, got the message clearly that conventional civil security alone cannot police Nigeria on Election Day and post-election period; the feverish days results are enthusiastically awaited.
    Buhari knew the army  is the only saving grace.  So, he called the COAS and leader of counter-terrorism in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai  to render assistance to regular civil security. Buratai complied with the instructions of his Commander-In-Chief (C-In-C).
    To this minute,  I can’t believe that the elections were not only peaceful, but free, fair and credible. The trouble shooters dreaded the sight of soldiers in obscure localities and the amassed weapons of mass destructions were not released on Nigerians.
    I know, the party thugs and their debased chieftains knew any such attempt could be met with stiffer response from the Army. And as far as I know Gen. Buratai, the culprits will not escape. They will be hunted to the remotest part of their ancestral villages or fortified dungeons.
    So, they never came out to ply their violent trade. And Nigeria is happier.  The election observers from the international community are more excited and have argued plausibly that Nigeria did not burst into flames anymore. They have commended the Nigerian Army and indeed, sister security agents for the marvelous job.
    I hate violence. I hate killings.  I hate public anger expressed with swords and daggers. I understand, there is no admissible theory which prescribes absence of conflict, where human beings co-exist.  But dialogue is usually the way out. Where angst rise to the point of violence, I detest it infinitely.  But Gen. Buratai and the Army he leads have saved us again.
    And it is the reason which has prompted me to scribble this piece. Gen. Buratai is always there at the hour of need.  He thinks Nigeria at all times. He thinks the security, peace and unity of Nigeria. I am hued from a military family. But in recent times,  no Army General has impressed me like Gen. Buratai.  Most of us may not understand, the inferno Nigeria faced until President Buhari came on board and  appointed Gen. Buratai as COAS with the silent message that “make  your troops available for internal security, anytime I so request.”
    We have remained the only country in Africa with multiple insecurity threats. Each time I reflect on it, I am always tempted to dismiss our nation, as a failed state. But when I look at President Buhari, he rekindles my hope and animates my faith in this country. He actions assures me that we shall not slide dangerously into perdition.
    Can we talk to ourselves or conscience? Can we ask reflective and soul-searching questions on why we are facing Boko Haram terrorism; violent secession agitations; militancy, armed banditry and cattle rustling, herders/farmer clashes and other numerous communal or insurrectional crises? Do we want peace in this nation?
    How do we look at ourselves and fraternity for the troubles we create and the blood we spill delightedly? And the one person bearing the brunt of  our senselessness is Gen. Buratai and his troops. They know nothing about it; they are not part of the secret meetings we hold in dark chambers or places to breach national security or kill ourselves.
     But soldiers are the ones paying for our evil. Many have lost their lives for us to be secured from the aggression of these demonic forces.   I am eternally grateful to the Army.
    Those who attempted to compromise the electoral process in the first round of the elections met their waterloo. Soldiers arrested and handed them over to the Police for prosecution. We enjoy post-election peace today because Gen. Buratai was the silent “emperor” or shadows of peaceful elections or the omniscient eye watching over the security of Nigeria.
    I don’t know when President Buhari is holding the next national merit award. But may I talk to my President publicly on this forum. Your Excellency, Sir, the COAS, Lt.Gen.  Tukur Yusufu Buratai is eminently qualified for the 2019 national merit honors in Nigeria.  I am a citizen of Nigeria from Nasarawa state and Gen. Buratai is my nominee.
     I am not passing this message through a third party. Mr. President, my political leader,  I am addressing you publicly and directly.  I won’t suggest the title of the national merit honours you will confer on Gen. Buratai. But I know,  if you grant my request, you will give him one of very best on behalf of Nigerians in appreciation of his service to fatherland.
    I can’t wait to see the next list of Nigerians for its national merit award. One name that must feature prominently is Gen.  TY Buratai. If Nigerians do not see his name, my President, Nigerians will query you.  He has justified himself in service to the nation from the first day he enlisted into the Nigerian Army.
    He is the first COAS staff, I know in Nigeria who clads himself with fighting garments and jump into the trenches and jungles to fight enemies of Nigeria alongside his troops.  His patriotism is unequalled. Politicians dread his shadows like a vampire because they know, he cannot be compromised or influenced,  no matter the amount in millions offered to him as bribe.
    Soldiers under his watch dare not go close to politics.  They are apolitical or neutral and any Army personnel who violate this rule, directive or code faces the most severe consequences.
    Buratai has proven to be a dependable ally of the C-in-C, President Buhari. He has dispensed himself as a soldier and leader  who can be trusted with any national assignment and he will deliver just the way it has been spelt.
    Some silent, undercover forces monitored the Army  to see their actions  on civil duty  during the elections, as it  concerns national security, but found no fault. Nothing was found! Rather, the Army’s roles have been acknowledged in stabilization of the polity and the electoral process. The report   in commendations of the Army is really awesome.  Gen. Buratai didn’t do this alone,  but with his commanders and lieutenants whom he has trained to think, reason and act like him all day.
    Even  Boko Haram insurgents who tried to stop the elections in the Northeast met stiff resistance from the Army and the elections held peacefully in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Terrorists who again, tested the might of the Nigerian Amy these states were randomly captured by our troops who had laid ambush on them.
    I have no doubt that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. But  honour must be given to only those who have paid the right price. My President, Gen. Buratai has done a lot to stabilize our democratic journey and national security. As a citizen of Nigeria, please, Your Excellency, do me this favour; inspire Gen. TY Buratai and  his troops commanders with the next national merit honours awards.
    Odoma wrote this piece from Asokoro, Abuja.

  • Troops neutralise four terrorists

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists in their hideout in Makinta Meleri, Borno state, the Nigerian Army announced on Friday.

    According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Ado Isa, the troops also recovered arms from the terrorists.

    A statement by Colonel Isa reads: “Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army in Operation LAFIYA DOLE based on credible information today conducted a clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideout along Makinta Meleri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “During the operation, the gallant troops neutralised four terrorists and recovered 4 AK-47 Rifles with registration numbers 58012289, 565240898 and 58006027, respectively.

    “They also recovered 3 Rifle Magazines containing 32 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 3 Bicycles.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise 58 bandits, rescue 78

    “While commending their gallantry, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig Gen Abdulmalik Bulama Biu told them the Chief of Army Staff is proud of their doggedness and they should sustain the offensive until the BHTs are flushed out and total peace and security restored

    “We wish to solicit for more information on suspected Boko Haram terrorist hideout”.

  • Boko Haram: Troops kill four, recover weapons in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said its troops killed four Boko Haram insurgents in the
    ongoing clearance operation at Makinta-Meleri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Ado Isa, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 7 Division, in a statement in Maiduguri, said that the troops also recovered weapons from the insurgents.

    He disclosed that troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army of Operation Lafiya Dole based on credible information conducted clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ hideout at Makinta-Meleri area of Konduga Local Government Area.

    “During the operation, the gallant troops neutralised four terrorists and recovered AK-47 rifles with registration
    numbers: 58012289, 565240898 and 58006027.

    “They also recovered three Rifle Magazines containing 32 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and three bicycles.”

    Isa quoted the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, as commending the troops for their gallantry.

    Biu told the troops that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was proud of their doggedness and urged them to sustain the offensive until the insurgents were flushed out to ensure total restoration of peace and security to the region.

    The army spokesman also called on the people to provide useful information on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ hideouts.

  • Photos: Unprecedented crowd as Buhari campaigns in Borno/Yobe

    Despite security challenges in Borno and Yobe, there was a massive turn out at the APC presidential campaign held in Borno and Yobe on Monday.

  • Unprecedented crowd as Buhari campaigns in Borno/ Yobe

    Despite security challenges in Borno and Yobe, there was massive turn out at the APC presidential campaign held in Borno and Yobe on Monday.

    Hoards of APC supporters in the two states have taken over the Ramat Square in Maiduguri and August 27 Stadium in Damaturu where President Mohammadu Buhari launched his 2019 campaign in the two states.

    President Buhari who first arrived Maiduguri a few minutes after 10 am with his campaign train was greeted with an unprecedented crowd on the major streets of Maiduguri before emerging into a sea of supporters at the Ramat square. A massive square that is four times larger than the Eagle Square at the FCT.

    In, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, President Buhari’s convoy was also buried in supporters who virtually took over the roads, swimming on the president’s car despite security presence before he arrived at a capacity full August 27 Stadium amidst cheers, jubilation and singing as the president emerge from the black bulletproof jeep.

    On his arrival in Maiduguri, President Buhari was received by Gov. Kashim Shettima in company of former Governors and National Assembly Members.

    The Presidential train drove to the Shehu’s palace for the traditional homage before proceeding to Ramat square.

    Borno State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Ali Bukar Dalori welcomed guest at the venue which marked the commencement of the event.

    Governor Kashim Shettima in his remarks noted that Borno is a natural habitat of President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that the president has always gathered more votes than any presidential candidate.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima announced that stakeholders of the party in the state were poised to ensure Borno falls amongst states that will give the President the highest votes come February 16 elections.

    In their different remarks, the Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and the Director-General Buhari Campaign Organization Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi were all amazed by the crowd while expressing confidence in the re-election of President Muhamadu Buhari.

    While making his remarks, Buhari promised to sustain the fight against corruption and Boko Haram.

    Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said: “In 2015, I promised to you that I will fight graft, Boko Haram insurgency; and transformation the economy for self-reliance, instead of massive importation of food.”

    “As your President, I want to assure you that our government will reciprocate all the support you have been rendering to this administration and APC.

    “The security situation is glaring that government has done wonderfully well, we will not relent, but strive to ensure total restoration of peace in the country.

    “All of you have attested that this government is committed to ending Boko Haram and other criminal activities.”

    In Yobe State, President Mohammadu Buhari met with traditional rule in a closed door at the presidential lodge where they asked the president to consider their teeming farming population.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam promised that Yobe is going to give the president one hundred percent votes as the state has always done.

    “In 2011, Mr. President, Ibrahim Shakarau was our presidential candidate in ANPP but you in CPC got the highest votes in Yobe State. In 2015, you had 96% votes in Yobe, this time we are going to close that gap by giving you 100% votes in Yobe State,” Gov. Gaidam said.

    The governor assured that PDP has no votes in Yobe, Stressing that, “ the last soul of PDP in zone B, Ibrahim Talba, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary has defected to the APC with Hajiya Mairo Amshi with their supporters”.

    The National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshomole accused former president Obasanjo as introducing corruption in the country.

    According to Oshomole, Obasanjo during his time was giving millions of naira to members of the National Assembly while calling on the president to probe those finances if re-elected.

    One of the high points of the event was the symbolic presentation of APC flag to the party’s governorship candidate of Borno and Yobe, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and Alhaji Mai Mala Buni respectively

    Meanwhile, some key figures of the PDP amongst them former Governor of Borno, Mohammed Goni and some other chieftains were formally received into the APC. A spokesman on their behalf said the defection marked the burial of PDP in Borno.

     

  • Buhari condoles with Borno, family over envoy’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Borno State on the death of the Chairman of Borno State Elders’ Forum, Ambassador Usman Gaji Giltimari.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also condoled with the family, friends, professional colleagues and associates of the late Giltimari, who was also the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Chad Republic.

    He lauded the late envoy’s piety, sacrifice and philanthropy throughout the period he served his community, the state and the Federal Government.

    The President expressed the belief that the late ambassador’s legacies of humility, hard work and dedication would always be remembered, and his investments in humanity evergreen.

    He prayed the Almighty God to receive his soul and comfort his family.

  • Troops repel insurgents’ attack in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said its troops had successfully repelled attacks coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents at Gajiram community in Ngazai Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, said in a statement that the troops killed several insurgents and recovered weapons when the terrorists tried to infiltrate the community on Tuesday.

    “Troops of Operation LAfIYA DOLE deployed in the Forward Operational Base at Gajiram, fiercely countered a group of Boko Haram terrorists, who made frantic attempts to infiltrate the community on Tuesday Jan. 15, 2019.

    Read Also: Army uncovers Boko Haram logistics suppliers in Borno

    “The terrorists want to take advantage of the cover of darkness to attack the town. They met with prompt response of the vigilant troops, who fiercely engage them in combat, killing several of the insurgents,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the troops also recovered one Ak-47 rifle, two Ak-47 Magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, three Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, four Bomb Chargers and Light Machine Gun belt links.

    The army spokesman said the gallant troops were on the pursuit of the terrorists who fled the scene of the encounter.

  • Borno, Zamfara, Katsina and their leitmotifs

    NO part of Nigeria is immune to the ongoing rampage of anarchists, but in the past few weeks, the stories about violent bandits and rebels relentlessly practicing their sorceries on Borno, Zamfara and Katsina States have become dizzying and astonishing. The governors themselves have reacted quaintly to the sorceries to the point of becoming news in their own right, with the Borno governor weeping, Zamfara governor expressing surrender, and Katsina governor sounding despondent. All in the past two, three weeks.

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State visited Aso Villa last Monday to confer with President Muhammadu Buhari on the insurgency convulsing his state, and insurgents putting soldiers to flight in a few notable battles publicised embarrassingly far beyond their strategic import. “Our hopes are very much alive and they are very high,” began the governor obliquely. “We came with some observation and 10 requests for urgent presidential intervention. These observations and requests are products of discussion in the aftermath of our extraordinary security meeting held one week ago. We didn’t rush to come after the meeting. We felt the need to travel to northern Borno, interact with displaced persons and the military so as to strengthen public confidence.” He warned of impending military and social disaster if the battle was not taken to the insurgents with extra vigour.

    Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State feels even more terribly beleaguered. Accused of indifference, or at worst, incompetence, over the rampant activities of bandits in his state, the governor has abandoned his complacency and defensiveness, and has since embraced every measure anyone could propose, sensible or otherwise. A few weeks ago, a group of academics, in desperation, suggested the proclamation of a state of emergency in Zamfara, perhaps believing the suggested panacea was so extreme that it was bound to be controversial. But not only did the public receive the suggestion well, despite the embedded constitutional flaws, even the governor who should be conversant with the provisions of the constitution simply abandoned all pretexts and whooped for emergency. He failed to differentiate between a state of emergency and emergency rule.

    Still reeling from the nefarious activities of the bandits that have made whole sections of the state unsafe to live in or travel through, the governor even went as far as suggesting that he would gladly relinquish office if that would bring peace to the state. He was perhaps reacting more to the allegations of incompetence levelled against him than the failure of governance or the slow and inadequate response of the security and law enforcement agencies. The government has deployed troops in the state hoping that their presence would stop the flow of blood. The bandits, going by the last reports available, do not appear to be impressed by the deployment.

    The case of Katsina, the president’s home state, is even more dire and symptomatic of the national malaise that has overtaken the country. The governor, Aminu Masari, was too burdened by the attacks to which his state has been subjected in the past few months that he wailed for the federal government to do something about the problem. Said he when he convened a state security council meeting on January 3, 2019: “…No one, not even myself, is safe…So, this is the situation and that is why we are here to find a way out, which is a must. There is no option because we are thinking of the survival of our people and state. The citizens are on a daily basis being harassed by bandits and kidnappers on rampage in the state. The Katsina Government organised this one-day joint security and stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the state’s current insecurity challenge. Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers, kidnappers and armed bandits who arrest rural people at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, results in the killing of their victims. The people of Katsina in the 34 local governments now sleep with one eye closed and the other opened. Our state is in a dangerous situation. Travellers are afraid of being stopped on the highway and arrested by kidnappers who demand ransom.”

    The leitmotifs ignored in all the dire reports are that the country’s present structure is simply unworkable, the people’s socio-economic conditions have deteriorated precipitously, and the security architecture is completely outdated. These situations call for radical but nuanced and intelligent responses. Instead, the federal government is preoccupied with military, strong-arm approach only. But this approach has proved essentially ineffective or at best partially successful. So far, too, there is no holistic approach to a problem that has become multifaceted, multidimensional and unresponsive to all the panaceas the government has thrown at it. It is urgent for the government to change tack. Except that is done, the situation may very well deteriorate to the point of uncontrollability, especially considering that no state is spared the insecurity tragedy unfolding over the country.

  • Troops arrest wanted Boko Haram terrorists

    Nigerian troops have arrested a wanted Boko Haram Terrorist, Babagana Abubakar (aka Alagarno) at Bulabulim Ngarnam community on the outskirt of Maiduguri, Borno State.

    According to a Facebook post, signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman,  the Army said that combined troops of 195 Battalion, Mobile Policemen and Civilian Joint Task Force -CJTF, nabbed the suspect on Thursday.

    Read Also: Special Forces unleashed on Boko Haram

    He was arrested in possession of two military ballistic helmets, a pair of military desert boot, a fragment jacket, a jersey pullover, military backpack, camouflage design shorts, camouflage T-shirts, military jungle hat and amulets.

    He was also caught with two voters identification cards and a national identification card.

    According to the statement,  “He has since been moved out of the area for further interrogation,”.

     

     

  • Borno NUJ calls for release of Daily Trust editor

    The Nigerian Union of Journalist’s NUJ, Borno chapter has called for the immediate release of the regional editor of Daily Trust, Uthman Abubakar who was arrested on Sunday by military personale in Maiduguri.

    The Union has also condemned the continued detention of Mr. Uthman with the military while calling on the understanding of the authorities to ensure Mr. Uthman regains his freedom without delay due to his bad health.

    The Army had on Sunday stormed the regional office of Daily Trust, and whisked away, the Regional Editor Uthman Abubakar and Ibrahim Sawab(later released) on allegation of a report claiming a breach of secret information that detailed their operations.

    In a statement, signed by the Secretary of the council, Ibrahim Mohammed strongly condemned the protracted detention of the journalists.

    The statement said, “NUJ is deeply saddened by the military’s arrest of two of her members and staff of Daily Trust Newspaper, Uthman Abubakar and Ibrahim Sawab (released Monday 7/1/19) in Maiduguri on Sunday 6th January 2019 following a publication on military operation.

    “The Union strongly believes that the country’s Armed forces is far greater in capacity, equipment and experience than the Boko Haram insurgents hence all of us have no fear that the forces can defeat the insurgents on any front and that has been the guiding reason for reporting military operations.

    “NUJ believes the report of Daily Trust of Sunday 6/1/19 was misinterpreted by our gallant military which was only promoting a show of force and not contrary.

    Read Also; Hunters’ clash: Kano govt opens investigation

    “We implore the concerned authority to see good in polishing justice with understanding and release the Bureau Chief, Uthman Abubakar still in custody.

    “He is not well to undergo such detention and the Presidency through SSA to The President on Media Garba Shehu has ordered his release which has not been effected.

    “The pen profession and Armed forces have enjoyed a long cordial relationship before and during the Boko Haram insurgency which has lasted almost ten years now.

    “Let us all not give in to the antiques of the insurgents who will be happy with this negative trend and remain united to fully overcome the elements of terror”.