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Tag: borno

  • ‘Don’t shun accident, gunshot victims with no clearance’

    The Police Command in Borno State on Friday cautioned hospitals in the state against denying medical care to accident or gunshot victims without police clearance.

    Edet Okon, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, gave the advice in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Okon said that the force would want to correct this erroneous impression of no medical attention for gunshot or accident victims without police clearance.

    “The police is stating categorically that no such clearance is needed before accident and gunshot victims are attended to.”

    “The Command wishes to restate its respect for the sanctity of human lives and urges all medical facilities that receive such victims to expedite treatment to save their lives.

    “However, it is required that cases of gunshots/accidents received by any hospital should, while treatment is ongoing, be immediately reported to the police for follow-up investigation and other necessary actions,”he said.

  • Army kills 14 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages

    The Nigerian Army said it had nutrialised 14 Boko Haram insurgents and rescued 21 hostages in Pulka village in Gwoza Local Government area of Borno.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the insurgents had on Tuesday, ambushed military escort at Amdaga area in Pulka and burnt one passenger vehicle as well as abducted some travelers.

    Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Friday said the terrorists were alleged to have haboured the insurgents that ambushed the civilian vehicle.

    “The troops have nutrialised 14 Boko Haram and rescued 21 civilians, comprising six women and 11 children.

    Read Also; Army  kills Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    “Troops of 192 Battalion of 26 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised the insurgents on Thursday.

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

    “Four men injured during the attack are being attended to at the military hospital,” he said.

  • ISIS terrorists have links in Borno IDP camps – Police

    The Borno Police Command said on Wednesday that the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), a faction of ISIS, had its spies operating from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno.

    Ahmed Bello, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, disclosed this while giving update on security situation at a Humanitarian and Development Coordination Forum in Maiduguri.

    Bello, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Demien Chukwu, said it was established that three among the 22 ‘Boko-Haram’ insurgents arrested two months ago, were members of ISIS.

    He disclosed that the terrorists usually stationed their stooge at the IDP camps to perpetrate chaos, without being noticed.

    “We had launched radio programmes aimed at sensitising the larger society on the need to be sensitive of their environment.

    “It will interest you to note that some of the affected victims in camps were not IDPs. We have our ways of rating them to the classes of A.B.C.

    Read Also: 93, 788 PVCs uncollected in Plateau – INEC

    “So if you find any suspicious person, do not just send him away, but arrest him beccause the terrorists have their sympathisers; they are the people that are giving them information,”he said.

    He explained that the arrest of the culprit had led to drastic reduction in cases of bomb blasts perpetrated by the insurgents, using Improvised Explossive Device in Maiduguri metropolis.

    In his remarks, Bashir Garga, NEMA Northeast Zonal Coordinator, commended the police and other security agencies for providing protection to the IDPs and creating safe working environment for humanitarian aid workers in the Northeast.

  • Borno APC opts for indirect primaries

    The ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Borno State has opted for the indirect primary elections to field candidates for the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    This decision was taken Tuesday at a stakeholders meeting held at the State Secretariat, Maiduguri by the pro Gov. Kashima Shettima State Executive of the party.

    Tuesday’s decision of the party according to analysts is a deep political punch against former governor Ali Modu Sheriff who has just returned to the party.

    The Nation gathered that Sheriff’s supporters are vehemently opposed to the indirect primaries as they are hoping to create an impact should the state chapter of the party opt for the direct primary option.

    In his address at the meeting, the APC state Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori announced that the state has opted for the indirect primaries, explaining that even though the National Executive Council of the ruling party has approved and adopted direct primaries in electing presidential candidate, there was a window left for every state to decide whether they go for direct or indirect primaries.

    Dalori noted that Borno APC see the indirect primaries, as the best option to ensure fairness and peaceful coexistence among people and electorates across the state.

    “Borno APC would not allow a situation where some individual (s) in Borno who were based in Abuja and claimed to be working for President Muhammad Buhari, would come into our fold and dictate politics for us.

    ” We have unanimously adopted the indirect primaries in Borno, and nobody should come to tell us that we are for direct primaries,” Dalori said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Governor, his Deputy, Mamman Durkwa thanked all the stakeholders for aytending the meeting which he said was timely.

    His words “I want to thank you on behalf of our Governor and Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum, Hon. Kashim Shettima who is unavoidably absent.

    “We want to say that all the decisions unanimously taken for endorsement of indirect Primaries is a good omen to our Democracy.

    ” We assure all and sundry that the present administration will join teaming supporters of APC to ensure unprecedented victory in free and fair elections come 2019.”

    Those who attended the meeting include all the three Senators Representing Borno North, Central and Southern Senatorial District, Abubakar Kyari, Alhaji Baba Kaka Garbai and Mohammed Ndume.

    Read Also: Kano APC adopts direct primaries

    Also in attendance were several House of representative members at the national assembly, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Kadiri Rahis, Aliyu Betara, Asabe Vilita Bashir as well as House of Assembly members.

    Others were Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa who stood in for the governor who was on an official visit to Germany.

    Senator Abubakar Kyari, Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Speaker, Abdulkareem Lawal who spoke on behalf of their colleagues said after due consultations, they have all endorsed and agreed to go for indirect primaries at all elective positions on the platform of the ruling APC in the state.

    Senator Kyari tendered an apology on behalf of Senator Mohammed Abba Aji who was unavoidably absent.

    According to Kyari, Abba Aji who is also one of the governorship aspirants have agreed to sign the endorsement document for the indirect primaries.

    Before concluding the meeting, the State secretary of the party, Alhaji Bello Ayuba called on the members to raise a motion for adoption of the endorsement document.

    Senator Ndume therefore moved a motion for adoption of the indirect primaries, and was seconded by Hon. Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, representing Damboa/Chibok/Gwoza federal constituency.

     

  • NAF neutralises insurgents at Zari in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Task Force (ATF) of ” Operation LAFIYA DOLE” has destroyed two gun trucks and neutralised several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at ZARI on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja,said that the operation was carried out on Thursday.

    ” The air strikes were conducted sequel to intelligence reports indicating that dozens of BHTs in 5 vehicles had withdrawn to a location underneath some trees about 5 Km Southwest of ZARI, after an engagement with own troops at ZARI.

    ” Accordingly, the ATF deployed Alpha Jet and F-7 attack aircraft as well as an Mi-35M helicopter gunship supported by 2 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to conduct a massive attack against the insurgents.

    ” Overhead the target area, the BHTs, who were initially seen assembled by their vehicles along the road, rapidly dispersed to disparate positions within the general area, with some of them seen firing at own platforms,” he said

    Daramola said that the NAF attack aircraft, therefore, struck the various positions in successive coordinated waves; destroying 2 of the BHTs’ vehicles and neutralizing several BHTs in the process.

    He said that some of the surviving insurgents were seen fleeing the location in different directions, adding that ” these were accordingly mopped-up in subsequent follow-on attacks”.

    The NAF spokesman said the NAF would continue to deploy its platforms to conduct intensive ISR missions in the entire North East aimed at discovering the possible locations of remnants of BHTs and neutralising them. (NAN)

  • Mutineers, fifth columnists will face the full wrath of the law-Buratai

    An undisclosed number of fifth columnists and indicted officers in the recent mutiny in Borno State are already facing a court martial in accordance with the laws setting up the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has disclosed.
    Speaking at an interactive session with Editors in Abuja on Thursday, the Army Chief explained that it was unfortunate that officers could disregard an order to move a particular place knowing that such action would not be tolerated in a disciplined organisation like the Nigeria Army.
    He said while it was impossible to rule out sabotage within the Army, those found wanting would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the military laws.
    “We have been working to ensure that those caught for sabotaging our operations are court martialed and the appropriate actions have been meted on them in line with the rules setting us up.
    ” We will continue to identify bad eggs and deal with them accordingly. We believe officers should uphold our code of conduct. When anyone is caught sabotaging us, such a person will be dealt with in accordance with the military laws.”
    On officers who went on the rampage in Borno over posting, he said:”It is unimaginable that disciplined trroop will behave in that way. Those that have been found to be involved have been caught and they would be dealt with in accordance to our own laws.
    ‘They were directed to execute a plan and if, for whatever reason, they refused to do that, they would be dealt with. They were not the only ones that were moved. So, why should their own be different? Out welfare programme has always been comprehensive and that is what it is. “
    On what the Army is doing to ensure peace in the North East, Buratai said while relative peace has returned to the region, there exist pockets of attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents especially from neighboring countries.
    He said the Army has evolved a non-kinetic programme called the Community Resilience or Stabilization whereby key leaders, chiefs and religious heads would be encouraged to change the negative narratives and ideologies of the insurgents with the propagation of the ideologies of communal living, social cohesion and resilience.
    On efforts to deactivate mines in the communities to ensure the safety of the displaced persons who are already returning to their various towns and villages, Buratai said a small team of experts from the United Nations is already in the country to assist the country in the de-mining effort.

  • Troops kill Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

    Troops of 83 Division Task Force on Operation Lafiya Dole on Sunday killed three Boko Haram insurgents on a “looting and extortion mission” in Kulamari, Borno State, it was learnt yesterday.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen Chukwu Texas, reads: “Troops of 82 Division Task Force Brigade deployed on Operation Lafiya Dole, while on fighting patrol at Kukawa, got information on the terrorists’ activities in Kalamari, 30 kilometres from Kukawa, in Borno State.

    “The terrorists, who were on a looting and extortion mission, were confronted by troops and in the ensuing gun battle, three of the insurgents were neutralised.

    “Three AK-47 rifles; two magazines and four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.”

    Gen. Chukwu added that the troops are still in pursuit of the fleeing insurgents, stressing that “the gallant troops have continued with aggressive fighting patrols as efforts are on to track down fleeing members.

  • Troops kill Three Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says its troops have killed three Boko Haram insurgents while on fighting patrol in Kukawa in Baga Local Government Area in Borno on Sunday.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri on Monday.
    Chukwu said the terrorists were intercepted by troops of 82 Division Task Force Brigade Deployed in the area.

    He said that the troops, while on fighting patrol at Kukawa general area got information on the terrorists’ activities in Kalamari village, 30 Kilometres to Kukawa town.

    He said the insurgents who were on a looting and extortion spree in the village were intercepted by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Read Also: Buhari to troops : Get ruthless with bandits, kidnappers

    “During the encounter following a superior fire power of the troops, three members of the Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised,”he said.

    The director listed items recovered from the terrorist to include, three AK 47 rifles; two magazines and four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
    “Meanwhile, the gallant troops have continued with aggressive fighting patrol, as efforts are ongoing by the troops to track down other fleeing members of the Boko Haram Terrorists from any hideouts.

    “Members of the general public are advised to report any suspicious movements or activities in their general area to the law enforcement agents for prompt action,” he said.

  • Borno denies Boko Haram attack on Alau Dam

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima says the destruction on Alau dam close to Maiduguri has nothing to do with any Boko Haram attack or sabotage.

    On his official Facebook and Twitter handles he said he took an inspection visits to villages of Alau and Wadai to get first hand information of what happened at the water facility.

    According to the post, his finding which was conducted in company of the GOC 7 Div, Nigeria Army Maiduguri revealed that one of the three dykes of the dam was washed away leaving only two functional.

    The findings also established that the damage was caused as a result of lack of maintenance of the facility over a long period of time.

    The Twitter and Facebook reads in full:

    Governor Kashim Shettima earlier today was in Alau and Wadia village to ascertain what happened as a result of high speculations that the armed insurgents might be responsible for destructions at Alau dam.

    One of the three dykes of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno state has been washed away, leaving only two functional.

    Villagers raised the alarm last night when unusual flooding occured, with high speculations that the armed militants might be responsible for the damage.

    It was however established after a guided tour by the State Governor Kashim Shettima, the GOC Division, and other government officials that the damage was caused by a lack of maintenance.

    Engineer Babagana Yuroma, Executive Director, Engineering Chad Basin Development Authority said the activities of the insurgents around Alau village has made it impossible for maintenance to be carried out on the dykes hence the sudden lapse.

    Governor Shettima explained that contrary to speculations of insurgents destroying the embankments, it was due to lack of maintenance, assuring that the management of the Chad Basin authority and Ministry of Water Resources will immediately swing into action for repairs and remedial actions.

    “Our findings reveal that one of the embankments got washed away, embankments that require regular maintenance; contrary to speculations in the town that the insurgents attacked one of the dykes, No. The GOC was there early this morning, he accessed it and he has pictures of what happened at that particular embankment and in partnership with the Chad basin and rural basin authority we are here with the management, we are going to take remedial measures to address the situation.

    Ten days ago they opened some of the dykes to decongest the dam to deflate the water level so I believe there is no cause for alarm once the issue of the embankment is adressed; and we are going to do so immediately we are going to support the management of the Chad basin and the GOC has promised to give robust security back up for them to carry out the remedial work.” he said.

    In 1994, persistent rain fall had bursted the dam which led to flood in many towns in northeast Nigeria and nearby Cameroon republic.

    The dam is barely twenty kilometres to Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno state.

    https://twitter.com/GovBorno/status/1031298734800494592?s=19

    Meanwhile, NEMA yesterday alleged that the destruction may be an act of sabotage by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The North East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Bashir idris Garga said the official Facebook page of the agency said:

    “Following a distressed call on alleged vandalization of one of the Alau dam pipe, an emergency response team which comprises NEMA and SEMA embarked on an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the situation. though the ERT could not gain access to where the incident occured.

    “Based on the information gathered on the field, it was one of the dyke close to one of the deserted communities, Bale kayamla, that was washed away creating no threat to other communities.

    “The Alau Dam bursts is suspected to be the handiwork of sabotage by insurgents as they were suspected to have destroyed the embarkments meant to control the over flow.

    “Members of communities in the area have been urged to be vigilant and be on alert”.

  • Borno: 33 children die in IDP camp in 13-days

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a non-governmental organisation, has said said 33 children have died in a Borno State Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp between 2 and 15 August.

    MSF in a report released on Friday said since April 2018, more than 10,000 people have arrived in a Bama camp, with many in poor health.

    According to the report, a critical humanitarian situation is unfolding in the camp as the Bama Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) camp intended for a maximum of 25,000 people has reached capacity at the end of July.

    “Lack of adequate assistance, including access to shelter and healthcare, is having severe consequences for young children arriving in the town. MSF calls on authorities to urgently provide adequate assistance for the population, before the situation deteriorates further”.

    “Since April 2018, more than 10,000 people have arrived in the Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) camp in the town; many are in poor health. Newly displaced people reported fleeing areas where they were unable to sustain their livelihoods, while others reported fleeing areas where the Nigerian armed forces are conducting military operations against armed groups.

    “In the GSSS camp, shelter and healthcare assistance has not kept pace with the growing population and people continue to arrive every day with not enough shelters for everyone”.

    Katja Lorenz, MSF’s representative in Abuja was quoted in the report to have said over 6,000 people currently sleep in the open with no protection from the heat, rains and mosquitoes.

    ICYMI: Ganduje gives scholarship to 100 Borno orphans

    “People do not even have basic utensils to cook their dry food rations, and water is not available in adequate quantities to meet the minimum needs. A lot of children are already in a critical state upon arrival, and poor assistance and access to healthcare further deteriorates their condition” she said.

    “Between 2 and 15 August, MSF teams reported that 33 young children had died in the camp. This figure is alarmingly high in relation to the total number of children under five years old, which is estimated to be around 6,000”.

    The organisation also said non-availability of medical facilities is hampering the treatment of sick children.

    Lorenz further said despite the presence of government agencies and international humanitarian organisations in Bama, the health and nutrition situation has been allowed to deteriorate up to the current crisis point.

    “Many children are severely malnourished and suffer from medical complications – they urgently need intensive care and close medical follow-up, as the current rainy season typically sees a spike in the number of patients with malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. The lack of an inpatient nutrition and paediatric health facility in Bama is having catastrophic consequences for children”.

    “At present, the only hospital in Bama, the Bama General Hospital, is not functional. Seriously ill children have to travel to Maiduguri for further treatment. However, many people in Bama cannot afford to pay for private transport to take them to the state capital. And even if they can, inpatient nutritional centres are overwhelmed. While setting up an inpatient facility in Bama, between 1 and 12 August MSF had to refer 26 patients to its own paediatric hospital in Maiduguri”.

    “Measures must be urgently taken to avoid overcrowding and ensure dignified living conditions in the GSSS camp. Secondary and emergency healthcare for both IDPs and the resident population must be scaled up as quickly as possible”.

    “On 16 August, MSF launched inpatient services for severely malnourished children under five years old, as well as paediatric care for patients under 15 with severe malaria and other diseases, in a facility with a capacity of 30 beds”.

    “This is only a short-term response to the critical humanitarian situation in Bama, until the level of assistance is scaled up. MSF is calling on authorities to urgently address humanitarian needs before the situation deteriorates further”.