The Nation Newspaper

Tag: borno

  • Borno boosts UNIMAID security with N50m

    After suffering the fifth attack on its campus this year by mainly women/girls suicide bombers, a number of security measures were yesterday announced to shield the University of Maiduguri.

    Sunday night attack by suspected Boko Haram bombers, led to the death of 16 people.

    Governor Kashim Shettima who held a security meeting with heads of security in the state, approved the release of N50 million to secure the back of the campus which is porous and from where the insurgents have been operating.

    The governor inspected the eastern part of the campus. He said the N50million should be used for the ongoing digging of trenches behind the campus which covers 27 kilometres. The trenches will make it impossible for insurgents to cross into the campus on foot or to drive in.

    Part of the money will also be used to support payment of allowances to special guards of local vigilantes working with the military to police the porous area.

    Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba,  said the institution needed N2.8 billion to enable it fund the erection of perimeter fence to close up the exposed area.

    After the security meeting at the vice chancellor’s office which was attended by military chiefs, police, local vigilante and university guards, police Commissioner Damian Chukwu gave the assurance that surveillance would be increased.

    The University is currently on break with students expected back in four months.

  • ASUU calls for more help for IDPs in North East

    ASUU calls for more help for IDPs in North East

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians to help donate food items toward the survival of the many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East.

    The ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, made the appeal while presenting food items donated by the Bayero University Kano (BUK) chapter of union to Gov. Kashim Shettima for the Borno IDPs at the Government House in Maiduguri.

    The items donated included bags of rice, millet, sugar, spaghetti, cooking oil, among others.

    Ogunyemi said that the gesture was aimed at addressing food problems among the IDPs.

    He said that the union was touched by the conditions of the IDPs who had lost almost everything in life.

    “We in ASUU feel for our people and we are sincerely concerned on what is happening in terms of survival level of Nigerians today.

    “The ordinary people are finding it difficult to earn a living, talk less of our compatriots in the IDP camps,’’ he said.

    “In view of that, we have encouraged our members all over the country to start thinking of a way to intervene in order to bring relief to the IDPs.

    “What we are witnessing today is like a start off of the programme, one of our branches have started and I want to assure you that other branches will pick up too.’’

    Ogunyemi urged Nigerians, especially wealthy individuals and philanthropists to also mobilise resources toward helping the IDPs.

    Receiving the items, Shettima, who was represented by the Borno Head of Service, Alhaji Bukar Yakubu, thanked the union for the gesture and urged others to emulate them.

    The ASUU team was also at the Goni Kachallari IDP camp in Maiduguri where it distributed the items among displaced persons.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the ASUU, BUK Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Barde said that the items were purchased from monthly donations by members of the union.

    “We decided to tax our members through a monthly contribution. Today, we have been able to raise enough to buy these food items,’’ Barde said.

    He said that the object was to alleviate the suffering of the IDPs and expressed hope that the intervention would help alleviate the sufferings of the people in no small measures.

    “We hope to ginger others not only from the North but from the entire country to help,’’ Barde said.

    Barde said that the donation had also shown that ASUU had a human face.

    “ASUU is an association of intellectuals and most people used to see us as an association always fighting government.

    “This is to show that ASUU has a human face,’’ Barde said.

  • Police confirms death of 12 people in a suicide bomb attack in Borno

    Police confirms death of 12 people in a suicide bomb attack in Borno

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that five Boko Haram terrorists have killed 12 persons in a multiple suicide bomb attack at Kofa community in Dalori on Sunday.

    Kofa community is located about eight kilometres away from Maiduguri along Maiduguri/ Konduga road.

    DSP Victor Isuku, the spokesperson of the command, in a statement issued on Monday and made available to newsman in Maiduguri said , “at about 2030hrs, five female suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Device(IED),  strapped to their bodies in Kofa community.”

    He explained that the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive laddened body  near a mosque, killing seven persons while the  second detonated in a house killing five persons.

    “Two other suicide bombers detonated within the same vicinity, killing themselves only.

    “A total of seventeen persons, including the five suicide bombers died, while eleven persons sustained injuries and were rushed to UMTH.”

    Isuku added that  EOD team of the Nigeria Police Force  were mobilized to the scene and normalcy has since been restored.

  • 17 killed in Borno multiple blasts

    17 killed in Borno multiple blasts

    At least 17 persons were killed after five suspected female suicide bombers attacked Kofa Community near Dalori in Borno.

    Eyewitness told newsmen in Kofa that the incident occurred around 8:30pm Sunday, when Muslim faithful were performing their night prayers.

    “We heard loud sound around 8:30pm, near a mosque, forcing people to run back to their houses

    “As we were preparing to rescue the victims of the first blast, we heard another explosion close by.

    “It was really terrifying; many people died and many others were injured

    “The third explosion occurred after a short while.

    “Eventually, we evacuated eight bodies in the night, to the hospital, while 25 others were injured,” recounted Malam Ibrahim Kolo, member of a vigilante group.

    Mr Victor Isuku, spokesman of Borno Police Command, confirmed the incident, saying 17 persons were killed during the attacks.

    “On Sunday , at about 2030hrs, five suspected female suicide bombers detonated explosives strapped to their bodies in Kofa community, which is about 8km from Maiduguri, and situated along Maiduguri to Konduga road.

    “The first suicide bomber detonated near a mosque, killing seven persons.

    “The second detonated in a house killing five persons, while two other suicide bombers detonated within the same vicinity, killing themselves only”.

    “A total of 17 persons, including the five suicide bombers died, while 11 persons sustained injuries and were rushed to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    “Police anti explosive team were mobilized to the scene and normalcy has since been restored,” he said.

    However, spokesperson of the North East Zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said in a statement in Maiduguri that 16 people were killed.

    “At about 8.45 pm, two female suicide bombers were intercepted when they tried to gain access into Dalori 2 IDP camp.

    “Two other female suicide bombers also detonated their explosives at the adjoining Dalori kofa village at about 8.10 pm, where they killed 16 people,” Ibrahim said.

    “A total of four suicide bombers were involved in the incident. Injured victims have been administered with first aid and transported to hospitals within Maiduguri for treatment,” said Ibrahim.

  • Borno fire service appeals for more facilities to tackle outbreaks

    Borno fire service appeals for more facilities to tackle outbreaks

    The Borno Fire Service on Thursday appealed for more facilities to enable it to tackle fire outbreaks and other duties in the state.

    The service Spokesman, Mr Ambursa Pindar, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    According to him, the entire service has only one driver to man the over 60 fire fighting trucks in the state.

    He said that out of the eight drivers in the service, seven retired in December 2016, leaving only one.

    He added that “the driver’s retirement pose huge challenge to the department in providing prompt response to fire incidents.

    “The service has written more than three letters to the state’s Ministry of Information, Home Affairs and Culture seeking additional drivers, there has been no response.

    “On March 28, 2017, we wrote to the ministry to employ six drivers on contract bases to complement the effort of the only driver.

    “Our director on several occasions has drove trucks to fire incident scenes because there is no driver to help.

    “The director drove to the fire outbreak scene at Konduga IDPs camp to address the problem.”

    He said there was a day the state capital had four fire outbreaks and the department could not respond quickly to all the outbreaks.

    “We are the last set of employees in the department since 1989 and the hazard allowance per fire fighter since 1998 remains N50.

    “The state needs more fire stations in 505 Housing Estate, the State Mechanical Workshop, 1000 Estate, 303 Housing Estate, among other areas, to cater for the frequent fire outbreaks in the state,” Pindar said.

    He added that the department recorded 114 cases of fire outbreaks in the state capital between January and June.

  • Suspension: Why I won’t apologise- Ndume

    Suspension: Why I won’t apologise- Ndume

    Suspended former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has ruled out tendering unreserved apology in order for him to be recalled.

    He told reporters after an interactive session with of his constituents in Abuja on Sunday that there was no basis to ask him to apologise since he did not do any thing to warrant his suspension in the first place.
    He was handed six months suspension on March 29, 2017 over allegation that he breached Senate rules by drawing attention of the upper chamber to allegation of purchase of exotic car for the Senate President with forged customs papers and the certificate scandal against Senator Dino Melaye.
    The Senate specifically blamed him for not “conducting due diligence” before bringing the matter to the floor.
    The Borno South senator however said that though he is not averse to tendering apology where there is need to do so, there was nothing for him to apologise for.
    He insisted that he did not offend the standing rules of the Senate.
    The leadership of the upper chamber was reported last week to have asked Ndume to apologise to pave the way for his recall.
    Ndume said, “The move for apology was made but I did not do any thing to warrant an apology. I have no problem with apology but you have to apologise for something you did.
    “The issues I raised were put to rest after I raised them. The issue of importation of car was put to rest. The certificate issue was also put to rest. It was because I raised the issues. Perhaps if I did not raise them, the issues may have lingered.
    “I did not do any thing so there is no basis for me to tender any apology.”
    Ndume also said that the resolution to investigate the issues was not his but a Senate resolution.
    He added, “The whole thing will come and go. It will pass away. It is part of the challenge a politician go through. My challenge in the Senate now is temporary. It should not stop me from do what have been doing for my constituents. It is very temporary.
    “I take my suspension in good faith. It will pass away. I am lucky to be in the Senate. Right now I am going through industrial attachment because one day I will leave the Senate. I don’t expect to die in the Senate.”
    Ndume also appealed to the Federal Government not to yield to the pressure to evict Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from their Area One Camp in Abuja.
    He said that he would take up the planned eviction of IDPs from their Area One Camp with the Minister of Internal Affairs to stop the plan.
    He said that IDPs are not sent packing without providing them a place of abode.
    Ndume who said that they have 12 IDP camps scattered in Abuja, asked the government to take up the issue of security at the camps especially at the Area One Camp.

  • 13 die in Borno multiple explosions

    Thirteen persons have died following Wednesday’s multiple attack on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    Commissioner of Police Damian Chukwu stated this yesterday.

    He said: “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Alidawari village, near Jiddari Polo area in Maiduguri. They entered the village through Molai general area, on the outskirt of Maiduguri.

    “They fired anti-aircraft guns sporadically and burnt some houses and makeshift tents.

    “However, security agencies were deployed in the scene and a gun duel ensued for about an hour, before the attack was repelled.

    “Fire fighters were invited and they put off the fire.”

    Chukwu added that residents who fled their homes returned in less than two hours later.

    According to him, one of the insurgents was arrested and is now in custody, while three others were killed.

    The bomber’s explosive vest was recovered and kept by the police, while three AK 47 rifles, bombs and hand grenades were recovered from the insurgents, he added.

    The commissioner said a yet-to-be identified civilian was killed in the stampede, while a soldier was reportedly wounded in action.

    Normalcy had since returned and residents going about their normal activities.

  • 13 killed in Borno attacks

    13 killed in Borno attacks

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 13 persons in Wednesdays attacks in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The state Police Commissioner,  Mr. Damian Chukwu, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday.

    He said: “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Alidawari Village near Jiddari Polo area in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    “The terrorists entered the village through Molai general area, an outskirt of Maiduguri.

    “They fired anti- aircraft guns to Jiddari Polo near the Federal High Court.”

    Chukwu said the attackers razed few houses in the village.

    “They set fire on some houses and makeshift tents in the neighborhood.

    “However, the police, comprising the Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) and others were swiftly deployed to the scene to engage the attackers,” he added.

    The police commissioner told journalists that the military also mobilised and repelled the attack.

    “The military massively mobilised and repelled the attack in a gun duel that lasted about an hour.

    “The command also invited the fire service who promptly put out the fire on the affected houses,” Chukwu said.

     

     

  • Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    There is tight security in and around Maiduguri metropolis as the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is expected to arrive Maiduguri today to flag off a Special Relief Intervention to states of the Northeast affected by the Boko Haram crisis.

    All major roads in Maiduguri from the Airport, through Borno Express down to the Post Office and to the Government House have been blocked making clearance for the Acting President and his entourage for easy movement. The road to the venue of the event which is Bakasi IDP Camp is also under heavy security.

    The tight security in the town is not far from last night Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri which has left many people in panic with some leaving their houses in confusion.

    Apparently, the blockage of roads in the town has caused heavy traffic challenge to residents and motorists in the metropolis as many are been stuck into traffic jam at different locations in the town.

    While in Maiduguri, the Acting President is expected to distribute over 30, 000 metric tons of cereal.

    In a statement from the Head, Media and Public Relation, NEMA, Sani Datti said the distribution would be done directly to the affected people and communities by NEMA.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government will distribute 30,000 metric tonnes (1,032 trucks) of cereal directly to affected persons in the Northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe. The exercise is expected to be flagged off by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo on Thursday 8th June, 2017 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “This special relief intervention has the objective of highlighting the strategies that would be adopted for distribution of relief materials approved by the federal government for displaced persons in the North East in accordance with the humanitarian principles.

    “It will also serves as litmus test for full cycle of intervention adapting world best practices while considering our own local peculiarities, exhibiting the best of transparency, accountability and in full consideration of the protection and integrity of the affected persons.

    “Each household beneficiary would be issued with a voucher, which is redeemed at the receipt of the household allocation of the food basket. It also involves taking the materials to the doorsteps of the affected persons.

    “The distribution, which is based on Dry ration calculations of 6 persons per household and food ration per individual for 30days at 280grams x30/1000k = 8.4 kg times individual requirement per household, is 50.4 kg.

    “Relief intervention will be also airlifted for areas that have inaccessible roads or security threat by the Nigeria Air force,”.

    The statement disclosed that the DG NEMA Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has assured of transparency in the distribution of the relief materials to the beneficiaries.

    “The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that the distribution was done in transparent manners for optimal accomplishment of task and operational objectives,” the statement said.

  • Maiduguri under dawn attack by Boko Haram 

    Maiduguri under dawn attack by Boko Haram 

    Fresh fight erupted Wednesday evening between Boko Haram and security forces in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
    The incident which occurred around Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri caused panic among residents.
    A resident of Polo area, Aliyu  told our correspondent on phone that his family was stuck in the house with gunshuts and bullets flying everywhere.
    Another resident who said he escaped the gunfire said  that people were fleeing in all directions, adding that the gunshots began since 5.00pm.
    But the Deputy Director Army Public Relations 7 Division, Lt. Col. KM Samuel in a statement called on residents not to panic.
    He also added that the situation is under control.
    “The situation in Maiduguri is under control. The general public is requested not to panic and stay calm,” the statement read.