The Nation Newspaper

Tag: borno

  • Military killed three terrorist commanders, 67 others in Borno

    Military killed three terrorist commanders, 67 others in Borno

    • …loses 22 soldiers, several injured 

    Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military onslaught against terrorists in the North East, have killed 70 terrorists, including three of their commanders, in their enclaves located within the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno state.

    The terrorists were killed in three-prong operations conducted within the Timbuktu Triangle from January 16 to 25, according to the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Sunday.

    The commanders eliminated in the battle field are TALHA (Terrorist Special Forces Commander), Mallam UMAR (Terrorist Operations commander) and ⁠ABU YAZEED (Terrorist Brigade Commander).

    “…troops sadly recorded 22 killed-in -action casualties with several others wounded in action,” Gen. Buba said.

    Read Also: Soldiers, civilians missing in terrorists’ ambush in Borno

    He said: “During the operations, the terrorist deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers) as well as Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles) to ward off troops advance and attacks. 

    “Troops already familiar with the terrorist tactics thwarted several terrorist attempts, including shooting down the amateur drones used by the terrorist.

    “Overall, during the course of the operations, troops sadly recorded 22 killed in action casualties with several others wounded in action.”

    Gen. Buba urged the media “to resist publishing names of troop casualties to allow the formal notification of their next of kin.”

    He promised to update the Media on further development.

  • Soldiers, civilians missing in terrorists’ ambush in Borno

    Soldiers, civilians missing in terrorists’ ambush in Borno

    Many soldiers and civilians have been missing after an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in Baga, a Nigerian community along the fringes of the Lake Chad.

    The soldiers were ambushed while trying to recover dead bodies of 40 farmers killed by the terrorists. Many soldiers were killed in the gun duel that ensued.

    However, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal said the days of the bandit leader, Bello Turji, were numbered.

    Read Also: Soldiers, civilians missing in Borno ambush

    Although the military authority is yet to confirm the incident, residents said about 50 men, including civilians, a joint task force and local vigilantes, went to recover the bodies of those killed on Tuesday. However, only one person had returned.

    A source said: “I don’t know the casualty on the side of the military. I cannot talk about it. But the civilians include civilian joint task force members, hunters and vigilantes.”

  • Borno bans street hawking

    Borno bans street hawking

    The Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BSUPDB) has banned street hawking and other illegal activities in Maiduguri metropolis.

    The General Manager of the board, Mr Limán Mustapha, in a statement on Friday, said the ban was in accordance with the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Law of 2002.

    He said the board banned street hawking, operation of tricycle operators and generator mechanics around Post Office and Monday Market areas of Maiduguri.

    Mustapha said the board also banned any activity on pedestrian walkways, junctions and roundabouts, sale of  engine oil on the road reservations, dumbing of sand or building materials and mixing of cement on the roads as well as construction of boreholes by the roadsides.

    Read Also: Ndume urges Borno youths to expose Boko Haram collaborators, embrace farming

    The manager said that those affected by the order had been asked to vacate the occupied sites with immediate effect.

    “The board has no alternative but to arrest and prosecute defaulters in a court of law,” adding that the measure would ensure a clean, safe and organise urban environment in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.

    He called on residents and business owners to comply with the ban to avoid legal action.

    (NAN)

  • NELFUND commiserates with Borno varsity over death of two students

    NELFUND commiserates with Borno varsity over death of two students

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commiserated with Borno State University over the death of two students of the institution in an auto crash.  

    The accident, which occurred on 12 December 2024, involved a university bus and a trailer.  

    In a statement on Thursday, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed sympathy over the tragedy and offered prayers and solidarity to the bereaved families, the injured students, and the university’s administration. 

    The statement said: “We at The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are deeply saddened by the tragic accident on 12 December 2024, involving a Borno State University bus and a trailer, which resulted in the loss of two students’ lives and injuries to several others.  

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, the injured students, and the entire university community during this difficult time.  

    “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Borno State Government and the university’s administration. 

    “As an organisation committed to supporting education and development in Nigeria, we stand in solidarity with Borno State University and offer our assistance in any way possible to help the community heal and recover from this tragic event.

  • Borno Govt. donates vehicles, motorcycles to Nigerian Army in Dikwa

    Borno Govt. donates vehicles, motorcycles to Nigerian Army in Dikwa

    Borno Government has donated five operational vehicles and 15 motorcycles to the Nigerian Army to enhance security operations in Dikwa Local Government.

    The donation was made by Gov. Babagana Zulum on Monday during a visit to the 24 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Dikwa.

    Zulum, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur emphasized the importance of equipping security forces to maintain peace and stability in the region.

    Zulum said that two of the five vehicles were for the Civilian Joint Task Force while the rest were for the army.

    Read Also: Borno housewife wins  RHI’s #EveryHomeAGarden Competition’s  N25m prize

    The governor commended the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ezekiel Bawa Barkins, for the military’s support in ensuring the successful resettlement of displaced persons in Dikwa and surrounding areas.

    He urged the security agencies to remain vigilant and continue their commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.

    He said the donation was Borno Government’s broader efforts to strengthen security infrastructure and support the military and local volunteers in combating insurgency and restoring normalcy across the state.(NAN)

  • Borno housewife wins  RHI’s #EveryHomeAGarden Competition’s  N25m prize

    Borno housewife wins  RHI’s #EveryHomeAGarden Competition’s  N25m prize

    A Borno housewife, Mrs. Veronica Kidafa Mbaya yesterday smiled home with a cash prize of N25million, courtesy of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)’s  #EveryHomeAGarden competition .

    She  was named the winner by the National Chairman of the  Renewed Hope Inititiative/ First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu at an event at the State House, Abuja.

    The RHI star prize was N20million. National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND) added N5million to support the competition.

    “After careful deliberations, with gratitude to God, I am happy to announce that the winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative “#EveryHomeAGarden” Competition is Mrs. Veronica Kidafa Mbaya from Borno State. Congratulations to our winner”, the First Lady  said.

    She said the other 19 contestants will  receive N2.5 million each, including contributions from NADFUND,  governors’ wives and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

    The competition, launched on October 25,  last year, is  aimed to promote home gardening as part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s food security drive.

    According Mrs  Tinubu, finalists were selected after thorough inspections by delegations led by wives of top government officials.

    State-level participants also received N1 million each for their entries, showcasing the broad engagement and impact of the initiative.

    The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has decided to adopt the #EveryHomeAGarden programme  for nationwide implementation, reflecting its success.

    Read Also: Tax Reform Bills: Senate meets FG’s delegation Thursday

    The First Lady expressed gratitude to the ministry and NADFUND for their support.

    “In reviewing the entries, members of the RHI Governing Board sat down to thoroughly select the best three entries. Delegations headed by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the wife of the Deputy Senate President, and wife of the Chief of Staff travelled to Borno, FCT and Sokoto to inspect the gardens before selecting the overall winner, as we have just seen in the documentary.

    “We were all very impressed with the quality of entries, making it hard to choose a winner. As we have promised, the winner of the #EveryHomeAGarden Competition will be going home today with N20,000,000.00.

    “In addition, RHI Governing Board has graciously approved N1,000,000.00 to the finalists from each state who submitted entries to the RHI Office. I have also been informed that State First Ladies/RHI Coordinators will be giving an additional One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00).

    “As you have heard from the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND), Mr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, who has graciously announced an additional Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) to the winner and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each to the other19 entries submitted, making it a total of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00) to the winner and Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000) each to the other contestants. We appreciate NADFUND for this support”.

    The First Lady, however, urged participants to continue nurturing their gardens and inspire others to join the initiative, underscoring the importance of food security for all Nigerians.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu praised the women who participated for their dedication to growing healthy food for their families and communities.

    She encouraged women across  the country to embrace home gardening, emphasizing  its role in fostering food security and community well-being.

    She thanked governors’ wives/ RHI coordinators for their vital contributions.

    Replying,  Mrs.  Mbaya, said she  never expected to win the competition due to environmental challenges like heavy rain and drought experienced in Borno.

    She expressed pride in successfully growing corn and vegetables despite the difficulties.

    She also highlighted the demand for these vegetables and the joy she felt from providing for her family and community.

  • NAF strikes kill terrorists, destroy gun truck in Borno

    NAF strikes kill terrorists, destroy gun truck in Borno

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets have killed several terrorists and destroyed a guntruck in Kukawa, Borno state.

    The terrorists were killed in two separate operations on November 25.

    NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, announced this in a statement on Wednesday, November 27.

    Akinboyewa said: “In the first, NAF fighter jets destroyed a gun truck and neutralized several fighters, while the second was to provide close air support to repel an attack on our ground troops.

    “The first operation began with credible intelligence on the location of a terrorists’ gun truck, approximately 5 kilometers west of Kukawa. NAF fighter jets swiftly responded, acquiring and attacking the target with precision, destroying the gun truck and crippling the terrorists’ capacity.

    Read Also: NAF’s success deeply rooted in professionalism, discipline, says CAS 

    “In the second operation, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) responded to a distress call from ground troops in Kukawa, who were under intense attack by terrorists on motorcycles. The NAF air assets rapidly responded, engaging the terrorists at various intervals. The strike neutralized many terrorists, and our ground troops recovered over 20 abandoned motorcycles. 

    “Following the strike, ground troops are capitalizing on the momentum, pursuing wounded and fleeing terrorists.” 

  • Insecurity: Police recover explosives in Borno

    Insecurity: Police recover explosives in Borno

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit has recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri.

    The police said the explosives were recovered on the 22nd of November 2024, following reports from vigilant residents.

    Acting swiftly, police said the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas.

    All ordnances, it said were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Police recover explosives in Borno 

    According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “In the Dala Kacchallah area, the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building. Reports indicate that the items, washed ashore by recent flooding, were abandoned by local scavengers. Similarly, at the Gwange Riverbank, a military hand grenade was discovered. In both instances, the EOD-CBRN team safely removed the ordnances, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitise residents”.

    Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the NPF spokesman said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security.

    Adejobi said: “The IGP also noted that the EOD team in Borno State has been consistent in responsiveness and professionalism in preventing series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in many instances within the state. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered items and to prevent future occurrences.”

  • NAF strikes kill 70 terrorists in Borno, destroy 83 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    NAF strikes kill 70 terrorists in Borno, destroy 83 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets have killed 70 terrorists at Kwallaram and Arianna Ciki islands in Borno State.

    The strikes were conducted on November 6 following credible intelligence about the terrorists presence in the areas, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, said in a statement on Saturday, November 9.

    General Buba said that in the past week, troops on operations across the country neutralized 169 terrorists and arrested 641 criminals. 

    He said troops also recovered 192 high caliber weapons, comprising 106 AK47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, one FN rifle, three fabricated revolver pistol, 11 locally made pistols, five pump action guns, one dummy AK47 rifle, and one unexploded RPG bomb.

    The defence spokesman said troops recovered 2,970 ammunition, comprising 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,074 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 67 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 130 rounds of 108mm, 101 rounds of 9mm ammo, and 146 live cartridges.

    Read Also: NAF launches 2024 retreat, set to induct 50 new aircrafts

    Giving updates about troops onslaught in the Niger Delta region, General Buba said troops destroyed 83 illegal refining sites and arrested 40 oil thieves.

    He said troops recovered 914,445 litres of stolen crude, 537,325 litres of diesel and 1,285 litres of petrol.

    “Other items recovered and destroyed are 20 crude oil cooking ovens, two dugout pits, 42 boats, seven reservoirs, five drums, 50 storage tanks, three pumping machines, one speedboat, and 8 motorcycles, among others,” Gen. Buba said.

    He said troops would continue to sustain offensive operations to eliminate all threats to the nation’s peace and security. 

  • NAF strikes kill ISWAP commander, 49 others in Borno

    NAF strikes kill ISWAP commander, 49 others in Borno

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets have killed a high-ranking Islamic State Wet Africa (ISWAP) commander, Bashir Dauda, and 49 fighters in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The strikes also destroyed ISWAP supply depot in the Jubularam enclave, which were filled with a substantial of food and essential items.

    NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

    He said: “The NAF conducted  a series of Air interdictions targeting three significant enclaves of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Marte Local Government Area on October 31.

    “The precision strikes were focused on ISWAP strongholds in Tumbun Daribiyar, Jubularam, Buluwa, and Tumbu Karfe, marking a major effort in the ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast.

    “An on-ground assessment confirmed that approximately 50 terrorists, including a high-ranking ISWAP commander known as Bashir Dauda, were neutralized in the operation. Additionally, an ISWAP supply depot in the Jubularam enclave, filled with a substantial cache of food and essential items like beans, millet, and rice, was destroyed, effectively severing a critical resource line for the terrorists.”

    Akinboyewa said the successful air strikes, which he said were targeted at  terrorists and logistics bases, underscored NAF’s ongoing “commitment to supporting ground forces and enhancing joint efforts to decimate terrorist strongholds in the region.”