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Tag: borno

  • Update: 58 killed, 139 injured in Borno bomb blasts

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 58 persons in multiple blasts in different parts of Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Clement Adoda, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, said 139 persons were also injured during the blasts.

    Adoda said, “Today, Saturday, explosions through Improvised Explosive Devices occurred at three locations in Maiduguri.

    “The first one was at First Gate of Baga Road Market, at about 11.44hrs; the second was at about12.30hrs at Monday Market, while the third was at Borno Express Park at about 12.52hrs.

    “So far, reports from the three locations indicate that 58 people died while 139 persons were injured.”

    He added that normalcy had since been restored to the affected areas.

  • Update: Borno Governor prays for victims of bomb blasts

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima on Saturday ended his election campaign midway following three bomb explosions in parts of Maiduguri, the state capital in which over thirty persons were killed.
    The Governor according to a statement by his media aide, Isa Gusau condemned the attacks and the perpetuators and condoled with families and friends of those that lost their.
    Gusau said Shettima who was in Hawul local government area at when he got the report stopped party members from making campaign speeches and instead, led prayers for repose of victims of the bomb blasts.
    He later launched a free feeding programme to ease hardships faced by residents there arising from insurgency crisis across Borno State.
    Meanwhile the governor has directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to visit all affected areas and ensure speedy evacuation of victims to hospitals and mobilize medical doctors for emergency treatment that will be paid for by the State Government.
    The, Governor directed that all necessary steps be taken to save lives where possible no matter what is required .

  • Borno pastor: CAN got N7b to campaign against Buhari

    Borno pastor: CAN got N7b to campaign against Buhari

    The allegation that some pastors collected money to campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has taken another dimension, with Borno State born Pastor Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa reaffirming the allegation.

    The Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi alleged that some unnamed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders paid N6 billion to Christian clerics to campaign against APC.

    Amaechi’s allegation generated uproar among the Christian clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) challenging Amaechi to name the church leaders who collected the money.

    But, Pastor Dikwa, who is the executive director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, confirmed the allegation to a group of reporters in Kaduna.

    He said: “It was N7 billion that was given to the CAN leadership.”

    The money, he said, was shared N3 million to the state chairmen of the CAN. The money was handed over to the CAN leadership on January 26, 2015.”

    He said N3 million was given to the CAN executives in each state.

    “Actually, the money is not N6b; it is N7b. This is what I know. One of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they collected the money,” Pastor Dkiwa said.

    “They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are campaigning that if Buhari emerges president, he will Islamise Nigeria, and that Osinbajo collects money from Islamic world, and the same Osinbajo will resign soon after Buhari wins to give way for Tinubu to emerge vice president,” he added.

    But, CAN’s Director of National Issues Sunday Oibe said the body will react to the allegation today.

    “We ‘ll react appropriately to the allegations and Nigerians will know the truth,” he said.

  • Borno declares today holiday for Buhari

    The Borno State Government has declared today a work-free day for the visit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

    In a statement in Maiduguri, the state capital, by the Secretary to Borno State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, the government said the public holiday would enable the residents to give Gen. Buhari a rousing welcome for his rally.

    The statement reads: “The Borno State Government has declared Monday a work-free day. It is to enable the people of the state welcome the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari, who will arrive in Maiduguri on a campaign visit on Monday.”

    The statement urged APC supporters to troop out to welcome the important visitor.

    “Governor Kashim Shettima has urged Borno State residents to come out en masse to welcome Gen. Buhari, who is ‘the people’s general’.”

    Borno State APC has been preparing for Gen. Buhari’s visit.

    The billboards of the “people’s general” and those of his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and Governor Shettima, have been mounted at major entry points into the state capital.

  • Blow for Boko Haram in Borno

    Blow for Boko Haram in Borno

    Scores of Boko Haram insurgents were killed by  troops as they attempted to attack Damboa town, the headquarters of Damboa Local Government of Borno State at the weekend, according to residents.

    A resident of the area, Aisami Bukar, who escaped to Maiduguri, disclosed to our correspondent on telephone that the insurgents who came in large numbers at about noon and were sighted by troops of 195 Battalion of the army whose men gave them a devastating blow.

    He said insurgents were attacking Damboa from Kalla village, just two kilometers away when the military launched artillery guns and killed scores.

    He said: ”Scores of the Boko Haram insurgents who attempted to attack Damboa had a bad outing , as the troops intercepted them at Kalla village on the outskirts of Damboa.”

    He added: “The insurgents  were intercepted  by the soldiers, who swiftly reacted by shooting artillery missiles and scores of them were killed”.

    A Civilian JTF members, Haruna Isa, collaborated it saying: “The army did  a good job in Damboa, it would have been a different story today. But we thank Allah “.

    He said bodies of the insurgents and their vehicles were burnt and scattered all over in the bush.

    A military source, who does not want his name in print, said: “Yes our troops in Damboa this afternoon successfully foiled an attempt to sack Damboa town, where they killed scores of the insurgents.

    Damboa is 87km south of Maiduguri, the state capital. One of the exit points out of the state capital that was once seized by the insurgents.

  • Boko haram insurgents killed in Borno

    Scores of Boko Haram insurgents were reportedly killed On Sunday by troops of the Nigerian Army in an attempt to attack Damboa town, the headquarters of Damaboa Local Government of Borno State, according to local residents.

    A resident of the area, Aisami Bukar who escaped to Maiduguri disclosed to our correspondent on phone that the insurgents who came in large numbers at about at about 12:00 noon and were sighted by troops of 195 battalion of the Nigerian army who repelled them.

    He said that insurgents were attempting to attack Damboa from Kalla village just two kilometers from Damboa town when the military lunched artillery guns and killed scores of them.

    “Scores of the Boko Haram insurgents who attempted to attack Damboa at about 12:00pm had a bad outing as the troops of the Nigerian Army intercepted them at Kalla village at the outskirt of Damboa.

    ” Insurgents were intercepted by the soldiers, who swiftly reacted by shooting artillery missiles and burnt them; they crushed all of them, as scores of them were killed in the process,” the source said.

    A civilian JTF, Haruna Isa corroborated the report of the incident saying that “the army did a good job in Damboa. It would have been a different story today. But we thank Allah that the boys did not have luck this time”.

    He informed that corpses of the insurgents and their vehicles were burnt and scattered all over in the bush.

    A military source who does not want his name in print, told our correspondent in Maiduguri that their troops in Damboa successfully foiled another attempt to take over Damboa.

    “Yes our troops in Damboa this afternoon successfully foiled an attempt to sack Damboa town where they killed scores of the insurgents,” he confirmed.

    Damboa is 87km south of Maiduguri, the state capital, one of the exit point out of the state capital that was once seized by the insurgents.

  • Maiduguri attack: Shettima commends military, calls for calm

    Maiduguri attack: Shettima commends military, calls for calm

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has condemned the coordinated attacks by Boko Haram on Maiduguri and Monguno towns.

    Shettima also praised the Nigerian soldiers for saving the state capital from the insurgents attacks.

    The governor who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on Sunday after the attack called on the people of Borno and Maiduguri to remain, while pledging to redouble his efforts and commitment to supporting the security agents in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

    Shettima expressed his pain over the attack on Monguno, and the military formation in the area, stressing that the attack must have resulted in the loss of lives and caused several pains on the people in addition to destruction of property.

    He said; “Our armed forces gallantly repelled attacks on parts of Borno State today. We must commend their patriotic efforts. We are very much in touch with leaders of security forces and we will continue to afford them all the support they need as we have always done from our first day in office till date.

    “So long as we have the resources, we will continue to regard the efforts to reclaim peace, our number one area of commitments. I want to reassure the good people of Borno State that we will never abdicate from our responsibility as those they entrusted with leadership.

    “I was supposed to be in Abuja this morning for an important engagement but I have canceled all engagements outside Borno State. We will remain behind with our people through thick and thin as we have been doing as a matter of constitutional and moral covenant.

    “I condole with families, friends and associates of any innocent citizen that might have lost loved ones as a result of the unfortunate incident in parts of the State. I commiserate with those that might have suffered injuries and lost property.

    “I assure the people of Borno State that we are very committed to our duty as their leaders. We have never forgotten about the situation of things in Borno, not for one second.

    “My heart bleeds whenever I remember the deaths, the injuries, the lost communities and the displaced persons of Borno. I know the burden of leadership on my shoulders as Governor of the State and I know my responsibilities within the limits of my constitutional powers, influences and resources. I have been deploying all, within my limits as Governor and I will continue to do, including making continued efforts to get more influences that are beyond me.

    “I urge the good people of Borno State to remain optimistic and vigilant. We should open our eyes wide to take note of any strange person and movement in the our midst which we should promptly report to authorities without causing panic. Parents and guardians should kindly watch over their children to monitor where they go and who they move around with or bring home. School authorities should take proper control of pupils. Residents should cooperate with armed forces and always regard them as partners that put their lives on the line so we all can be alive,” Gov. Shettima said.

  • INEC allays fears on alleged PVC theft in Borno

    INEC allays fears on alleged PVC theft in Borno

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the alleged mass theft of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by politicians in Borno will not affect the conduct of next month’s general elections.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) accuse each other of perpetrating the alleged theft.

    Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, the Borno INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, that the alleged theft would add no advantage to the perpetrators.

    According to him, stealing or hijacking PVCs would not give any advantage to any political party during the election.

    “Well, I have not heard of the information on the alleged stealing or hijacking of the PVCs by politicians in Borno, but if that is true, it is an exercise in futility,” he said.

    Sa’ad added: “Stealing or hijacking PVCs will not make impact at the polls because no individual can use another person’s PVC on the election date.

    “INEC is going to place card reading machines at every polling unit, the machine must recognise a voter before being issued with a ballot paper.’’

    He said that the finger print of every voter must tally with that of the PVC before being allowed to vote.

    “All those buying PVCs or hijacking them are just wasting their time.

    “As far as INEC is concerned, there is no chance for them on election day,” Sa’ad said.

    He advised individuals whose PVCs were missing to exercise patience or take part in the Continuos Voter Registration (CVR) to get captured for the polls.

    Sa’ad admitted that some polling units in the state were not presented with PVCs due to technical hitch.

    “Some few polling units had no PVCs because the numbers of registered voters in those units are few.

    “The machine decided to wipe out the register because of the low number of voters on the list,’’ he said.

    Sa’ad said individuals affected could still participate at the CVR to get captured for the polls.

    He said INEC would continue with the CVR at the ward level even after the conclusion of the distribution of the PVCs at the polling units.

    “Our vehicles have already left for Abuja to evacuate the remaining PVCs that have just arrived the country for distribution in the state.

    “This means that people can still get their PVCs few days to the election or even on voting day,’’ Sa’ad said.

    He added: “However, the CVR will continue at ward level for individuals who were not registered or those with genuine reasons for re-registration’’.

    Sa’ad described the distribution of the PVCs in Borno as successful.

  • INEC begins PVC distribution in Borno

    INEC begins PVC distribution in Borno

    The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) last Saturday started the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Borno State.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital, at the weekend that the distribution would hold from January 10 till January 19 with the Continuous Voter Cards.

    Sa’ad noted that the prevailing insecurity in the Northeast had compelled the commission to restrict the exercise to Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area.

    The REC said the two exercises would hold at wards levels and at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps in the areas.

    He said: “The issuance of the PVCs to registered voters and the CVR will take place in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Area considered to be relatively safe for now. The exercise will last six days.

    “The PVCs will be issued based on the temporary voter card issued during the nationwide voter registration in 2010. PVC is like an ATM card that will not allow an individual to vote more than once in an election. The CVR is for individuals who have attained voter age or those whose names were missing in the voters register.”

  • Post-primary crisis rocks Borno PDP

    Post-primary crisis rocks Borno PDP

    There is no end in sight to the crisis rocking the Borno State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of its governorship primaries.

    Party elders and other stakeholders are protesting the alleged substitution of Alhaji Gambo Lawan as the governorship candidate.

    Lawan, who is the former National Chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) and ex-Chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council,  was selected as the flag bearer, following the intervention of the national party leadership. Following the selection, a Certificate of Return was given to him.

    At the selection process were  Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu,  PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Chief Tony Anenih, Borno State PDP Chairman, Minister of State for Power Muhammed Wakil, and other leaders.

    However, Lawan’s name was substituted with that of Mohammed Imam, a nominee of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff at the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) office.

    Borno PDP stakeholders, in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, called for a reversal of the wrongful substitution in the interest of justice and fair play. The petition was signed by Hon. Aminu Yakudima, Ibrahim Abacha and Salisu Aliyu.

    They said: “The process and composition of the people present is first of its kind in the history of our great party, which you described as the Supreme Court of the party, whose decision is final. You may wish to recall further that Gambo Lawan, having emerged from the old PDP as the candidate, you directed the new entrants to nominate the candidate for the deputy governor.

    “It is disheartening to note that 14 days after the nomination and the affirmation of Gambo Lawan as the candidate, he was wrongly and illegally substituted with Mohammed Imam on the eve of the closure for the submission of the nominees to INEC.

    “We want to believe that you are unaware of this ugly and sad development particularly in a nomination process of this magnitude that was conducted by the highest office in the land. In this regard and in the best interest of the party, we call for the immediate reversal of the decision to substitute Gambo Lawan.”