The Nation Newspaper

Tag: capture

  • Troops capture two wanted Boko Haram kingpins

    Troops capture two wanted Boko Haram kingpins

    Troops have captured two more Boko Haram leaders – among the 100 recently declared wanted by Army chief Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    A sect’s factory has also been destroyed, the army announced yesterday.

    Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said troops captured a Boko Haram leader posing as a ‘maiguard’ (watchman) while another suspect on the list was arrested in Maiduguri metropolis.

    He added that troops from 154 Task Force Battalion of 29 Task Force Brigade dismantled the sect’s camp at Matali in Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State.

    During the operation, some insurgents were killed and some weapons and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered.

    “The troops of 111 Special Forces Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, during a special raid carried out on Tuesday at Delwa general area, discovered and knocked out Boko Haram terrorists’ rocket factory at Jamrari, Borno State.

    “This unprecedented development has put paid to the much-touted ability of the terrorists to fabricate rockets and their launchers using rudimentary materials.

    “This has further crippled the terrorists and greatly emboldened the troops in carrying out more offensive actions against the terrorists till they are defeated.

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who is on constant communication with the troops, commended them for this singular act and other similar feats and encouraged them to do more so that the terrorists are on the verge of being defeated,” he stated.

    According to Usman, soldiers and policemen, in separate operations, captured two of Nigeria’s most wanted Boko Haram leaders.

    “Yesterday, troops of 101 Task Force Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, along Lagos Street Maiduguri, Borno State, arrested yet another declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader.

    “The suspect who gave his name as Abubakar Sadiq, works as night watchman to one Muhammad Daggash; a closer look at him shows that he was suspect number 28 among the suspected Boko Haram terrorists that were declared wanted by the Nigerian Army last month.

    “The Nigeria Police, Borno State Command, arrested yet another suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Mohammed Usman, at Abuja Talakawa Ward of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno state yesterday.

    “The suspect who matches the photograph of suspect Number 40 on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 wanted suspected Boko Haraam terrorists, was arrested after painstaking effort and tracking by the police.

    “There is no doubt that the arrests of the suspected terrorists are important milestones which show the synergy of effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria among the security agencies and the public.

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commended the vigilant troops and the Nigeria Police in particular, Borno State Command, for their great efforts.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that as we move for the final onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists, there is the urgent need for all of us to be more vigilant and security conscious,” Usman stated.

    Yesterday, top officials from Nigeria and Cameroun began another round of discussions on trans-border military operations.

    At the opening ceremony of the Fourth Session of Nigeria-Cameroun Trans-Border Security Committee Meeting in Abuja, , National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongunu (rtd), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and the Camerounian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Rene Emmanuel Sadi reaffirmed the two countries’ determination towards defeating Boko Haram.

    Mongunu said the Fourth Session of the meeting was timely with regard to the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari and President Paul Biya of Cameroun, for peace and stability of the two countries, in particular and the sub-region in general.

    “To put an end to the scourge of terrorist activities, the Nigerian Government recently issued a marching order to the Nigerian military to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists by the end of this year 2015.

    “ It should be noted that the order is presently being carried out with military precision,” he said.

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Onyeama, who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Bukar Abba said:”Nigeria and Cameroun remain resolute and determined to defeat Boko Haram; the terror attacks over the weekend in Paris, France draws, once again, into sharp focus the global dimension and reach of terror.

    “We must remain resolute and very determined to stand with the rest of the world to defeat these evil purveyors of hate and extremism.”

  • Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops have been mandated to ensure that Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau is captured alive.

    Ground troops are expected to advance on Sambisa and Gwoza any moment from now, it was learnt yesterday.

    Top on the agenda of the military are the rescue of the Chibok girls and the capturing of Shekau.

    While the manhunt for Shekau begins, the military  are said to have reclaimed five key towns in Borno.

    The towns are: Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, and Dikwa.

    The military claimed that Shekau was killed in encounters with troops in September 2014 in Konduga. But Shekau later emerged, saying: “Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath.”

    It was learnt that following persistent appearance of ‘Shekau’, the military decided to take advantage of the ongoing successful operations in the Northeast to launch a manhunt for him.

    A top military source said: “Troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.

    ”Troops have been urged to at all costs to capture Shekau alive so that he can face justice.

    ”On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manage to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.

    ”The order to catch Shekau alive is therefore to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.

    “The rumour about Shekau’s invincibility is one of the factors that troops are afraid to confront the terrorists.”

    The defunct Joint Task Force (JTF)  had on November 23, 2012  placed a ransom on 19 leaders of Boko Haram.

    The list  comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest policy making body of the sect) and 14 Boko Haram commanders.

    But one of the Shurra  Committee members, Mohammed Zangina(a.k.a Mallam Abdullahi/Alh. Musa), with a N25million ransom, was allegedly killed in a shoot-out with the Joint Task Force(JTF) in Maiduguri.

    With Zangina out, four members of the Shurra Committee, including Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai ( N25million); and Momodu Bama (N25 million) are still wanted.

    The fate of Momodu Bama was also unknown as at press time following conflicting reports on whether he is alive or dead.

    The Boko Haram Commanders being sought for by the JTF are:  Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

    The military is said to have reclaimed five key towns from Boko Haram insurgents.

    These are Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa.

    Another military source added: “Within a week of the massive operation, the troops have recovered Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa among other big towns and several surrounding communities in Borno State.

    ”With acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.

    ”The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inaction can pose disasters to their countries too.”

    An intelligence source gave insights into the factors behind the recent breakthrough of the troops.

    The source said: “Troops’ morale has been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.

    ”Some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the Northeast were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.

    ”In the past, colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition, but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.

    ”Many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.”

  • ‘Govt to capture leather industry in Growth Enhancement Scheme’

    ‘Govt to capture leather industry in Growth Enhancement Scheme’

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the leather industry would be captured in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme to advance the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

    Adesina gave the assurance in Abuja in his opening remarks at the Leather Industry Revival Initiative conference with the theme: Supporting the leather transformation of Nigeria’s leather industry.

    Adesina, who was represented by the Director, Livestock, Dr Joseph Ayanger, said the Ministry would partner with the Ministry of Trade and Investment to ensure quality production in the industry. “Leather comes from livestock and livestock contributes to several agricultural commodities such as meat, and even earns much more than any other non-oil export.

    “That is why we are happy to be partnering with Trade and Investment. What we are trying to do as much as possible, is to provide them with the raw materials.

    “Leather is part of the commodities we are handling as a value chain; for the past two decades, this is the first time leather has got a budget line in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    “From this month, we are rolling out some form of support in our Growth Enhancement Scheme.

    “We are also doing the same for leather and especially to support small scale buyers who are skin collectors so that we make sure that the quality of what we get is good enough.”

    Commenting, Mr Christian Rogg, the acting Head of Office, DFID Nigeria, said that the department was committed to supporting LAPAN because of its potential to create more jobs in the industry. Rogg, who was represented by Ms Ogechukwu Omeribe, the Programme Manager of the Economic Growth Team of the organisation, said that the support was to guide LAPAN on how to improve the industry performance.This, he also said, was to help it engage in dialogue with government and other stakeholders to shape the leather transformation plan.

    “The reason DFID Nigeria has decided to support LAPAN is that we see LAPAN as a credible partner in the sector. We also believe that the leather industry has tremendous potential to generate foreign exchange and create employment. We know that there is a lot of unemployment in Nigeria, particularly among the youth.“ And we know that this will be of benefit to micro and small businesses as well as to the youth and the poor in our communities.

    “Through our GEMS1 programme, LAPAN has been supported along with other regional associations to access finance through collaboration with NIRSAL and other commercial banks. We hope that soon, the leather sector will be able to get finance to be able to do the work that they (stakeholders) need to do.

    “Furthermore, with ‘ENABLE’, LAPAN is being supported to build its corporate governance because we know that building a structure is an important thing in order for it to attract members and for the members to know that you will provide efficient services.

    “Because of the support that DFID Nigeria has given, LAPAN as an organisation started with 16 associations in membership; today it has around 70 members.

    “Each of these associations has a huge number of memberships; one of these associations has close to 5,000 members. So, if you multiply 5,000 members by 70, it shows the number of members that LAPAN hold.”

  • U.S. to Nigeria: capture Boko Haram leaders

    U.S. to Nigeria: capture Boko Haram leaders

    From the United States came yesterday a piece of advice on Boko Haram – its leaders must be captured and prosecuted for Nigeria to achieve its potential as a stable regional leader.

    Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ms Wendy Sherman spoke in Abuja during a meeting of the United States-Nigeria Bi-national Commission Regional Security Cooperation Working Group.

    Ms Sherman said Boko Haram offered no practical solutions to the North’s problems, but capitalised on frustration, religious differences and economic and social difficulties to undermine the government and make the country ungovernable.

    The United States, she said, knows from experience the difficulty in confronting an enemy that respects no boundaries and kills civilians indiscriminately.

    Success, in her view, cannot be achieved unless Nigeria surmounts the challenges that frustrate progress.

    Ms Sherman said the country faces several challenges to national and regional stability. The largest of these challenges is, according to her, the Boko Haram-led insurgency, which has created widespread insecurity across the North, increased tensions among ethnic communities, interrupted development, frightened off investors and generated concerns among the country’s northern neighbours.

    Her words: “Security efforts are necessary to protect innocent Nigerians, to prevent Boko Haram’s acts of violence, and to capture and prosecute its leaders. The Nigerian government and military must also win over the hearts and minds of northern populations by protecting them and providing timely and commensurate justice to both insurgents and the victims of this unfortunate conflict. Though no easy task, a comprehensive approach that addresses socio-economic problems, articulates clear rules of engagement, and commits to accountability for those who perpetrate violence, both Boko Haram and security forces, will demonstrate to every Nigerian that their future is brighter in a more secure Nigeria.

    “This may require a new social contract with Nigerian citizens that encompasses an economic recovery strategy as a complement to the government’s security strategy. This approach will be successful to the extent that it can garner the support of northern governors and local officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and a generation of young Nigerians who are connected to their government, locally and federally.”

    Ms Sherman said defeating Boko Haram would not be a tea party, adding that the U.S. would help to get rid of the insurgents.

    Her words: “Achieving success will not be easy, but we are ready to work with you as one of your strongest and most faithful friends and partners, to discuss new ways of help.”

    She said the Federal Government must protect civilians from the harsh effect of the war on terror.

    “We stand ready to work together to develop a multi-faceted strategy to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram that also demonstrates to civilians that they will be protected. Nigeria’s diverse people, land, and spirit have already established a foundation for long-term national and regional stability; however, with today’s insurgent challenges, strong nations must deepen our commitment to respect human life and dignity, build peace, and prevent future atrocities, even in the midst of a protracted conflict with a violent enemy. We look forward to hearing Nigeria’s unique accounts of what steps you are taking to ensure transparency, accountability and justice, including access for civil society organisations and journalists to the North and what steps have been taken to bring to justice those accused of human rights violations,” she said.

    Ms Sherman said Boko Haram’s threat affect both Nigeria and the United States.

    Her words: “The United States remains your partner in helping to address this threat that our two nations share. We have designated three individuals as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, demonstrating our resolve in working with you to diminish the capacity of Boko Haram to execute violent attacks. We have provided assistance focused on identifying areas for information-sharing, enhancing security force professionalism and developing tactics to increase public confidence in Nigeria’s security response, and improving Nigerian forensics and investigative capacity. The United States has also been working with Nigerian peacekeepers that deploy to missions across Africa to make sure they have the training and equipment necessary for global peace and security missions. In fact, since 2004, we have trained over 800 staff officers and more than 41,000 troops through the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) programme.”

    Ms Sherman said protecting civil liberties must be given a priority.

    “Stability, security, and prosperity are long-term goals with no easy fixes for any country, but together we can go further than we can alone. A visible commitment and demonstrated actions to protect civil liberties and ensure civilian security can go a long way toward rebuilding the trust between a government and its people- upon whom our shared well-being depends.

    “When government commits itself to progress and meaningful reforms, the people benefit and extremists become marginalised. By working together, we can contribute to economic growth, democratic progress, and lasting peace. These objectives are important to the United States, to Nigeria, and to the global community, and I hope that this forum will continue to further our partnership,” she added.

    Ms Sherman added that Nigeria has a great potential if she could successfully overcome the Boko Haram challenge.

    It described insurgency as Nigeria’s biggest challenge.

    According to her, there are more than 1.5 million Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans in the US and an estimated 31,000 US citizens in Nigeria, making the country the second largest destination for U.S. private investment in Africa with over $5billion (N780b).

    She said: “Nigeria’s success is important tom us, and we will continue to invest in Nigeria’s institutions, people, and businesses to both countries’ mutual benefit. We also recognise that success cannot be achieved unless Nigeria surmounts the challenges that frustrate progress. It is in the spirit that the United States engage today in this workshop group on Regional Security Cooperation.”

    She also said U.S. partnership with Nigeria is not in the security sector alone, adding that “in 2012, the United States provided Nigeria $647million in bilateral foreign assistance including over $480million to the president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief, demonstrating how important we consider Nigeria to be in the worldwide fight against HIV and AIDS. Nigeria’s own leadership and shared responsibility was highlighted at the recent Abuja+12 summit.

    “Our bilateral assistance also supports economic growth, education assistance, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and particularly critically to our conversation at this forum, efforts to help Nigeria address emerging threats.”

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, said the conference was meant to “review the implementation of decisions reached during the inaugural session of the Regional Security Cooperation Working Group in Abuja last year.

  • PDP’s mission to ‘capture’ Lagos

    PDP’s mission to ‘capture’ Lagos

    The militarization of the nation’s politics has once again found expression in the statement credited to the latest chairman of the Lagos state PDP, retired Captain Tunji Shelle that the party will capture Lagos State come 2015 elections. He was reported to have said this during the visit of the leadership of his party to their godfather, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo.

    We had truly thought that this unfortunate statement may have been the product of the typical journalistic zeal in which the man may have been quoted out of context or a case of misrepresenting what the man said. We have waited for a recant and nothing was forthcoming hence our conclusion that he actually made that statement.

    We do not have any grouse with the well-known hunger and salivation for Lagos State by the PDP which has remained a hunger that will never be fulfilled given the very deep political consciousness of the residents. What we do have issues with is the use of language which we consider unethical and careless, capable of creating tension not only within the state but also within the nation. This shows that the PDP may not be prepared to appeal to the people’s conscience for their votes not only in Lagos State but perhaps throughout the federation since they know that they lack the requisite credentials for such exercise but are preparing to capture the ballot in a military style in which they have shown that they have great expertise in deploying its worst forms.

    The implications and power of speech in any society is immense especially when wielded by men and women that call themselves leaders. The holy books have urged us all to be careful how we deploy our tongues which is capable of setting fire on nations, dethroning rulers and wreaking havoc in an otherwise peaceful environment.

    We are concerned that Shelle would find it convenient to use the military word capture in a democratic milieu where politics is about the free will of all the citizens who are willing participants in the political space. This concern stems from the fact that the last time this particular word was used in our polity by the host of that meeting – General Olusegun Obasanjo. The contest for political power through elections during that period was more violent with pervasive impunity holding sway.

    Responsible leaders we believe ought to carefully choose their words especially when they are in public space. Their conduct is expected to be exemplary and worthy of emulation and that is why we are at a loss why the PDP chairman was comfortable with words attributed to him.

    Perhaps, he may be sending a message to other parties about the intentions of the PDP in the forthcoming elections in 2015. This may be a signal for others to prepare for war as the PDP is already preparing for war or it may be just bravado which a child depicts in the presence of his father to show that he is truly a chip off the old block. That may explain the choice of time and place for the making of such speech.

    We see that speech as a sign for Lagosians to guard their loins to defend their votes come 2015 as the PDP may be planning to annex the state either by hook or by crook. It is also a sign of how desperate the party has become and how frustrating they must be feeling seeing all their efforts to steal the state rebuffed by the people of Lagos State.

    They are frustrated because Lagosians will not settle for less. ACN’s good work in the state beginning with former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and current Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has become so monumental that the challenge to surpass it will be too difficult as PDP itself has failed to perform at the federal level and in many states where they hold sway as the party in power.

    It is only through service which makes discernible impact in the lives of the people that we can hope to make any impression on the minds of Lagos people. It is only by investing in them that we can hope to build their trust and earn their confidence. This is what the ACN governments have done and will continue to do and we urge the PDP to do the same with the opportunities given to them to serve at the federal level. Until they do so which has unfortunately proven to be too difficult for them, they cannot win but will continue hoping to “capture”

    We are not surprised however at this turn of events as the PDP is peopled heavily by ex – military men who participated actively in the ruination of our fatherland via the former military regimes. Their psyche has therefore been influenced by crass military language and behaviour since they are yet to learn the language of the civil populace whom they hope to lead. We wonder how they hope to lead a people who they cannot even speak their language and understand, a people who they are complete strangers to and are far removed from both in essence and in traditions.

    In Lagos PDP, Olabode George, a retired military officer and an ex-convict leads the party in the state. The chairman, Shelle is also a retired military officer. No wonder military language which is the opposite of democratic language is prevalent.

    Some rather unguarded statements credited to certain individuals just before and immediately after the 2011 general elections are still very fresh in our minds. The resultant crisis that trailed the announcement of the results in many parts of the Northern region was largely attributed to the unfortunate statements. The wounds of that crisis are still very fresh in the minds of many Nigerians and such occurrences must be avoided by all means.

    That is why we urge the PDP and in fact every other politician to be cautious of the kind of statements they make, avoiding by all means words that will send negative signal to the polity. Free speech, being one of the basic pillars of democracy demands responsibility on the part of the persons exercising this right. It also demands self-restraint and constant observance of democratic rules of engagements which the word capture negates.

    Lagos deserves greater service and commitment from all and sundry so that we can make it one of the best cities in the world to live in. A city that is capable of providing basic infrastructure for its residents and with increased capability for self – renewal that will ensure its place in the future. That is what we think governance is all about and that is what Lagos people demand so that we can continue having their trust and confidence thus winning their votes and not capturing it.

     

    •Hon Jimoh is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly