The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Col. Sani Usman

  • Troops foil plot to bomb IDPs camp in Maiduguri

    Members of the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday arrested two suspects – a teenager and an adult apparently primed to bomb a displaced persons camp in the city.

    One of the suspects, according to a statement issued by the Army Spokesman in the area, Col. Sani Usman, is among the senior members of the sect recently declared wanted by the army.

    The statement said, “The vigilant troops of 7 Division, Nigerian Army Garrison Command, providing security service at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp found an 11-year-old boy, Master Usman Modu Tella, a potential suicide bomber and an older suspect close to the Dalori displaced persons’ camp in Maiduguri.

    “The older suspect is number 82 on the poster containing the photographs of 100 most wanted Boko Haram terrorists recently released by the Nigerian Army.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was from Bama Town and is among four other children trained for suicide bombing by the Boko Haram terrorists. The three others have already carried out their missions at different locations. The teenager’s job was to do same in the camp sometime in the future.”

     

  • Troops kill 100 insurgents in Yobe

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that troops of the Army 120 Task Force Battalion in Yobe, have killed more than 100 fleeing terrorists at Goniri area of the state.

    The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The statement said seven soldiers died, while nine others were wounded when the terrorists attempted to invade the military base at Goniri, early on Wednesday.

    “The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in a desperation to create an impression that they remain relevant, early today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops at Goniri, Yobe State.

    “During the encounter, our gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invaders, as all of them were killed.

    “More than 100 terrorists died but unfortunately however, seven of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our father land, one officer and eight soldiers were also wounded,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the army spokesman as saying in the statement.

    According to the statement, the troops recovered arms, ammunitions and other equipment from the terrorists.

    The arms and ammunition recovered include, one general purpose machine gun; two rocket propelled grenades, nine AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunitions.

    It said that various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices, 7 Primed IEDs, different types of spanners and a torch light were also recovered.

    It said the troops had consolidated on the encounter and would continue blocking any fleeing terrorist using the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardment and other troops’ artillery fire.

     

  • Several killed in Maiduguri blasts

    Three blasts struck a mosque and the area near the building in Maiduguri, Borno State, a military spokesman has said.

    A hospital source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least eight dead bodies had been recovered from the area, with many more feared dead, and around 50 injured people had been taken to hospital for treatment.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosions on the edge of the city centre but they bore the hallmarks of the Boko Haram sect.

    Maiduguri is the birthplace of the jihadist sect which has waged a six-year insurgency in its bid to set up a state in the northeast of Nigeria adhering to strict Islamic laws.

    “There were three improvised explosive devices explosions at Gomari and Ajilari general area in Maiduguri at about 7:21pm [1821 GMT],” the military spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, told Reuters.

    “Although details are not clear, it is important to note the attacks signify high level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists,” he added.

    Bubakar Aliyu, a farmer who had just finished praying at a smaller mosque, said, “I heard the first blast from the main mosque.  Another exploded at a cluster of shops. I ran back to home and as I approached my house I heard another blast.”

     

  • Boko Haram: Woman, soldier die as troops free more hostages

    One woman died and eight others were injured in cross fire as troops stormed nine Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest on Wednesday.

    A soldier also died while four others sustained injuries during operation in which no fewer than nine insurgent camps local within the forest were destroyed.

    A statement issued by Nigerian Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the operation, which was carried out by troops of the 7 Division, succeeded in rescuing more women and children from the insurgents.

    According to Usman, the troops also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed two Armoured Personnel Carriers, two Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.

    Also recovered were one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles.

    “Please recall that we promised to keep you abreast of troops’ progress in respect of Nigerian military’s ongoing operations to rid the country of terrorists and their enclaves.

    “In line with that, I wish to inform you that today’s evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists’ strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.

    “Sadly, one woman died and eight others sustained gunshot wounds. So far, the troops have destroyed nine terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the four destroyed yesterday (Tuesday).

    “The troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing. During the encounter, unfortunately we lost a soldier, while four others were wounded in action,” Col. Sani stated.

    He cited Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai, Jigide, Kotorima, Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani among the insurgents’ camps destroyed by the troops.

    “I am glad to say that troops’ morale is very high as they are poised to accomplish the task of destroying all terrorists camps and rescuing all those held hostage by the terrorists,” the spokesman added

  • Army frees 42 Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri

    Army frees 42 Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri

    42 Boko Haram suspects were on Thursday freed by authorities of 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri and handed over to Governor Kashim Shettima.

    The army also gave each of the freed suspects N100, 000 to resettle themselves.

    Three of the released suspects are from Chad, Burkina Faso and Cameroon. They would be repatriated immediately by the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to their countries.

    Presenting the freed suspects at the Government House, Maiduguri, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspects were arrested and had been “released because we found out that they have nothing to do with Boko Haram activities.”

    “Out of the 42 suspects cleared by the military this month, three are from the neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, Chad and Cameroon.”

    The Nation gathered that most of the released suspects are students, traders, carpenters, drivers and panel beaters.

    There are three elderly persons among them, while the remaining falls between the ages of 18 and 30.

    Governor Shettima while receiving the suspects announced that some of them will be immediately engaged in their various areas of trade.

    “An idle mind they say is the devils’ workshop, therefore we cannot allow you people to be idle. From your introduction, some of you are drivers, others are tailors and some are students. All the drivers would be immediately engaged by the state government and the tailors too will be useful for our free uniform for school children.

    For the students, I am going to assist you to go back and complete your studies. Others will also be taken care of appropriately,” the governor said.