The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DHQ

  • Insecurity: DHQ clamps down on newspaper distribution

    Reports reaching The Nation on Friday morning indicate that Defence Headquarters had ordered a clampdown on the movement of newspaper circulation vans in some parts of the country.

    The directive which was allegedly given through an “an order from above” caught most of the newspapers in the FCT unawares as heavily armed soldiers waylaid the vans around the Area 1 Road, commanding the drivers to unload.

    The same scenario occurred in Benin/Warri Road, Port Harcourt, Kaduna/Kano Road and Nasarawa/Jos Road.

    According to our circulation staff, the stations affected are – Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Lafia, Okene, Lokoja, Makurdi, Sokoto and Maiduguri.

    Others are – Warri, Benin, Asaba, Auchi, Akure, Ikare, Ilorin, Ado Ekiti, Ondo, Ore and Ibadan.

    The company’s distribution vehicles are still being held.

    One of the newspaper distribution managers told our correspondent that they have been ordered to load back the newspapers pending when a superior directive is given to allow them move to various distribution centres.

    He said: “We were surprised that our distribution van was stopped by heavily armed security men around Area 1 junction at about 5.05am. Other distribution vans were later stopped and we were all directed to unload. One of the military men told us that they were acting on order from above as there were allegations that newspaper circulation vehicles were being used to smuggle arms and ammunition.

    “We were there for over  two hours with practically all the newspapers printing in Abuja unable to get to the distribution centres while the head of the military team told us that he was waiting for a superior directive to release us.”

    Efforts to speak with the Director of Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Chris Olukolade, proved abortive as all his lines were switched off.

  • DHQ: we haven’t seen new video on Chibok schoolgirls

    DHQ: we haven’t seen new video on Chibok schoolgirls

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said it has not received or seen any new video on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, purportedly released by the Boko Harm sect.

    Speaking at the National Information Centre yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the DHQ could not comment on the video because it had not received, seen or watched it.

    He said: “The video is not feasible for Nigerians to see yet. Nobody has seen the video. We will try and see if we can get a copy of the video, after which we will be able to respond to it.”

    The new video shows the abducted Chibok schoolgirls speaking about their ordeal, for the first time.

    The pupils said they were suffering and not getting enough food. It was reported to have been received by a British newspaper, Mail on Sunday.

    The footage, which has not been released publicly but seen by the newspaper, was taken in a jungle.

    It shows the girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen on April 14, “bravely speaking out about their ordeal,” according to the report.

    The newspaper said the girls in the footage look healthy, but several others have fallen ill, including one with a broken wrist.

    Also, Gen. Olukolade confirmed 18 persons dead in the Sunday bomb blast in Adamawa State.

     

     

    He said the number of the injured had risen to 19, as against 12 earlier confirmed by the police.

    The spokesman said the injured were receiving treatment at some hospitals.

    Gen. Olukolade said a suspect, who was said to have been identified with the car used in conveying the bomb device, had been arrested by troops in the area.

    “He is being interrogated while further investigation is ongoing,” he said.

     

  • Chibok: Military ‘yet to see’ new video

    The Defence Headquarters on Monday said it has not seen any video purportedly released by the Boko Harm sect where the abducted schoolgirls were claimed to be ill and hungry.

    Speaking at the National Information Centre in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said DHQ cannot comment on a video that it has not received, seen or watched.

    “The video is not feasible for Nigerians to see yet, nobody has seen the video. We will try and see if we can get a copy of the video after which we will be able to respond to it, “he said.

    A new video of the kidnapped schoolgirls showing them speaking about their ordeal for the first time, was reportedly received by a British newspaper – The Mail on Sunday.

    The footage, which has not been released publicly but seen by the newspaper, was taken in a jungle.

    It shows the girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen on April 14, “bravely speaking out about their ordeal,” according to the report.

    The newspaper report said the girls in the footage look healthy, but several others have fallen ill, including one with a broken wrist.

    Also, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed 18 persons dead in Sunday’s explosion in Adamawa State.

    Olukolade said the number of injured people had risen to 19 as against 12 earlier confirmed by the police.

    He also said that all the injured persons had been evacuated to hospitals for treatment.

  • Boko Haram didn’t capture any village in Borno – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday said there is no truth in some media reports that the Boko Haram sect has taken over some villages in Borno State and also hoisted its flags in such villages.

    The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, who made the clarification while briefing journalists at the National Information Management Centre,  Abuja, maintained that security forces would never allow such situation to happen.

    He said, “I have read the report also, but I can tell you that military as security agency will not allow any strange flag to be hoisted in any part of the country.

    “It our duty to defend the territorial integrity of this country, and we will not allow any portion of this country to hoist strange flag and be sure that such plan will not succeed.”

    The insurgents, according to a report, on Monday hoisted Boko Haram flag in Ashigashiya ward and other hilly border villages with Cameroon Republic.

    The gunmen invaded Chinene, a border community with Cameroon Republic, at about 2.00am on Tuesday and opened fire on sleeping residents, killing eight people, including an old woman in her 80s.

  • Boko Haram: 21 die in sect’s suicide attack

    Boko Haram: 21 die in sect’s suicide attack

    Cameroon seizes 288 rifles, 35 rocket guns

    Suspects held

    Twenty-one people died yesterday in a “botched” suicide mission at a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facility near Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital.

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the dead were six insurgents and 15 civilians, including a member of Youth Vigilante Group.

    It said 17 others were injured in the explosion, which was triggered by the planned suicide bombing.

    But one of the suicide bombers was arrested by troops before he could flee the scene.

    The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, gave the update in a statement on the incident after the mop-up operation was concluded by troops.

    He said: “Also, 15 civilians, including a member of Youth Vigilante Group, died while 17 others were wounded in the explosion that occurred at Mule near Maiduguri on Tuesday afternoon.

    “Eight vehicles were also destroyed in the incident. Six of the terrorists died while one has been arrested.”

    Many suspected terrorists were also said to have been shot dead by troops who recovered 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines.

    Besides, they destroyed 14 vehicles, which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the Sambisa forest.

    The botched suicide mission was said to have occurred in Mule in the outskirts of Maiduguri where trucks loading fuel from the depot are parked.

    The DHQ has ordered troops to protect all sensitive installations and facilities in Borno and Yobe states.

    The foiling of the suicide mission came on a day that Cameroon security forces seized over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns and 35 (IEDs) from insurgents after a fierce encounter.

    A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuuja said: “Four terrorists believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road, have died in their IED-laden vehicles.

    “The explosions took place at Mule on the outskirt of Maiduguri. Three of the four explosive laden vehicles were immobilised by shots fired at them by soldiers at the checkpoint shortly before the explosions that rocked the area.

    “Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined. More details follow later.”

    A military source said: “Following intelligence reports on likely huge reprisals from insurgents since the botched March 14 attack on Giwa Barracks, security has been beefed up in all checkpoints.

    “These suicide bombers targeted the NNPC depot in Mule and many trucks in the area awaiting loading. But the soldiers at a checkpoint in the area took a pre-emptive step to curtail their mission.

    “If the troops had not been on the alert, we would have been faced with a serious disaster.

    “Troops are already combing the area to forestall any fresh bid by the insurgents.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The DHQ has ordered a 24-hour protection for all sensitive installations and facilities in the Northeast, especially Borno-Yobe axis.

    “In spite of the recent gains by the troops, the insurgents have not given up. This is why we are unrelenting in mopping up suspected hideouts or camps in this axis.”

    The botched suicide mission came on a day Cameroon security forces seized over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns and 35 locally made IEDs from insurgents after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, which is close to the Chadian border.

    The DHQ, in a separate statement by Gen. Olukolade, said: “The resolve for collaborative efforts in fighting terrorism in the sub-region got a boost recently when Cameroon security forces made a huge seizure of arms apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend.

    “ Over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns as well as 35 locally made IEDs were recovered after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the Chadian border.

    “Other weapons recovered included pistols, mortar bombs, sub-machine guns and various calibres of ammunition following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.

    “They were nabbed in Abugasse near the Chadian border with Cameroon. Also in their possession were over 50 Cameroonian Passports as well as a Toyota Jeep.

    “It will be recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to back Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts.”

    The statement gave an update on how Nigerian troops killed many suspected terrorists, destroyed 14 vehicles and recovered 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines.

    The DHQ said there had been intense operations in Alagamo and Sambisa forest since Monday.

    The DHQ added: “Also, the renewed offensive on terrorists by Nigerian troops have continued to record series of arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms, especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.

    “Apart from arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive in different fronts.

    “The arrest at a check point of a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration number Bauchi 264 AA heading to Maiduguri from Alagarno during the weekend, led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet to be assembled rifles.

    “Meanwhile, the offensive on terrorists in various fronts is continuing. The Alagarno area as well as various points of Sambisa forest and suburbs have been witnessing intense operations since Monday.

    “Apart from several dead terrorists, 14 vehicles which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the forests and theatres have been destroyed.

    “ Various calibres of weapons and ammunitions were also recovered in the course of fighting and subsequent cordon and search of the areas.

    “Intensive air and ground surveillance are also ongoing in the general area.”

     

  • Inside Boko Haram camp, by escapees

    Inside Boko Haram camp, by escapees

    •We killed 18 insurgents, says DHQ

    Two women who escaped from the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents have relived their horrendous experience.

    Liatu and Janet told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Kaduna how they escaped from the insurgents after spending several days with them.

    Liatu, 23, who claimed to have spent 12 days with her abductors inside the Sambisa forest, said she was captured by the insurgents on her way to her village. The insurgents, according to her, barricaded the road near the Bama Bridge, killing some people and abducting others.

    One of the men who was also abducted, she said, suggested that they should escape. “One man suggested that we run away because one can only die once. We took a golf car and ran away, the Boko Haram people chased us on a motorbike, shooting at us and killed those who sat at the back. When we were approaching Bama, they retreated and went back,” Liatu said.

    Liatu, a Christian, claimed that the Boko Haram members had earlier asked her to accept Islam as a religion. She watched while they slaughtered about 50 people.

    Also sharing her experience with the BBC, Janet claimed that she spent about three months with the insurgents who tried to conscript her after severally violating her. They took her to Gwoza town in the state where they killed people.

    Liatu claimed that the insurgents gave her a knife and instructed her to slaughter one of the five people, a task she said she could not perform, adding that the wife of the Boko Haram leader later carried out the task on her behalf.

    Janet said she has continued to live with the nightmare, and the gory details of what transpired when the victims were killed, adding that most of the Boko Haram members were known faces to her because they were neighbours.

    She claimed that she escaped from her captors after feigning illness and was allowed to seek medical attention. “I feigned illness for two weeks; they said I had AIDS and should be taken to their hospital for test. I told them it was stomach pain. That was how I escaped.

    “The Boko Haram men hide in caves and mountains. They sight jets and other aircraft. I felt happy whenever I saw soldiers, but they could not locate the Boko Haram who were mostly, along the Liman Kara and Gwoza axis.

    “They took many of us into the bush. If they searched and found ID card, they will say they had warned that people should not work for the government, and they will kill the person. For those Konduga girls, they will select those who perm their hair and kill them.”

    Also yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said government troops at the weekend, killed 18 suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Bama and Ngurosoye in Borno State.

    A statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the insurgents were dislodged while attempting to attack some settlements.

    According to the DHQ, 16 AK 47 rifles, five pick up vans and seven Gulf cars belonging to the insurgents were destroyed.

    The statement however said the attack at Bama market in which about 20 persons were reported killed had not been verified, adding that 75 villagers were screened and released in the course of cordon and search in the adjoining communities.

    The statement added: “In a related development, a total of 16 AK47 rifles were recovered in the course of cordon and search of communities, while mop up operations are ongoing on Mandara mountains and Haraza hills.

    “Troops eventually overran camps in the outskirts of Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Dufrfada, Yuwe, and others around Mandara mountains and Sambisa forests after stiff resistance. Many terrorists died in the encounter. A soldier lost his life and five others were wounded.

    “The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has also stepped up patrols of the banks of Lake Chad as well as surrounding communities in addition to air surveillance and patrols designed to smoke out the remnants of the terrorists.

    “The air raids on some camps sited on Islands have also recorded successes in dislodging the terrorists located there.

    “Cordon and search for the terrorists have been focused on thorough screening of the villagers in surrounding communities. Many terrorists have been identified and subsequently apprehended by troops in the process.

    “Meanwhile, troops morale and fighting spirit have remained noticeably high while some of the terrorists camps falling to the forces in the ongoing counter terrorists campaign have been found deserted.

    “Food items earlier seized by the terrorists from the villagers are often found stockpiled along with other items such as electronics and power generators. The camps were swiftly razed by the troops”.

     

  • Boko Haram: DHQ orders troops to take battle to forests

    Some suspects have been arrested for the recent attacks on towns and villages in Borno State, it was learnt yesterday.

    Although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) was not specific on the actual number of arrests, it noted that some weapons had been recovered.

    It was also learnt that more troops were deployed in Borno State – over 100 were killed last week in some villages. Yesterday, more troops were moved from military formations in the Southeast to Borno.

    The Federal Government is trying to strengthen military collaboration with neighbouring countries to curtail the insurgents.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has directed the troops to draw “the battle line with Boko Haram.”

    The source said: “The DHQ said the era of being on the defensive is gone; it has directed the troops to take the battle to the insurgents in the forests and hills, especially the Sambisa Forest and Gwoza and Mandara hills in Borno State.

    “The troops have also been mandated to embark on intensive combing of villages and towns in Borno State.

    “The DHQ has indeed declared a total war against Boko Haram in Borno State. The sect has moved against the state and its days are numbered.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Additional troops from military formations in the Southeast have been deployed in Borno.

    “No matter what, the troops will surely overrun them very soon. We are already strengthening military collaboration with all our neighbouring countries.”

    In an official statement, the Defence Headquarters, through its spokesman, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade, said some perpetrators of the dastardly attacks on towns and villages in Borno State had been arrested.

    It accused fleeing insurgents of mass killing from village to village in reprisals.

    The statement said: “The ongoing onslaught against terrorists in some parts of the country will not be deterred by the unfortunate attacks being carried out against troops and innocent civilians by the insurgents.

    “The terrorists who move from village to village attacking innocent civilians are those escaping from the onslaught against their makeshift hideout along the border and entry points from neighbouring countries.

    “The fighting patrols by air and land are being stepped up in the forests and hills of the affected areas and other parts of the Northeast where the Boko Haram terrorists are hiding.

    “The security forces will continue to employ necessary fire power to enhance the effectiveness of the mission until the terrorists are duly curtailed.

    “Meanwhile, locations that are prone to attacks are being reinforced while the general area is now under heightened surveillance and patrols.

    “Some suspected perpetrators of the recent assault have been apprehended and weapons recovered from them.

    “While appealing for the patience of the general public, the citizens in the affected areas are encouraged to provide security agencies with timely information to forestall the activities of the fleeing terrorists whose attacks on soft targets are intended to provoke fear and create a false sense of invisibility.”

     

  • Boko Haram: DHQ explains position on April deadline

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday clarified the statement by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, that the Boko Haram insurgency will be uprooted by April.

    The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, addressed reporter yesterday in Abuja on the matter.

    He said the clarification was necessary following the public interest and heightened expectations the statement generated in the media.

    Olukolade said Gen. Badeh made the statement out of his optimism and the need to motivate the Service chiefs to put in their best in the fight against insurgency in the land.

    Gen. Badeh, during his official decoration as CDS on January 20, declared that the Boko Haram insurgency would be ended by April.

    He said: “The security situation in the Northeast must be brought to a stop before April, 2014. Substantial progress has been recorded in the war against the insurgents.

    “We must bring it (insurgency) to a stop before April so that we will not have constitutional problems on our hands.”

    Olukolade said the CDS’ statement should not be mistaken for a false sense of hope or mere grandstanding as being imputed by some groups and individuals.

     

  • Boko Haram: DHQ orders release of 167 suspects

    Boko Haram: DHQ orders release of 167 suspects

    No fewer than 167 detained Boko Haram suspects are on their way to freedom.

    The Defence Headquarters yesterday ordered their release following a presidential directive.

    However, about 500 others are being lined up for trial.

    The Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Justice are working out the modalities for their trial while 1000 other detainees are being screened by security agencies to establish their culpability in Boko Haram activities.

    The 157 of the about-to-be-released detainees are currently being held in Borno State, nine in Yobe and one in Adamawa.

    They are to be released by the appropriate military formations/ commands in the three states which are currently under emergency rule.

    Spokesman for the DHQ, Major General Chris Olukolade who confirmed the impending release of the 165 detainees said they are “those earlier recommended for release by the Joint Investigation Team, (JIT) set up by the Defence Headquarters last year”

    “It will be recalled that other detainees, particularly women and children have benefited from similar gestures which started in May last year. More suspects in this category are also to benefit in the present exercise.

    “The suspects will be released to their respective state governments.”

    Another source however told The Nation that the DHQ is “still treating cases of about 1,000 suspects, including the pending 614 cases under review.

    “We are always reluctant in giving figures because of some occasional strikes by the sect and the curtailment by troops.

    “This is to let people know that we have arrested more suspects and we are investigating them.”

    On the 500 suspects recommended for trial, the source said: “The onus is on the presidency and the Federal Ministry of Justice to confirm when the process of trial will commence.”

    The Defence Headquarters had in July raised a 19-member Joint Investigation Team of senior officers to screen and categorize detainees apprehended in the course of operations in the North East.

    The measure, which was meant to decongest the detention facilities in the area of operations, was also to ensure that necessary processes were set in motion for expeditious prosecution of culpable suspects in the fight against terror.

    The team comprised military, police, officials of Federal and State Ministries of Justice as well as Immigration, Prisons and Customs officers, was tasked to examine, classify and recommend appropriate actions against detainees in the various detention centres in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

  • Boko Haram: DHQ orders release of 167 suspects

    The Defence Headquarters on Friday ordered the release of 167 suspects arrested in connection with Boko Haram insurgency
    The suspects, who are to be released, based on the presidential directive, include 157 from facilities in Borno State, nine from Yobe and one from Adamawa.
    The affected persons would be released by the appropriate military formations/ commands in the three states which are currently under emergency rule.
    The Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Justice will determine the modalities for the trial of 500 suspects who have cases to answer.
    But about 1,000 other suspects are still in detention while investigation of their activities, especially the extent of their involvement in insurgency, is in progress.
    A statement issued in Abuja by the Defence Spokesman, Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed the directive to release the 167 suspects.
    The statement said: “Over 165 persons apprehended in the course of military operations on terror in three states in the North-East are to be released from custody in compliance with Presidential directive.
    “The suspects are those earlier recommended for release by the Joint Investigation Team, (JIT) set up by the Defence Headquarters last year. Of the number, 157 are from facilities in Borno, nine from Yobe and one suspect from Adamawa.
    “It will be recalled that other detainees, particularly women and children have benefited from similar gestures which started in May last year. More suspects in this category are also to benefit in the present exercise.
    “The suspects will be released to their respective state governments.”