The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insurgency

  • Insurgency: Buratai lauds troops’, promises prompt payment of allowances

    Insurgency: Buratai lauds troops’, promises prompt payment of allowances

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has assured troops of Operation Lafiya Dole that their operational allowances owed them for the last two months will be paid this week.

    Buratai said this followed the release of funds for the payment of operational allowances and logistics for the 3rd quarter of 2017 from the Ministry of Defence.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Monday that Buratai gave the assurance in a special message of assurance, encouragement and commendation to troops of the Nigerian army engaged in various operations both within and outside the country.

    Usman said that in a letter containing the message, Buratai showered encomiums on the troops for the unflinching loyalty, perseverance, courage and dedication to duty.

    The army chief said this had brought about the “desired success in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other criminal activities”.

    He also paid glowing tribute to those troops stationed outside the shores of the nation.

    He thanked them for their patriotism, patience and understanding and reiterated that all funds meant for the troops and the Operation Lafiya Dole would always be paid promptly when received from the appropriate ministries.

    Buratai said the Nigerian Army High Command under his leadership would continue to remain “responsible, responsive and accountable to troops’ operational requirements”.

    He further commended them for their bravery, discipline and loyalty, and reminded them to always have confidence and trust in the leadership of the army.

    He urged them to work hard to flush out the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, wherever they were hibernating, including the cyber terrorists.

    Read Also:  Buratai warns criminals as Army renovates first oil well

  • Insurgency, communal crisis hindering immunization in Nigeria, says NMA

    Insurgency, communal crisis hindering immunization in Nigeria, says NMA

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), says insurgency and communal crisis among other factors are the main hindrances against adequate immunization coverage in the country.

    Vice Chairman of NMA in Cross River State, Dr Agam Ayuk, told reporters in Calabar during the opening of the 2017 Physician’s Week that immunization coverage in Nigeria was declining due to insurgency and recorded cases of communal crisis.

    The event had as its theme, “Declining Immunization Coverage, Threat to National Security and Development: The Way Forward’’.

    Ayuk, who is also the Chairman of the Physician’s Week, said riverine and other hard-to-reach areas communities were also hindering the holistic coverage of immunization in the country.

    He said that it was time for the state and federal government to take bold steps in restoring peace and security in all nook and crannies of the country, to protect the lives of health workers in areas of crisis.

    He worried that about 70 percent of immunization sponsorship comes from development partners, which is also on the decline, adding that it was important for government at all levels to adequately fund the health system.

    The Director General of Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu, said the state has over 464 hard-to-reach communities in the state.

    Edu said that with 959 health facilities across the state, it has become very difficult to access the 464 hard-to-reach communities either by land or sea for immunization coverage.

    “Our immunization programme in the state is geared towards reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality through adequate immunisation coverage of all risk populations’’, she said.

    The keynote Speaker, Dr Bassey Ikpeme, Chief Consultant, Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, advised government at levels to recruit more doctors and nurses into the health sector.

    Ikpeme, urged governments all levels, to invest greatly on the development of primary healthcare centres across the country.

  • How to end insurgency in Nigeria, by experts

    How to end insurgency in Nigeria, by experts

    •Texas has about 234,000 victims of labour trafficking

    NIGERIA must combat hunger, unemployment and inequality to tackle terrorism, insurgency and pockets of agitations in some parts of the country.

    A professor of security, Kenneth Fauth and founder, Protection Plus Security Services Ubong King gave the advice  yesterday at the ongoing American Society For Industrial Security (ASIS) 2017 seminar and exhibition holding at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre in Dallas, Texas.

    Fauth, a former United States (U.S) Army Reserve Officer and Certified Protection Professional (CPP), said Nigeria must deal with the myriad of social and economic injustices bedevilling it to surmount its security challenges.

    Acknowledging that no country globally was immune to terrorist attack, Fauth said nations like the USA were winning the war because of the value and respect for the citizenry.

    According to him, should Nigeria combat poverty, respect the rule of law, provide social justice and security for the populace, Nigerians would be willing to stake their lives to protect the country.

    Fauth said: “Your country has many issues and it’s because your country is very poor. They don’t have jobs for people. So, people who are smart relocate to other countries to survive. They don’t stay back to help build Nigeria.

    “The truth is that Nigeria is where the USA was 300 years ago. It really needs to identify itself and that starts with the people because they must stand up and take ownership.

    “For them to do that, the country has to provide food security. There should be jobs and then there must be physical boundaries that must be respected.

    “To protect those boundaries, you have to put military personnel there and pay them well. Nigeria needs a military that will protect the nation. For now, the military is almost as bad as the enemy and there’s corruption with the police department. Nigerians must totally stand up against corruption to overcome it.

    “The military and police departments should have reasonable wage so they can support their families in order to put in their best. You need to have people with commitment and patriotic goals who are treated equally and with respect. You have a constitution that must be respected. Politicians also need to be honest. I know that Nigeria has some physical barriers like the sea and I think enhanced security should be put in place to protect her borders against people who come in from outside to commit crimes.”

    The professor of security added: “In this year’s exhibit, you will see a lot of security gadgets that could be of help to your country. It needs more vigilance around its boundaries. But the most important thing is for Nigeria to treat its citizens right so that they will live and die for country.

    “So much of insecurity, even in the USA, goes back to the absence of basic needs for people. Without the provision of basic needs such as food, shelter and health, it is hard for any country to grow. That is why the USA and the United Nations (UN) have not been able to achieve global peace despite all the huge efforts being made.”

    King said the country was having many security challenges because there are a lot of smart and unemployed graduates, who had devoted their time to criminality.

    He said: “The greatest danger any country could face is to have so many intelligent and jobless graduates. It is a serious risk and that is the situation we have found ourselves in.

    “The way out of our current mess is social reengineering. The government and even private individuals must start to invest in the development of human minds. They need to invest in people not buy luxury cars. Let our youths be positively engaged. All those young people doing Internet fraud could be reformed and their skills tapped into for improved security.”

    It was learnt yesterday that there are approximately 234,000 victims of labour trafficking in Texas, U.S., who are exploited $600 million by their traffickers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said yesterday.

    DHS stated this during the American Society For Industrial Security’s (ASIS) Crime Prevention and Loss Prevention (CPLP) Council lecture on “Innovation technology to combat human trafficking.”

    The agency decried the spate of minor and youth sex trafficking in Texas, noting that approximately 79,000 are victims and it cost the state about $6.6 billion annually to fight the crime.

  • Nigeria, Lake Chad Basin move against insurgency

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo  yesterday praised the co-operation among the countries in the Lake Chad Basin against the insurgency in the region and its humanitarian crisis.

    He spoke while receiving a delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Counci. The delegation has been visiting countries in the region on a fact-finding mission on the crisis.

    “The Lake Chad Basin collaboration is one we are extremely proud of, where we as Africans are working together on our own issues. I am pleased to say the countries have worked greatly together,” the Acting President said.

    According to a a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, the Acting President cited the progress of the Multi-National Joint Task Force set up to address the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He noted that unlike in the past when there were difficulties when the four countries tried to work together, the MNJTF surmounted the challenges and has succeeded.

    The Buhari administration, he said, is pleased with the cooperation and hoped to get more.

    Osinbajo observed that the humanitarian consequences of the insurgency were compounded by deep poverty, making the cost of dealing with the situation “huge and enormous.”

    He recalled that there were about 2.4m displaced persons, extensive destruction of property, infrastructure, schools, homes and farmland.

    In some cases, he said, the situation required the “rebuilding of whole societies”, but he expressed satisfaction with the work of the Peace and Security Council of the AU.

    “I am extremely pleased and encouraged by the work of the PSC, the time and attention paid to this issue. These are matters we must address now and in the future,” he said

    The PSC delegation was led by its Chairperson for July, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, who is also Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and  the AU.

    He told the Acting President that the PSC delegation have been visiting the 4 countries in the Lake Chad Basin in the past five weeks, and had specifically visited seven cities in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

    “This visit is the high point of our mission,” Adeoye said, adding that Nigeria’s commitment to peace in Africa had been well demonstrated.

    The PSC of the African Union is the standing organ of the Union for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. Members of the 15-member-council are three each from Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa.

     

  • Nigeria, Lake Chad Basin neighbours working against insurgency – Osinbajo

    Nigeria, Lake Chad Basin neighbours working against insurgency – Osinbajo

    …Receives AU’s Peace & Security Council in Abuja

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said that countries in the Lake Chad Basin have worked together very well dealing with the terrorist insurgency in the region and the consequent humanitarian crisis.

    He made the remark while receiving a delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council which has been visiting countries in the region on a fact-finding mission on the crisis as part of its mandate.

    “The Lake Chad Basin collaboration is one we are extremely proud of, where we as Africans are working together on our own issues. I am pleased to say the countries have worked greatly together,” the Acting President said.

    Osinbajo, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, cited the progress of the Multi-National Joint Task Force set up to address the terrorist insurgency.

    He noted that unlike in the past when there were difficulties when the militaries of the 4 countries tried to work together, the MNJTF surmounted the challenges and has succeeded.

    The Buhari administration, he said, is extremely pleased with the cooperation and hoped to get more.

    He however observed that the humanitarian consequences of the insurgency are compounded by deep poverty, making the costs of dealing with the situation “huge and enormous.”

    He recalled that there are for instance about 2.4m displaced persons, extensive destruction of property, infrastructure, schools, homes and farmland.

    In some cases, he said, the situation required the “rebuilding of whole societies.”

    But he expressed satisfaction with the work of the Peace and Security Council of the AU.

    “I am extremely pleased and encouraged by the work of the PSC, the time and attention paid to this issue. These are matters we must address now and in the future.” he said

    The PSC delegation was led by its Chairperson for the month of July, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, who is also Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and to the AU.

    In his remarks, he told the Acting President that the PSC delegation have been visiting the 4 countries in the Lake Chad Basin in the past 5 weeks, and have specifically visited 7 cities in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

    “This visit is the high point of our mission,” Adeoye stated adding that Nigeria’s commitment to peace in Africa has been well demonstrated.

    The PSC of the African Union is the standing organ of the Union for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. Membership of the 15 member-council are drawn -three each- from Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa.

     

  • Boko Haram: Group uncovers plots by politicians to scuttle war against insurgency

    A Christian group, under the auspices of Northern Political Youth Christian Forum has claimed that it has uncovered plots by some Nigerian politicians to scuttle the ongoing war against insurgency in north eastern part of the country.

    The youth arm of the organization said the politicians have contacted some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to cause mayhem in the already-troubled region.

    Addressing newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Thursday, Zephaniah Abui,
    National Coordinator of the group said the people have also perfected plans to use the CJTF to disrupt the visit of the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh to Borno State as part of efforts

    He said, “We are aware that the disruption is being planned to appear spontaneous whereas it is clearly sponsored for some dark purposes.”

    While condemning the development in its entirety as the height of irresponsibility, NCPYF said the alleged plots portray the dismal low to which the sense of propriety has sunk among leaders who would do anything to massage their ego while the larger population of citizens are left to suffer.

    Abui said, “It is most unfortunate that the power brokers in Borno State and some parts of the north as represented by the Borno State government have not learnt from their past misadventures in allowing Boko Haram to emerge, fester and became a plague to the entire nation even though the north suffered most.

    “We use this opportunity to remind Nigerians and indeed the entire world of the fact that Boko Haram Terror group is a product of politicians arming youths against their opponents. From the experiences, we have been through it can be categorically stated that such enterprise has never ended well. We are consequently at a loss as to what the incentive of the Borno state government is at this time for being involved in such a dastardly plot.

    “We issue this timely warning because this was the same way “ECOMOG”, a ragtag group of street urchins, was exploited for political use and ultimately led to the emergence of Boko Haram. It is a mistake that is on the verge of being repeated with the incitement of the Borno CJTF members to harass a visiting minister and to equally carry out other activities in furtherance of their plots to sustain the existence of Boko Haram in the country. What other dirty assignment would the state government have for these youths next?”

    Abui added that the crux of the briefing was to draw the attention of the law enforcement agencies to the activities of these politicians who wished to hijack the CJTF for their selfish reasons.

    He added, “The visit of the Minister to Borno State is one of the strategies they have hatched to further their agenda in the next few days to sabotage the war against insurgency. The plot, as we gathered, involves inciting the CJTF members to disrupt the Minister’s visit and thereafter use the ensuing chaos as a cover for straggling Boko Haram fighters to regroup. Even more frightening is their expectation that any CJTF member arrested in contrived fracas would be detained alongside Boko Haram hardliners who will then radicalize the arrested persons.”

    He further called on members of the CJTF to resist any invitation to anarchy since those pitching this deranged plot to them have other hidden plans that involve great suffering for anyone that allowed themselves to be used.

    “Instead of causing confusion, anyone that meets with the Chief Audu Ogbe should rather listen to learn which of the many interventions he has unveiled in other states can be replicated in Borno as a first step towards re-establishing the state as an agricultural power-house as opposed to provoking a fresh circle of violence,” he tasked them.

  • Govt urged to engage hunters in insurgency war

    The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno State has urged the Federal Government to engage hunters in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    CJTF’s legal adviser the Mr. Jubrin Gunda, who spoke during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, said practical measures were necessary to check the attacks and promote peace in the society.

    “Hunters and other vigilance groups should be co-opted in the anti-insurgency campaign. They should be allowed to work in their respective localities.

    “Re-introduction of military sector commands in Maiduguri and environs is imperative toward enhancing security, protection of life and property.

    “There is also a need for proper coordination and joint patrols by military, police and CJTF members to check the menace, even as it is desirable to provide the CJTF with modern weapons, ammunitions, training and motivational support to boost their morale,” he said.

  • Civilian JTF loses 680 men to insurgency

    Six hundred and eighty members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State have died in the Boko Haram insurgency from 2014 till date.

    CJTF’s Legal Adviser Mr. Jubril Gunda stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri yesterday.

    Gund, who described the deceased as heroes, added that many others have been injured since the group joined the campaign to end insurgency in the Northeast.

    The legal adviser pleaded with the Federal Government to provide money and materials for the families of the deceased.

    “Their families are left on their own with no compensation, except the token burial money given by the Borno State government. Their children cannot go to school and their wives cannot pay house rent,” he lamented.

    He described the conditions of the bereaved families as pathetic.

    Gunda hinted that 780 members of the group had been trained and exposed to combat operations to boost their combat-readiness.

    “It is our sincere believe that the 780 men will make a great difference in the campaign against insurgency.”

  • Shettima seeks end to insurgency

    Shettima seeks end to insurgency

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has appealed to the military to intensify efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency.

    Shettima made the appeal during the Eid-el-Fitr reception for members of the State Executive Council, and other dignitaries at the Government House in Maiduguri.

    He said though the military had recorded great successes against insurgency, the recent spate of attacks in different parts of the state was worrisome.

    “We have to laud President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for their efforts in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. But in the last two weeks, we have had tremendous security challenges in Damboa, Chibok, Maiduguri, and in all nooks and crannies of the state.

    “We were literary attacked by the insurgents from different angles. Yes, we had recorded lots of successes before but all hands must be on deck for us to have lasting peace in this part of the world.

    “It is not for us to take two steps forward and one step backward, it is not for us to wake up to be reluctant to open our phones for fear of getting uncomplimentary stories about attacks,” he said.

    The governor said the government will continue to reach out to security establishments towards ending the problem.

    “We will continue to discuss with security establishments toward coming up with robust platform to address these security challenge that have refused to go…”

  • Insurgency: Army launches Operation Harbin Kunama 11

    THE Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai yesterday launched the Operation Harbin Kunama 11 at the dreaded Falgore Forest to curb the menace of cattle rustling, kidnapping and insurgency.

    The Army Chief, who spoke to reporters at Government House shortly after departing for Falgore Forest, said he has extensively discussed with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on modalities to curb criminal activities at the forest and parts of Kano South under the grip of criminals in recent times.