The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insurgency

  • Chibok girls: Buhari asks UN to serve as negotiator

    Chibok girls: Buhari asks UN to serve as negotiator

    President Muhammadu Buhari has told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, that Nigeria would welcome intermediaries from the global body as part of his administration’s commitment to swapping the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody.

    Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, President Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to bend over backwards, to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.

    He said: “The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,”

    “The split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.”

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam, nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak and innocent.

    “The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is great) shows that they do not know that Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood,” President Buhari said.

    He thanked Ban Ki-moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which has enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing her.

    In his response, the UN Secretary General congratulated President Buhari on the anti-corruption war, declaring: “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image.”

    He said the UN recognized the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, urging that human rights be upheld always, to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.

    Ban Ki-moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change, adding that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens.

  • Insurgency: Borno reopens secondary schools next week

    Insurgency: Borno reopens secondary schools next week

    The Borno Government said on Monday that it would re-open public secondary schools next week, two years after they were closed due to Boko Haram insurgency.

    The state’s Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Inuwa Kubo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that Internally Displayed Persons (IDPs) occupying the schools had been relocated to allow for resumption of academic activities.

    Kubo said that repairs had been carried out on all the structures in the schools to provide atmosphere, conducive for teaching and learning.

    “I wish to announce that on Sept. 26, all public schools are going to be re-opened.

    “I want to state that government has repaired all the structures damaged by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the schools, to ensure comfort for the returning students.

    “Parents and guardians should please make sure that they send their children back to school,” he said.

    Kubo, however, decried the prolong closure of the schools and the fact that proprietors of private schools took undue advantage of the development to charge arbitrary fees.

    “We understand that some of them have taken undue advantage of the closure to hike school fees; we will not allow the situation to continue.

    “We are going to visit the schools to find out how much they are charging and how much they are paying their teachers.”

    NAN recalls that the schools were shut in March, 2014, after suspected terrorists attacked a school in neighbouring Yobe.

    The government reopened the primary schools in 2915 but could not do so with the secondary schools because they had been taken over by IDPs.

  • How we battered Boko Haram, by Buratai

    How we battered Boko Haram, by Buratai

    CHIEF of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has addressed top United States (U.S.) defence officials and policy leaders on the efforts being made by the military in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

    Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Buratai spoke at the Africa Center of the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, U.S.).

    Usman said the presentation was titled: “Nigerian Army Challenges and Priorities in the Ongoing Operations against Boko Haram Terrorists and Other Threats to Peace and Security.”

    He said the presentation at the centre was part of the Army chief’s programme on his official visit to the US.

    Usman said Buratai emphasised the fact that the fight against terrorism was one that concerned the entire global community and not only the countries.

    He said the chief of army staff talked about addressing the issues of insecurity in Nigeria at the strategic, tactical and operational levels as well as the challenges in tackling the threat of terrorism.

    Usman said the Army chief applauded the strategic leadership provided by President Buhari in the reinvigorated fight against Boko Haram.

    “Buratai enumerated the Presidential strategic directive of relocating the Military Command and Control Centre from Abuja to Maiduguri, which was followed by the directive of defeating the insurgents by the end of December 2015.

    “He spoke about the involvement of neighbouring countries, as well as provision of necessary arms and logistics, assisted in the defeat of the terrorists.

     “Buratai maintained his stand to undertake and sustain the current level of operations to ensure complete defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The aim is in ensuring the safety and freedom for all abducted persons and creation of favourable environment that would permit the return of all refugees and internally displaced persons to their original home,’’ he said.

    Buratai , Usman noted, also informed his audience of the Army’s commitment to developing capacity through local training and international collaboration in the provision for equipment, training support, equipment maintenance, intelligence and respect for human rights.

    He said Buratai sought the support and understanding among all cooperating agencies and international partners for a collective action against Boko Haram terrorists.

  • Bishop to Fed Govt: take pro-active measure on Boko Haram insurgency

    Diocesan Bishop of the Osun North Anglican Communion, Rev. Abiodun Taiwo Olaoye yesterday urged the Federal Government to take more proactive measures against attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast during the Ramadam fasting period.

    He warned that the people in the troubled region must not be caught unaware by members of the deadly sects, whom he said were bent on wreaking havoc during and after the period.

    Speaking at the weekend in Igbaye, Osun State, during the church’s Second Session of the Third Synod, ?the cleric said it was unfortunate that the group had made people their target.

    Preempting that the insurgents might devise fresh strategies during the Ramadan, Rev Olaoye urged security agencies, including the military, to be more vigilant.

    He advised the Federal Government to intensify efforts by empowering the army to continue hostilities against the group until the battle was finally won.

    The cleric also called on Nigerians’ support for the government and the troops by being more vigilant and security-conscious by reporting any suspicious movement and strange personalities within their immediate environments and neighbourhoods to the security agencies.

    In order to win the ongoing war against insecurity, the cleric also urged government to provide employment for the youth to checkmate the rising spate of kidnapping and armed robbery attacks in different parts of the country.

    He assured that with God’s ultimate support, all the different forms of menace facing the country would soon be over.

    Lamenting the biting economic hardship, Rev. Olaoye called on the government to implement the 2016 Budget.

    He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to give up in his battle against corruption but advised that the recovered funds should be   injected to stimulate the economy.

    The cleric commended the President for his doggedness and commitment in the battle against insurgency and terrorism as well as the high magnitude of successes so far recorded.

    He warned that the battle was not yet over and asked the military not to give up yet.

    His words: “It is not yet uhuru as there are still cases of bombings in the area. Aside from that, pipeline vandalism and militancy in the Niger Delta have been on the rise. The menace of kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rusting have not also abated. All these must be checked.”

  • Insurgency is counterproductive to Niger Delta’s economy, says inc

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has described the ongoing wave of insurgency and its resultant effect on the nation’s economy as counterproductive to the Ijaw nation, condemning the destruction of national assets by insurgents.

    The apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation expressed the resolve in a position paper, signed by the National President of the body, Barr. Boma Obofuoribo.

    While reiterating its support for the federal government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, it urged government to go about managing the escalating situation with restraint, noting that only dialogue and negotiating could yield the best results.

    While calling on those behind the insurgency to call their activities off with immediate effect, the INC called the federal government to start taking steps that will positively impact on the people of region.

    “The Ijaw ethnic nationality pledges its support to the federal government of Nigeria, led by President Muhammadu Buhari. This support has been made in various fora. We are non-partisan and apolitical and we will support any popularly elected government.

    “”We condemn the present resurgence of bombings of pipelines and oil installations in the Niger Delta as this ultimately, is counterproductive to the Niger Delta and the Nigerian state.

    “We appeal to the federal government to show restraint in its pronouncement and actions to crush the Niger Delta militants. We believe that this will not bring any lasting solution to this complex problem. The options of dialogue and negotiating are worthwhile and therefore, should be pursued.

    “While we urge the perpetrators to immediately stop these unwholesome actions, we appeal to the federal government to restructure the amnesty programme for better impact on the people and the community to assuage the plight of the people of the region and remove, from focus, some of the issues that have been responsible for these behaviours.

    “We appeal to the federal government to urgently enter into dialogue with stakeholders in the region in a bid to safeguard the interest of the nation”, it said.

     

  • Fed Govt promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    Fed Govt promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    The Federal Government yesterday said it is working to unearth the root causes of insurgency and agitation in parts of the country.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) gave this assurance yesterday while addressing aggrieved lawyers, who were in his office to protest what they termed the menace of Boko Haram.

    Malami said the Federal Government was considering  constituting a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate how insurgency found its way into the country.

    About 100 lawyers, under the umbrella body of Lawyers United for Equality and Human Rights Advocacy (LUEHRA),  protested to the office of the AGF to demand the investigation and prosecution of person found to have been sponsoring insurgency in the country.

    Malami was represented by the Director in charge of General Services in the Ministry, Mrs. Lola Uket. She assured the protesting lawyers that the minister will act on their demands.

    “You have made your demands and I am sure the minister will act and act very fast to meet your demands. None of them will not be addressed. I believe you gave a time frame In your demand and I am sure they will all be met.

    “Your demands have not been met before now noot because of negligence on the part of the minister but because of certain circumstances.

    “Let us be patient with them because they are also learned men like your. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt that something will be done”, she said .

     

  • FG promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    FG promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    Federal government Tuesday said it was working unearth the root causes of insurgency and agitation in parts of the country with a view to addressing them.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) gave this assurance Tuesday  while addressing aggrieved lawyers, who were in his office to protest what they termed the menace of Boko Haram.

    Malami said the Fed Government was considering constituting a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate how insurgency found its way into the country.

    About 100 lawyers under the umbrella body of Lawyers United for Equality and Human Rights Advocacy (LUEHRA) protested to the office of the AGF to demand the investigation and prosecution of person found to have been sponsoring insurgency in the country.

    Malami was represented by the Director in charge of General Services in the Ministry, Mrs. Lola Uket. She assured the protesting lawyers that the minister will act on their demands.

    “You have made your demands and I am sure the minister will act and act very fast to meet your demands. All will be addressed. I believe you gave a time frame in your demand and I am sure they will all be met.

    “Your demands have not been met before now not because of negligence on the part of the minister but because of certain circumstances.

    “Let us be patient with them because they are also learned men like you. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt that something will be done,”she said‎.

    The lawyers in their position paper asked the minister to ensure the investigation and prosecution of sponsors of the Islamic Terrorist group, Boko Haram and ensure their prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    In the paper, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, a senior advocate, the lawyers asked the FG to avoid the grave mistake of government in the past that led to the intermittent resurrection of Niger Delta militancy.

    The group’s leader, Samson Esekhaigbe and Publicity Secretary, Nnena Okereke said recent frightening developments in the country were capable of causing serious political upheavals.

    Esekhaigbe said the developments were pointers to the fact that the top politicians in Borno State who created Boko Haram are still in touch with their “foot soldiers”.

    “We are afraid that the senseless killings by this animalistic bunch will not stop unless their sponsors are identified, tried in our local courts or dragged to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and accordingly imprisoned for facilitating heinous crimes against humanity. This is the only way that enduring peace would return to the North and Nigeria in general.

    “A situation whereby no less than 10,000 persons have been killed in various brutal activities spearheaded by the group is alarming”.

    The lawyers said it is their duty as a group of refined legal minds to fight and preserve Nigeria- the country that gave every Nigerian a home and heritage.

    The group condoled with those who lost their loved ones to insurgencies and insisted that the time to end Boko Haram is now otherwise the innocent blood spilt over the years will hunt us.

    The group is an umbrella body of pro-democracy, concerned and patriotic Nigerian lawyers committed to true democratic principles bringing to cognizance equity, fairness and respect for human rights and the rule of law in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

  • Buhari: three Northeast states lost N3 trillion to insurgency

    Buhari: three Northeast states lost N3 trillion to insurgency

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said three Northeast states lost N3 trillion to the Boko Haram insurgency.

    This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    The President yesterday ordered the release of 10,000 tonnes of grains from the national strategic reserves for national distribution.

    Buhari directed the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh to ensure that all able-bodied men and women in IDP camps be assisted to return to farming.

    The directives were in reaction to calls for government measures to ease hardship associated with food inflation.

    The Presidency, however, asserted that the devastation of the economy was caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and lack of planning by past administrations and one that should not be blamed on the change agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The Presidency also rejected insinuations that poverty and lack were products of the change mantra.

    The statement reads: “This should be dismissed as an erroneous and misplaced opposition criticism.  The President understands the pain and the cries of the citizens and he is spending sleepless nights over how he can make life better for everyone.

    “Contrary to assertions by a faction of the opposition, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), the President’s energy and focus are on changing the life of Nigerians, with a view to making  it better than he met it.

    “Change is a process. Change does not happen overnight. Change can be inconvenient. Change sometimes comes with pain. Over the past year, the government has been working night and day to deliver on its promise of change to Nigerians, and the painful process is still on.

    “This is work in progress. As life gradually returns to normal in much of the country and the Northeast, agriculture will resume and traders from neighbouring African countries will once again feel safe to do business with us, yet another boost for our economy.”

    The Presidency maintained that it is only when Nigerians appreciate where they are coming from that they will grasp the essence of what the  journey entails.

    Recalling the previous administration’s claim that the Federal Government losses amounted to about $18 billion, the Presidency said it would have been a miracle for Nigeria’s economy not to have felt the effects of that.

    “And, in addition to the thousands of lives lost to the insurgency, thousands have also lost their livelihood. The Northeast is a mostly agrarian society, which means Nigeria has lost billions of naira in agricultural produce. Many communities, which have had their yearly planting and harvesting cycle disrupted by Boko Haram attacks or occupation are yet to return to their farms. In many of these communities, there has not been planting and consequent harvest for between two to five years.”

  • Insurgency: Army promises sustained collaboration with media

    Insurgency: Army promises sustained collaboration with media

    The Nigerian Army has promised to sustain collaboration with the media towards educating Nigerians on its ongoing anti-terrorism operation in the north-eastern part of the country.

    Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, stated this on Saturday while inaugurating a newly refurbished studio at the North East Headquarters of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Maiduguri.

    He said that sustained collaboration with the media was imperative because of the role of the media in disseminating information to the people.

    “What happened was that I visited the station as part of our media programmes to enlighten the public on our activities in the countries.

    “I was surprised at the state of facilities at the studio and when I was asked to help I decided to offer a helping hand,’’ Buratai said.

    He, however, said the assistance he offered in renovating the complex did not come from the Nigerian army’s purse.

    “The Nigerian Army does not have that kind of money. What happened was that I sought for help from a friend who offered to provide money for the renovation work,’’ Buratai said.

    He advised members of the staff of the station to make maximum use of the studio by offering better services to viewers.

  • Borno unfolds post insurgency plans for Civilian JTF

    The Borno Government said on Monday that it had produced a blue print for full engagement of an estimated 20, 000 local vigilantes, called the Civilian JTF, after the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Alhaji Kakashehu Lawan, the Commissioner of Justice stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.

    Lawan was reacting to fears expressed by residents of the state that the unemployed vigilantes may become another security threat during post insurgency era.

    “His Excellency, Gov. Kashim Shettima has developed a blue print for the post Boko Haram insurgency era in the state.

    “One of the agenda on the blue print is youth integration, which encapsulates all youths in the state including members of the civilian JTF,” he said.

    Lawan said that the blue print made provision for the creation of a youth empowerment agency to cater for the members of the civilian JTF.

    “Already, a law has been passed by the Borno House of Assembly known as Youth Vigilante Empowerment Agency Law 2015, to cater for job creation particularly targeting members of the group.

    “The agency is expected to engage members of the group by providing different kinds of jobs for them,” he said.

    Lawan added that the state government had also made contact with the Nigerian Army authorities to enlist those qualified into the service.

    “What we have done as a government is to liaise with the Nigerian Army high command to have a large chunk of them recruited into the army,” he said.

    Lawan said that government also planned to recruit some of them as fire fighters in the state.

    “We are also working on plans to recruit between 500 and 1, 000 of them as fire fighters in the state department of fire service.

    “We also have plans to engage about 500 of them as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO),” he said.

    Lawan said that those who possessed higher educational qualification will be absorbed into the state civil service.

    “Those who are graduates and National Certificate In Education (NCE) Certificate holders will be absorbed into the State Civil Service,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Civilian JTF which emerged in 2013 had helped greatly in developing effective community policing and enhancing the fight against Boko Haram in the state.