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Tag: insurgents

  • Insurgents burn 40 houses in Borno

    The Borno State Police Command yesterday said Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday burnt 40 houses in a reprisal in Mailari, Guzamala Local Government Area.

    Commissioner of Police Demien Chukwu, who addressed a news conference, said the terrorists stormed the town, about 8 pm.

    The command is yet to ascertain the casualty figure.

    He said: “Two weeks earlier, the vigilante in the community arrested a Boko Haram insurgent with AK-47 rifle, and after beating him, he was handed over to the military.

    “The militants, who were pissed with the development, launched a reprisal. Luckily, about a week ago, we deployed one full unit of policemen, including SARS, in the community.

    “Consequently, while returning from their mission, they were repelled by our team on patrol, which prevented them from burning the entire community.”

    On the Alau Dam attack, Chukwu said preliminary investigations showed the dam was attacked by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) also alleged the attack may be an act of sabotage by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Northeast Zonal Coordinator, Bashir Idris Garga, said the agency’s official Facebook page said: “Following a distress call on the alleged vandalisation of one of the Alau Dam’s pipe, an emergency response team did an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the situation, though the ERT could not access the source of the incident.

    “Based on the information gathered on the field, it was one of the dykes close to one of the deserted communities, Bale kayamla, that was washed away, causing no threat to other communities.

    “The Alau Dam bursts is suspected to be the handiwork of sabotage by insurgents as they were suspected to have destroyed the embarkments meant to control the overflow.

    “Residents of the areas  have been urged to be vigilant.”

  • Five Boko Haram fighters die in failed Borno attack

    Five insurgents were killed in a failed bid to infiltrate a community in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed on Monday that the incident took place at Kaleri community in Maiduguri.

    Eyewitnesses said that five powerful explosions rocked the city between 7: 30 p.m. and 8: 00 p.m., putting residents on edge.

    The Northeast Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Bashir Garrga, who confirmed the development, said three residents were also injured during the incident.

    Garga said the failed attack involved two females and three males, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) strapped to their bodies.

    The Head of Emergency Response, Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Malam Bello Danbatta, confirmed the incident, saying the two male bombers detonated their explosives behind a security cordon in the Kaleri area.

    He said the suicide bombers were apparently targeting  residents of the community.

    “One of the female bombers targeted a home, where a man and his wife were sleeping outside and detonated her explosive, injuring them.

    “The other female bomber knocked on a house and as the owner was opening, she quickly detonated her IED.

    “The third bomber only destroyed a building, killing only himself.

    “Nobody was killed except the bombers. They were trying to sneak into the neighborhood to cause havoc but their plans failed.

    “Their dead bodies were evacuated to the state’s specialist hospital by the team. The injured were taken to the hospital by their love ones,” Danbatta said.

    Boko Haram insurgents have been terrorizing Nigerian’s expansive northeast since 2009 in an insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

    The jihadists, however, appeared to have been decimated by federal troops but the insurgents have resorted to hitting soft targets intermittently.

  • Insurgents killed in Borno air raid

    The Air Force has neutralised many Boko Haram insurgents following air strikes in Tongule, southwest of Dikwa, Borno State.

    A statement by the spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the operation was conducted after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform established the presence of insurgents in the area.

    AVM Adesanya added that the mission was planned and executed to prevent the terrorists from attacking troops’ location in the general area.

    The statement said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, on July 29, attacked Tongule Village, 9km southwest of Dikwa, Borno State.

    “The successful air strikes were sequel to intelligence that several Boko Haram terrorists were massing up at the location, having occupied the entire village. Consequently, the mission was immediately planned and executed to prevent the terrorists from attacking troops’ locations in the general area.

    “Upon receiving the intelligence, the ATF scrambled NAF Alpha Jet aircraft and Mi-35M helicopter gunships, which subsequently attacked structures occupied by Boko Haram elements with bombs rockets and canons, in quick succession.

    “As a result of the air strikes, several insurgents were neutralised while those who fled were taken out in subsequent follow-up attacks.

    “There was also intensive damage to the settlement as captured by the NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform.”

  • Insurgents: no going back, fight to finish – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai says there there is no going back in operation to rid the North East of remnants of terrorists and charged troops to remain focus.

    Addressing troops of 21 Brigade in Bama Local Government Area of Borno on Thursday, Buratai assured them that remnants of the terrorists no longer pose any serious threat to them or the people.

    “There are just only few elements of them that are still moving about to show that they are still relevant.

    “But by and large, you can pick many of them by han,; there is no cause for alarm.

    “There is no reason why they will be allowed to get into our locations or disrupt, dislocate or dislodge any of you from your locations.

    “You must be firm in all your locations and maintain the aggressive posture, the momentum must always be maintained.’’

    The army chief commended the troops for showing resilience, determination and courage in the ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, saying “you must maintain the momentum.’’

    He designated the 21 Brigade as a “Special Brigade’’, due to performances of the troops, as well as their determination, ruggedness and patriotism and promised that their logistics and operational needs would be met.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that to demonstrate his appreciation for the troops’ performance, Buratai directed the army Chief of Account and Budget to pay them their 2018 uniform allowance.

    The brigade is along located on the fringes of the once dreaded Sambisa forest and Nigeria/Cameroon border, which had served as abode and route for the terrorists. (NAN)

  • Boko Haram: Insurgents didn’t hoist flag in North east, cyber-terrorists out to frustrate relocation of IDPs back home – SHAC

    The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre, SHAC, has described the report in a section of the media alleging that some elements of the Boko Haram sect are active and currently hoisting their flags in some parts of north eastern region of Nigeria as fake, ridiculous and totally unacceptable in the face of efforts by stakeholders to relocate IDPs back to their abodes.

    The group said the false alarm is an attempt at frustrating the ongoing efforts to relocate and rehabilitate the Internally Displaced Persons back to their homes.

    SHAC said the information was not true as it remains a figment of the imagination of those merchants of death and profiteers of crisis who have vowed to see to the destabilisation of this country.

    Lawrence Audu, Director of Communications, SHAC, at a press conference on Sunday and obtained by our reporter, said the false report was capable of putting the life of humanitarian workers in danger and thwarting efforts at relocating internally displaced persons back home.

    The group therefore called on Nigerians and the international collaborators to disregard such heinous and unbridled stories being churned out by Boko Haram cyber thugs to discourage the Federal Government and the Nigerian people about seeing to the final end of Boko Haram in Nigeria .

    He said, “For the records, the Nigerian Military has won the war and no Jupiter can reverse the successes achieved even if they are happy or not. Efforts are ongoing and credible humanitarian organisations have continued to work with the IDPs of which many have returned home.

    “At this juncture, we call on all Nigerians to always verify the sources of their information before rebroadcasting because statistics show that fake news and rumours have been largely responsible for the escalation of crisis in most parts of the country.

    “Nigerians must be aware that one major component of terror is information flow. Terrorists like ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Shabab and their collaborators create dreadful images to instill fear followed by hate which travels like wild fire. Since negative news apeals more to the human senses, they are shared without proper verification to it’s authenticity.

    “Nigerians must desist from such acts since it helps the author achieve their aims very cheaply while those sharing achieve nothing but a society divided against itself along ethnic and religious lines.”

  • We should be ready to accommodate repentant Boko Haram insurgents, says Aisha Wakil

    Human rights activist, Hajiya Aisha Wakil (a.k.a Mama Boko Haram), is not about to stop negotiating for peace with the terror sect, Boko Haram.

    She is confident that many of them will, in due course, see the need to embrace peace and return home.

    “All my sons in the bush will come home and surrender for peace,” Aisha Wakil said yesterday during the commissioning of the multi-million naira office complex and fund raising of her non- governmental organisation, Complete Care and Aid foundation in Maiduguri.

    She added: “I will not stop from negotiating for Boko Haram to be granted amnesty and to be accepted by the people in the society.

    “These are our own children and we cannot throw them away. We must accept them back if they decide to return home.”

    She said her foundation; Complete Care and Aid foundation was established to care for victims of insurgency including orphans, displaced and the vulnerable children.

    It is also intervening in education, health care and psycho-social support.

    Over N100 million was realized at the event.

  • Troops kill 11 insurgents

    The Army said yesterday troops killed six Boko Haram insurgents and seven suicide bombers in Bale Shuwa and Alkaramti communities in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

    Fifteen persons, including a soldier, died while 83 were injured when insurgents attacked the communities on Sunday.

    A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said: “Troops deployed in the Cashew Plantation around Bale Shuwa and Alikaramti villages, about 8.10 pm on Sunday, stopped terrorists from penetrating Maiduguri.

    “Six of the insurgents were killed and seven suicide bombers were neutralised. Two AK-47 rifles and two magazines were recovered while the Nigerian Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vests recovered from the bombers.

    “Sadly, 15 persons, including a soldier, died in the encounter; while 83 others were injured and are being treated in a military facility.”

  • Buhari’s planned visit to Benue, Taraba, others an afterthought – PDP

    Buhari’s planned visit to Benue, Taraba, others an afterthought – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Mohammadu Buhari’s plan to visit Benue, Taraba and other states where Nigerians were killed by insurgents and Fulani herdsmen as an afterthought.

    A statement on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan also said the planned visit was a fresh device to further hoodwink the people ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The statement said, “It is alarming that Mr. President will consider visiting some of these states months after marauders, insurgents and bandits committed their havocs.

    “Mr. President has been in the country and never thought it necessary to pay a condolence visit to any of these states until Nigerians raised the alarm alleging a manifest indifference on his part.

    “It is even more pathetic that in Benue state, President Buhari summoned the leaders of the bereaved people to the Presidential villa, Abuja, rather than complying with the age-long tradition of Africans by visiting the bereaved.

    “No wonder many Nigerians have dismissed the planned visit of President Buhari to these states as cosmetic afterthought. Nigerians have already formed their opinion of him, and rightly so, as a President that has never shown them concern in their time of need”.

    Read Also:Buhari to visit Taraba, Benue, Yobe, two others

  • Four soldiers, 107 insurgents die in Borno

    Four soldiers, 107 insurgents die in Borno

    About 107 Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in the last few days following intense battles with troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Northeast.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said four soldiers were also killed, with nine injured.

    The bodies and the injured have been evacuated to 8 Division Medical Services Hospital in Monguno, Borno State.

    A statement by Gen. Usman said: “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have been making tremendous progress in the ongoing Operation Deep Punch II. So far, the troops have neutralised over 50 terrorists, destroyed and captured high calibre arms and ammunition, especially in the Lake Chad general area.

    “Troops, on Monday January 8, cleared Boko Haram terrorists in Metele village, Tumbun Gini and Tumbun Ndjamena. During the operation, the terrorists abandoned the area in disarray and left behind foodstuff, motorcycles and donkeys.

    “In Metele, the terrorists attempted to attack troops in harbour, but this was stiffly resisted with heavy casualty on Boko Haram terrorists’ side. Troops neutralised over 57 of them, destroyed gun trucks and other equipment.

    “The gallant troops also discovered their logistics base at Tumbu Ndjamena, which held stocks of fish, foodstuff, fuel and motorcycles; these items were destroyed.

    “Troops also captured an Anti-Aircraft Gun, 116 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition with metal links, four Ak-47 rifles, 57 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (Special), two Light Machine Guns, two Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 (RPG 7) Tubes; one RPG Bomb and two already primed 36 Hand Grenades.

    “Other recovered items include a Small Solar panel with mobile phone; Qur’an; six Hadith Books, and five Gun trucks (which were destroyed).

    “Sadly, four of our troops paid were killed while nine others were wounded in action. Specifically, a Boko Haram vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) rammed into an MRAP vehicle, killing three soldiers, a Civilian JTF and injuring other soldiers.

    “The remains of the gallant and wounded heroes have been evacuated to 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Monguno.”

  • 1,050 Boko Haram insurgents surrender, many flee

    1,050 Boko Haram insurgents surrender, many flee

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said 1,050 insurgents had surrendered to troops in Lake Chad and Monguno general area of operations, as it also warned that many of them were on the run.

    The army urged abutting communities to watch out for  the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents as their enclaves in Lake Chad region came under intense onslaught.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that 250 fighters of the Al Barnawi-led faction of the insurgents had surrendered to Nigerian Army, sequel to artillery and aerial bombardments by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole of their enclaves in Lake Chad basin.

    He added that 700 insurgents also surrendered to troops at Monguno in an ongoing clearance operation.

    Nwachukwu explained that Mamman Nur, another factional leader of the insurgents sustained fatal injuries and one of his wives killed in the operation, while many of the insurgents who escaped, surrendered to Niger Defence Forces.

    The army spokesman noted that some of the insurgents fleeing from the ongoing offensive were senior and junior commanders of the Al Barnawi faction.

    “The insurgents are attempting to melt into communities in and around Kano, Geidam and Gashua axis unnoticed. One of such fleeing commanders is Bana Bafui.

    “Members of the general public, particularly in Kano, Geidam, Gashua, Hadejia and northern part of Jigawa State are therefore enjoined to be vigilant, watch out for strange faces in their communities and report same to security agencies.”

    Nwachukwu called on the insurgents to surrender, adding that the Federal Government had provided a window through the Operation SAFE CORRIDOR to encourage the insurgents’ voluntary surrender.

    He revealed that about 300 insurgents were currently undergoing de-radicalisation process for possible integration into the society.

    “We call on Boko Haram insurgents to abandon the futile struggle; take advantage of the Safe Corridor programme and surrender to troops in any location nearest to them.

    “We guarantee their safety and incorporation into the programme for de-radicalisation and rehabilitation.”(NAN)