The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insurgents

  • EFCC: Insurgents fund activities in Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad, Niger through illicit funds

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday accused insurgents of funding terrorism in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and others through illicit cash.

    He added that the laundering of illicit funds from Nigeria to other borders dropped from $9.9billion in 2013 to $807,585,061.70 in 2014.

    He said the war against terrorism can only be won with  improved financial intelligence gathering by the anti-graft agency and other law enforcement agencies.

    Lamorde spoke in Abuja at the opening ceremony of a five-day inter-agency training programme on Cross Border Financial Investigation,  organised by the United States Department of Homeland Security, for  officers of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF) Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the EFCC.

    He said: “The EFCC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have in the last few years taken very bold steps to check illicit movement of cash across our borders. Operatives stationed at major international airports across the country have intercepted millions of dollars in cash, which were not declared to customs by their owners.

    ”This measure accounted for the significant drop in currency outflow outside Nigeria in 2013, as currency declaration dropped from $9,926,739,648.00 to $1,324,045,617.00. There was a further drop in 2014 as currency outflows recorded an all- time low of $807,585,061.70.

    “It is not impossible that other factors contributed in forcing the drop. Perhaps this training will offer us an opportunity to determine these other factors that could have been at play.

    “Nevertheless, our target is to minimize, if not completely eradicate the incidence of illicit cash movement, bearing in mind the implicit danger to our collective health as a nation.

    The EFCC chairman said the only way to tackle terrorism  is to deny insurgents of illicit funds.”

    He added:  “A reputable strategy to fight insurgency is to deprive the insurgents of funds, because there is no dispute that illicit funds movement across borders fuels organized crimes, including terror attacks and insurgency in Nigeria.

    The Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Maria Brewer said that the training programme will expose participants to new trends and techniques in combating economic and financial crimes.

    ”Since economic and financial crimes is a global phenomenon, the training will focus among others, on taking away proceed of crime, because when you take away the money, you take away why people do crime,”she said.

    The Commander of Narcotics, Alhaji Hamisa Lawal,  represented the NDLEA boss.

    Highpoint of the ceremony was the donation of a high-tech counting machine to the EFCC. Brewer made the presentation on behalf of the U.S. government to assist the EFCC and the country fight corruption.

     

  • Troops clears Gwoza road of Boko Haram IEDs

    Troops clears Gwoza road of Boko Haram IEDs


    Nigerian Army Troops of 7 Division on Wednesday began to clear Gwoza-Yamteke road of Boko Haram Improvised explosives devices (IED).

    •       Some of the Pickup vehicles arrested from insurgents during military operations
    Army 4  
    • Few of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) commonly used by Boko Haram insurgents
    Army 3   Army clears Gwoza road [news_box style="2" display="tag" link_target="_blank" tag="Army, Boko Haram, Insurgency" count="6" show_more="on" show_more_type="link" header_background="#9e3224" header_text_color="#efefef"]

  • Our mission in Maiduguri – Saraki


    Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Monday promised that the Nigerian senate will do anything required to restore normalcy to North eastern Nigeria. The senate president made the statement today during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno state in order to assess the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents. Saraki, who posted about the journey on his twitter handle noted that the mission of the visit is to restore hope to the people, lament the situation of things in the state due to activities of Boko Haram insurgents. "The mission of our visit to NE is simple, to give hope and to let the people of NE know that the Nigerian Senate will not abandon them. "I urge everyone to continue to pray for peace to be restored while also trying to constructively and carefully engage those behind the atrocities. "I will make it a point to include it as part of the places we will inspect. Heard it holds over 18000 IDP's. "As individuals representing various districts and Senate as an institution, we promise to do anything required of us to restore normalcy to NE. "8th Senate will also continue to suggest ideas through motions and resolutions that can help the country put this problem behind us "There are no quick fix solutions to the problem of insurgency, we will continue to encourage all efforts, military and otherwise. "We cannot in good conscience talk to the people affected by this menace from Abuja. We are here to listen and hopefully get ideas of solutions. He noted that members of the 8th senate will stand together with President Buhari, "whose singular devotion to ending these senseless killings gives us greater believe that we will win the war," he said. "We stand with our troops and this new Senate will do all within power of authorization & approvals to support by providing funding and oversight. "Our country Nigeria is going through one of its worst challenges in history; with security challenge has come also economic challenges, he added. Furthermore, he lamented that it is very emotional to see over 2600 children made orphan by Boko Haram at Dalori IDP camp. "We will leave no stone unturned to address this," he stressed. He also stated that the senate will pass legislations, look over appropriation to find funding for rehabilitation, provide resources and provide oversight.   [news_box style="2" display="tag" link_target="_blank" tag="Maiduguri" count="6" show_more="on" show_more_type="link" header_background="#444444" header_text_color="#61d60e"]

  • 50 insurgents killed as troops repel insurgents attack on Borno community

    50 insurgents killed as troops repel insurgents attack on Borno community

    NO fewer than 50 insurgents were killed over the weekend as out-of-control Boko Haram militants clashed with troops.

    The troops overpowered the rampaging insurgents and repelled them from raiding Bita, a village in Borno State.

    As the troops counted their gains, reports came that Senate President Bukola Saraki and some senators plan to visit some of the battle fronts in Borno State today.

    A military clearance was being finalised for the trip as at the time of filing this report.

    A top military source, who gave confidential information said: “We are closing in on the insurgents; we are carrying the battle to them this time around.

    “Though we have not included casualty figure in our release but our records have shown that 50 insurgents fell during encounters with troops.”

    A combined effort by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops repelled the latest Boko Haram on Bita, as the sect continued its onslaught on communities in Borno State.

    The NAF said its fighter jets successfully scuttled a planned raid by the sect on the community.

    NAF Headquarters’ spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge made the confirmation in a statement issued yesterday.

    He said a large number of insurgents were killed in the operation, carried out by  troops in the area.

    Air Commodore Alonge said the NAF will continue to provide aerial support to the ground force in all operations carried out by troops in the troubled Northeast.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force using its Alpha-Jet, provided combat air support to the ground force to attack the insurgents where they were observed to be mopping up to carry out a deadly attack on the village.

    “Consequently, a large number of the insurgents were killed and several others, injured.”

    Air Commodore Alonge also said the NAF Alpha-Jet conducted an armed reconnaissance along Bita to Gwoza road, and through Yamtege, Hamdaga, Dure and Pulka.

    According to him, NAF will continue to give all necessary support to the ground force, through its intensified and persistent efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

    He said the momentum will be sustained in the ongoing operations against the terrorists until all portions of Nigeria’s territory have been reclaimed, safe and free from the insurgents.

    The new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar, has pledged to improve NAF’s fire power in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

    Meanwhile, logistic arrangements were being made last night for today’s visit of the Dr. Saraki and some of his colleagues in the Senate to the battle fronts.

    It was, however, learnt that the trip will be “strictly guided by security operatives.”

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The military clearance and the scope of the trip are being worked out.

    “The Senate delegation wants to have first-hand information of the situation at the battle fronts. The delegation will identify with troops and those who are internally displaced.”

  • 19 Boko Haram insurgents killed in Chad

    19 Boko Haram insurgents killed in Chad

    At least 19 Boko Haram fighters and two Chadian soldiers were killed in combat at the weekend after the insurgents attacked a Chadian village on the banks of Lake Chad, a military source said.

    “The Islamists fighters attacked early this morning and we returned fire and they were forced to flee back into Nigeria,” the source told Reuters by telephone from Komguia, where the fighting took place.

    Chadian President Idriss Deby had earlier vowed to crush the insurgents who have killed thousands of people and threatened the stability of the region.

    “Chad will never bend in the face Boko Haram and I promise you that Boko Haram will disappear,” he told a group of Muslim clerics.

    Niger’s army killed at least 30 suspected fighters as it searched for militants in villages just over the border with Nigeria, Nigerien security sources said.

    The army launched the operation on Thursday,  a day after gunmen thought to be from Boko Haram crossed over from Nigeria and killed at least a dozen villagers on the Niger side of the border.

    “Our defence forces who are engaged in the operation inside Nigeria between the towns of Malam Fatori and Damasak, killed the insurgents on Thursday,” a security source said, requesting not to be named.

     

  • Army chief to soldiers: defeat insurgents to honour your dead colleagues

    Army chief to soldiers: defeat insurgents to honour your dead colleagues

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah has called on soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents to win the war as a mark of honour for their fallen colleagues.

    Lt.-Gen. Minimah spoke to soldiers at the cemetery of the fallen heroes in the war against insurgents during a wreath-laying to mark this year’s Army Day celebration in Maiduguri.

    He said: “The only way to honour our fallen officers and men is to ensure that this war is won and I promise that we will win.”

    To the families of the dead soldiers, he said:  “I will also want to assure the families of departed colleagues that they will not be forgotten. All statutory requirements and privileges for children and families they left behind would be honoured and be executed.

    “The Army is the strength of any nation and it is used to rate a nation in the international arena.

    “I want to thank the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima for his continued support to the Nigeria Army in pursuance of ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’ and for also hosting the Nigeria Army Day celebration. This has come with a cost and logistics, which the governor has undertaken.”

    Acknowledging the solemnity of the ceremony, the Army chief said:  ”It is a sad ceremony, but it is also a ceremony that we must undertake for we have to honour the dead. Nigeria Army Day Celebration as it is for the living, it is also for the dead; and today we are honouring the dead.”

    Shettima, who was among the dignitaries at the ceremony, hailed the Army for keeping Maiduguri safe.

    “Believe me, at the risk of exaggerating issues, Maiduguri is as secured as Lagos or Kaduna or any other city in this country. They all face the same challenges that Maiduguri is facing and we want to pay tribute to the gallant officers and men of the Nigeria Army, who have laid down their lives for this country to remain one indivisible entity.

    “Hundreds of our soldiers have died in this counter-insurgency war. We have to respect our fallen soldiers and pray for the repose of their souls. But most importantly, we have to make their families realise that they did not die in vain.

    “This singular act of coming down to Maiduguri to celebrate the Army Day and coming to identify with us shall be written in gold.

    “There is psychology in warfare and the fact that the top hierarchy of the Army are here in Maiduguri convey a lot of message to the soldiers and to the rest of the world that Maiduguri is safe, accessible and secured,” the governor said.

    He hailed the military for respecting the fundamental human rights of the suspects arrested during the battle against the insurgents.

    Medals were awarded to injured soldiers and those that were killed in the battle against the insurgents were also posthumously recognised with medals for their gallantry.

    But Maiduguri was locked down for the celebration.

    The Army authorities, it was learnt, decided to mark the day in Maiduguri to boost the morale of troops fighting the insurgency.

    Many residents of the metropolis were turned away by security agents as they try to access some roads to their offices.

    Most of the major roads in the city were either barricaded by the military or reduced to one lane, which caused a gridlock.

    Lt.-Gen. Minimah and other top Army chiefs arrived in Maiduguri on Sunday to participate in the grand finale of the celebration.

     

  • Army kills three insurgents

    Army kills three insurgents

    Men of the 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) of the Army yesterday killed three Boko Haram insurgents and arrested one.

    An Army Captain, who declined identifying himself, said the insurgents took the fight to their men at a check point near Dukku, the headquarters of Dukku Local Government.

    He said the operation started about 00.30 hours and lasted for one hour.

    Among the items recovered from them were one army green Toyota Hilux van, three primed improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one FM rifle, three boxes of .50mm live ammunition, 150 rounds of .50mm live ammunitions and 70 empty shells of .50mm ammunition.

    Other items were a pair of mobile police uniform with Clement Ahmadu inscribed on it, two jerry cans of petrol, tyre patching materials, motor vehicle spare parts, one empty AK 47 magazine and two empty boxes of armour.

    Also recovered were one INEC smart card reader meant for Nafada Local Government, one empty INEC bag, three bags of rice and one pot of cooked rice.

    The Army officer urged people to remain calm.

    The insurgents on Saturday struck in parts of Gombe State, killing seven persons, including two INEC personnel and a policeman on election duty.

    Five of them were killed by the joint security operatives in Dukku after the insurgents torched a police formation in one of the villages.

     

  • Soldiers kill 3, arrest one insurgent in Gombe

    Soldiers kill 3, arrest one insurgent in Gombe

    Soldiers from the 301 Artillery Regiment (Support Group) of the Nigeria Army, Gombe, on Monday, killed three suspected insurgents and arrested another in Dukku Local government Area of the state.

    A captain of the regiment who was directed to who brief newsmen on the development, showed them the bodies of the insurgents as well as the arrested suspect at the Quarter Guards of the regiment.

    However, the captain said he was not allowed to disclose his identity, but said the soldiers engaged the insurgents in a gun duel in the area around 1.30 a.m., leading to the death of the three.

    He said items recovered from the insurgents included one Toyota Hilux Van, three prime improvised explosive devices (IEDs), three boxes of .50mm live ammunitions, one card reader belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and one FM rifle.

    Other items recovered from them, according to him, were 150 rounds of .50mm live ammunitions, three bags of rice, a pot of cooked rice, an empty AK 47 magazine, 70 empty cases of .50mm ammunition, tyre patching materials and motor vehicle spare parts, among others.

    Asked for his comments, the commandant of the regiment who also did not disclose his identity, told newsmen that he was not authorised to speak on the issue, adding that only the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, could provide the details.

  • Chadian army kills 13 insurgents

    Chadian soldiers have killed 13 Boko Haram fighters in a battle at Gamboru in Borno State.

     The country’s army, in a statement yesterday, added that one soldier was killed during the encounter.

    Chadian troops are in Gamboru as part of a regional offensive against Boko Haram, whose militants are staging cross-border raids in addition to attacks in Nigeria.

    The sect launched a pre-dawn raid in Gamboru, to overwhelm Chadian troops, who had pushed them out of the border town.

    The military in N’Djamena said the militants were repelled, but the counter-attack was an indication of the task facing regional forces in the fight agaist the seat.

    Troops from Chad, Cameroon and Niger have been deployed to fight the insurgents, whose bloody insurgency have claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2009.

    Boko Haram’s counter-attack on Gamboru, which has been repeatedly targeted in the past, is an established tactic from the militants, who have seized dozens of towns and villages since mid-2014.

    The extent of the rebels’ control of the captured areas has been hard to verify, with claim and counter-claim that the authority has repeatedly switched between the insurgents and the military.

    Boko Haram’s apparent ability to regroup is a sign of its transformation from a rag-tag guerrilla group carrying out hit and run strikes to a more effective fighting force.

    The insurgents were initially pushed out of Gamboru, which lies on the Nigerian side of the border with Cameroon in the eastern fringe of Borno state, on February 3.

    Chadian ground troops crossed over the bridge marking the frontier after days of sustained bombardment. The following day, rebel fighters counter-attacked in the Cameroon town of Fotokol.

    “The Boko Haram elements wanted to surprise us by attacking at about 4:00 am (0300 GMT),” a military source in N’Djamena told Agence France Presse (AFP) of the latest attack.

    “We were aware of it from the day before and were prepared. They arrived with 14 vehicles and two armoured vehicles. We repulsed them and they retreated.

    “A helicopter was brought in to join the pursuit and destroy them.”

    One Chadian soldier and several Boko Haram fighters were killed, while eight troops were injured, the source said.

    Boko Haram has stepped up the frequency and intensity of its attacks since the turn of the year, in part to undermine the Nigerian elections.

    A devastating attack on the fishing hub of Baga on January 3 has been seen as a turning-point in regional cooperation, galvanising neighbouring powers into providing assistance to Nigerian.

    Since then, there have been repeated attacks in northern Cameroon, while the Islamists last weekend opened up a new front across the border in Niger, attacking the border region of Diffa.

    Niamey on Tuesday imposed a 15-day state of emergency in Diffa, where thousands of Nigerians have fled the violence, heaping pressure on food supplies and infrastructure.

    A reporter in the area said businesses, government offices and schools were shut as residents sought to flee.

    Nigeria maintains the involvement of troops from Chad, Cameroon and now Niger, after the parliament in Niamey approved the deployment of soldiers, is part of an existing agreement.

    At the same time, all four countries, whose borders converge on Lake Chad, with Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour to the west, agreed to provide 8,700 personnel for an African Union-backed regional force.

  • Troops foil another attack, kill 100 insurgents

    Troops foil another attack, kill 100 insurgents

    Over 100 insurgents were said to have been killed by troops in Maiduguri yesterday.

    Sixteen civilians were feared dead and about 36 people injured.

    Though the military was silent on the casualty figures, it merely said “the terrorists incurred massive casualties.”

    Nigerian troops and those of allied neighbours (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon) have also sacked the insurgents from Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in Borno State.

    Troops were said to have engaged the insurgents for about eight hours to curtail their incursions into Maiduguri.

    The Defence Headquarters confirmed the breakthrough in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

    “The terrorists attack on Maiduguri in the early hours of Sunday was quickly contained.

    “The terrorists incurred massive casualties. The situation is calm as mopping up operation in the affected area is ongoing.

    “The ongoing operation is in coordination with activities in the Multinational Joint Task. The terrorists are meant to be engaged in all fronts including their previous safe havens and hide outs in the region.

    “It is in line with the arrangement for a comprehensive and coordinated military operation with inputs by military forces in the Lake Chad Basin Commission namely Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.”

    A top military source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are mopping up the operation in Maiduguri but over 100 insurgents were killed by troops. The figures could be higher at the end of the day. The insurgents suffered worst casualties because “Operation No Mercy” is on now against them.

    “We are tackling them headlong to put the insurgency behind this nation. We are optimistic of winning the battle.”

    “Most of the encounters took place in the outskirts of Maiduguri. So, some innocent villagers were killed by the insurgents. About 16 civilians died and 36 others were injured.

    The DHQ said Nigerian troops and those of allied neighbours (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon) have sacked the insurgents from Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in Borno State.

    The forces have also recovered several weapons, arms and ammunition including two armoured tanks, two artillery guns and 17 Hilux vehicles.

    The statement added: “The terrorists who in their disarray strayed towards Bama, Ngom, Alou, Delwa and Mafa in the night have now been effectively contained. Mopping up operation is ongoing.

    “Several weapons, arms and ammunition including two armoured vehicles and two artillery guns as well as 17 Hilux vehicles have been captured from them. Several terrorists also died.

    “The affected locations have been secured and soldiers wounded are being treated.

    “Patrols and pursuit of fleeing terrorists is continuing in coordination with allied forces.”