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Tag: insurgents

  • Troops capture five insurgents

    Troops capture five insurgents

    Troops yesterday battered invading Boko Haram fighters in Biu, South Borno State’s major town.

    No fewer than 17 insurgents were reportedly killed. Five were captured. More soldiers were deployed in the area.

    Boko Haram in the early hours of yesterday attempted to overrun Biu.

    But the military launched counter-attacks leading to the capturing of five of the insurgents.

    A tweet by the DHQ said: “Terrorist attack repelled by the military in Biu, Borno State. Two anti-aircraft guns have been captured from the terrorists.

    “Troops in pursuit of fleeing terrorists. Five terrorists have so far been captured. Mopping up operation is ongoing.”

    No fewer than 17 sect members were reportedly killed after an unsuccessful attack on Biu town.

    There were reports that despite the early morning attack, normal life in the town continued without hinderance.

    A top military officer said the insurgents suffered heavy casualty but was not specific on the death toll. He, however, noted that no casualty was incurred on the side of security agents.

     The source explained that the insurgents had earlier launched an attack on Azare, where they burnt a police Station before moving to Biu.

     The chairman of Hawul Local Government Area, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwe confirmed that the insurgents entered Azare town, around 5:30 on Wednesday  and attacked the town burning the Divisional Police Station.

    Dr Malgwe explained that the insurgents, after attacking Azare, moved to Biu through the Gombi highway but were ambushed by soldiers and hunters at the outskirts of Biu.

    A resident, Umaru Baakolo said he saw 17 bodies of Boko Haram terrorists along the Baracks road, the area of the theatre of war.

    “I saw them dead on the ground. I have counted 17. We thank God that they were not successful  on this mission. Allah will continue to protect us,” Baakolo said.

    He explained that the insurgents came through the road leading to Biu from Dzur and Garkida hilly valleys in a convoy of over 20 Hilux vehicles.

    Another witness said several dozen fighters drove into Biu in pick-up trucks and on motorcycles. Yahaya Mshelliza told Reuters by telephone that: “they came shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest) and shooting everywhere. But confronted by the soldiers for three hours, most them were killed,” Mshelliza said.

    “At the moment only three escaped into the bush and are being pursued by the soldiers,” he added.

    A security source confirmed the events but had no further details.

    Biu is relatively a peaceful town, about 185 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital.

    Biu has a military cantonment located south of the town along Yola road

  • ‘Why insurgents must be stopped’

    ‘Why insurgents must be stopped’

    The Kwara State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has held a symposium to discuss the nation’s challenges. The event was in commemoration of the International Students’ Day, reports AFIS ODEYEMI (300-Level History Education, University of Ilorin).

    The commemoration of this year’s International Students’ Day was a platform for students in Kwara State to discuss the state of the nation. Insecurity and inadequate funding of education topped the agenda when the Kwara State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held a symposium to mark the Day in Ilorin.

    Participants condemned incessant attacks on schools, the abduction of 219 school girls and deaths of more than 200 pupils in the Northeast.

    NANS Vice-President (External Affairs), Comrade Oluwatosin Ogunkuade, said the students’ body would hold the government responsible for whatever fate befalls education.

    He said: “We condemn, in totality, the attack on schools which is targeted at innocent students. We want to know what the government is doing to stop the senseless attacks that have led to deaths of hundreds of students in Potiskum, Buni Yadi, Mubi and other troubled parts of the federation.”

    NANS also wants the government to do something about the killing of Nigerian students abroad and stop the regime of fee hike in higher institutions. He said education must be a right for all youths, rather than a privilege.

    Ogunkuade spoke of restoring the association’s glory, saying the new administration in NANS would ensure that the association does not deviate from its objective of promoting students’ welfare.

    He added: “Nothing changes around you until something changes within you. Therefore, we must return the credibility of NANS to meet the expectation of students studying within and outside the country. As an apostle of justice and orderliness, we will change the mentality of students and expand their worldview for a common good. The era of gangsterism and hooliganism is gone; this is an era of scientific Aluta with diplomacy, because we are reformers. We are products of history with a passion to make Nigeria great through our activities.”

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, represented by his Special Assistant on Students’ Matter, Patrick Adekunle, urged students to become better ambassadors of their generation. He advised the participants to embrace positive values, saying they would only be leaders of tomorrow if they were adequately educated.

    He said: “Let us all, as students, re-strategise and develop our mind by looking into ways we can add values to our society and not how we can benefit from the society. You must drop vices and embrace positive values that will engender peace and development.”

    Former chairman of the Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Kwara State chapter, Comrade Akorede Shakir, spoke on the lesson in marking the International Students’ Day. He said the  creation of a special day for students showed that students are partners in education development in every society. He urged students to be co-ordinated and orderly in their approach towards issues affecting education. If the youth must be seen as partners in progress, he said, they must acquire the right values and education.

    The event featured the unveiling of the second edition of Acme, a magazine published by the Kwara JCC chairman, Abdulrazak Jeje.

    Jeje, in his speech, said: “NANS in Kwara State is known as the apex ruling body of all students’ structure and has become a moral voice of students. The association has taken upon itself a rigorous responsibility of ensuring that students remained uncompromised on issues bordering on welfare, effective representation at various levels and championing of innovations capable of advancing education.”

  • Mass exodus hits Yobe capital Damaturu

    Mass exodus hits Yobe capital Damaturu

    Fear-gripped residents were yesterday leaving Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, following Monday’s attack on the town by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Normalcy is, however, gradually returning to the town after the 24-hour curfew was relaxed to 12 hours by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

    Many residents are also leaving town with their families either to their villages or other safe cities amid rumours of an impending attack.

    Some travellers were sighted on the Potiskum-Kano road. Other routes, apart from Gujba road, which leads to the stronghold of the insurgents, have been busy with vehicular and human movement. The three major motor parks in Damaturu are full of would-be passengers with travellers heading in various direction.

    Residents who were almost running out of foodstuff in their homes trooped out to the markets to make purchases before the 6pm curfew.

    Some of the residents expressed shock over the level of attack on the town. They, however, praised the brave soldiers for repelling the insurgents.

    Shaibu Musa, a civil servant, said that he was pleased that the soldiers fought in, unlike other towns where soldiers reportedly ran away.

    “ Contrary to what we have been hearing from other places, that soldiers usually run away from this kind of attacks, the soldiers here were brave. They stood their ground and fought very well to repel the insurgents. The jet that came to help them did a very nice job. We salute the soldiers for keeping Damaturu for us,” Musa said excitedly.

    Abdulhameed, who sells used clothes  near Forte Oil filling station on Gujba road lost everything as the insurgents burnt his shop which, according to him, was stocked a day before they struck the town. He estimated his loss at over N3 million.

    “I just came back from market on Sunday, a day before these useless boys’ attack. Look at what they have done to me. I lost over N3 million in this shop. Where will I start from now, for Allah’s sake?” Abdulhameed asked, throwing his hands in the air.

    Banks in Damaturu have remained closed to customers. Our correspondent saw customers at ATM paying points.

    Thousands of university students were trapped in their school on Gujba road. Reports indicated that the insurgents came and camped at the administrative block of the institution at about 3.30am before lunching the first onslaught on the police mobile base in Damaturu at 5.30 spreading to other security formation, including the Government House.

    Some of the residents are stranded, having no money to travel or buy foodstuff.

    Halima Jatau, a housewife called on the banks to load their ATM even if they cannot open for customers.

    “We are in dire need of cash. Some people here want to travel but they don’t have cash on them. Some of us need cash for food but we can’t get because the ATMs are empty. We are pleading with them to please put money for us so that we can withdraw to buy food for our families,” She said.

    At the popular Abacha market, most traders have opened their shops, waiting eagerly for customers.

  • 33 policemen, six soldiers, 20 insurgents die in Yobe battle

    33 policemen, six soldiers, 20 insurgents die in Yobe battle

    •Troops kill 70 Boko Haram men in Konduga •Senate alarmed

    All was quiet yesterday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where troops repelled a major Boko Haram advancement.

    Thirty-three policemen and six soldiers died in the battle, it emerged yesterday.

    The sect members invaded the town from Gujba in the southeast axis at dawn, shooting and bombing their way up to the Government House where they faced a tough resistance from troops.

    But they hit the Police Mobile station in the town.

    Women suicide bombers simultaneously struck in a market in Maiduguri, the neighbouring Borno State capital.

    Damaturu is now under a 24-hour curfew declared by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, who was in Abuja on an official assignment at the time of the attack.

    Medical sources said bodies of 33 policemen, six soldiers and 20 members of Boko Haram were deposited at the Gen. Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu.

    It was also gathered that 16 people died in the suicide attack in Maiduguri.

    The deaths from Monday’s attacks bring the toll to at least 245 people reported killed in a week of increasing violence in the North.

    Also yesterday, no fewer than 70 of Boko Haram fighters were killed as they attempted to take another Borno town, Konduga, according to a security source.

    Troops from 7 Division of the Army stopped the sect’s advance.

    The sect has been trying to take Konduga, 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, which they hope to use as a springboard to taking the Borno State capital.

    A leader of the Civilian JTF, the group of residents assisting the miliatry to fight the insurgents, said their men joined with the troops to repel the insurgents in a battle between Monday night and yesterday morning.

    He told reporters:  ”Nobody can tell you the exact number of the insurgents killed but we have killed many of them while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    “Scores of the insurgents met their waterloo when they attempted to attack Konduga town. They came in Hilux vehicles and motorcycles.”

    In Abuja, Senate President David Mark raised the alarm over Monday’s failed attempt by Boko Haram to take over the Yobe State Government House.

    Mark spoke when Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) raised the issue of the daring attempt by Boko Haram insurgents.

    He described as “a new dimension” the attempt by the insurgents to capture the Government House.

    He said: “Ahmed, please you know I agreed with you that you will not raise the matter to a level where it will become controversial.

    “Let me just tell you why I allowed you it is because of the fact that insurgents are attacking left, right, front and back in Northeast but that of yesterday (Monday) was because they were able to get to the Government House, which gave it a new dimension.

    “It has nothing to do with state of emergency, please do not make any statement that is controversial.”

    Lawan, under Order 43, asked for the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the Senate President, to explain Monday’s Boko Haram onslaught.

    He said: “I spoke with you (Mark) this morning on the need for me, on behalf of my colleagues from Yobe State, to make a personal explanation on what happened in Damaturu, Yobe State capital yesterday (Monday.)

    “Mr. President, I will like to formally inform this Senate that Damaturu was attacked by insurgents from about 5am on Monday and the military or the armed forces, battled the insurgents and controlled the situation.

    “So many lives were lost but at this moment, we cannot determine the exact number of the dead and so many were also wounded and, of course, psychologically, hundreds of thousands of Yobeians and even other Nigerians are traumatised for that incident.

    “Mr. President, I want to say this, that a war is not won by the name of the operation; a war is won by the operators of the operation that operate in the theatre of war.

    “Our soldiers were determined to fight the insurgents. They fought very gallantly and exhibited valour and they did that because they have motivation, not because there was any state of emergency existing.

    “Mr. President, the significance of what happened in Damaturu yesterday (Monday) should not be lost on us.

    “I believe that we can win this war, if we all come together, get the proper leadership, support the leadership across all the three tiers of government and across all the political parties.

    “I believe that this war is winnable and I believe that if we do the right thing, we’ll see the right result that we saw yesterday.”

    Mark added that he allowed Lawan to speak because the dimension the attack took was really frightening.

    “I was in touch with the governor, Ibrahim Geidam, for most of the time and we were all very worried and because of the magnitude of what had happened in the last few days, bomb blasts in Kano, the attack in Borno, the bomb blast in Borno and the incident that took place in Damaturu.

    “Because they have been raised on the floor here, it is only proper that we observe one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives,” Mark said.

  • ‘How insurgents killed father,his four kids and took away his wife’

    ‘How insurgents killed father,his four kids and took away his wife’

    IT was a few minutes past noon in Mubi, Adamawa State, this day. The streets were deserted. Vultures hovered in the sky above, threatening to descend on the near-decomposing human corpses scattered all over the city. Strange scenes like this have been the lot of the once boisterous, second largest city in Adamawa State since Boko Haram bandits seized control of the town.

    Since the attack, there have been ceaseless tears and sorrow on the faces of residents, especially the about 100 pregnant women who have prematurely given birth to babies in the bush or in the camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    The Nation gathered that over 300 children, who have been separated from their families since the invasion, are yet to be reunited, while the fate of many mothers, fathers and other members of the family cannot be ascertained.

    According to a resident, who pleaded anonymity, “Even husbands that ran away from Mubi are yet to locate their wives, unaware if they will ever see themselves again. The situation in the town is very grim. As I speak with you, nobody is sure of where other members of their families who have been scattered are or whether they are alive or dead.”

    Survivors, who spoke with The Nation, narrated tales of narrow escape. According to them, the lucky survivors of the attack on Mubi were those who were able to recite ‘kalma shahada’, which they explained was the only sure passport to freedom for residents who are not members of the Boko Haram.

    “I tell you, it was a terrible experience. Many people were gruesomely murdered by the insurgents. The only people who were spared were those who were able to recite the kalma shahada. What happened in Mubi is better imagined than experienced. Even up till now, the smell of decomposing bodies scattered all over the city is still fouling the air.”

    Eyewitnesses’ accounts say most of the attackers are not Nigerians. According to them, most of the attackers are tall, slender, light-skinned and wore coiled hair.

    “Most of these people are not Nigerians. It is easy to identify them. None of the Boko Haram fighters is robust. They are tall, slender and very light-skinned. Their ages should be between 15 and 30 years.”

    A resident of Mubi, Mallam Abubakar Usman, said he narrowly escaped death. According to him, he trekked more than 75 kilometres to escape the onslaught of the insurgents who have now changed the name of Mubi to Madinatu Islama.

    He said he lost his uncle and other relatives. He called on the Federal Government to flush out the insurgents, whom he described as foreign invaders.

    “I trekked more than 75 kilometres to escape. I have never trekked such a distance all my life. Some people who were unable to run were slaughtered by these people. They were killed in front of their children like rams. The insurgents are foreigners. They don’t look like Nigerians at all.

    “A man was killed along with four of his children. They took away the wife with them. The woman was crying and begging them to kill her. She said she could not afford to live without her family.”

    Another indigene of Mubi, Asabe James, is yet get over the shock of witnessing the killing of her parents by the insurgents.  It was the same sorrowful tale for Jana Jabala, whose parents were also killed by the insurgents. However, she is happy to have been reunited with her two siblings who were scattered during the attack.

    “I am happy that my two brothers are alive. At least, I have a bit of consolation that not all members of my family were killed.”

    A source in Mubi pointed out that they were a sizeable number of soldiers at the home of the Chief of Army Staff, Alex Badeh; so, according to the source, it was not clear why the insurgents were able to take the town.

    Many of the soldiers, who allegedly removed their uniforms before fleeing into the bush, were said to have been assisted by the youths of the town to find their way into Yola.

    However, the army authorities have taken steps to address the problem. Shortly after the attack, the Nigerian Army was said to have posted a new commander to reorganise the 232 Tank Battalion, Yola, and pep up the morale of the troops.

    Governor Bala James Nggilari also addressed the people of the state in a broadcast, assuring them of the efforts of his government to secure their lives and property. He also urged the people not to abandon their homes but defend their territories from the invaders. He said efforts were being made by the state government to ensure that all those who left their places were kept away from danger.

    Nggilari promised that the government would resettle all the displaced persons in a decent camp and look after their health and welfare.

    The state government has also imposed a curfew on Yola and other neighbouring communities, while the use of motorcycles has been restricted in the area.

    As at the time of filing this report, more than 2,000 churches in Mubi North and Mubi South had been destroyed. According to sources, the latest church to be destroyed was the Alheli Baptist Church, built in 1922.

    Meanwhile, sources in the town say the youth of the town are willing to confront the insurgents. They, however, lamented the lack of government’s support.

    But the insurgents have already imposed Islamic law on Mubi, while more than 50 people have had their hands amputated for contravening the laws. They are also urging the people to return to the town.

    Latest raids have also seen the Boko Haram taking over Gella, the headquarters of Mubi South Local Government Area. Sources in the area told The Nation that while the council chairman, Yerima Gude, was lucky to escape to Yola, the rampaging insurgents destroyed the palace of the district head.

  • ‘Insurgents planning massive attacks in Plateau’

    ‘Insurgents planning massive attacks in Plateau’

    Residents of Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State have alerted to fresh plans by insurgents to attack the state.

    They alleged that there were heavy arms build-ups at a Fulani settlement in Mahanga village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    Gunmen attacked Rim village in Riyom Local Government Area, killing a resident and injuring several others.

    A retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in the local government, ASP Joseph Madugu, said he had noticed the movement of strange vehicles in and out of Mahanga village in the last few days.

    He said: “What I saw could be likened to a group of fighters preparing for a war. Several Hilux vans have been moving into the Fulani settlement, called Mahanga. On Monday, a strange and unidentified helicopter landed in the same village. With the movement, I suspect an arms build-up. There are obvious plans for fresh attacks.”

    Mahanga is suspected to be an armoury for insurgents terrorising some communities in Plateau State. There have been over 150 attacks in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments since 2010.

    The chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Emmanuel Loman, confirmed the suspected arms buil-up.

    He said: “Yes, it is true. There is tension in the locality because we have experienced terrible attacks by gunmen in this place. Our people have always suspected that the Fulani settlement, located between the two local governments, might be hosting terrorists.

    “Now, the residents have sighted a helicopter landing in Mahanga. Several Hilux vans have been conveying people to the village. This is an unusual movement.

    “The security agencies have always asked us to report such strange movements to them and we have called their attention to this one. We are waiting for their action.”

    The local government chairman urged the residents to be vigilant.

    He said: “This is not the time to sleep; people should cooperate with security agencies to frustrate the intention of the terrorists.”

    Riyom Local Government Chairman Josephine Piyo said: “Already, there are gunmen who have been attacking Rim village in the last two days. We need immediate and prompt intervention of the Federal Government.”

  • Five Boko Haram insurgents surrender, says DHQ

    Five Boko Haram insurgents surrender, says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday that five Boko Haram insurgents have surrendered after encounters in Konduga, the Borno State town that has been a theatre of war.

    It said the affected insurgents pleaded for mercy after surrendering their weapons.

    The DHQ, which made the disclosure in a tweet yesterday, said some captured insurgents were already giving useful information.

    The tweet said: “As the heat on terrorists continues, five terrorists yesterday surrendered with all their weapons to troops in Konduga, pleading for mercy

    “Other captured terrorists have also been giving useful information on the subsequent plans of the group in an apparent offer to cooperate.”

    Another security source said: “For the fourth time, the insurgents had attempted to gain entrance into Konduga on Saturday but they were repelled by troops.

    “Following relentless onslaught by troops, many members of the Boko Haram terrorists group are beginning to surrender voluntarily.

    “Some of them submitted themselves and their weapons to the leadership of the troops in Konduga during a further campaign at the weekend.

    “In the last few days there have been several attempts by terrorists desperate to gain entry to Konduga which the Nigerian troops have continued to foil.

    “The terrorists’ move was aimed at recovering the bodies of their prominent fighters who had died in the previous encounters in the area.

    “Also, the Nigerian troops have recovered more weapons during the mop up operations while some of their (terrorists’) vehicles have been destroyed.

    In the last two weeks, troops killed over 150 Boko Haram insurgents in Konduga to halt their bold bid to march on Maiduguri.

    The latest development confirmed the alarm raised by the Borno Elders Forum (BEF) Maiduguri is under threat.

    The BEF last Wednesday cried out that Boko Haram insurgents had surrounded Maiduguri.

    A statement by the Chairman of the Forum, Amb. Gaji Galtimari Usman, said about 50 per cent of the population of Borno State had relocated to Maiduguri.

  • Chibok girls: senators join Abuja protesters

    •’Insurgents installed new emir in Bama’

    TWO senators from Borno,  Mohammed Ali Ndume and Senator Khalifa Ahmed Zanna, joined the #BringBackOurGirls protesters yesterday, calling on Nigerians not to make the mistake of returning the government of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    The senators, who spoke yesterday in Abuja during the sit-out of members of the advocacy group, said if Nigerians do, the country would not be able to survive.

    The senators said the government was allergic to the truth and criticism.

    They accused the administration of telling lies about doing everything to bring back the Chibok girls, revealing that the insurgents have installed an emir in Bama.

    But the government, according to them,  has never taken any action about the girls and was only misleading Nigerians.

    They promised to join the protesters until the government takes up its responsibilities of securing the lives and property of its citizens.

    Ndume  and Zanna said the group, which has been sitting out for over 139 days in protest of the abduction of the over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, comprised of honest Nigerians.

    Zanna’s words: “In the history if Nigeria, we have never had a more irresponsible government like the one we have now. When this incident happened, they played politics first before action. I have never seen any action being taken by the government on these girls.

    “I did my own investigations and whenever I say anything, it will be the truth and nothing but the truth. I don’t know where we are going to place this government in the history of Nigeria or Africa. If they say that the #BringBackOurGirls are from the opposition, I am not from the opposition; I am a PDP senator. To me, party is secondary. If my party is not doing the right thing, I will come out and say it.

    “How on earth, for 155 days, that the daughters of some people are taken by some rascals and the government is doing nothing about it. They are now even allowing them to pick more and more. Instead of 200, maybe there are even 3,000 or 4,000 with them (Boko Haram members). Because within the last one week, in Bama alone, they might have taken 500 or 1,000.”

    The senator said the insurgents were now taking other people’s wives, adding that when the women complained that they were married, the militants would say that they were married to infidels.

    He added: “I don’t know what religion they are practicing. These are pure criminals and being supported by somebody who is supposed to protect us; that is the basic truth.

    “If care is not taken, this thing will continue. It will not end in Borno, Yobe or the Northeast alone. According to my own analysis, it will continue beyond. It is just a matter of time and if Nigerians make the mistake of brining this government back, I am afraid, we are not going to survive in this country. The truth must be told because what I am seeing, maybe some of you don’t see.

    “Today, according to my own investigation, an emir is being installed in Bama. What will be their mission again? They are trying to attack Maiduguri and all this intelligence are being relayed to the intelligence headquarters. If they don’t take action, then it is their own problem, their own fault; not ours. Any information we get, we relate.

    “If the world has a conscience, they must come to the rescue of Nigerians. We are in a very deep trouble. This is not only affecting Muslims, but including Christians and those who don’t have religion.

    “What they are after is just to destroy Nigeria and they are using the Boko Haram to do it. What was Boko Haram three years ago? Two and half years ago, I asked the military to leave Maiduguri because I observed what they were doing.

    “They did not take it likely, they went and ransacked my house and brought out my family unto the street and humiliated them. And not stopping there, they went and arrested the boy they claimed was a high profile Boko Haram commander in their mentor’s house –  that is Sheriff’s house. But they came out to claim that he was arrested in my house. I came out and told them that they are lying and up to today, they cannot prove that they arrested that man in my house.”

    Ndume, in his own speech, said: “I want to tell you that we in the National Assembly, and particularly I can speak for myself and Zanna, we would do our best and we are open to your suggestions and criticism because we believe that this your cause is because you only want the girls back and alive.

    “The National Assembly, especially the members from the Northeast, we are trying to stay away because one of the things that is now common with the government is to say that anything that one does is opposition sponsored. This government is so allergic to criticism that anything you do is opposition.

    “Why we came here today is to join you in pushing and making the government to bring back our girls now and alive; we are with you.”

  • Declare war on insurgents, ex-Service men tell President

    Declare war on insurgents, ex-Service men tell President

    Retired military officers and men are worried over the Federal Government’s soft arm tactic of dealing with Boko Haram.

     They are pushing for a full-scale war against the sect to end the insurgency in the Northeast, it was learnt yesterday. 

    They prefer outright military campaign instead of “constructive engagement” with the militants.

    Also yesterday, Acting Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba said 27 policemen are still missing  one week after the Nigeria Mobile Police Academy in Gwoza was attacked by the insurgents.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that the Presidency has been advised to look beyond political consideration and collateral damage by ordering the military to declare a war against the sect.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the military had been awaiting political backing to move against the insurgents.

    The source said: “There is pressure on the Presidency to rise to the threats posed by Boko Haram insurgency by giving the military the necessary backing to draw the battle line against the insurgents.

    “Even serving and retired military officers are in favour of drawing the battle line against the insurgents with enhanced funding and sophisticated equipment.

    “If the Presidency is in support of a make or break campaign against the insurgents, then we should expect a full-scale war in Borno State.

    “We have reached a stage that political expediency can no longer solve Boko Haram insurgency. The nation’s military is losing its hard-earned image to this insurgency.

    “Even some of the 480 soldiers who came back from Cameroon told their Commander that they were determined to return to Gamboru-Ngala axis to confront the insurgents.

    “What serving and retired officers are saying is that if the nation’s military can win a civil war in the 70s, it has the capacity to overrun the insurgents with political will and better equipment.”

     Acting Inspector-General of Police Abba who spoke on an African Independent Television (AIT)  programme last night said: “It was not the first time the Academy would be attacked but our policemen had always successfully repelled them. This time around, they came with armoured vehicles with sophisticated equipment mounted on them. They also came in large number.

    “As at today, 27 policemen have not returned but we have located them. We are doing everything to bring them back safely.”

  • Nigeria’ll defeat insurgents, say Oshiomhole, Army chief

    Nigeria’ll defeat insurgents, say Oshiomhole, Army chief

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, have expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Armed Forces to defeat insurgents.

    They spoke at the weekend at the Nigerian Army Corps and School of Supply and Transport, Benin, the Edo State capital, at the inauguration of its remodelled Officers Mess, facilitated by the state government.

    Oshiomhole said insurgency and other violent crimes are alien to Nigeria and would be defeated soon.

    He said: “We in Edo State appreciate the sacrifices the men and officers are paying at this critical time of our history by dealing with new forms of crime that one never thought was possible in this country a couple of years back.

    “We appreciate the will, the determination to confront the risk and to defeat them. I believe the Commander-in-Chief and our President Goodluck Jonathan is providing the leadership and the Nigeria Army is doing an excellent job in making a bold statement that these terrorists will be defeated. By the grace of God, Nigeria will be secured for generations yet unborn.

    “I want to thank Mr President, who graciously approved the Army to support and compliment the efforts of the Nigerian Police. For us in Edo, the Nigeria Army is part and parcel of the community. Edo people are proud of the Nigerian Army and are proud of the contributions you are making to make Edo State safe.”

    The governor thanked the Army for acknowledging the support of the state government.

    He said: “Giving the support is one thing and making judicious use of it is another. I think the officers, who remodelled this building, have shown the capacity of the Nigerian Army to manage resources judiciously.”

    Lt.-Gen. Minimah assured that the Army would overcome the present security challenges.

    He said: “Let me reassure Nigerians that the current security challenges and other security challenges bedevilling the country are surmountable and will soon become a thing of the past. The Army will not relent until all forms of terrorism and criminal activities are driven out of our shores. We cannot, we must not, and we will not fail the nation.

    “At this point, I want to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his untiring support of the Army and the Armed Forces. I equally thank our political leaders at all levels of government for their solidarity with the Army, particularly the Governor and people of Edo state.

    “I want to thank the governor and people of Edo State, not only for this project but also for other interventions in the Army barracks in the state. I recall that just last June, the Edo State Government provided a commercial borehole and a 500KVA generator for Ekenhuan Barracks.

    “This gesture and many other supports by the Edo State Government is deeply appreciated and worthy of every level of commendation. I call on other state governments to take a cue from the Edo State Government and support our troops to confront the current security challenges bedevilling our country.”

    In a welcome address, Maj.-Gen. Nienge hailed Oshiomhole for his interest in the welfare of the officers and men of the Army in Edo State.