The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lafiya Dole

  • Troops destroy Boko Haram training camp in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Monday said its troops had destroyed a Boko Haram insurgents’ training facility at Benisheikh, Borno. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu said that the troops also killed one insurgent and rescued one person held captive by the terrorists at Afa hideout in the area on Sunday.

    He said that the troops acting on intelligence discovered the camp used for providing instructional training of insurgents’ foot soldiers.

    “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed at a forward operational base in Benisheikh, have uncovered a Boko Haram training camp where instructional training was provided to its foot soldiers.

    Read Also: ‘Don’t send refugees back to Boko Haram violence’, UN urges Cameroon

    “The camp, located in a hideout in Afa general area, was discovered on Sunday at about 9: 30 a.m. following a tip-off that insurgents were being trained in the hideout.

    “During the operation, troops encountered elements of Boko Haram insurgents who were withdrawing hastily from the camp.

    “In the shootout, troops killed one insurgent, recovered one Dane gun and rescued one Malam Abba, who was held hostage in the camp by the insurgents,” Nwachukwu said.

    He added that the troops had destroyed the camp.

    NAN

  • Two Boko Haram commanders surrender to Nigerian Army

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said two Boko Haram commanders and the insurgents’ physician have surrendered to Nigerian Army.

    He made the disclosure when he presented the surrendered insurgents in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said a woman leader of the insurgents’ group and three children also surrendered to the troops at Kumshe in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    He added that the insurgents voluntarily surrendered, noting that the move was acceptable under the Safe Corridor Scheme initiated by Federal Government to encourage the insurgents to lay down their arms.

    The theatre commander explained that the military initiated contact with the insurgents to encourage them to surrender, adding that more insurgents had indicated their interest to lay down their arms.

    He said “we had a contact group and two insurgents’ commanders, a local doctor and their women leader and their children surrendered to the troops.

    “We gave them clothes, food and medication and assured them of safety: we are not killing anybody.

    “Our duty is to protect lives and property, we call on the insurgents in the bush to come out, surrender and join the peace building process.”

    He pointed out that the surrendered insurgents would be engaged in deradicalisation, rehabilitation and skill acquisition training programme for possible integration into the society.

    In their submission, Ali Musa, the insurgents’ physician, said he conducted surgical operations such as bullet extraction, appendix, treatment of wounded insurgents, ante natal and post-natal services in the camp.

    Ali said he was indoctrinated and misled by the sect leaders, adding that the sect activities had damaged his life.

    Umar Ibrahim, one of the insurgents’ commanders, said he surrendered voluntarily as he became fed up with the group’s inhuman activities.

    Ibrahim disclosed that hundreds of insurgents were willing to surrender to the troops but their leaders prevented them from doing so.

    “We were told that the army will kill us and feed on our flesh when we surrender.

    “The sect’s leaders also planted landmines to stop us from coming to the troops.

    “Many insurgents are willing to surrender in view of the fact that we are against the destructive ideologies propagated by the sect.

    “We hardly feed, people are starving due to the lack of food in the camp.

    “We want peace and we want to join in building peace in our country, we ask Nigerians to forgive us.”

    Ibrahim called on other insurgents to surrender and commended the military for taking care of them.

    NAN

     

  • Troops foil fresh suicide attack on Unimaid

     

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Monday gunned down a female suicide bomber attempting to infiltrate the University of Maiduguri campus to wreck havoc on the institution.

    The foiled suicide bomb attack took place at about 21:45 p.m. on Sunday.

    According to residents of the university, the movement of the female suicide bomber was relayed to troops at the gate of the institution by some vigilante members.

    The Borno State Police Command in a short message made available to press in Maiduguri said the two bombers; male and female were gunned down by a joint patrol of police and NAF personale  at the university general area.

    The Statement reads: “At about 2045hrs yesterday, two (2) suicide bombers (male &  fem),in an attempt to infiltrate University  of Maiduguri through the  Eastern end of the  Campus were sighted & promptly shot by F/Nos 378110 Sgt Obiora Elias,411295 Sgt Umoh Onosai & 449193 Sgt Danjuma Soda of 51PMF Oghara on special duty mine & a NAF personnel,16/29333 AM Monday B. on joint patrol.

    “Resulting explosions killed both bombers only. Scene/vicinity sanitized by personnel of EOD. Normalcy restored”.

    The Nation checks has  gathered that Boko Haram members have been making several attempts in recent time to gain entrance into the university but for the alertness of the troops on guard, they have not succeeded.

  • Army sets up four-member investigative committee on Maiduguri attack

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday constituted a four member committee to unravel the cause of the Easter Sunday night attack in the suburbs of Maiduguri.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure during the inauguration of the committee at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

    Nicholas disclosed that terms of reference of the committee was to unravel the cause of the attack so as forestall future occurrence.

    He explained that the committee, expected to submit it’s report within three days, is headed by Maj.-Gen. Henry Wesley, while three other army officers as members.

    The commander advised people in the metropolis to stay indoors in the event of attack by Boko Haram insurgents, to guard against exposing themselves to dangers.

    “It is good for people to stay indoors whenever there is blast or anything, the insurgents took advantage of such situations to unleash terror and kill people.

    Read Also: Army extends Exercise Cat Race in Taraba

    “It is safer to stay indoors rather than exposing yourselves to dangers outside. Casualties are high due to the people that trooped out of their homes recklessly,” he said.

    Nicholas also called on the people to be vigilant and reports suspicious persons and objects to security agents.

    According to him, the troops had repelled attacks by the insurgents and suicide bombers at Bale Shuwa, Bale-Kawuri and Alkaramti communities in the outskirts of Maiduguri.

    The commander disclosed that 19 persons were killed and over 80 others wounded, while seven suicide bombers were killed in the attack.

    In his remarks, Wesley said the committee would conduct fact finding visit to the affected communities to ensure effective investigation into the incident.

    Wesley assured of the committee’s readiness to submit it’s report within the stipulated time.

    NAN

  • Four policemen, Six soldiers killed in Rann attack – CP

    Four policemen, Six soldiers killed in Rann attack – CP

    The Police in Borno on Thursday confirmed that four policemen and six soldiers were killed in the Boko Haram attack in Rann community of Kala Balge Local Government Area of the state.

    The Commissioner, Mr Damian Chukwu, disclosed this while fielding questions at a monthly police meeting in Maiduguri.

    “In the recent attack in Kala Balge Local Government Area, four mobile policemen and some six soldiers were killed.

    “The police are part of the counter-insurgency campaign to restore peace and stability, and were deployed to various locations,” Chukwu said.

    He also disclosed that over 500 men had been deployed to Operation Lafiya Dole, and reiterated the commitment of the command to the successful implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign.

    According to our reporter, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs  (UN-OCHA) had said that three aid workers were killed and three others sustained injuries while a nurse was declared missing during the terrorists’ attack in Rann on March 1.

    The UN agency said the aid workers were providing humanitarian services to over 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

    NAN

     

  • Army justifies troops withdrawal at Dapchi

    Army justifies troops withdrawal at Dapchi

     …says Gov. Gaidam”s statement is misleading

    The Nigeria Army has explained why it withdrew troop at Dapchi town before the last attack on the town that led to the abduction of 110 girls at Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi.

    According to a statement signed by Col Onyema Nwachukwu Deputy Director Public Relations and spokesman Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole said the withdrawal was purely an operational exigency following an attack in some part of northern Yobe where the troops were deployed for reinforcement.

    Col. Onyema emphasised that  the priority of the army is not to join iasues with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam but instead to correct the misleading information credited to the Governor which he described as not “unfortunate but far from the truth”.

    The statement also assured parents of the missing girls that the military is working tirelessly to rescued the abducted girls.

     

    The statement read in full:
    “The attention of Headquarters Theatre Command Operations  LAFIYA DOLE,  has been drawn to a  statement credited to His Excellency Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Gaidam, Executive Governor of Yobe State, currently circulating in the media, in which he reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the  military was responsible for the recent suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ attack and abduction of female students  from Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi . This allegation is not only unfortunate, but also very far from the truth

    “Although this Headquarters will not attempt to join in any blame game, it is very expedient to set the record straight for the benefit of posterity.  In carrying out its mandate to counter terrorism and insurgency in north eastern Nigeria, Operation Lafiya Dole  has been alive to its responsibilities vis a vis the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. Several communities and Local Governments that were hitherto under siege of the insurgents have been liberated and the insurgents pushed out . While troops continue to trail and decimate the remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of the liberated communities and towns fall in the hands of the sister security agencies. The recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa and the Lake Chad Islands are testimonials to the effective operations of troops against the insurgents.

    “Additionally, troops are regularly conducting long range patrols, raids and ambushes to canalise and take out fleeing insurgents. Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate comment and allegation is been touted against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Contrary to the comments being circulated, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce  troops at Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border. This was on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful and the security of Dapchi town was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town. Troops’ redeployment was therefore done in tandem with the exigencies of operation and not as misconstrued.

    “It is thus obligatory, to state that the allegation reportedly attributed to the Governor of Yobe state is misleading and misinforming.  We reiterate our commitment and determination to carrying out our mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the north east. We also implore members of the public to continue to support us with credible information on the whereabouts of the Boko Haram terrorists. We would also like to assure the parents, government and the good people of Yobe State and indeed members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other persons held captive by the terrorists”.

     

  • Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday warned against providing sanctuary to fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The army also called on the people to report suspicious persons in their communities to security agencies nearest to them.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts to avoid the ongoing military offensive against them.

    Read also: Army urges vigilance against suicide bombers

    “This is to warn residents in the North-East not to harbour the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who are trying to flee from their waterloo.

    “Credible intelligence revealed that several of the insurgents have resorted to taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts in some communities along their escape routes from the Sambisa Forest in order to evade the sustained bombardments from air and ground troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Any unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons especially in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe found providing safe sanctuaries or any assistance to the criminals will be treated as accomplices and given same treatment as  terrorists,” he said.

    The director appealed to the people to cooperate with the military by reporting any fleeing terrorists immediately to the nearest security agency or call the Nigerian Army Information Call Centre Number 193.

    NAN

  • Army hands over rescued Chibok girl to Borno govt

    Army hands over rescued Chibok girl to Borno govt

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday formally handed over the rescued Chibok school girl, Salomi Pogu, to the Borno State Government.

    The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, presented two rescued girls, including Pogu, to the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said Pogu was rescued on January 4, alongside one other girl, Jamila Adams, by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at Pulka in Gwoza local government area of the state.

    He called for proper registration of the girls before handing them over to their parents and guardians.

    Read also: Troops rescue Chibok girl Solomi Pagu

    Receiving the girls, Durkwa lauded the military for their commitment to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    “We waited for long for the rescue of the girls. It is a welcome development that the theatre commander was able to rescue the girl within one week,” the deputy governor said.

    He expressed the hope that the remaining abducted girls would soon be rescued from the Boko Haram insurgents.

  • Family of rescued Chibok girl lauds army

    Family of rescued Chibok girl lauds army

    Mr Ayuba Aloson, a relative to one of the abducted Chibok girls on Friday lauded the Nigerian Army’s effort over the rescue of Salomi Pogu, the 15th in the list of the abducted girls.

    Reports say that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Thursday rescued Pogu in company of one other girl, Jamila Adams, at Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

    The 219 girls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Government Secondary School, Chibok in 2014.

    Aloson, who is among thousands of displaced persons taking shelter in Maiduguri host community, commended the military over their commitment to rescue the abducted girls.

    He expressed joy over the development, and hoped that the remaining abducted girls would soon be rescued from captivity.

    Alonson said that he is a family member of the rescued girl, adding that four of his nieces abducted in the school were still held by the insurgents.

    Read also: Troops rescue Chibok girl Solomi Pogu

    “I am happy over the development; our abducted daughters are still with their captors.

    “This demonstrates the commitments of the military to the rescue of the girls,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Bring Back Our Girls movement had also lauded the efforts of the military in the rescue of Pogu.

    The spokesman of the group, Sesugh Akume, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the rescued girl was serial number 15, in the list of abducted 219 school girls.

    “Our movement is delighted to confirm this news to be true.

    “Salomi Pogu; is a daughter of Malam Pogu Yahi from Kaumutahyahi, a village in Kuburmbula ward of Chibok Local Government Area. Her parents are currently at an Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camp in Rumirgo village, near Askira-Uba in Borno.

    “She is number 15 on the list of missing Chibok girls. This brings the number of our missing girls to 112”.

    Akume said that the group was yet to ascertain further details on Jamila Adams and her baby.

    Pogu’s rescue brought the number of girls that were freed from insurgents’ captivity to 107.

    NAN

  • Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Normalcy has been restored to the Moloi area of Maiduguri, after the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the area on Christmas day.

    Hundreds of villagers, who fled the area in the wake of the attack, had returned to their homes.

    Moloi is about five kilometres away from Maiduguri, located on Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu High way.

    The residents are mostly engaged in crop and livestock production.

    A group of insurgents, moving on gun trucks, attacked a military post there, resulting to serious gun battle on Monday evening.

    Hundreds of residents in the area and adjourning villagers scampered for safety and fled into Maiduguri metropolis.

    Read also: Residents decry foul language by herbalists

    Mrs. Yaana Idris, a mother of three, said she was terrified by the insurgents who detonated Improvised Explosive Device ( IED ) and shot sporadically in the area.

    Idris said she fled with her children into Maiduguri to protect them from the insurgents’ attack.

    “My children were playing outside when I heard the explosion, followed by serious gunshots and then people shouting Boko Haram, Boko Haram.

    “My home is few metres away from the main road. I hurriedly gathered my kids and moved towards the town.

    “There was chaos and people were running towards Maiduguri from all directions,” she said.

    Idris said she spent the night with her relatives in Maiduguri, adding that her husband asked her to return home as normalcy returned.

    Amin Modu, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF ), added that most of the people who fled the area had returned home.

    Modu said that people were terrified and fled the area for safety.

    He noted that the soldiers had fought gallantly to repel the attack and destroyed motorcycles used by the insurgents.

    “The insurgents escaped after their failed attempt to attack the military post; a truck and insurgents’ motorcycles were vandalised in the attack.

    “One person in the village was killed by stray bullet,” Modu alleged.

    However, the military command said that its troops repelled the attack.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said that no live was lost among the troops and normalcy had been restored.

    Nicholas disclosed that the troops, with air support, were pursuing the fleeing insurgents.

    NAN