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Tag: Lake Chad

  • Recharging Lake Chad biggest help Europe can give Africa —Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the greatest investment Europe and America can make in Africa now is helping the continent accomplish inter-basin water transfer to recharge the Lake Chad.

    The President spoke at State House, Abuja yesterday while hosting the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat.

    Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, noted that the Lake Chad, which provided a means of livelihood for several millions of people in four countries – Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria – has now been reduced to 10 per cent of its original size due to the impact of climate change.

    He said: “People who depended on the lake for fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and many others have been thrown into dire straits.

    “That is one of the reasons youths now dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to seek greener pastures in Europe.

    “But helping to recharge Lake Chad will help a great deal in curbing irregular migration.”

    While noting that the size of Nigeria and resources available place a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders, President Buhari pledged that the country would continue to fulfil its obligations to the African Union.

    “At all international fora, we emphasise the matter of Lake Chad.

    “We also talk about the influx of small arms from the Sahel, which worsens the security situation between herders and stagnant farmers.

    “We will keep the issues on the front burner,” the President emphasised.

    Mr Mahamat lauded President Buhari, saying his leadership was good for Nigeria, for AU, and for Africa in general.

    He said that the next AU Summit would look into the reform of the AU Commission, positioning the AU and Africa in the world, Single Air Transport Market, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and other issues.

    Stressing that Nigeria has played major roles towards peace in countries like Guinea Bissau, Togo, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and many others, the AU Commission chairman said: “Nigeria is the engine of Africa politically, economically and in the area of peace and security. Without her, Agenda 2063 cannot be accomplished.

    “We depend on the elder to reach our destination in good shape. Nigeria is worthy of being followed. We rely on your wisdom to fulfil the task before us.”

  • UN report urges action on root causes Lake Chad crisis

    Secretary General, António Guterres, has released a report calling for action on the root causes of the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region.

    The report released in New York on Saturday evening called on key countries to work up a regional plan to identify and address the root causes of the crisis.

    “This is in the hope that the UN system can make headway into solving what some say is the world’s most extensive humanitarian crises.

    “So far,more than 17 million people have been affected by the violent Lake Chad crisis.

    “The crisis is touching communities in Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria with over 10 million currently needing humanitarian assistance, according to the report.

    “This comes as competition for natural resources is heating up, in an already fragile and violent environment,” it stated.

    These factors according to the report, have created a space which allowed terrorist group Boko Haram to thrive.

    The report claims the conflict has displaced more than 2.4 million people.

    The report was commissioned by the UNSC earlier in 2018 as part of a resolution which outlined their concern about the interplay of factors leading to the crisis there.

    It called for better collaboration amongst UN agencies armed to deal with the situation.

    It was passed after 15 UN Security Council diplomats headed to the Lake Chad basin to see the dire situation themselves.

    However, while the call for a plan is welcome, the report focuses predominantly on the humanitarian crisis, the rise of Boko Haram and the response by international funders to that crisis.

    It is much lighter on the need to understand the climate and environmental dimensions of the crisis, and how they impact livelihoods and economic opportunities in the region, increasing the marginalisation of vulnerable groups.

    This is in spite of the report acknowledging tha there has been a significant drop in yields from fisheries and crops in irrigated areas around the lake.

     

     

  • Air Force Bombs Boko Haram locations in Lake Chad, Damasak

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Friday said more air attacks are being carried out against Boko Haram Terrorists in the fringes of Lake Chad and at Damasak in support of ground troops leading to the death of scores of the insurgents.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola explained in a statement that the air interdictions were conducted through the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole and Operation Thunder Strike II.

    Read Also:NAF neutralises Boko Haram vehicle, fighters in Borno

    He also said Boko Haram facilities and their vehicles were destroyed in raids conducted at Tumbun on the fringes of Lake Chad and at Damasak in northern part of Borno state.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “As Operation THUNDER STRIKE 2 entered the tenth day, Friday, 12 September 2018, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded significant successes against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in air raids conducted at Tumbun Rego on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State.

    “The attacks were conducted in successive waves, involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) F-7Ni and Alpha Jet combat aircraft as well as Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships supported by Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, resulting in the destruction of a BHT vehicle and neutralization of scores of insurgents.

    “Characteristic of the insurgents’ tactics, the BHT fighters were initially well camouflaged under foliage and inside abandoned buildings within the settlement. However, timely intelligence enabled the ISR platforms to track and locate one of the BHT vehicles as it was entering the settlement. The vehicle was engaged and destroyed by the attack aircraft.

    “Subsequent waves of attack targeted the scores of insurgents that emerged from their hiding places after the attack on the vehicle. These were engaged in turns by the attack aircraft and neutralized.

    “In another development, the ATF conducted several ISR and Close Air Support missions throughout the night of 12 and early morning of 13 September 2018 in support of troops of the 145 Nigerian Army Battalion, ensuring that the BHTs’ attack at Damasak was thwarted.

    “Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was in Maiduguri today, 13 September 2018, to again assess progress of the operation as well as boost the morale of the frontline troops.

    “He seized the opportunity to commend the Command and personnel of the ATF for their efforts while urging them to sustain the momentum of operations with a view to locating and destroying all remnants of the insurgents within the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno”.

  • Air Force kills Boko Haram insurgents in Lake Chad

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has killed more Boko Haram terrorists and destroyed their hideouts at Bukar Meram and Tumbun Allura, on the fringes of Lake Chad, after air interdictions by Operation Thunder Strike II, it was learnt yesterday.

    According to NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the air strikes were conducted after intelligence and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms established the presence of insurgents in the areas.

    Daramola, in a statement, said: “In continuation of Operation Thunder Strike II, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, yesterday (Monday), destroyed Boko Haram facilities and neutralised several insurgents at Bukar Meram and Tumbun Allura, on the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno State.

    “The attack at Bukar Meram was conducted based on intelligence that insurgents were sighted within the settlement, which was also confirmed by successive days of ISR missions.

    “Accordingly, the ATF detailed an  Alpha Jet aircraft and helicopter gunship to carry out air interdiction and two of the identified locations were destroyed.

    “Similarly, ISR missions showed that some terrorist were trying to regroup at another location in Tumbun Allura, after their bases in the settlement were destroyed on September 4.

    “Consequently, the identified location within the town was attacked and destroyed by NAF Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft.

    “The NAF, working in concert with surface forces, will sustain the momentum of Operation Thunder Strike II to destroy vestiges of the insurgents in the Lake Chad green fringes.”

  • Boko Haram: NAF destroy structures in Sambisa, kills insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Saturday said more air raids have been conducted against Boko Haram Terrorists in Borno state through the Operation Thunder Strike II.

    According to the Spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the strikes were conducted at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa Forest and at the fringes of Lake Chad resulting in the destruction of the facilities of the insurgents.

    Daramola said in a statement supported with video clips that scores of the Boko Haram Terrorists were killed during the air strikes.

    The statement reads: ” In continuation of OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE 2, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on 5 September 2018, successfully destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) facilities and equipment at Alafa Yagayaga in Sambisa Forest as well as a suspected BHT ammunition depot in Kusuma on the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno State.

    “The air strikes against BHTs at Alafa Yagayaga were targeted at structures within the settlement that had been identified via previous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to be rendezvous (RV) points for the insurgents.

    ” Consequently, a combination of NAF fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the locations, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).

    “The attack platforms acquired the targets and took turns to attack the location, destroying the structures and killing most of the BHTs in the process. The few surviving BHTs, seen fleeing the area, were strafed and neutralized by the helicopter gunships.

    ” The attack at Kusuma was initiated following credible intelligence indicating the presence of a BHT logistics/ammunition depot within the settlement. Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ position, while the NAF ISR aircraft conducted BDA.

    ” At the end of the attacks, the BDA revealed a direct hit on the ammunition depot, which was engulfed in fire while some other adjoining BHT structures were equally destroyed and the occupying terrorists neutralised”.

  • ‘Lake Chad will no longer be Boko Haram safe haven’

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said Boko Haram terrorists are not in control of any territory.

    He noted that Lake Chad, which the terrorists have been using as hideout, will no longer be a safe haven for them.

    Gen. Buratai spoke yesterday in Jaji, Kaduna State, at the graduation of 55 soldiers from Advanced Watermanship Course.

    The Army chief, however, said the 55 soldiers would be included in the amphibious battalion, which will be established, to tackle insurgents in Lake Chad.

    He said:  “You are aware of the ongoing event in the country, especially the security landscape between 2013 to mid-2015. I am referring to the situation in the Northeast. However, between mid-2015 till date, the insurgency and terrorist elements have suffered the highest degradation.

    “They no longer control any territory, in particular in our sovereignty, and this is due to correct strategies, employment and disposition of the right force with the tremendous backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the goodwill of the people.

    “There is no gain saying that the focus of effective training adopted in the last three years has been the heart of our successes. It is pertinent to note that that lessons learnt from our counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations have guided our training and our operational planning.

    “Earlier on during Operation Lafia Dole, it was evident that we needed to develop the mobile style capability. This informed the development of mobile bridge concept, which involves organising the troops into mobile strike teams.

    “Today, you have witnessed the employment of mobile strike teams with the incision of troops in small team by air to conduct raids and the subsequent execration through the water body in small groups and parties.

    “You will agree with me that what you have witnessed today is a clear demonstration of the Army’s ability to deal decisively with Boko Haram terrorists still lurking in the Lake Chad waters.

    “”I assue you that with the level of motivation l have seen this afternoon from gallant troops, Lake Chad will no longer be a safe haven for the criminals.”

    Soldiers were also promoted as reward for their courage to participate in the special course.

  • Boko Haram: Navy deploys more boats in Lake Chad

    The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, yesterday said more boats had been deployed in the Lake Chad Basin as part of efforts to beef up security in the area and protect the nation’s territorial integrity.

    Admiral Ete Ibas said the Navy, alongside the Army and the Air Force, are currently in joint clearance operations against the Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad region, stating that the nine boats and Naval personnnel deployed to secure the area are well armed and equipped.

    He enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the military, particularly in the task of securing the nation from terrorists’ and bandits’ attacks, stressing that the amount of resources being deployed to keep the nation secured are huge enough to develop education and health sectors.

    The Naval Chief made the remarks shortly after a special Jummat prayer at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) mosque in Abuja to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

    Represented by the Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral Shuwa Mohammed, the naval boss said: “We need the support of Nigerians spiritually and materially and their best wishes in the fight against insurgency. The country is spending a lot of resources in footing the bills of the armed forces regarding the ongoing campaigns to keep the nation’s territorial integrity secured.

    “And these rsources are affecting other aspects of the economy. If the resources are channelled to education, health and so on, things would be different today. So we also need your prayers as Nigerians, and for the media, please you are our partners in this war. Always see the good aspects of our efforts to secure the country.

    “And in respect to our troops in the war fronts, they are in our prayers and we are supporting them with all the logistic aspects of fighting the war in terms of boats, financial support and spiritual support. It is not only for the navy, but also for the army and the air force.”

  • Military to clear Lake Chad for fishing, farming

    The military has said it will clear the Lake Chad Basin of Boko Haram remnants to ensure the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the resumption of fishing and farming.

    The Commander Operation Last hold of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko, addressed a news conference yesterday.

    It was coordinated by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas.

    According to Dikko, the operation will be used as part of the 2018 Army Day Celebration, and to facilitate the return of displaced persons. He added that the operation will last for four months.

    He said: “Undeterred by the mutating posture of the Boko Haram, the Army is determined to consolidate on its recent gains in the ongoing push, especially in the Northern part of Borno.

    “Accordingly, this year’s Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of Operation Last Hold in Northern Borno within the Northeast Theatre.

    “The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the Army’s combat efficiency, and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin general area.

    “Operation Last Hold is expected to last for four months, and it will entail deployment of additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State.

    “The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels. It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin general area.

    “The operation will facilitate the rescue of hostages. The end-state of Operation Last Hold is the total defeat of the Boko Haram terrorist sect in northern Borno. This will pave way for the return of local administration and people to their responsibilities and communities.

    “Strategically, Operation Last Hold will restore fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. It will also facilitate the return of IDPs to their communities.

    “Operation Last Hold is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve civil-military relations in the Northeast.

  • Army begins operation last hold in Borno, Lake Chad

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Friday said the army would commence Operation Last Hold in northern Borno and parts of Lake Chad Basin to complete the decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorists and ensure the restoration of normal economic activities in the Zone.
    The COAS who addressed journalists at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, said the operation would commence on the 1st of May and end by August.
    Lt.Gen Buratai who was represented at the briefing by the Chief of Operations and Training, AHQ, Maj. Gen David Ahmadu said the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy as well as other security agencies would be participating in the four-month operation. He urged the people in the area not to panic as they would witness heavy movements of troops and equipment during the operation.
    Lt Gen Buratai said:” You may recall that the Nigerian Army has been engaged in the conduct of counter insurgency operation tagged Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East region for some years with considerable successes. However, the complex and adaptive nature of the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in the dissident group still sometimes being engaged in abductions, attack on soft targets, Improvised Explosive Device attacks and suicide bombings.
    “It has become expedient for the Nigerian Army to change operating tactics, techniques and procedure in the North East region. Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of an operation tagged Operation LAST HOLD in Northern Borno within the North East Theatre. The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the combat efficiency of the NA and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin.
    ” Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of 6 additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State. The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels.  It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram Terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin.
    ” The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages. The operational end-state of Operation LAST HOLD is the total defeat of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect.  Strategically, the conduct of Operation LAST HOLD will facilitate the restoration of fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, it will facilitate the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons from IDP camps to their communities.
    ” Operation LAST HOLD is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve Civil-Military relations in the North East region. It is pertinent to note that Operation LAST HOLD is set to record remarkable achievements that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security.
    ” In this regard, law abiding members of the public in Northern Borno State are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the operation. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected insurgents may be fleeing from military operations in the North East and finding safe haven amidst our communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action. “

  • Don proffers solution on saving Lake Chad

    Academic and environmental expert Prof. Haruna Ayuba has proposed evaporation suppression as alternative technique to save Lake Chad from extinction.

    Ayuba, who teaches at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said water transfer was the first option in restoring the lake, adding that this will require the movement of water from another river.

    ‘‘Suppressing evaporation can also help in the restoration of Lake Chad. We live in the tropics and we receive much water from rainfall.

    ‘‘The water disappears through evaporation; we can suppress the evaporation which is the amount of moisture that goes up into the atmosphere.

    ‘‘Part of the reasons for the drying up of Lake Chad is the high rate of evaporation of water,” he opined.

    The don said stakeholders should create more awareness on measures to save the lake.

    ‘‘Climate change is a developmental issue, every hand must be on deck.

    ‘‘We need to build capacity, tell people the signs of climate change, because some people don’t understand that.

    ‘‘We need all the experts, stakeholders to develop a policy framework that people need to follow,” he said.

    Similarly, he said with proper use of science and technology, scientists can reduce challenges of restoring the shrinking lake.

    According to him, development of science and technology in Nigeria is still laid-back, adding that the country lacks a strategic plan to build the sector.

    He decried the lack of equipment for science-related courses in tertiary institutions.

    Ayuba noted that polytechnics, which were established to drive the sector, have been allegedly disregarded.

    ‘‘We have also killed our polytechnics; the polytechnics are supposed to help in building the technical manpower in the country.

    ‘‘Now, the emphasis is on paper qualification, even those who graduate from polytechnics are coming to take degrees all over again,” he said.

    He said the nation should  emphasise practical application of acquired knowledge and discourage paper qualification.

    NAN reports that Lake Chad Basin has shrunk to 2,500 square kilometres in 2000 from its 1960s’ size of 25,000.