The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Madagali

  • Soldiers kill invading Boko Haram insurgents in Madagali

    Boko Haram insurgents attempting to invade Madagali, Adamawa State, got more than their match Tuesday evening in the hands of soldiers who killed virtually all the insurgents and seized their vehicles and weapons.

    Sources said Wednesday that the soldiers were most decisive against the invading insurgents, as against earlier attacks on Madagali when the insurgents succeeded in inflicting harm on people and properties.

    The Boko Haram elements had attacked Madagali on February 4, killing three people and burning 20 shops. They repeated the attack on February 11, killing a village head and a soldier.

    Civilian and military sources in Madagali said that in the Tuesday evening attacks, several of the Boko Haram fighters invaded Magar, Gulak, and Madagali town, all in the Madagali Local Government Area, but were countered by the soldiers who overpowered them, killing an unspecified number and seizing two anti-aircraft guns, several AK 47 rifles, and other weapons.

    Read Also: Air Force acquires 22 aircraft to fight Boko Haram, other crimes

    Residents spoke of sounds of gunshots and heavy blasts renting the air while the battle between the soldiers and Boko Haram insurgents lasted, forcing the insurgents to run into surrounding bushes and mountains from the superior firepower of the soldiers.

    A former chairman of the Madagali LGA, Hon Muhammed Yusuf, who spoke on the incident Wednesday, expressed excitement over the blow on the insurgents. “All of them, all those who came upon our people were wiped out. None returned to wherever they came from,” he said.

    The leadership of the military could not be reached to confirm the development by press time Wednesday.

  • Despite attacks, INEC vows to conduct elections in Madagali

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Adamawa says the Monday night attack by suspected insurgents in Madagali Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, will not deter it from conducting elections in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there was an insurgent attack in Kirchinga and Shuwa villages of Madagali LGA.

    Mr. Kasim Gaidam, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) told NAN that the commission was committed to conducting elections in designated areas in Madagali.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission, the good people of Madagali and the entire Adamawa State have resolved to ensure election is conducted in Madagali.

    Read Also; Cleric to INEC, politicians: ensure free, credible elections

    “No amount of threats, intimidation and sabotage would stop INEC from conducting the elections,” Gaidam said.

    The REC said the commission, with the support of security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, would ensure the successful conduct of in the area; and Adamawa in general.

    Gaidam, who noted that there were more than 81,000 registered voters in Madagali LGA, assured the electorate that INEC would not disenfranchise them.

  • Boko Haram kills five in Adamawa

    Boko Haram insurgents attacked three communities in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State Monday night, dislodging policemen on routine duty and wreaking havoc on the town.

    A security officer who spoke on the incident on condition of anonymity Tuesday morning said the insurgents killed three people, destroyed 20 shops and three cars and carted away valuable items.

    The anonymous security officer named the communities affected as Shuwa, Kirshingari and Shuari.

    This latest attack confirms fears over the security situation in Madagali, the only local government area in Adamawa State where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier said voting would take place in only three communities, including Shuwa.

    Residents said the insurgents who arrived in several vehicles about 7pm Monday, took over Madagali until soldiers from Gulak and Michika intervened to engage the insurgents in a battle that lasted for about two hours.

    The Commander of 28 Task Force Battalion in Mubi, Lt Col Haruna, said the insurgents had been repelled.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, DSP Othman Abubakar, assured that a combined team of security personnel had brought the situation under control.

    Madagali is one of the seven LGAs in Adamawa State that Boko Haram once seized. The situation remained so bad in the area just before elections in 2015 that the elections did not hold there and the neighbouring Michika LGA.

  • Social Investment: FG targets 1,000 households in Adamawa

    The Federal Government says it is targeting more than 1,000 Households under its Social Investment and Security Programme in Adamawa.

    Mr Ahmad Abba, the State Director, National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), made this known in an interview with our reporter in Yola on Wednesday.

    Abba said that the programme was designed to improve the living conditions of vulnerable families in the country.

    He explained that under the programme, each vulnerable household selected would receive free unconditional grant of N5, 000 monthly for the duration of three years.

    “In Adamawa, the pilot project of unconditional cash transfer has been piloted in Six Local Government Areas of the state.

    “In two areas of each Senatorial Zone,  fifty households were carefully selected as beneficiaries,’’ Abba said.

    He disclosed that the programme was going on smoothly and the core target of the project was vulnerable families, especially widows.

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku mourn ex-Adamawa Governor Michika

    Abba listed the benefitting local government areas as Madagali, Michika, Song, and Girei from Northern and Central Senatorial districts.

    The director listed others to include Numan and Lamurde from Southern Senatorial zone.

    He confirmed that very soon, the project would commence in the remaining 15 local government areas.

    Similarly, he said that government would soon begin the award of scholarship to more than 100,000 students nationwide.

    The programme according to the director is designed to support Science and Mathematics students across the country.

    According to him, the amount to be offered and time to state registration of the students will be announced soon.

    NAN

  • Police confirm killing of four in Adamawa

    Police confirm killing of four in Adamawa

    The Adamawa Police Command has confirmed the killing of four people at Kamale village in Michika Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, told the newsmen that the member representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency, Rep. Adamu Kamale, narrowly escaped the attack.

    Abubakar, who did not give details of the incident, however said that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen who came with a list, going from house to house calling the names of their victims.

    Read also: Adamawa assembly jerks up 2018 budget by N15bn

    Abubakar said no arrest was made and that investigation is ongoing.

    Meanwhile, a new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Yerima, has assumed duty in Yola.

    Yerima, who assumed duty on Friday, was until his appointment the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Armament Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    Yerima took over from CP Moses Jitoboh.

    NAN

  • Female terrorists, Soldier killed as Troops engage Boko Haram

    Female terrorists, Soldier killed as Troops engage Boko Haram

    Two female suicide bombers have been killed, while a soldier lost his life as troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole engaged Boko Haram members in Madagali local government council area of Adamawa state.

    The soldier died from the impact of a shrapnel from a detonated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), while three other soldiers were injured by the VBIED mechanism.

    Reports said the remains of the soldier have been evacuated while the injured ones are receiving medical attention in a military hospital.

    A statement from the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. General Sani Usman, said troops of 28 Task Force successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists attack in Gulak and neutralized the VBIED mechanism while the terrorists attempted to infiltrate Gulak town.

    The statement reads: “Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have at about 7pm on Monday, 6 November 2017 successfully repelled Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) attack in Gulak, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    ” The troops fought gallantly to repel the terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Gulak town. The troops thwarted the terrorists by neutralising a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) trying to ram into a stationery gun truck in order to gain access into their location.

    “Unfortunately the shrapnel from the detonated VBIED killed a soldier and injured 3 other. The remains of the soldier have since been evacuated while the injured are receiving medical attention in a military hospital.

    ” In another development, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with Civilian vigilante at about 6:30am on Tuesday, 7 November 2017 neutralised 2 female suicide bombers at Waga Lawan in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    “The 2 female suicide bombers were challenged while fleeing from the bush but refused all efforts to halt them. On sighting the suicide vest on them, they were neutralised by the troops.

    “The decimated BHTs are more desperate and resorting to persons and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices to attack soft targets and vulnerable members of the populace.

    ” The general public is please requested to be vigilant and continue to volunteer information of strange persons and movements to the security agencies.”

  • Normalcy returns to Gulak, as Army repels Boko Haram attack

    Normalcy returns to Gulak, as Army repels Boko Haram attack

    Normalcy is gradually returning to Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa as military repelled Monday night attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to invade the town.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the insurgents had at about 7:00 pm engaged the military in several hours’ battle as they attempted to enter the town.

    Speaking to NAN on the development, the Councillor representing Gulak Ward, Mohammed Abubakar said residents who escaped to the bush and mountain were now trooping back home.

    “I am not in the town, but I am now on my way back home; just about 49 kilometres to Gulak, but I have spoken to my wife in Gulak who said the family is back home with the return of normalcy,” Abubakar said.

    Also, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, said reports from the area indicated the the attack was successfully repelled by the military and other security operatives including hunters and vigilantes.

    “I have spoken to the chairman of the council who also told me that people have returned including the district head and other personalities.

    “As for casualty, we are yet to ascertain the level of destruction, death and injured,” Sajoh said, adding that government would send a delegation to assess the situation.

    Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed also declined to give the number of casualties, but said the insurgents had suffered heavy casualty.

    “I also know of the death of two women, a 70-year-old and a 30-year-old, hit by stray bullets while trying to escape,” Mohammed said.

    Read Also: That UN Boko Haram Hoax

  • Red Cross reunites 610 displaced families in North-East-Official

    Red Cross reunites 610 displaced families in North-East-Official

    The Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Wednesday, said it reunited no fewer than 610 families displaced due to the insurgency North-East between January and March 2017.

    Mr Nwakpa Okorie, Head of Communications of the society, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    According to Okorie, the families are reunited at various locations such as Madagali, Danboa, Gwoza, and Maiduguri, among others.

    He said NRCS was an auxiliary organisation to public authorities in humanitarian intervention in the areas of health, disaster mitigation and social welfare.

    Okorie further explained that restoring family links was, however, part of the core mandate of the organisation.

    “Numerous families in the North-East of Nigeria, including children and arrested persons, have lost contact with their relatives because of the ongoing conflict.

    “NRCS puts in so much effort to restore contact between them and their relatives and where possible, reunite them.

    “The families waiting for the news of their loved ones are also supported to cope with their absence,’’ he said.

    According to him, the society also provides free phone services to internally displaced persons in various camps and persons in host communities searching for their loved ones.

    He said the phones were used to disseminate information to their loved ones as well as to communicate with them, thereby reducing anxiety and depression.

    “In restoring family links, we send Red Cross messages which indicate an alert in various locations.

    “We also provide tracing forms distributed among children, fathers and women searching for their relatives with detailed information such as addresses and pictures, which would aid in tracing and reunification.

  • Red Cross doctors treat blast victims

    Red Cross doctors treat blast victims

    Surgical teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have treated 90 people wounded  in the Maiduguri and Madagali bomb blasts.

    Dr Hashemi Padshah, ICRC Health Coordinator in Nigeria, made the disclosure in a statement made available to journalists, on Tuesday in Yola.

    “An ICRC surgical team, together with surgeons from Michika General Hospital, treated 76 victims of the blast in Madagali market.

    “Another ICRC surgical team treated 15 people injured in Maiduguri on Sunday morning,” he said.

    Padshah said that the Red Cross currently has two surgical teams in the country which had so far treated over 1,800 patients in the north-east within the year.

    He said that the ICRC was assisting 16 primary health-care centres and nine mobile clinics by providing them with primary health care services for internally displaced persons, returnees and other residents in the north-east

    He said that 436,000 patients had so far been attended to.

    The coordinator said that within the year, 13,000 children under five suffering from malnutrition were treated while 15,500 babies were delivered in ICRC-supported clinics.

  • Madagali blasts was desperate act by terrorists, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed his condolences to the families of victims of the twin bomb blasts in the town of Madagali, Adamawa State which claimed many lives and injured several others on Friday.

    The President also condoled with the Government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident, assuring them that they are not alone as the rest of the nation mourns the grave loss with them.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said: “Putting an end to this senseless loss of innocent lives remains a top priority of this administration”

    “Over the past few weeks, the Nigerian military have made significant advancements in an offensive aimed at slamming the final nail in the coffin of Boko Haram.

    “This latest attack is obviously an act of desperation, but the Nigerian military will neither be distracted nor relent,” he added.

    He also urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest security and law enforcement agency.

    “The battle against terrorism is a joint effort involving all citizens, both government and governed. Together, Nigerians can and will defeat the evil that is Boko Haram,” he said.

    The President prayed that God will comfort the bereaved families in a way that only He can, while wishing the injured speedy recovery.