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Tag: Maiduguri

  • UN calls for protection for women, men, children forced to relocate to Maiduguri

    Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, has called on Federal Government to protect up to 10,000 women, men and children who were forced to relocate to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, from a town 40km.

    Kallon in a statement by Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Nigerian military ordered the immediate departure of and relocation of up to 10,000 civilians in the middle of the night, without prior warning, from Jakana town.

    He said that the military transported the IDPs by bus or truck to Bakassi camp for internally displaced people.

    According to the military the civilians were relocated for security reasons ahead of planned operations in the area.

    “The entire town of Jakana was emptied, and people were forced to move to Maiduguri with very little time to collect personal belongings, some of them said they arrived in Maiduguri with nothing, not even with shoes on their feet.

    “The UN is urging the Government to urgently provide safety, shelter, food, water and medical care to the displaced civilians, in addition to information about when they will be allowed to return home,” Kallon said.

    The UN official also called on the government to adopt practical measures to ensure the protection of civilians and respect of the rights of individuals in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law; international human rights law and Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.

    Kallon reiterated the commitments of the UN to provide humanitarian assistance to persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

  • We have recorded success against Boko Haram – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said it had recorded significant successes in the campaign against Boko Haram insurgency in the past four years in the country.

    Bri.-Gen. Bulama Biu, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, said this at a social gathering organized to mark the 2018 Nigerian Army Social Activities (NASA), at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

    Biu said that the successful celebration of NASA in Maiduguri highlighted the military’s triumph over the insurgents and restoration of peace to the war-torn region.

    He noted that the military had successfully restored normalcy and  peace in Maiduguri and other parts of the region, compared to the chaotic situation bedeviling the area in the past years.

    Biu explained that the military had re-opened major high ways and roads, hitherto closed due to the insurgents attacks and rescued thousands of people from insurgents’ captivity.

    “Today’s occasion offers us unique opportunity to celebrate the prevailing peace in the northeast, particularly in Borno which by God’s grace, has been achieved through the doggedness and boldness of our troops and the stakeholders.

    Our officers and soldiers, therefore, deserve to celebrate their year of success over the terrorists having toiled tenaciously to keep the peace of the land through their sweat and blood with many paying the supreme sacrifice.

    There is no doubt that we have conducted many successful operations in 2018; we are  determined to conduct more until Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements are completely purged out of our land.

    Through our successful operations, many roads, hitherto closed due to the insurgents activities, have been reopened and secured to promote hinterland economy.

    Also, several people were rescued from captivity while many resettled back to their homes with adequate support for their farming activities,” he said.

    Biu added that the army, under its stability operations, had restored peace, essential services and provided humanitarian services, to support the populace directly or through coordinated efforts with development organizations.

    Read also: Dickson to Army: fish out killers of Govt House photographer

    According to him, the army will intensify campaign to clear remnants of the insurgents in the region.

    Elaborating further on NASA, Biu said the event was designed to enable the army to appraise its performances in the past one year, celebrate successes, and enable personnel and their families to partake in series of relaxation activities.

    Biu said that it also availed the army unique opportunity to promote mutual understanding with communities and other security organizations.

    While commending Gov. Kashim Shettima over his support to the military, the commander called on people to support the military, to ensure successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign.

    Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, also commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies for their contributions in the successful execution of the war against insurgency.

    Akinroluyo reiterated the commitments of the military to ensure total defeat of the insurgents and restoration of peace to the northeast region.

    Alhaji Usman Durkwa, the Deputy Governor of the state, lauded the military over the successes recorded in the campaign against the terrorists.

    Durkwa said “in the past 10 years, our military, in conjunction with other security formations, contributed greatly in the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities in the northeast.

    They have had sleepless nights in their efforts to safeguard the lives and property of our people. This has been the result of the relative peace our communities are enjoying today”.

    He pledged government’s support to the military to enable it to discharge its mandate effectively.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the events featured dance by various cultural troupes, including Kanuri, Igbo, Yaruba, Tiv and Idoma.

    The event was attended by the Speaker, Borno House of Assembly, Mr Abdulkarim Lawan, representatives of the United Nations (UN) agencies, humanitarian organizations, military commanders and other security organizations. (NAN)

  • Borno voters defy bomb scare

    Despite the early morning bomb scares and sporadic gunfire across Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, voters came out to exercise their civic obligation.

    There was also large turnout of voters at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State, where many residents voted.

    Though one of the military missiles was misfired into the Teachers’ Village IDP camp, the development however did not deter the people from coming out to vote for their candidates.

    Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima expressed happiness over the massive turnout of voters despite the early morning security development.

    He commended the people for their resilience and commitment to entrenching democracy in the country, by coming out en masse to vote for their candidates.

    The governor, who voted at Lawan Bukar Ward, called on the people to continue to be law-abiding.

    Speaking with journalists after casting his votes, the governor said: “I am happy that the people of Borno defied the threats and came out to exercise their civic responsibility.”

    Security sources informed that the planned attack was massive, as the insurgents were sighted at two entry points into the capital city with heavy equipment.

    “Based on intelligence, the army had swiftly launched an offensive attack, while the Air force supported with air patrol hovering over the capital city.

    “Two live rocket-propelled bombs misfired by the military in defence of the city landed in the Teachers village camp, but fortunately, no one was hurt,” the source informed.

  • 11 killed, 15 injured in suicide bombing at Maiduguri mosque

    Suspected members of Boko Haram yesterday killed at least 11 people in a mosque around Jidari polo area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The dead include  the three terrorists who carried out the attack. Fifteen other worshippers were injured. The terrorists struck at about 5.40am during the dawn prayers, according to Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu.

    The suspects include two suicide bombers and a gunman, who sneaked into  the mosque located at Kushari village behind old CBN quarters. Two suicide bombers were reported to be part of the casualty with several others suspected to be early morning worshipers  sustaining  various degrees of injuries. The State Coordinator of Civilian JTF, Abba Aji Khali  has confirmed the attack said one of the attackers was killed and his weapon recovered.

    The police chief said the suspects  “infiltrated Gwozari/Kushari in Polo general area, Maiduguri shooting sporadically & detonated IEDs strapped to their bodies.” Chukwu said security operatives had been deployed in the area while investigation was ongoing. The attack came  four days after insurgents opened fire on the convoy of Kashim Shettima, governor of the state.

    The JTF coordinator said “This attacks will not change any thing, although 8 persons killed and 15 others injured; we killed one of the attacker’s and suicide bomber also died in the attacks. They can not prevent people to come out or deter them not to  vote. I want to say that wherever they hid our troops will get them and flush them out. However, we call on residents to be vigilante and support the troops with useful information.”

  • IDPs hunger protest: House Committee demands sanctions for officials

    The House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ), Refugees and North-East Initiatives on Wednesday faulted the recourse to teargas to disperse protesting hungry lDPs at Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri.

    It asked the Federal Government to intervene by ensuring immediate supply of the desperately needed food items by the displaced persons.

    It also demanded sanctions for the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the inhumane crime.

    It said the committee is ready to share vital information capable of fishing out the culprits no matter how highly placed.

    It, however, expressed regrets that 32,000 IDPs have crossed over to Cameroon between Mid-December 2018 and 31 January, 2019.

    The committee, in a statement by its chairman, Muhammed Sani Zorro, said massive consignments of these food and non-food items procured with state resources are either at varying stages of expiration or being shared (in the open) to highly-placed politicians for use as campaign tools.

    The statement said: “The House of Representatives Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North-East Initiatives wishes to express sadness over yesterday’s protest by Internally Displaced Persons (lDPs) at Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri, and the needless resort to the use of tear gas to disperse them by the police.

    “It is on record that the authorities concerned have continued to deprive the starving and desperate IDPs of food and non-food Items whose everyday complaints, pleas, and outcries only fell on the deaf ears of insensitive officials charged with their care.

    “Sadly, massive consignments of these food and nonfood items procured with state resources are now either at varying stages of expiration, or are being shared (in the open) to highly-placed politicians for use as campaign tools in the countdown to our general elections.

    “Evidence also abound of the age-old diversion and illegal sale of humanitarian assistance items in the open market. This is evil at its best, reprehensible and unacceptable to all men and women of conscience.”

    The committee appealed to the Federal Government to ensure immediate supply of food and essential items to the IDPs.

    Read Also: 2019: IDPs won’t vote in Niger – INEC

    The statement added: “The Committee urges the Federal Government to act as a matter of supreme urgency by ensuring immediate supply of the desperately needed items without further delay and punish the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the inhumane crime.

    “As part of its oversight functions, the committee is willing and ready to share vital information capable of fishing out the culprits no matter how highly placed.

    On the general election, it pleaded with the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the IDPs to vote wherever they are.

    “Such flexibility should be extended to affected victims in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and any other state(s),” the committee pleaded.

  • Buhari campaign train arrives Maiduguri

    The President Muhammadu Buhari campaign train on Monday arrived Maiduguri in continuation of its re-election campaign activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari landed at about 10:30am at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Maiduguri International Airport.

    He was received by Mr Adams Oshiomole, the Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC); National Security Adviser, Maj. -Gen. (rtd), Babagana Monguno and the Minister of State Works, Alhaji Baba Shehuri.

    Read Also: Buhari, Obasanjo clash over election fraud alert

    Other dignitaries that received the president are Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, members of the national and state House of Assembly and other party leaders.

    The president is expected to address a gathering of party supporters at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri, to drum up support for his re-election bid.

    Hundreds of party supporters displaying posters and singing solidarity songs throng the streets of the metropolis to welcome the president.

    NAN reports that the Borno State Government had declared Monday public holiday to enable the residents welcome the president.

  • Borno APC primaries: Court fixes Jan. 30 for ruling

    A Federal High Court in Maiduguri, on Thursday fixed January 30 for ruling on a motion praying for the amendment of originating summon in a case filed by Alhaji Idris Mamman, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), seeking nullification of the governorship primary election in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that those joined in the suit were the APC and its governorship candidate, Prof. Babagana Zulum, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    NAN reports that the plaintiff’s Counsel, Mr Ibrahim Bawa, at the resume hearing of the case, prayed for a leave to amend the originating summons.

    Bawa said the application, supported by 14 paragraph affidavit with an exhibit, would enable the plaintiff serve the case properly before the court.

    He added that the plaintiff sought to amend questions 1 and 2, as well as delete question 4, underlined in the motion paper.

    The counsel argued that a party in a case was entitled to amend its plea in accordance with the rules of the court, stressing that there was clear distinction between the principles of pre-election and election matter, in line with section 14 of the Electoral Act.

    In his response, the Lead Counsel to the respondents, Mr Yusuf Ali, opposed the plaintiff’s request, arguing that the time frame for such amendment had elapsed as provided by the constitution.

    Ali said that the request contravened section 285 (9) of the constitution, adding that the prayer was misconceived and inconsistent with the case.

    The counsel prayed for an extension of time to enable the respondents regularize processes and presentation before the court.

    The presiding judge, Justice Jude Dagad, therefore, adjourned the case to January 30, for ruling.

    Read Also: Drama as eight robbers sentenced to death attack journalists

    NAN recalled that the plaintiff had in a case number: FHC/MG/CS/55/2018 urged the court to nullify the election conducted on September 30, 2018.

    In a five-point originating summon filed before the court, the plaintiff argued that the election was conducted without the participation of lawful delegates.

    According to him non-delegates participated in the election which is illegal and unlawful.

    He sought for an injunction to restrain the APC from recognizing the second respondent (Zulum) as its governorship candidate on the basis of the purported election, and prayed for an order to declare him winner, having scored the highest votes in the election.

  • Borno disburses N200m bursary

    The Borno State Government said on Friday that it had commenced disbursement of N200 million education allowance to over 14, 000 students in tertiary institutions in the country.

    Higher Education Commissioner Abubakar Hassan told newsmen in Maiduguri that the bursaries would be paid to the students through the state Scholarship Board in 20 institutions across the country.

    He explained that the disbursement was made to settle accumulated outstanding allowances since 2013.

    “The gesture is to motivate youths and women to further their education and encourage academic excellence,” he said.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    Hassan said that a verification committee had been set up to facilitate smooth running of the exercise.

    According to him, the government will pay a minimum of N30,000 to each student depending on their discipline.

    The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to reinvigorating the education sector through execution of viable projects.

  • Troops arrest wanted Boko Haram terrorists

    Nigerian troops have arrested a wanted Boko Haram Terrorist, Babagana Abubakar (aka Alagarno) at Bulabulim Ngarnam community on the outskirt of Maiduguri, Borno State.

    According to a Facebook post, signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman,  the Army said that combined troops of 195 Battalion, Mobile Policemen and Civilian Joint Task Force -CJTF, nabbed the suspect on Thursday.

    Read Also: Special Forces unleashed on Boko Haram

    He was arrested in possession of two military ballistic helmets, a pair of military desert boot, a fragment jacket, a jersey pullover, military backpack, camouflage design shorts, camouflage T-shirts, military jungle hat and amulets.

    He was also caught with two voters identification cards and a national identification card.

    According to the statement,  “He has since been moved out of the area for further interrogation,”.

     

     

  • Over 30, 000 fresh IDPs arrive Maiduguri – UN

    Over 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have arrived Maiduguri, capital of Borno State in recent weeks following the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks, the United Nation has declared.

    Its head of United Nation Humanitarian activities in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon stated this on Thursday.

    He expressed concerns over the fresh upsurge of displaced people in the last few weeks following renewed attacks.

    “More than 30,000 internally displaced people have arrived in Maiduguri, mainly from Baga in recent weeks.

    “The majority of these people have arrived since 20 December 2018, often after arduous journeys with young children.

    “This includes an estimated 20,000 internally displaced people who have arrived in Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri, stretching the camp’s capacity beyond the limit.

    “It is still unclear how many people are taking refuge in Monguno but tens of thousands of people are in need of humanitarian assistance, notably shelter, food, water and sanitation,” he said.

    Read Also: Ex-militants raise the alarm over stockpiling of arms

    Kallon spoke after a fact- finding visit to Monguno, teachers village IDP camp in Maiduguri.

    He regretted the violence has caused tens of thousands of innocent civilians to flee their homes.

    “The impact of the recent fighting on innocent civilians is devastating and has created a humanitarian tragedy

    “It is heart-wrenching to see so many of these people living in congested camps, or sleeping outside with no shelter.

    “Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict and the United Nations is extremely concerned about the impact that violence in north-east Nigeria, especially in Borno State, is having on civilians, Kallon added.

    He also expressed fears over huge withdrawal of humanitarian aid workers from the affected locations, describing it as the highest withdrawals ever since 2016.

    According to him: “Some 260 aid workers have been withdrawn from three local government areas (Monguno, Kala/Balge and Kukawa) affected by the conflict since November, affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of people.

    “This is the largest withdrawal of aid workers since the international humanitarian response scaled up in 2016.

    “While aid workers have started to return to some areas to respond to the urgent, life-saving needs, the lack of a secure operating environment is preventing a return to normal humanitarian activities.”