The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Operation Lafiya Dole

  • 55 people died in military detention centre in Maiduguri – GAW

    55 people died in military detention centre in Maiduguri – GAW

    Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, a human right watch organization has disclosed that 55 people died during the course of investigation of their alleged link with Boko Haram at the Giwa Barracks detention facility in Maiduguri.

    Amnesty International has however described Giwa Barracks as a place of death where they accused Nigerian Military of arbitrarily detention of Boko Haram suspects causing the death of over 240 people including about 29 children.

    The army has since denied the report.

    In a fact finding mission of human right violation by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Country Representative of Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, Helen Adesola in a press briefing in Maiduguri disclosed that 55 people died at the military detention camp in Maiduguri.

    According to her, those deaths occurred before 593 Boko Haram suspects were cleared and handed over to the Borno state government for rehabilitation at Bulumkutu rehabilitation centre.

    Mrs Adesola noted that their findings’ resulting to the causes of the death was as a result of “heat wave” instead of meningitis as was reported in the media.

    “Medically, the treatment and prevention for heat waves is the exposure of the detainees to fresh air and proper hydration. This the centre is doing as the detainees are being brought out into the open to sit under trees and adequate drinking water is being provided

    “The detention facility, like many other communities dealing with this kind of issues requires additional intervention to ensure that authorities are able to better cater for sick inmates,” Mrs. Adesola explained

    She called on  the Borno state government to be in the drivers seat in the rehabilitation of  over 593 cleared detainees who are mostly   citizens and residents of the state, stressing that, “The Borno state government must not abandon them even though they are being held on the suspicion of their linkages with Boko Haram terror group,” .

    The Foundation, unlike Amnesty International which sees Nigeria Military as huge violators of human rights at Giwa Barrack said the Nigerian Army, is doing all within its power to ensure the well-being of detainees in custody, but however express need for an improvement.

     

  • Boko Haram: Air force introduce drones and L-39ZA aircraft

    Boko Haram: Air force introduce drones and L-39ZA aircraft

    • Intelligence shows locations of insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday said it has introduced an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) and L-39ZA fighter aircraft into the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    During a press conference in Yola to give an giving an appraisal of the operations of the NAF in the first quarter of 2017, the Air Component Commander (ACC), Operation Lafiya Dole,  Air Commodore  Charles Owho said the introduction of the new platforms was necessitated by the enlargement of the NAF Area of Responsibility (AOR).

    The additional platforms deployed would join the now ageing Alpha jets, F9 jets, Mi 35 helicopters which have been in action since the beginning of the war on the insurgency. Already the UCAV CH-3A has already conducted  Air Interdiction on March 27, 2017.

    Air Commodore Ohwo also revealed that several Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations by the NAF has revealed that following the fall and capture of the insurgents former headquarters in Camp Zairo, most of the fighters fled to the West of Sambisa stretching up to the Southwest of Maiduguri and into Yobe State, while some others had moved to the East and Southeast of Sambisa towards Gwoza Hills and Tagoshe Hills.

    Owho said the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole has concentrated its air power the areaswith a view to further decimating the remaining BHT elements and facilitating the activities of own surface forces in the area.

    In a series of air operations including Air Interdiction, Close Air Support for ground troops, Air Recce, Combat Air Patrol and ISR, the ACC said the Air Component has successfully prevented the regrouping of Boko Haram Insurgents while providing effective air cover for ground troops for clearance operations.

    Among the operations conducted by the Air Component was the provision of daily air support for clearance operation in the south-west of Maiduguri at Boko Haram camps in  Talala and Ajigin.

    At the same location, on February 1, 2017, Alpha jets provided Close Air Support for ground troops to repel an attack from Boko Haram. Also, operations conducted by the troops of 21 brigade of 7 Division also provided ISR for the clearance operations in Ngoshe and Mabila high grounds.

    Also, the ISR platform also conducted various operations in Arege, northern Borno where a platoon of Boko Haram insurgents was sighted. “Our ISR aircraft maintained visual over BHTs in Arege and tracked them as shown on the screen. The BHTs took advantage of poor visibility and the terrain to escape imminent air strikes.

    “However, the efficient communication of the ISR ac with MNJTF forces eventually led to the dislodgement of the terrorists in a firefight. In this encounter, about 57 terrorists were killed and many injured while technical, weapons and ammo were recovered,” Ohwo said.

  • Four soldiers killed in Boko Haram operation

    Four soldiers killed in Boko Haram operation

     

    An army officer and three soldiers have been confirmed killed in a clash with Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

    Men attached to Operation Lafiya Dole were on the trail of a band of terrorists in Doho, Mina, Maideni, Donari, Salari and Lawari villages in the northern part of the state when the incident happened late Wednesday.

    The extremists, according to the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman had attempted to infiltrate Magumeri village.

    They were however repelled by soldiers who gave them a chase.

    He said that after a hot pursuit and mop up, the troops were able to neutralize an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists.

    They also recovered one gun truck, two anti-aircraft guns, two  extra barrels,   two  rocket propelled grenade bombs, 31 pieces of Nitrogen 57mm bombs, one roll of Nitrogen cable and a  60mm mortar bomb.

    Others are:  assorted General Purpose Machine Gun and anti-aircraft ammunition and their links, three spare vehicle tyres with rims, one vulcanizing machine, one Qlink motorcycle, foodstuff and three Boko Haram terrorist sown camouflage.

    Besides, troops of the 22 Brigade of the army have   cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Gujari village, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. This followed information about the convergence of the extremists in the area preparatory to launching attacks on nearby communities.

    The army spokesman said that during the operation, the troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while an unspecified number escaped with gunshot wounds into the forest.

    At the location, the troops discovered and destroyed a tailoring shed and  recovered one  Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, three  Dane guns, one  double  barrel pump action guns, two  bandoliers, 23 empty cases of Shilka gun ammunition, two  initiation water container and one motorcycle battery among other items.

    Similarly, soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State arrested a deaf and dumb suspected member of the terror sect.

    Recovered from the man were eight functional mobile handsets, a bunch of keys, two passport photographs, two amulet charms and a transistor radio.

    But the suspect’s name could not be immediately ascertained because of his disability.

    Usman  said, no fewer than  nine members of the sect willingly surrendered to soldiers of  Operation Lafiya Dole deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road in northern Borno after claiming to get tired of life under Boko Haram.

    The former terrorists who came from Tambashe Village in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state are currently been held and interrogated by the army to determine the veracity of their claim.

    Usman said the armed forces are continuing with clearance operations in  suspected Boko Haram  locations through patrols, ambushes and raids with appreciable progress.

    Such raids, he said,led to the arrest of   one Mallam Makinta Ibrahim , 45, at Bayemari, by troops of the 159 Task Force Battalion.

    The suspect who hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area is believed to be a Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dealer to the terrorists.

     

  • We are tired of life under Boko Haram, say repentant terrorists

    We are tired of life under Boko Haram, say repentant terrorists

    At least nine members of the Boko Haram terrorists group have willingly surrendered to the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road in northern Borno saying they were tired of life under Boko Haram.

    The former terrorists who came from  Tambashe Village in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state are also currently being held and interrogated by the Nigerian Army to determine the truth of their case.

    Meanwhile, soldiers have continued with clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram terrorist’s locations through patrols, ambushes and raids with appreciable progress in their respective areas of responsibility.

    According to the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sani Usman, the efforts have led to arrest,  interception and neutralizing of quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists, as well as recovery of arms, ammunition and equipment.  The aim of the exercise he said is to ensure security in the areas and prevent infiltration by Boko Haram terrorists among the communities.

    He further said the exercise has led to  the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, one Mallam Makinta Ibrahim aged 45 years at Bayemari, by troops of the 159 Task Force Battalion.

     The suspect who hailed from Yaro Grematalti Yunusari Local Government Area was also confirmed to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dealer to the terrorists.  He said troops also arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist whose name, age and origin could not be ascertained for now as he pretend to be deaf and dumb.

    However, he was found to be in possession of 8 functioning mobile telephone handsets, bunch of keys, 2 passport photographs, 2 amulet charms and a transistor radio.

  • Why I refused to detonate my explosive – female bomber

    Why I refused to detonate my explosive – female bomber

    A teenager, Amina Yusuf, paraded by the military on Wednesday in Maiduguri said she failed to detonate her explosive because she did not subscribe to Boko Haram ideology.

    The 17-year-old told newsmen in Maiduguri that she was abducted five years ago, alongside her parents, in Madagali in Adamawa, after a terror attack on the village.

    “I was abducted alongside my parents in Madagali in Adamawa after the terrorists attacked our village. We were taken to a camp in the bush where we were forcefully indoctrinated by the group,” she said.

    The suspected suicide bomber alleged that her parents were killed after they had refused to be indoctrinated.

    “My parents were executed because they did not join the group.

    “I was married off to a Boko Haram militant with whom I lived in the camp,” she said.

    “One day I was asked to wear the bombs. I was brought to Maiduguri with an instruction that I detonate the bomb where there is a large crowd of people,” the teenager added.

    She said that she declined to detonate the explosive because she did not want to die.

    “They said I should press the button but I refused and allowed security men to capture me alive.

    “My four siblings are still with the terrorists in the camp,” Yusuf said.

    Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole had presented her along with two unindentified girls to newsmen during a weekly briefing in Maiduguri.

  • Military faults Amnesty report

    Military faults Amnesty report

    The Nigerian Military on Wednesday faulted the Amnesty International report which alleged mass abuse in the handling of the ongoing anti-terrorism war in the North-East.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, picked holes in the report while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    He said: “I am constrained to touch on the recently released Amnesty International Report for the year 2016.

    “The reason being that the report made some unfortunate claims regarding the operations in the North-East.

    “Whereas the contents of the report have been condemned, I wish to join (in the condemnation) by saying that the troops of Operations Lafiya Dole are professional in conduct and disposition.

    “They operate within the strict guidance of the rules of engagement and the code of conduct for troops.”

    Irabor noted that Amnesty International had been consistent in its attack on Nigerian military in recent time.

    “What needs to be clear is that we have observed a consistent attack on the institutions charged with the mandate to protect the nation against every form of insecurity.

    “During the trying days of this operation, Amnesty International and other agents working against our nationhood, tried fruitlessly to incite the populace against the military through various malicious publications.

    “In spite of their distractions, we forged ahead and decimated Boko Haram.

    “We worked assiduously to improve on our civil-military relations, the result of which is manifest in the unparalleled support, accolades and encouragement we have received from the populace.

    “This position seems to have disappointed Amnesty International and their ungodly allies.”

    Irabor expressed sadness that Amnesty was making use of some unpatriotic Nigerians to achieve its aim.

    “Regrettably some Nigerians are being used as puppets and agents of destruction of our national security institutions.

    “It is sad that when our national security institutions are gaining traction, these agents after fabricating their reports, sit back and push Nigerians to make the reports known to the public to give a national colour of some sort.

    “We must rise up and stand against this subtle and increasing level of neo-colonialism; we all have a role to play in this direction.

    “Our national institutions must be strengthened, it is our responsibility to do so, no one can love Nigeria better than Nigerians, I only ask you the press to shine your eyes”.

  • Army makes ‘unprecedented’ arms recovery

    Army makes ‘unprecedented’ arms recovery

    • As three soldiers die in operation
    The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Wednesday made contacts with ‘fleeing Boko Haram terrorists during a clear out operation at Dulsa and Buk, Damboa local government area of Borno state.
    The soldiers from 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army recovered Armoured Fighting vehicle, trucks, arms and ammunition.  However, three soldiers died while five were wounded in the operation.
    Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sanni Usman told The Nation that a large number of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised in the operation.Army arms recovery
    Usman said: “At Dulsa this morning, the troops cleared the hideout of the terrorists during which they neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists, recovered 1 Light Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tubes and 1 Extra Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel.
    “The troops also encountered Boko Haram terrorists camp at Buk where they were engaged by the terrorists.”During the encounter, the troops
    “During the encounter, the troops neutralised large numbers of the Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. They also made an unprecedented recovery.
    “The items recovered include 9 AK-47 rifles, 3 Fabrique Nationale rifles, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 1 Mortar Tube, 1 Shilka, 1 Gun truck mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun and 2 Hilux vehicles.
    “Unfortunately, however, 3 soldiers paid the supreme price, while 5 others were wounded in action. Similarly, 1 Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicle belonging to the Brigade was badly damaged.”
    The Army spokesman said the bodies of the late soldiers and those that sustained injuries have since been evacuated while the wounded soldiers are in stable condition.

  • Army arrests 963 Boko Haram suspects in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it has arrested about 963 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists during an operation in Borno State.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.- Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this  at the weekly review of the Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    “On January 3 at about 1240hrs, four women and 13 children were apprehended by vigilantes at Buni Yadi and were later handed over to our troops,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Gen. Irabor as saying at the forum.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of Boko Haram terrorists who fled from Sambisa forest as a result of our operations. All suspects are in our custody undergoing investigation.

    “On January 9, a surrendered Boko Haram member was identified as a male sympathiser and spy in Monguno area. We also identified two wives of Amir (Boko Haram Commander) from the arrested members.”

    He added that on January 5, at about 1030hrs, following a tip-off, troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested four Boko Haram suspects at Shuwari village.

    “The suspects are: Modu Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji.

    “During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified Auwami as one who provided medical treatment to injured terrorists.

    “The other three suspects claimed they were abducted by the terrorists and that they only spent few days in their camps,” the army commander said.

    He said the suspects were now in the Army’s custody undergoing further interrogation.

  • Nigerian Army finds another Chibok girl

    Nigerian Army finds another Chibok girl

    One of the Chibok girls abducted in April 2014 has reportedly been found by troops of operation Lafiya Dole among some Boko Haram arrested suspects.

     A check by our correspondent, however, revealed that the name of the new girl is not on the list of 219 girls released by the Bring Back our Girls campaign group, unlike other rescued girls whose names appeared on the list.

    Going by the information provided by Brig. Gen Sani Usman, the name close to that of Rakiya Abubakar is  Rakiya Gali on number 49  since she is said to be the daughter of Abubakar Gali as the surname matches the first name provided by the army.

    There is also another Rakiya Kwamta on number 54 on the list.

    The Director of Army Public Relation Brig. Gen. Sani Usman who gave the name of the girl as Rakiya Abubakar said the girl was discovered with her six months old baby during interrogation of  some arrested Boko Haram suspects in military custody.

     The statement added that the girl will be handed over to Borno State Government after proper medical examination.

     The statement reads; “Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE during investigation of arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists discovered one of the abducted Chibok School girls, Rakiya Abubkar, with her six months old baby. 

     “According to preliminary investigation, it was discovered she is the daughter of Abubakar Gali Mulima and Habiba Abubakar of Chibok. 

     “She further stated that she was a student of Senior Secondary School Class 3B (SS 3B), before her abduction along with her colleagues on 14th April 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists.

     “Rakiya Abubakar is presently undergoing further medical investigation and would soon be released to the Borno State Government,” the statement said.

  • Operation Lafiya Dole: Saraki lauds troops, Buhari

    Operation Lafiya Dole: Saraki lauds troops, Buhari

    SENATE President   Bukola Saraki, yesterday commended the armed forces and President Muhammadu Buhari for the achievement of Operation Lafiya Dole in ridding Sambisa Forest of Boko Haram insurgents.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed delight at the news of the defeat of Boko Haram in the forest.

    The senate president described the successful operation as a great way to wrap up an eventful year, adding, “The news of the Nigerian Army defeating Boko Haram in their most dominant stronghold is truly gratifying. This is a gift to all Nigerians as we enter this festive season and round up this year.

    “I want to congratulate President Buhari for his leadership, and his dedication to crushing the insurgency in the country. I want to also commend the Nigerian people for believing in our men and women in uniform, and supporting them and their families through prayers and goodwill messages.

    “Of course, more work needs to be done to stamp out the remnants of Boko Haram that may be hiding amongst us, however, the downfall of the notorious “Camp Zero” in Sambisa is something that we must all celebrate at this time.

    “As we celebrate this win by our men and women in uniform, we must not forget those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our dear nation. We must all come together to celebrate their memories as we mark this win.”