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Tag: Rogers Nicholas

  • 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

     

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • No civilian killed in BH attack on WFP’s convoy – Army

    No civilian killed in BH attack on WFP’s convoy – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Monday denied the killings of civilians in an attack coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents against the World Food Programme’s  ( WFP ) trucks on Saturday.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarification in a Short Service Message ( SMS )

    Nicholas said that the troops escorting the trucks had killed six insurgents and recovered weapons.

    He explained that there were no civilian casualties in the attack, adding that he was at Dikwa when the incident occurred.

    “There was an ambush but the soldiers killed six Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons. No civilian was killed.

    “I was in Dikwa that Saturday and this happened while I was within,” Nicholas said.

    Read also: Army sentences soldier to death for killing five civilians

    However, the Wold Food Programme ( WFP ) on Sunday said a driver of its hired truck and three other persons were killed in an attack at Ngala in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

    Adedeji Ademigbuji, the Communication Associate of the WFP, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that a convoy of the WFP’s hired trucks conveying food items were attacked by gunmen 35 kilometres South-West of Ngala on Saturday.

    He disclosed that the convoy escorted by the military were conveying foodstuff for distribution to the vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) in the area.

    He said that a driver of the hired truck, his assistant, and two other persons were killed in the attack.

    “WFP confirmed that a convoy escorted by the Nigerian Military including WFP hired trucks were subject of attack by armed groups, 35 km southwest of Ngala in Borno, on December 16.

    “Four people, including the driver of a WFP hired truck and his assistant, were killed in the incident.

    “WFP is working with the authorities to determine the whereabouts of the trucks,” Ademigbuji said.

    NAN

  • Military seeks community support to crush Boko Haram

    Military seeks community support to crush Boko Haram

    The Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole,  Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, has called on people in the North-East to support the military in the counter-insurgency campaign in the country.

    Nicholas made the call during a familiarisation visit to military units  in Maiduguri  on Wednesday.

    He said the call was imperative to enable the military to win the war against Boko Haram insurgents and enhance restoration of peace in the region.

    “It is high time for people in the communities support the military by providing useful information on suspicious persons in their respective communities.

    “We need the support of everyone in the society to successfully complete the campaign. Security is a collective responsibility; we must strive to stop the killings.

    “Even the Boko Haram insurgents, I call on them to renounce their heinous activities, surrender and embrace peace,’’he said.

    The theatre commander disclosed the military authorities had adopted effective strategies to end insurgency and facilitate restoration of peace in the war-ravaged region.

    He added that effective modalities had been put in place to improve personnel welfare, motivate and boost troops’ morale.

    While commending the troops for their gallantry, the commander urged them to be disciplined and dedicated to the fight against insurgency, noting that: “Boko Haram insurgency will be over soon”.

    Nicholas assumed duty on Monday following his appointment as the new Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    He was accompanied by Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, and other top military officers during the familiarisation tour of military formations in Maiduguri.

    Some of the areas visited include: the 7 Division Army Headquarters, Joint Intelligence Detention Centre (JIDC), Army Medical Services and Hospital and Artillery workshops.

    NAN

  • Theater Commander urges Boko Haram insurgents to surrender

    Theater Commander urges Boko Haram insurgents to surrender

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the newly-posted Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, has called on the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    Nicholas made the call at hi maiden media interactive session on Monday in Maiduguri.

    He said that the call was imperative to encourage remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents to surrender in order to end insurgency and guarantee lasting peace in the region.

    “We have determined and courageous soldiers to crush the terrorists and bring peace to the North-East.

    “I call on the insurgents in the bush to surrender to the Nigerian Government and embrace peace,” he said.

    Nicholas also tasked the media to work toward awareness creation on de-radicalisation of the sect’s ideology, promote peace building and social cohesion.

    Read also: Army removes commander over Boko Haram attacks

    He reiterated the readiness of the military to work with media to ensure successful campaign against insurgency in the country.

    “The command will provide enabling environment for the media to access information on our operations.

    “You should ensure accurate, factual and balance reportage on the military operation,” he said.

    The commander warned that the authorities would not condone misrepresentation of facts and bias reportage.

    Nicholas disclosed that the command would come out with new strategies to intensify campaign to end suicide bombings and attacks by the insurgents.

    He also called on the people in the region to cooperate with military to enable them to win the war against the terror group, adding that the war against insurgency was a collective responsibility.

    Also, the outgoing commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said the military had implemented various operations to get rid of the insurgents and sustained the feat recorded in the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Attahiru said that Boko Haram insurgents were tactically defeated, while the military liberated all the territories from the insurgents.

    He explained that the military had launched various operations designed to clear the remnant of the insurgents.

    “In view of the successes recorded by the military, the Boko Haram insurgents resorted to suicide bombing of soft targets,” he said.

    Attahiru said about 100 Boko Haram insurgents including five high profiled commanders were killed and 72 others surrendered to the military in the past six months.

    According to him, the military had reinforced its Mobile Strike Force to block the sect’s supply routes and enhance clearance operations.

    Attahiru listed other achievements of the command to include conduct of polio immunisation exercise in non-accessible rural communities and lifting of ban on fishery activities at Lake Chad Basin.

    Nicholas was the Chief of Logistics, Army Headquarters, before his new appointment as the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    NAN

  • Ebonyi to boost rice production

    Ebonyi to boost rice production

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has expressed the state’s determination to boost food production in the country through increased rice production.

    Elechi made the pledge in Abakaliki during an interactive session with members of the “Course 22’’ of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a tour of the state.

    The governor, who was represented by Chief Fidelis Mbam, the Secretary to the State Government, noted that increased rice production in the state and in the country, in general, would end the importation of staple food into Nigeria.

    “Ebonyi is determined to contribute effectively to the country’s food security, while conserving our foreign exchange.

    “This informed the establishment of three rice mill clusters in the three senatorial zones of the state to boost its production.

    “What we are saying is that Ebonyi is about to carve a niche for itself in the area of food security,” he said.

    Elechi, however, said that the strength of each state of the federation should be encouraged by the Federal Government in efforts to actualise the goals of its transformation agenda.

    He also stressed that efforts should be made to ensure the infrastructural development of the nation, saying that this would consequently fast-track the country’s development.

    He, therefore, underscored the need to increase budgetary allocations to the states.

    Elechi praised the course team for choosing Ebonyi for their study tour, stressing that the state had performed creditably in efforts to develop the infrastructure.

    “The secret of our success is based on the prudent management of our meagre resources.

    “In Ebonyi, the stakeholders pool resources for the implementation of meaningful ventures,’’ he added.

    The team leader, Brig-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said that Ebonyi was selected by the college for the study tour, in view of its remarkable achievements in infrastructural development.