The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sambisa forest

  • IBB lauds Buhari, army for liberating Sambisa forest

    Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, has saluted the courage and determination of President Muhammadu Buhari, army chiefs, the military men and women and other security personnel over their roles in the liberation of Sambisa forest and adjoining abode of Boko Haram insurgents.

    In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Minna, Niger State, Babangida expressed delight at the news, saying it is a relief that the Boko Haram terrorists have been successfully smoked out of their notorious enclave.

    “May I rejoice with the government and Nigerians on the successful dislodging of Boko Haram from their base in Sambisa. It is a sign of relief that the military has finally smoked out Boko Haram terrorists from their notorious enclave of Sambisa Forest,” he said.

    He expressed optimism that with the successful takeover of the Sambisa forest, the remaining Chibok girls will soon be located and returned to their families.

    He said the President and the army are capable of crushing any challenge in the country.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari and the military are capable of crushing any challenge threatening the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” Babangida added.

     

  • Sambisa forest: Fleeing Boko Haram member arrested in Lagos

    Sambisa forest: Fleeing Boko Haram member arrested in Lagos

    One of the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents recently dislodged in Sambisa forest in Borno State was arrested on Saturday in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai disclosed the arrest on Sunday at the re-opening of two major roads in the state that were closed since 2013 at the height of the activities of the insurgents.
    The roads are Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak and Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga.
    Buratai charged troops in the North East to pursue the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists and intercept them.
    “You must maintain the momentum of the operation. We must pursue the terrorists wherever they are. We must not allow them to regroup,” the army chief said.

    He said in spite of the take over of the terrorists’ last strong hold in the Sambisa forest as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, “we have no time to waste”.

    The chief of army staff described the seven-year fight against the Boko Haram terrorists as “quite sober and touchy”, saying that a number of officers and soldiers had lost their lives in the war.

    He prayed for the repose of their souls and vowed that the army would recommit itself to the fight until “remnants’’ of the terrorists were cleared.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, had earlier said that the North East had been secured.

    He also said that insurgency had brought untold hardship on the people of Borno people and the entire North East zone.

    Irabor said that the roads being reopened were closed three years ago to check the incursion of the insurgents, adding that the reopening of such roads was an indication that the terrorists had been defeated.

    In a message, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, also charged the military to maintain the tempo of operation and ensure that terrorism was eliminated from the North East.

    Represented by the Chief of Administration, Defenc Headquarters, Rear Admiral A. A. Dacosta, Olonisakin restated the commitment of the military to defeating the terrorists. (NAN)

  • Governors, others hail Buhari on recapturing Sambisa Forest

    Governors, others hail Buhari on recapturing Sambisa Forest

    The Presidency on Sunday disclosed that governors and other political leaders have been calling President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him and the leadership of the armed forces for the takeover of the Sambisa Forest from the Boko Haram terrorists.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the latest calls received by the President include from Governors of Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto.

    According to him, their colleagues from South-East, South-South, South-West and North Central states have earlier called to commend the President on the achievement of this feat which, they said, “has pleased the Nigerian people and is also being celebrated all over the world.”

    The Governors assured President Buhari that the whole country is behind him in his efforts to secure the country and make it safe.

    The Governors noted that there cannot be any meaningful development without security.

    They also paid tributes to the brave servicemen and women who made supreme sacrifices in the liberation of the Sambisa Forest and hoped that their services will never be forgotten.

    They then urged the President to mobilize all resources, both human and material, to sustain the gains made so far in the fight against terrorism and economic sabotage, adding that the attainments of the armed forces under his leadership was something that was never in doubt at the time of his election in 2015.

    The Governors called on the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, the rich countries of Asia, the Mideast and international aid and donor agencies, to raise their support to Nigeria in order to quicken the pace of the resettlement and rehabilitation of the millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps across the country.

  • How Nigerian Army captured Sambisa Forest, by Buhari

    How Nigerian Army captured Sambisa Forest, by Buhari

    •Hails troops for taking Boko Haram stronghold

    Nigerians yesterday received one of the most soul-lifting messages yet from President Mohammadu Buhari: the routing of the terror sect Boko Haram from its stronghold of Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

    The entire 1300 square kilometre forest fell into the   hands of the soldiers at about 1.35pm on Thursday, according to Buhari in what he himself called “the long-awaited and most gratifying news.”

    He said he was delighted at the news and “most proud of the gallant troops,” which made it all possible.

    He particularly acknowledged “the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at ‘Camp Zero’, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.”

    He was briefed on the development by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

    Buhari confirmed that that the terrorists “are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.”

    His message: “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.

    “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.

    “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, December 22, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.  I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice.

    “I, therefore, call on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will expose all the terrorists hiding among the populace.

    “Further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity. May God be with them.

    “I also want to congratulate and commend the able leadership of the Nigerian Army in particular and indeed, that of the Armed Forces in general, for making this possible. This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North East, but the country in general.  But we must not let our guards down.

    “Once more, congratulations to our troops and all who, in one way or the other, contributed to this most commendable and momentous effort. May the Almighty continue to be with you.

    “I wish you a Merry Christmas and a most rewarding and peaceful Year 2017 ahead.”

    Buratai separately lauded the efforts and sacrifices of “gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Army currently engaged in the counter insurgency operations in the North East and other operations across the country and abroad.”

    He gave the commendation in a Christmas and New Year message to the personnel.

    He congratulated them for their “bravery, doggedness and loyalty in these endeavours,” and urged them to “maintain the momentum and remain steadfast as we continue to professionally and responsively carryout our constitutional roles.”

    He pledged to continue to “ensure that troops’ welfare and that of their families, remains my utmost priority.”

    He also assured them of “Federal Government’s commitment to providing the Nigerian Army with the requisite support for us to perform our duties.

    “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, has pledged his total support to the Armed Forces to bring all ongoing operations to an end in favour of our dear country.

    “This festive season heralds peace as well as a time for merriment, sober reflection and introspection. I enjoin us all to continue to pray to the Almighty God for the repose of the souls of our fallen comrades and the wellbeing of the families of our brave fallen heroes,” the army said.

    While thanking the officers and men for the good job they had done in 2016, he said they should look forward to “making greater progress in 2017.”

    He wished them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    However, the ouster of the insurgents from Sambisa does not necessarily translate into an end to other forms of terrorism by the extremists.

    These include suicide bombings, and assaults on villages, gatherings and military locations in the Northeast.

    The Sambisa Forest which Gen. Buratai last March said is  about the size of Enugu State had served Boko Haram in various ways including its operational base, training camps, and hideout for its leaders, foot soldiers and their families.

    Most of the over 200 Chibok school girls that were abducted in April 2014 are believed to have been kept in the forest for some time.

    Some of the girls were released in October after protracted negotiations with the terrorists.

  • Buhari hails troops for capturing Sambisa forest

    Buhari hails troops for capturing Sambisa forest

    President Mohammadu Buhari on Saturday commended the Nigerian troops for capturing Sambisa forest from the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

    The commendation was contained in a goodwill message to the troops, which he personally signed.

    He said he was delighted that the terrorists are on the run and no longer have any place to hide in the forest.

    ” I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.

    “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.

    “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. ”

    Buhari urged the troops to maintain the tempo by pursuing the terrorists in order to bring them to justice.

    The President also called on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will expose all the terrorists hiding among the populace.

    He said that further efforts should be intensified to locate and free the remaining Chibok girls still in captivity.

    “I also want to congratulate and commend the able leadership of the Nigerian Army in particular and indeed, that of the Armed Forces in general, for making this possible.

    “This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North East, but the country in general. But we must not let our guards down.

    “Once more, congratulations to our troops and all who, in one way or the other, contributed to this most commendable and momentous effort. May the Almighty continue to be with you.

    “I wish you a Merry Christmas and a most rewarding and peaceful Year 2017,” the President said.

  • Troops enter the heart of Sambisa forest

    Troops enter the heart of Sambisa forest

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have entered into the heart of Sambisa forest from different fronts, clearing the last frontier of Boko Haram terrorists’ hideouts in the process.

    The Theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen Leo Irabor, yesterday gave a full account of the operations in Maiduguri. He described the current offensive against Boko Haram as successful.

    General Irabor said the operation into the heart of Sambisa forest is in several fronts and it included collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which has been deeply involved in the fight against insurgency.

    He added that the two Boko Haram factions had been fighting each other, causing disarray in their rank and file.

    Irabor said: “On one of the fronts, on November 30, troops cleared Goneri before harbouring at Goni Kurmi. While at harbour at Goni Kurmi, the troops were attacked by insurgents with the hope of slowing down their push. The attack was successfully repelled, with the insurgents suffering casualties. The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle and different calibres of ammunitions and magazines.

    “The advance continued the next day and our troops successfully cleared Alafa 1, 2 and 3 before harbouring at Bula Bello. On December 5, troops cleared all Boko Haram delay positions before capturing Njimia. At Njimia our troops were attacked by the terrorists with anti-aircraft guns and small arms fire.

    “Yesterday, at 4 pm, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft identified insurgents massing up to attack our troops at Njimia. Our Artillery and air assets were used to engage them.

    Four vehicles and a fuel tanker likely laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were destroyed. The NAF also strafed and killed many fleeing insurgents.

    “Meanwhile, I can confirm to you that the insurgents are in total disarray due to our current military operations. Even the Maman Nur and Shekau factions clashed again recently, which has further forced their remnants at Kafa to disperse in confusion and desperation.”

  • Free, fair election in Rivers abnormal, says Ganduje

    Free, fair election in Rivers abnormal, says Ganduje

    …Wike: Rivers elections normal

    Kano State Governor and Chairman of Rivers’ All Progressives Congress (APC) Rerun election Campaign Committee, Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday said that it will be easy for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to have free and fair elections in Rivers State and the southern part of the country.

    The rerun election in Rivers State is billed for December 10th.

    Ganduje, however said that everything will be done to change the trend and have free and fair elections in the state.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “We are prepared, we just came out of the Ondo elections, we have fresh ideas even though both environments are different but we have our own strategies. Like in Ondo state we must ensure we have free and fair elections.

    “You know in that part of the country having free and fair elections is not normal and we have to make it normal this time. We must ensure that they is security so that people will come out and vote that’s our main preoccupation at the moment. We are making wider consultations with stakeholders and we believe we will succeed,” he said.

    He said he was at the Villa to brief the President on the security situation in Kano, especially the fallout from the north western part of the country where some Boko Haram members and Kidnappers try to dominate the forest.

    He said: “They came back from Sambisa forest so that they can be operating from another part of the north western part of the country. So the security agencies are working very hard. A lot of arrest have been made and investigation is going on.

    “We won’t allow them to dominate Kano and make it as a launching pad, since the cosmopolitan city of Kano is an attractive place for such elements to come in. The security agencies have apprehended about three or four of them,” he stated.

    According to him, the President is happy with the situation in the state.

    On economic summit between Lagos and Kano, he said: “We appointed a technical committee. It is working on that, we are examining the business relationship between Lagos and Kano, we take advantage each state is having and we will invite Mr President to the summit.

    “The summit will hold in Kano. The governor of Lagos State has agreed it should hold in Kano. There are similarities between Lagos and Kano, both are mega cities. Lagos is the largest commercial city in Nigeria while Kano is the largest commercial city in the north.

    “We are both cosmopolitan and our developmental challenges are the same in terms of providing social amenities, security, urbanization. There is a need to look inward now that money is going down so we need to take comparative advantage of both states.

    “We have farmers and lot of agriculture production and Lagos have consumers and they also process and they have higher industries than Kano. This is the kind of relationship we can develop, and we believe it will work.”

    Reacting to the claim that having free and fair elections in Rivers is abnormal, the state governor, Nyesom Wike said elections in the state have been normal.

    “It is unfortunate if he said so. As far as I am concerned, elections have been normal in my part of the country. All we are asking for is free and fair election.

    “Is Governor Ganduje speaking on behalf of INEC? Is he the one conducting the elections now? He queried

    He added: “I have respect for him as an elderly person but his statement is unfortunate.

    “When his friend won the governorship election in Rivers State, the election was normal. The election was also normal in Edo State where his party won.

    “We are waiting for him to come and perform the magic he did in Kano State,” he stated.

  • Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    …UN commends Nigeria Army

     

     

    Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has disclosed that 60 percent of the Boko Haram elements operating in the north east region especially on the fringes of Sambisa Forest including the Lake Chad Basin are foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen Buratai said the information is based on intelligence report extracted from most of the insurgents that were recently captured by the army are discovered to be foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who disclosed this in Maiduguri Thursday while playing host to the Special Representatives of Secretary General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn- Chambas who was on a solidarity visit at the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital noted that the renewed onslaught by Boko Haram will not deter the Army from prosecuting the war to against the insurgents to the end.

     

    He commended the world body for the support given to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) especially at its earlier formation when he was the pioneer commander, adding that, MNJTF has achieved a lot in the fight against terrorism due to the solid foundation that was laid.

     

    The Chief of Army Staff thanked Mr. Ibn Chambas and his entourage for the visit, stressing that, “the UN is committed to achieving global peace, that is why it has committed a lot of efforts and resources in assisting the north east”, while promising the readiness of the Nigerian Army to partner with the UN in restoring peace to the north east region.

     

    In his response, Mr. Chambas commended Nigerian Army for being very professional through the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that, “your conduct has been exemplary and it’s in line with international best practices”.

     

    He noted that the UN has consistently condemned the activities of Boko Haram in the region, while praising the neighboring countries for joining hands to fight a common enemy. 

    Mr.  Chambas also informed that the UN is very much conscious of the hardship experienced by the people in the course of the crisis, just as he promised to continue to collaborate with other NGOs in reducing the sufferings of the people.

     

    He also extended his gratitude to Borno State Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other humanitarian agencies working in the state to bring succor to the displaced people, promising that the UN will do everything possible to support, rehabilitate and resettle the victims of insurgency.

     

    He commiserated with the Army over the recent killing of soldiers in the frontline by Boko Haram.

    “The UN want to sympathize with the Nigerian Army over the unfortunate incident that took place recently in Malam Fatori where Lt. Col. Abu Ali, six soldiers as well as other officers and men who died and paid a supreme price on the hands of insurgents.

     

    “I want to thank the Chief of Army staff and governor Kashim Shettima to host me in Borno, and i urged you (military) not to relent in your gallant effort to degrade remnants of insurgents and restore peace on the land,” Mr.  Chambas said.

     

    Mr. Chambas was accompanied on the visit by some high profile UN diplomats.

  • Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops repel Boko Haram, kill two senior commanders

    Troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE stationed at Darul Jamel, on the fringes of Sambisa forest, northern parts of Borno State, on Tuesday repelled an attempted attack on their location by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The terrorists   made the attempt at the troops location at about 10.00pm, but were unfortunate as the troops killed several of them including two senior commanders that led the attack.

    According to Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Sani Usman, the troops recovered  1 Light Machine Gun (LMG) with Registration number 56M-1101229, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine,  Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb and 1 top cover of  an AK-47 Rifle. “Other items recovered include 395 Rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 15 rounds of 5.5mm  by .45 ammunition”.

    He said prior to the attack, the troops  of the same unit on routine patrol earlier, had cleared an ambush staged by elements of the suspected remnants of the terrorists desperate for food  near Banki Junction.

    “It is equally believed that the attack and ambush might not be unconnected to the fact that the terrorists were desperately targeting over 890 rescued herdsmen with their 5000 livestock being held captives by terrorists along Nigerian borders with Cameroon” he concluded.

  • Boko Haram: Troops arrest wanted Boko Haram suspect in Sambisa forest

    The ongoing Operation CRACKDOWN on Boko Haram by the Nigerian Troops in Sambisa Forest is yielding significant success according to the military.
    It’s latest operation in the area has led to the arrest of one of the wanted terrorists leader, Suleiman Umaru.
    Acting Director Army Public Relations Col. Sani Usman disclosed the arrest in a statement.
    ” In continuation of Operation CRACKDOWN deep inside Sambisa forest, troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations within the theatre of operations.
    “At about 1.35pm yesterday troops of 143 Battalion arrested one Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted. He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation,” Usman statement.
    The statement also noted that troops of 21 Brigade engaged in a heavy battle with the terrorists along Dikwa-Maiduguri road where many of the terrorists were killed.
    “Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open.
    “Similarly, the same unit in conjunction with some elements of 112 Task Force Battalion conducted a fighting patrol along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road. The team had a fierce fire fight with some Boko Haram terrorists elements in which the troops killed quite a number of the Boko Haram terrorists,” it said.
    On a sad note however, Col. Usman informed that soldiers on routine patrol ran into some Improvised Explosive Devie(IED) which injured 7 soldiers and 4 Civilian JTF.
    The Statement said; “Unfortunately, while on their way back, the team ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Antul, a village south east of Dikwa, in which 7 soldiers and 4 Civilian JTF accompanying them sustained injuries. The injured soldiers and their civilian counterparts have been evacuated to 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Maiduguri.
    “However, the patrol killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 2 AK-47 rifles from them.
    “The patrol team had earlier intercepted 31 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including women and children coming from Sunabaya, Gumule, Garno and Mane-Gana villages.
    “During preliminary investigations along with the vigilantes, one of the IDPs, Abacha Bulama, a native of Mane-Gana village, was found to be in possession of the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,900,000.00k).
    “Although he claimed to be a businessman, his possession of such large amount of money arose suspicion.
    “While Bulama has been detained for further investigation, other IDPs have been handed over to Dikwa IDP Camp Manager for screening and further humanitarian assistance.
    “On their part, troops of 254 Task Force Battalion, 25 Task Force Brigade have moved to Ngalimeri and shelled Boko Haram terrorists hideouts at Budumairi, Goneri Baleni, Mallam Maitari, Malemiri and Gombori. Although there were no signs of the Boko Haram in the area as they have all fled, however, 35 persons were rescued, screened and rehabilitated at Damboa IDP camp. The troops also arrested 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists with Dane Guns.
    “In a related development, troops of 192 Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade also carried out clearance operations at Guduf Buba, Yagwa, Gamude, Kwatara Kasa and Kwatara Tsakiya villages. It was observed that at Kwatara Tsakiya, the terrorists have neatly removed the roofing of the dispensary and other buildings possibly to cart away later.
    “Apart of the formations and units mentioned above, quite a number of them have maintained blocking positions to prevent Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Operation CRACKDOWN and aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force, while other troops carry out raids, cordon and searches in suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts”.
    The statement also observed that humanitarian activities have increased in the theatre due to the improved security currently witnessed.
    “Due to increased security, the theatre is witnessing increased humanitarian activities by various government and non-governmental agencies,” the statement said.