The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sambisa

  • Air Force jets bomb Boko Haram in Sambisa

    Air Force jets bomb Boko Haram in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Air Force yesterday launched more air strikes against Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa to weaken their capacity.

    It said the battle damage assessment indicated the building housing the terrorists were neutralised after bombardment of the area by the fighter jets.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, informed in the closing stages of the Operation Ruwan Wuta II, the NAF air interdiction were focussed on the hideouts of the terrorists in Sambisa.

    The statement supported with a video clip reads: “In the closing stages of Operation RUWAN WUTA II, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) continued to rain significant fire on Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideouts, with intensive day and night aerial bombardments.

    “On 30 October 2017, the NAF conducted an air interdiction mission on a blue-roofed structure in TALALA, a BHT infested location in Sambisa.

    “Intelligence reports from NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms as well as Human Intelligence had revealed that a sizeable number of BHTs were holding a meeting in the blue-roofed building.

    “Consequently, a NAF fighter aircraft was scrambled to attack the building.

    “Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revealed that the building and its occupants were neutralized as a result of the air strike.

    “It would be recalled that the NAF initiated Operation RUWAN WUTA II, on 23 October 2017, to further decimate the ability of the BHTs to freely operate with a view to giving advantage to our surface forces and thereby frustrate the efforts of the BHTs to recapture any Nigerian territory.”

  • Okowa’s Sambisa forest

    Government house could be a mysterious place; not to mention spooky. A former media aide who served in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s Presidential Villa recently insinuated that there exist all sorts of atrocious denizens in that rarefied seat of power.

    Reuben Abati it was who dared to suggest that Aso Rock especially of his time, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan was haunted by demons. Of course Nigerians chewed him up, believing he was trying to make excuses for his boss’ damnable inefficiency and demonic treasury-looting during his stint.

    But Hardball would concede here that there might well be psychological and even metaphorical demons traipsing every seat of power in Nigeria. And the higher the office, the more the ghouls – both in size and number.

    This notion is triggered by the mid-term reviews going on across the land currently. Governors are now being ‘compelled’ to account for the last two years.

    While some have tangible things to show, others suddenly freeze at the realization that they have been fooling around the place in the last 24 months with nothing to show for the billions they had received. It can be a trying moment when you are faced with journalists and your people throwing a barrage of questions at you and you don’t have coherent answers.

    Hardball does not suggest that Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State was in such awkward situation but it was at such a stewardship forum that he made it known to the world that Sambisa forest may have practically walked away from Borno State and settled in his state, Delta.

    Lamenting the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the Abraka Axis of his state, Okowa noted: “We are aware that there are challenges at the Abraka area but I will not call it Sambisa Forest…” so what would he call it? Sambraka Forest?

    At the midterm briefing, Okowa was full of lamentations at the bloody incursions of the herdsmen in his domain in the last two years. He cut a pitiable spectacle but the truth is that the herders have really wreaked havoc in Delta, killing raping and maiming at will. Indeed about two monarchs have been put down. The cattle Fulani have actually put the fear of cattle in the minds of the people.

    But what has Okowa done about this challenge in two years? Nothing from what we can see. He neither promulgated a law as some of his counterparts have done nor did he consider the business proposition of ranching. It’s just not enough to announce tearfully that Sambisa has relocated to Okpella; what has he done about it?

  • NAF fighter jets destroys insurgents artillery in Sambisa

    NAF fighter jets destroys insurgents artillery in Sambisa

    Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets on Friday successfully destroyed an artillery piece being sneaked into Sambisa forest by insurgents.

    Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air force, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

    Adesanya said the artillery piece was concealed under a tree and sighted by a NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft while on daytime patrol in the Sambisa general area.

    He said that about seven insurgents were also observed to be moving out from under the tree.

    “ The crew on board the ISR platform therefore, immediately called for air strikes by NAF combat platforms.

    “Following the alert, one Alpha Jet and one F-7Ni fighter aircraft were scrambled for air interdiction on the artillery piece.

    “The Alpha Jet and F-7Ni strikes were observed to have hit the target. Thereafter, the Alpha Jet strafed the area with rockets and the location of the artillery piece was completely engulfed in an inferno.

    “Subsequently, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) footage by a NAF ISR aircraft revealed that the strikes were successful as the artillery piece was neutralised,” Adesanya said.

    Adesanya stated that with the successful attacks, attempts by the remnants of the insurgents to reinforce their capability with the artillery piece was thwarted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that it was a follow-up to other interdiction missions previously carried out in the Sambisa general area and other suspected terrorists’ hideouts. (NAN)

  • Fall of Sambisa: Borno declares Dec. 22 public holiday

    Fall of Sambisa: Borno declares Dec. 22 public holiday

    The Borno Government has declared Dec. 22 of every year as Public Holiday to celebrate the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists by the Nigerian military.

    Gov.Kashim Shettima disclosed this at the opening of the 2017 Small Arms Championship in Sambisa forest in Borno on Monday.

    “The Borno Government will from this year begin to declare Dec. 22 as Sambisa Memorial Day.

    “This day will be marked as Public Holiday in Borno for the purpose of celebrating the strength and the victory of our Armed Forces,” Shettima said.

    He explained that the day would also be used for remembering victims of the Boko Haram terrorism and the families they had left behind.

    He said that the day would also be used to remember members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and volunteers who lost their lives in the fight against the insurgents.

    “The Borno government will do everything possible to ensure that the patriotism of our heroes is supremely preserved and not taken for granted,” the governor said.

    He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for chasing away the Boko Haram terrorists from their Sambisa stronghold.

    “Based on Buhari’s announcement, the Sambisa forest became deceased or dead at about 1.35 p.m. on Dec.22, 2016.

    “Three months after its demise, today marks the official funeral of the Sambisa forest. I am proud to have witnessed this funeral and I congratulate all of us for being witnesses to the triumph of good over evil,” he said.

    Shettima said that the state government was also working on plans to set up a museum to be named Sambisa to document all materials related to the military fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa.

    “The fall of Sambisa is both symbolic and memorable and that is why as a government, we are taking steps to preserve the history behind the fall of Sambisa.

    “And to spectacularly document the roles played by everyone from the Commander-In Chief, our service commanders and soldiers.

    “Very soon, the state government will respectively request for partnership with the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of Information  to construct a museum that will be named Sambisa Fall and International Research Centre,” he said.

    Shettima said that the center would be used for the purpose of documenting all due classified information on the fight against Boko Haram.

    “The centre will also help to preserve valuable materials recovered by the military in relation to the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and to document history of the crisis from the days of Taliban to the Boko Haram terrorism.

    “Importantly, our aim is to document responses by successive political and military leadership and the eventual fall of Sambisa forest under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    ” We hope that such a museum will become a global custodian of information and valuable materials on issues relating to the Boko Haram and the role played by the Nigerian military and the multi national forces.

    “We will propose that the museum should have a hall of fame for fallen heroes which will bear names and pictures of notable officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “Also, the hall of fame will bear the names of the paramilitary, the Civilian JTF and the hunters who paid supreme price in helping to free us from Boko Haram terrorists,” the governor said.(NAN)

  • Why we are holding competition in Sambisa forest – Army

    Why we are holding competition in Sambisa forest – Army

    The Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General  D.D Ahmadu has explained why the Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition (NASAC) is being held  in the dreaded Sambisa forest.

    Maj. Gen. Ahmadu spoke with  newsmen  on Thursday at a media briefing held at the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri.

    According to him, the choice of Sambisa Forest for the 2017 competition is to consolidate on the total defeat of the insurgents, dominate the general forest area and make it safer for other activities.

    “The objective of the Championship is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the Nigerian Army personnel. The formations will be competing in marksmanship with the best formation carting away the prestigious Chief of Army Staff’s trophy.

    “The championship will also mark the commencement of the on-going plan to move speedily and make the Sambisa forest general area safe for habitation and subsequently make it an area for the Nigerian Army training activities. To this end, provision has already been made for the opening of more roads, construction of culverts and bridges by the Nigerian Army Engineers to facilitate easy movements to the general area.

    “The NASAC 2017 is unique with the introduction of Nigerian Army fire power demonstration as part of the activities. This would enable Nigerian Army to test its armored tanks, infantry weapons and artillery guns as well as various weapons in its inventory to enhance battle marksmanship and professionalism of its personnel,” Ahmadu said.

    While pledging the commitment of the army toward the safety of the people of Borno State and calling on them not to panic, the Army however cautioned residents to be vigilant of any suspicious character within their community and report such to the appropriate authorities.

     

  • Terrorism: NAF jets destroy Boko Haram base

    Terrorism: NAF jets destroy Boko Haram base

    A concealed logistics base used by Boko Haram Terrorists have been destroyed by a formation of the  Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Alpha and F-7Ni jets.
    The logistics base was concealed by fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in Sambisa who were tracked by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to the  location where they had gone to retrieve some items before fighter aircraft were called-in for strike.
    According to the Director,Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, the coordinated attack was carried out by a formation of two Alpha Jet and an F-7Ni fighter aircraft while the ISR aircraft remained overhead the target location to guide the attacking aircraft as well as provide battle damage assessment.
    “The huge inferno generated by the attack suggests that the target location was either a fuel or ammunition dump as can be seen from the declassified footage of the air strike.
    The latest air strike is another major feat in the renewed air effort by the NAF to neutralise the fleeing terrorists as well as decimate their capability to regroup for attack on own surface forces and people within the nearby communities,” he said.
  • Capture of Sambisa’s Camp Zairo not end of campaign- Minister

    Capture of Sambisa’s Camp Zairo not end of campaign- Minister

    The Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan Ali on Monday said the capture of Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest is the end of mission and not the campaign against Boko Haram.

    The Minister spoke in Yola at the Command centre of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) during a briefing for members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) team.

    The BBOG group had been invited by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on an operational visit to Sambisa forest to have a first-hand view of how the military has been fighting the war on insurgency and the efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok girls.

    The BBOG team which comprised of the convener and former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwezili, the coordinator BBOG, Aisha Yesufu and another official, Dr. Manaseh Allen.

    The Minister was responding to questions from Ms. Ezekwezili on why the military is still conducting operations in sambisa when it claimed to have captured it.

    “Camp Zairo is the spiritual headquarters of Boko Haram, it doesn’t mean when you capture that all of them will disappear but it is significant because it was thought that the place was impregnable.

    “Capturing Camp Zairo is the end of the mission to capture the place, we are not saying the campaign is over but we have dominated camp Zairo,” the Minister said.

    Leading the briefing, the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal, Nurudeen Balogun  said the NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance  (ISR) missions over Sambisa forest have revealed sightings of women and children, many trying to flee Boko Haram.

    Also present at  the briefing were the  Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    The team left Abuja aboard the Air Transport Plane Hercules C-130 for Yola where a full briefing was held.

    “We have intensified our ISR to ensure displaced Boko Haram members do not regroup. Since January 1 to 15, 2017, we have flown a number of sorties and there have been some sightings of abductees,” Balogun said.

  • Mohammed, BBOG leader lead tour to Yola, Sambisa

    Mohammed, BBOG leader lead tour to Yola, Sambisa

    In a last minute reversal, the Bring Back Our Girls campaigners on Monday morning accepted the invitation for an operational visit to Yola and Sambisa forest.

    The BBOG was led by former Education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, the convener, Aisha Yesufu, Dr. Manaseh Allen and another aide.

    They joined Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Minister of Defence, Brig General Mansur Dan-Ali.

    The team left the Nigeria Air Force airbase in Abuja aboard the transport plane, C-130 Hercules and arrived at 103 Strike force Group Yola at 10:35am.

    The team is currently undergoing a debrief of what to expect as it prepares to fly into Sambisa forest.
    According to the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Nurudeen Balogun, some sightings of abductees have been made in the following areas: Njimia, Dure, Camp Zairo, Tumbun Rego, Yuwe and Dogon Chuku villages.

    He said eight women and 11 children were rescued on January 8, 2017.

    Follow Defence Correspondent @seunakioye for updates

  • FG to BBOG: Let’s go search for Chibok girls in Sambisa

    FG to BBOG: Let’s go search for Chibok girls in Sambisa

    The Federal Government has thrown a challenge at the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group as it intensifies efforts to find the remaining missing Chibok girls.
    It has invited the campaigners to be part of a mission to Sambisa Forest in Borno State, where the terror sect, Boko Haram once held sway.
    The group, led by former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwezili, has declined the invitation, saying government should apologise to the campaigners first.
    Sambisa forest used to serve as the operational camp and headquarters of the sect until it was flushed out of the vast territory towards the end of last year by troops.
    It was where the over 200 Chibok girls abducted in April 2014 by the sect were first taken to until some of them managed to escape and 20 others released last year.
    The BBOG has been critisising the federal government for not doing enough in rescuing the remaining girls in the custody of the terrorists.
    Government denied the allegation and said it is putting in a lot of efforts to get them freed.
    It is now sending a mission to the forest tomorrow on a fact finding trip and it wants the group to nominate two representatives to join the delegation.
    The trip will enable the campaigners to have firsthand information on the efforts being made by the military to rescue the girls.
    The government’s invitation was dispatched to the BBOG Convener, Oby Ezekwesili, on January 11 against the backdrop of continued protest by the campaigners for the rescue of the girls.
    The letter, which was signed by Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, asked the BBOG to nominate two representatives who will join some journalists and others for the Sambisa Forest trip.
    The group responded yesterday and said it would not take up the challenge unless government apologizes for the decision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, to give audience to and endorse an opposition group that referred to the #BBOG as a social advocacy terrorism.
    The invitation letter to BBOG reads: “Let me congratulate you most sincerely for the continuing interest of your group, Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG), in the fate of the Chibok girls, including those who have regained freedom and those who remain in captivity.
    “In recognition of your unwavering commitment to the freedom of the girls who remain in captivity, you are invited to nominate three of the BBOG members to join you on a guided trip to the North-East on Monday, 16 Jan. 2017.
    “The trip, being planned by the military, will see the Ministers of Defence and Information as well the Chief of Air Staff joining the invited BBOG members and a select group of journalists, first to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Command Centre in Yola to witness first-hand the efforts being made to search for the girls by the NAF and then join the day and night sorties with the NAF to the Sambisa Forest.
    “Please note that due to limited seats on the search planes only two of the invited BBOG members will join the NAF sorties.
    “After the sorties, the team will return to Yola for a briefing by the NAF on their daily search for the girls, as well as all those who have been abducted by Boko Haram.
    “It is our belief that this trip will avail the BBOG the opportunity to witness and better understand the efforts being made by the Nigerian military to secure freedom for the girls.
    “While awaiting your response, please accept the assurances of my highest considerations.”
    However, #BBOG, in a letter signed by Dr. Ezekwesili demanded an apology from the Chief of Army Staff for giving audience to and endorsing an opposition group that referred to the #BBOG as a social advocacy terrorism, before considering the request to join the mission to Sambisa Forest.
    It said:”Before proceeding on further discussions on the proposed visit, we propose a pre tour meeting to discuss pertinent issues that will help inform our decision to proceed.
    “We believe that this prior meeting will help provide firsthand knowledge of and answers to questions that our movement wishes to raise ahead of the guided visit.
    “We propose that participants at the meeting be the National Security Adviser to the President and the other officials of government indicated in your letter.
    , these are, the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Army staff and the Chief of Air Force.
    “Further more we wish to raise a matter critical to our proposed meeting. Only two days ago, the Federal Government owned News Agency of Nigeria widely reported through the mass media, that during a visit to the Army headquarters by a certain group which was received by the Chief of Army Staff, our movement was attacked for engaging “social advocacy terrorism.” It is puzzling that the reported said Visit Happened less than forty eight hours before our movement received your letter asking us to travel in the company of the same Chief of Army Staff to Sambisa forest.
    “We demand therefore that ahead of the pre tour meeting, we have proposed herein, that the Chief of Army Staff retracts and apologizes for endorsing such slanderous attacks against our movement #BringBackOurGirls and specifically at some of our leaders.

  • Chibok girls: FG invites BBOG for search sorties to Sambisa Forest

    Chibok girls: FG invites BBOG for search sorties to Sambisa Forest

    The Federal Government has invited the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group for day and search sorties for missing Chibok girls to Sambisa Forest.
    The trip will enable the campaigners to have firsthand information on the efforts being made by the Nigerian military to rescue the girls.
    The government’s invitation was contained in a January 11, 2016 letter to the Convener of BBOG, Dr. (Mrs.) Oby Ezekwesili against the backdrop of continued protest by the campaigners for the rescue of Chibok girls.
    The letter, which was signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed asked the BBOG campaigners to nominate two representatives who will join some journalists and others for a trip to Sambisa Forest on Monday.
    But the BBOG was yet to officially respond to the government’s offer as at press time on Saturday.
    The invitation letter reads: “Let me congratulate you most sincerely for the continuing interest of your group, Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG), in the fate of the Chibok girls, including those who have regained freedom and those who remain in captivity.
    “In recognition of your unwavering commitment to the freedom of the girls who remain in captivity, you are invited to nominate three of the BBOG members to join you on a guided trip to the North-East on Monday, 16 Jan. 2017.
    “The trip, being planned by the military, will see the Ministers of Defence and Information as well the Chief of Air Staff joining the invited BBOG members and a select group of journalists, first to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Command Centre in Yola to witness first-hand the efforts being made to search for the girls by the NAF and then join the day and night sorties with the NAF to the Sambisa Forest.
    “Please note that due to limited seats on the search planes; only two of the invited BBOG members will join the NAF sorties.”