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Tag: Shekau

  • Boko Haram: Uncertainty over Shekau’s fate

    Boko Haram: Uncertainty over Shekau’s fate

    JTF claims he may have been killed

    We’re winning, says Army

    There was uncertainty yesterday over the fate of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, following reports on his wellbeing.

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno claimed in a statement that Shekau may have died in Amitchide (a border community in Cameroon) after an encounter with troops. But a highly-placed source said the position of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) was that it was hasty to reach such a conclusion.

    Besides, there was no independent confirmation of the claim, which Boko Haram neither confirmed nor denied.

    It was learnt that the DHQ had been analysing all clues and documents the JTF presented to it as evidence that Shekau may have died.

    The DHQ was said to have passed an interim verdict that the JTF’s fact-sheet was yet to “add up”.

    According to sources, the DHQ asked the JTF to “exercise caution” in making any announcement until Shekau’s situation had been verified.

    But the JTF, in a statement by its spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said intelligence report had shown that Shekau, who was reportedly injured during a crossfire with troops in Sambisa Forest in Borno State on June 30, might have died in Amitchide between July 25 and August 3.

    The statement said: “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation RESTORE ORDER revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader may have died.

    “He died of gunshot wound received in an encounter with the JTF troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on 30 June 2013.

    “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide – a border community in Cameroon – for treatment which he never recovered.

    “It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July to 3 August, 2013. He was reported to have masterminded the kidnap of the seven French citizens and that of the elder statesman Alhaji (Dr) Shettima Ali Monguno, in addition to many murders of Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria.

    “He was also responsible for bombings of many places of worship and public buildings including Police and United Nations Headquarters in Abuja.

    “The recent video released on 13 August, 2013 by the purported sect leader was dramatised by an imposter to hoodwink the sect members to continue with the terrorism and to deceive the undiscerning minds.

    “The JTF wishes to appeal to the sect members to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s offer for dialogue.”

    But a top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The DHQ has received documents or intelligence report from the JTF on the purported death of Shekau but all these are still being analysed.

    “The circumstances presented have some gaps which we have to fill through further investigation.

    “The DHQ believes the details made available have not added up. So, as far as we are concerned, it is still hasty to conclude that Shekau is dead.

    “As a matter of fact, the JTF was advised to tarry a while in making the announcement of Shekau’s death. But it was shocking to the DHQ.”

    Another source, who also pleaded not to be named because of what he called the sensitivity of the matter, said: “There are challenges in verifying the death of Shekau. For instance, if Shekau was shot wounded on June 30 by troops, how come the DHQ was just being informed?

    “How come none of the Boko Haram members in custody could account for Shekau’s death, unlike what they did on the death of Shekau’s deputy, Momodu Bama? Why is it impossible to send a decoy mission to Amatchide in Cameroon to verify his death?

    “The purported appearance of Shekau on August 13 made the claim of his death about 10 days earlier suspicious by the DHQ.

    “Although it is common for members of such a sect to sustain the struggle after the death of their leader, we might have to do voice screening or analysis to determine whether Shekau actually spoke on August 13 or not.

    “Certainly, we have some gaps to fill, including liaising with Cameroonian authorities, to verify Shekau’s death in Amatchide.”

    The defunct JTF in Borno State and the Borno Vigilance Youths Group, (BVYG) on Sunday arrested a top Boko Haram informant (name withheld) in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The suspect, who claimed to be a close associate of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau had some documents on the activities of the sect on him, when he was arrested.

    He was picked up at Baban Layi, a commercial area of Maiduguri metropolis, mostly dominated by Igbo traders, before they relocated in the heat of the Boko Haram crisis.

    According to JTF sources in Maiduguri, five other Boko Haram suspects were arrested in Gwange and Kulolori/Shuwari wards.

    Two of the suspects were arrested in Kulolori ward the remaining three were rounded up in Gwange area.

    Chairman of BVYG, Abubakar Mallum, said the arrested informant, claimed to be a merchant.

     

  • When Boko Haram’s Shekau is found

    The United States Acting Assistant Director of Diplomatic Security Threat Investigations and Analysis Directorate, Ambassador Kurt Rice, has said that wanted Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, could be tried for terrorism in the United States or in Nigeria where he hails from if caught. To this end, the U.S. on Monday placed $23m bounties on five leaders of terrorist groups in West Africa, including Shekau. The Boko Haram leader alone attracted a highly tempting seven million dollars bounty. News reports pointed out that the U.S. action coincided with the Nigerian government finally determining, after endless waffling and prevarication, that Boko Haram is indeed a terrorist organisation, and its leaders and members liable to be tried for terrorism.

    Nigeria, which is increasingly finding it difficult to define and guard its independence and national pride, has not protested against any suggestion that its homegrown terrorists cannot be dealt with at home and under home rules. Boko Haram has not just attacked home targets; indeed foreigners have also been among its victims. However, except for a brief foray into Cameroun, and perhaps a base and launch pad in Mali, the sect’s attacks have been limited to Nigeria. As Britain showed in the case of Michael Adebolajo, the British terror suspect who was coaxed from feeble Kenyan hands in 2010 in order to be investigated under British rules, nations recognise that their sovereignty is infinitely much more nuanced than first view and ordinary definitions suggest. Nigeria needs all the help it can get to curb terrorism and bring Nigerian terrorists, or any other terrorist who commits crime on Nigerian soil, to trial. But it must be understood very clearly that Shekau is our problem, and except he goes to another country to carry out terror-related activities, he remains strictly our problem, no matter how far-reaching the consequences of his actions.

    Nigeria has never presumptuously attempted to intercept foreign terrorists on foreign soils. Therefore, this generation of Nigerians must never be seen as condoning foreign governments extending their laws creatively or collaterally for the purpose of apprehending and prosecuting Nigerian criminals. It is of course evident that Nigerian governments have been slothful in dealing with their criminals, either because of plain juristic inefficiency or because certain individuals in government connive at crime and criminals. This is, however, not enough reason for other countries to invade our sovereignty under any guise. In fact, it must be emphasized that even if Shekau were to be apprehended in, say, Mali by U.S. forces, it is important that he should be handed over to us for prosecution. Thankfully, Ambassador Rice has herself left a window open for the wanted terrorists to be tried in their home countries. Nigeria must emphasise its unequivocal preference for this option.

    But if Ambassador Rice contemplates the option of subjecting Shekau to the U.S. justice system, it is simply because Nigeria has consistently and enduringly projected a weakness of national character that has made it possible, for example, for Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to be ‘handed’ over remorselessly to British authorities for prosecution, and for our country to quite puzzlingly rejoice that a James Ibori foolishly preferred to wash his dirty linen abroad. If our laws are weak, by all means let us strengthen them. If our courts are inefficient, let us make them more efficient. And if our justice system is too convoluted to competently dispense justice speedily, let us remedy the problem. Let us do anything but display a weakness of national character that makes Nigerians prey to foreigners. Surely we are smart enough to know that prosecuting Shekau abroad, if he is apprehended, would define the country as a people of weak resolve and slow thinking. But if, failing everything, our courts let us down, then let us at least have the common sense and essential practicality to live with our faults.

     

  • Shekau’s challenge

    Shekau’s challenge

    •Unites States should translate its promise to help Nigeria fight Boko Haram into action

    The virulent influence of Boko Haram seems inexorable even though growing national and global concerns against its scourge have been without empirical dividend. Why did we say this? Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s leader, looks not deterred by the global terrorist tag and a bounty of $7million placed on his head by the United States (US). Not even the ongoing state of emergency and military operations in some parts of the north where the sect’s activities are more pronounced has slowed him and his men down.

    The religious reprobate, who over time has held the country under siege, is still threatening fire and brimstone from his hideout in a recently released Agence France Presse (AFP) video footage. He dared Presidents Barack Obama of United States, Francois Hollande of France and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to a contest.

    In Shekau’s imprudent view, the leaders of these powerful countries are “no match” for him. He reportedly affirmed his culpability in recent killings that occurred in some parts of the north. His statement, unfortunately, came while the nation groans over news reports that 44 people were again killed last Sunday in a mosque while praying in Konduga, 35 kilometres from Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Maiduguri is the epicentre of the sect’s activities since 2009 when its vicious acts became manifest.

    Boko Haram is responsible for several deadly raids over the past months, including the attack on the police and the military in Malam Fatori and Bama and the ones in Baga and Gamboru Ngala, near the country’s border with Cameroun. The Boko Haram insurgency is estimated to have claimed more than 3,600 lives since 2009. In an obvious reference to the generally held view that he suffered serious gunshot wounds during an attack on his hideout and is probably dead by now; Shekau vivaciously declared in the video: “You have not killed Shekau.”

    We consider as alarming Shekau’s claim that the launch of military operations by the Federal Government after its declared state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states on May 14, ‘cannot’ impede the activities of the sect. His call for support from some countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, in the sect’s bid to enthrone an Islamic state in the nation is damning. This thinking should be addressed by the nation’s security chiefs.

    The Shekau video boast and his sect’s growing activities cast aspersion on the effectiveness of the state of emergency and viability of intelligence gathering in the land. This is not the first time he would release video recordings anytime the sect strikes against the society, without any serious security intelligence clue on the matter. In January, 2012, just immediately after the Madalla bombing, Shekau emerged in a 15-minute video to say that the security agencies could not overcome his group. He also rejected government’s amnesty offer which, according to him, lacks Islamic ingredients.

    The US has publicly professed its voluntary determination to help the country combat terrorist acts of the Boko Haram. But till date, the positive result of such an important promise is yet to be felt. Could it be that the US was just blustering, or what could have been amiss? We know that the Boko Haram matter has been riddled with shoddy intelligence gathering by the country’s security agencies, but this is why an effective international intervention from the US would come handy. The Shekau challenge should act as wake-up call on the US. She needs to act and not bluster on the Boko Haram-inflicted insecurity, in the interests of the two countries.

  • Boko Haram leader Shekau dares Obama in video

    Boko Haram leader Shekau dares Obama in video

    -44 killed inside mosque

    -Military seizes arms, ammunition from sect

    Despite being declared a global terrorist and a $7million reward placed on him by the United States (US), Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is still talking tough.

    Shekau, in a video yesterday, dared US President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come for him, saying: “They are no match for me.”

    He spoke amid reports that 44 people were killed on Sunday in a mosque while praying in Konduga, some 35 kilometres outside Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which is the epicentre of the sect’s activities.

    The bodies, according to Associated Press (AP), were counted yesterday “although the deadly attack by militants took place on Sunday morning.”

    In the video obtained by Agence France Presse (AFP), Shekau, while claiming responsibility for the recent killings in some parts of the North, said: “I’m challenging Obama.”

    Throwing similar challenges to Hollande and Netanyahu, he said he was in “good health”, pointing out that there is nothing to fear from the military operation in some parts of the Northeast.

    The military campaign began after the Federal Government declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states on May 14.

    “You have not killed Shekau,” he said in the video distributed through a local intermediary in a similar manner to previous Boko Haram messages.

    Seated on a short stool with a kalashnikov resting on his right shoulder, Shekau said Boko Haram was “responsible” for several deadly raids over the past month.

    These include attacks on the police and the military in Malam Fatori and Bama, which sparked clashes in which at least 35 people died, according to the military.

    The video contained what Shekau claimed was a footage of Boko Haram gunmen opening fire on the military in Bama, using heavy weapons mounted on flat-bed trucks.

    Shekau also referred to fighting in Baga and Gamboru Ngala near the border with Cameroon.

    The Boko Haram insurgency is estimated to have claimed more than 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by security forces.

    On May 12, Shekau claimed responsibility for attacks that left scores dead in Baga and Bama in a 12-minute video which also showed some women and children held hostage by the terror group.

    Shekau, who spoke in Hausa in the video said: “We are the ones that carried out the Bama attack. We also carried out the attack in Baga”.

    In another video after the declaration of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, the sect claimed to have recorded a few losses while forcing the military to retreat on many occasions.

    “Since we started this ongoing war which they call state of emergency … in some instances soldiers who faced us turned and ran,” Shekau said.

    He claimed that the military threw down their arms in flight, just as he urged like-minded Islamists in countries, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to support the sect’s war towards enthroning an Islamic state in Nigeria.

    In January last year, after the Madalla bombing, Shekau in a 15-minute video, said the security agencies could not overcome his group.

    Shekau rejected the government’s amnesty offer, saying the group could only hold talks with the government in accordance with Islamic teachings.

    Yesterday at the Presidential Villa, President Goodluck Jonathan met with top security chiefs. Although no statement was issued after the meeting, it is believed that the activities of Boko Haram topped the agenda.

    At the meeting were National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) Ita Ekpenyong.

    Others are Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade and Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada.

    Also yesterday, in Sokoto, the military announced the arrest of a Boko Haram suspect, Mubarak aka Dan-Hajiya, after a raid on a hideout on Sunday.

    Officers and men of the Brigade raided the hideout of some suspected terrorists on Sunday night which led to the arrest of Dan-Hajiya.

    Spokesman of the Brigade Captain Yahaya Musa told reporters that the operation was jointly conducted with SSS operatives.

    According to him, the operation was in continuation of the series of raids being carried out by the security agencies to rid Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states of some of the fleeing insurgents from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    He said: “Troops of the brigade have in the past few days intensified raids on the hideouts of these suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

    “We had also made several arrests and investigations are ongoing, so this is the only one we can authoritatively confirm now.

    “But I can, however, authoritatively confirm that there were no deaths recorded either on the side of the insurgents or the military, SSS.’’

    Musa said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspect’s house at the Nakasari area of Sokoto.

    They are: “Three AK 47 rifles, one riot gun, 153 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, explosives, three cartons of acid, knock-outs, chemicals and thermometers, among others.

    He appealed to residents to disregard rumours and remain supportive of the security agencies.

     

  • Boko Haram chief Shekau’s in-laws arrested

    Boko Haram chief Shekau’s in-laws arrested

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed yesterday the arrest of Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau’s in-laws.

    The raid in which the in-laws were arrested resulted in the recovery of some recorded audio messages of the insurgents, the DHQ said.

    Also, the DHQ said a recent encounter with the terrorists led to the death of Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, one of the kingpins on the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s) wanted list.

    It also confirmed that 58 detainees linked with Boko Haram insurgents had been released in Borno and Yobe states.

    DHQ spokesman Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made the disclosures at a briefing by the Joint Security Committee in Abuja, said the Special Forces in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states were not on any vengeance mission but purely on a mission to restore law and order.

    Gen. Olukolade said: “Troops on cordon and search operations in Bulabulin area in Maiduguri last week discovered a vast network of underground tunnels connecting houses and many bunkers, some which have the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons.

    “More corpses were also discovered in soak-away. Various weapons were also discovered in the same area.

    “Abubakar Shekau’s parents’ in-law were picked up in the raid which also discovered various audio recordings of terrorists’ messages. Recoveries are made almost on daily basis as the operation progresses.

    “The media have had opportunity to inspect some of the items recovered from the camps. The recoveries, among others, include: eight AK47 assault rifles, one G3 rifle, nine AK47 magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, five Rocket Propelled Grenade, three FMC magazine, one G3 magazines, 14 IEDs and 166 rounds of 7.62mm Special.

    Others are 3 35mm Bazooka; 34 rounds of 5.56mm, 1,740 rounds of 303 inch, 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO, one round of .50mm, one dane gun, one locally made pistol and two mega phones.

    “In keeping with presidential directives, a total of 58 detainees linked with Boko Haram insurgents have been released in Borno and Yobe states.

    “These comprised 23 women and 35 children. Some of the teenagers confessed that they were conscripted to run errand for the terrorists who paid them paltry N5,000 to monitor troops and set public buildings ablaze. The women and children were handed over to the governors of Borno and Yobe states for onward rehabilitation and reintegration.”

    The Defence spokesman confirmed the death of a key leader of Boko Haram in Maiduguri.

    He said: “The mandate of Mr. President to the forces involves the destruction of all terrorist camps/bases, apprehension of perpetrators and bringing them to justice. This mandate has been substantially achieved with destruction of terrorists’ stronghold and bases. In the process, many captives of the terrorists especially women and children, were freed from the camps as their captors fled in disarray.

    “A recent encounter in the terrorists main enclaves in Bulabulin Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja in Maiduguri metropolis led to the death of Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, one of the kingpins on the JTF wanted list. Many women and minors were rescued and handed over to their families by the JTF.

    “A number of terrorists have been apprehended by the Special Forces. Many of them have also died in battle with the forces. Various resources, including trained military police dogs facilitated the arrest of insurgents who try to infiltrate the cities after being dislodged from their bases at the outset of the operation.

    “Cordon and Search Operations have started enjoying tremendous cooperation of locals. Several terrorists, including their foreign members, are being tracked down. Key terrorists, especially those in the cadre of Amir as well as those helping in their renewed mobilisation and recruitment of minors are being hunted.”

    Olukolade insisted that the Special Operation had reduced the spate of bombings nationwide.

    He added: “Notwithstanding the sporadic asymmetric attacks on certain soft targets, you would have noticed a drastic reduction in bombings and attacks on places outside the North-East epicenter of the terrorists. The improved security situation as indicated in general assessment has resulted in the ongoing phased restoration of telecommunication services in the states where it had to be withdrawn at the beginning of operation. Hence, Adamawa State now has telecommunication services fully restored.

    “Highlight of developments on this operation will be discussed subsequently, but we must note that apart from the ongoing operations in the Northeast, there are other joint operations by the security agencies in other parts of the country.

    “These include the efforts to check the activities of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, restoration of peace in the Plateau as well as tackling armed banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes confronting our country. Let us look at the achievements and developments at these other on-going operations.”

    The Defence spokesman said the Special Forces had complied with the rule of engagement and they are now enjoying much cooperation from the civilian populace.

    He said: “As relative peace gradually returns to the affected states, peace and confidence building mechanism have been put in place to consolidate on the modest achievement.

    “One of the gains of the confidence building process is that civilian populace are now not only willing to volunteer information on suspected individuals in their vicinity but are prepared to get physically involved in apprehending them. Defence Headquarters Assessment teams who visited the states observed increased commercial activities as banks, markets and other public places have been opened and in business.

    “The forces in this operation are quite conversant with the rules of engagement. Constant monitoring is ongoing to ensure there is no violation and where there is, to instantly investigate and punish perpetrators.

    “Nigerians and our friends abroad must realise that the security operations were necessitated by the need to secure and restore the rights of Nigerian citizens who were being abused by the activities of terrorists.

    “The terrorists have not only violated Nigeria’s sovereignty, they have committed mindless atrocities against citizens and there is no way such abuse, lawlessness and hate ideology could be encouraged or allowed to continue.

    “While the forces will remain accountable, the prying eyes of various activists should equally focus on the unending and condemnable atrocities of terrorists rather than desperately trying to play to the gallery by seeking evidence to indict the forces of non-existent human rights abuses. The forces are not on any revenge mission but purely on a mission to restore law and order.”

    Although Olukolade praised the press for its understanding, he faulted some foreign reports on the Special Operation.

     

  • The man Shekau

    The man Shekau

    Born in Shekau village in Yobe State, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau alias Darul Tawheed, until 2009, was deputy to Mohammed Yusuf, the group’s founder, who was killed while in custody.

    Shekau was believed to have been killed in 2009 during a gun duel with security agents, until his re-appearance in July 2010 in a video clip where he indicated he survived the battle.

    He was designated an international terrorist by the United States in 2012 and $7 million reward promised anyone with useful information to capture him. Shekau is believed to have a photographic memory and studied theology. He is fluent in Kanuri, Hausa and Arabic languages.

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima said Shekau is a Kanuri from Niger Republic.

  • Boko Haram disowns ceasefire pact with govt

    Boko Haram disowns ceasefire pact with govt

    *Shekau: We’ll burn more schools, kill teachers
    *Backs massacre of Yobe students

     

    The ceasefire agreement purportedly signed recently by the Federal Government and the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, is already in jeopardy.

    The leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday disclaimed the ceasefire and threatened more attacks on schools within its sphere of influence.

    The Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, had on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement between government and Boko Haram as a prelude to ending years of killings and destruction of property by the group.

    An influential member of the Shekau-led sect, Imam Muhammadu Marwana, corroborated the minister’s statement and also apologised for the various activities of the sect which have claimed thousands of lives especially in the northern part of the country.

    However, Shekau, in his latest video message supported the July 6 attack on Government Secondary School, Mamudo near Potiskum, Yobe State in which officials said 20 students and one teacher were shot dead. Although unofficial sources claimed THAT well over 40 lives were lost.

    The early morning gun and bomb attack at the boarding school saw assailants round up students and staff in a dormitory before throwing explosives inside and opening fire on fleeing students and teachers.

    He did not claim responsibility for the massacre but said:”We fully support the attack on this Western education school in Mamudo.”

    In the video, Shekau described all “Western education schools” as a “plot against Islam.”

    He stopped short of claiming to have ordered the attack.

    He threatened to burn down more schools and kill teachers. But he denied his fighters are killing children because, according to him, the Quran teaches one must not kill children, women and elderly people.

    His words:”School teachers who are teaching Western education? We will kill them! We will kill them. We don’t attack students.”

    Boko Haram means “Western education is sin.”

    Announcing the ceasefire agreement earlier on Tuesday on the Hausa Service of Radio France International, Tanimu who doubles as Chairman of the Peace and Dialogue Committee in the North said: “We have sat down and agreed that Jama’atu Ahlul Sunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad, known as Boko Haram will lay down their arms as part of the agreement so as to end the insurgency. Government agreed with ceasefire and will look into ways to ensure that the troops relax their activities till the final take off of the ceasefire.”

    He gave no details of the agreement.

    Marwana, on the said programme, confirmed the agreement and sought the forgiveness of Nigerians over the number of people killed in the country by the sect.

    “This ceasefire, in sha’Allahu, from the time I am talking to you, we have ceased fire because of the discussion held,” he said and appealed to those who have lost their loved ones to “forgive us and on our side we have forgiven all those who committed atrocities against us.”

    But he denied the involvement of the sect in the Mamudo school massacre.

     

  • No pact with FG -Shekau

    No pact with FG -Shekau

    (Being the translation of Shekau’s latest video message)

     

    ”May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all. This is an important message to all people.

    “There is this wicked rumour making the rounds that we have dialogued with government of Nigeria which led to a ceasefire on our part. We have also heard how some of our operations and attacks are being credited to criminals. As such the security agents have been killing our armed members in the name of criminals. We have seen how our members, who were out on holy mission, are being attacked and killed with the label of criminals.

    “We are telling the world that whoever kills any of our members in the name of being criminals, would surely be avenged unless such person repents now.

    “We are stating it categorically that we are not in any dialogue or ceasefire agreement with anyone. And we have never asked anybody in the name Abdulazeez to represent me, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of this movement.

    “I swear by Allah that Abdulazeez or whatever he calls himself did not get any authority from me to represent me in any capacity. I do not know him. And if we per adventure encounter Abulazeez and his group, I swear by Allah we are going to mete them with the grave judgment that Allah has prescribed for their likes in the holy book.

    “I want the world to know that we have no dialogue with government. I have on several occasions attempted to pass this message across via the Internet and Youtube and we later realised that some agents of government kept removing our messages from the net and preventing its online publication so that our messages will not be heard. They know that if the world hears our position on this fake dialogue, their efforts of deceit would be exposed.

    “We are also sending this strong message to the people of Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and any state that whoever kills any of our members should await a grave retaliation from us. God knows that we don’t kill unjustly except those that conspired against us or those that directly fight us, or the government that is waging war upon Allah and His Prophet. We will continue to wage war against them until we succeed in establishing an Islamic state in Nigeria.

    “This message is prepared by me and targeted towards clarifying the issue of ceasefire. We have never had any dialogue with anyone. How would we have had dialogue with the government when our members are being killed and detained in cells, both women and children. Do you call this dialogue? That is not dialogue or truce in Islam. In Islam, there are condition prescribed for us to go into dialogue, and there are also situations in which we cannot go in to dialogue. What we are doing now is what is prescribed for us by Allah and his holy prophet. We are workers in the vineyard of Allah.

    “We are not out to cause destructions, but correct the ills of the society. And Allah is more powerful than all, and He has the might. Allah will surely assist us to victory. This is my message to you. If you have not heard from me all this while, now my message should have reached you all.”

     

  • 3,000 Nigerians flee anti-terrorism war to Cameroon, says UN

    3,000 Nigerians flee anti-terrorism war to Cameroon, says UN

    •Jonathan thanks U.S. for bounty on  Shekau, others

    No fewer than 3,000 Nigerians have fled the battle against Boko Haram in the northeast and relocated to Cameroon, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said yesterday.

    The agency earlier reported the presence of some fleeing Nigerians in Niger.

    Also yesterday, the Borno State government lamented that about 19,000 rice farmers had relocated, hinting at a possible food shortage at the end of the year.

    The UN agency said people continued to flee the crises in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states with the refugee exodus now spreading to Cameroon, where more than 3,000 Nigerians have fled.

    UNHCR said thousands of Nigerians began crossing into Cameroon one week ago. The new arrivals tell aid workers they fled a confrontation between the army and Boko Haram rebels.

    UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said the fighting occurred just 10 kilometres from the Nigerian-Cameroon border. Most of the refugees, he said, were women and children.

    “Primarily, the refugees are being looked after by the host communities and … churches are also part of the networks providing help to people as they immediately come across,” he said.

    “As with all of these crises,” Edwards added, “the worry for us is when you have refugees in areas very close to the border, which might be volatile, might be unsafe. We are looking at moving people to other locations. But, in terms of their current accommodations, most people are living in the community.”

    The UNHCR said refugees were continuing to arrive in neighboring Niger, adding to the more than 6,000 refugees that are already there.

    Edwards said most of the new arrivals in Niger were women and children coming from rural villages across the border and from the towns of Maiduguri and Baga.

    “On 11 June, gunshots were heard in Malam Ftouri, a village on the Nigeria side, close to the border, prompting the population of the village to flee across the border. They travelled by foot, by motorbike,” he said. “They found refuge with host families just across the border. Hundreds of new arrivals have also been reported further north of Diffa, according to local authorities.”

    Aid workers on the ground report some displaced people from Nigeria are returning home after a few days in Niger. Others, they said, were shuttling between the two countries depending on the security situation in Nigeria.

    Chad, a third possible destination for Nigerian refugees, has officially closed its border. As a consequence, the UNHCR reports no Nigerians have arrived there besides the 155 refugees who came last week.

    Islamic militants have driven 19,000 rice farmers from their land while a military crackdown is preventing thousands more from working their fields, raising fears of imminent food shortages, officials warned yesterday.

    Food shortages would add to the misery in Northeast. The area abandoned by farmers is a fertile one in the semi-arid Sahel, a regional bread basket created by the receding waters of Lake Chad.

    “We anticipate general hunger this year because all roads linking the cities to the farming hinterlands have been closed down,” Agriculture Commissioner for Borno State Usman Zannah told The Associated Press in an interview yesterday, adding: “Farmers have been locked out of their farm lands while those in the hinterland cannot come to the city for tractors or labourers to get their farms tilled for the next cropping.”

    President Goodluck Jonathan has thanked President Barack Obama and the United States government for their “evident solidarity and support’’ for the country in its committed fight against terrorism.

    The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President stated this in a June 4 letter, which was released on Monday.

    Jonathan noted that the U.S. government’s declaration of a bounty on the head of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, along with other terrorist leaders across the Africa was most welcome.

    “As I indicated in my earlier letter to you, Nigeria is unwaveringly committed to successfully prosecuting the fight against the scourge of terrorism in all its ramifications in our country.

    “In frontally facing up to the threat of Ahlul Sunna li daawa wal Jihad (Boko Haram), our law enforcement agents are under strict instructions to adhere to the clearly defined rules of engagement.

    “They are not to engage in acts that may have the effect of compromising the human rights and safety of innocent citizens in the areas of operation,’’ Jonathan stressed.

    He added that “in this quest, Mr President (Obama), we are with the U.S. in the belief that an act of terrorism against any nation or group is an attack against our common humanity, and it must be resolutely resisted by all legitimate means.’’

    “I fully acknowledge your committed leadership of the global fight against international terrorism as well as your government’s steadfast support for us and other nations which have come under terrorist attacks over the years.

    “I very much look forward to even closer cooperation between our two nations in the fight against this global menace.’’

  • Breaking Boko Haram

    Breaking Boko Haram

    New efforts to deal with the Islamist insurgency are in order

    After years of dithering and double-speak, the Nigerian and American governments have finally decided to move decisively against the problem of Islamic extremism in the country. While the Federal Government has banned Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad, better known as Boko Haram, and Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, more commonly known as Ansar, the U.S. Government has placed a reward of U.S. $7 million on the head of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram sect.

    Taken together, the proscription and the reward both demonstrate an understanding that the lack of clarity which was a major feature of previous anti-terrorism policy had hindered effective attempts to combat it. The Jonathan administration kept on vacillating between talking to Boko Haram and launching a full-scale onslaught against it. For its part, the U.S. administration persisted in sending mixed signals about the reasons behind the insurgency, especially when it claimed that social inequality and exclusion had triggered the rise in terrorism in northern Nigeria.

    Boko Haram has waged a murderous campaign against institutions and individuals that have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Its bombing of churches and assassination of prominent Nigerians and ordinary folks is particularly reprehensible. It has steadfastly resisted all attempts to make its grievances known through more legitimate means, and has responded arrogantly to recent offers of amnesty. The economic life of some parts of the north has ground to a halt in the wake of the Islamic insurgency and the resulting crackdown by the Joint Task Force (JTF).

    It is vital that the banning of the two extremist organisations is not done in isolation of other anti-terrorism measures. Their proscription must be accompanied by an overhaul of the government’s entire strategy, from the trial of apprehended suspects to the JTF’s field operations. Too many of the trials of terrorism suspects are bogged down in procedural issues. The high-handedness of the JTF could alienate the host population whose cooperation and assistance are vital to its success, and also drive people into the arms of the terrorist groups.

    Even as it seeks to ramp up its actions against these insurgent groups, the Federal Government would do well to heed warnings about the constitutionality of its proscription order. Section 5(1) of the Order prescribes a minimum of 20 years imprisonment for “any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.” It is felt that the definition of “support” is so loosely-worded that it breaches constitutional provisions on freedom of speech and the protection of civil liberties.

    Given the recent harassment of media organisations in the name of security breaches, and the high-handed treatment of perceived opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan, such fears are well-founded. The temptation to use expanded authority and increased powers to hound those who do not see eye-to-eye with the Federal Government may prove to be too much for some overzealous government officials. The inflammatory statements made by several individuals in the run-up to the 2015 general elections simply enhance these misgivings.

    America’s $7 million reward for information leading to the capture of Shekau signals a new preparedness by the U.S. to confront Islamic extremism in Nigeria more directly. It should be accompanied by increased assistance in the form of intelligence, logistics and training, as well as robust diplomatic backing. The comprehensive defeat of the terrorist scourge in Nigeria is as much a desirable outcome for the international community as it is for the country itself.