The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yobe

  • Boko Haram: Police operate under trees in Yobe

    Boko Haram: Police operate under trees in Yobe

    The burning down of police formations, offices and structures in Yobe State by the Boko Haram insurgents has compelled men of the force to be operating some offices under trees in the state, Yobe State Police Commissioner Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim has said.

    The Yobe Police boss who played host to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 12, AIG Tunde Ogunsakin who was on a working tour of the command however observed that the visit of the AIG to the command will boost the morale of the police in their operation.

    “Apart from one or two structures that are standing, may be the CPs House and B division no other structure is standing in this command. All others have been destroyed. Both the OC CID and MOPOL operate under tree with extreme difficulties.  Most of the officers lived in rented houses, make shift offices, and under trees,” he said.

    CP Zanna regretted that the personale of the command has been seriously depleted through transfers and training without replacements. “By the time I took over in September this year, a substantial number of personnel have been transferred without replacement, this has added to the manpower constraint in this command despite our peculiarities,” he said.

    He requested for the deployment of professional manpower for the command, saying, “Presently we don’t have a single Lawyer in the legal department and ICT experts are also needed”

    Earlier at an interactive session with AIG Ogunsakin assured men of the Yobe State command of their welfare.

    AIG Ogunsakin also described the men and officers of the command as special and strategic in the fight against the insurgency in the region, while charging them to remain professional and civil in the course of their police.

    He also promised to take the myriad of problems of the command to the Inspector General of Police for necessary action.

    In another vein, Yobe State Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam has asked the Federal Government to motivate the police force in the state.

    According to the governor, the motivation of the men and women of the force in the state and the entire region would make them to be more proactive in their duties.

    Gaidam disclosed this on Wednesday in Damaturu when Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 12, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin at his office in Damaturu also observed that a well-motivated force will enhance adequate patrol and, better intelligence gathering and efficient community policing.

  • Yobe tribunal affirms Gaidam’s victory

    Yobe tribunal affirms Gaidam’s victory

    The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Yobe State has upheld the victory of governor Ibrahim Gaidam in the April election.

    Gaidam was the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the election.

     

  • Ministerial screening: Reactions to Yobe nominee

    Ministerial screening: Reactions to Yobe nominee


  • Military warns Damaturu residents to obey curfew

    With concern that Damaturu residents may not be obeying the restriction of movement placed on the city as peace gradually returns in the state, the military has issued a fresh warning for those  flaunting the orders.

    The fresh warning which was contained in a press release signed by Col. Texas Chukwu for General Officer Command 3 Armored Division Nigerian Army(Tactical), Damaturu, reminded residents of Damaturu that the curfew time is still in force from 10pm to 6am.

    “In the cause of the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) here in Damaturu, Yobe State, it has become necessary for the military and the state government to warn on the movement of citizens for a certain period for the benefit of all. It is worthy to remind the good citizens of Yobe State that the curfew period still remains from 10pm to 6am…,” the statement said.

    The statement also gave some security tips to residents on the fight against the insurgents like; watching out for strange faces in their vicinity, avoiding crowded places such as recreational centres, motor parks, and football viewing centres; market places and unusual gatherings at different places in the town.

    The statement equally solicited the “support and cooperation of the citizens with security agencies by   providing them with useful information concerning the insurgents to enhance their job, while pledging the confidentiality of the informant.”

    It noted that the curfew was not meant to inconvenience the people of the state but for the safety of all, including those in  all the local government areas in the state.

  • Giedam attack: Buratai warns against take over by terrorist

    The Chief of Army State Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buaratai has warned troops at Geidam in Yobe State not to allow terrorists to invade the town again.

    The Army Chief who was in Giedam for operational visit  to assess the damage of the attack by the Boko Haram terrorists Thursday night in the town also assured the residents of their protection from any form of attack by the insurgents.

    A statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relation Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman also confirmed that death of three soldiers in the fight and the destruction of some military equipment by the insurgents.

    The statement reads in parts; “The Nigerian Army wishes to confirm an attack on Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade located at Gaidam, Yobe State, yesterday Wednesday evening. The attack was successfully repelled by the troops and the reinforcement sent. The troops killed most of the attacking terrorists and destroying their weapons and equipment. However and regretfully too, we lost three soldiers and some equipment during the encounter.

    “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai who was on operational visit to North East, personally visited the troops location, assessed the damage done. He warned the officers of the unit that such ugly incident should not be allowed to happen again”.

    While giving the assurances of the COAS of the protection of the people by the military from the Boko Haram terrorists, the statement added ; “The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area. He also met with some of the community leaders and Idris Aloma Polytechnic staff where he assured them of their safety and improved security”.

    According to the statement Geidam is now calm and people are going about their normal businesses.

    The  Chief of Army Staff was received at Geidam by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Hassan Umaru and Acting Commander 27 Task Force Brigade who led the reinforcement team last night.

    The  COAS was accompanied on the visit by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yushau Abubakar, the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major General Fatai Alli, as well as Acting Director of Military Intelligence, Acting Provost Marshall and Director of Campaign Planning, and the Acting Director Army Public Relations and the Liaison Officer of the Multinational Joint Taskforce.

  • Breaking News: 16 killed in Yobe suicide bombing

    Multiple suicide attacks were reported early Wednesday morning in Damaturu, Yobe State.

    The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said at least 16 persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured.

    The first attack was carried out by three teenage boys at a mosque inside Buhari Estate in the city.

    An eyewitness said the suicide bomber came near the mosque, hugged one of the boys in the area and blew up himself and others around.

    Details later…

  • Troops gun down notorious terrorist, arrest Boko Haram kingpin

    Troops gun down notorious terrorist, arrest Boko Haram kingpin

    The Nigeria Army has announced the capture of Alhaji Tijjani Usman Damagum whom it describes as a high profile member of the Boko Haram group.

    Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman stated that Damagum is currently undergoing interrogation while another member of the group was gunned down on Monday afternoon.

    “Troops of 3 Division have arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group kingpin, Alhaji Tijjani Usman Damagum.

    “He was tracked down and arrested at Damagum town, Yobe State yesterday.

    “A high profile Boko Haram terrorists’ group member, he has led Boko Haram members on various attacks especially in Yobe State.
    “The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation with a view to arraign him soon,” he stated.

    He also gave insight into the operation that led to the Army’s killing of an unnamed terrorist from whom soldiers allegedly recovered an AK-47 rifle.

    “In an offensive operation to clear Boko Haram terrorists enclave around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir general area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, a notorious Boko Haram terrorist that had been wrecking havoc among the communities was gunned by our troops on Monday afternoon.

    “During the operation, four other terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds,” he added.

  • Cop kills self, two others in Yobe

    A police constable in Yobe State(name withheld) has allegedly shot two of his colleagues dead.

    The incident which took place at the Nangere Police Division in the state was reported to have occurred in the early hours of Friday.

    Eyewitness said the Police Constable shot two other Inspectors at close range following a disagreement on a homicide case that was brought to the station.

    “He shot himself after killing the two other inspectors at the station,” the eyewitness said.

    The Police commissioner in the state Zanna Ibrahim told our correspondent on phone that he was on his way to Nangere to get details of the incident.

    ” I am right now on my way to Nangere to get first hand information of what really happen. I will get back to you on my return to Damaturu.”

    Nangere is 118km from Damaturu, the state capital.

  • Yobe flood victims get succour

    The lawmaker representing Yobe South, Senator Muhammad Hassan, has donated relief materials and cash worth N2million to flood victims at Ngelzarma in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    The items are bags of rice, millet, guinea corn, salt, sugar, cartons of milk, vegetable oil, palm oil, bags of beans and cartons of spaggetti.

    Others items include blankets, mattresses, mats, wrappers, cotton yards, kitchen plates, cups and clothing materials.

    The presentation was done under tight security at the palace of the emir of Ngelzarma and other community leaders.

    Senator Hassan told reporters that he was sad by the havoc caused by the flood, saying the people could not be neglected by their representatives in the government, hence his visit to present a token to ameliorate their suffering.

    His words: “It was a very sad event that happened in Ngelzarman and other towns. This was as a result of the flood disaster, which affected many houses. Many buildings collapsed. It was really sad.”

  • Boko Haram: NSA, Service chiefs visit Yobe

    The train of the National Security Adviser, (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno and the Service Chiefs in company with the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase on Saturday moved to Yobe State, another hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The NSA with his entourage who paid a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at the Government House in Damaturu solicited the cooperation of the civilian society which according to him is very key in the end to the insurgency.

    He explained that their decision to visit Yobe and Borno is in line with the mandate issued to them by President Mohamadu Buhari to ensure “a total finish to the madness called Boko Haram”.

    According to him, people must be ready to give out information against the bad people among them since the insurgents are blended in the civilian population, adding that the military is more than committed and willing to ending the insurgency with the caliber of officers in the driver’s seat at the moment.

    He said that their swift decision to also visit the Boko Haram  troubled states is to under-study and have an on the spot assessment of the equipment of troops and also meet with the political class to discuss critical areas for a better coordination of the fight.

    In his remarks, the Yobe State Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam commended the political will of the present administration of Mohamadu Buhari in ending the insurgency in his state and the region at large.

    The governor was particularly grateful to the cream of military brass the NSA led to the state describing it as the first in the history of the state and the fight against the Boko Haram menace.