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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram takes over two LGs in Niger State

    Boko Haram takes over two LGs in Niger State

    Boko Haram terrorists have taken over five communities in Rafi and Shiroto Local Government Areas of Niger state, an official of the state said.

    Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Monday.

    He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka,Madaka ,in Rafi LGA and Kurebe, Gussau,Farina Kuka in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds.

    He explained that the terrorists move freely in the effected areas, wielding sophisticated and menacing weapons.

    Matane said the state has already notified security agencies for proper urgent security measures.

    ” We have spent over N 2 billion on the security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the last two years .

    ” We will continue to accord priority attention to the welfare of security personnel deployed to enable them wipeout all those involved in the illegal acts for peace, progress and political stability.

    ” We equally appealed to residents to volunteer reliable information on the movement of bad characters to the nearest security outfits for security action.

    ” We have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders as well as stakeholders to mobilize residents to support the effort of the government in the ongoing fight against criminal elements”,he said.

    Matane, also acknowledged and applauded the Niger state government efforts at tackling the menace.

    He said the government will not rest on its oars to bring to a halt security challenges confronting the state.

  • Boko Haram: Gov. Fintiri mourns Nigerian soldiers killed in Chibok

    Boko Haram: Gov. Fintiri mourns Nigerian soldiers killed in Chibok

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has condoled with the families and colleagues of the late Brig.-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu and three other soldiers killed on Saturday while battling insurgents.

    Fintiri, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, on Sunday in Yola, commended the bravery of the special forces with the support of other troops who repelled the attack by the insurgents.

    “Gen. Zirkusu and the three others were brave soldiers who died in the line of duty while fighting terrorists,” Fintiri said.

    “I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy and that of the government and people of Adamawa to the families and loved ones of the fallen heroes.

    “I stand with you. Nigeria stands with you. I deeply appreciate the sacrifice made by your loved ones in defence of our democracy, our peace and our security”. Fintiri said.

    He urged Adamawa people and Nigerian citizens to remember the families of the fallen heroes and to always pray that their souls rest in peace.

    The governor also urged the families, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff to take heart and bear the irreparable loss knowing that their loved ones died in active service and paid the supreme sacrifice.

    “We will not be cowed by these cowards. Our Armed Forces will continue to fulfil our mission, to defeat terror. Our soldiers’ blood will not be shed in vain”.

    He expressed confidence that the day was coming when Nigerians would look back at this moment in history and say “Thank God there were courageous people willing to serve because they laid the foundation for peace for generations to come”.

    He praised the heroism of the late Zirkusu and troops fighting terrorism in Nigeria.

    “We are on track to victory against evil. My thoughts and prayers go out to families of troops killed in war every day, not just on the loss of these brave soldiers, but all who laid their lives in supreme sacrifice for the freedom of Nigeria,” Fintiri said.

    The late Zirkusu before the attack was the Commanding Officer the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok, Borno.

  • Boko Haram, bandits, IPOB frustrating development in Nigeria, Malami tells UN

    Boko Haram, bandits, IPOB frustrating development in Nigeria, Malami tells UN

    The Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, said on Thursday that the federal government was using the monies budgeted for developmental projects to fight the threats posed by “activities of the Boko Haram, bandits and secessionists” groups including the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB).

    Malami disclosed this when he received the delegation of the United Nations and Lake Chad Basin Commission at his office, according to a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.

    Although he did not categorically state the monetary figures being redirected to face security concerns , he implied that the activities of IPOB as well as Boko Haram and Bandits have hampered development in parts of the country.

    IPOB is led by Nnamdi Kanu who is facing charges of treason and terrorism.

    Malami had earlier accused IPOB of terrorism acts in the country.

    The AGF further lamented that the security challenges in the country have resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods.

    The statement said, “Malami noted with dismay that judging from the security challenges presently confronting Nigeria and some of the Lake Chad Basin States, several lives have been lost, including the lives of soldiers and millions of dollars of properties have been either vandalized or completely destroyed.

    “He lamented that monies that could have been spent on developmental programs/projects have been spent on efforts to checkmate and bring to a halt the activities of the Boko Haram, bandits and secessionists threats.”

    However, the AGF assured the delegation that the FG would not rest until all security challenges facing the country are laid to rest.

    According to him, one of such strategies would see the federal government partnering “in the collaborative efforts to see to an end the multidimensional crises facing the Lake Chad Basin States.”

    Further security strategies include “the establishment of the North East Development Commission for the development of the damaged infrastructure as well as to provide the most needed infrastructure; de-radicalization strategies for upholding peace in order to win the war on terrorism; the repatriation of Nigerian Refugees in Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republics; conciliation and compensation of victims, prosecution of Boko Haram cases at Kainji, New Bussa Courts.”

    The group which came on a high-level political advocacy visit to Malami, expressed the UN’s commitment to continue assisting countries in the Lake Chad Basin to meet its security objectives and bring development to affected areas.

    “The delegation included Special Representatives of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa/Sahel; Mr. Mahamat Seleh Annadif, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Africa; Mr, Francois Lounceny Fall and the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu,” the statement added.

  • ISWAP kills 7 soldiers, injures others in Borno ambush

    ISWAP kills 7 soldiers, injures others in Borno ambush

    The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have killed seven soldiers and four Civilian JTF in an ambush along the Marte/Dikwa axis of Borno State.

    Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Sector leader of Civilian JTF, Modu Ba’ana, said the insurgents planted improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Thursday, along Maiduguri/Dikwa, while the military convoy was travelling from Marte to Maiduguri.

    He disclosed that the convoy was escorting soldiers that were granted leave pass from Marte to catch a flight to their respective destinations in the country, and that the ISWAP ambush occurred at Ala village, located between Dikwa and Marte border towns.

    He said: “One of the military vehicles stepped on the IEDs planted by the terrorists. Some extremists hidden around the spot also opened fire on the other convoys, leading to the death of seven soldiers and four local security vigilantes, who were travelling in the convoy.”

    Ba’ana noted that the ambush is part of ISWAP’s strategies to consolidate its hold on Sambisa Forest after Boko Haram’s withdrawal in July.

    He said the ISWAP fighters were led by Aboubacar Oucacha Fiya, who oversees the Marte areas in Lake Chad Basin. Thursday coordinated attacks coincided with the repel of ISWAP terrorists at military bases in Malam Fatori and Babangida communities of Borno and Yobe states.

  • Over 300,000 children killed in Boko Haram war – UNICEF

    Over 300,000 children killed in Boko Haram war – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that more than 300,000 children lost their lives in the last 12 years because of the insurgency ravaging the North East region.

    In its latest statistics, UNICEF disclosed that over one million people have been displaced within the period under review.

    The agency further divulged that no fewer than 5,129 out-of-school children were currently battling mental health challenges as a result of the conflict in the North.

    According to a statement jointly released by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF, they noted that a recent Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs assessment of conflict-affected children in north-east Nigeria; revealed pervasive psychosocial distress manifesting as high levels of anxiety, suspiciousness, anger, aggressiveness, and hyper-vigilance.

    “The scars of conflict are real and enduring for children,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria.

    “Too many children in North East Nigeria are falling victim to a conflict they did not start. Attacks against children must stop immediately. In the meantime, we are committed to working with our partners to provide psychosocial and other support to conflict-affected children so they can regain their childhood and restart their lives.’’

    Stress and violence have been linked to poor brain development, depression, poor self-esteem. Children exposed to conflict and violence are at risk of long-term mental health and psychosocial issues, it added.

    As children continue to bear the brunt of the 12-year conflict in northeast Nigeria, the EU and UNICEF are working together to provide community-based psychosocial services aimed at improving children’s mental health.

    Through the EU-funded Support to Early Recovery and Resilience Project implemented by UNICEF, at least 5,129 conflict-affected out-of-school children in Borno State, north-east Nigeria in six local government areas are receiving services including mental health support in safe spaces to strengthen their well-being, resilience, literacy skills, and self-reliance.

    The project also supports vulnerable children across Borno with protection and health services, vocational and basic literacy skills, access to justice and security, under a holistic humanitarian intervention that has so far provided 15,552 out-of-school children with vocational training; 1,610 out-of-school children with literacy and numeracy skills and 5,194 children enrolled into integrated Qur’anic schools across focus LGAs.

    According to the EU Head of Cooperation Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, “Addressing the psychosocial well-being and development of children and teachers in conflict situations is an important part of re-establishing education provision and enabling children to re-enter schools safely.”

    UNICEF uses psychosocial support to help conflict-affected children manage their emotions, solve problems, deal with crises, and maintain healthy relationships.

    The EU-funded programme in Borno State is a component of a three-year €10 million European Union Support to Early Recovery and Resilience package to support children, youths, and communities in Borno State.

    Also included in the package is the provision of vocational skills and non-formal education to at least 25,000 young people, the construction and rehabilitation of learning centres, and the strengthening of education management information systems.

  • Surrendered terrorists regret actions, urge colleagues to come out

    Surrendered terrorists regret actions, urge colleagues to come out

    Some repentant Boko Haram terrorists have expressed regrets for taking up arms against the state, killing of fellow citizens and destruction of properties in the North East.

    They made this known during a media tour to one of the holding and screening facilities for the surrendered terrorists in Borno State on Tuesday.

    One of the repentant fighters (name withheld) said he and other surrendered colleagues realised that their commanders lied to them on why they were recruited.

    He added that they also realised that they could not continue to live in the bush and continue to run from the military onslaught.

    He said they would have surrendered a long time ago but for fear of being captured and killed by the military.

    According to him, surrendering is the best thing to do, urging his colleagues who are yet to surrender to do so.

    He said: “We were afraid that we would be killed if we come out but it is not so because we were received without attacking us and we are also being treated humanely since we came out.

    “I want to urge my colleagues who are still in the bush to come out and surrender because they will be accepted.”

    He disclosed that he had spent about six years fighting the war but later realised that they were not fighting any just cause.

    The Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama, Brigadier General Adewale Adekeye, said thousands of Boko Haram fighters, their families and supporters had been received since July.

    Adekeye said the Theatre Command was aware of the fears and apprehension that the recent event had generated among the civilian populace in Borno State and the nation at large.

    He explained that surrendering was a normal practice in the annals of the history of warfare, saying it had been a time honoured event.

    According to him: “Even in the law of war, when somebody surrenders to you, there are things you are expected to do and that are what the army has been doing.

    “The number of insurgents that have surrendered is quite large but, however, most of them have been processed and moved down to the holding facility organised by Borno State Government in Maiduguri.

    “But we are the first point of call for these insurgents coming down from the bush and therefore, many responsibilities are bestowed on us being the first contact to profiling them.”

    The Brigade Commander said the surrendering events had been taking place within Bama Local Government Area of Borno State given its large size and proximity to Sambisa Forest.

    Adekeye added that all units had been instructed on how to receive the surrendering terrorists, process them and evacuate them to Bama main holding cell for further processes, saying the exercise had been going on since July.

    He, however, denied insinuation that the surrendered terrorists were being housed in Internally Displaced Persons camp anywhere in the state.

    He said: “We don’t mix them with the IDPs and, of course, you know that the IDPs camp Bama is one of the oldest camps in Borno State.

    “Population in the camp has reduced due to the resettlement of the IDPs back to their ancestral homes, but the IDPs camp is a separate thing and it is not under my command but the state emergency management agency.”

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the recent surrender had depleted the strength of the Boko Haram terrorists to a great extent.

    Nwachukwu said there were concerns over the surrender of the terrorists, hence the need to inform the public that their surrendering was genuine.

    He added: “We have seen quite a large abandonment of the illicit activities of Boko Haram terrorists and that is the more reason why we decided to come to the theatre of operation to see for ourselves.

    “How these insurgents are surrendering to our troops and to allay the fears and apprehension of members of the public with regard to these issues.”

    Nwachukwu commended the commander and troops for their vigilance and gallantry that had led to the mass surrender of the terrorists in their area of responsibility.

  • Photo: Troops arrest wanted Boko Haram member in Borno

    Photo: Troops arrest wanted Boko Haram member in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says it has arrested a high-profile member of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Yawi Modu, in Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

    Troops also raided a Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials hub in Gashua LGA of Yobe.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday noted that the feats were recorded by soldiers attached to Sector 2 Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai following robust operations conducted in the North East.

    “Following a tip-off, a wanted BH/ISWAP terrorist, one Yawi Modu, who has been on the wanted list was nabbed along Damboa-Wajiroko Road,” he said.

    “Relatedly, troops have successfully busted a urea fertilizer syndicate known for supplying terrorists with IED materials. The market is believed to be the notorious hub for IED materials for BHT/ISWAP.

    “These ISWAP criminals facing the reality of obvious depletion are desperately acquiring IED materials to make explosive devices with which to unleash terror on innocent civilians, in a bid to remain relevant and present a posture of potency.”

    In the sting operation conducted, according to the army spokesman, a total of 281 (50kg) bags of urea were recovered from the warehouses in the market and two notorious Boko Haram distributors were arrested.

    He explained that the Federal Government had banned urea fertiliser because of its use as a major component for manufacturing IEDs by terrorists.

    Nwachukwu said, “The suspects and materials recovered are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.”

    In his reaction, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, commended the vigilance and resilience of the troops and reassured them of his support in decisively tackling the terrorists.

  • Ndume renews call for prosecution of repentant Boko Haram insurgents

    Ndume renews call for prosecution of repentant Boko Haram insurgents

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, on Saturday demanded the prosecution of repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Nigerian Army claimed last month that over 300 insurgents and their families had surrendered to troops in the North-East.

    The army had since initiated plans to rehabilitate the insurgents under the Safe Corridor programme.

    Ndume, who spoke with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, said the insurgents cannot escape prosecution just because they have surrendered.

    He said: “My stance on this has not changed, only that maybe people interpret it the way they want. There is a national law that should guide all these and there is international law that guides this because this is not the first time we are having this sort of challenge in various countries.

    “Normally, when you get to war level, you are expected to either defeat the enemy or the enemy surrenders. Once the enemy surrenders, you lose the right to summarily executing him because he is an enemy. You also don’t have the right to summarily declare him innocent and say, oh, you have sinned, go and sin no more.

    READ ALS0: Lawan begs Borno residents to embrace repentant Boko Haram insurgents

    “What I’m saying initially and I still maintain this position, in as much as we welcome the surrendering of Boko Haram, it is very important that we follow the due process based on the law of the land and international law.

    “That is to say, take them in, profile them, process them, investigate them, interrogate them and then those that are innocent, should be let go. Those with blood in their hands should be appropriately prosecuted.

    “Once the person surrenders now, he has an advantage. Once you surrender, you cannot just be summarily convicted. You will be given the privilege of going to court and declare your innocence or otherwise. That is what I’m asking for.”

  • 50 Boko Haram terrorists killed in attack launched against MNJTF forces

    50 Boko Haram terrorists killed in attack launched against MNJTF forces

    Boko Haram terrorists lost 50 of their men Tuesday night in a massive attack they launched on a town, south east of Niger Republic.

    While Nigerien Defence Minister Alkassoum Indatou said 16 soldiers paid the ultimate price and nine were wounded, the spokesman of the Multinational Joint Task Force gave a lower death toll.

    “The positions of our defence and security forces in Baroua, in the Diffa region, were attacked by several hundred Boko Haram elements who came from Lake Chad”, the minister said in the statement.

    Nigerien soldiers “neutralised around 50 terrorists” and “secured a large quantity of arms and ammunition”, he added.

    The Multinational Joint Task Force said it was their position that was attacked by the hoodlums.

    In a statement, the chief of military public information HQ MNJTF N`Djamena Chad Colonel Muhammad Dole said the troops of MNJTF Sector 4 Diffa displayed uncommon acts of gallantry and bravery when their location was attacked.

    “The troops tactically canalized the criminals to their effective killing zone, brought heavy fire on them and neutralized scores of the terrorists, while others escaped with various degree of injuries.

    “At the end of the encounter, a total of Forty-Three (43) dead bodies of BHT/ISWAP insurgents were scattered around the engagement areas.

    “One terrorist suspected to be their leader was caught alive and large cache of arms, ammunitions were recovered and four enemy gun trucks were destroyed.

    “Regrettably however, seven gallant MNJTF soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while four other soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are being treated in a military hospital.

    The Force Commander (FC), MNJTF, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim who was in HQ Sector 4 Diffa on 25 August 2021 on the final leg of his familiarization/operational visit to the sectors, commended the selfless sacrifice and act of gallantry, demonstrated by the troops.

    The attack in Diffa came only two months after around 6,000 people returned to the Baroua area in June after fleeing jihadist attacks in 2015, under a programme to encourage around 26,000 inhabitants in the region to go back to their homes.

    Authorities had said that 19 villages like Baroua where more than 26,000 had returned recently were under “reinforced” protection — although Diffa governor Issa Lemine also hailed the “positive development of the security situation” as he welcomed returnees.

    Those who fled had been living in safer villages, UN camps or with relatives elsewhere in the region.

    Around 300,000 displaced people from Niger or neighbouring Nigeria have found shelter in the Diffa region from jihadist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State group affiliate ISWAP, according to the UN.

    Earlier this month, Niger said it would build an airbase there to step up its anti-jihadist fight.

    But it must also contend with jihadists who commit regular bloody attacks in the wider Sahel region stretching across the southern fringes of the Sahara, including the IS affiliate ISGS.

    On August 16 at least 37 civilians including women and children were killed in an attack on a village by attackers who arrived on motorbikes.

    Two weeks before, 15 soldiers were killed in an ambush.

    The world’s poorest country by the benchmark of the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI), Niger is facing jihadist attacks on two borders.

    The southeast of the country near the marshy Lake Chad region is being hit by jihadists from Nigeria’s Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

    The Diffa region hosts around 300,000 Nigerian refugees and locally-displaced Nigeriens.

    Western Niger, meanwhile, is battling bloody cross-border raids from insurgents in neighbouring Mali, who include followers of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS).

  • Nigerian Army clears air on enlisting repentant Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists into service

    Nigerian Army clears air on enlisting repentant Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists into service

    The Nigerian Army has said that it had not and would not enlist former or repentant Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists into the service.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said an online video circulating in the social media by one Young Elder and produced by Anthony Jay attempted to relate the collapse of the Afghan military to the ongoing surrender by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Young Elder, in a comic way, tried to express worries about the surrendered terrorists.

    “While it is understood that the situation in Afghanistan calls for concerns by any right thinking person or organisation, the manner in which the comic Young Elder presented it shows his lack of basic knowledge on the subject he hurriedly delved into.

    “The amateurish production conjured some unfounded and baseless claims that only exist in the figment of their imagination, claiming that surrendered terrorists were going to be absorbed into the Nigerian army.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the NA does not have any repentant terrorist joining its ranks and does not have any plan for that.

    “There are teaming able-bodied Nigerians that are willing to join the NA to genuinely help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes,” he said.

    The Army spokesperson said the Nigerian Army was not desperate for prospective recruits to stoop so low to engage the services of former terrorists.

    He explained that it was not recommended to absorb former fighters into the services of a regular military as a general rule.

    According to him, the campaign of falsehood embarked upon by some individuals who do not wish the nation well cannot distract its personnel from their resolve to bring an end to the violent crimes in the country.

    He said the army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would continue to operate within the dictates of the law.

    “Surrendered terrorists will be received, processed and passed to the appropriate government agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of handling them.

    “While we recommend that matters related to security be left with those who have the requisite expertise and experience.

    “We wish to remind comic characters like Young Elder to focus on contributing towards nation building and not engaging in campaign of falsehood,” he said.