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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram escapees operating as bandits in North-West, abductors in South-West –NGF

    Boko Haram escapees operating as bandits in North-West, abductors in South-West –NGF

    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi, says Boko Haram absconders from the North-East part of the country are infiltrating other parts of Nigeria as bandits and kidnappers.

    With the recent onslaught on 43 rice farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents, some concerned persons have stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the North-East.

    However on Sunday, Fayemi said the insecurity in the country is not limited to Borno State or the North-East as there is a nexus between terrorists’ activities in the North-East and the banditry in the North-West as well as the kidnapping in the Southern part of the country.

    The Ekiti State governor, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme called for a holistic approach to ending menace.

    He said, “If a state of emergency were to be declared, I have no opinion on that, we haven’t discussed state of emergency as far as the Governors’ Forum is concerned. And that is not something that our colleagues who are at the receiving end of the insurgency has proposed to us. Governor (Babagana) Zulum or our North-East colleagues have not said anything about state of emergency.”

    Speaking further, Fayemi added: “Insurgency is not limited to Borno State. We will be making a mistake if we do not draw a correlation between what is going on in Borno State and what is happening in other parts of the country – banditry, kidnapping, militancy, they are inextricably intertwined. Some of the insurgents that escaped from the Boko Haram territory are the ones prosecuting the banditry in the North-West, some of them are involved in the kidnapping in the South-West.

    “ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) insurgents coming down from Sudan, from Niger (Republic) are involved in what is going on. How many states are you going to declare state of emergency on then? So, we must take a holistic view on this.”

    The governor said the state governments should be given more powers to handle the security of their domains, adding that anything that will help Nigerians overcome the insecurity in the country, the Federal Government and the National Assembly must do.

     

  • In defence of Garba Shehu – Hope Eghagha

    By Hope Eghagha

    I was miffed to no end last week when Nigerians took unnecessary umbrage at the exotic, fiercely loyal presidential spokesman, the sardonically inimitable and infinitely loquacious Mallam Garba Shehu over statements he made about the Boko-Haram-slaughtered farmers of Zabarmari Borno State, to the effect that the farmers ought to have obtained clearance from the Army High Command before venturing out to their harmless occupation of farming that sad 29th day of November 2020, and that although he sympathized with the bereaved, the hard truth was that they had no business going to their farms at that material time, without clearance, and that it was a hard price to pay for this omission! Shehu, I must say, must be congratulated for being frank and truthful and saying it as it is, without mining words even though many do not agree with him!

    You know, the country must realize that we are at war. A long drawn war! Enough of the nonsense about peace! Where is peace? What is peace? War time protocols must follow. War time protocols must be followed. Isn’t that why the EndSARS mischief makers are being harassed after government promised them good things for their efforts like reforming the police and scrapping the notorious and scandalous SARS?

    Panels of inquiry! Seized passports! Arrests and police harassment! Frozen accounts! Aren’t these excellent reactions to EndSARS? We need security clearance any time we want to travel, especially farmers in the land. In most villages where hapless and poor citizens use the bush for toilet, I expect them to also get clearance from the Army. It is only logical. Garba Shehu’s was an excellent piece of foolish advice coming from the highest respectable quarters in our polity! I endorse is fully simply because anyone who is appointed by the state must be obeyed in all things! And a very sensitive piece of advice too! Shehu deserves an award for words of wisdom! At the end of President Buhari’s tenure, I expect Garba Shehu to be conferred with a GAPII award (Grand Commander of Profoundly Inane Ideas)!

    For some reason, Twitter caught fire and poor Mallam Shehu was compelled to explain and re-explain the meaning of his beautifully-insensitive, deeply inane, and profoundly nescient statement on behalf of our dynamic messiah president, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, the leader who never sleeps because he is always dreaming of how to rid Nigeria of official corruption! He has been fervent, resolute, and firm on the issue of keeping the security chiefs in place. We must commend our president for his loyalty to his service chiefs. Very few Commanders-in-Chief are capable of such infinite loyalty. Asinine fellows have been calling for the bloody heads of the triumphant Service Chiefs. It is my considered view that they must remain in office till death do them part in the next fifty years. Their efficiency is legendary!

    For the records, Nigerians must know that this is not the first massacre of citizens by scoundrel herdsmen or Boko Haram infidels. Have we forgotten the Agatu killings of March 2018? We are told that since 2013, the Boko Haram conflict has made over 250,000 people flee into Cameroun, Chad and Niger. By July 2009, over 700 persons had been killed by the wonderfully bloody Boko Haram. What about the Chibok girls kidnapped and ‘wifed’ by the hounds of Boko Haram? So, killings are not new and Holy Garba was also subtly reminding us that we should not make much noise about killings, we should not make a mountain of a molehill. We ought to be used to it now. You know, it’s the new normal! Slaughtering reason and government blaming the people!

    To avoid any doubts, here I quote the very compassionate presidential spokesman: ‘much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields…is there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody as to resume activities? I have been told by the military leaders that they have not been so advised’!

    In view of the above, I recommend that anyone who wishes to go to the farms henceforth should write a letter to Chief of Staff Nigerian Army and copy the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. These gentlemen do not take the security of Nigerians lightly and would like to secure our lives. We should also be able to write to them each time we must travel on our highways. If that Oba of Ifon my schoolmate at University of Jos had written to the President before travelling those scoundrels wouldn’t have done their dastardly act. God is watching!

    I also read somewhere that some northern elders have called on the President to resign! Why? Because forty-three ordinary farmers were slaughtered? When over seventy-three died in Agatu did he resign? A ridiculous and preposterous proposal if ever there was one, from the depths of a filthy stomach. Messiah Buhari will rule till 2023 and perhaps beyond if Heaven gives the go-ahead. Nigerians should just know that now that we have an incorruptible president everything is okay. He has graciously agreed to appear before the House of Representatives to explain away the level of insecurity in the country. We should thank God for that. What if he had decided to lock himself inside Aso Rock like Donald Trump what would you have done? Perhaps by just appearing before the House, Boko Haram would listen to his plea. They are sure to listen to the President!

    I have come to see that spokesmen are mandated to defend their principal, no matter the circumstances, even if it requires the spokesman to emit traces of legerdemain or tomfoolery or outright foolishness in the process. I have also known that good leaders hire intelligent persons as spokesmen because sometimes they the leaders do things that are hard to defend and one would need his total wit to explain away a situation without sounding foolish. However, no matter how intelligent a spokesman is, he cannot change black to white. I know what social media currently makes of Lai and Lie as a first name!

    The blood that is shed daily in Nigeria cries to heaven and I am sure God is angry with Abuja, angry with those who have been entrusted with power to secure life and property but are currently just satisfied with acquiring power and dishing out appointments to ethnic cronies. It is such a worldview of power that makes a presidential spokesman implicitly blame ordinary farmers and other Nigerians for dying in their search for daily bread! God is watching. The people are crying! How this will end, we are no prophets to tell! But the signs are not good. Mallam Garba Shehu, do you live in Nigeria?

  • ‘Why Boko Haram activities are on the rise’

    ‘Why Boko Haram activities are on the rise’

    A new regional research group, the Northeast Research Development and Consultative Forum (NRDCF), said on Thursday that its preliminary research systems have discovered why Boko Haram activities and other related crimes have been on the rise lately.

    President, NRDCF, Dr. Abubakar Kagu, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on the future of northeast region in terms of recovery, protection and development.

    Kagu confirmed that the outcome of the research which focused on the security situation in the northeast indicated that low economic indicators as well as prolonged neglect, economic and human capital, in the region was responsible for the periodic rise in insurgents’ activities in the region.

    He expressed optimism that the Forum would serve as part of the recovery plan for the development of the region via reliable research and data.

    ”The Boko Haram conflict has evidently affected the region in ways that have exacerbated its pre-existing socio-economic challenges.

    ”Available data revealed that the northeast region has the lowest developmental indices when compared to the rest of Nigeria even prior to the crisis.

    ”These low economic indicators were seen by scholars and commentators as among the components that strengthened the ability of Boko Haram insurgents to recruit more people into their camps.

    ”And that led to the discussion that birthed the Northeast Research and Consultative Forum some months ago,” he said.

    The Forum’s President, however, agreed that, though, there was significant improvement as regards security in the region few years ago, the resurgence of hostilities and unending attacks on innocent Nigerians have become a cause for worry for the government and Nigerians.

    ”A lot of things have changed in the region since 2015, particularly as it concerns security and humanitarian affairs. But more action is required to consolidate on whatever achievements have been made.

    ”We will continue to advocate and amplify the voices of the people of the northeast region.

    ”But in doing this, we would reach out to every institution and individuals that have a stake in the rebuilding of the northeast as long as we are convinced that they have genuine intentions for the region.

    ”We will look at the derivatives and other opportunities to ensure that they work for the benefit of the devastated people of the northeast,” he said.

    On the need for international collaborations, particularly from neighboring countries, Kagu said that the northeast region is peculiar in different ways.

    ”Some of its state, particularly Borno state, is bigger than some African countries in terms of land mass, and it has a lake Chad which is the biggest in Africa.

    “In addition to that, it borders three countries, namely, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, and its borders are porous and so people walk in and out unchecked,” he added.

  • Message from the dead Borno farmers – Azu Ishiekwene

    Message from the dead Borno farmers – Azu Ishiekwene

    Azu Ishiekwene

    That the slain Borno farmers did not get military clearance is an inconvenient truth, but the real error of judgement was taking the government at its word.

    In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the military chiefs – the same military chiefs there today – to relocate to the Northeast, the main theatre in the war on Boko Haram.

    The previous government had done poorly on security and Buhari said the only way to take the country back from the terrorists and military authorities who deployed troops to fight with bare hands while diverting money and weapons, was to send the new military chiefs to the frontline. They were supposed to report, effective immediately, and stay there until the battle is won.

    I think the chiefs heard the commander-in-chief on that day. According to a BBC report on June 2, 2015, the military actually started moving its headquarters to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency, “to add impetus and renewed vigour to the fight against terrorism.”

    The military issued a statement saying the new centre in Maiduguri would serve as “a forward command base for the chief of army staff and other service chiefs…without creating another layer of command structure.” They were taking the war to Boko Haram and at last, bringing hope to distraught citizens.

    So, where were the military chiefs when Boko Haram struck on Saturday, beheading dozens of farmers and taking an unknown number, including women, away hostage? Were they directing operations from a virtual base station in Abuja and therefore had no need to be on ground as the President had ordered? Or did they receive clearance from him to dismantle their frontline camp in Maiduguri since they have repeatedly told the public that Boko Haram has been technically defeated?

    It may well be that the dead farmers needed clearance to go to their farms on that day, but from who? From the military high command that was on a clear instruction to move to the frontline and stay there till the battle is won, but which has nonetheless been overcome by the comforts of Abuja and the indulgence of the commander-in-chief? Or from Boko Haram, which accepts only the sacrifice of human blood?

    As they left their homes that fateful Saturday, it’s unlikely that the farmers were so crazy to think they could fight Boko Haram with their sickles and plows. If they thought for a moment that it was safe to go to their farms, there must have been a good reason. For example, in October, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, assured farmers in the North East that they could return to their farms “to enhance the country’s food security.”

    Muhammadu, who said he was following up on a 2018 presidential directive, said about 5,000 NSCDC marshals had been deployed in schools and farms in the Northeast, as part of an Agro-ranger squad supposed to assist provide basic security for farmers and students.

    With a microphone good for speeches but useless for action, Muhammadu said in October that part of the brief of the Agro-ranger squad, “is to accompany farmers to their farms and accompany them back in the evenings. They also provide security on some of the roads to the farms.”

    After making this heart-warming, hope-inspiring speech, Muhammadu delegated his microphone to accompany the farmers to their farms. And the sad, heart-breaking result was what happened on Saturday.

    Not one of the 5,000 Agro-rangers was in Jere Local Government, quite famous for producing Maryam Abacha and also for being a major farming hub, among other things. The Agro-rangers were apparently on a holiday from Zabarmari where the farmers were murdered and others taken hostage in daylight.

    But bloodletting has always gone on, it was just that the number of the victims on Saturday reached a horrific new high. According to a BBC report 22 farmers were killed in separate attacks while working in irrigation farms in September. Over 20,000 have been killed and two million displaced since the insurgency started over a decade ago.

    As the number of victims has mounted, so has the scale of excuses. I believe our soldiers are doing the best they can in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. Yet, up the chain of command, excuses are armed, fortified and deployed in the field, where competence and leadership should be provided.

    After the Zabarmari killings on Saturday, the military high command said it was doing its best and blamed communities for not providing information. In other words, communities hate themselves so much they would rather die at the hands of Boko Haram, than volunteer information to save their own lives.

    If the service chiefs under Jonathan had told the country that they were failing in the fight against Boko Haram because communities were failing to provide information – and God knows they would have been right – we would still have strung them with live cables and hung them out to dry.

    It has obviously taken five years for the military high command to find out that the average Nigerian – whether a Zabarmawa or an Ijebu man – doesn’t trust the man in uniform? And we should be clapping for this exceptional sociological discovery after what happened on Saturday?

    Sources in the Northeast told me on Wednesday that while Boko Haram may have been indeed responsible for the tragic murders as it claimed, shrinking arable land linked to climate change and compounded by insurgency, may also have exacerbated the deadly power struggle among ethnic groups, especially among the Zabarmawa mostly farmers and fishermen (originally from Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara) and the Kanuri. In a COVID-19 year, when hunger and poverty are writ large, the scale of conflict over land rights, is better imagined.

    How this deadly struggle for land, worsened by the increasing siege around Maiduguri, may be feeding insurgency around the Northeast should be a matter of concern for military intelligence, as it seeks to rebuild trust.

    Sure, Abuja and environs are not what they used to be pre-2015. They’re safer and more secure. But Abuja is not Nigeria, however much politicians like to pretend otherwise. As long as any part of this country is beset by insurgency, as long as people cannot travel the highways or stay in their schools or homes without been afraid that they would be kidnapped or go to their farms without fear of being murdered, then the battle is far, very far, from being won.

    Government officials have exhausted the lame excuses that terrorism is a global problem or that angry Martians are not helping to supply arms and equipment to our troops. Yes, terrorism is a global problem, and yes, the politics of arms supply can be nasty and frustratingly difficult. But the only countries losing citizens in the numbers and horrific ways we’re losing them and are still making excuses are failed or failing countries. Make your list.

    If out of the five major roads leading in and out of Borno State – Konduga-Barma-Gwoza-Yola; Dambua-Biu-Gombe; Baga-Niger; Dikwa-Chad; and Damaturu-Potiskum-Yobe-Kano-Bauchi roads – only the last one is accessible, and even so, you have to be mad to risk it, then we have a very serious problem.

    If, as the Shehu of Borno said in August, citizens cannot travel 10km outside Maiduguri; if despite trying prayer warriors from Saudi Arabia, and putting his own life on the line several times, Governor Babagana Zulum is now forced to ask for help from mercenaries to tackle Boko Haram, then surely citizens may soon find themselves not only needing clearance to go to farm; they may also need it to stay at home.

    The condolence register is full. Buhari must meet the challenge, now.

    Ishiekwene is the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview

  • Borno Killings: Calls for Buhari’s resignation cheap, irresponsible – Lai Mohammed

    Borno Killings: Calls for Buhari’s resignation cheap, irresponsible – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government says the call, in some quarters, for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent killing of farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists is “cheap and irresponsible’’.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a meeting with members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) on Thursday in Lagos said the calls amounted to playing dirty politics with the issue of security.

    The meeting was attended by the President of NPAN and Publisher of “This Day’’ Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena, veteran Journalist and former Governor of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and founder/ publisher of “The Vanguard’’ Newspaper, Sam Amuka-Pemu.

    The General Secretary of NPAN and Publisher of “The Source’’ Magazine, Comfort Obi, Publisher of Nigerian Pilot, Dennis Sami as well as representatives of “The Sun’’, “The Nation’’, “Daily Trust’’ and “Daily Asset’’ Newspapers, among others attended the meeting/

    The minister said: “In the wake of the killing, there have been calls in some quarters for Mr President to resign.

    “Well, let me say here that this call amounts to playing dirty politics with the issue of security, and it is cheap and irresponsible

    “Mr. President was elected in 2015 for a four-year term and re-elected in 2019 for another four-year term.

    “No amount of hysterical calls for resignation will prevent him from serving out his term’’.

    Mohammed said before the President assumed office, Boko Haram could stroll into any city,

    especially in the north, to carry out deadly attacks.

    He said, Abuja, the nation’s capital, Kano, Maiduguri, Jos, Damaturu, etc were regularly targeted while motor parks, churches, mosques, shopping complexes were not spared.

    He said suicide bombers used to have a field day detonating their bombs and killing innocent people and Boko Haram used to occupy territory, deposing and installing Emirs and collecting taxes.

    He said all that had become things of past and the changes were not mere happenstance, but part of the successes recorded by the military, under President Buhari

    “Therefore, calling on the President to resign every time there is a setback in the war on terror is a needless distraction and cheap politicking.

    “Let us stop playing politics with the issue of security,’’ he said.

    The minister reiterated the position that “Boko Haram is today badly degraded and can only carry out cowardly attacks like the one against defenseless farmers over the weekend’’.

    He said no nation, no matter how powerful, is immune to attacks on soft targets.

    “For instance, 9-11 happened despite the prowess of the most powerful army in the world.

    “Boko Haram’s only oxygen today is publicity. That’s why they have rushed to release a video claiming responsibility for the killing of the farmers.

    “Please note that that video was shared to instill fear in the civil populace and maintain relevance in the eyes of their sponsors,’’ he said.

    Mohammed stressed that the killing of defenseless farmers was an act of cowardice and savagery by a group of deranged terrorists.

    He added that the killing is not a true reflection of the progress being made by the military against Boko Haram.

    “That Boko Haram is going after soft targets is a sign of weakness and desperation on their part, especially after they have suffered huge setbacks in the hands of the military in recent times.

    “The modus operandi of a losing terror group, is to go after soft targets in order to stay relevant. The minister appealed to the general public to provide information about the insurgents to security

    forces to assist them in ending the war on terror,’’ he said.

    He also urged Nigerians to continue to support the men and women in uniform among whom many had made the supreme sacrifice to keep the nation safe.

    Responding on behalf of other members of association, Obaigbena thanked the minister for the visit noting, that “it is an unusual time for the country as Nigeria is in crisis of insecurity across the country’’.

    He noted that it is not time for blame game or politics but how to collectively find solutions to the security situation.

    Obaigbena assured that the media would work with the minister and the government at large to deal with the situation.

    NAN reports the meeting went into closed door session after the opening speeches by the minister and NPAN President.

    In the entourage of the minister to the meeting are the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Press Council, Mr Francis Nwosu, the Registrar and CEO of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo.

  • Massacre in Borno: Army engages Boko Haram in war of words

    Massacre in Borno: Army engages Boko Haram in war of words

    The Defence Headquarters has dismissed the claim by the Boko Haram terrorists that the recent massacre of rice farmers in Borno was retaliation for the arrest of one of them.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving update on the operations of the armed forces between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 on Thursday in Abuja.

    The terrorist group had on Tuesday released a video claiming that the terrorists carried out the massacre in retaliation for the arrest of one of them by the farmers.

    They also claimed that the farmers had also given information on their movement in the area to the military.

    Enenche said the claim was the practice of the sect with the sole motive of instigating fear in the minds of the people to discourage them from cooperating with the security agencies.

    He said that the information received by the military from one of the survivors revealed that the farmers were called for a meeting with the terrorists on the sad day before they were slaughtered.

    “The truth is that whenever they are losing ground as a result of the military activities, this is what they resort to.

    “It is a fallacy that because we killed one of them and that the farmers gave information about them; but the likelihood is wickedness.

    “They want to use that to instill fear in the minds of the people because they have seen the governor trying to make sure that people return to their homes,” he said.

    Enenche said the claim was the usual propaganda of the terrorist, adding that it is one of their major weapons.

    “Our message here to the general public is that they should not be discouraged and that we are moving forward and with your cooperation we are going to end this menace,” he said.

    Enenche said the military had sustained its onslaught against the terrorists through both ground and air offensives across the theatre of operation.

    He said the troops had raided some of the identified hideouts of the terrorists killing scores during the week and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.

  • Zabarmari killing: Gov Zulum reveals real reason Boko Haram killed farmers in Borno

    Zabarmari killing: Gov Zulum reveals real reason Boko Haram killed farmers in Borno

    Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has revealed that the Boko Haram terrorist group murdered dozens of Zabarmari farmers and residents for giving out intelligence to the military.

    Contrary to claims that the people of the state were not cooperating or giving intelligence to the military, the governor said many residents have been killed by terrorists for exposing them to the military.

    Zulum, stated this through his spokesman, Isa Gusau, in a tweet, adding that Boko Haram confirmed that its fighters killed Zabarmari farmers for giving out information about their movement to the military.

    He wrote: “This is one of many consequences of Borno peoples’ cooperation in years now. Many have died for giving intelligence to soldiers, yet the communities won’t stop. Many have followed soldiers to the battles and died, yet they won’t stop. Let us hear one idiot accuse the Borno people again.

    “They said Borno people do not cooperate but here is the latest example; the Boko Haram just announced that they beheaded dozens of Zabarmari farmers for informing soldiers about their movement and for capturing one of their men and handing over to soldiers recently.”

    Boko Haram had killed several rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government Area of the state.

    The commander of the terrorist group, Shekau in a video, on Tuesday, while claiming responsibility for the attack said the farmers were killed because they apprehended their member and handed him over to the military.

    According to Shekau, the insurgents killed at least 78 during last Saturday’s raid on rice farmers and not 43 as claimed by the government.

  • Military air raids hit terrorists’ camps, kill scores in Borno

    Military air raids hit terrorists’ camps, kill scores in Borno

    The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole has hit terrorists’ camps in Sambisa forest and Yale area of Borno, killing scores in separates air strikes on Monday.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the air interdiction missions destroyed some dwellings of Boko Haram terrorists’ leaders in the Sambisa Forest area and at a settlement about 1.7 Km East of Yale, both in Borno.

    He said the air raids were undertaken after credible intelligence and series of aerial surveillance missions.

    He said that this indicated that some terrorists that carried out recent attacks against innocent civilians were harboured in makeshift structures in the areas.

    According to him, the military dispatched Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the two locations.

    “The attack aircraft, while taking turns to engage the targets, delivered lethal bomb and rocket strikes, resulting in the destruction of some of the structures and the killing of several terrorists,” he said.

  • I never said Nigeria is at mercy of Boko Haram – Lai Mohammed

    I never said Nigeria is at mercy of Boko Haram – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has refuted social media reports that he said “Nigeria is at the mercy of Boko Haram.”

    At a meeting with online publishers on Tuesday in Lagos, the minister described the reports as “social media abuse, sheer fabrication and abuse of platform.”

    “While in Makurdi, Benue State, on an official visit, I was asked by journalists to comment on the killing of farmers in Borno State over the weekend.

    “I said terrorism is a global problem that requires the collaborative efforts among nations to combat.

    “I said Nigeria needs the support of global partners, especially in the area of acquisition of effective platforms to deal with the terrorists.

    “I recalled that some of the platforms ordered and paid for by Nigeria have yet to be supplied till date, thus weakening the war on terror.

    “How these statements translate to Nigeria being at the mercy of Boko Haram is baffling, and could only have come from warped minds who are more interested in attracting traffic to their websites than upholding the truth,’’ he said.

    The minister reiterated his position that something urgent needed to be done to rein in the abuse of social media.

    “Call it regulation or whatever, we have to do something most urgently,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said social media was used to guide arsonists and looters to certain properties, both public and private, during the #EndSARS violence.

    He explained that pictures of celebrities and even non-Nigerians who were supposedly killed at Lekki Toll Gate quickly made the rounds on social media only for those celebrities to say they are alive.

    Mohammed reiterated the government’s concerns about the abuse of social media, adding that the administration would continue to look for ways to ensure a responsible use of the platform.

    He solicited the support of the online publishers who rely heavily on the new media in the government’s effort to fight the menace.

    “As online publishers, who rely heavily on the new media, you will also be doing yourselves a great favour by helping to weed out those who are abusing it.

    “If things get to a level where people can no longer trust anything published online, no one stands to lose more than media practitioners.

    “That’s why we continue to seek your support on this issue,’’ he said.

    The minister, however, reiterated that checking the abuse of social media was not synonymous with stifling press freedom or free speech.

    “Fake news and disinformation are not the same as free speech.

    “For the umpteenth time, I want to say that this government has no plan to stifle free speech, neither do we have any intention of shutting down the internet as some have claimed,’’ he said.

    The minister said the social media had come to stay and those who use it responsibly had nothing to fear.

  • Borno killings: Don’t lose hope in military, FG urges Nigerians

    Borno killings: Don’t lose hope in military, FG urges Nigerians

    Following Saturday’s killing of some farmers by suspected Boko Haram members in Borno, the Federal Government has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the capability and commitment of the military to routing the terrorists.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the plea on Tuesday in Lagos during a meeting with Online Publishers.

    Mohammed said Nigerians should continue to support the men and women in uniform who are fighting the terrorists with determination.

    He described the killings as “an act of cowardice and savagery by a group of deranged terrorists’’, adding, that “it does not reflect the progress being made by the military against Boko Haram.”

    “Going after soft targets is an act of weakness and desperation by the terrorists who have suffered huge setbacks in the hands of the military in recent times.

    “The modus operandi of a losing terror group is to go after soft targets in order to stay relevant and it’s not only Boko Haram that does that.

    “In 2019, Al-Shabab attacked DusitD2 Complex in Nairobi, Kenya, killing more than 20.

    “Similarly, the Peshawar school massacre of 16 December 2014 in Pakistan, carried out by six gunmen affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, left about 150 people dead, most of them students,’’ he said.

    The minister reiterated the government position that “Boko Haram is badly degraded’’ and can only carry out cowardly attacks like the one against defenceless farmers over the weekend.

    The farmers were reportedly killed on rice fields at Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had also expressed grief over the killings, describing it as “insane.”

    “I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State.

    “The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings.

    “My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest In peace,’’ the president had said.

    He added that government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”