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Tag: boko haram

  • Military arrests foreign Boko Haram/ISWAP arms, logistics supplier

    Military arrests foreign Boko Haram/ISWAP arms, logistics supplier

    The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole has arrested a foreign arms and logistics supplier for the Boko Haram /Islamic States of West Africa States Province (ISWAP) terrorists.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving updates on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

    Eneche said the suspect who is a Nigerien national, was arrested by troops at a location close to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Oct. 3.

    He said the arrest followed a credible intelligence on terrorists’ convergence at Chinguwa Village in Niger Republic close to Gashigar in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno.

    Enenche said that while the Military High Command has commended the troops for their gallantry, it also encouraged the people to continue to avail the troops with information that would assist them in their operation.

    According to him, the gallant troops have continued to dominate the general areas with clearance patrols, aggressive fighting and confidence-building patrols.

    “Troops are further encouraged to remain determined and sustain the tempo in curtailing the activities of terrorists, armed bandits and other criminals.

    “The High Command of the Armed Forces also reassures the general public of its unwavering commitment to securing the country for all human activities to strive.

    “Members of the general public are requested to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agencies location for prompt action,” he said.

  • Sunday attack: How Gov Zulum’s convoy was ambushed with donkey

    Sunday attack: How Gov Zulum’s convoy was ambushed with donkey

    Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday used a donkey strapped with explosives to ambush the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum as he was returning from Baga to Maiduguri.

    According to reports, Zulum had departed Baga around 10:30am, as suspected Boko Haram terrorists were said to have opened fire on his convoy.

    Sunday’s attack came two days after he had survived another attack while travelling to an area near Lake Chad.

    At least 18 people were killed in that ambush, among them were 14 police officers and soldiers and four civilians.

    What happened in Sunday’s attack?

    Governor Zulum was returning from Baga where he had accompanied hundreds of residents who returned to the town they fled in 2014 following deadly jihadist attacks.

    When soldiers saw the donkey on the road, they shot at it. Explosives then went off and the militants immediately came out from their hide-out to open fire on the convoy, an official who was in one of the vehicles in Governor Zulum’s convoy told the BBC.

    A number of insurgents were killed in the ensuing shoot-out. No-one in the convoy – including the governor – was injured but some vehicles were damaged by bullets, the official said.

  • Boko Haram launches another attack on Zulum’s convoy in broad daylight

    Boko Haram launches another attack on Zulum’s convoy in broad daylight

    Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday attacked Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum’s convoy again as he was returning from Baga to Maiduguri.

    According to reports, Zulum had departed Baga around 10:30am, as suspected Boko Haram terrorists were said to have opened fire on his convoy.

    It was gathered that military operatives engaged the terrorists in shootout and successfully escorted Zulum out of Baga to Maiduguri.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the insurgents had less than 48 hours ago laid ambush and attacked state government officials and security operatives who were going to Baga to meet the governor.

    Eighteen people including police officers, soldiers, Civilian JTF and others were killed in the ambush.

    The governor returned to Maiduguri after receiving 1000 returnees and staying two nights in Baga.

  • BREAKING: After attack on Gov Zulum, Boko Haram killers surrender in Borno

    BREAKING: After attack on Gov Zulum, Boko Haram killers surrender in Borno

    The Defence Headquarters says 13 Boko Haram terrorists alongside six women and 17 children from Kodila village have surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

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

    Enenche said the terrorists surrendered due to sustained aerial bombardment and aggressive intensive clearance operation by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East.

    He said the suspects and their family members who surrendered on Saturday had been receiving medical attention at a military medical facility.

    According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing thorough profiling and investigation in line with global best practices in handling such cases.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remain resolute, determined and committed to sustaining the tempo of the operations,” he said.

    Recall that some Jihadist fighters linked to the Islamic State group on Friday killed several security personnel in an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.

    According to reports eight policemen, three soldiers, and four members of a government-backed militia were killed in the attack on vehicles carrying the Borno State Governor near the town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad.

    The insurgents opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as the convoy was passing through a village close to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, a military coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

    “The governor escaped unhurt but 15 security men on the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists”, one source said.

    Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the jihadists in 2014, the sources said.

    The Governor flew on a helicopter into the garrison town of Monguno, 60 kilometres (40 miles) away, and headed to Baga in a convoy under tight security, one of the sources said.

    All three sources were talking on condition of anonyonimity.

    The IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group maintains most of its camps on islands in Lake Chad and the region is known as a bastion for the jihadists.

    The militant group has recently intensified attacks on military and civilian targets in the region.

    In July, Zulum’s convoy came under gun attack from ISWAP outside Baga, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town.

  • (Video): Air Force hits Boko Haram targets, scores of terrorists killed

    (Video): Air Force hits Boko Haram targets, scores of terrorists killed

    Air strikes by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE under subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM have hit several Boko Haram targets, the Defence Headquarters said on Saturday.

    Major General John Enenche, coordinator of defence media operation, said the strikes massively destroyed Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) Camps, with scores of their fighters killed.

    One of the raid was carried out at Tongule in the night of 24 September.

    Daytime raids were also executed at Bone and Isari B Musa on 25 September.

    “The strike on Tongule was undertaken after surveillance missions revealed continued assembly of the terrorists within the settlement at nighttime”, Enenche said.

    “Accordingly, the Air Task Force dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter gunships for a night attack on the location, with their barrage of rockets neutralizing several of the terrorists.

  • Attack on Zulum another reminder that Buhari needs to change strategy – Atiku

    Attack on Zulum another reminder that Buhari needs to change strategy – Atiku

    The former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on the Nigerian government to adopt new strategies to deal with the menace of insecurity.

    Atiku made the statement, on Saturday, while condemning the attack on the convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum by Boko Haram terrorists.

    Atiku noted that the attack should be a source of concern and a reminder that the current method adopted to fight insurgency in Nigeria must be dropped.

    The former VP said: “The attack on Gov. Babagana Zulum in which over a dozen security operatives were killed between Monguno and Baga should be a source of concern not only because it is the second time such an attack is taking place in recent times, but because the Borno governor is not a soft target.

    “This attack is yet another reminder that we need to adopt new strategies to deal with the menace of insurgency decisively. I convey my condolences to the families of the deceased. I solidarise with the government and people of Borno that Gov Zulum did not come to any harm.”

    The attack on governor Zulum’s convoy was said to have happened between Monguno and Baga areas of the state on Friday.

    The governor had left Maiduguri for Baga to prepare for the planned return of internally displaced persons from Maiduguri to the camps in Baga.

    A security source said the attack left mainly security personnel comprising eight policemen, three soldiers, and four Civilian Joint Task Force operatives dead.

    Friday’s incident is the second attack on the governor’s convoy in recent times around Baga – a town the Nigerian military claimed they had retrieved from Boko Haram terrorists.

  • Photo: Zulum speaks after deadly Boko Haram attack on convoy

    Photo: Zulum speaks after deadly Boko Haram attack on convoy

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno decried the killing of eight policemen and three members of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), who were ambushed in Kukawa Local Government Area on Friday.

    Zulum lamentation is contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategies, Malam Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri on Saturday.

    The governor said that two convoys; one belonging to the governor and other conveying members of a Committee on Baga Reconstruction had safely passed the Maiduguri-Baga route previous days before the third convoy of security men was ambushed.

    Zulum was in Baga from Thursday to Friday as part of the efforts to resettle the people back to their community after displacement by Boko Haram insurgents.

    According to him, the visit to Baga was “aimed at cutting Boko Haram’s long use of the commercial town as main transit for undertaking major fishing trade and tax administration, from which the insurgents fund their murderous activities’’.

    “Baga, Borno’s largest fishing community in the shores of the Lake Chad with water ways to neighbouring countries is considered strategic to Boko Haram’s operation,’’ the governor said.

    Zulum was saddened by the unfortunate carnage and shared the grief of families of the 11 priceless heroes “to whom Borno shall remain grateful for their commitment and sacrifices’’.

    The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to the ongoing peace building efforts.

    He said people must continue to keep hope alive “even in the face of tribulations’’.

    He also believed that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.

    “The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something, which gives us some hope, and doing nothing, which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration.’’

    The governor attended Jumma’at prayer in Baga town with thousands of people.

    He was accompanied by Sen. Abubakar Kyari, (Borno North), House of Representatives members representing Marte, Monguno, Nganzai, Mohammed Tahir-Monguno and that of Mobbar, Kukawa, Guzamala, Abadam federal constituencies, Bukar Kareto among others.

    Baga town was displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents two years ago, forcing thousands of people to take refuge in Monguno and Maiduguri, the capital of the Borno.

  • Boko Haram: Police confirm death of officers, others in ‘heavy gun attack’ on Zulum’s convoy

    Boko Haram: Police confirm death of officers, others in ‘heavy gun attack’ on Zulum’s convoy

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of its officers by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the Baga area of the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Friday left about 30 persons dead.

    The governor’s convoy was said to have been attacked between Monguno and Baga areas of the state.

    It was learnt that the governor had left Maiduguri for Baga to prepare for the planned return of internally displaced persons from Maiduguri to the camps in Baga.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Edet Okon, in a statement issued on Saturday said eight policemen and three other members of the Civilian Joint Task Force “paid the supreme price”.

    The police spokesman added that 13 other persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

    He said, “On 25th September, 2020, about 12pm, the security convoy who were heading to Baga in respect of Government’s effort to relocate indigenes of Baga to their ancestral home came under heavy gun attack by Armed Men suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists a few Kilometers from Cross Kauwa.

    “In the ensuing gunfight, however, casualties were recorded on both sides. Unfortunately, eight Policemen and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price.

    “Thirteen other persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.”

    Okon quoted the Commissioner of Police, Bello Makwashi, as assuring members of the public that “the Force will not relent in providing the needed security for the good citizens of Borno State at all times.”

  • Boko Haram Commander, family surrender in Borno

    Boko Haram Commander, family surrender in Borno

    The Defence Headquarters says a high profile Boko Haram Commander has surrendered to Nigerian troops during clearance operations in their enclaves in Borno saying that the operations took place between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving weekly update on the operation of Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the unnamed commander surrendered with his four wives.

    He said the success was as a result of sustained offensive by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole through air and ground operations on terrorists’ enclaves at different locations in Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa.

    According to him, the operations also led to the arrest of one Boko Haram fighter at Kamuya in Biu Local Government Area of (LGA) of Borno, while nine other criminals were arrested in Wukari LGA of Taraba.

    “Caches of arms and ammunition as well as equipment and motorcycles were also recovered.

    “Meanwhile, troops repelled BHT/ISWAP attacks on civilians and own troops at Wajiroko in Damboa LGA of Borno on Sept. 17 and Sept. 20.

    “The troops neutralised several of the terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition,” he said.

    In the North West, Enenche disclosed that the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Sahel Sanity had continued to dominate the general area leading to killing of seven bandits and rescue of kidnapped victims during the week.

    He said the troops on Sept. 17, rescued eight kidnapped victims from suspected bandits at Fankama and Sabon Layi area of Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

    The coordinator explained that the troops got information that bandits dressed in military camouflage were sighted with kidnapped victims and engaged the bandits forcing them to abandon the victims.

    He also disclosed that troops of Operation Sahel Sanity while on patrol at Chabas, responded to a distress call and rescued a truck driver with 11 women and children who were on their way to Batsari Market but were kidnapped by suspected bandits along Shimfida – Gurbi Road.

    According to him, troops deployed at Dansadau arrested a suspected bandit on a motorcycle on his way to Dandalla village in Dansadau, Maru LGA of Zamfara with one Pump Action rifle and three live cartridges carefully concealed in a bag.

    “Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike killed several bandits at their meeting venue in air strikes executed at Kwaimbana forest area of Kaduna State.

    “Also, two gunrunners were arrested in possession of 1,620 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition in Kudaru Hill along Kaduna-Jos Road in Lere LGA of Kaduna State.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition was to be delivered to one bandit leader, at a location in Dansadau LGA of Zamfara.

    Equally, on Sept. 18, troops of Forward Operations Base Burukusuma patrol team killed seven armed bandits at Magira village of Zamfara.

    “On Sept. 19, troops, in conjunction with vigilantes arrested two bandits in possession of N1.3 million at Baworaje village in Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara,” he said.

    In North Central, the Coordinator disclosed the Troops of Operation Safe Haven between Sept. 17 and Sept. 20, raided suspected Sara-Suka criminals’ hideouts at Jenta Adamu, Rikkos, and Gangare Yan-Doya area of Jos North LGA of Plateau.

    He said the raids led to arrest of 14 suspects while 12 knives, 4 daggers, 4 mobile phones, two swords, assorted charms, a large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, among other illicit drugs were recovered.

    Enenche added that troops also raided another suspected drug peddlers’ hideout within Barkin Ladi LGA where a drug dealer was arrested with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.

    According to him, all the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

    Enenche further disclosed that the Headquarters Operation Safe Haven on Sept. 17, inaugurated the Rim Primary Healthcare Centre renovated by the Defence Headquarters in Riyom LGA of Plateau as part of it’s Civil Military Cooperation.

    He added that the DHQ medical team in conjunction with Operation Safe Haven medical team conducted a 2-day medical outreach in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon-Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.

  • Troops eliminate Boko Haram commanders, fighters in Lake Chad – DHQ

    Troops eliminate Boko Haram commanders, fighters in Lake Chad – DHQ

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have eliminated several top commanders and fighters of Boko Haram terrorists group in their various camps at the fringes of Lake Chad in Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

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

    Enenche said that the troops also destroyed several camps used by the terrorists located at Tunbun Gini, Tunbun Nbororo, Tunbun Kayoma, Tunbun Kaza and Tunbun Fulani during the operation.

    He said that some of the top Boko Haram/ISWAP commanders killed during the operation were- Abu Usman, Alhaji Shettima, Modu Mainok, Bukar Gana, Abu Summayya, Amir Taam and Amir Kuraish.

    He assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with other security agencies were committed to ending terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

    “While the good people of the North-East are once again assured of troop’s commitment to the safety of lives and property within the zone, they are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with timely and credible information that will assist them in the conduct of their operations,” he said.