TheNewsGuru

Tag: boko haram

  • Insecurity: Nigeria needs experience of her Service Chiefs to defeat Boko Haram, bandits -Diaspora Group

    Insecurity: Nigeria needs experience of her Service Chiefs to defeat Boko Haram, bandits -Diaspora Group

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG), UK Chapter, says the country needs the experience of its Service Chiefs now more than ever especially with recent successes recorded against terrorists and bandits.

    In a statement signed by its President, Mark Kola, on Tuesday in London, the group said those calling for their dismissal are sponsored to promote an escalation of the crimes being committed against Nigerians by terrorists.

    According to the Nigerians in the diaspora, there is an agenda to use the demand for the Service Chiefs’ sack as an excuse to cause further security breaches and those behind this act are doing so on behalf of the opposition and certain foreign interests.

    After reviewing the security concerns in the country, the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group concluded that the experience of the military heads is necessary to defeat complicated and foreign-sponsored conspiracies.

    NDMG urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resist those attempting to coerce him into error as “countries do not run their defence and security on the basis of political correctness”.

    The group, however, advised Nigerians being used by foreign interests to look beyond the pittance they are being paid to run their current errand.

    Read the full statement below:

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group has keenly followed the misplaced call for President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    We would have ordinarily avoided joining issues with those making these calls as we are at this point focused on providing palliatives and educational materials to enlighten our kith and kin at home about the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is life-threatening on many levels. However, it became imperative that we wade into the debate following our discovery that all is not what it seems.

    The innocuous-seeming calls for the service chiefs to be sacked turned out to be tied to foreign-sponsored conspiracies that are supporting the escalation of the crimes being committed against Nigerians by terrorists. By removing the military leaders, who have expansive experience in managing the crisis, the facilitators of these conspiracies hope to use any resulting transition to wreak havoc on the country since this would be a moment of vulnerability.

    Leveraging our contacts in the diaspora, we have uncovered a plot to use the demand for the sack of the service chiefs as an excuse to cause further security breaches. These plots are being managed from outside the shores of Nigeria and those behind them are exploiting video calling platforms to hold their meetings with operatives in Nigeria while funds are allegedly being electronically wired to the bank accounts of the arrowheads of the movement to force Mr President to ease the service chiefs out of office.

    We are acutely concerned that the unfolding scenario excessively tallies with the projections and forecasts made by some groups in the run-up to the 2019 General Elections that there were opposition elements that are desperate to take over power by all means and that a coerced change of service chiefs would be the first step in an extensive plan that will unleash crisis of unmanageable proportion on the country.

    We are further alarmed that those behind the calls for the service chiefs to be fired have been uncomfortably silent about the foreign connections of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, the banditry imported from Nigeria’s northern neighbours and other mutating crimes that were hitherto unknown to Nigerians. This gives credence to the summation that the people calling for the sack are doing so on behalf of the opposition and certain foreign interests.

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group has taken time to review the nature of security concerns in the country and we have come to the conclusion that Nigeria needs the experience of her Service Chiefs to defeat these complicated and foreign-sponsored conspiracies against its sovereignty.

    We consequently urge President Buhari to be the Commander-in-Chief as enshrined in the constitution, which demands that he resists those attempting to coerce him into error. Countries the world over do not run their defence and security on the basis of political correctness; countries are secured on the strength of pragmatism.

    Meanwhile, our charge to the Nigerians being used by these foreign interests to pressure the country into error is that they should look beyond the pittance they are being paid to run their current errand. In the event that they are sorely pressed for feeding money, they are welcome to contact the United Kingdom Chapter Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group for palliatives to ensure that they desist from selling their fatherland for a mess of pottage.

  • Group raises alarm over AI’s alleged support for Boko Haram, says ‘we can’t breathe’

    The Citizens Against Fake Activists say Amnesty International is choking Nigeria with its support for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and the nation can no longer breathe.

    At a time where the Black Lives Matter movement has gained prominence worldwide over incidents of police brutality against African-American people, CAFA said AI surprisingly remained mute.

    Instead, the activists revealed that the humanitarian organization has maintained its alliance with terrorists to destroy Nigeria.

    In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Salako Matthew, on Sunday, CAFA attributed the resurgence of terrorist activities in the country to AI, hiding “under the nomenclature of promoting and preserving human rights”.

    According to the group, this is born out of hatred for the growth and development of Nigeria, as well as the entrenchment of sustainable peace and tranquillity.

    While hailing the progress made by the gallant troops in recent time, CAFA, however, urged Nigerian authorities to act now before Amnesty International and their international collaborators succeed in their strangulation of the country.

    The group warned AI that it has suffocated Nigeria enough and it is time to leave the country.

  • Group says silence of US, UK and EU foster entrenchment of Boko Haram in Nigeria – Centre

    The Centre for International and Strategy Studies (CISS) has blamed the United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union for the entrenchment of the nefarious activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

    CISS said the failure of the western powers to come to the aid of the country in arresting sponsors and promoters of the group is responsible for the elongation of the crisis in the northeast.

    In a statement signed by Secretary, Dr Ifure Ataifure, on Thursday, the centre said that the radical Islamist sect have continued to receive external support from foreign countries at the detriment of Nigeria.

    According to CISS, instead of joining forces with Nigeria, the US, UK and EU have failed to embargo the sale of arms to the terrorists

    The Centre added that these powerhouses’ decision to turn a blind eye on the sensitive area is a deliberate plot to begin the process of recolonizing Africa.

    CISS further revealed that French authorities are the most culpable in this regards through the flagrant violations of all known international protocols.

    The Centre for International and Strategy Studies, however, warned countries covertly fueling Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria and other African countries to desist.

    It added that the war against terrorism should be a collective one and foreign nations must block the sale of arms to the terrorists.

  • Boko Haram: Shekau’s faction woos bandits to join sect

    Boko Haram: Shekau’s faction woos bandits to join sect

    The Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlussunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, has invited bandits to join them.

    The faction wooed armed groups terrorising the North West and North Central in a new video.

    The regions have been under unabated attacks by bandits who kill, rape, injure the people, burn houses and rustle cattle, sheep, etc.

    The insurgents specifically urged outlaws in Zamfara and Niger States, to partner with Boko Haram.

    According to Daily Post, the footage shows four masked men speaking in English, Hausa, Fulfulde and French, HumAngle reports.

    One of them said “brothers in Lake Chad, my brothers in Cameroon, my brothers in Sambisa, my brothers in Niger State, my brothers in Zamfara State…to strive harder for the sake of Allah”.

    He said everything being done “is for the cause of Allah, and I encourage you to keep doing it. Strive harder, because Allah instructed us in the Holy Quran to strive harder for His cause.”

    “You feel we kill. You feel we destroy. Allah has instructed us to kill everyone that is unbelieving,” the speaker declared.

    He added that they were fine “and we hope you are also in a good state of health. We thank God who put us on this path, in this time, to promote His words and institute His law”.

    The insurgent said his “second message” was to the people of Nigeria, Cameroon, and the whole world.

    “We call you to join us to institute Sharia globally. When you come, we will accept you according to (Shari’ah) law, and we (will) worship Allah as He commands us.”

  • Boko Haram kills 20 soldiers, 40 civilians in twin strikes in Borno

    Boko Haram kills 20 soldiers, 40 civilians in twin strikes in Borno

    Boko Haram militants and their allies in ISWAP have struck at two local councils in Borno, killing no fewer than 20 soldiers and 40 civilians.

    Many people were also injured, reported Reuters, quoting residents and a civilian task force fighter.

    The attacks, in the Monguno and Nganzai local government areas, came just days after militants killed 81 people in a raid on a village in Gubio LGA.

    Two humanitarian workers and three residents told Reuters that militants armed with heavy weaponry including rocket launchers arrived in Monguno, a hub for international non-governmental organizations, at roughly 11 a.m. local time on Saturday.

    They overran government forces, taking some casualties but killing at least 20 soldiers and roaming the area for three hours.

    The sources said hundreds of civilians were injured in the crossfire, overwhelming the local hospital and forcing some of the injured to lay outside the facility awaiting help.

    The sources said the militants also set fire to the local police station and burned down the United Nations’ humanitarian hub in the area.

    However, a UN spokesperson said the facility sustained only light damage.

    Fighters distributed letters to residents, in the local Hausa language, warning them not to work with the military, white Christian westerners or other “non-believers”.

    Militants also entered Nganzai at about the same time on Saturday, according to two residents and one Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) fighter.

    They arrived on motorcycles and in pickup trucks and killed more than 40 residents, the sources said.

    Nigeria’s military spokesman did not answer calls for comment on the attacks.

  • Boko Haram’s logistics supplier detained in Borno

    Boko Haram’s logistics supplier detained in Borno

    A top Boko Haram logistics supplier has been arrested in Borno State by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

     

    The state NSCDC commandant, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, while parading Bakura Ibrahim, 35, on Thursday in Maiduguri, said he was arrested with a car filled with fuel and food products.

     

    Abdullahi said Ibrahim was arrested on June 6 in Maiduguri with “24 Jerry cans of petrol, seven cartons of traditional medicine, 10 bags of fishing hooks and nets, and sex enhancement drugs”.

     

    The NSCDC chief said the arrest was made possible with the collaboration of other security agencies.

     

    “We have since move forward from sharing intelligence to arresting culprits and handing them to relevant departments for prosecution”.

     

    He added that his men have arrested three top Boko Haram terrorists and handed them over to the military this year.

     

     

  • BREAKING: NASS leaders to meet Buhari, military chiefs on fresh Boko Haram killings

    BREAKING: NASS leaders to meet Buhari, military chiefs on fresh Boko Haram killings

    The Senate on Thursday mandated the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and the heads of the nation’s armed forces over the renewed upsurge in Boko Haram attacks.

    This resolution followed a point of order moved by Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), on the recent killing of 90 people in his constituency on Tuesday.

    The Upper Chamber also urged the Federal Government to direct the Armed Forces to urgently secure areas around the Lake Chad.

    The Red Chamber also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), to send relief materials to victims of the attacks.

    It similarly urged the Federal Government to implement the Senate’s recommendations on the restructuring of the nation’s security architecture to enhance efficiency.

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, promised to mobilise his colleagues in the House of Representatives to meet Buhari and the security chiefs.

    He insisted any of the security chiefs who fails to perform up to expectations, even with adequate provisions, should be sacked.

    Only recently, about fewer than 81 civilians were killed and scores injured when suspected members of Boko Haram sect on Tuesday night invaded Zowo village, 34km away from Gubio town, the headquarters of Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Also, 23 animals, including cows, donkeys, goats and sheep were killed.

    Also in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, armed bandits raided the town and killed no fewer than 40 people, mostly old people, women and children.

     

     

  • Survivor narrates how Boko Haram terrorists disguise as preachers, massacre 81 villagers in Borno

    A survivor of the massacre by Boko Haram terrorists of 81 villagers of Faduma Kolomdi, Gubio in Borno State, has narrated how it happened.

    Modu Gana said that the attackers stormed the village on Tuesday in three Hilux vans and motorcycles, telling them that they came to preach the word of God to the people.

    “They asked us to remove all our charms, cutlasses, bows and arrows, as well as other spiritual protection for special prayers.

    “Immediately we did that, they began shooting at us from different directions.“Many people escaped with bullet wounds, while seven others, including our village head, were abducted by the terrorists,” he said.

    Gana said that more than 2,400 livestock had been rustled by the terrorists.

    He also told Governor Babagana Zulum that the community was attacked three times by the terrorists within the last one month.

    Zulum visited the village on Wednesday and confirmed the killing of 81 people.

    He said that 13 persons were injured while fleeing the attack, while seven others sustained various degrees of injury.

    The governor further explained that 49 of the deceased had already been buried before his arrival, while 32 bodies of the victims had been taken away by their families.

    Zulum recalled that the terrorists, who attacked Gajiram LGA some months ago, were the same ones who carried out the attack; describing it as “very unfortunate”.

    The Governor said that the only positive option to end the massacre on the vulnerable communities was to dislodge the terrorists in their strong hold, in the shores of Lake Chad.

    “We have been advocating for this for a very long time. The Tumbus and other shores of Lake Chad must be cleared completely, then people will get rest of mind. Anything less than this is a temporary measure.

    “That requires a lot of support from the Federal Government such as blocking of the leakage from our neighbouring countries by the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF),” he said.

    Zulum said that the state government on its part, would adopt measures to protect the people from further attacks, including merging smaller communities with larger ones, where they could be provided with effective security.

    “This village from Gubio town is over 35 kilometers. Due to the nature of the vast land, the insurgents can easily sneak into the community to cause havoc. The military can come here and relocate them, but at the end, they may come back,” he said.

    A mass burial was conducted for the deceased.

    Five of the victims, who were severely injured, were taken to the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital for treatment by the state government.

  • Insecurity/Corruption: Why the madness of education abroad for ‘repentant terrorists’?

    By Jumu’ah Abiodun

    “Should the bill to grant “repentant” terrorists education abroad scale through, the Nigerian Senate, US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia and selected Africa countries will unquestionably ban Nigeria from both immigrant and non-immigrant visas in light of the fact that no sensible government will open its borders for terrorists, ‘repentant’ or not.”

    The Buhari administration in its blatant lies told the world that closure of the borders has reduced insecurity drastically due to containment of the inflow of ammunition through the borders yet Boko Haram is executing Nigerians like chicken consistently.

    On Sunday, January 26, 2020, the Boko Haram sect killed 4, and injured many more in twin suicide bomb attacks at a mosque in Gwoza, Borno state.

    Sunday, February 9, 2020, Boko Haram killed at least 30 people while sleeping, destroyed 18 vehicles, abducted women and children in the attack which took place in Auno town on a major highway in Borno State.

    A few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari’s condolence visit to Maiduguri on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, over the killing on Sunday of 30 people on Auno town, Boko Haram made a push for the troubled town.

    The insurgents at about 7 pm attacked Jiddari Polo, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, causing many residents to flee from the town.

    The Buhari government keeps lying over and over again, said that the Islamists sect have technically been defeated however the killings continue.

    One could remember vividly when President Buhari came to power in 2015; he pledged to more than 180 million Nigerians that he would crush the insurgents.

    The no 4 agenda of the Buhari administration manifesto on Politics and Governance is to prevent the abuse and misuse of Executive, Legislative and Public offices, through greater accountability, transparency, strict, and implementable anti-corruption laws; through the strengthening and sanitising the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC as independent entities.

    From the above paragraph alone, it is clear that President Buhari used deception to gain power in 2015; no government in Nigeria since the return of democracy has ever abused and misused the power of the Executive branch of government like Buhari. During this present administration, there has never been regard for the rule of law and a glaring example of that is illegal detention of ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, for years, despite various court rulings that granted bail to him.

    The administration also detained the publisher of Sahara Reporters and Convener of Revolution Now, Mr Omoyele Sowore and his colleagues for months, despite different courts rulings on their release, Buhari refused to order his men to release them. Dasuki, Sowore and his men were released on 2019 Christmas Eve.

    “I will push for more robust support in the Security and Economic stability of the West-African sub-region and African Continent as a whole. I will seek and maintain a close and frank relationship with all West-Africa; Special relationship with South Africa and its Sub-region, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, European Union, Asia, and the Middle East, “, Buhari said during electioneering campaigns.

    ‘Sai Baba’ as popularly known before he assumed office in 2015 also promised to push for support in the Security and Economic stability of our country. Instead of doing that, Buhari closed the borders which ultimately enriched his people in the north.

    His negligence on security also led to the immigrant visa ban on Nigeria by the US government.

    Either via Private member or Executive bill, a bill that will permit ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members who have killed over 35, 000 Nigerians, rendered more than two million homeless and hundreds have been abducted in the conflict to study abroad has now passed the first reading. The Islamists sects, Boko Haram means ‘Education is Forbidden’, so why the stupidity of education abroad especially for Boko Haram adherents?

    “Should the bill to grant “repentant” terrorists education abroad scale through the Nigerian Senate, US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia and selected Africa countries will unquestionably ban Nigeria from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas in light of the fact that no sensible government will open its borders for terrorists, ‘repentant’ or not.”

    “Common sense is not common, being a professor doesn’t mean you won’t be selfish or lack knowledge of what your people want, having 109 senators at the red chamber, none of them think of the ramifications of sending terrorists abroad for education. Ostensibly after graduation, one of them could end up most likely as an Osama bin Laden.”

    This is crystal clear, we all know that average northerner cannot even write their name talk less to comprehend what education is about.

    Our “Mr Integrity” also promised to amend the Constitution to remove immunity from prosecution for elected officers criminal cases.

    A government which campaigned to fight corruption is now found to energize corruption. Under the Buhari watch, the then Secretary to the Government of Federation, Babachir Lawal, was sacked due to his role in a multimillion naira grass-cutting scam contract at the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP camps

    His Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari was also accused of N500 million bribery allegation from MTN and another N29.9m contract scam.

    President Buhari who was known to be a poor man with many cows before he assumed office; where on earth his son Yusuf got the money to buy power-bikes worth $157, 000.00.

    In 2018, his minister of state transport (Aviation) now Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and his team arrived in London to launch the ‘dead on arrival’ Nigeria Air. Sirika is accused of siphoning over N1.2b on a phoney Nigeria Air project, which was eventually suspended by the federal government.

    Mr Integrity nominated and appointed former Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, who was charged for N108b fraud as a Minister of the Niger Delta. The EFCC is investigating allegations that the former governor, embezzled the fund during his tenure between 2007 and 2015. This led EFCC to have written to five banks demanding information on Akwa Ibom State finances under Akpabio’s administration. He’s currently enjoying immunity under the party of “saints”, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In spite of Buhari administration acclaimed anti-corruption posture, the trended video of Gov Abdullahi Ganduje’s bribe video scandal in the last quarter of 2018 where he was caught collecting large chunk of US dollars from undisclosed associate.

    Another of his allies who is not left out on the list is a former governor of Rivers State and presently Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who was accused of alleged misappropriation of N97bn through the sale of the state valued assets.

    These are a few among very many corruption cases of “Mr Integrity’s” allies and party chieftains.

    I think President Buhari should sit and look back at how he has ruined this country with his incompetence and his fake and lopsided anti-corruption crusade. We are certainly NOT deceived.

    Jumu’ah Abiodun is a journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria.
    Twitter.com/jumuahabiodun

  • [Tending video] Frustrated soldiers curse Buratai as Boko Haram members ambush, overwhelm troops]

    [Tending video] Frustrated soldiers curse Buratai as Boko Haram members ambush, overwhelm troops]

    A video of some frustrated Nigerian soldiers laying curses on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, while on battle field is presently trending online.

    According to reports, the incident happened after Boko Haram members ambushed and overwhelmed troops, leaving two soldiers dead.

    Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Army said: “This kind of outburst is expected in war, the soldiers involved have bee identified and would undergo observation and counselling. The Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain unwavering in its quest to end the terrorist and will do everything possible to ensure there is no repeat of this kind of traumatic incident/outburst.”

    Watch video:

    READ FULL STATEMENT FROM DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATION:

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, said troops of Combat Team 1, Operation Kantana Jimlan who were on patrol along Buni Yadi – Buni Gari axis of Yobe State encountered multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and a Boko Haram ambush on Sunday.

    He said the ambush took place eight kilometres ahead of Buni-Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe leading to the killing of two soldiers while three other soldiers sustained injuries as a result of the IED explosion.

    According to him, a recovery truck, one troops-carrying vehicle and a water tanker that ran into the IED were destroyed by fire.

    “Three terrorists were neutralised, while unconfirmed number escaped with various degrees of injury,” Mr Enenche said.

    In the statement, the official also narrated some successes achieved by the Nigerian military against the insurgents.

    He said the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Monday, destroyed the logistics base of the Boko Haram/Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Njimia on the fringes of Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

    He said the operation was in continuation of the onslaught against terrorists targets in the North-east.

    Mr Enenche said the feat was achieved following credible intelligence reports as well as series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

    He added that the mission led to the identification of the nondescript cluster of structures within the settlement being used by the terrorists to house their fuel and other logistics.

    According to him, the Air Task Force dispatched an appropriate attack aircraft and a surveillance platform to take out the target.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack assets scored accurate hits in their bombing runs on the target area, completely obliterating the logistics stores as well as causing damage to several other BHT structures in the settlement.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff commends the Air Task Force for their professionalism and directs them to remain resolute towards eradicating the terrorists from the North East,” he said.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain unwavering in its quest to end the terrorism and will do everything possible to ensure there is no repeat of this kind of traumatic incident.

    “The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their unwavering determination, hardwork and resilience,” he said.

    The Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria has led to the death of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions of others, mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.