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Tag: boko haram

  • 69 Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Niger, Cameroon – Army

    69 Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Niger, Cameroon – Army

    69 Boko Haram insurgents and their families on Monday surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force authorities in Cameroon and Niger Republic.

    This was made known via a statement on Tuesday by the task force Public Information officer, Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi said the development followed a fresh operation.

    According to him, the operation took place between July 1 and July 6, 2024, when their hideouts were raided by troops.

    He said the terrorists surrendered during combined maritime operations between Cameroon and Nigerian forces.

    He explained that the surrendered groups were 13 men, 43 women and children.

    “On the same day, 12 family members of the terrorists comprising five women and seven children were rescued.

    “Both the surrendered individuals and the rescued family were handed over to the troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai in Gamboru and Banki for further action,” Abdullahi said.

    He further said that the troops of sector 4 in Niger Republic had on July 1, 2024, received a 24-year-old terrorist, Tijjani Muhammad, who surrendered with one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, and numerous 7.62mm rounds.

    The information officer added that Muhammad had escaped from the Boko Haram camp, located at Libye Soroa, following pressure mounted by Operation Lake Sanity II.

  • MNJTF neutralises 1 terrorist, thwarts Boko Haram movement in Lake Chad

    MNJTF neutralises 1 terrorist, thwarts Boko Haram movement in Lake Chad

    Troops of  the Sector II Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in Bagasola, Chad have  neutralises one Boko Haram terrorist in an ambush in Litri Island, situated on the border between Chad and Nigeria.

    Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, Chief Public Information Officer of the MNJTF in N’djamena, Chad, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    Abdullahi said that the ambush was conducted on May 13, as part of the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity II.

    He said that the operation took place on the Litri Island.

    He also said that troops recovered several items, including one AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one unexploded ordnance device, a mobile phone and other personal belongings.

    ”This marks a blow to terrorist capabilities in the area.

    ”On May 11, troops from the 19 Brigade Sector III MNJTF, disrupted a logistics movement by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the Burwarti metropolis of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

    ”The ambush led to the capture of two motorcycles, one Baofeng radio, four bags of millet, and various miscellaneous items.

    ”Following this operation, on May 12, a clearance operation from Burwarti to Daban Masara resulted in the interception of a civilian vehicle by troops.

    ”The vehicle, driven by one Mr Baba Ado, carrying passengers and empty baskets towards Daban Masara, was found six Kilo Metre east of Burwarti.

    ”After a thorough search and interrogation, Ado, who was on the 19 Brigade’s watch list, was detained for further investigation”, he said.

    Abdullahi further said that on May 13, the Nigerien Gendarmerie in Sector IV  MNJTF located in Diffa, Niger Republic, seized petroleum products concealed within sacks of maize cereals.

    ”This operation, conducted about five Kilo Metre from the main road on the outskirts of Diffa town, thwarted an attempt to smuggle these products past security checkpoints.

    ”These products were suspected to be destined for terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

    ”These collective efforts significantly undermine the logistical and operational capabilities of terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region”, he said.

    He added that the MNJTF remained committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism and restoring peace and security to the region.

  • 2 Boko Haram bomb experts surrender in Borno

    2 Boko Haram bomb experts surrender in Borno

    Two Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) experts, Abubakar Mohammed and Bana Modu, have surrendered to the troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force ( MNJTF) in Borno.

    Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Military Public Information Officer – Ndjamena, said this in a statement in Maiduguri on Monday.

    He said the suspects, who were under the age of 30, surrendered during a clearance operation by the troops on Sunday, April 21.

    Abdullahi said that two IEDs, two mobile phones and N53,000 cash were recovered from them.

    He said that on interrogation, the suspects said that they were ordered by their Boko Haram commanders to plant IEDs on the roads leading to Doron Baga and a fish farm in Baga, both in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.

    “Instead of carrying out their mission, they decided to abandon their task, escape with the IEDs and surrender to the MNJTF.

    “Their decision was influenced by the MNJTF recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic operation, and the sector’s personal engagement strategy with relevant sources, showcasing the effectiveness of psychological operations in the fight against terrorism,”he said.

    Abdullahi said that the MNJTF was committed to encouraging other terrorists in the Lake Chad to come out, surrender and lay down their arms.

    The official pledged that troops would leave no stone unturned to rid the region of terrorists and ensure sustainable peace.

  • Real reason we released 313 terrorism suspects to Borno govt – DHQ

    Real reason we released 313 terrorism suspects to Borno govt – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters has said the release of 313 terrorism suspects to the Borno State Government was on the orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who made the clarification on Thursday in Abuja, said the suspects were detained on suspicion, but no evidence was found against them at the conclusion of investigation.

    According to him, the cases were prosecuted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, wherein the court ordered for their release.

    “Accordingly they were handed over to the Borno State Government for further action,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded massive successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, killing scores and arresting their collaborators during the week.

    Buba said that terrorists’ commanders and combatants also surrendered to troops in Jere, Chibok, Monguno, Gwoza and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno, and in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa.

    According to him, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted multiple air interdiction on terrorists in Arina Woje and Tumbum Shitu near Lake Chad on March 22 and March 24, respectively.

    “The locations were observed to be active with terrorists’ activities and logistics.

    “Consequently, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs and Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their logistics destroyed.

    “Overall, troops neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages in the Northeast during the week under review.

    “Troops recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, one locally made explosive, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

    “Others are 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, six AK47 rifles magazines, two M56 rifle magazines, two magazine carriers, one motorcycle, six mobile phones, one HH radio, three bicycles and the sum of N340,500.00 amongst others,’’ he said.

  • Scores abducted as Boko Haram attacks Borno IDP camps

    Scores abducted as Boko Haram attacks Borno IDP camps

    Scores of people have been abducted in a fresh attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

    The attack took place on Monday when the insurgents struck three Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Ngala town, the headquarters of Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area at the border of Cameroon where the terrorists are most active.

    Findings show that the victims – over 40 girls and women – went to fetch firewood from the bush when the insurgents whisked them away from the Babban Sansani camp, Zulum Camp and Arabic camp.

    It was further observed that the number of women and girls kidnapped could be higher as the specific number of the abducted girls has yet to be ascertained.

    Both Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active in the region, and the battle against the groups has left at least 35,000 people dead and driven more than 2 million others from their homes in Borno state alone.

    It’s common for people to venture outside the many IDP camps in northern Nigeria to search for firewood, both to sell and for personal use.

    The terrorists also set ablaze an unspecified number of shelters in GDSSS IDP camp Shuwari in Mafa LGA as well as three houses, livestock and properties worth millions of naira in Ajari town of Damboa LGA.

    The fire incident occurred on Monday in the two locations although no casualty was recorded.

     

  • Tinubu vows to stamp out Boko Haram insurgents

    Tinubu vows to stamp out Boko Haram insurgents

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday assured that his administration would stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, banditry and kidnapping gangs in the country.

    President Tinubu gave the assurance in Abuja at the unveiling of books entitled: ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023).

    The book was written by Mr Femi Adesina, who served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former president, Muhammad Buhari.

    Tinubu said his administration would not rest until `every agent of darkness` was rooted out of the country.

    “My government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, banditry and kidnapping gangs.

    “We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out,” Tinubu said.

    He thanked Adesina for using his memoirs to reveal the challenging eight years of Buhari administration and how he steered the ship of state.

    He recalled that Buhari assumed office at a very difficult period of our national life when the economy was spiralling into recession and Boko Haram had taken over some territories in North-East.

    “At a point, it appeared that even Abuja, the seat of government would fall into the hands of Boko Haram with the bombing of the United Nations (UN) Building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya and other locations.

    “We cannot easily forget how our armed forces battled the Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of Buhari to reclaim our territory and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad where they no longer pose existential threat to our sovereignty.

    “I must say the job of securing every inch of our country is yet to be finished“, Tinubu said.

    He said in spite of what Adesina recorded in his books as Buhari’s achievements history would also be kind to him as a leader who promoted local production of goods to grow our economy.

    “It will be said glowingly of President Buhari that his eight turbulent years, marked by acute shortage of revenue, Covid-19 pandemic shut down the global economy for almost two years.

    “His administration embarked on the most ambitious infrastructural renewal for the country.

    “Buhari gave us the second Niger Bridge, he revamped Lagos-Ibadan expressway among others,” Tinubu said.

    He also said Buhari completed Abuja-Kaduna rail line and Lekki Seaport as well as build brand new airports among many other landmark projects.

    He said whatever unresolved challenges faced by Buhari in his eight years, his administration would endeavour to resolve them.

    “As I said during the campaigns, I inherited all his assets and liabilities.

    “Our administration will continue to work from where President Buhari stopped, to make our country better, create a vibrant economy and secure the environment to bring more prosperity to our people,” he said.

    Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State, was the occasion’s chairman, while the co-chairman was Gen. I.B.M Haruna, among other dignitaries.

    A royal delegation from Saudi Arabia led by Prince Abdulaziz Bin Faisal Al Saud also attended, while Alhaji Mohammed Indim, Chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, was the chief launcher.

    The book reviewer was Shola Oshunkeye, CNN African Journalist of the year 2006.

  • FG resumes trial of suspected Boko Haram members

    FG resumes trial of suspected Boko Haram members

    The Federal Government on Monday resumed the trial of suspected Boko Haram members in the Kainji Prosecution Project Phase IV in Abuja.

    Speaking at the opening of the court session, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the first phase commenced in 2017.

    Fagbemi said that the Federal Government, in the 2017 trial, secured a total of 366 convictions, while 896 others were discharged for lack of evidence and 61 cases adjourned for further hearings.

    He said the resumption of the prosecution of terrorism suspects marked another step in the journey of ensuring the security and safety of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    According to him, security is a duty that is of utmost importance to all Nigerians, and a primary duty of government.

    “I must acknowledge the fact that we have come a long way in this initiative.

    “The first phase of the Kainji Prosecution Project commenced in October 2017 with remarkable achievements.

    “We recorded a total of 366 convictions, 896 others were discharged for lack of sufficient evidence, and 61 other cases were adjourned for further hearing.

    “There have been three phases of the exercise so far, spanning between October 2017 and July 2018.

    “I must, at this point, challenge all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum is sustained, seeing how important this assignment is to the wellbeing of our beloved country and its people,” he said.

    Fagbemi said prosecution is one of the end processes of criminal justice administration, assuring that the Federal Government would deploy resources to enhance its prosecutorial capacities.

    He added that the ministry would continue to support efforts towards deradicalisation and reintegration of repentant terrorists.

    “We have made tremendous efforts to ensure that the trials are conducted with due regard to the provisions of the Constitution regarding openness as much as can be permitted.

    “And in the circumstances provide the suspects with adequate opportunities to make their defence.

    “I would like to urge the prosecutors and defence counsel to continue to maintain the highest levels of professional standards in this national assignment,” Fagbemi said.

    On his part, the Director, Criminal Justice, Legal Aid Council, Mr Abdulfattah Bakre, said they had the consent of the defendants to represent them in the case.

    Baker promised to cooperate with the prosecution while representing the defendants to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the case.

    “We are happy that this trial is resuming after such a long time and we are glad that the defendants will have the opportunity to be heard.

    “We are representing them based on their trust and not on the instruction of the Federal Government.

    “We were in Kainji some years ago, and also recently we were in Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri where we interacted with them, and we have been fully instructed to represent them,” he said.

    In his part, the representative of the National Human Rights Commission, said they would ensure that the defendants’ rights were respected while the trial lasted.

    The Attorney General personally commenced the prosecution of the suspects at the resumed hearing on Monday.

    The trial is being presided over by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court.

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, said the resumption of the trial was in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights-based approach to countering terrorism.

    Ribadu said his office had ensured the full participation of the Armed Forces and other law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies towards the successful prosecution of all the suspects under the Terrorism Prevention Act.

    According to him, efforts have been made through training and capacity building of investigators and prosecutors towards an evidence-based trial and witness protection.

    He called on all stakeholders to commit to the identified timeline for the completion of the trials.

    Ribadu assured them of the full support of President Bola Tinubu in strengthening Nigeria’s countering terrorism strategies within human rights frameworks.

    NAN

  • Court dismisses Boko Haram suspect, Maina’s suit against DSS

    Court dismisses Boko Haram suspect, Maina’s suit against DSS

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed a suit filed by Abba Maina, linked to Boko Haram activities, against the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the suit, which sought Maina’s release, was an abuse of the court process since a similar suit was pending before an FCT High Court.

    Justice Ekwo said instituting different actions between the same parties simultaneously in different courts even though on different grounds amounted to an abuse of court process.

    The judge, therefore, agreed with the DSS and its Director-General (DG) that the fundamental rights suit marked: CV270/2022 before Justice A.Y. Shafa of FCT High Court filed on Nov. 4, 2022, was similar to the instant case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2090/2022.

    “This is clearly a situation where the applicant has fallen into the temptation of instituting different actions between the same parties simultaneously in different courts even though on different grounds.

    “The applicant could have clearly avoided this situation by taking one of the options available to him by law, exhausting one remedy before going for another assuming that the next action would not be caught by principle of res judicata.

    “Consequently, nothing else is worthy of any consideration where a suit is found to be an abuse of process of court.

    “It is on this premise that I make an order dismissing this case for being an abuse of process of court., This is the order of this court,” he declared.

    Maina had, in the originating motion dated Nov. 22, 2022, sued the DSS and its DG as 1st and 2nd respondents.

    The applicant sought an order mandating the respondents to produce him in court to enable the court inquire into the circumstances constituting the grounds of his continuous detention since Sept. 19, 2022.

    Maina also sought an order admitting him to bail pursuant to the provisions of Sections 32(3), 32 (1) and (2),  and 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, 36 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws.

    Giving six grounds why his reliefs should be granted, Maina, who described himself as “a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria,” said he was arrested on Sept. 19, 2022, by DSS officers at an Abuja branch of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) over allegations of committing an undisclosed offence.

    He said the respondents kept him in detention in flagrant disregard to constitutional provisions which placed responsibility on law enforcement agency to charge a suspect to court within 24 or 48 hours.

    But the security outfit argued that the suit constituted an abuse of court process, having filed similar suit in another court.

    The DSS alleged that on Sept. 12, it received an intelligence from its Borno  Command of plans to send N10 million to facilitate the relocation of some members of Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lid-Dawa’awati wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, from Borno to a Boko Haram Camp in Kaduna State, by one Kaura (FNU), the armourer of the terror group

    It said upon further investigation, it was revealed that Kaura (FNU) requested for the bank account numbers from one Baba Guraba and Bayero (FNU), who were Boko Haram commanders positioned around Bama Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno, to facilitate the payment of the money.

    The agency revealed that Bayero (FNU) sent a United Bank for Africa (UBA) account number: 2196498467 belonging to one Basiru Hassan and a GTB account number: 025264587 belonging to Maina.

    It alleged that while N6 million was paid into Hassan’s account, N4 million was paid into Maina’s  account and that intelligence gathering efforts revealed that Kaura (FNU) directed those transfers and withdrawals be made through Point of Sale (POS) operators.

    “Kaura (FNU) paid in a first instalment of N2 million only into the GTB account number 0025264587 belonging to the applicant.

    “Based on this intelligence gathering efforts, the Borno State Command of the 1st respondent sought and obtained the orders of court to flag the said account numbers by placing a Post-No-Debit (PND) order and requested that the account holders be apprehended whenever sighted,” it said.

    The DSS said on Sept. 19th, 2022, Maina was arrested at GTB, adjacent the National Mosque, Central Business District, Abuja, when he came to ascertain why he could not withdraw the funds lodged into his account.

    The agency alleged that Maina was immediately apprehended and taken into custody “on reasonable suspicion of being involved in providing of facilities in support of terrorist acts, financing of terrorism, dealing in terrorist’s property and his alleged roles in the facilitation of the migration and/or relocation of terrorists within Nigeria.”

    It alleged that upon investigation, it was discovered that Maina was not a law-abiding citizen “but acts as a courier and a facilitator to the Boko Haram terrorist group.”

    It also alleged that upon his arrest, he was duly informed of his alleged offences in line with the provisions of the law.

    “Due to the gravity of the alleged offence, the arrest of the applicant could not be made public in order not to disrupt a rather progressive investigation to apprehend other members of the terrorist group who were already on their way to Kaduna and other adjoining states,” it further alleged.

    The DSS, which described Maina as “a flight risk” and that he would jump bail if released on administrative bail, said the suit was an abuse of court process.

    It prayed the court to dismiss it.

  • NAF’s strikes eliminate key Boko Haram figure, several others in Borno

    NAF’s strikes eliminate key Boko Haram figure, several others in Borno

    The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated a key Boko Haram terrorist leader,  Abu Asad and several others in air strikes on their hideout at Tagoshe on Mandara Mountains in Borno.

    The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Gabkwet said the air strikes which was conducted on Friday, was one of the most successful strikes undertaken by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai in recent time.

    He said the NAF discovered a massing of terrorists in an isolated location consisting of three zinced structures amid several trees.

    He added that it was evident from the footage that the terrorists were massing up at the location for either a well-planned meeting or preparing for a major attack on troops.

    According to him, over 100 heavily armed terrorists were observed throwing banters and moving randomly around the structures which also had four troop carriers.

    “The aftermath of the air strike revealed that two out of the three structures, as well as the entire troop carriers were destroyed.

    “There are also indications that Abu Asad, a key figure in the Ali Ngulde group under Boko Haram, as well as other terrorists like Ibrahim Nakeeb, Mujaheed Dimtu, Mustafa Munzir, and several fighters were among the several terrorists eliminated in the air strike,” he said.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the Air Component Commander and his men for the feet.

    Abubakar urged them to continue to synergise with the Land Component while maintaining the momentum in keeping the terrorists on their toes.

    He said they must continue to justify the trust and confidence the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria have in them.

    “You must ensure that we go all out in making life unbearable for these terrorists and criminals until they surrender or are completely eliminated,” he said.

  • 60 fighters reportedly killed in Boko Haram, ISWAP renewed rivalry in Borno

    60 fighters reportedly killed in Boko Haram, ISWAP renewed rivalry in Borno

    At least 60 Boko Haram fighters and rival group, the  Islamic State of West African Province, (ISWAP) have been reportedly killed in a fresh infighting in Borno State, a fresh report has shown.

    The report about the renewed rivalry was disclosed on Saturday by a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama in a post on his social media platform X.

    Makama said casualties on both sides could be more than 60 as the infighting continued.

    According to him,  a heavy fight broke out between the two groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA at about 1400hours, with the commanders of the warring groups killed.

    He stated that the attack was in retaliation of the massive killing of ISWAP fighters by the Buduma factions that had seized most of their hideouts.

    He wrote, “Scores of fighters from the Jam’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihd, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, terrorists, including their commanders were killed during an infighting in the North East of Borno State.

    “Reports indicated that a heavy fight broke out between the two groups at Tumbum Ali Island in Marte LGA at about 1400hours.

    “Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that 6 boats belonging to the Bakura Buduma faction and four JAS elements boats, all full with fighters were destroyed.

    “The sources said the casualties on both sides could be more than 60 as the infighting continued.”