TheNewsGuru

Tag: boko haram

  • Army rescues Chibok girl married to two Boko Haram terrorists in captivity

    Army rescues Chibok girl married to two Boko Haram terrorists in captivity

    The Nigerian Army on Monday announced the rescue of another Chibok girl, Saratu Dauda, abducted with others at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, in 2014.

    The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.- Gen. Ibrahim Ali, made this known while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    Ali said that Saratu was rescued on May 6, by troops of 21 Armoured Brigade during clearance Operation at Ukuba in Sambisa Forest in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    He said that the 25-year-old Saratu, listed as serial number 10 on the list of the abducted victims, was a native of Mbalala community in Chibok local government area.

    “She was once married to one Abou Yusuf who she later divorced before getting married to one Ba’ana Muhammad, also known as Abou Zinira, the Boko Haram terrorists IED expert.

    “She had three daughters aged 7, 5 and 2 years old with Ba’ana, but left them in the terrorists hideouts during her escape.

    “She has within the past 10 days undergone intensive medical care and checks at the military hospital in Maimalari. She will be handed over to the officials of the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs.

    “So far, efforts to rescue her children and other victims were still ongoing,” he said.

    He also recalled the recent presentation two other Chibok girls rescued by the troops.

    “Consequently, on 4th May this year  Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 on the list of the missing victims, and three of their children were handed over to the officials of the Borno State Government,” he said.

    According to him, their rescue among other several women and children were largely driven by the Kinetic and Non-Kinetic activities of Operation Hadin Kai, especially in the ongoing Operation Desert and Lake Sanity II.

    “As of today, the statistics of the 276 abducted Chibok girls indicate that 57 girls escaped in 2014; 107 released in 2018; three were rescued in 2019, two were recovered in 2021; 11 girls were rescued in 2022 and three rescued so far in 2023. This brings to 182 out of captivity remaining 93 unaccounted for.

    “At this juncture let me state that the joint efforts of Operation Hadin kai under the strategic guidance of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief Air Staff, has continued to yield more Operational successes in the North Eastern Region of Nigeria,” he said.

    He also lauded the support  of the Borno government and assured the people of the Northeast of the commitment of the military to contain the insurgency in the region.

    Responding after receiving the rescued Chibok girl, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, lauded the military for the successes being recorded, particularly in rescuing the girls.

    Gambo said that the chibok girl, like others, would undergo rehabilitation under the ministry before handing over to her family.

  • Army rescues two more Chibok girls in Borno

    Army rescues two more Chibok girls in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it had rescued two additional girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, nine years after their abduction by Boko Haram in 2014.

    The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    Ali said that Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 in the list of the missing victims, were rescued on April 21, 2023, by troops of 114 Taskforce Battalion Bitta at Lagara, under the 21 armoured Brigade Bama during Operations.

    He said that Hauwa Maltha, 26-year-old, and Kibaku by tribe from Jila in Chibok local Government of Borno state, and her 3-year-old baby were rescued.

    He explained that while in captivity, Hauwa got married at Gulukos, a village in Sambisa forest, to one Salman, a cameraman to Abubakar Shekau.

    “Salman later died in Lake Chad. Thereafter, Hauwa Maltha got married to one Mallam Muhammad in Gobara and had 2 children for him who later died due to sickness. Muhammad, her second husband, was also killed in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest during clashes between Boko Haram/ISWAP,” he said.

    “Hauwa who was about 8 months and 2 weeks pregnant during the time of her rescue delivered a bouncing baby boy on 28 April 2023 while undergoing thorough medical examination along with her baby Fatima at 7 Div Medical Hospital and Services,”he said.

    Ali explained that while in captivity, 26-year-old Esther was forcefully married to one Garba, also known as Garus, a Boko Haram fighter who was killed during troops offensive operations on terrorists’ enclaves.

    “She was later married off to another insurgents, Abba, in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest until her rescue by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

    “Since their rescue, they have undergone thorough medical examination along with their babies and are adequately resuscitated and will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further administration.

    “These results are evident as troops have rescued about 14 Chibok girls recently.

    “The girls rescued so far include; Aisha Grema, serial number 11 on the abducted Chibok girls list, Hannatu Musa, number 7 on the list, and Sera Luka, number 38 on the list.

    Others are; Ruth Bitrus, number 41, Mary Dauda, number 46, Hauwa Joseph, number 18, Falmata Lawan, number 3, Asabe Ali, number 12, Jankai Yamal, number 20, Yana Pogu, number 19, Rejoice Sanki, number 70 and Hassana Adamu, number 35,” he said.

    He assured the people of the North East in particular, that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute and determined in neutralizing all vestiges of terrorist elements as well as criminals marauding the North East and returning total and long lasting peace to the region.

    “Our immense appreciation goes to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, and Service Chiefs for their strategic guidance and provision of requisite logistics and operational platforms which have spurred the continuous successes,” he said.

  • Good news: Heavily pregnant Chibok girl rescued by Nigerian troops

    Good news: Heavily pregnant Chibok girl rescued by Nigerian troops

    … with her 3-yr-old baby

    Troops of 114 Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Bita, Borno State in Northeastern Nigeria, have rescued a 26-year-old pregnant woman said to be one of the Chibok school girls abducted on April 14, 2014.

    The rescued woman identified as Hauwa Maltha with serial number two on the list of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, was reportedly rescued by the troops on April 21, 2023, along with her three-year-old baby during the troops’ operations in the Lagara area of Borno State.

    It was reported that while in captivity, Hauwa who is from the Kibaku tribe in the Chibok Local Government Area of the state got married in Gulukos to one Salman, a cameraman to the late terrorist leader, Shekau.

    It was gathered that Salman died in Lake Chad, and after his death, Hauwa was remarried to one Mallam Muhammad in Gobara and had two children with him.

    However, her second husband, Mallam Muhammad, was later killed in Ukuba terrorist enclave in Sambisa Forest during clashes between JAS/ISWAP rivals.

    It was reported that since she was rescued, Hauwa, who is about eight months and two weeks pregnant, has undergone a thorough medical examination along with her baby.

    After she has been certified to be medically fine, she and her baby, Fatima, will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further management.

    On the night of April 14, 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students were kidnapped by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok.

    On April 14, 2023, exactly nine years after the abduction that generated global outcry, a global advocacy group, Amnesty International said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had failed to rescue 98 of the girls still languishing in the terrorists’ den.

  • How Boko Haram bomb maker stepped on self-made IED, dies

    How Boko Haram bomb maker stepped on self-made IED, dies

    A Boko Haram bomb maker, Awana Gaidam, has reportedly died after he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device he made by himself.

    He was said to have planted the IED that killed him for the Nigerian troops in Borno State. Before his death, Gaidam was said to be responsible for many IED attacks along major highways in Borno.

    Awana planted the IEDs in strategic positions of his camp within the Sambisa forest to wade off attacks from the troops, Zagazola Makama reports.

    Gaidam was blown to pieces after his vehicle stepped on the IED along Njumia and Arra in Sambisa forest on Monday, a source told Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region.

    “Since 2022, Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province have carried out more than 90 indiscriminate attacks in the North-East using Improvised Explosive Devices.

    “The insurgents resorted to the use of IEDs as a result of the increased and sustained pressure by the joint efforts of the Nigerian Army, Air Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai with support of the combined troops of the Multination Joint Task Force, Niger, Cameroon and Chad in the Lake Chad sub-region.

    “Therefore, the killing of Awana represents a serious blow to the operational capability of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, terrorists group,” the publication said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is an Islamist militant organization based in northeastern Nigeria, which is also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali.

    Boko Haram was the world’s deadliest terror group during part of the mid-2010s according to the Global Terrorism Index.

    In 2016, the group split, resulting in the emergence of a hostile faction known as the Islamic State’s West Africa Province.

  • 590 repentant Boko Haram terrorists end skill acquisition course, tenders apology for killings

    590 repentant Boko Haram terrorists end skill acquisition course, tenders apology for killings

    At least, 594 rehabilitated Boko Haram members have graduated from Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration camp in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

    Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the camp Commandant, Col. Uche Nnabuihe, said, “Fifteen clients hail from Adamawa, 495 from Borno, 16 from Yobe, 16 from Kano, three from Gombe, 13 from Kaduna, one from Kogi, 12 from Bauchi, five from Jigawa, five from Katsina, four from Kebbi, one from Nasarawa, one from Plateau, while two are from Zamfara states.”

    Nnabuihe said out of the 594 graduating repentant Boko Haram members, ‘’590 are Nigerians, while four others are foreigners; three Nigeriens, and one Chadian.’’

    The camp commandant stated that “588 clients are Muslims, while six are Christians.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that upon arrival, medical tests were conducted on them while their data were captured by the National Identity Management Commission.

    Nnabuihe said, “Today marks yet another milestone in the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme for regular Batch Six 2002 and Special Batch 4 2002 clients that arrived the DRR camp between September 2022 and October 8, 2022, for the mandatory de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

    “Upon arrival, the clients, totalling 594, were subjected to comprehensive physical and medical test by a combined team of medical experts from the DRR camp clinic and Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. The medical tests were aimed at ascertaining the health status of the clients towards providing proper and adequate care during DRR training cycle.

    Eighty-five clients trained as barbers, 81 clients trained in shoemaking, 158 clients chose welding as vocation of choice, while 213 clients selected tailoring, more so, 38 clients were trained in carpentry, while 28 learnt skills in laundry services

    “They were trained in skills for self-reliance after re-interpretation with their communities in this regard. Eighty-five clients trained as barbers, 81 clients trained in shoemaking, 158 clients chose welding as vocation of choice, while 213 clients selected tailoring, more so, 38 clients were trained in carpentry, while 28 learnt skills in laundry services. All the clients participated in the mandatory integrated farming, training activities which include agro, poultry and fish farming.”

    On his part, Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Maj. Gen. Joseph Maina, decried the impact of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region, noting that it had continued to impact negatively on the lives and livelihoods of the people and on development.

    He said, “It’s on record that the activities of these groups have led to the displacement of over two million people internally and so many others driven into neighbouring countries as refugees.

    We extend our apology to all and sundry in the various communities that we come from; we are really very sorry and we are not going back to the very atrocities

    “Recognising the limits of pure military solution and the urgent need to end the untold suffering, the Federal Government introduced Operation Safe Corridor as a non-kinetic multi-agency approach in the support of military actions since 2015.”

    Meanwhile, a repentant Boko Haram member, Muhammad Abba, during the graduation ceremony, apologised to Nigerians for their atrocities on various communities in the country.

    Abba said, “We apologise for our various wrongs to our communities, and everyone sitting here. We extend our apology to all and sundry in the various communities that we come from; we are really very sorry and we are not going back to the very atrocities.

    “We have taken the oath of allegiance to our peaceful, loving country, Nigeria. We know the consequences of taking an oath with the Quran or with a Holy Bible.

    If you betray your oath, Allah will not be happy with you. He will punish you, even if you escape the security of Nigeria, you can’t escape Allah ; we are certain of this. We will be faithful, loyal, faithful to the allegiance and oath we have taken.”

  • How MNJTF arrested Boko Haram logistics suppliers, scores of collaborators in Borno

    How MNJTF arrested Boko Haram logistics suppliers, scores of collaborators in Borno

    It was a victory for members of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following the arrest of

    logistics suppliers, scores of collaborators, rescue 3 women and 4 children in Borno State.

    MNJTF has continued to intensify operations against terrorists including their logistic suppliers following several arrest of some of the BH/ISWAP logisticians in Borno State.

    Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke, Chief Military Public Information Officer MNJTF N’Djamena, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, said troops also rescued 3 women and their 4 children who were fleeing from the fighting between the BHT and ISWAP in Sambisa forest.

    “The emerging situation by the MNJTF troops of Sector 3 Nigeria started on 5 Mar 23 following the arrest of 2 suspected BHT logistics suppliers and their collaborators Muhammed Sabo and Sarki Danladi while trying to exit Munguno town to the Tumbuns to link up with the terrorists.

    Items recovered from the suspects include 2 blankets, 2 fishermen identity card, 3 wristwatches, 2 access passes which were issued by the terrorists, 20 empty sack bags, some personal clothing amongst others.

    “The suspects are undergoing interrogation,” he said.

    Also on 4 Mar 23, troops while on stop and search operation along the Main Supply Route Monguno – Kekeno – Cross Kauwa- Baga arrested two suspects conveying some quantities of wrappers and other logistics to the terrorists.

    In the same vein, on 5 Mar 23 one Abubakar Usman was arrested with First Bank ATM card and invoice containing the lists of items to procure and possibly deliver to the terrorists. During the preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he has been involved in supply of several logistics to the terrorists.

    Similarly, on 6 Mar 23 a suspected BHT/ISWAP logistics courier named Abubakar Vacdor from Borehole village Monguno was arrested by troops on his way to the terrorists.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the following items were recovered from the suspects, 4 packs of fishing hooks, 4 fishing threads, 4 mudu of corn flower, 2 mosquito nets, cooking pots, 2 Knives, one cutlass, one identity card, clothings and sum of Twenty Four Thousand Naira (N24,000.00) only. The suspect is undergoing investigation.

    According to the statement, “In the same vein, on 8 Mar 23 troops of Sector 3 MNJTF deployed at Forward Operation Base Gajiram arrested one Tijani Adamu suspected BHT/ISWAP logistics supplier while on his way from Maiduguri to Monguno. Items recovered from him included the sum of Eleven Thousand two Hundred and Eighty Naira (N11,280,000) only, and one techno pova

    “The suspect was arrested along Mr Aliu Yusuf residing in Mongunu and working as a driver. Items recovered from him included 2 sacks of maize, 5 tubers of yam, one Jerrycan of groundnut oil, and one baby diaper.

    “Others are 3 bathing soaps, 5 sachets of cereal, 3 hijabs, 3 bags of suger, one bag of corn flower, 2 cartons of maggi, 2 cartons of detergents, 4 packs of marches and the sum of Twenty Seven thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N27,700.00) only. The arrested suspects and the items are in custody while investigation is ongoing.”

    “In another development, on 5 Mar 23, one Bakote Mohammed and Baba Kura Hala who escaped from BHT surrendered to the troops of Sector 3 deployed at Kijimatari in Monguno. Both are currently being profiled. On the same day, a Boko Haram Terrorist named Banna Modu surrendered to MNJTF Sector 3 deployed at Kijimatari in Monguno.

    “The terrorist claimed to have lost interest in the struggle having operated in Mafa, Dikwa, Maiduguri and Gajram general areas. Similarly, the troops of Sector 4 MNJTF Quick Response Force Niger while on fighting patrol intercepted a Golf car containing 24 by 25 litres of petrol. The suspect is undergoing investigation.”

    Also, troops of Sector 4 MNJTF conducted a night patrol along Ngagam – Djalori Axis where they rescued 3 women alongside their 4 children. The women were from Sambisa Forest. Preliminary investigation revealed that the families were fleeing from the fighting between the BHT and ISWAP from Sambisa forest.

    “In a related encouraging development, on 8 Mar 23 troops of MNJTF Sector 3 Nigeria deployed at Damasak conducted clearance operation.

    During the operation, they intercepted BHT Families members which included 43 women and 30 children. They are currently receiving medical attention and profiling.

    “Similarly in the last one month as a result of infighting by the Boko haram and ISWAP terrorist groups and effects of MNJTF and other national operations bombardment and especially effects of air strikes, continuous movements of large bodies of people from the Sambisa forests to the lake Chad basin have been observed.

    “In joint coordinated operations between Sectors 3 and 4 of the MNJTF in the Kamadougu Yobe river general area along the Nigeria/ Niger common border areas , over 900 people made up of women, children and elderly people suspected to be families and collaborators of the insurgents have been arrested. Collaboration with national authorities and subsequent profiling and handover is ongoing,” the statement noted.

    In his massage to the troops, the Force Commander MNJTF commended the efforts of the troops and especially the commanders for their coordination of these operations.

    He urged them not to relent in degrading the BHT/ISWAP logistics couriers which would have an overall impact positively on our counter Insurgency operations.

    The Force Commander MNJTF reminded them that the insurgency is almost collapsed and urged them to collectively deal a death blow on the insurgents. He reassured them of the support of Headquarters MNJTF always and called on the population of the Lake Chad Basin to be observant and report any suspicious activity to the Security forces.

  • Alleged drug trafficking: NDLEA arrests Ex-Boko Haram fighter, traditional ruler

    Alleged drug trafficking: NDLEA arrests Ex-Boko Haram fighter, traditional ruler

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a rehabilitated ex-fighter of the Boko Haram terror group, Alayi Madu for alleged drug trafficking.

    The agency said that it also arrested Baale  Akunola Adebayo’, the traditional ruler of Kajola, a border town between Ondo State and Edo, in connection with the alleged crime.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media, and Advocacy, NDLEA Mr. Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the traditional ruler was arrested in Kajola.

    He said the arrests were part of ongoing operations to mop up illicit drugs across the country ahead of the next round of elections.

    He also said that NDLEA officers in the early hours of Friday,  March 10,  stormed Kajola forest in Kajola community, a border town between Edo and Ondo state where they destroyed three cannabis farms, measuring 39.801546 hectares.

    “The owner of the farms who claims to be the Ba’ale of Kajola, Akinola Adebayo, 35, was arrested on the farm at 2:30am.

    “Two other suspects believed to be his workers: Arikuyeri Abdulrahman, 23, and Habibu Ologun, 25, were also nabbed in a hut near the farms.

    “Also, a 26-year-old Alayi Madu, who was a Boko Haram fighter for 15 years before he surrendered to the Nigerian military in 2021, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives.”

    Babafemi said the suspect was arrested on Thursday, March 9 along Abuja-Kaduna express road with 10 kilograms of skunk.

    According to him, he said he bought it in Ibadan, Oyo state, and was taking the consignment concealed in a sack to Maiduguri, Borno.

    “In his statement, Madu said he is from Banki town in Borno and joined the notorious terrorist organisation in 2006 when he was nine years old.

    “He said he repented and surrendered to the military in 2021, after which he underwent rehabilitation and de-radicalisation processes at Umaru Shehu rehabilitation centre, Maiduguri and Malam Sidi de-radicalization centre, Gombe, before he was discharged after spending six months.

    “Thereafter, he traveled to Ibadan, Oyo state where he worked as commercial motorcycle rider (Okada rider) before going into drug trafficking and his eventual arrest along Abuja-Kaduna express road, ” he said.

  • Buhari’s administration has subdued Boko Haram insurgency – Buratai

    Buhari’s administration has subdued Boko Haram insurgency – Buratai

    The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd) has claimed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has subdued Boko Haram insurgency and terrorist acts.

    Buratai made the claim in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, recalled that President Buhari in his inaugural address on May 29, 2015, promised to subdue the terror groups.

    The former COAS, however, warned that it is wrong to think that victory over Boko Haram terrorists meant a total cessation of hostilities. That, he said, would happen only when the terrorist groups agree to forsake their ideology, embrace democracy, respect the national constitution and sue for peace.

    Buratai said the President had, right from his inauguration, clear-cut strategies to subdue the terrorists and restore peace to the North East and Nigeria in general.

    He recalled the president in his inaugural address saying that the military command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram has been completely subdued.

    “I say this with every sense of responsibility that the Buhari administration has subdued the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism,” said Buratai.

    According to him, the president came fully prepared with all the right information about the root causes of the insurgency and terrorism.

    Buratai said that the Boko Haram insurgency was allowed to manifest before 2015 by official bungling, negligence, complacency and collusion.

    This, he added, made Boko Haram become a terrifying force, taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages, covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.

    “This is the true summary of the Boko Haram armed insurrection. The murder of Muhammad Yusuf by the police was clearly extrajudicial. Negligence, complacency and collusion with the proponents and strategic leaders of the Boko Haram insurgency for selfish reasons caused the insurgency to degenerate into a full-blown nightmare,” he added.

  • How I confronted insurgency as COAS – Buratai

    How I confronted insurgency as COAS – Buratai

    Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, says winning hearts and minds of the North East populace was a major step taken by the Army that turned the tables against insurgents during his time.

    Buratai, who is the immediate past Ambassador of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

    He said that the people also realised that President Muhammadu Buhari was passionate about restoring peace and stability to Borno and the entire North-East region.

    He said that there was also the reinvigoration of joint civil-military operations, composed of all operational formations of the Services.

    According to him, the operation had a central coordination Headquarters which also coordinated civil and humanitarian activities.

    “It assists the joint force commander in humanitarian or national-assistance operations, theater campaigns or civil-military operations occurring concurrently,” he said.

    Buratai urged the military to be resilient and never succumb to the threats of insurgents, terrorists, separatists, kidnappers or armed robbers.

    He said the major trick of the terrorists was to instill fear in the minds of people so much so that the people would be afraid to go to their farms, businesses or send their children to school.

    “We must all take a stand and show that we are not with the insurgents and the terrorists.

    “What the military is doing is fighting for the safety of the people, the military is there to protect and defend the people.

    “The military is not just fighting the terrorists on their own, they are there because of the people. This war is a people’s war, and not just a military thing.

    “Therefore, we must all get involved, be resilient, provide timely and credible intelligence and avoid any action that will disrupt the peace.

    “We have a duty to ensure that we entrench peace right from our homes. We must also know what every member of our community is engaged in,” he said.

    On military tactics, Buratai said the military always evaluated and changed their tactics to adapt to new challenges posed by the insurgents and terrorists, hence the defeat of the terrorists and insurgents.

    He called on locals to support the military with credible and timely information and prayers instead of meaningless and incessant criticism that were capable of killing morale of troops and their commanders.

    Buratai urged the military to maintain their tempo of operations and keep up the aggressive assaults, as well as enhance collaboration and synergy with other sister agencies.

    “You must understand that the military is not a one man show; even when I was in service, I worked with a team, and I am happy to say that many of them are still in service.

    “The current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the COAS served directly under me as Theater Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole, now Hadin Kai.

    “By and large, I will say that they are doing well. Whatever little success we were able to achieve during my tenure, we did it together, it was a collective effort.

    “Thumbs up to the Nigerian military, the CDS and the Service Chiefs. I commend the Commander of Operation Hadin Kai. They are doing a great job. This is why the terrorists have been surrendering to the government.

    “Over 100,000 have surrendered and many more are coming out,” he said.

    On negotiation with terrorists and bandits, the former COAS said it was not the responsibility of the military to suggest, initiate or directly partake in dialogue or negotiations with terrorists and bandits.

    “But the military can force the terrorists, bandits, insurgents to surrender and accept negotiated terms favourable to the legitimate authority, which is the government.

    “I tell you towards the last half of 2020, the bandits were calling for negotiations through some prominent individuals.

    “This was as a result of the pressure mounted on the bandits. Many of their fighters, collaborators, logistic suppliers and informants were neutralised, captured or had escaped out of the country for safety.

    “Negotiation, dialogue and amnesty are civil authorities’ responsibilities. This should be the last option which I preach in my present capacity because the terrorists and bandits have been subdued.

    “Much more details will be coming out in my memoire in the future by the grace of God,” he said.

    On the 2023 general elections, Buratai urged the military to stick to their constitutional role and remain apolitical even when they are called in to assist the civil police at some point.

  • How Buhari used diplomacy to end Boko Haram – Onyema

    How Buhari used diplomacy to end Boko Haram – Onyema

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema has given details of how President Muhammadu Buhari deployed diplomatic engagements to end activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The minister spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the 22nd edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023) organised to project the achievements of the Buhari government.

    Onyema recalled that before the Buhari administration came on board in 2015 the threats posed by Boko Haram had become alarming, as the insurgent group had taken over some parts of Nigerian territory.

    He said upon assumption of office, the President personally engaged with Nigeria’s neighbours -Cameroon, Chad, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic –  to engender renewed efforts in countering terrorism in the Lake Chad region.

    The engagements according to the minister, led to the formation of a military coalition, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), with the support of AU and UN, deployed to fight the terror group.

    The minister said the bilateral engagement by the President extended to partners across the Atlantic, particularly the United States.

    He said with the approval of the President, the foreign affairs ministry negotiated improved relations between Nigeria and the U.S.

    Onyema said this paved way for the sale and delivery of twelve A-29 Super Tucano military aircraft and weapons to fight insurgency.

    According to the minister, the request for the purchase of the platforms had been rejected by the US Parliament before the emergence of the Buhari administration.

    “The ministry also brokered an exchange of visits between President Buhari and his Turkish counterpart Recep Erdogan in 2016 and 2017, respectively, leading to the signing of several MoUs, especially the Defence Industry Cooperation of 2021.

    “This enabled Nigeria to purchase from Turkey 6T-129 Attack helicopters and 6TB2 Drones to fight insurgency. A number of these visits were undertaken with purposeful results.”

    At the Multilateral level, Onyema said with the support of President Buhari, the ministry was able to convince the United Nations to approve the listing of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) as a terrorists organisation.

    He said the UN equally approved sanctions regime for ISWAP, a splinter group of Boko Haram in the Al-Qaida, pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of UNSC Resolution 2368 (2017).

    The minister said the approvals by the UN helped to put the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP on global front agenda

    Onyema said the ministry had since 2015 ensured the renewal of the MNJTF by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

    He said the efforts, to a large extent, complemented other national efforts in degrading terrorist groups.

    The minister recalled when the country faced the challenge of some unfounded human rights narratives regarding counter-terrorism activities in the Northeast.

    In addressing the challenge, he said the President pushed for the re-election of Nigeria into the global Human Rights Council.

    The minister said the re-election provided the delegation with the ample opportunity to defend and put the negative narratives into proper perspective.

    Onyema said through diplomatic engagements, President Buhari was also able to get international supports in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram crisis.

    Specifically, he said with the support of the President, his ministry engaged with the UN, Norway and Germany, which led to the donation of billions dollars for humanitarian intervention.

    The funds, according to the minister were used in the repatriation of refugees, reintegration of displaced persons and for Lake Chad stabilisation strategy.

    He noted that the drying up of the Lake Chad, which serves as source of livelihood for over 40 million people who live around the lake, was one of the drivers of the crisis in the region.

    The minister said the President’s diplomacy helped to secure international agenda for the recharge of Lake Chad, of which work is ongoing.