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Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram: Army confirms Shekau is alive; insists he’s “in a terrible state of health”

    The Nigerian Army on Monday confirmed that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is alive but “is in a terrible state of health.”

    This was revealed in a statement released and signed by its spokesperson, Sani Usman.

    The army also said the Boko Haram has devised a technique to evade detection of their homes by Air Force aircraft.

    Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, also said a leader of another Boko Haram faction, Abu Mus’ab Albarnawy, will soon be captured by the military.

    “There is no doubt that the main Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, is in a terrible state of health and not much a threat as he is now a spent horse, waiting for his waterloo.

    “However, Abu Mus’ab Albarnawy, who has been busy deceiving and recruiting gullible persons especially misguided youths into his fold will soon be captured. We reliably learnt that some misguided persons, particularly youths, are getting conscripted into the sect through enticements,” he said.

    On the technique to evade air detection, Mr. Usman said the “insurgent’s deployed special roofing techniques in order to avoid air detection and bombardment from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    “They resort to roofing their living accommodation and hideouts with a mixture of coated sugar and mud so that the roof will not reflect when there is sun shine.”

    The brigadier general, however, said “decisive measures have been taken to deal with this deception.”

    Read the full statement below:

    Boko Haram Terrorists Device Tricks of Evading Air Raid

    The Boko Haram terrorists tricks of evading air raids have been unravelled by the Theatre Command of Operation LAFIYA DOLE combating insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.

    The Boko Haram terrorists group have always perfected survival tricks to continue their nefarious activities through enticement, deceit, concealment and outright propaganda. These were decoded through credible intelligence which became imperative for the public to be aware of it.

    The Insurgents deployed special roofing techniques in order to avoid air detection and bombardment from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). They resort to roofing their living accommodation and hideouts with a mixture of coated sugar and mud so that the roof will not reflect when there is sun shine. Decisive measures have been taken to deal with this deception.

    There is no doubt that the main Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, is in a terrible state of health and not much a threat as he is now a spent horse, waiting for his waterloo. However, Abu Mus’ab Albarnawy, who has been busy deceiving and recruiting gullible persons especially misguided youths into his fold will soon be captured. We reliably learnt that some misguided persons, particularly youths, are getting conscripted into the sect through enticements.

    They are usually attracted to the sect because of the deceitful and erroneous impression that Abu Musab’s Albarnawiy brand of “jihad” and insurgency is refined and genuine. This is far from it. Both factions are terrorists’ organizations whose activities constitute crimes against humanity. Their nefarious activities run contrary to the religion of Islam.

    The faction has recruiters all over the country, especially in the north east. However, their clearing house for such conscripts is at Potiskum, Yobe State. Efforts are ongoing to track those involved.

    There is no doubt that Mamman Nur Algadi has been wounded and he is more or less a cripple since 2014 at Mubi, he was hit by NAF while on motorcycle. He is not a fighter, rather he taught in Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave and he is also a member of the Shurah Council of the terrorists group. He was wounded along with one Abu Mujahid, an indigene of Saminaka, Kaduna State, who was later executed by Abubakar Shekau.

    In view of the above, the general public should be wary of these unscrupulous elements attempting to recruit more youths into their sect.

     

  • Boko Haram: Air force helicopter crashes in northeast

    A Mi-17 attack helicopter of the Nigerian Air Force has crashed in the northeast during a counter-insurgency operation.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed that the helicopter “suffered mishap”, noted that the aircraft had a significant damage but no life was lost.

    “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the incident,” Adesanya added.

     

    Details later…

  • We have defeated Boko Haram – Chief of Army Staff, Buratai insists

    The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Sunday insisted that the Boko Haram insurgents who have laid claims to being responsible for some attacks in the troubled North-east have been defeated.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari in his New Year message to Nigerians had also said the Boko Haram insurgents had been “beaten.” The president, however, said the terror group still carries out isolated attacks.

    Buratai, a lieutenant general, made his declaration at a special service to commemorate the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at ST Bartholomew’s Military Church, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

    Represented by David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, disclosed that the military has won the war against insurgency.

    He said the military had recorded successes in the intensified offensive, routed and defeated the insurgents, adding that the military was committed to the restoration of peace to the region.

    He decried the insurgents’ recruitment of teeming unemployed youth in their fight.

    The army chief admonished parents to ensure proper moral upbringing of their wards to protect them from being used by bad elements to foment troubles and disrupt peace in the society.

    “I want to assure you without mincing words that the Boko Haram terrorists have been defeated, all we are fighting for now is the peace in the northeast.

    “Character begins from home; if the children or the youth do not listen to their parents then there is problem. It is the responsibilities of parents to ensure that they disciplined their children.

    “And the children too must have something to give back by being disciplined, educated, try to behave well wherever they go and without being deceived by anyone to do what is bad.”

    Mr. Buratai stressed the commitments of the military to end insurgency, protect lives and property and secure the nation’s territorial integrity.

    He noted that the Nigerian Army had contributed to peace building in various countries across the globe.

    The army chief added that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would be immortalised by ensuring unity, peace and stability in the country.

    He charged the soldiers not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by self-seeking individuals who promote hate speech, and to remain dedicated and professional in the discharge of their duties.

    While commending President Buhari over his support to the military, the army chief tasked commanders to ensure effective utilisation of equipment and logistics provided to facilitate successful completion of the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Also, Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed that the troops had recorded significant success in various operations against the insurgents in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region in the past few days.

    Nicholas, a major general, assured that the counter-insurgency campaign would soon be concluded.

    Highlights of the events included special prayer session for the fallen heroes, orphans and widows as well as prayer for the nation and success of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    Recall that a major factional leader of the insurgents’ group, Mamman Nur, was wounded, his wife and many insurgents killed and thousands captured while several others fled the onslaught at their enclaves in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.

  • 950 Boko Haram fighters surrender in Borno

    Due to the continued military onslaught in the Lake Chad region, in which factional Boko Haram Leader Mamman Nur has been reported injured and one of his wives killed, about 950 fighters from two faction of the Boko Haram sect have surrendered.

    Army Spokesman at the Theatre Command in Maiduguri, Col. Oyenma Uwachukwu, said in a statement he issued yesterday, that about 250 foot soldiers from the Albarnawy camp have crossed the border to Niger Republic and surrendered to that country’s authorities.

    This, he said, was an outcome of “devastating artillery and aerial bombardments by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.”

    “Many of the insurgents who fled the onslaught are now taking advantage of the ‘amnesty’ offered by the Nigerien government by surrendering to Nigerien Forces,” he said.

    “Additionally, about 700 insurgents have also surrendered to troops in the general area of Monguno following troops’ clearance operations,” he said.

    The statement was however silent on the whereabouts or status of the injured Mamman Nur, who has a N25 million bounty on his head since September 2011 following his involvement in the UN building bombing in Abuja.

    Nur has been prominent in the sect’s hierarchy and, aside from planning the UN bombings, is also believed to have masterminded the breakaway of the Khalid Albarnawi faction of the sect from that led by Abubakar Shekau in 2014.

    At the beginning of the week, 700 men, women and children escaped Boko Haram’s captivity in some Lake Chad Island’s where they have been held as farm labourers.

    The army claimed that the civilians regained their freedom as a result of the success of its Operation Deep Punch II, which it said decimated Boko Haram’s positions in the area.

    On Thursday, the military announced that it had rescued over 2,000 persons from the group’s captivity in operations in the Lake Chad region.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Rogers Nicholas, disclosed this during his press briefing at Military and Command Centre, Maiduguri on Thursday, saying that many Boko Haram fighters were killed in the operations.

    Yesterday Army spokesman Col. Uwachukwu said their continued onslaught on the violent sect has resulted in the insurgents fleeing out of the region and those who could not make it to Niger Republic to accept the ‘amnesty’ programme there are attempting to flee into other states in Nigeria.

    “Among the insurgents fleeing from the on-going offensive are senior and junior commanders in the Albarnawy faction who are now attempting to melt into other communities in and around Kano, Geidam and Gashua axis unnoticed. One of such fleeing commanders is Bana Bafui,” he said.

    He called on residents of these areas, including northern Jigawa to be vigilant and “watch out for strange faces suddenly appearing in their communities and promptly report same to security agencies.”

    Since the established of a camp for repentant Boko Haram insurgents in a programme termed “Operation Safe Corridor,” in April 2016, he said 300 insurgents have surrendered and are currently being deradicalised and rehabilitated.

    “We call on all Boko Haram insurgents to abandon the futile struggle and take advantage of the Safe Corridor program by surrendering willingly to troops in any location nearest to them. We guarantee their safety and incorporation into the programme for deradicalization and rehabilitation,” Col. Uwachukwu said.

  • Army confirms killing wife of Boko Haram’s factional leader, Mamman Nur in Lake Chad

    The Nigerian military on Saturday said the wife of Mamman Nur, the factional leader of Boko Haram, was among those killed when troops attacked the group’s location in the Lake Chad region.

    The announcement came hours after the military declared Mr. Nur had been “fatally injured” during an operation.

    The military did not explain how Mr. Nur was identified.

    The State Security Services, SSS, had in September 2011 placed a N25 million bounty on Mr. Nur, blaming him for a car suicide bombing at the UN building in Abuja that year.

    Since then, Mr. Nur has continued to evade the Nigerian security while still being active in the command hierarchy of the Boko Haram.

    In 2014, Mr. Nur broke away from the Abubakar Shekau command and midwifed the formation of AbuMussab Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram group.

    Mr. Albarnawi is said to be the surviving son of Boko Haram’s spiritual founder, Muhammed Yusuf, who was extra-judicially killed by the security forces after he was arrested for leading his group to wage a bloody war against the Nigerian security forces in August 2009.

    The spokesman of the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command in Maiduguri, Onyema Nwachukwu, said about 250 Boko Haram fighters on the side of Mamman Nur (Albarnawi camp) surrendered.

    The statement also warned residents of Kano, Yobe and Jigawa states to be vigilant as some of the dislodged Boko Haram fighters are currently fleeing towards their border villages with an attempt to, “diffuse into the local communities.”

    Mr. Onyema said the new feat of victory was achieved following the sustained “onslaught on Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves in the Lake Chad region where a factional leader of the group Mamman Nur has suffered grave injury, while one of his wives has been killed in the battle”.

    “Moreso about 250 foot soldiers from the Albarnawy camp have surrendered to Nigerien Authorities due to the devastating artillery and aerial bombardments by Operation Lafiya Dole troops.

    “Many of the insurgents who fled the onslaught are now taking advantage of the “AMNESTY” offered by the Nigerien government by surrendering to Nigerien Forces,” he said.

    The military also said among the insurgents “fleeing from the ongoing offensive are senior and junior commanders in the Albarnawy faction who are now attempting to melt into other communities in and around Kano, Geidam and Gashua axis unnoticed.”

    The statement indicated that one of the identified junior commanders was known as Bana Bafur.

    “Members of the general public, particularly in Kano, Geidam, Gashua, Hadeja and the northern part of Jigawa are therefore enjoined to be vigilant and watch out for strange faces suddenly appearing in their communities and promptly report same to security agencies”, the statement warned.

    Mr. Onyema added that about 700 insurgents have also surrendered to troops in the general area of Monguno following troops’ clearance operations.

    He said the ongoing onslaught will be “tenaciously sustained”.

    The statement recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria has since provided a window of opportunity through the Operation SAFE CORRIDOR program to insurgents who surrender willingly to be deradicalised and rehabilitated.

    “About 300 insurgents who willingly surrendered are currently benefiting from this programme”, he said.

    We call on all Boko Haram insurgents to abandon the futile struggle and take advantage of the Safe Corridor program by surrendering willingly to troops in any location nearest to them. We guarantee their safety and incorporation into the programme for deradicalisation and rehabilitation,” Mr. Nwachukwu, who is also Deputy Director Army Public Relations at Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole said.

  • Troops kill wife of Boko Haram’s factional leader, Mamman Nur

    The Nigerian military on Saturday said the wife of Mamman Nur, the factional leader of Boko Haram, was among those killed when troops attacked the group’s location in the Lake Chad region.

    The announcement came hours after the military declared Mr. Nur had been “fatally injured” during an operation.

    The military did not explain how Mr. Nur was identified.

    The State Security Services, SSS, had in September 2011 placed a N25 million bounty on Mr. Nur, blaming him for a car suicide bombing at the UN building in Abuja that year.

    Since then, Mr. Nur has continued to evade the Nigerian security while still being active in the command hierarchy of the Boko Haram.

    In 2014, Mr. Nur broke away from the Abubakar Shekau command and midwifed the formation of AbuMussab Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram group.

    Mr. Albarnawi is said to be the surviving son of Boko Haram’s spiritual founder, Muhammed Yusuf, who was extra-judicially killed by the security forces after he was arrested for leading his group to wage a bloody war against the Nigerian security forces in August 2009.

    The spokesman of the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command in Maiduguri, Onyema Nwachukwu, said about 250 Boko Haram fighters on the side of Mamman Nur (Albarnawi camp) surrendered.

    The statement also warned residents of Kano, Yobe and Jigawa states to be vigilant as some of the dislodged Boko Haram fighters are currently fleeing towards their border villages with an attempt to, “diffuse into the local communities.”

    Mr. Onyema said the new feat of victory was achieved following the sustained “onslaught on Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves in the Lake Chad region where a factional leader of the group Mamman Nur has suffered grave injury, while one of his wives has been killed in the battle”.

    “Moreso about 250 foot soldiers from the Albarnawy camp have surrendered to Nigerien Authorities due to the devastating artillery and aerial bombardments by Operation Lafiya Dole troops.

    “Many of the insurgents who fled the onslaught are now taking advantage of the “AMNESTY” offered by the Nigerien government by surrendering to Nigerien Forces,” he said.

    The military also said among the insurgents “fleeing from the ongoing offensive are senior and junior commanders in the Albarnawy faction who are now attempting to melt into other communities in and around Kano, Geidam and Gashua axis unnoticed.”

    The statement indicated that one of the identified junior commanders was known as Bana Bafur.

    “Members of the general public, particularly in Kano, Geidam, Gashua, Hadeja and the northern part of Jigawa are therefore enjoined to be vigilant and watch out for strange faces suddenly appearing in their communities and promptly report same to security agencies”, the statement warned.

    Mr. Onyema added that about 700 insurgents have also surrendered to troops in the general area of Monguno following troops’ clearance operations.

    He said the ongoing onslaught will be “tenaciously sustained”.

    The statement recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria has since provided a window of opportunity through the Operation SAFE CORRIDOR program to insurgents who surrender willingly to be deradicalised and rehabilitated.

    “About 300 insurgents who willingly surrendered are currently benefiting from this programme”, he said.

  • 1,050 Boko Haram insurgents surrender, many flee

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said 1,050 insurgents had surrendered to troops in Lake Chad and Monguno general area of operations, as it also warned that many of them were on the run.

    The army urged abutting communities to watch out for the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents as their enclaves in Lake Chad region came under intense onslaught.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that 250 fighters of the Al Barnawi-led faction of the insurgents had surrendered to Nigerian Army, sequel to artillery and aerial bombardments by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole of their enclaves in Lake Chad basin.

    He added that 700 insurgents also surrendered to troops at Monguno in an ongoing clearance operation.

    Nwachukwu explained that Mamman Nur, another factional leader of the insurgents sustained fatal injuries and one of his wives killed in the operation, while many of the insurgents who escaped, surrendered to Niger Defence Forces.

    The army spokesman noted that some of the insurgents fleeing from the ongoing offensive were senior and junior commanders of the Al Barnawi faction.

    “The insurgents are attempting to melt into communities in and around Kano, Geidam and Gashua axis unnoticed. One of such fleeing commanders is Bana Bafui.

    “Members of the general public, particularly in Kano, Geidam, Gashua, Hadejia and northern part of Jigawa State are therefore enjoined to be vigilant, watch out for strange faces in their communities and report same to security agencies.”

    Nwachukwu called on the insurgents to surrender, adding that the Federal Government had provided a window through the Operation SAFE CORRIDOR to encourage the insurgents’ voluntary surrender.

    He revealed that about 300 insurgents were currently undergoing de-radicalisation process for possible integration into the society.

    “We call on Boko Haram insurgents to abandon the futile struggle; take advantage of the Safe Corridor programme and surrender to troops in any location nearest to them.

    “We guarantee their safety and incorporation into the programme for de-radicalisation and rehabilitation.”

  • Boko Haram: Borno extends curfew in Maiduguri for seven days

    The Borno Government on Friday announced the extension of curfew in Maiduguri for another seven days from 8:00 p.m. to 6: 00 a.m.

    The government on Monday rescheduled the curfew hitherto observed between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to run between Jan. 2 and 6.

    A statement by Dr Muhammad Bulama, the Commissioner for Information, said the curfew was extended to Jan. 12.

    Bulama said that the curfew was based on “strong” advice of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “The state government hereby announces the extension of the rescheduled curfew time earlier announced 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day by another one week.

    “In other words, the prevailing curfew regime is to now last until Friday, 12th January, 2018.”

    Bulama explained that the action was to avail the Armed Forces sufficient time to complete the on going special operation against Boko Haram terrorists and consolidate on the success so far recorded.

    He noted that the state government deeply regretted the inconveniences and difficulties caused to the people by the action.

    Bulama stressed that the decision was taken to safeguard the collective security and overall well being of the people.

    “Government therefore urges all indigenes and residents of Borno State to see this temporary measure as part of necessary sacrifices we all have to make in the interest of peace, stability, development and progress of not only our dear state, but Nigeria as a whole.

    “The understanding, support and cooperation of the general public is highly solicited in the observance of the curfew,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • Herdsmen have killed, displaced more people than Boko Haram – CAN

    …says FG not showing willingness to end gruesome killings of herdsmen

    …warns FG to take immediate action before another civil warn occurs

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has urged the Federal Government to be more proactive to the killings of herdsmen they way it does with other terrorist groups in the country.

    In a statement signed by the CAN president, Samson Ayokunle, the association said the trend has reached what it describes as the ‘breaking point of its tolerance level’ and urged immediate action to stop the killings.

    “We in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are forced to make this press release on the continuous inhuman and wicked activities of the Fulani Herdsmen all over the Federation who are going from community to community killing innocent farmers with impunity.

    “They have killed more people than the Boko Haram sect and almost displaced more people than them. We are now reaching a breaking point in our patience and toleration of this wicked impunity before degenerating to a civil war.

    “While the government has taken the battle to Boko Haram terrorists, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Badoo boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and other groups, the government has not shown any serious willingness to checkmate the murderous Fulani Herdsmen. This to us is a betrayal of the confidence reposed in this government by Nigerians when they voted them into power,” the statement said.

    The association also accused the federal government of failing in its constitutional duty of protecting the nation, adding that there was no excuse for the government’s ‘failure to investigate the sources of ammunition used by the herdsmen.’

    “Similarly, the government has failed to uphold the constitution which they swore to uphold because they have failed in protecting Nigerians from the attacks of Fulani herdsmen in the affected areas. If they continue to allow Fulani herdsmen to be having a field day in killing people like this, is it not the Fulanis alone that would remain that they would be governing? God forbid.

    “We need to know why the intelligence units of all security apparatus we have in this country have not been able to discover the sources of supply of ammunition to Fulani herdsmen living virtually in the bush. The Customs and the Immigration services together with the Police have case to answer. Who are the suppliers of these weapons? If the murderous herdsmen are foreigners, as it is being claimed in some quarters, why did we allow dangerous foreigners into our country to come and kill us? Our government has a case to answer too,” the statement added.

    CAN also called on the international community to help in addressing the problem.

    It said it has set aside a date for churches to pray against the menace.

    “We urge all churches to set aside time this coming Sunday, January 7, to pray for Nigeria and for victory over the killings. Our nation can never be great in a state of insecurity and war as we are presently experiencing it. This government owes the entire Nigerians the responsibility of competent action, not just action by words of mouth,” the statement said.

    Herdsmen attacked and killed at least 20 people in Benue communities last week.

    The Police said they have arrested eight herdsmen over the deaths which they put at 10 persons.

    “Eight herdsmen, six in Guma and two in Logo, had been arrested in connection with the attacks,” a police spokesman said.

    There have been series of attacks by suspected herdsmen in many parts of the country with huge casualties recorded in recent years.

  • JUST IN: Boko Haram factional leader, Mamman Nur ‘fatally injured’ — Military

    The Nigerian military on Friday confirmed that a factional leader of the militant Boko Haram group, Mamman Nur, has been fatally injured.

    A military statement said Mr. Nur, who broke away from the faction led by the better known Abubakar Shekau, was injured during an operation in the northeast.

    According to the spokesman of the Operation Dole counterinsurgency force in northeast Nigeria, Onyema Nwachukwu, Mr. Nur was hit during a bombardment of a targeted location believed to be his base.

    The statement did not indicate the location where the Boko Haram leader was attacked. It did not also say how he was identified.

    Previous claims by the military that Mr. Shekau had been killed or fatally injured turned out to be false.

    See the military statement below:

    “Ongoing artillery and aerial bombardments of Boko Haram enclaves in the Lake Chad region by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to yield positive results.

    “Currently an evaluation report of the ongoing operation indicates that a major factional leader of the terrorists group, Mamman Nur has been fatally injured in the bombardment as he and his sub commanders fled from the onslaught.

    “Several of his foot soldiers have also been killed by troops, while many of the insurgents who escaped are now surrendering to Republic of Niger Defence Forces, following the Amnesty granted the insurgents by the Government of Niger Republic”.