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Tag: boko haram

  • Professor among 3 UNIMAID staff abducted by Boko Haram

    Investigations have revealed that a Professor of Geology at the University of Maiduguri was among the three staff members of the institution ambushed and abducted last Tuesday by Boko Haram.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the don, Dr. Solomon Yusuf, was one of the trio in the photograph released on Friday by the terror sect.

    It was also learnt that security has been beefed up in the university and its vicinity to prevent any further attack.

    A reliable source said: “A Professor of Geology was among the three captured by Boko Haram terrorists while on oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin.

    “We are really sad in this academic community, we are feeling unsafe really: I mean the staff and students.

    “We are appealing to the government to do anything to negotiate the release of these staff who only set out to serve their fatherland.

    “Their families are distraught, we are all demoralised because it could have happened to anyone. Their children are inconsolable. We are really sad.”

    A military source however said: “We are probing the incident and reviewing how the insurgents got to know about the movement of the oil exploration team.

    “The insurgents have changed tactics because they have been decimated and we will respond accordingly.

    “As mandated by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, we are all putting heads together to avert a recurrence.”

    On the fate of UNIMAID, the source said: “We have beefed up security in and around the university to protect the community. We have done that successfully in the past few years, we will strengthen it.

    “This was why the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu” insisted that the university will not be shut. A closure will amount to conceding to the insurgents.”

     

  • Fayose blasts FG, says ‘Boko Haram conquering more territories, war against insurgents not won’

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has faulted claims by the ruling All Progressives Congress that the Federal Government is winning the war against insurgents in the country.

    The governor in a press release issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, argued that Boko Haram had yet to be defeated and had not even been degraded.

    He stated that the brutal killings by Boko Haram all over the place contradicted the lie by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government that it had won the battle against the insurgency.

    “The battle is not over yet. In fact, it is raging fiercer than ever before. The gory killing of the oil workers confirms this. The wanton destruction of lives and property all over the place by Boko Haram also testifies to this fact.

    “Like the ostrich, this government is trying hard to cover what cannot be covered. Boko Haram ambushes and kills soldiers at will.

    “Gallant officers and men continue to fall in battle to the superior firepower and higher morale of the insurgents.

    “Boko Haram invades and sacks communities at will, carting away human beings and other resources.

    “The insurgents throw bombs with reckless abandon. Is this the evidence of a degraded or defeated Boko Haram?”

    The governor noted that the Federal Government should be more proactive by providing the needed facilities to boost the morale of the military in order to win the war and restore peace to the troubled North East region.

  • Boko Haram ambush: Army admits death of NNPC, UNIMAID staff, soldiers

    The Nigerian Army has made further clarification over the Boko Haram ambush on troops.

    The incident also affected members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) escorting some staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), who were engaged in oil exploration in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations Officer, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, “Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate.”
    ‎
    He said, “the Nigerian Army in this present dispensation is reputed for timely dissemination of information on activities of our troops in all theatre of operations. We have strived to keep the public informed on our activities with no intention of distorting any fact. Our troops have doubled efforts in the pursuit of the Boko Haram terrorists while search and rescue is on-going to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians.

    “So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team.

    “Contrary to reports in some media, 6 members of exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.

    “On the other hand, our pursuit team also recovered 2 of our own Gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents. In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade chargers, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun,1 Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 4 Dane Guns, 8 Tyres and 2 Tyre Rims.

    “Other items recovered include 1 Pumping Machine, 2 Tyre Jacks, 1 Super Battery, 5 Reflective Jackets, 3 Toyota Hilux, 4 Jerry cans filled with PMS, 1 Motorola Radio, 1 Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, 2 Shovels and 3 Food Coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, 2 Bows and 13 Arrows, 2 LLG Bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools.

    “The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation.

    “What the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are doing are pure criminal activities of kidnapping to gain funds. This has been noted and will be jointly addressed in conjunction with other Security Services.

    “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in the fight against terrorism and would not relent in its effort to safe guard lives of citizens, properties and the territorial integrity of the country.”

  • FG won’t shut UNIMAID over Boko Haram attacks – Education minister

    Despite the recent attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, Borno State, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, said the Federal Government would not shut down the institution.

    The minister said this during a condolence visit to UNIMAID, yesterday while commiserating with the school’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, and other top officials over the brutal killings of some workers of the institution by the Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush.

    About 30 civilians and 18 soldiers reportedly died in the ambush.

    Adamu said the government was not willing to truncate academic activities in the institution despite the security situation in the state.

    He said, “You demonstrate great courage and resilience to stay here to do your work despite the security challenges.

    “We commend you and the government appreciates what you are doing; even to work in Maiduguri requires courage. Before I came here, I had thought of closing down the university, but after listening to the Vice-Chancellor and seeing what you are doing, I felt proud of you.

    “The Federal Government will not shut down the university and we will provide you with all the necessary support.”

    Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Njodi, said four workers of the university were still missing following the tragic incident.

    “We are seriously concerned about their safety; we have contacted the security to know their whereabouts,” Njodi said.

  • Boko Haram releases photo of 3 abducted UNIMAID staff

    Boko Haram has released image of kidnapped staff of the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID.

    The three staff were kidnapped during Tuesday’s ambush of oil exploration workers in the Lake Chad Basin by the terrorist group.

    Meanwhile, no fewer than 48 bodies of the victims of the attack have been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) mortuary.

    The number is said to have risen.

    Corpses deposited were remains of 18 soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF members, 5 university staff and 4 NNPC drivers.

    Some names of UNIMAID staff killed are Dr. Joseph Millitus, Dr. Manaja Uba and Idris Njodi.

    Also, bodies of six persons who were wounded in the attack but escaped to somewhere in Yobe State where they were later found dead had been brought to Maiduguri.

    Apart from the wounded soldiers admitted to the military hospital in the town, many members of the Civilian JTF are also currently on admission at the UMTH.

    Meanwhile, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, ordered service chiefs to return to Borno to lead operations against Boko Haram.

  • Boko Haram: Osinbajo orders Service Chiefs back to Borno

    Sequel to renewed coordinated attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the service chiefs to return to the Command Centre in Maiduguri.

    He gave the order at a meeting yesterday with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.

    Many people have died and soldiers killed in recent attacks and ambush by the insurgents.

    Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said at the end of the meeting: “We just finished a meeting with the Acting President and the three Service Chiefs. We agreed that they should move back to the Command Centre again and see what are the things happening there.

    “We have also agreed that we should get more surveillance devices, cameras that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of our troops.

    “So also the period of the raining season is a difficult moment for us. We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season but effort is geared towards the regaining back our areas and we assure that all these ambushes that are happening regularly would be stopped.”


  • Cleric vows to trek from Abuja to Maiduguri if Shekau is captured

    A 37-year-old Islamic cleric, Ali Ahmad has vowed to embark on ‘foot journey’ from Abuja to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital should the wanted Boko Haram terrorist, Abubakar Shekau is captured.
    Ahmad said he would take it upon himself to trek the 844 kilometer journey to celebrate the Nigerian troops if they succeed in bringing the ‘heartless’ insurgent down.
    Checks by this reporter show that the distance between Abuja and Maiduguri is measured 844.71 kilometers, approximately 70 miles per hour.
    His promise is coming on the heels of the recent order by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai to the troops fighting Boko Haram in the Northeast to arrest Shekau within 40 days, either dead or alive.
    Ahmad made this revelation while speaking during the prayer organized yesterday by some religious bodies to render Boko Haram spiritual base useless on Wednesday.
    The groups said they would be embarking on 40 a 40-day prayer and fasting for God to end the reign on insurgency in Nigeria.
    Speaking at the Unity Fountain on Wednesday, Ahmad, who claimed to be a native of Gudumbali village in Guzamala LGA of Borno State, said he lost one of his wives and two children to an attack carried out by the Boko Haram insurgents on Monday Market in Maduguri in January 2015.
    Ahmad said he decided to relocate from Borno after the deadly attack.
    Speaking in Hausa, the emotion-laden man said he has not been able to get back on his feet since the attack, which destroyed his shop and goods worth millions of naira.
    “I was doing fine with my family in Maiduguri until January 2015 when the Boko Haram members attacked the Monday Market and killed several people.
    “I was in Kano that day to buy goods when I got a call from my house that my wife, Zaina and two sons have been killed by bomb blast. I lost everything I had and I had no choice than to move my remaining family to my village in Gudumbali. From there I moved to Abuja,” he said.
    The father of three, who attributed the cause of his misfortunes to the activities of Shekau and his men, said he would be the joyous person if the extremist is eventually captured.
    “I am ready to trek from Lagos to Maiduguri if he is arrested. I don’t mind my age and strength. Shekau is an evil man and deserves to die. He will not go unpunished,” Ahmad added.
    Ahmad, while acknowledging the efforts of the military in restoring peace back to the volatile community, said the battle is now between God and evil and that’s why the prayer for the soldiers is very important.
    He said, “Our military deserves all the support and encouragement from spiritual and political leadership of the country to totally wipe away their tears in the north eastern part of the country. It will be everyone’s joy to see Shekau in chains.”

  • Boko Haram: 48 corpses of slain soldiers, civilians arrive Maiduguri

    Forty-eight corpses of persons killed by Boko Haram insurgents during an oil exploration to the Lake Chad Basin have been brought to the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in the Borno State capital.

    Sources at the UMTH and the Maimalari Army Barrack told newsmen that the corpses were brought into Maiduguri from the scene of the attack.

    The corpses brought include 18 soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF, five university staff and four NNPC drivers.

    Also six persons who were wounded in the attack but escaped to somewhere in Yobe State were later found dead and brought to Maiduguri.

    Apart from the wounded soldiers admitted to military hospital in the town, two members of the Civilian JTF were as at Thursday on admission at the UMTH.

    The Army, in a press statement on Wednesday by it’s spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, had claimed that all the NNPC staff abducted in the Tuesday’s ambush had been rescued.

    Usman, in the statement, said: “On receipt of the information, the Brigade mobilized and sent reinforcement, search and rescue party that include the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.

    “So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the Officer, 8 soldiers and a civilian who have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

    “The team recovered 4 vehicles one of which include a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, 2 white Hilux taken away from NNPC staff and 1 blue Hilux belonging to CJTF. The team also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans of containing Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant, assorted drugs, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others. The team also neutralized many of the terrorists.”

    However, investigations revealed that five lecturers from the University of Maiduguri in the exploration team were killed.

    Names of three of the lost were given as Dr. Joseph Millitus, Dr. Manaja Uba and Idris Njodi.

    A family of one of the deceased (Dr. Joseph Millitus), Daniel Millitus said the family was still in grief over the lost of one of the rising stars of the family.

    Daniel Millitus, who is a pastor in one of the parishes of Redeemed Christian Church of God in Maiduguri, said the family is making arrangements for the burial of their son.

    Another relative of a slain lecturer (Dr. Manaja Uba), said the family was still in shock and found it difficult to believe that “Manaja was no more.”

    She lamented that another relative (Yusuf Ibrahim) also in the exploration team is still missing.

    When contacted on phone by journalists, the spokesman of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Danjuma Gambo, said, he was in Abuja and, therefore, has limited access to information on happenings at the institution.

    He, however, promised to get more information on the claims as soon as he gets back on campus from Abuja.

    The Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col. Kingsley Samuel, when contacted on the matter, said it was not within the purview of the 7 Division where he is the spokesman.

    He asked that: “You have to get in contact with Abuja on this, as I have no available information. It is under the 8 division.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, ‎Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday said he cannot confirm if any of the oil workers kidnapped by Boko Haram has been rescued.

    Kachikwu made the claim while addressing journalists at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, headquarters in Abuja.

  • Boko Haram: NNPC not sure insurgents have released kidnapped staff

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, ‎Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday said he cannot confirm if any of the oil workers kidnapped by Boko Haram has been rescued.

    Kachikwu made the claim while addressing journalists at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, headquarters in Abuja.

    “We only heard, but can’t confirm if anyone has been rescued,” he said.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru reported that Boko Haram insurgents had laid ambush for the oil workers in Magumeri local government area of Borno state on Tuesday.

    Nine soldiers and some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who were providing security for the oil workers were killed during the ambush.

    Their abduction was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Cooperation, Ndu Ughamadu on Wednesday.

    “They were kidnapped around Jibi village in Borno state after a gun duel between the security agents accompanying them and suspected Boko Haram fighters,” Ughamadu said.

    Ughamadu confirmed that the NNPC had contracted the team to carry out research work on oil exploration activities taking place in the Lake Chad basin.

  • Boko Haram: Troops rescue NNPC kidnapped Staff, recover corpses

    The Army said it had rescued all the NNPC staff kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno on Tuesday.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, also said that the corpses of an officer, eight soldiers and a civilian, who died in the incident had been recovered.

    Usman said the corpses had been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

    “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the escort and team of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) staff returning from oil exploration at Barno Yasu, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno on Tuesday.

    “On receipt of the information, the Brigade mobilised and sent reinforcement, search and rescue party that included the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.

    “So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the Officer, 8 soldiers and a civilian who have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

    “The team recovered 4 vehicles one of which include a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, two white Hilux taken away from NNPC staff and one blue Hilux belonging to CJTF.

    “The team also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans containing Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant, assorted drugs, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others.

    “The team also neutralised many of the terrorists,” the army spokesman said.

    According to him, the troops are not relenting in the pursuit, search and rescue effort.

    A source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a convoy of oil workers at a village along Gubio and Magumeri local government areas on Tuesday.

    It said the attackers ambushed the oil workers, who were staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who were traveling in a convoy of about 10 vehicles.

    It said the oil workers were engaged in oil exploration in the Lake Chad Basin.

    According to the source, some staff of the University of Maiduguri were also part of the team.

    It added that nine soldiers and some members of a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who were also part of the team, were killed during the attack.

     

     

    NAN