TheNewsGuru

Tag: boko haram

  • Nigerian clerics declare 40 days fasting to render B’Haram spiritual base useless

    Nigerian clerics, numbering over 500 stormed the city of Abuja on Wednesday to pray for the capture of the kingpin of the Boko Haram insurgents, Abubakar Shekau.
    The clergymen, drawn from many religious backgrounds also called on Nigerians to intensify prayer for the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls.
    Recall that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai had vowed that Shekau will captured in no distant time.
    Addressing newsmen at the Unity Fountain in Abuja after the prayer, the national coordinator, Bishop Musa Fomson said the prayer became imperative following the recent declaration by the army that Shekau must be captured dead or alive in not more than two months
    According to Bishop Fomson, the clerics had the burden of seeking God’s intervention to end the menace of Boko Haram in Nigeria at a time when it was wrongly passed off as a conspiracy to frustrate the then President Goodluck Jonathan-led government.
    He said, “At that time, Boko Haram had seized so many Nigerian Local Government Areas that were the equivalent of three states; the groups atrocious activities had spread across the northern parts of the country and had reached southwards as far as Okene in Kogi State.
    “It is also on record that before our intervention, the group continued to abduct and take women, children and the aged into captivity from their villages into captivity.
    “The intercessions made by the Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace on behalf of the country were not in vain. We have a God that answers prayers, who is indeed our God. God did not only answer the prayer of the saints and faithful but gave further revelations on actions that this group has to take on behalf of the country.
    “We stood in the gap for Nigerians in line with the mandate that this group to holds a nationwide prayer for the President and our country. The outcome of heeding God’s leading is that we were able to make supplication for God to enthrone the leader of his choice for Nigeria, a leader that would end that reckless era of killings, blood and sorrow in our country.
    “The result of this intervention is the landslide victory that led to the ascension of President Muhammadu Buhari and this administration.
    We are gladdened that God has proven his words in diverse ways with the most outstanding being the defeat of Boko Haram within the first one year of this administration in office.
    “It is obvious to all and sundry that the prophecy given to his servants and prophets have once again be proven right and God is never a liar. It is now obvious that peace has returned to the north east and people are now returning home to continue their normal life despite the attendant hardship and pains at the recollection of the bad things that happened in the past. We recognize this as another area where God is calling on his ministers to intervene in bringing succor to his children.
    “We are gladdened that we live in a country that has backed our prayers up with action. We prayed for God to end the scourge of Boko Haram and our troops went to battle to decisively deal the dangerous group the blows that has reduced powers of the demons that had blighted the land with the blood of the innocent.
    “Our belief is that everything in life is possible with hard work and prayer, we are therefore confident that the arrest or capture of Shekau is a matter of time and this shall manifest to the glory of God.
    “We therefore declare today as the commencement of 40 Days National Prayer for the success of Nigerian Troops, return of the remaining Chibok girls and arrest of Shekau and other recalcitrant Boko Haram commanders.”
  • Boko Haram abducts 10 NNPC staff on oil exploration mission

    Boko Haram abducts 10 NNPC staff on oil exploration mission

    Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram Islamists have kidnapped 10 members of an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria, colleagues and the state-run oil firm said on Wednesday.

    “About 10 staff from the survey and geological department of the University of Maiduguri were abducted on Tuesday,” said Ndu Ughamadu of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

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

    “They were kidnapped around Jibi village in Borno state after a gun duel between the security agents accompanying them and suspected Boko Haram fighters,” he told AFP. Efforts were under way to track down the captors before a possible rescue operation. Jibi village is in the Magumeri area of Borno, northwest of the state capital, Maiduguri.

    University of Maiduguri spokesman Danjuma Gambo confirmed the abduction and said the institution was awaiting further details from security operatives. “There is no denying the fact that this incident happened, involving our staff, NNPC workers and security escorts from the military and the (civilian militia),” he added.

    “Our staff who were recruited as consultants were on the team that was ambushed.” The oil prospecting team had been working in the Magumeri area of Borno state for the last month, according to another member of staff, who asked not to be identified.

    “It was clear Boko Haram studied their movements before attacking them,” he said. Oil production has been concentrated in Nigeria’s southern Niger Delta region since it was first found in commercial quantities in 1956.

    But repeated attacks by militants wanting a fairer share of profits for local people has forced the government to look elsewhere. Exploration has been started in inland basins ranging from central Benue state to Boko Haram’s heartland in northeast.

    But insecurity caused by the jihadists’ insurgency over the last eight years has disrupted work, with the latest kidnapping underlining the continued threat.

    Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war in the conflict. Thousands of women and girls have been seized while men and boys have been made to fight in the Islamist ranks.

    Recent kidnappings of more high-profile targets appear to have a financial motivation, possibly to raise ransom money for the cash-strapped group. On June 20, armed gunmen abducted 10 women after an attack on a convoy of vehicles travelling towards the town of Damboa from Maiduguri.

    In May, Britain and the United States updated security advice for their nationals in northeast Nigeria, warning that Boko Haram was “actively planning” to kidnap foreign workers.

  • Another 9 B’Haram terrorists surrender to troops, plead for sympathy

    Another nine Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered themselves to troops on Saturday at Buni Yari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe, the army has said.

    According to a statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the army spokesman inAbuja, the terrorists are: Usman Ali, 22, Ibrahim Matukur, 13 and Usman Hussaini 25.

    Others are, Ali Baba, Modu Wakil, 15, Usman Mahamadu, 47 years, Goni Bukar, 50, Modu Konto and Isah Ali, 25.

    Usman said that the repentant terrorists claimed to belong to the Mamman Nur faction of the Boko Haram terrorists group.

    “They said that they deliberately surrendered because they had realised their folly and no longer wish to continue with the criminal terrorists and insurgents activities.

    “Furthermore, they stated that they escaped from the terrorists’ hideout at Buk village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state,” the army spokesman quoted them as saying.

    Usman also said that they claimed that there were many more Boko Haram fighters willing to surrender because of untold hardship they suffered.

    “They pleaded for sympathy and forgiveness from members of the community, restating that they were misguided and deceived all these years to believing they were fighting a just cause.”

    According to Usman, they urge the military authorities to make concerted efforts to reach out to other terrorists in the forest, as they are willing to surrender.

    Many terrorists in recent time have been surrendering, including 700 who gave themselves up to troops in June.

    In another development, Usman said that troops of 103 Battalion, also on Saturday neutralised three female suicide bombers, who tried to infiltrate their location at Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

    He said the bombers were spotted by a vigilant sentry while they were tried to access the military location.

     

    NAN

  • Army arrest wounded Boko Haram terrorist

    Army arrest wounded Boko Haram terrorist

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole fighting insurgency in the North-East, have arrested Abba Mustapha, a suspected Boko Haram terrorist after a heavy bombardment in Ngala in Borno.

    Lt. Col. Kingsley Samuel, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Maiduguri.

    “Mustapha was injured and abandoned to his fate by his colleagues in the heat of heavy fire fight with Nigerian Army troops in the remote forward Operating Bases in Ngala in Borno.

    “Mustapha was captured during counter attack operation launched by the troops following an attack at their location,” Samuel said. He added: “as narrated by Abba, eight of his colleagues were killed. Also recovered from the

    “Also recovered from the BHTs were 3 AK 47 rifles, 2 AK 47 magazines, 2 FN rifle magazines and 3 PKM link belts. “The surviving terrorist was full of joy and praises for his survival. He thanked the Nigerian Army for sparing his life and taking care of his wound.

    “Mustapha said that he and his other colleagues were subdued by superior fire power of the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. “He further recounted that his other fleeing colleagues abandoned him to his fate after he was hit by a bullet. “To worsen his situation, one of his legs was crushed by their own vehicle as they scampered for safety. “He said that if the troops had not taken him and administered first aid

    “The surviving terrorist was full of joy and praises for his survival. He thanked the Nigerian Army for sparing his life and taking care of his wound.

    “He said that if the troops had not taken him and administered first aid on him, he would have bled to death. “He said that he owes his life to the good treatment received from the troops. “Mustapha said though he lost a limb in the cause of the fighting owing to the heartless abandonment by his fellow terrorists, he thanked God that he is stable and recuperating in hospital.”

     

  • Boko Haram: Osinbajo condemns abduction of women, says it is “atrocious, cowardly”

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday condemned the recent “atrocious and cowardly” abduction of women in Borno State.

    He also sympathised with the families of the abducted women, and assured that the federal government will spare no efforts to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the victims.

    He therefore directed Nigeria’s military and intelligence agencies to take all necessary steps including coordinating with the country’s international partners to rescue the abducted women, as well as ensure further tightening of security in and around Borno State.

    Boko Haram terrorists had on June 20 ambushed a convoy travelling under military escort along Biu road in Borno State and abducted 14 women.

    Some of the travellers, including a police officer and a soldier were killed in the ambush.

    The sect on Monday released a video showing some of the women asking the government to negotiate their release.

    The video showed about 10 of the women who appeared traumatised but well kept.

    In a statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on Wednesday, Mr. Osinbajo said “the Buhari presidency assures that the ongoing efforts of security agencies, including the establishment of additional military and police bases in parts of the country, as well as the improved intelligence gathering will continue, and commends some of the recent significant breakthroughs in combating kidnapping and banditry in the country”.

     

  • Boko Haram kingpin, three others surrender to Nigerian Army

    Boko Haram kingpin, three others surrender to Nigerian Army

    A high profile Boko Haram terrorist, Konto Fanami, and three other repentant terrorists have surrendered to the Nigerian Army on Monday.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Usman said that the four repentant terrorists willingly deserted their hideouts and surrendered themselves to 120 Task Force Battalion at Goniri in Borno.

    He described Fanami as the Ameer (leader) of “Kafa hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists group that operates on Ajigin-Talala-Mungusum axis.’’

    “During preliminary interrogation, they confirmed that they abandoned the terrorism because of incessant hardship and realising that they were misled by their terrorist group leaders.

    “They further stated they were also erroneously misinformed and brainwashed about Islam and the Nigerian military and the society generally.

    “The remorseful surrendered terrorists regretted their involvement in terrorism and marvelled at the courtesy and humane treatment accorded them by the military on surrendering,’’ the army spokesman said.

    He called on other remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists to follow suit and renounce the “devilish creed.’’

    Usman said that adequate arrangements had been made to receive all those that voluntarily renounced terrorism and surrendered themselves, assuring that they would be treated “humanely.’’

  • Presidency replies Dasuki, denies Jonathan fought Boko Haram better

    Presidency replies Dasuki, denies Jonathan fought Boko Haram better

    The Presidency has reacted to claims by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, that the former Goodluck Jonathan administration cleared the Northeast of Boko Haram terrorists to make elections possible in 2015.

    In a press statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, the presidency said the claims were untrue and should be dismissed as an attempt to deceive Nigerians.

    The presidency was apparently reacting to Mr. Dasuki, who wrote from detention, the foreword of a book entitled: ‘Boko Haram media war – an encounter with the spymaster’, authored by Yushau Shuaib, a communications consultant.

    In the book, Mr. Dasuki said the quick response accorded the insurgency by the Jonathan administration led to the peace recorded during the 2015 general elections in the north-east.

    However, in the statement issued on Monday, the presidency said Mr. Dasuki was only trying to rewrite history.

    The statement read in part: “As a public relations goon for the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, the author did not surprise anyone by dismissing the acclaimed successes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the fight against Boko Haram, claiming that this government simply took the glory for the achievements of the previous government in the war against terrorism.

    “For those interested in the facts, as at the time elections were held in March 2015, a number of local government areas in Northeast Nigeria were completely under the control of Boko Haram–to the extent that elections in those areas had to be moved to safe areas. The residents of areas such as Gwoza, Banki, Kukawa, Monguno, Bulumba, Baga, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, etc., were able to vote, not in their hometowns but in refugee camps in other parts of Borno State, under special arrangements made by INEC.’’

    “Since the Buhari administration came into power, however, many of those residents have returned to their homes and Boko Haram eradicated from their areas. In many of these areas, institutions such as schools, police stations, markets and courts have been reestablished or in the process of being reestablished.

    He said Mr Dasuki’s claims would not deter President Muhammadu Buhari from investigating the arms deal for which he was currently being tried for.

    “It is for trespasses like these that the Buhari administration is determined to get to the bottom of the $2.1 billion arms procurement scandal and ensure that no single one of the culprits goes scot free.

    The truth, as a matter of fact is that the monster of terrorism got bigger and more daring due to the incompetence and misgovernance of the last administration and no amount lies and fiction can change that,” the statement said.

  • VIDEO: 10 policewomen allegedly abducted by B’Haram cry for help

    The deadly group, Boko Haram, has released a new video showing 10 women, believed to be the ones abducted recently in Borno State.

    The women were reportedly kidnapped weeks ago from a military/police convoy on Damboa Road, a few kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital. Reports had, then, claimed the abductees were police officers

    The Nigerian Police Force, however, denied the incident.

    But, according to an online medium, SaharaReporters, a video from the terrorist group may have confirmed the incident.

    In the video, two women, who spoke in eloquent Hausa, described five of the women in their midst as public servants who are also breadwinners in their families.

    One Amina Adam Gomdia introduced herself as a lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries, Baga. The other speaker gave her name as Deborah Philippus.

    They claimed Boko Haram has taken care of them, including treating their injuries, and that they have not lacked food, water or other necessities, since their abduction.

    “We are grateful to you,” Philippus said referring to Boko Haram, “but the Government of Nigeria should not say we were not abducted, indeed we were abducted.”

    On behalf of the 10 women, Gomdia and Philippus pleaded with the federal government not to forsake them, urging them to do everything it can to rescue them as it has done with the Chibok girls.

    “Today, here we are, everyone has seen us, our relatives have seen us, government, our youngsters have all seen us, this is not a lie, we have been abducted for 30 days,” says the distraught Gomdia.

  • Boko Haram: US lied over claims of ‘Child Solider’ in Civilian-JTF – Global Amnesty Watch

    Boko Haram: US lied over claims of ‘Child Solider’ in Civilian-JTF – Global Amnesty Watch

    The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has exonerated the Nigerian government from the alleged use of child soldiers in the counter-insurgency war in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

    GAW said the claim by the United States 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report that accused the Civilian JTF of recruiting children in the fight against Boko Haram is false.

    Recall that the organisation had vowed to investigate allegations of the use of child soldiers in the counter-terrorism war in the North-Eastern part of the country, saying it categorically contravened the Child Soldier Prohibition Act 2008.

    However, after rigorous investigations, the Human Rights and humanitarian organization said the report was not only misleading but a deliberate attempt to belittle the efforts of the Nigerian military in its fight against insurgency.

    Mrs. Helen Adesola, the Country’s Representative of Global Amnesty Watch said the instances of underage persons or children being conscripted to fight in the crisis was limited to Boko Haram, which abducts children, brainwash them, ply them with drugs and send them out to fight.

  • Boko Haram publicly executes eight for defying ‘Sharia police’

    Boko Haram have publicly executed eight villagers in northeast Nigeria who opposed the enforcement of its hardline form of Islam, according to a graphic video seen by AFP.

    The eight were blindfolded and lying face down on the ground when they were shot at close range by four masked gunmen. Crowds were seen cheering, the images showed.

    One man wearing a white turban told the crowd before the execution that the condemned villagers were “apostates (who) have left the fold of Islam”.

    “These people are not different from vigilantes fighting us, spies and Nigerian soldiers,” said the unidentified man in Hausa, which is widely spoken in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad area.

    He said the eight had defied Boko Haram’s “Sharia police” — members who ensure the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic law is enforced — and threatened to fight them.

    The man warned that anyone else defying the jihadists would suffer a similar fate. It was not clear when or where the gruesome footage was taken but lush vegetation indicated it was in the ongoing rainy season.

    The video showed other punishments, including stoning to death for adultery; beheading for drug dealing; amputations for theft; and flogging for drinking alcohol.

    Boko Haram’s message appears to be designed to debunk Nigerian military claims that it is a spent force that has lost all territories under its control.

    The Islamic State group affiliate declared a caliphate in August 2014 after capturing towns and villages across northeast Nigeria.

    In October 2014, a similar video was released showing a man being stoned to death for adultery, an amputation for theft and a couple being lashed for having sex outside marriage.

    A separate video in the same month appeared to show the beheading of an air force pilot captured after his fighter jet was shot down.

    Since early 2015 Boko Haram has been forced out by sustained counter-insurgency operations involving troops from Nigeria and its neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

    Nigeria claims the group is virtually defeated but the latest footage demonstrates there remains pockets where Boko Haram still operates and holds sway over local populations