TheNewsGuru

Tag: boko haram

  • Military pressure on Shekau, Buhari’s health led to Chibok girls’ release

    Military pressure on Shekau, Buhari’s health led to Chibok girls’ release

    Military pressure, in-fighting within Boko Haram and Nigerian Muhammadu Buhari’s health combined to secure the release of 82 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, sources said Monday.

    The latest batch of the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in April 2014 were freed Saturday in a prisoner swap for three senior jihadist commanders, all of them Chadian nationals.

    A source with contacts among the Islamist militants under leader Abubakar Shekau said the students were handed over in a forest to the northeast of the town of Banki, on the border with Cameroon, after months of talks.

    “Shekau kept unnecessarily dragging the negotiations to gain more leverage,” the source, who has previously provided regular, reliable information on the jihadists, told AFP.

    But he was forced to accept terms after air strikes on his men in Balla village, on the edge of Sambisa Forest in Borno state, last month.

    Several of his senior commanders were killed in the April 28 attack and Shekau himself was said to have been injured, although he later denied it.

    “The reason why the aerial bombing in Balla forced him to seal the deal was he had lost many commanders and badly needed replacements,” the source said.

    Shekau then gave the green light to his negotiator, a Cameroon national stationed in a village on the other side of the border, to agree to the girls’ release, he added.

    – Health concerns –

    Nigeria’s government has refused to comment publicly on the prisoner swap deal and it is not clear whether any ransom was paid, making it difficult to assess how Shekau will benefit.

    Talks are already said to have started for the release of some or all of the 113 girls still being held in what would be a boost for Buhari and his government if successful.

    A security source involved in the negotiations said the talks took place over six weeks and involved an almost daily “back and forth” between the two sides.

    “Boko Haram wanted money not the release of prisoners. For me, the release (of the girls) was more to do with the state of Buhari’s health than Boko Haram pressure,” he added.

    Buhari, a former military ruler, was elected on a promise to defeat Boko Haram and has been seen as giving impetus to the counter-insurgency. But there has been mounting concern about the 74-year-old’s health after he spent nearly two months undergoing treatment in London and made few public appearances since March.

    On Sunday evening, he looked painfully thin when he met the 82 girls in Abuja then immediately flew to the British capital for another round of treatment for an undisclosed illness.

    AFP

  • Boko Haram: FG approves $250m soft loan for IDPs

    The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a 150 million dollar soft loan from African Development Bank (AfDB) and 100 million dollars from African Development Finance (ADF) for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI).

    A statement by Salisu Na’ina, Director, Information, Ministry of Finance on Wednesday in Abuja made this known.

    He said that a grant of five million euros to finance Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme in five states of the North East was also approved.

    He also said that the approval followed a memo presented to the Council by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

    In it, she explained that the money would facilitate in improving the quality of life of 14 million people and over 2.3 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    It would improve their standard of living by increasing their access to basic social services in the areas of potable water supply, sanitation, health care delivery and education.

    Other areas covered by the programme are entrepreneurship development, job creation and livelihoods for youth, women and the vulnerable, social cohesion and physiological support.

    The spokes man recalled that in its social inclusion agenda, the Federal Government had launched a programme for rebuilding and reconstruction for peace and development in the North East, and sought support from the African Development Bank to achieve the goal.

    The multi-sectoral programme will be implemented in Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba States within a span of five years starting from 2017 to December 2021, while Yobe State has already started implementing a similar programme.

    The loan would be repayable in 25 years on a highly concessional interest rate, while the five benefitting states would make a counterpart funding of 6.1 per cent, the statement added.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Boko Haram: 600 teachers killed, 1,200 schools closed in Lake Chad – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Funds, UNICEF, has said that no fewer than 600 school teachers have lost their lives in the Lake Chad region ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The UN agency, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, revealed that the agency is targeting 158,900 Children to benefit from the training program, which is expected to run until the end of the year.

    The statement said, schools are particularly vulnerable to bombings, attacks, and abductions by the insurgents but many lacked detailed safety plans.

    “Boko Haram, whose name in the Hausa language means ‘Western Education is Forbidden’, has killed more than 600 teachers and forced over 1,200 schools to close during its eight-year insurgency in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

    “Three years ago, the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the jihadist group in Chibok in northeastern Nigeria sparked global outrage.

    “The training program, run in partnership with the European Union, encourages teachers to evaluate the risks facing their schools and helps them develop action plans so that students and teachers know what to do in case of emergency.

    “Ensuring access to education for crisis-affected children is important, however opening schools is not enough,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s regional director for West and Central Africa said in the statement.

    “Children and teachers need to be equipped with knowledge and skills, to be prepared and able to mitigate the effects of something dangerous happening around the school premises,” she added.

    UNICEF spokesman, Patrick Rose said, “Some of the plans include appointing student leaders, designating assembly points and practicing emergency evacuation techniques. Some 1,600 teachers have been trained so far.

    “The training also includes techniques for providing traumatized children with psychological support and making schools feel like a safe place in the midst of the chaos.

    “Teachers learn games that can have a healing effect, and how to incorporate lessons about looking after each other into the children’s activities.”

     

  • [BREAKING] : 5 soldiers killed, 40 others injured as suicide bombers strike in Borno

    [BREAKING] : 5 soldiers killed, 40 others injured as suicide bombers strike in Borno

    At least five soldiers were killed and another 40 injured when a Boko Haram jihadist rammed an explosives-laden pick-up truck into a military convoy in Borno, security sources told AFP on Friday.

    The bomber, believed to be loyal to factional leader Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, targeted the convoy, which was conducting “clearance operations” between Yobe and Borno states, two military officers said.

    “At about 1100 hours (1000 GMT) on Thursday, a suicide bomber believed to be a Boko Haram terrorist riding in a van loaded with explosives rammed into a military convoy at Manguzum village,” one said.

    “We lost five soldiers in the incident and more than 40 sustained various degrees of injuries,” added the officer, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak about the incident.

    The convoy was heading to the garrison town of Damboa, which is some 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, at the time.

    A second military source said the troops were heading into Borno when the jihadist crashed his vehicle into a tank.

    “The armoured tank was seriously damaged and the operation slowed down,” he added.

    There has been a spate of deadly attacks on military targets in recent months, as troops fight to end the eight-year insurgency, which has left at least 20,000 dead in Nigeria alone.

    The conflict has also spilled into neighbouring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger, making more than two million homeless.

    Most of the recent attacks are suspected to have been carried out by the Al-Barnawi faction, which is backed by the Islamic State group.

    Last August IS declared Al-Barnawi, whose father founded Boko Haram, as the group’s new leader, replacing its long-time figurehead Abubakar Shekau.

    Shekau has rejected Al-Barnawi’s leadership and maintained he was still in charge, leading to a split and infighting.

    While Shekau focuses mainly on hit-and-run raids on villages and attacks on civilian targets, Al-Barnawi is focused on attacks on the military.

    Nigeria’s government maintains Boko Haram is a spent force and in disarray, despite the attacks and an increase in suicide bombings targeting security checkpoints, mosques and camps for the displaced.

     

    AFP

  • Boko Haram: We’ll turn Borno around in 6 months – Shettima

    Boko Haram: We’ll turn Borno around in 6 months – Shettima

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has said sequel to the recent defeat of the deadly Boko Haram sect by the military, the state will begin to witness massive developments in the coming months.

    Shettima said this at the Summit for the Security and Development of Northern Nigeria, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    He argued that the current spate of suicide bombings by the sect was an indication that the terrorists had been decimated.

    He said the sect had been weakened by the superior fire power of the Nigerian military.

    “They are feeling the attacks by government forces more and they are becoming weaker,” Shettima said.

    The governor told the gathering that though there could be no development without peace, his administration was set to invest “in girl-child education, job creation for the teeming youths and women empowerment to set an agenda of progress and development for the state that has been battling terrorism since 2009”.

    Shettima said, “In spite of the crisis, between six months and one year there will be a massive development in Borno state with emphasis on gender empowerment, girl child education and employment generation for our teeming youths.

    “We need to invest in education, create job opportunities for the teeming youths and ensure gender empowerment for our women.

    “We will definitely overcome the challenges of Boko Haram we have gone over the rubicon, we now want to tow the path of growth and development.”

    The NewsGuru.com reports that the deadly Boko Haram sect has wreaked havoc in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and other states in the North since 2009, with over 20,000 reportedly killed by the activities of the sect.

     

  • Shittu visits Lt Gen Buratai, to deploy ICT in wiping out Boko Haram

    The Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu has said the ministry is ready to collaborate with the Nigerian Army on Information Communications Technology (ICT), with the view of deploying ICT to wiping out terrorism from Nigeria.

    The Minister said this when he visited the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) recently in Defense Headquarters, Abuja.

    Shittu recalled receiving the COAS some months ago in his Office where the collaboration was first initiated and he deemed it fit to reciprocate the visit in order to further strengthen the collaboration.

    He said the Ministry is set for the collaboration and all the agencies under the Ministry would be engaged to help in deploying technology in all aspect of the Military activities and operations where necessary.

    He commended the achievements made so far under the leadership of the COAS in fighting Boko Haram and other miscreant groups; he however, encouraged him to do more so as to completely wipe out terrorism in the country.

    The Minister suggested that the COAS should consider establishing a strong ICT department in the Nigerian Army and Military Academy, assuring him of necessary support to complement his effort in fighting crime and terrorism, stating that war cannot be fought with arms alone but with technology as well.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai thanked the Minister for finding time out of his tight schedule to reciprocate the visit.

    He commended the Minister for the good job he is doing in reforming the telecom industry and using ICT to add to the growth of the GDP.

    Lt Gen Buratai added that, the role of ICT is key to military operations and also the use of cyber space where today one can fight war or battle right from ones office, stating that this cannot be achieved without the support of the Ministry, hence the collaboration.

  • Boko Haram: Bangladeshi Army pledges support to Nigerian Armed Forces

    The Bangladesh Army has pledged to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in the areas of training and capacity building to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

    Gen. Abubilal Shafiulhuq, Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Army, made the promise after being conducted round the Nigerian Army museum in Abuja on Monday.

    Shafiulhaq said that the relationship between Bangladesh and Nigeria dated back to 1970.

    The Army chief said his visit was to explore ways both countries could further strengthen the existing relationship.

    Shafiulhaq, who is on a five-day visit to Nigeria, is expected to speak on insurgency at a forum at the National War College, Abuja on Wednesday.

    Shafiulhaq was received by his Nigerian counterpart, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai.

  • Boko Haram: Madagali LG communities celebrate return of peace, normalcy

    Communities in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa have commenced a two-day celebration to mark the defeat of Boko Haram and the return of peace and normalcy in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two day event, taking place in Gulak town the local government headquarters, involved cultural dances and horses display, popularly known as durba.

    Speaking at the occasion on Saturday, the chairman of Madagali Local Government, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said the event was to also foster peace and unity in the area.

    “The concept was informed by the fact that Boko Haram insurgents, who have ravaged our area for three years, have been defeated and normalcy has returned. Thus, the need for the celebration.”

    Mohammed, who noted that Madagali was the worst hit by activities of the insurgents, lauded the security agencies for their effort in dislodging the insurgents and making the area safe for the return of displaced people.

    “We appreciate the success recorded by the military, other security outfits and the vigilante groups in recapturing the communities under the influence of the insurgents.”

    The chairman observed that the effective curbing of the activities of the insurgents in the area has now led to mass return of people in various communities.

    “We need to welcome them back home and show to the whole world that peace has returned to our communities.”

    He lauded the role being played by federal and state governments as well as some international organisations and NGOs in assisting returnees, and urged for more interventions in resettling, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the area.

    In their respective remarks at the occasion, member representing Madagali constituency in Adamawa House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Tsamdu, and his counterpart representing Madagali/Michika Federal Constituency, Rep. Adamu Kamale, expressed gratitude to God for the restoration of normalcy in the area and urged the people to unite and work for the rapid transformation of the area.

    In his speech on behalf of traditional rulers in the area, District Head of Gulak, Alhaji Bello Simda, assured that the traditional rulers would not relent in uniting the people towards self help and peaceful coexistence.

     

    NAN

  • Three soldiers killed as Boko Haram’s IED explodes in Borno

    Three soldiers attached to the 82 Division Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army have reportedly died after troops ran into an Improvised Explosive Device planted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    According to a report by The Punch, the troops were on patrol along the Ngoshe-Pulka Road in Borno State when the IED exploded, killing the three soldiers and injuring two others.

    It was learnt that during the patrol, some Boko Haram terrorists, who reportedly came in scores, were also killed when they engaged troops in a gun battle.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, could not yet be reached for comment.

    Usman had said in a statement on Tuesday that troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion attached to 26 Task Force Brigade carried out clearance operations in some villages.

    “They intercepted a Boko Haram terrorist, said to be a logistics supplier, at a crossing point around Daushe village,” he added.

    Also, the army spokesperson confirmed a clash between troops and Boko Haram insurgents in Dissa and Patawe areas, adding that six insurgents were shot dead.

    He said troops recovered AK 47 rifles, nine rounds of ammunition and 22 rounds of NATO ammunition.

    Military sources said on Thursday that the insurgents, who clashed with troops along Ngoshe and Pulka route, allegedly carted away four AK 47 rifles and one gun truck, among other weapons from the troops.

     

  • Police arrest notorious Boko Haram member in Bauchi

    Police arrest notorious Boko Haram member in Bauchi

    The Police Command in Bauchi has arrested one Mohammed Nafiu,a Boko Haram member already declared wanted by the military.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, announced the arrest of the suspect alongside other criminals while presenting him to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday.

    Umar explained that Nafiu, 25, was arrested on April 12 at Tama Village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    He further explained that the suspect being 176th on the wanted list of Nigerian Army was arrested following intelligence report.

    He said the suspect had fled from Sambisa Forest following the flushing out of the terrorists by the military.

    “The suspect has confessed to have killed over 150 people in Baga Local Government Area of Borno.

    “Case is under investigation after which the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate authority for discreet investigation,” he said.

    In a similar development, the commissioner said that the police had arrested one Osama Abubakar, a notorious thug in Bauchi.

    He said the suspect had used a knife to cut off the left hand of one Abdul-aziz Mohammed of Gombe Road, Bauchi, who was also alleged to be a “Sara Suka” hoodlum.

    Umar said that preliminary investigations showed that the suspect was a notorious “Sara-Suka” thug who was convicted for a similar offence in 2016.

    He said that the suspect had voluntarily confessed to committing the offence and was providing the police with useful information that will lead to the arrest of others.