TheNewsGuru

Tag: boko haram

  • ‘Pursue, intercept fleeing Boko-Haram terrorists’, Buratai urges troops

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged troops in the North East to pursue the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists and intercept them.

    Buratai gave the charge in a remark shortly before Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno cut the tape to re-open two major roads in the state that were closed since 2013 at the height of the activities of the insurgents.

    The roads are Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak and Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga.

    “You must maintain the momentum of the operation. We must pursue the terrorists wherever they are. We must not allow them to regroup,” the army chief said.

    According to Buratai, one of them, who fled to Lagos, was arrested on Saturday in Ikorodu area of the state.

    He said in spite of the take over of the terrorists’ last strong hold in the Sambisa forest as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, “we have no time to waste”.

    The chief of army staff described the seven-year fight against the Boko Haram terrorists as “quite sober and touchy”, saying that a number of officers and soldiers had lost their lives in the war.

    He prayed for the repose of their souls and vowed that the army would recommit itself to the fight until “remnants’’ of the terrorists were cleared.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, had earlier said that the North East had been secured.

    He also said that insurgency had brought untold hardship on the people of Borno people and the entire North East zone.

    Irabor said that the roads being reopened were closed three years ago to check the incursion of the insurgents, adding that the reopening of such roads was an indication that the terrorists had been defeated.

    In a message, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, also charged the military to maintain the tempo of operation and ensure that terrorism was eliminated from the North East.

    Represented by the Chief of Administration, Defenc Headquarters, Rear Admiral A. A. Dacosta, Olonisakin restated the commitment of the military to defeating the terrorists.

  • Nigerians in diaspora laud troops over Boko Haram defeat

    Nigerians In Diaspora Monitoring Group(NDMG), has joined their voice to many other praising the happy the Nigerian Army has it cleared out ‘Camp Zero’, which until that action was Boko Haram terror group’s last hideout in the dreaded Sambisa Forest.

    In a statement signed by UK Co-ordinator, NDMG, Mr. Adekaa Onyilo. the group said the troop’s efforts successfully bring an end to the nefarious activities of the terrorists which were planned, incubated or hatched from that location.

    The statement furthers, “Months after Boko Haram was designated as technically defeated, this new development tactically implies that the group has now been duly crushed.

    “We laud the Nigerian Army for achieving this feat in tandem with the assurances given earlier. And we acknowledge the fact that we were not surprised as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai had declared December as a month of decision.

    “He had given the marching order for troops to finish off the terrorist group this month.

    This pronouncement by the COAS has spurred the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to embark on Operation Rescue Finale and recording this landmark success that has seen the last of the terrorists holed up in that forest fleeing their camps in different directions.

    “The liberation of Sambisa Forest have ushered unto the scene a situation where numerous terrorists are now willingly giving up their arms and choosing to embrace the path of peace.

    “It is remarkable that troops successfully cleared out Sambisa Forest in spite of the concerted and coordinated onslaught by Boko Haram sponsors that consistently placed obstacles before the army as an institution and its leadership as individuals.

    “NDMG totally aligns with President Muhammadu Buhari and echo his directive to the Army. We ask that the fleeing terrorists must be tracked, chased down their holes like the common criminals that they are, apprehended and made to answer for their atrocities.

    “Beyond the fleeing fighters, attention must also be given to the intellectual, financial and propaganda wings of the terror group so that the possibility of resurgence is completely ruled out.

    “Even as we are not unaware of the economic situation in the country, we extend our hand our fellowship to the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari, in the same manner as urge the federal government to speed up the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts in the areas affected by Boko Haram’s acts of terror so that members of re-established communities can contribute to preventing remnants of the fighters from regrouping using some sort of community policing and intelligence sharing.

    “To Nigerians, we appeal that sectarian, religious, political, ethnic and regional differences should be shelved or eschewed and citizens once again demonstrate the much needed unity of purpose as their unrelenting contribution to scrape out the last of this dwarfed evil from our fatherland.”

  • Saraki hails troops, Buhari for defeating Boko Haram

    Saraki hails troops, Buhari for defeating Boko Haram

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki has commended the Nigerian armed forces and President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of Operation Lafiya Dole in the notorious Sambisa Forest.

    Saraki, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed delight at the news of the defeat of Boko Haram in Sambisa, stating that it was a great way to wrap up an eventful year.

    “The news of the Nigerian Army defeating Boko Haram in their most dominant stronghold is truly gratifying. This is a gift to all Nigerians as we enter this festive season and round up this year.

    “I want to congratulate President Buhari for his leadership, and his dedication to crushing the insurgency in the country. I want to also commend the Nigerian people for believing in our men and women in uniform, and supporting them and their families through prayers and goodwill messages.

  • Army arrests 504 terrorists, rescues 1,880 women, children in Sambisa

    Army arrests 504 terrorists, rescues 1,880 women, children in Sambisa

    The Army yesterday said it has arrested 504 and rescued about 1,880 women and children from Boko Haram insurgents in the Sambisa Forest.

    Major-General Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said this during a news conference at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, yesterday.

    Irabor said that the troops also arrested about 504 Boko Haram terrorists, while 19 of them willingly surrendered.

    He said that the Army had arrested about 37 foreigners, who were currently undergoing interrogation to ascertain whether they were terrorists or not.

    He said: “We arrested about seven kidnappers and we are currently interrogating them. “Our troops have continued to make significant progress in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    “I gladly say that our troops have successfully mopped up all the areas in Sambisa Forest, including Gate One.

    “We are currently in Camp Zero; I am not going to tell you what we are doing there. “But I can assure you that we are recording remarkable successes.”

    Irabor called on the public, especially female students of tertiary institutions, to be wary of new recruitment website, “as Boko Haram insurgency is an evil that is determined to destroy the society.”

  • Blame Boko Haram for increase in prices of fertilizer – Ogbeh tells farmers

    Blame Boko Haram for increase in prices of fertilizer – Ogbeh tells farmers

     

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh has said that Boko Haram terrorists are responsible for the sudden rise in the prices of fertilizer in the country.

    Ogbeh said the insurgents are using components of fertilizer to make bombs and other explosives, which is the reason for the increase in price.

    Ogbeh spoke on Tuesday, at a Special Town Hall Meeting for Youths, organized by the Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.

    Ogbe stated that fertiliser was being sold for N10,000 per bag because the security agencies placed hold on its distribution.

    He said: “Fertiliser came late this year due to security challenges.

    “We started moving fertiliser in February to meet up with the farming season but the national security agency stopped us from moving it.

    “Over 400 trailer loads of fertilisers were held down in Lokoja for two months because Boko haram were converting urea among other fertilizer component to make bombs.

    “It took two and half months to get arrangement from security agencies to escort fertilisers from the factories to the farms.

    “We were cut between security problems and food security for the people.”

    Ogbe, however, assured farmers that the price will reduce to less than N5,000 in the next planting season.

  • Nigerian troops rescue 605 hostages in raids

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday ground troops in different patrols rescued 605 people held hostage by Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest.

    Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, told a news conference in Maiduguri, the restive northeast Borno state capital, that 69 male adults, 180 females, 227 male children and 129 female children, were rescued during the operation between December 7 and December 14, 2016.

    “The victims are in our custody for further investigation and interrogation,” he added.

    Many areas have been cleared, while many hostages have been set free and scores of insurgents killed in different patrols conducted by Nigerian troops across the region.

    Nigeria’s northeast region has been a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram. Over past months, the Nigerian government has launched several military operations to eliminate the terrorist threat.

  • We have rescued 801 persons in Borno from Boko Haram terrorists – Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had rescued additional 801 persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists in its ongoing anti-terrorism operations.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East made the announcement while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    He said that the persons were rescued between Nov. 23 and date.

    “A total of 801 persons were rescued from the terrorists’ camps from Nov. 23 to date,” he said.

    Irabor said that the military had also arrested a number of terrorists fleeing their Sambisa forest hideout due to the ongoing operation.

    “Likewise, on Dec. 4 at about 1345hrs, our troops in conjunction with local vigilante intercepted five men, 29 women and children heading towards Goniri from Kafa.

    “The men were screened by the local vigilante and two of them were confirmed to be terrorists.

    “They have since been taken into custody and are undergoing interrogation,’’ he said, adding that the military also apprehended suspected cattle rustlers during its operations.

    “On Nov. 28, four persons and a teenager were arrested by our troops deployed at Bulabulim Ngarnam with 4 cows.

    “The arrested persons have been handed over to the Nigeria Police,” he said.

    Irabor said that the military also recovered arms from suspected kidnappers in Bauchi state.

    “On Dec. 2, our troops while on patrol at the general area of Gamji and Kafin Lemu villages in Ningi LGA of Bauchi state encountered some suspected kidnappers who engaged them in gun battle.

    “They were killed in the gun battle that ensued.

    “The troops recovered several arms and ammunition which include five Dane guns, a locally made pistol, some cartridges and charms,” he said.

  • End of Boko Haram is here – Buhari

    End of Boko Haram is here – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight, and also hailed the increased cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

    This was stated in a press release issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday.

    While Speaking at a Panel of Heads of State at the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, the President also assured the international community that the security situation in Nigeria had improved significantly.

    “About a month ago, I spoke with the President of Chad and I was pleased that a number of Chadians and Nigerians that were Boko Haram members are surrendering to him en-masse.

    “The good news I have is that the end of the raining season has come in the North eastern region of Nigeria.

    “Members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in their respective positions and at an agreed time they will move simultaneously and spontaneously for us to see the end of Boko Haram.

    “We are now operating in the Sambisa Forest and as far as Boko Haram is concerned in the Lake Chad Basin area, I think they are done for,” the President declared.

    Highlighting the gains of the cooperation among the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries comprising Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, the Nigerian leader told the gathering that Boko Haram is no longer holding any territory or Local Government Area (LGA) in his country.

    “Those who live in the North East know that Boko Haram is no longer holding a single territory in the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.

    “But they have a system of using IEDs and they indoctrinate mostly teenage girls and send them to soft targets to churches, mosques and market places; that too is becoming very rear.

    “I think Boko Haram shot themselves in the foot when they gave their ideology a religious connotation by killing children in their schools, people in the mosque and churches and shouting Allahu Akbar.

    “This is a major contradiction as no religion advocates hurting the innocent. You can’t kill people and say Allahu Akbar. You either do not know what you are saying or you don’t believe it,” President Buhari said.

    Noting that Nigeria is capable of surmounting its security challenges, he appealed to the international community to focus more attention on addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and unemployment in Nigeria.

    “In the southern part of the country, stolen Nigerian crude is being illegally transported through the Gulf of Guinea and installations offshore are being subverted. We also have the problem of unemployment in Nigeria.

    “With a population of 180 million people of which 65 per cent are under the age of 35, young Nigerians are looking for any kind of job to survive.

    “We are addressing the situation (unemployment) by turning to agriculture and solid minerals because we are lucky to be blessed with arable land, water and resources,” the President noted.