TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno State

  • Boko Haram attack: No policeman was abducted at police training school – Borno police command

    Boko Haram attack: No policeman was abducted at police training school – Borno police command

    The police command in Borno, has denied reports that some policemen were abducted by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) at the Mobile Police Training School in limankara, Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Mr Audu Umar, the state Commissioner of Police disclosed this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Maiduguri.

    Umar said that the report claiming that unspecified number of policemen were abducted at the school was fake news.

    Some reports had indicated that ISWAP fighters abducted an unspecified number of policemen after an attack at the school at about 8:22 a.m.,on Thursday.

    But Umar said that no policeman was abducted during the incident, saying that all the 13 policemen at the school were safe and in good conditions as they successfully thwarted the terrorists’ attack.

    He explained that the command did not lose personnel or weapon during the attack.

    The police commissioner urged the media to always strive hard to authenticate its report before feeding the public.

  • We’ll keep doing our best until we leave in 17 months – Buhari

    We’ll keep doing our best until we leave in 17 months – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will keep giving its best for the development of the country until May, 2023, reiterating that he will handover as stipulated by the Constitution.

    The President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement said the president gave the assurance at the inauguration of Oriental Energies Resource Ltd Hanger, Muhammadu Indimi Distance Learning Centre and an International Conference Centre.

    The Centre was donated to the University of Maiduguri by business mogul, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, in Maiduguri, Borno, on Thursday.

    President Buhari also inaugurated the Tijjani Bolori Memorial Secondary School and the first fly-over in Borno State, Custom Roundabout (3.5km) with a stretch of 10 km Gamboru Ngala Road constructed by the state government.

    The president said: “ I know I swore by the Constitution, and I will leave in 17 months. I pray that the person that will take over from us will also follow the targets of securing the country and building the economy.

    “Without securing the country, you cannot grow the economy.”

    He added that Nigerians should appraise the performance of the administration based on what the situation was on security, economy and corruption before he came in, and where it is now.

    “We have a great country,” he said, “and we thank God for giving us so much resources. But we need to develop our resources.”

    The president noted that development would be more sustainable by empowering the people.

    On security in the North West, he said it was sad that the people who lived together, sharing same culture and outlook for a long time would start stealing, kidnapping and killing one another.

    According to him, the military will come down hard on the North West to stabilise the situation, having procured more hardwares.

    “I am highly impressed with what I have seen at this state of the art Centre for Distance Learning and Auditorium sited here, the University of Maiduguri. I am told that this international conference hall has 1,300 seats.

    ”The high quality standard of this edifice is a major contribution by Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi. This intervention will benefit not only students from Borno and the North East but also students from all parts of Nigeria.

    “For the Oriental Energy Resources Hangar which I commissioned, it will welcome and offer support services to aircraft and pilots involved with Humanitarian Air Services,” the president noted.

    Buhari also commended Governor of Borno Prof. Babagana Zulum, for the work he had done in two years, noting that he was in the state earlier in June to commission developmental projects.

    In his remarks, Zulum appreciated the president for honoring the state, adding that Indimi’s contributions to the development of the state showed he loved his people.

    “Words cannot convey our gratitude for the statesmanship, “ he said.

    The governor said the state had recognised the contributions of Alhaji Indimi by renaming the Damboa Road after him, now Alhajji Muhammadu Indimi Road.

    In his remarks, Indimi said he was motivated to build the Distance Learning Centre and the International Conference Centre to encourage education in the state.

    “I believe the centre will help in delivering training and skills as well as encourage those who will be taking lessons from remote places,” he said.

    Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Aliyu Shugaba, thanked President Buhari for honoring the invitation anf Alhaji Indimi for the contribution.

  • What I discussed with Buhari on his visit to Borno State – Gov Zulum

    What I discussed with Buhari on his visit to Borno State – Gov Zulum

    Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said it was a good thing that President Muhammadu Buhari visited the State and that he had the opportunity to discuss issues of benefits to the State with the President.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Zulum made this known on Thursday while speaking to a group of stakeholders after the presidential visit.

    While conveying his deepest gratitude to the people of Borno State over the impressive turn out to receive Buhari, Zulum emphasized that he made some requests that will benefit Borno and that he will follow up on those requests.

    He also expressed his deepest condolences over the explosion that happened in the State as Buhari visited, saying he had sent some officials and had been updated.

    “I want to start by conveying our deepest condolences over the unfortunate incident earlier today. I had sent some officials and I have been updated. Our hearts are with all affected people. I also wish to thank our people in Maiduguri for their understanding as a result of restrictions due to Presidential movement.

    “The good thing is that Buhari’s visit was a good thing for us, insha’Allah. We discussed matters of security. We also made some requests that will benefit Borno and we will follow up on those requests.

    “I am profoundly grateful to the people of Borno State, especially our people in Maiduguri and Jere who came out to show love to the President. Some people see the goodwill God has granted us only from a positive angle, but while it is a good thing, it also worries me a lot. Getting the love of the people is actually a delicate thing that demands reciprocating with sincere leadership.

    “Insha’Allah, we will continue to reciprocate by standing for our people and making efforts to meet their needs. Most importantly, we are not relaxing on security. We are working 24/7 and we will not relax these efforts, insha’Allah,” Zulum said.

  • What we can do to address challenges in Nigeria – Buhari

    What we can do to address challenges in Nigeria – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said cooperation among elites in Nigeria is one of those things to do to address the challenges in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari said this on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    He said more cooperation among elites in the country, with a commitment to inform people on realities and mobilize for development will help in resolving the challenges facing the nation.

    In a courtesy call at the palace of the Shehu of Borno during a visit to commission Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi Distance Learning Centre and International Conference Hall at the University of Maiduguri and some state projects, the President said the elites owe it to the people to inform, guide and shape opinions since they had more access and knowledge on the economy.

    “What our country needs now is the continued cooperation of the elites. They know the problem of the nation.

    “It is good that they educate the less informed about the realities,” he said.

    The President noted that there was a need to be more careful in assessing the performance of the administration and it should be relative to the time and resources available.

    “On our three targets, we should look at where we were when we came in and where we are now in relation to time and resources,” he said.

    President Buhari noted that in spite of a drop in production output and price of crude oil, the administration utilized what was available to make a difference on security and the economy.

    The President assured Nigerians that his administration will use the remaining period to consolidate on efforts in restoring peace and improving the economy.

    “For the period remaining, we will keep doing our best especially in infrastructure so that those who will come after us will not have cause to complain,” he added.

    In his remarks, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, expressed appreciation that the President was visiting the state for a second time in less than six months to commission developmental projects.

    He said the people of Borno State were enjoying gradual return of peace, which enabled many to return to their homes and farms, with a commendable turnout in harvest in 2021.

    The Governor thanked the military, paramilitary and the Civilian JTF for efforts in restoring order to the state.

    Zulum also appreciated the interventions of the President, particularly in housing and energy, which include the 50 megawatts NNPC project to improve power supply in the state.

    “May Allah give the President wisdom and fortitude to carry on with the good works. We remain eternally grateful,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El Kanemi, said the state had started experiencing a new lease of peace, with many people returning to their farms and businesses.

    According to the royal father, the state had also enjoyed many infrastructural developments since 2015, thanking President Buhari for taking special interest in the people of the state.

  • ‘How Nassarawa, Zamfara, Borno are tackling insecurity’

    ‘How Nassarawa, Zamfara, Borno are tackling insecurity’

    The all-inclusive approach of Gov. Bello Matawalle in addressing insecurity was yielding tremendous result in Zamfara, the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, retired DIG Mamman Tsafe, has said.

    Speaking with newsmen at the Annual Lecture and Fourth Investiture of the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) on Saturday in Abuja, Tsafe said that Matawalle “inherited a very turbulent state”.

    “That is why he started with negotiations and inclusiveness to ensure that the level of insecurity was reduced.

    “He has succeeded tremendously because, hitherto, the area was increasingly becoming inhabitable, but with the deployment of an all-inclusive approach, he has been able to ameliorate the situation,“ the commissioner said.

    Tsafe represented Matawalle at the event where the governor received “Best Governor of collective Security Advocate 2020” award.

    Also speaking, Deputy Speaker, Borno House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Askira, who represented Gov. Babagana Zulum, said that courage and confidence had been the governor’s secrets in confronting insecurity in Borno.

    Askira said the governor’s approach to security had endeared him to the electorate and citizens of Borno, adding that Zulum had continued to ensure that all internally displaced persons(IDPs) were returned to their ancestral homes.

    He urged all Nigerians to support the fight against insecurity in parts of the country, adding that security required collaborative approach.

    “One of the governor‘s secret is that he is courageous and when there is courage and confidence you can do almost everything.

    “With the people’s support and the governor’s courage and attitude towards the people, he has been able to achieve a lot in security, and the electorates and Borno citizens have been with him.

    “The security situation in Nigeria is not an individual, sectional, religious or ethnic problem, it is a collective security problem, and all hands must be on deck for us to succeed.

    “I believe that if we come together and fight insecurity collectively, we will succeed,” he said.

    Askira further disclosed that the humanitarian crisis in Borno had different dimensions.

    He explained that while some people benefit from it, the majority were losing, adding that it had produced thousands of orphans, widows and homeless people.

    He said the governor had tried his best to ensure that the IDPs went back to their ancestral homes.

    “As of now, I think maybe it is one local government that the IDPs have not returned to their ancestral homes.

    “Even up till now, there are pockets of wars in some parts that there are no inhabitants but the governor has assured us that by the end of this month, IDP camps will be closed in Borno.

    “With all the necessary arrangements, IDP camps are closing in Maiduguri by end of this month,” he said.

    Also, Yakubu Lamai, Director General, Strategic Communications to Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said that the state used a corporate approach to handle its security challenges.

    Lamai said the governor started with a blueprint called Economic Development Strategy to secure investment, using security, peace building, fence mending and human capacity development.

    “That is why in Nasarawa State today, there is a clear success in security because his approach had been one that is well informed and built on intelligence gathering.

    “Even in his first month as governor, he went over to Benue State on peace mission where he met with the governor to see if we can strengthen the enabling relationship and he has done same across states in the North Central zone.

    “That is why Nasarawa held the mediation meeting between Tiv and Jukun people at a point.

    “Also, there has been very robust synergy with the Federal Government,” he said.

    ISSS inducted the three governors into the fellowship of the institute and honoured them for their outstanding contributions to national security.

    While Zulum was awarded the best governor on Security and Humanitarian Sservices for 2020, Sule was awarded the Security Pro-active, and Matawalle, the Best Governor of collective Security Advocate.

  • Police rescue soldier, 15 others abducted by insurgents

    Police rescue soldier, 15 others abducted by insurgents

    A team of policemen patrolling Maiduguri-Damaturu road, on Monday prevented the abduction of a soldier and 15 travellers by insurgents.

    The soldier, a Lance Corporal, is attached 4 Battalion, Marte.

    Borno Police Command spokesman, ASP Sani Kamilu said the incident occurred around Yanakiri and Kondori villages when insurgents in about 20 gun trucks ambushed the motorists.

    “They were intercepted and being abducted to the bush by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The crack team of the police in collaboration with the Police Rapid Response Squad on getting the information, pursued the suspected terrorists into the bush.

    “After an exchange of fire, the victims were rescued due to the superior fire power and techniques by the police operatives,” Kamilu said.

    He however said three of the travellers were still missing.

  • Troops thwart attempt to attack military base in Borno

    Troops thwart attempt to attack military base in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Friday repelled an attack by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Brig.-Gen. Abdulwahab Eyitayo, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, disclosed this in Maiduguri.

    Eyitayo said that a number of the terrorists on 10 guntrucks and one phantom MRAP attempted to attack Damboa Super Camp of the Nigerian Army.

    He said that as they approached, the troops swiftly repelled the attack and forced the terrorists to withdraw in dissaray through Sandia village.

    The GOC said total normalcy has been restored in the town, as people were going about their normal activities, while exploitation was still ongoing by the Air Task Force to mop up the fleeing terrorists.

    “Troops are right now driving around Damboa town for show of force to boost the confidence of the locals,” he added.

  • Troops foil terrorists’ attack on Borno town

    Troops foil terrorists’ attack on Borno town

    Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have thwarted an attempted attack by the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Damboa town in Borno, Nigerian Army says.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops of 25 Task Force Brigade successfully quelled a dawn attack attempt on the town in the early hours of Sunday by terrorists.

    He said the criminals made a futile effort to infiltrate the town, but were met with heavy fire from the vigilant troops.

    He said the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the town with unconfirmed numbers of foot soldiers and some mounted on motorcycles.

    He added that the terrorists suffered debilitating gunshot wounds from troops’ fire, forcing them to beat a retreat in disarray.

    The Army spokesperson said the troops were currently on the trail of the fleeing terrorists.

    He disclosed that two vehicles belonging to the Civilian Joint Task Force were razed by fire in the exchange of fire that ensued.

    “They are also encouraged not to allow any form of distraction from the marauding terrorists, whose ranks have suffered enormous depletion in manpower as a result of ongoing air and artillery bombardments.

    “Law abiding people of North East Nigeria are assured of the Chief of Army Staff’s determination to finally rout the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals from their hideouts.

    “The good people of the North East are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with actionable information that will enhance the execution of the ongoing Counter Terrorism Counter Insurgency operations in the region,” he said.

  • Troops eliminate 12 terrorists in Borno

    Troops eliminate 12 terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says the land and air components of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have eliminated 12 terrorists of Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bula Yobe area of Borno.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said that troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Air Component, eliminated the terrorists on Sunday while attempting to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe.

    He said the terrorists, who came mounted on gun trucks and several motorcycles attacked the location through an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy fire from the vigilant troops.

    According to him, the land troops, in their usual dexterity, swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative.

    “The troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gun shot wounds.

    “The troops gallantly captured one gun truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika gun and one mounted QJC machine gun.

    “Other items captured are one light machine gun and five AK 47 rifles,” he said.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while five others sustained varying degrees of injury during the encounter.

    He said the wounded solders were evacuated to a medical facility for medical attention.

    He added that the general area within FOB Bula Yobe were currently under the control of troops while further exploitation by the resilient troops was ongoing.

    According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has lauded the Land troops and the Air Component for their collaboration and quick response, which is in tandem with the ongoing rejigging of the counter terrorism counter insurgency operations in the North East.

    “He charged the troops to maintain the tempo and vehemently hold their ground, to deny the terrorists freedom of action,” Nwachukwu said.

  • President Buhari arrives Maiduguri for official visit

    President Buhari arrives Maiduguri for official visit

    President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Maiduguri for a one day official visit.

    The president, whose visit is to assess security situation in the North East, will address troops at Maimalari Cantonment, and also inaugurates some completed Federal and State Government projects.

    Some of the projects to be inaugurated include the 4,000 housing units for displaced persons out of the 10,000 units being constructed by the Federal Government in Borno and the Senate building of Borno State University, Maiduguri.

    Others are the Borno State Vocational Enterprising Institute, Muna, Government Day Technical Secondary School, Njimtilo, Dr Babagana Wakilbe Memorial School, Abbaganaram Maternal Healthcare Centre and the Jiddari-Polo road and drainage.

    Although movement was restricted in some areas of Maiduguri for security reason, people still came out in large number to welcome the president.