TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno State

  • Breaking: Army break silence on slained soldiers, remain mute on casualty figures

    The Nigeria Army (NA) has finally broken silence about the attack by Boko Haram insurgents on 157 Task Force Battalion defensive location at Metele.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Boko Haram insurgents unleashed terror on the Army defensive location at Metele in Guzamala local government area of Borno State, leaving scores of soldiers dead.

    While the media has reported over 100 soldiers were killed in the terror attack, the NA has largely remained silent over the matter, and remained silent on the number of casualties even with its recent press release.

    The press release reads: “The attention of the NA has been drawn to several social media, print, electronic and online publications about the recent attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele.

    “Whilst it is true that there was an attack on the location on 18 November 2018, it has however, become necessary to correct several misinformation being circulated with regards to this unfortunate event.

    “It is important for the public to note that the NA has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who fall casualty in action.

    “Out of respect for the families of our gallant troops, the NOKs are first notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating the grief family members would bear, were they to discover such from unofficial sources.

    “Furthermore, it suffices to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate BHT propaganda videos and alluding same to be the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion.

    “Whilst it is understandable how such misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists; to misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not. So far, the situation is that the location is under control as reinforcing units have been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.

    “The NA sincerely, wishes to thank the various arms of government, MDAs and sister security agencies that have stood with her in these trying times; by commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for the defence of our dearly beloved country.

    “The necessary support being given the NA by the Federal Government and the goodwill of the Nigerian populace will undoubtedly continue to spur the NA towards the ultimate defeat of the highly degraded BHTs”.

     

  • Senators to visit soldiers in Boko Haram battlefield

    A delegation of Senators will visit Nigerian soldiers on the battlefield, following the killing of 44 soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno in a deadly attack.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Senate also delegated its Committee on Army to visit families of the deceased soldiers and the Chief of Army Staff.

    Senate Committees on Defence and Army are expected to investigate the cause of the killings of the 44 soldiers and to ensure that adequate measures are being taken to curb such killings.

    These are parts of resolution reached by the Senate during plenary on Thursday after Senator Abdullahi Danbaba moved that since the constitution of the Committee on Army, it has not been active.

    “The Nigerian Army is completely detached from the Senate,” he stated.

    Reacting, Senate President Bukola Saraki said, “We are all aware that a few days ago we lost about 44 brave soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Northern Borno.

    “We must pay our respects to these brave men that have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for our own safety & peace in our country”.

    He thanked Senator Danbaba for bringing up the issue to the Senate.

    After observing a one-minute silence for the 44 soldiers, the Senators stepped down all proceedings of the day, and adjourned plenary.

     

  • Boko Haram: CAS visits Maiduguri for progress assessment

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar on Saturday embarked on an operational visit to the Air Task Force (ATF) Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri to assess the progress of the Operation Green Sweep.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Operation Green Sweep is an Air Interdiction Operation targeting selected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) locations within the fringes of Lake Chad as well as areas around the Alagarno and Sambisa Forests in Borno State.

    The Operation, which commenced on 14 November 2018, is aimed at further degrading the remnants of the terrorists, curtailing their freedom of action and denying them bases from which they could launch attacks.

    “The first few days of air strikes ‪recorded significant successes against BHT Camps, Command Centres and Logistics Bases at Sharama, Buk, Sabon Tumbun, Tumbun Rego and Kusuma, among others,” Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, said in a statement.

    Upon arrival in Maiduguri, the CAS, who was accompanied by other senior officers from NAF Headquarters, was briefed on the progress of the Operation by the Commander ATF, Air Commodore James Gwani.

    The CAS also interacted with pilots and other crew members participating in the Operation, congratulating them for the successes recorded and commending them for the phenomenal work they had been doing.

    While encouraging them to remain steadfast, Air Marshal Abubakar assured that HQ NAF would provide all necessary support to enable them continue making vital contributions towards securing the nation and safeguarding the lives of the Nigerian people.

    The CAS seized the opportunity to inspect facilities at NAF Base Maiduguri including some ongoing projects like the new Pilots’ Crew Room Building, Block of 30 single bedroom transit accommodation for airmen/airwomen as well as a new extension for the Headquarters ATF Building which was being executed by the ATF Commander.

    While in Maiduguri, the CAS also oversaw an attack on a BHT hideout in Tumbun Sale carried out by 2 Alpha Jet aircraft supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft.

     

  • Army denies restricting movement in Maiduguri

    Army denies restricting movement in Maiduguri

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday dismissed as ‘false’, social media reports that it had imposed restriction of movement in Maiduguri.

    Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Col. Kingsley Samuel, made the clarifications in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Samuel said that the military did not enforce restriction on travellers, adding that the report was mischievous and designed to cause breach of peace in the state.

    “The attention of the Nigerian Army, 7 Division, has been drawn to the circulation on social media of a purported travel time restrictions on travellers in Maiduguri.

    “The statement is completely false and clearly a mischief intended to misinform, cause disaffection and breach of peace. At no time such statement was issued by anyone on travel time restrictions.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, members of the public are please informed that there is no travel time restriction of any kind emanating from 7 Division,” he said.

    While calling on the people to be law-abiding and go about their lawful businesses, Samuel urged them to provide useful information to security agencies to enable them to counter insurgency and other sundry crimes.

     

  • Breaking: Army eliminate Boko Haram terrorists at Kasasewa

    Breaking: Army eliminate Boko Haram terrorists at Kasasewa

    Troops of 122 battalion Gwoza on surveillance patrol have intercepted and eliminated elements of Boko Haram terrorists at Kasasewa check point in Borno state.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the troops intercepted the Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday in the area at about 2200 hours.
    According to the Nigerian Army, at the end of the encounter 2 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
    Equipment captured included three AK47 rifles with registration numbers 07042452, 56-35205749, 692530, 3 magazines, 6 improvised 7.62 MM (special) rounds as well as clothing items which were destroyed.
    “Further exploitation of the general area is ongoing,” the Army stated.
    Meanwhile, the GOC 7 Division Brig Gen Bulama Biu has commended the troops and urged them to remain vigilant at all times.
     

  • Victims narrates horrifying killings of loved ones in Borno

    Some victims of the horrifying killing that happened in Kalle village of Borno state at the weekend, which left at least 12 farmers dead, have narrated their ordeals.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the victims narrated their ordeal to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) that noted the level of violence registered lately in Northeast Nigeria is alarming.
    According to Anja Riiser, NRC’s Area Manager in Maiduguri, “Farmers have been easy targets” the attacks.
    Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims only identified as Haruna, who escaped the attack, told NRC: “We were on the farms when about 15 armed men surrounded us.
    “They took the men to a tree and started slaughtering them like animals. They repeatedly said they will not allow any of us harvest the crops we cultivated this year.
    Another victim, identified Indagiju, also told NRC: “My children and I stood by as they killed my husband. I cried and pleaded for their mercy but they didn’t listen. I will never return to the farm again.
    According to the NRC’s Area Manager, the latest attack against farmers underscore the vulnerability of rural communities, even as the authorities are encouraging displaced people to return home to rebuild their lives.
    “These attacks risk making people too afraid to cultivate their land and may worsen the existing food crisis. Farmers should be able to cultivate their land and return to their families alive,” she said.
    According to NRC, at least 1300 persons are reported to have fled after the attack and many have taken refuge at a displacement camp in Maiduguri and families and friends of the slain farmers said they are too scared to return to their farms.
    The attacks on farmers risk worsening the existing food crisis in Northeast Nigeria. It is estimated that 2.9 million people are facing acute food insecurity in the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno where violence has been on the rise. Crops have been destroyed and food stores looted, while farmers have either been killed or forced to flee their fields.
    Large parts of Borno state may experience emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months, according to the latest forecast by Famine Early Warning Systems Network, with elevated risk of famine in several areas, NRC revealed.
    “There is an urgent need for measures to protect farmers against attacks and looting, so they can safely cultivate their lands and feed their families,” said Riiser, adding: “However, these measures to protect farmers should not translate into a restriction of their movements”.
     

  • NAF decimates Boko Haram hideout in Bogum, Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) hideout and neutralised several insurgents at Bogum in Northern Borno.
    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, made this known in a statement on Monday.
    Daramola, who noted that the attack was carried out on Sunday, added that the action followed intelligence report that the insurgents had been carrying out activities within the settlement.
    He stated that “the ATF used two Mi-35 Helicopter Gunships to engage and destroy the identified BHT positions in the village.
    “The task force focused on concentration areas of the insurgents and attacked in successive waves with direct hits on the targets, leading to the neutralisation of several BHTs.
    “The few surviving insurgents were tracked and mopped up in subsequent attacks.”
    The director added that NAF was working with surface forces and would sustain the tempo of operations with a view to destroying remnants of the terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad and other areas in Northern Borno.
     

  • Birth registrations: Borno dusts Kano, Lagos, others

    Borno is leading other states of the federation in the number of birth registrations conducted nationwide in the last five years, the National Population Commission (NPoPC) says.

    Mr Emmanuel Mark, Head of Department, Vital Registration Department, National Population Commission (NPoPC) in Borno, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

    He was speaking at the sideline of a Media Dialogue on Birth Registration in Kano, convened by the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) in support of the Child Right Information Bureau, Federal Ministry information, Culture and Tourism.

    The meeting had in attendance over 40 participants to tackle limitations hindering birth registration in the country.

    Borno is ahead of others in the chart of birth registration in Nigeria with 83 per cent under-one registration, and 20 per cent under-five registration within the period.

    Mark noted that the organisation in realising its dream, through the support of the UNICEF which engaged its staff with the business of registering children within the local government areas of the state.

    According to him, other organisations also give their support to Borno in ensuring that children were registered at birth.

    “Apart from UNICEF, there are other organisations like the UNHCR and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that supported us in the birth registration processes.

    “What we also did to earn the glory was to assign our registrars not to only register at designated centres but also register in private hospitals and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

    “So we have to take advantage of the IDP camps across the state and register the children,” he said.

    Mark explained that traditional rulers and Religious Organisations were not involved in this registration but added that in the subsequent process they would be involved.

    He insisted that if the traditional and religious institutions were brought in earlier, the birth registration in the country within the five years would have skyrocketed.

    Mark, therefore, called on parents and stakeholders to ensure that new born babies were registered as this was the only way to show the true picture of a child’s identity and as well be included in the population of the country.

    The National Demographic Health Survey (DHS) revealed that Borno tops the birth registration rate with 172,878 boys and 190,438 girls totaling 363,316 within the period.

    The state tops Lagos, Ibadan Kano, FCT and Oyo states, which have more population with an aggregate of 83 per cent and 20 per cent registration under one and five years respectively.

    Kano came second on the chart with the registration of 172,925 boys and 166,023 girls totaling 338,948.

    Also, Lagos state registered 117,586 boys and 113,998 girls totaling 231,584 while Oyo State registered 86,615 boys and 86,522 girls which gave a total figure of 173,137 registration.

    The state with the lowest birth registration is Bayelsa with 7,567 boys and 7,309 girls registration with total figure of 14,876 which translated to an aggregate of 15 per cent and three per cent under one and five years registration respectively.

    Birth registration is the continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the occurrence and characteristics of birth.

    However, birth registration is free, which means that children aged between 0 and 17 can be registered free at any healthcare facility centre across the country.

     

  • Boko Haram ambush: Army reacts [Full statement]

    The Nigerian Army has reacted to news of attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    TheNewsGuru reports no fewer than 23 Nigerian soldiers were yet to be accounted for after insurgents allegedly ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama.

    “The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media,” the Army said in a statement signed by Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.

    Read statement:

    The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making the round alleging attack on soldiers and capturing of military vehicles by Boko Haram in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the report is not only untrue but misleading as the said report is blown out of proportion by the media.

    Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.

    The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bugged down.

    The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles, but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force. About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists. Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.

    While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the media, certain facts must be reported with caution particularly now that numerous successes have been recorded by the troops in the fight against insurgency.

    Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.

    It is my well-thought-out opinion that in future, media practitioners should endeavour to verify facts from the appropriate military authority before rushing to the press.

     

  • Force HQ denies Police protest in Maiduguri

    Force HQ denies Police protest in Maiduguri

    The Nigeria Police Force has said no police personnel protested as a result of non-payment of special duty allowance and that police officers and men in the State are on their duty posts ensuring public peace and law and order in the State.

    Force Public Relations Officers, Ag. DCP Jimoh O. Moshood of the Force Headquarters in Abuja stated this in reactions to reports that policemen are protesting non-payment of allowances in Maiduguri.

    “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance.

    “The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018,” the Force said in a statement.

    According to the Force Headquarters, “Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media”.

    “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.

    “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.

    “The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State,” the statement further read.