TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno

  • Insecurity: Japan donates $2.3m to Borno, North East Commission

    Insecurity: Japan donates $2.3m to Borno, North East Commission

    The government of Japan has donated the sum of $2.3million infrastructure funds to the Borno State government and Northeast Development Commission (NEDC).

    The fund is to strengthen healthcare provision and build the resilience of health systems in conflict-affected communities.

    This was revealed on Tuesday during a meeting by United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and NEDC officials and Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum.

    The project which is implemented by the UNOPS is primarily aimed at scaling up oxygen supply and expand vaccine storage capacity in 139 healthcare centers and nine hospitals across Borno State.

    The rollout phase for the oxygen plants is expected to commence by March 2022 and is expected to benefit 7.1million residents and Internally Displaced Persons IDPs across Borno State.

    Through the construction of oxygen systems in the state, the project launched virtually by Governor Zulum, fills critical gaps in clinical response to respiratory illnesses among residents of the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Borno State is one of the worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency with many residents displaced and leaving in camps.

  • Terrorists attack NGOs, UN facilities in Borno

    Terrorists attack NGOs, UN facilities in Borno

    Islamic State-linked jihadists on Saturday attacked humanitarian facilities in the restive northeastern town of Damasak, Borno State.

    The attack which happened on Saturday night, is the second in two months affecting one of the United Nations nine hubs in the country.

    According to reports, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed Damasak, in Borno state, setting fire to facilities of international aid organisations.

    “ISWAP fighters are still inside Damasak, moving on the streets, firing guns and setting humanitarian facilities on fire,” said an aid worker who asked not to be identified.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered that the UN hub was gutted after fire set on the nearby office of an international charity spread to the UN facility, said a second aid worker.

    The offices of three other international NGOs were also burnt by the insurgents who took over the town, the second aid worker added.

    Ongoing fire burning in the vicinity of an NGO warehouse has escalated into humanitarian hub facilities, read a UN memo on Saturday night.

    A military source confirmed the Saturday attack on Damasak but said militants failed to overrun the town.

    “They came through the town towards the Brigade but they were repelled,” the military officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing details.

    Some residents were reported to be fleeing from the town towards neighbouring Niger.

    Damasak has repeatedly been targeted by ISWAP militants who have made several failed attempts to overrun a military outpost outside the town.

    ISWAP, which split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016, has become a dominant threat in the country, attacking soldiers and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at bogus checkpoints.

    On March 1, ISWAP jihadists overran a UN hub in Dikwa, killing six civilians and forcing aid workers to temporarily retreat from the town despite urgent humanitarian needs.

  • NAF commences search for missing fighter jet in Borno

    NAF commences search for missing fighter jet in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has raised a search and rescue team for its missing Alpha-Jet.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the fighter jet with two crew members lost contact with radar around 5pm on Wednesday.

    It was on an interdiction mission in support of ground troops in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, where Boko Haram is hottest.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Oladayo Amao visited Borno State where he was briefed on the incident.

    Amao, who arrived in the state barely a day after the incident occurred on Wednesday evening, was briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing aircraft.

    He appealed to NAF pilots, engineers, and technicians on the ground to remain undeterred and resolute in their commitment to ensuring that peace was returned to the North East.

    NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Edward Gabkwet dismissed insinuations that the aircraft was gunned down by terrorists.

    He said: “Rescue and search mission has started and whatever we find out will be made public. So we should discountenance with all the insinuations,” he added.

  • Aggrieved soldiers protest poor equipment, unpaid allowances in Borno

    Aggrieved soldiers protest poor equipment, unpaid allowances in Borno

    Soldiers of an unidentified battalion in Operation Lafiya Dole have protested their posting to a location in the Theatre of Operation.

    The aggrieved soldiers, according to sources at the Maimalari barracks besieged the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Borno State, shooting sporadically into the air on Thursday night following their deployment.

    They cited non-payment of allowances and poor equipment as reasons for their rebellion.

    Some of the soldiers who spoke under anonymity recall how a whole unit that went for reinforcement when Marte was captured last month, perished under superior firepower of the enemy forces.

    This protest is coming on the heels of arms procurements mystery recently exposed by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, where both the outgoing and incoming service chiefs said they are in the dark on the whereabouts of the funds or equipment.

    No less than ₦1 billion was released for the procurement according to Monguno, a retired Major General.

    Meanwhile, the Media Coordinator for Operation Lafiya Dole Colonel Ado Isa as well as the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima are yet to react to the latest development.

  • Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno LG, kidnap seven aid workers

    Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno LG, kidnap seven aid workers

    Boko Haram terrorists on Monday attacked Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State and abducted at least seven aid workers.

    According to reports and eyewitness accounts, the insurgents during the attack also burnt the offices of the aid workers, destroyed government facilities, and hospitals belonging to NGOs.

    An eyewitness said that the insurgents stormed the town at 5:30 pm on Monday evening, and have since been in control of the town.

    The eyewitness said troops have been battling to dislodge the town throughout the night.

    Reinforcement from Ajiri town was ambushed by the insurgents in the early hours of Tuesday which slowed every attempt to engage the Boko Haram insurgents when they struck.

    Some aid workers who based in the town said the insurgents set ablaze buildings and health facilities belonging to humanitarian workers.

    The attack is coming 24 hours after the state governor Babagana Zulum returned from a trip after spending three nights in Dikwa.

    Zulum left Maiduguri on Wednesday, a day after Marte was liberated, and proceeded to Dikwa where he stayed till Saturday, proceeded to Ngala, and returned to Maiduguri on Sunday.

    According to sources stuck in the area, the insurgents are currently moving freely in the town, and have mounted a checkpoint at the exit preventing people from fleeing to Maiduguri.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Chief of Army staff had recently visited the headquarters of the Army Super Camp 9 located in Dikwa, where he gave troops a 48-hour ultimatum to clear insurgents from neighboring Marte local government.

    At least 35,000 people had fled Marte to Dikwa when the insurgents attacked.

  • UPDATED: 10 killed, 47 injured in Maiduguri explosions

    UPDATED: 10 killed, 47 injured in Maiduguri explosions

    Ten persons have been killed while 47 persons are said to have sustained injuries from the explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday evening.

    Hospital officials where the affected persons were rushed to, confirmed the figures to Governor Babagana Zulum who was there to assess the situation.

    Residents of the area were thrown into panic mode at about 7:00 pm when multiple sources reported gunshots and explosions near the Gomari area of the state.

    Sources said explosions were also heard in Mairi area, a student’s village near the University of Maiduguri.

    But the military immediately deployed gun trucks to the area as earlier reports indicated that worshippers in a mosque on the street called “Layin Bori” may have been killed.

    Shortly after, it observed that an air patrol had also commenced as the military combed the marked area around Gwange.

    This is the first attack on Maiduguri town in a long time and this may not be unconnected with the sustained onslaught on insurgents in the Sambisa axis of the state.

    Sustained attacks on Boko Haram strongholds have in the past forced the insurgents to regroup as they sometimes filter into towns or attack soft targets.

  • COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru has given a 48-hour marching order for the clearance of Marte and three other communities in Borno state.

    Attahiru gave the order in Dikwa Local Government, the headquarters of the Super Camp 9 Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “In the last few days we have had attacks in your Area of Responsibility: it is now high time we get back and fight through and support our forces ahead of you. Areas around Marte, Chukungudu, Krenoa and Kirta Wulgo must be cleared in the next 48 hours,” he said.

    “You can rest assured of all the support required in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to your Theatre Commander, General Officer Commanding, you cannot let this nation down. Go there and do the needful and I will be right behind you. Ensure you do your job, and do your job well.

    “They have presented certain issues that came up, sooner rather than later we would address; where there are no adequate A and B vehicles we would provide with these few remarks. I wish you well on the operation and I know the morale is high.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the COAS’ visit is sequeĺ to attacks in the next town, Marte which filters to Dikwa causing panic among civilians.

    Normalcy has since been restored in Dikwa and the army chief has addressed the people, seeking their cooperation and support.

    Attahiru directed the immediate clearance operations in Marte and other towns harbouring insurgents in the Super camp 9 Area of responsibility.

    The order comes 24 hours after insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram hoisted their flag in parts of Marte local government in Borno State, according to military sources.

    The insurgents repeatedly attacked the local government within the week.

    On Friday, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Dikwa local government.

    But they were repelled by a combined effort of the air component and ground forces of Operation Lafiya Dole in a battle that lasted hours, sources said.

  • Boko Haram repeatedly attacks LG in Borno, hoists flag

    Boko Haram repeatedly attacks LG in Borno, hoists flag

    Insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram have hoisted their flag in parts of Marte local government in Borno State, according to military sources.

    According to a report by Channels Television, the insurgents repeatedly attacked the local government within the week.

    On Friday, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Dikwa local government.

    They were repelled by a combined effort of the air component and ground forces of Operation Lafiya Dole in a battle that lasted hours, sources said.

    Meanwhile, the attack dislodged many residents of Dikwa who fled into bushes to take refuge.

    The insurgents also laid an ambush for the reinforcements deployed from the theatre command headquarters located in Maiduguri.

    The attack on Marte came barely two months after the Borno state government resettled 500 households in New Marte.

    The casualty figure for the attack is still unknown, but some soldiers injured from Marte have since been evacuated to Maiduguri where they are currently being treated.

  • Troops eliminate two most wanted Boko Haram commanders in Borno

    Troops eliminate two most wanted Boko Haram commanders in Borno

    Nigerian Army Headquarters says the troops of Operation Tura Takaibango on Tuesday eliminated two most wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib in an encounter at Pulka axis of Borno.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Yerima said the renewed offensive operations by troops under the theatre command, Operation Lafiya Dole, had continued to inflict heavy casualty on the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North East.

    He said the troops of 121 and 151 Battalions had on Tuesday, laid ambush at the terrorists’ crossing point between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction – Pulka axis.

    He said that three terrorists, including the two wanted commanders were neutralised during the ambush.

    According to him, the troops also recovered three GPMG, seven AK47 rifles, a belt of ammunition containing 446 rounds of 7.62mm, one Boxer motorcycle and one ITEL 2160 mobile phone among others.

    “Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib were among the top BHTs commanders of the Shekau faction operating in Sambisa forest and environs.

    “The two terrorist commanders have been on the intelligence watch-list for some time.

    “Abul-Bas was a top commander second to Abu Fatima, while Ibn Habib was the BHT Commander in charge of Njimia and Parisu camps in the Sambisa Forest,” he said.

    The spokesperson said the elimination of Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib by the gallant troops had inflicted a big blow on the operations of the terrorists and further boosted the morale of the troops of Operation Tura Takaibango.

    “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has commended the troops for this feat and other successes being recorded in the Theatre.

    “He further charged them to intensify the aggressive clearance operation in order to clear the Sambisa Forest and environs of all remnant terrorists and their collaborators,” he said.

  • APC chieftain, 2 others die in Borno road crash

    APC chieftain, 2 others die in Borno road crash

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has died after the car in which he was travelling crashed on the Mafa-Maiduguri Road in Borno State yesterday.

    A witness said Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed who was the Mai Kanuribe (head of Kanuri people) in Lagos, alongside his friend, were “pronounced dead” at the scene while one other person survived the crash.

    The witness said the three who were returning in a Lexus SUV from Mafa Town after the flag off of the APC membership registration and revalidation exercise.

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum who arrived the scene shortly after the crash directed his medical team to transport the survivor to a medical facility while the late Alhaji Mohammed and his late friend were taken to his house in Bulunkutu, Maiduguri, accompanied by the governor, where funeral prayers were conducted.

    Meanwhile, contrary to media reports, Borno State Government yesterday issued a statement which said the convoy of Governor Zulum was not involved in road accident.

    A statement signed by the spokesman to the governor, Malam Isa Gusau described as “a completely inaccurate news flash published online by an international broadcast news media, which erroneously reported that Zulum’s convoy was today, involved in accident.”

    The statement said: “While acknowledging with so much grief, empathy for the bereaved families, honour and the highest respect for the memory of the Mai Kanuribe of Lagos, Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad, who alongside two others, died in a car accident along Maiduguri-Mafa road on Tuesday in Borno State, we hereby clarify that the convoy of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was not in any way involved in the accident referred to. The news report was completely inaccurate.”

    However, Gusau agreed that the deceased ‘no doubt’ traveled to Mafa in solidarity with Governor Zulum’s administration and the APC but left for Maiduguri ahead of the governor.

    “The governor alongside Senator Kashim Shettima and some leaders, came across the accident on way back from Mafa and as expected, the governor and those accompanying him, followed bodies of the Mai, and others, to their families in Maiduguri, empathized with bereaved families and took part in funerals,” it said.

    Gusau said the governor ‘very deeply’ shared the grief of the Mai’s bereaved family and the families of those who died with him.

    “The Governor prays that Allah forgives the shortcomings of the Mai, and those who died with him, and admits all of them into Aljanna Firdaus” Gusau wrote in the statement,” the statement said.