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Tag: Borno

  • TRAGIC TUESDAY: Three Borno politicians in Zulum’s convoy die as vehicle somersaults

    TRAGIC TUESDAY: Three Borno politicians in Zulum’s convoy die as vehicle somersaults

    Three politicians accompanying Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, have died in an auto crash on their way back from Mafa, the governor’s hometown.

    The governor had returned to his local ward in Mafa on Tuesday from where he flagged off the membership revalidation exercise of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to reports, the former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Party’s caretaker chairman, Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly and other party faithful were among those in Zulum’s motorcade from Maiduguri to Mafa for the event.

    The event was successfully conducted and the convoy had headed back to Maiduguri where the former governor was scheduled to revalidate his membership in his local ward of Lamisula, when the ill-fated politicians driving in one of the pilot jeeps met their death.

    Witnesses said the vehicle lost a tire, swerved off the road and began to somersault, killing three occupants, one of whom was the Chief of Kanuri people in Lagos, Mai Masa Mohammed.

    His title was Mai Kanuribe and he was also the Sarkin Hausa of Ijora.

    The governor accompanied the corpse of the late chieftain to his family compound in Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri where he is being prepared for burial later today.

  • Nigerian troops battle Boko Haram in Borno, recover gun truck, others

    Nigerian troops battle Boko Haram in Borno, recover gun truck, others

    Attempt by Boko Haram insurgency group to attack Gamboru Ngala town in Borno State was thwarted by Nigerian troops on Thursday, according to a report by PRNigeria.

    The website, quoting military sources said the troops overwhelmed the insurgents with superior firepower.

    According to the sources as the terrorists advanced towards the town from various locations, they were effectively repelled and overwhelmed by troops who fought their way out, killing a number of them and recovering a gun truck, motorcycles among other weapons.

    In a sustained onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian troops operating under the auspices of Operation Tura Ta Kai Bango have of late been combing different axis in the state in search of remnants of the insurgents.

    It is believed in many quarters that the new initiative and vigour of taking the war to the terrorist elements in their hideouts will be the clincher that will finally seal the fate of the terrorists.

  • Mob lynches soldier for killing five civilians in Borno

    Mob lynches soldier for killing five civilians in Borno

    There was pandemonium on Saturday in Borno after a soldier allegedly killed five civilians at Barka da Zuwa, a well known hideout for criminals along Baga road in Maiduguri.

    According to reports, the killing angered residents who gathered in their numbers to lynch the soldier.

    An eyewitness, who identified himself as Musa, said the incident happened around 8.30pm on Saturday, adding that the soldier opened fire and ordered people to leave the place.

    “I saw the soldier walk in straight to where his girlfriend was seated and immediately opened fire in between her legs. He said we should leave the place. He fired three rounds of shot simultaneously.

    “Those shots he fired killed two persons instantly. He fired more and killed two other persons. As he made way to escape, he fired into the air, but the boys around followed and stabbed him in the back before disarming and slaying him with knife,” Musa, a bakery worker, said.

    Killings, according to available information, have become recurrent at the notorious criminal black spot located along Maimalari Army Barrack that hosts Operation Lafiya Dole and 7 Division of the Nigerian army.

    “They kill people here every time. These soldiers come here with their arms and ammunition fully loaded. When they come and meet you with their girlfriends, who are all commercial sex workers, they will shoot you and run away,” another source said.

    According to the eyewitnesses, the dead bodies were evacuated by relations of the victims while many others sustained injuries during the shooting.

    “The military police came and evacuated the body of the slain soldier; the Igbo people evacuated the body of the Igbo boy killed by the stray bullet. He was in his shop selling when the bullet hit him; his name is Azuka. The other bodies were also evacuated by their relatives.

    “But the injured ones are many; nobody can tell you how many got injured because while the police from Ibrahim Taiwo came for arrests, many people ran for safety. There was pandemonium everywhere,” Luka, a shop owner at Barka da Zuwa stated.

    Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command is yet confirm or issue a statement on the incident.
  • Air strikes decimate Boko Haram camp in Borno – Military

    Air strikes decimate Boko Haram camp in Borno – Military

    The military on Saturday said it has destroyed another Boko Haram terrorist’s training camp in Borno, along with a suspected ammunition depot.

    The operation was carried out by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole at Nuwar in the Bama area of Borno State on January 14, according to a statement signed by spokesman Major-General John Enenche.

    Some terrorists were also neutralised, the military said.

    “This was achieved . . . sequel to intelligence reports indicating that the cluster of huts and other structures in the settlement were being used to conduct combat training for the terrorists on a regular basis,” the statement said.

    “Consequently, the Air Task Force, after conducting series of confirmatory aerial surveillance missions, dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter gunships for a night air raid on the location.

    “The helicopters scored devastating hits in the target area which led to the neutralization of several BHTs as well as the destruction of some of their structures, including the terrorists’ armoury, where multiple mini-explosions were observed amidst the raging fire. Several other terrorists were taken out in follow-on attacks by the helicopter gunships.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, operating in concert with other security agencies and stakeholders, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Great Nation. We shall not relent until peace and normalcy are restored not only in the North East but also in every other troubled region of our beloved country.”

    Meanwhile, troops of Operation Tura Takaibango in conjunction with the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole, have destroyed seven Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ gun trucks, according to another military spokesman, Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko.

    An unconfirmed number of the terrorists were also decimated, according to Onyeuko’s Saturday statement.

    The terrorists met their waterloo when they attempted to attack the location of the troops at the outskirts of Marte in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, the military said.

    “The gallant troops, based on reliable information about the attack, had positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to the fierce battle that resulted in the successes recorded as indicated above,” the statement added.

    “The troops are still engaged in the pursuit of the fleeing terrorists for further exploitation. Further details of interest to members of the public will be communicated later.”

  • 15 killed in Borno road accident

    15 killed in Borno road accident

    Fifteen people lay dead Friday after two commuter buses collided on the Maiduguri – Damaturu road.

    The Borno Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Sanusi Ibrahim, said the accident occurred near Mainok village in Kaga Local Government Area.

    “I just got the report from our unit in Beneshiek that two buses carrying 15 passengers including the drivers were involved in a fatal collision and that all the 15 people in the two buses died,” Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Eight of the victims were female while the rest were male, he said.

    All the corpses were taken to the General Hospital, Beneshiek, headquarters of Kaga local government.

    Ibrahim said the driver of the bus lost control because of a burst tyre leading to the collision.

  • NAF destroys new Boko Haram settlement in Borno

    NAF destroys new Boko Haram settlement in Borno

    The Air Task Force of the Operation Lafiya Dole has destroyed a new Boko Haram settlement in Borno State.

    According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major-General, John Enenche, the latest feat was achieved on January 1 at Mana Waji of the state.

    “Air interdiction missions being conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued to deal decisive blows on terrorist elements operating in the North East Zone of the Country with the elimination of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and destruction of their structures and logistics store,” the statement read in part.

    “The airstrikes, which were executed employing a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships, were carried out after series of aerial surveillance missions revealed that the new settlement was being used to store their weapons and logistics items and as well as plan and stage attacks. On sighting the NAF aircraft, the insurgents were seen fleeing the location.

    “Consequently, in a preemptive move, the NAF attack aircraft engaged the new location in successive passes, leading to the destruction of some of the structures and logistics stores. Several insurgents were also neutralized in the process”.

  • Landmine kills seven hunters chasing Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    Landmine kills seven hunters chasing Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    Seven hunters who were on the heels of Boko Haram terrorists Tuesday in Borno were killed after a landmine exploded, witnesses and officials said.

    The hunters, who were recently given guns and vehicles to hunt insurgents, died after their vehicle stepped on a landmine planted by Boko Haram on a rough path near a village called Kayamla in Jere local government of Borno state.

    One of the survivors, Abubakar Gambo, said they were 19 onboard their patrol truck when they heard a loud bang.

    “We were on patrol along Kayamla route when one of the rear tyres of our Toyota Land Cruiser truck exploded,” he said.

    “We thought it was a common tyre burst, but we later discovered it was a bomb blast.

    While we were trying to change the tyre, we spotted some Boko Haram gunmen creeping towards us. We began to fire in their direction while calling for a backup. Soon, the Boko Haram terrorists fled and left some rustled herds of cows behind.

    “Our backup team arrived and began to chase after the insurgents who had already gone far into the bush. As they were making their way back, the vehicle ran over a massive bomb that exploded and killed nine of them instantly, while nine others were injured. I saw their vehicle as it was tossed up into the air.”

    The Borno state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sa’ina Buba, confirmed the incident during the funeral of the seven slain hunters in Borno.

    “We were saddened by the death of these gallant hunters who have sacrificed their lives to protect us.

    “We evacuated the corpses and the injured victims to the hospital last night. Seven of them died at the scene of the attack

    “We call on the federal government of Nigeria to support these hunters with better weapons and vehicles to enable the hunters to provide the needed support to the military. The hunters know the terrain better and they understand the tactics of the terrorists. If we don’t give support to the local hunters and vigilante, very soon they would be discouraged and the terrorists would overrun our towns again.”

    A House of Representatives member, Ahmed Satomi, who represents the area where the attack took place, also confirmed the attack.

    “We have just buried seven hunters, God knows how many more would be buried again if the federal government of Nigeria continue to ignore the fact that we need a deliberate policy that will empower the youth vigilante to carry a better weapon that will end this fight. Last week it was the Zabarmari farmer that were buried in mass, today it is the Kayamla hunters.We can’t continue like this.

    At the funeral venue, hundreds of mourners wept as the blood-drenched corpses of the seven hunters were lowered for burial.

    Borno State has been the epicentre of Boko Haram murderous activities since 2009.-

  • Several feared dead as Boko Haram launches another attack on four Borno villages

    Several feared dead as Boko Haram launches another attack on four Borno villages

    Several persons were feared dead on Saturday as Boko Haram terrorists on launched another streak of attacks in four villages in the southern part of the troubled Borno State.

    According to local sources who are on the run, the attack is ongoing as of 9pm on Saturday.

    According to reports, the insurgents rode in at least 10 Toyota Hilux vans, and they were first seen around Mandara Dirau at about 1pm.

    The insurgents were said to have proceeded unchallenged through parts of villages identified as Debiro, Tashan Alade, Tirgitu, and Shaffa town shooting sporadically, looting food items, and setting houses ablaze.

    Villages attacked are situated within Hawul and Shaffa Local Government Areas of the state.

    Terrified villagers were said to have hidden in nearby mountains, except for the old and the sick that were feared to be stuck in the mayhem.

    For fear of attacks, farmers in remote villages resorted to storing their harvested food in rented stores at the local government headquarters of Biu Local Government.

    According to reports, despite distress calls to the military, the terrorists were not repelled, adding that the villages attacked today (Saturday) are not remote and the attacks were unexpected.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the insurgents have been launching attacks since Thursday where a Chibok village was ransacked during a Christmas Eve carol night.

    A similar attack was also launched in Garkida, an Adamawa town bordering southern Borno.

    Saturday’s attack is the third in three days, with no word from the military.

    Details of the attacks are still sketchy as villagers are still in hiding.

    Boko Haram and a splinter group known as the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have launched a series of attacks in Nigeria for more than a decade now.

    More than 30,000 people have been killed and nearly 3 million displaced in a decade of Boko Haram violence in Nigeria, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

    According to the UN Refugee Agency, violence by Boko Haram has affected 26 million people in the Lake Chad region and displaced 2.6 million others.

  • Photos: Zulum swears-in two professors, PhD holders as council chairmen in Borno

    Photos: Zulum swears-in two professors, PhD holders as council chairmen in Borno

    Two university professors and a PhD holder were among the 27 newly elected council chairmen sworn-in Wednesday by Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

    One of the two professors was Adamu Alooma, a Professor of banking and finance, also former Dean, at the Faculty of Management Sciences in University of Maiduguri.

    He took oath to become chairman of Damboa local government area.

    The second professor was Ibrahim Bukar a Professor of education, also from UNIMAID.

    Zulum, right with his predecessor Senator Kashim Shettima

    He was sworn-in as chairman of Gwoza LGA.

    Also sworn in was a PhD holder, Dr Ali Lawan Yaumi, for Magumeri alongside.

    There were other holders of post graduate and first degrees, as well as experienced grassroots politicians with capacity for public service delivery.

    During the swearing in ceremony, which took place at the multipurpose hall of the government house in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum recalled that election was not conducted in the state for over 10 years, due to lingering security situation in Borno.

    The ceremony was well attended by party leaders led by former governor Kashim Shettima, state caretaker chairman of the APC Ali Bukar Dalori, other national and state assembly members led by the speaker, members of the state executive council, party elders, royal fathers and other notable persons numerous to list.

    The Governor congratulated all the elected chairmen with a reminder of the major task ahead of them which they could only do with resources at their disposal.

    He also directed the ministry for local government and emirate affairs to immediately release to elected chairmen, all funds allocated to the 27 local government councils from the federation account so they could begin to impact lives at the grassroots.

    He called on the elected officials to discharge their duties with the fear of God, but without fear or favour.

    He also urged the council chairmen to operate in their LGAs.

    He said, governance will not make sense if chairmen choose to operate from Maiduguri whereas those who cast votes from them live in local government areas outside Maiduguri.

    Zulum noted that the chairmen need to live and operate from the midst of their people in order to know problems of the moments and address them.

  • Boko Haram attacks Borno town, murders soldier, four civilians

    Boko Haram attacks Borno town, murders soldier, four civilians

    Boko Haram terrorists have killed one soldier and four other persons in an attack on Askira town in the southern part of Borno State.

    It was gathered that the attack occurred around 1pm on Saturday and by the time the insurgents were repelled by a fighter jet, a master warrant officer, one vigilante and three other residents of the town had been killed.

    A source from the army base in Askira told one of our correspondents that the Boko Haram fighters stormed the town in about 15 gun trucks and opened on the army base.

    The source said, “They came into town in about 15 gun trucks and attack our arms store. But it was empty as they had earlier stolen our arms and ammunition. They killed one master warrant officer.

    “Soldiers ran for cover because the terrorists outnumbered us, but a fighter jet came and attacked the insurgents. Three of them were killed and four of their gun trucks were destroyed. Many of the attackers were injured, but they destroyed one army gun truck.”

    In addition, a resident of Askira, who did not want to be named, said after the terrorists were repelled by the fighter jet, “they went into the village shooting indiscriminately, killing four residents, including a vigilante.”

    The woman added, “We got a warning call from the neighbouring village that some people had sighted the terrorists. Around 1pm, we heard gunshots.

    She said they hid in the till it was dark enough for them to sneak into the town.

    The Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa, had yet to respond to inquiries on the incident. He did not respond to phone calls and a test message seeking his comment on Sunday.

    But a statement by the spokesperson, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa, confirmed the attack at Askira but added that the nsurgents also suffered heavy losses from the troops of 28 Task Force Brigade.

    It read partly, “On December 12, 2020, Boko Haram terrorists attempted to attack Askira Uba in Borno State. The terrorists were suspected to have come from Sambisa Forest, mounted on over 15 gun trucks and approached the town from different directions simultaneously. Troops responded and engaged the criminals with superior fire power.

    Similarly, a statement on Sunday by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, confirmed that the air task force of Operation Lafiya Dole eliminated “several Boko Haram insurgents at Njimia on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State, in airstrikes.”

    It added that three bandits were killed and four others apprehended in another operation by the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke.

    Enenche, in the statement said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, “in the early hours of Saturday, raided identified bandits hideouts at Tomatar Ugba and Kundi villages in Mbacher council ward of Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, where the three hoodlums were killed.”