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Tag: Borno

  • Troops foil ISWAP insurgents’ attack, recover weapons in Borno

    Troops foil ISWAP insurgents’ attack, recover weapons in Borno

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 3, have foiled an attempted attack by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along Magumeri – Maiduguri axis, in Borno.

    The troops also recovered catche of ammunitions from the insurgents in a tactical operation in the area.

    Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osaba, Chief Military Information Officer, MNJTF, N’djamena, Chad, said this in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.

    He said the troops executed a tactical ambush, neutralising the threat before the terrorists could wreak havoc on innocent civilians.

    Osaba said the troops positioned themselves tactically along the terrorists’ path of movement, and engaged them as they emerged from a forested area on motorcycles.

    “On sighting the troops, the terrorists attempted to flee but were met with a heavy barrage of gunfire.

    “This decisive engagement forced them to abandon their weapons and motorcycles, disrupting their plan to unleash violence in the region,” he said.

    He listed the weapons recovered to include two AK-47 Rifles, 51 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two magazines, 61 rounds of 7.62 NATO ammunition, parcels of marijuana, Tramadol, among others.

  • Alau Dam: FG urged to investigate Ecological Fund utilisation in Borno

    Alau Dam: FG urged to investigate Ecological Fund utilisation in Borno

    More Nigerians have joined the call for the Federal Government to launch an investigation into the N231.07 million spent on Alau Dam repairs in 6 years, as well as the utilization of ecological funds collected by Borno state.

    Participants made the demand during an anti-corruption radio program, “Public Conscience,” produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The persuasion for immediate action by the Federal Government follows a collapse of the Alau dam, leading to devastating floods in Maiduguri communities, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, and shelters, severely affecting livelihoods.

    According to a report by the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), between 2018 and 2024, the federal government paid N231.07 million to six contractors for rehabilitation and repairs of the Alau dam, with further investigations showing 4 out of the six contractors, with untraceable addresses.

    Borno State also collected N816 million as ecological fund allocations from June 2023 to June 2024.

    A member of Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum, Alhaji Abba Kaka, led the call for anti-graft agencies to swing into action immediately, probe the mismanagement of ecological funds and ensure punishment is served on culprits.

    Kaka maintained that the latest collapse of the Alau dam and subsequent flooding of Maiduguri communities resulted from systemic corruption prevalent in other states across the federation. He added that most contractors in Nigeria typically focus more on personal gain than delivering quality jobs.

    “This dam is supposed to be maintained, and there have been so many warning signs over the last few months because it had happened before in 1994, 30 years ago. This time, it happened on a much larger scale. So the warning signs were there, but it failed because of the systemic corruption in the system, and unfortunately, it’s not only in Maiduguri – a couple of days ago, there was a flood in Kano, and two weeks ago, there was also a flood in Kaduna, there was a flood in Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, and it’s all over the place. So systemic corruption is what it is.

    “Anybody responsible for our people being messed up like this should be investigated, invited by the EFCC, arrested by the Police and all the security operatives for the person to explain and let them get some experts to see who failed in their responsibility.

    “The systemic problem of Nigeria is getting worse. So all the security agencies, the EFCC especially, should be strengthened first to prevent this kind of negligence, and they should go after whoever is responsible,” He said.

    Kaka urged more support to victims of the Maiduguri flooding from well-meaning Nigerians while advising citizens to demand accountability of ecological funds and other resources managed by political leaders.

    A journalist with the ICIR, Kehinde Ogunyale, welcomed the calls for the government to probe the management of Alau dam repair funds while calling for more focus on the utilization of ecological funds to the 36 states of the federation. He said, “If road and other revenue-gulping projects are called into question, ecological funds should not be treated differently.”

    Ogunyale disclosed that ICIR’s findings showed that the Alau dam collapse was orchestrated more by corruption, negligence, and fraudulent contracting than climate change, as claimed by the Borno State Government.

    “Unfortunately, what happened with the Alau dam collapse didn’t start first from a climate issue; it was exacerbated because of an infrastructural problem, and that’s why we had to question over N200m allocated for this dam in the space of 6 years by different administrations.

    “We were unable to find specific details of these contractors like addresses and phone numbers online, which on a larger scale, makes it a little bit shady because when you take a Federal Government project, we should be able to find a phone number we can call. You find such shady things, and you begin to question, was this work done or was money just disbursed?

    “If it was done, maybe that dam would not have been damaged to the extent to which it got damaged.”

    Ogunyale urged Nigerians to start questioning the activities of government agencies, “If every govt agency fulfills their outlined mandate, a lot of reports that we tell as journalists will not be told. The first problem is to question the mandates of these agencies”.

    A victim of the flooding in Maiduguri, Nuhu Ismaila, describing the level of impact of the flood on the citizens, said a lot of people are still in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps as several houses were affected by the deluge.

    Ismaila confirmed that relief materials are getting to victims at IDP camps and that normalcy is gradually returning to the city. He disclosed that he is unaware of funds allocated for the repair of the Alau dam or the N816 million ecological funds Borno State collected between 2023 and 2024.

    He urged more support from the Nigerian government and citizens. He said: “The flood really affected us badly, some people are in camps. The Borno state government has been there, giving them food items and relief materials, but I didn’t get mine because I am not in camp.

    “My appeal is that people lost their lives and their houses. Right now, people are homeless and are still on the streets and roads. Those are the people that the government and some organizations should take serious note of,” Ismaila pleaded.

    An Abuja resident, Abdulkareem Ishabi, who called into the radio programme, also pleaded with the Tinubu’s administration to urgently launch an inquiry into managing Alau dam repair funds. He said: “I’d like the Federal Government to come in and investigate this matter. Let them be fair so we can have an iota of hope regarding accountability. Let’s put sincerity into this matter since it’s costing lives and property”.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Alau Dam: FG urged to investigate Ecological Fund utilisation in Borno

    Alau Dam: FG urged to investigate Ecological Fund utilisation in Borno

    More Nigerians have joined the call for the Federal Government to launch an investigation into the N231.07 million spent on Alau Dam repairs in 6 years, as well as the utilization of ecological funds collected by Borno state.

    Participants made the demand during an anti-corruption radio program, “Public Conscience,” produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The persuasion for immediate action by the Federal Government follows a collapse of the Alau dam, leading to devastating floods in Maiduguri communities, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, and shelters, severely affecting livelihoods.

    According to a report by the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), between 2018 and 2024, the federal government paid N231.07 million to six contractors for rehabilitation and repairs of the Alau dam, with further investigations showing 4 out of the six contractors, with untraceable addresses.

    Borno State also collected N816 million as ecological fund allocations from June 2023 to June 2024.

    A member of Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum, Alhaji Abba Kaka, led the call for anti-graft agencies to swing into action immediately, probe the mismanagement of ecological funds and ensure punishment is served on culprits.

    Kaka maintained that the latest collapse of the Alau dam and subsequent flooding of Maiduguri communities resulted from systemic corruption prevalent in other states across the federation. He added that most contractors in Nigeria typically focus more on personal gain than delivering quality jobs.

    “This dam is supposed to be maintained, and there have been so many warning signs over the last few months because it had happened before in 1994, 30 years ago. This time, it happened on a much larger scale. So the warning signs were there, but it failed because of the systemic corruption in the system, and unfortunately, it’s not only in Maiduguri – a couple of days ago, there was a flood in Kano, and two weeks ago, there was also a flood in Kaduna, there was a flood in Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, and it’s all over the place. So systemic corruption is what it is.

    “Anybody responsible for our people being messed up like this should be investigated, invited by the EFCC, arrested by the Police and all the security operatives for the person to explain and let them get some experts to see who failed in their responsibility.

    “The systemic problem of Nigeria is getting worse. So all the security agencies, the EFCC especially, should be strengthened first to prevent this kind of negligence, and they should go after whoever is responsible,” He said.

    Kaka urged more support to victims of the Maiduguri flooding from well-meaning Nigerians while advising citizens to demand accountability of ecological funds and other resources managed by political leaders.

    A journalist with the ICIR, Kehinde Ogunyale, welcomed the calls for the government to probe the management of Alau dam repair funds while calling for more focus on the utilization of ecological funds to the 36 states of the federation. He said, “If road and other revenue-gulping projects are called into question, ecological funds should not be treated differently.”

    Ogunyale disclosed that ICIR’s findings showed that the Alau dam collapse was orchestrated more by corruption, negligence, and fraudulent contracting than climate change, as claimed by the Borno State Government.

    “Unfortunately, what happened with the Alau dam collapse didn’t start first from a climate issue; it was exacerbated because of an infrastructural problem, and that’s why we had to question over N200m allocated for this dam in the space of 6 years by different administrations.

    “We were unable to find specific details of these contractors like addresses and phone numbers online, which on a larger scale, makes it a little bit shady because when you take a Federal Government project, we should be able to find a phone number we can call. You find such shady things, and you begin to question, was this work done or was money just disbursed?

    “If it was done, maybe that dam would not have been damaged to the extent to which it got damaged.”

    Ogunyale urged Nigerians to start questioning the activities of government agencies, “If every govt agency fulfills their outlined mandate, a lot of reports that we tell as journalists will not be told. The first problem is to question the mandates of these agencies”.

    A victim of the flooding in Maiduguri, Nuhu Ismaila, describing the level of impact of the flood on the citizens, said a lot of people are still in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps as several houses were affected by the deluge.

    Ismaila confirmed that relief materials are getting to victims at IDP camps and that normalcy is gradually returning to the city. He disclosed that he is unaware of funds allocated for the repair of the Alau dam or the N816 million ecological funds Borno State collected between 2023 and 2024.

    He urged more support from the Nigerian government and citizens. He said: “The flood really affected us badly, some people are in camps. The Borno state government has been there, giving them food items and relief materials, but I didn’t get mine because I am not in camp.

    “My appeal is that people lost their lives and their houses. Right now, people are homeless and are still on the streets and roads. Those are the people that the government and some organizations should take serious note of,” Ismaila pleaded.

    An Abuja resident, Abdulkareem Ishabi, who called into the radio programme, also pleaded with the Tinubu’s administration to urgently launch an inquiry into managing Alau dam repair funds. He said: “I’d like the Federal Government to come in and investigate this matter. Let them be fair so we can have an iota of hope regarding accountability. Let’s put sincerity into this matter since it’s costing lives and property”.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Why I focus on feeding 10,000 flood victims daily – Imam

    Why I focus on feeding 10,000 flood victims daily – Imam

    The Mutawalle of Borno, Alhaji Kashim Imam, says he engages in feeding 10,000 victims of Maiduguri flood disaster daily based on the victims’ critical requirement for now.

    Imam in an interview while monitoring the feeding programme, said, he would sustain the feeding, which he scaled it up from 6,000 to 10,000 for the victims in camps to complement government’s efforts.

    According to Imam, as the victims gradually move out of camps in few weeks, they will be supported with rice to start cooking for themselves as against the current practice of cooked food distribution.

    He commended his family members and volunteers for the daily cooking and distributing food to flood victims in various camps.

    “I want to particularly commend the military, who are not only actively engaged in search and rescue operations but also assist me in sharing the food to victims as well as ensuring orderliness and decorum during the exercise,” Imam said.

    The former Board Chairman of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), also lauded the concern and response from government, organisations, philanthropists, and all other individuals to the people of Borno over the sudden incident that took people unaware.

    “Nobody was prepared for this, people were caught unaware in the middle of the night.

    “Many escaped with the only clothes they were wearing, with some trapped for more than a week.

    “As the flood recedes, many cannot even go back to their homes because there’s no home to go back to,” Imam lamented.

    A cross section of the victims benefitting from Imam’s gesture, expressed gratitude for the support and urged other leaders and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the good gesture in complementing government efforts at all levels.

    “The most pressing issue now is saving lives and stabilising the survivors through feeding and shelter.

    “We want to sincerely thank the Mutawalle of Borno, other philanthropists and organisations doing similar exercise in various camps.

    “May God Almighty bless them and continue to touch their lives with joy and happiness as they touched our lives at this moment of need,” Habiba Idris, a displaced woman with two children prayed.

  • Akpabio commends Tinubu’s swift response to Borno flood disaster

    Akpabio commends Tinubu’s swift response to Borno flood disaster

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his timely intervention in the deadly floods that affected Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and other states as a result of devastating rainfall that occasioned the over flow from the Alau Dam.

    Akpabio gave the commendation in Government House, Maiduguri during the President’s condolence visit to Borno State and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi in Maiduguri.

    Recall that President Tinubu, made a detour from a trip to attend the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) Annual event holding in New York, flew into the country and same day led a powerful delegation to Maiduguri to commiserate with the governments and people of the flood affected states over the unfortunate disaster.

    The Senate President, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly assured the president of the parliament’s readiness to mobilise the required support to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the mitigation, prevention and tackling of disasters.

    “I regard this as a display of love,compassion and commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians” the Senate President remarked.

    Assuring the President of the resolve of the National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive, Akpabio said “On resumption, the National Assembly will mobilize to support the intervention purse and complement the efforts of the Federal Government, State governments, NNPCL, NEMA, and other interventionist agencies.”

    Senator Akpabio also promised to “add verve to the Special Disaster Intervention Fund when established” and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NNPCL, NEMA, the Armed Forces and other stakeholders for their swift and strong interventions in addressing the flood disaster. The National Assembly is committed to supporting all endeavors of governments at Federal and sub-nationals aimed at renewing the hopes of Nigerians”, he assured..

    “Most importantly, the President’s announcement to set up a Special Disaster Intervention Fund from FAAC allocations to assist in future unforeseen natural disasters demonstrates unrelenting commitment to good governance and transformative leadership.

    He equally commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his proactiveness in handling the disaster and attending to the needs of the victims.

  • Floods hit Maiduguri zoo, animals suddenly break free

    Floods hit Maiduguri zoo, animals suddenly break free

    Residents around Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Maiduguri, Borno State, trying to escape flooding are now thrown into confusion as some animals in the zoo have started coming out.

    According to reports, an Ostrich and a crocodile have already escaped as the flood rages on, raising fears that others like elephants, lions, and snakes domiciled in the zoo may find their way out at any moment.

    While one of the crocodiles that escaped was found dead after it was attacked by some unidentified person, the Ostrich has been wandering.

    When contacted, the Director, Forest and Wildlife, Mr Ayuba Peter, who said the incident took them unawares, confirmed that the Zoo Manager had intimated him about the recent development.

    Peter said roads around the area have been blocked to stop human movement, while wildlife staff were patrolling to pick any animal that escaped, particularly the carnivores.

    Meanwhile, a reliable source in the zoo told NAN that about 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo, particularly the carnivores who can’t escape due to their locked facility are dead, while others like snakes and crocodiles have been washed away by the flood.

    The raging flood from the collapsed Alau Dam has continued to submerged many areas in Maiduguri and environs.

  • There is no elephant in Sambisa forest – official

    There is no elephant in Sambisa forest – official

    The Borno government says there is no presence of elephants in the Sambisa forest.

    Mr Ayuba Peter, Director, Forestry and Wildlife in the Ministry of Environment, told NAN, that the last survey made by government regarding the presence of elephants in the forest, showed that there was none.

    “We conducted a survey before the Boko Haram insurgency and found that its population has been depleted by activities of poachers.

    “We used to have a herd of elephants in Sambisa forest, but due to poaching and other habitat destruction, we have lost them.

    “When we started having reports of their incursions from a neighbouring Cameroon forest into Borno, through Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge axis, we were excited.

    “Our hope was that they would proceed to Sambisa forest and probably find a more habitable place.

    “So far, they have continued to roam around the border areas destroying farmlands but without moving down to Sambisa,” Peter said.

  • Just in: Finally, Borno Judge regains freedom after two months in abductors den

    Just in: Finally, Borno Judge regains freedom after two months in abductors den

    Finally, Borno State High Court Judge, Haruna Mshelia, held captive since June, has regained freedom.

    Recall Mshelia was taken by suspected Boko Haram members on June 24 while traveling from Biu to Maiduguri with his wife, driver, and police escort. During the abduction, his police escort was killed.

    The judge’s release was confirmed through a message on a Borno lawyers’ WhatsApp group, which stated, “Alhamdulillah, we have just received the news of Justice Haruna Mshelia’s release.”

    According to Premium Times, only Judge Mshelia was freed; his wife and driver are still being held. The message urged continued prayers for their safe return.

    Details regarding the conditions of Mshelia’s release, including whether a ransom was paid, remain unclear. The police have not yet issued a statement on the matter.

    Chairman of the NBA Maiduguri branch, Hamza Zannah, verified Mshelia’s release to Humangle.

    Judge Mshelia, who transitioned from private legal practice to the Borno State Judiciary in May 2012, was one of two judges selected from private practitioners in the state.

    Borno is severely impacted by Boko Haram, making it one of Nigeria’s most terrorized states. The group’s actions have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and forced many others to flee.

  • NAF strikes kill 5 terrorist commanders, 35 fighters in Borno

    NAF strikes kill 5 terrorist commanders, 35 fighters in Borno

    The Air Component of Operation ”Hadin Kai” has eliminated five key terrorist commanders, alongside more than 35 foot soldiers, in a successful air interdictions in Arina, Southern Tumbuns of Borno.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), AVN Edward Gabkwet, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Gabkwet said the terrorist commanders killed in the air strikes on Aug. 16, include; Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (a.k.a Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, and Bakoura Arina Chiki.

    He said the air interdiction was a decisive effort to further weaken the activities of remnant of terrorists operating in the Northeast, while also protecting innocent civilians and own troops.

    According to him, intelligence had revealed the clandestine migration of terrorists into the area from neighboring locations prior to the mission.

    “Confirmatory Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions were further conducted on Aug. 12 and Aug. 15, identified numerous terrorists and active structures concealed under trees.

    “Consequently, coordinated airstrikes were launched over the location, and the targets successfully engaged, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists and the destruction of their structures.

    “Battle Damage Assessment after the strikes revealed that several equipment, vehicles, water vessels and a suspected medical dispensary were obliterated by the strikes.

    “Additionally, credible intelligence further revealed that five key terrorist leaders were either killed or severely injured in the strike.

    “This operation, no doubt, has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the few remaining terrorists in the region.

    “The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in safeguarding the region and ensuring peace and security prevail,” he said.

  • Air strikes destroy bomb factory in Borno

    Air strikes destroy bomb factory in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has destroyed terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) factory at Grazah, a location deep in the Mandara Hills in Borno.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Gebkwet said that the air interdiction was sequel to the recent attacks on innocent civilians in the state using IEDs and suicide bombers.

    He said air strikes were conducted on Aug. 2, following an intelligence which revealed the sighting of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics.

    According to him, for some time now, this IED factory was suspected to have been relocated, first from Gwoza to Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest and finally berthing at Grazah in the Mandara Hills.

    “Frequent relocation of IED factories has been attributed to the enormous fire power on the terrorists’ enclaves by the combined efforts of the entire security apparatus of the theatre of operation.

    “The IED factory location at Grazah had been under surveillance for weeks with various installations observed and activities of armed terrorists in the area found to be consistent with those protecting a strategic location.

    “Additionally, two gun trucks were sighted tucked under a large tree near the suspected IED factory.

    “These findings thus necessitated the need for an air strike on the location in order to destroy the suspected IED factory and neutralise the terrorists,’’ he said.

    Gabkwet said the targets were acquired and effectively destroyed, adding that the thick cloud of smoke that followed the air strikes confirmed the destruction of the IED factory and the gun trucks.