TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno

  • Boko Haram: 16 killed, 82 injured in Borno suicide attack ‎- Police

    The Police in Borno on Wednesday said 16 persons were killed and 82 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a market in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner, Damian Chukwu, confirmed the attack in a text message sent to journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    Mr. Chukwu said that the incident occurred at a market at about 5: 30 p.m. when three suicide bombers hit the market.

    He said the suicide bombers, a male and two females, who detonated the explosives at the busy market blew up themselves and killed 16 people.

    Mr. Chukwu said that 82 other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack, adding that the wounded were evacuated to the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

    According to him, the command has deployed a bomb disposal team to sanitise the area.

  • Borno, Ogun both recorded 1 suspected Lassa fever case

    There are reports of one suspected Lassa fever case both recorded in Borno and Ogun State.

    According to Borno State Commissioner for Health, on Thursday said that one suspected case of Lassa fever was reported in the state.

    Mshelia told newsmen in Maiduguri, the case was reported in Zabarmari community of Jere local government area of the state.

    He said that the patient was initially quarantined but discharge after medical examinations.

    “The patient was discharged after medical examination certified him free of Lassa fever infection.

    “It is medically proven that the case was not Lassa fever as earlier suspected,” he said.

    Mishelia disclosed that the state government had also steppedal up surveillance to contain spread of River Blindness in prone areas.

    He noted that River Blindness and cholera diseases were more prevalent during rainy season, adding that proactive measures had been put in place to contain disease.

    “Assorted drugs are distributed to endemic areas.

    “State preparedness for endemic disease such as cholera is in place”.

     

    Similarly, a 22-year-old man in Abeokuta, Ogun, has allegedly contracted Lassa fever and is under medical observation at the State General Hospital, Ijaiye.

    The patient, names withheld, returned from Lagos with the symptoms.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with Newsmen on Thursday in Abeokuta, Vanguard reports.

    “He (patient) is resident here in Abeokuta; he travelled to Lagos and returned with the fever.

    “He is currently at the state General Hospital Ijaye where he is under medical observation.

    “We have carried out the first test.The first sample was positive. It shows some reactions, but we need to carry out another confirmatory test.

  • Boko Haram: One million houses, 5,000 classrooms, N1.9 trillion properties destroyed in Borno – Official

    The Borno Government on Tuesday said about 1 million houses and public structures were destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the 27 local government areas of the state.

    The insurgents also destroyed properties worth over N1.9 trillion in the past six years.

    Yerima Saleh, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, disclosed this at a news conference in Maiduguri.

    Saleh also said that the insurgents razed down 986, 453 residential homes; 5, 335 classrooms, 201 health facilities, 1, 630 water facilities and 726 power distribution stations and transformers.

    He added that 800 public structures such as offices, prisons, police posts and other structures were destroyed by the sect members.

    “The quantum of destruction caused by insurgents is monumental resulting in serious humanitarian crisis.

    “The damage calls for serious intervention from government, development and humanitarian organisations.

    “The destruction has rendered 22 out of the 27 local government council areas uninhabitable,” he said

    To mitigate the problem, the permanent secretary said the state government had established the ministry to facilitate rapid rehabilitation and re-settlement of ravaged communities.

    He said that the ministry had so far rebuilt and rehabilitated public and private buildings in 14 councils in the state.

    He disclosed that the state government had so far constructed about 25, 000 houses in the liberated communities.

    Mr. Saleh said that more than 10,000 houses were reconstructed in Bama, while 7,000 others were completed in Gwoza.

    He listed other projects to include classrooms, clinics, police posts, markets, slaughter slabs, roads, palaces, courts and places of worship in the liberated communities.

    “We are going into total reconstruction and rehabilitation in Bama, Dikwa and Ngala.

    “The projects have reached between 50 and 75 per cent completion in the affected areas,” he said.

    Other projects, he said, were ongoing in Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala, Damboa, Chibok, Askira Uba, Mobar, Biu and Hawul local government areas.

    The permanent secretary reiterated the commitment of the state government to provide humanitarian support services to persons displaced by the insurgency.

    “The state government is collaborating with Federal Government and development organisations to address the humanitarian crisis in the state,” he added.

     

  • Two suicide bombers attack Borno community

    Two Suicide bombers have attacked Molai, a community on the outskirts of Maiduguri in Borno State.

    Channels Television reports that the suicide bombers, a male and female, had attempted to gain entry into the General Hospital at Molai around 5:30 am.

    In the process, they blew themselves, with the loud explosion being heard in parts of Maiduguri.

    Details soon…

  • Boko Haram: Service chiefs obey Osinbajo’s order, relocate to Borno

    Service Chiefs have relocated to the theatre of operation against Boko Haram in compliance with Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s directive.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the acting President gave the directive last week following the resurgence of Boko Haram activities.

    A statement from the Defence Headquarters last night indicated that the service chiefs had started operating from Maiduguri.

    The statement by Director of Defence Information, Major Gen. John Enenche said: “In compliance with the recent Presidential directive by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, to service Chiefs to move to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the North-East Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism Operation, the Service Chiefs have commenced the Command and Control of the Operation from the Military Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri.

    “In this regard, the Chief of Defence Staff held a Briefing session with the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Theatre Commander and Senior Principal Staff Officers of the military high command at the Military Command and Control Centre on 1st August 2017, on the reviewed strategic direction and operational plans, in compliance to the directive of the Acting President.

    “This move and action are expected to give impetus to the military effort in the North-East Operations. Consequently, the Defence Headquarters hereby appeal to the public and people in the areas affected directly by the negative acts of terrorism and criminality, to come forward with credible information that will further assist the security and response agencies to tackle this menace.

    “It is necessary to point out some of key information required which include the following: a. Terrorists sleeper cell locations b. Terrorists concentration areas and outpost locations c. Collaborators and informants to the terrorists d. Suspicious isolated settlements and camps outside normal living areas.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that peace and tranquility are restored to the North-East. Thus the cooperation of the general public, particularly those in the affected areas is highly solicited. “


  • Boko Haram: Osinbajo orders Service Chiefs back to Borno

    Sequel to renewed coordinated attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered the service chiefs to return to the Command Centre in Maiduguri.

    He gave the order at a meeting yesterday with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.

    Many people have died and soldiers killed in recent attacks and ambush by the insurgents.

    Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said at the end of the meeting: “We just finished a meeting with the Acting President and the three Service Chiefs. We agreed that they should move back to the Command Centre again and see what are the things happening there.

    “We have also agreed that we should get more surveillance devices, cameras that will be able to see distant attackers coming to the position of our troops.

    “So also the period of the raining season is a difficult moment for us. We cannot dominate the environment like what we do during the dry season but effort is geared towards the regaining back our areas and we assure that all these ambushes that are happening regularly would be stopped.”


  • Rann: Air strikes on Borno IDPs’ camp done in error — Defence Headquarters

    The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that “lack of appropriate marking’’ caused the mistaken air strike by the Nigerian Air Force on Rann, Borno State, where a number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed in January.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Rann is the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.

    The Director Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche who briefed newsmen on the outcome of the Board of Inquiry set up on the incident said that the bombing was carried out on the location because it was not “reflected in the operational map as a humanitarian base’’.

    “Hitherto, people were not expected to amass at that location,” he said.

    “The normal pattern for Boko Haram Terrorists to form up before attacking innocent civilians and troops is to amass.

    “Hence, it appeared as a place that could equally be used for enemy activities.

    “Thus, when mass movement was noticed through aerial satellite observation, it was taken for Boko Haram terrorists’ activity, which needed to be neutralised with speed,’’ Enenche said.

    He said that to avert future occurrence, “all locations where humanitarian activities take place in the theatre of operation would be marked appropriately for ground and aerial identification in line with international best practices.’’

    According to him, other recommendations by the board to avert such incident is the geographical and spatial coordinates of all areas of humanitarian activities within the theatre should be provided to the Theatre Command Headquarters.

    “There should be timely and mandatory exchange of information between stakeholders, for all activities in the theatre of operation,’’ the director of defence information said.

    On the clash between the army and police in Damaturu on April 11 in which one soldier and three policemen died, Enenche said the incident was caused by “avoidable misunderstanding from exchange of word.’’

    He said seven other policemen sustained injuries in that incident.

    He said the panel set up to look into the clash recommended that “strict centralised operational and administrative control should be exercised on all security agencies serving under Operation Lafiya Dole”.

    Enenche said that another recommendation of the panel was that “offenders in the incident are to be sanctioned appropriately to serve as deterrence to other personnel in the theatre of operation.’’

    “The outcome of all disciplinary actions should be communicated to other parties (Army and Police).’’

    Speaking on the clash between the Nigerian Navy and Police personnel in Calabar on May 30, the DDI also attributed the cause to “misunderstanding.’’

    He said while two policemen died in the incident, a naval rating was shot.

    The spokesman said that both the navy and the police would further investigate the clash to identify erring personnel for sanctions.

  • Boko Haram: Osinbajo condemns abduction of women, says it is “atrocious, cowardly”

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday condemned the recent “atrocious and cowardly” abduction of women in Borno State.

    He also sympathised with the families of the abducted women, and assured that the federal government will spare no efforts to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the victims.

    He therefore directed Nigeria’s military and intelligence agencies to take all necessary steps including coordinating with the country’s international partners to rescue the abducted women, as well as ensure further tightening of security in and around Borno State.

    Boko Haram terrorists had on June 20 ambushed a convoy travelling under military escort along Biu road in Borno State and abducted 14 women.

    Some of the travellers, including a police officer and a soldier were killed in the ambush.

    The sect on Monday released a video showing some of the women asking the government to negotiate their release.

    The video showed about 10 of the women who appeared traumatised but well kept.

    In a statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on Wednesday, Mr. Osinbajo said “the Buhari presidency assures that the ongoing efforts of security agencies, including the establishment of additional military and police bases in parts of the country, as well as the improved intelligence gathering will continue, and commends some of the recent significant breakthroughs in combating kidnapping and banditry in the country”.

     

  • 2face excites troops In Borno, bestows song to IDPs

    African Queen crooner, Innocent Idibia a.k.a 2face recently visited Borno State where he thrilled the troops and dedicated a song to the IDPs.

    2face spoke on the need for peace to reign in the country with an emphasis on the northeast. The melodious singer praised the Nigerian army for the magnanimous fight they are putting to counter insurgency.

     

    2face who is the ambassador of the UNHCR has been on a tour in Borno state interacting with displaced persons in Ngala and camps around Maiduguri.

     

    The partnership between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and ace singer 2face Innocent Idibia is to lay emphasis on happenings in northeast Nigeria.

     

    Caesar Tsav the UNHCR Head of Missions in Borno believes that in the coming days the partnership will yield more encouraging results.

     

    “We were in Ngala and he visited all the camps and he interacted with children, IDPs. We will visit more camps if God permits but in general, it’s a good partnership.”

     

    The award winning singer also met with soldiers of the Lafiya Dole operations at the 7Division Maimalari Barracks where he appreciated them for their sacrifices.

     

    According to 2face:”What you guys are doing is wonderful putting your lives on the line for the nation is something that you cannot be compensated enough for.” He told the excited soldiers.

     

    “It’s not easy what these guys are doing, I give them kudos and I ask every Nigerian to give them all the support they can give. I am impressed that we have able bodied men and women that are willing to put their lives on the line for Nigeria.”

     

     

  • 400 Boko haram insurgents killed, 800 arrested during mop-up operations in Borno- Army

    The Nigerian army on Thursday said it killed 404 Boko Haram insurgents and arrest 810 others in various operations in the past five months.

    Maj.-Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim, the Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Maiduguri.

    Ibrahim said the insurgents were killed during operations designed to clear remnant of the fleeing Boko Haram members.

    He said that the troops encountered the insurgents at various fronts including Marte, Mafa, Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza.

    “Some 860 settlements were cleared and 19,640 civilians were rescued from the insurgents.

    “Also, 810 insurgents, including a high-profile member of the insurgency, were arrested within the period under review.

    “The rescued civilians were screened and placed at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps,’’ Ibrahim said.

    According to him, during this operations, troops recovered various ammunitions and destroyed camps.

    The commander said that 97 attacks using Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were recorded, adding that some of the attacks were neutralised by the troops.

    According to him, about seven soldiers died while nine others were wounded during the operation.

    He explained that the command, in joint operations with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), had cleared 11 settlements on Lake Chad basin in Kangarwa and Marte as well as in parts of Cameroun and Chad.

    He listed Domo, Kelewa, Damara, Abaga, Karo, Kunaguma and Jugulu Kara as some of the liberated communities.

    Ibrahim also explained that the insurgents had resorted to IEDS attacks on civilians in view of the success recorded by the military in its campaign against them.

    The commander reiterated the commitments of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency while protecting lives and property in the country.

    He advised the people to be vigilant and support the military to enable it to discharge its duties effectively.