TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno

  • Borno records 3000 births in IDPs camps in six months

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Monday said it registered 3,000 births among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the past six months.

    The SEMA Chairman, Satomi Ahmad, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satomi said that the births were registered at various camps located in the state capital between January and June.

    He explained that the birth records showed significant increase in view of the high number of couples staying at the camps.

    He added that “we recorded 3,000 births among IDPs in the last six months. The mothers were supported with drugs and reproductive kits.”

    The SEMA boss said the agency was working in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health to support expectant mothers and enhance reproductive health management in the camps.

    The chairman said SEMA had provided ambulances to enhance referral services and reduce mortality.

    Earlier, SEMA said it registered 13,000 births in IDPs camps in the past four years.

    It also said that it helped the mothers and babies with food items, nutritional supplements and dresses for the new born.

  • 1 officer, 3 soldiers die as IED explodes in Borno

    The Army has confirmed that it lost an officer and three soldiers in Borno on Thursday when their patrol vehicle encountered IED buried on the road between Kangarwa and Alagarno village.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, while giving update on troops’ clearance operations in the North-East between Tuesday and Thursday.

    He said three other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries, while the patrol vehicle was completely damaged.

    Usman, however, said three suspected terrorists who planted the explosive and hid themselves had been fished out and neutralised.

    The army spokesman added that apart from clearance operations, troops stationed at Banki in Borno rendered humanitarian assistance to over 887 Nigerian refugees who returned from Cameroon since Tuesday.

    He said the troops, also on Thursday, handed over Miss Jada Hachaba, who was abducted by the terrorists to her mother at Gulak in Adamawa.

    The army spokesman explained that Hachaba escaped from the terrorists’ captivity, adding that she was handed over in the presence of the District Head of Gulak.

    At Buni Yadi in Yobe, Usman said that troops in the period under review discovered a 122mm D30 unexploded ordinance inside an uncompleted building at the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate.

    He said the Explosive Ordinance Team was drafted into the scene to safely detonated the explosive.

    Usman said that based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ collaborators/informants; Abubakar Ahmed, 23 and Aji Maina, 45, on Wednesday.

    “Both were arrested at Garin Gada and Kanamma after painstaking trailing.

    “Abubakar Ahmed was arrested while trying to collect relief materials for onward conveyance to Boko Haram terrorists, while Aji Maina was arrested while on transit at Kanamma enroute Gamari in Niger Republic,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Usman said that vigilant elements of 8 Division Nigerian Army stationed at Kukawa in northern Borno intercepted two minors on Thursday.

    He named them as Abubakar Aji, 13 and Isah Mustapha, 12, adding that they were on spying mission on troops’ location at Kukawa.

    “On further interrogation, the minors claimed to have been with Boko Haram terrorists in Kangarawa since 2014,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Multiple bomb blasts kill 17 in Borno

    Multiple bomb blasts kill 17 in Borno

    At least 17 persons were killed after five suspected female suicide bombers attacked Kofa Community near Dalori in Borno.

    Eyewitness told newsmen in Kofa that the incident occurred around 8:30pm Sunday, when Muslim faithful were performing their night prayers.

    “We heard loud sound around 8:30pm, near a mosque, forcing people to run back to their houses

    “As we were preparing to rescue the victims of the first blast, we heard another explosion close by.

    “It was really terrifying; many people died and many others were injured

    “The third explosion occurred after a short while.

    “Eventually, we evacuated eight bodies in the night, to the hospital, while 25 others were injured,” recounted Malam Ibrahim Kolo, member of a vigilante group.

    Mr Victor Isuku, spokesman of Borno Police Command, confirmed the incident, saying 17 persons were killed during the attacks.

    “On Sunday , at about 2030hrs, five suspected female suicide bombers detonated explosives strapped to their bodies in Kofa community, which is about 8km from Maiduguri, and situated along Maiduguri to Konduga road.

    “The first suicide bomber detonated near a mosque, killing seven persons.

    ” The second detonated in a house killing five persons, while two other suicide bombers detonated within the same vicinity, killing themselves only”.

    “A total of 17 persons, including the five suicide bombers died, while 11 persons sustained injuries and were rushed to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    “Police anti explosive team were mobilized to the scene and normalcy has since been restored,” he said.

    However, spokesperson of the North East Zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said in a statement in Maiduguri that 16 people were killed.

    “At about 8.45 pm, two female suicide bombers were intercepted when they tried to gain access into Dalori 2 IDP camp.

    “Two other female suicide bombers also detonated their explosives at the adjoining Dalori kofa village at about 8.10 pm, where they killed 16 people,” Ibrahim said.

    “A total of four suicide bombers were involved in the incident. Injured victims have been administered with first aid and transported to hospitals within Maiduguri for treatment,” said Ibrahim.

     

     

     

    NAN

  • Buratai orders probe of alleged sexually assault in IDP camp

    Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai has ordered investigation into alleged sexual abuse of female internally displaced persons (IDP) in Bama camp, Borno State.

    The women in the camp had alleged that some soldiers and members of civilian JTF were demanding sex in exchange for favours.

    They also accused them of detaining their husbands in military barracks “for offences they did not commit”.

    They had written a petition to the national assembly, seeking intervention.

    In a statement on Monday, Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said Buratai has ordered that a thorough investigation should be carried out.

    “The Nigerian army has noted with great concern growing allegations of misconduct against some persons on security duties at internally displaced persons’ camp in Bama, Borno state,” the statement said.

    “We would like to state that Nigerian Army personnel have been doing their best in bringing peace and security in various parts of the country especially in the north-east, any act of misconduct could negatively impact on these good works.

    “Although these allegations are unsubstantiated, the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has today directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated by both the director military intelligence and provost marshal (army).

    “We would like to reiterate that the Nigerian army has zero tolerance for any misconduct among its officers and soldiers especially those that are trusted with onerous responsibility of guarding and securing those internally displaced persons’ camps. Anyone found culpable, would be severely dealt with.

    “We would like to enjoin the public to please take advantage of the newly established Nigerian Army information and call Centre to report any such issue and other security concern by calling the short code 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers in Nigeria or through email atna.callcentre@army.mil.ng.”

  • Tension as Boko Haram beheads four IDPs in Borno

    The deadly terrorist sect, Boko Haram, on Saturday beheaded four internally displaced persons, IDPs, in Dalori-1 Camp of Maiduguri, Borno State.

    They were reportedly beheaded while hunting outside the camp.

    The four victims were on Sunday buried by their fellow displaced persons.

    Two other IDPs who were among a 12-man hunting troop were yet to be accounted for on Sunday evening.

    According to a report by Premium Times, it took a search team to find the four beheaded bodies some few kilometres from the Dalori camp along the Maiduguri-Bama road.

    Sources familiar with the incident said the attacked IDPs who were also volunteer members of the local vigilante, Civilian-JTF, often go to the bush to hunt for games which they either cook to beef up their protein needs or sell to earn some cash.

    It was supposed to be another normal hunting day for the 12 men on Saturday, but unfortunately, they ran into a gang of Boko Haram insurgents who attacked and beheaded four of them.

    “Six of the IDP hunters managed to run back late afternoon of Saturday to inform us at the camp that they were attacked by Boko Haram fighters”, said an IDP from Bama who identified himself as Alai Goni.

    “When we waited for the six others to return and they did not, we decided to go in search for them. About 6km away from the camp, we came to a riverbank and we saw a man watering his horse. The man simply pointed to us where the corpses of the four slain men were dumped. We became suspicious of him and we had to arrest him and bring him to the security personnel at the gate of Dalori-1 camp.

    “Unfortunately, we could not immediately find the decapitated heads of three of them; we only found three bodies without their heads, while the fought one whose head was not separated from his body, had some kind of sharp word forcefully driven into his forehead.”

    The source said the heads of the four beheaded persons were later found early Sunday morning, after which they were prepared for burial at about 9 a.m.

    “Unfortunately, we have not heard from the other two missing IDPs and we are not sure if they are still alive or dead”, he said.

    Dalori camp is about 1.5km from the University of Maiduguri that has been a target for Boko Haram suicide bombers in the past weeks.

    The leader of the Civilian-JTF, Abba Kalli, who also confirmed the incident, blamed the victims for embarking on such “dangerous expedition”, after they had been severally warned that it was dangerous for them to wander away from the camp.

    “It was indeed a sad occurrence for us yesterday,” he said.

    “Four of them were beheaded; two were captured and taken away, while the rest six managed to escape. We have severally warned them going even 2km kilometres away from their camps in that axis is very dangerous because the Boko Haram insurgents were there in the bush. But they refused to heed to warning, by insisting on going to hunt in the bush”.

    “They have been buried according to the Islamic rite this morning,” said Kalli who confirmed that the slain victims were all IDPs from Bama who later volunteered to be members of the Civilian-JTF.

    The slain persons were named Wali Fanne, Ibrahim, Chacha, and Baba Karemi.

    Residents living around the camp, have expressed concern over the increasing attacks around Maiduguri, as they called on the state government and security operatives to increase surveillance in that part of the Borno capital that is increasingly becoming porous for Boko Haram attacks.

     

  • Borno residents appeal to military on suicide bomb attacks

    Borno residents have appealed to the military to intervene in the increased suicide bomb attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

    Across section of those interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri made the appeal on Sunday in Maiduguri.

    Malam Bakura Modu, a local hunter said that the wave of attacks especially in Maiduguri, has created negative impression about the current situation in the state.

    “There is no doubt that the military has recorded great successes against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    “But the recent spate of suicide bomb attacks is creating wrong impression in the media that the group is still strong,” Modu said.

    He said that the military must live up to the expectations by finding quick solutions to the bombings.

    Modu said local hunters were ready to join the military in the search for the insurgents in the bush.

    “We have been expressing our willingness to join the fight against the insurgents in the bush, but the military had always turned us back.

    “We are hoping that this time around they will consider our proposal,” he said.

    Mr Samuel Anjukui, a retired police officer corroborated Modu’s claim.

    “The military has within a few months decimated the insurgents, reclaiming territories and rescuing many abducted persons.

    “But the recent up surge in the number of suicide bomb attacks has created worries in the minds of the people,” Anjukui said.

    He added:” In the last few months it is almost certain that incidences of bomb blasts will occur every weekend.

    “The situation has even worsened now as the blasts have almost assumed a daily dimension”.

    Anjukui, however, expressed optimism in the ability of the military to address the situation.

    “The military has the capabilities to address the problem; it must therefore rise up to the occasion by halting the negative trend.

    “It is either they make use of high technology for early detection of explosive materials or take the battle to the door steps of the insurgents in the bush,” he said.

    Malam Musa Inuwa a civil servant offered a different perspective.

    “I think that the natives hold the key to ending the ugly trend the military has done its best by degrading the insurgents.

    “But ending the crisis depend on the natives because the insurgents live among the people, they plan their attacks among the people.

    “As long as the people are not willing to expose them, the attacks will continue,” Inuwa said.

  • Just in: Failed suicide attack kills bomber in Borno [Photos included]

    Just in: Failed suicide attack kills bomber in Borno [Photos included]

    The Police Command in Borno has confirmed the killing of a suspected suicide bomber after a failed attack at the University of Maiduguri on Saturday.

    Mr Victor Isuku the spokesman of the command stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    “Today at about 10:00hours, a lone male suicide bomber detonated explosive strapped to his body.

    “The bomber had taken cover in a ditch within the neighbourhood of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) Children Secondary School, at the eastern end of the campus”.

    “The bomber sighted security personnel coming towards the direction of his hiding place and hurriedly detonated his explosive, killing him only,” Isuku said.

    He said that the police had already cordoned off the place and rendered it safe.

    “Police anti bomb team were promptly dispatched to the scene to sanitize and render the area safe. Normalcy has since been restored,” he said.

    Three male suspected suicide-bombers died after a failed attack at the university’female hostel on Thursday night.

  • 7 killed in another suicide bomb attack in Borno

    7 killed in another suicide bomb attack in Borno

    The Borno Police Command on Friday confirmed the killing of seven persons after two suspected female suicide bombers attacked Mandarari ward in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

    Malam Murtala Ibrahim of the Borno Police Command Public Relations Unit, confirmed the incident in statement he issued in Maiduguri.

    Ibrahim said that the attack took place on Thursday.

    “Yesterday at about 22.45 hours, two suspected female suicide bombers detonated explosives strapped to their bodies at Mandarari ward in Konduga LGA, killing themselves and five others.

    “Six persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

    “The corpses and injured persons were evacuated to General Hospital Konduga, and normalcy restored to the area.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalled that three suspected female suicide bombers were killed while attempting to attack a military outpost near Muna garage in the outskirt of Maiduguri on Wednesday.

  • 3 killed in another foiled suicide bomb attack in Borno

    3 killed in another foiled suicide bomb attack in Borno

    Three suspected female suicide bombers were killed while attempting to attack a military outpost near Muna garage at the outskirt of Maiduguri in Borno State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.

    Malam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, NEMA North-East Information Officer, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the incident occurred on Wednesday.

    “On Wednesday at 10.05p.m., three suspected female teenage suicide bombers attempted to attack military outpost popularly known as “Gontanamo” along Muna garage.

    “They were sighted trying to gain access to the premises and were shot by the security agents on guard leading to the detonation of their concealed explosives.”

    “All the three of them were killed in the explosion.

    “A security personnel was also injured,” Ibrahim said.

    The Information Officer said that the remains of the bombers had been evacuated by aids workers.
    “The corpses were evacuated to Borno Specialist Hospital by NEMA and officials of the State Emergency Response team,” he said.

    The state Police Command also confirmed the report.
    Malam Murtala Ibrahim, the 2 1/c Police Public Relations Officer, gave the confirmation in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri.

    “On Wednesday, at about 2245hrs, three female suicide bombers with Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) strapped to their bodies attempted to enter Maiduguri town.

    “They were intercepted by security personnel on duty along Maiduguri/Mafa road, close to the gate of 195 battalion location.

    “The three bombers detonated their IEDs, killing themselves only, while one soldier was said to have been injured.

    “Police Anti Bomb Unit personnel have visited the scene and rendere

  • [BREAKING] : 5 soldiers killed, 40 others injured as suicide bombers strike in Borno

    [BREAKING] : 5 soldiers killed, 40 others injured as suicide bombers strike in Borno

    At least five soldiers were killed and another 40 injured when a Boko Haram jihadist rammed an explosives-laden pick-up truck into a military convoy in Borno, security sources told AFP on Friday.

    The bomber, believed to be loyal to factional leader Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, targeted the convoy, which was conducting “clearance operations” between Yobe and Borno states, two military officers said.

    “At about 1100 hours (1000 GMT) on Thursday, a suicide bomber believed to be a Boko Haram terrorist riding in a van loaded with explosives rammed into a military convoy at Manguzum village,” one said.

    “We lost five soldiers in the incident and more than 40 sustained various degrees of injuries,” added the officer, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak about the incident.

    The convoy was heading to the garrison town of Damboa, which is some 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, at the time.

    A second military source said the troops were heading into Borno when the jihadist crashed his vehicle into a tank.

    “The armoured tank was seriously damaged and the operation slowed down,” he added.

    There has been a spate of deadly attacks on military targets in recent months, as troops fight to end the eight-year insurgency, which has left at least 20,000 dead in Nigeria alone.

    The conflict has also spilled into neighbouring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger, making more than two million homeless.

    Most of the recent attacks are suspected to have been carried out by the Al-Barnawi faction, which is backed by the Islamic State group.

    Last August IS declared Al-Barnawi, whose father founded Boko Haram, as the group’s new leader, replacing its long-time figurehead Abubakar Shekau.

    Shekau has rejected Al-Barnawi’s leadership and maintained he was still in charge, leading to a split and infighting.

    While Shekau focuses mainly on hit-and-run raids on villages and attacks on civilian targets, Al-Barnawi is focused on attacks on the military.

    Nigeria’s government maintains Boko Haram is a spent force and in disarray, despite the attacks and an increase in suicide bombings targeting security checkpoints, mosques and camps for the displaced.

     

    AFP