TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno

  • Boko Haram: We’ll turn Borno around in 6 months – Shettima

    Boko Haram: We’ll turn Borno around in 6 months – Shettima

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has said sequel to the recent defeat of the deadly Boko Haram sect by the military, the state will begin to witness massive developments in the coming months.

    Shettima said this at the Summit for the Security and Development of Northern Nigeria, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    He argued that the current spate of suicide bombings by the sect was an indication that the terrorists had been decimated.

    He said the sect had been weakened by the superior fire power of the Nigerian military.

    “They are feeling the attacks by government forces more and they are becoming weaker,” Shettima said.

    The governor told the gathering that though there could be no development without peace, his administration was set to invest “in girl-child education, job creation for the teeming youths and women empowerment to set an agenda of progress and development for the state that has been battling terrorism since 2009”.

    Shettima said, “In spite of the crisis, between six months and one year there will be a massive development in Borno state with emphasis on gender empowerment, girl child education and employment generation for our teeming youths.

    “We need to invest in education, create job opportunities for the teeming youths and ensure gender empowerment for our women.

    “We will definitely overcome the challenges of Boko Haram we have gone over the rubicon, we now want to tow the path of growth and development.”

    The NewsGuru.com reports that the deadly Boko Haram sect has wreaked havoc in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and other states in the North since 2009, with over 20,000 reportedly killed by the activities of the sect.

     

  • Three soldiers killed as Boko Haram’s IED explodes in Borno

    Three soldiers attached to the 82 Division Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army have reportedly died after troops ran into an Improvised Explosive Device planted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    According to a report by The Punch, the troops were on patrol along the Ngoshe-Pulka Road in Borno State when the IED exploded, killing the three soldiers and injuring two others.

    It was learnt that during the patrol, some Boko Haram terrorists, who reportedly came in scores, were also killed when they engaged troops in a gun battle.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, could not yet be reached for comment.

    Usman had said in a statement on Tuesday that troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion attached to 26 Task Force Brigade carried out clearance operations in some villages.

    “They intercepted a Boko Haram terrorist, said to be a logistics supplier, at a crossing point around Daushe village,” he added.

    Also, the army spokesperson confirmed a clash between troops and Boko Haram insurgents in Dissa and Patawe areas, adding that six insurgents were shot dead.

    He said troops recovered AK 47 rifles, nine rounds of ammunition and 22 rounds of NATO ammunition.

    Military sources said on Thursday that the insurgents, who clashed with troops along Ngoshe and Pulka route, allegedly carted away four AK 47 rifles and one gun truck, among other weapons from the troops.

     

  • 30, 000 Borno IDPs return from Cameroon

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled the state at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency have returned home.

    Malam Abdullahi Umar, the Spokesman of the agency, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Wednesday that the figure was part of the 78,000 IDPs that fled the state to Cameroon during the period.

    Umar said that the returnees were part of the 43,000 of the IDPs that signified interest to return home.

    He said the IDPs were being kept in a camp at Banki in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that a team of SEMA officials had already visited the camp to assess their condition.

    “The SEMA Executive Secretary, Malam Alkali Goni, has led a delegation of the agency to Banki to assess the conditions of the IDPs,” he said.

    The spokesman also said that the IDPs had been assured that the State Government had made adequate provisions for their welfare.

    He quoted Alhaji Baba Shehu, the Caretaker Chairman of the local government, as thanking the state government for the gesture and promising judicious use of the items donated.

  • Borno to evacuate 78,000 IDPs from Cameroon

    The Borno Government said on Sunday that it plans to evacuate 78,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back home from Cameroon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that the affected IDPs fled to Cameroon at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    The IDPs had a week ago urged the state government to facilitate their return home or they will trek back to Nigeria.

    Ahmad Satome, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) told newsmen in Maiduguri that government plans to shelter the returnees in four temporary satellite camps.

    “The issue of the 78,000 Nigerian IDPs is purely a repatriation process, it is just to get them across the Cameroonian border back home.

    “Once they are back we will get them transported to transit camps in Kumshe, Gulumba, Ngoshe and Kirawa where they will feed for a week or thereabout, so they can stabilize before asking them where they want to go,” he said.

    Satome said that IDPs without any place to go would be kept in the camps while those who wanted to return home would be transported home.

    ” IDPs without homes or those whose communities are unsafe will be kept in the camps while those who want to return home will be transported home.

    “But for those who wished to remain in Cameroon they will be allowed to stay in accordance with the Geneva Convention,” he said.

    Satome said government was focused on ensuring early return of all IDPs back to their communities especially those in areas liberated by the military.

    “It is true that government is resolute in ensuring all IDPs return home in a dignified manner in accordance to the Kampala convention.

    “But sometimes a lots of uncertainties come in,” he said.

    Satome said that the continued rescue of persons by the military from terrorists enclaves had created new IDPs requiring attention.

    “The intensed pressure by the military on Boko Haram enclaves have led to rescue of new IDPs requiring care.

    “This means that they have to be kept in camps for care and other humanitarian services,” he said.

    Satome said however that government was resolute in moving IDPs who were interested in going back to camps close to their homes.

    ” I think it is unwise to keep 2,000 IDPs from Ngala in Maiduguri when you have about 200,000 others in Ngala town.

    “I think that the best thing is to move those willing to camps in their respective areas from where they can gradually move home,” he said.

  • Borno records 3,800 new cases of HIV in IDPs camps

    Borno records 3,800 new cases of HIV in IDPs camps

    Malam Barkindo Saidu, the Executive Secretary, Borno Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BOSACA), says 3,800 new cases of HIV infections have been recorded in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

    Saidu told the newsmen in Maiduguri on Wednesday that the new cases were recorded after voluntary screening in 15 IDPs camps in the state.

    He said that currently 2.4 per cent of the population of the state or about 108,000 persons are living with HIV and AIDS, going by the demographic survey provided by the National Population Commission.

    The scribe said: “We recorded 3,800 new cases of HIV between January 2017 to March this year.

    “Also, 70 children in the IDPs camps tested positive.

    “So far, in the whole state we have about 18,101 new cases of persons living with HIV within this period and only 9,438 are currently coming for the Anti-Retroviral Therapy and counselling.

    “Our challenges are enormous and cannot be over emphasised. It will interest you to note that Borno state have not participated in any HIV programme in the last two years.

    “Only tiny portion of the people living with HIV and AIDs can access treatment because most anti-retroviral centres have closed,” he said.

    He explained that only 32 out of the 90 anti-retroviral centres were still operational in the state.

    “Within the last six years, the state was only able to achieve nine per cent out of its HIV reduction prevalence rate in Borno state.

    “This was because the government and other support partners have not given priority attention to the plight of such persons.

    “Governor Shettima had approved N45 million counterpart funding for HIV development programmes since December 2016, but the fund is yet to be released.

    “Three months ago, I wrote a letter to about 29 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to come to the plight of such persons but only UNICEF is assisting.

    “On the 30 March, the Federal Government had received grant for HIV, TB and Malaria from Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maleria (GPATM). We cannot access this fund until the state government provide counterpart support funding,’’ Saidu said.

    The executive secretary, therefore, renewed his appeal to the state government to release the counterpart fund and urged NGOs to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Police confirm 3 dead in foiled attacks in Borno

    The police in Borno on Sunday confirmed that three suspected male suicide bombers were killed in separate foiled attacks in Muna and Dusuman village at the outside of Maiduguri.

    Mr Victor Isuku the spokesman of the state police command disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Isuku said that the first incident happened around Muna garage near the entrance of the city when two suspected male bombers were killed.

    “Today, at about 0438 hour, two male suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Devised (IED) strapped to their bodies near Alhaji Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area at the entrance of Maiduguri.

    “All the bombers died instantly without killing anybody,” Isuku said.

    He said however that a truck parked nearby was party damaged by the explosive.

    “A truck was partly damaged ” Isuku said..

    He said that another suspected suicide bomber detonated his IED in Dusuman village killing himself and injuring another person who tried to stopped him.

    “Also at Dusuma village in Jere LGA , a suicide bomber detonated IED strapped on him almost at the same time , killing himself, while one person was injured,” Isuku said.

  • 30,000 Borno IDPs to return home

    Borno Government said on Wednesday, that it was working on plans to evacuate additional 30, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities, after they had signified interest to return home.

    Malam Ahmed Satome, the Chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satome explained that the action also followed successful relocation of about 20,000 IDPs back to their communities.

    “We have so far relocated 20, 000 IDPs back home after their communities were liberated by the military.

    “The IDPs are from Gamboru-Ngala, Monguno, Mobbar, Gwoza, Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    The exercise was conducted in line with the Kampala Convention which stipulates that the return of the IDPs back home must be voluntary and conducted in a dignified manner.

    “Thirty thousand IDPs have shown interest to return home, but a number of steps must be taken before their eventual return,” he said.

    He further said government had to provide a resettlement package to each of the IDPS to facilitate their reintegration.

    “We have to take care of some challenges by providing livelihood support, temporary shelter and other things that are vital before returning them home.

    “In essence, we have to ease their movement back home by providing packages, including some cash, building materials, food items and other things.”

    He also said such support was always provided in collaboration with the donour agencies and other international bodies working to assist the IDPs.

    Satome said that relocation of the IDPs back home had helped in boosting the economy of the state in the last few months.

    “The return of about 70 per cent of IDPs in Damboa back home has led to significant rise in economic activities in the area.

    “On market days in Damboa, over N1 million worth of trading takes place, this is the kind of development we are envisaging.”

    Satome said that most IDPs were eager to go back home to begin plan for their future.

    “People are returning home daily to liberated communities, either officially or none official, especially in places like Mobbar, Kukawa, Monguno, Ngazai and other areas.

    “Our people are proud people who are eager to start up new life in their communities.”

    He said going by the development, it was possible to attain government planned closure of IDP camps by May 29.

    “I think that the May 29 target is attainable, going by the commitment of Gov.Kashim
    Shettima on the reconstruction of damaged structures in Bama, Ngala and Gwoza, the worst hit areas in the state.

    “I believe that by April, appreciable level would have been attained in the reconstruction work to pave way for relocation of the IDPs by May 29.

     

    NAN

  • 350 mosques in Borno offer prayers for Buhari’s quick recovery

    As a way of ensuring that the president returns on home safe, the Borno State Government gave a directive on Friday for mosques in the state to offer special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari’s fast recovery in London.

    In a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri, Malam Isa Gusau,Special Adviser to Gov. Kashim Shettima on Communication and Strategy, said the prayers were led by Chief Imams of various mosques shortly after the mandatory Friday prayers.

    “Chief Imams in about 350 Jumma’at Mosques in Maiduguri, Jere, Biu and other parts of the state, on Friday, led thousands of worshipers to offer special prayers for the speedy and full recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari following request by Governor Kashim Shettima.

    “The prayers were offered in appreciation of President Buhari’s commitment to the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, which resulted in the liberation of many communities and relative peace now being enjoyed by residents across the state,” he said.

    He said that similar prayers were expected to hold in churches on Sunday.

  • DPR seals 22 petrol stations in Borno for Inflating prices

    For selling above recommended prices, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR in Borno on Thursday sealed 22 petrol stations in the capital, Maiduguri.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that long queues are common sight in most filling stations in Maiduguri, with illegal hawkers (black marketers) selling five litres of petrol for N2, 000 to transporters.

    Mr Bala Musa, the DPR acting Comptroller in the Zone, said that the stations were sealed during an operation by the task force team of the agency between Feb. 1 and Feb. 8.

    Musa attributed the perennial scarcity to rumours that the product would be scarce in the country.

    “Some of the petrol stations supporting the artificial scarcity in the town have been sanctioned and are temporarily banned from operating.

    “The sealed stations, whose offences include overpricing, under-delivery and lack of adequate security apparatus in their filling stations, will have to pay a fine before the ban is lifted,” he said.

    He explained that as at Feb. 8 no fewer than 34 filling stations had abundant product and were selling to the public.

    “Petrol stations on Damboa Road and Maduganari bypass like NNPC Mega station, Umar Gamaye Tafament, BG Musa and KABS filling station, among others, all have the product and are dispensing,” Musa said.

    Mr Sunday Oghene, the Sales Representative of the Maiduguri NNPC Mega station, told NAN that the station had received over 290,000 litres of petrol within one week.

    Oghene said that the station was opened to the public between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

    “People should not panic; the NNPC mega station will continue to endeavour to meet their demands and end petrol scarcity in Maiduguri.

    “We have abundant product in stock and another truck of 45 litres of PMS is on its way,” Oghene said.

     

    NAN

  • Suicide bomber kill self, vigilante in Borno

    Suicide bomber kill self, vigilante in Borno

    A suicide bomber and a local vigilante were killed during an attempt on a Maiduguri mosque on Monday morning, a security official has confirmed.

    Borno Police spokesman, Victor Isuzu, said a male suicide bomber carried out the attack at the Dalori area of the state capital.

    “Today at about 0522hrs, a male suicide bomber detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped to his body near a mosque at Dalori Quarters situated along Maiduguri/ Konduga /Bama road.
    “The bomber killed himself and a local vigilante- the civilian JTF operative who tried to prevent him from getting close to the mosque where many faithful in the locality were observing their early morning prayers,” he said.

    20 people were killed at an attack in Buraburin area of Maiduguri In Dec, 28, 2016 while another four were killed two weeks ago at a Mosque in University of Maiduguri staff quarters.

    Isuzu said the area of the Monday attack had been secured and normal activities has resumed.