TheNewsGuru

Tag: Insurgents

  • Boko Haram militants kill 15 soldiers, NEMA official in Borno

    15 soldiers and an official of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, have been killed by suspected Boko Haram members in Borno.

    According to a report by New York Times, the soldiers and the NEMA official were killed during an ambush by the insurgents.

    The death of the soldiers, according to the report, is coming weeks after 20 troops allegedly went missing in an attack.

    It was further reported that the ambush and eventual death of the soldiers and NEMA official occurred on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in Damask area of Borno.

    Military sources confirms soldiers’ death

    In the report, military sources confirmed to New York Times that 15 soldiers and NEMA officials were killed in the ambush on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

    “We lost 15 troops. Our men were carrying out digging of trenches at Damasak yesterday when the Boko Haram terrorists opened fire on them,” the report quoted a military personnel.

    In a statement by NEMA , the death of an official in the attack was confirmed.

    “The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja and the management staff have been thrown into mourning following a death of a staff who was killed by Boko Haram yesterday in Damasak, Borno state,” the statement said.

  • Boko Haram insurgents hindering demarcation of Nigeria, Cameroon border – UN

    Boko Haram insurgents hindering demarcation of Nigeria, Cameroon border – UN

    The demarcation of the Cameroon-Nigeria border continued to face challenges due to insecurity in areas affected by the presence of Boko Haram, the UN has said.

    This is contained in a ‘Report of the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)’.

    Guterres also cited the unrest in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon as partly contributing to the challenges faced by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission.

    “Insecurity in areas affected by Boko Haram continued to hinder the activities of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in the northernmost regions of the land boundary between the two countries.

    “Social and political unrest in the English-speaking north-western and south-western regions of Cameroon raised additional security concerns.

    “As a result, the demarcation of the border and the subsequent emplacement of pillars continued to be a challenge,’’ he said.

    Against that background, parties to the Mixed Commission met in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 19 and March 20 to finalise the implementation of reinforced security measures for field operations.

    In this regard, Mr Guterres noted the activities of his Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who also serves as Chair of the Mixed Commission.

    He said Mr Chambas, on March 18 in Abuja and on May 15 in Yaoundé, “engaged in bilateral consultations with the heads of the Nigerian and Cameroonian delegations to work on outstanding areas of disagreement.

    “Overall, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the judgment of the International Court of Justice of October 2002 and to fully demarcating the land and maritime boundaries shared by the two countries.

    “My Special Representative also successfully concluded fundraising efforts to replenish a trust fund for pillar construction along the land boundary.

    “Consequently, pillar emplacement is expected to resume in October 2018 at the end of the rainy season.’’

    On the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers, he said UNOWAS supported the ECOWAS Commission in the development of a regional action plan on transhumance.

    Mr Guterres said the office also established an informal working group on pastoralism and conflict prevention with the participation of the UN and regional entities working on the issue.

    “In Abuja, from April 24 to April 26, UNOWAS participated in a ministerial and experts meeting on conflicts between herders and farmers in West Africa, organised by the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Nigeria.

    “Relevant recommendations included the need for States to report on the implementation of the ECOWAS transhumance protocol,’’ the UN Chief said.

    On Boko Haram, he said his Special Representative continued to support diplomatic, security and humanitarian responses to the terrorist organisation.

    “On Feb 28, my Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel took part in the International Conference on Lake Chad, hosted by the Government of Nigeria with the support of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

    “The Heads of State and Government of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, the Niger and Nigeria adopted a declaration reaffirming their commitment to increase cooperation to safeguard Lake Chad and address the socio-economic impact of climate change and instability.

    “In his capacity as my High-level Representative for Nigeria, my Special Representative also held discussions with security institutions and other key stakeholders on the situation in the Lake Chad basin with a view to enhancing regional cooperation, reintegrating ex-combatants and dealing with root causes.

    “Through the facilitation of my Special Representatives for West Africa and the Sahel and for Central Africa, the governors of territories bordering Lake Chad met for the first time in Maiduguri, Nigeria on May 8 and May 9.

    “They established the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum to enhance joint efforts towards building peace and fostering sustainable development across the Lake Chad basin.

    Guterres said governance and development efforts must continue to be accompanied by a robust security response.

    He commended the efforts of the countries participating in the Multinational Joint Task Force and encouraged strengthened partnership among the affected countries and with regional organisations, including the African Union.

    “I congratulate the Government of Nigeria for conducting trials of Boko Haram suspects and urge the acceleration of the reintegration of victims and other categories of individuals associated with extremist groups in all affected countries.

    “I encourage national authorities to provide critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities.

    “In addition, I reiterate my call on the international community to increase political, humanitarian, logistical and financial assistance to the affected countries, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Joint Force of the G-5 Sahel and the Multinational Joint Task Force, and to advance the disbursement of pledged funds.’’

  • Boko Haram: Army takes delivery of ammunition to boost fight against insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday took delivery of different calibre of ammunition to boost the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality across the country.

    The consignment were received by Brig.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, the Chairman of the Ammunition Reception Committee at the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Air Port in Abuja.

    Akinjobi also said the committee took delivery of spare parts for operational vehicles.

    He said the ammunition received included rockets, bullet and projectile, but declined to mention the originating country or countries they came from.

    He, however, said that they were supplied by countries with which the army had partnership.

    The military hardware were brought into the country by Aircargo Global and the discharge and transportation were being supervised by senior officers with armed soldiers protecting them.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Army launches new operation to ‘totally destroy insurgents’

    The Nigerian Army has announced a new operation to totally destroy the terror group, Boko Haram.

    According to a statement by David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, the new operation‎ will last four months.

    “Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of 6 additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State‎,” Mr Ahmadu, a major general, said.

    “The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages,” he said.

    Read full statement below:

    You may recall that the Nigerian Army has been engaged in the conduct of counter insurgency operation tagged Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East region for some years with considerable successes. However, the complex and adaptive nature of the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in the dissident group still sometimes being engaged in abductions, attack on soft targets, Improvised Explosive Device attacks and suicide bombings.

    2. It has become expedient for the Nigerian Army to change operating tactics, techniques and procedure in the North East region. Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2018 will be commemorated with the conduct of an operation tagged Operation LAST HOLD in Northern Borno within the North East Theatre. The design is to deploy personnel and equipment to showcase the combat efficiency of the NA and thereafter conduct operations to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin.

    3. Operation LAST HOLD is expected to last for 4 months and it will entail deployment of 6 additional manoeuvre brigades and other critical assets in Borno State. The operation is intended to facilitate the clearance of the Lake Chad waterways of sea weeds and other obstacles obstructing the movement of boats and people across the water channels. It will also ensure the destruction of Boko Haram Terrorist camps and strong points in the Lake Chad Basin. The operation will also facilitate the rescue of hostages. The operational end-state of Operation LAST HOLD is the total defeat of the Boko Haram Terrorist Sect. Strategically, the conduct of Operation LAST HOLD will facilitate the restoration of fishing, farming and other economic activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, it will facilitate the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons from IDP camps to their communities.

    4. Operation LAST HOLD is conceptualised to involve the conduct of population influence activities targeted to improve Civil-Military relations in the North East region. It is pertinent to note that Operation LAST HOLD is set to record remarkable achievements that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security. In this regard, law abiding members of the public in Northern Borno State are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being have been deliberately factored in the operation. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected insurgents may be fleeing from military operations in the North East and finding safe haven amidst our communities. The public is also reminded to report any suspicious activity or movement to the nearest military formation or other security agencies for prompt action.

    5. Gentlemen of the press, you have always been our partners in progress; hence we are using this opportunity to request you to give this operation widest publicity in your respective media. On this note, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I thank you all for honouring our invitation. I will now take questions from you and clarify doubts if any.

    Major General David D AHMADU
    Chief of Training and Operations (Army)

     

  • Troops kill four Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa

    …neutralise four other suicide bombers

    Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops killed four Boko Haram insurgents at Malumti village in the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

    Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu stated that the insurgents were killed by troops in an ambush while trying to escape ongoing clearance exercise under “Operation Deep Punch II” on March 30.

    He said the troops recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser, one AK 47 Rifle , 15 Rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one magazine and 47 Jerry cans of petrol from the insurgents.

    He added that “the insurgents were routed out of the Sambisa Forest by troops under Operation Deep Punch II, rummaging for food and logistics when they met their Waterloo.”

    Nwachukwu disclosed that gallant troops deployed at a checkpoint in Muna Garage in the outskirts of Maiduguri also neutralised four suicide bombers on Friday.

    He explained that the bombers, comprising a male and three females were killed while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri metropolis.

    He noted that “the insurgents, attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri metropolis through Muna Zawiya area at about 9.30 p.m., were spotted by vigilance troops who fired shots, hitting one of them, thereby triggering simultaneous explosions which killed all of them.

    “Regrettably, 18 persons were injured in the incident and have been evacuated for medical attention.”

    According to him, troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were conducting cordon and search operation in the area for any other suicide bomber lurking around.

    Nwachukwu urged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities to security agencies.

     

  • Army calls on Boko Haram insurgents to surrender

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, has called on Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    Nicholas made the call when he visited troops at the front line in Damasak, Kareto, Gubio and Magumeri.

    He said that the call was imperative to encourage remnants of Boko Haram insurgents to surrender in order to end insurgency and guarantee lasting peace in the region.

    “I call on the insurgents in the bush to surrender to the Nigerian Government and embrace peace.

    “A great number of the insurgents have surrendered; we take good care of them, insurgents in the bush should come out and surrender.

    “There is no need of killings and the only option left for them is to surrender,” he said.

    Nicholas said that the military had recorded successes in the ongoing clearance operation, noting that: “we have determined and courageous soldiers to crush the terrorists and bring peace to the North-East”.

    He urged the media to shun sensational reportage and work toward awareness creation on de-radicalisation of the sect ideologies, to promote peace building and social cohesion.

    He reiterated the readiness of the military to work with the media to ensure successful campaign against insurgency and enhance security in the country.

    “The Nigerian Army will provide enabling environment for the media to access information on our operations.

    “You should ensure accurate, factual and balance reportage on military operations,” he added.

    The commander also called on the people in the region to cooperate with military to enable them to win the war against the terror group, adding that the war against insurgency was a collective responsibility.

    While commending the troops for their gallantry, Nicholas urged them to be dedicated and display high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

    Nicholas disclosed that the government had adopted practical measures to ensure provision of logistics and improvement of soldiers’ welfare.

    TheNewsGuru reports that about 1, 000 Boko Haram insurgents have so far surrendered, several of them were killed and many others wounded including its factional leader, Mamman Nur.

    The troops also rescued about 1, 000 persons, recovered high caliber weapons, food items, animals and other items from the insurgents in the military offensive in the Lake Chad region in the past four weeks.

     

  • Army warn against Boko Haram insurgents on the run

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday warned against providing sanctuary to fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The army also called on the people to report suspicious persons in their communities to security agencies nearest to them.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts to avoid the ongoing military offensive against them.

    “This is to warn residents in the North-East not to harbour the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who are trying to flee from their waterloo.

    “Credible intelligence revealed that several of the insurgents have resorted to taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts in some communities along their escape routes from the Sambisa Forest in order to evade the sustained bombardments from air and ground troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Any unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons especially in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe found providing safe sanctuaries or any assistance to the criminals will be treated as accomplices and given same treatment as terrorists,” he said.

    The director appealed to the people to cooperate with the military by reporting any fleeing terrorists immediately to the nearest security agency or call the Nigerian Army Information Call Centre Number 193.

     

  • Army pursues Boko Haram insurgents after botched Maiduguri attack

    The Nigerian Army said its troops had been in pursuit of Boko Haram insurgents after repelling insurgents’ attack at Moloi area of Maiduguri.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Nicholas said that the troops had successfully repelled the attack while ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force were on hot pursuit, interdicting the fleeing terrorists now in disarray.

    Nicholas disclosed that the insurgents used Improvised Explosive Device and gun trucks to attack a military post at Moloi area, an outskirt of Maiduguri.

    He said the insurgents tried to infiltrate the town to steal food stuffs.

    “No loss of lives to own troops and normalcy has since been restored.

    The commander disclosed that the insurgents set two vehicles ablaze and torched thatched houses at the outskirts of the city gate in their retreat.

     

    (NAN)

  • Troops repel insurgents ’ attack in Maiduguri

    Nigerian troops on Monday repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents at a security check point few kilometres away from Maiduguri.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) gathered that the incident occurred at about 5: 30 PM, at Moloi area, on outskirts of Maiduguri.

    The insurgents were said to have torched some houses and vandalized vehicles on Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road.

    An eye witness, Aji Maina, said that the insurgents attacked and shot sporadically, a situation which made the villagers to scamper for safety and fled their homes.

    Maina said that the residents of Moloi and adjourning villages had to run into Polo and other areas of Maiduguri for safety.

    He, however, said that soldiers deployed to the area engaged the insurgents and repelled the attack.

    “The insurgents attacked the ED security section, torched houses and motorists caught in the cross fire.

    “At present, no one can ascertain the extent of damages or casualties in the attack.

    “Many people fled their homes and scampered for safety into Maiduguri,” he said.

    TNG reports, however, that security had been beefed up in the metropolis to thwart any breach of peace while people were going about their normal activities.

    The Police and military authorities are yet to comment on the incident.

  • NAF bombs Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa, kills more insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Friday it has carried out more air strikes against the Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa general area in Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and destroying their hideouts in the process.

    The bombardment of the insurgents were conducted with four fighter jets and two helicopters after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions have been carried out on the target areas.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole carried out the strikes in an operation code-named operation Ruwan Wuta III.

    He explained in a statement supported with a declassified video footage that “on December 12, 20 17, the Air Task Force of OP LAFIYA DOLE commenced an intensive bombardment of the hideouts of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in Northern Borno and the Sambisa general area in an operation codenamed Operation Ruwan Wuta lll.

    “On the first day of the operation, an air interdiction mission was conducted on a BHT hideout in Kolaram, which is 37km East of Monguno.”

    According to AVM Adesanya, “Previous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF platforms had revealed Kolaram to be an active BHT location from where the terrorists had launched attacks on our surface forces in Northern Borno.

    “Accordingly, two NAF helicopters were detailed for a pre-dawn attack on the settlement, followed by another wave of attacks from four fighter aircraft.

    “Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) showed that several structures were destroyed, causing fire within the settlement while some insurgents were killed in the process.

    “On the same day, one NAF helicopter and some fighter aircraft attacked an adjoining settlement Southeast of Kolaram, targeting structures that had been observed to host significant BHT activities. The targeted BHT structures were destroyed and engulfed in fire, killing the terrorists hiding in them.

    “During the attacks on Kolaram and Southeast of Kolaram, some escaping insurgents were tracked as they fled northwards to Jubilaram, which is 38km Northeast of Monguno.

    ” Accordingly, another wave of air interdiction was launched on the location, which was also found to be active with BHT activities. Four NAF fighter aircraft took turns to attack structures occupied by BHT elements in the settlement.

    “Subsequent BDA revealed that the attacks resulted in a large part of the settlement being engulfed in fire, thereby destroying the BHTs structures and neutralizing the fleeing BHTs.”