TheNewsGuru

Tag: North-East

  • COVID-19: UN launches emergency response in North East, IDPs camps

    COVID-19: UN launches emergency response in North East, IDPs camps

    The United Nations (UN) has announced plans to begin an emergency response in the North East region of Nigeria to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the region.

    A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, quoted Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria as saying that the displaced persons had already suffered enough and should not be left to suffer the effect of the pandemic.

    He said the response would focus on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, adding that the UN office said that it wanted to be ready to curb the pandemic in the event that it spreads to any of the states.

    “We will not wait for COVID-19 to reach camps for internally displaced persons before we act.

    “They have already suffered enough from the decade-long conflict and our priority is to ensure the continuous delivery of life-saving assistance, especially health services, to the most vulnerable women, children and the elderly who need special attention.

    “More than ever, it is crucial for vulnerable people to have access to not only water, soap, shelters, but also food, education and protection,” he said.

    Kallon noted that the UN in Nigeria was supporting the governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in developing emergency response plans that take the reality of the living conditions in many communities and IDP camps into account.

    The mitigation measures, according to the UN body would also focus more on overcrowded camps and camp-like settings where the risk of disease outbreaks is higher.

    Kallon said that the UN and its humanitarian partners, were actively involved in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in IDP sites across the three states in support of both the national and state emergency management agencies.

    “Humanitarian partners are installing hand-washing stations in IDP camps, ensuring supply of clean water, distributing soap and teaching women how to produce their own.

    “The United Nations is also planning to bring in vital health equipment and tools to prevent and treat the respiratory virus, which is now affecting over 12 states across Nigeria.

    “The UN has developed awareness-raising and prevention messages, leaflets, posters, animations and videos specific for IDPs and other vulnerable people in the north-east.

    “In partnership with major TV and radio channels, it has launched sensitization campaigns across various Nigerian states, reaching millions of Nigerians,” Kallon said.

    He disclosed that the UN was also launching a survey tool with the Network of People Living with HIV (NEPWHAN) to gather specific and arising challenges for people living with HIV on continuous access to quality treatment, care and support in the midst of the response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

  • One billion barrel of crude oil discovered in North-East – Sylva

    Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says about one billion barrels of crude oil have been discovered in the north-east.

    Sylva said this on Wednesday at a press conference to mark the end of the 2020 Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja.

    The minister said large quantities of oil deposits are yet to be found in the country, adding there is need for more exploration to be undertaken.

    “The figure we are getting, the jury is not totally out yet but from the evaluation results, we are getting the reserve that has been discovered in the north-east is about a billion barrels,” he said.

    “Those are the kind of figures we are seeing and we are beginning to understand the geological structure of the region.”

    The minister said he is confident that the petroleum industry bill (PIB) would be passed before the end of June, going by “cordial” relationship between the legislature and the executive.

    In October, Samson Makoji, acting group general manager, group public affairs division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, announced the discovery of oil in the north-eastern part of the country.

    He had said the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the Gongola Basin will “attract foreign investment, generate employment for people to earn income and increase government revenues”.

  • Boko Haram, ISWAP attacked Northeast 27 times in 14 days – Military

    Boko Haram, ISWAP attacked Northeast 27 times in 14 days – Military

    Troops repelled 27 attacks from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast within two weeks, the military said on Monday.

    The feat, according to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, who briefed reporters after a Security Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, was achieved by the military in collaboration with regional partners.

    The naval chief, who was speaking on the activities of terrorist groups within and outside the borders, said the military had made a lot of progress.

    He noted that many attempted attacks had been foiled even as many of their leading commanders had been neutralised.

    According to him, the President directed security chiefs to ensure peaceful and stable socio-economic environment across the country.

    He said the meeting appraised the nation’s security situations in 2019 with emphasis on ongoing internal and regional operations.

    Rear Admiral Ekwe-Ibas said the President specifically directed that the council and the members of armed forces ensure a peaceful society in 2020.

    The Naval boss said: “To that effect, we are more than determined to continue from where we stopped in 2019 and to ensure that we sustain our various operations to ensure a secured Nigeria for all of us.

    “On the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), I will also like you to look at it from a broader African perspective. We have in recent past have attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and other countries in West Africa. While it is painful to lose people and from within, I think the military is doing all within its power to ensure that we overcome the menace and the threats posed by ISWAP.

    According to him, the army has been doing its best to end the reign of terrorists groups operating in the northern part of the country, especially the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), noting that recent onslaught against them proved that troops have an upper hand.

    He said: “You will also recall that just two weeks back we have had over 27 attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast alone. Our gallant troops out there were able to repel these attacks and even took out some of their commanders.

    “So, it is a thing of concern but the armed forces of Nigeria are doing all in their powers to ensure that together with other regional partners, that the menace of ISWAP is contained.”

    He informed that the Nigerian Armed Forces will begin the gradual withdrawal of troops from some of their security operations across the country from the first quarter of next year.

    The CNS explained that the withdrawal will follow proper assessment of the success rates of operations.

    Explaining the reason for the decision to end the operations in some parts of the country soon, the naval chief said the Council observed that the forces had done their best to stabilise the security situation in the affected areas.

    He noted that it was agreed that the natural step for security agencies to take is to restore civil security arms to the satisfactorily cleared areas under military operations.

    The CNS said: “We had a security council meeting with Mr. President where we appraised the year 2019 generally with emphasis on ongoing operations both within as well as the regional operations ongoing.

    “With respect to operations within the country, it was generally agreed and noted that the security agencies have done their very best in ensuring that the deliverables are made clear.

    “You will recall that the various operations in the country in the northeast, northwest, north central, the southeast as well as the southwest where all members of the armed forces are taking part as well as the intelligence agencies have ensured that we all enjoyed a better holiday period that has just been observed.

    “We also recalled that in those areas where the military have been able to achieve desired objectives, from the first quarter of next year, the civil authority will be preparing to take back those responsibilities as the military draws back its forces from those areas to enable it force its attention on other emerging threats and areas of concern.”

    When asked to elaborate on the mode to be employed in the planned withdrawal of troops and the areas to be affected, the Naval chief said the withdrawal would follow an assessment of operations in different parts, adding that it is only when success levels had been certified as good enough to be handed to civil authorities that troops would be taken out of an area.

    He said: “Let me make it very clear that an assessment of what the military will do will be based on the situation on ground. It is not expected that the military will withdraw when it is apparent that there are still some threats in such locations.

    “I’m sure we are also aware that the nation is procuring equipment for the military. It is expected that before the second quarter of next year, most of these equipment should be in place. It therefore means that all our hands are put on ground, looking at the technology backed surveillance that will enable the military react more efficiently and effectively.

    “With that it is also believed that the Nigerian police will take the lead in containing security in such areas that must have been assessed to be in the right place to sustain. I don’t believe that a responsibility military will want to withdraw when it is apparent that there is still risk that cannot be overcome by the police.”

    He further said that the armed forces were concerned with the prolonged nature of the fight against terrorism within the country, adding that they were doing everything to see to the end of all operations so that the nation could focus more on development issues, saying “it is our wish to have the insurgency and terrorism issues resolved once and for all to enable us focus on matters of development,” the Rear Admiral said.

    At the Council meeting were: Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique; Chief of Defense Intelligence (CDI), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mohammed Usman; Director-General of Department for State Service (DSS) Yusuf Magaji Bichi; National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and the Nigerian Army Chief of Policy and Plans; Lt. Gen. Lasisi Adeosun, who represented Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

  • [JUST IN] Insecurity in North East: Reps move to probe NGOs sources of income

    By Emmanuel Ovuakporie

    Disturbed by the persistent state of anarchy in the North Esdtern part of Nigeria, lawmakers in the House moved that the sources of income of Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOS should be investigated immediately.
    This was contained in a motion tagged ‘Need to get a special security fund to fight insurgency in the north east, ‘ sponsored by the Whip of the House,Hon Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno.
    This is as a result of the the lawmakers special session on Monday over insecurity in Nigeria.
    While leading the debate Hon. Monguno expressed regrets over the unprecedented level of insecurity which has made national security a major issue for the Nigerian government.

    The lawmakers also underscored the need for the House to interface with US Congress and other Parliaments with the view to overcome all regulations that bar Nigeria’s security agencies from purchasing arms and ammunitions from those countries.

    Despite the daunting task posed by the security challenges, Hon. Monguno applauded the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari towards curtailing insecurity in Nigeria as well as other measures aimed at deterring or disrupting potantial attacks.

    “The House is aware of the interaction of the leadership of the House of Representatives with the security Chiefs on the deteriorating security situation in our country.

    The House further appreciates the efforts of the Security agencies in curbing the menace of insecurity despite the challenges they face.

    “The House is cognizant of the need for new strategies and expedited action to ensure that insecurity in Nigeria is reduced to the nearest minimum,” he noted.

    Sources privy to the closed door session security meeting held on Monday between the leadership of the House and Security Chiefs acknowledged the frustration of the Security agencies over untoward affiliation of some of the NGOs with the promoters of the terrorist group who provided suspicious fund to aid their activities in the region.

    In the same vein, the House mandated all relevant Committees to probe the activities of various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the North East geopolitical zone with the view to unravel their role in aggravating the spate of terrorists otherwise known as Boko Haram.

    To this end, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the plenary session referred the motion to the Committees Army, Defence, Air Force and Police and report back to the House for further legislative action.

  • Teachers sacked by terrorist in North-East back to classrooms – TRCN

    The Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Segun Ajiboye Ajiboye has disclosed that some of the school teachers who were sacked by terrorists in the north-eastern part of the country are back to classroom.

    He said that the Council had commenced the process of bringing back to the classrooms, teachers who have deserted the northeast zone due to terrorism attacks.

    Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, he said that the plan was to re-motivate and change the psyche of the traumatised teachers to return to school.

    According to him, some of the teachers lost their certificates to terrorism but have been restored by the intervention of the Council.

    The TRCN boss disclosed that bringing back the teachers would improve knowledge impartation on students in North-eastern part of the country.

    “Actually it is disheartening we are affected we can’t pretend. We have lost so many teachers to insecurity especially in the northeast. It created trauma. Pupils left the schools. They don’t want to come.

    “The teachers themselves left because of what has happened to their colleagues. What we are doing is to bring back our teachers especially in the northeast. A lot of interventions are going on to re-motivate the teachers and change their psyche.

    “So many of them left the teaching profession they don’t want to come back but now sanity is returning and our teachers are coming back. Some of them lost their certificates to insurgency”, he said.

    On the deadline to register as professional teacher, Ajiboye disclosed that full enforcement against unregistered and unlicensed teachers would begin in January 2020, adding that any teacher not registered by the Council by December 31, 2019 will not be allowed to practice anymore in Nigeria.

    He said letter of reminder was being written to Commissioners of Education and the Education Secretary in Federal Capital Territory on the need to ensure that practising teachers in their states get valid license before the deadline.

    “That deadline stands. In fact the Minister of Education has directed that TRCN should do a letter to Commissioners of Education and Education secretary in the FCT to remind them about the deadline. By December 2019 anyone not registered and licensed by TRCN may not allowed in our classrooms. by January 2020 enforcement will begin”, he declared.

  • 2019: Its time for North-east to produce president – Dogara

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that the February 16 Presidential election offers a very rare opportunity for the north east to produce a president in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking in Bauchi on Tuesday at the Presidential campaign rally of the PDP, Hon Dogara noted that some people think that the north east can never be able to produce someone that will have the golden opportunity of becoming the president of Nigeria.

    “They thought no one from the north east would come out to take the challenge..many unpatriotic people wished that a day like this will never come where one of us; a father, a leader from North East, will contest for the position of the president.”

    He added that whereas Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world, the north east is the poverty capital of Nigeria, a situation that will change when “one of us, our leader form the North East, and who is getting a huge acceptance wherever he launches his campaign, is brought to power.”

    Furthermore, he stated, “It is now left to us, the people of the north east, to come out enmasse to vote for him. That’s the only way to show our total support for a better tomorrow, and who ever votes otherwise has shown that he is not after the development of North East.

    “I want to make it clear to you, we are not campaigning for Atiku just because he is from our zone, no, we are campaigning and supporting him because of our belief that he will work for a better Nigeria. He is the only one that will bring an end to hunger, poverty, insurgency, especially Boko Haram, and also one who will make education a top priority. He will provide jobs to our youths.”

    The speaker argued that Atiku will work to unite the country and return it on the path of development, while taking a swipe at the Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who he described as a Pharoah.

    “It is only in Bauchi that a Pharaoh-like regime is being practiced. If you are a photocopy of Pharaoh, know what happened to the original Pharaoh.

    “We are bringing someone (Sen Bala Mohammed) who will bring back the lost glory of our dear state. It’s unfortunate that over 1.3 million children in Bauchi State are out of school today, which means if care is not taken, we may face another bigger security challange of our lives in the near future.

    “Let us wake up and chase away hunger, poverty, insecurity and a Pharaoh-like government,” he charged.

  • Boko Haram: Soldiers shiver, ‘beg’ authorities against posting to troubled North-East

    Investigations have revealed that Nigerian soldiers have in their large numbers commenced desperate appeals to posting units within the military to halt further posting to the Boko Haram ravaged North-East.

    Investigations revealed further that some have abandoned duty post and taken other jobs while some have voluntarily resigned.

    Multiple military sources confirmed that as part of the fallout of the Boko Haram attacks on military formations in Metele, Kangarwa, Malumfatori and Arge areas of Borno State as well as the Buni Gari area of Yobe State in November, more soldiers were now lobbying to avoid postings to the volatile North-East region.

    Also, It was learnt that a significant number of the soldiers presently stationed in the North-East were lobbying for redeployment.

    A Brigadier-General who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media told The Punch that a significant number of personnel were influencing their posting against the North-East while some were deserting the military.

    He said, “In the military doctrine, we have what is called cowardice. Soldiers can exhibit cowardice when they hear negative reports. Let me tell you why we have been experiencing attacks in those Lake Chad areas. Those army deployments were intentionally made around Lake Chad to block the Boko Haram’s channels of supply. The Boko Haram understands why the military are blocking their channels and they therefore ensure they keep attacking those bases to open up their own channels of supply.

    “There is a way some people have been glorifying the attacks and this makes the soldiers who are there to be afraid. These are very young military officers with families and they can be afraid. Most times when I as a general say I am on my way to the North-East, I get messages from friends and families to be careful. But I am going under escort. Now, imagine soldiers who are just deployed to actually go and fight. This is why some reports are not helpful because they are escalating these attacks, glorifying the terrorists and putting fear in our soldiers. Some of these soldiers read all these online reports and they are afraid. They are now avoiding going to the North-East like a disease.

    “I just came back home and learnt that one of my cousins whom I brought into the army was redeployed. He was supposed to go to the North-East. He ran away. He is in the village in the South-South riding motorcycle, because he does not want to die.

    “Now, if we have such incidences all over, what will become of our security architecture? Our worries are that while the terrorists are doing theirs, so many media reports reaching soldiers in the North-East are disturbing and pulling down their morale.”

    A colonel serving in Abuja also spoke on the latest development, saying personnel were now increasingly influencing their postings to avoid the North-East.

    He said, “Soldiers are trained to die in the course of defending the country’s territorial integrity, but not when you die because there are no adequate equipment. The terrorists know how to strike because they have informants who leak the strengths and weaknesses of the army to them.

    “Since there is no specific time frame for soldiers serving in the North-East, some of them are disgruntled and they are lobbying not to be posted there. The increasing attacks in the North-East are dampening the morale of troops and this is why the military authorities usually send the service chiefs to visit and talk to them.”

    Further findings confirmed that a number of the soldiers serving in troubled areas of Bornu State were considering the option of deserting due to the renewed attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents.

     

  • Boko Haram: Army makes U-turn, lifts ‘suspension’ of UNICEF activities in North-east

    A few hours after it announced an indefinite suspension of UNICEF activities in the North-east, the Nigerian Army has reversed its decision.

    Recall that the army on Friday afternoon announced the suspension, accusing the UN agency of acts that encourage Boko Haram terrorism.

    UNICEF is one of the several international organisations working to assist victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.

    The army did not provide any evidence of its accusations and did not state if it had the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to take such decision. A presidential aide also avoided speaking on Mr Buhari’s role in the saga, simply saying a meeting would be held between the army and UNICEF to resolve the controversy.

    In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, late on Friday, the army said the meeting had been held.

    It was Mr Nwachukwu who also signed the statement announcing the suspension, which was condemned by prominent rights group, Amnesty International.

    In his second statement, the colonel said the army changed its decision after the intervention of “concerned Nigerians.”

    “Sequel to intervention by well meaning and concerned Nigerians over the recent suspension of UNICEF,” the army said.

    “The Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE convened and held an emergency meeting with representatives of UNICEF this evening.

    According to the statement, the army urged UNICEF to ensure they share information with relevant authorities whenever induction or training of new staff is being conducted in the theatre.

    During the meeting, the Theatre Command admonished the representatives of the organization to desist from activities inimical to Nigeria’s national security and capable of undermining ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    “The Command also urged UNICEF representatives to ensure they share information with relevant authorities whenever induction or training of new staff is being conducted in the theatre.

    “Consequently, after extensive deliberations on the need to seek modalities to work harmoniously with the security agencies in the theatre of operation, the Theatre Command has henceforth lifted the three months suspension earlier imposed on UNICEF activities in North Eastern Nigeria.”

  • Boko Haram: Military suspends UNICEF activities in North-East indefinitely

    The Nigerian Army has said it is suspending the operations of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in the North-East theatre until further notice.

    The Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, which coordinates the Boko Haram anti-insurgency war in the North-East, stated this in a release by its spokesperson, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, alleging that UNICEF had shifted from “its duty of catering to the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engages in training selected persons for clandestine activities.”

    The Operation Lafiya Dole Command claimed on Friday that UNICEF was “sabotaging the counter-terrorism efforts” of troops through “spurious and unconfirmed allegations bordering on alleged violations of human rights by the military.”

    Nwachukwu said, “It is baffling to note that some of these organisations have been playing the terrorists’ script with the aim to continue demoralising the troops who are doing so much to protect the lives of victims of Boko Haram terrorism and safeguard them from wanton destruction of property and means of livelihood.

    “Consequently, the Theatre Command is suspending the operations of UNICEF in the North-East theatre until further notice.

    “This has become inevitable since the organisation has abdicated its primary duty of catering for the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engages in training selected persons for clandestine activities to continue sabotaging the counter-terrorism efforts.

    “The Theatre Command will not tolerate this kind of sabotage from any individual, group of persons or organisation.

    “We call on all Non-Governmental Organisations and members of humanitarian agencies to keep to their legitimate norms in the discharge of their acclaimed humanitarian duties.”

    The UNICEF had yet to officially react to the military’s release.

  • Boko Haram: Newly promoted officers to be deployed to North East – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday hinted that some of the newly promoted senior officers will be moved to the North East to strengthen the ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

    Buratai gave the hint on Thursday in Abuja, after he decorated the 29 newly promoted Major Generals and some of the Brigadier Generals with their new ranks.

    “Some of you that have been promoted and decorated today; we are only waiting for today and by tomorrow, I expect you to pick your bags and start heading towards the North East.

    “Some of you have no option than to move in straight there – North East.

    “The posting is already out,’’ he said; and directed the Military Secretary to read it to the affected officers.

    Buratai, therefore, appealed to the wives of the officers due to deployed to the theatre of operation to keep the home front well while their husbands would be there.

    He described the promotion as well deserved; adding that that it was a journey they begun several years and had culminated current enviable ranks of major generals and brigadier generals.

    “The promotion is strictly on merit, there was no any influence from outside.

    “We must ensure that we get the right people at the right time.

    “You must be committed; your loyalty should remain unshakable,’’ he added and charged the officers to be responsive and professional in the discharge of their duties.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Army Council on Monday approved the promotion of 231 senior officers to the next ranks.

    The breakdown shows that 29 Brigadier-Generals were elevated to Major-Generals, 95 Colonels to Brigadier-Generals, 106 Lieutenant Colonels to Colonels and one Major to Lieutenant Colonel.

    The army had the promotion was to re-energise the beneficiaries toward the discharge of their tasks and responsibilities.