TheNewsGuru

Tag: Terrorists

  • Kuje jailbreak: President Buhari queries prison’s intelligence

    Kuje jailbreak: President Buhari queries prison’s intelligence

    President Muhammadu Buhari has queried why the intelligence and defence systems around the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje failed to work after suspected Boko Haram terrorists successfully attacked the prison facility.

    According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Buhari, like most Nigerians, was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari on Wednesday visited the facility, spending about 30 minutes there, according to Garba Shehu.

    “Soon after he arrived, he was briefed about the attack by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Mohammad Lamido Belgore and the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, showing him the bombed-out section used to access first, and the records office which was set on fire, adding that the invaders thereafter launched an attack on all cells in which Boko Haram terrorists were held.

    “The President was apprised that, at the end of it, none of the 63 terrorists are accounted for, but it was emphasized that records are not lost because they have been backed up.

    “President Buhari, who, like most Nigerians was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack queried: “How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility?

    “How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?,” Buhari queried.

    The President was also informed that the security forces have recaptured 350 of the escapees while about 450 others are still unaccounted for, and that rapid work is under way to recapture the rest.

    After inspecting some of the points impacted by the attack, President Buhari spoke to newsmen, expressing disappointment with the intelligence system (and utilization).

    “I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organize, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it,” he said.

    The President, accompanied by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, said at the end of the visit that he is expecting “a comprehensive report” on the incident.

  • JUST IN: Suspected terrorists murder another Catholic priest, Fr. Borogo in Kaduna

    JUST IN: Suspected terrorists murder another Catholic priest, Fr. Borogo in Kaduna

    Suspected terrorists have killed another Catholic priest, Rev Fr. Vitus Borogo, in Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the incident was said to have happened at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia Road, after a raid on the farm.

    A statement by Rev Fr Christian Emmanuel of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said the deceased was 50 years-old.

    The statement reads:”It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo, which sad event took place today (Saturday) at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia Road, after a raid on the farm by terrorists. Until his death, Fr Vitus (aged 50) was the Chaplain of the Catholic Community of the Kaduna State Polytechnic, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Kaduna Chapter.

    “Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna condoles with the immediate family, the NFCS Family of Kaduna Polytechnic, and indeed the entire Kaduna Polytechnic Community; and assures them of his fraternal closeness and prayers.

    “Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon possible.

    ‘Meanwhile we commit his soul to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and call on all men and women of goodwill to continue to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for the consolation of his bereaved family, especially his mother”.

  • JUST IN: Suspects in connection with Owo church attack arrested

    Operatives of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have arrested some suspects in connection with the June 5 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    The assailants left 40 persons dead and about 60 others injured in the attack.

    “We have recovered the last vehicle they used in the operation and we have made some arrests. We have recovered some vital things which we are working on.

    “We are not stopping until we get to the root of this and I assure that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book,’’ state commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye said.

    He made the declaration while parading 71 suspected criminals before newsmen in Akure on Thursday.

    He said the 71 suspects were arrested within the month for cattle rustling, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, human trafficking and theft of commercial motorcycles.

    Adeleye said the corps already recovered 31 stolen motorcycles.

  • Senate alerts military to terrorists’ enclaves in Kwara, Niger States

    Senate alerts military to terrorists’ enclaves in Kwara, Niger States

    The Senate has identified terrorists’ enclaves in communities within three local government areas of Kwara and Niger States, respectively.

    Accordingly, the chamber, on Tuesday, urged the Military to carry out a comprehensive onslaught of bandits and criminal elements within Kainji Lake National Park and the identified communities.

    The names of communities given by the chamber include Kaiama, Karonzi-Yashikira in Baruten local government, and Wawa and Babanna areas in Niger State.

    These formed part of resolutions reached by the Senate after it considered a motion on the “worsening insecurity in Kainji Lake National Park and existential threat to communities in Kaima, Baruten and Borgu Local Government in Kwara and Miger States.”

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Sadiq Sulieman Umar (Kwara North), and Co-sponsored by the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North).

    In his presentation,  Senator Umar noted that, “kidnapping and other forms of criminality is becoming a recurrent decimal in communities close to Kainji Lake National Park particularly Nanu. Nuku, Woro, Kale in Kaiama and Yashikira in Baruten local Government of Kwara State and some part of Borgu Local Government in Niger State.

    “This has led to people living in perpetual fear of either being kidnapped and or Killed by kidnappers suspected to be armed bandits;

    “Further notes that Kainji Lake National Park covers an area of about 5,341km square with deep forest Vegetation. This park which is reserved for tourism is becoming fort-filed in harboring bandits and other forms of criminals;

    “Also notes that park rangers meant to man this park could no longer protect the forest reserve as they have lost control of the park to terrorist;

    “Worried that people living in these communities are predominantly farmers and their means of livelihood is threatened by the activities of these criminals as many are leaving their villages and farms to seek refuge in the towns that will soon be threatened as well if nothing is done about this insecurity situation. In fact, some communities have started paying the criminals some sort of tax to be allowed to stay safe;

    “Aware that the first incident occurred in year 2008 which led to the death of several Local Vigilante group members in an attempt to dislodge these criminals from the Kainji Lake National Park;

    “Also aware that there is a Forward Operating Base (FOB) established immediately after the first attacks and subsequent approval for the establishment of Military barrack in the local government, but these attacks keeps on happening with reckless abandon; and

    “Cognizant that in this year 2022 alone, several cases of kidnapping were reported in villages like Nanu, Nuku, Woro, and so on with several people reported dead. Others who returned were released after the payment of millions of Naira.”

    The Senate, in its resolutions, mandated the Committees on Defence; Finance and National Planning to jointly inter-face with the Ministry of Defence to determine status of the establishment and funding of Army Barrack in Kaiama and Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Babanna in Kwara and Niger States, respectively.

    It urged the military authorities to carry out a comprehensive onslaught on bandits and other criminal elements within Kainji Lake National Park, especially Kaiama, Karonzi -Yashikira in Baruten local government, and Wawa and Babanna areas in Niger state.

    The chamber also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to victims in the affected communities.

  • BREAKING: 204 Boko Haram terrorists surrender in Borno [PHOTOS]

    About 204 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Nigerian Army made this known on Wednesday, revealing that profiling of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists was ongoing.

    According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, the feat was achieved as a result of ongoing offensive onslaught against terrorism in the North East region of the country.

    The statement reads: “The ongoing offensive onslaught against terrorism in the North East region recorded another feat today, 15 June 2022 as 204 Boko Haram fighters including their family members surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Bama LGA of Borno State. Profiling of the surrendered terrorists is ongoing”.

  • Black Sunday in Owo: Catholic Diocese speaks on attack at St Francis

    The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has opened up on the terrorists attack that claimed lives and left many injured in St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Catholic Diocese as saying no priest was abducted by the terrorists who attacked the parish while service was going on contrary to earlier reports.

    However the church confirmed that the terrorists killed many worshippers and injured many others, stressing that the situation has left the community devastated.

    The diocese made this known in a statement released by its Director Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, while adding that the identity of the terrorists were yet to be known.

    The statement reads: “It is Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic is expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity. It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, unknown Gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. Leaving many feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated.

    “The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown while the situation has left the community devastated.

    “However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation. At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity.

    “Meanwhile, all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it. Nonetheless, let us continue to pray for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.

    “We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Amen.

    “The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace and normalcy to return to our community, state and country”.

  • Black Sunday in Owo: How we were attacked – Catholic priest

    The priest in charge of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Owo local government area of Ondo State has opened up on how the church was attacked on Sunday by suspected terrorists.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the suspected terrorists attacked St Francis Catholic church in Owo on Sunday, detonating dynamites before opening fire on worshippers.

    At the time of filing this report, no fewer than 50 corpses have been moved out of the church and dozens of others have been taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

    The Reverend Father in charge of the parish, Fr Andrew Abayomi said the church service was about to end when they started hearing dynamite explosions with accompanying gunshots.

    “I ordered church members not to leave, saying they should hide inside the church but as with human nature, given the circumstances, people were afraid for their lives.

    “The attack happened for up to twenty minutes and after we heard they had left, that was when we came out and started taking the dead and others injured to the hospital,” Abayomi managed to narrate to BBC News Pidgin.

    Ondo Gov, Akeredolu weeps over attack

    Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed deep sadness by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street on Sunday.

    “The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years,” the Governor said in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the statement further reads: “It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

    “I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

    “This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

    “I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

    “I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom”.

  • BREAKING: Ondo Gov, Akeredolu weeps over Owo terrorists attack

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed deep sadness by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street on Sunday.

    “The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years,” the Governor said in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the statement further reads: “It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

    “I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

    “This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

    “I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

    “I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom”.

  • BREAKING: Black Sunday in Owo, Ondo State as terrorists attack Catholic church

    The town of Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State has been thrown into mourning after suspected terrorists attacked a Catholic church in the council headquarters.

    According to emerging reports, the suspected terrorists bombed the St Francis Catholic Church located in Owo before opening fire on worshippers.

    Many were reportedly killed and dozens of others hospitalised. Meanwhile, the authorities are yet to release official statement on the incident and the extent of havoc wreaked by the terrorists.

    However, according to eyewitnesses, no fewer than 50 corpses have been moved out of the church and dozens have been taken to the Federal Medical Center, Owo, requiring urgent medical attention.

    https://twitter.com/HotJozsef/status/1533416409056874496?t=Smjwl2qF-G3Z2DprAVYQeA&s=19

     

    Details shortly…

  • Government unwilling to tackle terrorism in the country – Ortom

    Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has stated that the Federal Government is unwilling to tackle terrorist groups in the country.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, he made the appeal in an interactive session with delegates from the United Kingdom Parliaments All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion and Beliefs at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

    He urged the international community to put pressure on the Federal Government to address the unabating acts of terrorism by armed herdsmen in the country without religious or ethnic bias.

    The statement read in part, “The Governor stated that being a multi-religious and (multi-)ethnic country, the Federal Government, which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the rights of the people as enshrined in the constitution are protected, ought to take the task more seriously than it is currently doing.

    “According to Governor Ortom, the inability of the federal government to act swiftly to tame the rise of terror attacks on communities in the country for many years now by Islamic extremists with the sole aim of taking over the country must be put to an end.

    “He alleged that the current appointment of suspected Boko Haram supporters into key federal offices, integration of repentant members of the sect into the military and failure of government to arrest and prosecute terrorist herdsmen have also proven the complicity of government.

    “He noted that for the sake of national unity, cohesion, peaceful coexistence and promotion of development, the rights of the people to freedom of religion must also be respected by the Nigerian State, hence the need for the international community to intervene by putting pressure on the government to do the right thing.

    “Governor Ortom also told the visiting Parliamentarians that due to the activities of these terrorist groups, over 1.5 million people have been displaced from their ancestral lands and properties worth billions of naira destroyed in Benue State as a result of the invasion.

    “He recommended that there was need for rehabilitation and return of IDPs to their ancestral homes as well as payment of full compensation to victims.

    “Responding, leader of the delegation and member of Parliament from Ireland, Mr. Jim Shannon, thanked Governor Ortom for availing the delegation with a comprehensive insight into the issues assured that they would present his case at the right department back home to get positive results.

    “In their separate comments, Brendan O’Hara of House of Commons and Rachel Miner, who acknowledged that the religious crisis in Nigeria was getting worse, said they would continue to talk to government, religious and civil society leaders to effect the desired change.”