How suicide bomber killed 21 in Kano Muslims’ procession

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

KANO – The Kano commander of Shia movement in Nigeria, Muhammad Mahmud Turi, Friday, said 21 members of the sect lost their lives while 45 others were injured when a suicide bomber struck the procession at Dakasoye village near Kano.

Double bombing rocks Jos, 13-year-old with suicide vest held

Sheik Turi told reporters that the incident occured by 2.00pm shortly after a suicide bomber was caught by its vigilante group in the procession who confirmed that another bomber was in the midst of the procession.

Turi explained that the loose suicide bomber detonated his bomb at the point of been captured alive by the search team.

The revered religious figure said that the tragic incident would not deterred the group from carry on with the journey to Zaria, adding that ‘you don’t display cowardice or cowed by death threat when carrying out religious obligations.”

“Today Friday, 21 members have been elevated to matrydom and they would be accepted by Allah to the bliss of Janatul Firdausi”.

Turi revealed that the captured suicide bomber said that he was from Mubi and was abducted by the Boko Haram sect and taken to Sambisa forest where he was exposed to the training on the art of suicide bombing.

The religious leader said that the suicide bomber further revealed that he was ferried to Kano alongside other and quartered at Gwamaja area of Kano metropolis before they were deployed to the carryout the heinous act.

But, the Kano police Commissioner, Muhammad Musa Katsina who stormed the scene with his men had a running battle with the sect that bluntly refused to hands off the suspected bomber.

The sect through one of their local leader told the Commissioner that they would only play game if there supreme leader El Zakky Zakky directed otherwise.

Speaking further on the tragic incident, a local Journalist, Ali Kakaki who was at the scene of the blast told Vanguard that women, children and a number of youngsters were affected by the blast.

 

How suicide bomber killed 21 in Kano Muslims’ procession

Death toll in Paris attacks rises to 132

THE number of people who died in Paris attacks on Friday has increased to 132 as police intensify a manhunt for suspects, Mirror online reports.

Attack in France

Three Kalashnikov rifles have been found in an abandoned car believed to have been used in the Paris gun and bomb attacks, according to reports.

Officials said a Seat car was discovered in the Paris suburb of Montreuil, but they could not confirm if this was the same Seat spotted at the scene of attacks on Le Carillon bar and Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, Sky News reports.

It comes as a French citizen – Ismael Omar Mostefai – was named as one of the terrorists who was reportedly inside the Bataclan concert hall where at least 89 people died.

The Belgian broadcaster RTBF is reporting two of the attackers were from Brussels.

At least six people have now been arrested in Belgium and on the Belgian-French border, but Belgian officials have declined to comment on reports the attacks were largely planned in Brussels.

A French official said a brother of one of the seven suicide bombers was among those facing questioning.

As investigators try to identify all the attackers, and any potential accomplices, they are also examining two passports found at the scenes of the attacks.

The Mayor of Chartres said Mostefai, 29, was killed carrying out one of six attacks on Friday night.

French newspaper Le Monde said he was identified from a print from his severed finger, discovered after he detonated a suicide vest inside the Bataclan.

Mostefai was born in Courcouronnes, Essonne, and lived in Chartres, southwest of Paris.

He had a criminal record and was known to security services but had not spent time in jail or been linked to any extremist groups.

According to French news website RTL, Mostefai’s brother turned up at a police station near his home in the south of Paris explaining that he had not been heard from in months. Former neighbours described Mostefai as “a bloke like any other.”

Paris prosecutor’s office said some of Mostefai’s family members had been held, without giving details.

Three teams of attackers in identical explosives vests appear to have co-ordinated the “act of barbarism” that left a total 129 people dead and 352 injured across the French capital.

A French citizen is among three people detained at the Belgian border, while others were held in police raids in Molenbeek, an immigrant area of Brussels.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said at least one of those held in Molenbeek was thought to have spent the previous night in Paris.

Two cars registered in Belgium were impounded close to scenes of the violence in Paris, including the Bataclan.

Molenbeek has been connected with two attacks in France this year – the Islamist killer at a kosher shop in Paris in January got his guns in the district, as did the attacker overpowered on a Brussels-Paris train in August.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the near-simultaneous attacks, which it blamed on France’s involvement in the US-led airstrikes on IS territory in Syria and Iraq. The assailants were heard speaking of both countries during the atrocities.

Syrian and Egyptian passports were found near the bodies of two of the attackers, with Greek officials suggesting that two of the suspects may have arrived in the European Union through Greece in recent months.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins confirmed a Syrian passport found at the site of one of the attacks belonged to a Syrian citizen born in 1990, but he was unknown to the security services.

Serbian media has published an image purporting to be the Syrian passport, which has the name Ahmed Almuhamed, 25.

The Blic website said the image was uncovered when French officials asked Serbian authorities to trawl records for migrants who had passed through Serbia.

Serbia’s Interior Ministry has said the holder of the passport crossed into Serbia on October 7, seeking asylum.

However, experts say it is possible passports could have been faked or stolen from innocent people.

Tony Smith, a consultant on global border control, said it is extremely difficult for the EU to track people once they are in Europe because there are no internal borders.

French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, has vowed to “destroy” those behind the killings, which have led to France declaring a state of emergency and three days of mourning.

Major attractions are closed and thousands of soldiers are on the country’s streets.

Death toll in Paris attacks rises to 132

120 people killed in multiple attack in Paris

IT was a bad day in France on Friday night after gunmen attacked four different locations simultaneously leaving at least 120 people dead.

Attack in France

France has declared national state emergency and has closed its borders after the incident.

 

Gun took hostages at the Bataclan concert hall in Central where California rock group was playing, leaving 80 people dead before being overpowered by police.

The attackers tossed explosives at the hostages, then blew themselves up with suicide belts as police closed in, the Associated Press reported

 

Others were reported killed by two suicide bombers near the Stade de France and gun attacks at Cambodia restaurant in city centre.

Seven attackers were reportedly killed including three killed by the police at Bataclan concert hall.

The government has instructed that everyone stay indoors, pools, schools and other public places shut for security reasons, and about 1500 military personnel are being deployed across the city.

No terorist groups have taken responsibility of the attack but an eyewitness who was one of the hostages at the Bataclan concert revealed that one of the attackers said their actions were for Syria, before shooting people.

The country President, Francois Hollande while addressing the country assured the people that everything will be done to bring those responsible to justice. He ordered that the attackers be fought “without mercy”

 

120 people killed in multiple attack in Paris

Rivers State Cult Attack: Death toll hits 15

FOUR days after seven persons were reportedly killed during an attack by a group of gunmen in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State the death toll had risen to 15.

Sporadic shooting near the government house in Rivers State

At least 12 suspected members of a cult group had stormed Omoku Town in the area and opened fire on innocent indigenes of the area on Friday night.

Among those who died on the spot during the raid was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the area, Chief Godspower Ayodu.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, who had earlier confirmed the incident, said seven persons lost their lives in a cult clash within the area.

It was, however, learnt that some of the victims of the attack that were rushed to the hospital later died while others were still lying critically ill.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, Mr. Gift Wokocha, maintained that over 15 persons from the area had lost their lives as a result of the incident.

Wokocha, who expressed sadness over the killings in the area, appealed to the people to embrace peace and desist from any act that could cause the destruction of lives and properties.

“There is no need for rancour and acrimony in Omoku. Omoku is an oil producing community and the people have to be protected. The level of killings and kidnappings here is not acceptable,” he said.

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Rivers State Cult Attack: Death toll hits 15

Boko Haram kill another 20 in Borno State

No fewer than 27 people were killed when some suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists invaded Sabon Gari village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state.

Just last two days ago, some gunmen attacked neighbouring Mandafuma village of Biu local government area of Borno state injuring one person while property worth millions of Naira destroyed. Also the main bridge linking Maiduguri- Damboa- Madafuma- Biu road was blown off by terrorists this week.

Sources said, the latest attack which took place at about 6pm on Tuesday left about 20 innocent civilians dead, while other 7 people lost their lives in an attempt to bury their dead ones on Wednesday morning when the terrorists regrouped and opened fire on residents at the Sabon Gari cemetery/graveyards.

Fleeing residents disclosed that many people were seriously injured during the attack, while property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Sabon Gari about 40 kilometres drive to Biu in southern Borno, and 145 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

The attack which is the second time occurred barely 12 days after the deadly attack on Damboa town where a Commanding Officer of 195 Battalion and the Divisional Police Officer, 16 Soldiers and 6 Policemen along side several terrorirts lost their lives, a situation that led to the withdrawal of Military troops from Sabon Gari Village.

A relative to one of the deceased killed in the attack, Mallam Iliyasu Ibrahim told our Correspondent that his cousin name withheld was among those killed by the terrorists on Tuesday.

Ibrahim also revealed that two of his sister are still missing after the attack on Tuesday, but however prayed God that the whereabouts of his sisters will identified and rescued.

He added that already the village is now deserted as people flee for safety of their lives, and no security operatives were deployed to restore normalcy.

Effort to get confirmation from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin yield no result, but a top security source who is not allowed to speak to the press confirmed the incident, saying ” more than 20 people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday twin attacks on Sabon Gari village by suspected terrorists”.

 

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Boko Haram kill another 20 in Borno State

Battle for Nigeria: North launches attack on Monday

•Northern govs to storm confab

•We’re ready for them —Southern leaders

A major confrontation between Northern and Southern political leaders may take place in Abuja on Monday unless a plan by governors from the North to storm Abuja that day against the national conference is called off.

A competent source told Saturday Tribune on Friday that following a meeting held by certain leaders of the North, including the governors, on Thursday evening in Abuja, a decision to reverse all major decisions taken during the week by the conference was arrived at by the North.

Already, the source said that while the North strategised on the plan, which has been described as a major onslaught against the South, leaders of thought in the South also spent the better part of Friday planning their own counter-offensive.

“They (northern leaders) decided at their meeting that decisions that upheld Nigeria as a federation should be reopened and defeated. Some of these decisions are on entrenching true federalism and creation of new states, particularly an additional one for the South East. The confab approved that local government creation should strictly be the responsibility of states; that local governments should no longer be a basis for revenue allocation from the Federation Account and that only states and the Federal Government be sharing revenue from the Federation Account.

“We also agreed on having state police and for each state to have its own constitution as obtained during the First Republic and in all countries practising federalism. They (the north) were part of these decisions and it is a surprise that they are plotting to cause a major conflict at the conference on Monday and seek to bring down this country,” the source said.

Afenifere spokesman and a delegate to the conference, Mr Yinka Odumakin, who also confirmed that he had heard of the plan by the northern governors to storm Abuja over those decisions of the conference, said the South was ready for them.

“We understand they are coming to Abuja on Monday to mobilise their delegates  and induce others against certain decisions but the South is ready for them.

“The South is ready for them and we will engage them eyeball for eyeball. The South is a bloc now; our leaders are set for them. The North, over the years, has behaved as if it owned the country. No section of this country has the right to dictate to any other. These northern governors and their leaders should know that yesterday ended at 12 midnight. This is a new day in Nigeria. Anyone who is living in the past should wake up now to the realities of today’s Nigeria,” Odumakin stressed.

Northern minority groups kick
Saturday Tribune also gathered that an even bigger shocker awaits the Northern governors and their delegates, as their colleagues from the minority ethnic groupings in the North have dissociated themselves from the planned onslaught which may include a walkout designed to crash the confab.

Though the affected minorities’ representatives attended a meeting called by the Northern delegates’ leadership, headed by Professor Awwal Yadudu and Bashir Dalhatu on Thursday, they reportedly had their own separate meeting where it was resolved that they would distance themselves from the decision of the core Northern delegates on Monday.

The Northern delegates’ meeting took place immediately the conference rose at 3.30 pm on Thursday.

The meeting, which took place at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), venue of the conference, was reportedly coordinated by Yadudu, the former Legal Adviser to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha; and Dalhatu, who is rumoured to be interested in Jigawa governorship election next year.

A source at the meeting, who is also a Northern delegate, told Saturday Tribune that the Northern delegates rejected the decisions taken at the Thursday plenary on the allegation that they were arrived at against the spirit of the conference guidelines.

They claimed that the guidelines stipulate that where consensus could not be reached on issues by delegates, there should be voting – which they claimed was not observed during the approval for state creation and local government delisting in the constitution.

“It was subsequently agreed at the meeting that a ‘Point of Order’ should be raised on Monday for a reversal; and if such is not granted, it was resolved that all Northern delegates should walk out of the conference and not return until the decisions are reversed. It was reasoned that South-South delegates walked out in 2005 to a great effect and same tactic should be adopted,” the source disclosed.

The source, however, noted that the Northern delegates might be up for the greatest embarrassment of their lives, because “almost all our brothers from the North-Central have resolved not to join the walkout. Delegates from the minority ethnic groupings in the core North have pledged their total support to seeing the conference out.

“With the calculations on ground, there will be more than the required two-thirds of the delegates participating in subsequent proceedings even if the walkout takes place. Where would that leave us? Justice Kutigi is also not supportive of the plan to create crisis for the conference. We wait to see how it goes on Monday,” he said.

A delegate from the minority North told Saturday Tribune that it would amount to sheer madness to support the core North on the walkout agenda when the new states to be created  would be ending their several years of domination and subjugation by the core North.

“The so-called North is on its own. This is the time for our liberation. No northern agenda will stop that. We would have joined if they had been sincere; but they are not. It was a lie that there was no voting. There was voting. There was a ‘voice vote’. The ‘aye’s and ‘nay’s is a voting process. We had that on Thursday,” he said.

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Battle for Nigeria: North launches attack on Monday

Maiduguri attack: 50 killed, 68 injured

Over 50 people including 16 members of the Vigilante Youth, a.k.a Civilian JTF were killed, while about 68 persons were seriously injured when a Peugeot 505 saloon car carrying charcoal but laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) exploded around the busy Elkanemi Round -About, Monday Market and about 40 metres away from the office of the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Maiduguri, the Borno state Capital on Tuesday at about 7am.

Although, the Chairman of the Vigilante Youth a.k.a Civilian JTF attached to Sector 3, Mallam Iliya Saidu while briefing Governor Kashim Shettima said, his men were able to identify 9 of his members that died in the blast, but the Chairman of Monday Market Traders Association, Alhaji Bukar Jere while giving the breakdown of the number of casualty to the Governor when he visited the scene insisted that 16 Civilian JTF were among the dozens of people killed.

Briefing, Governor Kashim Shettima at the scene of the blast, the Manager Maiduguri Monday market said “16 civilian JTF were among those killed in the blast, while 69 sustained serious injuries”.

He said 4 vehicle and four tricycles, popularly called ‘ KEKE NAPEP’ were burnt in the blast, adding that the incident also affected 49 shops and Wares displayed by the petty traders on the road side.

 

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Maiduguri attack: 50 killed, 68 injured

Bomb blast kill 40 football fans in Adamawa State

• Police arrest two bomb suspect linked with Adamawa explosion

A bomb attack targeting fans at a football match in Nigeria’s restive northeast killed at least 40 people on Sunday.

“There has been a bomb explosion at a football field this evening and so far more than 40 people have been killed,” said the officer who requested anonymity in the town of Mubi, which has seen previous attacks by Boko Haram Islamists.

The policeman’s account was confirmed by a nurse at the Mubi General Hospital, who also requested anonymity, as the health worker was not authorised to discuss the attack with the media.

Meanwhile the Adamawa Police Command has confirmed 14 people dead and 12 others injured.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Usman Abubakar, confirmed the incident in Yola.

Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence Information, said that two suspects had been arrested inconnection with the blast.

He, however, said that one of them later died in the hospital following an injury he sustained during the attack.

A resident of the town, who simply identified himself as Solomon, said that the explosion occurred in Kabang area of the town in Mubi South Local Government Area.

“The explosion occurred at about 6 p.m. in Kabang area where there is concentration of beer palour operators.

“Security personnel are taking affected people to hospital. I can’t say whether there is death or not”, Solomon said.

The three months, the military has imposed 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Mubi town following incessant attacks by the insurgents.

Mubi is located in Adamawa state, one of three in the northeast which has been under a state of emergency for more than a year as the military has tried to crush Boko Haram’s five-year extremist uprising.

The area has been hit by far fewer Boko Haram attacks than other parts of the northeast, but the town was the site of a gruesome October 2012 massacre at a post-secondary technical college.

Scores of students were killed in their dorms, including many whose throats were slit.

The policeman said the bomb exploded at roughly 6.30pm local time at the pitch in Mubi’s Kaban area and targeted fans who were trying to leave the field after watching a local club match.

It was not immediately clear if players were among the casualties, but the officer and the nurse said it appeared most of the victims were fans.

 

Bomb blast kill 40 football fans in Adamawa State

4 killed in night attack in Kuru near Jos

Jos – The Plateau police command has confirmed the killing of four persons by unknown gunmen on Tuesday night in Wat village, Kuru, in the Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Felicia Anslem, confirmed the incident in an interview on Wednesday in Jos.

Anslem said that the village was attacked by unknown gunmen when the people were asleep, and killed four persons and injured others.

She said that investigation into the killings had commenced, and called on members of the community to remain calm.

Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, Media Officer of the Special Task Force in charge of security in Plateau, also confirmed the attack but declined to give any details. (NAN)

4 killed in night attack in Kuru near Jos

Alleged attack on 9 policemen,11 civilians along Lagos-Ibadan Express way completely false - Police

By Ehi Ekhator

Oyo STate police command has on Wednesday debunked the rumour spread on social media that Boko Haram members attacked and kill 20 people, including 11 civilians and 9 policemen along Lagos-Ibadan Express way.

The false information was started on the social media, Facebook that members of the sect numbering 18 were along the road, armed with dangerous weapons, “displaying their skills”

The report further gave a warning that “If you are on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway going towards Ibadan, please turn back. I8 suspected Boko Haram members are on the high way now displaying their skills.

“Nine policemen and 11 civilians had been confirmed dead by these gunmen while trying to stop them from shooting”.

Responding to the speculation, the State Police Command said that the report was false and a concoction of demented souls.

The police through SP Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, said, ”It has come to the knowledge of Oyo state Police

Command, the vicious rumour making rounds through social media and text messages that 18 suspected Boko Haram members had laid siege to Lagos-Ibadan Express Road with AK47 rifles where it was claimed they killed 9 policemen and 11 civilians. The rumour is not only untrue but it is a concoction of lies that emanated from the mind of demented

“Members of the public are advised to discountenance the web of wicked lies and desist from assisting the rumour mongers to spread falsehood through their phones or social media. Lagos-Ibadan

“Expressway is safe and devoid of any violent attack.

“There was an occurrence of lone auto accident involving a trailer loaded with bags of wheat and policemen, Road Safety, Op-Mesa and other security officers were only at the scene to control traffic and clear the traffic gridlock caused by the accident”, she said.

Alleged attack on 9 policemen,11 civilians along Lagos-Ibadan Express way completely false - Police

New attack: Gunmen kill 15 in Wukari, Taraba State

By Ehi Ekhator

Unknown gunmen attacked Gidin-Doruwa village in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State killing no fewer than `15 persons on Easter Sunday.

Garba Umar, Tarara State Acting Governor

According to some residences, over 52 houses were destroyed including that of the Daily Independent’s reporter, Janet Audu’s family house in Jalingo.

The gunmen struck barely 24 hours the Acting Governor Garba Umar visited Wukari and pleaded with everyone for peace.

An eyewitnesses who narrated the incident said gunmen opened fire on the town at about 1.30 on Sunday as Christians were still celebrating the Night of Life to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.

Out of fear, the confused and scared residents began to run and the gunmen burn their houses and churches etc.

Out of anger, the youth in the area started destroying some mosques when they saw the CRCN church caught fire.

According to the residents who flee during the attack, the attackers came from all corners and cordoned the town before they started shooting without provocation. The gun fire continued till yesterday evening.

The presence of the policemen and soldiers who were deployed to the community did not stop the gunmen who came in large number carrying sophisticated weapons.

A resident said that the situation was so bad that some of the security men may have decided to retreat.

The Police spokesman Assistant Superintendant of Police, (ASP) Joseph Kwaji confirmed that the presence of the riot policemen sent from the state command could not stop the shooting and they had to reinforce from Mopol 34 Squadron, Gombe and 14 Squadron, Adamawa State.

the Superintendent told our correspondent (not NAIJA CENTER NEWS) that he was expecting the report on the casualty figures from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

He said “I am trying to get detailed information from the DPO. We are aware that a village in Wukari has been attacked, but I can’t precisely tell the media the number of casualties, the injured and houses burnt now.

“Today’s (yesterday’s) attack and killings were carried out by unknown gunmen,” he said.

The Divisional Secretary of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Lucky Navokhi, was also not certain about the casualty figure and other fatalities.

“Hostilities are still on so we don’t have accurate information to make public now,” he said.

The Acting Governor of Taraba State, Umar Garba referred the killings as unfortunate, barbaric and unacceptable.

He said this through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Aaron Atimas,. Umar promised that government would do everything possible to make sure that the lives and properties of the citizens are protected.

He said “The perpetrators of the crisis must be brought to book. Government cannot fold her arms and watch her citizens die in the hands of heartless people,” Umar said and appealed to the people to be calm.

Speaking on the issue, Commissioner for Information, Atte Sale Kundu expressed sadness that despite the move by the Acting Governor to appeal to the people to embrace peace, the crisis was still far from over.

He said: “We don’t know where the problem is coming from,”

The crisis in Taraba started from Ibi, Cassol and Takum local government areas and now hot in Wukari. It was reported that 24 persons were killed last week, 34 injured while 99 houses were destroyed.

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New attack: Gunmen kill 15 in Wukari, Taraba State

Gunmen attackburn houses, schools, kill five-year-old girl in Bauchi

Police in Bauchi State said suspected gunmen set ablaze some houses in the staff quarters of Government Girls Secondary School, Yana, killing a five-year old girl on Sunday.

Gunmen

The police spokesperson in the state, DSP Haruna Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria

on Sunday in Bauchi that the gunmen also burnt a telecommunication mast in the town.

He said they stole a private car belonging to the principal of the school, assuring the public that other students in the school were safe.

“Unknown gunmen attacked the staff quarters of GGSS Yana, Shira Local Government Area of the state, around 2.30 a.m. on Sunday.

“They set the school bus ablaze; and in the process, a five-year-old girl was killed in the fire while they destroyed the vault of a bank”, he said.

According to Mohammed, a combined team of security forces are on the trail of the attackers.

NAN recalls that on April 17, the police said a team of security forces foiled an attack by some unknown gunmen on Misau town, Misau Local Government Area of the state.

On April 15 also, the police confirmed that some gunmen snatched two vehicles, marked 206 UN and 139 UN in Soro, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state, belonging to the United Nations.

Mohammed said some suspected armed robbers had recently snatched a vehicle belonging to the Bauchi State Television Authority, marked 04C-04 BA. (NAN)

Gunmen attackburn houses, schools, kill five-year-old girl in Bauchi

77 persons killed by fulani herdsmen in a new attack

By Ehi Ekhator

77 people have been reported dead in the crisis between some Fulani herdsmen and the indigenous people of Wukari, Taraba State few days ago.

Clash between Fulani and Tiv in Benue

ASP Joseph Kwaji, the Police Public Relation Officer revealed this during an interview with journalists yesterday in Wukari. He said that 34 people were injured while 99 houses were set ablaze during the crisis.

The District Leader of the Red Cross in the zone, Saidu Aji spoke on the issue, he said that they buried 37 people as soon as they were killed and other 47 were confirmed dead at different hospitals.

He also said that other 40 people were receiving treatment for various level of injuries they had during the fight, saying that the number of the victims were still being collated.

According to him, those with serious issue were taken to the Jalingo Special Hospital while 14 victims were taken to Kwarafa Hospital in the town.

But the traditional ruler of  Wukari, His Royal Highness Shakaru Angyu, while briefing the state’s Acting Governor, alhaji Garba Umar, yesterday, blamed the Fulani for igniting the crisis

He appealed to the Acting Governor to review the 24 hours curfew imposed on the two so that people could go out and buy whatever they want or attend to some things needed outside the house.

Responding to the plea, Umar said the curfew would continue till security agencies assured that there is improvement in the situation.

He said “In my opinion, it is not yet time to relax the curfew imposed on Wukari because the youth are still very angry.

“Even this morning, a house was burnt close to a security check point in Wukari town,” the Acting Governor said, and asked parents to call their children to order.

Umar also promised that he would send delegate to the Governor of Benue State in order to find a lasting solution to the continuous clashes between the Fulani and their neighbours in Taraba State.

 

77 persons killed by fulani herdsmen in a new attack

Again! Eight people killed in Benue

Eight persons were killed yesterday in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The House of Assembly member representing Agatu, Sule Audu, said some men were dredging sand in the river, when the gunmen attacked them.

Audu said the bodies of the victims had been moved to the Obagaji, the council headquarters.

The lawmaker said soldiers, who were drafted to Agatu, have continued to stay in Obagaji.

He appealed to security officials not to restrict their movement to the council headquarters but to the nooks and crannies of all the communities in Agatu.

The Agatu Elders Committee, in a statement by its chairman, Sule Ngbede and Secretary Abu Onum, lamented that the soldiers have not been patrolling flash points.

Police spokesman Daniel Ezeala confirmed the incident, saying the remains of the victims have been taken to the mortuary. (0)

Again! Eight people killed in Benue

Bloody Weekend in Borno: 60 killed in fresh Boko Haram attacks

By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama with agency reports

MAIDUGURI—Barely 48 hours after suspected Boko Haram terrorists massacred more than 200 persons including students who were writing their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, in Borno, the insurgents, yesterday, continued their killing spree as they killed no fewer than 60 persons in Ngoshe and Kaigamari villages of Borno close to the border with Cameroon.

The terrorists also set ablaze many houses, shops, telecommunication masts and other property worth millions of naira. This came as the troops deployed to the North Central zone of the country to checkmate herdsmen/ farmers’ clashes as well as cattle rustling that has claimed hundreds of lives have recovered a cache of arms from militia men in Kaduna and Plateau states.

Speaking with AFP in Maiduguri, the state capital,  the chairman of Bama Local Government Area, Mallam Baba Shehu Gulumba, said:  “The attackers, who were no doubt Boko Haram insurgents, attacked Amchaka and nearby villages this morning, hurling IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) into homes and setting them on fire. They then went on a shooting spree, opening fire on confused residents as they tried to flee, killing 60 people and injuring several others”.

An eye witness who escaped the attack in Ngoshe, Mallam Usman Jidda told Vanguard that the gunmen who were sighted some few days back in between the mountainous areas of Ngoshe and Limankara villages carried out the attack without any challenge from the security operatives in the area.

“I thank God for sparing my life and members of my family as we were able to escape the deadly attack. We are now settling with one of my relatives in Gwoza council area. I can confirm to you that more than 30 people were killed by the insurgents in Ngoshe, apart from the destruction of property worth millions of naira”, Jidda stated.

The attack in Kaigamari village of Konduga near the state capital according to sources have forced surviving residents to flee the area to Maiduguri on Sunday for safety.

All effort to reach the Divisional Police Officers of Gwoza and Konduga to confirm the separate incidents proved abortive as there was no GSM network service in the two council areas.

The insurgents had on Friday laid ambush for the students who were on their way to Biu from Maiduguri in eight vehicles to write their exams.

The senator representing Borno Central, Zannah Ahmed told newsmen that at least 210 people were killed in attacks that lasted from Thursday till Friday morning. He said the attackers stormed the communities in two armoured personnel cars and seven double cabin pick ups and descended on a Teachers’ College in Dikwa, killing seven people before burning down the school library and administrative block. This account has, however been refuted by some authorities in Borno, who claimed that no student was killed in the attacks.

Military recover arms in Kaduna, Plateau

Aside the arms recovered in Kaduna and Plateau states, a huge number of stolen cows and sheep believed to have been rustled were also recovered from the armed gangs.

The arms included six rifles, 25 dane guns, four revolvers and 10 locally fabricated pistols while over 90 cows and 45 sheep that were rustled were also recovered. Another 50 cows have also been recovered from rustlers who attacked herdsmen in another location.

Making the disclosure in a statement, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said: “The military assault on camps of armed militia men in Kaduna and Plateau states has led to the recovery of arms and some stolen livestock.

“The operations in Dahia Luka, Makera and some communities in Plateau and Kaduna states, resulted in the arrest of three wounded armed men after the encounter in which some of them died.

“Over 90 cows and 45 sheep believed to have been rustled were also recovered in addition to weapons. Another 50 cows have also been recovered from rustlers who attacked herdsmen in another location.

“The recovered cows have been handed over to the traditional rulers in the area while the arrested armed men are still being interrogated. The herdsmen who were wounded by the rustlers are also being treated.

“Meanwhile, traditional rulers in the areas have been cautioned against shielding or harbouring armed gangs in the precinct of their domain in view of the security implications to their communities and the nation at large.

“Armed gangs have been engaging troops in gun battle as the forests are being combed for remnant of criminal elements that have been wreaking havoc in various communities of the North Central”.

“Cordon and search of identified locations have also continued.

“In the process, various rifle parts as well as empty ammunition boxes were recovered in Shendam, Yelwa and the house of a suspected arms dealer at the border between Plateau and Taraba States.

“The arrested suspects are among those being interrogated by the Special Task Force.

“Also, one of the militiamen arrested in the outskirts of Jos is already helping with information on his links with terrorists operating in other parts of the country.

“In the meantime, the counter terrorists’ campaign in the North East has continued amidst series of encounters as identified make-shift camps of the terrorists are being dislodged in the ongoing air and land raids in forest and mountain locations.

“The presence of famished and unarmed members of the terrorists groups wandering around has been noted in some villages.

“Armed terrorists have however continued to carry out snap attacks on travellers on highways especially between Maiduguri- Damboa as well as Gwoza-Bama highways while others make occasional attacks on surrounding villages, looting especially food items.”

 

Bloody Weekend in Borno: 60 killed in fresh Boko Haram attacks

Boko Haram kills 19 in Borno villages

The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was held without any security breach across all centres in Yobe State yesterday, 24 hours after another round of attacks in neighbouring Borno State by members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

One target of the attacks was a secondary school in Dikwa where seven teachers and some students were killed.

The scene

Similar attacks took place in Kala-Balge towns and near Dalwa, according to Senator Ahmed Zanna, who represents the area in the National Assembly.

No fewer than 19 people are feared dead in the attacks, but the senator put the death toll at 217.

He said the 217 were killed in six villages.

Of this number 60 were killed in Kala-Balge and 150 in three other villages.

Yesterday’s JAMB exam however took place in major towns in Yobe like Damaturu, Gashua, Potiskum, and Geidam.

Security was tight as the examination got underway with candidates screened by security personnel before being allowed into the exam hall.

Some centres in the state were collapsed to accommodate candidates from particularly volatile areas.

A candidate, Hafsat Abdullahi, said that though she attends school in Maiduguri her father registered her in Yobe for fear of Boko Haram.

Another candidate, Musa Mohammadu said that he was “just happy that Allah has seen us through”.

No official of JAMB was ready to speak with the press as many of them that were approached turned down the reporter’s request.

It was gathered that insurgents stormed the Dikwa school in the early hours of Thursday, killing six teachers and two security guards.

They also abducted an unspecified number of women, residents said.

A witness, Modu Kakarimi, who fled Dikwa to Maiduguri, the state capital, said he and some others ran away to safety when they heard sound of gunshots.

“Our fear was heightened when we saw the boarding school (college) in flames. We later gathered that they have killed eight there. We fled together with our women and children,” Kakarimi said.

Senator Ahmed Zanna confirmed the Dikwa killing to journalists but he said he could not provide full details.

“There was a siege on one of the schools in the town just after midnight… They also razed the school library and escaped into the night through the bushes,” he said.

A group of insurgents also attacked Kala-Balge town, killing three people and setting many houses ablaze, some local officials said on condition of anonymity.

On Friday, suspected Islamists blocked Maiduguri-Biu highway near Dalwa village and shot dead eight passengers, a passer-by Mustapha Ali, said.

Ali, who passed through Dalwa on his way to Maiduguri said the insurgents stormed the highway in broad daylight.

There was no immediate confirmation of the attacks by security agencies but a top security officer, who demanded anonymity, confirmed them.

“There were various attacks in the state …It is sad,” he said.

Violence in the Northeast has already killed some 1,500 people this year.

Boko Haram kills 19 in Borno villages

New attack: Boko Haram kill 30 in Borno

The outlawed Boko  Haram sect launched attacks on troubled Borno villages and highways, killing more than 30 people including residents, motorists and passengers. This development has left the hope of early resolution of the continued crisis in the area hanging.

Boko Haram attack

The sect in the latest attacks on Thursday evening and yesterday morning invaded three towns of Borno: Dikwa (in the central); Gwoza and Kalabalge council area (both in South) as well as the deadly Maiduguri- Biu road which has remained under terrorists’ ambush almost on daily basis for the past one month.

In the attack on Government Secondary school in Dikwa located along Gulumba road, some residents of the town who fled to Maiduguri revealed to journalists that the hoodlums came to the town in the thick of the night and disturbed the peace of everyone, after slaughtering eight teachers.

One of them who spoke on condition of anonymity said some had to flee the town to Maiduguri.

“We could not sleep at night as all we were hearing were gunshots and we became afraid and had to sneak in the dark to Maiduguri.”

He said: “Our fear was heightened by the fact that we heard that they have attacked a boarding school and had killed eight teachers.”

Just about the time the sect attacked  Dikwa, another set of the sect attacked Gwoza and Kalabalge in the eastern part of the troubled state.

They were said to have engaged the military in the two towns in an exchange of gunfire in an attempt to take control of the towns, a situation that led to the destruction of human lives and property worth millions of naira.

Though details of the attacks on the two towns were minimal as at the time of filing this report last night, it was gathered that there was heavy casualty in the siege where more than 15 people including security operatives were killed.

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New attack: Boko Haram kill 30 in Borno

Again Boko Haram attacks Borno village, kills 4

Violence erupted again in Borno state, as 30 gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on motorcycles attacked Azir village in Damboa council area of the state, killing four residents with the injuring of seven others in the early hours of Saturday.

Azir village is a farming and herdsmen community, and 107 kilometres south of

Maiduguri, the state capital.

The gunmen, in the dawn attack, also torched several houses and shops with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs, before fleeing into the Sambisa Forest, east of the village.

According to source, a resident of Damboa yesterday in a telephone interview said the Boko Haram sect issued a threat letter to the village head early this month that the people should vacate their village, as the Islamist sect group will execute the work of Allah (God) in the night of undisclosed date.

“Two weeks after the threat letter, we were shocked and terrified by 30 gunmen on motorcycles; and surrounded the entire village, shooting sporadically at people fleeing, before setting most of the houses and huts ablaze. Some of the villagers had to flee into nearby farmlands for safety, while others climbed trees to hide, as the village was burning with plumes of smoke for two hours last night,” the source said while explaining how some villagers escaped from being killed yesterday night.

On casualties of attack, he said: “I cannot tell you the exact number of people killed, but definitely four of our people were shot dead, before their children and wives, while fleeing for safety that night along with other villagers to the bush and farmlands. Also seven villagers had broken limbs and fire burns; and they had been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri for treatments.”

He added that the villagers were left without security from either the Military or police from Maiduguri, stating that before Saturday’s attack, the soldiers and policemen patrolling Maiduguri-Biu road; were however; withdrawn early this month.

This, he explained, enabled the gunmen to cash in on non-protection of the village against insurgency attacks and killings of yesterday.

The Borno police commissioner, Tanko Lawal confirmed the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, but said he is yet to get details on the number of casualties from the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO ) in Damboa, adding that as soon as he get details, the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ) DSP Gideon Jubrin will call our Correspondent as at the time of going to press.

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Again Boko Haram attacks Borno village, kills 4

Boko Haram kill 100 in different villages in Katsina State

The orgy of bloodletting in some parts of the country has continued, with no fewer than 100 killed in four Katsina State villages.

Officials and witnesses said yesterday that the attackers on Wednesday rode motorcycles into villages in broad daylight and killed residents.

President Goodluck Jonathan last night ordered the military to dislodge the terrorists whose identities remained unclear.

Witnesses said some of the assailants were ethnic Fulani. It was unclear whether they were Boko Harm insurgents.

Some people described the assailants as cattle rustlers.

House of Representatives member Abdullahi Abbas Machika said 47 people were buried in one village alone, following the attack. “So far, 69 bodies have been recovered from the attacks carried out by a large group of gunmen riding on motorcycles,” he added.

A witness who narrowly escaped and later returned to his village told Premium Times yesterday that he attended the burial of 27 people in his hometown, Maigora. He said he later attended the burial of another 21 people at Sabon Layin Galadima; 40 people were killed at Marabar Maigora; seven in Kurar Mota and eight in Unguwar Doka.

Local residents told the BBC Hausa Service that security personnel had not been deployed in the area as at yesterday.

The villages attacked are Mararabar Gora, Maigora town, Sabo Layin Galadima and Unguwan Doka in Faskari local government area.

The gunmen moved from house-to-house, killing and maiming people, including children and women. They set houses on fire.

It was learnt that the attack, which was started on Tuesday night, was extended till Thursday.

“We are just coming from the funeral of innocent victims at Maiangua town; we attended similar funerals at Unguwar Doka some hours ago,”an eyewitness said.

Police spokesman Aminu Abubakar declined to speak on the attack yesterday.

Machika told the BBC that security personnel were busy protecting President Jonathan, who was on a two-day visit to the state while people were being killed in his constituency.

President Jonathan last night ordered the military to comb the Rugu Forest and dislodge the terrorists.

Speaking at a dinner organised in his honour by the Katsina State government at the Government House Banquet Hall, Jonathan said the Rugu forest is a border area linking four states of Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna and the neighbouring Niger Republic.

He regretted that the forest meant for economic purposes had turned to hideout for insurgents from where they launch attacks on the states.

The President also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver relief materials to the affected communities. (0)

Boko Haram kill 100 in different villages in Katsina State

Fulani herdsmen attack Governor Suswam convoy in Benue

By Ehi Ekhator

The Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam was attacked on Monday, by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Governor Suswam

The herdsmen have been attacking Tiv indigenes, farmers, killing and maiming villagers with sophisticated weapons.

Governor Suswam was attacked at Tse Akenyi, on his way to the displaced persons’ camp in Guma Local Government in Makurdi.

It was gathered that the herdsmen fired at the governor’s vehicle at Tse Akenyi junction the moment they sighted his vehicle. They were harmed with heavy admonitions which they brought out of the nearby bush, according to an eyewitness

It was gathered that after the attack, the governor still visited Gbajimba, the administrative headquarters of Guma Local Government where he addressed the displaced persons.

The governor while addressing the crowd, urged them to take their destiny in their hands. He said “I salute each and every one of you for your courage and steadfastness throughout this period. This is beyond the herdsmen; this is real war.

“On my way to this place, they exchanged gun shots with us for over one hour before we were able to come here.

“My people are being killed, butchered and their homes destroyed. So, if the security agents, especially the military, cannot provide security for us, we will defend ourselves.

“I cannot abandon you people at this point in time to die. You voted me to provide security for you and I must do that for you.

“These Fulani are not like the real Fulani we used to know.

“Please return to your homes and defend your land, do not allow anybody to make you slaves in your home land,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the local government, Frank Adi condemned the continuous killings of his people and destruction of their homes by the herdsmen.

Mr. Godwin Viashima, who represented Adi in the gathering pleaded with the government to provide security operatives to protect the citizens.

Responding to the appeal, Suswam promised the people that the government would do everything within its power to bring back peace to the community and homes destroyed. he added that government would not allow invaders to take over their ancestral homes.

Houses were seen razed and decomposed bodies littered the farming community at Ukpam village. The governor ordered them to remove six bodies to Makurdi for burial.

The governor visited other affected communities. The worst hit villages are Ukpam, Waku, Torkula, and Kaseyo

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Fulani herdsmen attack Governor Suswam convoy in Benue