Soldiers kill 30 Boko Haram terrorists in Adamawa

YOLA—No fewer than 30 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect were killed in a gun duel with Nigerian troops assisted by the local vigilantes in the early hours of yesterday at the border villages between Adamawa and Borno states.

Boko Haram and Nigeria soldiers

This came as Boko Haram members on Sunday invaded Gwoza local government area of Borno State, killing nine people and destroying houses.

On the Adamaa incident, Nigerian troops had laid an ambush on the insurgents between the border villages of Kirchinga and Imirsa, which had come under attacks of Boko Haram insurgents in recent times, leading to the death of innocent residents.

A local vigilante operative who participated in the campaign, told Vanguard that following intelligence report about the movement of the Boko Haram insurgents, an ambush was laid for them which resulted in the killing of many of the insurgents.

“Following information about the movements of the Boko Haram insurgents we got, we decided to lay an ambush in the wee hours of Monday.

“Our efforts yielded results as we succeeded in killing over 30 of the insurgents after a fierce gun duel.

“We confiscated many weapons from the invading terrorists, including AK 47 assault rifles, bows and arrows and other dangerous weapons,” the source said.

The onslaught against the insurgents followed increased attacks on parts of Madagali local government area, leading to the death of three soldiers and abduction of one senior military officer alongside his operational vehicle.

A vigilante operative had told Vanguard that Boko Haram insurgents had disguised as local vigilante operatives and in the process, killed unsuspecting residents and soldiers.

“The insurgents who disguised as local vigilante mounted road blocks across the highway and pretended to be carrying out routine checks.

“The soldiers were lured into the booby trap of the insurgents who immediately swooped on them and killed three soldiers and abducted one of the soldiers,” the source said.

In a similar vein, reports from Kirchinga village in Madagali local government area of Adamawa State indicated that a fierce gun duel was taking place between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram insurgents who launched attack on the village weekend.

Confirming the incident, member representing Madagali/Michika Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Adamu Kamale, called on the federal government to deploy more troops to safeguard lives and properties.

Meanwhile, suspected group of Boko Haram sect on Sunday invaded Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing nine persons and destroying houses.

Sources said, however, that scores of the insurgents met their Waterloo as military operatives in Gwoza town repelled the attack much later.

The terrorists, according to another source, also wounded many people after looting their foodstuff, including livestock, and fled without confrontation from the armless villagers.

Sunday is a market day where a few persons from surrounding villages of Limankara and other communities patronize the town for businesses.

Gwoza was declared as an Islamic Caliphate by the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau last year when his fighters seized the town which is south and about 150kms drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.

After the deadly attacks and taken over of Gwoza by the terrorists last year, including Limankara village, no fewer than 40 policemen undergoing training at the Limankara Mobile Training Camp were declared missing.

A few of them were reported to have been located and rescued, with over 30 still missing at the time of this report.

Reliable sources told Vanguard that with the liberation of Gwoza by military troops early this year, many fleeing residents returned to the town and other surrounding villages to pick up their pieces, before another group of terrorists launched fresh attacks on the town, killing nine and injuring scores.

The source added that just last week, there was a failed attempt by insurgents on Gwoza town, but they were repelled by the military, living unspecified number of the terrorists dead and recovery of their arms and ammunition.

On the recent attacks on Gwoza, another source who was on his way to Gwoza from Maiduguri at the time of the attack had to spend the night at Limankara, stating that he was compelled to do so because the military had blocked the only existing Madagali- Limankaa- Gwoza road.

The source said he was on his way to Gwoza with a truck of cement and other building materials for sale, following relative peace witnessed recently in the town, but had no option than to spent the night at Limankara before moving back to Madagali town of Adamawa.

All effort to get confirmation from the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun did not yield positive result as his phone lines were not reachable at press time.

Soldiers kill 30 Boko Haram terrorists in Adamawa

Boko Haram on rampage; killed over 50; injured many

At least more than 50 people were feared dead with scores sustained gunshot wounds when some group of suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded Kirawa village of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state. Reliable sources have revealed.

Abubakar Shekau

Our Correspondent learnt that the incident took place on Thursday when traders and buyers were busy observing their market day in Kirawa.

This is coming barely two days when suspected group of insurgents laid siege on Kolori and Ba’ana Imam villages of Damboa local government area killing 23 residents with injuring of many others.

Kirawa, a mountainous and remote area which is located east of troubled Gwoza destroyed town and shares international border with francophone speaking communities of Cameroon Republic.

Sources told our Correspondent that the insurgents who were armed with sophisticated weapons including AK47 rifles and petrol bombs invaded Kirawa on their market day and wrecked havoc living 53 people dead with over 100 injured.

” 53 of our people were shot dead with over 100 injured when a group of terrorists invaded our market square. The market always attracted Cameroonian traders and customers.

” 24 hours after the deadly attack on our market, two female suicide bombers who attempted to detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices strapped on their bodies were arrested by combine team of residents and youth vigilante on Friday after Juma’at prayers”. Said an Elder in Kirawa who did not want his name mentioned in the print for security reasons.

Another source who also hail from Kirawa but reside in Maiduguri, the state capital told our Correspondent that he received a distress call from one of his fleeing family members who crossed over to Cameroon Republic after the attack left scores of people in Kirawa dead and injured after setting ablaze many shops and houses, with looting of foodstuff and live stocks belonging to the armless residents.

” One of my family member from Kirawa called me on Friday evening that our community have been under deadly attack by insurgents, they had to flee to Cameroon before they get access to telecommunication services as most of the telecom masts in kirawa and other communities Behring mountains (Bayan Dutse) were destroyed last year by terrorists”. Mallam Ali Musa Kirawa, a resident of Maiduguri told our Correspondent.

All effort to get confirmation from the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun proves abortive as his cell phone was not reachable at press time

 

Boko Haram on rampage; killed over 50; injured many

NAF, ground troops repel boko haram attack in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said its fighter jets have successfully combined with ground troops to repel the latest Boko Haram attack on Bita village in Borno State.

Nigeria soldiers fighting Boko Haram

This was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Dele Alonge.

He said a large number of insurgents were killed in the operation, carried out by Nigerian forces in the area.

Alonge said the Nigerian Air Force would continue to provide combat air support to the ground force in all operations carried out by Nigerian troops in the North-East.

“The Nigerian Air Force, using its Alpha-Jet, provided combat air support to the ground force to attack the insurgents, where they were observed to be mopping up to carry out a deadly attack on the village.

“Consequently, a large number of the insurgents were killed and several others, injured,” he said.

Alonge added that the NAF Alpha-Jet also conducted an armed reconnaissance along Bita to Gwoza road and through Yamtege, Hamdaga, Dure and Pulka.

According to him, NAF will continue to give all necessary support to the ground force through its intensified and persistent efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

He said the momentum would be sustained in the ongoing operations against the terrorists in the North-East, until all portions of Nigeria’s territory were safe and free from the insurgents.

The Acting Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar, has pledged to improve NAF firepower in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

NAF, ground troops repel boko haram attack in Borno

Update: Nigerian soldiers recapture Boko Haram headquarter, Gwoza

Sequel to the violent and heinous crimes perpetrated by terrorists in North Eastern Nigeria, the Armed Forces of Nigeria was tasked to halt the carnage and restore sanity in that region. This resulted in the deployment of land and air forces.

Boko Haram

The deployment denied the terrorists the freedom of action they had hitherto enjoyed and they resorted to diversionary tactics known with terrorist groups around the world by carrying out isolated attacks and bombings. The series of deployment and operational effectiveness of the military were however challenged by the porosity of the borders, which gave the terrorists leverage to operate in Nigeria and retreat into safe havens in neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The recent reinvigoration of a partnership between Nigeria and these neighbouring countries under the auspices of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) provided the desired response to the challenge, as these border areas that hitherto served as hideouts for the terrorists have been actively dominated by troops in the MNJTF. This development decimated the fighting capabilities of the terrorists, as the Nigerian military carries out a final onslaught on the nation’s enemy within the country. These successful operations have culminated in the dislodgment of terrorists from towns and communities in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states.

Just this morning, the troops of the Nigerian military in a concerted and well-coordinated land and air operations have liberated Gwoza, the headquarters of their so called caliphate which they renamed ‘darul hikima’. This was preceded by successive sack of terrorists from towns and villages leading to Gwoza, the main objective. Several of the terrorists have died and many of them captured in the process. A lot of arms and ammunition have been recovered and the administrative Headquarters completely destroyed. A massive cordon and search has commenced to locate any of the fleeing terrorists or hostages in their custody.

As at yesterday, the military has been able to take over virtually all the enclaves and hideouts where the terrorists were marauding. It is observed that some of the terrorists are currently fleeing towards border areas. The fleeing terrorists will expectedly run into subsequent encounter with contingents of partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force who have been mandated to contain them accordingly. The mop up operation in Gwoza and other liberated areas will continue in order to ensure that no vestiges of terrorists or terrorism remain in our country.

The Nigerian military and security agencies therefore thank Nigerians and our partners in the sub-region who have consistently encouraged and supported us in the course of these operations. The military is more than ever before determined to once and for all stamp out every trace of terrorism and insecurity in our country. All citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report every movement or assemblage of suspicious characters to the security forces so that NEVER AGAIN shall the evil elements re-group to terrorize or cause mayhem in our country

Earlier this month, residents who fled the town in Borno state told AFP that militants had been massing in Gwoza and killing local people who were unable to flee.

That led to speculation that the group, which has been pushed out of a number of towns in three northeast states in recent weeks, was preparing for a final assault.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau declared on August 24 last year that Gwoza was “part of the Islamic caliphate”, adding to speculation the militants were imitating the Islamic State group.

– ‘Final onslaught’ –

Shekau had the previous month praised IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but stopped short of pledging allegiance. He has since formally allied himself to the group in Syria and Iraq.

Nigeria’s national security spokesman Mike Omeri said last week that troops had begun the “final onslaught” against Boko Haram, saying Gwoza was one of three areas yet to be retaken.

A four-nation coalition of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon has claimed a number of successes since the turn of the year to end the insurgency which has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2009.

The ongoing operation was cited as a reason to delay Nigeria’s general election on February 14 to this Saturday, as soldiers would not be able to provide security nationwide.

In a televised address broadcast on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan hailed troops for having “successfully stemmed the seizure of Nigerian territories”.

“I heartily commend the very courageous men and women of our Armed Forces for the immense sacrifices which they continue to make in defending the nation and protecting its citizens,” he added.

But Chad’s President Idriss Deby accused Nigeria of failing to cooperate with the regional coalition battling the jihadists, saying there had been zero contact between their armies.

“The whole world is asking why the Nigerian army, which is a big army… is not in a position to stand up to untrained kids armed with Kalashnikovs,” Deby told French magazine Le Point, in an interview published this week.

Update: Nigerian soldiers recapture Boko Haram headquarter, Gwoza

Breaking:Nigerian soldiers recpature Gwoza

Nigerian soldiers have recaptured the town of Gwoza, the Headquarters of the Boko Haram terrorist self styled Caliphate.

According to tweets by the Defence Headquarters, several terrorists were killed while many are captured. Mopping up of entire Gwoza and her suburbs is ongoing.

It could recalled that NAIJA CENTR NEWS published a statement by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, assuring Nigerians that Gwoza will be liberated on Friday.

Since an escapee had revealed that the more than 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok are in Gwoza, there is no news on their whereabout and rescue as at the time of filing this report.

Details later…

 

 

 

Breaking:Nigerian soldiers recpature Gwoza

We’ll liberate Gwoza by Friday, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday expressed the confidence that Nigerian troops will liberate Gwoza from members of the Boko Haram sect latest on Friday.

Jonathan

Once that feat is achieved, he said it would not take the nation more than one week to clean up.

Jonathan spoke while granting audience to a group of international election monitors who paid him a visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We believe by tomorrow (Thursday) or latest Friday, we will be able to take over Gwoza. If we take over Gwoza it will not take us more than one week to clean up. Now Boko Haram is not in position to come out and disrupt elections,” Jonathan told his guests.

He recalled that when security operatives advised that elections be rescheduled for security reasons, a number of people thought it was just because of the terror attacks in some parts of the North.

He however admitted that that was a major factor too because the Boko Haram set was in three states: Borno, Yobe and Adamawa at that time.

“They were holding territories, some local governments were completely under their control and invariably there were no government in those places.

“And of course, some states like Gombe and Bauchi were also not free. In fact, it would have been difficult to conduct elections in five states of the federation.

“If we had conducted elections on that February 14, they would have come up to disrupt elections in these five states and that would have made the presidential elections in these five states inconclusive.

“This is because whoever emerged a winner though we are 14 candidates but the PDP and the APC candidates are the two that are well known.

“It would have been difficult because probably the vote difference of any of these candidates, if you aggregate the remaining five states that elections would have been disrupted, it would have been difficult to declare a winner.”

Jonathan added that Gombe State was attacked on the same day the presidential election was earlier scheduled to hold. He said the aim of the insurgents was to disrupt the elections but they were repelled.

The President assured his guests that elections would be conducted on the Saturday across the country and there would be no reason for inclusive results.

We’ll liberate Gwoza by Friday, says Jonathan

Boko Haram: Chibok girls in Gwoza - freed captive revealed

More than 200 girls who were abducted by Boko Haram from government secondary school, Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014 are in Gwoza, The Cable, an online medium, on Wednesday quoted Mbutu Papka, a woman who was recently freed after eight months in the sect’s captivity, to have said.

Papka, who made the revelation to the international centre for investigative reporting, said she was transferred from a poor condition in Mdita to a fairly tolerable facility in Gwoza where the abducted girls were being held.

She said, “In the camp at Gwoza, there were clear demarcations between where people were kept. The Chibok girls, other captives and Boko Haram members and their family members all had their separate areas secured, though the security in the area where the girls are kept is visibly different and much tighter.

“When we got to Gwoza, things changed because there were facilities there and the place was 10 times better than Mdita.

“We had a normal life in Gwoza, except the trauma of living in captivity. Whatever we wanted to eat, they were provided. They would bring water, firewood, etc., and leave them outside. They even provided perfume for anyone who requested for it.”

The 56-year-old woman added that no one was allowed anywhere near the specific location of the abducted girls, which was being guarded round the clock.

Papka was reportedly seized alongside many others when Boko Haram attacked Gwoza on July 4, 2014 and taken to Mdita, a remote village near the notorious Sambisa Forest, bordering Askira Uba and Damboa. She and many others, including children were kept in Mdita for five months before they were taken to Gwoza, where she was held for another three months before being released on March 15.

The woman said the facilities provided for them in Mdita were so poor that some captives died of ill health.

“There was a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor who was killed during the attack on our village, and his wife was abducted with us. She died at Mdita due to the condition of the place and the death of her husband,” she said.

The pastor’s wife was said to have had diabetes and had been on a special diet, which could not be provided by the insurgents.

Though she said she could not speak for the abducted girls, Papka said she and the other women abducted were neither raped nor assaulted, saying the insurgents lived with their wives and children in the Gwoza camp.

When she was to be released by the sect on March 15, Papka was given a sick two-year-old boy who had been crying uncontrollably. She was driven home on a motorcycle and asked to pay N8, 000, which her family did.

Boko Haram: Chibok girls in Gwoza - freed captive revealed

NEMA delivers relief materials to victims displayed by Boko Haram

National Emergency Management Agency NEMA North East zone has delivered relief items to victims displaced by insurgency from Gwoza, Madagali, Michika , Uba and Mubi LGAs in IDP camps in Adamawa State.

Relief Materials to North East

While handing over the materials to the camp central coordinating committee which comprises various stakeholders (like Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Red cross, civil defence , police , faith based organisations,local and international NGOs like JNI oxfam, SISCOPE, IRC, MSF and UNFPA) at the NYSC Orientation camp in yola; the Zonal Coordinator NEMA North East Alh Muhammed Kanar who was represented by Senior Relief and Rehabilitation officer Saidu Alkali said that the Agency was Impressed by the level of assistance and donations by individuals and corporate entities towards alleviating the suffering of the IDPS.

Alh kanar said that the Director General of NEMA had instructed the Zonal office to ensure that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the IDPS stay in camps is made as comfortable as possible.

Receiving the items on behalf of the IDPs, the permanent secretary ADSEMA Alh Haruna Furo, appreciated the support of the Federal Government towards addressing the plight of the people in distress within the North East region.

He said the humanitarian intervention from NEMA would go a long way to ease condition of the displaced people and their host communities.

The humanitarian relief delivered to the camps in three trucks are made up of food and non food items such as rice,

Maize, millets, mattresses, blankets,mosquito nets, sanitary items, detergents, and clothing for women and Children, other items delivered are buckets, soaps and noodles among others. More interventions have been arranged as part of the plans aimed at ensuring the return and rehabilitation of the IDPs.

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NEMA delivers relief materials to victims displayed by Boko Haram

Boko Haram, Nigerian military fight over control of Gwoza

ABUJA—The Defence Headquarters, yesterday, declared that military operations to secure Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month was ongoing even as Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau was defiant, proclaiming Islamic caliphate in the town which he said was now firmly in the grip of the sect.

Soldiers in Borno fighting Boko Haram

Responding to the claim by the sect leader that Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month has been placed under an Islamic caliphate, the military authorities said “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact”.

The Boko Haram leader had in a new video, yesterday, claimed that he has created an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza. In the 52-minutes video obtained by AFP, Shekau said: “Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate. Gwoza, has nothing to do with Nigeria. By the grace of Allah we will not leave the town. We have come to stay”.

Boko Haram claim empty — Military

The Defence Headquarters, however, in a tweet on its twitter handle stated that “the claim is empty. Any group of terrorists laying claim to any portion of the country will not be allowed to get away with the expression of delusion and crime. Appropriate military operations to secure that area from the activities of the bandits are still ongoing”.

The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) earlier this month confirmed reports that Gwoza was under rebel control.

Boko Haram is also believed to be in control of other areas near Gwoza in southern Borno, as well as large swathes of territory in northern Borno and at least one town in neighbouring Yobe State.

Troops recently stormed communities close to Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted two days. Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa State with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

During the operation, terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely dislodged while some were captured. Among those captured were two foreigners who were suspected to be mercenaries.

Also captured were several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.

Governor Shettima reacts

In his reaction to the reported declaration of Gwoza as a territory of the Islamic sect, Governor Kashim Shettima said: ‘I cannot comment on the authenticity or otherwise of that video in question, I will leave that to security experts. I also cannot disclose measures being adopted by security agencies on whatever development in Gwoza or any part of Borno State but I can assure the good people of Borno State and other members of the public that the State Government is actively in touch and supporting security agencies deployed to Borno State in the counter insurgency efforts and insha Allah, the combined efforts will not be in vain.

“We are not just studying the situation with collaborative tact and urgency but indeed, appropriate measures are being taken by the right authorities. For now, I urge the good people of Borno State to remain calm and resolute in their support for security agencies, abiding faith and prayers. The security agencies, I am sure, are in the position to analyse the content of the said new video, compare with the facts on ground in Gwoza and brief the Nigerian public as they deem professionally appropriate, bearing in mind the National interest and patriotism as well as the overall safety of citizens.

“Let me use this opportunity to, while thanking members of the Nigerian and International media for their firm support for Borno people and its government since this insurgency crisis in 2009, make a strong appeal that we do not dramatise and sensationalise issues such as the one connected with Gwoza, so that we all do not fall for the objective of insurgents, which is to at all times, claim victory over our sovereign State, our rights to existence, our freedom and our liberty, as it is always their goal to create so much panic that would make anyone who doesn’t share their ideology feel unsafe and defeated.

“Even as those of us in the media work tirelessly to disseminate information in the discharge of important duties that aim to protect the fundamental rights of the public to know happenings within and around them, we must at this moment, more than ever before, do our jobs with patriotic support for our country and its security forces as well as our passion for humanity as against those that seek to send humanity into extinction. As disturbing as what is said to be the development is, I remain very optimistic that victory will never go the way of those that violently stand between fellow human beings and their divine rights to exist as God’s creatures on earth”

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Boko Haram, Nigerian military fight over control of Gwoza

100 police trainee missing after Boko Haram attack in Gwoza

The police yesterday launched a search for more than 100 mobile police trainees who are missing as a result of the attack on Thursday by Boko Haram on the Nigeria Mobile Police Academy in Gwoza.

Boko Haram

There were indications that some of the fleeing trainees were sighted in Yola and Mubi in Adamawa State.

The lucky ones were said to have made calls to their colleagues on their safety.

The whereabouts of most of the trainees could not be accounted for as at press time.

There was anxiety that some of the mobile police trainees might have been captured by the sect.

But a reliable source in the police, however, confirmed that a roll-call of those on training was being conducted last night to ascertain the actual number and list of those in the academy.

The situation appeared tense yesterday following the blockade of all routes leading to Gwoza by Boko Haram insurgents.

The police could not gain access to Gwoza to reclaim the academy where the insurgents have hoisted their flags.

According to a reliable source who is central to the management of how to retake the academy, none of the trainees could be located.

The source said: “Preliminary findings showed that the insurgents invaded the school in the morning when most of the mobile police trainees were in their training shorts and vests.

“We are talking of more than 100 trainees missing. If the academy is at its full capacity, it can take up to 1,000 policemen either trainees or those for in-service training. None of the police trainees has officially got in touch.

“They overran the academy, burnt some parts of it and hoisted their flags. All those in the school fled and we cannot account for their whereabouts.

“Yesterday some of the trainees were said to have been sighted in Yola and Mubi where they got in touch with their superiors and relations. We are suspecting that some of these trainees might have also managed to escape to their squadrons.”

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source said: “We cannot rule out if any of the trainees had been captured or not by the insurgents because it was a sudden invasion and the topography is hilly.

“As I am talking to you, neither the military nor the police could gain access to Gwoza, either to reclaim the town or the academy.

“Boko Haram insurgents have taken over the entire Gwoza and mounted blockade to deny the police and other security agencies access to the place. The insurgents are in charge of the place now.”

The source said the police management has ordered a roll-call of those nominated for training in the Academy to “at least get a list of the trainees.”

“We have started the search for them from the roll-call. We will now get in touch with their superior officers, colleagues, relations or next-of–kin if they have heard from them.”

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100 police trainee missing after Boko Haram attack in Gwoza

Boko Haram takes over Gwoza, new Emir’s whereabouts unknown

One of the largest towns in Borno state, Gwoza, is now totally under the control of the extremist Boko Haram sect, residents and a security official have said.

Boko haram in Borno

Hundreds of Boko Haram gunmen, dressed in military uniforms, in the wee hours of Wednesday, invaded the rocky border town while riding on different types of armoured vehicles and trucks, residents said.

They initially attempted an attack on the town on Tuesday but were said to have been repelled.

But on Wednesday, at about 4:00 a.m., the insurgents mobilised and launched a major offensive, residents said.

Witnesses, who telephoned journalists from Gwoza, said the gunmen first dislodged soldiers guarding the town, took over some of their arms before attacking fleeing residents.

As usual, members of the Gwoza community had to turn to the rocky mountains for refuge.

A resident of Gwoza who spoke to journalists from his mountainous hideout, using weak signals from Cameroon’s major national carrier, ‘Orange’, said: “ Most of us are up in the mountains, many may have been killed, but from our height here we could see the Boko Haram people driving some armoured tanks with iron wheel towards the direction of the Emir’s palace.”

“I lost a friend with whom we were fleeing when a bullet hit him from behind.

We are scared, we don’t know what will become of us by night fall because the entire town is now taken over by the terrorists,” said the caller who would not mention his name for fear of being targeted.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the new Emir of Gwoza, Muhammed Timta, escaped to an unknown destination, even as fears mounted amongst residents that he could have been captured by the insurgents.

The immediate past emir, Mr. Timta’s father, was killed on May 30 by the Boko Haram insurgents. Some parts of Gwoza, especially behind the rocky mountain that borders Cameroon had been taken over by Boko Haram, who sacked the residents and hoisted their flags in June.

The military is yet to comment on the recent takeover of the town by the insurgents, but had vowed to dislodge them from the town after the June attack.

A top source at the Borno State Police Command, however, confirmed that the police was aware of the attack and the ongoing occupation of Gwoza by the insurgents.

The source, who sought anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to journalists, said: “We have received signals from Bama that Gwoza is under attack, but we could not give details now because the Commissioner of Police himself is out of town.” Apart from the attack on Gwoza, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, also attacked and used explosives to bomb a bridge near Garkida Village of Hawul Local Government Area.

The bridge is located near the spot where the late Emir of Gwoza was attacked and killed in May when he was travelling alongside two other emirs to attend the burial of the late Emir of Gombe. Attacks on Borno communities by the Boko Haram sect have continued despite the state of emergency imposed on the state last year.

The insurgents are said to have killed over 13,000 people since 2009. President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Washington restated his call for more international collaboration to defeat the Boko Haram sect and other such groups across Africa and the world. -

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Boko Haram takes over Gwoza, new Emir’s whereabouts unknown

Hunger strike: Soldiers, residents flee Borno towns

These are hard times for residents of border towns on Borno State following the refusal of the military authorities to heed their calls for the deployment of soldiers to protect the embattled villagers.

As a result, the residents, who are said to be in the throes of a serious food scarcity, have started fleeing their homes to hills and caves while reportedly feeding on wild fruits.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the immediate past vice chairman of Gwoza Local Government, Mr. Francis Nduka, and Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Hamman Ahmadu, said the people of Gwoza East, affected by Boko Haram insurgency in six border villagers, had fled into Gwoza hills and took refuge in mountain caves for safety.

They said the people said they would only return if troops were deployed in the area.

According to them, staying in the affected villages would be suicidal.

Nduka said, “Our people have been gripped with ‘fears and trauma for over two weeks, and have no any other place to flee than to run into caves of Gathahure, Gjigga, Kunde, Hwa’a, Hrazah and Hembe hill settlements.

As fleeing hill dwellers cannot come down to the plains for food and water, they have resorted to eating wild fruits and roots to survive since the villages had been attacked and the insurgents believed to be lurking around.”

He said other villagers had fled to Maiduguri for safety and depending on the relief materials coming from the Gwoza Resettlement Committee, led by Dr. Asabe Bashir, who is also the Borno State Commissioner for Commerce, Tourism and Investments.

Ahmadu, on his part, said, “More than 50 per cent of Gwoza council has been taken over by the insurgents. They have torched houses in six affected border villages and towns, including Ashgashiya, the district headquarters, 10 kilometres from Cameroonian territory recently.

“But my fears and concern about the destroyed villages in this council is that these boys are forcefully recruiting youths into the sect, since they succeeded in taking over Gwoza East last month.”

He appealed to the military authorities to deploy more personnel in the affected areas in order to wrestle them from the insurgents, noting that only Pulka and Kirawa towns have troops to protect peoples’ lives and property.

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Hunger strike: Soldiers, residents flee Borno towns

Cameroonian army kills 60 Boko Haram members

• 100 killed in Borno communal clash

MAIDUGURI— MORE than 100 persons were killed, yesterday, in a communal clash involving three border communities in Gwoza Local Government Council of Borno State. Members of Attagara, Aghapalwa and Gwoshe border communities were said to have taken up arms against one another. It, however, turned out to be a religious war between Christians and Muslims.

It will be recalled that no fewer than nine Christian worshippers were said to have been killed last Sunday, by Islamic militants during a Sunday service in Attagara village, leaving many others critically injured. According to reports, the youths in a spontaneous reprisal attack mobilized themselves and killed 37 of them.

However, following the reprisal attacks, sources said, some Muslim youths believed that the Christian youths killed other Muslims rather than Boko Haram members, who were responsible for the death of the nine Christian worshippers as well as the burning of churches in Attagara Village.

The Muslim youths were said to have mobilised against Christian youths, leading to the burning of the whole village and the killing of more than 100 villagers.

Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, an elder and member of the community told journalists in Maiduguri that Boko Haram members attacked the villages at about 1 a.m for killing their members, who earlier attacked churches and communities in the area. He explained that most of the villages in Gwoza are now divided along religious lines, as Christians who are living among Muslims have fled their homes to settle in Christian-dominated areas, while Muslims who were living in areas dominated by Christians have also fled their homes for Muslim-dominated areas.

Cameroon’s military kills 60 Boko Haram members

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s state radio reported that the country’s military has killed at least 60 Boko Haram members who crossed over from Nigeria seeking refuge.

According to the national radio, the heavily-armed militants, reportedly killed in the village of Dabanga in far Northern Cameroon, crossed over from Borno State. They were then ambushed by Cameroonian soldiers, the report said.

Fonka Awah, governor of the far north region of Cameroon, said his office had received information that some Boko Haram members might be hiding in Cameroonian villages, and asked for specialized troops to be deployed.

He told the Voice of America, VOA that the military had done a good job.

“Of course yes, without mincing words, after such a situation, you reassemble the forces and map out strategies, you galvanize them and put them back into action and I think that is what we have just done,” he said.

Ebenezer Akanga, a journalist who works with Cameroon’s national broadcasting station, told VOA in a telephone interview that if the military had carried out similar attacks in the past, Boko Haram would not be using Cameroon as a safe haven.

“The opinion many people have is that from the beginning, the government seemed to have been caressing the Boko Haram, the government did not seem to have been taking this fight very seriously. This is what was expected to be done from the very word ‘go.’ In fact, if the military had this type of reaction it would have deterred the Boko Harams from crossing to Cameroonian territory,” said Akanga, adding that security forces from Cameroon and Nigeria should work together to eliminate Boko Haram from the two countries.

“The military has to adopt different strategies because it does not only suffice chasing away the Boko Haram.

“The fight needs to be taken to their backyard. Even if officially there may not be agreements authorizing the Cameroonian military to cross over into Nigerian territory, I personally think that this fight can not be won by fighting the Boko Haram only in the Cameroonian territory.

“The fight should be taken to their own camp out there in Nigeria.”

Last month, Cameroon and Chad both declared war on Boko Haram. Cameroon has since deployed 2,000 troops along its border with Nigeria.

 

Cameroonian army kills 60 Boko Haram members

Boko Haram blow up second bridge, kill many in village attack, abduct two kids

 

Troops have been placed on red alert  following information that Boko Haram insurgents had surrounded Gwoza, Borno State.

A military source said the insurgents had been “massing up in Gwoza with intent to strike.”

“We have placed troops on red alert. We are also sending reinforcement as I speak with you. We are taking pre-emptive measures to avert a repeat of what happened in Gamboru during the week.”

The news broke as the terrorists blew up another bridge, killed an unknown number of people and abducted the wife and two children of a retired police officer at Limankara village in Adamawa State.

The Limankara bridge served as a link between Adamawa and Borno states.

A team of French experts arrived  Abuja yesterday to join those from the USA and UK  to help look for the girls.

An official in President Francois Hollande’s office in Paris said they are experts in collecting intelligence from technical and human sources and in image analysis.

Father of two of the abducted girls, the Rev. Enoch Mark, described his despair and anger at the military for not yet finding his daughters.

“For a good 11 days, our daughters were sitting in one place,” he told The Associated Press. “They camped them near Chibok  not more than 30 kilometres, and no help in hand. For a good 11 days.”

Boko Haram blow up second bridge, kill many in village attack, abduct two kids

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