President Muhammadu Buhari has painted a worrisome picture of the on-going war against Boko Haram , saying that there was not enough fire power to support ground troops to decimate the terrorists.
General Buhari
He spoke on Good Morning Nigeria, a programme of the Nigerian Television Authority, Monday, in Abuja.
He made the comment while failing to answer repeated questions on whether or not he was able to secure a commitment from the US to sell critical equipment to defeat the terrorists.
His words: ” The US has high technology, and of course the other developed countries like China.
“Our case is lack of capacity and effective Airforce.
“The Airforce is virtually non – existent. The fixed wings aircraft are not very serviceable. The helicopters are not serviceable and they are too few.
“We need Airforce to conduct reconnaissance and support the ground troops.
“The arrangement made by the former government will soon expire.
“We have made this clear to the Americans and we have made it clear to G7 and we need their cooperation. ”
President Buhari also vowed to retrieve proceeds of crude oil stolen by corrupt Nigerian leaders.
He said that crack teams of the Nigerian anti- graft agencies were already on the trail of such funds and that those involved would be prosecuted at the end of the investigations.
President Buhari, however, reduced the quantity of the alleged crude oil theft to 250, 000 barrels per day.
He had told Americans during his last week trip to Washington that 1 million barrels were been stolen daily.
He failed to answer repeated questions on whether he got any commitment from America to sell military equipment to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.
He only lamented that there were not enough serviceable Airforce fighter jets and other military hardwares to quickly win the war against terror.
President Buhari also gave an insight into those to be appointed into his cabinet, saying that he would appoint only patriotic Nigerians who were knowledgeable professionals and technocrats who had not been compromised.
The Borno Police Command on Friday said six persons were killed by a sucide bomber, who attacked a venue of a wedding (Fatiha) in Tashan Alade in the Hawul Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, who spoke to journalists on the telephone, said 30 people were also injured during the attack.
Opadokun said, “I confirm the report on an alleged suicide bombing in Tashan Alade in Hawul LGA. The incident was reported to be at a wedding, fatiha.
“Presently, six persons, all males, whose identities are unknown, are confirmed dead, while 30 others were injured.”
The police commissioner added that the police had commenced investigations into the issue.
Opadokun said, however, that the inauguration of Governor Kashim Shettima for a second term in office in Maiduguri was peaceful.
A local vigilance group member in the area, Mustapha Ibrahim, in a telephone interview with our correspondent revealed that the incident happened at about 6.10am on Friday.
ABUJA— Against the backdrop of the massive air bombardments and artillery pounding of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, military authorities have issued a security alert warning of plans by the group to carry out suicide bombings in several parts of the country.
Suicide Bomber, Boko Haram
The plot, it was gathered, is aimed at diverting attention from the epicentre of the terror war in North-East with the killing of unsuspecting members of the public in a soft target siege at such places like markets, recreation grounds, gardens and important national monuments.
Nigerian troops in collaboration with forces from neighbouring countries on the platform of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MJTF, have decimated most of the operational bases of Boko Haram terrorists while many of them have been killed.
In their bid to remain relevant and attract importance, the group has once again reverted to the use of suicide bombers in its evil campaign against Nigeria as witnessed in places like Kano, Jos, Yobe etc.
The security alert wants Nigerians to be vigilant and on the look-out for potential suicide bombers already brainwashed and probably drugged by the terrorists. Top intelligence sources insisted that Boko Haram members, in their desperation to escape the military onslaughts on their camps and their bid to retaliate such offensive, may have resorted to suicide bombings which was their hit-and-run tactic used mostly between 2012 and 2013.
This time around, however, the terrorists have been using children and teenagers especially females to perpetrate their nefarious activities on soft targets in some Northern states. “Their major mission is to attack soft targets like motor parks, schools, worship centres, markets among others for maximum casualty among the citizens,” a source said.
It was further gathered that some of the explosive devices used for suicide bombing were dynamite materials stolen from quarry industries within and outside the country. However, the collaboration against religious extremism forged by countries around the Lake Chad Basin has so far frustrated the insurgents that it is now difficult for them to strike in Nigeria and run to neighbouring countries who have sealed off their borders against the terrorists hence the resort to soft targets.
In the last two weeks, several towns and local governments in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, including the training facilities and logistic dumps of the insurgents have been reclaimed by Nigerians troops.
Reacting to the development, Directorate of State Services, DSS, in a statement issued at the weekend said: “It has become evident that following the successful, sustained air raids and intense combat operations by the military on insurgents’ positions in the North-East which had effectively degraded the capacity of the terrorists, its members are now in disarray and have resorted to taking out their anger on hapless civilians and soft targets.
“This development accounts for the recent spate of attacks recorded in Yobe, Kano, Borno and Plateau States with intent of distracting security forces. “Accordingly, this Service wishes to advice members of the public to be vigilant especially in crowded environment and when travelling. Commuters should desist from boarding unmarked vehicles along the road and only use designated motor parks.
“We also reiterate our call on motor park managers to ensure proper screening of vehicles, persons and luggage entering their premises. They should also look out for new faces who show up as drivers and conductors.”
Two blasts targeting a bus park in Jos killed at least 17 people on Thursday, the military and witnesses told AFP.
“There were twin blasts today in Jos,” said Ikedichi Iweha, military spokesman in the Plateau state capital which has been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram.
He declined to give further details but two witnesses at the scene, including driver Ibrahim Hashidu, told AFP that 17 people had been confirmed dead, with the first explosion killing five people and the second causing 12 deaths.
Fuller account of the story will be reported soon..
In this interview, Australian negotiator, who has been working closely with the leadership of the Boko Haram sect, pleads with the group to seize the window provided by the death of Shekau to end the destructive cycle of insurgency in parts of Nigeria, free captured Chubok girls and return to normal life. Excerpts:
A senior member of the European Parliament, Franz Obermayr, alleged that the opposition party in Nigeria could be sponsoring Boko Haram by channeling European Parliament financial aid to Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria. Do you have any such evidence?
I have never heard any political party mentioned by any Boko Haram leader as funding or being associated with Boko Haram.
The Boko Haram commanders have only mentioned individuals like former Governor Sheriff. I heard Sheriff was APC and now PDP but that is irrelevant to me.
I have never mentioned political parties in my discussions with Boko Haram. The names of individual sponsors were given by Boko Haram leaders, not their political party association.
What sort of sponsorship has been mentioned by Boko Haram that they have received?
Former governor Sheriff was specifically mentioned many times. Specifically for example, Sheriff was mentioned as sponsoring trips of the boys to the Lesser Hajj. There, the boys are “reorientated”.
In effect they are recruited to Boko Haram. When they return to Nigeria the recruits are then taken off for further reorientation by which they mean teaching and for training. Some of the training took place in Mali by Tuareg leaders but now more training is conducted locally.
Could mere funding for Lesser Hajj by the assumed sponsors have manifested in the high level of sophistication that the sect has assumed today?
Funds are provided to purchase weapons. This is sometimes transferred through the Central Bank of Nigeria to a person in Cairo who provides the weapons and also provides military uniforms.
At other times vehicles are purchased in Benin for example and driven into Nigeria where they are sold for cash. They do not mind taking a loss on the sale price as by this method they can obtain cash in Nigeria without a direct link to the sponsor.
This person in Cairo, is he an Egyptian? Why are you not able to disclose his identity to the security agents for necessary action?
No, he is Nigerian. He is a Kanuri who has fought with Boko Haram and now associates with a network of jihadists. I have given all his details to the DG-SSS.
What sort of vehicles do they purchase?
VW Golf was mentioned as a favourite. They can sell these very easily in Nigeria. They do keep some to use for suicide bombing. Some time ago they told me one sponsor pledged six Hilux vehicles for the suicide bombers.
You have heard that a “fake” Shekau was killed last week in Kondunga. Do you believe what the military is claiming that the man killed was Shekau or possibly a “fake” Shekau?
I continue to believe that Shekau was killed on or about June 19, 2013 when we were deeply engaged in peace discussions. I have had so many senior commanders tell me that Shekau is dead. It was several weeks after that a Shekau video appeared on YouTube. When I viewed that video with JAS leaders they immediately said, “That boy.
We have used him before.” They were totally dismissive of any claim that Shekau was still alive. They referred to the person in the video as the “fake Shekau”. Some months later one of the senior commanders told me the name of the fake Shekau was Abdul Mutallif. The commander who named him was the one who wrote the script that the fake Shekau reads from in the videos.
But I have heard they have used more than one fake Shekau. In July this year I was told the fake Shekau is Isa Damasaka. Earlier in June they referred to him as Bashir.
We had been in communication with him over the release of the Chibok girls. Isa Damasaka is one of the names the military has released when identifying the man killed at Kondunga last week. He has also been identified as Bashir Mohammed so I am confident this man is indeed the fake Shekau.
However, I do not know if Abdul Mutallif is another name he used or there is another fake Shekau named Abdul Mutallif who may still be alive. I have no doubt we will know soon so we await a new video by another fake Shekau.
The man who was captured at Kondunga last week was a great source of information about Boko Haram sponsors. He was captured alive. The military are too quick to execute captured Boko Haram leaders. This man could have revealed so much about Boko Haram and its sponsors that may have brought a quick end to the terrorism.
There are some reports that many Boko Haram fighters have surrendered in recent days. You want to say something on this?
This is an indication that Boko Haram commanders now understand that they have been fooled. They have followed a “fake” Shekau. Boko Haram fighters have died following a fake Shekau and fake teaching.
The political sponsors have led these boys to believe that they are purifying Islam, purging the country of corruption by slaughtering people. In fact the political sponsors of Boko Haram are corrupt politicians seeking power and more wealth. The sponsors epitomise all that the Boko Haram fighters are seeking to eliminate from Nigeria.
So what is next for Boko Haram?
The death of the fake Shekau shows how the fighters have been duped and totally misled by the sponsors.
The fighters and commanders would be wise to take this opportunity to reach out to the government for a peace dialogue.
If they do not believe they can have a peace dialogue without being captured and executed the alternative message I have for the commanders is this: Your sponsors will use you and sacrifice you so they can gain power. Set the captive girls free and walk away from Boko Haram while you still have the opportunity.
YAOUNDÉ (AFP) – Cameroon’s army claimed on Tuesday to have killed more than 40 Boko Haram fighters who tried to storm a strategic border crossing from Nigeria.
Boko Haram
Heavily armed fighters “attempted to cross the bridge at Fotokol” in the extreme north of the country and opened fire on Cameroonian soldiers, the ministry of defence told state radio.
“Cameroon defence forces energetically reacted to this assault which lasted three hours,” the ministry said, adding that one soldier was wounded by mortar shrapnel.
There was no independent confirmation of the battle.
Gamboru Ngala, the Nigerian town on the other side of the bridge, fell to the Islamist extremists last week after they reportedly overran the Nigerian garrison there.
For several days people living in towns and villages in northeast Nigeria recently captured by Boko Haram have been fleeing towards Cameroon to escape the militants.
The extremists, who have waged a bloody insurgency for five years in northern Nigeria, seem to have changed tactics in recent months, going from spectacular kidnappings, massacres and suicide attacks to attempting to conquer territory.
Cameroon’s Defence Ministry said that 246 Nigerian soldiers and customs officials who had fled Gamboru Ngala into Cameroon to escape the Boko Haram offensive “have left the Fotokol area under military escort” to rejoin their units in Banki in Nigeria.
Several hundred Nigerian soldiers abandoned border posts further to the south along the long and isolated border last week in face of the militants’ advance, military sources said.
The Nigerian army denied its troops had fled into Cameroon, instead calling the retreat a “tactical manoeuvre”.
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”
There were indications on Thursday that members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, might have abducted about 100 young men from Doron Baga, a community in Borno State.
Boko haram in Borno
There were fears also that the abducted young men were being forcefully conscripted by the insurgents.
Our correspondent learnt that the victims were seized from Doron Baga during an attack, on Sunday, on the village, where at least 10 persons were allegedly killed.
A source, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said the insurgents attacked the town on Sunday evening and took away some boys and young men.
It is believed that the abducted males might have been forcefully conscripted into terror activities of the insurgents.
Some of those that fled the area said in Maiduguri on Thursday that they had to flee the area because of the constant attack by insurgents.
One of them, Halima Alhaji Adamu, said six members of Hadejia community in Doron Baga were killed and about 100 young men were abducted on Sunday when the members of Boko Haram attacked the community, displacing many, most of whom had taken refuge in some parts of Borno and Yobe states.
The young woman, who spoke at a popular motor park in Maiduguri, said she was heading to Gashua in Yobe State with the surviving members of her family.
She said that she also lost her husband in the attack. She claimed that the insurgents were believed to have abducted the young men in order to forcefully conscript them.
The ban disallows people in this group from using facilities like buses and other means of public transport and has been effective since Monday.
BEIJING: In perhaps first such instance in China, a city in the country’s restive Xinjiang region has banned beards and burka or veils worn by Muslim women within days of a major terrorist attack and subsequent police action that killed nearly 100 people in the bordering Kashgar area of the same province.
Veil by Muslims
Authorities in Karamay banned “five groups of people” — those who wear burka, headscarves, veils or hijab, any clothing bearing the crescent moon and star, as well as long beards, state-controlled media reported on Wednesday. All of these symbols are associated with Islam.
The ban disallows people in this group from using facilities like buses and other means of public transport and has been effective since Monday. This is in view of a local sports competition on August 20, the newspaper said, and may be extended beyond that.
Even more controversially, state leaders in Xinjiang are working on a proposal to amend existing rules on family planning, which allows Muslims to have more than two children. So far, Muslims are exempt from the country’s one-child policy, which has now been relaxed to allow up to two children.
A file photo shows Chinese Muslims praying during the evening prayer inside the Huxi mosque in Shanghai (AFP photo)
Southern Xinjiang will “implement family planning policy equally on all ethnic groups, to lower and stabilize an appropriate birth rate”, a Communist Party leader, Zhang Chunxian, wrote in the August edition of Qiushi, an official magazine of the Communist party. More than 45% of Xinjiang’s 22 million people are Uighur Muslims who speak Turkic language.
Chinese authorities have earlier discouraged Muslim government employees from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan on the grounds that it can affect their health and performance. But the police were particularly worried about crowding and inter-mingling during the fast breaking time because, they feared, terrorists might use this opportunity to expand their network.
About 100 people were killed when knife-wielding attackers carried out assaults in two towns in Xinjiang in July, state media said, including 59 “terrorists” shot dead by police. A suicide bombing killed 39 people at a market in Urumqi in May. The government blames Islamist separatists for the violence there.
A senior member of the European Parliament, Franz Obermayr, alleged that the opposition party in Nigeria could be sponsoring Boko Haram by channeling European Parliament financial aid to Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria. Do you have any such evidence?
