Dozens feared killed in Yola bomb blasts

• ‘Boko Haram is world’s deadliest terrorist group’

• 28,750 Nigerians die in nine years of insurgents attacks

• Troops slay 23 terrorists, rescue 150 captives in Borno

IT was a gruesome bloodbath with body parts littering the Yola , Adamawa State police station and further away after bombs exploded about 11:30 a.m. yesterday, killing “dozens of persons.”

The Adamawa State Police Commissioner Mohammed Gazali said four of his men died in the explosions but it is feared that the number could be higher.

Bomb Scene

Though he also said the blasts were caused by bombs recovered from Boko Haram insurgents and warehoused by the police alongside other exhibits, The Guardian learnt that it is also being strongly suspected that the explosions are the handiwork of Boko Haram operatives who may have planted explosives in one of the offices in the building used by the anti-bomb squad, State Investigation Bureau (SIB) and Motor Traffic Division (MTD).

Meanwhile, a grim report on the huge death toll caused by Boko Haram shows the world’s deadliest terrorist group is not in the Middle East but at home here in Nigeria.

The report put together by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in association with a pro-Christian global charity Open Doors, is titled “Crushed but not defeated: The impact of persistent violence on the Church in Northern Nigeria.”

The report which will soon be officially released, said about 28, 000 Nigerians had died in terrorism-related circumstances.

In another development, troops of 7 Division of Nigerian Army and Camerounian Armed Forces in coordinated ground and aerial bombardments by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets killed 23 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 150 captives in the Talala-Banki-Kumshe border axis of Borno State.

Buildings damaged by the Yola explosions include those of Majilisa Primary School, Jimeta Central School, NITEL , the Post Office and Central Prisons .

An eyewitness, a policeman, told The Guardian: “I was upstairs when I heard the explosions, then followed by screams from children in a school close to the station.

By this time, the entire area including the station and school was covered with thick, black smoke from the fire that was raging at the station. Looking around on the ground, I saw pieces of human flesh and parts of dismembered limbs.”

A teacher at the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Dr. Gabriel Teneke who narrowly escaped death but sustained severe head wounds told The Guardian from his hospital bed in Karewa Quarters in Jimeta that he was at the police station to secure bail for his brothers when the explosions occurred.

“ My brother and I were able to climb down only to discover that my car was damaged and the car next to it was burning. I managed to drive to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) office but could not continue because I was bleeding profusely until Good Samaritans came to my rescue and took me to the hospital”, a grateful Teneke said.

The state coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhaji Sa’ad Bello , declined comments until security agents cleared the area to allow his men to move inside the premises and make proper assessment.

According to World Watch Monitor (WWM) which revealed plans to release the CAN/Open Doors report in Abuja, CAN has adopted the report as the “factual foundation of a joint declaration which demands that the government quell the violence and guarantee religious freedom, and asks the UN to launch an inquiry into atrocities.”

Details of the yet-to-be published report made available to The Guardian showed that Islamist insurgency spearheaded by Boko Haram – but not confined to its members – killed more than 4,000 Christians in 2015 with11,500 killed between 2006 and 2014. If the dead of other faiths are included, the number would be far higher.

The WWM story announcing the planned release of the report quoted CAN Secretary General, Rev. Musa Asake, as saying that it was the first time the association was going public to sign a declaration which gave the true picture of the persecution Christians were going through in Nigeria.

Asake adds: “This event gives us an opportunity to let the entire world know what the Christians in Nigeria have been going through.”

WWM report reads further: From 2006 to 2014 the period covered, the report says religion-based violence killed an estimated 11,500 Christians in Nigeria’s north. It says 13,000 churches were destroyed, abandoned or closed during the period, and 1.3 million Christians fled to safer regions in the country.

Over the past two years, the situation worsened; violence spilled over into neighbouring countries Chad and Cameroun.

In 2014, Boko Haram was the world’s deadliest terror group, ahead of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, according to the Global Terrorism Index.

“This targeted violence, discrimination and marginalisation of Christians in Northern Nigeria, if unchecked and halted, could lead to the extinction of the Christian faith and Christian communities in Northern Nigeria,” the CAN asserts.

“Christians in the Northern region have for long been abandoned to their own fate by the Nigerian authorities.”

The report recommends “There is still a large Christian presence in Northern Nigeria with potential to unite and stand strong. But the Church in Northern Nigeria will need to find a way to not close in on itself and disengage from society.”

In 2014, the latest year covered by the report, Open Doors says nearly 2,500 Christians were killed and 103 churches attacked. In 2015, beyond the scope of the report, the carnage only intensified with more than 4,000 Christians dead and nearly 200 church attacks,

From 2006 to 2014, the report estimates Christian deaths represented 41% of all violent deaths in the region during the period, even though Christians represent about 31% of the region’s population.

The result: Churches emptied, businesses were lost and abandoned, Christian-Muslim relations deteriorated and communities segregated along religious lines, according to the report.

“Although the conflict has undeniable political, economic, social and ethnic components, a strong religious dimension has been identified by this research.” The mix of those factors, the CAN said in its joint declaration, “is what makes Christians extra vulnerable. Media, policy makers and international role players should acknowledge the religious dimension of the conflict in Nigeria.”

Based on 102 interviews of church leaders and members and nine focus groups across the North, the report said nearly two-thirds of the participants claimed church membership had decreased between 2006 and 2014. Gone also is the money those former congregants provided the churches and their programs.

Four out of every five Christians interviewed for the report said perceptions of Muslims had soured during the past 10 years. The Christian virtue of forgiveness, participants told researchers, ‘‘is more difficult than ever to summon.”

Disclosing the attacks on Wednesday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman said during the “joint coordinated military operations” with Camerounian Armed Forces, four AK 47 rifles were destroyed with the capture of a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun and two AK 47 rifles as well as a motar and dane gun.

The Army spokesman’s statement read in part: “The joint operation which was carried out with Cameroonian forces was quite successful as a number of the terrorists were killed, while other sustained gunshot wounds while fleeing into the bush. Their weapons and equipment were either destroyed or captured by the joint troops.”

“Unfortunately, three soldiers sustained injuries, and a vehicle damaged as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Troops also encountered another 10 other IEDs along the route of advance which were cleared. Most of the terrorists run in disarray towards Fatake where troops on blocking position cleared them.’’

On other casualties of operations, the statement said: “Along the Talala axis despite an IED’’ which injured a soldier and ‘‘ damaged a vehicle, the operation is progressing very well, as NAF has been assisting with interdiction and surveillance.”

Usman added: “Troops at Kodo rescued 150 persons mainly children. In addition, a house with Boko Haram terrorists’ flag at Fatake caught fire with several ammunition explosions in which three Boko Haram terrorists were killed.’’

He said the routing of terrorists in the border areas with Cameroun , were successful because of the steady supply of needed logistics into the various formations and units fighting the insurgents in Borno State.

Dozens feared killed in Yola bomb blasts

Appeal Court quashes ex-Gov Nyako’s impeachment

YOLA—THE Yola Division of Federal Court of Appeal, Adamawa State, yesterday  nullified the impeachment of Former Governor Murtala Nyako.

The five Judges led by Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey in a unanimous judgment, described Nyako’s impeachment as a high level of impunity, recklessness, rascality and a constituted gross of legislative powers by the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

The judges condemned in unequivocal terms the gross abuse of the legislative powers by the lawmakers to achieve orchestrated, premeditated and selfish motives.

They averred that the impeachment of the former governor was a misuse of the powers and privileges of the legislature and declaring the impeachment as null, void and of no effect.

Justice Tunde Awotoye while delivering his judgment, noted that the respondents took laws into their hands as they flagrantly abused the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to meet their whimsical and selfish desires.

Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey, in her lead judgment noted the court as the last arbiter would not fold its arms and watch impunity being entrenched in the country.

She noted that the decison of the House of Assembly to ignore the constitutional provision of personal service of impeachment notice on the former governor was a misnomer to the constitution which must be uprooted.

The court ordered that Nyako be accorded all rights of the office of the governor of Adamawa State throughout his legally recognized period in office even as the court struck out the appeal of Nyako to be returned as governor of the state, as according to the court, the tenure of Nyako as governor had elapsed.

The court condemned in strong terms the arrogance of the lawmakers and some politicians who flagrantly refused to obey court orders stopping them from going ahead with the impeachment process despite the order of the high court in Adamawa State.

Governor Nyako was impeached by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday July 16, 2014 following allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him by the House of Assembly. Jauro, Biobele Abraham Georgewill and O.A. Ogakwu.

Appeal Court quashes ex-Gov Nyako’s impeachment

EFCC Docks Ex-Adamawa Council Boss Over N928m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, arraigned one Felix Tangwami, former chairman Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa state, before Justice Helen Nuhu Hamman Joda of Adamawa State High Court, sitting in Yola.

EFCC

According to a statement issued by the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwugaren, the accused was charged on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense to the tune of N981, 468, 000.00 (nine hundred and eighty one million, four hundred and sixty eight thousand Naira)

Tangwami, in his capacity as the council boss, used his position to award a a number of contracts to companies where he has interests and failed to deliver on the contract terms.

These include: Contracts for supply of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines awarded in favour of Binam Integrated Services Ltd; supply of VVF Oral Vaccines for Immunization against typhoid in favor of Nchaloro Nigeria Ltd; supply of 500 units of motorcycles to be distributed to all the Local government Areas in Adamawa State in favor of Bange Integrated service Ltd; building of a school for technical skill acquisition in Numan in favor of Bange Company Ltd; and the supply of anti-snake venom in favor of Tafari Nigeria Ltd.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Chris Mshelia told the court to fix a date to commence trial.

However, defence counsel, Sule J. Abdul, told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of the accused. He urged the court to admit him to bail adding that, the offence for which he is being charged is bailable.

Justice Joda, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500million with one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a family man residing within the jurisdiction of the court. He must own a landed property worth N100million.

The case was adjourned to February 22, 2016 for hearing.

EFCC Docks Ex-Adamawa Council Boss Over N928m Fraud

Boko Haram: We"re still living in fear - residents

Residents of northeastern Nigeria were gripped by fear and anxiety on Tuesday after two days of bloodshed blamed on Boko Haram, pouring scorn on government claims the jihadist group was “largely defeated”.

More than 50 people were killed in a 48-hour wave of shootings and bombings in the volatile region, just days ahead of the government’s end of year deadline to stamp out what has been described as the world’s deadliest terrorist group.

Nigeria soldiers fighting Boko Haram

In the latest attacks, two female bombers detonated their explosives in a crowded market in the town of Madagali on Monday, killing 30 people.

A spate of suicide bombings and shootings in and around Maiduguri, the capital of neighbouring Borno state, killed another 22 people in two days and injured scores more.

In Madagali, armed soldiers were patrolling the dusty streets of the agricultural town on Tuesday, searching vehicles and passengers for explosives and weapons.

– ‘People still jittery’ –

But despite the heightened security, residents were bracing for more violence.

“Security has been beefed up everywhere but people are still jittery. No one knows the next target because the bombers have no known identity,” resident Timothy Manzo told AFP.

“We try to be calm and go about our daily routine but the fear is still there, we are only suppressing it because life has to go on.”

The latest carnage highlighted Boko Haram’s continued ability to stage deadly attacks even after the Nigerian government vowed to end the group’s deadly insurgency by December 31.

“They (Boko Haram) know they are on their way out,” Information Minister Lai Mohammed told journalists in Lagos.

“They lack the capacity to launch horrendous attacks they used to do in the past.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office at the helm of Africa’s most populous nation in May, had said last week that Boko Haram was “technically” defeated.

Over 17,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram’s six-year quest to create an independent Islamic state in Nigeria.

– ‘Same mistakes’ –

For Buhari, a continued Boko Haram insurgency is a potential threat to his credibility — and popularity — going into 2016.

“It is always a bad idea for the leaders of countries to declare highly active terrorist groups dead,” Max Abrahms, assistant professor of political science at Northeastern University in Boston, told AFP.

“History shows that terrorist groups are extraordinarily difficult to snuff out once they have reached a critical mass,” he said.

“The truth is that terrorism is very easy to perpetrate.”

The previous administration under Goodluck Jonathan made repeated pledges of a swift end to the conflict, all of which came and went, hurting government credibility and becoming a major factor in Jonathan’s ousting in the March election.

“A decisive victory against the sect was the cornerstone of Buhari’s election campaign, yet it increasingly appears that he is creating the same mistakes as his predecessor,” said Ryan Cummings, chief Africa analyst at the South Africa-based crisis management group Red 24.

While Nigeria’s military has won back swathes of territory from the jihadists in recent months, Boko Haram has expanded its network in neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

“It is evident that Boko Haram has expanded outside of Nigeria’s borders,” Cummings said, adding that the lack of regional cooperation was cause for concern.

An 8,700-strong Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) compromising troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin was supposed to be deployed earlier this year, but little has been heard about its activities.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, a report released by the New York-based Institute for Economics and Peace, Boko Haram “has become the most deadly terrorist group in the world”.

The Islamic extremists have increasingly relied on children as weapons, often deploying young girls strapped with explosives into crowded marketplaces and mosques.

Boko Haram: We"re still living in fear - residents

Yola, Kano bomb attacks: Don’t lose hope, Buhari tells Nigerians

ABUJA – Despite the impact of bomb blasts in Yola, Adamawa State on Tuesday evening and that of Kano State on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari, has told Nigerians not despair, assuring that his administration would soon defeat Boko Haram insurgents.

General Buhari

Buhari also called on the people to have “confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon”.

The president who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in the aftermath of the dastardly terror attacks in the two northern states requested an increased vigilance among the civilian population to help ward off suicide terror attacks on soft targets around the country.

He condoled the families of the victims of the bomb blasts, promising to fish out and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crimes.

“The President condemned in strongest terms the barbaric suicide terrorist attacks which took place in Yola on the evening of Tuesday, November 17 and in Kano today, causing numerous deaths and injuries among civilians.

“The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Adamawa and Kano States respectively.

“President Buhari reassures Nigerians that his administration is very much determined to wipe out Boko Haram in Nigeria and bring all perpetrators of these heinous crime against humanity to justice.

“The President urges all Nigerians not to despair in the face of cowardly terrorist attacks but to have confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon.

“He believes, however, that vigilance is a potential life saver, since security agents cannot be everywhere to deter every planned attack.

“Citizen’s vigilance will therefore help to reduce the frequency of such attacks”, Buhari said in a statement by Shehu.

Yola, Kano bomb attacks: Don’t lose hope, Buhari tells Nigerians

Facebook activates safety feature after Yola bombing

Facebook has activated its “Safety Check” feature for the first time in Nigeria, after a bombing likely carried out by Boko Haram killed more than 30 late on Tuesday.

Facebook to buy Whatsapp

“We’ve activated Safety Check again after the bombing in Nigeria this evening,” co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a post on the site.

The social network had come under criticism from those caught up in last Thursday’s blasts in Beirut that they were not offered the service but those in Friday’s Paris attacks were.

The tool allows users to check whether friends are safe after attacks or natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Zuckerberg said at the weekend the feature would be used more widely in the future.

Tuesday night’s bombing at a crowded lorry park in Yola, northeast Nigeria, was the first attack this month and left at least 32 dead and some 80 others injured.

The explosion bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram Islamists, who have repeatedly hit civilian “soft targets” in their six-year insurgency.

At least 17,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million made homeless by the violence in that period, with suicide and bomb attacks an almost daily occurrence in the northeast.

Facebook activates safety feature after Yola bombing

Over 30 killed, 80 injured in new Yola blast

More than 30 people were killed Tuesday when a bomb blast ripped through packed crowds in Yola, northeast Nigeria, just days after President Muhammadu Buhari visited declaring that Boko Haram were close to defeat.

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

The explosion happened at about 8:20 pm (1920 GMT) in the Jambutu area of the Adamawa state capital, although it was not immediately clear whether it was caused by a suicide bomber or an improvised explosive device.

“So far, we’ve recorded about 32 dead and about 80 injured,” said Sa’ad Bello, the Yola coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency.

The Red Cross and state police gave a slightly lower toll of 31 dead and 72 injured.

The blast bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has previously attacked Yola with suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices in recent months.

Buhari this month was in Yola to decorate soldiers for bravery in the counter-insurgency as well as visit a camp for people displaced by six years of violence that has left at least 17,000 people dead.

He told troops he believed Boko Haram “are very close to defeat” and urged soldiers “to remain vigilant, alert and focused to prevent Boko Haram from sneaking into our communities to attack soft targets”.

Red Cross official Aliyu Maikano and residents said the area targeted was a lorry park which also houses a livestock market, an open-air restaurant and a mosque.

The area was immediately cordoned off but poor power supply in Yola meant the rescue effort was conducted in near darkness.

“Victims could be lying all over the place,” Maikano said.

– ‘Deadliest group’ –

Tuesday’s blast was the first in Nigeria this month, indicating the army’s strategy to cut off the Islamists’ supply lines and target their camps was paying off.

Buhari has set his military commanders a deadline of the end of next month to crush the rebels, who have increasingly taken to attacking border areas of neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

But the Yola explosion also shows the difficulty in completely neutralising the threat, particularly in crowded urban areas.

On Monday, the army said it had foiled an attack using high-powered assault weapons and bombs in the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri, as well as having uncovered a bomb-making factory.

Yola had been seen as a relative haven from the bloodshed across the northeast and last year housed hundreds of thousands who fled their homes as the militants advanced into Adawawa state.

The military declared the state “cleared” earlier this year.

But in October, 27 people were killed and 96 injured in a blast at a mosque in Jambutu, while in September, seven people died and 20 were injured by a bomb left at the displaced persons camp visited by Buhari last week.

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at one of Yola’s main markets in June, killing 31.

There have also been multiple raids in the north of the state, near the group’s Sambisa Forest stronghold across the border in Borno.

The blast came as Boko Haram was named in the latest Global Terrorism Index as “the most deadly terrorist group in the world”, having killed 6,644 people last year.

The index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, said the Islamic State group, to which Boko Haram has pledged allegiance, killed 6,073.

It highlighted “the major intensification of the terrorist threat in Nigeria” and said it had “witnessed the largest increase in terrorist deaths ever recorded by any country”.

More details soon

Over 30 killed, 80 injured in new Yola blast

Father identifies insurgent who tried to enter IDP in Yobe

Alhaji Musa Jidawa, the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has confirmed the arrest of four insurgents who attempted to enter the Pompomari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Damaturu.

Boko Haram member in Female hijab

Jidawa told newsmen on Sunday in Damaturu that two suspects initially disguised as visitors to see relations at the camp but were apprehended.

He added that two others, who came separately later, were also arrested while trying to enter the camp.

He explained that “security operatives and some IDPs screening entries and exit from the camp identified the suspects, who were later confirmed as insurgents by the IDPs from their communities.’’

He said that the last suspect came to the camp where his father, mother, wife and child were all taking refuge.

The SEMA executive secretary said “a member of his Turo Kura village identified the suspect and raised an alarm, saying he belong to the sect and the suspect’s father, also an IDP at the camp, confirmed it, which led to his arrest.’’

The suspect’s father, who pleaded not to be identified, told newsmen that he narrowly escaped from the son in the village when he targeted to kill him.

The father said “I have nothing to do with him; he should be arrested and killed just like he killed others.’’

The SEMA secretary said the Agency had reinforced security checks and means of identification to ensure that non-members do not slip into the camp.

Father identifies insurgent who tried to enter IDP in Yobe

Breaking: Nigerian Air Force Plane crash in Yola

A Nigerian Air force Plane has crashed in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State.

The director of Defence Information for the Nigerian Armed Forces, Colonel Rabe Abubakar confirmed the incident to an online news, sahara reporters.

The details of the incident is still sketchy at the time of filing this report as it could not be confirmed if there were casualties and injured individuals on the craft.

Breaking: Nigerian Air Force Plane crash in Yola

Boko Haram kills another 5 in Adamawa State

Daji Sani in Yola

The Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) Haruna Furo has confirmed that five persons were killed in another bomb blast in Madagali town of Madagali Local Government Area of the state leaving several people injured.

Abubakar Shekau

He said the bomb was detonated by a female suicide bomber, resulting in killing herself and 4 others while several people sustained various degrees of injurious.

Furo explained on a telephone chat with THISDAY that the incident occurred in the morning of Friday almost the same time with the Malkohi bomb blast, adding that he perceived that the same group would have  masterminded the second bomb blasts in the state.

Adamawa state commissioner of Information, Ahmed Sajoh has also confirmed the bomb blast in Madagali Local government area of Adamawa state as he said the casualties are yet to be ascertained .

He disclosed this to journalists in Yola , Adamawa state capital on Friday as he said the bomb blast occurred in the morning hours of yesterday (today) adding that the government was working with some humanitarian agencies in the area to get the details.

Boko Haram kills another 5 in Adamawa State

Yola IDP attack: Suicide Bomber kill 12

NAF rotates troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations

Daji Sani in Yola and     Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Twelve people lost their lives on Friday while scores were injured in two suicide bomb attacks by suspected Bokom Haram members at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Yola and Madagali town, both in Adamawa State.

Bomb Scene

The bombs were detonated inside a tent at the Malkohi IDP camp at around 10:50am and claimed seven lives.

Two female suicide bombers were reported to have detonated the bombs which also injured 13 people including, four National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials.

Adamawa state commissioner of information, Ahmed Sajoh confirmed the casualty figure to journalists in Yola shortly after visiting the injured victims at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

Sajoh lamented that an unaccompanied toddler was among the dead just as he expressed sadness that even those on humanitarian service were not spared the fury of the suicide bombers.

He further explained that one of the NEMA officials had already been treated and discharged while two others sustained minor injuries.

The commissioner noted that Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow has directed the state emergency management agency to foot the medical bills of the injured.

Sajoh said that the state government was working in conjunction with all security agencies to ensure a water tight security around all IDP facilities in the state, adding that security agencies were currently re-screening all the IDPs at the Malkohi camp.

He urged residents to be extra vigilant and report suspicious persons to security personnel.

5 killed in Madagali…

Also yesterday, five persons were killed in another bomb blast near a market in Madagali town, Madagali Local Government Area of the Adamawa State, leaving several others injured.

The bomb was allegedly detonated by a female suicide bomber.

The incident occurred at about the same time with the Malkohi bomb attack. The same Boko Haram group is suspected to have masterminded the twin bomb blasts in the state.

Sajoh also confirmed the Madagali attack.

Buhari reacts…

In a swift reaction to the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari directed authorities to tighten security measures in all camps harbouring internally displaced persons in the country.

The president equally described  as heinous and cowardly the bomb blast in the Malkohi camp which resulted in loss of lives.

He said that the terrorists were bent on causing fear and panic among the populace by detonating bombs within soft spots where hapless citizens resided and called on the public not to be deterred but rise in unison to root out whatever was left of the terrorists.

“We must not let the desperate and evil-minded criminals have any respite. There’s now an urgent need for all to be paying utmost attention to security issues at all levels – home, work, market, places of worship, schools, etc.

“To defeat terrorism, all round the clock vigilance is called for.”

He urged members of thee public to provide  security agents with vital information to pre-empt and prevent crimes and to forestall further insurgent activities.

NAF Rotates Troops Engaged in Counter-Terrorism Operations…

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has started rotating members of its ground forces fighting alongside the troops of the Nigerian Army who have spent over six months in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency (CT COIN) operations code named ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in the North-east.

This was disclosed yesterday in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DoPRI), Air Commodore Dele Alonge.

According to Alonge, the latest troop rotation, in line with the usual practice, is aimed at reinvigorating the personnel, and their commitment to the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram, by replacing the weary hands with fresh ones.

He said that the rotation also had the corollary effect of morale boosting for the troops.

He added that troops have been airlifted with the NAF C-130H aircraft from the theatre of operation to their various units.

During the short but colourful ceremony, the DoPRI said the Commander of 79 Composite Group Maiduguri, Air Commodore Chris Egwoba on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar commended the efforts of the gallant airmen and wish them success in their future endeavours.

Toyota Donates Trucks to MNJTF…

Also yesterday, Toyota Nigeria Limited donated some Hilux vans to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Maiduguri.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Col. Rabe Abubakar, who confirmed this said that the Trucks were received by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.

Olonisakin expressed profound gratitude to the management and staff of TNL describing the company’s gesture as a show of public support and approval for MNJTF actions.

Yola IDP attack: Suicide Bomber kill 12

Borno deputy governor dies in his sleep in Yola

Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha, has died in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Though no ailment was reported, the state government, which expressed “shock and disbelief” at the deputy governor’s death, said Mustapha was in Yola to represent the state government at the convocation of the Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

A statement by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Shuwa, on Saturday, added that the deceased was also scheduled to visit Borno State indigenes, who are quartered in the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Yola.

The statement by Shuwa read, “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing away of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.

“He died in his sleep this morning(Saturday) in Yola, Adamawa State, where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

“He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“His is remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri  at 4pm today, Saturday, August 15, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri.

“His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the deputy governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late deputy governor.”

Borno deputy governor dies in his sleep in Yola

We’ll to prosecute indicted looters – Justice Ministry

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Yola, on Thursday said his ministry was ready to prosecute any person indicted by relevant agencies of government for looting public fund.

Yola said this in an interview with State House correspondents shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the ministry’s activities inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the prosecution could only be done when agencies found the individuals wanting and make their findings available to his ministry.

He added that so far, no such indicting report had been received by the ministry.

Yola said, “If the ministry receives investigations concluded by the responsible agencies, we will play our part.

“We will play our part with the prosecution of whoever has been found wanting and the security agencies have concluded investigation on that.

“At the moment, the ministry is not in receipt of any report concerning that.”

He said he used the opportunity of the meeting to brief the President on how the ministry has been conducting itself by maintaining the rule of law.

He said the President was given details of what the ministry had been doing from 2011 till date.

Yola said he also pledged to the President to continue cooperating with him to ensure that all the promises he made to Nigerians, as far as they relate to rule of law, are achieved.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa, also told State House correspondents that his briefing with Buhari centered on jobs creation.

Musa said in the days ahead, the current administration would be doing everything possible to attract more investments and encourage businesses.

He said he got the President’s mandate to engage in talks with people who will assist in driving the agenda.

We’ll to prosecute indicted looters – Justice Ministry

3 Trekkers for Atiku stranded in Yola

Yola – Three men, who trekked to Yola in honour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, are now stranded in Yola.

The men, Salihu Jibrin, Aliyu Adamu and Abubakar Suleiman, who spoke to newsmen Saturday in Yola, said since their arrival they were unable to see their mentor, Atiku.

They said all they needed was to see Atiku or his representatives to deliver their messages and go back to their various destinations.

“I trekked for 38 days all the way from Lagos to Yola to see Atiku in view of his role over APC victory in the general election but up to now I was unable to see him.

“I am now stranded with no money to go back; at times I sleep in motor park or squat with good Samaritans,” Jibrin said .

Adamu, who rode bicycle  from Kaduna to Yola, said he spent eight days on the way.

“I want to thank the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Adamawa Council, Mr Baba Zare, who had been assisting me since arrival to cope with the difficult situation I found myself.

“I want to meet Atiku before finding my way back to Kaduna,” Adamu said.

On his part, Suleiman, who trekked from Shelleng town, Adamawa,  to Yola said he had been squatting from one relation to the other while waiting for an opportunity to see Atiku before going back home. ( NAN)

 

3 Trekkers for Atiku stranded in Yola

10 dead, as Yola suffers first Boko Haram attack

YOLA — FOR the first time, Yola, capital of Adamawa State suffered an attack from insurgents of the Boko Haram sect, which launched attacks on Adamawa and Borno states, killing 14 persons and injuring several others.

10 persons were killed in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, while four were killed in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Bomb Scene

In Maiduguri, a suicide bomber detonated his Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near a military checkpoint at Shagari Low-cost Housing Estate, along Maiduguri-Monguno Eoad, killing four people with several others seriously injured.

Shagari low cost estate is on the outskirt of Maiduguri metropolis and about 200 metres away from the 7 Division, of the Nigerian Army. Shagari low cost estate is about five kilometres from the city of Maiduguri. This came barely 24 hours after a twin blast exploded Wednesday at the timber shed market along Baga Road, near the 7 Division Headquarters, that left scores dead.

The fresh explosion, yesterday, according to sources, occurred at a military checkpoint around Shagari low cost estate when the suicide bomber who had planned to wreak havoc in the city of Maiduguri decided to detonate his wares at the checkpoint when he realized that it would be difficult for him to beat the security mounted by the operatives.

The source said “four people including the suicide bomber died at the checkpoint, but I cannot tell you whether security operatives were part of the victims.

“It was at about 6pm when motorists and residents were rushing home to beat the 7pm curfew when a suicide bomber that was in one of the vehicles waiting to be checked detonated his explosives, killing four people with scores injured.

“Both the dead and the injured were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri, while security operatives quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further attacks and killings”, the source stated.

Confirming the incident, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun said:

“It is true. It happened near a military checkpoint. “Two persons dead and three injured”, Opadokun stated.

10 killed in Yola

Also yesterday, a bomb blast suspected to be from a suicide bomber occurred in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State, for the first time since the Boko Haram menace started in the North-East.

One witness said at least 10 people were killed and about 30 injured.

A resident of the town, Salihu Aliyu, said that the blast happened in front of the Jimeta main market at about 7:45pm.

“We just finished observing the Maghrib prayer when we heard a loud blast near the market. He added that the casualty figure was likely to be high because the explosion occurred when many traders had closed their shops, and were rushing home.

“You know many traders also come out of the market and display their wares outside the main market to also observe the night market. There was even traffic gridlock in the area with many Keke Napep operators (tricycle operators) jostling for passengers when the bomb exploded”, he said.

Adamawa Police image maker, ASP Abubakar Othman confirmed the blast but could not give the casualty figure.

The entire area has been cordoned off by the military as the capital city remained quiet and deserted.

Attacks in Adamawa

Adamawa State has been enmeshed in a series of attacks these past few days, the most recent being the attack on traders in a popular building material market in Jimeta Monday. The attack left two dead and two others in a critical state.

Barely 24 hours before that, gunmen killed three people at the entrance of the Jimeta ultra-modern market.

In addition, some armed gangs attacked and killed a First Bank manager in Damilu, opposite the Yola International Airport, and made away with his car in the wee hours of Sunday.

The attackers of the bank manager did not go unpunished as they were chased and caught by security officials as they tried to escape towards Maiduguri, Borno State. They were stopped by a detachment of military personnel stationed along Gombi-Biu Road.

The Army Public Relations Officer, Victor Olukoya, and Police Public Relations Officer, Yoila Nemuel, who jointly addressed the press on Tuesday in Yola, said the information gathered from the arrested armed gangs led them to a hideout of the criminal gangs in Jambutu “where a significant breakthrough was recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram sect”. Prior to this, the security officers said, a joint effort had led to the uncovering of a bomb factory in the state.

 

10 dead, as Yola suffers first Boko Haram attack

Why Jonathan lost to Buhari – Gulak

…says he will sink with PDP than defect to APC

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

Immediate Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has denied ever defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Gulak, who was reported to have openly decamped to APC on Wednesday along with other PDP chieftains in Yola, told Vanguard in Abuja on Thursday that he was not present at the venue of the ceremony and that his name was fraudulently used to score cheap political points.

“I want to say that I will remain a staunch PDP member despite the loss of the presidential election by our great party. Rather than defect to the APC, I will join forces with like-minded Nigerians to make the PDP to bounce back in the years to come,” Gulak said.

The Adamawa-born lawyer, said that even though the PDP lost the presidential election, it was not justified for its members to hurriedly desert the party for the APC, accusing the defectors of betrayal and dishonesty.

Gulak said that he had before now drawn the attention of Mr. President to the fact that many of those who were brought into the PDP as key members were actually enemies and not committed members willing to work for the success of the party.

He said his views were not however taken seriously because of those who were working hard to tarnish him before the government and get him out of sight.

Gulak said the PDP lost the last election because of the unresolved nomination crisis that arose from the imposition of anointed candidates by top officials of the party in all the states of the federation.

The former presidential aide said: “In the first place, the PDP did not see the crisis created in all the states of the federation. The party did not go into that election as a united entity as expected.

“Across the country the nomination process was contrary to the party constitution. You could see that in some states, the candidates were imposed on the party and that alienated party faithful from the party and caused more division for the system.

“As human beings, not many will take time to think. But we have now seen where the party went wrong and we have to return to the drawing board with a view to winning in 2019.

We are going to see who played what role in the current crisis and if need be we may ask those culpable to step aside and new hands will take over to rebuild confidence and enhance its winning power in the next election,” he said.

 

Why Jonathan lost to Buhari – Gulak

Breaking: President Jonathan arrives Yola

• 
  

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News




The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has taken his campaign to Adamawa State.




PDP lagos, President Jonathan




The President arrives Yola at about 4:00 pm on Thursday on his Presidential Jet with additional planes and an helicopter.




According to the information gathered by NAIJA CENTER NEWS, the security situation is tightened due to the President presence in the state.




A soldier who craved anonymity said soldiers are patrolling down for security reasons.




Boko Haram situation in the state:




Nigerian military has succeeded in recapturing the local government areas that were previously captured by the Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa State except Gulak.




The military has launched a massive attack on the insurgents reclaiming every parts including Muchika which was recaptured on Wednesaday (yesterday).




The source said ” Soldiers have been deployed to bushes in different local government to haunt for the rebels, we have been able to recapture all local governments that were previously in the hands of Boko Haram.




“Soldiers fought Boko Haram on Tuesday to Wednesday and reclaimed Muchika, a town between Maiduguri and Yola, and very soon, Gulak, which is the last territory in the hands of the rebels will be reclaimed so that we can go back to our units.”




The soldiers also said the military lost four of its men to the battle,one in the military hospital in Yola receiving treatment,  and tens of Boko Haram died while many fled leaving their weapons behind.




The source also said that there is the possibility that before February 14 Presidential election, soldiers will reclaim all areas in Adamawa.




 




 



Breaking: President Jonathan arrives Yola

Military helicopter crashes in Adamawa

A military aircraft which was believed to be on a surveillance mission in Adamawa State crashed around 9am on Monday.

A source who spoke with our correspondent said that the aircraft came down at Damare in Girei Local Government Area just a few meters from the State Capital, Yola.

The source said that the aircraft was carrying five armed American military experts.

Efforts are on to get the reactions of the American Embassy in Abuja.

It was gathered that none of the security personnel involved in the mishap died.

It was learnt that three of the crew escaped unhurt while the other two sustained injuries and were receiving treatment at an undisclosed military hospital in Yola.

The spokesperson of the Defence headquarters, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, could not be reached for comments just as the  spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Dele Alonge. They did not answer or return calls.

News of the helicopter crash came about two months after a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet, went missing during routine operations in the northern part of Adamawa State.

The Nigerian Army has also released a statement to confirm the crash of the helicopter.

According to it, the NAF “Shark 23” helicopter crash-landed at the Yola International Airport in the morning of November 10, 2014, about 9am.

The aircraft was on a training mission, but, due to unknown reasons, it was forced to embark on controlled emergency landing about 4 minutes after the take-off.

There were no casualties. All the crew members were recovered. At the same time it is unclear how many of them were on board. Condition of the crew members and / or passengers also remains unclear.

The statement by the Defence Headquarters reassured that the NAF would study all the circumstance of the tragedy and had already set up the appropriate investigation panel.

Confirming the incident, a resident that lives close to the scene of the crash, Jamilu Inuwa, told Premium Times that he saw the chopper go down.

“The helicopter crashed in Damare,” he said. “I don’t know if it is a military plane or not,” he added.

Also, a journalist based in Yola, identified as Inuwa, informed that he had it on good authority that the helicopter was on surveillance mission and was carrying arms and ammunition, claiming there were some foreigners aboard.

“Immediately after the crash, soldiers were drafted to the scene to cordon off the scene,” the journalist told Premium Times.

Inuwa also said the scene of the crash is not far from the temporary camp of the National Youth Service Corps which is serving as a base for the internally displaced persons [IDPs] in the state.

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Military helicopter crashes in Adamawa

Ribadu’s brother kidnapped in Yola

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped Mallam Sani Ribadu, a junior brother of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Nuhu Ribadu

A source said Sani was kidnapped in his farm along Fufore, about 15kilometres to Yola. There were fears the abduction might not be unconnected with politics.

Ribadu is one of the leading contenders for the governorship seat of the state said to be enjoying the support of the major stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party in Abuja and Yola.

Sani is said to have been seized during a routine inspection visit to his farm on Sunday.

But there was suspicion of political motives last night because Sani was rated as “central to the campaign coordination of the ex-EFCC chairman.”

Apart from being a former chairman of Yola South Local Government Area, Sani Ribadu was also a former member of Adamawa State House of Assembly.

“The ex-LGA chairman was abducted and his car left intact on the farm. We cannot locate his whereabouts,” a source hinted last night.

“Apart from alerting the police, a search team has been put in place.”

“We are suspecting that he might have been targeted. But it is too early to draw any conclusion.”

The Special Assistant on Media to the ex-EFCC chairman, Mallam Abdulazeez Abdulazeez, who spoke with our correspondent at about 10pm, said: “It is true that some gunmen kidnapped Oga’s brother or cousin to put it in better perspective.”

– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/ribadus-brother-kidnapped-yola/#sthash.SwxmuLHe.dpuf

Ribadu’s brother kidnapped in Yola

Terrorism: Army sends GOC to office

BY Kingsley  Omonobi, Vanguard

As the military on-slaught to dislodge Boko Haram enters a new stage, and the  agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram sect is breached severally, the Army High Command in Abuja has removed the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 division Jos, Major General Mohammed Zaruwa.

Soldiers tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants arrive to face trials for mutiny in Abuja on October 2, 2014. Nearly 100 soldiers tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants in Nigeria’s far northeast appeared at a military court martial on Thursday, facing a range of charges including mutiny. The hearing comes just weeks after a tribunal sentenced 12 soldiers to death following their conviction for shooting at their commanding officer in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, in May. AFP PHOTO

General Zaruwa, according to sources would be posted to the Defence Headquarters where there are vacancies for top army generals following retirements of three generals, two of them after 35 years in service, and one compulsory retirement.

Meanwhile, a new GOC,Major General F.O.Alli has been appointed for the 3 armoured division of the Nigerian Army.

General Alli was until his appointment, the Director of Operations at Army Headquarters. He has served as the Brigade Commander in Yola prior to his posting to Army Headquarters and had battled the terrorists previously. He was also at a time, the Principal General Staff Officer to the minister of defence.

General Zaruwa who had been in the forefront of the battle to recapture communities taken over by the terrorists in Adamawa and Borno states  personally led the onslaught that wiped out hundreds of the terrorists in Vimtim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff,and during the advance on some communities in Bazza, Michika, and Gulak last month and early this month.

The Senior officer, who was the Military Adviser of Peacekeeping operations to the Minister of Defence before his appointment early this year as GOC, is highly rated in the military circles

When Saturday Vanguard sought to find out why the GOC was recalled, a source disclosed that it was a routine ‘Change of Guard’ posting which cannot be attributed to any shortcoming.

It will be recalled that shortly after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram sect; the terrorists breached the agreement by attempting to catch Nigerian soldiers unawares in Damboa, a strategic community close to Maiduguri, hoping that the directive by the Chief of Defence Staff not to attack will be heeded.

Saturday Vanguard  was however told that despite the directive to ceasefire, military commanders were told to use their prerogative to defend their positions if attacked. Hence the plot by the terrorists to attack Damboa thinking that soldiers will fold their hands and allow them was quickly understood and they were repelled.

Since then, the terrorists have attacked communities in Adamawa State, abducting women andyoung girls while detonating of bombs in Bauchi and several other places in the North East.

A senior officer who spoke with Vanguard last Friday when the ceasefire was announced, had expressed apprehension about the development asking, “Why is it now that new weaponry had arrived the country, more counter-terrorism trained security operatives had arrived and the military were preparing for the final onslaught, that Boko Haram wants ceasefire?

‘Let us hope that after many of their commanders and hundreds of followers were killed including the former impostor, Bahsir, in several confrontations in Konduga, this is not a ploy to buy time and carry out more conscription or recruitments”, the officer said.

Only on Thursday, scores of women and girls from two communities Adamawa state were by suspected militants at night. Among villages attacked are Waga Mangoro and Garta – are close to Madagali and Michika towns.

In another attack in Azare, Bauchi State, five people were killed in a bomb blast.

Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that five persons killed in the bomb explosion that also left 12 others injured.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said in a statement that the blast occurred at about 21.45 hours on Wednesday when an improvised explosive device planted at a motor park in Azare was detonated.

He disclosed that the injured persons are now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, adding that investigation into the incident has commenced.

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Terrorism: Army sends GOC to office