Boko Haram control drop from 20 LG to 2 - Shettima

• As military dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from Borno villages

By Michael Olugbode and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has revealed that the Boko Haram insurgents have lost much ground in his state, with the terrorists’ area of control dropping from 20 local governments previously to two at present.

Kashim Shettima

Shettima’s disclosure came as the Nigerian military disclosed that it had dislodged Boko Haram fighters from their enclaves within some communities of Borno State in the North-east zone in its continued effort to defeat terrorists in the country before the December deadline.

The governor’s comments came ahead of a conference of traditional and religious leaders billed for Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, today to brainstorm on ways to protect mosques in the state against terrorist attack.

Shettima spoke while receiving the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawan, who led a six-man committee inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari to pay condolence visits to Borno and Adamawa states, which both came under suicide attacks at their mosques on Friday.

The governor said the recent attacks in Borno should not be misconstrued as an act of authority of the insurgents but rather as noise aimed at attracting attention, adding that the insurgents are presently on the run and cannot be said to have a stronghold.

“They are presently controlling two local governments in Borno State; Abadam and Mobbar and partially in Marte,” he disclosed.

The governor insisted that the bombings that were witnessed in recent times were only to show to the world that the terrorists were still around and have no relevance to their prowess.

He said: “At some point, Boko Haram overran 20 out of our 27 local government areas in Borno State. They overran four local government areas in Adamawa and two in Yobe.”

He said in order to prevent bombing at mosques, he had summoned all Imams of mosques in Maiduguri, Jere and surrounding areas as well as district heads, village heads and those manning streets called lawans and Bulamas, for a security meeting to be facilitated by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi.

The governor said the meeting scheduled for Sunday would discuss firm measures that might require policy pronouncements aimed at addressing the newest attacks on mosques during prayers as carried out by insurgents.

The SGF said “the president on hearing what befell Adamawa and Borno states and the country yesterday (Friday) decided to set up this team to come and commiserate with you.

“The president is always compassionate and emotional when things like these happen to the people of Borno state, Nigeria is indeed very sad that these things continue to reoccur so often.”

He said, “defeating insurgency on the battle ground is different from defeating it from the urban areas.

“And knowing that their days are numbered it is clear that they have changed their styles and strategies and have now resorted to bomb blast even in religious areas, no one would have expected that one would have woken up to explode himself in a mosque, killing Muslims and maiming innocent worshippers in mosque.” Lawan said: “The president has said we should highlight that security is everybody’s business, because some of these people live among us and the only way we can eliminate this menace is by being vigilant and observant. We should monitor the activities of people that seem strange and people that look strange and people that are strangers in our midst.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military in its continued effort to defeat terrorists in the country before December deadline, said it had dislodged Boko Haram fighters from their enclaves within some communities of Borno state.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday said the troops of 5 Brigade Nigerian Army had been making huge progress towards complete elimination of the terrorists from their hideouts.

Usman said the formation was able to comprehensively destroy all Boko Haram camps and enclaves at the border towns of Kerenowa and Chikun Gudu as well as their contiguous villages in Borno state.

He revealed that the federal troops, during the ongoing operation, discovered and destroyed over 20 well fortified terrorist camps in the general area of Kerenowa. “The camps include some at the gateway to Kerenoa, Gumada and Dogon Gida,” he stated.

In addition, Usman said the troops also discovered that to evade aerial reconnaissance and bombardment, the terrorists had dug twin tunnels to conceal their facilities and routes in and out of the camp.

The Army spokesman listed among facilities discovered to include training areas equipped with instructional and training materials that include wooden guns, amongst others.

He said: “The troops have also cleared Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the road linking Marte, New Marte and Kerenowa. It is apparent that the Boko Haram terrorists lacked the will to fight as they are in disarray, abandoning their camps fleeing and leaving behind vehicles, solar panels used to power devices, food and other logistics, beddings, various IED devices, cables and cords.”

Usman also assured that “the advancing troops’ morale remains very high and they exude confidence and zeal to destroy all known Boko Haram camps along their axis of advance.” He called on members of the public to remain confident in the ability of the troops to eliminate all remaining vestiges of the terrorists before the year runs out in line with the presidential directives.

Boko Haram control drop from 20 LG to 2 - Shettima

Boko Haram dares new govt: Suicide bomber lures scores with Buhari campaign songs, kills them

Since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari, barely one week ago, specifically May 29, 2015, Borno State, particularly Maiduguri, the state capital, has witnessed sustained attacks by insurgents. Buhari had said at the inauguration that the nation’s military command was being moved to Borno, the hotbed of Boko Haram, to end the insurgency.

Buhari

But barely 24 hours after the swearing-in of the new administration, Boko Haram launched the first invasion. The May 30 attack came at about 12:30am when residents were asleep. The insurgents reportedly drove in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), rocket grenades and anti-aircraft guns.

They entered Malari village, killed 15 residents and wounded 19 others in Bulunkutu Tsaleke, Gomari and Ajilari wards.

The killings, according to Ibrahim Yakubu of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), were caused by the insurgents’ sporadic gunshots, explosions and shelling on the wards that commenced from 12.35-2.45am that Saturday. “We were shocked about how these areas were targeted by Boko Haram last night. Among those killed were five children and two women sleeping in the open because of heat in their houses,” said Yakubu.

He said the insurgents, after entering Malari through the northeast flank of Sambisa forest on dirt road, crossed River Ngadabul to launch their attacks on the communities. “The militants could not enter Maiduguri metropolis because of the trenches we dug that made their vehicles to get stuck. But they wreaked havoc on lives and property in the affected communities”, said the vigilante youth.

“The extent of damage to lives and property could have been much higher if the Boko Haram gunmen had crossed the trenches”. Confirming the incident in Maiduguri, a source close to Borno Police Command said some residents of Gomari, Bulunkutu Tsaleke and Ajilari wards of Malari were killed in the attacks. “We are still collating the fatalities in the attacks, but 19 people have been hospitalized for injuries they sustained from gunshots and artillery fire that lasted over two hours in western part of Maiduguri metropolis,” said the source.

Mosque killings

Later that Saturday, a suicide bomber sneaked into a mosque along Ali Kotoko Road, near Maiduguri Monday Market leaving 26 dead and 28 critically injured. A security source who assisted in the evacuation of victims said the incident took place at about 3:45pm when Muslim faithful gathered to perform their La,asar prayers.

“A bomb blast exploded at the Adam Kolo Central Mosque along Ali Kotoko Road of Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) during an afternoon prayer, and killed 26 people with about 28 critically injured on Saturday”, said Mallam Abba Shukura who was among those evacuating the victims. “I can confirm to you that many people in the mosque were killed or injured.”

The mosque explosion, according to Modu Fugu of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), occurred when the prayer session was about to commence at about 3.25pm with dozens of people in the mosque. “We were terrified by the loud explosion that rocked the mosque near the bicycle sellers market and other shops. Worshippers fled to safety. But many were killed or injured,” Fugu stated.

Hamidu Isa, a shop owner near the mosque, told our correspondent that an IED had been hidden in a corner of the mosque in the morning before the suicide bomber came to detonate it at about 3.30pm”. Borno Police Command confirmed the mosque blast.

Grains looted

Boko Haram gunmen, same day, attacked Fika and Ngalda in Yobe State; and torched several public buildings, telecom masts, houses and shops, before fleeing into Sambisa Forest. The insurgents, according to a resident, Mainasara Ali, looted several shops and barns of grains. Fika and Ngalda are farming and herding communities, and 155 kilometres and 176 kilometres respectively southwest of Damaturu, the state capital.

“We were taken by surprise by the attacks on our houses and shops by the insurgents desperately looking for food to survive in the forest, but they did not kill any of our people. All our shops and barns were looted by the gunmen who also destroyed council offices and health centre, south of the central market,” said Ali. He said the insurgents chanted ‘God is great’ in Arabic before torching the public buildings in the towns.

According to him, most of the houses of local officials in Fika and Ngalda were also burnt that night. “We will continue to fight whosoever identifies with government which we consider anti-Islam. We will not relent or surrender until we impose Sharia Law in Nigeria”, Ali quoted one of the insurgents as saying.

But barely 24 hours after the swearing-in of the new administration, Boko Haram launched the first invasion. The May 30 attack came at about 12:30am when residents were asleep. The insurgents reportedly drove in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), rocket grenades and anti-aircraft guns.

They entered Malari village, killed 15 residents and wounded 19 others in Bulunkutu Tsaleke, Gomari and Ajilari wards.

The killings, according to Ibrahim Yakubu of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), were caused by the insurgents’ sporadic gunshots, explosions and shelling on the wards that commenced from 12.35-2.45am that Saturday. “We were shocked about how these areas were targeted by Boko Haram last night. Among those killed were five children and two women sleeping in the open because of heat in their houses,” said Yakubu.

He said the insurgents, after entering Malari through the northeast flank of Sambisa forest on dirt road, crossed River Ngadabul to launch their attacks on the communities. “The militants could not enter Maiduguri metropolis because of the trenches we dug that made their vehicles to get stuck. But they wreaked havoc on lives and property in the affected communities”, said the vigilante youth.

“The extent of damage to lives and property could have been much higher if the Boko Haram gunmen had crossed the trenches”. Confirming the incident in Maiduguri, a source close to Borno Police Command said some residents of Gomari, Bulunkutu Tsaleke and Ajilari wards of Malari were killed in the attacks. “We are still collating the fatalities in the attacks, but 19 people have been hospitalized for injuries they sustained from gunshots and artillery fire that lasted over two hours in western part of Maiduguri metropolis,” said the source.

Mosque killings

Later that Saturday, a suicide bomber sneaked into a mosque along Ali Kotoko Road, near Maiduguri Monday Market leaving 26 dead and 28 critically injured. A security source who assisted in the evacuation of victims said the incident took place at about 3:45pm when Muslim faithful gathered to perform their La,asar prayers.

“A bomb blast exploded at the Adam Kolo Central Mosque along Ali Kotoko Road of Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) during an afternoon prayer, and killed 26 people with about 28 critically injured on Saturday”, said Mallam Abba Shukura who was among those evacuating the victims. “I can confirm to you that many people in the mosque were killed or injured.”

The mosque explosion, according to Modu Fugu of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), occurred when the prayer session was about to commence at about 3.25pm with dozens of people in the mosque. “We were terrified by the loud explosion that rocked the mosque near the bicycle sellers market and other shops. Worshippers fled to safety. But many were killed or injured,” Fugu stated.

Hamidu Isa, a shop owner near the mosque, told our correspondent that an IED had been hidden in a corner of the mosque in the morning before the suicide bomber came to detonate it at about 3.30pm”. Borno Police Command confirmed the mosque blast.

Grains looted

Boko Haram gunmen, same day, attacked Fika and Ngalda in Yobe State; and torched several public buildings, telecom masts, houses and shops, before fleeing into Sambisa Forest. The insurgents, according to a resident, Mainasara Ali, looted several shops and barns of grains. Fika and Ngalda are farming and herding communities, and 155 kilometres and 176 kilometres respectively southwest of Damaturu, the state capital.

“We were taken by surprise by the attacks on our houses and shops by the insurgents desperately looking for food to survive in the forest, but they did not kill any of our people. All our shops and barns were looted by the gunmen who also destroyed council offices and health centre, south of the central market,” said Ali. He said the insurgents chanted ‘God is great’ in Arabic before torching the public buildings in the towns.

According to him, most of the houses of local officials in Fika and Ngalda were also burnt that night. “We will continue to fight whosoever identifies with government which we consider anti-Islam. We will not relent or surrender until we impose Sharia Law in Nigeria”, Ali quoted one of the insurgents as saying.

 

Boko Haram dares new govt: Suicide bomber lures scores with Buhari campaign songs, kills them

Suicide bombers kill 15 civilians, six insurgents in Maiduguri

Twenty-one people died yesterday in a “botched” suicide mission at a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facility near Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital.

Boko Haram leader, Shekau Abubakar

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the dead were six insurgents and 15 civilians, including a member of Youth Vigilante Group.

It said 17 others were injured in the explosion, which was triggered by the planned suicide bombing.

But one of the suicide bombers was arrested by troops before he could flee the scene.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, gave the update in a statement on the incident after the mop-up operation was concluded by troops.

He said: “Also, 15 civilians, including a member of Youth Vigilante Group, died while 17 others were wounded in the explosion that occurred at Mule near Maiduguri on Tuesday afternoon.

“Eight vehicles were also destroyed in the incident. Six of the terrorists died while one has been arrested.”

Many suspected terrorists were also said to have been shot dead by troops who recovered 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines.

Besides, they destroyed 14 vehicles, which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the Sambisa forest.

The botched suicide mission was said to have occurred in Mule in the outskirts of Maiduguri where trucks loading fuel from the depot are parked.

The DHQ has ordered troops to protect all sensitive installations and facilities in Borno and Yobe states.

The foiling of the suicide mission came on a day that Cameroon security forces seized over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns and 35 (IEDs) from insurgents after a fierce encounter.

A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuuja said: “Four terrorists believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road, have died in their IED-laden vehicles.

“The explosions took place at Mule on the outskirt of Maiduguri. Three of the four explosive laden vehicles were immobilised by shots fired at them by soldiers at the checkpoint shortly before the explosions that rocked the area.

“Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined. More details follow later.”

A military source said: “Following intelligence reports on likely huge reprisals from insurgents since the botched March 14 attack on Giwa Barracks, security has been beefed up in all checkpoints.

“These suicide bombers targeted the NNPC depot in Mule and many trucks in the area awaiting loading. But the soldiers at a checkpoint in the area took a pre-emptive step to curtail their mission.

“If the troops had not been on the alert, we would have been faced with a serious disaster.

“Troops are already combing the area to forestall any fresh bid by the insurgents.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The DHQ has ordered a 24-hour protection for all sensitive installations and facilities in the Northeast, especially Borno-Yobe axis.

“In spite of the recent gains by the troops, the insurgents have not given up. This is why we are unrelenting in mopping up suspected hideouts or camps in this axis.”

The botched suicide mission came on a day Cameroon security forces seized over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns and 35 locally made IEDs from insurgents after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, which is close to the Chadian border.

The DHQ, in a separate statement by Gen. Olukolade, said: “The resolve for collaborative efforts in fighting terrorism in the sub-region got a boost recently when Cameroon security forces made a huge seizure of arms apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend.

“ Over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns as well as 35 locally made IEDs were recovered after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the Chadian border.

“Other weapons recovered included pistols, mortar bombs, sub-machine guns and various calibres of ammunition following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.

“They were nabbed in Abugasse near the Chadian border with Cameroon. Also in their possession were over 50 Cameroonian Passports as well as a Toyota Jeep.

“It will be recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to back Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts.”

The statement gave an update on how Nigerian troops killed many suspected terrorists, destroyed 14 vehicles and recovered 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines.

The DHQ said there had been intense operations in Alagamo and Sambisa forest since Monday.

The DHQ added: “Also, the renewed offensive on terrorists by Nigerian troops have continued to record series of arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms, especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.

“Apart from arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive in different fronts.

“The arrest at a check point of a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration number Bauchi 264 AA heading to Maiduguri from Alagarno during the weekend, led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet to be assembled rifles.

“Meanwhile, the offensive on terrorists in various fronts is continuing. The Alagarno area as well as various points of Sambisa forest and suburbs have been witnessing intense operations since Monday.

“Apart from several dead terrorists, 14 vehicles which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the forests and theatres have been destroyed.

“ Various calibres of weapons and ammunitions were also recovered in the course of fighting and subsequent cordon and search of the areas.

“Intensive air and ground surveillance are also ongoing in the general area.”

Suicide bombers kill 15 civilians, six insurgents in Maiduguri

Soldiers kill 11 insurgents, apprehend others attempting to escape to Cameroon

Abuja—The military said yesterday that 11 terrorists were killed when the troops engaged the terrorists in a gun duel while some of them were apprehended as they attempted to escape to Cameroon through Taraba and Adamawa borders.

The Director, Defence Information and Coordinator of Joint Information Centre, Counter terrorism Campaign Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday said the insurgents were attacked by troops on patrol of the areas in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.

Suspected terrorists arrested while attempting to escape into Cameroon through Taraba and Gumti, Adamawa State.

According to him, “the terrorists were trapped following the ongoing offensive launched by troops along the borders. Some of them could no longer bear the hunger in their make-shift camps at the forest. Those apprehended led the troops to some hideouts where fierce fighting ensued and seven terrorists died, while Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, rifles and 70 motorcycles were recovered.”

The director said “a similar encounter in Gumbi also led to the death of four other terrorists.”

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He added that sustained patrols and searches by the Joint Task Force had led to the arrest of more insurgents, including a heavily armed suspect, who claimed dual nationalities of Chad and Burkina-Faso. Olukolade said the suspect was arrested with different calibre of arms along the Chad border.

The defence spokesman said members of the task force were patrolling areas around the Lake Chad, including Kwatan, Kanwa, Kwatan Yobe and other areas to apprehend more of the insurgents.

In a related development, fear has gripped Yola, the Adamawa State Capital following the discovery of  102 live ammunitions and two guns tucked in the perimeter fence of Damare Secondary School in Damere Ward of Yola, South Local Government Adamawa State.

The development has created anxiety among residents who said they sleep with their two eyes open following the intensification of armed robbery in Yola and environs in recent times despite the state of emergency and curfew imposed in the town.

The weapons were discovered by children who were playing around the area according to eyewitnesses.

“Some children who were playing around the area spotted the ammunitions tucked deeply inside the block holes and quickly raised alarm”, a resident stated.

According to him, “When residents observed that they were live ammunitions, they called the police who came and demolished the fence leading to the discovery of large number of live ammunitions and guns,” the source said.

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Soldiers kill 11 insurgents, apprehend others attempting to escape to Cameroon

We killed six insurgents, says military

The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that the military has launched a “Specialised Campaign” against Boko Haram.

The campaign is being carried out simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states – three states which are under state of emergency to curb the Boko Haram insurgency – to apprehend the terrorists who attacked a school in Yobe, killing scores of pupils.

Also, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops killed six Boko Haram fighters and captured two others after attacking Michika in Adamawa State on Wednesday.

One soldier and three civilians died in the encounters with the sect’s fighters.

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade spoke in Abuja.

Gen. Olukolade said: “The Defence Headquarters acknowledges with grave concern the recent mindless killing of innocent school children and other citizens in towns and villages following terrorist activities in some parts of the Northeast.

“The dastardly act has expectedly attracted the reaction of well-meaning individuals who have been condemning the senseless bloodletting.

“Disturbing as this trend proves, the fact remains that the chilling episodes are simply typical of terrorists’ intention to intimidate the people into subscribing to their false claim to invincibility.

“This distressing situation notwithstanding, it must be pointed out that the current activities of the terrorist groups are actually at best a reaction to the renewed offensive against the terror outfit whose operatives had infiltrated the country to support their hitherto depleted membership and counterparts in their daring acts to reinvent relevance by embarking on renewed attacks on soft targets.”

Gen. Olukolade said the military has launched a specialised campaign in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.

He added: “The purpose of this briefing is to intimate you with the elevation of counter-terrorism campaign in the country.

“The new approach marks another phase in the operations designed to further contain the terrorists and their activities.

“The specialised campaign, which has commenced, is being undertaken simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. This operation is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of Nigeria as they are now so desperate to do.”

He also gave an insight into the sect’s attack on Michika on Wednesday night.

He said: “Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of their flight towards various borders, continued to perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of Adamawa State yesterday night where they attacked communities.

“In desperation for money and food, they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling stations along their way through Michika as they headed for Cameroon border.

“Six of their fighters were killed, two captured while nine of their vehicles were destroyed. One soldier and three civilians also died in the encounter.

“It is believed that those involved in this latest attacks are the elements that perpetrated the mayhem against students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and other places.

“They have been holed up and are still engaged in suicidal fighting, apparently with a view to attaining martyrdom status, as troops close in on the die-hard ones among them.”

Gen. Olukolade pleaded with Nigerians in insurgency prone areas to report suspicious movements to security agencies.

He said: “Citizens in these states, particularly towards border areas, are requested to assist the security forces by reporting any movement of the group, if noticed in their locality, as it would further enhance the operations as well as assist in apprehending or eliminating them. All things being equal, the activities of this murderous group will be further degraded towards total elimination shortly.

“Citizens are enjoined to show understanding of the situation and continue to cooperate with the security forces, especially with vital and timely information on the movements of these terrorists to enable quick response accordingly.” (0)

We killed six insurgents, says military