Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Insurgency

  • Insurgency: It Is My Responsibility To Tell Buhari The Truth – Zulum

    Insurgency: It Is My Responsibility To Tell Buhari The Truth – Zulum

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Monday met with President Muhammadu Buhari over the worsening insecurity in the north-east region of the country.

    “It is my responsibility to tell the President the truth,” the governor said while briefing reporters on Tuesday on the outcome of his meet with President Buhari in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Governor Zulum condemned the growing spate of attacks across the country, particularly in the renewed activities of terrorists in the North East.

    According to him, there is a need for greater support from the Presidency to surmount the insurgency crisis that has left thousands killed and millions displaced in the troubled zone.

    The governor decried that the military has yet to receive the equipment ordered, noting that this might be responsible for the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

    His meeting with the President followed renewed attacks by Boko Haram/ Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on communities in Borno and Yobe States in recent times.

    Some of the affected places included Damasak town – where the terrorists attacked a humanitarian hub, and Mainok town where at least seven military personnel were confirmed killed – in Borno.

    In Yobe, the insurgents overran Geidam and hoisted their flags there, forcing hundreds of residents, including women and children to flee to neighbouring villages.

    The terrorists have also begun to expand their areas of operation from the North East recently as they took over some villages in Niger, a state in the north-central region of the country.

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, confirmed the presence of the insurgents in the state to reporters on Monday.

    The visibly worried governor had said, “We have over 3,000 people here from communities that have been displaced by bandits and Boko Haram elements around Munya and Shiroro Local Government Areas.”

    “There are some other communities that we think are safe but a vast majority of them (the displaced residents) will have to remain here because their villages and towns have been taken over by the Boko Haram elements; their wives have been forcefully attached to Boko Haram elements,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Defence Headquarters Holds Summit Over Terrorism, Insurgency

    BREAKING: Defence Headquarters Holds Summit Over Terrorism, Insurgency

    The Defence Headquarters on Monday held a summit over the terrorism and insurgency in the northeastern part of the country.

    Speaking at the National Defence College in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, restated the imperative of kinetic measures to address the current security challenges in the country.

    After declaring the summit open, Magashi assured that the current government is working hard to restore stability in the country, and will continue to explore all possible approaches to making that possible.

    On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said the summit aims at promoting the buy-in of all stakeholders and creating more awareness on the use of kinetic operations among other factors.

    Nigeria has battled the insurgency for over a decade which has killed 36,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in the northeast.

    The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016, and has since become a dominant threat in Nigeria, attacking troops and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at bogus checkpoints.

    On March 1, jihadist fighters burnt down a United Nations humanitarian compound in the town of Dikwa after dislodging troops, killing six civilians.

    Nigeria’s jihadist violence has spread to neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

    Details later…

  • Insurgency: Gov Zulum Asks FG To Seek Support From Neighbouring Countries

    Insurgency: Gov Zulum Asks FG To Seek Support From Neighbouring Countries

    Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has called on the Federal Government to seek support from neighbouring countries in the fight against insurgency.

    Zulum said this on Wednesday at the North East Governors’ Forum held in Bauchi, the state Bauchi state capital, noting that joint action is required to end the insurgency.

    “Again, I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to seek support from our neighbours, especially the Republic of Chad and Niger with a view to providing a joint action that will look into the possibility of ending this crisis.

    “Furthermore, Federal Government has to look into the possibility of employing mercenaries with a view to ending this insurgency.

    “For us to end this insurgency, we must be committed enough. We must bring in external support; ensure mercenaries are hired to end this insurgency,” the governor said.

    Zulum, who is also the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum urged the newly appointed service chiefs to devise new strategies and initiatives in tackling insecurity in the country.

    “Violence been perpetrated by the insurgents seems to be on the increase both in scope and viciousness and it has become a matter of tactical necessity for the new service chiefs to devise new strategies to counter the current attacks and forestall any future attacks.

    “Undoubtedly, the commitment of our military to the war against insurgency is unquestionable and the determination to succeed is undeniable.

    “However the current escalation of deadly attacks by the terrorists and the various causes of actions being pursued seems to have some limitations in terms of the expected impact. Hence, the need for a new set of a pragmatic approach to completely subdue the terrorist and ultimately end the insurgency,” Zulum added.

    The fourth North East Governors’ Forum meeting which was held in Bauchi had various dignitaries in attendance.

    They include the host, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri; Gombe State Governor Muhammad Yahaya; Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku among others.

    British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing was also at the event.

    This is not the first time Governor Zulum will be suggesting engagement of mercenaries in fighting insurgency.

    The governor in November 2020 gave six recommendations to the Federal Government on how to win the war against Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents terrorising the north-eastern region of Nigeria.

    The governor believes engaging mercenaries, as well as the immediate recruitment of youths into the military to boost its strength, will go a long way to defeat the insurgents.

    He said it was also important to engage the services of neighbouring Niger Republic, Chad, and Cameroon to clear the remnants of the insurgents in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara mountains.

  • We are implementing new method to fight insurgency, banditry- DHQ

    We are implementing new method to fight insurgency, banditry- DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters, Thursday, said that the recent changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces will usher new methodology in the counter-insurgency war.

    It said the new Service Chiefs had already hit the ground running with a visit to all operational areas across the country.

    Coordinator Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche stated this during the weekly media briefing with Defence Correspondents.

    According to him: “You are all aware of the recent changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. There is no doubt the changes would usher in new modus operandi for tackling the security challenges in the country.

    “The Service Chiefs on assumption, immediately hit the ground running by conducting an operational visit to the North East.

    ” They have also visited some operational areas in the Country to interact with troops and commanders in the field in the various theatres. It is aimed at ensuring that the military High Command come up with new ways and means of tackling the security challenges”.

    He added: “In line with the reorganization of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the appointment of new service chiefs, the operations of the Armed Forces is equally being reorganized to tackle the security challenges in the country effectively.

    “In this regard, the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff Major General LEO Irabor (GSS) Commenced action at all levels. These include carrying out strategic, administrative, operational and logistics adjustments, changes and reviews, to improve the security situation in the Country. As such, all stakeholders are requested to give maximum support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff”.

    Meanwhile, on the updates on military operations, Enenche, disclosed that in the North-West zone, “troops of Operations HADARIN DAJI have continued to sustain their efforts in the North-West Zone of the Country progressively. The gallant troops within the period in focus carried out several land and air operations in the Zone. These include clearance and ambush operations as well as aggressive ground and aerial patrols in order to ensure the security of lives and property within the Zone”.

    In the North-East zone, he said, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria working together with other security agencies have continued to sustain the onslaught against the insurgents. Within the period under review, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on various occasions made contact and engaged some Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminal elements.

    “In the various encounters, more terrorists’ enclaves have been destroyed along with their logistics facilities and scores of their fighters neutralized through the ground and air strikes at different locations in the North East Zone.

    “Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies operating in the North Central Zone of the Country are also sustaining the fight against armed banditry and other criminal vices in the Zone with remarkable results. Several combined land and air operations were conducted within the period, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of armed bandits and recovery of caches of arms and ammunition.

    “As the land troops maintain aggressive fighting patrols to dominate the theatre of operation, the air component dominated the airspace with air reconnaissance activities”.

    Meanwhile, in the South-South zone, Enenche stated that troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained the onslaught against economic sabotage.

    Enenche said, “in the South-South Zone, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to protect and safeguard our coastal and territorial waters through the intensive sea and creek patrols.

    “Additionally, troops conducted anti-crude oil theft and anti-illegal bunkering operations as well as other anti-illegal maritime activities, and in the process, deactivated several illegal refining sites within the period in focus. In the course of the operations, large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO as well as some equipment were recovered.

    “In the South-West Zone, troops have sustained their efforts in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft as well as other economic saboteurs through raids and arrests within the period. Consequently, several pipeline vandals and smugglers were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting authorities for necessary action. Also, several bags of foreign parboiled rice and illegally smuggled items and vessels were seized.

    “On this note, we urge Nigerians to support our efforts in tackling security challenges confronting our dear nation. Our collective efforts are essential in the fight against the various security vices in the country.

    “The Military High Command reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the Country. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action”

  • Niger to Collaborate with Nigeria to Combat Insurgency in Border Areas

    Niger to Collaborate with Nigeria to Combat Insurgency in Border Areas

    By Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI

    The Chief of Air Staff of Niger; Col. Amirou Abduolkader, is to collaborate with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to fight against the incessant  insurgency within the border areas of the two states.

    The Niger chief of the  Air staff hinted this to Reporters in MAIDUGURI at the Air Task Force, ATF, Operation LAFIYA Dole in a joint efforts to end Bokoharam terrorism  on the  border regions of lake chad.

    Recall, the two countries share borders in the Lake Chad region, where insurgents are hibernating to launch attacks in communities on the shores of the lake.

    He called for a synergy with Nigeria in collaborative joint combatant aerial border patrol especially in insurgency affected communities which include, Diffa, Bosso, Damasak, Malam Fatori, Gashigar and Gudumbali, the council headquarters of Guzamala in Borno state.


    “My visit to the Maiduguri Air Force base was to reinforce the cordial relationship between the two countries’ militaries,” he said.

     “Our relationship has been very good. We need to put our effort together to face the challenge we have.

    “We need to go further to improve joint aerial coordination between our air and ground forces for maximum results.”

    He commended the NAF for its activities in containing bandits and insurgents along the border areas of two countries and  that Niger is committed to work with Nigeria to ensure security and sustain peace in both nations.

    Responding, the Air Task Force Commander, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir thanked Abduolkadar for the visit to the Maiduguri air force base.

  • Insecurity: Military approach alone can’t end insurgency — Zulum

    Insecurity: Military approach alone can’t end insurgency — Zulum

    The Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has said it would take more than just the military approach to be able to defeat the insurgency in the Northeast region of the country.

    Speaking to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, the governor also said his administration had resettled more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) are back to their homes in the state.

    According to the governor, it would require a political solution to end what he called “madness,” afflicting the state, adding that the kinetic measures currently being applied would not be enough to solve the security problems.

    He called for the creation of jobs for the youth and the provision of enabling environment for citizens to return to their homes to resume their normal lives.

    The governor said the youth of the state must be empowered by all levels of government to be able to live a meaningful life.

  • FG restates determination to end insurgency in the North East

    FG restates determination to end insurgency in the North East

    The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has restated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to continue to secure the lives and property of all Nigerians.
    Mr Mohammed Manga, Director of Press and Public Relation, Ministry of Interior made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Manga said the minister gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Lake Chad Basin Commission, led by its Executive Secretary and Head of Mission, Multinational Joint Task Force, Amb. Mamman Nuhu and his team.

    Aregbesola also reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to ensure the safe return of those who had been displaced from their communities through the activities of insurgents in the North-East.

    “Prior to the coming of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in 2015, the country was at a defining moment in her history, with acts of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents, which constituted an existential threat with the group occupying large swathes of territory in the North East region and was threatening to seize more areas to consolidate its dominance and project its evil ideology.”
    “Besides, the economy was not only in a precarious state and soon regressed into recession, but also corruption was subverting our institutions, society, eroding public confidence in government business, thereby leaving the country in despair, bereft of self-confidence and in dire need of repositioning,” the Minister said.
    Aregbesola said the Buhari Administration promised to pursue progressive change on three fronts namely : security, economy and the fight against corruption.
    The minister said with the strengthening of the nation’s international partnership, participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force, insurgency in the North East, kidnapping, banditry and other acts of criminality would soon be a thing of the past.

    Aregbesola gave assurance that his Ministry would continue to collaborate with the Lake Chad Basin Commission in consultation to create awareness on the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region .

    He said ”this is with the view to ensuring improved economic development in the sub-region, historically characterised by environmental problems and worsened by repeated violence from terrorist groups.”
    Earlier, Nuhu said that the team was on a mission to create awareness among the people of the member countries of the Lake Chad Basin and also to generate support for the stabilisation strategy which was aimed at bringing relief to the people affected by insurgency.
    He said that the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) was carrying out an information, awareness and advocacy mission on the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for recovery and resilience in the areas of the Lake Chad Basin affected by the Boko Haram crisis.
    Nuhu presented a document entitled, “Regional Stabilisation Strategy for Recovery and Resilience of the Areas of the Lake Chad Basin,” to the Minister.

    He said that the AUC, LCBC and partners, in 2017, decided to develop a framework for a stabilisation strategy for the region with the aim of facilitating the transition from active military engagements to addressing the root causes of the crisis and stabilizing the area affected by Boko Haram.
    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, said the ministry and its Agencies would continue to ensure full implementation of the policies and programmes of the present Administration in line with its mandate, which is ensuring internal security and citizenship integrity.(NAN)

  • Insurgency: Commission to take over reconstruction of 3 bridges in Adamawa

    Insurgency: Commission to take over reconstruction of 3 bridges in Adamawa

    The North East Development Commission (NEDC), says it will take over the reconstruction of three major bridges along the Adamawa-Borno Federal Highway.

    Kuzum, Wurogaide and Dilichim bridges, were destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.

    The Federal Government had in 2016, awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the bridges.

    Mohammed Alkali, Managing Director of NEDC, announced this while inspecting the bridges in Michika and Madagali local government areas of Adamawa on Monday.

    Alkali said that the commission intended to take over reconstruction of the bridges following complaints by the governments of Borno and Adamawa.

    “The affected state governments of Adamawa and Borno had made a case for the reconstruction of the collapsed bridges during the North East Governors meeting held recently in Gombe.

    “We are going to discuss with the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders.

    “As soon we fashion out modalities surrounding the projects, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development would take over reconstruction of the  bridges,” Alkali said.

    He assured the people of the commission’s commitment to commence work on bridges sites as soon there was clearance from the works ministry.

    In his remarks, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, expressed worry over the snail speed of work on the bridges.

    “The contractor handling the work had no capacity to execute the projects; and the N240 million provided for the project was inadequate,” Fintiri said. (NAN)

  • Insecurity: Lawan advocates constitutional role for traditional leaders

    Insecurity: Lawan advocates constitutional role for traditional leaders

    President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan on Monday advocated for a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges.

    Isa Mohammed, his Special Assistant on Media in a statement, indicated that Lawan made the call when a delegation of traditional and political leaders from Taraba State paid him a visit in his office.

    The delegation was at the National Assembly to participate in a public hearing on a bill to establish Federal College of Education, Mutum Biyu, Taraba.

    The Senate president said: “there is no way we can succeed in the fight against insurgency or any insecurity without the support and cooperation of traditional rulers.

    “One thing is obvious, when traditional rulers had the mandate and official responsibility to administer their places before the local government reforms of 1976.

    “I think our security situation was better because our security architecture included them.

    “That is not the situation today, and when we face such very profound security situation that we have today, it is time to look at giving traditional rulers more formal responsibilities in the administration of our country.”

    The Senate president raiding the present security challenges made it more auspicious for the Senate to look at the possibility of giving constitutional responsibilities to traditional rulers during the forthcoming constitution review exercise.

    “We need to do that so that we do not need to run to them only when we have issues, they should always be there to support any administration that is in power to administer the country,” he said.

    Lawan said the Senate was working hard to come up with far reaching resolutions on how to address the security challenges facing the country.

    He said the Senate had set up an ad-hoc committee under the Chairmanship of the Senate Leader, noting that the report of the committee would be debated hopefully this week and come up with solutions and views on how to end the insecurity.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Taraba Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Edward Bararaya, thanked the Senate President for his support for the bill.

    Bararaya said Taraba lacks higher institutions particularly, those of training teachers, saying that the College of Education if established, would improve access to education for the people of the state.(NAN)

  • Borno residents offer special prayers, fast to end insurgency

    Borno residents offer special prayers, fast to end insurgency

    Some residents of Maiduguri are observing the special prayer sessions and fast to end insurgency and restore peace to the war-tone Borno.

    Gov. Babagana Zulum in a statewide broadcast on Feb. 19, declared Monday (Feb. 24) for fasting and prayer to end insurgency.

    Zulum had called on the people to fast and pray to seek for divine intervention for intensified military offensive against the insurgents and achieve peace in the state.

    A cross section of the residents, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews, described the prayer as imperative to end the decade long insurgency ravaging the state.

    Mr Mohammed Shehu, a resident, said that he fast in response to the declaration by the governor for a special day of prayer seeking divine intervention to end insurgency and restore peace to the state.

    Shehu described the action as a positive step to end insurgency, saying that such prayer is necessary to ensure successful implementation of counter insurgency campaign.

    He said: “Today, I fast and intensify prayers for divine intervention to end the crisis bedeviling the state.

    “The governor mobilised us to pray and I will continue to pray for peace to reign.”

    Another resident, Miss Lydia Dauda, said she and her friends were fasting and also held special prayer session with members of her church on Sunday.

    She said that women and children were worst hit by the insurgency, noting that she prayed fervently believing that God will bring an end to the crisis.

    Dauda added that such prayer was imperative to provide lasting solution to the insurgency in view of the resurgence of insurgents’ attacks in spite of the success recorded by the military in the past years.

    “I pray and fast today as directed by the governor, and I will continue to do so for peace and stability in the state and the country,,” she said.

    Madam Victoria Daniel, an eatery operator, who corroborated earlier opinions, said that she closed her shop to enable her pray and fast in response to the call by the state governor.

    Daniel said she closed shop to avoid counting losses because most her customers had indicated willingness to fast on the appointed day.

    She expressed optimism that the prayer would herald defeat of the insurgents, bring peace and fast track government efforts toward addressing security challenges and humanitarian crisis in the state.

    It would be recalled that Zulum had in 2019, sponsored 30 Islamic clerics to Saudi Arabia to pray for an end to the insurgency.

    The governor said in the broadcast that the prayer was necessary sequel to resurgence of insurgents’ attacks in Auno, Chibok and other parts of the state.

    He lamented that this is even as ongoing collaboration with the military, mass recruitment, equipping and deployment of thousands of volunteers in the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes to fight the insurgents are on.

    Zulum said: “The call for prayers was a strange but necessary decision made based on popular wish of Borno people.

    “Even though this decision is based on the popular demand of our people, some observers may rightly argue that it is a strange call. But then, Borno has been befallen with a strange evil since 2009, and sometimes, strange ailments require strange approaches.

    “As your governor, I hereby declare Monday the 24th of February 2020, as a day of devotion to pray for the return of peace in Borno. I intend to fast on that day and I appeal to every one of us in Borno, who can, to join in that simple, but pricelessly rewarding spiritual endeavour.

    “I also appeal for the sacrifices of all other well-meaning friends and associates of Borno who can, to join us in fasting on Monday, In-sha Allah, for the restoration of peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria.

    “I urge all of us to be steadfast in prayers. But in doing that, we certainly do not need to congregate in open fields for dramas.

    “It would also not matter whether we are within or outside Borno State and whether we are at work places, markets or not. There will be no public holiday, after all, God is everywhere, at home and at work.

    “Let us pray to Him with the purest intention, total devotion, submission and unwavering faith.”

    The governor added that the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, has pledged to mobilise Muslim clerics for the prayer while leaders of the Christian community have also assured of special prayer sessions in churches. (NAN)