Tag Archives: Borno State

Nigerian Military Set To Reopen Key Borno Roads After 3 Years Of Closure

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Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima announced on Thursday that the Nigerian military will reopen the Maiduguri-Magumeri-Gubio and Damasak roads, which have been closed for three years due to the Boko Haram scourge.

 

The governor made the announcement while meeting with Muhammad Dandano, governor the Diffa region in the Niger Republic. Diffa, like Borno, has been ravaged by Boko Haram attacks.

 

According to Mr. Shettima, the Borno State government will begin to rebuild Damasak in 2017 so as to allow local residents to return to their homes. He explained that the government is prioritizing Damasak due to the vulnerability of people in that area.

 

“Rebuilding Damasak is our priority. The Borno Abadam, Mobar and Magumeri people are rich farmers; they do not need any help if you return them to their communities,” he said.

 

The governor lauded the government of Niger for its cooperation in protecting and supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs).

 

“We commend the Republic of Niger for hosting about 90,000 internally displaced persons,” Mr. Shettima said.

 

Mr. Dandano said his government would continue to support the IDPs and others affected by Boko Haram violence. He added that Nigerians and Nigeriens are living peacefully together in Diffa.

 

“We are giving the IDPs our maximum support, as many of them have taken up farming and other ventures,” he said. “When you go there, you will hardly differentiate between an IDP from Nigeria from a Nigerien.”

Sheriff Sues Borno State Over Boko Haram Comments

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Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has sued the Borno state government after being recently accused of having knowledge about Boko Haram.
Addressing newmen on Monday, on Sheriff’s behalf in Abuja, the deputy national chairman for his People Democratic Party-led faction, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh announced that Sheriff has sued the Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, ?Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan?.
He said in Suit No. FCT/HC/CU/2494/2016, Barrister Lawan and three other persons are the defendants.
?”It is on record that when Sheriff was Governor of Borno State, he suppressed and completely routed the Boko Haram like Buhari did in 1993. ?Boko Haram Killed 5 members of his family in the process of his fight against them.
“But when the current Governor of Borno State, Shetima took over office Boko Haram became emboldened, virulent and malignant.
“Note also that Shetima became Governor because Boko Haram killed the man who was to be Governor. His death paved way for the emergence of Shetima who willingly and deliberately encouraged Boko Haram,” he said.
Credit: dailytrust

Military Eliminates 13 Terrorists In Kangarwa, Borno State.

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Troops from the 119 Task Force Battalion, 8 Division Nigerian Army neutralized 13 Boko Haram insurgents in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area in Borno State on Monday, according to a military press release.

 

One soldier, however, was killed in the battle while three others were wounded.

 

According to the press statement, the offensive lasted for nearly four hours, and troops had to call the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for back up. The NAF subsequently deployed an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and a Ground Attack Fighter aircraft to assist the troops.

 

During the offensive, troops neutralized two Hilux trucks and recovered one Hilux vehicle, one Browning machine gun, one anti-aircraft gun, two general purpose machine guns, one light machine gun, five Ak-47 rifles, and other arms and ammunitions.

Troops Nab Another Boko Haram Kingpin In Borno State

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The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, with the assistance of vigilantes, on Tuesday identified and arrested a high profile suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Mohammed Zauro, at Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State while on routine checks.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement on Wednesday, said preliminary investigation shows that the suspected terrorist kingpin was arrested as he was trying to flee to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, from Sambisa forest.

He said the troops also recovered a Gionee brand of mobile telephone handset and a fake SAIE/JIBWIS identification card to perfect his escape and the sum of N7,900.00k.

He stated that the troops also intercepted another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Lawal Aboi, along Damboa-Bale road.

“According to him, he was on his way to voluntarily surrender to the troops in Damboa because he was tired of fighting for no just cause,” he said.

Credit: Thisday

NULGE Appeals To Borno On N18,000 Minimum Wage

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The Borno chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Sunday renewed its call on the state government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage to all Local Government workers in the state.

 

 

Malam Nuhu Saidu, the Borno NULGE Acting Secretary, said this in a communique issued at the end of the union’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Maiduguri.

 

Saidu stated that the non-implementation of the minimum wage for the workers had brought hardship.

 

“Our members have been pauparised by the refusal of the state government to implement the minimum wage at the Local government level.

 

“This is because the cost of living has risen tremendously, but our pay has remained very small,” he said.

 

Saidu said that the state government had a duty to ensure the welfare of workers at the councils by implementing the minimum wage.

 

“We are renewing our appeal on Gov. Kashim Shettima to approve the payment of N18,000 minimum wage to all workers in the 27 Local Government Councils (LGCs) in the state.

 

“There is no gainsaying that the council workers in the state deserve to be paid the minimum wage as a right, just like their counterparts in the state civil service,” he said.

 

Saidu also demanded the payment of all promotion arrears to the council workers from 2009 till date.

 

 

(NAN)

Troops Foil Female Suicide Bombers’ Plan In Borno State

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Nigerian troops and the Borno Youths Empowerment, otherwise known as Civilian JTF on Wednesday foiled planned attacks by four suicide bombers in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

A military source said at about 7.30am four female suicide bombers were intercepted by troops and the Civilian JTF, ahead of a checkpoint about 25km away from Maiduguri the capital of Borno State.

A spokesman for the military, Colonel Sani Usman, said preliminary investigation revealed that the suicide bombers were earlier observed trying to bypass a military checkpoint through a close by village before they were ordered to take the right road.

Few metres to the checkpoint, however, one of the bombers swiftly detonated her vest while the troops gunned down the other three suicide bombers before they could detonate their explosives.

Colonel Usman said one of the Civilian JTF died while four other persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device team in the area safely detonated the unexploded Improvised Explosive Device carried by the other suicide bombers,” he further stated.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Governor Shettima Nominates Durkwa As Borno’s Deputy Governor

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Following the death of his former deputy, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has nominated the immediate past commissioner from the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Youths Empowerment, Usman Mamman Durkwa, for the position of Deputy Governor in Borno State, according to a press release on Monday.

 

The former Deputy Governor, Zannah Mustapha, died on August 15th while on official business in Yola, Adamawa State

 

The official statement, signed by Governor Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy Isa Gusau, said “I have the honor to convey vide this letter the name of Hon. Usman Mamman Durkwa for confirmation as Deputy Governor of Borno State following the demise of Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha on 15th August, 2015.”

 

“I wish to reassure the Honourable House of the continuous cooperation of the Executive arm and solicit for confirmation of the nominee. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration” Shettima said in his statement.

 

The statement added that “Shettima acted in accordance with the powers conferred on him by Section 191 Sub-Section (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).”

Boko Haram kills 27 in fresh Monguno bombing

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Twenty-seven persons were killed and 62 others injured during bomb attacks on Monguno, a town about 135 kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

A member of the youth vigilante group, Idris Baba, told on Tuesday said the Monguno attack happened at about the same time 54 persons were killed through bombs planted by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in Maiduguri on Sunday.

He said a bomb explosion from a suicide bomber hit the Onion section of a local market at Monguno on Sunday evening, which resulted in the death of not less than 27 persons, mostly traders.

A medical officer at the state Specialists Hospital, Maiduguri, who spoke anonymously, said, “Five vehicles conveyed 62 injured persons from the Monguno attack to the Specialists Hospital in Maiduguri (on Monday afternoon) but we quickly asked them to go to the University Teaching Hospital, because our facilities are over-stretched.”

A resident of Monguno, Baana Abubakar, who accompanied some of the injured persons to Maiduguri, confirmed that 27 persons were killed.

“I was at the Onion market after the bomb explosion to help in the rescue of people. I counted 27 dead bodies from the scene,” he said.

“We lost 27 people in the bomb blast. Our people have started burying the dead ones. One of the injured ones we brought to Maiduguri today also died,” he said.

Confirming the attack, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Aderemi Opadokun, said, “Yes, at about 1330 hrs of 21/9/15, caretaker Chairman of Monguno Local Government reported an IED Explosion at Monguno Onion Market at about 2130 hrs of 20/9/15.

“Some people died on the spot while others sustained various degrees of injuries. Injured victims were transferred to UMTH, Maiduguri, while the dead were buried by their relations. The scene has been visited. Investigation is presently in progress.”

–Punch

Buhari Condoles Chad, Borno State

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President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed condolences to the people of Chad, following Monday’s twin suicide bombings which took place in the country’s capital.

The attacks in N’Djamena left some 23 people dead and more than 100 in injured.

Following the attack blamed on the Boko Haram terror group, Buhari has telephoned Chad President Idriss Deby, offering his condolences.

“Chad has been on the frontline of the regional fight against the Boko Haram terrorists,” President Buhari is quoted in a statement by his spokesperson.

“They have stood by us through the worst and most difficult times of the challenges we have faced with terrorism. You also have our support during this difficult time.”

He added that it was sad and pitiful that the terrorists had extended their brutal attacks to the neighbouring country, but expressed hope that it was only a matter of time before the insurgents would be flushed out and dealt with.

The President also consoled the people and government of Borno State over the loss of over 60 lives from explosion triggered by abandoned explosives in Monguno town.

He assured the people of Borno state of the commitment of his administration to degrade the insurgency which had necessitated the relocation of the command centre of the military to its hotbed.

“Crushing Boko Haram will remain a priority of my government,” Buhari said.

Credit: CAJ News

Boko Haram Recaptures Town In Borno State

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Boko Haram militants retook the town of Marte in Borno state, which had been liberated in February, the state deputy governor said.

“It is sad as we have been made to understand that Marte is today completely fallen under the control of the insurgents, which to us is a very huge set back,” Borno’s deputy governor Zannah Umar Mustapha said.

The recapture of the town followed two strikes this week on state capital Maiduguri, which left at least 12 people dead.

Suspected militants also attacked the village of Kojiti, killing seven people in the Madagali local government of neighbouring Adamawa state. It had been cleared of the Islamist militant group in late February.

Boko Haram took over a territory larger than Belgium last year, killing thousands of people and displacing some 1.5 million. The group’s six-year insurgency is part of its bid to establish an Islamist state.

It took the combined efforts of Nigerian, Chadian and Nigerien troops to push them out of most of the areas, while Cameroon repelled border attacks.

The Sambisa forest reserve remains their last major stronghold. “Our thinking was that every other place should have been blocked so that the insurgency would be curtailed to a restricted area,” Mustapha said. “But that has not been the case because the insurgents have been fleeing to other communities.”

Credit: Reuters

 

Ali Modu Sheriff Opens Up on Boko Haram

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Reports say that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, reveals all he knows about boko haram in an interview with BBC Hausa in Abuja. Read his statements below:

“This is not true. The Boko Haram issue did not start during my tenure. If you don’t know, let me educate you today. Boko Haram started in 1992 at Kalama in Yobe State, and at that time, I was not a governor. So, if anybody tells you it started during my tenure, he may be part of my traducers. But the truth is that it didn’t start during my tenure.”

The senator stressed that Chad could possibly help Nigeria with solving the insurgency problem, however he kept mute on how it could be achieved.

“Nothing preoccupies my mind in Nigeria presently like the return of peace in Borno. When Borno State was peaceful, there was no place I cherished to stay in the world like Maiduguri. I, my friends, my confidants, my parents and all the schools I attended are in Maiduguri.

“Therefore, I am more concerned than anybody in this country, because what Borno State did for me has not been done to any other indigene. You know, in Borno State, a governor has never been re-elected apart from me; in Borno State, no senator has ever been elected thrice apart from me. So, Borno people have done everything for me, and there is no one in this world that I know other than Chad, which I think could help Borno.”

Reacting to the “Boko Haram sponsor” saga, Sheriff expressed confidence that it had been an orchestrated plot by Borno tops to defame his character.

“They defamed my character, and when they started it, I once told journalists that it was plotted in Maiduguri. We know the plotters, their motives, and that by the grace of God, the truth will prevail; and now, the arrested impostors have said it all to the world.”

Credit: www.naij.com

 

Gunmen Attack Borno Village

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Reports say that gunmen suspected to be members of boko haram invaded Miringa, a village in Biu local government area of Borno State, yesterday. The attack was launched on traders as well as buyers in the market, killing 5 people with several others left injured.

An anonymous source confirmed the incident, adding that the gunmen came in two Hilux vans with Islamic inscription and flags and began shooting at people during the market hours.

This happened amidst the claimed ceasefire deal reached between the Nigerian Government and the boko haram Islamic sect.