Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: boko haram

  • Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    The Nigerian Army Saturday night announced a major redeployment of senior officers to intensify the war against terrorism and other forms of criminality that is ravaging the peace of the country.

    The Director, Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sagir Musa, while disclosing the redeployment said the move was to rekindle the spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity of the army.

    According to General Musa, the new Army architecture will now have Major General FO Agugo move from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps Apapa Lagos to Defence Headquarters Department of Communications as Chief of Defence Communications, while Major General M Mohammed leaves the Nigerian Army Resource Center Abuja for Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited and appointed Managing Director.

    Also, Maj Gen AR Owolabi is transferred from Defence Headquarters Abuja (Department of Communications) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

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    The General notes that Major General A Bande remains as General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto.

    According to Musa ,Major General E Akerejola leaves Army Headquarters Department of Logistics for the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin as Commandant “Major General UM Mohammed to remain in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu and Vice Chairman Nigerian Army Property Limited, Abuja, Major General CV Eze from Office of the Chief of Army Staff ( Nigerian Army Special Projects) to Army Headquarters, Department of Army Logistics and appointed Director Engineering Services.

    “Major General OF Azinta from Defence Space Agency, Abuja to Defence Headquarters as Director Psychological Warfare, Major General AM Dauda from National Defence College, Abuja to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Director Policy, Major General AL Dusu from Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans to Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia appointed Commandant and Major General H Ahmed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police to remain as Provost Marshal (Army).

    “Others include: Major General TA Gagariga from Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia to Defence Space Agency, Abuja appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Space Agency, Major General JO Iwara from Army Headquarters Department of Standard and Evaluation to Department of Army Logistics appointed Director of Logistics Planning, Major General PI Eze to remain at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri and appointed Theatre Logistics Component Commander,

    “Major General OO Oluyede to remain in Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Damaturu as Commander, Major General BR Sinjen to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, Abuja as Director Operations, Major General R Abubakar to remain in Defence Headquarters as Defence Liaison Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Major General OO Soyele from Defence Hedquarters, Abuja to Nigerian Army Resource Center, Abuja as Senior Research Fellow.

    “Major General AK Ibrahim to remain in Headquarters 7 Division/ Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri as General Officer Commanding/Commander Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General SI Igbinomwanhia to remain in Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno as Commander and Major General IM Jallo from Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba to Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt appointed General Officer Commanding.

    “Brigadier General AIM Lapai from 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontogora appointed Director Field Defence, Brigadier General Kawugana from Warrant Officers’ Academy, Jaji to Hedquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja Lagos appointed Commander, Brigadier General MO Jimoh from Defence Headquarters to Defence Space Agency, Abuja and appointed Deputy Director, Launch Vehicle Systems.

    “Brigadier General MA Bolarinwa from Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport Benin to Defence Headquarters(Annex), Lagos and appointed Deputy Director Supply, Brigadier General SM Uba to remain in 401 Special Forces’ Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General WM Dangana from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to 3 Division Garrison, Jos appointed Commander, Brigadier General AGL Haruna to remain in 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri as Commander, Brigadier General AM Garba from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri to Headquarters 23 Brigade, Yola appointed Commander.

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    “Brigade General AG Laka from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to Nigerian Army Operations Centre, Abuja and appointed Coordinator, Brigadier General IA Ajose from Training and Doctrine Command, Minna to 4 Special Forces Command, Doma as Chief of Staff, Brigadier General DK Zirkushu from Headquarters 1 Brigade, Gusau to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok and appointed Commander.

    “Accordingly, Brigadier General M Ibrahim from Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, Gombe to 14 Brigade Ohafia appointed Commander, Brigadier General A Idris from Army Headquarters Department of Administration Army to Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba appointed Commander, Brigadier General RT Utsaha from 34 Brigade Garrison, Owerri to 32 Brigade, Akure and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MA Sadiq from Headquarters Operation DELTA SAFE, Yenagoa to Headquarters 4 Brigade, Benin and appointed Commander, Brigadier General IH Daniel from 304 Artillery Regiment Maiduguri to 34 Brigade Garrison Oweri as Commander, Brigadier General EO Ojabo from Defence Headquarters, Abuja to 81 Division Garrison, Lagos and appointed Commander, Brigadier General SS Tilawan to remain in Headquarters 5 Brigade as Commander.

    “Colonel FD Babatunde from Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos to Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos appointed Sector Commander, Colonel OJ Majebi from Operation SAFE HAVEN, Jos to 31 Brigade Garrison, Minna appointed Commander, Col JC Mbanefo from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) and appointed Commander, Colonel MA Maaji from Depot Nigerian Army Zaria to 4 Operation DELTA SAFE and appointed Commander amongst others.

    “All the postings and appointments take effect from the 18th of January 2021. While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the nation and the Service.”

  • Nigeria Air Task Force Takes Out Boko Haram Terrorists in Borno

    Nigeria Air Task Force Takes Out Boko Haram Terrorists in Borno

    Nigeria Defence Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has taken out more Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) hideouts and eliminated several of their fighters at 2 locations – Kote Kura and Bulama Isamari – both in Borno State.

    In a statement on Sunday, Coordinator of Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, the air strikes were executed Saturday, January 2 2021.

    The Air Task Force was said to have employed appropriate force packages of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships based on credible intelligence reports indicating that the BHTs had recently established camps at the 2 settlements, where they store their logistics items as well as plan and launch attacks.

    “Overhead Kote Kura, a settlement in Bama area, the NAF attack aircraft engaged scores of terrorists observed in the target area, leading to the neutralization of several of them as well as the destruction of structures and logistics stores, some of which were seen engulfed in flames”, Maj. Gen. Enenche said.

    In another operation, at Bulama Isamari, within the Timbuktu Traingle, the NAF aircraft took turns in engaging the target, scoring accurate hits which equally resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists.

  • Thirteen Boko Haram Terrorists and Family Members Surrender to Nigerian Troops

    Thirteen Boko Haram Terrorists and Family Members Surrender to Nigerian Troops

    Suspected Boko Haram terrorists numbering 13, alongside their family members including 6 women and 17 children from Kodila village on Saturday, September 26, surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Boko Haram terrorist and family members
    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    The DHQ media chief said the terrorists took the decision following a sustained aerial bombardment and aggressive intensive clearance operation of the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on their village.

    “They survived the aerial bombardment but were starving with nothing to fall back on. They have no choice than to surrender,” the source stated.

    The suspected terrorists and their family members are now receiving medical attention at the 21 Special Armoured Brigade Medical Centre.

    The suspects are also currently undergoing thorough profiling and investigation in line with global best practice in handling such cases

  • Boko Haram Kills Army Colonel in Ambush

    Boko Haram Kills Army Colonel in Ambush

    Boko Haram terrorists have killed a commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno State, Nigeria’s North East.

    According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Ado Isa, the murdered officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel D.C. Bako, was killed on Sunday 20 September at about 10 a.m.

    Bako was killed as he led a patrol to clear Boko Haram terrorists from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa.

    His patrol team was trapped in an ambush set by the terrorists.

    Ado Isa described Bako as a gallant and fine war hero.

    Until his death Bako was the commander of Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole

    A security consultant and ex-armoured crewman of the Nigerian army, by the Twitter name of Mazi Okay, described Bako as an Iroko.

    “Iroko has fallen, a very big blow to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    “Col Bako until his death this morning was the greatest of all time since the beginning of the war against boko haram.

    “A man who crushed and destroyed all Boko Haram cells and networks around Yobe”.

    His death re-ignited social media calls for the removal of service chiefs, who have overstayed in office.

    – PMN

  • DSS Summons ADC Presidential Candidate, Malaifa for the 3rd Time

    DSS Summons ADC Presidential Candidate, Malaifa for the 3rd Time

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned for the third time, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Dr. Obadiah Mailafia.

    Malaifa, a banker turned politician and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2019 election, has been in and out of interrogation rooms since he granted an interview where he stated that an unidentified northern governor was the leader of the terrorist group known as Boko Haram.

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    On August 12 Mailaifa was guest of the DSS at the agency’s office in Jos. He was invited again on the 17th of August 2020 after he refused to back down on his claims.

    Malaifa had claimed that weapons were distributed to several parts of the country during the lockdown, adding that terrorists had infiltrated Lagos, comments he later withdrew, stating that he got the information from a third party.

    According to the latest invitation letter addressed to Mailafia, which was made available to journalists, the DSS did not reveal the reason for the invitation.

    “It is true. I have been invited to their office in Jos. I was asked to appear at 11 am on Monday,” he told Punch.

    Last month, Mailafia had approached a High Court in Plateau State for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing in a bid to prevent the police from arresting him.

    However, it was learnt that the security agents were being prodded by the Federal Government to ensure that the economist is arraigned in court.

    The Nation had reported that in a telephone conversation, Mailafia lamented as unfortunate how two security agencies were investigating him at the same time.

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    “This is one of the reasons why I am in court. I am being invited by the DSS and the police at the same time. It is an abuse of my rights,” he said.

    “Please, pray for me. I have reasons to believe that my life is in danger and that some powerful political forces want to silence me forever for speaking the truth.

    “For speaking on behalf of the Holy Martyrs — of thousands of innocent children, women, elderly and youths that have been killed in our beloved country,” Mailafia added.

  • Gov. Zulum says attack on convoy a sabotage, Army launches investigation

    Gov. Zulum says attack on convoy a sabotage, Army launches investigation

    Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum has described Wednesday’s attack on his convey in Baga town, Kukawa local government area as an act of sabotage.

    The Governor made this known while briefing newsmen shortly after completing his four-day working visit to Monguno and Kukawa Local Government Areas.

    Professor Zulum was in northern Borno to officially reopen Monguno-Baga road and also assess the level of damage to Baga town devastated by Boko Haram insurgents. He disclosed that while on the assessment visit, sporadic gunshots ensued that caused pandemonium which forced him to abort his working visit to the area.

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    The Governor charged the military to rise up to the occasion in the fight against insurgency and ensure civil authority return to all liberated areas of the state.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says it has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the attack.

    In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa regretted the attack and assured the public the incident will be interrogated to prevent future occurrence.

  • Stop rehabilitating ex-Boko Haram fighters, train IDPs instead, Ndume tells FG

    Stop rehabilitating ex-Boko Haram fighters, train IDPs instead, Ndume tells FG

    A lawmaker, representing Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has condemned the ongoing rehabilitation exercise for ex-Boko Haram fighters, alleging that the terrorists would never repent.

    Ndume, instead, challenged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to train those in IDP Camps in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.

    Nigerian military authorities had in 2016 launched an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-Boko Haram fighters, titled: Operation Safe Corridor.

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    According to the military, the objective of the operation was to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into society.

    In July, no fewer than 600 ex-Boko Haram members had completed the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme.

    Dissatisfied with aim of the exercise, Ndume in an interview on BBC Hausa Service told the Buhari administration to discontinue the programme forthwith.

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    He said: “The programme by the Federal Government is unacceptable to our people. The right thing is to stop it, forthwith.

    “Not that they even apologised to you, they only apologised to the government with the thinking that government has failed and that is why they are being pampered.

    “They are like Kharajites. Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent.

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    “The government should know what to do about them. But not re-introducing someone to you, who has killed your parent, or your relations. It can be traumatic.

    “If there is sincerity of purpose in government’s rehabilitation exercise, those in the IDP camps should be trained in various trades and vocations so that they could start life again.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Suspected Boko Haram insurgents slay 5 aid workers in Borno

    Suspected Boko Haram insurgents slay 5 aid workers in Borno

    A video has surfaced online showing the execution of five persons by masked men in military camouflage, suspected to be Boko Haram fighters.

    A voice was heard speaking in Hausa before the execution, saying that the five persons were working for infidels.

    “Those of you that are being used by infidels to turn others to infidels, know this today oh, you who work for infidel groups, you satisfy their aims but they do not care about you and that is why when we catch you they do not show concern. Our call to you is to repent and follow Allah; we shall waylay you in all the roads that you follow and if you don’t listen, the fate of these ones will befall you,” the voice said.

    The execution immediately followed his speech at the cue of another voice that said “bisimillah.”

    The slain persons are believed to be aid workers captured during a raid in Monguno Local Government of Borno State on June 13, 2020.

    They include staff of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, International Rescue Committee and a security guard.

    The execution came after the insurgents demanded the sum of 500,000 dollars to release them.

    A staff of the SEMA who pleaded anonymity identified his colleague among those executed, who had also featured in a recent video where they spoke from captivity pleading with the government to intervene.

    Despite several air raids by the military and assurances by the Federal Government that many insurgents have been neutralised, they have continued to resurface, attacking communities, aid workers, and even military bases.

    Last year, Jihadists aligned with the Islamic State group released a video showing a female aid worker and five male colleagues who had been kidnapped in an attack in northeast Nigeria.

    Aid group, Action Against Hunger, had said earlier that one of its staff members along with three health workers and two drivers were missing after their convoy was attacked near the border with Niger.

    One of the six hostages who had been held since July, was eventually executed in September, while four others were killed in December.

    Thereafter, the French aid group, said it was “extremely concerned and called for the immediate release of its staff member, Grace, who was the only one left in captivity.”

    • Channels TV
  • Nigerian Air Force strikes ‘scores’ of Boko Haram Terrorists, tear-down base

    Nigerian Air Force strikes ‘scores’ of Boko Haram Terrorists, tear-down base

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed scores of Boko Haram terrorists (BHTs ) in Tongule and Bukar Meram areas of Borno State.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, it was confirmed that the NAF airstrikes, which were carried out on June 25 after a series of surveillance missions indicated a resurgence of terrorists’ activities at the two settlements.

    Enenche noted that this latest military action is “another set of successful air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach.

    The defence spokesman explained that: “At Tongule, where recent credible intelligence indicated frequent convergence of BHTs, about 35 terrorists were spotted by the NAF surveillance aircraft in different parts of the settlement as it vectored the fighter jets to attack the target area.

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    “The munitions from the jets hit designated areas within the settlement, destroying some structures and taking out many of the terrorists.

    “Similarly, at Bukar Meram, a BHT logistics hub on the fringes of the Lake Chad, the airstrikes, which were carefully timed and executed in multiple waves for maximum effects, resulted in the obliteration of designated portions of the terrorists’ facilities.

    “Several of their fighters were also killed in the process”, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations said.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Task Force for their dedication and professionalism.

    This comes as the Defence Headquarters equally asked them to “intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country.”

    Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike pictures:

    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
    A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
  • Nigerian military kills more terrorists, recovers arms and ammunition

    Nigerian military kills more terrorists, recovers arms and ammunition

    Several Boko Haram and Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have again been killed by the Nigerian Military when troops from the 212 Battalion under Sector 1 of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) successfully repelled attacks by the terrorists in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday.

    About 24 hours after disclosing a similar killing of terrorists in Baga, a township in the same state, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence headquarters, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche disclosed in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the OPLD annihilated several terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition.

    In his explanation, Gen. Enenche said that troops acted on credible intelligence report on the convergence and advancement of the terrorists who aimed to attack ground troops at their Gajigana location from Goni Usmanti village of the local government area.

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    According to him, in response to the panned attack on ground tr, the Air Task Force, scrambled its attack aircraft and helicopter gunships to provide close air support and in collaboration engaged the terrorists in exchange of fire.

    Enenche noted that “further exploitation by 7 Division Garrison discovered one destroyed gun truck and two abandoned gun trucks at Mitturu village.

    “Items recovered include two AK-47 riffles, three magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition, two 36 hand grenades and one LG3 bomb.”

    In the mood of victory recorded, Enenche stated that authorities of the Military High Command was impressed by the performance of the troops and congratulated them for their gallantry and professionalism.

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    He added that The Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain resolute and continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of the nation.

    “We shall not relent until peace and normalcy are restored not only in the North-East, but also in every other troubled region of our beloved country,” he said.

    (NAN)