Boko Haram Insurgency…
•Army
confirms 47 killed in Bama as Jonathan, ACN condemn attack
confirms 47 killed in Bama as Jonathan, ACN condemn attack
•Muslims
appeal to sect to stop killings
appeal to sect to stop killings
•Turaki:
Amnesty c’ttee yet to open talks with insurgents
Amnesty c’ttee yet to open talks with insurgents
Obviously at his wits end and frustrated with the seemingly
endless orgy of violence unleashed on his state, Governor Kashim Shettima of
Borno State yesterday warned that the nation could be consumed by a revolution,
as Nigerian youths in the not-too-distant future will chase politicians out of
power.
endless orgy of violence unleashed on his state, Governor Kashim Shettima of
Borno State yesterday warned that the nation could be consumed by a revolution,
as Nigerian youths in the not-too-distant future will chase politicians out of
power.
Painting a grim picture of things to come, the governor of
Borno, which has been at the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, said the
crisis was a mere appetizer of things to come.
Borno, which has been at the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, said the
crisis was a mere appetizer of things to come.
Shettima made the statement yesterday while receiving a
32-member Senate Joint Committee on the Massacre in Baga, which paid him a
courtesy visit before proceeding on their fact-finding mission.
32-member Senate Joint Committee on the Massacre in Baga, which paid him a
courtesy visit before proceeding on their fact-finding mission.
The governor’s warning came just as the Nigerian Army officially
confirmed that 47 persons were killed in Bama on Tuesday during the multiple
attacks on the town.
confirmed that 47 persons were killed in Bama on Tuesday during the multiple
attacks on the town.
The casualties comprised 21 insurgents, six policemen, 14 prison
officials, two soldiers and four residents made up of three children and a
woman, who were burnt to death by the insurgents.
officials, two soldiers and four residents made up of three children and a
woman, who were burnt to death by the insurgents.
Reacting to the attack on Bama, President Goodluck Jonathan and
the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) strongly condemned the siege on the town
by the terrorists, with the party stating that the barbaric attack was another
reason for all stakeholders to work together to end the daily carnage in some
parts of the north.
the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) strongly condemned the siege on the town
by the terrorists, with the party stating that the barbaric attack was another
reason for all stakeholders to work together to end the daily carnage in some
parts of the north.
Also, Muslims under the auspices of the Nigerian Supreme Council
for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have urged the insurgents to accept the amnesty
that might be offered by the federal government and stop further bloodshed and
the wanton destruction of property.
for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have urged the insurgents to accept the amnesty
that might be offered by the federal government and stop further bloodshed and
the wanton destruction of property.
Shettima said: “Underneath the mayhem of Boko Haram, beneath the
madness lies the underlying cause which is extreme poverty and destitution
which have permeated all spectrums of our society.
madness lies the underlying cause which is extreme poverty and destitution
which have permeated all spectrums of our society.
“Only and until we address some of these issues, believe me, the
future is very bleak for all of us as the current crisis is just an appetizer
of things to come. Very soon the youths of this country will be chasing us
away.”
future is very bleak for all of us as the current crisis is just an appetizer
of things to come. Very soon the youths of this country will be chasing us
away.”
The governor lampooned fellow politicians for being selfish and
inconsiderate, stressing that “the most important thing in Nigeria is all about
the last election and the next election, that is the only thing that is
agitating our minds.
inconsiderate, stressing that “the most important thing in Nigeria is all about
the last election and the next election, that is the only thing that is
agitating our minds.
“How we can perpetuate ourselves in power. How much we can
steal, how many mansions we can buy in Florida, Dubai and London, this is what
agitates the minds of the elite of this country, including you and I.”
steal, how many mansions we can buy in Florida, Dubai and London, this is what
agitates the minds of the elite of this country, including you and I.”
Shettima said he was confident that the senate would act as an
independent and impartial arbiter, and that the committee’s report would
finally erase the controversy surrounding the incident in Baga.
independent and impartial arbiter, and that the committee’s report would
finally erase the controversy surrounding the incident in Baga.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Senator George Thompson
Sekibo, had told the governor that they were in the state to carry out an
on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Baga, and make the necessary
recommendations to forestall a recurrence.
Sekibo, had told the governor that they were in the state to carry out an
on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Baga, and make the necessary
recommendations to forestall a recurrence.
He said they had even commenced their assignment, revealing that
they had invited some people whose inputs would be required for their report.
they had invited some people whose inputs would be required for their report.
In a related development, the
Nigerian Army has confirmed that a total of 47 people were killed during the
massacre at Bama.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR),
Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru said the casualties comprised 21 insurgents, six
policemen, 14 prisons officers, two soldiers, and four civilians including
three children and a woman, who were burnt to death by the insurgents.
Nigerian Army has confirmed that a total of 47 people were killed during the
massacre at Bama.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR),
Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru said the casualties comprised 21 insurgents, six
policemen, 14 prisons officers, two soldiers, and four civilians including
three children and a woman, who were burnt to death by the insurgents.
The army spokesman however assured that normalcy had returned in
Bama, and vowed that the Joint Task Force (JTF) would “defeat the terrorists
and other criminal agents in Borno State.”
Bama, and vowed that the Joint Task Force (JTF) would “defeat the terrorists
and other criminal agents in Borno State.”
He said that the army had taken full control of Bama-Banki, with
ground and air patrol, as well as improved intelligence and round-the-clock
surveillance to make the place safe for the people to live in.
ground and air patrol, as well as improved intelligence and round-the-clock
surveillance to make the place safe for the people to live in.
He noted that several persons, who were being interrogated, had
been arrested in connection with the attacks, and those culpable would be made
to face the law.
been arrested in connection with the attacks, and those culpable would be made
to face the law.
Attahiru disclosed that the original aim of the Boko Haram
insurgents, “who were dressed in military fatigues and attacked the 202
Battalion Barracks in Bama with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), general
purpose machine guns, bombs, an 18 seater bus, six Toyota Hilux vehicles fitted
with anti-aircraft guns, was to overrun the barracks and create mayhem.
insurgents, “who were dressed in military fatigues and attacked the 202
Battalion Barracks in Bama with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), general
purpose machine guns, bombs, an 18 seater bus, six Toyota Hilux vehicles fitted
with anti-aircraft guns, was to overrun the barracks and create mayhem.
“The attack was however
repelled and the barracks was not in any way breached,” he said.
He expressed regrets that the Bama police station, police barracks, local
government secretariat, Independent National Electoral (INEC) office, a local
magistrates’ court and primary school were burnt by the insurgents, who also
set free about 105 prisoners from Bama prison.
He further disclosed that four vehicles, 14 weapons, 12 improvised explosive
devices, assorted ammunition, several RPG tubes and bombs, were recovered from
the insurgents.
repelled and the barracks was not in any way breached,” he said.
He expressed regrets that the Bama police station, police barracks, local
government secretariat, Independent National Electoral (INEC) office, a local
magistrates’ court and primary school were burnt by the insurgents, who also
set free about 105 prisoners from Bama prison.
He further disclosed that four vehicles, 14 weapons, 12 improvised explosive
devices, assorted ammunition, several RPG tubes and bombs, were recovered from
the insurgents.
Wading into the Bama incident
yesterday, the president condemned the attack, which claimed scores of lives.
The president said he believed that the continuation of such callous and wanton
attacks on innocent Nigerians, government facilities and security formations
flies in the face of ongoing efforts to establish a workable framework for
dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in northern
Nigeria.
yesterday, the president condemned the attack, which claimed scores of lives.
The president said he believed that the continuation of such callous and wanton
attacks on innocent Nigerians, government facilities and security formations
flies in the face of ongoing efforts to establish a workable framework for
dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in northern
Nigeria.
He warned that the federal government’s consideration of
dialogue as an option for the elimination of some current threats to security
should not be seen as a weakening of its resolve and determination to use all
the forces at its disposal to crush all brazen affronts to the powers and
sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.
dialogue as an option for the elimination of some current threats to security
should not be seen as a weakening of its resolve and determination to use all
the forces at its disposal to crush all brazen affronts to the powers and
sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.
Jonathan, in a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati,
extended sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the soldiers,
policemen, prison officials and innocent civilians who lost their lives in the
dastardly attack.
extended sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the soldiers,
policemen, prison officials and innocent civilians who lost their lives in the
dastardly attack.
He urged the armed forces and police not to be disheartened or
daunted by the loss of their colleagues, but to remain focused and undeterred
in discharging their responsibilities for the security of lives and property in
all parts of Nigeria, with the assurance that the federal government will continue
to give the armed forces and police the fullest possible support to enhance
their ability to meet the continuing challenges of terrorism and insurgency.
daunted by the loss of their colleagues, but to remain focused and undeterred
in discharging their responsibilities for the security of lives and property in
all parts of Nigeria, with the assurance that the federal government will continue
to give the armed forces and police the fullest possible support to enhance
their ability to meet the continuing challenges of terrorism and insurgency.
In a statement, the ACN also strongly condemned the multiple
attacks on Bama by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, which left 47 people dead,
saying the barbaric incident was another reason for all stakeholders to work
tirelessly to end the daily carnage in some parts of the north.
attacks on Bama by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, which left 47 people dead,
saying the barbaric incident was another reason for all stakeholders to work
tirelessly to end the daily carnage in some parts of the north.
The party which had been very critical of the recent
confrontation between the military and the sect in Baga, described as barbaric
and callous the killing of defenceless citizens in Bama, especially women and
children, saying the perpetrators of the senseless killings have lost their
sense of decency and humanity.
confrontation between the military and the sect in Baga, described as barbaric
and callous the killing of defenceless citizens in Bama, especially women and
children, saying the perpetrators of the senseless killings have lost their
sense of decency and humanity.
In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National
Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said while every human life
is sacrosanct, it was particularly saddened by the mindless killing of security
personnel in the course of carrying out their duties of ensuring the protection
of lives and properties.
Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said while every human life
is sacrosanct, it was particularly saddened by the mindless killing of security
personnel in the course of carrying out their duties of ensuring the protection
of lives and properties.
ACN wondered what the insurgents wanted to achieve by attacking
women and children in police barracks and targeting health centres, courts and
the local council secretariat, all areas most likely to be populated by
innocent civilians.
women and children in police barracks and targeting health centres, courts and
the local council secretariat, all areas most likely to be populated by
innocent civilians.
“Nothing in the world can justify the kind of killings we have
witnessed in recent times, and it is high time those who are behind these orgy
of violence stopped and retraced their steps,” ACN said, adding that the Bama
killings, coming about three weeks after the Baga massacre, portrays Nigeria as
a country where human life has little or no value.
witnessed in recent times, and it is high time those who are behind these orgy
of violence stopped and retraced their steps,” ACN said, adding that the Bama
killings, coming about three weeks after the Baga massacre, portrays Nigeria as
a country where human life has little or no value.
The party urged the federal government to work closely with
other key stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crisis,
saying the time for flip-flopping and foot-dragging was over.
other key stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crisis,
saying the time for flip-flopping and foot-dragging was over.
In addition, Muslims under the auspices of NSCIA have urged the
insurgents to accept the amnesty that might be offered by the federal
government and stop further bloodshed and the wanton destruction of property.
insurgents to accept the amnesty that might be offered by the federal
government and stop further bloodshed and the wanton destruction of property.
Addressing the press yesterday
at the national headquarters of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, the
new Secretary General, Ishaq Oloyede, also called on the federal government to
call to order those making inflammatory statement on the forth-coming 2015
elections.
“The council calls on the insurgents to accept the amnesty that may be offered
by the federal government and stop further spilling of blood and wanton
destruction of property,” the Muslim body said.
at the national headquarters of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, the
new Secretary General, Ishaq Oloyede, also called on the federal government to
call to order those making inflammatory statement on the forth-coming 2015
elections.
“The council calls on the insurgents to accept the amnesty that may be offered
by the federal government and stop further spilling of blood and wanton
destruction of property,” the Muslim body said.
The Islamic organisation, which
is the umbrella group for all Nigerian Muslims, also called for a probe of the
Baga killings.
“The council strongly condemns the Baga and Bama massacre as heinous crimes
against humanity, and calls upon the government to immediately set up a
judicial commission of inquiry to ensure that justice is done.
is the umbrella group for all Nigerian Muslims, also called for a probe of the
Baga killings.
“The council strongly condemns the Baga and Bama massacre as heinous crimes
against humanity, and calls upon the government to immediately set up a
judicial commission of inquiry to ensure that justice is done.
The council frowns at the continuous failure of the state and
federal governments to implement the white paper of their commissions/panels of
inquiry on various ethno-religious crises and conflicts in the country.
federal governments to implement the white paper of their commissions/panels of
inquiry on various ethno-religious crises and conflicts in the country.
“The council calls on the federal government to act immediately
to restore normalcy and ensure enduring peace and security by re-settling and
protecting Muslims that have been unjustly displaced in crisis-ridden areas
including Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State, scores of villages in Wase Local
Government in Plateau State as well as in Southern Kaduna where Muslims had
been massively massacred sequel to the 2011 general elections,” it stated.
to restore normalcy and ensure enduring peace and security by re-settling and
protecting Muslims that have been unjustly displaced in crisis-ridden areas
including Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State, scores of villages in Wase Local
Government in Plateau State as well as in Southern Kaduna where Muslims had
been massively massacred sequel to the 2011 general elections,” it stated.
The communiqué further reminded the government that the Hijab is
a religious obligation for Muslim ladies, and asked that government agencies
and private organisations should stop the harassment and persecution of Muslim
ladies for wearing it.
a religious obligation for Muslim ladies, and asked that government agencies
and private organisations should stop the harassment and persecution of Muslim
ladies for wearing it.
Also commenting on the attack on Bama prison, an official of the
Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) said yesterday that the inmates who escaped from
the prison on Tuesday are not members of the sect.
Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) said yesterday that the inmates who escaped from
the prison on Tuesday are not members of the sect.
A top official confided in THISDAY that none of the 105 freed
inmates was a member of Boko Haram, but those who had been imprisoned for other
crimes.
inmates was a member of Boko Haram, but those who had been imprisoned for other
crimes.
He said suspected members of Boko Haram members are usually
imprisoned outside the hot spots of the insurgency, adding that the incessant
attacks on prisons were aimed at embarrassing the government and instilling
fear in members of the public.
imprisoned outside the hot spots of the insurgency, adding that the incessant
attacks on prisons were aimed at embarrassing the government and instilling
fear in members of the public.
His assurance came just as the Minister of Interior, Aba Moro,
condemned the incessant attacks on prisons and killing of their officials all
over the country, particularly the gruesome murder of 14 officials of Bama
prison including a chief superintendent.
condemned the incessant attacks on prisons and killing of their officials all
over the country, particularly the gruesome murder of 14 officials of Bama
prison including a chief superintendent.
Moro stated this yesterday in Abuja after an emergency meeting
with the Controller General of NPS, Mr. Zakari O. Ibrahim and
other top prisons’ officials, to review the Bama attack and
appraise the security situation in prisons nationwide.
with the Controller General of NPS, Mr. Zakari O. Ibrahim and
other top prisons’ officials, to review the Bama attack and
appraise the security situation in prisons nationwide.
He also expressed anger over the release of 105 inmates from the
Bama prison, adding that the dastardly act was committed only a few months
after the killing of some prison officials in a similar manner by suspected
members of the sect.
Bama prison, adding that the dastardly act was committed only a few months
after the killing of some prison officials in a similar manner by suspected
members of the sect.
He commiserated with Ibrahim,
staff and the families of the murdered NPS officers over the loss of their
colleagues and loved ones.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Special Duties and Chairman Presidential
staff and the families of the murdered NPS officers over the loss of their
colleagues and loved ones.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Special Duties and Chairman Presidential
Amnesty Committtee on Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges
in the North, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, yesterday said the committee was yet
to commence talks with the members of the Boko Haram sect.
in the North, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, yesterday said the committee was yet
to commence talks with the members of the Boko Haram sect.
Speaking during an interview with the Hausa service of the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Sokoto, Turaki said the
committee was currently carrying out consultations before engaging in any
dialogue with the sect.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Sokoto, Turaki said the
committee was currently carrying out consultations before engaging in any
dialogue with the sect.
According to him, what the committee members did initially was
to study reports and recommendations of previous committees set up on violence
in the north and even the Niger Delta.
to study reports and recommendations of previous committees set up on violence
in the north and even the Niger Delta.
Turaki said the aim was to
study the reports, as they would assist them in discharging the onerous task
ahead.
He explained that the committee was currently discussing with security agencies
in order to understand the main issues at hand before opening talks with the
sect.
study the reports, as they would assist them in discharging the onerous task
ahead.
He explained that the committee was currently discussing with security agencies
in order to understand the main issues at hand before opening talks with the
sect.
The minister expressed optimism
that going through the process would enable them get information that would
chart a way forward.
Turaki disclosed that as soon as the committee rounds up its deliberations with
security agencies, it would meet members of the sect to listen to their
grievances and chart a way out of the crisis.
that going through the process would enable them get information that would
chart a way forward.
Turaki disclosed that as soon as the committee rounds up its deliberations with
security agencies, it would meet members of the sect to listen to their
grievances and chart a way out of the crisis.
Source: Thisday
