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Nine people have been confirmed killed in an explosion on Tuesday morning along Gubio road in Borno state, just before a military checkpoint. The Public Relations Officer of the Borno Police  Command, DSP Victor Isuku, confirmed the incident. According to preliminary report, a pick up van with nine persons on board emerged from a bush path to join the road to Gubio town.  It exploded killing all the persons on board. More details shortly.

The Civilian JTF in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State have arrested a notorious Boko Haram kingpin, Bashir, who has been acting Abubakar Shakau in several videos, was arrested on Friday by the CJTF in Konduga area. We further learnt that the kingpin, who is popularly called “Sarkin Yanka” (meaning the king of massacre), had confessed upon interrogation that he has acted Shakau in several videos and was responsible for the death of his mother, two sisters and brother.  Malam Shettima Bulama, one of the CJTFs that arrested Bashir, said the kingpin was arrested while trying to sneak into Konduga.  Bulama said the Boko Haram leader was caught with an arrow injury inflicted on him by hunters and said that the kingpin had confessed of also killing many people. He also said on close observation, Bashir bore same resemblance to Abubakar Shekau, leader of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.  Our Correspondent could not however get any official statem...

The Nigeria army says troops in continued offensive operations have destroyed remaining terrorist camps and enclaves around Alargarno and Sambisa forest.  A statement Wednesday by Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said: “On Tuesday, troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion patrol team, cleared Boko Haram camps located at Komala, Dole, Kumshi and Moadori around the fringes of Alagarno forest” He added that the troops killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and captured 2 notorious terrorists; Mustapha Busuru (50 years old) and Usman Abubakar (56 years) at Dole village and brought down all Boko Haram terrorist flags hoisted in the village and destroyed them.  Colonel Usman further said the troops recovered 2 Toyota pick up vans, 40 motorcycles, Improvised Explosives Making Devices (IEDs), stockpile of foodstuffs and fuel dump.  “The patrol team also recovered horses and donkeys used for transportation by the terrorists,” he added.  Usm...

Two female suicide bombers killed more than 60 people at a camp for people displaced by an insurgency of the jihadist Boko Haram group in the northeast Nigerian town of Dikwa, military and emergency officials said on Wednesday.  The attack occurred 85 km (50 miles) outside the capital of Borno state, centre of the seven-year insurgency, they said. It took place on Tuesday, but a breakdown in the telephone system prevented the incident being made public earlier.  The two female suicide bombers sneaked into an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and detonated themselves in the middle of it, emergency officials and the military source said.  The chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, Satomi Ahmad, added that 78 people were injured. No group claimed responsibility but the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has frequently used female bombers and even children to hit targets.  The militant group has recently increased the fr...

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested seven members of Islamic extremist group affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Daura (Katsina), the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement on Tuesday by Tony Opuiyo of the DSS, dozens of Islamic extremists and kidnapping gangs were arrested between December 2015 and January 2016 across states of the Federation. According to the statement, while those arrested in the north are linked to terrorism, the gangs nabbed in the South are mostly kidnappers. “On 17th January, 2016, in Daura township of Daura LGA, Katsina State, another budding extremist cell affiliated to ISIS, was intercepted by the Service. One Ibrahim Mohammed DAURA, Zaharadeen SALISU and five other elements of the proscribed extremist group, Ansaru, were arrested by the Service. This group was discovered in an active stage, as its members were already co-coordinating themselves for attacks in Katsina and...

A Nigerian Air Force’s Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has destroyed a logistics base used by members of the Boko Haram Terrorists group, the air force said in a statement Tuesday. The UAV was on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission when it came across the gathering of BHTs at Garin Moloma, about one kilometre north of the Sambisa Forest, spokesperson Ayodele Famuyiwa, a group captain, said. “At the time of the UAV attack, the location, though under surveillance for quite a while, had a large gathering of BHTs and vehicles. “The multiple explosions and huge fire ball from the location, as can be seen from the enclosed video of the UAV strike, strongly suggests that it may be either an ammunition/fuel storage or weapons/technical workshop. “This strike is thus a major setback for the Boko Haram Sect, and a major plus for the fight against insurgency by own troops,” the statement said.

Reports say Maiduguri, the Borno state capital has been bombed today, Monday, February 1, 2016.  Although details of the latest incident remain sketchy as at press time, a tweet by Sahara Reporters confirmed that the twin blasts occurred this morning. Check out the tweet below:  This report is coming barely 24 hours after the Nigerian military reported that about 100 people had been killed following an attack by insurgents on Dalori village in Borno.  The Nigerian troops were also reported to have been battling the suspected Boko Haram terrorists as explosions and gunfire were heard in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on January 30.  Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday, January 31, 2016, lamented the recent spate of bombings in the country, stating that the insurgents were simply out to embarrass his administration.  He therefore asked Nigerians to remain calm and continue to be security conscious in the wake of the rec...

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has written to the International Criminal Court requesting the court to “investigate allegation of crimes against humanity committed against the Nigerian people by some former and serving military officials as well as public officials and private persons who engaged in the criminal diversion of $8 billion earmarked to procure equipment for the armed forces to fight insurgency.” The petition, which was dated January, 19th, 2016, reads: “We are a firm of civil rights lawyers based in Lagos, Nigeria. We are the defence counsel for the majority of the members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Nigeria who were charged with mutiny, cowardly behaviour and sundry offences before the courts-martial instituted by the former military authorities.  As we shall demonstrate anon, the only “offence” proved against our clients in the military courts was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the wel...

The army has reported that about seventy Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in several clashes with the Nigerian troops in the northeastern region of the country.  According to a report by Major General Lucky Irabor,  the deputy theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the army says 70 insurgents and about four officers have been killed in different encounters.  In the Military’s update on successes recorded in operation Lafiya dole, the army said on Sunday, January 17, the troops conducted a clearance operation at Shentimari general area and cleared Boko Haram enclaves and recovered 78 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Similarly, on Monday, January 18, at Chukun Gudu, troops encountered and destroyed terrorist’s camps along Jillam, Bula Butube general areas.  During the exchange of fire, 10 terrorists were killed, 2 AK47 Rifles, 2 AK47 magazines, 2 solar panels and 2 GSM handsets were recovered, while 1 Isuzu vehicle was destroyed. The ...

Men of the vigilante (Civilian Joint Task Force, JTF) have arrested a Boko Haram kingpin, Jarasu Shira in Damboa, Borno state. Shira, who was reportedly on his way to Lagos was arrested this morning at about 8.30am at a motor park, Daily Trust reports.  He was arrested along with 10 other suspected members of the sect who escorted him to Damboa to connect a vehicle to Biu enroute to Lagos.  According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Shira who goes by the alias Jarido is number one on the new list of wanted men by the Nigeria military and was disguised in a cowboy outfit when he was caught.  Shira is believed to be the leader of the Boko Haram militants in Damboa, Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas of Borno state.  Report has it that the suspects have been handed over to military authorities in Biu, Borno state.  The vigilante group is supporting the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. In ...

The Chairman House Committee for Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Sani Zoro (Jigaw APC) yesterday  said his committee had concluded arrangement to investigate reported cases of sex scandals in the IDP camps across the country.  It was alleged that officials at the camps give food to young girls and women in exchange for sex.  Zoro a member, representing Maigatari/Gumel/Gagarawa federal constituency made the revelation yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Dutse.  He added that no particular organization was fingered for the crime but said at the committee level they would not rest on their oars until the culprits were brought to book. “There are allegation which we are trying to prove. There are officials in the camp that take advantage of some young girls and women in order to give them preferential treatment when food and water are supplied.  “I am not trying to make any particular reference to any organization. ...

The Bring Back Our Girls supporters has not only accused the Minister of Women Affairs of showing zero empathy to parents of the missing Chibok girls, they also alleged that the President Buhari angrily walked out on them today in Abuja.     According to online reports who were live-tweeting before, during and after the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, the parents of the abducted Chibok school girls and the leaders of Bring Back Our Girls campaign, the president was very angry when he met with the above mentioned parties at the State House Abuja and allegedly stormed out of  the meeting.

A report by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordination Agency (OCHA) has revealed that between 2,000 to 7,000 women and girls have been abducted and used as sex slaves since the beginning of Boko Haram onslaught in the North East six years ago. The report revealed that women and girls abducted by Boko Haram (at least 2,000) are often raped, forced into marriage, labour, religious conversion, physically, sexually, emotionally abused, exposed to sexually transmitted infections and are often pregnant when escaping captivity.  It would be recalled that there have been several reports on the abduction of women and girls in some villages in the North East and this include the schoolgirls that were abducted in Chibok, Borno State. OCHA in a statement unveiling its 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan and signed by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Jean Gough, lamented that some adolescent girls have reportedly engaged in survival sex to meet their basic needs.  I...

A clergyman, Bishop David Bakare, has advised the Federal Government to reserve 10 per cent of the proceeds from the arms deal for the welfare of the families of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and ex-servicemen.  Bakare, Chairman, North-West chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), made the call in his sermon at an inter-denominational church service in Abuja on Sunday.  The service was in commemoration of the Armed Forces and Remembrance Day 2016. The clergyman, who decried the magnitude of corruption in the country even at the expense of human lives, said taking suspects to the anti-graft agencies was not enough to tame corruption.  He added that government and other stakeholders must begin to show more appreciation for the contributions of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the unity and peace of Nigeria.  “There is a reward that our soldiers in the battle front deserve, there is a reward that our fallen heroes deserve and what...

Hunters in Borno on Sunday called on the military to allow them to join in the war against insurgents in Sambisa Forest, NAN reports.  Malam Mai-Gana Mai-Durma, the Borno Emir of the Hunters, made the appeal in Maiduguri while addressing newsmen. Mai-Durma said that the call became imperative because the hunters were familiar with the terrain at the dreaded forest, the hideout and operational base of the terrorists.  “We are appealing to the military authorities to allow us join the fight against Boko Haram at the Sambisa forest. “We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well,” Mai-Durma said. He said that the military should align them with members of the vigilance group, popularly knwon as the Civilian JTF, for effective result.  “We will overrun Sambisa in partnership with members of the civilian JTF if given the opportunity. “This will help to complement the effort of military in the anti terrorism operation,”...

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has restated the President Muhammdu Buhari-led Federal Government’s resolve to technically meet the December 31 deadline of defeating Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern part of the country. The Minister made the remark at the heels of renewed Boko Haram attacks in Maiduguri metropolis and Madagali village in Adamawa State on monday, which left scores dead and several others injured. Mohammed said this on Monday while addressing journalists at the premises of the National Theatre in Lagos shortly after inspecting the facilities at the complex as part of the tour of the parastatals under his ministry. The Minister while reacting to insurgent attacks on Jiddari Polo, and Adawari Village, near Maiduguri metropolis, both in Borno State, where scores of people were killed between Sunday and Monday, said, “We have been vindicated because Bokom Haram have been decapitated compared to the past records...

Scores of people were ​feared ​killed ​Monday when two female suicide bombers attacked a busy motor park in Madagali town of Adamawa State.  A witness, Danladi Buba, said the two female suicide bombers detonated bombs at a mini market near a motor park around 9am, killing many people. “About 30 people were killed with 16 others injured,” Mr. Buba said.  When contacted, the Brigade Commander of 28 Task Force Brigade, Mubi, Victor Ezugwu, confirmed the incident, saying the casualty figure was yet to be established.  “Two female suicide bombers struck at a garage in Madagali and detonated their devices, and we lost some beloved country men,” Mr. Ezugwu, a brigadier-general, said.  He said the injured had been taken to hospital while the military had cordoned off the area. The brigade commander said the situation had been brought under control.  The attack followed a series of gun and bomb attacks, between Sunday and Monday, by suspected Boko...

Child suicide bomber, yesterday night blew herself up at Benisheikh, Borno State, killing no fewer than nine persons.  The suicide bomber, who was in the company of two other accomplices aged between 10 and 15, was spotted by ever vigilant Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme (Civilian JTF).  However, it was gathered that while the Civilian JTF was in the process of screening the suspects, the carrier detonated the IED, leading to the death of 9 people, while 24 others sustained various degrees of injuries.  According to Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, the security and emergency management agents have mobilized to the scene.  “The bodies have been evacuated and all those injured are receiving medical attention. “The security agencies have intensified patrols and security checks in the area. “While we condemn this dastardly act and commiserate with the families of these that lost their lives and the injured...

The Peoples Democratic Party said in Abuja on Friday that it would not criticise President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government if it fails to meet the December 31 deadline to end insurgency in the country.  Rather, it said that it would back the President to end the terror war.  PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated the party’s position when he received a youth group under the aegis of Northern Youth Network at the party national secretariat.  Metuh said, “APC had promised that they were  going to end insurgency in two weeks, they later said it will be over in two months and after that they now gave December 31 deadline to end Boko Haram.  “Now, in spite of the language it is couched in shifting the goal posts, and despite noting and observing all the infractions and all kinds of destructive criticisms APC mounted on us when they were in opposition, the PDP as a national party will refrain from maki...

Niger has agreed to transfer hundreds of prisoners from the militant Islamist group Boko Haram back to their home country of Nigeria to reduce pressure on its crammed prisons, judicial sources said on Tuesday. Boko Haram militants mostly operate in northeastern Nigeria but have also stepped up their insurgency within Niger’s southern region of Diffa in recent months, carrying out dozens of attacks. Niger has declared a state of emergency there in an effort to improve security and has made hundreds of arrests. “Nigeria sent a working group here (to Niger) last week and the two sides have established an initial list of 500 detainees who will soon be transferred to Nigeria,” said a magistrate working on the case who asked not to be named. He did not give the exact timing of the transfer or say how the potentially dangerous prisoners would be transported. The prisoners are currently being held in the detention centres of Kollo, Diffa and Koutoukale, all o...