Bring Back Our Girls (BBOGs) headed by Oby Ezekwesili suspects the government invitation to tour Sambisa Forest

Bring Back Our Girls (BBOGs) headed by Oby Ezekwesili suspects the government invitation to tour Sambisa Forest

Regional News Unknown   10:04

The support group known as Bring Back Our Girls, (BBOGs), headed by Mrs Oby Ezekwesili has communicated its doubt at the invitation reached out to the gathering by the Federal Government on an excursion to Sambisa Forest looking for the supposed missing Chibok school girls.

The Federal Government had composed a letter of welcome asking for agents of the gathering to be a part of a military operational flight to Sambisa Forest looking for the missing Chibok school girls.

The welcome letter was dated January 11, and marked by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and tended to the convener of the gathering, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili.

The letter, which was made accessible to media houses, yesterday requested that the BBOG assign three individuals from the gathering to be a part of a guided outing planned for January 16, in acknowledgment of what it depicted as the steadfast duty of the gathering to the arrival of the hijacked Chibok young ladies.

As indicated by the letter,“The trip being planned by the military will see the Ministers of Defence and Information, the Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Army Staff joining the invited BBOG members and a select group of journalists.

“They will first go to the Nigerian Air Force Command Centre in Yola to witness firsthand the efforts being made to search for the girls by NAF and then join the day and night sorties with the NAF to the Sambisa Forest.

“Please note that due to limited seats on the search plane, only two of the invited BBOG members will join the NAF sorties. After the sorties, the team will return to Yola for bidding by the NAF on their daily search for the girls as well as all those who have been abducted by Boko Haram.

“Departure is scheduled for 8:30a.m. at the Air Force wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday the January 17, 2017, ” the letter reads in part.

The government expressed that the trek would benefit the BBOG the chance to witness and better comprehend the endeavours being made to secure the freedom of the young ladies and different casualties of Boko Haram terrorists.

Be that as it may, the gathering in its answer dated January 13, raised doubt on the desperation of the outing at short notice and the way that the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, had just few days prior blamed the gathering for taking part in "social advocacy terrorism".

The gathering's letter marked by Oby Ezewkesili, stated that the government owned News Agency of Nigeria broadly detailed through the mass media that amid a visit to the armed force headquarters by a specific group which was attended to by the Chief of Army Staff, our organisation was assaulted for taking part in social advocacy terrorism. It is astounding that the said visit happened under forty eight hours before our group got your letter requesting that we go in the company of the same Chief of Army Staff to Sambisa Forest.

The gathering said “we demand therefore that ahead of the pre-tour meeting, the Chief of Army Staff retracts and apologizes for endorsing such slanderous attacks against our movement.”

Court sentences son of a former district head to death by hanging

Court sentences son of a former district head to death by hanging

Regional News Unknown   16:28

One Mu’ammar Tukur who happened to be the son of ex-District Head of Bakori has been given a death sentence by hanging by a Katsina State High Court after being convicted of committing murder when he stabbed one Shafir Muktar to death.

Justice Abbas Bawale in judgment stated that the prosecution which is being headed by Mr Aminu Garba successfully established the case of the alleged murder beyond reasonable doubt. This is because five witnesses along with other relevant exhibits were presented to prove their point, as being needed by law including the victim’s death, cause of the death and intention behind the act.

The incident happened April 21 2008 when a fight broke out between the convict and some of the witnesses presented by the prosecution at a viewing centre.

It was stated by the judge that attempt made by the defence counsel to dispute the evidence of the prosecution were all fruitless, when he argued that the metallic material used to commit the crime was not displayed before the court.

According to the judge, the convict ran away between 2008 and 2013, but was apprehended during his mother’s burial at the grave yard.

Speaking further, the judge held that the plea for leniency could not be heard due to some legal constraints as enshrined by law, and suggested for such plea to be forwarded to the state governor. And said an appeal could be made within the space of 90 days.

The judge also said the plea for leniency could not be entertained because the court’s discretion was blocked by law and directed that the plea should be sent to the state governor.

He advised the defence to file its appeal within 90 days.

Boko Haram debunks Federal Government's victory in Sambisa Forest

Boko Haram debunks Federal Government's victory in Sambisa Forest

Regional News Unknown   11:03

There is a confusion trailing the victory of the gallant Nigerian Army against Boka Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest.

Barely few days after the Nigerian government declared total eradication of the supposed last stronghold of the insurgents, the mysterious leader of the insurgents Abubakar Shekau resurfaced in a fresh video on Thursday debunking the alleged claim by the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Buhari saying they have been completed annihilated.

“We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree,” Shekau said in the 25-minute video, flanked by masked armed fighters.

“You should not be telling lies to the people,” he said, referring to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who said on Christmas Eve that the extremist group had been defeated and driven away from the forest, its last known bastion.

“If you indeed crushed us, how can you see me like this? How many times have you killed us in your bogus death?” he asked.

Though the location the video was shot was not made clear, nevertheless, Shekau speaking both Hausa and Arabic claimed that the video was shot on Christmas Day.

Recall in September how the said Shekau showed himself in a video clip debunking all the claimed credited to the military that he had been seriously wounded during a major onslaught.

During his appearance, he vowed to continue the long battle with the Nigerian government unless Islamic state was imposed in northern Nigeria.

“Our aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate and we have our own Caliphate, we are not part of Nigeria.”

President Buhari in an announcement said a months-long military invasion Sambisa Forest brought about the final defeat of Boko Haram insurgents in their last stronghold.

The claim and counter claim by the government and the insurgents somehow makes independent authentication of the government’s announcements about the successful invasion difficult.

In addition, different attacks from various locations is now making the said victory questionable, even though the military have been having upper hand in the battle.

French national who helps in fixing Boko Haram warfare equipment arrested

French national who helps in fixing Boko Haram warfare equipment arrested

Regional News Unknown   13:19

Investigations made so far signifies that the foreigner (white man) that was apprehended by the Nigerian Army in Sambisa Forest is an expert who gives assistance to the insurgents by unlocking and repairing Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as other warfare machineries.

The identity of the arrested ‘white man’ according to investigation is a French national. And that it was along Bama axis of Sambisa Forest.

Though the account did not reveal the full identity of the French national, because the Nigerian government is being very cautious of some diplomatic treaties.

“He was arrested along the Bama axis of the Sambisa forest and agreed to give vital information provided he would be spared.

“I learnt that he is from France but authorities do not want to make his real identity known for diplomatic reasons. They don’t want to jeopardize the success recorded, ” the Soldier said.

Buhari's government releases over 1271 Boko Haram suspects in Northern Nigeria

Buhari's government releases over 1271 Boko Haram suspects in Northern Nigeria

Regional News Unknown   07:30

In as much as nobody wants innocent children and women to be incarcerated for crime they know nothing about, the way in which the Burhari led government is releasing even those the public identifies as masterminds behind various terrorist acts is so alarming.

Former President Goodluck in a bid to end Islamic insurgency, made a lot of arrest of people who were caught in the act aiding and abetting terrorism. Which the Army then also confirmed with some evidences at the time of their arrests.

But it is so amazing that ever since President Buhari came into power there has been little or no arrest of any of these terrorists, rather, Buhari’s regime has been releasing all members of the Boko Haram terrorists who were in detention. Even those who committed murder in certain northern states have been tactically set free by the law court which is expected to protect innocent citizens. Recent one was the purported killers of a Christian lady in northern Nigeria.

As if that was not enough, the military have claimed that so far, about 1271 detainees have been set free after clearing them of any link with the Boko Haram terrorists group. So one wonders how most of the evidences they displayed when these people were arrested came about.

Information regarding the release of the suspected Boko Haram members was made known by Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, during a forum organised for the reintegration of children related with armed group in Maiduguri

“The Nigerian Army gives utmost priority to the rights of detainees especially women and children.

“We always try to fast track investigation to determine their fate, while those found innocent were released with out delay,” he said.

Ezugwu added:” Consequently, between February and October this year we have had five releases.

“In February 135 persons comprising mainly women and children were released, 204 were released in May, while the remaining three releases were carried out in September and October”.

He said that the army had also improved on the provision of welfare for the detainees.

“As part of the military high command care for the vulnerable persons under our protective custody.

“We have identified areas needing attention including feeding, health care, decongestion of cells, respect for detainees rights, sanitation and personal hygiene, ” Ezugwu said.

He said children and vulnerable persons were fed three times daily with balanced diet.

“We always provide meat or fish in every meal and drinks every Sunday for them.

“If fact, some of those released would have preferred to remain with us if they had the choice rather than move to IDPs camps,” he said.

Ezugwu commended the organisers of the forum, saying the event was timely.

Deadly attack by Boko Haram terrorists kills an officer and four other soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Borno State

Deadly attack by Boko Haram terrorists kills an officer and four other soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Borno State

Regional News Unknown   16:33

A deadly attack by some suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists last Friday in Borno State has resulted to the untimely death of one officer and four soldiers of the Nigeria army

According to press statement released by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman other soldiers’ sustained injuries in the attack. Though the military gallantly engaged the terrorists in a bid to repel the attack, which resulted to the death of 14 of them terrorists.

The statement reads, ”Unfortunately, we lost an officer and 4 soldiers, while 4 other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter. One of those killed in action, was Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.

”It would be recalled that because of the late senior officer’s exceptional bravery and gallantry, he was given an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on 9th September, 2015 during an operational visit.

”So far, the troops have recovered 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 7 AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. Mopping up and exploitation are ongoing,” Usman disclosed.