Security

Fear grips residents of North-East Nigeria over recurring ISWAP attacks

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2022

News Net Global

Fear grips residents of North-East Nigeria over recurring ISWAP attacks

By: Zagazola Makama

Thousands of residents in the Nigeria’s North East of Monguno, Borno State, are currently living in fear over imminent attack by the Islamic State of the West African Province’s(ISWAP), terrorists.

Monguno Local Government which is currently housing about 800,000 displaced families is located about 137.9 km to the restive city of Maiduguri.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad, was informed by Intelligence sources that the town being one of the socio-economic hub of Northern Borno, has been very peaceful until recently when it was subjected to series of coordinated attacks by ISWAP terrorists.

The latest attack was carried out on Sunday July 17, when the ISWAP swooped on the town at about 1 a.m. with heavy arms. They were however engaged by the troops in a gun battle that lasted till about 2a.m, forcing them to retreat.

On Monday, July 18, the attackers made another incursion into the town at about 9pm; a heavy gunfight with troops ensued which lasted for about one hour before the attack was eventually repealed.

It was gathered that the fleeing terrorists blocked the road between Monguno to Gajiram and shot three commuters in Gasarwa Village. The victims who sustained bullet wounds were evacuated to Monguno General Hospital for treatment.

ISWAP intensify attacks in Monguno

ISWAP has coordinated series of attacks on the town since June 18, when they stormed the town, killed 3 civilians and abducted three other humanitarian workers and fled towards the axis of Marte in the shores of Lake Chad.

Similarly On July 3, the terrorists returned again to attack the town in multiple folds through the parapet with motorcycles and four vehicles wielded with Anti Air Craft guns in the wee hours of the day.

They engaged Army troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force around Charlie one formation but they were pushed back by the troops.

On July 4, the ISWAP coordinated another attack at the Charlie one checking point and killed two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and kidnapped three others.

In the same vein, on the July 8, the terrorists mounted a snap checking point along Monguno-Maiduguri road and abducted one member of the Civilian JTF and one other Personel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were on transit in a commercial vehicle.

On July 10, the heavily armed ISWAP terrorists infiltrated the town through Charlie 6 at about 2.45 am and fired several shots, causing the death of at least two civilians who were hit by stray bullets. Again, the combined military efforts forced the insurgents to withdraw.

The military authority later imposed curfew and placed restrictions on vehicular movement within the town and its environment.

Two persons suspected to be working for the terrorists were killed when they attempted to sneak out of the town through the parapets during the curfew time.

“We Live in Fear,” Monguno Residents Narrate Ordeals

Some residents of Monguno say they are living in constant fear due to recent spate of insecurity bedeviling the town as the terrorists have continued to attack and abduct people.

Babagana Bashir, a resident, said “We have been living in fear for the past 40 days. We believe that those who are attacking the town are coordinating the attacks from within the town”.

Bashir lamented that there has been a massive influx of new faces within the past five months; most of them, he said, claimed that they came to do business.

“We suspected that the terrorists may have recruited spies in the town who helped them to coordinate attacks on the town”.

Ibrahim Rabbanima, another resident, who expressed the same fear, said he may relocate his family out of the town if the situation did not improve.

Rabbanima said that there was uncertainty in the security of the town as Boko Haram had promised more attacks.

“We believe that many of them had infiltrated into the town with their weapons. They said they will attack the town and make life unbearable to the people.

“We also believe that these attacks were retaliations to the military operations in the fringes of Lake Chad by the Nigerian Military and the MNJTF”, he said.

A Community leader, Musa Muhammed, said that the insurgents are currently targeting the homes of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the town in order to pave way for bigger attacks.

He said that many Civilian JTF members were killed while some were abducted by the terrorists in recent times, noting that they may be forcing them to reveal information on where and who they should attack.

The community leader alleged that two persons that were recently killed by the terrorists in the town were engaging in businesses with them.

“They actually came after them because they did not fulfill their demands”, he said.

War against ISWAP and the Network of informants

A competent Military sources predicted that the situation may worsened as some of the terrorists had gained access into the town under the guise of surrendered persons; others came in as merchants while some are hiding under the guise of being Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs).

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The sources who were familiar with the activities of the informants told of how some months ago, the insurgents deployed some well-trained women to the town as agents to keep vigil on activities of troops.

These women would be in the IDPs camp, but would also be conducting SWOT analysis on the troops and report back to the terrorist for coordinated attacks on the town.

“We believe that there are some people within the town coordinating these attacks with terrorists coming from the axis of Kukawa, Marte and Gamborun Ngala local government areas”, he said.

The sources further disclosed that any day that there will be an attacks; the terrorist-collaborators usually fold one leg of their trousers in order not to be targeted by the intruders.

“We know where they are coming from.They will first gather in some villages around Gwallam, Bulwa Bakin Dam in Kukawa general before going for the attack.

“The deteriorating security situation in the town should be blamed on the lack of strict monitoring and surveillance by the security forces, community and Civilian JTF.

“At some point, anybody could just come into Monguno town, buy logistics and food items and take them to unknown destinations, mostly suspected to be ISWAP enclaves”, he said.

“From the above accounts which are actually recent developments, it is apparent that the network of informants in the north east is growing in complexity and sophistication, and that it has become a booming business enterprise for the unscrupulous locals and their recruiters.

“With the escalation of this odious enterprise, it is not difficult understanding why the terrorists remain resilient and why their attacks on troops have become frequent, especially in the town of Monguno in the North East of Borno state.

“The urgent need to crack and dismantle this devious network of informants cannot be overstated and the responsibility is not that of the military alone.

“This is where the intervention of Traditional Rulers, the locals, political and religious leaders in the zone is critically and urgently needed. The fight against terrorism must be fought by everybody in order to bring an end to it, said the source. End.

Zagazola Makama is Security Analyst and Counter Insurgency Expert in the Lake-Chad

Fear grips residents of North-East Nigeria over recurring ISWAP attacks

News

Protest: NHRC Asks Security Agencies to Provide Adequate Protection for Protesters

Published

3 months ago

October 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Right Commission has urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for individuals exercising their right to protest.

The advised was given on Monday in Abuja, following Twarnings by the government and security agencies against the planned protest against hardship by Civil Society Organisations.

Speaking at a press conference, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, also urged the Federal government to provide adequate security for the journalists that would be covering the protest.

Ojukwu asked the Federal Government to put in place a mechanism to hold security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests and warmed against any form of barriers during the protest.

He advised protesters to carry out their protest within the ambit of the law.

He said: “We call on the federal and state government to ensure that the October protests are peaceful and that the protesters are given the necessary support and leverage to conduct themselves in civilized manner, including protecting them from counter-protesters and mobs.”
He also added that both federal and state government and their institutions are obliged to facilitate peaceful assemblies.

“This includes ensuring safety, providing necessary infrastructure, and taking measures to prevent disruptions from counter-demonstrators or hostile forces.
“Government should provide adequate protection for protesters against violence or intimidation as well as facilitate peaceful assemblies through appropriate measures.

“Government must put in place effective Accountability Mechanisms for holding the law enforcement and security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests. This includes investigating incidents where excessive force was used or where protesters were unlawfully detained.

“Government must deploy its apparatus for the protection of private and public properties as well as the lives of protesters and non-protesters before, during and after the protests.”

He insisted that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right recognized internationally, regionally, and at national level.

He noted that “In Nigeria, this right is enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and further strengthened by international and regional human rights instruments. Section 40 provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.

“Furthermore, article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) provides that “Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others.

“The right to peaceful assembly is the cornerstone stone of our liberty and an essential instrument for promoting the values of democracy and good governance. Protests are legitimate means of voicing dissatisfactions and participating in shaping citizen-centred governance and development outcomes.”

He stressed that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Human Rights Council have put in place a set of principles which should guide the promotion and protection of the right to peaceful assembly.

The principles he said include: “Non-discrimination: All individuals should be able to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly without discrimination based on race, gender, political affiliation, or any other status.

“Legitimate Restrictions: While freedom of association and assembly is fundamental, it can be subject to restrictions. However, such restrictions must be lawful, necessary in a democratic society, and proportionate to the aim pursued. This means that any limitations imposed by Nigerian authorities must not infringe upon the essence of these rights.

“Protection from Violence: The state has an obligation to protect individuals exercising their rights from violence or intimidation by third parties. This includes ensuring that protests can occur without fear of repression, prosecution or violent backlash.

“Notification Requirements: Requirements for pre-notification of law enforcement should not serve as barriers but rather facilitate peaceful protests. Notification requirement should not be burdensome and not hinder the exercise of this right.

“Use of Force: Any use of force by law enforcement during protests must adhere strictly to principles of necessity and proportionality. Excessive use of force against protesters, including shooting or the deployment of tear gas is a violation of human rights and dignity.”

He said: “Exercise your right to peaceful protest within the ambits of the law, be very civil and respect the rights of others.
“Avoid violence, destruction of property, and harmful behaviour, this is detrimental to nation building, the destruction caused may take fortune to regain which will be a great set back to our development.

“Cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety by conducting yourselves with highest sense of modesty and civility.

“Refrain from hate speech and divisive rhetoric, abusive words and foul language.
“Respect the rights of others, including those who may hold differing opinions, that is the beauty of democracy.

“Ensure that your actions do not infringe on the rights of non-protesters, as everybody must not be on the street protesting.

He promised that the NHRC will be monitoring the protests across Nigeria and will ensure that state and non-state actors violating the right to protests and other associated human rights will be held accountable.

For the security operatives, Ojukwu urged them to “Respect the rights of protesters to peaceful assembly and expression as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and other Regional and International Instruments that Nigeria is a Party to.

“Avoid excessive force and ensure proportionate response to situations, do no harm and do not force the protesters to react in a manner that is riotious.
“Protect journalists and media personnel from harassment, allow them to carry out their duties as the fourth arm of the government and as enshrined in the constitution.

“Facilitate dialogue between protesters and relevant stakeholders, this will rather assist you in discharging your role seamlessly, do not look at them as your enemies.
“Ensure that arrests and detentions are carried out in accordance with the law and not because you merely want to deal with people.

“Provide necessary assistance and support to vulnerable individuals, do not overlook any opportunity to render help.”

Protest: NHRC Asks Security Agencies to Provide Adequate Protection for Protesters

Military

Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves

Published

5 months ago

July 29, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with hybrid forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), nutrialised eight Boko Haram terrorists when it raided the terrorists enclaves in Bula Marwa in Bama Local Government area.

It was gathered that the troops recorded the feats on July 28, 2024, when it made contact with the terrorists and neutralized eight of them ahead of Siraja village, forcing others to flee.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops subsequently exploited the general area but made no further contact.

The sources said that the operation resulted in the recovery of one Anti-Government Launcher (AGL) and one MK 4 rifle, as well as a bag containing a pair of desert camouflage uniforms and other terrorist uniforms.

Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves

News

Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups

Published

6 months ago

July 9, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups

By: Zagazola Makama

A joint operation between the troops of 21 Armored Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a large consignment of illicit substances destined for Boko Haram Terrorists in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that acting on intelligence, the joint team launched a swift and decisive operation to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to the terrorist groups.

The operation, which was carried out following a tip-off, resulted in the recovery of 163 bags of the substance, equivalent to 2.5 tons in a warehouse in Konduga.

The suspected illicit substances, known as “Goom” or “Akusukura”, is a deadly psychoactive substance that represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy.

The substance, which is of different varieties, is used in both liquid and powdered form by people who mostly seek to raise their levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body, or put it in simple terms, get high.

The recovered items were handed over to the NDLEA team leader, and the area was cordoned off by the military.

The operation highlights the effectiveness of interagency collaboration and the commitment of the military and NDLEA to keeping Nigeria safe.

Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups