Connect with us

National News

Boko Haram: Libyan Mercenaries helping ISWAP fighters in attack – Senator Ndume

Published

on

Boko Haram: Libyan Mercenaries helping ISWAP fighters in attack - Senator Ndume

Boko Haram: Libyan Mercenaries helping ISWAP fighters in attack – Senator Ndume

By: Our Reporter

The Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume on Sunday said facts coming out indicated that Islamic State for West African Province, ISWAP fighters may have joined forces with mercenaries from Libya to carry out the attack on the military on Askira town on Saturday where a Brigadier General was killed.

Askira town in Borno state, northeast Nigeria came under attack by ISWAP fighters in the early hours of Saturday. The fighters displaced Nigerian troops and residents fled to the mountains for safety.

When reinforcement was coming led by the Commander 28 Task Force in Chibok, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkushu, the ISWAP fighters having got the information laid ambush between Chibok and Askira where they open fire on the convoy killing General Dzarma and three soldiers.

Ndume who spoke on the deadly attack in Abuja, said the incident has caused panic among residents in the area.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, in his reaction to the killing of the General, expressed his condolences and described the incident as painful.

He lamented that residents are fleeing Askira as ISWAP terrorists are believed to be regrouping in the Lake Chad region.

The attack came 24 hours after military airstrikes took out several top commanders of ISWAP while they were allegedly holding a strategic meeting with their new leader, Sani Shuwaram, at Sabon Tumbun and Jibularam, in Marte Local Government Area of the State.

Ndume said: “I want to express my condolences to the Nigerian Army over the death of the General who died along Chibok road. ISWAP terrorists attacked a town there.

“They know that the General was the major obstacle to their operation. They laid an ambush and rammed a bomb-ladened car into his vehicle.

Also Read: APC CHAIR: BETWEEN ISSUES AND SHADOWS.

“He was a gallant soldier. He took the fight to the terrorists. His death has sent a panic to people in that area.

“I am aware that some people around that Chibok area have started thinking of relocating.

“Some want to go to Mubi and other places. We are trying to urge them to remain there. The insurgency is coming to an end.”

He was positive that the Nigerian Army has the capability to defeat ISWAP and their Libyan mercenaries.

He urged other security agencies and well-meaning residents in the communities to support the military to gain a decisive victory.

“This is not the end but the beginning of the end of terrorists. I know that the Army has what it takes to take the fight to them.

“There is a need to urge other security agencies to give the Army the needed support. We also need to urge vigilante groups to assist them,” he said.

He described the attack by ISWAP as a revenge mission saying the assailants arrived in the area with 10 gun trucks to carry out the attack.

“For now, we will assume that it was an isolated case. But the intensity with which they came is worrisome.

“They came with more than 10 gun trucks. They are also regrouping around Borno North. That’s the Lake Chad axis. The Military is aware and the Air Force is providing surveillance in the area.

“It was a revenge mission. The Army has been taking out key ISWAP commanders and they have their revenge.

“Last week for instance, they abducted relatives of the Emir of Askira. They also abducted some passengers along that road. If the Army sustains the tempo, we will win this insurgency.

“The equipment is arriving gradually. We are monitoring. As a committee, we will go and see what they have brought into the country. This is an improvement.

“The Army is very rapid in responding. The Army is involved in about 33 States now. They’re under pressure.” Ndume said

Boko Haram: Libyan Mercenaries helping ISWAP fighters in attack – Senator Ndume

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National News

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

Published

on

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

By: Michael Mike

Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.

The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.

The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.

“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.

Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.

He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.

Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.

The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.

NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.

She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.

A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.

Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.

Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.

Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End

Continue Reading

National News

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Published

on

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Continue Reading

National News

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Published

on

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights