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Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

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Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital in northeast Nigeria on Sunday raised concern over the reported attack of the governor’s convoy and his plans to return internally displaced persons back to their villages. The concern raised by some residents who felt that the governor was rather rushing the IDPs for some political reasons. 

According to them, with what is still happening and the attack on his convoy when he visited the northern part of Borno state is enough to know that all is not well. 

“Report on Saturday said that it took the intervention of a quick reinforcement to salvage the situation. The military fought for nearly two hours to repel the insurgence who attacked fiercely the governor’s convoy forcing him to cut short a trip to the northern part of Malam Fatori where he was to go for an assessment of the security situation in the area.” Lawal Ahmadu, a resident of Maiduguri said.

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had earlier during the visit to some part of northern Borno pledged to return IDPs back home by the end of November 2021. 

However, the attack on his convoy in the northern part of Malam Fatori in Abadam local government area of Borno state indicated that much still needs to be done to liberate the area of the ISWAP elements who continued to show resistance by showing their presence in that part of the state.

“There are too many of them (ISWAP) still occupying parts of Abadam local government.” Umar Haruna, an indigene of Abadam and a civil servant in Borno state told ABC NEWS in Maiduguri. ” This attack shows that it would be suicidal as we often say for the governor to return the IDPs by November 2021 as he constantly remind them. I have over ten people living in my house. It is not that they do not want to go back but they know and we all know the situation on ground better than what the governor was being fed with.” He said

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

Also one of the military sources told ABC NEWS that people tend to refer to the conflict as 12 years conflict. By that many people are also thinking that the war was over in the last 12 years. But according to him, “We are fighting still from one phase of the conflict to another. Truth is the war is ongoing. The ISWAP elements are still coming out to show their presence.” He said.

On the governor’s plans to return IDPs back home he said, ” Well, no one can stop the governor of he thinks all is well and he wants to return his people back to their homes. Our job is to make security available to the people however we can. But the governor also know that the situation is not over. If he did not know then that is something everybody should be worried about.” He added.

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

Also Read: Police refutes claim that Bandits kill 20 Security Officers…

Sanusi Liman, a politician in Borno state while reacting to the issue and recent attack on the governor’s convoy said, ” There is the need for the government both at state and federal level to begin to see this beyond the eyes of politics and do the needful. The lives of the c’mon man cannot continued to be played with in this circumstances. Reports on ground was indicating heavy presence of ISWAP elements and their capacity to attack military bases and convoy for an one or two while reports on papers was indicating a different scenarios. I think this is becoming more of a problem beyond what people are seeing on the surface.”

A military source has said that, ” Troops have battle the insurgents for over an hour to bring the situation under control. Such a length of exchange of gunfire was not something to take lightly. It was a battle.”

John Amos, a resident of Maiduguri observed that, “with what happened if truth be told returning the Borno IDPs back home at this time could result in regrets, as such in as much as the governor desire the IDPs to be returned home as many of them also were convinced that they want to go back home, it is needful that the government put aside the governor idea now and pursue concrete steps that would result in ending the conflict first before moving people back to their ancestral homes.”

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

Malam Factory, which is located 5km away from the Niger republic border town of Bosso have been left empty since 2014 when the people were force to flee their homes and take refuge in Niger.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had earlier this month promised to shut down all IDP camps across Maiduguri the Borno state capital and has shown determination to ending continued stay in the IDP camps by people fleeing insurgency in the state. He reiterated his concern and determination last week when he visited Nigerian refugees in Bosso, Niger republic but whether the attack on his convoy will change his plan is what the people of Borno state are waiting to know.

In the last 12 years of insurgency about 350,000 people were estimated to have been killed. Also millions of people have been displaced according to United Nations Development Programme estimates. 

Both the governor’s spokesman Malam Isa Gusau and the Army Spokesman Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu however could not comment on the development.

Borno Residents raised concern over plans to return IDPs after ISWAP attacked Governor Zulum Convoy in Malam Fatori

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News

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

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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

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Military

Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves

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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

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

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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

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