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TERRORISTS HOLD HIGH COURT JUDGE’S FAMILY FOR RANSOM, DEMAND $500,000

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months

1 min read

A devastating kidnapping saga is unfolding in Borno State, where Boko Haram terrorists are holding the family of Justice Haruna Mshelia, a High Court judge, for ransom. The terrorists are demanding a staggering $500,000 in exchange for the safe release of the judge’s wife, police orderly, and driver. The family’s ordeal began on June 24, 2024, when Justice Mshelia was abducted along with his wife, Binta Othman, a magistrate, and their driver. Although the judge was released on September 8 after a substantial ransom was paid, his family members remain in captivity. According to sources, the family managed to scrape together almost $50,000, but the terrorists rejected the offer, insisting on the full $500,000. The situation has left the family in a state of desperation, with no clear end in sight. The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, declined to comment on the matter, requesting more time to consult with relevant authorities. Meanwhile, efforts to reach Justice Haruna Mshelia for comment have been unsuccessful.

SUSPECTED BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS KILL POLICE INSPECTOR’S SONS, SET HOUSE ABLAZE

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months

2 min read

A gruesome attack occurred in Buni Yadi town, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, where suspected Boko Haram terrorists broke into the house of Police Inspector Malam Jibrin, killing his two sons and setting their corpses and the house ablaze. According to a security source close to the family, the incident happened on Monday morning around 1 am at Shuwari Baban Layi area of the town. Inspector Jibrin, the crime officer of Buni Yadi station, was in the house when the terrorists arrived but managed to escape by scaling the fence. The source stated, “Fortunately, he scaled the fence and escaped. Infuriated by that, the insurgents slaughtered his two sons, aged 25 and 27 years, and set their corpses and the house ablaze.” The terrorists operated uninterrupted from 1 am to 1:54 am, leaving residents in a state of panic. A vigilante revealed that the insurgents responsible for the attack live in the Buk and Talala area, approximately 30 km east of Buni Yadi. He noted, “As it is now, nobody dares go up to the Damboa axis. Everybody, including the military, are aware. It was the same area where they ambushed the military last month and killed the army commandant and an unspecified number of soldiers and vigilantes.” Residents of Buni Yadi, neighboring the hometown of Governor Mai Mala Buni, expressed their concerns about the safety of the area. Muhammad Garba, a resident, said, “Now, people cannot sleep with their eyes closed, because with what is happening recently on the road and within the town, nowhere is safe.”

US DENIES FUNDING BOKO HARAM, REITERATES SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA

Nicolas Adekeye / 2 months

2 min read

The United States government has categorically denied allegations that it has been funding Boko Haram, a terrorist organization that has been wreaking havoc in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. The denial was made by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., who described the allegations as false and reiterated the US government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism. The allegations were initially made by US Congressman Scott Perry, who claimed that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) had been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, to the tune of $697 million annually. However, Ambassador Mills Jr. stated that there was “absolutely no evidence” to support the claim, and that the US government would immediately investigate any evidence of funding being diverted to Boko Haram. “We stand with the Nigerian government and its people in their fight against terrorism and are committed to supporting efforts to eliminate the threat posed by Boko Haram and other extremist groups,” Ambassador Mills Jr. said. He also noted that the US government had labelled Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization since 2013, and had policies and procedures in place to prevent USAID funding from being diverted to terrorist groups. Boko Haram has been causing havoc in North East Nigeria for over 15 years, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions. The US government’s denial of funding the group is a welcome development, and its commitment to supporting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism is a positive step towards ending the insurgency.

NIGERIA REUNITES OVER 5,000 REPENTED BOKO HARAM FIGHTERS WITH FAMILIES

Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months

2 min read

In a significant milestone in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, the National Counter Terrorism Centre has announced that over 5,000 repented Boko Haram fighters have been reunited with their families. This achievement is a result of the Operation Safe Corridor program, a deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration initiative for ex-Boko Haram fighters. According to Amb. Mairo Musa Abbas, Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), none of the ex-combatants have returned to the battlefield after completing the six-month deradicalization program. Abbas attributed this success to the effective monitoring mechanism in place, which involves collaborators from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and traditional and religious leaders within the communities. The repented fighters have acquired skills during their time in the camp, which they are now using to sustain themselves within their communities. Abbas noted that the “Borno Model,” a state-led strategy aimed at reintegrating individuals who left extremist groups like Boko Haram, has complemented the federal government’s efforts to promote peace in the country. “We always said ‘Borno Model’ is a model of necessity, but we have recorded a lot of success with the Model because many repented fighters have been reunited with their families,” Abbas said. Abbas called on governors in the Lake Chad region and stakeholders to harmonize their strategies to address common issues and ensure a unified approach to counter-terrorism efforts.

MOTHER AND CHILD AMONG SEVERAL KILLED IN CHIBOK VILLAGE BOMB BLAST

Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months

2 min read

A devastating incident occurred on Monday in Sikarkur village, Chibok Local Government, Borno State, as a notorious terrorist sect, Boko Haram, attacked the village, leaving many dead, including a mother and child. The tragedy occurred when a civilian vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) reportedly planted by the Islamic State-affiliated faction of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to local sources, the IED was likely intended to target military vehicles patrolling the area. “Yesterday, Boko Haram set a trap bomb on a road in Sikarkur village for soldiers. Sadly, a civilian vehicle ran over it, killing many people, including a mother and her baby,” a resident revealed. The sister who was with her and others are receiving treatment at Chibok General Hospital. This incident is part of a series of recent attacks by ISWAP in the region, including the burning of a church and multiple homes in neighboring communities. Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has increased its operations in Northern Nigeria, particularly around Lake Chad. The group has absorbed many former Boko Haram fighters, bolstering its ranks and intensifying its activities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. The use of IEDs and ambush tactics continues to pose a significant challenge for military forces combating insurgency in the region. These attacks have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displaced millions over the years. Chibok gained international attention in April 2014 following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram, sparking global outrage and advocacy for their release. While some of the girls have been rescued, others remain unaccounted for. The Nigerian government and military continue efforts to address insurgency threats, but attacks like these underscore the persistent security challenges in the region.

VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA MOURNS DAMBOA FALLEN SOLDIERS

Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
0
2 min read

Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the soldiers who lost their lives repelling the terrorist attack in Damboa, Borno State, as eternal heroes whose sacrifices will never be in vain. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, revealed in a statement that Vice President Shettima also reaffirmed his deep sorrow and firm solidarity with the families of the heroic soldiers. Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Vice President Shettima noted that the military recorded a decisive victory in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts but regretted that the price of freedom is eternally steep. “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I received news of our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation in Damboa. These six valiant soldiers demonstrated exceptional courage in the face of danger by protecting their fellow citizens,” Vice President Shettima said. Nkwocha stated that the attack, which took place in Sabon Gari, involved terrorists attempting to ambush troops at a Forward Operating Base. The soldiers’ decisive response, bolstered by reinforcements and air support from Operation HADIN KAI, not only neutralised 34 terrorists but also led to the troops recovering weapons and ammunition and largely weakening the attackers’ capabilities. Vice President Shettima lauded the soldiers’ heroism, saying, “Their sacrifices remind us of the extraordinary price of peace and security. These heroes died ensuring that their fellow Nigerians can live in safety, free from the scourge of insecurity that has impacted our country.” Nkwocha added that Vice President Shettima reassured the grieving families that their beloved children did not die in vain, noting that “their sacrifices will be forever remembered in our nation’s history, and their memory will continue to inspire future generations of Nigerians.” Vice President Shettima also commended the armed forces, saying, “To our armed forces, your unwavering commitment to protecting our citizens, even at the cost of your own lives, fills us with profound gratitude and respect. We will continue to support you and provide all necessary resources to ensure you can carry out your duties effectively.” Nkwocha stated that the Vice President further urged Nigerians to honour the fallen heroes by standing firm in the collective pursuit of peace and security. “May Allah grant our fallen heroes Aljannah Firdaus, comfort their families, and give us all the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” VP Shettima prayed.

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TERRORISTS HOLD HIGH COURT JUDGE’S FAMILY FOR RANSOM, DEMAND $500,000

SUSPECTED BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS KILL POLICE INSPECTOR’S SONS, SET HOUSE ABLAZE

US DENIES FUNDING BOKO HARAM, REITERATES SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA

NIGERIA REUNITES OVER 5,000 REPENTED BOKO HARAM FIGHTERS WITH FAMILIES

MOTHER AND CHILD AMONG SEVERAL KILLED IN CHIBOK VILLAGE BOMB BLAST

VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA MOURNS DAMBOA FALLEN SOLDIERS

GOVERNOR UMO ENO TURNS 61, REQUESTS.

THE LASTING LEGACIES OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU.

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