Hundreds killed in northeast Nigeria attack.

Suspected Boko Haram fighters dressed as troops killed at least 200 people in three villages on Monday, witnesses say.

Boko Haram fighters dressed as soldiers have killed at least 200 civilians in three communities in northeastern Nigeria, witnesses have said. A community leader, who witnessed the killings three days earlier, said on Thursday that residents of the Gwoza local government district in Borno state had pleaded for the military to send soldiers to protect the area after they heard that the fighters were about to attack, but help did not arrive. It took a few days for survivors to get word of the massacres to Maiduguri, the provincial capital, because travel on the roads is extremely dangerous and phone connections are poor or nonexistent, the AP news agency reported. The killings in Attagara, Agapalawa and Aganjara villages were confirmed by both Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno and whose hometown is Gwoza, and by a top security official in Maiduguri. He insisted on anonymity, because he was not allowed to speak to the media. Years of violence Fighters from Boko Haram, which wants to establish Islamic law in Nigeria, have been taking over villages in the northeast, killing civilians and political leaders. Thousands of people have died in the five-year-old conflict, more than 2,000 so far just this year, and an estimated 750,000 Nigerians have been driven from their homes. The military has insisted that a big influx of troops, and a year-old state of emergency in three states - which gives them the power to detain suspects, take over buildings and lock down any area - has helped counter the group. But while Boko Haram has in large part been pushed out of cities in the northeast, they have been seizing villages where they once held sway, staking their claim by hoisting black flags with white Arabic lettering, and making large swathes of Nigeria no-go regions for the military.

Boko Haram Kidnaps Two Prominent Emirs In Borno State!

Boko Haram Kidnaps Two Prominent Emirs In Borno State!

The extremist Boko Haram sect has kidnapped two first class traditional rulers in Borno state – the Emir of Uba, Ismaila Mamza and the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta, security officials aware of the incidence have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The two emirs were seized by gun-wielding insurgents at 10a.m Friday near Shaffa while they were travelling to Gombe to attend the funeral of the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, who died on Tuesday evening at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

The two abducted emirs were elevated to First Class traditional ruler status only in January.

The Borno state government is yet to issue an official statement on the abduction.

The abduction came 46 days after the Boko Haram sect whisked away over 250 schoolgirls from their dormitories in Chibok.

Over 200 of the girls are yet to be freed.

Boko Haram Targets Adamawa State University.

Boko Haram Targets Adamawa State University.

Over the past two weeks school officials based at the Adamawa State University have been the recipients of written threats directed at them, but the source of the unspecified threats remain a mystery. The origins are unknown. Yet the threats, rather than being cast off as a malicious prank, are being taken seriously, as word of the letters has shaken both the student body and officials at the school. The atmosphere on campus, and in the surrounding area, can be best described as tense.

A source has told SaharaReporters that the letters are believed to be real, with school officials and the student body suspecting it is coming directly from the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram. 

As word of the letters making undetermined threats have surfaced, rumours, too, have circulated.  Compounding matters is that school officials have largely remained silent. Most of the students at Adamawa State University are fearful of an impending Boko Haram attack. Rumors are being taken seriously.

For example, most of the Adamawa State University students who use the only hostel available to men have not slept there over the past weekend.  The hostel, also known as ‘Barde Hall,’ according to a SaharaReporters source, was nearly empty of students beginning on Saturday evening.  Barde Hall, is also popularly known as "256" by many in the student body. It is a popular ‘hang out’ spot for many of the students attending. It is also seen as a safe space, and resting place, that normally has scores of students milling around outside during the academic year. Many of the students did not sleep, or ‘hang out’ at the hostel on Saturday night. It was ghostly quiet.

A student source told SaharaReporters that the atmosphere at the hostel worsened on Sunday night. In room A5, a student confided that, he was the only person that slept the night in his room.

Another student said that many of the occupants had fled to the nearby town to seek shelter instead, where they believe it to be a much safer place. Yet, the tension Monday morning picked-up, when students in Barde Hall awoke and found a letter placed on a wall that was written in the Hausa language. The letter, when translated into English, reads, "Last warning."

But this time around, it had a pound of flesh clipped to the letter. It dripped with blood, and was described as somewhat black in colour, though looking as if it was not long since this section of human flesh it was cut off.

This caused panic among many of the students at the hostel. They then openly questioned the  efforts of the university security men, and called them to the hall to remove the grisly letter. The students denied the letter was written and posted by a fellow student among them to thge arriving security men. They then demanded to see the schools’ vice chancellor.

 The Adamawa State University Vice Chancellor is Dr. Alkassum Abba, who arrived shortly afterwards, and addressed the students in a tense exchange over the letters and this latest note placed on a wall dripping with blood. Abba was peppered with many questions from the assembled students about school security. But to many in attendance Abba’s explanation was neither reassuring, or satisfying.  

The Vice Chancellor according to a SaharaReporters source reportedly insisted that nothing will change with the school's academic calendar. Strangely, the students were told that their exams will be held as earlier scheduled. As it stands now, many of the Adamawa State University students have packed their bags, and also, reportedly, packing out of the hostel.

 The "256" is in a place many of the departing students feel is especially vulnerable, in large part because, physically, it is isolated, and neighbored by bush, with just a few farms located behind the building. In short, for many it is too easy a target with a school administration almost detached from their concerns over whether the threatening letters received are real, or not.

Culled from SaharaReporters

My services are still available – Boko Haram Negotiator, Ahmad Salkida

My services are still available – Boko Haram Negotiator, Ahmad Salkida.

 

 

According to Punch: Northern-born journalist widely reported to have strong ties with the Boko Haram sect, Ahmad Salkida, has said that he is still readily available to render his services to bring an end to the insurgency in the country. Salkida was said to be close to the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, as well as many top shots of the group.

He had since fled to the United Arab Emirates on account of an alleged threat to his life over what he described as his “professional closeness” to the insurgents.

“My first-rate exclusive reports on the insurgency in northern Nigeria served by the Boko Haram militant group unsettled a section of the local authorities. This consequently led to threats to my life. I now live with my family and work part-time in the United Arab Emirates,” a post on his LinkedIn page read.

But, writing on Twitter, Salkida stated that despite being “gagged for doing his work dutifully and lawfully,” he is still willing to make use of his “rare” working relationship with members of the sect to restore peace to northern Nigeria.

According to him, terrorism as seen today in the country is a tactic used by “a few extremists” against an overwhelmingly peaceful population.

“There is nothing wrong in having professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives and promote peaceful co-existence. I will forever be readily available to use my rare professional access and knowledge to end this madness and senseless violence in Nigeria.

“Speculations should not becloud the fact that there are many well-meaning patriots, including myself, that are working quietly day and night for peace. Nigeria is our country. We have no other country to call our own. So let’s get it right. I love Nigeria, I cherish its unity. I will do anything legitimately to make it better than it is, if I can,” he wrote on his Twitter feed.

The 40-year-old who grew up in Maiduguri, Borno State added that the most effective way the Federal Government can fight terrorism was to “study those behind it and review what strategy works and what doesn’t work.”

He also urged Nigerians to unite against the Boko Haram insurgency by not seeing it as a menace ravaging the northern Nigeria but a threat to the entire country. Calling on Nigerians to render “unconditional support” to the military, he counselled the armed forces to endeavour to be “more accountable” in the ongoing war against the insurgents.

Salkida frowned on summary killing of Boko Haram detainees, saying the development amounted to extrajudicial executions opposed by international laws. “Is there a good understanding of the structure, composition and lifeline of the Boko Haram by our leaders? Has there been a counter-terrorism strategy in Nigeria that has worked in the last three years beyond summary execution and detention without trial?

“Will the Boko Haram crisis end? It may never be totally eliminated, but a cohesive community that trusts its authorities can curb it. The day we begin to see this war as a threat to Nigeria and not a threat to the Beroms, Christians or Muslims, that is the beginning of our victory,” he added. Confronting terrorism, he argued, would be futile if the Federal Government does not move to confront “lesser evils” which he reeled out as corruption, electoral fraud and bad governance.

The journalist, who has won grants from organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalist and Reporters without Borders, carpeted President Goodluck Jonathan for blaming the opposition for terrorism.

“I’m frustrated each time my dear President blames the opposition and the opposition blames him. You all need to sit down in the interest of Nigeria and learn. How can this crisis stop when security and political leaders, with the onus of responsibility for public safety, politicise insurgency?

“This is a case of corrosive doctrine that is poorly managed by the authorities. If effective measures are not taken today, at the end of GEJ’s administration – whether it is General Muhammodu Buhari, (Babatunde) Fashola or Atiku (Abubakar) that is taking over – the crisis will intensify. It’s not who is in power.The central theme of the Boko Haram insurgency is to undermine the institution of democracy and those that support it,” he added in a series of tweets.

Boko Haram Attacks Nigerian Military Base, Police Station | Kills 40 Soldiers, Policemen In Yobe.

Boko Haram Attacks Nigerian Military Base, Police Station | Kills 40 Soldiers, Policemen In Yobe.

 

According to Punch: Boko Haram insurgents continued their rampage on Monday night, killing 49 security operatives and civilians in two communities in Yobe and Borno states.

In the attack on Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, they left 20 soldiers and 20 policemen dead while in   Chinene, Gwoza LGA of Borno State, they cut the lives of nine civilians short.

The Divisional Police Officer   and the Divisional Crime Officer of the Police Station in Bunu Yadi were believed to be among the victims of the attack by the insurgents who stormed the town with an Armoured Personnel Carrier and Toyota Hilux vans. Residents said the attackers dressed in camouflage and   hoisted Boko Haram’s flag on the APC and the vans.

They said   the gunmen, on arrival moved straight to the military formation in the town from where they launched the attack which lasted over two hours. The attackers were said to have set the military formation, LG secretariat, the divisional police station, the area court, the district head’s residence and office as well as some residential quarters ablaze.

The palace of the Emir, Alhaji Muktar Gangaran, was also vandalised by the insurgents during the attack, the third on Buni Yadi this year. One of the residents, who declined to give his name said, “We counted up to 20 dead soldiers and 20 policemen when the attackers left our village after operating for almost two hours. “They overpowered the   security operatives on duty and also burnt the military base and police station in the town .”

Another resident, Mallam Modibbo Kawu, said the insurgents told them not to be scared because they were on reprisal against the military. “They told us not to be afraid because they were in Buni Yadi on a reprisal against   the military for attacking them in Alagarno last week,” he said.

“I can confirm to you that several police, soldiers and mobile policemen were killed. Their corpses were taken to the Damaturu Specialist Hospital,” he said. But military sources, who asked not to be named, claimed that 14 soldiers and 11 policemen lost their lives. They regretted that the attack claimed the lives of many of their colleagues.

Reuters’ account of the attack had it that 24 security personnel lost their lives. It quoted security sources and civilian witness as saying   that the   attack occurred not far from where the insurgents shot or burned to death 59 pupils at a boarding school in February.

The spokesman for the military in Yobe State, Lt. Eli Lazarus, could not be reached for comment on the attack. The state commissioner of police Mr. Markus K. Danladi, who visited the scene, said he could not give the casualty figure because he was still getting the details. In Chinene, the insurgents killed nine civilians, and set ablaze churches and residential buildings. They were said to have hoisted their flag on some structures in Ashigashiya ward in the community, thus depicting its conquest.

According to sources, many people sustained serious bullet wounds while   others were forced to take refuge in nearby bushes and surrounding hills. An LG   official, Nglamuda Ibrahim, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, said many of his extended family members and friends displaced in the attack had been calling for assistance since Monday night.

Ibrahim said, “As we speak now, I am still receiving distress calls from them; they are all calling for help. No soldier and no policeman   had gone there yet.’’

“The Boko Haram gunmen mounted their flags in Ashigashiya ward   showing that it was now under their control.

“Last night, six churches were burnt, eight persons were killed   and several others seriously injured. We cannot count the number of houses that were burnt in Chinene village of Chikide-Joghode-Kaghum ward.

“The insurgents also attacked Amuda village in Chikide-Joghode-Kaghum ward where one person was killed and several others injured.

“All we are doing now is calling on the military authorities in the state to quickly go up there and help us rescue those poor villagers, their wives and children.”

He listed the names of some of those killed in Chinene village as Bulama Dajiba, Bulama John, Haruna Wadda, Bitrus Kurma, Haruna Kwatha, Haruna Waruda, and Shaibu Galva. A top security officer, who did not want his name in print, said, “We all have received the report from Chinene village. It was really another sad episode and we learnt that the insurgents hoisted their flag in Ashigashiya.” The Police Public Relations Officer,   Gideon Jubrin, could not be reached as all his telephone lines were switched off. Meanwhile, former president Olusegun Obasanjo has met with people close to Boko Haram in an attempt to secure the release of the   schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok by the sect.

The meeting which took place last weekend at Obasanjo’s farm in   Ogun State, had   the   relatives of some senior Boko Haram fighters and intermediaries in attendance, Agence France Presse quoted a source on Tuesday as saying .

“The meeting was focused on how to free the girls through negotiation,” said the source who requested anonymity.

Obasanjo had previously sought to negotiate with the insurgents after Boko Haram bombed the United Nations headquarters in Abuja. Then, he flew to   Maiduguri to meet relatives of former Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in police custody in 2009. The 2011 talks did not help stem the violence and some at the time doubted if Obasanjo was dealing with people who were legitimately capable of negotiating a ceasefire.

A source told AFP that Obasanjo had voiced concern about Nigeria’s acceptance of foreign military personnel to help rescue the girls. He was quoted to have said he was worried that Nigeria’s prestige in Africa as a major continental power had been diminished by President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to bring in Western military help, including from the United States.

Mustapha Zanna, the lawyer who helped organise Obasanjo’s 2011 talks with Boko Haram, said he was at the former President’s home on Saturday. But he declined to discuss whether the Chibok abductions were on the agenda.

“I was there,” he told AFP, adding that Obasanjo was interested in helping orphans and vulnerable children in   troubled North-East.

It was not clear if Obasanjo’s weekend meeting had been sanctioned by the government.

According to a source, Obasanjo supported a prisoner-for-hostage swap that would see the abducted girls released in exchange for a group of Boko Haram fighters. Meanwhile, Cameroon has deployed some 1,000 troops and Armoured Personnel Carriers in its border region with Nigeria to counter a rising threat from Boko Haram.

“Their mission will be to carry out reconnaissance and be ready to respond with enough fire power,” Cameroon’s Army spokesman, Lt.Col. Didier Badjeck, told Reuters by telephone from Yaounde on Tuesday. Boko Haram, which outraged international opinion with the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State on April 14,   has also carried out attacks in northern Cameroon.