Nigeria recaptures Gwoza from Boko Haram: military

Nigeria’s military on Friday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year.
“Troops this morning captured Gwoza destroying the Headquarters of the Terrorists self-styled Caliphate,” Defence Headquarters in Abuja said on Twitter
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/nigeria-recaptures-gwoza-from-boko-haram-military/#sthash.wDp9l5ex.dpuf

Photos: TY Danjuma visits President Jonathan

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN  WITH THE CHAIRMAN VICTIMS SUPPORT FUND, GEN THEOPHILUS DANJUMA AFTER A MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA ON  WEDNESDAY (11/3/15)

Courtesy: State House Photo

PRESIDENT JONATHAN VISITS NIGERIAN SOLDIERS IN MAIDUGURI, SALUTES THEIR COURAGE AND PATRIOTISM

PRESIDENT JONATHAN VISITS NIGERIAN SOLDIERS IN MAIDUGURI, SALUTES THEIR COURAGE AND PATRIOTISM
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan undertook a surprise visit to Maiduguri Thursday on the occasion of Nigeria's Armed Forces Remembrance Day to meet with officers and men of the Armed Forces currently in the frontline of the war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, President Jonathan visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to the nation.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN ASSURES PEOPLE OF KANO OF ENHANCED SECURITY

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT JONATHAN ASSURES PEOPLE OF KANO OF ENHANCED SECURITY IN THE WAKE OF ATTACK ON COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan commiserates with citizens and residents of Kano State on the loss of lives sustained today during the attack by terrorists on the Federal College of Education, Kano.

President Jonathan's sympathies and best wishes for a speedy recovery are also with all those who suffered injuries in the dastardly attack.

The President commends the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force who took prompt action to confront the attackers and minimize resultant casualties.

He urges them to be even more alert and proactive in the future to stop terrorist attacks in Kano and other parts of the country.

President Jonathan reassures the people of Kano and all Nigerians that the Federal Government continues to do all within its powers to further enhance the ability of the Police, Armed Forces and other security agencies to prosecute the war against terrorism to a successful conclusion and provide greater security of lives and property across the country.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 17, 2014

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF ACCUSATION AGAINST FORMER GOVERNOR

PRESIDENT JONATHAN DID NOT TAKE ALI MODU SHERIFF TO CHAD, WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH  ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF ACCUSATION AGAINST FORMER GOVERNOR
We have noted with surprise, the unnecessary hue and cry raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other bigoted critics of the Jonathan Administration over the claim that the President is "hobnobbing" with the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff who was recently accused by the Australian, Stephen Davis of being one of the chief sponsors of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
The totally erroneous basis for that charge was the spurious claim that Senator Sheriff accompanied President Jonathan on his recent trip to Ndjamena as a member of his entourage.
Although Senator Sheriff himself has already given the lie to that claim through his Media Adviser, the Presidency wishes to affirm, for the purpose of emphasis, that the former Borno State governor was not on President Jonathan's delegation to Chad.
In keeping with President Jonathan's commitment to transparency and openness in the conduct of government business, names of the key members of his delegation were announced a day before his trip to Ndjamena.

I butcher human beings in 2 minutes, says Boko Haram chief killer

Chief Butcher Zakari Mohammed Ardo

ABUJA — The Chief Butcher of the Boko Haram sect, Zakari Mohammed Ardo, yesterday, gave a chilling description of how the terrorist group used to slaughter people they capture, saying it only takes him two minutes to butcher victims and enemies condemned to death.
Ardo, who had been reported in some media (not Vanguard) as having escaped from Police custody, said the group’s butchering committee was made up of five persons of which he is the chairman, pointing out that the other members will hold down the already tired victim while he cuts off the head.
Speaking through an interpreter in Kanuri, the ‘Chief Butcher’ who claims to be 30 years old and from Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State,  said: “I joined the Boko Haaram group two years ago. Before I was arrested, I have slaughtered five people.”

ABATI: Nigeria’s offensive against Boko Haram

The concern that has been expressed over the abduction of more than 200 girls from a secondary school in Nigeria since April 14 is legitimate and understandable. What is not fair, and which stands out in many of the criticisms directed at the Nigerian government, is the attempt to ignore the issues and argue that President Goodluck Jonathan is the problem. This attempt to turn the matter of the abducted girls into a referendum on the Jonathan administration has resulted in a complete misreading of the situation and much deliberate mischief fueled by ignorance and sponsored propaganda.
Take for example, Karen Attiah’s morbid satire, “What Nigerian president should have written” (The Washington Post, July 3). The piece merely repeats worn misconceptions about the Chibok incident and the efforts of the Jonathan administration in Nigeria to find and rescue the abducted girls.

Adamawa Assembly moves to impeach Nyako, Deputy

Murtala Nyako

• ‘Speaker wants to be governor’

• Associates allege plot to oust Amaechi

AN investigation into the activities of Adamawa top government officials over an alleged massive fraud by them Wednesday reached its climax as the Assembly members directed the Clark of the House to serve an impeachment notice on Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy Mr. Bala Ngillari.

   Citing several constitutional breaches by the embattled governor, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Laori Kwamoti, moved a motion for the impeachment of the governor, arguing that Nyako had grossly violated his oath of office.

Sudan didn’t frustrate Nyanya suspect’s extradition –Envoy

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche

The Arab Republic of Sudan has said that the process of extraditing one of the masterminds of the April 14,2014 Nyanya blast, Sadiq Ogwuche, is on course and cannot be frustrated.

Contrary to a report that the Sudanese government had blocked the repatriation of the terror suspect, Sudan stated that no such thing happened, stressing that Ogwuche would be extradited to Nigeria as soon as the necessary formalities were concluded.

It stated that the extradition process was being handled by the International Criminal Police, otherwise known as INTERPOL, noting that the suspect would be brought back to Nigeria to stand trial for his crimes.

486 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Abia

A cross-section of the suspected Boko Haram insurgents
arrested in Abia State... on Monday

There was heightened fear in parts of the South-East on Monday as news spread that hundreds of persons suspected to be Boko Haram members were arrested in Abia State.

The suspects, including eight women, were said to have been arrested along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway by soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in the Ukwa West Local Government Area on Sunday.

Their arrest occurred some hours after security operatives detonated improvised explosive devices planted on the premises of a branch of the Living Faith World Bible Church (a.k.a. Winners Chapel) in Owerri, Imo State.

Jonathan’s critics should come up with good ideas – Abati

In this interview with ANULE EMMANUEL, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, speaks on the Jonathan administration’s efforts at addressing security challenges in the country as well as its reforms.

As one of the President’s handlers, does it worry you the way some persons attack the President?

We are in a political dispensation and we have an opposition that is hyper active and likes to pick on the government and the President on a regular basis. My position is that in a democracy and under an administration that encourages the freedom of expression, you cannot rule out a situation where people will insist on their freedom of expression and say whatever they like, as long as the media encourages them and gives them the platform to express themselves.

50 TERRORISTS DIE AS TROOPS AVERT RAID ON COMMUNITIES

DHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI                                                                                                   9 June 2014

 PRESS RELEASE: 50 TERRORISTS DIE AS TROOPS AVERT RAID ON COMMUNITIES

Troops conducting anti-terrorists campaign in North-Eastern Nigeria have successfully averted attempted massive raid on villages in Borno and Adamawa States during the weekend.  The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops along  Bilta, Borno state on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.

The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday.  Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 Hand Grenades, 7 Machine guns and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops.  Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, 6 smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as 4 vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.

The four soldiers who were wounded in the operation are currently receiving medical treatment in the military medical facility.

CHRIS OLUKOLADE
Major General
Director Defence Information

#BringBackOurGirls: Why we want dialogue option — Abati

In this interview with Ben Agande, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, speaks on why the Federal Government will not swap Boko Haram detainees with the Chibok schoolgirls abducted on April 14, some 50 days ago.
He, however, says government is ready to integrate Boko Haram members who lay down their arms and renounce terrorism back to the Nigerian family.
Excerpts:
The President has met with several world leaders since the abduction of the Chibok girls. What have these meetings produced?
The reach out to the international community and the acceptance of offers of support and expression of solidarity by various countries and multilateral institutions has been very productive and fruitful.
The President welcomes any offer of assistance and help. What has been achieved with all these efforts: the Paris meeting, the meeting with the President of the Republic of Congo and the meeting in South Africa on the sidelines of the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma is that the President of Nigeria has been able to mobilise international cooperation.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDEMNS KILLING OF EMIR OF GWOZA, RESTATES CALL FOR NIGERIANS TO UNITE AGAINST TERRORISM

Alh. Idrissa Shehu Timta
Late Emir of Gwoza

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDEMNS KILLING OF EMIR OF GWOZA, RESTATES CALL FOR NIGERIANS TO UNITE AGAINST TERRORISM

President Goodluck Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the government and people of Borno State as well as Northern Traditional Rulers on the death yesterday of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Shehu Timta.

President Jonathan utterly condemns the heinous murder of the Emir by brigands and terrorists who waylaid the convoy in which he was travelling with two other Emirs.

The President believes that the brazen attack and the wanton slaying of the respected traditional ruler reinforces the vital need, which he emphasized in his Democracy Day Broadcast, for all patriotic Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from, their religions or political loyalties, to come together and work with urgency and complete unity of purpose to quickly end the murderous attacks by terrorists and insurgents that continue to threaten the security, cohesion and well-being of the nation.

President Jonathan reassures the nation that Nigeria's Armed Forces and security agencies will continue to receive all the empowerment and support they require from the Federal Government to speedily give maximum effect to his orders that they take all necessary action to stop the brigands, terrorists and insurgents who descended to new depths of infamy yesterday with the dastardly killing of a First Class Traditional Ruler.

The President prays that Almighty Allah will receive the soul of the slain Emir and grant his family and subjects the equanimity to bear his loss.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
May 31, 2014

Abati denies Minister's Amnesty Claim

A sharp disagreement and confusion emerged on Saturday over the offer of amnesty by the Federal Government to members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
The Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna had on Thursday during a programme to mark the nation's Democracy Day titled 'A day with young leaders of Nigeria.' announced that the President had offered amnesty to the insurgents in his determination to bring the ongoing violent attacks to an end.
President Jonathan, who spoke at the occasion after Boni Haruna made the comment, did not make any reference to the Minister's remarks.
Haruna, at the function said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace."

B’Haram: Army begins mass recruitment

Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday announced the commencement of recruitment into the service.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Olajide Laleye, said during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday that the exercise, which started with online registration for interested applicants would come to an end on June 21, 2014.

Laleye advised that only those who would be willing to fight in the North-East should volunteer for the recruitment.

State of emergency: Senate summons security chiefs

The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution, summoning the Minister of Defence, his colleague in the Police Affairs Ministry, the Chief of Defence Staff, National Security Adviser, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, to appear before it on Thursday. The affected security chiefs and their bosses according to the senators, were being invited in connection with the request of President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking an extension of the state of emergency declared on three states in the North-East about a year ago.

Army arrests Boko Haram Terrorist in Taraba

The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday said that a group of terrorists, operating under the guise of herdsmen at a camp in the outskirts of Wukari in Taraba, had been arrested.
It said other members of the group were killed during an encounter with the military at a check point at Gindin Dorowa, a suburb of Wukari.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued by Major-General Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information, in Abuja.
Olukolade said that one of the arrested armed men confessed to being a combatant for the terrorist group in Borno and was recently brought to Wukari area in furtherance of their mission.

B’Haram crisis temporary, says Jonathan

Jonathan was initially billed to attend the centenary birthday service of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odulana Odugade. President Goodluck Jonathan,  who cancelled his planned trip to Ibadan, Oyo State, visited the scene of the explosion amidst tight security. He  arrived the scene at 12.20am with the President of the Senate, David Mark, and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu. Security chiefs, led by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who arrived ahead, briefed the President  and showed him the spot, where the bomb was detonated.

Our ordeal in B’Haram’s den –Female abductees

Two women abducted by Boko Haram insurgents  in the North-East have given a rare account of life as captives.

While one who  was held captive for 15 days, said she had a marriage proposal from one of the Islamist militants, the other said she was almost turned into a killer.

“They asked me if I am Christian or Muslim. I said I am a Christian,” said 23-year-old Liatu, as she recounted her ordeal   in the hands of Boko Haram members to theBritish Broadcasting Corporation.

“On the 11th day (in captivity), they brought a man to me and said that he liked me and that  I should convert to Islam so that he can marry me,” she added in the report published by the BBC on Monday.