Terrorism

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Some villages in Zamfara State’s Zurmi LGA have to pay a “compensation charge” of varying amounts.

Aliyu Buhari, a resident of Moriki, one of the settlements in the local council, claimed that the bandits had demanded payment of the levy through released hostages before allowing villagers access their farmlands.

According to Buhari, some villages have paid the bandits and reached a reconciliation agreement with them.

He also noted that people in Moriki are actively striving to increase the tax.

He was quoted as saying, “People living in Moriki ward were asked to pay the sum of N20 million to be able to enjoy some level of peace.”

There have recently been reports of abduction in the state as the bandits have yet to demand a ransom for some of the abductees.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The United Kingdom has warned its citizens in the United States (US) that terrorists are planning to perpetrate an attack on the US.

It also urged its residents there to remain cautious and stay away from public gatherings.

In a new travel warning to British people in the US on Friday, the UK stated that terrorists may target crowded areas, places where foreigners congregate, or transportation routes.

This may be related to the security warning issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to Americans in New Jersey regarding terrorist attacks on synagogues.

Recall that a week ago the US and the UK issued security alerts warning that terrorists were preparing an attack on Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Three people were reportedly killed as unknown gunmen descended on Tse-Ikem, Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the incident, which happened twice, took place on Friday and involved a young man while the other one that led to the death of two people took place on Sunday.

A community leader, who confirmed the development to the Daily Trust on the condition of anonymity, said the incident which occurred near Arufu rural town caused pandemonium among the residents.

“On Sunday October 23, 2022 at about 6 pm, Mr Aondona Saai and Mr Avalumun Ukerchia Adaa all of Tse-Igbur in Ukemberagya of Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council ward of Logo LGA were murdered at Tse Ikem on the road near Anawah settlement between Chembe and Anyiin road,” the community leader said.

Solome Tor, the Chairman of Logo LGA, Salome Tor, confirmed the development to journalists in the state.

He said, “On Sunday at about 5 pm, two men on a motorcycle with a lady were ambushed by those who butchered them.

“They (gunmen) left the woman and she ran into the bush, so that was how we were able to know what happened.

“There have been selected killings of people and the target is the men not women per se… we have a high patrol of security agencies. Even on Friday, they killed one young man and burnt his motorcycle.”

At the time of filing this report, the police in the state said they were yet to receive any report about the happening.

By Uzair Adam claim

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) accused the Federal Government of masterminding insecurity in the southeastern part of the country.

A statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, disclosed this on Saturday.

The statement said the federal government aimed to cause fear and accuse the group members of such plans.

It added that the group has no intention to disrupt the election in Igbo-land come 2023 general elections.

It also disclosed that the circulating claim that the group planned to disrupt the 2023 general election was false.

However, in a recent video that went viral on social media, Mr. Simon Ekpa, said the group would not let any election to hold in Biafraland.

He said in the video, “The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not and will not be violent agitation.

“This explains our consistent demand for the United Nations (UN) to organize a referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny. To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encourage or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt the Nigeria shambolic selection process called election.

“IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimize the aberration they call election in Nigeria.

“We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not political thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people from subjugation and from modern day slavery and neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective,” he stated.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A rival battle broke out between the late Abubakar Shekau’s Boko Haram faction and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.

The Thursday incident also led to the killing of notorious commander Kundu and several other fighters at Dikwa and Bama local government areas of Borno State.

Reports disclosed that Kundu and his team members were on a robbery mission when ISWAP stormed them on six motorcycles, conveying three fighters on each, carrying deadly machine guns.

A security analyst and a counter-insurgency in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the fight.

He said, “A heavy fight ensued between the terrorists resulting to dozens of casualties on the side of the Boko Haram terrorists, while few ISWAP terrorists were wounded.

“The Boko Haram terrorists took to their heels, leaving their motorcycles to the ISWAP terrorists.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Department of State Services, DSS, said its preliminary investigation has established that the Desert Herald publisher, Tukur Mamu, sponsors terrorism. 

This was made known by the DSS through its lawyer, Ahmed Magaji, in an affidavit supporting a motion before the Federal High Court, FHC, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the DSS, Mamu was on his way to a meeting with foreign terrorists when he was arrested by Interpol last week. They also disclosed that he is a logistics manager of both local and foreign terror organizations. 

The presiding Justice, Evelyn Maha, has granted the motion sought to detain Mamu for 60 days in order to allow unhindered investigation.

The Daily Reality had reported that Mamu was arrested in Cairo while on his way to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alongside his wives.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Boko Haram insurgents have stormed a mosque in Borno and killed the Chief Imam of Gima alongside three other worshippers.

The attack occured in the wee hours of Friday where the bandits opened the fire on worshippers who had just finished their fajr prayer.

The terrorists who launched the attack at Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State where they set ablaze vehicles and looted foodstuffs.

Hon. Bilyaminu Umar, the Councilor representing Ngulde Ward, disclosed the story of the attack in a statement Sunday.

Umar said, “I, Hon Bilyaminu Umar, Councilor representing Ngulde ward in Askira-Uba local government, wish to sincerely extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to my entire constituents over the recent heinous attack by Boko Haram insurgents, which occurred on 2nd September 2022.

“Ngulde ward is one of the strongest communities in Askira-Uba local government that gave me the mandate in the last local government election to represent them, since then, I have been enjoying their solidarity and support.

“Hence, I felt deeply shocked in sharing the grief of this latest attack, when most of my people were busy tapping from this year’s farming season.

“The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, September 2, 2022, after fajir prayers, claimed four (4) lives and left many with casualties, while properties and businesses worth millions of naira were also destroyed and carted away by the insurgents.”

“Already, I have informed the Deputy speaker Borno State House of Assembly Rt Hon, Engr Abdullahi Askira, on the unfortunate attack. He promised to convey it to the Executive Governor professor Babagana Umara Zulum for necessary action.”

The Borno State Deputy Speaker, who is also representing Askira-Uba constituency, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident, adding the insurgents numbered to about 20 people.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Reports from Plateau State have disclosed that two police officers were shot dead while on duty at Kuru community of Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the bandits stormed the security personnel in a checking point while on duty in the area and went away with the rifles of the slain officers.

The Daily Reality learned that the incident happened at a security checkpoint close to Kuru Government Science Secondary School.

One of the deceased was said to have been buried, and until his death, the victim was attached to the counter-terrorism unit of the state police command.

Insecurity has been one of the security challenges in Nigeria over the years, leading to the deaths of many innocent souls, including women and children. 

The insurgence has also orphaned children and widowed women and displaced many locals from their community.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Nigerian soldiers operating in the northeastern part of Nigeria have rescued a lady believed to be one of the secondary school students abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 in Chibok, Borno State.

In a short statement posted on its Facebook page, the Army said, “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade on patrol around Ngoshe in Borno State on 14 June 2022 intercepted one Mrs Mary Ngoshe and her son. 

“She is believed to be one of the abducted girls from GGSS Chibok in 2014,” the statement added.

 It also reiterated that “further exploitation [was]ongoing” as of the time of filing this report.

Though they are currently not in their heyday, the Boko Haram insurgents have wreaked havoc on the Northeast, inflicting hardship on residents, abducting travellers, and killing innocent individuals.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Aisha Wakil, popularly known as Mama Boko Haram, has been convicted for fraud alongside two others.

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, disclosed this on their verified Facebook page on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

According to the EFCC, Wakil and her co-defendants, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode, were standing trial on a two count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense to the tune of 71, 400, 000 (Seventy-One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira)

The judgement, which was delivered by Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, marks the end of the trial commenced in September, 2020.

“The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the EFCC on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of Aisha Alkali Wakil, (aka Mama Boko Haram) alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri. The defendants were sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine,” the EFCC statement reads in part.