Extra Reporters

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State The governor warned that failure to heed his order would not only lead to withholding of their salaries but also termination of appointments. It would be recalled that in the heat of Boko Haram activities, almost 22 of the 27 local government areas were sacked by insurgents, leading to destruction of lives and property and displacement of 1.5 million people who had taken refuge at Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in the North East. But with the relative peace being witnessed now, reconstruction of houses, schools, hospitals, police stations, courts, local government secretariats, worship places, among others, destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the state, has advanced, with the first phase of work currently ongoing in different parts of Kaga Local Government Area in the northern part of Borno State as Shettima visited16 project sites. Shettima, who was impressed with the level of work at the general hospital, ...

If there’s any doubt left in the credibility of the mainstream media, recent allegations of a Russian jet being shot down in Turkey should have brought confidence in their objectivity down to an all-time low. The Daily Mail wrote: According to Daily Express, one journalist tweeted that three Turkish planes had been responding to ‘mysterious’ lock-ons from MIG-29 jets, which are used by Putin’s forces. There is one glaring error in the above statement, even if we were to accept the rumor: first off, the Russia did not deploy MIG-29 jets in Syria, and instead has the more modern Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-24SM jets flying bombing missions there. I would also like to point out that when a large mainstream publication decides to publish rumor as fact, these days they get away with putting zero research into determining the authenticity of the rumor- especially when it deals with Russia. A glaring error like the one spotted above should have been enough to prevent the Daily M...

Bomb explosions on Thursday hit Maiduguri town as a suspected suicide bomber targeted a mosque in a suburb called Mulai. The sound of the explosions echoed over the Borno state capital at about 6:20pm. Details of the casualties could not be immediately ascertained. A senior official of the Civilian JTF, who asked not to be named in this report, said the two blasts happened near a mosque in Mulai, some 6 kilometres away from Maiduguri town along the Maiduguri-Biu highways. "We have two bomb explosions this evening in Mulai near a mosque there", he said. "The bombings happened during prayer time. One cannot immediately give details of the incident but I have sent my boys over there and am still waiting for their report from the scene." An other official of the Civilian JTF, who gave his name as Bamusa, told PREMIUM TIMES that "the blasts happened in a mosque during Magrib prayer and many people were killed, sadly. I have nine injured persons in our tr...

  Leader of the Movement for the Actualisa­tion of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said that the war against Boko Haram would never end unless Bi­afra becomes an independent nation. Uwazuruike, who spoke through his Deputy National Information Officer, Mazi Chris Mocha in Nnewi, Anambra State maintained that insurgency would con­tinue to spread if Igbo are not allowed to go to their 'prom­ised land'. He said the Biafran agita­tors had nothing in common with Boko Haram or any violent group but maintained that it would be logical and reasonable enough to allow any group in Nigeria like MASSOB that clamoured for self-determination to actual­ize its dream. Uwazuruike insisted that since the Igbo had insisted to be on their own, the Federal Government has no other op­tion than to allow them go, adding: "We are not fighting for our independence through violence or in violation of the law." Speaking in Lagos, Uwa­zulike urged Ndi...

Owning to an earlier report titled " CHIBOK GIRLS ALIVE; MANY IMPREGNATED BY BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS… ESCAPEE CHIBOK GIRL REVEALS " by many news outlets,   Extra Reporters inclusive, the report  which originated from the Vanguard News. The Defence Headquarters has dismissed such reports saying that the report is void and invalid.  The full text of the release: The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to the above caption published in the Media claiming one of the Chibok girls who escaped from terrorists’ captivity was handed to the military post in Baga. The spurious report by the Vanguard is not only misleading but is once again another unconscionable outing as there is no iota of truth in its entirety, hence should be disregarded. In as much as the Nigerian military and other security agencies are working round the clock to secure the release of not only the Chibok girls but other innocent citizens who are held hostage by the terrorist, it will ...

Syria (RT) — Islamic State militants have lost “most” of their ammunition, heavy vehicles and equipment in Russian airstrikes, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. At least 86 ISIS targets were hit during 88 sorties in the last 24 hours.   Shortly after hundreds of civilans from various political parties and youth organizations came out onto the streets outside the Russian embassy in the capital of Syria, Damascus, to demonstrate support for Russia’s involvement in the fight against the Islamic State. Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-34 bombers, together with Su-25SM ground support aircrafts targeted Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) sites in the provinces of Raqqah, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo, according to the ministry. The jets hit command posts, ammunition and armament depots, military vehicles, plants producing explosives, field camps and bases. Su-24M bombers also targeted an IS field headquarters near the city of Anadan in the province of Aleppo from which the terrorists coordina...

The president who declared this at an audience with the Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen David Rodriguez noted that this would be made possible by greater support from his administration in terms of improved training, equipment, logistics and welfare. Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted the president as saying the Nigerian Armed Forces were now well positioned to meet the December deadline which they have been given to end the Boko Haram insurgency. Adesina noted that the President seized the opportunity of General Rodriquez's visit to restate his appreciation of the United States' support for Nigeria's efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency. Buhari said, "We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident. "Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko ...

Our troops on cordon and search operations at the general area of Enike Mosque, Okene town, Kogi State were attacked by some suspected terrorists at about 5.30am Tuesday. The troops responded and 2 of the attackers were killed. In addition, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb and empty cases of expended ammunition were recovered.  Unfortunately, we lost a soldier, while another sustained gunshot wounds. The situation has been brought under control and people have been asked to go about their normal businesses in the town. Similarly, we would like to confirm that there were triple suspected human borne improvised explosive device explosion this evening at Ajilari, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State. The explosives occurred at 3 minutes intervals and 7 people were confirmed dead, including the 3 suicide terrorists, while 11 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The Nigerian Army wishes to also inform the public that today, troops of 5 Brigade ambushed...

Photo Credit: DHQ Nigeria Photo Credit: DHQ Nigeria The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to inform Nigerians living in the North East and any other parts of the country to keep a lookout for Cluster Bombs sometimes called scatter bombs as the Nigerian Army Engineers serving in Adamawa State have recovered some catches of these bombs in the contested areas in recent time. The military high command has discovered that the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in the areas have used such lethal instruments over time to push their callous terrorist cause. For easy identification, it is important to note that cluster bombs are bombs that house submunitions, that is, smaller explosives contained in individual cases. These bombs are used against large areas containing many targets, such as columns of vehicles, marketplaces, places of worship or large troop concentration as the case may be.  Some cluster bombs carry several hundred of very small explosives wrapped in a metal con...

Photo Credit: DHQ Nigeria International collaboration to end insurgency in Nigeria in the shortest possible time has received further blessing with the United Kingdom pledging all necessary assistance to the Nigerian Armed Forces. The British Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton reinforced the British pledge when he paid courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin in his office in Abuja. General Houghton noted that the long standing relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and the recent visit of Nigeria’s President to Britain informed his visit to Nigeria to meet with the top military leadership on the urgent areas of collaboration against the threat of Boko Haram insurgency. He said Britain is aware of the efforts Nigeria Armed Forces had put in to subdue insurgency in the North East and militancy in the Niger Delta, noting that the time is ripe for Nigeria allies to render all necessary forms of assistance to reinforce t...

A market and refugee camp was target by suicide bombers suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists in Baga Sola village of Chad near Nigerian border. About thirty eight persons lost their lives in the attack, 51 wounded and 5 attackers dead. The suicide bombers where mostly female. The refugee bombing resulted in killing about 22 persons, while the market bombing leads to 16 persons loosing their lives, said Gen. Banyaman Cossingar, director general gendarmerie. There was triple bombing in the village and we suspected Boko Haram, military spokesman Col. Azem Agouna. There was an uncompleted establishment of over 8,000 multinational forces to counter the activities of Boko Haram sect which is having Nigeria as its strong hold. The delay in operational kick off is not acertain.

The Nigerian Army wishes to confirm an attack on Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade located at Gaidam, Yobe State, yesterday Wednesday evening. The attack was successfully repelled by the troops and the reinforcement sent. The troops killed most of the attacking terrorists and destroying their weapons and equipment. However and regretfully too, we lost 3 soldiers and some equipment during the encounter. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai who was on operational visit to North East, personally visited the troops location, assessed the damage done. He warned the officers of the unit that such ugly incident should not be allowed to happen again. The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area. He also met with some of the community leaders and Idris Aloma Polytechnic staff where he assure them of their safety and improved se...

A girl who managed to escape from the Boko Haram Terrorists Camp revealed that the camps where the Chibok girls are is in Kangoora, Mallam Fatori, Damasak, Tunbun Kaka and Tumbum Gira. Many of these towns are located in the border communities around Lake Chad with some in Nigeria and others in Chad. She further revealed that the camp where she escaped from there were about 60 of the girls as others were taken to border communities. According to report, the escapee is suffering from Vesicant Virginal Fistula (VVF) and had just put to bed. Her condition made her to risk her life to seek for medical assistance. She also confirmed to security men that the terrorists left Sambisa forest to Lake Chad area after the Nigerian Forces Air strike. She also disclosed that Boko Haram terrorists have been weakened seriously and can no longer stay in permanent camps like before. She added that many of them were also impregnated and infected with different diseases, revealing th...

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Col Sani Usman, described the death of the seven soldiers as paying the supreme price, even as he said the incident was a major victory for the troops as all the terrorists were killed. Usman also stated in a statement that the attack (at about 3am) was supposed to be a desperate assault by the depleting terrorists to embarrass the army and give a false impression of still being in force. He said, "The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, at the early hours of today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State." "During the encounter, the troops recovered sizeable arms, ammunition and other equipment from the terrorists. These include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 9 AK-47 rifles and Belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunition. Others were various wires used for Improvised Explosive Dev...

Photo Credits: www.vanguardngr.com According to a statement by Nigerian Army, one Aliyu Hussaini who has been parading himself as a military brigadier general has been arrested in Bauchi State.  The suspected Boko Haram sponsor was arrested during a raid by the 33 Artillery Brigade in the state together with one Ibrahim Muhammed a.k.a Yuram. The statement read in full: The 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, has recorded another landmark success in the ongoing Operation Zaman Lafiyah as troops of the brigade recently arrested one Aliyu Hussaini, popularly known as Colonel, a suspected Boko Haram terrorist and an Impostor who has been parading himself as a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army. The troops, who were acting on a tip-off, said Aliyu Hussaini was a sponsor and also a member of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. (They) carried out a raid operation, which led to the successful arrest of Aliyu and another suspected Boko Haram member, one Ibrahim Moh...

Jikana Alhaji Goni  Alhaji Musa Alhaji Modu Alhaji Aba'ana Na Alhaji Sule The arrest of Boko Haram financier, fund raiser and stimulant supplier, Mohammed Maina by troops of 21 Brigade yesterday lead to the the arrest of 3 others key players in the unending insurgency in North-East Nigeria. More investigation is being carried out by the security personnel on the activities of their sponsors.  The arrested terrorist has been making very useful statements and lending more insights in the activities of the terrorists and their collaborators.  This has been yielding positive results and as a follow up today, 3 collaborators; Jikana Alhaji Goni, aged 29 years of Hausari Ward Maiduguri, Alhaji Musa Alhaji Modu, also of Hausari Ward Maiduguri, 37 years and Alhaji Aba'ana Na Alhaji Sule aged 40, of Hausari Ward Maiduguri were arrested and are being interrogated.

  The Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman confirmed that Boko Haram Terrorist attacked 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State but were repelled and none escape.  The press release by Nigerian Army through Sani Kukasheka reads: "The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, at the early hours of today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State.  During the encounter our gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed. On the last count over 100 terrorists bodies were seen. Unfortunately however, 7 of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our fatherland, while 1 officer and 8 soldiers were wounded in action.  Our troops have recovered a sizeable arms, ammun...

President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Abuja took succour to survivors of Friday night’s bomb attacks on Nyanya and Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory.  On a visit to the survivors of the attack who are receiving treatment at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, President Buhari wished them full and speedy recovery. The President reassured the survivors that the Federal Government will take full responsibility for settling their medical bills.  He also directed his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari to settle the N268,790.00 medical bill of a young girl in the Paediatric Ward of the hospital.  The girl’s mother, Deborah Stephen, had broken into tears on seeing President Buhari. She told him that her daughter had been shot by armed robbers who raided their home and that the family could not afford the medical bills.  The President who was accompanied by his personal aides and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, visited the intensive care unit, ...

A statement by Colonel Tukur Gusau from the Theater Command of Operation Lafiya Dole therefore urged citizens to avoid drinking water from unverified sources, especially in locations where troops have routed the terrorists. He pointed out that although no human life has been lost as a result of the barbaric action of the fleeing militants, some livestock was killed after drinking water from some poisoned sources. He identified the latest incident of the poisoning of the cattle water ponds as being Kangallam village, along Marte and Abadam axis in Borno State, where a large number of cattle died after drinking water from the ponds. "The action of the terrorists is no doubt aimed at taking their own pound of flesh on the innocent citizen and livestock as a result of the unbearable offensive operations through the combined effort of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force to route them out completely from their enclaves and hide-outs all over the northeast," Col. Gusa...

According to a press release made available by the Nigeria Army through Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman Acting Director Army Public Relations has made a clear clarification on the warning and accusation made against some people camouflaging under the umbrella of NGOs to undermined the fight against terrorist in the north eastern Nigeria. The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to observations and concerns by well meaning Nigerians especially the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT) about the misinterpretations of the warning. Therefore, it becomes necessary to clarify to the effect that the statement released yesterday does not refer to the leaders of BELT or majority of the good people and law abiding prominent citizens of Borno State. I neither mention any organization's or individual's name. However, the warning was to inform a specific group of people whose activities are imminical to our collective quest for peace as enumerated in the release. At this poi...