Don Okereke's Blog: January 2015

Friday, 30 January 2015

African Union Endorses 7,500-Strong Force To Fight Boko Haram

Addis Ababa (AFP) - The African Union called Friday for a regional five-nation force of 7,500 troops to defeat the "horrendous" rise of Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist militants.

Helicopters Ferry Arms, Food For Boko Haram – Eye Witness

Displaced residents of Monguno, in Borno State, which was recently taken over by Boko Haram, have said they saw helicopters dropping arms and food items for the insurgents in the bushes.

The top commander of U.S. troops in Africa said he would like the U.S. military to do more to fight the terrorist group Boko Haram, but that it’s up to Nigerian and U.S. policy officials to decide how much they’re willing to change the trajectory of that group’s violent stronghold on the region.

Dear President Jonathan, Please Gracefully Absorb Your Merited 'F' Grade On Security, Economy etc.

President Jonathan

A quintessential fibre of a discerning leader or anybody who aspires to a leadership position is mastering the art of timing.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro on Tuesday said the ministry was planning to introduce the e-prison system in order to put an end to incessant prisons breaks.

More than 500 soldiers who fled from Monguno as Islamist insurgents attacked the town three days ago are now stranded in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The soldiers fled from Monguno after Boko Haram fighters sacked their military base, sending soldiers and thousands of civilians on the run last Sunday.

An Israeli media has revealed that the United States of America has stopped Nigeria’s purchase of Chinook military helicopters from Israel to fight Boko Haram.

9 Soldiers, 56 Boko Haram Insurgents Killed In Failed Maiduguri Invasion

Nine soldiers and 56 insurgents might have been killed in the attempt of the Boko Haram sect to capture Maiduguri on Sunday morning.

The attack on the town began at about 12.30am and could not be totally suppressed until about 11am.

It was gathered that hundreds of heavily armed insurgents tried to gain entrance into the town through Jinikin-Moronti, on the road linking Maiduguri to Damaturu along the Jos-Kano highway and close to two major housing estates, 1000 and 707.

The suspected terrorists were confronted by the soldiers and other security operatives of the 33 Battalion Barrack at the entrance to the town.

The battle initially raged from 12.30am to about 3.30am, when the attack was thought to have subsided.

Other security operatives and members of the youth vigilance group joined in the exercise as the insurgents were successfully repelled.

Just when everyone thought the insurgents had retreated, the militants came back with renewed vigour, throwing the residents of the state capital into panic.

As the confusion deepened, the residents could not venture out of their houses, let alone going to church for the Sunday worship service.

The second phase of the gunfight between the soldiers and members of the terror group, which started around 5.40am, was successfully repelled at 11am.

Heavy shelling ricocheted all around the town as the military had to deployed both ground and aerial battle to suppress the determined insurgents.

At the end of the siege, nine soldiers were believed to have been felled as the insurgents were reduced by 56 men.

They were said to have equally lost in equipment, three armoured tanks and two Hilux jeeps to the attack.

Some members of the youth vigilance group, who were involved in repelling the attack, revealed that nine soldiers, who were killed in the attack, were conveyed by a military patrol van from the scene of the attack to the Garrison Command along the Pompomari area near the Military Anti-Bomb Squad around 12.30pm.

Air Force surveillance jet continued to hover over the town as some pockets of insurgents, who were believed to be in the town, were still been trailed.

A member of the youth vigilance group, Modu Baana, who spoke to journalists, said, “It was around 2am when we were alerted of the deadly move by the terrorists to enter Maiduguri through the Jimtilo outskirts. We learnt that over 100 heavily armed men with armoured tanks and Hilux jeeps were about coming into the town.”

Baana added that the fighter jets helped the ground troops as the combined operation scattered the insurgents, forcing some to flee into the neighbourhood having been overwhelmed.

Source:
Punch Newspaper

Pandemonium in Maiduguri As Boko Haram Launches A Daring Attack In Bid To Take Over State Capital

Soldiers of the Nigerian army and Boko Haram terrorists are currently engaged in a fierce exchange of fire since Saturday night as insurgents, in their hundreds, attempt to invade Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, security sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.

Boko Haram Free Over 200 Abducted Women, Children In Yobe

Dreaded Islamists terrorist group Boko Haram have released over 200 women and children earlier captured in Yobe state.

A security source in Damaturu told our reporter that the women and children were abducted early this month in Gujba and Katarko areas in the state.

The freed women and children were among 250 persons; the sect abducted in the two areas.

The source said the fighters are still holding several women and children abducted from the area.

Boko Haram leaders did not explain why they freed the women and children.

Source:
Sahara Reporters

Rifts Between The U.S. And Nigeria Impeding Fight Against Boko Haram

WASHINGTON — Relations between American military trainers and specialists advising the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram are so strained that the Pentagon often bypasses the Nigerians altogether, choosing to work instead with security officials in the neighboring countries of Chad,Cameroon and Niger, according to defense officials and diplomats.

Major rifts like these between the Nigerian and American militaries have been hampering the fight against Boko Haram militants as they charge through northern Nigeria, razing villages, abducting children and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee.

Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to travel to Nigeria on Sunday to meet with the candidates in Nigeria’s presidential elections, and the Pentagon says that the Nigerian Army is still an important ally in the region — vital to checking Boko Haram before it transforms into a larger, and possibly more transnational, threat.

“In some respects, they look like ISIL two years ago,” Michael G. Vickers, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, told the Atlantic Council last week, using another name for the militant group known as the Islamic State. “How fast their trajectory can go up is something we’re paying a lot of attention to. But certainly in their area, they’re wreaking a lot of destruction.”

But American officials are wary of the Nigerian military as well, citing corruption and sweeping human rights abuses by its soldiers. American officials are hesitant to share intelligence with the Nigerian military because they contend it has been infiltrated by Boko Haram, an accusation that has prompted indignation from Nigeria.

“We don’t have a foundation for what I would call a good partnership right now,” said a senior military official with the United States Africa Command, or Africom, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. “We want a relationship based on trust, but you have to be able to see yourself. And they’re in denial.”

The United States was so concerned about Boko Haram infiltration that American officials have not included raw data in intelligence they have provided Nigeria, worried that their sources would be compromised.

In retaliation, Nigeria in December canceled the last stage of American training of a newly created Nigerian Army battalion. There has been no resumption of the training since then.

Some Nigerian officials expressed dismay that relations between the two militaries have frayed to this point.

“For a small country like Chad, or Cameroon, to come to assist” the Americans, “that is disappointing,” said Ahmed Zanna, a senator from Nigeria’s north. “You have a very good and reliable ally, and you are running away from them,” he said, faulting the Nigerian government. “It is terrible. I pray for a change of government.”

The tensions have been mounting for years. In their battle against Boko Haram, Nigerian troops haverounded up and killed young men in northern cities indiscriminately, rampaged through neighborhoods and, according to witnesses and local officials, killed scores of civilians in a retaliatory massacre in a village in 2013.

Refugees said the soldiers set fire to homes, shot residents and caused panicked people to flee into the waters of Lake Chad, where some drowned.

Last summer, the United States blocked the sale of American-made Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria from Israel, amid concerns about Nigeria’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations. That further angered the Nigerian government, and Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States responded sharply, accusing Washington of hampering the effort.

“The kind of question that we have to ask is, let’s say we give certain kinds of equipment to the Nigerian military that is then used in a way that affects the human situation,” James F. Entwistle, the American ambassador to Nigeria, told reporters in October, explaining the decision to block the helicopter sale. “If I approve that, I’m responsible for that. We take that responsibility very seriously.”

All the while, Boko Haram has continued its ruthless push through Nigeria, bombing schools and markets, torching thousands of buildings and homes, and kidnapping hundreds of people.

Now stretching into its sixth year, the militant group’s insurgency has left thousands of people dead, the overwhelming majority of them civilians. It killed an estimated 2,000 civilians in the first six months of 2014 alone, Human Rights Watch said, and many of Nigeria’s major cities — Abuja, Kano, Kaduna — have been bombed.

American officials say that while it is unclear exactly how much territory Boko Haram effectively controls in Nigeria, the group is, at the very least, conducting attacks across almost 20 percent of the country.

“They reportedly control a majority of the territory of Borno State,” in northeastern Nigeria, “and a significant portion of the border areas with Cameroon and Chad,” said Lauren Ploch Blanchard, a specialist in African Affairs with the Congressional Research Service.

Even before the Nigerians canceled the training program in December, American military officials were stewing when soldiers showed up without proper equipment. Given the nation’s oil wealth, the Americans attributed the deficits to chronic corruption on the part of Nigerian commanders, saying that they had pocketed the money meant for their soldiers.

“It’s not like they don’t have the money,” the senior Africom official said. “There are some things that we require to be good partners. The first of which is a commitment on the part of the Nigerian government to support its own army. They have a responsibility to provide adequate pay, to take care of their people, and to equip them.”

“None of those empty allegations have ever been proved,” said Chris Olukolade, a spokesman for the Nigerian military. “The Nigerian military has always been receptive of honest support or assistance from well-meaning friends or partners. No one should however seek to use this security situation to usurp our sovereignty as a nation.”After Boko Haram made international headlines last April by kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls, the United States flew several hundred surveillance drone flights over the northeast to search for the girls, but those missions were unsuccessful. When the Pentagon did come up with leads, American military officials said, and turned that information over to Nigerian commanders to pursue, they did nothing with it.

The frustrations between the two sides has broad implications for the fight against Boko Haram, officials said, including making it harder for other international partners who have joined the effort. “We are trying to work closely with the French and the Americans in support of the Nigerian military and government against Boko Haram,” a senior British diplomat said. “A rift between one of our two partners and the Nigerians is not a good thing.”

Source:
The New York Times

Saturday, 24 January 2015

How Nigerian Bank Staff Help Fraudsters Steal Billions

Despite multiple security checks in banks, incidents of fraud are on the increase, prompting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise alarm, blaming it on insiders. Weekly Trust takes a look at the disturbing trend.

Trailer Crushes Commercial Vehicle in Ketu, Lagos, Several killed

A ghastly accident has occurred early hours on Friday in Ketu area of Lagos, killing several people who were rushing out for work.

Mike Omeri

THE Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Coordinator, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri has said that the troops on peacekeeping mission abroad may be recalled to the country to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian military in the North-East.

NO fewer than six security aides attached to President Goodluck Jonathan were injured when opposition supporters attacked the president’s motorcade in Bauchi, on Thursday, after he addressed a political rally in the state.

Piper is many things in a tiny package. The pint-sized home security device—it's literally the size of a pint glass—watches over your house, automates your connected devices, and helps you keep in touch with friends. And now, with night vision too.

31,536,000; the number of seconds that made up the year 2014. Around the world, each second was used effectively by hackers in planning attacks and exploiting vulnerable people, systems and processes. Brazen attacks unlike anything we have ever witnessed before were carried out and from all indications, 2015 is likely to be another roller coaster ride.

(CNN) All U.S. military bases in Europe were ordered Tuesday to institute additional security measures in the wake of the attacks in Paris and arrests in Belgium and continuing intelligence that foreign fighters are returning to Europe.

Nigeria's National Security Adviser - Dasuki Calls For Postponement Of February Elections

Sambo Dasuki

President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has called for the February 2015 election to be postponed to allow more time for the distribution of voter cards, a call that has drawn a forceful rejection by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

The first weeks of 2015 have already brought repeated, shocking attacks by Boko Haram in and around Nigeria. Within the country’s northeastern state of Borno, the home turf of the proselytizing sect-turned-Islamist-group, militants massacred hundreds of civilians in Baga, site of a multinational military base.

The United States is concerned as China’s strategic missile force, or the Second Artillery Corps, has 10 DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles ready in service. Intelligence reports from the Pentagon revealed that while launch of the DF-31 missiles will not be able to hit the central U.S., the modified DF-31A, with a range of 11,200 kilometers, is capable of hitting key locations in the U.S.

The United Nations (UN) Security Council, yesterday, said perpetrators and financiers of Boko Haram attacks must be brought to book in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Political thugs alleged to belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed during PDP’s campaign rally in Kano, on Wednesday,while one was reportedly killed and five vehicles burnt.

Leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau has released a disturbing video in which he was seen burning Nigerian flags even as he displayed cache of arms and ammunition seized from the Nigeria Army in Baga, Borno State.

PARIS — Two weeks after the worst attacks on French soil in decades, leaders here announced sweeping measures Wednesday to add more than 2,600 counterterrorism agents and sharply boost funding for intelligence gathering.

Standard & Poor’s, the credit rating agency blamed for helping inflate the subprime mortgage bubble, has settled accusations that it orchestrated a similar fraud years after the bubble burst.

The U.S. approach to countering violent extremism is failing badly. Our current “light footprint,” counter-terrorism approach, posits that a combination of precisely targeted drone strikes, U.S. special forces raids, and training small, elite units of local forces can kill enough of the extremists’ “core” leadership to render those groups incapable. But, there has never been a strategy behind this hope, never an articulated theory of the case to explain where we were headed.

Boko Haram Leader - Shekau Claims Responsibility For Latest Baga Attack In A New Video

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the attack on the town of Baga, in northeastern Nigeria, earlier this month that killed thousands of people.

SECURITY forces, on Tuesday, averted what was potentially an ugly situation, as hundreds of supporters chanting ‘sai Buhari’ attacked the motorcade of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina.

DAKAR (Reuters) - Mistrust between Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon as well as disagreements over how to deploy troops against Boko Haram have stalled efforts to set up a regional force to combat the Islamist militants.

Fight broke out, yesterday, between a group of boys and suspected cult members at Afariogun area of Oshodi, Lagos, leaving one person dead and several others severely injured. About 40 vehicles were also destroyed by the rampaging youths. Some buildings were also torched and shops looted.

Obama Can’t Wish Away Terrorism

Pres. Obama

President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address is remembered today mainly for this bit of rhetorical irony: “America must move off a permanent war footing.” It was the triumph of speechwriting over experience. Obama’s pledge came about three weeks after the fall of Fallujah to the Islamic State. By June, Mosul would be overrun. Global jihadism now has a cause — Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s sham caliphate — around which to rally.

The Islamic State group threatened in a video Tuesday to kill two Japanese hostages within 72 hours unless it receives a $200 million ransom, but Tokyo vowed it would not bow to "terrorism".

After the Charlie Hebdo attack, a Paris imam went to the scene and condemned the murders. "These victims are martyrs, and I shall pray for them with all my heart," said Hassen Chalghoumi (above). He was also quoted as saying that 95% of victims of terrorism are Muslim. How accurate is this statistic?

Maj. Gen James Marks

The Executive Dean, College of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of Phoenix, Major Gen. James ‘Spider’ Marks, has said that the growing insecurity and pogrom in the North-eastern part of Nigeria is not a priority to the United States of America.

360,000 Security Operatives, United States Sniffer Dogs To Be Deployed For 2015 Elections

IGP - Suleiman Abba

NO fewer than 360, 000 security operatives as well as 25 sniffer dogs from the United States would be deployed in the states for the 2015 general elections, heads of security agencies have said.

The unremitting frequency of fire outbreaks in Nigeria is to say the least, very distressing especially during the harmattan season.

The Department of Homeland Security is increasing safety measures after recent terrorism in Europe.

Europol chief Rob Wainwright said the internet is a "very important" tool in combatting the problem of terrorism and confirmed that online resources were being used in the "recruitment" of extremists.

Boko Haram fighters kidnapped at least 60 people in a deadly attack in northern Cameroon on Sunday, police said, in the latest cross-border raid by the Nigeria-based Islamist group.

Military Repel Boko Haram Attack On Biu, Kill 41, Comprising Chadian Citizens

An attempt by Boko Haram to take over Biu, the largest town in the south of troubled Borno State, was on Wednesday repelled by the military, according to military sources and residents.

Satellite images released by Amnesty international provide indisputable and shocking evidence of the scale of last week’s attack on the towns of Baga and Doron Baga by Boko Haram militants.

The nationwide tension over 2015 poll simmered on Wednesday following the signing of violence-free accord by President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates.

Human Rights Lawyer - Falana Wants Police To Stop Parading Suspects In Public

Mr. Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has described as illegal the popular tradition of the Nigeria Police whereby suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and other alleged criminals are paraded in public or before the press prior to charging them to court.

The Boko Haram sect has attacked another town, Askira in Borno State, some fleeing residents of the town told journalists in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

IN a deadly robbery operation, two sets of robbers invaded Ikare-Akoko, the commercial centre of the northern part of Ondo State yesterday killing 15 persons and four policemen.

Is ‘Lone Wolf, Freelance Terrorism or Open-Source Jihad' The Trend?

Lone wolf terrorism refers to the regular deployment of terrorist tactics such as violence usually against civilian targets by an individual or individuals who may or may not be directly affiliated to a mainstream terrorist organization.

Pres. Barack Obama

Barack Obama on Monday unveiled a slew of initiatives to improve Americans’ data security.

In a speech at the Federal Trade Commission, the president outlined proposals aimed at improving student data protection and protecting Americans’ financial health. They will, however, require approval from the Republican-majority Congress, which has already received three veto threats from the White House in less than a week in session.

The United Nations(UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated the support of the UN to the Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism.

Maj Gen. Olukolade

The Defence authorities have faulted the claim that over 2,000 people were killed in the Boko Haram attacks on the Baga headquarters of the Multi-National Joint Task Force penultimate Saturday.

Friday, 30 January 2015

Thursday, 29 January 2015

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

Sunday, 25 January 2015

Saturday, 24 January 2015

Friday, 23 January 2015

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Monday, 19 January 2015

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

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