DEFENCE
Headquarters on Monday announced arrest of 120 terrorists in Maiduguri,
the Borno State capital while organising the burial of one of its
commanders who was killed in an encounter on Sunday.He stated that the advancing troops have also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist group.
Olukolade stated that the Special Forces have equally secured the environs of additional five villages of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and Chikun Ngulalo after destroying all the terrorist camps sited in the vicinity of these localities.
Olukolade, who confirmed that the terrorists were fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic, assured that they were being contained as they have had encounter with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.
“In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organised burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with special forces the previous day. The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated,” he said.
He said that the troops were already interacting with locals and citizens to assure them of their safety and freedom from the activities of the insurgents.
He denied allegation that Nigerians were fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries, saying that photographs purportedly taken and used by the media as depicting the areas covered by the operations were questionable.
“Defence Headquarters has observed the use of photographs purportedly taken in the areas covered by the operations and wishes to state that the photographs are questionable, as they do not reflect any related reality of the social or geographical environment.
“This also makes the story they claim to depict of Nigerians fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries doubtful. The media is advised to always strive to associate stories with accurate pictures in order to avoid misleading the public,” Olukolade stated.
Yobe, Borno relax curfew
Yobe State government has made some adjustment on timing of the curfew imposed on the state following the declaration of emergency rule in three states of the north east in view of the need to sustain the relative peace that all parts of the state currently enjoy.
Special Adviser to the governor, Abdullahi Bego stated this on Monday in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
Bego, in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune in Damaturu said Governor Geidam has approved an adjustment of the hours during which public movement is restricted around the state.
The statement said “consequently, restriction on movement now starts from 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. daily throughout the state with effect from today Monday 20th May 2013.”
It stated further that the decision for the adjustment follows a meeting between the governor and heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.
The governor also urges the general public to continue with the exemplary support and cooperation with security agents to ensure lasting peace in the state, adding that the public should not relent in prayers to God for the restoration of peace in the state and the country in general.
Meanwhile, report reaching Nigerian Tribune in Maiduguri reveals that the military authority in the state has relaxed curfew imposed in some part of Borno State following improved security situation in the area to be effective from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m.
Journalists queue to send reports, as residents groan in Maiduguri
Following the shutdown of all phone network services in Borno state and the closure of businesses centres journalists reporting from the state were forced to queue at the Maiduguri Government House on Monday, to use the only Vsat, which is the only means for sending reports.
Nigerian Tribune reports that, although it appeared frustrating as the services at the government house was also epileptic, journalists said they had to wait to at least send a report as most of them could not send any report at the weekend.
Nigerian Tribune reports that despite the frustration, most jounalists said the shutdown of telephone networks in the state is for the common good as such, people most endure the moment of hardship for peace to reign once again in the state, which has seen violence for close to four years since the Boko Haram crisis began.
Also residents of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital are groaning under hardship following the imposition of 24 hours curfew in some parts of the state.
A resident, Mallam Usman Adamu told Nigerian Tribune that, he never imagine the state of emergency impose on the state could bring such suffering on the people.
According to him,” the last time state of emergency was imposed in some local governments including the state capital, people did not suffer as it is being experienced today. No telephone network, no food, nothing, we are left to our fate. This is very bad, we pray that government consider our suffering and ease this curfew.”
Abuja under stress
The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Olufemi Ogunbayode has raised the alarm over huge influx of Nigerians from all parts of the country into the capital city, declaring that the FCT is under stress and in need of massive injection of security resources and personnel.
This alarm is coming amidst reports of mass migration of insurgents from the Far North to the North Central region of the country. The commissioner however said Abuja is not under any imminent threat of attacks even as he called for urgent action to strengthen the police before the system is overwhelmed.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the police boss narrated that the insurgency in the North, ethnic militia in some parts of North Central and the kidnappings in the South had increased the level of migration to the capital city, explaining that “the influx is putting tremendous pressure on the existing resources of the FCT police command.
“We are tracking influx into the FCT. We are increasing surveillance and we are recording successes in term of crime prevention. But we must act quickly before the system is overwhelmed“, he said.
Ogunbayode who commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration for her support of the security sector said “the massive injection of resources in term of patrol vehicles, personnel and expansion of communication bandwidth will enhance the existing capacity of the police to effectively police the territory.
“I must say that Abuja is the safest city in Nigeria and so many Nigerians are flicking here. With security situation in the North and South, Abuja is receiving new residents daily. And with huge influx, you normally have crime commission. That is why we need to beef up our security resources to combat any menace“, the Commissioner said.
According to him, the FCT command has to expand the scope of our operations and we cannot do that if we don’t have sufficient patrol vehicles and other contingent resources. I commend the FCT Minister Senator, Bala Mohammed and I know our situation is fully appreciated by the FCTA“, he said.
Ogunbayode stated that his command is “effectively containing any infiltration of Abuja by insurgents and other criminal elements“ but emphasised “the need for strengthening of policing of satellite towns and perimeters of the Federal Capital“ which he said cannot be effectively done without more resources and logistic support.
Tribune
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