Boko Haram: Monarch, 18 others killed in Borno

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• Jonathan, ex-Heads of State, governors, service chiefs meet today over insecurity

For the third consecutive day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents struck again yesterday, killing no fewer than 19 persons, including a district head. The insurgents launched separate attacks in Wala and Sabon Kasuwa of Gwoza and Hawul local government areas of Borno State.
A resident of Wala, who craves anonymity, told our correspondent on phone that the terrorists, who were dressed in military uniforms, attacked vehicles plying the Gwoza- Maiduguri highway at Wala, a distance of about 130 kilometres from Maiduguri.
He said: “The gunmen stopped motorists and asked where they are from. If they found out that you are from Maiduguri, they slaughter the person, saying that since you send us out of Maiduguri, we would not spare you.”

A Taxi driver, Mallam Atiku Idi Yola, who narrowly escaped, said: “We were even lucky because we told them we were from Bauchi, that was why they spared us, but they seized our Peugeot 406 car…” In another separate attack in Sabon Kasuwa village of Hawul Local Government, another group of terrorists invaded the Palace of the District Head and shot him dead.
A resident of Yirmirshika, near Hawul, Mr. John Balami, told our correspondent on phone that the incident happened at 7:30p.m. on Tuesday when the gunmen trailed the District Head who just came back from evening prayer (Ishai) and opened fire on him. Efforts to get the spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, Mr. Gideon Jibrin, for confirmation was not successful as his phones were not reachable. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned members of the National Security Council to an emergency meeting today at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting is coming against the background of increasing insecurity in the country, particularly bomb attacks, that have claimed several lives. On Monday, suspected members of the Islamic Boko Haram sect detonated a bomb in a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja killing over 100 persons Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr Reuben Abati, in a statement, said the meeting which will be presided over by President Jonathan is scheduled for 11am.
“Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director- General of National Intelligence Agency. “The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited state governors.”
Abati said President Jonathan, members of the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward.

The presidential spokesman said President Jonathan has reassured all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains very mindful of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity.
“The President is particularly concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were reportedly abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday night and has ordered the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents.”
President Jonathan has welcomed reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of the girls. “President Jonathan deeply regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation is contending with.”
“The President remains convinced that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength. “In this regard, President Jonathan will be pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their compatriots.”
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