Nigerian War Rages On in the Northeast

Nigerian military mobilized in the state of emergency declared in three northeastern states. Sectional violence has escalated in the West African state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

War against secessionists rages in North-East

SUNDAY, 19 MAY 2013 20:59
FROM MADU ONUORAH, ABUJA NEWS
Nigerian Guardian

• 14 more terrorists killed, 20 captured • Three soldiers die, one missing

• Jonathan thanks Nigerians for support • U.S. urges restraint by military

NIGERIAN troops in the North-East of the country fighting secessionist fighters led by Islamist group, Boko Haram, Sunday continued a mop-up of scenes of battle, killing 14 terrorists and capturing 20 others.

But the Nigerian military lost three soldiers in the encounter while seven were wounded. A soldiers was declared missing.

Defence spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in an update in Abuja said that the troops recovered seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets from the insurgents.

More than 2,000 people have died in violence in Nigeria since 2010, most of which is blamed on Boko Haram.

The group, whose name means “Western education is forbidden”, says its quest is to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state.

There has been growing concern that Boko Haram is receiving backing from al-Qaeda-linked militants in other countries.

Meanwhile, Nigerians were lauded Sunday by President Jonathan for their support for the state of emergency which he declared last week in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in a statement said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for the overwhelming support they have given to the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The President also thanked the leadership of the National Assembly and many of its members, who have through calls and personal visitations, given solidarity and support for this extraordinary step taken by the President in order to halt the mindless killings, bombings and general insecurity that had prevailed in that part of the country.

“The President also notes with gratification the positive disposition and understanding of the governors of the federation, especially the Northern Governors Forum, Leaders and Elders in the North, traditional rulers, religious leaders, cultural and political groups nationwide, including opposition political parties, civil society organisations and the media.”

Military reinforcements have been delivered to the frontline troops, Olukolade said and confirmed that the troops have been encountering a large number of heavily armed terrorists since Saturday.

His words: “Special Forces troops have continued the advance and attack on identified terrorists’ camps in the northern part of the country. Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfews on identified flash-points are being enforced.

“Dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards to various borders. There bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics, including scores of vehicles in their holdings.

“In the course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters have ensued since yesterday. After a mop-up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorists were confirmed dead, while seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered. A total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled. Altogether, three soldiers died, while seven are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility; one soldier is missing.

“Meanwhile, the required reinforcements and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.

“Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far. The forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of harm’s way as much as possible.”

According to Okupe, the President is appreciative of the efforts, loyalty, commitment and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who have demonstrated commendable patriotism and gallantry in compliance with the order.

He went on: ”Mr. President also appreciates the encouragement by members of the diplomatic corps and international community and promises that as a disciplined force, members of the Armed Forces will operate according to acceptable international rules of engagement and will pay particular attention to the safety and well-being of the citizens of the affected states during this period of emergency rule.

“Mr. President also notes that the efforts of the Armed Forces have already started yielding positive results, as available information confirms that the insurgents have been dislodged from their previously safe havens and camps while many have been apprehended, and their activities in the affected states have been brought to a total halt.”

Jonathan also called on all Nigerians to “rally round the Federal Government in this period of national travail in order that collectively, we will achieve success in this major fight against terror in our land, and return peace and stability to our nation with its attendant prosperity, growth and development in the affected region.”

He added: “The President has promised that at all times, the Federal Government will not relent or spare any effort that will guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians, and that all manner of criminality in our country would be fought uncompromisingly with all the powers and might available to the Federal Government.”

And Olukolade, in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday, stated that until the country’s military realises its objective of successfully checking the insurgency in the northern part of the country, the troops deployed in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa would remain.

Vowing that the offensive against the militants in the north-east would continue “as long as it takes” for the military to achieve its main objective, he reiterated that the aim was to assert Nigeria’s “territorial integrity as a nation.”

Earlier, a 24-hour curfew was imposed in parts of the city of Maiduguri, where the military said it had arrested 65 ‘terrorists.’

Maiduguri has been an important base for Boko Haram militants.

Early last week, President Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe after a series of deadly attacks by militant groups.

The Military’s spokesman said the army would continue its operation “as long as it takes to achieve our objective of getting rid of insurgents from every part of Nigeria”.

He told the BBC that the offensive “knows the targets it is after, and it took a long time to plan and prepare for this.”

“It is their (insurgent) bases, their weaponry, their logistics that we are going to deal with in this operation,” he added.

Earlier, an army statement named 12 areas of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, which would now be under permanent curfew.

The neighbourhoods listed are considered strongholds of Boko Haram. The whole of Maiduguri was already subject to an overnight curfew.

Witnesses said troops were stopping lorries from entering the city.

The army also said the 65 insurgents had been arrested trying to infiltrate Maiduguri. Those held had been “fleeing from various camps now under attack”.

However, there has been no independent confirmation of the arrests. The army said 10 suspected insurgents were killed in clashes with troops in Maiduguri on Friday and weapons were seized including rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

War-planes and helicopter gunships also attacked several militant training camps in the North-East on Friday, officials said.

One plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire but officials said it had returned to base safely while the “terrorist base” was “completely destroyed.”

United States has urged the Nigerian army to show restraint and not violate human rights as it pursues the militants.

Secretary of State, John Kerry, said there were “credible allegations” of “gross human rights violations” by the Nigerian military.

Last November, Amnesty International (AI) accused Nigeria’s security forces of carrying out widespread abuses in their campaign against Boko Haram, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture.