12,000 Civilian Volunteers Demand Permission From Government To Go After Boko Haram

With military officials and the government of Borno State quietly backing away from claims that the strategic town of Bama was still in the control of Nigerian soldiers, at least 12,000 volunteers gathered yesterday in Maiduguri to offer their services in the war against the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram. The volunteers, who gathered at the Maiduguri palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Ibn- Garbai Elkanemi, urged the Nigerian government to accept their services in the war against terror.

Reports say thousands of ex-service men, hunters, and youths said they were ready to become part of the increasingly critical war against Boko Haram, which recently has captured several towns in Borno and Yobe States and killed more than 2,000 civilians in the first half of 2014, according to Human Rights Watch.

Some of the ex-servicemen, who had served in the military, the police, and with the SSS, said they wished to join youths in the civilian joint task force (JTF) to stop Boko Haram’s incessant attacks and recent string of triumphs over demoralized Nigerian soldiers based in the violence-ravaged northeast of Nigeria.

The prospective volunteers today to the palace of the Shehu of Borno to seek his support and cooperation in their desire to combat the seemingly energized and increasingly more brutal Islamist insurgents. Some of the vigilante volunteers vowed to enter Sambisa forest and other hideouts to hunt down Boko Haram militants and bring an end to the ongoing insurgency.

Over the last three weeks, Boko Haram insurgents launched a series of attacks on several towns in Borno and neighboring states, including Damboa, Gamboru Ngala, Bama and Banki. The terrorists have seized numerous towns and engaged in widespread slaughter of civilians. Thousands of people have been displaced, some of them taking refuge in neighboring west African countries.

Some of the volunteers said their goal was to resist Boko Haram’s reign of terror and to reverse the insurgent group’s seizure of important towns.

Ex-staff sergeant Yahaya Suleiman, who fought in Nigeria’s civil war, urged the Nigerian government to accept the offer from him and others. “We are fully ready to join the military in fighting against terrorism. Enough is enough. All we need is support from the federal government to stop this madness.”

The dramatic gathering came a day after the Shehu of Borno suggested that people of different faiths observe three days of alms, prayers and fasting in order to restore peace to the state and the country at large.

The Shehu also called on members of the vigilante youth, popularly known as 'Civilian JTF,' to always abide by the rule of law while discharging their civic responsibilities.

Addressing the volunteers, the traditional ruler commended the effort of the civilian JTF in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency. He urged them to always follow the directives of the military and other security agencies. He added that the civilian JTF had helped to dislodge the sect from Maiduguri and surrounding areas. He encouraged other besieged towns and communities to set up their own volunteers to help fight terrorism.

“I want to thank you for this visit and the effort you are collectively and voluntarily making in order to fight Boko Haram who are bent in not only destroying our social and economic structures, but also killing innocent lives. I want to also appeal to you that you should desist from politics, religious or ethnic considerations while discharging your duties.”

The Borno State coordinator of the civilian JTF, Abba Aji, said the residents of the beleaguered states had suffered enough at the hands of Boko Haram. He said he and other volunteers were determined to go after the insurgents “even if we are not well armed. We are optimistic that, with our sticks, Dane guns and other local arms, we will raid all terrorist hideouts and kill them when given permission by the federal government.”

Mr. Aji added that members of the civilian JTF were now more motivated with the support and assurance they received from retired military men, local hunters and other patriotic citizens who have expressed their willingness join the group to end the madness perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists.

The passion displayed by the volunteers came as US authorities tacitly confirmed that the insurgents had indeed seized the town of Bama, contrary to earlier denials by the Nigerian military and Borno State officials.

BOKO HARAM: MY NEW WIFE

Abducted Girls

Boys and girls abducted by Boko Haram, including Christian girls, have been forced to convert to Islam and coerced into marrying members of the group, along with other female abductees, a report by Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict noted yesterday.
Watchlist, an international network of human rights and humanitarian non-government organizations working to end violations against children in armed conflict, also accused the federal government and other international humanatarian bodies of being slow, fragmente and unable to meet the fast-growing needs of those affected by the conflict in terms of relief response to violations against children.
“Boko Haram abducted these girls and young women from schools and markets, and during raids on villages in areas across Borno State since at least December 2012. Some members of the group raped girls and young women in the camps. None of the girls and women who escaped, and were interviewed by Watchlist, had access to counseling and other health services”, the group noted.
According to the report made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, the Boko Haram sect and the Civilian Joint Task Force (“Civilian JTF”) have subjected boys and girls to forced recruitment, detention, attacks at school, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual violence in the north-east of Nigeria.
In the 64-page report entitled “Who Will Care for Us? Grave Violations Against Children in Northeastern Nigeria,” the group painted a pathetic picture of what it described as grave violations by some parties to the terrorist attacks since December 2012 and made some recommendations on how to better protect children.
“The gravity and scale of these violations warrant urgent action from the Nigerian government, United Nations and other child protection actors,” it said.
Specifically, Watchlist said the major source of worry was the forced recruitment of children for spying and assistance during armed attacks by Boko Haram, and the Civilian JTF, a self-defence militia formed in mid-2013 in Borno State.

IS NIGERIA'S FIGHTING FORCE FAULTERING

BORNO STATE

Yesterday we got a report that the Nigerian army had finally taken over Bama in Borno State. Since we had not comfirmed it, we hesitated to bring you the information. And it turned out that the military had actually taken over a part of the town while Boko Haram remained strongly in control of other parts. Hours later yesterday, our sources have confirmed that the Military have pulled out amid fierce fighting with the sect, leaving Bama completely in the control of terorists.

BODIES LITTER BAMA TOWN

B

Bodies remain littered on the streets of a northern Nigerian town two days after it was seized by militant Islamists, a lawmaker has told the BBC.

Boko Haram fighters were patrolling the streets of Bama, preventing people from burying the dead, Ahmed Zanna said.

On Wednesday, the state government denied the town had fallen.

Officials said about 26,000 people had been displaced by fighting in Bama, a key town in the battle for control of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state.

Earlier this week, the Nigeria Security Network (NSN) think-tank said the group had made “lightning territorial gains” in recent months, raising fears that the country could disintegrate like Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic State (IS) rebel group has declared a caliphate.

Boko Haram has also said it has set up a caliphate in the areas it controls – it is not clear if the two groups are allied.

Mr. Zanna, a senator in Borno, said the humanitarian situation in Bama was “terrible” and there had been a “lot of killings” in the town.

“So many bodies litter the streets, and people are not allowed to even go and bury the dead ones. So the situation is getting worse and worse,” Mr Zanna told the BBC’s Newsday programme after speaking to a resident who fled the town.

Boko Haram has captured a string of towns in northern-eastern Nigeria in recent months, fuelling concern that it could advance towards the main city, Maiduguri.

Mr Zanna said it would be “catastrophic” if Boko Haram launched an assault on Maiduguri, which has a population of more than two million.

“I’m begging the government to send more troops and armoury to Maiduguri,” he said.

“Boko Haram do come overwhelmingly because they recruited en masse in the villages [in Borno state],” he added.

Where will Boko Haram Attack Next?

An official of the United States of America has warned that Boko Haram is planning to launch attacks on Maiduguri following the fall of Bama, Borno state second largest city.

“We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs.

P.M NEWS reports that the US diplomat spoke at the opening session of US-Nigeria, Bi-National Commission Regional Security Working Group meeting, held in Abuja, Nigerian capital on Thursday, 4 September, 2014.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs.

According to Thomas-Greenfield, Nigeria should swallow its pride and do away with denials and acknowledge the threats posed by the deadly sect.

“This is a sober reality check for us all. We are past time for denial and pride,” she said.Continue readingnaij.com

Boko Haram Captures Bara, Banki Towns In Yobe, Borno

Boko Haram terrorists have stormed an unguarded Bara town in Yobe and Banki town in Borno states without firing a shot; they seized and controlled the territory.
Residents of the seized Banki town told the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that no one was harmed in the takeover but everybody fled the troubled areas to Maiduguri and the neighbouring Cameroon.
Confirming the incident to the BBC, a trader who escaped Bara, in Yobe State, Musa Abdullahi, said, “They (Boko Haram) invaded the town preaching in the whole town, asking people to leave government work and join them to fight for the sake of Allah.
“People were afraid, but they said that they did not come to kill anybody but to preach.”
Boko Haram’s attacks appear to have shifted in recent weeks away from simply creating mayhem to taking ground and holding it.
Traditional rulers in the captured towns, according to the agency, have now fled to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, despite denials by the government of Borno State and local vigilante groups that Bama remained under government control.
According to spokesman of the youth vigilante group in Borno State, Jibrin Gunda, “Bama has never been overrun or overtaken by the insurgents even for a minute.”
Among the towns captured by the Boko Haram are Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza, Damboa and Banki towns in Borno State and recently Buni Yadi and Bara towns in Yobe State.
Last month, the insurgents captured the remote farming town of Gwoza, along the Cameroon border. During the heavy fight, the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, declared in a video that the town was now “Islamic territory”.
Controlling Bama would bring the rebels closer to the Borno State capital, which is 70 km to the northwest, the birthplace of the Boko Haram movement. Fears that Maiduguri could be the next target led the government to extend a curfew in place there to 7pm to 6am; it used to start at 10pm.
A new report by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said 39,000 people have fled fighting in northeast Nigeria in the past 10 days over the border to Cameroon, adding that more than 700,000 people have been displaced externally and internally by the conflict.

Allegations Against Me Mischievous, Political
– Modu Sheriff
Former governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff has declared that he does share the Boko Haram ideology and has never been a sponsor of the sect that has waged a relentless and bloody campaign against the Nigerian state especially in Abuja and in the north-east states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who made this declaration yesterday during a world press conference in Abuja, debunked the recent allegations against him — orchestrated by an Australian negotiator Stephen Davies and published by certain media — that he was one of those sponsoring the deadly Boko Haram sect.
Those making the claim, he said, were mischief-makers hired to fabricate the stories in order to divert attention from the real issues at stake and cast a slur on his reputation for political reasons.
The former governor said he was constrained to speak out at this moment as the smear campaign had assumed a life of its own, in order to correct the erroneous and mischievous impression created about him in the eyes of the public, which has caused him plenty of hurt.
He read from a statement: “I must say that I have been utterly embarrassed by some of the negative comments, insinuations and unfounded accusations which were clearly misdirected, narrow and mischievous.
“After due reflection and over the dimensions the whole issue seems to be taking, and saddened by the persistent misrepresentation and misinformation in some quarters, particularly the recent castigations by the APC, it has become imperative that I set the record straight.
“Let me state categorically that I do not share the ideology of the Boko Haram sect, which is against western education, western culture and modern science or any sect with similar ideology.
“By my nature and upbringing, I have never associated myself with, nor shared the beliefs of, religious fundamentalists such as the Boko Haram sect or any other sect for that matter. As a matter of fact, they have also a lot of disdain for politicians and hate democracy with a passion.
“I wish to state with all sense of responsibility and modesty, for the avoidance of doubt, as a Muslim, I believe in the sanctity of human life and as a true democrat endorse all the rights enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.”
According to him, from the time he left office in 2011, he had been unfairly accused of so many things in connection with the Boko Haram sect, including entering into a pact to implement Sharia Law in exchange for the sect’s backing; that his government failed to act on a security report on the sect’s activities in order to contain it in time, and that these had emboldened the sect to flourish and turn bloody, allegations he described as totally baseless.
The former senator, who queried the authenticity of the Australian Stephen Davies who made the public allegation, wondered why the man who claimed he was contracted by the federal government did not submit his findings to the government, or the mainstream Nigerian media, and rather chose to speak to a “third-rate television station, ARISE, and ThisDay newspaper, both of which are owned by one person”.
He asked, “Of what particular interest is the said Davies in the politics of Nigeria that he rose in defence of APC leaders?”
Modu Sheriff also took strong exception to the uncomplimentary statements made by the APC national chairman, John Oyegun, during a press conference in Abuja on September 2 in which he called for the prosecution of Modu Sheriff and suggested that the latter was unworthy of the party.
“As much as I do not think that changing one’s political party is an anathema, I’m particularly concerned that my defection from the APC into PDP seems to further galvanise my detractors who have converted the matter into a political weapon,” he said, noting that it was ignoble for the APC to descend to this low level of mudslinging.
“Given the seriousness of the issue, I feel that it is highly uncharitable to try to trivialise the issue of terrorism on the altar of political rivalry. I believe strongly that some of those linking me with the sect are doing so either because of ignorance of the group, its history and development or are clearly being mischievous,” he said.
On the insinuation that the sect members were his political thugs who disagreed with him and turned wild, the ex-governor explained that the group’s activities predated the coming of his government in 2003.
Sheriff explained that Shariah Law was introduced into Borno by his predecessor, the late Alhaji Malla Kachalla, in year 2000, and he presented a document of the state government, dated February 1, 2001, and signed by the then Borno State SSG, Dr Shettima Bukar Abba, which listed the late leader of Boko Haram sect, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf, as part of the 25-member Sharia Law Implementation Committee inaugurated under the chairmanship of Prof. Abubakar Mustapha, the former vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri.

Australian Negotiator Names Boko Haram Sponsors

Stephen Davis, an Australian hostage negotiator who spent some time in Nigeria trying to secure the release of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Borno State, told BokoHaramInfo that he stands by his widely reported allegations that former Governor Modu Sherriff of Borno State and a former Chief of Army staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (ret.), were among the top sponsors of the Islamist insurgents who have massacred thousands of Nigerians and foreigners and made the northeast part of Nigeria a highly militarized zone.

In an extensive telephone interview with BokoHaramInfo yesterday, Dr. Davis also accused an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as a man based in Cairo, Egypt whom he claimed operates as Boko Haram’s bagman. He said both men, in addition to Mr. Sheriff and former General Ihejirika, were major players in the funding and continued existence of the deadly Islamist sect.

Dr. Davis told BokoHaramInfo that he did not want to name the CBN official as this may prejudice investigation by Nigeria’s security services. Both accused men have reacted furiously to Mr. Davis’ allegation, with the former Borno governor threatening to travel to Australia to sue his accuser while Mr. Ihejirika accused former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El Rufai, of being a “commander” of Boko Haram. Three days ago, Mr. El Rufai had posted transcripts and video of Mr. Davis’ accusations of the former governor and ex-Army chief on social media.

Asked whether Mr. El Rufai and former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, had a hand in funding or sponsoring Boko Haram, Dr. Davis said their names have not been mentioned to him by any Boko Haram connections.

Also, asked to explain why Mr. Ihejirika, a non-Muslim who hails from the predominantly Christian southeastern part of Nigeria, became a Boko Haram “sponsor,” Mr. Davis said, “Boko Haram commanders and some connected with them told me on several occasions Ihejirika was one of their sponsors.”
He also disclosed that Mr. Sheriff always had the best military protection in Nigeria’s violence-plagued northeast, a protection he claimed the ex-governor enjoyed after he left office.
Dr. Davis reiterated that his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders over a long period of time. Asked if President Goodluck Jonathan was aware of the insurgents’ sponsors and their specific roles, Dr. Davis said he was unsure of the extent of information currently before President Jonathan. He added that Mr. Jonathan had been weakened by lack of military loyalty and a history of security negligence. He gave the example of repeated attempts to bring the growth of Al Qa’eda associated cells to the attention of NSA’s since 2006 only to have them dismiss such reports as baseless. “By the time Goodluck Jonathan became president Boko Haram had become a potent weapon with a command structure embedded in 16 northern states fanned by support from corrupt politicians.”
He further gave the example of Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, Aliyu Gusau, whom he accused of basically leaving Mr. Jonathan to carry his can without taking any responsibility for his work.
The Australian negotiator also revealed that his years working with Nigerian presidents on matters of terrorism had shown that, even when some prominent individuals are known to be involved in criminality, the presidents are simply too afraid to take them on. He cited the example of the Niger Delta region. He told SaharaReporters that he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo found out that Abiye Sekibo, who was then Mr. Obasanjo’s Transport Minister, had contracted the assassins who killed a prominent politician, Harry Marshall. He said he tried to persuade Mr. Obasanjo to prosecute Mr. Sekibo, but the then president declined, stating that such a trial could bring down his government.
Dr. Davis touched on several aspects of Boko Haram activities, showing that he was quite knowledgeable about the sect’s actions. He told BokoHaramInfo that Boko Haram runs about six major camps in the northeast and neighboring countries, adding that 700 fighters inhabited each camp. In addition there are a range of smaller camps within Borno State, which are often temporary and to which kidnapped girls are taken to be used by the insurgents.

The Australian revealed that earlier this year Boko Haram was a loose coalition of three Islamist militant groups that worked with one another, claiming that, since four months ago, the sects had merged into one single entity, become more cohesive, strategically effective and powerful. “They are now linking with other terrorist group in the region and will soon be very difficult to dismantle. If these political sponsors think they can turn these groups off after the 2015 elections they are going to be surprised to find it is out of their control.”

On why he had chosen to speak out publicly at this time, Dr. Davis stated that, from experience, any terrorist group that has lasted more than eight years after its formation would likely exist for another 20 or more years before it can be dismantled. It thus becomes embedded for a generation and the likelihood of dismantling it was very low. “If we don’t do our utmost now to dismantle Boko Haram then we may not be able to do so for another generation. That is a very gloomy scenario for Nigeria.”

He touched on former National Security Adviser, Owoye Andrew Azazi, whom he described as utterly corrupt. He said Mr. Azazi, who was a retired Army general, was planning to buy into the Hilton hotel chain in London to the tune of $100 million before he died in a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012.

Dr. Davis painted a portrait of Nigeria’s various intelligence units as operating in silos that refuse to share information that could tame terrorist groups. To illustrate his point, the Australian cited the example of the State Security Services. According to him, months after the SSS won the extradition from the Sudan of Aminu Ogwuche, a suspected terror mastermind who reportedly planned the deadly bombing of an Abuja bus station, the intelligence agency had yet to interrogate Mr. Ogwuche about his links with the three young men he reportedly contracted to carry out the bombing.

Dr. Davis said the young men were three in number and that they lived in the home of a CBN official who also carried out banking transactions for Boko Haram through the CBN. He said two other young collaborators in the Nyanya Motor Park bombing remain on the run.

The Australian hostage negotiator vowed to make more revelations about Boko Haram’s sponsors, adding that he believed the sect could only be dismantled if their sponsors were exposed and prosecuted. In particular, he said he could not see why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not already moved on Sheriff for his extensive looting of public funds when he was the Borno State governor, and for leaving the roads in Borno State in a terrible shape that has enabled Boko Haram to ambush Nigeria troops and massacre them mercilessly. He also added that the former governor should face the ultimate trial for financing the recruitment of young men to the Islamist sect.

Dr. Davis dismissed Mr. Sheriff’s threat to travel to Australia to sue him for his statements as grandstanding and seeking to divert attention from the real issue of Mr. Sheriff’s involvement with Boko Haram. He added that he would be pleased to meet the former governor at the airport whenever he developed the courage to come to Australia.
 

Boko Haram Takes Over Bama Reports emerging from Bama, in Borno State, indicate that Boko Haram militants have taken over control of the city.

Reports emerging from Bama, in Borno State, indicate that Boko Haram militants have taken over control of the city.

The state’s second-largest city was attacked earlier today by the militants.  That first attack was initially repelled by Nigerian troops, but the militants appear to have returned in greater force, leading some of the soldiers to follow fleeing civilians in an effort to escape. 


Residents are saying tonight that Boko Haram has completely overrun the city and hoisted its flag in the city center.
A Nigeria military statement credited to General Chris Olukolade didn’t offer much hope for Bama, as the terse statement merely stated that the attack on Bama was “being repelled.” 
An intelligence source said reinforcements were underway to Bama from Maiduguri, but our own sources said only a few soldiers, in four armored tanks, were seen near Yezaram River.  He added that the unit was in no way capable of re-taking Bama from the militants.
SaharaReporters had reported earlier about soldiers fleeing the battle into Maiduguri after being overwhelmed by the invading Islamists.  Their barracks also received friendly fire from an Air Force jet.
Over 100 injured soldiers are receiving treatment at the MRS Hospital in Maimalari Barracks.  Several soldiers have died while others are still missing.