“NIGERIA WON’T DISINTEGRATE” – PRESIDENT JONATHAN; “DON’T DIALOGUE WITH BOKO HARAM” – ARCHBISHOP AKINOLA

Posted on May 28, 2012 by beegeagle
President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

LEADERSHIP
28 May,2012

excerpts

Nigeria won’t disintegrate – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday
ruled out the possibility of Nigeria
disintegrating as predicted by those he
described as enemies of the country,
saying his administration would continue to take the country to greater heights.

Speaking at an interdenominational
church service to mark the 2012
Democracy Day celebration, the president implored Nigerians to stand by him in the face of growing insecurity in the country. President Jonathan contended that the founding fathers of the nation had done enough to erect a solid foundation for the upcoming generations and that no one individual or group can divide the country along any ethnic or religious lines.

He said: “Terrorism which came into the
country like a thief in the night will be
tackled and defeated. I don’t intend to
say so much today since I will address the nation on Tuesday, but one thing I have to say is this: even though some people are busy predicting the disintegration of Nigeria, let me re-assure Nigerians that Nigeria will never disintegrate. “No individual or group, no matter their ambition or selfish purpose, will be able to divide this nation. Nigeria will never disintegrate.”

Don’t dialogue with Boko Haram — Akinola

Also speaking at the church service, the
immediate past primate of the church of
Nigeria Anglican Communion, Peter
Jasper Akinola, has declared that Boko
Haram is a Jihad against Christians,
warning that the federal government should not negotiate with the group.

Akinola had, in his sermon entitled
‘‘Know The Truth And The Truth Shall Set
You Free’’, hinged his teaching on two
key areas – security and corruption.“Boko Haram means Jews and Christians
are abomination. They have been
unleashing terror since 1966 and they
have a mandate. This problem is not
peculiar to Nigeria; many other
stakeholders are disenchanted but waiting for their time. They want to
eliminate infidels which include you Mr.
President,” Akinola stated.

Noting that Boko Haram is a Jihad against Christians, he said, “We have ignored the truth. Boko Haram must be seen in the right context. It is a continuation of the past. Shun all political claims that Boko Haram is not against Christianity. It is. It has been going on since 1966. They are committed to Jihad. You can’t stop them. They have been doing it for 36 years; they have not stopped and they won’t stop.’’

He urged government not to negotiate
with the sect: “You open yourself to
ridicule if you open dialogue to a group
that has made the country ungovernable.Don’t treat them with kid gloves. You don’t dialogue with criminals. The problem is not Jonathan, it is because we started in a wrong way and continue same way.”

The former primate stated further: “As we celebrate our democracy we must
seek after the truth about our beginning
as a country so that we know who we are,where we are coming from and going. It is the failure of admitting the truth about the past that has thrown us into this sorry state we are in today. “There are no clear signs of genuine
national unity. We are still disunited.
Leaders are interested in their own. No
national identity.

“We are blood-thirsty and bloodletting
society with no regards for sanctity of life.Nigeria is at war against itself. Selfish politicians are doing all things on basis of political exigency. A word of truth about our past amalgamation: there was no consent from the South and North. It was done for political and economic gains of the colonialists. Our leaders failed to gather the authentic representatives of Nigerians to seek the kind of independent Nigeria they wanted.”

On corruption, Akinola said: “Corruption,
the hydra-headed monster, has taken
over the soul of Nigeria. Officials are
stealing us blind. What remains of
Nigeria is the carcass. Anti-corruption is
selective. Their days are numbered. Police and judiciary have no clean hands. Our universities have joined traditional rulers to give questionable titles. “It will continue because government pays lip service. Corruption is stealing and stealing is a sin. God’s judgement will
start from the church if you don’t stop
sinning. You who steal subsidy money,
power supply money, road money. Blood is crying to the Creator. Money meant for schools never get to the schools.
Wherever you are – greedy and arrogant
politicians, you have turned Nigeria to a
borrowing state. Repent today. Don’t say
amen, repent!

“My proposal: know the truth; chart a new course for Nigeria. Current insecurity,corruption cannot be a matter of dialogue. It takes a holistic and
comprehensive approach. Organise a
presidential retreat from geopolitical zones. States should organise town hall
meetings. People should be free to say
the kind of Nigeria they want.

Harmonise the outcome of such gathering. Each zone then should send a delegation to a national conference. Those who want an Islamised Nigeria, they can go. “After all, Nigeria has a vast land. Now is the time to seek consent from our people.

Flush out from your government all
political jobbers and predators that hang around the presidency. Your government is too large – they make government redundant. Send them back to farms to grow cassava, cocoa etc. We know you are not an army general, but since Nigerians have voted you as the commander-in-chief, you are a general of generals.”

Posted in AFRICA, ARMED CONFLICT, BOKO HARAM ISLAMIC STATE MOVEMENT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, JOINT SECURITY TASK FORCE, NIGERIA, NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES, NIGERIAN SPECIAL FORCES, POLITICS, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SPECIAL TASK FORCE, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BASIC COUNTERTERRORISM+COUNTERINSURGENCY APPRECIATION COURSE: BATCH-3 2012 (KACHIA) INTAKE OF 298 TROOPS, 200 DEFENDERS CONCLUDE PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING

Posted on May 28, 2012 by beegeagle
Nigerian Army Otokar Cobra APC on JSTF urban counterterrorism and counterinsurgency patrols

Nigerian Army Otokar Cobra APC on JSTF urban counterterrorism and counterinsurgency patrols

LEADERSHIP
28 May, 2012

excerpts

We are combat-ready to tackle terrorism – COAS

Meanwhile, the chief of army staff,
Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike
Ihejirika, has said that the army is ever
ready to combat any form of terrorism in
the country. Ihejirika stated this at the weekend during the graduation of another round of 498 trained counter-terrorism troops at Kachia in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State.

The army chief told the graduands that
“from the four weeks’ intensive training
on counter-terrorism, the graduands are
sufficiently transformed and equipped
with the necessary skills needed to tackle the various security challenges that may confront them in the field”. He told them to expect such challenges when they are deployed to various parts
of the nation for special operations.

Represented at the ceremony by the
commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier
General Emmanuel Atewe, the army chief charged the troops to exhibit a
high sense of professionalism and
dedication in the conduct of the assignments while adhering strictly to the rules of engagement at all times. He added that such professional conduct
must be tailored towards addressing the
security situation in the country and
alleviating the sufferings of innocent law-abiding citizens whenever the terrorists strike.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of the
Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Centre, Brigadier General
Tijjani Kanbap Golau, said that of the
participants made up of 298 soldiers, 200 defenders were taken through a four- week rigorous training in various aspects of basic special forces training which covers fighting in built-up areas, VIP protection, search-and-rescue operations, tactical combat shooting, weapon handling, unarmed combat tactics, physical fitness, amongst other military training.

Brigadier General Golau said he was
confident the participants would give
a good account of themselves when
properly deployed and equipped for the
task ahead.

The Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Olu Abolurin, represented by the Deputy Commandant-General (administration), Engineer Suleiman Akanbi Bello, said the synergy and cooperation amongst security agencies strengthened by such joint training is needed in containing the security situation in the country.

Posted in AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, BOKO HARAM ISLAMIC STATE MOVEMENT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, JOINT SECURITY TASK FORCE, MILITARY HARDWARE, MILITARY PHOTOS, NIGERIA, NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN ARMY, NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES, NIGERIAN SPECIAL FORCES, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SPECIAL TASK FORCE, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE ‘AIR EXPO 2012’: STATIC DISPLAY

Posted on May 28, 2012 by beegeagle
NAF 812, the sole remaining FT-7NI variant in service as of today

NAF 812, the sole remaining FT-7NI variant in service as of today

Aerospatiale AS 332M1 Super Puma: crated in 1997, upgraded in Romania and reinducted in March 2012

Aerospatiale AS 332M1 Super Puma: crated in 1997, upgraded in Romania and reinducted in March 2012

Alenia ATR 42-500MP Surveyor: adjunct to the UAV/USV/coastal radar maritime awareness system

Alenia ATR 42-500MP Surveyor: adjunct to the UAV/USV/coastal radar maritime awareness system

Posted in AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, BORDER SECURITY, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, DEFENCE INDUSTRIES & PRODUCTION, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, MILITARY HARDWARE, MILITARY PHOTOS, NIGERIAN AIR FORCE, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

TERRORISM: PANEL ADVISES NIGERIA TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE USA; SOME NORTHERN STATES DENY CHURCHES LAND TITLE DEEDS, BAN CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

Posted on May 28, 2012 by beegeagle
Nigerian Army Panhard VBL M11 scout car on urban counterterrorism and counterinsurgency patrols

Nigerian Army Panhard VBL M11 scout car on urban counterterrorism and counterinsurgency patrols

THE NATION
By Yusuf Alli
28 May, 2012

SECURITY agents will be more confident in fighting terrorism, should the Federal Government accept a recommendation that they get life insurance.

Besides, the Galtimari Presidential Committee on security challenges in the Northeast has advised the Federal Government to seek the cooperation of the United States and nations with similar experience to stem the tide of bombings perpetrated by the Islamist group, Boko Haram (western education is sin).

The panel believes life insurance cover will encourage security agents to bodly face security challenges. It advised President Goodluck Jonathan to create an informal forum for discussing security issues with governors and other stakeholders. Also, the panel is seeking the abolition of indigeneship in all the 36 states.

These highlights, exclusively obtained by The Nation, are some of the key recommendations of the panel. The committee was inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on August 2, last year.

Members of the committee are: Amb. Usman G. Galtimari(Chairman), Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Joe-Kyeri Gadzama(SAN), Col. Musa Shehu(rtd), Senator Bala Mohammed, Dr. Bello Mohammed, Chief Emeka Wogu and Alhaji A.B. Shehu.

Following the submission of a final report by the panel last September, the SGF raised a seven-man White Paper Drafting Committee which was headed by Comrade A. Mora. Other members of the committee are: Alh. Bukar Tijani, Esther G. Gonda; Alh. Abdullahi Yola, Mr. Usman Abubakar,Mr. Jubril Adeniji; Mr. L.E. Njoku, and Mr. U. Onwuanuokwu.

The main report and the government’s position have been harmonised in the White Paper. The panel emphasised intelligence sharing and cooperation with the United States and others.

The report said: “The committee observed that there is anapparent lack of strong and enduring international engagement and cooperation with some nations that experienced terrorism, such as the United States of America .

The lack of intelligence sharing to avert unpleasant situations should be addressed. “The Committee’s findings in respect of links between thesect and international terrorist organisations and the sophistication of sect’s attacks (especially the attack on the United Nations’ Building) demand international cooperation and engagement in the area of intelligence gathering and dissemination of information.” “The war on terrorism can only be won through effective collaboration with countries that have experienced the threat.

“The Federal Government should diversify and strengthenits means of creating avenues for international intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation through diplomatic channels/pacts,” it said.

The committee urged President Goodluck Jonathan to create an informal forum for discussing security issues with governors and other stakeholders.The panel specifically demanded one-on-one discussions between the President and governors on security matters.

The report added: “The performance of security operatives can be improved upon, if certain variables are provided. As a way forward, government should ensure that security agents are given life insurance cover and incentives in form of extra allowances.

“In addition, security agents in the course of duty should have their entitlements promptly paid in order to sustain the families they left behind and to demonstrate that they did not die in vain.

“The Federal Government should create an informal forum at the highest level, where Mr. President will discuss national security issues with governors and other major stakeholders from time to time. “Again, there is an urgent need to arrange an informal forum where Mr. President will grant audience to each state governor on one-on-one basis where issues of security could be addressed.”

The committee identified the use of commercial motorcyclists for terror attacks and asked the government to regulate their operation. “The committee observed that motorcycles are being used to commit. It recommended that all commercial motorcycle riders should be registered, given reflective jackets and identity cards,” it added.

On religious intolerance in the North, the panel urged the Federal Government to prevail on states in the North to be fair. The report said: “There were alleged neglect and lack of concern by some state governments in the North to some particular faith where their legitimate rights and demands are ignored for no apparent reasons other than possibly on the grounds that they constitute a minority.

“Some state governments in the North that were alleged to have deliberately denied the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy(C of O) to churches should be advised to desist from such acts. “They should be immediately issued with C of O. Also, Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) should be allowed to be taught in schools alongside Islamic Religious Knowledge/Studies in state where such is not done.“Government accepts this recommendation.”

The committee also called for the abolition of indigeneship in the country with the adoption of Sokoto Model. He said: “As a roadmap to the return of peace to the North-East zone and other parts of Nigeria , government should endevaour to integrate and unite Nigerians by rejecting those things that divide us, such as statism and the settler/indigene syndrome. Nigerians should be encouraged to see other Nigerians as compatriots who can live and do business anywhere in the country without any recourse to religion or ethnicity.

“The committee was availed with the existence of a unique approach by the Sokoto State Government where everybody residing in the state is considered and accorded indigeneship with full rights to free primary education, registration of premises and ownership of property including employment opportunities and right to contest political offices.

“The Federal Government should encourage other states in the Federation to adopt Sokoto State model where everybody is considered and accorded indigeneship with full rights to free primary education, registration of premises and ownership of property, including employment opportunities and right to contest political offices.
“Government accepts this recommendation.”

Posted in AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, BOKO HARAM ISLAMIC STATE MOVEMENT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, JOINT SECURITY TASK FORCE, MILITARY HARDWARE, MILITARY PHOTOS, NIGERIA, NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES, NIGERIAN SPECIAL FORCES, POLITICS, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SPECIAL TASK FORCE, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NIGERIA POLICE IS CORRUPT, EFCC IS NOT SINCERE – US REPORT

Posted on May 27, 2012 by beegeagle

CHANNELS TELEVISION
26 May, 2012

The United States has indicted both the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying that corruption in the institutions remained very rampant.

A recent report on Human Rights
Practices compiled by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said that the Nigerian Police corruption remained rampant,particularly at highway checkpoints. “Police routinely stopped drivers who
did not commit traffic infractions,
refusing to allow them to continue
until they paid bribes. The Office of
the Inspector General of Police
attempted to strengthen the Police Monitoring Unit, which was charged
with visiting police stations to search
officers for signs of accepting bribes;
however, the unit remained ineffective and made no arrests by year’s end.”

“Authorities generally did not hold police accountable for the use of
excessive or deadly force or for the
deaths of persons in custody. Police
generally operated with impunity in
the illegal apprehension, detention, and sometimes execution of criminal
suspects. The reports of state or
federal panels of inquiry investigating
suspicious deaths remained unpublished. Citizens could report
incidents of police corruption to the NHRC; however, the NHRC did not act
on such complaints during the year,
and no other mechanism existed to
investigate security force abuse.”

The US report also said that the Nigerian Police mistreated civilians to extort money, stressing that the law prohibited the introduction into trials of evidence and confessions obtained through torture. “However, police often used torture to extract confessions.”

“The law provides criminal penalties
for official corruption; however, the
government did not implement the
law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces.

The constitution provides immunity from civil and criminal prosecution to the president,vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office” the US
reports added. The reports further noted that the Nigerian Police had failed to
intervene in domestic disputes and as
well remained reluctant to intervene
to protect women who formally accused their husbands of abuse if the level of alleged abuse did not exceed customary norms in the areas.

“According to the 2008 NDHS, 43percent of women and 30 percent of men between the ages of 15 and 49 agreed that a husband may justifiably hit or beat his wife for at least one of five specified reasons, including burning food and arguing” it stated. The reports added: “In June 2010 the government deposed the traditional ruler of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State after he attacked one of his wives in the street in full view of witnesses.

Police stated that they would press assault charges against the perpetrator, and many in Ondo State and Abuja criticized the actions of the traditional ruler. In a countermeasure the accused filed an injunction naming police and the courts and asking the court to drop the case.There were no developments in the case by year’s end.”

On Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), the report stated
that officials of the anti-corruption
agency reportedly singled out political
opponents of the governing party in
their arrest and detention of state, local, and federal government officials on corruption charges during the year. “The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the
law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.

Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces. The constitution provides immunity from civil and criminal prosecution to the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office.

Posted in AFRICA, NIGERIA, NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, PIRACY, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

3 CARD PLAYERS GUNNED DOWN IN NIGERIAN CITY

Posted on May 27, 2012 by beegeagle
Boko Haram militants pose in front of satellite imagery of Bauchi

Boko Haram militants pose in front of satellite imagery of Bauchi

(AFP)
KANO, Nigeria
27 May, 2012

Gunmen shot dead three card players in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, which has been rocked by deadly attacks blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram in recent months, police said Sunday.

Two motorcycle-riding gunmen opened
fire on a group of card players in the
Gaida area of the city on Saturday
evening, killing three of the players and
seriously injuring another. “Two gunmen on motorcycles attacked some card players in the Gaida area yesterday evening,” said police spokesman Rilwanu Dutse. “Three card players were killed on the spot, while another one sustained life-threatening injuries and was admitted to hospital. No arrest was made.”

The gunmen shot in the air for about 20
minutes before speeding away, said one
witness. “The attackers came around 6:00 pm and produced rifles that looked like AK-47s from under their robes and began shooting into the group playing cards under a tree,” he said. “The shooting caused a stampede, with
everyone around running for cover …”

It was the second attack on card players
in two weeks in the city. On May 13, three people, including a prison guard, were killed and four others injured by gunmen on a motorcycle in the Tukuntawa area of the city. Although it was unclear who was behind the latest attack, Boko Haram has been blamed for a series of drive-by shootings in the city.

A suspect arrested last week allegedly
confessed to belonging to a 20-man gang recruited by Boko Haram behind a series of killings, including an attack on church services at a university which killed 19 worshippers.

Posted in AFRICA, ARMED CONFLICT, BOKO HARAM ISLAMIC STATE MOVEMENT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, JOINT SECURITY TASK FORCE, NIGERIA, NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

TRIBUTE TO UNSUNG ECOMOG HEROES: BATTLE OF FREETOWN II

Posted on May 27, 2012 by beegeagle
Nigerian ECOMOG artillerymen dismount for action during the Battle of Freetown II, 10 Jan 1999

Nigerian ECOMOG artillerymen dismount for action during the Battle of Freetown II, 10 Jan 1999

Posted in AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, MILITARY HARDWARE, MILITARY PHOTOS, NIGERIA, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN ARMY, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SIERRA LEONE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY(SOCIAL REVOLUTION OR JIHAD): HOW CHRISTIANS BEAR THEIR CROSSES AT THE FRONTLINES

Posted on May 27, 2012 by beegeagle
A garrisoned Church of the Brethren, Maiduguri: The price of keeping the faith at the frontlines

A garrisoned Church of the Brethren, Maiduguri: The price of keeping the faith at the frontlines

Posted in AFRICA, AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, BOKO HARAM ISLAMIC STATE MOVEMENT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, JOINT SECURITY TASK FORCE, NIGERIA, NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, NIGERIAN MILITARY HISTORY, NIGERIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES, NIGERIAN SPECIAL FORCES, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, SPECIAL TASK FORCE, STATE SECURITY SERVICE, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, WEST AFRICAN STANDBY FORCE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SIX INJURED AS GRENADE ATTACKS ROCK NORTHERN KENYA

Posted on May 26, 2012 by beegeagle
Kenyan troops prepare to go into Somalia

Kenyan troops prepare to go into Somalia

GARISSA, Kenya
May 26 (Xinhua)

At least six people were injured in two
simultaneous grenade attacks suspected
to have been carried out by Somali Al-
Shabaab in two border districts in Kenya’s northern region bordering the war- ravaged Somalia. The attacks in Ifo 1 in Dadaab refugee complex in Garissa County and a hotel in Wajir town occurred less than ten minutes of each at 1730 GMT and 1740GMT local time.

In the Ifo attack assailants numbering
five hurled a hand grenade into a
construction site in a private primary school benefiting refugees children targeting non-Somali masons, who were at the time resting inside one of the classes under construction. The twin attacks which have similar hallmarks, with previous attacks in the region which was claimed by the group,have shocked residents and troubled the
Kenya security machinery which is
claiming a victory against Al-Shabaab in neighboring Somalia after the fall of the
Afgooye to allied soldiers two days ago, a town believed to be the last foothold of the resistant group.

Regional police commander Leo Nyongesa confirmed that suspected members of the militant group hurled two grenades at Horseed primary school in Ifo, one of the three refugee camps in Northern Kenya, injuring five laborers who were at the time preparing supper in one of the classes under construction. “Assailants of unknown number have
thrown two hand grenades into the
primary school run by African Development Emergency Organization
(ADEO) funded by UNHCR, injuring five
masons who were involved in the construction work,” he told Xinhua by
telephone.

Nyongesa said the five casualties were
rushed to Ifo main hospital for treatment,noting that two of the five sustained heavy injuries while the three others escaped with minor injuries. The school Principal Farah Gabay told Xinhua that the injured persons were all non-Somali construction laborers from other parts of the country working with a local construction company called Modogashe Constructions Limited. He said the impact of the blast destroyed one of the eight classes under construction.

According to an eye witness, two people
threw the hand grenade to the five who
were busy finishing the day’s work on
Saturday night. “We only saw two people running as they headed towards the nearby houses, this was immediately after the blast, on
reaching there we saw the five wailing in pain as they bled profusely and a few
meters from where they were lay the grenade,” a refugee at the Ifo camp who
did not want to be named told Xinhua.

In the Wajir attack,a suspected Al-Shabaab assailant hurled a hand grenade into a popular Dubai Lodge in the main street of the town and injured seriously a man who was a reveler at the hotel.

Eyewitnesses said those behind the
attack were not sure of themselves and
threw it in a cowardly way and therefore did not hit their targets which was a big crowd that was busy watching the 7 p.m. news bulletin.

“They were aiming at a big crowd which
was busy watching the 7 p.m. live bulletin, we only heard a commotion of people running outside immediately after the incident,” said one of the lucky survivors who was also in the hotel.

Nyongesa who confirmed the two
incidents said that investigations have
been launched and promised to get to the bottom of the two incidents. Nyongesa said four people believed to
be those behind the soaring incidents of
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and
hand grenades attacks in the region and
mainly in the refugee complex, were
arrested by the police on Saturday. He said the suspects are helping the
security personnel to unravel the
mastermind and break into the Al-
Shabaab operative cells.

The East African nation has also been
plagued by a spate of grenade and
landmine attacks in its northern region
where the insurgents have killed more
than 15 police officers and over 30
civilians.

Since the Kenya military incursion into Somalia several attacks believed to have
been carried out by Al-Shabaab have
occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa
and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya
even as the military reports gains against the militant group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them. Kenya blames the group for a string of attacks and kidnappings in Kenya, including those of four Europeans. The Kenyan government says the kidnappings threaten tourism, a key source of revenue for the country.

Somalia has been unfortunate for at least two decades during which time warlords and all other merchants of violence have devastated the country’s human existence. Al-Shabaab has been fighting since 2008 to topple Somalia’s weak central government. The group has ties to al Qaida, and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

Kenya accuses the al Qaida-linked group,
which controls much of central and
southern Somalia, of a spate of
abductions from its territory-charges
denied by the militants. Al-Shabaab has said it views the presence of Kenyan troops in southern Somalia as
an act of war.

Posted in AFRICAN ARMED FORCES, ARMED CONFLICT, COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS, GLOBAL DEFENCE NEWS, KENYA, MILITARY PHOTOS, POLITICS, RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, RISK ANALYSIS, SECURITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS, TERRORISM, URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

RIPOSTE TO “CHANGING FACE OF BOKO HARAM” : ‘A ROSY VIEW OF THE INSURGENTS’

Posted on May 26, 2012 by beegeagle
Boko Haram militants, screenshot from a 2010 video

Boko Haram militants, screenshot from a 2010 video

DAILY MAIL
By MICHAEL BURLEIGH
PUBLISHED: 12:27 GMT, 24 May 2012
UPDATED: 12:30 GMT, 24 May 2012

Last night the heat meant I could not
sleep. So I watched the Sky Press Review. A reviewer from the FT made some patronising comments about The Mail As it happens, that morning I nearly choked on my coffee when I read one Xan Rice writing in the FT about ‘A Rare Glimpse into Mysteries of Boko Haram’, the Nigerian Islamist terrorist organisation.

So far this year Boko Haram, which means ‘Western education is forbidden’ in Hausa, have killed 500 people in Nigeria, many of them Christians. It is thought the group’s recent use of sophisticated bombing tactics owes much to demobbed African mercenaries returning from Libya to Mali Mauritania or Niger, and then on to northern Nigeria. Al Qaeda is also active in those parts.

The FT article claims that Boko Haram can be attributed to ‘poor governance’ manifested in ‘rampant corruption, inequality and injustice’. If that were the case, then there would surely be militant Christians going around setting off car bombs, since they would be affected by the same chronic circumstances. The catalyst for Boko Haram violence is said to be the police killing of an imam called Mohammed Yusuf in July 2009. He was beaten up and then shot by an impromptu firing squad in his cell.

Actually as the name on the tin indicates, Boko Haram wants to intensify the sharia law, which already prevails across the Muslim north, while striking at western interests in Abuja and the south. That is why they blew up a UN building in the capital in August last year, killing 18 people. They have also bombed or shot worshippers at Christian churches and the offices of This Day newspaper. None of which has much to do with the state of governance under President Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria who is an improvement on many of his predecessors.

At least when The Mail covers terrorism, it calls it what it is rather than trying to find excuses for murdering innocent people. Nigeria may be corrupt, but it is making great economic strides too, so one can only marvel at what would happen if Boko Haram were to get its way and eradicate western education in favour of some grim hand-chopping regime.

But then in the circles that read the FT it is always good to talk, even with murderers.

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