Security Watch naija: 2012-09-30

Friday, October 5, 2012

4 UNIPORT students beaten to death for stealing

Four Students from the University of Port-Harcourt earlier today, were killed by an unknown man who claimed they were caught stealing phones and laptops. It was later reported that the students involved were Cultists that went to Attack someone and on their way out, were caught by a girl who screamed and alerted people...

Beer Garden Bombed In Jalingo, leaves 10 injured

A bomb blast occurred last night at a bear parlor in Doruwa area of Jalingo, Taraba state. This blast happened right in front of a brothel, a stone throw from the state ministry of works.

the blast left at least 10 people injured.
Eyewitnesses said blast shook the whole area.

Most beer parlors in the area have closed down as a result and the police have cordoned off the area

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Robbers raid houses in Lagos, force housewives to prepare “delicious meals” while they robbed

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers last fortnight stormed Celenzia Community in Okokomaiko area of Lagos State and subjected the residents to untold hardship and torture.

They particularly struck at 2, Charley Pace Street, broke into the flats and tied their husbands together while the women were compelled to bring all they have in their kitchens. As the women were busy preparing delicious dishes for them, the bandits ransacked their apartments and collected over N235, 000 including their valuables.

Victims said their operation started at about 7.00pm in the evening and ended at about 10:30pm.

Crime Alert learnt that before their operation, four members of the gang sneaked into a two-storey building at about 6.00pm and hung around the pent house which no one occupies for about an hour. One of the tenants in the building was reported to have seen them but could not confront them thinking they were visiting a co-tenant. It was also discovered that the robbers used a neighbour that is familiar with the tenants to penetrate each and every flat in the building.

When Crime Alert visited the scene, different accounts of the victims were taken. The first eye witness, a tenant who pleaded anonymity said: “I was lying down when I saw one of the robbers loitering around and I challenged him, asking him what he was doing in front of my flat.

He replied me aggressively and brought out a gun, so I surrendered to him. He told me that he will not hurt me if I cooperated with him and that I should go upstairs into one of my neighbour’s flat because that was where other tenants were been kept.

One robbers held tenants hostage

“When I got there, I saw the other tenants in the room. The men had their hands tied and their lips were sealed with tape. It was just one robber that kept us hostage, he was holding a gun while the rest were searching the flats. When we were finally released, I discovered that my flat was turned upside down and they carted away N30,000 from my flat.”

Another victim who told Crime Alert that she went out to throw away waste when one of the robbers pointed a gun at her and forced her to go back to her flat narrated her story. She said: “I was going out to throw away waste when one of the robbers pointed a gun at me and ordered me back to my flat.

“He said if I failed to cooperate that he will ‘seize my breadth’, so I went inside. He asked me to bring all that I have with me and I told him that I had nothing with me, he searched the house, collected my phone and told me to go out and knock at the door of other neighbours of which I told him that I am a visitor and I don’t know anybody.”

Another victim said that neither she nor her husband was around at the time of the robbery, and that she was returning from the market when she heard a cry for help from the building and quickly ran to the leader of the community security to lay her compliant.

Community security

“I was just returning from the market when I heard a cry from the building shouting thief! thief!! I ran to complain to the leader of our community security who responded immediately but we could not catch up with the robbers who had left before we got there.”

The leader of the community security who is simply called “Baba catch”, said that he alerted other members of the community security immediately he was informed about the robbery but could not catch up with the robbers.

“I was told by passers-by that the robbers crossed through a wooden bridge that leads to another community and that a suspected boy in a military camouflage was caught some minutes after the robbers crossed the same bridge but was released after some interrogation.

“I alerted my boys immediately I was informed by a tenant of the building that robbers invaded their homes. We did not catch up with them and I ordered my boys to comb the community. Later, we were told that they crossed over to the other community through a wooden bridge. When we got the bridge, we sighted an under aged man in a military polo and we stopped and interrogated him to know who he was and he aggressively responded that he was a solider but could not present his identity.

“I have to call a retired military officer that lives in the community to come and attest to the claims and when he came, the boy later confessed not belonging to the Nigerian army but a member of the boyscout. That was after he was slapped on the face by the angry ex-military officer. However, he was freed after the interrogation.”

143 UNIBEN Students arrested for forgery

Management of the University of Benin, on Wednesday said it had handed over to the police 143 of its students for certificate forgery.

The students, according to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Harrison Osarenren, are students of the faculties of Social Sciences, Engineering, Management Sciences and Life Sciences.

Vice-Chancellor, of the institution, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, said some of the students were arrested during the second semester examinations.

He said, “We arrested some persons who engaged in certificate racketeering and we are going to flush out any member of staff involved in these illegal activities.

“Some of the students involved in this fake admission, have been arrested and are with the police now. We cannot tolerate illegalities in this university and we appeal to parents to monitor their children to ensure that they are not involved in such a vice.”

He further raised the alarm over havoc wreaked by erosion in the university and appealed to the Federal Government to assist the institution. According to the PRO, four houses in the staff quarters have been submerged, forcing the relocation of their occupants.

Source: PUNCH

Zaria becomes a haven for terrorists

Militants from Boko Haram are under suspicion for the killing of a motorcycle police officer in Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday.

A source told Sahara Reporters that the incident happened around the Kwangila area, a congested area outside Zaria city.

He said there have been constant killings in Zaria believed to be carried out by members of Boko Haram, and as well intimidation of community leaders.

A man buying and selling foreign currency was also shot to death on Wednesday night, the source said.

NEMA warns of more flood as Crocodiles and Hippopotamus Invade Homes in the north

Flood in Borno

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that there will yet be even more flood in the days ahead. The warning is coming as dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippos are already invading homes in several communities in the north.

Police Arrest Mubi murder suspects

The search for the murder which claimed the lives of 46 students in federal polytechnic Mubi Adamawa state, began yesterday, Wednesday the 3rd of October 2012. The search led to a house-to-house search in Mubi during which an unspecified number of suspects were arrested.

Police Recover Maryam Abacha’s Jewellery From Robbers

When a gang of robbers hatched the plan to raid the Kano home of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, located in Nassarawa Quarters, where some of his family members live, they knew they were onto something big, if they succeeded. It was a high stake operation that demanded utmost planning and attention to details and the robbers were ready to throw in everything they had to ensure a successful operation.

Jonathan Offers to Negotiate with Bomber Henry Okah

Mr. Henry Okah

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed the readiness of his administration to hold talks with a leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), who is also responsible for twin bombings that rocked the 2010 october independence celebrtion. Mr. Henry Okah, who is now on trial in a South African court for terrorism.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Police nab kidnap gang with female member in Lagos

Men of the Nigeria Police in Lagos have arrested a gang of eight, including a woman, suspected to have killed a businessman, Mr. Odidi Nweze, in Lagos recently.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, said the suspects’ modus operandi was to drug their victims and take them to a location in FESTAC, Lagos.

He said, “In the cases of kidnapping that had been recorded of recent, victims were usually drugged and taken to FESTAC. Now, we have smashed this particular syndicate. Its ring leader, Kelvin Emenike, was the first to be arrested. Though he lives in Port Harcourt, he was lured to Lagos by the police under the guise of a business proposal.

“It was Emenike who led the police to arrest the seven other gang members, including a woman. There is a previous case of suspected murder of a clearing agent linked to this group.”

He said the suspects who used an uncompleted building located somewhere in Okota, Lagos as their hideout were in the habit of trailing their victims to an obscure place, abduct and blindfold them before taking them to their hideout in Okota.

Whenever the victims’ families pay ransom, Manko said, it was the woman that usually collects and shares it among members of the gang.

Emenike, who confessed to the crime, said the gang killed the businessman because he attempted to snatch a gun from one of them.

He said, “Although the parents later paid N1.2m out of the money we demanded, we killed him even before they paid the money.

“When he was kidnapped at Satellite Town, as we were going to Okota, he attempted to disarm one of us. So, I grabbed the gun and fired him point blank. He later bled to death.”

When asked how he picked his targets, Emenike said they usually go on motorcycles and trail people in flashy cars, adding that they would then attack the victims and demand ransom from their families.

Emenike said, “There was one time that we kidnapped two people in a jeep but the victims told us that the vehicle wasn’t theirs and we later let them go. Most times, we receive between N1m and N5m as ransom depending on how the family negotiates.”

Man arrested for kidnapping 10-year-old boy

The Osogbo Magistrate Court Yesterday arraigned one Nurudeen Adeniyi, 37, for allegedly abducting a 10-year-old boy.

According to the police charged sheet, Nurudeen was alleged to have kidnapped Sikiru Salam, a pupil of AUD Primary School, Isale Osun, Osogbo, on September 30, around 8.00 p.m. at Ibokun road in Osogbo, Osun State.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Oladoye Joshua said the offence contravenes and is punishable under section 249 (D) of the Criminal Code cap 34 Vol II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

Nurudeen, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of abduction and felony leveled against him when they were read to him by the court clerk.

According to the defence counsel, Nnena Ngwu pleaded the court to grant the accused bail on the most liberal term, stressing that he was ready to stand trial and would provide sureties, if granted bail.

Ngwu insists that the accused remains innocent until he’s proven guilty of the charges as contained under section 118 of the laws of Nigeria.

Mr Joshua while responding to the bail application maintains that if he was granted bail, it would send bad signal to other people out there regarding kidnapping and other vices.

Ngwu told the court the essence of bail was to secure the accused to stand his trial. She prayed the court to grant the accused bail.

The president of the court, Adewumi Makanjuola, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties.

Lagos police engage robbers in a shoot-out

Four suspected armed robbers on Tuesday, stormed the Abule Onigbagbo Estate along the busy Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.
The armed robbers reportedly forced their way into one of the houses on Shogunle Street, stealing jewellery, including other household goods.

Read more...

Fake soldier nabbed and arrested with police walkie talkies

Johnson with seized uniforms and other items

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a fake soldier, Samuel Johnson, for impersonation.

According to the authorities of the command, Johnson was arrested on September 17, 2012, in full military uniform with the rank of lance corporal. He claimed to be member of the Nigerian Army attached to Ojo Cantonment, Lagos.

Three police walkie talkies, 10 pairs of military uniforms, four pairs of military boots and six military belts were recovered from him.

Gunmen attack hostel, kill two students in Borno

Halima Damcida

A final year Law student, Halima Damcida, and another student identified simply as Abdul of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, were killed on Saturday after some gunmen invaded a hostel outside the university premises.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the two students were in a room in the hostel along Road 202 by Bama Road when the hoodlums attacked them.

Police kill teenager on Independence Day in Bayelsa

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar

The Independence Day anniversary recorded a tragedy in Bayelsa State as the police allegedly killed a 16-year-old boy along Hospital Road in Yenagoa.

Police patrol teams were immediately withdrawn from the metropolis on Tuesday shortly after the killing.

The killing of the boy, whose identity could not be ascertained, increased to three, the number of persons allegedly shot dead by the police in the past two months.

How we kidnapped, killed Ikorodu bizman – Suspects

The suspected kiddnappers/killers. Inset: the Slain Akinsanjo

AUGUST 31, 2012 will,forever, remain indelible in the memory of Mrs Johnson Akinsanjo, following the circumstances that resulted in the death of her husband, thereby plunging her into an unprepared status of widowhood.

Her late husband, Johnson, a popular businessman was into fishing in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The 47 year-old man had gone to pick his wife at Ibeshe Jetty where she oversees a section of the family business, without the slightest inkling that tragedy was ahead of him.

Death toll of Mubi Polytechnic killings increases to 46

It was black independence day for students in Federal polytechnic, Mubi damawa state, as unknown gunmen, suspected to be members of Boko Haram, killed at least 46 persons, mostly students of three tertiary institutions in the town, on Monday night.

Read more...

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Anambra: Gunmen shot dead two Policemen

Abor Akuzor, in Umusiome village, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State was attacked by unknown gunmen on Monday killing two policemen and wounded many others.

They also destroyed some parts of a hotel under construction over what was seen as a way of expressing anger over the disputed land in the area.

The two policemen killed by the gunmen were said to be attached to Ogidi Police Station and were on patrol in the embattled Abor Akuzor kindred which had been previously invaded by unidentified gunmen.

The killing of the two policemen came on the heels of a similar incident in the area during which a middle aged woman, Mrs Ogechi Okechukwu, was killed on Sunday.

They also destroyed a hotel under construction belonging to the chairman of Abor Akuzor kindered, Chief Okechukwu Nwafoagu, and other buildings in the neighbourhood.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ogidi Ploice Station Mr Kanayo Uzoegwu, confirmed the incident.

Also contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Raphael Uzoigwe who said he was going to Ogidi in connection with the matter said the policemen were on routine township patrol in the area when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen.

The PPRO said: "We are still investigating the incident and surely we are going to arrest the hoodlums. We will however address the press at the appropriate time, but we want to asure that police will not take it lightly with trouble makers in the area."

Abor Akuzor kindred has been embroiled in a protracted land dispute with their neighboring Oramadike village, Ogidi, also in the same council area, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties, which resulted in the constant police and military patrol in the area.

This attack on Abor Akuzor was the third time since May this year, and in all, the hotel which is at the roofing stage was attacked and properties like generator, bundles of roofing sheets, water tanks, borehole and building materials were destroyed and set ablaze.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, had because of crisis in the area, summoned the chairmen of Abor Akuzor and his Oramadike countapert to Abuja, where they were made to write and sign undertaking to the police to maintain peace and order with their subjects.

Nwafoagu, whose hotel and property were destroyed, blamed the police for not acting early on the information his people had given them.

He said, "In all the attacks, I have always called the security agencies in and outside the state and sent text messages to all their heads. I have been saying it that the activities of these hoodlums should be checked to avoid loss of lives.

"My people have provided necessary information on where to arrest them; their source of arms, yet this information have not been acted upon."

20 students of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa state shot dead

Federal polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa

20 students of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, were shot dead last night by unknown gunmen. The men invaded the off-campus student hostel around 11 last night, rounded some students up, lined them up, asked a few questions and then separated the students into two groups. One group was allowed to go and the other group, with about 20 students, were all shot dead - execution style.

Students in the hostel have started leaving for fear of another attack. The school is yet to issue a statement about the murders.
Read more...

Nigeria: Currency Trafficker Opens Up - I Collected U.S.$2.8 Million From One Trader - Suspect

The identities of individuals allegedly sponsoring a suspected currency trafficker, Abubakar Tijjani Sheriff, who was arrested while attempting to smuggle $7million cash (about N1.1billion) out of the country, are now beginning to emerge. LEADERSHIP can now authoritatively report that one of the sponsors (names withheld) gave $2.8million cash out of the said $7million to Sheriff for trafficking to Dubai.

A source within the EFCC told LEADERSHIP yesterday that the suspect had made a useful statement that would enable the commission unravel the other individuals that were using Sheriff as front for illegal currency trafficking.

The source further confided in our correspondent that the details of the said sponsor's status would not be made public for now, as he insisted that the development might affect the course of further investigation on the matter.

He added that the suspect was cooperating with the anti-graft agency in its bid to apprehend other sponsors.

He said, "I can tell you that the suspect (Sheriff) has revealed that $2.8million out of the $7million cash belongs to the said sponsor. He has confessed that he is a courier for 20 individuals who hired him to courier the money for them to Dubai. He is still assisting investigators to determine these individuals.

"I will not be able to give you further details on the status of the said suspect and other sponsors. This is because we are closing in on them and we don't want to do anything that will enable them to escape. The EFCC operatives are working on the suspect's confession and I can tell you that appreciable progress is being made in this regard."

The 24-year-old suspect was picked up on Thursday, last week, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos en route Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the point of boarding the plane.

Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested and are currently being quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an attempt to export $9million cash out of the country.

LEADERSHIP exclusively gathered that the suspects were arrested separately at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Checks revealed that, two days after the arrest of Sheriff, the anti-graft agency similarly apprehended one Nkem Sebastian for attempting to smuggle $286,000 out of the country. He was arrested as he prepared to board a plane to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, en route China.

When the money was discovered, Sebastian disclosed that he had only $200,000 on him. But a search revealed that he was actually carrying $286,000.

Under-declaring cash at the entry and exit points in the country are a criminal offence and the person making the declaration risks losing 25 per cent of the money under the provisions of the Money Laundering Act, 2012.

On interrogation, Sebastian claimed that he was given the money by one Konja for distribution to unnamed recipients in China. He claimed not to know the home of Konja, saying that they always met at the airport where he handed him the consignment to deliver outside Nigeria.

The commission had, on September 22, arrested one Prince Oteh Emenike with N996, 040 cash at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Unlike the others, Emenike, who was to board a China-bound Ethiopian Airline, fully disclosed the money. He claimed the money was given to him to deliver to some traders in China.

But the latest in the string of arrests over bulk cash smuggling, LEADERSHIP can now report, was at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, where operatives of the EFCC this Sunday arrested one Alhaji Tasiu Ilu Kura, a businessman, with $700,000 (about N112million). The suspect, who hails from Kura local government area in Kano State, was arrested en route Dubai with a valid Niger Republic passport (07PC61816).

Three other suspects were equally arrested for failing to declare the foreign exchange on them. They are Sadi Umar Abdurahman, Nasir Sanni Ali and Haruna Inuousa Murtala.

According to the EFCC source, an investigation into the source of the funds and what it was meant for was ongoing.

VIDEO: Nigerian Terror Suspect Okah Tried In South Africa-Al Jazeera

Here's a video of Henry Okah a Nigerian citizen who is suspected of masterminding two car bombs in Nigeria's capital that killed more than 10 people in 2010.

The trial of Henry Okah, the Nigerian terror suspect accused of masterminding two car bombings in Nigeria's capital Abuja two years ago, has begun at a Johannesburg court in South Africa.

Gunmen Kill Soldier, Four Others in Maiduguri

A member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) was Monday killed in an explosion in Maiduguri that left four others seriously injured.

It was learnt that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was targeted at the task force patrol vehicle by suspected members of the Boko Haram exploded along the popular Lagos Street in the city, causing panic among residents of the town.

Monday, October 1, 2012

PHOTOS: Kidnap Scene Of Delta State Commissioner, Hope Eghagha

VIDEO: Boko Haram Claims ‘Abu Qaqa’ Still Alive; Sect Plans To Attack Wives Of Nigerian Officials

Leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said in a YouTube message today that the sect’s spokesman, Abu Qaqa, is still alive.

In a short video in Hausa language, Shekau claimed that 10 wives of Boko Haram members are currently being detained by Nigerian officials, an action he described as “demeaning,” and threatened a round of reprisals on wives of government officials.

Boko Haram leader warns over anti-Islam movie

Abubabakar shekau

The suspected leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram sect, has issued a threat in a YouTube video over a US-made anti-Islam film that has sparked widespread protests in the Muslim world.
“First, insults against the prophet, evil plots against him, making blasphemous movies against him, all these will do no harm to Islam,” Abubakar Shekau says in the video which appears to have been posted on Sunday.
“Anybody plotting this will surely pay for it. Everybody knows what this statement entails. Everybody should wait and see what we will do regarding this,” he adds in the Hausa language spoken in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north.

Read more...

Sokoto Police arrest Christian attempting to board Hajj flight

A 29-year old Plateau state-born teacher, Lohnan Joseph, has been intercepted while trying to board a Saudi Arabia bound flight at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto on Sunday.

Joseph, a Christian and a former teacher at Global Kids Academy, Sokoto, was said to have joined the screening line of Zamfara State intending pilgrims, who were about to board the flight in the early hours of Sunday.

Speaking to newsmen, Alhaji Mukhtari Lugga, the Zamfara Commissioner for Environment and one of the state’s Hajj officials, who was among the people who spotted and consequently intercepted the suspect, said that “Joseph just came from nowhere and joined their line during the screening.”

“He was easily identified as an alien among them because he was not wearing the uniform. This was what drew our attention to him and we quickly notified the police who came and picked him up for interrogation.”

Lugga said that 40 pieces of 10,000 France Franc, eight pieces of 5,000 France Franc, one piece of 1,000 France Franc and N610 in different denominations were found in his possession as well as his personal belongings and credentials concealed in a black bag.

Asked why he, as a Christian, joined the line of pilgrims boarding a hajj flight, Joseph said: “I am a Nigerian, so I don’t believe in discrimination, whether you are a christian or Muslim”.

He also said that he wanted to be like Herbert Macaulay, whom he read, had travelled to London amidst difficulties.

Joseph also said that his mission was not to travel but only to visit the airport and come back.

While parading the suspect, Sokoto state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Shu’aibu Gambo, said the suspect was intercepted at around 9 a.m, as he attempted to join the screening line of Zamfara pilgrims.

Gambo said that Joseph had said at his interrogation that he wanted to go to London and had mentioned names of some people as his accomplices.

The police commissioner said his men would go after the people to establish their true mission.

Source: Vanguard

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Two Killed as Security Agents Raid Boko Haram Hideout in Zaria

Security agencies Sunday recorded yet another major success in the fight against terrorism when they raided a hide out and bomb manufacturing outfit of suspected Boko Haram members in Gaskiya Lay-Out area of Zaria, Kaduna State.

Hope Eghagha, Delta Commissioner, Kidnapped

Hope Eghagha

Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Hope Eghagha, was yesterday kidnapped in a serious attack as he was returning from Warri to Asaba, the capital of his home state. We learnt that the kidnappers shot and killed Mr. Eghagha’s police orderly before speeding off with the commissioner towards Ubiarukwu road in Ukwuani local government area in the state.

Nigeria: Police Breaks Up Church Protest

The prompt intervention of the police prevented what could have turned into bloody confrontation at the ECWA Gospel Church Karu, Abuja Sunday morning.

The members of the church were protesting the planned removal of the parish pastor over sexual misconduct by a delegation from the church's District Council Church, DCC.

Trouble started when a faction of the church interrupted the Sunday service demanding that the delegation from the DCC shelve its planned announcement removing the pastor, Rev DA Gyet over allegation of sexual impropriety with his female househelp.

The aggrieved group protested that he was not given fair hearing before his punishment was meted out.

The service ended in chaos when members of the visiting panel were forcibly ejected from the church premises.

The police and some elders subsequently had a hectic time calming frayed nerves and curbing pockets of violence on the church premises.

An aide of the embattled church head told our reporter that the victim in question was a lady of questionable character who had been linked to similar controversies in the past.

"We all know the girl Asabe as a person of loose moral values. We also know she is not a truthful person. She has even confessed that the pastor is innocent of the allegations levelled at him. But they have swept her confession under the carpet.

She is being used by some powerful persons at the district council who want to remove the reverend by all means and place their own candidate at the head of the church.

Presently the girl making the accusation is nowhere to be found but they are still going ahead to remove the pastor even though he has not been allowed to appeal the verdict as allowed by church rules. We will resist this totally," he said.

After the delegation left in disarray, the elders of the church appealed to the police to leave the premises so that they could settle the issue amicably.

But one of the senior police officers on ground insisted the police would remain until peace was restored.

Nigeria: Soldiers, Boko Haram Clash in Zaria...One Killed, 20 Houses Destroyed

Zaria — Fighting has been reported between soldiers and suspected Boko Haram members which has led to the death of one and the arrest of a woman in Zaria Sunday morning.

The combined team of soldiers and policemen also detonated a heavy explosive device which resulted to the destruction of about 20 houses including the one rented by the suspected Boko Haram members. The incident took place in Gaskiya Residential area of Zaria.

Nigerian Army Depot PRO, Captain Abdullahi Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, promising to give more details later.

Nigeria: Army Arrests Immigration Officer, Others Over Boko Haram Links

The Nigeria Army has arrested an immigration officer and a number of other officials for allegedly helping the Boko Haram carry out a number of attacks

According to a BBC report, the military captured the immigration officer, who confessed to being an active member of the Islamist militant group.

His confession led to the arrest of a number of other officials.

According to Lt Colonel Sagir Musa, the immigration official was arrested last month while impersonating an army officer.

"He confessed to being an active member of the Boko Haram terrorist sect," said Col Musa.

"He also confessed to having been trained alongside 15 other members of the sect on weapon handling, assassination and special operations in Niger."

Col Musa said his testimony helped the military root out a number of others who had carried out attacks for Boko Haram.

Some months ago President Goodluck Jonathan had complained that the group had sympathisers in high places including government.

Analysts have in the past said that the fight against Boko Haram was undermined because the Islamist group had managed to infiltrate the military.

Boko Haram shot to prominence in 2009 when hundreds of their members attempted to storm police stations and government buildings in Maiduguri.

The security forces quelled the rebellion and killed dozens of the sect's members, as well as its leader.

Since then, their attacks have been better organised and caused many more civilian deaths.

Boko Haram has killed hundreds in northern and central Nigeria since 2009, when it launched a campaign to install an Islamic state.

The group's fighters have bombed government buildings and churches and assassinated Muslim clerics who disagreed with their views.

Their attacks have killed woman and children, Muslims and Christians.

Source: ThisDay

PHOTOS: Qatar Airways Aircraft Incident At MMIA Lagos

Bomb Explosion in Zaria

A powerful explosion has occurred at an area close to the Guest House of the Emir of Zaria in Tukur-Tukur area of Zaria.

Eyewitnesses said a powerful explosion occurred in an area already cordoned off by security agents in the city.

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