30 bodies recovered in Chibok villages after Boko Haram attacks

                               Search is underway in the two villages
At least 30 bodies have been recovered from two communities near Chibok in Borno State where suspected Boko Haram militants attacked Sunday, members of a local vigilante group have said.

Members of the vigilante group said they found 30 corpses from surrounding bushes and Churches in Kwada and Kautikari villages. Search was continuing in the area, they said.

Gunmen stormed Kwada and Kautikari early Sunday burning Churches and shooting worshippers.

The Borno State police spokesperson, Gideon Jubrin, said he was informed of the attack, but said he did not have full details as of Sunday afternoon. Mr. Jubrin said he was yet to contact the district police officer in charge of Chibok.

Residents said the gunmen struck first in Kwada, where they shot worshippers and set fire to at least four Churches, including COCCIN church, EYN church and Deeper Life Bible Church.

“We have so far recovered more than 30 corpses, but we got more of them from the EYN church where the Boko Haram gunmen first attacked in Kwada,” said a vigilante member, who would not want to be quoted for his safety.

The source said the community did not receive protection from the security forces despite calling for help early.

“We are disappointed with the soldiers, when we heard about the attack in Kwada, we raised alarm and informed the soldiers, but instead of going into the town to confront them, they stood from a distance outside the village, under a tree and began to shoot or target.

The gunmen finished with Kwada and proceeded to Kautikari, where they attacked people there until 11:30am when they finally left. We cannot say how many people were killed in Kwada yet,” he said.

Kwada is about 10 kilometres from Chibok, where extremist Boko Haram abducted nearly 300 schoolgirls more than two months ago. Kautikari is about seven kilometres from Chibok.

A resident of Kwada, who identified himself as Mallam Yahi, told journalists that armed men attacked worshippers and burned Churches and houses in Kwada, before heading to Kautikari.

Several residents fled into the bushes to escape the attack, Mr. Yahi said.

A police officer, who lives in Chibok, confirmed that his brother was killed in the attack.

The officer, who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak, said he received a telephone call while he was in Church, informing him that his younger brother had been killed in Kwada.

One of the houses destroyed in Kautikari belonged to a special assistant to the Borno State governor, Baba John, a relative of the politician told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. John could not be immediately reached.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although Boko Haram is suspected.

A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who travelled to Chibok in May after the abduction of the schoolgirls, said while he was in the troubled town, suspected Boko Haram militants delivered a letter to Kautikari threatening attacks soon.

It is not clear whether the group made any demand as they are known to do with such threats.
Reports of Sunday’s attack emerged as the raid was ongoing.

Panic-stricken villagers in Chibok had made distress calls to journalists and security operatives in Maiduguri calling for urgent help.

A text message sent by a resident at about 9:30 a.m. read: “Massive attack on Kautikari now. All security agencies should be notified, and call for divine help now.”

An official of the Department of Security Service confirmed the information to PREMIUM TIMES but asked not to be named.

Boko Haram Is Attacking Abuja To Intimidate FG - Presidency Reveals

The Presidency disclosed on Sunday that the intensified attacks of Boko Haram on Abuja is a calculated attempt by the sect to intimidate the Federal Government.

The presidency said the insurgents cannot achieve this aim as the country is too blessed to be intimidated, adding that the culprits of the incessant attacks across the country will be brought to book.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, made this known when he paid a condolence visit to the New Telegraph newspaper following the loss of its Managing Editor, Northern Operations, Mr. Suleiman Bisalla, in last Wednesday's attack on EMAB Plaza Abuja.

Related: Abuja Tragedy Scene In Pictures

He said, "Boko Haram is about the fight for the soul of this country. What is the sense of bombing everywhere? It is struggle for power. God that sees the inner minds of Nigerians, will see us through.

"Boko haram may kill us, may destroy our properties, but they will not win. Nigeria will win the war against terrorism. By the grace of God, we will prevail.

"By coming to abuja, it is to intimidate government and it is not going to work."

Okupe explained that Boko Haram will be defeated as the government has the resources and men to curb the insurgents.

Related: Abuja Explosion: Suspected Bomber Killed By Soldiers, Another Arrested (See Photos)

He lamented the loss of innocent lives, who have died for an offence they did not commit as majority of them had nothing to do with politics.

The presidential aide, however, gave the assurance that the incessant bombings will not derail the government neither will it stop them from protecting the citizens.

The Federal Capital territory, has come under Boko Haram attacks in recent time. Last week Wednesday, the sect struck at the at popular shopping mall, Emab Plaza on Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2 in Abuja, leaving 21 people dead and 17 others injured. Among those who lost their lives was a journalist, the Managing Editor, Northern Operations, New Telegraph newspaper, Mr. Suleiman Bisala.

We Don’t Know Location Of Missing Girls In Borno, US Declares

Contrary to earlier reports, the United States of America declared on Friday, 27 June, 2014, that it does not know the where-about of the 219 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

It could be recalled that no fewer 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State were abducted by members of Boko Haram on 14 April, 2014. Though some of the kidnapped schoolgirls reportedly managed to escape the insurgents after their abduction, 219 of them are still being held by the Islamists terror group.

Few days after the girls' abduction, leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said, in a video posted on the internet, that he would not release the schoolgirls except for an exchange of some of 'his brethren' captured by the Nigerian soldiers.

The Nigerian federal government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, supported by the international communities, had since stated they are not going to negotiate with the terrorists on the matter, promising to ensure that all the missing girls are brought back home.

Speaking on attempt to rescue the schoolgirls from their abductors, Reuters reports that Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral John Kirby, told newsmen on Friday that it had decreased its surveillance flights in the search for the missing 219 schoolgirls

According to the report, the spokesman also added that their overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.


* Some of the abducted schoolgirls in Borno

Kirby stated that it had no idea of the location of the girls, noting however that there is no letup in the efforts to locate and rescue them.

“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there’s been no letup of the effort itself,” the spokesman told reporters.

Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.

Kirby denied a suggestion that US flights over Nigeria had been reduced to accommodate increased US surveillance over Iraq, where Washington is flying unmanned and manned aircraft to gather intelligence about Sunni insurgents.


* Leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau

He said some of the resources that were being used in Nigeria had been diverted from other missions in Africa and could now be used elsewhere on the continent.

US military personnel are in Abuja helping to coordinate the effort, and some 80 others were sent to Chad in May to support the surveillance operation.

Chad is northeast of Nigeria and borders the area in which Boko Haram is known to operate.

Also speaking on the matter, a US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said American flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by the British and the French support.

*President Goodluck Jonathan

The defence official said surveillance alone would not lead to a resolution. “It will take the Nigerian piece of the equation with their own sources and human intelligence coupled with the other forms to really understand the picture,” he noted.

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan said his government and security services had “spared no resources, have not stopped and will not stop until the girls are returned home.”

“Boko Haram not representing Islam” – Cleric

                                              Boko Haram are not representing Islam.”

——————————————–

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Ishaq Oloyede, has called on security agencies in the country to be fair and professional in the discharge of their duties.

Mr. Oloyede gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, in Abuja on Sunday. The cleric at the lecture, Musa Abdur-Raheem, also explained that the Boko Haram insurgent group that has killed thousands of people was not representing Islam.

Describing the security situation in the country as serious, Mr. Oloyede said Muslims in Nigeria were for peace as long as there was justice and fairness.

“Muslims are not responsible for the violence in the country. Muslims are for peace. If there is any problem, it is a failure of the system,” he said.

The NSCIA scribe said there could not be peace without justice.

“Our appeal is that the Federal Government should be just to all segments of the society,” he said.
Mr. Oloyede said in the spirit of the theme of the lecture, Peace and Leadership: The Missing Link, there should be more consultation and dialogue among the stakeholders in the country.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, the guest speaker, Musa Abdur-Raheem said that for peace to reign there must be justice.

“Boko Haram are not representing Islam, Muslims are for peace and most of the victims of Boko Haram attacks are Muslims,” he said.

He called on the leaders in the country to live up to expectations by urgently addressing the nation’s security challenges.

Mr. Abdur-Raheem advised all groups to channel their grievances through legal means.

Declaring the event open, a representative of the governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, Hamidu Kadi-Kuta, called on the populace to take steps in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

Mr. Aliyu described as unfortunate the security challenges in the country, saying it would slow down developments.

The governor also called on the Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

The Chairman of the association, Abdurrahman Balogun, urged politicians in the country to play politics according to the rules of the game.

“As 2015 general elections approaches, politicians should play the game according to the rules Fear Allah in all their dealings and remember that everyone will account for all deeds in the hereafter,” Mr. Balogun said.

Sanga Local Governmemt Council Under 24-Hour Curfew

Emmanuel Adamu, the Chairman of Sanga Local Government Council of Kaduna State on Wednesday imposed a 24-hour curfew to check the wave of killings and rising tension in the area.

This was made known in a statement issued in Kafachan this afternoon. He said that the curfew was imposed to curb further loss of lives as well as restore normalcy.

According to NAN, the chairman confirmed that more lives were lost before 6p.m. on Tuesday, a development which further increased the tension in the area.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 38 persons were killed on Monday night in Kabamu and Ankpong villages in Sanga LGA in an attack launched by unknown gunmen. 

Adamu, who pleaded with residents to remain calm assured them that the security agencies were on top of the situation.

Related: Gunmen Kill 3 Policemen, 1 Civilian In Fresh Kaduna Attack

Gunmen Slaughter 34 Residents Of Sanga LGA Of Kaduna State

At least 34 people lost their lives during a raid by unidentified gunmen on a village in Kaduna State.

According to the report by LEADERSHIP, the massacre started in Sanga Local Government Area in the early hours of June 24, 2014, Tuesday.

More to follow.

It would be noted that additional security measures have been taken due to the visit of Vice President Namadi Sambo to the troubled state on Monday for the opening of an international conference titled “The role of pastoralists in preventing insurgency and conflicts for sustainable peace and national security”. For instance, Speaker Tambuwal’s car was searched by soldiers in Kaduna.

However they were not enough to prevent the attack.

Gunmen Kill Couple, Two Others Die In Fadan- Chawai Crisis

A man and his wife, Ayuba Kure and Sarah Kure were reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen in Rikarwan village of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, at the weekend.

In a related development, two people were also killed during a violence that erupted at Fadan- Chawai in Kauru Local Government Area of the state, following government appointment of a new Chief for the Chawai people.

It was gathered that rampaging youths in the chiefdom destroyed properties worth millions of naira during the crisis.

Augustine Audi, the National President of Chawai Development Association (CDA) told newsmen that the governor asked the Chawai Council of King Makers to nominate and send the name of the son of the late Res Tsam for appointment.

“As a result of the appointment and announcement of the new Res Tsam by Governor Ramalan Yero, violence erupted in the chiefdom leading to the killing of two people. We do not see the need for the urgency in appointing the next Res Tsam when the customs and tradition of the Chawai people do not support the hurry.

“There are traditional rites that were to be performed before the appointment which is why unlike the Hausa or Emirate system, it takes time before a new Res Tsam is appointed.

“Moreover, there has been a distortion and mutilation of the history, culture and laws of the Chawai people by the government which published in its official gazette appointing two hitherto unknown houses as the Chawai Ruling Houses: Kingwai and Kuka instead of the originally known six ruling houses: Zambina, Maizanko, Pari, Kizakoro, Baduru and Kidundun .

“Ascension to the throne, according to Chawai history, native law and customs is not hereditary. We wish to inform the world that so long as the governor took the decision at the pendency of our action in court and so long as the court had ordered him to stay action, pending the hearing of our motion on notice which he is aware, we wish to put it on record that no Res Tsam has yet been appointed until the determination of the case in court” Audi said.

The CDA president, however, urged the youths to patiently wait for the court's decision.

When the state Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Aminu Lawan was contacted for official confirmation, he said he was not aware of the crisis while the media aide to the governor, Ahmed Maiyaki denied the report, saying . no one was killed as everything has returned to normal.

Missing Chibok Girls: Boko Haram Ready To Negotiate, Demands Amnesty

Boko Haram has reportedly demanded for the release of 70 of its detained members in exchange for the freedom of the abducted Chibok girls.

According to report which emerged yesterday, they are also asking the government to grant amnesty to its members.

The Nation reports that a lawyer who has a close relationship with the insurgent, Hajiya Aisha Wakil also known as Mama Boko Haram, told AlJazeera English that the sect said they would free the girls only when these conditions are met.

Hajia Wakil who said she does not agree with what the sect is doing, explained that she speaks to the insurgents as she is their mother and they sometimes call her Um el Salam (Arabic for mother of peace), adding that she is still with them after so many years because she didn't betray them, neither did she betray the government nor the military, she is just a middle man seeking for peace.

"They want to be given amnesty, rehabilitated, and allowed to come back home and move freely. I told them not to hold the girls as ransom and to give me the sick ones – and that was where we ended up. The girls are a growing burden to them, and if the demands are not met …

"These are Nigeria’s lost boys. My hope is that the government listens to them and lets them have dialogue," she said.

According to her, the terrorists were attacking villages to get supplies to use in taking care of the girls.

Hajia Wakil who was a member of the Presidential Committee on Conflict Resolution led by Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, said she knew many members of the sect, especially those born in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, adding that Boko Haram had evolved over the years and the girls were abducted by members who  deviated from its original teachings.

It's been over 2 months since more than 276 girls were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram on April 14. Though some managed to escape, about 219 girls are still being held hostage according to a report submitted by the presidential fact-finding committee. Despite protests all over the world and help from world powers like the United States, Britain, France and many others, the girls are still missing and nowhere to be found.

Boko Haram activities un-Islamic – Governor Aliyu

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State on Monday in Kaduna condemned the activities of members of the Boko Haram terrorist group, saying that it was un-Islamic.

Mr. Aliyu, who is the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, said this at the international conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralists in West and Central Africa

According to Aliyu, Boko Haram is un-Islamic and must be condemned, adding that the right Jihad in this 21st century is the one that improves the standard of living rather than seek to destroy lives.

“Boko Haram is un-islamic. Islam is about moderation and not extremism. Jihad is about how to make peace and life better, not how to kill people.’’

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, lamented that pastoralism had become a security threat.

According to Mr. Adesina, pastoralism has over the years been a seasonal and mutually beneficial traditional livestock management and production system which had worked well between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers.

“Pastoralism has become a worrisome practice characterised by incessant clashes of unimaginable proportions usually resulting in huge losses of lives and property.’’

He said that previous interventions to curb pastoralists-farmers clashes had been largely unsuccessful because of the growing foreign dimension to the conflict.

The minister noted that there had been reports of some of these foreign migrant pastoralists carrying dangerous weapons and assault rifles.

“This is not the usual pastoralists that we know in Nigeria, who for decades have lived in harmony with their communities. Criminality has increased, especially with the menace of cattle rustling.
“The issue is no longer an agriculture problem. It is a national security problem and we need an integrated set of solutions that includes agriculture and security.

“We must face these challenges squarely, be frank and realistic in our solutions.

“One thing is clear: the status quo of unbounded pastoralism can no longer continue. These solutions can no longer be just national,’’ he said.

Mr. Adesina harped on the need for a regional solution, stressing the need to “think out of the box’’.
“Old traditions must give way to new realities and challenges. Moving animals, instead of beef, can no longer be sustained.’’

According to him, movement of animals without tracking systems for animals or record of the animals for traceability can no longer be sustained in the face of rising conflicts, criminality and insecurity.

“We must accept that just like humans cannot move between places without identification, it is no longer tenable for migrant pastoralists, whether local or foreign, to move without any identification.

“We must accept that just like cars cannot move without licenses or chassis number, the days that animals are without labels, records and tracking are limited.

“As a government, we must change our approach. Our communities must change, and within ECOWAS, we must change.

“One fundamental change that must be made, which is structural is that we must end the practice of moving animals.

“Rather, we should be moving beef, not animals. This requires that urgent priority be placed on West and Central Africa developing its Halal-meat industry,’’ Adesina stated.

The Speaker of House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal, said there was need to constantly create avenues where pastoralists and farmers could meet to discuss areas of conflicts before they get out of hand.

He noted that if there was good communication avenue between the two classes of food producers, there would be less reason for battles.

“I urge the media to help us in this regard by resisting the urge to portray pastoralists as the eternal drivers of conflicts.

“Sometimes, they are also victims and sometimes, it is not the herdsmen that are involved but some cattle rustlers and mercenaries.

“These things are more complicated than they are sometimes portrayed.

“I must commend the initiative of Mr. (Sambo) Dasuki (National Security Adviser) and his team and I hope that we will continue to see more of these kinds of interventions.

“This will help us to better understand the issues before rolling out policies for them,’’ Mr. Tambuwal said.

(NAN)

60 women feared kidnapped as Boko Haram attacks Borno villages

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram had on Saturday attacked villages in southern part of Borno. At least 60 women and girls were abducted between Thursday and Saturday in Borno villages by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram, a local and security sources have said.
The police has said it is not aware of the abductions and PREMIUM TIMES has not independently verified the claims.

Sources from the villages where the victims were taken, however, insisted that the victims included young girls and babies.

The abductions reportedly took place when gunmen attacked Kummabza, Yaga and Dagu villages, all in Damboa Local Government Area.

A federal security source from Damboa who spoke on condition of anonymity said “it is actually very true that over 60 women were forcefully taken away by the terrorists, but I am not the highest officer to make a confirmation of that”.

“But we heard that some of the survivors who do not have means of transporting themselves especially old women and men trekked to Lassa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, which is 25 kilometers, and others went to Gulak in Adamawa State where they are now taking refuge,” he said.

The Secretary of Damboa Local Government, Modu Mustapha, would also not confirm or deny the abduction.

“I am not in the position to tell you anything. Only the chairman has the authority to talk to you, please get across to him,” he said.

The chairman, Allamin Mohammed, could not be contacted on phone, as all his lines were not connecting.

Also, some members of the Civilian-JTF in Maiduguri put the total number of persons kidnapped in the attacks at 91. ‎

“The women were abducted between Thursday and Sunday in southern Borno villages of Kummabza, Yaga and Dagu, Damboa local government area, Borno State”, said Abba Aji Khalil, the Command of Sector 5 unit of the Civilian-JTF.

“Some suspected Boko Haram members invaded Kumanza,Yaga and Dagu villages and kidnapped 91 persons. More than sixty married women and young girls, the rest 31 were young men and were forcefully taken away by Boko Haram terrorists. Four villagers who tried to escape were shot dead on the spot,” Mr. Khali added.

The Borno Police, however, said it is not aware of the incidents.

“As you can see, honestly the command has not received any of such report concerning the abduction of women or girls; but we will still investigate and if we get anything we will get across to you,” the Borno Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubrin, told journalists on phone‎.

He was yet to get back as at the time of this report.

The Boko Haram have continued to attack villages and communities in Borno despite the state of emergency imposed on the state.

UPDATE: Eight killed in Kano bomb blast, suspect arrested – Police

8 Killed in the Kano bomb blast,several others injured.

—————————-

The Commissioner of Police in Kano state, Adenrele Shinaba, has said that eight persons were killed in Monday’s bomb blast at the School of Hygiene in Kano.

He said the blast occurred at about 2:05p.m.

The School of Hygiene is located along Bayero University Kano, BUK, road in Kano which has suffered similar attacks in the past.

Addressing reporters at the scene of the blast, Mr. Shinaba also said several others were injured and had been admitted to hospitals.

He also said one suspect was arrested in connection with the blast.

He said further information would be provided in the course of the investigation of the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast although the insurgent Boko Haram has carried out similar attacks in Kano and other northern states.

BREAKING: Explosion rocks Kano School of Hygiene

A blast suspected to be from an explosive device has just occurred at the School of Hygiene, Kano.

The ‎spokesperson of the Kano Police, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the blast to PREMIUM TIMES.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police and other officers were on their way to the scene of the blast.

He said the area has been cordoned off. He also said the commissioner will address the media at the scene shortly.

The police confirmed the explosion.

Culled from Premium Times. 

 Details later‎…

How The World Quickly Stopped Caring About The Kidnapped Nigerian Girls In 3 Simple Charts

Hayes Brown, an editor at ThinkProgress.org and a blogger conducted a research dedicated to the kidnap of more than 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in the town of Chibok, located in Nigeria’s northeast Borno state by militants from the terrorist group commonly known as Boko Haram on April 14, 2014.


The research is based on 5 Goggle trends charts. Here’s only the part of the article that may be interesting for Nigerian readers:

The girls are still missing. Their mothers still protest in Nigeria’s capital. International assistance is flowing into the country to aid in the search. Despite that, the interest in the plight of the nearly three hundred school-aged girls taken over two months ago has plummeted since the story first became the latest cause célèbre on the Internet. It’s a common enough assumption as to become cliche that interest in news stories, barring large flashy developments, tends to fade over time.

But the data backs up that idea, particularly in the case of the story of the three hundred girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in the town of Chibok, located in Nigeria’s northeast Borno state. According to the data, that interest lasted for roughly a week before sharply dropping to the levels seen today. Since the kidnapping finally made its way into the international press, the story has been shared and tracked on social media through the hashtag “#BringBackOurGirls, serving almost as a brand for the abduction, an easy way to refer to the complex situation unraveling.
 
Google offers a service called Google Trends which can be used to examine how many people worldwide search for given terms compared to other points over a certain period. Plugging #BringBackOurGirls into Google Trends, modeling the last 90 days of search traffic, shows a surge of interest in the term peaking on Fri. May 9, before a sharp drop-off the following Monday.

The hashtag originated in Nigeria roughly two weeks after the girls’ kidnapping. Searches for the hashtag on Google skyrocketed the third week of the girls’ kidnapping. A drop-off in interest into the hashtag doesn’t necessary mean that interest in the story writ large is also falling. As a way to minimize the chances of that, ThinkProgress also ran a query for the term “Nigeria girls,” a simple shorthand for the story. The results are similar in terms of a clear peak followed by a substantial drop-off in interest.

A small surge can be seen around May 1, the day after families of the kidnapped girls launched their first protest demanding that the government move faster to locate their sisters, nieces, and daughters. Interest began to climb before — as seen with searches for #BringBackOurGirls — reaching an apex on May 8.

By May 12, when a new video featuring Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau offering to trade the kidnapped girls for the release of jailed compatriots — and allegedly showing around half of the kidnapped girls clad in full-length jilbābs — emerged, the interest had clearly waned.

The other piece to this story is the involvement of Boko Haram, as the identity of the kidnappers was suspected but unconfirmed for the first weeks of the abduction. Once Shekau released his video listing his demands, the searches for “Boko Haram” on Google worldwide peaked. But much like the other search terms, the interest has since fallen off precipitously, though not to the same degree.

Here’s a search for the terms “Nigeria and kidnapping” for each of the days since the girls were first abducted:

Despite the lagging interest, events continue apace in the pursuit of the girls and the efforts to rein in Boko Haram. A full international presence has been mobilized in Nigeria. The United States is currently flying both manned and unmanned missions over Nigeria in an attempt to gain intelligence on just where the girls may be located. Countries as far-flung as Israel — who has sent intelligence experts to aid the government — have even contributed to the cause.

Even as the cameras leave the country, Nigerians in the north, where Boko Haram is strongest, are still fleeing the fighting across the border. “In all 250,000 people are now internally displaced, according to the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” United Nations High Commission for Refugees spokesperson Adrian Edwards said on May 9. “Some 61,000 others have fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.” But now, Boko Haram’s campaign appears to be following them.

The chance remains that the Jonathan government, which has been sharply criticized for its response to the crisis, could react harshly to such a strong rebuke and what is quickly becoming a referendum on his leadership. So while interest in the tale of Boko Haram and the kidnapped girls is exiting the public imagination around the world, the story remains sharply burned in the minds of Nigerians.

Boko Haram kills 40 in Borno

No fewer than 40 people were killed yesterday when Boko Haram suspects attacked Chuha A, Chuha B and Korongilim villages in Chibok Local Government Area of beleaguered Borno State.

They also destroyed many homes, shops and vehicles after carting away foodstuff and livestock.
Mallam Yakubu Joshua a youth leader in Chibok, who spoke on the telephone: “Some suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded Chuha A, Chuha B, and Korongilim villages of  Chibok local government area, killing over 40 persons.

“The terrorists injured many villagers, burnt many houses and made away with our foodstuff.

“The attack, which commenced around 7a.m. on Sunday, lasted over five hours before the military intervened.

 Some residents of Chibok made frantic telephone calls to the military authorities but unfortunately, they (military) only started bombing the surrounding after over 40 of our people had been killed.

“The bodies of our people are still littered all around the villages. Our fear is that many innocent villagers may be hit by the bombings by the military,” Joshua said.

Chairman, Sector 5 of the vigilante group, Abba Aji Khalil, said: “our members in Chibok and neighbouring local government areas are already in hot pursuit of the suspected terrorists.”

Borno Police Commissioner Lawal Tanko and spokesman DSP Gideon Jubrincould not confirm the killings.

Also a suicide bomber hit a military post with his bomb laden car near a secondary school in Gwoza yesterday, killing three security operatives suspected to be soldiers while three others were wounded.

The suicide bomber, it was learnt, came through Wala and Warabe villages and hit the military post with deafening noise that rocked the neighbourhood, before people started to scamper for safety.

“We were woken up this morning with a bomb blast on the road near the school. Some of us started to run for safety, while others fled to the hill tops of Gwoza.

 I cannot tell say the exact casualties, but three soldiers were killed, while others took to their heels.
“There were no civilian casualties, as some people were still asleep when the suicide bomber detonated the explosives that killed him and the three,” a source told our correspondent on the telephone.

The source said the casualty figure could have been higher, as people were prevented from plying the road by the military for safety since last month.

More Abia suspects linked to Boko Haram as kingpin is relocated

The military has relocated a Boko Haram kingpin, who is among the 486 suspects detained in Abia State, to a detention facility for a comprehensive investigation, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Of the suspects, 86 are said to have link with Boko Haram, the Islamist sect that  has killed thousands. More interrogators, comprising crack officers from Military Intelligence and the Directorate of State Security (DSS), have been sent to Abia State to join the suspects’ grilling.

None of the suspects had been released – as at press time – in spite of pressure from many quarters.
The suspected kingpin was relocated out of Abia because of what a source described as “valuable information and clues” he had released to the military.

It was learnt that the arrest of the kingpin was, however, heralded with a drama as he gave a wrong name to interrogators.

According to a military source, unknown to the kingpin, a DSS officer in the interrogating team was one of those who had been on his trail. He recognised him.

After much gruelling, he disclosed his real name and admitted that he had been on the wanted list of security agencies.

The source said: “Based on confessions, the military has moved the Boko Haram kingpin out of Abia. He has revealed a lot and the clues cannot be ignored.

“He is at present in a secret detention facility.”

The source gave insight into the interaction with the kingpin and why his identity would not be revealed yet.

The source added: “When the kingpin was arrested, he gave a different name to those quizzing him.

But luck ran against him when DSS officer, who had been on his trail, succeeded in identifying him.

He knew the game was up and he revealed his real name.

“We have to relocate him because we have been receiving enquiries on the real identity of the arrested kingpin. It is quite disturbing that some people wanted to know the exact kingpin.

“So, his arrest has generated more than a mere passing interest from some bigwigs. They were consistently asking which particular one had been picked? Who is the person? Do you have his photograph?

“We are suspecting that some of those raising concerns might have other sinister motives too.”
On the extent of the investigation, another source said:  “Contrary to the public outcry on the suspects, there was more to their movement.

None of them had up to N1, 000 as at the time of their arrest. You will then wonder what manner of business they were going to do.”

There were other suspects who claimed that they were going to look for jobs in Port Harcourt and they don’t know the city.

Following the discovery of 86 of the suspects’ link with Boko Haram, more military and SSS officers from intelligence units were yesterday deployed in Abia.

The team is expected to interrogate some of these suspects who have been coming up with fresh information.
The 86 suspects have been isolated for intense grilling. The additional team is expected to speed up the investigation.

“We can only talk of releasing any of the suspects after these new interrogators have completed their assignment”, another source said.

The 486 suspects were arrested last Sunday morning by officers and men of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along Enugu, Port Harcourt Expressway.

Their arrest has attracted protects from the Hausa Community in Rivers State, some prominent Northerners and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

But Governor Theodore Orji urged Northern groups to allow security agencies do their work.

He said: “The position of Abia State Government is that security agencies should be allowed to thoroughly investigate the matter.”