Boko Haram Bomb Maker Arrested By JTF in Jigawa

The Joint Task Force, JTF, has said it has apprehended a Boko Haram chieftain, who doubles as the group’s bomb maker in Kazaure, Jigawa state.

Spokesman of 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Kano, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said six people were rescued during a dawn raid that led to the arrest of the yet to be identified terrorist.

Those rescued were three women and three toddlers, suspected to be family members of the man who intelligence gathering revealed has been in the business of aiding and abating terrorist activities in the North.

Iweha said: “In continuation of operations aimed at complementing the efforts of military operation in the North Eastern part of the country and as is customary with the JTF in Kano, the command deems it fit to keep the general public up to speed with developments in the fight against terrorists in its area of operational responsibility.

Militant Chief Majid al-Majid 'dies in Lebanon'

Majid al-Majid, the commander of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has died in custody in a hospital in Lebanon, state media said.

Majid al-Majid, a Saudi who is on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted-terrorists list, was arrested in Lebanon recently.

Lebanese security sources said Majid al-Majid died in a military hospital in Beirut on Saturday, a day after going into a coma suffering from kidney failure.

It was only on Friday that the Lebanese authorities said that DNA tests had confirmed his identity.

Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn earlier confirmed the commander was being held by army intelligence in Beirut and was "being interrogated in secret". He refused to say when and how the arrest took place.

Army Headquarters Retires 30 Generals

Following the promotions and postings of 27 major generals by the Nigerian Army Council, indications have emerged that the Army authorities have issued terminal letters to 30 generals, preparatory to their leaving the force between today, 31st December and 31st January 2014.

Among the generals that have so far received the letters are some principal staff officers at army and defence headquarters, commandants of tri-service institutions, corps-commanders, as well as those of Army-owned training institutions.

Nigerian Tribune gathered from authoritative military sources that while some of the generals have served the mandatory 35 years in service, others have been caught up by the age on rank requirement for retirement and some have become not promotable by virtue of the fact that they have not been successful with the promotion boards for the three scheduled opportunities.

Cameroon takes steps against Boko Haram

The authorities in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital, have set up tighter border controls in the Far North region to guard against infiltration by jihadist Boko Haram fighters from neighbouring Nigeria as civilians flee insurgent attacks and a Nigerian military offensive, seeking safety across the border in Cameroon. A rapid response military unit has also been deployed and beefed up in the northern regions and some tourist hotels now have armed guards.

“We have revised our security strategy. We have registered all expatriates and established police posts in areas where they work. There are security control posts along the border to reduce illegal entry,” said Bob-Iga Emmanuel, the head of police division at the governor’s office in the Far North region.

Boko Haram Attacks Military Bases in Maiduguri, Five Aircrafts Razed

After almost seven months of relative peace in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the city came under renewed attacks Monday by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, leading to the death of two military personnel, 24 insurgents, the destruction of three decommissioned military aircraft, two helicopters and property worth millions of naira, which were burnt during the onslaught.

Owing to the siege, military authorities and the Borno State Government slammed a 24-hour curfew on the city and its environs.

According to residents, they were awoken by countless bomb blasts and sporadic gunshots around 3 am, which rented the air throughout the night.

Lecturer, 4 other suspects paraded as Boko Haram members

Nigeria’s Department of State Services said it uncovered a Boko Haram cell in the central Nigerian state of Kogi and arrested five persons, including a university teacher.

Miss Marilyn Ogar, the Deputy Director, Public Relations Department of State Services, claimed in Abuja that the suspects were allegedly plotting to launch violent attacks in Igalaland in Kogi.

She said the don, identified as Muhammed Yunus, taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Kogi state University, Ayingba.

Ogar, who presented the suspects to newsmen, said that three of the suspects were arrested in a mosque in Zuba, FCT, while two others were arrested in Jos and Kogi respectively.

She said one of the suspects, the lecturer, was the spiritual leader and recruitment coordinator while others were head of operations/instructor, chief courier and foot soldiers in Kogi.

Nigerian House of Representatives wants probe in Goa incident

The Nigerian House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated its committees on foreign affairs and diaspora to investigate circumstances surrounding the murder of Nigerian national Obado Uzoma Simeon and the subsequent arrest of 53 other Nigerians in Goa.

The resolution came following a motion of urgent national interest moved by Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, entitled "gruesome murder of a Nigerian and illegal incarceration of 53 Nigerians in India". The lawmaker said, "One Nigerian was allegedly killed and five others severely wounded on October 31, in Goa, by people suspected to be members of a local drug cartel."

Boko Haram Members Were Trained in Mali – France

Coming on the heels of recent announcement by US that it has labeled Boko Haram a terrorist organization, France said members of the Islamist group were being trained in Mali.

France's foreign minister, citing documentary evidence on Thursday, said that Boko Haram members were trained with al-Qaida's North African branch in Northern Mali.

Speaking at a conference in Morocco on security challenges in North Africa and the Sahel region to the south, Laurent Fabius said Boko Haram's presence there demonstrated how jihadi groups in Africa are interconnected and have to be fought on a regional level.

US Blacklists Boko Haram, Ansaru As Foreign Terrorist Organisations

The U.S. has designated Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Ansaru militant groups as foreign terrorist organisations.

The state department described the move as “an important” step to help Nigeria “root out violent extremism”.

“These designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups,” a State Department statement said.

This means that the U.S. justice system is now empowered to block all financial dealings or transactions between America and these organisations.

Nigerian Ministry of Defence Website Hacked and Defaced by Moroccan Ghosts

Some months ago, an Irish hacker, Paddyhack attacked Nigeria’s official website, www.nigeria.gov.ng; this time, another government site has been hacked.

The official website of Nigerian Ministry of Defence (http://www.mod.gov.ng/) has been hacked and defaced by renowned hackers from Moroccan Ghosts hacking group (see photo above).

The site was hacked few hours ago, and the home page was left with a deface page along with a message; “Moroccan Ghosts, The Sahara is Moroccan!”

As at the time of writing this piece, the site has not been restored.

Boko Haram trial: Journalists sent out of courtroom by DSS

Some newsmen who were at the Lagos Federal High Court, Thursday, to cover the trial of 17 alleged members of Boko Haram were humiliated and sent out by men of the Department of State Services, DSS, that escorted the accused persons to the court.

Reporters were forced out of the courtroom by heavily armed security operatives. One of them even threatened to arrest them if they fail to obey.

A senior DSS officer however disclosed that, the directive to keep newsmen away from the arraignment of the suspected Boko Haram members was from the Presidency.

It was observed that when the Boko Haram case was called, some lawyers were also ordered to leave the court. This, it was gathered, was due to the small size of the courtroom.

Boko Haram Leader, Shekau named 9th most dangerous global terrorist

Leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Abubakar Shekau, has been named the ninth most dangerous terrorist in the world by a compilation published by CNN.

Shekau is one of the three Africans on the list, which is topped by al Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The other Africans on the list are Somalian Al Shabaab’s leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who comes at number 4, and Algerian, Moktar Belmoktar, who heads a group called ‘Those Who Sign With Blood’. A three-day siege on an Algerian gas plant in January 2013 by his fighters left nearly 40 foreign workers dead.

The US named Shekau a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2012.

The Boko Haram leader comes behind Sirajudin Haqqani whose Haqqani Network, was said to be responsible for some of the deadly attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The US government has offered up to $7m (N1.08bn) for any information that will reveal the location of Shekau.

Army begins full scale operations in Kokori – Uduaghan

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said, yesterday, that the army had commenced a full-scale military operation at Kokori, the country home of arrested kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Aniarah, in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state to flush out his associates and other criminals.

The governor, who addressed newsmen in Warri, DeltaState, yesterday evening, dismissed speculation that there was heavy casualties in the ongoing operation, saying one person was killed.

There was a report that many casualties had been recorded, which the governor debunked.

He stated that some Kokori people have questions to answer over the exploits of Kelvin.

Few hours before the governor spoke to journalists, some gun-toting bandits struck in Warri, killing a mobile police sergeant attached to the wife of a member of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Dan Mayuku.

Lagos Chief Judge sets 119 prison inmates free

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, on Wednesday, released 119 awaiting-trial inmates from Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Prisons, Lagos.

The inmates, who have been awaiting trial for as long as 13 years, included 99 from medium prisons and 20 from maximum prisons with offences ranging from capital to minor.

Justice Phillips said the visit was aimed at decongesting the prisons and in exercise of the Chief Judge’s powers under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act, CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Earlier, the chief judge had released 279 inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Prisons and Ikoyi prisons last year.

Shekau Appears in New Video, Says Nigerian Military should bury itself in shame

Leader of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, today said the Nigerian Military should bury itself in shame because he is alive.

Shekau also claimed responsibility of Tuesday, 17th September, 2013 attacks in Benisheik, Borno State where over 160 people were either shot dead or slaughtered and hundreds of houses burnt.

The then Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman in Borno State, Lt Col Sagir Musa, had issued a statement on 19th August, 2013 to the effect that "Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists leader may have died. He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with the JTF in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest on 30th June, 2013.

SHOCKING! Severed Human head, hands sent to Police Commissioner

A severed human head has been sent to the boss of Kenya's police commission, Johnston Kavuludi, who has been trying to reform the police service. Mr Kavuludi was appointed last year to lead efforts to reform the police force.

According to the Daily Nation newspaper, a box containing the head and two human hands covered in blood also had the message: "Kavuludi, you are next".

The box was covered in yellow polythene and was deposited in a flower bed outside the National Police Service Commission offices in central Nairobi.

The police were alerted about two hours after the box was left on Thursday afternoon.

Nairobi police chief Benson Kibui linked the head to the previous discovery of a torso on a farm outside the city, and the police say they are interpreting it as a death threat.

Assassins attack Young Shall Grow Boss, kill police detail, driver

Guardian: Some suspected assassins attacked the Managing Director of Young Shall Grow Motors Limited, Chief Vincent Obianodo, killing his driver and a police detail attached to him.

The Guardian learnt that the suspects also shot Obianodo in the hand during the attack.

Police authorities said the incident occurred in FESTAC area of Lagos State on Tuesday night while Obianodo was returning from office.

The Guardian learnt that two of the suspected assassins were killed after policemen engaged them in a gun duel.

According to the police source “On Tuesday night Obianodo was on his way back from work. A police corporal and another private guard were in the vehicle with him. When they reached 22 Road in Festac, the entire place was deserted. From nowhere a vehicle crossed his own and some armed men opened fire on them. The policeman, who sat in front, was killed instantly while the driver was also killed.”

“The assailants also shot Obianodo in the arm. However, the shooting attracted the attention of some policemen on patrol who rushed down to the scene and engaged the culprits in a gun duel.”

Mike Ozekhome's Abductors Demand N250 Million Ransom, Issues 3-Day Ultimatum

According to social meia reports, the suspected abductors of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress leader in Edo North, Athanasius Ogbome, may have contacted the relations of their victims, demanding N250m altogether as ransom for their release.

It is recalled that he victims, both from Edo North, were abducted between Ehor and Iruekpen, along the Benin-Auchi road, last Friday.

While some social media reports claim that Ozekhome’s kidnappers had contacted his family and were demanding a ransom of N150m, giving a three-day ultimatum for payment, Ozekhome’s elder brother, Pius, was reported to have insisted that none of the family members had been spoken to by any of the abductors.

Still, another report maintained that the abductors are demanding N100m for his release.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Eguavoen, is said to be keeping sealed lips on the situation aside from saying that the police was “seriously monitoring the situation and we are still on search.”

The Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, in Maiduguri, Borno State said intelligence report available to it “revealed that Abubakur Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram Terrorists leader may have died”.

The JTF in a statement by its spokesperson, Sagir Musa, on Monday said Mr. Shekau “died of gunshot wound received in an encounter with the JTF troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on 30 June 2013.”

According to the statement, “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide – a border community in Cameroun for treatment which he never recovered.”

“It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July to 3 August, 2013. He was reported to have masterminded the kidnap of the seven French citizens and that of the elder statesman Alhaji (Dr) Shettima Ali Monguno in addition to many murders of Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria.

Police Intercept Arms-Laden Car in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday said it intercepted a vehicle conveying a large volume of explosive devices, deadly weapons and allied materials along the Podo- Ijebu-Ode road in Ibadan.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, said this while briefing reporters at the state Police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

He said the three occupants of a Nissan Sunny, marked OGUN XC 863 AKM, and painted in Ogun State commercial colour, escaped into the bush.

Indabawa said, “On August 11, 2013 at 3.15am, a police patrol team along Podo-Ijebu Ode intercepted a taxi with three occupants, whom they flagged down but refused to stop and sped off.

“After a hot chase, the occupants of the vehicle escaped into a nearby bush while the vehicle was abandoned.