The Nigeria Government Finally Declared Bandits As Terrorists

By Chiroma Bukar, Abuja

The gazette proscribing bandit groups in the North as terrorists was made on November 25, 2021 but it was unfolded on Wednesday.

Signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the gazette said henceforth, bandits will face trial under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011.

It reads in part: “Notice is hereby given that by the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1370/2021 dated 25th November, 2021 as per the schedule to this Notice and Activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta`addan Group and other similar groups in Nigeria are declared to be terrorists and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria and are proscribed pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the same Terrorism( Prevention) Act 2011.

“Consequently, the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the groups referred to in paragraph 1 of this notice will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and liable to prosecution.”

20 newly promoted Brigadier Generals, 1 Navy Commodore, 1 Lt Col in Operation Hadin Kai, decorated with their new ranks

By Madu Mohammed,, Maiduguri

The newly promoted 22 senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces deployed. operation Hadin Kai Northeast theater of Operation including the Deputy Director Army Public Relations (DDAPR), Brigadier General, Ado Isa were on decorated with their new ranks.

Twenty out of the 22 newly decorated senor officers were promoted from the rank of Colonel to the rank of Brigadier General, one from the rank of Navy Captain to Navy Commodore , while one from Major to Lt Colonel.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony which held at the Officers Mess of the Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri on Tuesday, the Theater Commander, Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa said ” today we are witnessing yet another historic occasion of the investiture of 22 new brigadier generals, it is the first time in the history of Army that we are having 25 newly promoted General in a single promotion within the theater. That is 22 Colonels were been promoted .to Brigadier Generals and 3 Brigadier generals to Major General and 1 Air Commodore to Air Vice Marshall “.

” Promotion in the military is more rigorous, 139 names were selected for promotion from Brigadier to Major General but only 36 were promoted. So you should know God Has selected you. As you are been decorated with your new rank, much is expected from you, as new rank come with additional responsibilities”, he added.

General Musa while commending the wives of the newly promoted senior officers for keeping the home front, said it is our desire that next year, this time around this war against insurgency will end , so that we can go back to our respective barracks and meet our families. As a Brigadier generals, you are the implementers and executors of the operations, so redoubled your efforts to end this war”.

In his remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, said “the government of Borno state , in our assessment of the Nigerian Armed forces is satisfied that you are doing wonderfully well. For the newly promoted generals I urged you to do more, because this promotion, was as a result of your hardworking, dedication, commitment and above all loyalty, you should do more to justify your new ranks”.

Represented by the Borno state Attorney General, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, Governor Zulum thanked the commander in Chief, the Chief of Army Staff for promoting 25 generals within the theater, adding that on the part of the state government, they will continue to support the military in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

Also speaking, the Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF, Major General Abdul.Ibrahim said ” promotion comes from God, many were presented but only few were promoted,those that were not promoted you will be promoted at Gid’s appointed time”.

” Your new ranks come with more responsibility, and your new rank came at a challenging moment of our nations .we relayed on you, you must do whatever you can do to end this war” he added.

A total of 7 million was realised at the occasion in support of the newly promoted Brigadier Generals, with donation of N2 million from Borno Government, N1, theater Commander, N500,000 from Force Commander MNJTF among other donations.

Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted senior officers, Navy Commodore, Paul Mimmyel thanked the Commander in Chief, the the military authority for finding them worthy of the promotion and promised to put more efforts to end the over decade long insurgency.

ISWAP Terrorist Launched RPGs on Maiduguri, destroyed houses

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

Members of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters were suspected to have launched Rocket Propelled Grounds (RPG) on 1000 Housing Estate and Ngomari Airport areas of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, resulted into destruction of 6 houses,.

The explosions which occurred at around 6.00 am when residents were still indoors preparing for the monthly sanitation exercise. Were said to have destroyed six housed and no life was lost as at the time of filing this report.

One of the location of the incident, that is 2000 Housing estate few metres away from the Hajj camp, the facility where members of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists are camped.

However normalcy has since returned to Ngomari Airport and 1,000 Housing Estate of the Maiduguri Metropolis after early morning explosions rocked the areas.

A resident of the estate, Alhaji Ibrahim Alkali told our correspondent that ” when I heard the sound of the first explosion, I rushed out of my house to know what was happening, then the second one exploded close to my compound, on my way rushing inside I saw the rocket, then I concluded that it was an attack”, .

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As at the time of filling in this report, there was no security confirmation but our correspondent learnt that Governor Babagana Zulum as billed to visit the scenes of the attack to see things for himself.