Brig Gen, others killed in ISWAP attack on Borno military base

A Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army has been killed in an ambush by terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Borno State.

ISWAP had attacked troops at a military base in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday morning according to reports.

Four other soldiers were reportedly killed in the incident at Bulguma, a few kilometres from Askira town in Askira/Uba LGA.

Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok, had mobilised to provide reinforcement to the troops under attack in Askira, Daily Trust reports.

Some civilians in the area had claimed to have seen the terrorists in a convoy of gun trucks along the Ngude axis towards Askira in the early hours of Saturday.

Daily Trust also reports that the civilians claimed to have reported the sighting of the terrorists to security forces, however, there was no action taken to stop ISWAP from attacking Askira town.

Meanwhile, at least three Nigerian soldiers have reportedly been killed after jihadists ambushed a convoy in Yobe state.

According to reports, the jihadists rained heavy gunfire on the convoy in an ambush on Friday afternoon at Tamsu Kawu village along the 120-kilometre highway linking Maiduguri and Yobe state capital Damaturu.

(Punch)

Terrorists Kill Three, Injure ‘Many’ in Niger Community

Daredevil gunmen on Friday 12th November, reportedly killed three residents during an attack in Allawa community in Alllawa Ward, Shiroro local government area of Niger state.

The gunmen were also reported to have injured yet to be ascertained number of residents during the Friday afternoon attack.

A source from the community who craved anonymity told MBT that the attackers were heavily armed and invaded the community in a “large number”.

“They were so many and well armed, they started shooting sporadically when they got into the community.

“Three people were killed including the son of the Ward Councillor, many others were injured during the attack.” He said.

Shiroro, an agrarian community situated on 9.9822° N, 6.8093° E in the North Central region of Nigeria has suffered numerous attacks from armed group the Nigerian government and media often refer to as “bandits”.

In October, the Chairman of Shiroro local government, Hon. Suleiman Chukumba told journalists in Minna the state capital that Boko Haram terrorists have taken over 500 communities in eight Wards of the local government.

“As the chairman of Shiroro LGA, I can tell you that Shiroro is not only dealing with the issue of banditry, it has a lot of Boko Haram. I have proof of this as the chairman.

The chairman further said that Boko Haram terrorists had warned that they do not want conventional primary and secondary schools in the area but Islamic schools.

“They have told the people that they do not want primary or secondary school in the communities and that they only want to see Islamic schools.

“They have been trying to incorporate and recruit residents of the communities to become their members, telling them that they will give the recruits arms and assist them in fighting the government,” Chukumba stated.

It will be recalled that Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger state had early this year raised alarm over influx of Boko Haram terrorists into the state. The governor further said that Boko Haram terrorists had hoisted their flag in some communities in Shiroro local government, 243 km away from Abuja the seat of the Central government.

As at the time of filing this report, MBT could not independently verify the number of people injured or houses destroyed during Friday’s attack.

Efforts to speak with the Niger state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun proved abortive as calls and messages sent to his mobile phone were not immediately returned.