Islamic groups; JNIM, GSIM, ISGS behind terrorist organizations— NSA Monguno Says

National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has identified Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS as groups bolstering activities of terror g in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.

The NSA enjoined Islamic preachers and Imams to deploy their vantage positions to canvas support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

He observed that alliances between the clerics and Security Forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities”.

The NSA spoke at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja.

According to him, “terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.

“It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.

“In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country.

“The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) is growing, and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before. There are several not entirely congruent working hypothesis underpinning foreign and regional government strategies”.

The NSA added further that, “It is imperative to reassess and reset the strategy towards the Sahel, setting aside faulty assumption. Particularly, the international community and its Sahelian partners should prioritize governance, press for or pursue an expanded peace process, cautiously through dialogue, and push for the adoption of more non-kinetic measures through affected communities.

“Nonetheless, the possibility of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checkmated by series of concerted and reinvigorated efforts of the countries of the Region.

“The adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by LCBC countries to stem the conflict has yielded tremendous success. The adoption of propaganda videos by Terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region, is a mere attempt to garner support from sympathizers, as they struggle to maintain relevance.

“Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of LCBC countries will continue to frustrate that goal.

“In that regard, it is imperative that Ulamas, Preachers and Community Leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our Security Forces, in order to end this menace. Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of Security Forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group effort like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities. There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass root level”.

[Source: Guardian with the exception of the header]

Traveller Shot Dead, Many Abducted As Terrorists Block Kaduna-Zaria Highway

At least one person was shot dead while dozens of travellers were abducted when bandits blocked the Kaduna-Zaria highway in Kaduna State.

Daily Trust reports that the incident happened around Mawai village also known as Gonar Magajin Gari, on Monday night.

A source identified the victim killed as one Alhaji Sani Dogara, who was heading for Kaduna from Zaria.

The armed men were said to have operated unchallenged for almost three hours.

The Kaduna State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident as several calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, were unanswered.

However, an eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits, who came in vehicles, stationed them around Tudun Gaude village.

The witness said the vehicles were used to evacuate their captives to an unknown destination.

“We were by the roadside when we noticed vehicles making abrupt U-turns on the lane to Kaduna from Zaria while other vehicles ran into the bush.”

“We also saw several motorists alighting from their vehicles in confusion and running on foot into bushes and we also ran,” the source said.

The eyewitness, however, said at the time they ran into the bush, there was no gunshot fired during the operation but confirmed that he later saw that one person had been shot on the hip.

The scene of the incident is about 15 kilometres from Zaria.

(Dailytrust)

Police kill two Terrorists in Kaduna

The Police Command in Kaduna State says its operatives have killed two suspected bandits in Riheyi village within Fatika district of Giwa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Jalige, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Jalige said that on Monday, at about 4.30 pm, the operatives of the Command attached to 47 PMF Squadron, Zaria, intercepted some bandits around the village.

He said the incident happened while the operatives were on confidence-building patrol within the same district of Giwa LGA.

Jalige said that the encounter which resulted in a heavy gun duel saw the police operatives having the last laugh.

“Having applied gallantry that successfully neutralised two bandits, they recovered an AK47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of 7.62 X 39mm live ammunition and an operational motorcycle,’’ he said.

Jalige said the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mudassiru Abdullahi commended the officers for their display of professionalism and courage to achieve the desired result.

He tasked all operational and tactical commanders to imbibe the culture of rigorous patrols in their areas of jurisdiction.

The PPRO said the CP noted that with the festive season around the corner, men of the underworld expectedly would like to perpetrate criminal activities.

“According to the CP, with the Police as the lead agency in internal security, the need for vigilance and proactive policing cannot be overemphasized.

“He warned that under his watch, dereliction of duty by any officer will be penalized accordingly, “Jalige said.

(NAN) 

Tambuwal Meets PMB, Seeks Declaration of State of Emergency In Terrorists’ Enclaves

Pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and to further give effect to the process of proclaiming bandits as terrorists by the President, Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state a while ago called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full scale state of emergency in all areas where criminals, so determined, are domiciled.

This, according to Gov. Tambuwal who met with President Buhari at the Presidential villa Monday evening for about thirty minutes, would be to enable the Armed Forces to carry out their operations without let or hindrance in all enclaves affected by the declaration.

These operations, once conceived and ready for execution, “should be carried out simultaneously in the states where the terrorists have strongholds, such as , Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi; as well as elsewhere, where the criminals have hideouts,” he said.

Gov. Tambuwal also called on the President to give premium to the deployment of more manpower to all beleaguered areas just as he advocated for the procurement of sophisticated equipment, particularly, modern technology- which use is now centered around the deployment of drones globally.

He also appealed to the President, to consider popular opinions suggesting the recall of retired personnel for engagement in the war against terrorists and the recruitment of more personnel in all the security services.

In view of the security situation in the Sahel, which has escalated tension in the sub-region, the need to ask the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek extensive cooperation with the United Kingdom, France and the United States of America on security issues was also suggested by the Governor.

Muhammad Bello
Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor
Dec. 13, 2021
Sokoto