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Probe ‘Secret Burial’ Of 1,000 Soldiers By Insurgents, Atiku Dares Buhari …Military Denies Existence Of Secret Grave Yard

Published

7 years ago

August 2, 2019

The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the reported secret burial of 1,000 Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
In a statement he signed yesterday, Atiku said that the Wall Street Journal’s report on the matter was saddening, adding that the attempt to hide the true state of the war on terror was heartbreaking and shocking.
Atiku said: “Heartbreak for the families and friends of those soldiers who, if the report is true, have lost their loved ones, without being allowed to bury them or even to have any sense of closure as regards their fate.
“Shocking that such a thing could happen under a democracy, such as Nigeria is supposed to be. I shudder to think that the cover-up of such an event of epic proportions can be true.
“The men and women of our armed forces are our first, second and last defence against our domestic and foreign enemies and should be treated with love, respect, dignity and appreciation for the invaluable service they render to Nigeria.
“I cannot fathom that in the space of a year, 1,000 of these great patriots were killed and buried secretly without their families being told. I hesitate to believe that deceit on such a grand scale is even possible.
“To ensure that we get to the bottom of this matter, I urge that a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by a non-partisan and reputable jurist, be inaugurated to investigate the findings of the Wall Street Journal.
“While this is occurring, I also strongly urge that a panel of inquiry comprising distinguished former military officers be set up to investigate and report to Nigerians the true state of the war on terror and what must be done to ensure Nigeria brings a speedy end to the ongoing insurgency.
“Nigeria must ensure prudent use of finances, so we can redistribute national resources in such a way that ensures that our military and security forces are well armed and well remunerated.
“Even the death of one soldier affects me. But the alleged cover-up of the deaths of one thousand soldiers is a national emergency that should shock all statesmen and leaders of thoughts into action to save Nigeria.”
But in a reaction to the report, the Military High Command, yesterday, decried what it described as a misinformed publication and a figment of the imagination of Wall Street Journal alleging that secret burial sites where troops killed by Boko Haram are buried silently exist, noting that the writer of the publication lacks knowledge of military valued ethos, and traditions on treatment of fallen heroes.
This was contained in a statement titled ‘There Are No Secret Graveyards in the North East Theatre’, signed by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu.
It reads, “The Defence Headquarters has noted with dismay an Online Article by “Wall Street Journal” purporting that the Nigerian Military maintains secret graveyards in the North East theatre of operation.
“This insinuation can only emanate from an uninformed position of the author of the said publication.
“It, therefore, becomes necessary to inform the public that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have a rich and solemn tradition for the interment of our fallen heroes.
“Therefore, it must be unambiguously clarified that the Armed Forces of Nigeria does not indulge in secret burials, as it is sacrilegious and a profanity to extant ethos and traditions of the Nigerian military.
“In tandem with the traditions of the Armed Forces, fallen heroes are duly honoured and paid the last respect in befitting military funeral of international standard, featuring funeral parade, grave site oration, solemn prayers for the repose of departed souls by Islamic and Christian clerics, as well as gun salutes, aside other military funeral rites.
“The cemetery described in the publication, which is situated in Maimalari Military Cantonment is an officially designated military cemetery for the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the North East theatre, with a Cenotaph erected in honour of our fallen heroes.
“The official cemetery has played host to several national and international dignitaries, where wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen heroes.
“It is therefore a far cry from the sacrilegious impression being painted by “Wall Street Journal”.
“The Defence Headquarters, therefore, urges members of the Armed Forces and the general public to disregard such a misinformed publication and see it as a figment of the imagination of the writer, whose knowledge of military valued ethos and traditions is grossly misplaced.”
The Wall Street Journal had reported that at the northern edge of this city’s sprawling military base, a vast field of churned soil conceals the hidden toll of a deadly offensive by the allies of Islamic State.
After dark, the bodies of soldiers are covertly transported from a mortuary that at times gets so crowded the corpses are delivered by truck, according to Nigerian soldiers, diplomats and a senior government official.
The bodies are laid by flashlight into trenches dug by infantrymen or local villagers paid a few dollars per shift.
“Several of my comrades were buried in unmarked graves at night,” said a soldier from the Maimalari barracks, where more than 1,000 soldiers are based.
“They are dying and being deleted from history.”
The secret graveyard at Maimalari isn’t the only one in Nigeria’s troubled North-East, the senior government official said.

News

No Aso Rock Kitchen Staff Attempt To Poison Tinubu –Presidency

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Presidency has dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification yesterday on his official X account where he shared a video of the report and categorically denied it.

The video purportedly shows activity at the presidential villa, accompanied by a voiceover reporting the incident.

The video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.

The video added, Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

However, Onanuga dismissed the report as baseless fake news.

He wrote, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”

As of the time of going to the Press authorities have not provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.

News

US, China Clash As Iran TV Confirms Supreme Leader Ayatollah’s Death

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Iranian state television yesterday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.

A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.

Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

US President, Donald Trump, had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Trump said the Iranian leader had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.”

The US President said the death of Khamenei gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country.”

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us.

“As I said last night, Now they can have immunity, later they only get death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.

“That process should soon start in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.

However, China has strongly condemned the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the killing yesterday when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.

The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.

News

Banigo Harps On Importance Of Nurturing Girl-Child …Says Everyone Is A Leader On His Own Right

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has urged Nigerians, particularly women, to recognise that leadership exists at every level of society and that everyone is a leader within their own space.

Banigo made this call in Port Harcourt at the weekend during her Induction/Decoration as an AWLO Life Patroness, Unveiling of AWLO’s 2026 Magazine and Relaunch of the Rivers State Chapter.

Speaking with newsmen after the induction, the former Rivers State Deputy Governor emphasised the importance of nurturing and mentoring young girls, warning that neglecting the girl-child comes with far-reaching consequences for society.

According to her, investing in the growth and development of young girls is crucial to building a responsible and progressive nation.

“Well, everybody, to be honest with you, is a leader in their own space. If you lose your girlhood, you have lost your life. That is why it is important to catch them young,” she said.

“All my life, I have worked with young women because I believe that as we mentor them, they are meant to learn from us for the fulfilment of their God-given purpose,” she added.

The lawmaker further stressed the need for urgent and deliberate steps to ensure women are not left behind in national development, noting that any neglect of women ultimately affects the entire system and the larger society.

She highlighted education, healthcare, and skills acquisition as critical areas of focus, while calling for sustained efforts to keep girls in school and enable them to advance as far as their abilities permit.

Banigo also underscored the need for improved healthcare facilities to prevent maternal mortality and deaths from preventable diseases, while also advocating for vocational training and skill development opportunities for girl child.

According to her, raising responsible girls ultimately leads to building responsible adults and, by extension, a stronger and more purposeful society.