News
2019 Polls: ISIS, Boko Haram Planning Attacks -US Warns …As Gunmen Raze Catholic Seminary, Structure In Adamawa
The United States of America has warned its citizens in Nigeria of a plan by Islamic State and Boko Haram insurgent groups to disrupt the forthcoming 2019 general elections by carrying out attacks.
The US gave the warning in a statement published on its website on the 18th of January, 2019.
The alert read that the insurgent groups plan to attack public places and government infrastructures during the 2019 election.
The embassy, however, did not state whether such attacks were targeted at its embassy or not, but U.S. citizens in Nigeria should remember to follow personal security precautions on a regular basis.
The statement reads: “There is an increase in ISIS propaganda videos specifically directed to Nigeria and the ongoing civil unrest in Borno state and the Northeast
“ISIS West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram have both stated they plan to disrupt the upcoming 2019 presidential elections by conducting attacks on Nigerian Security and infrastructure, as well as places of gathering such as markets, hotels, and malls
“While we have no specific threat information to the U.S. Embassy or within Nigeria during the election season, U.S. citizens in Nigeria should remember to follow personal security precautions on a regular basis
“ US citizens should avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile and to stay alert in public places, including schools, hospitals, government facilities, places of worship, tourist locations, and transportation hubs.”
The embassy further urged its citizens to carry proper identification, including a US passport with a current Nigerian visa, if needed and to exercise caution when walking or driving at night.
Meanwhile, gunmen, said to be in their hundreds, have attacked Bare, a community in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, reportedly razing houses and structures, including a Catholic seminary there.
Witnesses said the attackers were herdsmen, and that this latest incident would be a continuation of past similar attacks over grazing land that made many residents to leave the community.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Stephen Mamza said nothing of the identities of the attackers but confirmed
the destruction of the Catholic Seminary, and said security agents did not respond on time to save the day.
The bishop, who is also the Adamawa State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said he had been duly informed that the invaders stormed the community in their hundreds and operated for several hours without restraint.
He said, “Our reverend father’s house was burnt and there’s no house around that area that is standing now. They have burnt all the houses. All my parishioners have left. Nobody can live there.”
Mamza said the incident was most unfortunate because after a previous attack and people ran away, many of them had returned and rebuilt their houses, but that “the people are now back to square one because their houses have been destroyed completely.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, Othman Abubakar, said the attackers burnt down several houses, but did not confirm if the Catholic Seminary was among them.
He explained that the report before him did not indicate the identities of houses burnt, stressing that there was no human casualty.
“There was an attack with houses burnt down but there was no loss of lives. But so far we have deployed our men to restore normalcy,” the police spokesman said.
Also, less than 24 hours before President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign visit to Yobe, the 27 task force brigade in Buni Yadi, is currently under Boko Haram attack.
Buni yadi is also home to Nigerian Army Special Forces Training Schools.
A panic resident told our correspondent that the attackers arrived in 5 hilux vans laden with Anti Aircraft around 5:00pm and headed directly to the military location.
“I saw vehicles with Boko haram flags shooting sporadically and shouting “Allahu Akbar !” she said.
She said that her house and that of her neighbor were hit by bullets.
Another resident said the militants had engaged the army in serious gun dual but, there was aerial support by fighter jets in the town.
However, there’s been no statement from the military on the attack.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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