Borno govt shuts cattle markets as insurgents resort to cattle rustling.

The government of Borno State has closed down four cattle markets in order to checkmate the sale of stolen cows to fund terrorist activities in the area.

Announcing the closure of the markets in Gamboru, Dusuman, Shuwarin and Ngom towns, Gov Kashim Shettima said that;
“All trading activities have been suspended until further notice in line with (the) government’s commitment to ensure that no public place is turned into an avenue for funding activities of the terrorists.”

The governor said that his administration received security reports that Boko Haram terrorists were using some unscrupulous middlemen to sell rustled cattle in the markets.

“The money realised from such transactions will then be channelled to fund the deadly activities of the terrorists,” he said.

Recall that the Maiduguri cattle market had earlier been shut for similar reasons, leading to shortage of meat in the area.

Also affected by the ban is the sale of kilishi, a popular spicy dried meat.

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Black marketers make brisk business as fuel scarcity worsens in Abuja (Photos)

Illegal petrol vendors have hit the major roads in Abuja hawking the scarce commodity in plastic kegs as most petrol stations remain out of stock.

Photos after the cut

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How I plan to beat Egypt - Siasia

Super Eagles interim Head Coach, Samson Siasia has said that Nigeria will have to stick together and fight like a unted force to surmount the Egyptian hurdle.

Siasia who has already unveiled a 42-man list for the match against Egypt was appointed in interim capacity to secure the ticket to the AFCON 2017 tournament after former coach Sunday Oliseh fell out with the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF.

“I want to passionately appeal to Nigerians, everybody, to show belief in the team and give us total support. It will not be easy, but if we stick together and present a united force to fight this battle, I believe we will triumph.

“I have absolute faith in the players. Nigeria is blessed with so many talented footballers across the world and I know that those we are inviting for this match will give everything for the six points in both matches. Personally, I will give everything that I have to offer for us to win both matches," he said.

He added that he has only invited players who “showed ability to run and decimate the opposition” for the make or break two-legged encounter.

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Troops wipe out fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in ambush

Troops of the 21 Brigade Bama, under the 7 Division area of operational responsibility, in a blocking position, wiped out escaping Boko Haram fighters in the early hours of Friday.

The terrorists were fleeing through Sabsawa axis of the Sambisa forest.

Items recovered from the fallen terrorists included a Toyota Hilux truck, 2 AK-47 rifles with registration numbers 58006915 and KO 35839, and 37 rounds of 12.7mm metal linked ammunition.

One soldier was wounded in the encounter but is reported to be in stable condition.

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Kano youths promised cars, houses for converting Christian girls to Islam - Mrs Oruru

Mrs Rose Oruru, mother of the abducted and now impregnated Bayelsa girl, Ese has alleged that Kano youths are enticed with promises of cash, vehicles and houses  take Christian girls to Islam.

Mrs Oruru made the disclosure in a press interview on her daughter's abduction and rescue.

Read this excerpt from the interview.

”When we arrived Kano, I had to spend the night in the house of the boy that took me there, because we arrived very late in the night at past midnight. The next day, we proceeded on the search for Ese.

”Before we arrived Kano, I had received a call from my daughter, asking me where we were and I told her we were close to Abuja. She advised me to stop at Abuja and spend the night with my sister, as according to her, they would kill me if I came to Kano that night.

“She said they had taken her photograph and converted her to Islam and wore her the hijab because the Emir Sanusi promised them that anybody that brought a Christian girl from another state and converted her to Islam would be rewarded with money, given a house, jeep and earn a salary, among other goodies. She said all the people were celebrating with Yinusa. Still on our way, the man who was taking me to Kano got a call and told me it was Yinusa, but that I should not mind him.

”In Kano, in the morning, I asked him to take me to the parent of Yellow, but he said we would first go to the house of the chief and that when we get there the chief would hand over my daughter and we would leave Kano the next day. When we got to the chief’s house, the boy narrated why he came with me and the chief was so angry and started abusing him. I knew he was abusing him because he spoke little English and Hausa. At that point, I got on my knees and pleaded with him to help me because my husband had driven me out of the house, asking me never to come back until I produced his daughter. He called me useless woman and asked which child did I keep here, that my child has been converted to Islam and I will never see her again."

14 year-old Ese Oruru's ordeal began in August 2015 when she was abducted in Yenagoa by Yunusa Dahiru who took her to Kano, converted her to Islam, made her his wife without her parents' consent, renamed her Aisha and put her in the family way.

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APGA supporters celebrate Victor Umeh's release (Photos)

The Department of State Services, DSS has released the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh who was recently whisked away to Abuja on suspicion of sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

See photos of jubilant APGA supporters celebrating the release.

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Army rescues 63 captives, destroys Boko Haram spiritual temple

Troops of the 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion of 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army have destroyed the spiritual power base of the terrorist group Boko Haram located inside Alagarno forest in Borno State.

The Army while making the disclosure also announced the rescue of 63 persons who were held hostage by the sect during separate operations at Lawin Meleri, Matiri Bulaka and Aljeri villages. Five insurgents were reported to have been killed in those operations

The Army also said the destruction of the sect’s spiritual power base was carried out in an operation around Alagarno forest.

The Army said that the operation destroyed "terrorists camps at Mosa, Ariwuzumari and Kagalmari, as well as Missene, Joba, Yajiwa and Sansan.”

“During the operations, the troops were able to clear all the camps, killing quite a number of terrorists and recovered Boko Haram terrorists flags hoisted on some premises, destroyed their logistics base and recovered 31 motorcycles, assorted foodstuff, a donkey and a pick up van, AK-45 rifle with registration number 17714 and a Dane gun.

“Other items recovered include 2 boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, 4 loaded magazines of AK-47 rifles and 2 magazines pack."

Credits: DHQ

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