Nigeria: Army Moves to Turn Tide Against Boko Haram, Kills 100 in Konduga

 
By Michael Olugbode, Senator Iroegbu and Omololu Ogunmade
Determined to turn the tide against the terrorists Boko Haram, the Nigerian Army yesterday inflicted heavy casualty on the sect fighters who attempted to capture Konduga, a strategic town just about 35km to Maiduguri, killing over 100 and halting their match to Maiduguri.
The positive report from Konduga came on a day the President of the Senate, David Mark, challenged the Nigerian armed forces to brace up against the rampaging activities of Boko Haram and reclaim the communities taken over by the terrorists in the North-east.
A statement signed by Col. Timothy Atingha for the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), said the terrorists' bid to overrun Konduga was met with a fierce response from Nigerian troops.
"At about 5.30am today, Boko Haram terrorists launched a massive attack on Konduga town, about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri. After about three hours of fierce fighting, Nigerian troops routed the Boko Haram killing over a 100 terrorists," Atingha said.
He added that a lot of equipment were also recovered from the terrorist: "Three Hilux and one Buffalo vehicles with mounted Anti-aircraft guns, three General Purpose Machine guns, over 30 AK 47 rifles and two global positioning systems have been recovered.
He also confirmed that four Nigerian soldiers were wounded during the battle. Atingha assured: "The morale of troops remain very high, while the entire area is still being combed for terrorists who may have escaped with bullet wounds."
He also said that the photographs taken at the scene of the battle were being expected and would be forwarded as soon as they are received.
Youth vigilante groups were also said to have helped the military to repel the attack on Konduga. A member of the local vigilante group, Kolobe Abdullahi told journalists on telephone: "We couldn't sleep yesterday as we all kept vigil in Konduga since we got hints that insurgents intend to attack us."
He said they cooperated with the military by keeping vigil while awaiting the terrorists: "People sighted them when they were coming and they were seriously dealt with. As I am talking to you, more than 100 of them were killed and several others sustained injuries."
Kolobe added: "We destroyed all their utility vehicles, some cars and motorcycles. We also seized some arms and vehicles." A military source within the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri also confirmed on telephone that the insurgents were dealt heavy blow.
A resident of Konduga, Abba Ali told journalists that what could have been a sad day for the people of the town was reverted as "we are now celebrating the killing of scores of Boko Haram."
Ali added: "I think today is the happiest in my life. Boko Haram killed two of my brothers in their recent attack on Konduga but today, many of their bodies were all scattered on the streets. I salute the courage of our gallant soldiers and members of civilians JTF. We are ready for them. "Our people and the civilian JTF climbed trees and telecom mast to sight them in the morning and behold they were coming, hundreds in number, in Hilux vans and motorcycles and cars. The soldiers waited for them and when they came, they attacked them immediately. Alhamudllahi, we are so happy today."
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had on Thursday debunked the assertions by the Borno Elders' Forum (BEF) that Maiduguri was under siege and had been surrounded by Boko Haram terrorists, thereby causing panic amongst the residents some of whom were alleged to have fled the city.
The military also assured Nigerians that the ongoing offensive through sustained aerial bombardment and complementary ground assault had helped to halt the terrorists' advance with most of their structures and strongholds destroyed in North-east towns like Gwoza, Bama, Michika and others.
The forum had decried the horror, death, destruction and misery that had been visited on North-eastern Nigeria and particularly Borno State by Boko Haram, warning that the sect had strategised and completely surrounded the city of Maiduguri.
BEF further warned that it was apparent that the sect's imminent target was to take the city of Maiduguri, noting that almost half of the population of Borno now resides in Maiduguri. However, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major-General Chris Olukolade, dismissed such statements as a design to create a sense of insecurity in the city. "The statement on Maiduguri was clearly intended to cause panic in the city and the nation," Olukolade said.
He assured Nigerians that "all facets of the security arrangements for the defence of Maiduguri have been upgraded to handle any planned attack or attempt to disrupt the prevailing peace in the city and its environs".
Mark Tasks Military to Reclaim Lost Territory... Mark tasked the military on Boko Haram during the graduation ceremony of the 61 Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna. He said the nation was facing a critical moment in which "our peaceful and corporate existence is threatened by insurgency, terrorism and sheer criminality." The President of the Senate, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, lamented that the war against terrorism was already having severe effects on the lives, finance and economy of the nation, regretting that "huge resources that would have been used for national development are now being diverted to fight insurgency and terrorism."
He added: "We will never relent in keeping this country one. Ethnic, political, sectional and religious problems have complicated issues in Nigeria. The situation demands that all hands should be on deck to tackle the problem."
Mark cautioned politicians against playing politics with the nation's security and unity, noting that "politicians irrespective of ideological or party affiliation should remember that politics can only be played when Nigeria exists as a corporate entity and in peace."
He berated those he said were fanning the embers of war and disunity, arguing, "Nigeria is not an accident. It has pleased the Almighty God to put us together as one and it is our solemn duty to nurture Nigeria to her full potentials.
"The future still holds greater promise if only we could put our differences behind us and work together as one people. With greater commitment and resolve, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will be one of the world's super powers."
He was also said to have assured the gathering that the National Assembly would continue to provide necessary support for the military in the war against terrorism just as he urged Nigerians to cooperate with the Armed Forces in the protracted war.

WHAT A DISGRACE TO NIGERIA

Despite the triumph of the Golden Eaglets Friday in Abu Dhabi it was a show of shame and national disgrace as NFF General secretary Barrister Musa and the Federations First Vice President Chief Mike Umeh exchanged blows in public, right inside the stadium.
Eye witness account has it that problem started brewing early evening when Chief Umeh wondered why members of the League Management Committee were allocated “ better cars” than NFF chieftains. He then and there told a colleague that Musa was incompetent and not fit to handle NFF matters.
On getting to the stadium, Chief Umeh was given a Category 1 ticket and again he complained insisting that every country was given 20 VIP tickets and wondered why he could not have one as NFF Vice President.
At the stadium Chief Umeh boiled over when he saw members of the LMC in the VIP Box and challenged the GS who said he knew nothing about it “Oga two of us are seating here, I don’t know anything about tickets besides I just arrived yesterday “ the General Secretary replied. He was shocked when Chief Umeh said “you are a useless man .
I have to trek five minutes to ease myself in a competition that belongs to us?” That really got Barrister Ahmadu angry and he told him to withdraw the statement. Instead Chief Umeh repeated it and the General Secretary said he was a “ hopeless man”. As they were sitting together they rose to their feet and went for each other’s jugular saying a lot of unprintable things.
The intervention of some board members including Chief Inyama and some Management staff did little to assuage them. It took some time to get Musa to leave the seat for another one. A board member has called for a probe of the incidence when they get back home. “It was shameful to say the least. Chief Umeh did not behave maturely but there is need to find out where all our VIP tickets went to,” he said.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the NFF is spoiling for a war with the National Sports Commission, NSC over its penchant for sidelining it whenever football matters get to the presidency. An inside NFF source said the federation members were not happy when the NSC failed to provide seat for them during the reception for the Super Eagles after they won the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.
“The NFF is not ready to be pushed aside when the President hosts the Eaglets in Abuja. This ceremony is an NFF ceremony, so the NSC should not push the NFF aside. In fact the NFF president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has done well and should be commended. He even deserves a national honour,” the source stressed.
President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to host the victorious Golden Eaglets today in Aso Rock to show the country’s appreciation for their feat at the U-17 World Cup which has brought honour to the country, his Media aide, Dr. Rueben Abati disclosed shortly after the team won the trophy Friday.
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FIFA U-17: Mexico 1 - 6 Nigeria

Three-time champions Nigeria left little to doubt when they opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign against twice champions and holders Mexico in Al Ain, winning out by an emphatic 6-1 scoreline.
The result piles more unhappiness on the Mexican nation, whose senior team is experiencing a crisis in senior FIFA World Cup qualifying, while Nigeria sit comfy and cozy at the top of Group F.
Nigeria looked nervous early, but the Mexicans were unable to take advantage of their opponents’ trepidation. Striker Ulises Jaimes had a chance to score with his head after only three minutes, but the ball was deflected wide of danger by the scrambling Nigerian defence.
With a half-hour gone, and after a few more Mexican half-chances, the Africans had settled into their rhythm. That was bad news for Mexico. With 33 minutes gone, the speedy Golden Eaglets were through on a counter-attack. Success Isaac, who seven times in the African qualifiers, raced in and rounded the goalkeeper, pulling the ball back across goal. Kelechi Iheanacho followed the play and produced a clever finish, hitting the ball high into the net to get over a pair of Mexican defenders.
Seven minutes later, the No10 – hands-down the best player on the pitch – scored again. The pattern was the same, Isaac crossing from the left after a fast-break and Iheanacho keeping his cool again, cutting inside and showing great patience to drift past two defender and slam into the side netting.
The Nigerians celebrated wildly in front of their large banks of fans, but their enthusiasm got the better of them as they conceded a goal a minute later. Still in dreamland, the African defenders failed to clear their lines and the ball fell kindly for Jaimes in the area, with the Morelia youngster rounding his man to score low in the corner.
The Mexican euphoria couldn’t last, however, and Iheanacho had his hat-trick seconds into the second-half. With the ball flicked on from a long throw-in, the livewire slammed it home, low and hard, at the near post to make it 3-0 for the rampaging Nigerians. It was 4-0 three minutes later, when Chidiebere Nwakali fired the ball in from 25 yards out, signaling a certain rout as the Negerian fans chanted for more, more, more.
Isaac provided it on the hour-mark when he raced on to a through-ball, bamboozled two tired and devastated Mexican defenders and fired inside the near post from 12 yards out. With 30 minutes to go, the irrepressible Iheanacho bagged his fourth goal. He cut in from the right side and fired a vicious strike from a long way out that Gudino got his finger-tips to, but had no chance of keeping out of the top corner to make the final score a frightening 6-1.
Up next for the impressive Nigerians is a date with Scandinavian debutants Sweden in three days’ time, when Mexico try to get things back on track against Iraq.
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