Military aircraft bombard Boko Haram camps in Bauchi forests

FROM PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi
As the war against the Boko Haram by the   Federal Government intensifies, the Nigerian military has reportedly bombed the sect’s camps located in parts of Bauchi State, local and security sources have disclosed.
As early as 6:00a.m., locals said they heard loud sounds of explosives coming from the forest where insurgents’ camps were reportedly located.
It has been reported that  sizeable numbers of gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have been operating in the Balmo forests in Darazo,  Burra in Ningi, Soro in Ganjuwa and Yugda forests between Zara-Miya, while another camp is believed to exist around the Bauchi-Gombe boundary in Alkaleri.
Some of the locals in the forest communities, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the vibration shook their houses to their very foundation, adding that shortly after the explosive sounds were heard, they saw military aircraft bearing Nigerian flags hovering in the area.
A reliable security source in the state confirmed that the army has started operation in the forest but did not give details of the development, adding that the exercise was carried out without creating panic among the inhabitants of the forests.

B’Haram kills 29 in Borno

Boko Haram members

Nigerians have fled into Cameroon as Boko Haram attacked another Borno village, killing 29 persons.

It will be recalled that about two weeks ago the outlawed sect attacked Gamboru Ngala, a border town with Cameroon, killing about 300 persons and destroying million of Naira worth of property.

It was gathered that some suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, laid ambush on the village on Wednesday morning.

The attack, according to a resident, Mallam Bakura Mustapha, occurred barely 10 days after the withdrawal of troops from the village.

Sources said the gunmen drove into the village in 15 vehicles and several motorcycles and were armed with AK47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs.

It was gathered that they stormed the village at about 11am on Wednesday and opened fire on armless residents killing 29 people and burnt many buildings.

Another source said, apart from those killed, there were several injuries sustained and many residents of the village who sustained gunshot wounds “are now receiving treatment at one of a hospital in Cameroon Republic.”

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, to comment on the attack failed, but a top security source who is not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed the incident.

Boko Haram killed 173 teachers in Borno – Yobe NUT

Boko Haram killed 173 teachers in Borno – Yobe NUT

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Bauchi State chapter has disclosed  that 173 teachers have been killed by Boko Haram  insurgents in  Borno and Yobe states. State Chairman of the union, Danjuma Sale, disclosed this while speaking during a one-day protest  for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents last month in Chibok , Borno State.

Addressing the crowd of teachers, who marched  on Bauchi streets to the Government House,  Sale said: “We demand that both the Federal and the respective state governments exhibit true concern for the families of the 173 teachers, 170 in Borno State and three in Yobe State, who lost their lives to the barbaric, uncivilised and wicked act of terror  by paying them adequate compensation to assist in soothing their misery.”

Sale advised the Federal Government to do all it could to bring back the abducted girls safe and alive, by demonstrating enough social responsibility and concern to guarantee security of lives and property in the land, which is the primary responsibility of any responsible government.

He appealed to the Federal Government to provide conducive and peaceful atmosphere for learning to both teachers and students  in what they called, the vulnerable political environment in the country.

Receiving the teachers on behalf of Governor Isa Yuguda , the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government,  Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, flanked by the Chief of Staff, Bauchi Government House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, commended the protestants for being peaceful and pledged to deliver their message to the governor, who would take the letter to President Jonathan.