Borno election: Tribunal strikes out PDP petition against APC victory

POLITICS

Borno election: Tribunal strikes out PDP petition against APC victory

 

The Borno National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, challenging the victory of Dr Haruna Mshelia of the APC.

PDP and its candidate, Emmanuel Bassi had gone to challenge the victory of Mshelia.

Joined in the suit were INEC, APC, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Borno and the Returning Officer, INEC Askira/Uba/Hawul Fed. constituency.

The petition filed on March 15 was marked EPT/BO/HR/2/2019.

Ruling in the motion to dismiss the petition, filed by INEC, APC and Mshelia, a member of the tribunal Justice Anthonia Ubaka, on behalf of the Chairman, Justice Peter Kekemeke held that the petitioners failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, NAN reports.

Ubaka, held that, ” there must be strict compliance to section 18 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

She said the petitioners filed out of time, thereby flouting the seven days time given by the law for filing of pre-hearing letter.

” The petitioners filed after the expiration of the seven days stipulated by the Electoral Act.

” The implication is that the petition is deemed abandoned and accordingly, the petition is hereby dismissed ” she held.

PDP and Bassi claimed that the 2nd respondent was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election of Feb. 23rd, 2019.

The petitioners further averred that the election was void by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

They further claimed that the 2nd Respondent did not score the majority votes cast and therefore urged the tribunal to nullify the return of the 2nd respondent as winner of the said election.

They also sought the order of the tribunal to direct INEC to issue a certificate of return to the 2nd petitioner as the duly elected member, House of Representatives for Askira/Uba/Hawul Fed. Constituency.

In the alternative, they sought an order of the tribunal directing INEC to conduct a fresh election.

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Borno Attack: ISIL claims killing of 11 Nigerian soldiers in Borno

NEWS

Borno Attack: ISIL claims killing of 11 Nigerian soldiers in Borno

 

ISIL has claimed killing of 11 Nigerian soldiers in an attack on the northeastern town of Gajiganna, Borno.

Al-Jazeera reports that the group made the claim at the weekend through its news agency, AMAQ.

ISIL published pictures of burned barracks and dead bodies it claimed belonged to the soldiers.

The fighters fled after the military called in air force support and reinforcements from a battalion in a neighbouring town.

There have been renewed attacks on troops since the start of 2019.

In a similar attack late April, several soldiers were reportedly killed at Sabon Gari, Mararaba Kimba, a village between Biu and Damboa Local Government Areas in Borno.

ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack.

Residents of Sabon Gari, who spoke to news men said unspecified numbers of Boko Haram fighters riding in several vehicles and motorcycles attacked a military base located along the Biu–Damboa road.

“The military base is isolated and this made it a vulnerable target for the attack. The militants arrived at the location in their numbers outnumbering the military.

“They set the base on fire, destroyed and looted equipment before reinforcement arrived and they were repelled after several hours of battle”, Mallam Usman Kimba said.

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Boko Haram: Nigerian troops arrest policeman, soldier with anti-aircraft gun, ammunition

NEWS

Boko Haram: Nigerian troops arrest policeman, soldier with anti-aircraft gun, ammunition

 

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a policeman and a soldier for illegal possession of ammunition.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by Col. Sagir Musa, the Acting Director Army Public Relations.

Musa said that a Mobile policeman, Sgt. Markus John, with number PNo 383106 was arrested at Njimtilo checkpoint on Maiduguri-Damaturu road, while on transit to Lagos.

He said that at the time of arrest, John was in possession of two magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and one round of anti-aircraft gun concealed in his bag.

Musa added that the army in conjunction with the police also nabbed Pte Paul Ojochegbe (14NA7113208) and Lance Cpl. Oko Eke (12NA672586), also at the Njimtilo checkpoint.

He alleged that they were in possession of one disassembled AK 47 Rifle.

Musa restated the army’s appeal to the public to continue to provide useful information about suspicious movement of terrorists/criminals wherever they were seen hibernating in the country.

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Boko Haram: Troops rescue 54 abducted women, children in Borno

NEWS

Boko Haram: Troops rescue 54 abducted women, children in Borno

 

In continuation of their operations to clear Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 22 Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in collaboration with local vigilantes, have rescued 54 persons suspected to be kidnapped victims.

A statement from Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations said, troops have continued moving into the hinterland on clearance operation to destroy Boko Haram terrorists.

According to the statement, troops effectively cleared Ma’allasuwa and Yaga – Munye villages in Borno State.

“No encounter with Boko Haram terrorists was made as they run away before troops’ arrival leaving behind 54 suspected kidnapped victims.

“Out of the number, 29 are grown up women and 25 are children of various ages and sex. They have all been rescued.

“Similarly, at Zari – Kasake and Jumachere villages in Damasak general area of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of 145 Battalion Operation LAFIYA DOLE on clearance operation discovered and destroyed two Boko Haram terrorists’ logistics vehicles. Deserted BHTs make up shift accommodation was also destroyed.

“Additionally, Mopol Sergeant Markus John – Personal Number – PNo 383106 was arrested at Njimtilo check point along Maiduguri – Damaturu road in possession of 2 magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and one round of Anti Aircraft Gun concealed in his bag while on transit to Lagos State.

“Recall that on the 10th of May 2019, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the Nigerian Police, arrested 14NA7113208 Private Paul Ojochegbe and 12NA672586 Lance Corporal Oko Eke in possession of one disassembled AK 47 Rifle at the same N’jimtilo check point.

“Nigerian Army will remain resolute in ending terrorism and other forms of insecurities across the country,” the statement said.

The army also reiterated its appeal to the public to continue to provide useful information about suspicious movement of terrorists/criminals wherever they are seen hibernating in Nigeria.

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Boko Haram: Gov. Shettima Pays Visit To Over 85 Victims Of The Fresh Attack By Boko Haram Terrorists

​BREAKING NEWS

Boko Haram: Gov. Shettima Pays Visit To Over 85 Victims Of The Fresh Attack By Boko Haram Terrorists

The Borno State Governor, Governor Kashim Shettima on Monday described the Boko Haram insurgents’ Sunday night attack on communities in Jere Local Government Area of the state as“sad and inhumane”.

Shetiima told newsmen when he visited the over 80 victims of the attack on treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri that the attack indicated high level of atrocities committed by the insurgents.

“It is very sad which no any sensible human being could inflict on another person; such level of dexterity, such level of atrocity but this is a war between light and darkness, and in the fullness of time truth shall always triumph over falsehood.

“We have repeatedly said they have been sufficiently decimated and these decimated monsters berks in the oxygen of publicity they are targeting soft targets, senselessly and criminally opening fire on innocent souls.

“Yesterday, we witnessed that very sad episode, we will continue to intensify our efforts to safeguard life and property, and we are talking with security agencies that are doing their utmost best to secure the state.

“Appreciable progress has been made but such hiccups are inevitable. I will visit the communities to see what measures need to be put in place to forestall future occurrence,” he said.

Shettima assured that the state government would provide free treatment to the victims and provide necessary support during their period of recuperation.

The governor also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the attack.

Meanwhile, the Police in Borno had confirmed 20 persons killed and 84 others wounded in the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu, disclosed that five mutilated corpses of male suicide bombers were recovered and two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vests were diffused by men of the command at the scene of the attack.

He said: “On 01/04/2018 at about 20:20 pm; Boko Haram terrorists in an attempt to infiltrate into Maiduguri through Bale Kura, Bale Shuwari, Jamine and Alkaramti villages in Jere local government area of the state, in the outskirts of Maiduguri detonated IEDs.

“They were promptly repelled by military and police reinforcement. In the process about 84 persons were injured and 20 others killed.”

Chukwu added that normalcy had been restored to the area and called on people to go about their lawful businesses.

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BREAKING NEWS Boko Haram: Bama Women Writes Buhari, Request The Release Of Detained Suspects

BREAKING NEWS

Boko Haram: Bama Women Writes Buhari, Request The Release Of Detained Suspects

A group of women from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Nigerian military to free their relatives who had been detained since 2015 on the suspicion of being members of Boko Haram.

In an open letter addressed to the President, the women, under the aegis of Knifar Movement, said they had done everything to convince the military that their husbands were not insurgents.

The group, which said it had over 1,300 members currently living in IDP camps in Borno State, begged the President to help them reunite with “our 1,269 relatives who are detained by the military.”

“Our relatives – more than 1,269 men, women and children – were arrested between July and December 2015 and are still wrongly detained in Giwa military barracks and the Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison.

“Most of us are from Bama LGA; we were forced to leave our houses because of insurgency. Last year, we formed the Knifar Movement to ask for justice and the release of our relatives,” the group said in the open letter signed by Kellu Haruna and Fatima Babu.

“Your Excellency, we know that you are very busy and have serious issues to deal with, but we don’t know who to turn to anymore. That is why we respectfully ask for your assistance to intervene, so that our relatives could be released, considering the fact that they are not Boko Haram. They are innocent and were only caught up in the process.

“If the military has evidence that our relatives are Boko Haram members, they should present it to a court of law and charge them,” the letter further read.

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BREAKING NEWS Borno State Governor, Shettima Sympathizes With Ajiri IDPs Over Fire Outbreak That Rendered Over 1000 Displaced

BREAKING NEWS

Borno State Governor, Shettima Sympathizes With Ajiri IDPs Over Fire Outbreak That Rendered Over 1000 Displaced

Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Wednesday suspended all his official engagements to visit and sympathize with Ajiri IDPs over the inferno that gulped the Camp housing over 1000 displaced persons.

The Ajiri IDPs camp was gutted by fire outbreak Tuesday night.

Shettima also sympathized with the IDPs and told them to take the incident as an act of Almighty Allah, and equally urged them to intensify their prayers for peace to return to the state and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor further directed the Deputy Governor to supply them with all their basic needs, while assuring them of his commitment to rebuild all the burnt down houses.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor, Usman Mamman Durkwa, State party Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, House of Reps member, Hon. Kadiri Rahis, among others.

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Ambushed Boko Haram Terrorists Kill Two Soldiers, Injure Four In Borno

BREAKING NEWS

Ambushed Boko Haram Terrorists Kill Two Soldiers, Injure Four In Borno

Nigerian Army: FILE PHOTO

Two Nigerian soldiers were killed and four injured in an ambush by Boko Haram militants in the country’s northeastern state of Borno, the army said Tuesday.

The attack on Monday happened as soldiers were travelling between the towns of Biu and Damboa.

Borno state has been at the heart of the jihadist insurgency that has killed 20,000 people and displaced 2.6 million more since 2009.

“Our men fell into an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists while on their way to Damboa from Biu,” a military officer told AFP.

“They fought the terrorists and we lost two men in the fight.”

A military vehicle was also seized in the attack, he added.

Despite repeated claims from the authorities in Abuja that they have “crushed the terrorists”, attacks and suicide bombings persist in hard-to-reach rural areas and outlying towns.

Last week Boko Haram militants stormed a girls’ school in Dapchi, in neighbouring Yobe state, and abducted more than 100 schoolgirls.

The raid comes four years after 276 girls were taken from a school in Chibok, in Borno state.

AFP

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