In Borno Soldiers kill Boko Haram commander, recover weapons

The terrorist commander is said to have been killed during a raid carried out in the state by men of the Multi National Joint Task Force.

Soldiers in Borno State have reportedly killed a very high ranking member of terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The terrorist commander is said to have been killed during a raid carried out in the state by men of the Multi National Joint Task Force.

The unidentified insurgent is said to have been one of the most senior officers of Boko Haram founder, Muhammad Yusuf.

He was reportedly killed during an air raid carried out by troops in the town of Malumfatori.

Officers of the Nigerian Army were also said to have recovered some weapons from the sect.

An intelligence source told Punch that the weapons recovered include “a Battle Armoured Tank equipped with comprehensive protective system and maximum firing distance and accuracy with anti-aircraft rotating mount; its fire accuracy is attained by range-finder, ballistic computer with a thermal barrel sleeve.”

The troops also recovered armoured personnel vehicles, artillery guns, ammunition and Hilux vehicles from the terrorists.

BREAKING Bomb Blast rocks Yobe

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a legislator’s home in the state capital, Potiskum on Sunday, February 1.

A bomb blast has occurred in Postikum, the capital of Yobe State.

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a legislator’s home in the state capital on Sunday, February 1,Reuters reports.

Security sources also confirmed the attack saying that 10 people have so far died as a result.

The bombing reportedly occurred outside the home of Federal House of Representatives member, Sabo Garbu.

Story developing.

Ebola Outbreak Death toll rises to 8,795

The WHO also said, in its latest figures, that 22,057 people across the globe had been infected with the disease.

The death toll for the current Ebola outbreak has risen to 8,795, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The WHO also said, in its latest figures, that 22,057 people across the globe had been infected with the disease.

Sierra Leone has accounted for 10,518 cases, while Liberia and Guinea had 8,622 and 2,917 cases respectively.

Other countries which had milder outbreaks of the disease include Nigeria, which had 20 cases and eight deaths, Mali, with eight cases and six deaths, The US, which had four cases and one death. Senegal, Spain and the UK recorded one infection each with no death.

Liberia has accounted for most of the casualties with 3,686 deaths, while Sierra Leone and Guinea had 3,199 and 1,910 deaths respectively.

The Ebola outbreak has however reached its lowest level of infections since it began in March 2014 and some experts say the epidemic might be over by June 2015.

Boko Haram General, other senior officers arrested over Baga attack

The officers arrested include a Brigadier General, a Lieutenant Colonel and five others who were on assignment at the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the town.

The Nigerian Army has reportedly arrested seven of its senior officers over the recent attack by Boko Haram in Baga, Borno State.

The officers arrested include a Brigadier General, a Lieutenant Colonel and five others who were on assignment at the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the town.

The military base was taken over by Boko Haram after a fierce battle on January 5, 2015.

The officers in question were apprended in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and have been moved to Abuja for interrogation,Punch reports.

The Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, has reportedly confirmed that the officers were being questioned.

“Nigerian officers in key command positions of the Multi National Joint Task Force are in the process of accounting for their action in the mission area leading to loss of weapons, men and location in their area of responsibility. This is a normal military procedure in major operations and after some encounter,” he said.

“The essence is to extract and collate relevant information for subsequent missions. It could also lead to or determine appropriate disciplinary action where necessary,” he added.

The attack on Baga attracted international attention and outrage due to reports that it had claimed the lives of about 2,000 people.

Bird Flu Ogun confirms outbreak of disease

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke Sokefun during a meeting with journalists.

The Government of Ogun State has confirmed that cases of bird flu have been recorded within the state.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Agriculture,Ronke Sokefun during a meeting with journalists on Monday, January 26.

Mrs Sokefun stated that samples from live birds retrieved from Sango, Sagamu and Ifo had tested positive for the disease.

Other samples taken from birds in Odogbolu, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro and Ayetoro also tested positive.

The Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina confirmed the outbreak in the country and stated that the disease had now been recorded in seven states.

Cholera Outbreak 8 die in Anambra, 20 in Bayelsa

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Joe Akabuike, revealed the figure on Tuesday, January 27, in Awka, the state capital.

Eight people have died of Cholera in Anambra State, the state Commissioner for Health, Joe Akabuike, has said.

The commissioner revealed this on Tuesday, January 27, in Awka, the state capital.

Akabuike also said the state had recorded 25 cases of the disease as at January.

The commissioner added that a team of health workers were deployed to the area as soon as the outbreak was reported.

In a related development, 20 people are also said to have lost their lives to Cholera in Bayelsa State.

The disease is said to have been recorded in the Sagbama and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the state with most of the infected being women and children.

The state Commissioner for Health, Ayiabatonye Owei has said that health officials had since swung into action to combat the disease.

International Relations Nigerian passport ranked among world’s least powerful

The Nigerian travel document falls short due to the fact that it only gives access to 47 countries while that of the United States gives its citizens free access to 172 other countries.

The Nigerian passport has been listed as one of the least powerful in the world by a GOOD infographic.

The Nigerian travel document falls short due to the fact that it only gives access to 47 countries while that of the United States gives its citizens free access to 172 other countries.

A United Kingdom passport is also powerful as it guarantees the bearer access to 173 other countries.

Other passports which provide restricted access include that of Afghanistan which allows entry into 28 countries, Iraq, 31, Lebanon 38, Sri Lanka, 38, Sudan 38, Nepal, 37, Eritrea, 36, Palestinian territories, 36, Pakistan, 32 and Somalia, 32.

In the infographic map created by Ricky Lynn of GOOD, countries are color-coded based on the "power" of their passports.

The darker in color, the more freedom that country's residents have to travel. Lighter orange colors mean residents can visit fewer countries with their passports.

Obama says Nigeria’s government hasn’t been ‘effective’ against terrorists [VIDEO]

Obama stated this while being interviewed by popular YouTube sensations, Bethany Mota, GloZell, and Hank Green.

US President Barack Obama has said that the Nigerian Government has not been effective against Boko Haram.

Obama stated this while being interviewed by popular YouTube sensations, Bethany Mota, GloZell, and Hank Green.

19-year-old Mota asked the President what more the U.S. could be doing to help prevent more death and destruction in Nigeria at the terrorist group’s hands and he replied saying:

“What we've tried to do is to help the Nigerian government deal with the problem.”

“The Nigerian government has not been as effective as it needs to be in not only finding the girls, but also stopping this extremist organization from operating inside their territory,” Obama added.

The President was referring to the over 200 schoolgirls who were abducted from Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram in April 2014. Most of them are still missing.

The terrorist group attracted even more international outrage when it massacred up to 2,000 people in Baga, Borno State.

However, during a recent interview on CNN, military analyst, Major General James “Spider” Marks said that the US has refused to stop Boko Haram because ‘black West Africa’ is not a priority to the West.

Watch Obama's YouTube interview HERE

Boko Haram Terrorists send warning to villages near Baga

The terrorists were said to have visited Kekenu, Budur, Yoyo and Mile 90 and told members of the community to leave or face dire consequences.

Residents of four villages near Baga  in Borno State, where a massacre recently occurred, have been forced to flee after members of Boko Haram reportedly sent them a warning.

The terrorists were said to have visited Kekenu, Budur, Yoyo and Mile 90 and told members of the community to leave or face dire consequences.

The head of the state’s fisherman’s union, Abubakar Gamandi told AFP that the villages were left deserted after the insurgents visited "and asked people to leave -- or else".

“When we came to Mile 90, we found it almost empty with some remaining residents staying behind to pick up personal belongings,” a fleeing Baga resident, Ma'agana Butari said.

“We also found Budur, Kekenu and Yoyo deserted and we caught up with some of the residents moving towards Monguno,” she added.

This comes as Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau released a video online claiming responsibility for the Baga massacre which reportedly left 2,000 people dead.

Bird Flu Rivers Government confirms outbreak of the disease

The discovery of the disease was announced on Tuesday, January 20, by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Emma Chinda.

The Government of Rivers State has confirmed an outbreak of the avian influenza, aka bird flu, in the state.

The discovery of the disease was announced on Tuesday, January 20, by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Emma Chinda.

The commissioner stated that blood samples from infected birds had been taken to the Veterinary Research Institute in Plateau State after preliminary testing confirmed the presence of bird flu.

“On January 14, (2015), we got a report from a farm that was worrisome. The report we got suggested that the farm may have been infected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza,” Chinda said.

“Unfortunately, the result came out on January 17 (2015) and it read positive of highly pathogenic avian influenza. On the basis of that, we had to take necessary steps. Apart from quarantining the farm, we had to depopulate (eliminate) the birds in the farm to stop further spread. Thereafter, we decontaminated the farm,” he added.

Chinda also added that the infection was discovered on a farm in Port Harcourt and that the facility had been quarantined and decontaminated while the affected birds were killed.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has also confirmed cases of the disease in Lagos and Kano.

Muhammadu Buhari APC candidate reacts to Fayose’s controversial newspaper advert

The advert shows pictures of previously deceased Nigerian leaders and appears to predict death for Buhari as well saying that citizens should avoid another state burial by re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan.

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari has responded to a controversial advert placed by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose on the front page of Punch Newspaper.

The advert shows pictures of previously deceased Nigerian leaders and appears to predict death for Buhari as well saying that citizens should avoid another state burial by re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan.

The former Head of State has spoken out via Twitter about the advert. Tweets below:

 

I have become seriously disturbed by the volume of falsehood and desperation from the opposition campaign of the PDP.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

I clearly underrated the panic and lack of integrity that leads people to tell barefaced lies, and must confess, it continues to confound me
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

I have run for office before, but I have consistently done so without desperation or anger, because elections are not war.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Why should candidates tell so many frantic lies in order to win elections, if truly their purpose is to ‘transform’ the lives of our people?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

It is a tragedy to see the ruling party focus on pettiness and lies; rumours of cancer, foreign treatment, and certificates they know exist.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

The desperation is beyond my understanding. #ThingsMustChange
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

What is this obsession with lies? What is this obsession with pettiness? What is this obsession with threats and attacks?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

All of us, citizens and voters need to ask ourselves – why is our President so desperate?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

How can the President of this country be talking about remembering phone numbers and coup speeches?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

How can a President who has led this country for six years be unable to run on his own record and his achievements?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

How can his campaign be talking about dead ex-leaders, jogging around the stadium and outright lies about my health?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Where is his fabled calm, where is his reserve, where is his composure? Why is he so ruffled? Why is he so frustrated and afraid?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We should be deeply worried that a President who called for calm during governorship elections has now lost his cool in his own elections.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Our President and his allies must remember that he is not only a candidate for office; he is the President of Nigeria.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We do not have a disinformation or propaganda wing in our campaign. We have no need to waste time in driving petty attacks.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We have not spoken about the President's family, his health, his religion, his ethnic group, or his phone number.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We are concerned only about his record – has he secured Nigeria? Has he fought corruption? Has he truly grown the economy so it can work?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Can our president keep us safe when we travel to any part of this country? Is your life better today than it was six years ago?
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We have only presented our record – how we fought insurgencies, how we stabilised the naira, how we tackled corruption.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Therefore, I shall refuse to indulge the smear campaign. I refuse to allow them take away the focus from the issues that concern you.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Let us focus on those issues, please. Elections are not war. February 14 is not about politicians. It is about our country.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

We insist on a campaign of hope, change and the future. This election is about big, important issues. We refuse to play it small.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Join us as we continue the relentless pace of our rallies in Minna and Kaduna today. #Change is finally here, my friends. - GMB
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) January 19, 2015

Baga Massacre Satellite images show large scale of destruction by Boko Haram [PHOTOS]

The terrorists are said to have burnt down 3,700 homes in the recent attack on Baga and Doron Baga which started on Saturday, January 3, and reportedly lasted six days.

Satellite images show large scale of destruction carried out by Boko Haram in Baga, Borno State.  Amnesty International

Satellite images show large scale of destruction carried out by Boko Haram in Baga, Borno State.  Amnesty International

Amnesty International has released satellite images showing the amount of destruction carried out in Baga, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

The terrorists are said to have burnt down 3,700 homes in the recent attack on Baga and Doron Baga which started on Saturday, January 3, and reportedly lasted six days.

“These detailed images show devastation of catastrophic proportions in two towns, one of which was almost wiped off the map in the space of four days,” Daniel Eyre, a researcher for Amnesty International in Nigeria said.

“Of all Boko Haram assaults analysed by Amnesty International, this is the largest and most destructive yet. It represents a deliberate attack on civilians whose homes, clinics and schools are now burnt out ruins,” he added.

The death toll from the attack is reported to be as high as 2,000 even though the Nigerian military recently put the figure at 150, a calculation which has been refuted by Amnesty International.

Boko Haram 10 things you should know about the terrorist attack in Baga

The attack is said to have lasted six days and about 3,000 residents of the town are said to have escaped to Chad.

A scene of destruction in Baga after 185 people were killed and over 2000 homes destroyed in April 2013

Boko Haram insurgents have gone on a killing spree in Baga, Borno State and have reportedly killed thousands of people.

The attack is said to have lasted six days and about 3,000 residents of the town are said to have escaped to Chad.

Here are 10 things you should know about the attack:

1. It started on Saturday, January 3
   
   
2.  Boko Haram initially attacked the military base in Baga which hosts the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), made up of troops from Nigeria, Chad and Niger
   .
3. The terrorists engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle in the town.
   
   
4. The soldiers attached to the base fled and the facility was taken over by the insurgents.
   
   
5. The terrorists began a killing spree and are said to have killed 2,000 people in the community. Others are said to have drowned while trying to cross into Chad.
   
   
6. The Boko Haram members also burnt houses and levelled the town. Officials say the town of Baga is “virtually non-existent”
   
   
7. The surviving residents of Baga are said to have fled the town leaving it totally empty.
   
   
8. The streets of Baga are said to be littered with corpses as there’s no one left to bury the dead.
   
   
9. The terrorists are also said to have burnt down 16 communities in the area.
   
   
10. Amnesty international has described the attack as the deadliest massacre in Boko Haram’s history.

Boko Haram Terrorists reportedly kill 2000 people in Baga

The insurgents reportedly invaded the town on Wednesday, January 7, and left bodies scattered in the streets

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau pictured with some of his fighters
(AFP

According to reports, about 2,000 people have been killed in the recent Boko Haram attacks on Baga, Borno State.

The insurgents invaded the town on Wednesday, January 7, and left bodies scattered in the streets, BBC reports.

An official, Musa Alhaji Bukar told BBC that the terrorists had burnt down almost the entire town and that about 2,000 people had been killed in the attack.

Boko Haram, on Saturday, January 3, attacked a military base in Baga, which houses the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and took over the facility after a fierce battle with soldiers.