CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN COUNTER TERRORISM CAMPAIGN IN NIGERIA--DHQ

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN COUNTER TERRORISM CAMPAIGN

Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country.  Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri which is their prime target.  There was therefore the need to ensure that communities such as Konduga were protected. It is noteworthy that the terrorists made not less than four attempts between 12 and 17 September 2014 to violate the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities.  Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.

The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’ mission that involves their top commanders, were fiercely engaged by the land and air forces.  Several of the terrorists including some of their commanders lost their lives in the encounters which lasted an average of about 5 hours each.  The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment.  In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group died.    Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.

On restoring normalcy after the encounter, inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam alias Damasack etc.  Indeed, the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country. 

Meanwhile, a total of 135 terrorists have yesterday evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu Local Government Area.  A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika.  They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.

The Defence Headquarters applauds the gallantry of the Nigerian troops who have remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting this campaign against terror. The keen interest exhibited by our neighbours and allies is commendable and we appreciate them.  All allies in the war against terrorism are hereby assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to maintain momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists. The invaluable efforts toward achieving sustainable peace and victory against the terrorists are highly appreciated.

It is nevertheless necessary to alert all citizens that there is still the need for even more vigilance and cooperation with the security forces.  Everybody is required to remain alert to ensure that we are not taken unawares by terrorist elements who might want to carry-out isolated attacks in any part of our country.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASKS WEST AFRICA TO RESPECT RIGHTS IN EBOLA RESPONSE

Protect Health Workers, Limit Quarantines, Promote Transparency

(Nairobi, September 15, 2014) –West African governments should ensure rights protections as a crucial element in controlling the unprecedented Ebola epidemic ravaging the region, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch expressed its sympathy to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who have died as a result of the Ebola outbreak, and recognized the courage of many health workers and others in caring for the sick.

Governments in Ebola-affected countries should better protect health workers from infection, limit use of quarantines, address the gender dimensions of the outbreak, ensure security forces responding to the crisis respect basic rights, and facilitate independent monitoring of emergency measures and donations, Human Rights Watch said. Donor governments, through international assistance and cooperation, should help these governments fulfill the right to health and efforts to address the epidemic’s broader impact. “Given the tragic magnitude of this epidemic, the affected governments cannot and should not be expected to fulfil the right to health on their own,” said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The international community must help assume this responsibility, while insisting that governments do their part by ensuring transparency and respect for human rights as they respond to the crisis.”

As of September 5, 2014, there have been 4,784 confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola virus, and more than 2,400 deaths across most regions of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and in two cities in Nigeria. Cases were confirmed in 7 of 8 regions in Guinea; 10 of 15 counties in Liberia; and 13 of 14 districts in Sierra Leone, as well as in the Senegalese capital Dakar, and the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt. Among the dead are over 140 health workers.
Doctors without Borders, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Centers for Disease Control, among other organizations, have repeatedly warned that the outbreak is spiraling out of control. A WHO statement on September 8 said the number of new cases is increasing exponentially. Ebola treatment centers are overflowing and turning highly infectious patients away.
The epidemic has resulted in severe contraction of West Africa’s economies and a near collapse of health care systems in the worst-affected countries, Human Rights Watch said. It is reducing access to health care for children, pregnant women, and others with chronic and acute health concerns. Health workers have expressed concern about the lack of health care for, and increasingly mortality from, other diseases and conditions like malaria, typhoid, dysentery, and childbirth complications. Local nongovernmental organizations need increased support to educate the population about the disease and monitor government response, including the use of humanitarian assistance.

The Ebola epidemic is unfolding in three of the world’s poorest countries. Each has had decades of violence and instability, including brutal armed conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone and authoritarian rule in Guinea. When the three countries’ presidents assumed office (Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2006, Sierra Leone’s Ernest Bai Koroma in 2007, and Guinea’s Alpha Condé in 2010), they inherited nations with deeply broken infrastructure, weak rule of law institutions, communal tensions, abusive security forces, crushing poverty, and phenomenally high unemployment.

While these governments have made progress in ensuring respect for human rights, including the right to the highest obtainable standard of health, serious challenges remain. Health indicators. including maternal mortality, child mortality, and life expectancy, are among the world’s worst.

Endemic corruption, weak road networks, the “brain drain” of medical personnel, and the widespread destruction of health facilities during armed conflict have undermined the right to health for decades.
“As they respond to the Ebola crisis, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone should address ongoing governance challenges by ensuring the transparent use of funds, improving health infrastructure,  making the security forces more accountable, and improving communication between government and the population,” Dufka said.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS HOLD 2ND PLENARY IN EFFURUN, DELTA STATE

President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed for cooperation from Nigerians in the fight against insurgency and acts of terrorism in the country.

President Jonathan in a goodwill message  to the Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria  in Effurun, Delta State, affirmed that his administration was committed to end all forms of insurgency in the country.

Dr. Jonathan who was represented by Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, explained that the government has intensified the fight against terrorism in the Northern part of the country but that it required the continued cooperation and prayers of all Nigerians .
"I need the cooperation of the entire country in the fight against Boko Haram. In doing this Nigerians should also pray for the defeat of the Boko Haram," he said.
President Jonathan also assured Nigerians of his administrations commitment towards conducting free and fair polls in 2015.
Dr. Uduaghan speaking for himself said that government through the support of religious bodies like the Catholic Church to raise the bar of development in the state.
Governor Uduaghan acknowledged the constructive criticisms of the Catholic Church on issues of development  and also promoting moral values in schools it received back from government.
He informed the Catholic Bishops of efforts his administration was embarking on to improve the lives of the people of the state, ranging from the Delta Beyond Oil vision aimed at diversifying the economy of the state.
"We have expanded the process of development in Delta State. This we have done through the Delta Beyond Oil Economic Development Model."
Governor Uduaghan while expressing concern about the activities of insurgents which had resulted in displacement of people, pleaded for continued prayers an end to the crisis. "I thank the Catholic Church for its prayers. If prayers could resolve crisis in the Niger Delta, prayers can end Boko Haram insurgency. So Nigerians should pray for an end to insurgency. I also appeal for prayers for our developmental programmes particularly the Delta beyond Oil programme so that the next administration would continue with it."
The Papal Nuncio (Pope's Ambassador) to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Pope Francis, charged Christians to work together to defeat terrorism.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in his goodwill message also charged Christians to set the stage for a united Nigeria that would usher in peace and development.
President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama who declared the conference open on his part called on Christians and Muslims in the country to take pragmatic steps towards promoting unity among their adherents.

BREAKING NEWS!!! SCHOOLS NOW TO REOPEN SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

Public primary and secondary schools are now to reopen on the 22^nd of this month. The decision was taken a short while ago in Abuja, at a meeting between the Minister of Education and State Commissioners for Education.

The Nigerian government had fixed October 13, 2014, to enable health authorities contain the dreaded Ebola virus. More details later.