Sambisa is last battle ground with Boko Haram - DHQ

Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said Boko Haram has been knocked down in Borno and other parts of the Northeast.

It said the only battle ground left is in the Sambisa Forest, the about 80 kilometres swathe of thick bush that is the sect’s stronghold.

It said once the battle for Sambisa is over, Boko Haram will become a thing of the past.

But the DHQ pleaded for support from every citizen because it is a Nigerian war against Boko Haram insurgents.

Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar spoke exclusively with our correspondent against the backdrop of the allegation by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) that half of Borno State is still being occupied by Boko Haram.

Gen. Abubakar said: “The situation is clear on how much we have decimated Boko Haram. Technically, we have knocked down these insurgents.

“ The insurgents have been beaten and I stand by what I said. I can beat my chest that the insurgents have been decimated.

“All these attacks on soft targets do not mean that Boko Haram insurgents are occupying any territory. They are carrying out these attacks in order to remain relevant. The insurgents are pretending to be alive when in reality they have lost out.

“The attacks on soft targets by the insurgents do not translate to occupation of territories or some parts of Borno State or the North-East.

“The insurgents’ attacks on soft targets are not peculiar to Nigeria. These terrorists do so in the U.S. France, Britain, and many countries. We are doing our best to protect these soft targets.”

Gen. Abubakar said: “What is left is Sambisa Forest. That is the last battle ground with the insurgents.

“ This Forest is about 80kilometres but I believe very soon, we will overrun the Forest and rout out the insurgents. We will certainly send them packing from the Sambisa Forest.”

“For anyone to make a claim that half of Borno State is under the insurgents is not helping the military. It is just to get media attention. We have decimated Boko Haram. This is the reality.

“We want to appeal to Nigerians to appreciate and support our gallant troops to maintain the high rate of success we have achieved in the war against the insurgents.

“This is a Nigerian war versus the insurgents. Boko Haram is a national catastrophe which requires the support of all to address. Every Nigerian must be seen to be contributing morally to the war against these insurgents. “

With The Nation

Mr. Rotimi Amaechi had used $150m to fund the All Progressives Congress’ elections - Wike

THE Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said on Sunday that he would not have contested a governorship rerun if the Supreme Court had failed to uphold his election.

The governor also alleged that between December 1 and 18 of 2014, the immediate past government in the state led by Mr. Rotimi Amaechi had used $150m to fund the All Progressives Congress’ elections, adding that the state government will recover all stolen funds, according to The Punch.

Wike said this at a thanksgiving service at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

But reacting to the allegation, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, described the claim as a big lie from “the very depth of hell.”

Finebone challenged Wike to take Amaechi to court, adding that the former governor was without blemish.

He said, “That (allegation) is a big lie taken from the very depth of hell. Wike talks big and tough, but behind his tough-talking is a moronic coward. He will not advance that accusation beyond the comfort of his audience.

“His deeds are awaiting him and at the appropriate time, he will be held to account. If he is serious, let him go to court and summon Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. But you can be sure that he (Wike) will not do that because that Amaechi is without blemish.”

The governor said he would have opted out of the rerun in order to prevent loss of lives that could have trailed the poll.

Wike added, “Nothing is impossible with God. Men of God prophesied a few days to the Supreme Court ruling that the judgment will confirm the mandate given to us by the Rivers people.

“We won the election clearly as has been confirmed by the Supreme Court. If there was a rerun, I wouldn’t have contested because there would have been a bloodbath. I resolved not to be part of anything that would bring about bloodbath.”

He pointed out that the failure of the “evil plotters” meant that Rivers people would return all the legislators, whose elections were nullified by the Appeal Court.

Explaining that the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his election restored the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, Wike stated that the ruling of the apex court confirmed the will of the Rivers people.

He assured the people of the state that he would judiciously use the mandate given to him to advance the course of the development of the state.

The governor restated his earlier declaration that he would not allow the rigging of the State and National Assembly rerun elections in the state, saying any INEC staff who attempts to rig will be treated as an armed robbers.

Helping Hands International training for the week

NAIROBI

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Ika National Hall, opposite post office, Agbor. Mondays 4:30pm.

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Akwa Akuma Girls Secondary School, every Sat or 10 Elekwernwa St off Weatheral Rd, by Cherubim Bustop, Owerri. Wednesdays by 3 pm.

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The Refiners Fire Church, Off Amb Otiotio Road, By Isaac Boro Expressway,

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Chinyere Maternity Street, Rumuchiorlu

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Call Edmund (EddieSax) on

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@12 NTA Road, Beside Finger Licking Fast Foods, Rumuokwuta Junction, PH.

Every Sunday by 3.00pm prompt

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@30 Okporo Road, By 1st Artillery,

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Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

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5. OBIGBO

@Joewendy Fastfood, Opp Old Court.

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Every Tuesday by 10am - 12noon

6. STADIUM ROAD

@#1 M.N. Arikeru Street, Off Chinda Street,

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Every Saturday by 4pm - 5.30pm

7. ELELENWO

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Via Market Junction, Igwuruta, Etche-Road

Every Friday by 4pm

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@#5, Sarima Plaza, Former PDP Secretariat,

Along Eneka Road

Every

 by 3pm

Wenger: It’s great to see Leicester doing well without big names

LEICESTER City are the neutrals’ favourite in the Premier League title race, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman believes Claudio Ranieri’s side have won the hearts and imagination of a football-loving public with their swashbuckling style of play that has left the Premier League’s biggest clubs in their wake.

The table-toppers dismissed the challenge of second-placed Manchester City in remarkable fashion, as they earned a 3-1 win at the Etihad on Saturday to move six points clear of City.

“The advantage they have until the end of the season, apart from our fans and the City fans and Tottenham fans, the rest of the country is behind Leicester,” he said.

“You reproach me about not buying big names but you will support the team who have no big names.

“I think it’s great to see Leicester doing so well.

“You always ask me, ‘Why do you not buy a big-name?’ but Leicester is a fantastic example that football is not only about just spending the money.

With Goal.com

Artisan’s mother, 12 others become millionaires in Abuja

Regional Director, North Central, Dangote Cement, Dolapo Ali (left); winner, Aishatu Ahmadu; and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Representative, Ahmed Hasheem, at the event.

IT was singing and dancing time in Abuja at the weekend, but none of the celebrants was more joyful than a visiting 59-year-old woman who became an instant millionaire.

Aishatu Ahmadu, who resides in Kano State, visited her son who works as a labourer in a construction site in Abuja.

One day, she went to assist her son clean up the site, when she heard about the Dangote Mega Millions Dash promo and she enrolled.

Her action paid off as she emerged one of the millionaires at the draws held at the open field in Mabushi, along the Sani Abacha Way.

Speaking in Hausa language, she said: “I am surprised, I am so happy I don’t know what to say.”

The youngest winner, Monday Usman, a 20-year-old man, struggled through the completion of his National Diploma course from Kogi State Polytechnic.

With tears of joy, he said “now I can continue with my education, I will apply for direct entry into the university, and also invest in business while I study.”

An authorised Dangote Cement distributor, Okeke Michael Emeka, said: “There has been significant increase in sales since the promo began.”IT was singing and dancing time in Abuja at the weekend, but none of the celebrants was more joyful than a visiting 59-year-old woman who became an instant millionaire.

Aishatu Ahmadu, who resides in Kano State, visited her son who works as a labourer in a construction site in Abuja.

One day, she went to assist her son clean up the site, when she heard about the Dangote Mega Millions Dash promo and she enrolled.

Her action paid off as she emerged one of the millionaires at the draws held at the open field in Mabushi, along the Sani Abacha Way.

Speaking in Hausa language, she said: “I am surprised, I am so happy I don’t know what to say.”

The youngest winner, Monday Usman, a 20-year-old man, struggled through the completion of his National Diploma course from Kogi State Polytechnic.

With tears of joy, he said “now I can continue with my education, I will apply for direct entry into the university, and also invest in business while I study.”

An authorised Dangote Cement distributor, Okeke Michael Emeka, said: “There has been significant increase in sales since the promo began.”

With The Guardian