Monday, May 6, 2013

REVEALED : How Shettima Monguno Regained Freedom ... NOW IT'S TIME FOR THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO POINTED ACCUSING FINGERS AT JTF FOR THE ABDUCTION TO BE INTERROGATED AND MADE TO VOMIT WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS DASTARDLY ACT PLUS WHO THEIR SPONSORS ARE.


The abductors of elder statesman Shettima Ali Monguno yesterday succumbed to appeals from concerned Nigerians and his family. He was released after three days in captivity. Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) picked him up at Kirenuwa town of Marte LGA of Borno State.
Monguno was said to have been released about midday at Marte, a border town 140 kilometres northward of the state, which was alleged to have been taken over by the Boko Haram members.
Unknown gunmen had abducted the 87-year-old ex-minister after the Friday prayers at his mosque in Mafoni, Maiduguri.
Explaining the circumstances leading to Monguno’s release, Borno State governor Kashim Shettima had, in a press briefing in his chambers immediately after visiting the old man in his sitting room and exchanging greetings and prayers, directed the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to immediately liaise with the JTF and Nigeria Police Force to cordon off the house and stop people from visiting the old man. Even journalists were barred.
Shettima said, “We are full of joy and happiness for him and his family... I congratulate all Nigerians and particularly the people of Borno. I pray for his good health.”
The governor further appealed to the journalists not to conduct any interview with the old man for a day or two to allow him recover from the stress he was exposed to in the hands of his abductors.
Asked how Monguno was released and conveyed to his house in Maiduguri, he said: “It was all as a result of the persistent appeals to his captives from the government and Nigerians as well as his family. Then the abductors made contact with the family. The family equally appealed for the sake of God and humanity; the old man is on medication. As such, the abductors agreed to release the poor old man. They did not demand any money or ransom. He is a church rat; he does not have money. He has sacrificed his life for the nation.
“He was picked up in Kirenuwa border town in Marte LGC of Borno State where the abductors carried him to. I however commend the media for their role in managing the abduction. The news was all over and attracted sympathy from everywhere, which informed his release. We are grateful to you the press for your maturity, support and sympathy in handling the issue. We actually commend you for the release of the poor man. Let’s pray for peace to prevail. Without peace, nothing can happen.”
Shettima further appealed to Boko Haram members to lay down their arms.
Commenting on the return and release of Monguno, the Borno State deputy governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, told LEADERSHIP: “We are indeed happy and very excited about his release and final return to his house safely, healthy and alive. We pray that his abductors will realize what they are doing and resort to dialogue by surrendering their weapons to allow peace to reign.
 “We appealed to the abductors and the family also appealed to them and they sympathised with the health condition of the old man and finally agreed to release him. We mobilised security men to go and convey him to Maiduguri. He was picked up in a border town called Kirenuwa in Marte LGC of Borno State. We are grateful that he is back and alive. He is healthy but he needs rest for some time to compose himself. He is old and needs to be taken care of. His is under medication and that is one of the major reasons they released him. They did not demand money. He has no money to give them. He is old and poor man. We are also grateful to the JTF who went and brought him. Every citizen of this country and even the media, we are grateful to them for their support and maturity in handling the matter. He is healthy but needs rest.”
The governor had led his cabinet members and other dignitaries to his sitting room to welcome him and congratulate him on his safe return. The elder statesman’s grandchildren, children and relations were seen all over the compound.
His wife, Hajiya Fatima Shettima Ali Monguno, could not hide her feelings and tears of joy. Other relations were also crying and praying.
His son, Rahama Ali Shettima Ali Monguno, was seen busy greeting visitors and relations who came to sympathise with the old man.
The state commissioner of urban water supply, Alhaji Mai Sheriff, told LEADERSHIP, “We are happy and pray for his return. We are also grateful to all that contributed to his release by his abductors. Everybody knows that this is an old man under medication. We need to sympathize with him and allow him to rest. The important thing is, he has returned home safely. Alhamdulillah!”
Alhaji Baba Kaka Garbai, the younger brother of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn Muar El-Kanemi, also could not hide his joy on seeing the old man return home safely.

JTF arrests suspected killers of Gen. Shuwa
The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO) has stated that it has arrested suspected killers of war veteran Maj.-Gen. Mohammadu Shuwa in Maiduguri.
JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said in a statement in Maiduguri yesterday that the arrest followed a series of investigations by the task force.
Maj.-Gen. Shuwa, was shot dead by gunmen in front of his house in Gwange, Maiduguri, on Nov. 12, 2012.
“Preliminary investigations by the JTF have identified two key suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Mohammed Ibn Saleh and Abdulkareem Ibrahim, as the masterminds of the killing,’’ Musa said.
He added that a special operation was carried out by the JTF to get the suspected killers.
“Consequently, a special operation was conducted on Nov. 15, 2012, by the task force with a view to arresting the culprits, which led to the death of Ibn Saleh during a shootout in a house at Bulabulin Ngarnam. Similarly, on Dec. 2, 2012 Abdulkareem was arrested with an injury that resulted in his death on Dec. 6, 2012. A member of the syndicate, one Bulama Bur, died on Dec. 2, 2012, in an encounter with JTF troops.’’
He said that JTF also arrested four other members of the gang.
“Sequel to Abdulkareem’s confession, four other members of the syndicate were identified and three of them arrested between January and March, while one of the culprits is at large.
He said that one of those arrested was “actively involved in the planning and execution of the plan that led to the killing of Shuwa while the two others played various indirect roles”.
“Both have confessed to being members of Boko Haram and equally confessed to carrying out various attacks both on military and civilian targets,’’ he said.
JTF added that they allegedly extorted about N20 million from the late Alhaji Ibrahim Mai Sugar, among others.

Kidnapping: JTF arrests kidnappers of rep’s parents in Borno
Based on intelligence, the JTF has intercepted and rescued two kidnap victims - Ummara Sanda Sheriff and his wife Mrs Maryam Sanda Sheriff (the parents of a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaga-Maigumeri - Gubio constituency, Borno State, Hon. Mohammed Sanda) from a six-man gang of Boko Haram terrorists. They were kidnapped on Sunday, May 5, 2013, at Ngamdu village at about 10:15pm.
The village is a border community between Borno and Yobe States, about 90 kilometers from Maiduguri.
A press statement issued and signed by the JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri yesterday, said the terrorists and the victims were heading towards Marte area of Marte LGC of Borno State in an old model Toyota 4-wheel drive marked Borno XA 625 KGG when they were intercepted at Zabarmari area of Maiduguri by the JTF troops on special operation about 30 kilometers from Maiduguri metropolis.
According to the JTF, The couple was successfully rescued by the JTF on Monday, May 6, at about 9am.
Mr Sanda is 85 years old and his wife Maryam, 70 years. They seem to be in good health. The following items were found in the recovered vehicle: 1 AK 47 rifle and a magazine with 30 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition; 7 assorted cell phones;   6 pairs of wrappers and a set of lady’s shoes; 7 pairs of male clothes; 3 MTN SIM cards;  2 extra vehicle batteries; 1 identification card; 2 jacks;  1 mat; and 2 pairs of male shoes.
“The JTF wishes to once again alert the public to be wary and security-conscious at all times. Members of the public are advised to avoid or be very sensitive to strangers and friends that have not been in contact for long.
“Similarly, the public are warned to avoid isolated areas and shun meetings or friendship organised through telephones or social media. This advice is based on the intelligence available to the Task Force that Boko Haram terrorists have resolved to concentrate more on kidnappings than robbery.
“They alleged that kidnapping is more lucrative, less dangerous and requires short time to plan and execute. Consequently, a special kidnapping squad has been earmarked and tasked by Boko Haram to kidnap persons who could be a relation, politician, businessman/woman, civil servants, traditional rulers and foreigners alike.”

Gov Nyako counsels Gov Shettima on secuirty challenges in Borno
Meanwhile, Adamawa State governor Murtala Nyako has advised Borno State governor Kashim Shettima on the need to avoid taking premature decisions.
Speaking in Maiduguri during a courtesy call at the Government House in Maiduguri yesterday, Governor Nyako said he was in Maiduguri to condole with the families of the deceased, the government  and people of Borno State over the tragedies that beclouded them recently in Baga town, Bama town, Maiduguri city and other places.
He also assured that Adamawa State government and people will not fold their arms and watch its neighbouring state in trouble without supporting or assisting it. He presented a cheque of N20 million to the state governor as token assistance from the Adamawa State government and people.
“We will also not leave you alone but also try to do our best to properly support and assist you in bringing peace to the state, zone and country at large as we are working round the clock to ensure that there is peace in the country,” Nyako said.
Governor Nyako added, “We are also going to sit down and discuss how peace and these security challenges are going to be addressed and return peace to the state, zone and country at large before our governors’ meeting. I have severally offered advice to the governor on how to tackle this insurgency.”
Responding, Shettima said in tears, “We cannot hide our feelings and joy for your brotherhood and fatherly advice since the crisis started. As a man of ideas and wisdom, you have been helpful in the theories we apply in controlling the Boko Haram crisis.
 “You have been behind all the Kanem-Borno dynasty activities and very supportive indeed. We are grateful and thankful for all you have been doing for us as a brother and father. We pray that, Insha Allah, these challenges will end. The spirit that keeps us together should please be maintained. Insha Allah we shall have peace in the state, zone and country at large. Baba Mai Mangoro is assisting us with the token assistance of N20 million cheque. And just last week he sent to me 20 special bulls or cattle.”

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