Monday, March 18, 2013

Nigeria: Gunmen Attack Prison in Borno, Free Inmates

Maiduguri/Damaturu — Gunmen on Thursday evening attacked a prison in Gwoza town, about 135 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and set all the inmates free, locals told Weekly Trust yesterday.

Witnesses also said the gunmen who stormed the prison in commando style also set ablaze buildings within the prison.

Residents told our correspondent on phone that the gunmen stormed the prison close to the Emir of Gwoza's palace around 6:30pm and set the place ablaze using Improvised Explosives Device (IED).

Weekly Trust gathered that all the inmates at the prison were set free by the gunmen who came to the area with three vehicles, chanting 'Allahu Akbar'.

Our correspondent learnt that one person was hit by stray bullet during the attack and was rushed to the General Hospital in the town for medical attention.

Weekly Trust also learnt that the whole town was thrown into pandemonium as people run for the safety of their homes as gunshots rented the air.

The gunmen who were said to have operated for more than an hour, it was learnt, fled after the incident.

There was no official statement on the incident, but a top security source confirmed the attack on the prison yard to Weekly Trust. Also in Potiskum, Yobe State, gunmen Thursday night killed a police constable and prison warder in their residents located along old Army Barrack road, in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Weekly Trust gathered that the assailants stormed the officers' residents around 8:00pm and shot them dead at a close range.

A resident in the area said the officers went to buy some provisions at a nearby shop when the gunmen hid inside the house and waited for their arrival. "They shot them at close range and fled the area immediately," he said.

He said the remains of the officers were later conveyed to the Potiskum General Hospital.

Yobe State Police Commissioner, Sanusi Ahmed Rufa'I confirmed the incident to Weekly Trust. "Yes, a Police constable and a prison warder were killed, though I don't have details of the prison warder, but my officer was killed inside his family house located at old Army Barrack road."

He said there was security report that the suspected Boko Haram members had planned to launched an attack and bombed some places in the town.

"I spent the Thursday night there with my men to make sure nothing happened, it was when I later on returned to Damaturu this morning I received signal that they were killed on the out skirt of the town," he said.

from allAfrica/DAILYTRUST
By Yahaya Ibrahim Hamisu Kabir Matazu, 16 March 2013

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R.I.P. - Chief Warrant Officer James E. Groves III

DOD Identifies Army Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Chief Warrant Officer James E. Groves III, 37, of Kettering, Ohio, died March 16 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.  This incident is under investigation.

            For more information please contact the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Public Affairs Office at 912-210-9375.

---

from wdtn.com:
Updated: Monday, 18 Mar 2013, 5:24 AM EDT
Published : Sunday, 17 Mar 2013, 8:17 PM EDT

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - The Department of Defense confirmed on Sunday that a soldier from the Dayton-area has died overseas.

Chief Warrant Officer James E. Groves III, 37, of Kettering, died March 16 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Hunter Army Airfield.

Groves served as a Kiowa pilot. A Department of Defense spokesman told 2 NEWS he was killed in a helicopter crash.

According to a D.O.D news release, the incident is under investigation.

Leslie Groves, the victim's mother, told 2 NEWS her son joined the military in 1994 after graduating from Fairmont High School.

She said his career in the military has taken him all over the country, but most recently he lived in Savannah, Georgia with his wife and two small children.

This was Groves' fourth deployment. His mother said he was approximately one year away from retirement, but loved serving his country.

Chief Warrant Officer Groves' awards include the Air Medal.

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Mar. 18., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force killed Taliban facilitator, Abdul Satar, and one other insurgent during an operation in Panjwa'i District, Kandahar province, March 17.

Satar was directly involved in the coordination of improvised explosive device-making materials, weapons, supplies and fighters in order to prepare for the upcoming spring fighting season. He also participated in IED and direct-fire attacks targeting the Afghan Local Police in Kandahar province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North

During an operation in Kunduz District, Kunduz province today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader. The leader is believed to have coordinated multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and has served a vital role in the facilitation of weapons to extremist fighters.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent during an operation in Nad 'Ali district, Helmand province, yesterday. During the operation, the security force observed the militant engaging in insurgent activity and engaged, killing him.

During an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Panjwa'i District, Kandahar province today, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of insurgents. The Taliban leader is suspected of being the deputy commander of a cell of fighters in Panjwa'i District. His organization has been involved in kidnappings, IED operations, and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the arrest of a Taliban leader in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The leader is accused of being in charge of a large cell of insurgent fighters known for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. His cell of fighters have planned and executed ambushes, small-arms assaults, and IED operations. During the operation, the Afghan and coalition security force also detained a number of other insurgents.

East

During an operation in Khugyani District, Nangarhar province yesterday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent. The security force positively identified the militant engaging in insurgent activity and engaged the armed insurgent, killing him.

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Mar. 18., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 17.

Ghazni Province
Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IED's during operations in the Dehyak District.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Qarah Bagh District.

Khowst Province
Afghan Uniform Police found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Terezayi District.

Laghman Province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Qar Ghah'i District.

Nangarhar Province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Bati Kot District.

Afghan Uniform Police found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Shinwar District.

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